What is Pollution?

“Pollution is the introduction of substances (or energy) that

cause adverse changes in the environment and living
entities .”

Pollution need not always be caused by chemical substances such

as particulates (like smoke and dust). Forms of energy such as
sound, heat or light can also cause pollution. These substances that
cause pollution are called pollutants.

Pollution, even in minuscule amounts, impacts the ecological

balance. Pollutants can make their way up the food chain and
eventually find their way inside the human body. Read on to explore
the types of pollution and their implications.

Also Read: Industrial Melanism

Types of Pollution
As stated before, there are different types of pollution, which
are either caused by natural events (like forest fires) or by man-
made activities (like cars, factories, nuclear wastes, etc.) These are
further classified into the following types of pollution:

 Air Pollution
 Water Pollution
 Soil Pollution
 Noise Pollution

Besides these 4 types of pollution, other types exist such as light

pollution, thermal pollution and radioactive pollution. The latter is
much rarer than other types, but it is the deadliest.

Air Pollution
 Air Pollution
Air pollution refers to the release of harmful contaminants (chemicals,
toxic gases, particulates, biological molecules, etc.) into the earth’s
atmosphere. These contaminants are quite detrimental and in some
cases, pose serious health issues. Some causes that contribute to air
pollution are:
 Burning fossil fuels
 Mining operations
 Exhaust gases from industries and factories

The effects of air pollution vary based on the kind of pollutant. But
generally, the impact of air pollution ranges from:
 Increased risk of respiratory illness and cardiovascular problems
 Increased risk of skin diseases
 May increase the risk of cancer
 Global warming
 Acid rain
 Ozone depletion
 Hazards to wildlife

Among the other types of pollution, air pollution is theorized to have a

planet-wide implication. Scientists have even speculated an apocalypse-
like scenario where air pollution if left unchecked, can bring about an
extreme form of global warming called the runaway greenhouse effect.
Though this is purely speculative, it is a phenomenon that has already
occurred on Venus.

More to Read: Steps to Control Air Pollution

Water Pollution
 Water Pollution

Water Pollution
Water pollution is said to occur when toxic pollutants and particulate
matter are introduced into water bodies such as lakes, rivers and seas.
These contaminants are generally introduced by human activities like
improper sewage treatment and oil spills. However, even natural
processes such as eutrophication can cause water pollution.

Other significant causes of water pollution include:

 Dumping solid wastes in water bodies
 Disposing untreated industrial sewage into water bodies
 Human and animal wastes
 Agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilisers

The effects of water pollution are very pronounced in our environment.

Furthermore, toxic chemicals can bioaccumulate in living beings, and
these chemicals can travel their way up the food chain, ultimately
reaching humans.

Among the other types of pollution, water pollution has severe

consequences on humans. For instance, in 1932, a grave case of water
pollution incapacitated the inhabitants of an entire city in Japan with
neurological diseases and mental illness for many decades. However,
the immediate cause was not apparent but was eventually attributed to
acute mercury poisoning. Methylmercury was dumped into the
surrounding bay and had ultimately bioaccumulated inside the fish. The
local population then consumed these fish, and this resulted in the
manifestation of ill effects and neurological diseases.
Read More: A grave case of water pollution

Other consequences of water pollution include:

 Disruption of the ecosystem
 Threats to marine life
 Increased risk of water-borne diseases
 Increases toxic chemicals (such as mercury) in water bodies
 Eutrophication

Soil Pollution

Soil Pollution
Soil pollution, also called soil contamination, refers to the
degradation of land due to the presence of chemicals or other man-
made substances in the soil. The xenobiotic substances alter the natural
composition of soil and affect it negatively. These can drastically impact
life directly or indirectly. For instance, any toxic chemicals present in
the soil will get absorbed by the plants. Since plants are producers in an
environment, it gets passed up through the food chain. Compared to
the other types of pollution, the effects of soil pollution are a little more
obscured, but their implications are very noticeable.

