(1) Water pollution is the contamination or adulteration of the water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, seas, oceans, and ground water by number of human activities. Since water is essential for all our basic needs, water pollution is a threat to us. Many communicable diseases spread through unclean water, which even results in death.
Although there are different factors that contribute to water pollution, listed below are the most dangerous causes of water pollution.
• Factories and nuclear plants play a major role in polluting the water. Wastes from factories include toxins, such as lead, mercury, and other contaminants. These chemicals are very harmful and can lead to serious health hazards.
• Nonpoint sources are one of the major causes of water pollution. Oil spills from cars, trucks, and other vehicles on land get mixed with rainwater and runoff into streams and lakes polluting them. These nonpoint sources are very difficult to monitor and control, so it falls on each individual to make sure that their vehicles used does not in any way contribute to further pollution. Proper maintenance of vehicles and oil spill cleanup using eco-friendly products, such as Oil Gone Easy S-200 will help to a great extent.
• Fertilizers and pesticides used in agricultural farms, homeowners lawns, and roadsides are a threat to the natural water source. When runoff into local streams or rivers or when drained down into groundwater, they contaminate the water completely.
• Mining is another major reason for water pollution. Heavy metals and sulfur components which are buried in the earth are exposed during mining and during rainfall these toxic chemicals are exposed, which ultimately result in "acid rain drainage"
• Surprising though it may seem, air pollution is also a cause of water pollution.
Although there are different factors that contribute to water pollution, listed below are the most dangerous causes of water pollution.
• Factories and nuclear plants play a major role in polluting the water. Wastes from factories include toxins, such as lead, mercury, and other contaminants. These chemicals are very harmful and can lead to serious health hazards.
• Nonpoint sources are one of the major causes of water pollution. Oil spills from cars, trucks, and other vehicles on land get mixed with rainwater and runoff into streams and lakes polluting them. These nonpoint sources are very difficult to monitor and control, so it falls on each individual to make sure that their vehicles used does not in any way contribute to further pollution. Proper maintenance of vehicles and oil spill cleanup using eco-friendly products, such as Oil Gone Easy S-200 will help to a great extent.
• Fertilizers and pesticides used in agricultural farms, homeowners lawns, and roadsides are a threat to the natural water source. When runoff into local streams or rivers or when drained down into groundwater, they contaminate the water completely.
• Mining is another major reason for water pollution. Heavy metals and sulfur components which are buried in the earth are exposed during mining and during rainfall these toxic chemicals are exposed, which ultimately result in "acid rain drainage"
• Surprising though it may seem, air pollution is also a cause of water pollution.
(2) One of the reasons that the water pollution problem is so severe is that it is not actually illegal to dump pollutants into water bodies.
Sewage, sludge, garbage, and even toxic pollutants are all dumped into the water. Often, governments either do not care or simply look the other way. Across the world, about half of all sewage is dumped into water bodies in its original form. No efforts are made to disinfect the sewage or to remove especially harmful pollutants.
Even if sewage is treated, problems still arise. Treated sewage forms sludge, which is sent out into the sea and dumped.
Many cities and countries dump sewage out at sea. Often, they place it not far from their own coastline, often killing all the sea wildlife in the dumping area.
In addition to sewage, chemicals dumped by industries and governments are another major source of water pollution.
Oil, such as that spilled by transport ships, has been dumped into the water since the US Civil War. Every year, between 1 and 10 billion tons of oil are spilt, killing many species and destroying the ecosystem in the area. Cleanup efforts have been weak, as only about 10% of the oil is removed by the most successful efforts.
(3) What is water pollution?
Water pollution is any chemical, physical or biological change in the quality of water that has a harmful effect on any living thing that drinks or uses or lives (in) it. When humans drink polluted water it often has serious effects on their health. Water pollution can also make water unsuited for the desired use.
There are several classes of water pollutants. The first are disease-causing agents. These are bacteria, viruses, protozoa and parasitic worms that enter sewage systems and untreated waste.
A second category of water pollutants is oxygen-demanding wastes; wastes that can be decomposed by oxygen-requiring bacteria. When large populations of decomposing bacteria are converting these wastes it can deplete oxygen levels in the water. This causes other organisms in the water, such as fish, to die.
A third class of water pollutants is water-soluble inorganic pollutants, such as acids, salts and toxic metals. Large quantities of these compounds will make water unfit to drink and will cause the death of aquatic life.
Another class of water pollutants are nutrients; they are water-soluble nitrates and phosphates that cause excessive growth of algae and other water plants, which deplete the water's oxygen supply. This kills fish and, when found in drinking water, can kill young children.
Water can also be polluted by a number of organic compounds such as oil, plastics and pesticides, which are harmful to humans and all plants and animals in the water.
