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Question

List and explain the different sources of water pollution.


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Solution

5 different sources of water pollution are -

Industrial waste-

Industries generate significant amounts of garbage every day. Mercury, lead, asbestos, sulphur, and nitrates are just a few of the contaminants and dangerous compounds found in this garbage. The majority of industries lack an effective waste management system. Waste is then discharged into bodies of water such as rivers and the sea via waste disposal canals. These waste chemicals alter the colour of the water, create eutrophication, and alter the temperature of the water, posing a major threat to humans, animals, and plants. Because it can dissolve more things than any other liquid, water is known as the universal solvent. Water is a polar covalent molecule with a positive charge on the hydrogen atom and a negative charge on the oxygen atom.

Wastewater and sewage-

Household waste and sewage are other common sources of water pollution. Sewer water contains chemicals and germs that can cause major health problems. Household sewers carry microorganisms that cause disease. Wastewater and sewers convey disease-causing germs and serve as breeding grounds for disease carriers.

Marine Dumping-

Every family generates waste. Papers, plastic bottles, glass, rubber, aluminium, and waste food are all examples. This waste is sometimes deposited in bodies of water, resulting in contamination. It can take up to 200 years for some of these trash deposits to disintegrate. When they enter the sea, they not only pollute the water but also harm aquatic life.

Oil Spills-

One of the most harmful sources of water pollution is oil. Oil waste from factories, ships, and machinery, along with other waste products, sometimes finds its way into water bodies. Because oil is not soluble in water, it forms a layer that covers the water beneath it. It not only pollutes the water and makes it unsafe for humans, but it also kills marine life.

Pesticides and chemical fertilisers-

Farmers use these chemicals to keep their crops free of germs and insect infestation. While they are beneficial to plant life, if they acquire access to water, they represent a significant threat to humans and animals. This type of water pollution occurs more frequently when it rains. Chemicals interact with rainwater and flow into bodies of water.


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