Some of the common causes of soil pollution are:

 Improper industrial waste disposal
 Oil Spills
 Acid rain which is caused by air pollution
 Mining activities
 Intensive farming and agrochemicals (like fertilisers and pesticides)
 Industrial accidents
The effects of soil pollution are numerous. Specific wastes, such
as radioactive waste become particularly hazardous when they are not
well-contained. A well-documented example is a nuclear accident in
Chernobyl, which has left an area of 2,600 km2 uninhabitable for several
thousand years.

Other effects of soil pollution include:

 Loss of soil nutrients, which renders the soil unfit for agriculture
 Impacts the natural flora and fauna residing in the soil
 Degrades vegetation due to the increase of salinity of the soil
 Toxic dust (such as silica dust) can cause respiratory problems or even lung
cancer

Read More: Soil Profile

Noise Pollution

Noise Pollution
Noise pollution refers to the excessive amount of noise in the
surrounding that disrupts the natural balance. Usually, it is man-made,
though certain natural calamities like volcanoes can contribute to noise
pollution.

In general, any sound which is over 85 decibels is considered to be

detrimental. Also, the duration an individual is exposed plays an impact
on their health. For perspective, a normal conversation is around 60
decibels, and a jet taking off is around 15o decibels. Consequently,
noise pollution is more obvious than the other types of pollution.

Noise pollution has several contributors, which include:

 Industry-oriented noises such as heavy machines, mills, factories, etc.
  Transportation noises from vehicles, aeroplanes, etc.
 Construction noises
 Noise from social events (loudspeakers, firecrackers, etc.)
 Household noises (such as mixers, TV, washing machines, etc.)

Noise pollution has now become very common due to dense

urbanisation and industrialisation. Noise pollution can bring about
adverse effects such as :
 Hearing loss
 Tinnitus
 Sleeping disorders
 Hypertension (high BP)
 Communication problems

Types of Pollution
Biology Study Material

Biology top 10 Important Topics

Biology Syllabus

Biology Question Papers

Book online demo

An Introduction

Pollution is a state when an adverse change takes place in the

natural environment due to the introduction of contaminants. It can
be caused by a variety of chemical substances or energy like sound,
light, or heat. Particulates like smoke, foreign particles and dust,
and excess noise or heat, or sound are called pollutants. Pollutants
cause disturbances not only in the environment but also in the living
entities. These foreign bodies enter the human body via the food
chain and also impact the ecological balance, even in tiny amounts.
This paragraph on pollution is an answer to the definition of
pollution.

Different Types of Pollution

There may exist numerous causes of pollution for different types of

pollution that include-

Air Pollution

Water Pollution

Soil Pollution

Noise Pollution

Besides, other types of pollution are thermal pollution, light

pollution, and radioactive pollution. Radioactive pollution is the
deadliest as it is a result of release of the dangerous radioactive
substances during nuclear explosions, nuclear weapons production,
testing of nuclear weapons, etc.
When an adverse change takes place in the natural environment
due to the introduction of contaminants, Pollution happens. Pollution
can be caused by a variety of chemical substances or energy like
sound, light or heat. Smoke, foreign particles and dust, and excess
noise or heat or even sound are called pollutants, and these cause
disturbances not only in the environment but also in the living
entities.

Different Types of Pollution

Air Pollution, Noise Pollution, Water Pollution, and Soil Pollution.

Other types of pollution are thermal pollution, light pollution, and
radioactive pollution. Radioactive pollution is the deadliest as it is a
result of the release of dangerous radioactive substances during
nuclear explosions, nuclear weapons production, testing of nuclear
weapons, etc.

Air Pollution

(Image Will be Updated Soon)

The release of harmful contaminants including toxic gases,

particulates, biological molecules, chemicals, etc. into the
environment is called air pollution. Gaseous pollutants for
damaging the atmosphere include carbon monoxide,
chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs), sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides that
are produced by industry and motor vehicles. Air pollution causes
harmful effects that can be detrimental to health. The causes of
pollution in the air can be many and some of the common causes
are briefly explained-

Combustion of fossil fuels that causes the release of Carbon

Dioxide and formation of smog


 Mining activities like underground and surface mining
generate respirable dust due to emissions of particulates and
gases including methane and oxides of nitrogen etc.

