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The Causes and Effects of Water Pollution?

2006-11-22 18:15:07 · 5 answers · asked by abigail a 1 in Science & Mathematics Earth Sciences & Geology

5 answers

Water pollution is a large set of adverse effects upon water bodies (lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater) caused by human activities. Although natural phenomena such as volcanoes, storms, earthquakes etc. also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological status of water, these are not deemed to be pollution. Water pollution has many causes and characteristics. Increases in nutrient loading may lead to eutrophication. Organic wastes such as sewage and farm waste impose high oxygen demands on the receiving water leading to oxygen depletion with potentially severe impacts on the whole eco-system. Industries discharge a variety of pollutants in their wastewater including heavy metals, organic toxins, oils, nutrients, and solids. Discharges can also have thermal effects, especially those from power stations, and these too reduce the available oxygen. Silt-bearing runoff from many activities including construction sites, forestry and farms can inhibit the penetration of sunlight through the water column restricting photosynthesis and causing blanketing of the lake or river bed which in turns damages the ecology.

Pollutants in water include a wide spectrum of chemicals, pathogens, and physical chemistry or sensory changes. Many of the chemical substances are toxic or even carcinogenic. Pathogens can obviously produce waterborne diseases in either human or animal hosts. Alteration of water's physical chemistry include acidity, conductivity, temperature, and excessive nutrient loading (eutrophication). Even many of the municipal water supplies in developed countries can present health risks. In the U.S.in 1972 stringent federal laws were enacted setting specific discharge limitations.

Principal sources of water pollution are:


Litter in the Water in the U.K.industrial discharge of chemical wastes and byproducts
discharge of poorly-treated or untreated sewage
surface runoff containing pesticides
slash and burn farming practice, which is often an element within shifting cultivation agricultural systems
surface runoff containing spilled petroleum products
surface runoff from construction sites, farms, or paved and other impervious surfaces e.g. silt
discharge of contaminated and/or heated water used for industrial processes
acid rain caused by industrial discharge of sulfur dioxide (by burning high-sulfur fossil fuels)
excess nutrients added by runoff containing detergents or fertilizers
underground storage tank leakage, leading to soil contamination, thence aquifer contamination

2006-11-22 20:59:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1 1

Water pollution is a large set of adverse effects upon water bodies (lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater) caused by human activities. Although natural phenomena such as volcanoes, storms, earthquakes etc. also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological status of water, these are not deemed to be pollution. Water pollution has many causes and characteristics. Increases in nutrient loading may lead to eutrophication. Organic wastes such as sewage and farm waste impose high oxygen demands on the receiving water leading to oxygen depletion with potentially severe impacts on the whole eco-system. Industries discharge a variety of pollutants in their wastewater including heavy metals, organic toxins, oils, nutrients, and solids. Discharges can also have thermal effects, especially those from power stations, and these too reduce the available oxygen. Silt-bearing runoff from many activities including construction sites, forestry and farms can inhibit the penetration of sunlight through the water column restricting photosynthesis and causing blanketing of the lake or river bed which in turns damages the ecology.

Pollutants in water include a wide spectrum of chemicals, pathogens, and physical chemistry or sensory changes. Many of the chemical substances are toxic or even carcinogenic. Pathogens can obviously produce waterborne diseases in either human or animal hosts. Alteration of water's physical chemistry include acidity, conductivity, temperature, and excessive nutrient loading (eutrophication). Even many of the municipal water supplies in developed countries can present health risks. In the U.S.in 1972 stringent federal laws were enacted setting specific discharge limitations.

Water pollution is a serious problem in the global context. It has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of death and disease[1][2], and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily[2].

You could get more information from the link below...

2006-11-23 00:31:18 · answer #2 · answered by catzpaw 6 · 1 1

an infection of water with the aid of addition of risky chemical compounds or waste cloth is observed as Water pollutants removing Of Water pollutants, even with the undeniable fact that that's help is possible a million) by no longer letting human beings and animals bathe in water 2) commercial Wastes launched from factories might desire to be taken care of utilizing scientific care flora 3) by no longer letting ingredients decompose in water i won't be able to think of greater...

2016-10-04 06:51:20 · answer #3 · answered by sashi 4 · 0 0

When we through our garbage in the water... ...Dying and deformed animals.

2006-11-22 18:21:41 · answer #4 · answered by spir_i_tual 6 · 0 2

wen da water is dirty...

2006-11-22 18:51:08 · answer #5 · answered by lancer92 4 · 0 1

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