Folio Science 2013

Water Pollution

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Introduction Additional Forms of Water Pollutant Objective Table/Date of Research Discussion 1. Effects on living things 2. Ways to conserve and preserve water quality 3. Ways to control water pollution Conclusion References

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Introduction
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater). Water pollution occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds. Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of water. In almost all cases the effect is damaging not only to individual species and populations, but also to the natural biological communities. Water pollution is a major global problem which requires ongoing evaluation and revision of water resource policy at all levels (international down to individual aquifers and wells). It has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases,[1][2] and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily.[2] An estimated of 580 people in India die of water pollution related sickness every day.[3] Some 90% of China's cities suffer from some degree of water pollution,[4] and nearly 500 million people lack access to safe drinking water.[5] In addition to the acute problems of water pollution in developing countries, developed countries continue to struggle with pollution problems as well. In the most recent national report on water quality in the United States, 45 percent of assessed stream miles, 47 percent of assessed lake acres, and 32 percent of assessed bays and estuarine square miles were classified as polluted.[6] Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic contaminants and either does not support a human use, such as drinking water, or undergoes a marked shift in its ability to support its constituent biotic communities, such as fish. Natural phenomena such as volcanoes, algae blooms, storms, and earthquakes also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological status of water.

Additional forms of water pollutant

Three last forms of water pollution exist in the forms of petroleum, radioactive substances and heat. Petroleum often pollutes water bodies in the form of oil, resulting from oil spills. The previously mentioned Exxon Valdez is an example of this type of water pollution. These large-scale accidental discharges of petroleum are an important cause of pollution along shore lines. Besides the supertankers, off-shore drilling operations contribute a large share of pollution. One estimate is that one ton of oil is spilled for every million tons of oil transported. This is equal to about 0.0001 percent. Radioactive substances are produced in the form of waste from nuclear power plant, and from industrial, medical, and scientific use of radioactive materials. Specific forms of waste are uranium and thorium mining and refining. The las form of water pollution is heat. Heat is a pollutant because increased temperatures result in the deaths of many aquatic organisms. These decreases in temperatures are caused when a discharge of cooling water by factories.

Objective
To raise awareness amongst people To learn more about the effect of the water pollution To discuss about ways to conserve and preserve water quality To be able to explain the effects of water pollution on living things To be able to explain ways to control water pollution Help take care of our precious commodity To be more responsible when using water Understanding the preservation of water quality

Table/ Date of research

STAGE I ACTIVITY Gather information on the effects of water pollution on living things. Include issues related to water quality in your folio. Gather information about ways to control water pollution. Gather information about ways to conserve and preserve water quality. (think of ideas to control water pollution.) PERIOD (DATE) ACTION

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Discussion
1. Effects on living things
Water pollution is very harmful to humans, animals and water life. The effects can be catastrophic , depending on the kind of chemicals, concentrations of the pollutants and where there are polluted. Below, we shall see a summary of the effects of water pollution. The effects of water pollution are varied and depend on what chemicals are dumped and in what locations Many water bodies near urban areas (cities and towns) are highly polluted. This is the result of both garbage dumped by individuals and dangerous chemicals legally or illegally dumped by manufacturing industries, health centres, schools and market places

Death of aquatic animals The main problem caused by water pollution is that it kills life that depends on this water bodies. Dead fish, crabs, birds and sea gulls, dolphins and many other animals often wind up on beaches, killed by pollutants in their habitat.

Disruption of food chains Pollution disrupts the natural food chains as well. Pollutants such as lead and cadmium are eaten by tiny animals. Later, these animals are consumed by fish and shellfish, and the food chain continues to be disrupted at all higher levels.

Diseases Eventually, humans are affected by this process as well. People can get disease such as hepatitis by eating seafood that has been poisoned. In many poor nation there is always outbreak of cholera and disease as a result of poor drinking water treatment from contaminated waters.

Destruction in ecosystem Ecosystem can be severely changed or destroyed by water pollution. Many areas are now being affected by careless humans pollution, and this pollution is coming back to hurt humans in many ways.

2. Ways to conserve and preserve water quality

Water is one of the most precious resources on this planet. Without water, nothing can live. Unfortunately, many people waste water or pollute water through activities that could easily be avoided and prevented. With a few lifestyle changes you can help conserve water and preserve the overall quality of water in your area. Running Water One way to conserve water is to alter your behaviour when it comes to running water in your home. For example, take a shower instead of bath to save water. If you wash your dishes by hand, turn the water off between rinsing. The same goes for brushing your teeth and shaving. If you use a glass of water to rinse your razor instead of running the tap, you can save up to 3 gallons of water a day, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Appliances Water-efficient appliances conserve water. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that if every home in the United States installed water-efficient appliances, as much as 3 trillion gallons of water could be saved yearly. More efficient toilets, washing machines and dishwashers can help in this process. Installing a low-flow shower head also can help you conserve water. Detergents and Soaps The types of detergents and soaps you use can have a lasting effect on your local water quality. Products that contain phosphates are especially to blame, with many detergents and some fertilizers containing this nutrient. When you use phosphate-containing products, the wastewater often ends up in nearby water supplies. Phosphates accelerate the growth of plants such as algae, according to the Washington Department of Ecology. As algae takes over water bodies, oxygen is consumed at a higher rate, choking out fish and other wildlife in the water. Household Cleaning Household cleaning products can also have an effect on water quality. Environmentally harmful ingredients in some cleaning products can affect your water when they are either evaporated into the air or rinsed down the drain, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. By using nontoxic and biodegradable cleaning products, you can keep your home clean and protect the water supply at the same time.

3. Ways to control water pollution

Water pollution is a serious and complex problem in Malaysia. Several approaches can be used to control water pollution: Holding campaigns to prevent water pollution. These campaigns educate the public on the dangers of water pollution and suggest ways to prevent water pollution. Implementing laws under the Environmental Quality Act (Scheduled Wastes) 1989 on the disposal of chemical wastes, rubbish, carcasses and excreta into rivers and seas. Rubbish should be placed in closed rubbish bin and disposed of in the designated dumps. They should not be thrown into drains, river or seas. The use of fertilisers, fungicides and pesticides must be controlled to reduce water pollution. Safer alternative methods such as biological control can be used in the agricultural sector. Recycling paper, plastic, glass and metals prevents these materials from ending up in drains and rivers. Waste products from factories have to be treated. This is to make sure that they are not harmful before they are disposed of into the public sewage system. The authorities should implement a system of detecting oil spills in the Straits of Malacca or the South China Sea. This system will surely ensure that oil spills are detected immediately. Quick action can be taken to prevent the worsening. Offenders can be prosecuted under the law. The main steps to water pollution control are prevention, monitoring and enforcement

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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 serious issue. But the government alone cannot solve the entire problem. It is ultimately unto 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 dont end up in sewage treatment plants that cant 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

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References
Sribd.com Google.com ehow.com wikihow.com eschooltoday.com

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