SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION AND ITS EFFECT ON AQUATIC LIFE

Hello Everyone! The topic of our presentation is sources of water pollution and
its effect on aquatic life.

WATER POLLUTION:
Water pollution (or aquatic pollution) is the contamination of water
bodies, usually as a result of human activities, in such a manner that
negatively affects its legitimate uses6 Water pollution reduces the ability of
the body of water to provide the ecosystem services that it would otherwise
provide. Water bodies include for
example lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers, reservoirs and groundwater. Water
pollution results when contaminants are introduced into these water bodies.
For example, releasing inadequately treated wastewater into natural waters
can lead to degradation of these aquatic ecosystems. All plants and
organisms living in or being exposed to polluted water bodies can be
impacted.
Agriculture is one of the major sources of water pollution.
The fertilizers given to the crops for better growth are washed into rivers
and lakes, which in turn pollutes the water.
There are many chemicals that are naturally found in these bodies of water.
Today water may be polluted by nitrates, phosphates, oil, acid rain,
and debris such as sediment, fallen logs and so on. When people and
animals drink water from such rivers, the poisonous chemicals may affect
them. Life in rivers are also affected, and humans who consume fish may
also have health problems.
SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION:
1. Industrial Waste
Industries and industrial sites across the world are a major contributor to
water pollution. Many industrial sites produce waste in the form of toxic
chemicals and pollutants, and though regulated, some still do not have
proper waste management systems in place. In those rare cases, industrial
waste is dumped into nearby freshwater systems. When industrial waste is
not treated properly (or worse, not treated at all), it can very easily pollute
the freshwater systems that it comes into contact with. 

2. Marine Dumping
The process of marine dumping is exactly what it sounds like, dumping
garbage into the waters of the ocean. It might seem crazy, but household
garbage is still collected and dumped into oceans by many countries
across the world. Most of these items can take anywhere from two to 200
years to decompose completely.

3. Sewage and Wastewater

Harmful chemicals, bacteria and pathogens can be found in sewage and

wastewater even when it’s been treated. Sewage and wastewater from
each household is released into the sea with fresh water. The pathogens
and bacteria found in that wastewater breed disease, and therefore are a
cause of health-related issues in humans and animals alike. 

4. Oil Leaks and Spills

The age-old phrase “like water and oil” is used when describing two things
that do not mix easily or at all. Just as the saying states, water and oil do
not mix, and oil does not dissolve in water. Large oil spills and oil leaks,
while often accidental, are a major cause of water pollution. Leaks and
spills often are caused by oil drilling operations in the ocean or ships that
transport oil. 

5. Agriculture

In order to protect their crops from bacteria and insects, farmers often use
chemicals and pesticides. When these substances seep into the
groundwater, they can harm animals, plants and humans. Additionally,
when it rains, the chemicals mix with rainwater, which then flows into rivers
and streams that filter into the ocean, causing further water pollution. 

6. Global Warming

Rising temperatures due to global warming are a major concern in terms of

water pollution. Global warming causes water temperatures to rise, which
can kill water-dwelling animals. When large die-offs occur, it further pollutes
the water supply, exacerbating the issue. 

Effects on Aquatic Life:

The effect of water pollution is more on aquatic life, because their existence
depends on water and when there is any disturbance in their ecosystem,
the impact is maximum on them. In polluted water, due to abundant growth
of algae, the oxygen content becomes lesser, causing the death of fishes
and other organisms. It is estimated that during the last twenty years, there
is a decrease of about 40 per cent in aquatic life.

Algae are responsible for imparting a peculiar taste and odour to many
of the water supplies and also are a cause of gastroenteritis. A report by
Wheler indicates that algal poisons usually act on the central nervous system
and skin and is reported to be capable of producing cirrhosis of the liver.

There are many cases on record of the destruction of marine life by polluted
water. Mass killing of fish was among the earliest and most dramatic result of
indiscriminate pollution of water. Another type of fish killer is pollution from
municipal sewage. Industrial, thermal, radioactive pollution, etc., are also
threats to marine life.

And that brings us to the end. ...

Thank you so much for your interest and attention. Have a nice day!