What is Water Pollution?
The poisoning of oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, aquifers, and groundwater is referred to as water pollution.
This is generally the result of human activity. Water pollution causes changes in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of water that are harmful to any living creature. Drinking water is defined as water that is deemed safe for human and animal consumption.
This water is often utilised for drinking, cooking, washing, agriculture irrigation, and other purposes. However, chemicals, germs, and other contaminants are already contaminating our drinking water. When water becomes contaminated, it harms all lifeforms that rely on it, whether directly or indirectly. The consequences of water pollution might be felt for many years.
Types of Water Pollution
- Ground Water Pollution: During the rain, pesticides and chemicals applied to crops and soil are washed deep into the earth. Pesticides combine with groundwater, polluting it.
- Surface Water Pollution: When hazardous chemicals come into touch with various sources of water, they pollute the surface water. Harmful pollutants from different sources combine or dissolve in lakes, lagoons, and seas, resulting in surface water contamination.
- Microbial Pollution: This form of water contamination is caused by microorganisms. Although the majority of microorganisms are innocuous, certain bacteria and viruses can cause significant health issues.
- Suspended Matter Pollution: Pollutants enter the water and do not interact with the water molecules in this pollution. As a result, the suspended particles in water settle to create silt on the waterbed. Because of this, nutrients from the water were lost, causing it to become contaminated.
- Chemical Water Pollution: Many companies and farmers rely on chemicals for a variety of functions. It pollutes the water. Pollutants used to manage weeds, insects, and pests leach into the water, causing pollution to spread. Metals and solvents from industry also pollute the water.
Causes and Effects of Water Pollution
Water is one of the most important natural resources on the planet, and it has been around for a very long time. In reality, the water we drink has existed in some form or another since the time of the dinosaurs. Water covers more than two-thirds of the earth’s surface. This equates to little more than 1 octillion litres of water spread throughout the seas, rivers, lakes, and streams.
Water covers 70% of the Earth’s surface and more than 60% of the human body. That is a lot of water, but only around 0.3% of it is suitable for human consumption. Although water makes up a large percentage of the Earth’s surface as well as our bodies, humans continue to contaminate the different sources of water.
With the rise in population, India’s pollution level is rising at an alarming rate. The primary sources of water contamination are industrial effluents and chemicals, sewage, and other waste. We will explore the causes, consequences, and various methods for preventing water contamination in this section.
Table of Content
- What is Water Pollution?
- Causes of Water Pollution
- Effects of Water Pollution
- Pollution of the Ganges
- Control Measures of Water Pollution
- Sample Questions