Water Pollution What is Water Pollution Water pollution

Water Pollution

What is “Water Pollution”? • Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e. g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater.

• This form of pollution occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds.

Common Water Pollutants • Oil • Suspended Matter ( Like garbage) • Chemicals ( Like bleach, washing detergents, etc) • Microbes

Pollution Indicators • The level of pollution in water can be indicated by the species living there. This is known as an indicator species.

Effect of Water Pollution • Contamination of water bodies. • Death of aquatic (water) animals. • Spread of diseases. • Destruction of ecosystems.

Bioaccumulation • Bioaccumulation is when toxins build up in a food chain.

• The animals at the top of the food chain are affected most severely.

Eutrophication • When fertilizers are added to farmland in large quantities, plants and animals in nearby rivers and lakes can sometimes be killed.

• This is because of a nutrient overload. • Fertilzers are washed into rivers causing an overgrowth of algae (algal bloom).

• Algal bloom prevents sunlight from reaching plants. • This causes plants to die. • When plants die, there is a reduction in the oxygen supply for organisms.

• Dead organisms are broken down by decomposers; which further reduces the oxygen level in the water. • This eventually cause total death of the ecosystem.

What can you do to prevent Water Pollution? • Store waste properly. • Avoid throwing chemicals, oils, paints and medicines down the drain or in the toilet. • Use water wisely. • Use products that are environmentally safe.

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