Understanding the Different Types of Water Pollution
Water is the source of life. Humans and other living creatures depend on it to survive and it is for these reasons that the many types of water pollution threaten not just the environment but our very lives as well.
Sources of Water Pollution
Scientists first classify water pollution according to its source. Point source water pollution refers to those with easily determined sources such as materials discharged by industrial or sewage treatment plants.
Non-point sources, on the other hand, are cases in which water pollution does not have an easily determined source. Agriculture run-off, for instance, does lead to water pollution. It is mostly caused by the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. But whether these come from private households or commercial plantations is something more difficult to pinpoint.
Major Types of Water Pollution
Non-point and point sources can then be further divided into several types of water pollution.
Toxic Water Pollution
Toxic pollution refers to instances where water is contaminated by toxic chemicals. These may be man-made or entirely organic compounds. They largely come from products used for daily living such as PCBs and pesticides as well as lead and mercury.
The presence of arsenic is another cause of toxic water pollution. When you drink water that has a high level of arsenic in it, you are in danger of suffering various health complications ranging from diarrhea, blindness, and even partial paralysis. Drinking water with high arsenic levels has also been proven to increase risk of incurring various types of cancer.
Nutrient Water Pollution
Fertilizers used in agricultural properties contain nutrients that are vital to the growth of plants. But these nutrients can lead to water pollution when too much of it enter into natural bodies of water. These lead to excessive growth of water plants. Algal blooms are just one example of such plant. Over growth of these plants could lead to eutrophication or water with insufficient oxygen levels as well as other harmful effects on the ecosystem.
Sediment Water Pollution
Soil erosion leads to an increased presence of soil in water and this can then lead to water pollution. Decrease in salmon spawning rates and associated human health problems are other effects linked to this type of pollution.
Bacterial Water Pollution
Last of the various types of water pollution is those caused by increased bacterial presence in water. This occurs when animal and human waste is allowed to penetrate natural water supplies. Such wastes contain bacteria that could lead to the spread of diseases such as E. Coli poisoning.