[Main Image by Bruno from Pixabay]
From smog-filled cities to radioactive waters, the topic of pollution is an on-going and increasingly concerning issue. Water pollution has seemingly flown under the radar for the past decades with little to no coverage regarding the persistent release of harmful chemicals, toxins, and non-organic items by agricultural and industrial practices into important bodies of water.
At present, we’re faced with the undesirable consequences of water pollution's impact on the environment. From contaminated drinking water, rivers too toxic to swim in, and a devastating impact on aquatic life and its surrounding flora and fauna.
The depleting water quality of vital rivers, reservoirs and lakes need immediate attention, and more awareness needs to be raised regarding the toxic relationship between water pollution and our environment.
Common Water Pollutants
In order to understand water pollution a little better, it’s important to take a closer look at the largest contributors and the effects that they have on the environment.
Plastics
Plastic pollution is a more well-known form of pollution and is caused by the accumulation of plastic items in important bodies of water. Discarded plastics pose a serious threat to aquatic life, with around 800 species affected by this pollutant from either ingesting, becoming entangled, or having their natural habitat destroyed. [ref: https://news.un.org/en/story/2016/12/547032]
Approximately 8 metric tonnes of plastic enters open waters each year, with around 50% of that amount being single-use plastics. This pollutant also releases tiny ‘microplastic’ particles that are ingested by humans and animals leading to health complications. [ref: https://theconversation.com/eight-million-tonnes-of-plastic-are-going-into-the-ocean-each-year-37521]
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals can be found in a number of water bodies and can usually be sourced back to industrial and agricultural activity. The discharge of metal-heavy sediment into waterways creates a build-up of metals in the water contributing to water pollution.
Mercury, lead, and arsenic, among others, can be absorbed by humans and aquatic species by consuming or swimming in the contaminated water. Mercury is specifically concerning due to the large consumption of fish found in mercury-dense waters. The presence of these metals not only create a multitude of health problems but wreak havoc on the natural balance of the environment, depleting water quality and creating entirely inhospitable environments.
Nutrients
Nutrients may not sound as daunting as other forms of water pollution, but their impact on the environment is causing aquatic environments to become ‘dead-zones’ where previously healthy bodies of water are no longer able to sustain life.
Activities such as agricultural runoff and surface water pollution create excess nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates. These nutrients encourage the growth of algal blooms which begin multiplying at an unnatural rate. The trade-off for this mass growth of algae is oxygen, so as the algae increases, oxygen decreases, eventually robbing the environment of a vital resource and emptying water bodies of aquatic life.
Oil and Chemical Waste
Accidental spills from shipping, drilling, and industrial activity introduce oil and toxic chemicals into the environment, yet these pollutants can also be found in our day-to-day activities. The discharge of motor oils and other chemical liquids (such as chemicals found in household cleaners) enter waterways through various pathways (such as flushing or pouring them down a water grate). Once it's present in the environment it can have adverse effects on aquatic species and their natural environment.
Oil does not merge with water and instead forms a surface that inhibits the absorption of oxygen into water. Low oxygen waters result in barren areas, with little to no life present due to the lack of a vital resource needed to sustain life. Chemical pollution may not impede oxygen levels, however, it introduces an array of diseases that affect reproduction and can interfere with the food chain. [ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25797925/]
Water Pollution's Impact On The Environment
By understanding the ways in which water pollution affects the environment, we can begin to create a ‘big-picture’ as to how industrial, agricultural, and urban activities contribute to this pressing issue. If we, as a society, become more informed about not only the pollutants but the impact it has on our health and planet, we can begin to create a clear and actionable goal for saving our waters.
Loss of Life
The threat of biodiversity loss projects a scary and uncertain future for our waters. The phenomena occurs primarily through the contamination of aquatic habitats, where the discharge of toxic pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, industrial & household chemicals, and nutrients find their way to water bodies.
Once these toxins are present in water, the overall number of species that inhabit the space will begin to decrease due to the inability to reproduce in polluted environments. This sets off a chain-reaction where the entire food chain is knocked off balance as certain species are no longer able to survive in such conditions. The pH of the water is intricately balanced, and the organisms who inhabit the water contribute to the natural order and cleanliness of their environment. With little to none of the necessary organisms to sustain life in the aquatic world, nor keep it clean, entire bodies of water are cleared of all life due to such a toxic environment.
Concerningly, this issue is not exclusive to aquatic life, but also poses a threat to the health of humans and terrestrial animals. When biodiversity loss occurs, the waters can no longer protect themselves leading to the presence of a multitude of water-borne diseases. When this water is consumed from lakes, reservoirs or streams, biomagnification occurs, leading to a higher concentration of harmful pathogens in the food chain and having potentially devastating consequences on any and all species. [ref: https://www.cleanriverstrust.co.uk/waterborne-illnesses-uk-rivers/]
Drinking Water
Water is a vital resource for maintaining good health, yet a tragic consequence of water pollution is the contamination and compromise of quality drinking water. Agricultural runoff, mining, and sewage treatment plants are responsible for vast amounts of heavy metals and non-organic matter entering the waterways and merging with drinking water sources due to improper disposal of pollutants or malpractice.
This brings about a multitude of health issues for both humans and wildlife. Hormones used in chemical fertilisers enter bodies of drinking water and disrupt the endocrine system, resulting in fertility issues, hormonal imbalances, and congenital and developmental issues in young children. Aquatic organisms are not exempt from these issues either. As toxic substances interfere with the environment's delicate balance, a series of water-borne diseases emerge causing a decline in the species and compromising their immune-systems.
