The Effects Of Water Pollution On People And Animals

Table of Contents

Contamination of water

Animals’ impact on water pollution

Effects of water pollution on people

In conclusion,

Contamination of water sources

Water pollution occurs when wastes are disposed into water bodies or sources. Water pollution has been linked to a number of environmental issues. Indirectly and directly, water pollution is a result of the expansion in urban areas. The construction of cities that are aimed at increasing their size leads to an increase in debris, which causes pollution of water when washed down rivers and into lakes. Urban expansion also brings in a large population that throws away waste without regard to safety standards. The waste washes into the water, contaminating it. The use of chemicals by farmers to boost their yields is another cause of water pollution in urban centers. When chemicals wash into rivers, dams and lakes, they contaminate drinking water.

Water pollution is also a result of deforestation, agriculture and other factors. Water pollution can be caused by clearing forests for wood. This is because it encourages soil erosion. It is more likely that soils with no protective cover from trees will erode during rainstorms. The water becomes murky, making it unsafe for aquatic life and people. Water pollution is caused by soil eroding when soil is loosening to prepare land for agriculture. Rainwater can carry fertilizers used to increase yields into waterbodies. This causes water pollution. The use of pesticides and herbicides in farming can pollute underground water. In some cases, soiled waters can cause fish to die because they clog their gills. The oxygen level in aquatic habitats is also affected by water pollution. Farm chemicals in water can cause eutrophication, making it more soluble to compounds like phosphate. The oxygen in water is reduced when such compounds are dissolved.

Chaudhry & Malik (2017) state that nitrogen compounds used in fertilizers can lead to dissolved-oxygen deficiency, as they are highly water-soluble. This can result in aquatic animal deaths. Eutrophication is a result of the use nitrogen compounds by farmers. These chemicals have such a high rate of leaching that they even pollute underground waters. Unbeknownst to the authorities, there are areas where the soil is covered with high levels of phosphates and nitrogen compounds. They wash into waterbodies and kill aquatic organisms. In its 2017 report, EPA (2017) revealed that up to 20 percent of lakes in the US have nitrogen or phosphorous compounds, which may have washed unnoticed from various areas.

Aquatic animals are also affected by water pollution, which can lead to the growth of bacteria and algae. A dirty water environment is prone to bacteria and algae growth, both of which are associated with a higher death rate for aquatic animals. Eutrophic waters are ideal for algae growth. Algae compete with aquatic animals and fish for oxygen and nutrients. Algae can continue to grow and deplete the water of nutrients, resulting in the death or plants and fish. Aside from this, algae can block the fish’s gills causing them to die. The same water pollution that impacted the US coastline back in 2010 can affect birds and mammals (EPA, 2017). As a result of the incident, mammals and bird died after ingesting oil from water bodies.

Water Pollution’s Impact on PeopleWater pollution impacts both the people and government. Water pollution can cause cancer and other deadly diseases. Water pollution can also have a negative impact on the economic activities of individuals, such as fisherman. The food chain can be disrupted by water pollution, which can cause illnesses and death to different species. Water pollution is a problem that the government will have to clean up. This means it will be a burden for its institutions.

The government and agencies involved in the supply of water are affected by the impacts and costs associated with pollution. In 2016, the Michigan water pollution caused financial costs for the government as well as water agencies. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that the cost of cleaning up water supplies and piping could be over $200 million. The cleanup could also take a very long time, and this shows that there is a possibility of extra costs. Aquatic animal deaths have financial consequences for people who rely on seafood as a source of income. In 2010, the US pollution caused millions of aquatic animals to die. The deaths caused financial hardships for people who depend on fishing income. In addition, water pollution leads to diseases which lead to increased costs for governments and individuals.

Water pollution is a major environmental issue that disrupts ecosystems. Oil spills, such as the one in 2010, disrupted an ecosystem by killing aquatic organisms and aquatic life. Murky water can also cause trees to grow slowly or even die. As humans rely on ecosystems to obtain food and drink, destruction and disruption can have a negative impact on their health. In the case of algae, it affects the food cycle by introducing new organisms and killing fish. The decline in fish populations affects communities who depend on fishing to provide food.

Water pollution has a social impact on people’s eating habits. Water pollution can force communities who rely on fish for their staple food to alter their lifestyle. In addition, cancers and lifestyle diseases caused by polluted tap water can force victims to change their lives. Swimming in contaminated water can be dangerous and affects tourism and social interaction at the beach.

Health impacts of drinking polluted tap water have been reported. Lead, for example, can cause skin problems and neurological disorders. Pesticides such as organophosphates and carbonates can cause cancer in people who drink polluted drinking water. Fluorides may cause tooth cavities and spinal cord damage. Flint, Michigan residents showed signs and symptoms of cancer after drinking contaminated water.

Many people are unaware of the importance water plays in human survival and animal progress. It is used by every country, community, business and individual. Water quality is affected by everything. This is why we must begin to control our water usage and management. It will be difficult to solve this problem because we cannot target a single source. This is only possible if local, state, or national stormwater regulations are adjusted to account for our changing lifestyle.

Author

  • paulwallace

    Paul Wallace is a 44-year-old anthropology professor and blogger. He has been writing about anthropology and other topics for over a decade. He has also taught anthropology at the college level for over a decade.

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