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Impact of Water Pollution: Water Challenges of an Urbanizing World
Introduction
Water is a source of life on Earth, and it is one of the very first needs of living beings. It is a vital resource for the development of the economic and social sectors. People use water for food, energy production, manufacturing, and many other fields. It is hard to imagine the everyday life and development in almost any sector without water. However, because of several different factors, most of which are human factors, today, the population is facing a global challenge, that is water pollution. When dangerous substancesoften microorganisms and chemicalscontaminate a stream, lake, river, or ocean, the water quality deteriorates, and the water becomes toxic to humans and the environment. The consequences of water pollution have a negative impact on both the environment and human lives. Flora and fauna of the marine ecosystem are experiencing damage and are under a big threat. People that are using water on a daily bases are suffering from the low quality of water as well. Pollution of water is able to lead to terrible results if the issue is not solved timely.
Causes of Water Pollution
With the development of industrialization and urbanization processes, the situation with water pollution began worsening. Vardhan et al. (2019) claim that the rapid industrialization and increasing population, along with the inefficient use of natural resources, negatively influenced the quality of water. Oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers today are full of plastic products, heavy metals, organic matter, biocides, dyes, pathogens, and others (Villarin & Merel, 2020). Oil pollution is another important source of pollution that is endangering water resources. In the process of oil manufacturing, a lot of oil waste is poured into the water. Although large spills make the news, customers are responsible for the great majority of oil pollution in our oceans, including gasoline that leaks from millions of automobiles and trucks every day. Agriculture is another reason for the pollution of the water since it consumes water in a large amount and spreads tons of pesticides and fertilizers into the groundwater. Uranium mining, nuclear power plants, military weapon production, and testing, as well as colleges and hospitals that use radioactive materials for study and medicine, all produce radioactive waste that can last thousands of years in the environment, making disposal a challenge. Manufacturing, agriculture, farming, urbanization, industrialization processes, and human activities continue to pollute the water, which brings environmental problems and health issues.
The Impact of Water Pollution on Environment
Water contamination has a significant impact on aquatic life. In reality, animals and plants that drink contaminated water may die or fail to reproduce effectively. Water contamination can include heavy metals and chemicals from urban and industrial effluent, which impact aquatic creatures lifespans and reproduction ability. Algal blooms in lakes and marine settings, which are caused by excess nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates from agricultural runoff, have a significant impact on aquatic life (Thushari & Senevirathna, 2020). Debris and litter, which can smother and harm many aquatic animals, are also a hazard to marine life. Plastic, for example, can take a very long time to disintegrate and has even resulted in the formation of plastic islands in the ocean.
The pollution of water in lakes or marine settings by nutrients used in agriculture fertilization, for example, causes an overabundance of plant and algae development. The amount of oxygen in the water decreases as a result of this expansion. Eutrophication, or a lack of oxygen, suffocates plants and animals and can result in dead zones, or areas of water that are essentially devoid of life. Excessive algal development can produce neurotoxins, which can harm aquatic species in some situations (Thushari & Senevirathna, 2020). Chemical and heavy metal poisoning of water habitats has devastating consequences for aquatic life. Indeed, these pollutants have been linked to a decrease in an organisms lifespan and ability to reproduce. Furthermore, as predators devour the prey, these harmful substances work their way up the food chain. Solid wastes such as plastic, cigarettes, and plastics, among others, pose a threat to aquatic environments. Plastic, on the other hand, is the most significant solid contaminant in our water resources. Because these solid wastes can be swallowed by animals and cause suffocation, starvation, and death, they pose a serious threat to aquatic life.
The absorption of carbon emissions results in a reduction in the pH of water surfaces, which is known as ocean acidification. Chemical changes on water surfaces have a significant impact on marine ecosystems. Shellfish, for example, need calcium carbonate to create their shells and skeletons (Thushari & Senevirathna, 2020). When acidity levels rise, however, the carbonate levels in the ocean drop, putting these organisms survival in jeopardy. Because bivalves are at the bottom of the food chain, their impacts can be felt by a wide range of fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. Furthermore, rising ocean acidity hastens coral reef bleaching and makes it more difficult for some fish to detect predators and prey. Finally, water pollution may lead to the destruction of biodiversity as it depletes aquatic habitats and causes uncontrolled phytoplankton bloom in lakes.
The Impact of Water Pollution on Human Health
Drinking or consuming dirty water can cause stomach problems, poisoning, and mortality, as well as persistent toxicity and neurological concerns from more significant chemical pollution. Human sickness is most caused by germs found in dirty water. For instance, the fish that inhabits dirty water and eat different wastes of plastic and fertilizers are then consumed by people. According to Inyinbor Adejumoke et al. (2018), human ingestion of water polluted with arsenic can cause cancer of lungs, liver, and bladder (p. 36). Giardia, typhoid, and cholera are among the diseases spread by contaminated water. Even in prosperous countries, sewage leaks and runoff from urban areas and agricultural farms occur accidentally and illegally, impacting everyones water quality. The use of polluted water for farming and agriculture, as well as fishing in dirty seas, can introduce poisons into foods that are damaging to health when consumed. Chemical pollutants in contaminated water meet ones skin when they swim in it or wash their clothes, causing a variety of skin irritations ranging in severity. Groundwater is the only source of fresh water for some people in remote areas. When contaminants such as pesticides and fertilizers, as well as trash leached from landfills and septic systems, find their way into an aquifer, they make it unsuitable for human consumption.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many different factors that lead to the lower quality of water and cause several different challenges for the environment. Among such factors are irresponsible water consumption and pouring wastes from manufacturers into water. Everyday human activities contribute to the process of water pollution. Lakes, oceans, and seas are experiencing damage to the marine ecosystem and the deaths of thousands of animals and plants living there. Humans are facing serious health issues and a lack of potable water. All of these problems are the consequences of water pollution, and that is why it is crucial to undertake effective steps to stop destroying one of the most valuable resources on Earth.
References
Inyinbor Adejumoke, A., Adebesin Babatunde, O., Oluyori Abimbola, P., Adelani Akande Tabitha, A., Dada Adewumi, O., & Oreofe Toyin, A. (2018). Water pollution: effects, prevention, and climatic impact. Water Challenges of an Urbanizing World, 33, 33-47.
Thushari, G. G. N., & Senevirathna, J. D. M. (2020). Plastic pollution in the marine environment. Heliyon, 6(8), e04709.
Vardhan, K. H., Kumar, P. S., & Panda, R. C. (2019). A review on heavy metal pollution, toxicity and remedial measures: Current trends and future perspectives. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 290, 111197.
Villarín, M. C., & Merel, S. (2020). Paradigm shifts and current challenges in wastewater management. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 390, 122139.
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