Factories and vehicles that harm the ozone layer due to the
generation of smog and industrial air conditioners causing the
release of destructive gases

Harmful Effects of Air Pollution

Long-term health effects can be seen because of air pollution and it
can cause major diseases such as heart disease, lung problems, and
other respiratory diseases. Air pollution can cause long-term
damage to people’s kidneys, liver, brain, and other organs. Besides,
a risk to human health, certain other risks occur due to air pollution
that includes-

Global Warming- It is the rise in the average temperature of

the earth’s climatic condition; it occurs when CO 2 and other
pollutants in the air including greenhouse gases accumulate in
the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and radiations to cause
heating up.

Acid Rain- It is the rain or precipitation that is acidic

unusually because of increased levels of hydrogen ions. It is a
result of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that react with
water molecules to produce acids in the atmosphere. It is
harmful to plants, animals, and infrastructure.


 Depletion of Ozone- When disrupting gases like CFC and
halons in the air cause chemical reactions to break down
ozone molecules, depletion of ozone takes place. Ozone plays
an important role in absorbing ultraviolet rays.

Hazards to Wildlife- When the air is contaminated, it is

obvious to affect lives including wildlife that has to inhale
pollutants and risk their lives in danger.

Water Pollution

Water pollution is one of the types of environmental pollution that

has harmful effects widely. It is caused when water bodies like
rivers, seas, and lakes get polluted with toxic matter. The
particulates and unwanted contaminants are generally introduced
by humans via activities such as oil spills, disposal of industrial
waste into water, and sewage treatment. Other reasons may be
natural processes like algae blooms, volcanoes, floods, animal
waste, storms, etc.

Harmful Effects of Water Pollution

Imbalance in the ecosystem

Hazard to marine life


 Water-borne diseases

Higher mercury levels in water bodies

Hypertrophication, i.e. when a water body becomes overly

enriched with nutrients and minerals causing excessive
growth of algae

Soil Pollution

Soil pollution is also one of the causes of land pollution or both can
be interchangeably used. It is land degradation that is caused by
chemicals or other changes in the natural soil environment. Certain
industrial activities, agricultural chemicals and improper waste
disposal are some of the major factors contributing to soil pollution.
Other reasons for land pollution include deforestation, garbage
accumulation,, low soil fertility, reforestation, climatic changes, etc.

Harmful Effects of Soil Pollution

Lesser soil nutrients make it unfit for agricultural practices

Bad impact on the flora and fauna living in the soil


 

Enhanced soil salinity results in degraded vegetation

Silica dust is highly toxic to causes respiratory problems and

lung defects.

The neuromuscular blockade may cause nausea, eye

irritation, skin rash, and depression.

Noise Pollution

Different types of pollution also include noise pollution which is the

excess amount of noise in surroundings disrupting the natural
balance. Generally, it is due to man-made activities but can also be
caused due to natural factors like volcanoes. Man-made
contributions are from heavy machines, factories, mills,
transportation noises from vehicles and airplanes, construction
noises like boring and drilling machines, social events noises from
firecrackers and loudspeakers, and household noises from mixers,
Television, and washing machines. It is considered that over 85
decibels is detrimental to health and also the duration effects. For
example, a jet taking off contributes around 150 decibels. A simple
conversation is usually 60 decibels only.

Harmful Effects of Noise Pollution

Unwanted noises can also be detrimental to psychological health
besides the health issues related typically to extreme noise.
Prolonged exposure to excessive noise leads to the following
adverse effects:
Decreased productivity at the workplace
 Lack of sleep and fatigue
Hearing Loss
Tinnitus
Hypertension
Stress
Communication difficulty
Cardiovascular diseases
-Cognitive impairme

What is Air Pollution?

Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological change in
the air. It is the contamination of air by harmful gases, dust and
smoke which affects plants, animals and humans drastically.

There is a certain percentage of gases present in the atmosphere.

An increase or decrease in the composition of these gases is
harmful to survival. This imbalance in the gaseous composition has
resulted in an increase in earth’s temperature, which is known as
global warming.