A very dangerous category is suspended sediment, because it causes depletion in the water's light absorption and the particles spread dangerous compounds such as pesticides through the water.
Finally, water-soluble radioactive compounds can cause cancer, birth defects and genetic damage and are thus very dangerous water pollutants.
A third class of water pollutants is water-soluble inorganic pollutants, such as acids, salts and toxic metals. Large quantities of these compounds will make water unfit to drink and will cause the death of aquatic life.
Another class of water pollutants are nutrients; they are water-soluble nitrates and phosphates that cause excessive growth of algae and other water plants, which deplete the water's oxygen supply. This kills fish and, when found in drinking water, can kill young children.
Water can also be polluted by a number of organic compounds such as oil, plastics and pesticides, which are harmful to humans and all plants and animals in the water.
A very dangerous category is suspended sediment, because it causes depletion in the water's light absorption and the particles spread dangerous compounds such as pesticides through the water.
Finally, water-soluble radioactive compounds can cause cancer, birth defects and genetic damage and are thus very dangerous water pollutants.
Water pollution is usually caused by human activities. Different human sources add to the pollution of water. There are two sorts of sources, point and nonpoint sources. Point sources discharge pollutants at specific locations through pipelines or sewers into the surface water. Nonpoint sources are sources that cannot be traced to a single site of discharge.
Examples of point sources are: factories, sewage treatment plants, underground mines, oil wells, oil tankers and agriculture.
Examples of nonpoint sources are: acid deposition from the air, traffic, pollutants that are spread through rivers and pollutants that enter the water through groundwater.
Nonpoint pollution is hard to control because the perpetrators cannot be traced.
Examples of point sources are: factories, sewage treatment plants, underground mines, oil wells, oil tankers and agriculture.
Examples of nonpoint sources are: acid deposition from the air, traffic, pollutants that are spread through rivers and pollutants that enter the water through groundwater.
Nonpoint pollution is hard to control because the perpetrators cannot be traced.
(4)
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Cause Of Water Pollution
1. INTRODUCTION
Water pollution is a major problem in the global context. It has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases, and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily. An estimated 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet, and 1,000 Indian children die of diarrhoeal sickness every day. Some 90% of China's cities suffer from some degree of water pollution, and nearly 500 million people lack access to safe drinking water. In addition to the acute problems of water pollution in developing countries, industrialized countries continue to struggle with pollution problems as well. In the most recent national report on water quality in the United States, 45 percent of assessed stream miles, 47 percent of assessed lake acres, and 32 percent of assessed bay and estuarine square miles were classified as polluted.
Other than that, according to Department of Environment (DOE) research, dive two years about the level of pollution of rivers throughout the country, 91% of cases of river pollution is caused from man-made. This problem occurs because most people who use septic tanks refuse to cooperate with the parties involved to treat sewage waste. According to DOE of 16 categories as polluted rivers which are located mostly in the states of the rapidly developing as Penang, Johor and Selangor. Rivers in Selangor that have been identified pollution is Sungai Rephens, Sungai Tekala, Sungai Kundur, Sungai Gabai, Sungai Chenarek, Sungai Lepok and the Lowest is Sungai Congkak. Among these rivers, Sungai Rephens have a high number of koliform feces because there is a pen of cattle and sheep barn initiate by local residents.
That is related to our topic is Water Pollution. We choose this topic because some of the people not very concern about this issue and less of the cooperation. Besides that, the others purpose is increase the awareness to prevent the issue of the water pollution. Recently, water pollution become a big issue. In addition, we know that some of the glacier was become liquid. All of this are cause of global worming.
That’s why our group choose water pollution for our project topic. By the way, in recent years, water pollution issues felt very acute because many rivers and water catchment areas have experienced contamination. We feel necessary to increase awareness about the importance of being environmental pollution so that water does not Occur. We also feel that if this condition is not prevented from the beginning, future generations may not be able to view wildlife and river water is clear.
2. DEFINITION
Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic contaminants and either does not support a human use, like serving as drinking water, and/or undergoes a marked shift in its ability to support its constituent biotic communities, such as fish. Natural phenomena such as volcanoes, algae blooms, storms, and earthquakes also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological status of water. Water pollution has many causes and characteristics.
Water pollution to the addition of foreign substances (pollutants) to a water source. These impurities have a detrimental effect on water quality, and can be harmful to living organisms and aquatic life. Pollution can be introduced to water from both point sources and diffuse sources. Common sources of pollutants include man-made, industrial waste and domestic sewage and natural sources such as soil erosion and silt-bearing runoff.
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater. All water pollution affects organisms and plants that live in these water bodies and in almost all cases the effect is damaging either to individual species and populations but also to the natural biological communities. It occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful constituents.
The definition also includes any solid, liquid or gaseous waste and all other substances whose cause water pollution or a violation.
