What Are The Solutions To Water Pollution?

Outside of enforcing the current laws and creating even tougher regulations to prevent the continued pollution of water, there are dedicated and relatively simple objectives that everyone can participate in so that we can provide water pollution solutions to the average citizen.

Simple steps like driving hybrid cars can reduce water pollution. Littering in any form can also create additional pollution. Conserving clean water supplies can be beneficial in many ways, including preventing the need for use of tainted water supplies.

For instance, if everyone supported clean agriculture there would no longer be a market for agriculture that is responsible for poisonous runoff and ground water pollution. Clean agriculture is easier than ever to recognize because of the new standards for organic labeling.

Organic foods mean that there were no pesticides or other harmful contaminants used in the growing of the food. When a food product is labeled organic, federal law requires that it meets the criteria for being 75% organic or better.

When a food product is labeled 100% organic it meets the criteria for being 99% organic or better. 100% organic foods include the soil in which the product was grown as well as the process of which the product was packaged, shipped, and distributed. But supporting organic foods you are supporting water pollution solutions through clean agriculture.

The preservation of natural wetlands provides a relatively simple water pollution solution. Wetlands serve as nature’s filter and create a natural buffering zone between the water and the land. The vast amount of various plant life, naturally occurring bacteria and algae, and microorganisms help to filter destructive pollutants.

Wetlands can be easily preserved through replanting efforts. Planting appropriate foliage can help a wetland survive. While some wetlands have been filled and developed, wetlands tend to make rather poor environments to build upon.

Discouraging wetland development and encouraging wetland replanting is one way that everyone can get involved in finding solution of water pollution.

The factors of water pollution

Natural surroundings are polluted by noise, air pollution, water pollution, pesticides, hydrocarbon reaching the coasts. The increasing population in the limited geographic areas and the increasing number of automobiles facilitates pollution. Another factor facilitating pollution is the increasing usage of goods and services (packing waste, cans, bottles, various plastic goods etc.). The super tankers with the capacity of 500.000 tons petroleum, caused an increase in the amount of hydrocarbon poured in the sea. The first pollution of this kind was caused by the Torrey Canyon tank's sinking near the England coasts in 1967. The hydrocarbon immediately covered the sea's surface and then reached the European coasts. The following petroleum pollution was caused by Olympic Bravery, Urquiola and Argo Merchant tanks' sinking. In 1978, 220 thousand tons of hydrocarbon released from Amoco Cadiz polluted the coastal line of 250 km. in West Europe. Other examples of petroleum pollution are caused by the accidents in the oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico and in the North Sea. When the petroleum is released to the sea, it immediately covers the surface of the sea. By this way the petroleum evaporates and mixes with the atmosphere. The amount of the evaporated petroleum changes from %10 (heavy petroleum) to %70 (light fuel oil) and factors such as wind and temperature play important roles in this. Following this, complete diffusion, dissolution in the water and emulsion phases take place. The thin layer of hydrocarbon on the surface of the water, slows down the evaporation and the water's oxygenizing. By this way purification process is affected negatively. In addition to this, it detains other pollutants (heavy metals, detergants, pesticides etc.) in the environment. This hydrocarbon layer is dragged by the wind and pollutes the coastal area before physical, chemical or biological seperation. Hydrocarbon in the water, is removed chemically or biologically by the microorganisms. This removal process may end for months according tho the enviromental factors. The most effective factors are the bacteria. The bacteria, effective in this process, are researched to let in to the hydrocarbon accumulation. Some kind of birds and fish can be effective on hydrocarbon with their special enzymes. However some of the hydrocarbon in the water precipitate according to the local factors. When it precipitates, it may get mixed with sand and its poisonous effect last for long years. Sometimes hydrocarbon polymerize and form tarry-soil. Hydrocarbon has poisonous effect on the sea ecosystems during the time interval between it is released into the water and becomes harmless. This effect occurs because of the organisms taking this substance in and because of its smearing effect which hinders the relationship with the environment. The poisonous effect changes according to the hydrocarbon type, season and the species. Normally every plakton type and water moss are effected negatively from the hydrocarbon. Some of them wholly disappear on the other hand some of them increase. Mostly there is a decrease in the variety and reproduction of the these living things. Although the shellfish is durable, they became insuperable. As fish are active, they are less effected, however their eggs may be negatively effected and their nutrients may diminish. In species effected by such pollution, there are many skin bruises. Sea birds are mostly effected from petroleum pollution. In order to feed themselves or rest, they come down to the surface of the petroleum and become unable to fly. Hydrocarbon, dissolves the fat that protects them from cold and impermeability and causes the birds to die. Also while these birds are trying to clean their feather, they take in the hydocarbon and getting poisened they die. To fight with petroleum pollution, absorbent materials (straw and sawdust etc.) and synthetic materials can be used. the burning process can not be used technically in every condition and it pollutes the atmosphere. If the sea is not so rough, floating barriers limiting the diffusion of hydrocarbon. Detergants used as diffusive and flux expands the surface to intrract with the air and increases the activity of microorganisms. However they also expands the polluted surface so it is not adviced to use them in water near to the coast. In addition to this, these detergants may be more poisonous than hydro carbon. Not every area is as sensitive as the other to the petroleum pollution. Every ecosystem turns to its original state after sometime although some parts are destroyed. Returning to the original state is caused by the nature of these pollutant which can be decomposed by living things and the purification feature of the living things in the sea. Petroleum pollution is limited with time and location and they constitue a big part of the hydrocarbon pollution however continuous pollution diminishes the purification power of the living things in the sea and causes continuous instability. There has been sea polution in Turkey because of petroleum and petroleum originated substances. The tankers carrying petroleum via Black Sea-Marmara-Mediterranean do their refining processes in Turkey's territorial waters, the pouring of industrial waste to the seas increases the pollution. It has been declared in the meeting of United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) held in Rome that Marmara Sea is one of the most polluted seas.