Types of Air Pollutants

There are two types of air pollutants:

Primary Pollutants
The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are known as primary
pollutants. Sulphur-dioxide emitted from factories is a primary
pollutant.

Secondary Pollutants
The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of primary
pollutants are known as secondary pollutants. Smog, formed by the
intermingling of smoke and fog, is a secondary pollutant.
Also Read: Water Pollution

Causes of Air Pollution

Following are the important causes of air pollution:

Burning of Fossil Fuels

The combustion of fossil fuels emits a large amount of sulphur
dioxide. Carbon monoxide released by incomplete combustion of
fossil fuels also results in air pollution.

Automobiles
The gases emitted from vehicles such as jeeps, trucks, cars, buses,
etc. pollute the environment. These are the major sources of
greenhouse gases and also result in diseases among individuals.

Agricultural Activities
Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases emitted during
agricultural activities. The insecticides, pesticides and fertilisers
emit harmful chemicals in the atmosphere and contaminate it.

Factories and Industries

Factories and industries are the main source of carbon monoxide,
organic compounds, hydrocarbons and chemicals. These are
released into the air, degrading its quality.

Mining Activities
In the mining process, the minerals below the earth are extracted
using large pieces of equipment. The dust and chemicals released
during the process not only pollute the air, but also deteriorate the
health of the workers and people living in the nearby areas.

Domestic Sources
The household cleaning products and paints contain toxic chemicals
that are released in the air. The smell from the newly painted walls
is the smell of the chemicals present in the paints. It not only
pollutes the air but also affects breathing.

Effects of Air Pollution

The hazardous effects of air pollution on the environment include:

Diseases
Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory disorders and heart
diseases among humans. The cases of lung cancer have increased
in the last few decades. Children living near polluted areas are more
prone to pneumonia and asthma. Many people die every year due to
the direct or indirect effects of air pollution.

Global Warming
Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, there is an imbalance in
the gaseous composition of the air. This has led to an increase in
the temperature of the earth. This increase in earth’s temperature is
known as global warming. This has resulted in the melting of
glaciers and an increase in sea levels. Many areas are submerged
underwater.

Acid Rain
The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as nitrogen
oxides and sulphur oxides in the air. The water droplets combine
with these pollutants, become acidic and fall as acid rain which
damages human, animal and plant life.

Ozone Layer Depletion

The release of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and
hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is the major cause of
depletion of the ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer does not
prevent the harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the sun and
causes skin diseases and eye problems among individuals.
Also Read: Ozone Layer Depletion

Effect on Animals
The air pollutants suspend in the water bodies and affect aquatic
life. Pollution also compels the animals to leave their habitat and
shift to a new place. This renders them stray and has also led to the
extinction of a large number of animal species.

Air Pollution Control

Following are the measures one should adopt, to control air
pollution:

Avoid Using Vehicles

People should avoid using vehicles for shorter distances. Rather,
they should prefer public modes of transport to travel from one
place to another. This not only prevents pollution, but also
conserves energy.

Energy Conservation
A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity.
Therefore, do not forget to switch off the electrical appliances when
not in use. Thus, you can save the environment at the individual
level. Use of energy-efficient devices such as CFLs also controls
pollution to a greater level.

Use of Clean Energy Resources

The use of solar, wind and geothermal energies reduce air pollution
at a larger level. Various countries, including India, have
implemented the use of these resources as a step towards a cleaner
environment.

Other air pollution control measures include:

1. By minimising and reducing the use of fire and fire products.

2. Since industrial emissions are one of the major causes of air pollution,
the pollutants can be controlled or treated at the source itself to reduce
its effects. For example, if the reactions of a certain raw material yield
a pollutant, then the raw materials can be substituted with other less
polluting materials.
3. Fuel substitution is another way of controlling air pollution. In many
parts of India, petrol and diesel are being replaced by CNG –
 Compressed Natural Gas fueled vehicles. These are mostly adopted by
vehicles that aren’t fully operating with ideal emission engines.
4. Although there are many practices in India, which focus on repairing
the quality of air, most of them are either forgotten or not being
enforced properly. There are still a lot of vehicles on roads which
haven’t been tested for vehicle emissions.
5. Another way of controlling air pollution caused by industries is to
modify and maintain existing pieces of equipment so that the emission
of pollutants is minimised.
6. Sometimes controlling pollutants at the source is not possible. In that
case, we can have process control equipment to control the pollution.
7. A very effective way of controlling air pollution is by diluting the air
pollutants.
8. The last and the best way of reducing the ill effects of air pollution is
tree plantation. Plants and trees reduce a large number of pollutants in
the air. Ideally, planting trees in areas of high pollution levels will be
extremely effective.

