Question

How do industrial wastes cause water pollution?

Answer 1

Industrial wastes:

1. Industrial wastes mainly contain inert suspended particles such as dust, coal, toxins like acid, bases, phenols, cyanides, mercury, zinc, etc., and inorganic materials like-ferrous salts, sulfides, oils, and other residues of organic material and hot water.
2. These are released directly into water bodies which disturb the water and its minerals, and also disturb the life of organisms present there.
3. For instance, mercury from industrial effluents flows into the water bodies and accumulates in the bodies of the organisms. Consumption of these fishes causes Minamata disease.
4. Moreover, phosphorus-based detergents and other by-products from industries cause eutrophication that leads to excessive fungal and algal growth, depriving other organisms of nutrients and killing off the aquatic ecosystem.