Human health is also paying a heavy price for previously costly mistakes with the excessive use of lead in plumbing and water systems. In 2021, a school project in the UK discovered that traces of lead exceeded the recommended maximum amounts by five times. The ingestion of lead can not only lead to fatal lead poisoning, but severely impacts the cognitive and physical development of infants if lead is found in the mothers system. This shocking discovery brings to light not only the dangers of current pollutants, but the aftermath and future dangers of using previously dangerous materials.
[ref: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-dirt-on-soil-and-water-pollution https://theconversation.com/what-contaminants-lurk-in-the-uks-drinking-water-an-expert-explains-167734 https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/how-our-environment-impacts-reproductive-health/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7139484/ ]
Contaminated Land
Soil contamination is a wide-spread issue that can impact entire ecosystems, agricultural operations, and human health. This form of pollution occurs after large quantities of toxic substances are released to nearby green areas and can be typically sourced back to agricultural practices, sewage treatment facilities, and industrial and municipal wastewater.
Due to the excessive discharge of pollutants such as heavy metals, fertilisers, harmful household chemicals and sewage, the overall quality of the soil is reduced. This may seem like only a small issue in comparison to others, however, the knock-on effect of contaminated soil has serious consequences to the surrounding environment. Soil must be rich in specific nutrients in order to produce a good harvest, so if these important nutrients are reduced and replaced with synthetic hormones, chlorine, and other harmful chemicals and metals, farms may no longer be able to produce a harvest, as well as raising concerns around the safety of our food.
Soil contamination also impacts the aquatic environment. Contaminated soil banks are threatened by a weakened structure and potential collapse, clogging rivers and streams with dense sediment, clays, and heavy metals - all of which drastically reduce the water's oxygen levels. Aquatic organisms are also under threat due to riverbed soil becoming so toxic that it becomes infertile, impacting the food chain and quality of life of aquatic species.
Global Warming
Water pollution and global warming have an interconnected relationship. While being separate entities, each has an influence on one another due to the number of nutrients and toxins that enter the waterways and intensify climate change as a result. More recently, researchers are uncovering the true impact water pollution has on the environment, with one study proposing that 50% of global methane emissions can be sourced back to aquatic ecosystems. [ref: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-021-00715-2]
A result of consistent agricultural runoff and untreated wastewater reaching bodies of water, harmful compounds such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and methane are formed. More specifically, nitrate and phosphate pollution occurs from the presence of pesticides, fertilisers and other industrial chemicals that are discharged in dangerously high quantities. The presence of these compounds encourage the growth of algal blooms that severely reduce the water's oxygen levels, creating inhospitable environments unable to support life due to poor conditions. When algal blooms and organic matter begin to decompose, they also release methane.
The presence of organic matter such as faeces and nutrients from pesticides and fertilisers also enhances microbial activity in the water. The increase of microbes exacerbates the release of gases like methane and carbon dioxide, adding further stress to aquatic environments, as well as global emissions.
What Can Be Done To Reduce Water Pollution
Reduce plastic
When reducing plastic use, it’s important to adopt simple yet effective habits. The avoidance of single use plastics and plastic shopping bags is a great place to start. Opting for reusable products and recycled plastic items are also small but effective ways to do your part.
Participating in local clean ups, or removing plastic from water (if it’s safe to do so) is another great way to reduce this pollutant. There may be small communities of people that get together to clean up roadsides, streams, or areas that are visibly built up with plastic waste. Considering the non-biodegradable nature of plastic, the more we can physically reduce and remove it will have beneficial long-term effects for the environment.
Choose Eco-Friendly Products
Household cleaning items contain a number of chemicals that aren’t just harmful to the environment, but to humans too. The persistent exposure to such chemicals can create issues such as hormonal imbalances and skin problems. Items such as dishwasher and laundry detergents contain phosphates that contribute to algal blooms. Other items such as cleaners containing chlorine can also contribute to the accumulation of organochlorines that pose environmental risks and bring about a number of diseases.
By swapping some of your daily cleaners to more eco-friendly versions, you can reduce the amount of chemicals entering the waterways. Pay special attention to avoid products containing chlorine, ammonia, petroleum-based solvents, and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Make Smalls Changes At Home
The conservation of water is just as important as the safety and protection of it. Whether it be tidying the home or taking a shower, millions of litres of water are used each year so that we can keep our space clean. Over time, if water is not used sparingly or is overused, then important bodies of water such as reservoirs can be depleted which can have a significant impact in the years to come.
Becoming conscientious of your water use is an easy task. Turning the tap off in between brushing your teeth, turning the shower off in between rinsing, making sure to use the washing machine only when the cylinder is full (but not over-capacity), and washing the dishes in a sink full of water rather than under a running tap can all greatly contribute to water conservation.
Knowledge is Power
For decades industries such as mining, agriculture and other practices have concealed the magnitude of how much their activities harm the environment. Large corporations have avoided any repercussions for continuously breaching regulations and avoiding any and all accountability for the harm caused to our waters.
By campaigning for better, stricter regulations, we can push our governing bodies to finally hold these industries accountable. Contacting local MP’s, sharing via social media industrial pollution sources, and creating a communal voice for the safety of our waters we can begin to create a better, brighter future for the next generation.
Conclusion
The harmful effects of water pollution on the environment only highlights the urgent need to take collective action now. From the degradation of ecosystems to the dangerous yet avoidable risks to human health, if these issues are not dealt with soon, there will be far greater consequences for our planet in the future. Industries, governments and communities must work together to implement stricter regulations, take more accountability, and create effective strategies to reverse the damage before we see irreversible consequences to our health and environment.