What is water pollution?

Water pollution occurs when harmful substances—often
chemicals or microorganisms—contaminate a stream, river,
lake, ocean, aquifer, or other body of water, degrading
water quality and rendering it toxic to humans or the
environment.
This widespread problem of water pollution is jeopardizing
our health. Unsafe water kills more people each year than
war and all other forms of violence combined. Meanwhile,
our drinkable water sources are finite: Less than 1 percent
of the earth’s freshwater is actually accessible to us.
Without action, the challenges will only increase by 2050,
when global demand for freshwater is expected to be one-
third greater than it is now.
What are the causes of water pollution?
Water is uniquely vulnerable to pollution. Known as a
“universal solvent,” water is able to dissolve more
substances than any other liquid on earth. It’s the reason
we have Kool-Aid and brilliant blue waterfalls. It’s also why
water is so easily polluted. Toxic substances from farms,
towns, and factories readily dissolve into and mix with it,
causing water pollution.
Here are some of the major sources of water pollution
worldwide:
Agricultural

Toxic green algae in Copco Reservoir, northern California

Aurora Photos/Alamy
Not only is the agricultural sector the biggest consumer of
global freshwater resources, with farming and livestock
production using about 70 percent of the earth’s surface
water supplies, but it’s also a serious water polluter. Around
the world, agriculture is the leading cause of water
degradation. In the United States, agricultural pollution is
the top source of contamination in rivers and streams, the
second-biggest source in wetlands, and the third main
source in lakes. It’s also a major contributor of
contamination to estuaries and groundwater. Every time it
rains, fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms
and livestock operations wash nutrients and pathogens—
such bacteria and viruses—into our waterways. Nutrient
pollution, caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in
water or air, is the number-one threat to water quality
worldwide and can cause algal blooms, a toxic soup of blue-
green algae that can be harmful to people and wildlife.
Sewage and wastewater
Used water is wastewater. It comes from our sinks, showers,
and toilets (think sewage) and from commercial, industrial,
and agricultural activities (think metals, solvents, and toxic
sludge). The term also includes stormwater runoff, which
occurs when rainfall carries road salts, oil, grease,
chemicals, and debris from impermeable surfaces into our
waterways
More than 80 percent of the world’s wastewater flows back
into the environment without being treated or reused,
according to the United Nations; in some least-developed
countries, the figure tops 95 percent. In the United States,
wastewater treatment facilities process about 34 billion
gallons of wastewater per day . These facilities reduce the
amount of pollutants such as pathogens, phosphorus, and
nitrogen in sewage, as well as heavy metals and toxic
chemicals in industrial waste, before discharging the treated
waters back into waterways. That’s when all goes well. But
according to EPA estimates, our nation’s aging and easily
overwhelmed sewage treatment systems also release more
than 850 billion gallons of untreated wastewater each year.
Oil pollution
Big spills may dominate headlines, but consumers account
for the vast majority of oil pollution in our seas, including oil
and gasoline that drips from millions of cars and trucks
every day. Moreover, nearly half of the estimated 1 million
tons of oil that makes its way into marine environments
each year comes not from tanker spills but from land-based
sources such as factories, farms, and cities. At sea, tanker
spills account for about 10 percent of the oil in waters
around the world, while regular operations of the shipping
industry—through both legal and illegal discharges—
contribute about one-third. Oil is also naturally released
from under the ocean floor through fractures known as
seeps.
Radioactive substances
Radioactive waste is any pollution that emits radiation
beyond what is naturally released by the environment. It’s
generated by uranium mining, nuclear power plants, and
the production and testing of military weapons, as well as
by universities and hospitals that use radioactive materials
for research and medicine. Radioactive waste can persist in
the environment for thousands of years, making disposal a
major challenge. Consider the decommissioned Hanford
nuclear weapons production site in Washington, where the
cleanup of 56 million gallons of radioactive waste is
expected to cost more than $100 billion and last through
2060. Accidentally released or improperly disposed of
contaminants threaten groundwater, surface water, and
marine resources.
Categories of water pollution
To address pollution and protect water we need to
understand where the pollution is coming from (point source
or nonpoint source) and the type of water body its
impacting (groundwater, surface water, or ocean water).
