Water Pollution

9 Pages 2367 Words

The following essay will be looking at the factors that cause pollution, and
the effect that pollution has on our world today. It will also investigate what
it has in store for the future if things do not improve. It will also explore
some of the methods used to treat and clean-up wastewater, and oil spills.
Today, the industrialization of Canada is severely affecting this nations
lakes, streams, and rivers. If something is not done to improve the situation
it is going to have some severe environmental problems in its future.
Today pollution is very high in both inland and marine waters. All
different types of water pollution are contributing factors in this problem.
Here are some things that are associated with pollution: Pathogens: Pathogens
are disease causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. They usually come from
human sewage. As pathogen numbers increase, so does the risk of human health.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand: Organic wastes that decay in a body of water.
decrease the amount of oxygen found in it. The living things in the lake need
oxygen to survive. If the oxygen level is depressed to zero, all fish in the
lake die. Any decomposition that does not contain oxygen starts to generate
noxious gases such as Hydrogen Sulfide. Pulp and paper mills, and municipal
sewage causes BOD. Nutrients: Nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus,
enrich waters and accelerate the aging of lakes and streams. Also, the result
of this is rich plant life which prohibits recreational activities. Plankton
blooms depress oxygen levels (as mentioned before) and therefore, endanger
living organisms. Major sources of nutrients are municipal sewage and
agricultural runoff. Toxic Materials: Can affect the health of aquatic organisms
and their consumers, and the people who drink the contaminated water. The
toxicants include lead, mercury, DDT, PCB, benzopyrene, oil, and dibutyl
phthalate. These chemicals enter the l...