An Introduction to Water Pollution

Water pollution has become a large epidemic in the world today. Many people and animals are dying because of this. However, there are ways to notice and prevent water pollution.
First off, there are two classifications of water pollution.

Above:Point and Non-point Pollution

The first one is point, pollutants directly transmitted into water and the second is non-point, pollutants transmitted into water through the environment and environmental changes. This shows how not only can a person pollute water, but many organisms in the environment can as well.

Methods of detecting water pollution are available. For example, there is the pH level of water, the amount of Escherichia coli, and lastly, visual observations.

Above: This is a standard water testing kit

Also, other methods are using living organisms (fish) for detection, changes in behavior and growth of organisms are indicators, and finally, specific properties of organisms give specific types of pollution. This proves how people of the modern day can detect water pollution in multiple ways.

Many different factors can cause water pollution. Also, water pollution can have many terrible effects. The causes are sewage and wastewater, marine dumping, industrial waste, radioactive waste, oil pollution, underground storage leakages, atmospheric deposition, and eutrophication.

Above: Cause and effect of water pollution

Eutrophication is too many nutrients are added to an aquatic ecosystem which causes the over growth of algae. When the algae dies it consumes almost all of the oxygen in the water causing most of the organisms in that ecosystem to die out. All of these different causes are very harmful to humans and the environment. The effects of water pollution are human infectious diseases, nutrient pollution can cause algae overgrowths, groundwater and streams polluted, and the overpopulation of organisms.

Above: diarrhea, and arsenicosis

Some common health risks from water pollution are diseases such as typhoid, intestinal parasites, diarrhea, parasitic diseases (amoebiasis, giardiasis, ascariasis, hookworm). Also, polluted beach water causes rashes, earaches, pink eye, respiratory infections, and hepatitis.

Above: typhoid, fluorosis, hepatitis

Any pollution put into water can cause all of these diseases and can possibly cause many deaths.

There are many different methods to prevent water pollution. First off is to prevent runoff of fertilizers from entering streams and lakes. Next we have to prevent further destruction of wetlands and reestablish them wherever possible. People should also drive less because nitrogen emissions from cars affect nitrogen levels in water. Another method of prevention is to prevent sewage from entering waterways by making sewers with greater capacity. You can also create ponds and preserve undeveloped land to soak up and collect water. Getting rid of straight pipes that flow into streams from plumbing can also prevent it. And finally, stop deforestation and do not litter.

Some measures to take if it is detected are air stripping for one. Using air to remove contaminants that can evaporate easily is also an effective measure to take. Carbon filtration is when chemicals and pollutants stick to carbon granules. Bioremediation is when using organisms to filter out pollutants. Phytoremediation is when plants remove pollutants. And finally, chemical oxidation is when oxidants are put into groundwater and make the pollutants less harmful.

Above: Workers use bioremediation to clean up this oil spill

There are many socioeconomic considerations about water pollution. First is to make things less expensive to prevent than reverse water pollution. Health care costs from disease are also an effective consideration. Community projects to purify water or to reverse effects of pollution (taxes) are a very known one. Lastly, different methods of retrieving water are to buy water bottles for purity. This way you are sure you are drinking water that is free from any pollutants to cause diseases.

Some cultural beliefs about water pollution are eco-friendly cars. For example, a hybrid, electric, or hydrogen cell car is very eco-friendly. Using tap water can conserve fresh water because they do not have to use any more water to package it into a bottle. Fresh water running out can effect sustainable use. That is using natural resources at a rate, which they can be replenished. Another belief is Christians need pure water for baptism and holy water. Finally, Islamic countries use wastewater to irrigate if purified, where in Americas, Africa, and Europe practice is seen as un-ecological.

In water pollution there are many environmental factors. For example, fish are poisoned. Next, eutrophication causes the pollution of fresh water which, people drink. Also, if humans eat or drink the polluted water can be a factor. Finally, the humans can become sick or diseased. In undeveloped countries, many people drink water from polluted rivers and bodies of water, therefore, disease is much greater in those areas.

Works Cited

Grinning Planet. (2009). Water Pollution Effects. Retrieved March 15, 2010, from

http://www.grinningplanet.com/2006/12-05/water-pollution-effects.htm

Grinning Planet. (2008). Water Pollution Solutions. Retrieved March 15, 2010, from

http://www.grinningplanet.com/2008/01-08/water-pollution-solutions-article.htm

Guides Network. (2008). The causes of Water Pollution. Retrieved March 11, 2010, from

http://www.water-pollution.org.uk/causes.html

Helmer, R., & Hespanhol, I. (Eds.). (1997). Water Pollution Control. New York: E & FN Spon.

LCRA. (2010). Water Quality Indicators. Retrieved March 11, 2010, from

http://www.lcra.org/water/quality/crwn/indicators.html

Lenntech. (2009). Water Pollution FAQ Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved March 11, 2010,

from http://www.lenntech.com/water-pollution-faq.htm

SafeWater.org. Reversing Water Pollution. Retrieved March 15, 2010, from

http://www.safewater.org/PDFS/owp/lesson7links/ReversingWaterPollution.pdf

University of Michigan. Water Pollution and Society. Retrieved March 11, 2010, from

http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/waterpollution.htm

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