Where is the pollution coming from?
Point source pollution
When contamination originates from a single source, it’s
called point source pollution. Examples include wastewater
(also called effluent) discharged legally or illegally by a
manufacturer, oil refinery, or wastewater treatment facility,
as well as contamination from leaking septic systems,
chemical and oil spills, and illegal dumping. The EPA
regulates point source pollution by establishing limits on
what can be discharged by a facility directly into a body of
water. While point source pollution originates from a specific
place, it can affect miles of waterways and ocean.
Nonpoint source
Nonpoint source pollution is contamination derived from
diffuse sources. These may include agricultural or
stormwater runoff or debris blown into waterways from
land. Nonpoint source pollution is the leading cause of
water pollution in U.S. waters, but it’s difficult to regulate,
since there’s no single, identifiable culprit.
Transboundary
It goes without saying that water pollution can’t be
contained by a line on a map. Transboundary pollution is the
result of contaminated water from one country spilling into
the waters of another. Contamination can result from a
disaster—like an oil spill—or the slow, downriver creep of
industrial, agricultural, or municipal discharge.
What type of water is being impacted?
Groundwater pollution
When rain falls and seeps deep into the earth, filling the
cracks, crevices, and porous spaces of an aquifer (basically
an underground storehouse of water), it becomes
groundwater—one of our least visible but most important
natural resources. Nearly 40 percent of Americans rely on
groundwater, pumped to the earth’s surface, for drinking
water. For some folks in rural areas, it’s their only
freshwater source. Groundwater gets polluted when
contaminants—from pesticides and fertilizers to waste
leached from landfills and septic systems—make their way
into an aquifer, rendering it unsafe for human use. Ridding
groundwater of contaminants can be difficult to impossible,
as well as costly. Once polluted, an aquifer may be unusable
for decades, or even thousands of years. Groundwater can
also spread contamination far from the original polluting
source as it seeps into streams, lakes, and oceans.
Surface water pollution
Covering about 70 percent of the earth, surface water is
what fills our oceans, lakes, rivers, and all those other blue
bits on the world map. Surface water from freshwater
sources (that is, from sources other than the ocean)
accounts for more than 60 percent of the water delivered to
American homes. But a significant pool of that water is in
peril. According to the most recent surveys on national
water quality from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, nearly half of our rivers and streams and more than
one-third of our lakes are polluted and unfit for swimming,
fishing, and drinking. Nutrient pollution, which includes
nitrates and phosphates, is the leading type of
contamination in these freshwater sources. While plants and
animals need these nutrients to grow, they have become a
major pollutant due to farm waste and fertilizer runoff.
Municipal and industrial waste discharges contribute their
fair share of toxins as well. There’s also all the random junk
that industry and individuals dump directly into waterways.
Ocean water pollution
Eighty percent of ocean pollution (also called marine
pollution) originates on land—whether along the coast or far
inland. Contaminants such as chemicals, nutrients, and
heavy metals are carried from farms, factories, and cities by
streams and rivers into our bays and estuaries; from there
they travel out to sea. Meanwhile, marine debris—
particularly plastic—is blown in by the wind or washed in via
storm drains and sewers. Our seas are also sometimes
spoiled by oil spills and leaks—big and small—and are
consistently soaking up carbon pollution from the air. The
ocean absorbs as much as a quarter of man-made carbon
emissions.
What are the effects of water pollution?
On human health
To put it bluntly: Water pollution kills. In fact, it caused 1.8
million deaths in 2015, according to a study published
in The Lancet. Contaminated water can also make you ill.
Every year, unsafe water sickens about 1 billion people. And
low-income communities are disproportionately at risk
because their homes are often closest to the most polluting
industries.
Waterborne pathogens, in the form of disease-causing
bacteria and viruses from human and animal waste, are a
major cause of illness from contaminated drinking water.
Diseases spread by unsafe water include cholera, giardia,
and typhoid. Even in wealthy nations, accidental or illegal
releases from sewage treatment facilities, as well as runoff
from farms and urban areas, contribute harmful pathogens
to waterways. Thousands of people across the United States
are sickened every year by Legionnaires’ disease (a severe
form of pneumonia contracted from water sources like
cooling towers and piped water), with cases cropping up
from California’s Disneyland to Manhattan’s Upper East
Side.

