Key causes of Water contamination & Pollution

When harmful chemicals and waste released in a water body it decrease the quality of water and cause threat to human, animal and environment.

 

Industrial Waste – Manufacturing units release very toxic waste into nearby fresh water bodies without proper treatment lead to contamination of water. These industries not only have the potential to make water unsafe for human consumption, they can also cause the temperature in freshwater systems to change, making them dangerous for many water organisms.

 

Marine Dumping – All waste from industries and household which is not biodegradable eventually land into ocean, where is it lies for hundreds years, causing harm to marine life.

 

Sewerage & Wastewater – When sewage wastewater is released into water bodies it is carrier of many communicable diseases as it contains many chemicals & bacteria. It gets mixed with the pure water and contaminates it which can be use for drinking purpose and hence spread diseases. This wastewater is also eventually released into sea where it degrades the quality of water.

 

Oil spill & leak - 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. Oil does not dissolve into the water so oil spills can suffocate fish, get caught in the feathers of birds and mammals and block light from photosynthetic plants in the water.

 

Agriculture - To protect the crop from pests and insects farmer uses pesticides which are toxic in nature seeps into the groundwater and cause contamination. 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. 

 

Global Warming – Rise of water temperature responsible for coral bleaching and death of zooplanktons which are food of corals, hence as zooplanktons die corals die and turn into white.

 

 Radioactive waste - Uranium, the element used in the creation of nuclear energy, is a highly toxic chemical. Hazardous waste need to dispose of properly. Groundwater is also more prone to contamination rather than surface water because rocks contain radioactive elements.