How water is contaminated

Water pollution, or Water pollutionit is one of the types of pollution of natural resources that occur in the environment. It occurs when some external factor alters the chemical and physical composition of water, modifying its properties and generating serious damage to those living beings that consume it, both directly and indirectly.

In the following list we will see the main causes of water pollution, which, in general, could be grouped into two Types of water pollution: those of natural origin and those of artificial or anthropogenic or human origin:

Causes of water pollution of natural origin

In the case of water pollution, there is only one way in which it can be naturally contaminated:

• Eutrophication.

Causes of contamination of human water

• Toxic spills from domestic and industrial activities.
• Fertilizers and pesticides of agriculture and livestock.
• Emerging pollutants and dump.

If you want to discover more on this topic, apart from the information you will find below, you may also be interested in this other article about what are the pollutants of water. Let’s see each of these causes of water pollution with more details in the next sections.

Eutrophicization consists of a Biological water pollutionthat is, biological organisms are the cause of such pollution. When there is a very high inorganic nutrient level, as well as a high microbiological activity and an abundant presence of algae and other organisms, whose excessive population growth causes excessive enrichment in water.

Therefore, water loses its properties and natural chemical-physical structure, with an excess biological composition that prevents its use as a natural resource and even many species do not survive these new conditions in the area such as some fish.

We explain more about what eutrophication is in this other post.

The commonly known as process water (industrial), fecal waters (waste) and raw water (prior to purification for human consumption), are part of the main ones Types of contaminated water whose anthropogenic origin (produced by people) causes temporary or permanent pollution of surface and underground waters.

Inadequate management of Urban and Industrial Wastewateras well as the Pour of toxic products From mining, refineries and even forestry activities, it leads to the catastrophic water pollution, thus preventing water sources for human consumption and the maintenance of natural habitats.

If you are interested in discovering more about the spills and waste of this type, you can enter these other posts about what industrial discharges are and their treatment and on industrial waste: what are, examples, types, classification and management.

According to current data offered by the FAO or United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture, among the main primary activities that pollute the planet’s water resources are Industrial agriculture and livestocksince they pour a large number of contaminants very harmful to the quality of the waters, such as nitrates and phosphates.

These chemical components are inorganic remains from fertilizers and pesticides used massively For the maintenance of industrial crops and livestock in large volume, so that when they come into contact with natural sources of water they contaminate them severely, altering their chemical composition and causing in many cases the poisoning and death of living beings that consume it.

Both emerging pollutants like the Dump They are two of the pollution agents of the natural ecosystems that predominate the most in the 21st century.

Deposited in nature by irresponsible human activities, both drugsas microplastics and cleaning and cleaning productsintoxicate and kill a large number of aquatic living beings, in addition to disabled natural water sources in many cases. The poor management of this waste is responsible for the contamination of the planet’s waters.

You can discover much more about this with this other article about emerging pollutants: definition, examples and how they affect us.

When dealing with the problem of water pollution, it is important to know its main consequences in order to propose effective solutions to avoid such pollution. Let’s see in the following list some of the consequences and effects of water pollution and also possible solutions for contaminated water that can guide towards strategies that allow us to continue using this precious good:

Effects and consequences of water pollution

• Poisoning and death of living beings. Learn more about it with this other article on how water pollution affects marine animals.
• Alteration and even disappearance of aquatic ecosystems.
• Health problems, such as diseases (cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid fever and polyomyelitis), as well as malformations and sterility. Here then consult more information about diseases caused by contaminated water.

To expand this information you can consult this post about the causes and consequences of water pollution.

Water pollution solutions

• Use effective wastewater treatment plants.
• Promote the dissemination of information and environmental education activities linked to the protection of aquatic ecosystems.
• Promote cleaning and maintenance of services that facilitate access to drinking water.
• Prohibit the discharge of toxic substances from industrial activities in water sources, both underground and superficial.

If you want to discover more solutions, we recommend you read this other post about water pollution solutions and also this other to know how to avoid water pollution. Also, if you want to know the treatments to purify contaminated water, we encourage you to read this other ecology article about the decontamination of water: what is and methods.

If you want to read more articles similar to How water is contaminatedwe recommend that you enter our pollution category.