3. CAUSE OF WATER POLLUTION
The water pollution in Malaysia is originated from point sources and non-point sources. Point sources that have been identified include sewage treatment plants, manufacturing and agro-based industries and animal farms. Non-point sources are mainly diffused ones such as agricultural activities and surface runoffs. According to Malaysia Environment Quality Report 2004, the Department of Environment has recorded 17,991 water pollution point sources in 2004 comprising mainly sewage treatment plants (54%), manufacturing industries (38%), animal farms (5%) and agro-based industries (3%). The distribution of the water pollution sources is shown in Figure 1 below.
Water pollution is a major problem in the global context. It has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases, and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily. An estimated 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet, and 1,000 Indian children die of diarrhoeal sickness every day. Some 90% of China's cities suffer from some degree of water pollution, and nearly 500 million people lack access to safe drinking water. In addition to the acute problems of water pollution in developing countries, industrialized countries continue to struggle with pollution problems as well. In the most recent national report on water quality in the United States, 45 percent of assessed stream miles, 47 percent of assessed lake acres, and 32 percent of assessed bay and estuarine square miles were classified as polluted.
Other than that, according to Department of Environment (DOE) research, dive two years about the level of pollution of rivers throughout the country, 91% of cases of river pollution is caused from man-made. This problem occurs because most people who use septic tanks refuse to cooperate with the parties involved to treat sewage waste. According to DOE of 16 categories as polluted rivers which are located mostly in the states of the rapidly developing as Penang, Johor and Selangor. Rivers in Selangor that have been identified pollution is Sungai Rephens, Sungai Tekala, Sungai Kundur, Sungai Gabai, Sungai Chenarek, Sungai Lepok and the Lowest is Sungai Congkak. Among these rivers, Sungai Rephens have a high number of koliform feces because there is a pen of cattle and sheep barn initiate by local residents.
That is related to our topic is Water Pollution. We choose this topic because some of the people not very concern about this issue and less of the cooperation. Besides that, the others purpose is increase the awareness to prevent the issue of the water pollution. Recently, water pollution become a big issue. In addition, we know that some of the glacier was become liquid. All of this are cause of global worming.
That’s why our group choose water pollution for our project topic. By the way, in recent years, water pollution issues felt very acute because many rivers and water catchment areas have experienced contamination. We feel necessary to increase awareness about the importance of being environmental pollution so that water does not Occur. We also feel that if this condition is not prevented from the beginning, future generations may not be able to view wildlife and river water is clear.
2. DEFINITION
Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic contaminants and either does not support a human use, like serving as drinking water, and/or undergoes a marked shift in its ability to support its constituent biotic communities, such as fish. Natural phenomena such as volcanoes, algae blooms, storms, and earthquakes also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological status of water. Water pollution has many causes and characteristics.
Water pollution to the addition of foreign substances (pollutants) to a water source. These impurities have a detrimental effect on water quality, and can be harmful to living organisms and aquatic life. Pollution can be introduced to water from both point sources and diffuse sources. Common sources of pollutants include man-made, industrial waste and domestic sewage and natural sources such as soil erosion and silt-bearing runoff.
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater. All water pollution affects organisms and plants that live in these water bodies and in almost all cases the effect is damaging either to individual species and populations but also to the natural biological communities. It occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful constituents.
The definition also includes any solid, liquid or gaseous waste and all other substances whose cause water pollution or a violation.
3. CAUSE OF WATER POLLUTION
The water pollution in Malaysia is originated from point sources and non-point sources. Point sources that have been identified include sewage treatment plants, manufacturing and agro-based industries and animal farms. Non-point sources are mainly diffused ones such as agricultural activities and surface runoffs. According to Malaysia Environment Quality Report 2004, the Department of Environment has recorded 17,991 water pollution point sources in 2004 comprising mainly sewage treatment plants (54%), manufacturing industries (38%), animal farms (5%) and agro-based industries (3%). The distribution of the water pollution sources is shown in Figure 1 below.
Figure 1: Composition of Water Pollution Sources by Sector, 2004
3.1. Industrial sewage
Industrial activities is a major source of increased discharge waste water containing heavy metals into the rivers. In 1995, industry contributed 65% of sewage pollution to the river in terms of BOD. Its followed by agricultural activities. Some irresponsible entrepreneur channeled the toxic waste direct to the river. They also deliberately throw the industrial like solid waste or toxic waste direct to the river. This will cause of death aquatic life. More than that, it will make healthy problem to human.
3.2. Livestock Animals
Unclean animal filth-channeled into the river without thought to the environment impact. This can be proved through the discovery TV3 journalist in the Islamic University College of Science, Kuala Sungai Baru Melaka. The pig farmers have continued to release pig droppings into the river that flows directly into the sea. This is causing water and air pollution.
