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Water pollution
Aquatic Eco-system
Two thirds of the major cities in the globe are located along coasts, and millions of people have holidays at shorelines. Pollution from urbanized areas drains into the ocean killing sea life, threatens human health, causes toxic algae blooms which deplete oxygen in water columns, and drive beach closures. In fact, dead fish, birds, dolphins, and many other animals often end up on beaches, killed by pollutants.
Water pollution is destroying coral reefs and coastal environments which are crucial for reproduction, food and cover for aquatic species. Suspended particles in freshwater decrease the standard of drinking water and the aquatic environment for marine life. These particles also deter the sunlight from reaching through the water, therefore disturbing the development of photosynthetic plants and micro-organisms. Most importantly, pollution disrupts the normal food chain.
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Diseases
Wastewaters may contain pathogens, which can transmit diseases to animals and even human beings. Some instances of pathogens related diseases include typhoid, dysentery, respiratory and skin diseases. These pathogens include viruses, bacteria and protozoan and are proved to be harmful to human beings as reflected from their ability to cause illness.
Pollutants such as lead, ammonia and cadmium are consumed by small creatures, which are in turn eaten by other bigger fish, therefore disorientating the higher levels of the food chain. Humans are also in this food chain and can fall ill to diseases, such as hepatitis, when consuming these poisonous seafood. Some of these toxins can be deadly, cause immune suppression, reproductive failure or acute poisoning. Our drinking water will also be polluted by microbial pollutants, causing diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever as the main cause of infant death rate. Pollutants have caused major declines in species and are intimidating the earth�s biological solidity.
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Eutrophication
Eutrohphication poses several problems. The decaying of microscopic plants dissolves oxygen and blocks out sunlight, disallowing plants in the deeper parts of the water to photosynthesis. At areas of the water where oxygen concentration is zero, there will be production of ammonia and some other odourless gases. Hence, the respiration ability of many aquatic organisms will be affected, especially those which reside in the water.
The decaying plants cause the water to be unfit for consumption as algae can choke up filters and cause unpleasant tasts and odours to the water. The quality of our health will be affected should we use such water for consumption.
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It's a cycle
The amount of accessible water is limited and scarce. Hence, the water we used never really left us and is instead reused in our environment. Mankind's mindless pollution is coming back to hurt us. Boston Harbor is one strong example as to how pollution can cause drastic harms to bodies of water. However, once an eyesore, $180 million has now turned it into something beautiful. This further illustrates our ability to make that difference, that many lands have that potential if we could raise our awareness and show more care to the environment. Due to the careless disposal of junk by the people and the harmful chemicals discharge by the many industries, the bodies of water near city areas are badly polluted.
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