1.

WATER POLLUTION

When toxic substances enter lakes, streams, rivers,

oceans, and other water bodies, they get dissolved or lie
suspended in water or get deposited on the bed. This
results in the pollution of water whereby the quality of
the water deteriorates, affecting aquatic ecosystems.
Pollutants can also seep down and affect the
groundwater deposits.

Water pollution has many sources. The most polluting of

them are the city sewage and industrial waste discharged into the rivers. The facilities
to treat waste water are not adequate in any city in India. Presently, only about 10% of
the waste water generated is treated; the rest is discharged as it is into our water
bodies. Due to this, pollutants enter groundwater, rivers, and other water bodies. Such
water, which ultimately ends up in our households, is often highly contaminated and
carries disease-causing microbes. Agricultural run-off, or the water from the fields that
drains into rivers, is another major water pollutant as it contains fertilizers and
pesticides.

Domestic sewage refers to waste water that is discarded from households. Also referred
to as sanitary sewage, such water contains a wide variety of dissolved and suspended
impurities. Biochemical oxygen demand, or BOD

The amount of organic material that can rot in the sewage is measured by the
biochemical oxygen demand. BOD is the amount of oxygen required by micro-organisms
to decompose the organic substances in sewage. Therefore, the more organic material
there is in the sewage, the higher the BOD. It is among the most important parameters
for the design and operation of sewage treatment plants. BOD levels of industrial
sewage may be many times that of domestic sewage. Dissolved oxygen is an important
factor that determines the quality of water in lakes and rivers. The higher the
concentration of dissolved oxygen, the better the water quality. When sewage enters a
lake or stream, micro-organisms begin to decompose the organic materials. Oxygen is
consumed as micro-organisms use it in their metabolism. This can quickly deplete the
available oxygen in the water. When the dissolved oxygen levels drop too low, many
aquatic species perish. In fact, if the oxygen level drops to zero, the water will become
septic. When organic compounds decompose without oxygen, it gives rise to the
undesirable odours usually associated with septic or putrid conditions.
It amounts to a very small fraction of the sewage by weight. But it is large by volume
and contains impurities such as organic materials and plant nutrients that tend to rot.
The main organic materials are food and vegetable waste, plant nutrient come from
chemical soaps, washing powders, etc. Domestic sewage is also very likely to contain
disease-causing microbes. Thus, disposal of domestic waste water is a significant
technical problem. Sewage generated from the urban areas in India has multiplied
manifold since 1947.

Today, many people dump their garbage into streams, lakes, rivers, and seas, thus
making water bodies the final resting place of cans, bottles, plastics, and other
household products. The various substances that we use for keeping our houses clean
add to water pollution as they contain harmful chemicals. In the past, people mostly
used soaps made from animal and vegetable fat for all types of washing. But most of
today’s cleaning products are synthetic detergents and come from the petrochemical
industry. Most detergents and washing powders contain phosphates, which are used to
soften the water among other things. These and other chemicals contained in washing
powders affect the health of all forms of life in the water.

Agricultural Run off

Eutrophication

When fresh water is artificially supplemented with

nutrients, it results in an abnormal increase in the growth
of water plants. This is known as eutrophication. The
discharge of waste from industries, agriculture, and urban
communities into water bodies generally stretches the
biological capacities of aquatic systems. Chemical run-off
from fields also adds nutrients to water. Excess nutrients
cause the water body to become choked with organic
substances and organisms. When organic matter exceeds the capacity of the micro-
organisms in water that break down and recycle the organic matter, it encourages rapid
growth, or blooms, of algae. When they die, the remains of the algae add to the organic
wastes already in the water; eventually, the water becomes deficient in oxygen.
Anaerobic organisms (those that do not require oxygen to live) then attack the organic
wastes, releasing gases such as methane and hydrogen sulphide, which are harmful to
the oxygen-requiring (aerobic) forms of life. The result is a foul-smelling, waste-filled
body of water. This has already occurred in such places as Lake Erie and the Baltic Sea,
and is a growing problem in freshwater lakes all over India. Eutrophication can produce
problems such as bad tastes and odours as well as green scum algae. Also the growth of
rooted plants increases, which decreases the amount of oxygen in the deepest waters of
the lake. It also leads to the death of all forms of life in the water bodies.
The use of land for agriculture and the practices followed in cultivation greatly affect the
quality of groundwater. Intensive cultivation of crops causes chemicals from fertilizers
(e.g. nitrate) and pesticides to seep into the groundwater, a process commonly known
as leaching. Routine applications of fertilizers and pesticides for agriculture and
indiscriminate disposal of industrial and domestic wastes are increasingly being
recognized as significant sources of water pollution.

The high nitrate content in groundwater is mainly from irrigation run-off from
agricultural fields where chemical fertilizers have been used indiscriminately.