Nonpoint source pollution

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is water pollution affecting a water body from diffuse sources, such as polluted runoff from agricultural areas draining into a river, or wind-borne debris blowing out to sea. Nonpoint source pollution can be contrasted with point source pollution, where discharges occur to a body of water at a single location, such as discharges from a chemical factory, urban runoff from a roadway storm drain, or from ships at sea.

NPS may derive from many different sources with no specific solution to rectify the problem, making it difficult to regulate. It is the leading cause of water pollution in the United States today, with polluted runoff from agriculture the primary cause.

Other significant sources of runoff include hydrological and habitat modification, and silviculture (forestry).

Contaminated stormwater washed off of parking lots, roads and highways, and lawns (often containing fertilizerspesticides) is called urban runoff. This runoff is often classified as a type of NPS pollution. Some people may also consider it a point source because many times it is channeled into municipal storm drain systems and discharged through pipes to nearby surface waters. However, not all urban runoff flows through storm drain systems before entering waterbodies. Some may flow directly into waterbodies, especially in developing and suburban areas. Also, unlike other types of point sources, such as industrial discharge, wastewater plants and other operations, pollution in urban runoff cannot be attributed to one activity or even group of activities. Therefore, because it is not caused by an easily identified and regulated activity, urban runoff pollution sources are also often treated as true nonpoint sources as municipalities work to abate them.

Principal types of nonpoint source pollution

Sediment

Sediment (loose soil) includes silt (fine particles) and suspended solids (larger particles). Sediment may enter surface waters from eroding stream banks, and from surface runoff due to improper plant cover on urban and rural land Sediment creates turbidity (cloudiness) in water bodies, reducing the amount of light reaching lower depths, which can inhibit growth of submerged aquatic plants and consequently affect species which are dependent on them, such as fish and shellfish. High turbidity levels also inhibit drinking water purification systems. (Sediment can also be discharged from improperly managed construction sites, although these are point sources, which can be managed with erosion controls and sediment controls

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a nutrient that occurs in many forms that are bioavailable. It is a main ingredient in many fertilizers used for agriculture as well as on residential and commercial properties, and may become a limiting nutrient in freshwater systems. Excess amounts of phosphorus in these systems lead to algae blooms and consequently hypoxia. This is also known as eutrophication. Phosphorus is most often transported to water bodies via soil erosion since the various forms of phosphorus tend to be adsorbed to soil particles.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is the other key ingredient in fertilizers, and it becomes a pollutant in saltwater systems where nitrogen is a limiting nutrient. Excess amounts of bioavailable nitrogen in these systems lead to a boom of algae and diatoms. When the excessively large population of autotrophs reach the end of their life cycles, the process of decomposition consumes oxygen. The result is very suppressed levels of dissolved oxygen in the water, otherwise known as hypoxia.

