Aquatic pollution

Aquatic pollution

Aquatic pollution, also known as water pollution, is the introduction of harmful substances into water bodies or sources, which negatively affect living organisms. Contaminated water becomes unsafe for both domestic and industrial use.

Causes of water pollution

1. Pesticides: Pesticides from homes and farms may infiltrate into water sources through surface runoff, contaminating the water and making it unsafe for living organisms.
2. Industrial Activities: Some industries discharge dirty or hot water, toxic chemicals, oils, and harmful bacteria into water bodies, polluting them.
3. Oil Spills: Oil spills from offshore oil rigs, tankers, and oil pipelines form a layer of oil on the water surface, blocking oxygen and causing the death of aquatic organisms.
4. Untreated Sewage: Sewage from homes, hospitals, and industries is often directly discharged into rivers, lakes, and seas, spreading disease-causing organisms into the water.
5. Radioactive Wastes: Radioactive wastes from industrial nations are often pumped into ocean beds in steel containers. As these containers corrode, radiation spreads through the ocean, posing a danger to marine life.
6. Mining Processes: Mining exposes chemical pollutants such as lead and arsenic, which rainwater can leach into nearby water sources.
7. Marine Debris: Urban solid waste and garbage thrown overboard from boats and ships contribute to marine debris found on beaches and sea beds.
8. Synthetic Fertilizers and Manures: These fertilizers and other waste products contain plant nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates, which are washed into rivers, lakes, and seas, leading to excessive growth of aquatic plants (weeds) and algae.
9. Pollutant Gases: Gases like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and ammonia from the air can get into water bodies, increasing the acidity of the water.
10. Deforestation and Poor Farming Methods: These expose soil to erosion by water, which deposits the eroded soil into rivers, lakes, and seas, polluting the water.

Hazards of water pollution

1. Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
2. Excessive growth of aquatic plants and algae blocks sunlight from reaching sea and river beds, which serve as nurseries for young fish species.
3. The presence of agrochemicals in drinking water and the human food chain can cause damage to the human body and even lead to cancer.
4. Oil spills in the ocean can alter aquatic ecosystems and threaten the survival of marine organisms.
5. Excessive growth of aquatic plants like water hyacinth in Lake Victoria deprives fish of oxygen and habitat.
6. Lead, arsenic, and mercury from mining industries can cause deformities in newborns, brain damage, and nervous disorders in adults.
7. Marine debris can destroy coral reefs, seaweeds, and other aquatic habitats. Trash such as plastic bottles and bags can cause suffocation and intestinal blockages in marine animals.
8. Sedimentation from eroded soil destroys aquatic habitats in lakes, seas, and rivers.

Ways of preventing aquatic pollution

1. Reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and chemicals in agriculture. Environment-friendly agricultural practices should be adopted.
2. Governments should impose strict laws to reduce deforestation and soil erosion.
3. Governments should enact laws prohibiting the construction of buildings near beaches and water bodies.
4. Oil rigs, tankers, and pipelines should be properly maintained and frequently inspected.
5. The government should ban the use of mercury and other heavy toxic metals in industrial activities.
6. Mines should not be located in areas where they can cause water pollution.
7. The government and NGOs should educate the public about water conservation and the dangers of water pollution.
8. Measures should be taken to neutralize the effects of chemical spills in water bodies.
9. Sewage water should be adequately treated before being released into water bodies.