Industrial effluents

Waste water from manufacturing or chemical processes in industries contributes to

water pollution. Industrial waste water usually contains specific and readily identifiable
chemical compounds. During the last fifty years, the number of industries in India has
grown rapidly. But water pollution is concentrated within a few subsectors, mainly in the
form of toxic wastes and organic pollutants. Out of this a large portion can be traced to
the processing of industrial chemicals and to the food products industry. In fact, a
number of large- and medium-sized industries in the region covered by the Ganga
Action Plan do not have adequate effluent treatment facilities. Most of these defaulting
industries are sugar mills, distilleries, leather processing industries, and thermal power
stations. Most major industries have treatment facilities for industrial effluents. But this
is not the case with small-scale industries, which cannot afford enormous investments in
pollution control equipment as their profit margin is very slender.

Transport and chemical reactions of water pollutants

Most water pollutants are eventually carried by the rivers into the oceans. In some areas
of the world the influence can be traced hundred miles from the mouth by studies using
hydrology transport models. Advanced computer models such as SWMM or the DSSAM
Model have been used in many locations worldwide to examine the fate of pollutants in
aquatic systems. Indicator filter feeding species such as copepods have also been used
to study pollutant fates in the New York Bight, for example. The highest toxin loads are
not directly at the mouth of the Hudson River, but 100 kilometers south, since several
days are required for incorporation into planktonic tissue. The Hudson discharge flows
south along the coast due to coriolis force. Further south then are areas of oxygen
depletion, caused by chemicals using up oxygen and by algae blooms, caused by excess
nutrients from algal cell death and decomposition. Fish and shellfish kills have been
reported, because toxins climb the foodchain after small fish consume copepods, then
large fish eat smaller fish, etc. Each successive step up the food chain causes a
stepwise concentration of pollutants such as heavy metals (e.g. mercury) and persistent
organic pollutants such as DDT. This is known as biomagnification which is occasionally
used interchangeably with bioaccumulation.

The big gyres in the oceans trap floating plastic debris. The North Pacific Gyre for
example has collected the so-called "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" that is now estimated
at 100 times the size of Texas. Many of these long-lasting pieces wind up in the
stomachs of marine birds and animals. This results in obstruction of digestive pathways
which leads to reduced appetite or even starvation.

Many chemicals undergo reactive decay or chemically change especially over long
periods of time in groundwater reservoirs. A noteworthy class of such chemicals are the
chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethylene (used in industrial metal degreasing
and electronics manufacturing) and tetrachloroethylene used in the dry cleaning
industry (note latest advances in liquid carbon dioxide in dry cleaning that avoids all use
of chemicals). Both of these chemicals, which are carcinogens themselves, undergo
partial decomposition reactions, leading to new hazardous chemicals (including
dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride).

Groundwater pollution is much more difficult to abate than surface pollution because
groundwater can move great distances through unseen aquifers. Non-porous aquifers
such as clays partially purify water of bacteria by simple filtration (adsorption and
absorption), dilution, and, in some cases, chemical reactions and biological activity:
however, in some cases, the pollutants merely transform to soil contaminants.
Groundwater that moves through cracks and caverns is not filtered and can be
transported as easily as surface water. In fact, this can be aggravated by the human
tendency to use natural sinkholes as dumps in areas of Karst topography.

There are a variety of secondary effects stemming not from the original pollutant, but a
derivative condition. Some of these secondary impacts are:

Silt bearing surface runoff from can inhibit the penetration of sunlight through the water
column, hampering photosynthesis in aquatic plants.

Thermal pollution can induce fish kills and invasion by new thermophilic species. This
can cause further problems to existing wildlife.

Effects of water pollution

The effects of water pollution are not only devastating to people but also to animals,
fish, and birds. Polluted water is unsuitable for drinking, recreation, agriculture, and
industry. It diminishes the aesthetic quality of lakes and rivers. More seriously,
contaminated water destroys aquatic life and reduces its reproductive ability.
Eventually, it is a hazard to human health. Nobody can escape the effects of water
pollution.

The individual and the community can help minimize water pollution. By simple
housekeeping and management practices the amount of waste generated can be
minimized.

GLOBAL WATER POLLUTION

Estimates suggest that nearly 1.5 billion people lack safe drinking water and that at
least 5 million deaths per year can be attributed to waterborne diseases. With over 70
percent of the planet covered by oceans, people have long acted as if these very bodies
of water could serve as a limitless dumping ground for wastes. Raw sewage, garbage,
and oil spills have begun to overwhelm the diluting capabilities of the oceans, and most
coastal waters are now polluted. Beaches around the world are closed regularly, often
because of high amounts of bacteria from sewage disposal, and marine wildlife is
beginning to suffer.

EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION

The effects of water pollution are seen in Thermal, Heavy Metal, Agricultural regions and
due to fertilizers, chemicals, oil and contaminated ground water.

