Environmental Pollution(Part-2 of 4) Water And Soil Pollution, Pollutants And Control
Water pollution
Water is one of the most vital natural resources on earth and has been around for a long time. This translates to just over 1 octillion liters (1,260,000,000,000,000,000,000 liters) of water distributed in the oceans, rivers, lakes and streams.
That is a lot of water, however, less than 0.3% is accessible for human consumption. The effects of water contamination can be felt for years to come.
In fact, the same water which we drink has been around in one form or the other since the time of the dinosaurs.
The earth has more than two-thirds of its surface covered with water. Water pollution is caused when water bodies such as rivers, lakes, oceans, groundwater and aquifers get contaminated with industrial and agricultural effluents.
When water gets polluted, it adversely affects all lifeforms that directly or indirectly depend on this source. Water pollution can be defined as the contamination of water bodies.
pollutants
The unwanted particles that enter the water bodies and contaminate them are called pollutants. The water pollutants may include
Household pollutants: These include faecal matters, synthetic detergents, and soaps, etc.
Biological pollutants: These include pathogens, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, etc.
Chemical pollutants: These include heavy chemicals like mercury, arsenic, lead, etc., dyeing agents, untreated radioactive substances, etc.
The key causatives of water pollution in India are:
- Industrial effluents.
- Use of Detergents.
- Urbanization.
- Social and Religious Practices.
- Deforestation.
- Use of insecticides and pesticides in Agricultural .
This chemical is bioaccumulated in fish, chicken and meat. This is the result of dumping garbage and toxic chemicals by industrial and commercial establishments.
Water pollution drastically affects aquatic life. The effect of water pollution depends upon the type of pollutants and its concentration. Also, the location of water bodies is an important factor to determine the levels of pollution.
Water bodies in the vicinity of urban areas are extremely polluted. Chemicals such as this travel up the food chain before entering the human body.
The effect of water pollution can have a huge impact on the food chain. Dioxin is a chemical that causes a lot of problems from reproduction to uncontrolled cell growth or cancer. It disrupts the food-chain. It affects their metabolism, behavior, causes illness and eventual death. Cadmium and lead are some toxic substances, these pollutants upon entering the food chain through animals (fish when consumed by animals, humans) can continue to disrupt at higher levels.
Humans are affected by pollution and can contract diseases such as hepatitis through faecal matter in water sources. Poor drinking water treatment and unfit water can always cause an outbreak of infectious diseases such as cholera, etc.
The ecosystem can be critically affected, modified and destructured because of water pollution.
Water pollution control
👉Avoid the wastage of water.
👉Throwing of garbage like plastics, wrappers, faecal matter, etc., should be avoided.
👉Cleaning of utensils and clothes, bathing of animals and humans near rivers and lakes should strictly be avoided.
👉Rivers and lakes should be cleaned from time to time.
👉Laws for industrial units should be implemented strictly so that polluted water is not disposed of directly into rivers and lakes.
👉Industrial effluents should be treated chemically before disposing them off in water bodies.
👉Over utilization of pesticides and fertilizers should be avoided.
👉Sewage should be treated before discharging it into water bodies.
Soil/Land pollution
Soil pollution, also known as soil contamination, is caused by man-made, harmful chemicals penetrating the earth and causing deterioration. There are many health risks associated with soil pollution, through direct contact with the soil
With that being the case, it is of utmost importance that the soil remains in tact in order to feed the population. The best we can do now is implement measures to slow down the pollution and clean up polluted areas where possible.
Soil pollution has a major impact on the entire planet and it will play a large role in the well-being of future generations. Furthermore, the human population is expected to grow by two billion in the next 40 years. Doing nothing will only allow the pollution to progress to a point where our soil becomes the cause of major health epidemics. If measures to curb soil pollution aren’t introduced, it’s possible that the land will not be able to support the entire population, and many will be forced to resort to synthetic food sources, which themselves can cause a number of diseases.
Pollutants
Herbicides and pesticides
Industry waste
Human waste
Deforestation
Fig- Soil pollution
Soil pollution, also known as soil contamination, is caused by man-made, harmful chemicals penetrating the earth and causing deterioration. There are many health risks associated with soil pollution, through direct contact with the soil.
Soil pollution control
👉Avoid the use of chemical fertilizer.
👉Prefer products that can be used only recyclable and used.
👉People could be educated about soil pollution through awareness activities.
👉Promoting reforestation.
👉Proper disposal of poisonous and hazardous waste.
👉Encourage the use of organic manure.
For my readers;
Save Water Save Land, Otherwise we will be affected more and more, Our future generation doesn't need our asset. They are in the need of unpolluted nature. see you soon in Environmental pollution (part-3).
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