ORGANIC POLLUTION

Critical Analysis of Organic Pollution and Its Effects on Fresh Water



Critical Analysis of Organic Pollution and Its Effects on Fresh Water

Overview

Agricultural, industrial and domestic factors are the main causes of pollution of fresh water. Pesticides and other chemicals, even if they are directly discharged into rivers and lakes, are released into the atmosphere through rain, poisoning marine life. Human and animal wastes also pollute water supplies is also used for drinking water in developing countries which cannot afford the water treatment facilities. While freshwater sources are sustainable, pollution means that there is not enough potable water for all (Harrison 1994, pp. 5).

The main pollutants of water are more than 400 kinds of substances, which can cause water pollution. Among the chemical contaminants, the most common include the petroleum and petroleum products, detergents (synthetic surfactants), pesticides, heavy metals, dioxins and other highly dangerous biological contaminants, such as viruses and other pathogens, physical radioactive substance, heat and others. The main types of water pollution are chemical and bacterial contamination. Much less frequently there is of radioactive, mechanical and thermal pollution.

Organic matter, including human excrement, is a major cause of pollution of freshwater. Pollution stops the normal functioning of ecosystems, as it kills aquatic life. In addition, pathogens in human and animal waste pollute rivers and lakes if not treated. Pesticides, Nitrates found in fertilizers and other chemicals pollute waterways and groundwater, as they are released into the atmosphere and fall back to rain. Acid and nuclear pollution also indirectly contaminate freshwater ecosystems in this way. Diseases related to freshwater pollution kills 2.2 million people each year, with greater impact in developing countries which cannot afford the water treatment systems and are forced to drink contaminated water (Wong 2012, pp. 10). Too many nitrates in water are toxic to humans, while the microorganisms contained in the transmitted disease effects the human and animal excrement. Malaria and dengue fever occur when mosquitoes ingest contaminated water and pass the disease to people. Freshwater pollution damage aquatic ecosystems, it kills indigenous marine life and are the cause of the tumours and malformations. Air pollutants are toxic to fish and, in turn, people and animals that depend on them as a food source.

Discussion

Pollution of fresh water is getting various pollutants in the water of rivers, lakes, underground water. In most cases, contamination of fresh water is invisible, because contaminants are dissolved in water. But there are exceptions: foaming detergents, as well as floating on the surface of oil and raw sewage. There are some natural pollutants. Located in the land of aluminium compounds fall into the fresh waters as a result of chemical reactions. Floods wash away the soil of meadows magnesium compounds, which cause great damage to fish stocks. However, the amount of natural pollution is negligible compared to the manufactured man. Every year in the water pools get thousands of chemicals with unpredictable effects, many of which are new compounds (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005).

The water can be detected while having the elevated concentrations ...