WATER POLLUTION

CAUSES.EFFECT.PREVENTION
GROUP:
ZACHRY ZAHANEE
AHMAD DZARFRAN
EMIR MALIK
SOH CHOON KEAT

WATER POLLUTION
Water pollution is a major global problem which requires ongoing evaluation and revision of
water resource policyat all levels (international down to individual aquifers and wells). It has
been suggested that water pollution is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases, [1]
[2]and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily. [2]an estimated 580
people in india die of water pollution related illness every day. [3]
around 90% the water in the cities of china is polluted,[4]and as of 2007, half a billion chinese
had no access to safe drinking water. [5]in addition to the acute problems of water pollution in
developing countries,developed countriesalso continue to struggle with pollution problems.
For example, in the most recent national report onwater qualityin the united states, 45
percent of assessed stream miles, 47% of assessed lake acres, and 32 percent of assessed
baysandestuarinesquare miles were classified as polluted. [6]the head of china's national
development agency said in 2007 that one quarter the length of china's seven main rivers
were so poisoned the water harmed the skin. [7]
Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired byanthropogeniccontaminants
and either does not support a human use, such asdrinking water, or undergoes a marked shift
in its ability to support its constituent biotic communities, such as fish. Natural phenomena
such asvolcanoes,algae blooms, storms, and earthquakes also cause major changes in water
quality and the ecological status of water.

CAUSE OF WATER POLLUTION

The specific contaminants leading to pollution in water include a wide spectrum ofchemicals,pathogens, and physical changes such as
elevated temperature and discoloration. While many of the chemicals and substances that are regulated may be naturally occurring (
calcium,sodium, iron,manganese, etc.) theconcentrationis often the key in determining what is a natural component of water and what
is a contaminant. High concentrations of naturally occurring substances can have negative impacts on aquatic flora and fauna.
Oxygen-depleting substances may be natural materials such as plant matter (e.g. leaves and grass) as well as man-made chemicals.
Other natural and anthropogenic substances may causeturbidity(cloudiness) which blocks light and disrupts plant growth, and clogs the
gillsof some fish species.[11]
Many of the chemical substances aretoxic. Pathogens can producewaterborne diseasesin either human or animal hosts.[12]Alteration of
water's physical chemistry includes acidity (change inpH),electrical conductivity, temperature, andeutrophication. Eutrophication is an
increase in the concentration of chemical nutrients in an ecosystem to an extent that increases in the primary productivity of the
ecosystem. Depending on the degree of eutrophication, subsequent negative environmental effects such asanoxia(oxygen depletion) and
severe reductions in water quality may occur, affecting fish and other animal populations.
The specific contaminants leading to pollution in water include a wide spectrum ofchemicals,pathogens, and physical changes such as
elevated temperature and discoloration. While many of the chemicals and substances that are regulated may be naturally occurring (
calcium,sodium, iron,manganese, etc.) theconcentrationis often the key in determining what is a natural component of water and what
is a contaminant. High concentrations of naturally occurring substances can have negative impacts on aquatic flora and fauna.
Oxygen-depleting substances may be natural materials such as plant matter (e.g. leaves and grass) as well as man-made chemicals.
Other natural and anthropogenic substances may causeturbidity(cloudiness) which blocks light and disrupts plant growth, and clogs the
gillsof some fish species.[11]
Many of the chemical substances aretoxic. Pathogens can producewaterborne diseasesin either human or animal hosts.[12]Alteration of
water's physical chemistry includes acidity (change inpH),electrical conductivity, temperature, andeutrophication. Eutrophication is an
increase in the concentration of chemical nutrients in an ecosystem to an extent that increases in the primary productivity of the
ecosystem. Depending on the degree of eutrophication, subsequent negative environmental effects such asanoxia(oxygen depletion) and
severe reductions in water quality may occur, affecting fish and other animal populations.

EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION

Groundwater contamination from pesticides causes reproductive damage within wildlife in ecosystems.
Sewage, fertilizer, and agricultural run-off contain organic materials that when discharged into waters, increase the
growth of algae, which causes the depletion of oxygen. The low oxygen levels are not able to support most indigenous
organisms in the area and therefore upset the natural ecological balance in rivers and lakes.
Swimming in and drinking contaminated water causes skin rashes and health problems like cancer, reproductive
problems, typhoid fever and stomach sickness in humans. Which is why its very important to make sure that your water
is clean and safe to drink.
Industrial chemicals and agricultural pesticides that end up in aquatic environments can accumulate in fish that are later
eaten by humans. Fish are easily poisoned with metals that are also later consumed by humans. Mercury is particularly
poisonous to small children and women. Mercury has been found to interfere with the development of the nervous
system in fetuses and young children.
Ecosystems are destroyed by the rising temperature in the water, as coral reefs are affected by the bleaching effect due
to warmer temperatures. Additionally, the warm water forces indigenous water species to seek cooler water in other
areas, causing an ecological damaging shift of the affected area.
Human-produced litter of items such as plastic bags and 6-pack rings can get aquatic animals caught and killed from
suffocation.
Water pollution causes flooding due to the accumulation of solid waste and soil erosion in streams and rivers.
Oil spills in the water causes animal to die when they ingest it or encounter it. Oil does not dissolve in water so it causes
suffocation in fish and birds.

PREVENTION TO WATER POLLUTION

Many people don't know that washing vehicles on

pavement causes harm to local waterways. Water
entering storm drains, unlike water that enters sanitary
sewers, does not undergo treatment before it is
discharged. So, when cars are washed on streets,
parking lots and driveways, that dirty water eventually
winds up in rivers, streams and lakes. Washing one car
may not seem to be a problem, but collectively, carwashing activity adds up to big problems for our
waterways and aquatic life.