Over 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, making water pollution one of the major environmental problems for mankind. All lifeforms that depend on water, whether directly or indirectly, are affected when the water is polluted. According to the Ministry of Urban Development, in India, 80% of the surface water is polluted. Water pollution (aquatic pollution) is the contamination of water bodies, typically brought on by human activity, which has a detrimental impact on the uses of the water. Approximately 1 billion people get sick each year from polluted water. Furthermore, because their residences are frequently located closest to the most polluting enterprises, low-income groups are disproportionately in danger. Water pollution also causes ocean acidification, eutrophication, and biological oxygen demand among others to the ecosystem as well. This article will explain to you about Effects of Water Pollution which will be helpful in preparing the Environment Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

Water Pollution - Concept

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), polluted water is defined as water whose composition has been altered to the point where it cannot be used.
• In other words, it is contaminated water that can't be used for basic activities like agriculture and that also spreads diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and poliomyelitis that claim the lives of more than 500,000 people annually.
• The main causes of water pollution are bacteria, viruses, parasites, insecticides, pharmaceuticals, plastics, feces, radioactive materials, fertilizers, and pesticides.
• These compounds are frequently invisible contaminants since they do not always alter the color of the water.
• Small samples of water and aquatic creatures are therefore analyzed to ascertain the water quality.

Effects of Water Pollution On Aquatic Ecosystem

Reduces the Level of Dissolved Oxygen

• Dissolved oxygen (DO) is defined as the amount of oxygen that is present in water.
• Adequate dissolved oxygen is crucial for all forms of life and is required for excellent water quality.
• The dissolved oxygen level of water is reduced when organic and inorganic pollutants are present.
• These pollutants may arise due to municipal waste treatment outfall, industrial point sources, agricultural and urban runoff, removal of riparian vegetation, channel alteration, and groundwater inflow.
• Water with a dissolved oxygen level of less than 8.0 mg/L is potentially polluted.
• Water with a dissolved oxygen level of less than 4.0 mg/L is considered extremely contaminated.
• The amount of dissolved oxygen in water is critical for aquatic creatures' existence.
• The amount of DO present in water is determined by a number of factors such as surface turbulence, photosynthetic activity, O2 consumption by organisms, and organic matter breakdown.
• The greater the amount of waste, the faster it decomposes and consumes oxygen.
• As a result, the dissolved oxygen level in the water will be reduced.

Dissolved Oxygen And Water Quality

*To know more about the topic, click this link Dissolved Oxygen

Increases BOD

• The amount of oxygen required by bacteria and other microorganisms while decomposing organic matter under aerobic (oxygen present) conditions at a specific temperature are referred to as biological oxygen demand (BOD).
• The larger the number of organic pollutants in the water, the more oxygen the bacteria demand.
• As a result, the amount of pollution in a body of water is proportional to the BOD.
• If too much pollutant is added to water, the oxygen supply will be depleted.
• This results in the death of oxygen-dependent aquatic life.
• As a result, anaerobic bacteria (those that do not require oxygen) begin to decompose the organic waste and generate compounds with a foul odor that are detrimental to human health.
• Aerobic (oxygen-requiring) bacteria will consume more oxygen and break down these organic wastes, depleting dissolved oxygen in the water.
• Thus, the amount of BOD in the water is a measure of how much oxygen is required to break down the organic material biologically.
• Therefore, when the sewage is mixed with river water, BOD levels in the water rise.

Water Pollution And Biological Oxygen Demand

*To know more about the topic, click this link Biological Oxygen Demand

Increases Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

• The quantity of oxygen required to oxidize the organic material in water is known as the chemical oxygen demand.
• When cleaned wastewater is released into the environment, it may pollute the nearby waters with organic material.
• High wastewater COD levels are a sign of organics in the wastewater, which can reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water and have a significant environmental and regulatory effect.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Chemical Oxygen Demand

Eutrophication

• Eutrophication is defined as an increase in chemical nutrients in an environment, often nitrogen or phosphorus-containing compounds.
• It can lead to an increase in primary productivity (excessive plant growth and degradation) as well as other negative consequences such as a lack of oxygen and severe declines in water quality, fish, and other animal populations.
• Rivers that pour into the ocean, along with the many chemicals used as fertilizers in agriculture, as well as waste from livestock and humans, are the main culprits.
• Hypoxia and the formation of a dead zone can result from an overabundance of oxygen-depleting compounds in the water.