A woman using bottled water to wash her three-week-old

son at their home in Flint, Michigan
Credit:
Todd McInturf/The Detroit News/AP
Meanwhile, the plight of residents in Flint, Michigan —where
cost-cutting measures and aging water
infrastructure created a lead contamination crisis—offers a
stark look at how dangerous chemical and other industrial
pollutants in our water can be. The problem goes far beyond
Flint and involves much more than lead, as a wide range of
chemical pollutants—from heavy metals such as arsenic
and mercury to pesticides and nitrate fertilizers—are getting
into our water supplies. Once they’re ingested, these toxins
can cause a host of health issues, from cancer to hormone
disruption to altered brain function. Children and pregnant
women are particularly at risk.
Even swimming can pose a risk. Every year, 3.5 million
Americans contract health issues such as skin rashes,
pinkeye, respiratory infections, and hepatitis from sewage-
laden coastal waters, according to EPA estimates.
On the environment
In order to thrive, healthy ecosystems rely on a complex
web of animals, plants, bacteria, and fungi—all of which
interact, directly or indirectly, with each other. Harm to any
of these organisms can create a chain effect, imperiling
entire aquatic environments.
When water pollution causes an algal bloom in a lake or
marine environment, the proliferation of newly introduced
nutrients stimulates plant and algae growth, which in turn
reduces oxygen levels in the water. This dearth of oxygen,
known as eutrophication, suffocates plants and animals and
can create “dead zones,” where waters are essentially
devoid of life. In certain cases, these harmful algal
blooms can also produce neurotoxins that affect wildlife,
from whales to sea turtles.
Chemicals and heavy metals from industrial and municipal
wastewater contaminate waterways as well. These
contaminants are toxic to aquatic life—most often reducing
an organism’s life span and ability to reproduce—and make
their way up the food chain as predator eats prey. That’s
how tuna and other big fish accumulate high quantities of
toxins, such as mercury.
Marine ecosystems are also threatened by marine debris,
which can strangle, suffocate, and starve animals. Much of
this solid debris, such as plastic bags and soda cans, gets
swept into sewers and storm drains and eventually out to
sea, turning our oceans into trash soup and sometimes
consolidating to form floating garbage patches. Discarded
fishing gear and other types of debris are responsible for
harming more than 200 different species of marine life.
Meanwhile, ocean acidification is making it tougher
for shellfish and coral to survive. Though they absorb about
a quarter of the carbon pollution created each year by
burning fossil fuels, oceans are becoming more acidic. This
process makes it harder for shellfish and other species to
build shells and may impact the nervous systems of sharks,
clownfish, and other marine life.
What can you do to prevent water
pollution?
With your actions
We’re all accountable to some degree for today’s water
pollution problem. Fortunately, there are some simple
ways you can prevent water contamination or at least limit
your contribution to it:
 Learn about the unique qualities of water where you
live. Where does your water come from? Is the
wastewater from your home treated? Where does
stormwater flow to? Is your area in a drought? Start
 building a picture of the situation so you can discover
where your actions will have the most impact—and see
if your neighbors would be interested in joining in!
 Reduce your plastic consumption and reuse or recycle
plastic when you can.
 Properly dispose of chemical cleaners, oils, and
nonbiodegradable items to keep them from going
down the drain.
 Maintain your car so it doesn’t leak oil, antifreeze, or
coolant.
 If you have a yard, consider landscaping that reduces
runoff and avoid applying pesticides and herbicides .
 Don’t flush your old medications! Dispose of them in
the trash to prevent them from entering local
waterways.
 Be mindful of anything you pour into storm sewers,
since that waste often won’t be treated before being
released into local waterways. If you notice a storm
sewer blocked by litter, clean it up to keep that trash
out of the water. (You’ll also help prevent troublesome
street floods in a heavy storm.)