3.3. Sacrificed Center
The operators also contributors to the central slaughtering of water pollution. They remove waste slaughter as blood, stool, stomach and other animals that are slaughtered in the rivers. This disrupt the ecosystem.
3.4. Restaurant and Food Outlets
Attitude of some owners restaurants and food outlets to remove the remaining food to their customers in the drains which flow directly into rivers also contribute to water pollution. This condition is mainly done by traders who trade on the sea.
3.5. Domestic Waste
There also some irresponsible resident removing trash into rivers. Rubbish such as empty bottles, plastic bags, and papers, and foods remaining, that are not used removed without thinking of the river aquatic life and the resident that use river as main source of water.
3.6. Wet Markets and Wholesale Markets.
Vendors at the wet markets and wholesale markets also contribute occurrence of water pollution. Traders remove their waste sales revenue down the drain where the duct directly into rivers. This directly led to the river became polluted.
3.7. Septic Tank Sewage
Cost saving for residential septic tanks and sewage treatment plant, there are some people who are not responsible to take the easy way with the filth of sewage into the channel rivers.
3.8. Thermal Pollution
Thermal pollution is the rise or fall in the temperature of a natural body of water caused by human influence. A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers. Elevated water temperatures decreases oxygen levels (which can kill fish) and affects ecosystem composition, such as invasion by new thermophilic species. Urban runoff may also elevate temperature in surface waters.
Thermal pollution can also be caused by the release of very cold water from the base of reservoirs into warmer rivers.
3.9. Soil Erosion
Water pollution can also occur naturally from the effects of soil erosion and sediment plants that have died and decay.
3.10. Sedimentation
Water pollution occur as a result of land development for housing exploration activities, industry, agriculture, logging, sand mining and others.
3.1. Industrial sewage
Industrial activities is a major source of increased discharge waste water containing heavy metals into the rivers. In 1995, industry contributed 65% of sewage pollution to the river in terms of BOD. Its followed by agricultural activities. Some irresponsible entrepreneur channeled the toxic waste direct to the river. They also deliberately throw the industrial like solid waste or toxic waste direct to the river. This will cause of death aquatic life. More than that, it will make healthy problem to human.
3.2. Livestock Animals
Unclean animal filth-channeled into the river without thought to the environment impact. This can be proved through the discovery TV3 journalist in the Islamic University College of Science, Kuala Sungai Baru Melaka. The pig farmers have continued to release pig droppings into the river that flows directly into the sea. This is causing water and air pollution.
3.3. Sacrificed Center
The operators also contributors to the central slaughtering of water pollution. They remove waste slaughter as blood, stool, stomach and other animals that are slaughtered in the rivers. This disrupt the ecosystem.
3.4. Restaurant and Food Outlets
Attitude of some owners restaurants and food outlets to remove the remaining food to their customers in the drains which flow directly into rivers also contribute to water pollution. This condition is mainly done by traders who trade on the sea.
3.5. Domestic Waste
There also some irresponsible resident removing trash into rivers. Rubbish such as empty bottles, plastic bags, and papers, and foods remaining, that are not used removed without thinking of the river aquatic life and the resident that use river as main source of water.
3.6. Wet Markets and Wholesale Markets.
Vendors at the wet markets and wholesale markets also contribute occurrence of water pollution. Traders remove their waste sales revenue down the drain where the duct directly into rivers. This directly led to the river became polluted.
3.7. Septic Tank Sewage
Cost saving for residential septic tanks and sewage treatment plant, there are some people who are not responsible to take the easy way with the filth of sewage into the channel rivers.
3.8. Thermal Pollution
Thermal pollution is the rise or fall in the temperature of a natural body of water caused by human influence. A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers. Elevated water temperatures decreases oxygen levels (which can kill fish) and affects ecosystem composition, such as invasion by new thermophilic species. Urban runoff may also elevate temperature in surface waters.
Thermal pollution can also be caused by the release of very cold water from the base of reservoirs into warmer rivers.
3.9. Soil Erosion
Water pollution can also occur naturally from the effects of soil erosion and sediment plants that have died and decay.
3.10. Sedimentation
Water pollution occur as a result of land development for housing exploration activities, industry, agriculture, logging, sand mining and others.
As a conclusion, the main causes of water pollution is man-made. Some greedy man only concerned about profit without thinking about the effects of environmental damage.
water pollution is very dangerous to health
ReplyDeletewe must take care our water we drink
thanks for giving us such a great information
related to water diseases
Hello, thank you for sharing such a informative blog. I Was working in water testing service form very long time they were tested water from one of the best water testing company in India including ISI consultant service Their are many water testing company but make sure you choose best and good experienced only. Keep sharing
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