Water pollution

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater). Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds. Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of water; and, in almost all cases the effect is damaging not only to individual species and populations, but also to the natural biological communities.

Sources of water pollution

We can classify major sources that lead to water pollution to the following categories: petroleum products synthetic agricultural chemicals heavy metals hazardous wastes excess organic matter sediment infectious organisms air pollution thermal pollution soil pollution

Types Of Water Pollution

Dumping of industrial wastes, containing heavy metals, harmful chemicals, byproducts, organic toxins and oils, into the nearby source of water is one of the visible causes of water pollution. Another cause for the contamination of water is the improper disposal of human and animal wastes. Effluents from factories, refineries, injection wells and sewage treatment plants are dumped into urban water supplies, leading to water pollution. A number of pollutants, both harmful and poisonous, enter the groundwater systems through rain water. The residue of agricultural practices, including fertilizers and pesticides, are some of the major sources of water pollution. Untreated pollutants are drained into the nearest water body, such as stream, lake or harbor, causing water pollution. Another major source of water pollution comprises of organic farm wastes. When farm land, treated with pesticides and fertilizers, is irrigated, the excess nitrogen and poisons get mixed into the water supply, thereby contaminating it. Pathogens, sediments and chemical pollutants are other sources of water pollution. The corporeal wastes produced by humans and farmed organisms pollute rivers, lakes, oceans and other surface waters.

Harmful Effects Of Water Pollution on Plant Life

pH Levels- Pollution can also alter the pH of water, making it more acidic or more alkaline. Many species of plants thrive only in certain conditions, and a large shift in pH can kill them off or stunt their growth. Sediment-Runoff from mining operations can fill waterways with sediment, cutting off water and drying out wetlands. Chain Reactions- In some cases, subtle sources of pollution might not kill off large plants, but might affect micro-organisms and throw off the natural balance over time. Organic Pollution- Sewage runoff and other organic matter can alter the nutrient levels in a body of water, causing bacteria or algae to multiply. This can alter the oxygen content of the water and kill not only plants but animals as well. Toxic Spills- One of the most common forms of water pollution is the introduction of toxins, such as pesticides, into the environment. These can kill plant life directly as well as leach into the water table

Effect of Water Pollution on trees and plants

May disrupt photosynthesis in aquatic plants and thus affecting ecosystems that depend on these plants Terrestrial and aquatic plants may absorb pollutants from water (as their main nutrient source) and pass them up the food chain to consumer animals and humans Plants may be killed by too much sodium chloride (ordinary slat) in water Plants may be killed by mud from construction sites as well as bits of wood and leaves, clay and other similar materials Plants may be killed by herbicides in water; herbicides are chemicals which are most harmful to plants

Water Pollution Management Bioremediation

Enhance the development of indigenous microorganisms to accelerate biodegradation of organic constituents in saturated zone Effective for full range petroleum hydrocarbon (long chain, high molecular weight and insoluble constituents) Accepted in combination with other saturated zone remedial technology (e.g. air sparging) and soil vapor extraction (bioventing)

Dual-Phase Extraction
Elimination of every types of contaminants of groundwater, separate-phase of petroleum products, hydrocarbon vapor from subsurface, which are treated and collected for disposal or reinjected to the subsurface Effective in removal of separate phase products from subsurface, due to great efficiency of extraction rates which increase biodegradation of petroleum constituents by increasing supply of oxygen, similar to bioventing Mechanism criterion: vacuum, hydraulics and water Treatment modes Subsurface liquid(s) and soil vapor are extracted as a high velocity dual phase stream using a single pump Subsurface liquid(s) and soil vapor are extracted separately using 2 or more pumps

Point and Nonpoint Sources

NONPOINT SOURCES

Rural homes

Urban streets

Cropland

Animal feedlot
Suburban development POINT SOURCES

Factory

Wastewater treatment plant

Reducing Water Pollution through Sewage Treatment

Primary and Secondary sewage treatment.

Figure 20-19

Technological Approach: Using Wetlands to Treat Sewage

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Sewage Wetland type plants Wetland type plants

Treated water

First concrete pool

45 centimeter layer of limestone gravel coated with decomposing bacteria

Second concrete pool

What Can You Do? Water Pollution Fertilize garden and yard plants with manure or compost instead of commercial inorganic fertilizer. Minimize your use of pesticides. Do not apply fertilizer or pesticides near a body of water. Grow or buy organic foods. Do not drink bottled water unless tests show that your tap water is contaminated. Merely refill and reuse plastic bottles with tap water. Compost your food wastes. Do not use water fresheners in toilets. Do not flush unwanted medicines down the toilet. Do not pour pesticides, paints, solvents, oil, antifreeze, or other products containing harmful chemicals down the drain or onto the ground.