Effects of Run-off Pollution

Rain picks up dirt and silt and carries it into the water. If the dirt and silt settle in the
water body, then these sediments prevent sunlight from reaching aquatic plants. If the
Sun can't reach the plants, these perish. These sediments also clog fish gills and
smother organisms that live on the bottom of the body of the water.

Effects of Oil Pollution and Antifreeze

If oil is spilled on the water, the effects on the ecosystem and the components are
harmful. Many animals can be annihilated in case they ingest oil. Oil contaminated prey
may be a reason of death for many. If the oil coats the feathers of birds, these may die.
Oil and antifreeze makes the water have a foul odor and there is a sticky film on the
surface of water that kills animals. Oil is the most harmful pollutant in the water.
Contaminated Ground Water Effects
If contaminated water enters the ground, there may be serious effects. People may
become very sick and there is a probability of developing liver or kidney problems and
cancer or other illnesses.

Fertilizers and other chemicals

Nitrates in drinking water leads to diseases of infants that may lead to their death.
Cadmium is a metal in sludge-derived fertilizer. This can be absorbed by crops. When
people ingest this, they may cause diarrheal disorders, liver and kidney damage. The
inorganic substances like mercury, arsenic and lead are the causes of pollution. Other
chemicals can also lead to problems concerning the taste, smell and color of water.
Pesticides, PCBs and PCPs are all poisonous to all sorts of life. Pesticides are used in
farming, homes and forestry. PCBs are found as insulators in old electrical transformers.
PCPs are found in products like wood preservatives.

Effects of Agricultural Water Pollution

Rain and irrigation water drains off cultivated land that has been fertilized and treated
with pesticides, the excess nitrogen and poisons are mixed with it into the water supply.
These pesticides are toxic and pollute the water in a different mode. Aquatic plants
growth cause de-oxygenation of water and annihilate flora and fauna in a stream, lake
and river. Fertilizers enhance the growth of bacteria that are in water and increase the
concentration of bacteria to hazardous levels.

Effects of Thermal Water Pollution

Machinery in the industries are cooled with water from lakes and rivers. This water
reaches the river in a heated state. This water decreases the ability of the aquatic
system to hold oxygen and raises the growth of warm water species.

Effects of Heavy Metal Water Pollution

Heavy metals like lead, mercury, iron, cadmium, aluminum and magnesium are present
in water sources. If these metals are present in the sediment, these reach the food chain
through plants and aquatic animals. This causes heavy metal poisoning in case the level
in the water is very high.

Some other effects of water pollution

In rivers, oceans and seas, water pollution effects flora and fauna in them. Further, the
birds and animals that consume this contaminated food supply can perish. Blood
diseases, nervous system disorders and heart diseases are some of the effects of water
pollution. Many toxins in polluted water lead to cancer. Rarely, the body's chromosomal
makeup can be altered. Some of the less potent effects are skin lesions, vomiting and
diarrhea.

The effects of water pollution are not only devastating to people but also to animals,
fish, and birds. Polluted water is unsuitable for drinking, recreation, agriculture, and
industry. It diminishes the aesthetic quality of lakes and rivers. More seriously,
contaminated water destroys aquatic life and reduces its reproductive ability.
Eventually, it is a hazard to human health. Nobody can escape the effects of water
pollution.

The individual and the community can help minimize water pollution. By simple
housekeeping and management practices the amount of waste generated can be
minimized.

CONCLUSION

Clearly, the problems associated with water pollution have the capabilities to
disrupt life on our planet to a great extent. Congress has passed laws to try to combat
water pollution thus acknowledging the fact that water pollution is, indeed, a
seriousissue. But the government alone cannot solve the entire problem. It is ultimately
up to us, to be informed, responsible and involved when it comes to the problems we
face with our water. We must become familiar with our local water resources and learn
about ways for disposing harmful household wastes so they don�t end up in sewage
treatment plants that can�t handle them or landfills not designed to receive hazardous
materials. In our yards, we must determine whether additional nutrients are needed
before fertilizers are applied, and look for alternatives where fertilizers might run off into
surface waters. We have to preserve existing trees and plant new trees and shrubs to
help prevent soil erosion and promote infiltration of water into the soil. Around our
houses, we must keep litter, pet waste, leaves, and grass clippings out of gutters and
storm drains. These are
just a few of the many ways in which we, as humans, have the ability to combat water
pollution. As we head into the 21st century, awareness and education will most
assuredly continue to be the two most important ways to prevent water pollution. If
these measures are not taken and water pollution continues, life on earth will suffer
severely.
Global environmental collapse is not inevitable. But the developed world must work
with the developing world to ensure that new industrialized economies do not add to the
world's environmental problems. Politicians must think of sustainable development
rather than economic expansion. Conservation strategies have to become more widely
accepted, and people must learn that energy use can be dramatically diminished
without sacrificing comfort. In short, with the technology that currently
exists, the years of global environmental mistreatment can begin to be reversed.