Water Pollution
Water pollution is a state resulting when substances are released into a body of water, where they become dissolved or suspended in the water or deposited on the bottom, accumulating to the extent that they overwhelm its capacity to absorb, break down, or recycle them, and thus interfering with the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. Contributions to water pollution include substances drawn from the air resulting in acid rain, silt from soil erosion, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, runoff from septic tanks, outflow from livestock feedlots, chemical toxic wastes from industries, and sewage and other urban wastes from cities and towns. Virtually all water pollutants are hazardous to humans as well as lesser species; contaminants cause liver and nerve damage, skin eruptions, vomiting, fever, diarrhoea, and fetal abnormalities. Clearly, the problems associated with water pollution have the capabilities to disrupt life on our planet to a great extent. But the government alone cannot combat water pollution and solve the entire problem. It is ultimately up to us, to be informed, responsible and involved when it comes to the problems we face with our water. As we have already headed into the 21st century, awareness and education will most assuredly continue to be the two most important ways to prevent water pollution. If these measures are not taken and water pollution continues, life on earth will suffer severely.
Water pollution is a state resulting when substances are released into a body of water, where they become dissolved or suspended in the water or deposited on the bottom, accumulating to the extent that they overwhelm its capacity to absorb, break down, or recycle them, and thus interfering with the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. Contributions to water pollution include substances drawn from the air resulting in acid rain, silt from soil erosion, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, runoff from septic tanks, outflow from livestock feedlots, chemical toxic wastes from industries, and sewage and other urban wastes from cities and towns. Virtually all water pollutants are hazardous to humans as well as lesser species; contaminants cause liver and nerve damage, skin eruptions, vomiting, fever, diarrhoea, and fetal abnormalities. Clearly, the problems associated with water pollution have the capabilities to disrupt life on our planet to a great extent. But the government alone cannot combat water pollution and solve the entire problem. It is ultimately up to us, to be informed, responsible and involved when it comes to the problems we face with our water. As we have already headed into the 21st century, awareness and education will most assuredly continue to be the two most important ways to prevent water pollution. If these measures are not taken and water pollution continues, life on earth will suffer severely.