Thursday, 30 April 2020
Discuss the causes, effects and control measures for water pollution
Causes of water pollution are varied: industrial effluents; have heavy
metals that poison aquatic organisms; untreated organic matter has
phosphates/sulphates/nitrates/salts; that cause eutrophication; causing algal
bloom that deprives the water of nutrients; when the algae die, they lead to an
increase in putrefying bacteria whose decomposition activities lead to the
release of awful smells/odours; oil effluents clog respiratory surfaces of
aquatic organisms/death due to suffocation; domestic effluents/sewage; form a
habitat of pathogens that spread water borne diseases; decomposing sewage
promotes eutrophication leading to algal bloom; death promotes/attracts
saprophytic bacteria that use up oxygen in water; causing suffocation/death to
aquatic organisms; agrochemicals/fertilizers; phosphates/nitrates; cause
eutrophication; heavy metals in agrochemicals (herbicides/pesticides); affect
respiratory surfaces/cause breathing problems; Hot water; raise temperature of
water; killing organisms; dissolves less oxygen; reducing its content in water; Oil
spillage; in oceans from tanks/refineries; soak feathers of marine birds
preventing flight; clogs respiratory surfaces leading to death; coats
photosynthetic phytoplanktons; reduces light penetration hampering photosynthesis;
Sediments; from soil erosion makes water dirty; making it unfit for
consumption; clogs respiratory surfaces hindering gaseous exchange; reduces
light penetration hindering photosynthesis; Control methods: Enforcement of
environmental laws; Use of unleaded fuel/petroleum products; Proper treatment
and disposal of sewage wastes; Treatment of industrial effluents before
release; Public education on correct use of inorganic fertilizers and
agrochemicals; and use of alternatives such as biological control of
weeds/pests/organic manure; Use of undersea pipelines instead of tankers to
transport oil products; Cooling hot water before release to water bodies;
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