Water Disturbed II
Black is the new Blue, sadly
First off, we have to discuss what water pollution is. In addition, we have to know how to identify the difference between clean water and polluted water. You might think that a glass of water with no seen foreign contaminants is clean but don’t be so sure. Even a clear glass of water could be polluted and unsafe for humans to drink. When a body of water, for instance a river or a lake, is polluted because of human activities like (discharge of garbage) the water changes gradually until most of the fishes die and an algal bloom occurs. Alga (singular of algae) is an indicator that a body of water is polluted. It is considered that if a body of water does not provide human needs it can already be considered as polluted because it has been contaminated with harmful substances to animals, plants, and human.
What is Point Source Pollution?
Unlike the Non Point Source, Point Source pollution contaminates the water directly from a specific source.
Causes and Effects
1.Industrial Wastes
CAUSE--These are the excess raw materials in manufacturing products. These wastes are usually treated before dumping, but today, even if it isn’t treated yet, it is already dumped to a nearby water
(rivers,lakes)
EFFECTS--Since factories are usually near the water, it normally becomes the dumping site of the wastes. These wastes that are untreated have some hazardous contents in them making the water’s quality deteriorate:
• Chemical wastes leave a great impact on the aquatic resources and mankind too. They either cause diseases that in the long term lead to death.
• Water’s potability decreases.
Even factories that are not near rivers
contribute to water pollution because as air pollutants join the water cycle they can cause acid rain and this acidic rain also goes into rivers which destroys tons of aquatic life and alters ecological balance which is not good for animals and plants.
--Thermal Pollution:
This occurs when the factories use water as a coolant and bring it back at a higher temperature --affecting the quality of the water to support life.
This pollution leaves the water with decreased oxygen supply.
2.Farm Wastes
CAUSE--wastes that come from agricultural processes
(animal wastes)
EFFECTS--Farm wastes are also dumped into water aside from landfill. These wastes often contain pathogens (disease-causing bacteria),especially those of animal excreta,
Often causing the nearby community with such diseases:
• Gastro-enteritis
• Diarrhea
• Typhoid
• Cholera
• Dysentery
• Hepatitis
• SARS(severa acute respiratory syndrome)
3.Urban wastes
(population)
EFFECT--Overpopulation plays a big role in the disturbance of water. For example, the Pasig River in the Philippines that was a great source of clean water became a dumpsite and bath area for the community around it. Presently, slums reside along the river and use the river as sewage.
