THE MAJOR CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION
One of the major causes of water pollution is humans and their daily activities. For example, Industrial waste is a popular cause of water pollution. Industrial Facilities use fresh water as a way to carry out their waste. Here are some other examples of causes of water pollution:
- Metallic Elements: Lead and Mercury are two of the main metallic elements that pollute our oceans. A main source of Mercury is from batteries being thrown out by humans, into landfills and the Mercury in them leaks into our water. Lead and Mercury are poisonous and can harm humans and as well as animals. Because they are non- biodegradable materials, they are very difficult to clean up. Recently, lead has leaked into 13 % of Toronto’s houses. Now there is a risk of unsafe tap water. To read more about the contamination of lead in our water, read here: http://globalnews.ca/news/1341542/unsafe-levels-of-lead-in-toronto-tap-water-report/
- Nitrates and Phosphates: These two chemicals are mainly found in fertilizers, which are washed from soils. This results in encouraging micro-organisms to grow, causing lack of oxygen, and the death of organisms.
- Oil: When oil spilt it spreads everywhere. Also it floats on water, meaning that it does not dissolve. Oil causes problems for aquatic life such as birds, dolphins, ducks etc. It is also quite costly to remove form the environment.
- Household Materials: At home, many chemicals are poured down the drain. The main types of chemicals are: paints, bleach, solvents, pesticides disinfectants and dishwasher soap. Do you remember that time you poured some unwanted paint down the drain? Well, it doesn't just go away-but instead it finds its way into landfills and storm sewers, which seeps into groundwater and then into lakes, rivers, oceans etc.
- Agriculture Runoff: Pesticides, fertilizer, and manure find its way into streams and bodies of water. Fertilizers contain Phosphates and nitrates, which seeps into oceans, rivers and lakes and encourages the growth of organisms or water.
- Radioactive Waste: Nuclear waste is mostly formed form industrial, medication and scientific purposes. The sources of nuclear waste include: facilities (especially in northern Europe) that produce nuclear waste. Sometime they throw their nuclear waste into oceans. This Nuclear waste can haRm marine lives and their habitats.
- Sewage and Waste Water: In developing countries their sewage and waste is thrown into oceans. This is very dangerous! It infects the environments and oceans and can also bring many diseases, and sicknesses our way.