As millions of tons of organic compounds find their way into the water systems of the world, the environmental problems that result are colossal.
This negligence might not affect the environment directly, but they have long-term effects. Some of these problems include:
Heavy metal accumulates in lakes and ponds nearby industry, and this build-up is harmful to marine life, such as fish and shellfish, and consequently, it affects the humans that eat the fish. This build-up of heavy metal can result in birth defects, slow growth, and many heavy metals are carcinogens.
Immune suppression, reproductive failure, or acute poisoning can take place as a result of toxic wastes released by industries.
Oil from oil spills, cannot dissolve in water and forms a thick sludge in the water causing fish to suffocate and gets caught into the feathers of marine birds disabling their ability to fly, and blocks light from photosynthetic aquatic plants.
Microbial pollutants (a microorganism that causes harm) from unsanitary conditions at the sewer can cause infectious disease in marine life, and to humans through drinking water. Cholera and Typhoid fever are two of the leading diseases caused by microbial pollutants, and these diseases are quite frequent in third-world countries.
There can be an increase in aerobic algae because of excessive organic compounds and therefore can take away oxygen from the water column. This causes fish to suffocate and die. However, a major problem is the concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds that enter the water systems because of oil spills and population.
Volatile Organic Compounds evaporate readily (volatile) and they all contain carbon. They can cause central nervous system depression, be irritating with it is contact with skin.
There are many possible solutions, or just little things one can do, to get rid of water pollution. These solutions include: Save water by turning off the tap when water is not being used, this avoids water shortages and diminishes the amount of water that must be treated.
The population should be aware of what products they throw down their sink or toilet. They should not throw any oils or litter down the drain because this causes an organic imbalance. If the person is using products like Drano, they should make sure that it is compatible with their sewer system.
Also, they should use environmentally friendly household products. People should not use pesticides and fertilizers anywhere around water/ pools of water because this is extremely harmful to marine life.
The government should come up with very strict laws against littering in rivers, lakes, and oceans. The people should do their part by obeying these laws and doing all they can to clean up beaches, rivers, and lake surfaces.
The government should encourage industries to take better precautions when handling oil through a ship and whatnot. Nevertheless, there are many steps being taken in order to make water and therefore the environment safer. These steps include industrial treatment, denitrification, septic tanks, and ozone wastewater treatment.
