Question
How is water polluted? Discuss the harmful effects of water pollution.
Answer
Water can be polluted by various human activities such as industrial effluents, agricultural run-off, sewage disposal, oil spills, and dumping of chemical waste. Some of the harmful effects of water pollution are:
- Adverse effects on aquatic life: Water pollution can have a significant impact on aquatic organisms, including fish, insects, and plants. Polluted water can cause a decrease in oxygen levels in the water, which can lead to the death of fish and other aquatic organisms.
- Health hazards: Polluted water can cause various water-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. These diseases are caused by microorganisms that thrive in contaminated water.
- Toxic chemicals: Industrial waste dumped into water bodies can contain toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can cause serious health problems if consumed by humans or animals.