Eutrophication

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Ocean Acidification

• When various human activities result in the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, this occurs.
• As a result, the water becomes polluted because the carbon gasses dissolve in the seawater, lowering its pH and accelerating acidification.
• Ocean acidification can cause a decline in the synthesis of calcium carbonate shells in shellfish and other aquatic life, as well as other physiological problems for marine creatures.
• Many species, particularly oysters and corals, are affected by ocean acidification. It's one of the ocean-related repercussions of climate change.

Ocean Acidification

Effects of Water Pollution On Human Health

• Domestic and hospital sewage include a variety of dangerous germs, and dumping it into the water without sufficient treatment can result in an outbreak of deadly diseases like typhoid and cholera.
• Metals in industrial wastewater such as lead, zinc, arsenic, copper, mercury, and cadmium harm humans and other creatures.
• Consumption of arsenic-polluted water causes arsenic accumulation in body parts such as blood, nails, and hair, resulting in skin lesions, rough skin, dry and thickened skin, and eventually skin cancer.
• Bacterial action converts mercury molecules in wastewater to extremely poisonous methyl mercury, which can induce numbness in the limbs, lips, and tongue, hearing, blurred eyesight, and mental instability.
• In humans, mercury pollution of water bodies produces Minamata (a neurological condition).
• Lead poisoning is caused by lead (Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and tissues).
• Anemia, headaches, muscle weakness, and a bluish line around the gums are all symptoms of lead poisoning.
• Cadmium-contaminated water can induce itai itai disease, also known as an ouch-ouch disease (a painful bone and joint condition), as well as lung and liver cancer.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Effects of Water Pollution on Human Health

Hazards of Groundwater Pollution

• Groundwater is water that seeps through rocks and soil and is stored deep in the ground.
• Groundwater pollution occurs when materials such as pesticides and fertilizers, toxic substances from mining sites, untreated waste from septic tanks, toxic chemicals, and leaky landfills from the land's surface move through the soil and enter the groundwater, thus making it unsuitable for human consumption.
• Polluted groundwater can potentially spread contamination far from the original contaminating source as it seeps into streams, lakes, and seas.
• Potential Health Problems: Drinking water containing bacteria and viruses can result in illnesses such as hepatitis, cholera, or giardiasis, blue baby syndrome, Learning disabilities in children, nerve, kidney, and liver problems, and pregnancy risks.
• Impact on Soil and Agriculture: Contamination of groundwater leads to a reduction in soil quality and affects productivity. High salinity has resulted in a decrease in agricultural productivity. Example: in Punjab and Haryana
• Economic Impact: High cleanup costs, high costs for alternative water supplies Increased disease burden- higher costs for health
• Environmental Impact: When groundwater that feeds lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, and marshes becomes contaminated, it gradually contaminates surface water.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Groundwater Pollution

Water Pollution - Prevention

• Wastewater Treatment: Through a physical, chemical, or biological process, wastewater treatment involves eliminating pollutants from wastewater.
• The cleaner the water gets, the more effective these procedures are.
• Green Agriculture: 70% of the world's freshwater is used for agriculture, so it is crucial to have climate-friendly crops, effective irrigation that uses less water, and energy-efficient food production.
• To reduce the number of pollutants that enter the water, green agriculture is also essential.
• Stormwater Management: According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, "stormwater management is the attempt to limit runoff of rainwater or melted snow into streets, lawns, and other locations and the improvement of water quality" (EPA).
• Preventing contaminants from entering the water is crucial since it makes water use more effective.
• Air Pollution Prevention: Since 25% of the CO2 emissions caused by humans are absorbed by the oceans, air pollution has a direct impact on water pollution.
• Our oceans quickly become more acidic as a result of this pollution, endangering corals and marine life.
• The greatest method to stop this from happening is to prevent air pollution.
• Plastic Waste Reduction: Eighty % of the plastic in our oceans comes from land.
• Both the global usage of plastic must be decreased and plastic waste management must be improved if we are to limit the amount of plastic entering our oceans.
• Water Conservation: Humans won't get very far without water conservation. It is essential to improve global access to clean water.
• It includes being conscious of the fact that water is a finite resource and managing it properly.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Control Measures of Water Pollution

Conclusion

According to a survey, by the year 2026, 4 billion people will experience scarcity of water. Approximately 1.2 billion people throughout the world do not currently have access to clean, potable water or adequate sanitation. Additionally, it is anticipated that water-related problems due to pollution causes close to 1000 children to pass away annually in India. Although groundwater is a significant supply of water, it is sadly nevertheless subject to pollution. Water pollution is a significant social issue that must be addressed right away.