Water Pollution – Man Made Reasons That Are Harming The Water Bodies

Water present on earth is nothing but our life saver. Around 70 percent of the planet constitutes water. Life without water is unimaginable. Clean water is not only essential for human survival but the wildlife and marine life as well.

Unfortunately, water around the earth is getting polluted by each day. The biggest reason behind the pollution of water is not a natural cause, but man made practices. Human beings have been exploiting water and water bodies everywhere on the planet. Many reasons add to the problem of water pollution. The polluted water, when consumed, becomes harmful to health. Such water also takes a toll on marine life – thereby destroying the marine creatures.

Some of the most common manmade causes that add to the increasing water pollution in the environment include the following:

Industrial waste disposal: 

All the big factories and industries that we see today produce a lot of waste. This waste contains toxic chemicals and pollutants that lead to environmental pollution, thereby making air dangerous to breathe. The waste materials disposed of from the factories include harmful chemicals such as mercury, lead, sulfur, nitrates, asbestos, and others.

Instead of treating the harmful waste, many industries and factories dump such waste in the water bodies. Hence, apart from air pollution, the waste gets mixed in the water bodies and pollutes the same. It leads to irreparable damage to the water and marine life.

Sewage and wastewater: 

All the sewage and wastewater produced in each household is treated chemically. Afterward, it is released into the sea along with the freshwater. The sewage water includes pathogens. These are water pollutants and also comprise bacteria and chemicals. Such water, if consumed, causes big damage to human and animal health.

The poor people, who do not have access to clean and filtered water, usually end up drinking the sewage water. As a result, they fall prey to the diseases such as diarrhea and malaria.

Oil spills: 

One of the most common manmade practices that are contaminating water and causing a threat to marine life is oil spills. Accidental oil leakage in the ships carrying large quantities of oil causes varying damage to all the species in the ocean. Oil spills make the water toxic. When the oil dissolves into water, it becomes problematic for the local marine wildlife such as fish, birds, sea otters, and other creatures.

The events of oil leakage are increasing with each passing day. The situation is alarming and calls for the proven solutions for oil spills.

Mining activities: 

Apart from oil leakage and spills, several mining activities are also causing harm to the water bodies. The process of crushing rock and extracting coal or other minerals from the underground is not only taking a toll on the land but the water sources as well.

The extraction of these elements in a raw form increases the number of toxic substances, particularly upon mixing up in the water bodies. Mining near water sources must be prohibited to bring the increasing water pollution under control.

Chemical fertilizers: 

The increasing use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is another manmade reason that is adding insult to injury. The farmers use these fertilizers and pesticides to prevent their crops from bacteria and insects. These chemicals, when mixed up with water, produce harmful pollutants.

The use of organic fertilizers instead of chemical pesticides should be encouraged to cut down and control the problem.

Takeaway: 

The biggest irony is that the man who must protect the environment is polluting the same. The growing water pollution, if not controlled, will destroy both marine and human life. We must, therefore, take all the measures to conserve water and prevent increasing pollution.

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