How Water Pollution Affects Our Health and Environment

How Water Pollution Affects Our Health and Environment

Water Scarcity is looming large

The average per capita water consumption in India has been increasing every year. Key reasons - more 
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.


For more climate change and related updates, please follow us here: - 


    • Related Articles

    • The Causes and Consequences of Air Pollution

      Air pollution caused over 1.1 million premature deaths in 2017 in India (HEI 2019), of which 56% was due to exposure to outdoor PM2.5 concentration and 44% was attributed to household air pollution. Based on the concentrations of PM2.5 emissions, ...
    • Watchlist - Documentaries on Climate Change

      Climate change is a pressing global issue, and documentaries are a powerful medium to raise awareness and inspire action. Here are some impactful documentaries that provide well-researched insights into the environmental challenges we face and the ...
    • Why are Natural Calamities more frequent and intense?

      Natural calamities has intensified worldwide. Climate change and its consequences: How our food choices affect the planet Balanced Nature Environmental issues, especially climate change, have become hot topics around the world in recent years due to ...
    • Reading List on Climate Change - Books & Publications

      Select books on Climate Change Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and it affects every aspect of our lives. But how much do we really know about it? How can we learn more and take action? One way is to read books that ...
    • How Cooling and Balancing the Earth Element Can Prevent Earthquakes

      Earthquakes are a terrible natural disaster that can cause huge losses and damages. They happen when the ground shakes violently due to sudden movements of the earth's crust. One of the factors that can trigger earthquakes is the lack of water in the ...