What is Water Pollution?

Water pollution is the contamination of oceans,
seas, lakes, rivers, aquifers, and groundwater.
This is usually caused due to human activities.
Water pollution scientifically changes in the
physical, chemical or biological properties of
water that will have a detrimental consequence of
any living organism.

Drinking water is the water that is considered

safe enough for human and animal consumption.
This water is generally used for drinking, cooking,
washing, crop irrigation, etc. But, these days
chemicals, bacteria, and other pollutants are even
affecting our drinking water.

Types of Water Pollution

Surface Water Pollution

Hazardous substances when coming into contact

with different sources of water, leads to surface
water pollution. The harmful contaminants from
various sources mix or dissolve with lakes,
lagoons, oceans and lead to surface water
pollution.

Ground Water Pollution

Pesticides and chemicals applied to crops and soil

are washed deep into the ground during the rain.
The pesticides mix with groundwater and lead to
its pollution.

Suspended Matter Pollution

In this pollution, the pollutants enter into water

and don’t mix with the water molecules.
Therefore, the suspended particles in water form
silt on the waterbed. Due to this nutrient from
water were removed and making it polluted.

Microbial Pollution

Microorganisms cause this type of water

pollution. Although most of the microorganisms
are harmless, some bacteria and viruses may
cause serious health problems.
Chemical Water Pollution

Many industries and farmers use chemicals for

their various purposes. It causes water pollution.
Pollutants used to control weeds, insects and
pests leech into the water and spreading the
pollution. Also, metals and solvents from
industries also lead to water pollution.

Causes of Water Pollution:

Sewage

Disposing of sewage in water is one of the major

reasons for water pollution. Sewage disposed into
the sea from households as well as factories can
cause water pollution. Sewage disposal leads to a
number of water-related illnesses such as
diarrhea which is a leading cause of death among
children.

Industrial Waste

Many factories pour industrial waste like toxic

chemicals into the water bodies before treatment.
It leads to polluting the water. Due to dumping
toxic chemicals, the oxygen levels in water
decreases leading to pollution.

Dumping of Solid Waste

Another major reason for water pollution is

littering by humans. Dumping solid waste such as
plastics, cardboards, Styrofoam contaminates
water and make water unsuitable for
consumption. Mass dumping of solid waste clogs
the water bodies and leads to water pollution.

Radioactive Wastes

Discharging of radioactive wastes into the sea is

also one of the main water pollution cause in
today’s world.

Effects of Water Pollution

Groundwater contamination

Pesticides and fertilizers used for the cultivation

of crops are contaminating the groundwater as
well as our ecosystem. If this groundwater is
supplied to our home directly through bore-wells
or tube-wells, it will lead to a number of health
problems.

Affects Aquatic Life

Solid wastes that we throw in the river or lakes or

in the sea can have a harmful impact on the
aquatic animals. Also, this disrupts the eco-
system as many species of aquatic animals are in
danger. People consuming seafood are also at a
risk of facing health issues.

High TDS in water

Water is the best solvent that easily dissolves a

variety of substances. The TDS level in drinking
water needs to be less than 500 mg/liter. The
presence of a high amount of TDS in water can
lead to many health problems in human beings.

Questions on Water Pollution

Q: What are some major Preventive

Measures to Control the water pollution?

Ans: Some main such measure is as follows:

1. Stop directly dispatching of wastes into the water

body.
2. Impose a penalty on the industries that dispose of
wastes into natural water.
3. Always follow proper methods to protect the
rivers, lakes, and seas
4. Spread the awareness to ensure that they
understand the adverse impact of water pollution.
5. Educate the people about creating a culture of
responsibility to minimize the disposal of wastes.