Nitrogen is most often transported by water as nitrate (NO₃). The nitrogen is usually added to a watershed as organic-N or ammonia (NH₃), so nitrogen stays attached to the soil until oxidation converts it into nitrate. Since the nitrate is generally already incorporated into the soil, the water traveling through the soil (i.e., interflow and tile drainage) is the most likely to transport it, rather than surface runoff.

Pathogens

Pathogens may be present in nonpoint source runoff, and can be a source of disease if they enter drinking water supplies. Pathogens found in contaminated runoff may include:

• Cryptosporidium parvum
• Giardia lamblia
• Salmonella
• Novovirus and other viruses
• Parasitic worms (helminths).

Coliform bacteria may also be detected in runoff. These bacteria are a commonly-used indicator of water pollution, but not an actual cause of disease.

Pathogens may contaminate runoff due to poorly-managed livestock operations, faulty septic systems, and improper handling of pet waste.

Point source pollution

Point source of pollution is a single identifiable localized source of air, water, thermal, noise or light pollution. A point source has negligible extent, distinguishing it from other pollution source geometries. The sources are called point sources because in mathematical modeling, they can be approximated as a mathematical point to simplify analysis. Pollution point sources are identical to other physics, engineering, optics and chemistry point sources except that their emissions have been labeled

• Water pollution from an oil refinery wastewater discharge outlet
• Noise pollution from a jet engine
• Disruptive seismic vibration from a localized seismic study
• Light pollution from an intrusive street light
• Thermal pollution from an industrial process outfall
• Radio emissions from an interference-producing electrical device

Types of air pollution sources which have finite extent are line sources, area sources and volume sources. Air pollution sources are also often categorized as either stationary or mobile.

WATER POLLUTION AND SOCIETY

POINT AND NONPOINT SOURCES

According to the American College Dictionary, pollution is defined as: �to make foul or unclean; dirty.� Water pollution occurs when a body of water is adversely affected due to the addition of large amounts of materials to the water. When it is unfit for its intended use, water is considered polluted. Two types of water pollutants exist; point source and nonpoint source. Point sources of pollution occur when harmful substances are emitted directly into a body of water. The Exxon Valdez oil spill best illustrates a point source water pollution. A nonpoint source delivers pollutants indirectly through environmental changes. An example of this type of water pollution is when fertilizer from a field is carried into a stream by rain, in the form of run-off which in turn effects aquatic life. The technology exists for point sources of pollution to be monitored and regulated, although political factors may complicate matters. Nonpoint sources are much more difficult to control. Pollution arising from nonpoint sources accounts for a majority of the contaminants in streams and lakes.

CAUSES OF POLLUTION

Many causes of pollution including sewage and fertilizers contain nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates. In excess levels, nutrients over stimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae. Excessive growth of these types of organisms consequently clogs our waterways, use up dissolved oxygen as they decompose, and block light to deeper waters.
This, in turn, proves very harmful to aquatic organisms as it affects the respiration ability or fish and other invertebrates that reside in water.
Pollution is also caused when silt and other suspended solids, such as soil, washoff plowed fields, construction and logging sites, urban areas, and eroded river banks when it rains. Under natural conditions, lakes, rivers, and other water bodies undergo Eutrophication, an aging process that slowly fills in the water body with sediment and organic matter. When these sediments enter various bodies of water, fish respirationbecomes impaired, plant productivity and water depth become reduced, and aquatic organisms and their environments become suffocated. Pollution in the form of organic
material enters waterways in many different forms as sewage, as leaves and grass clippings, or as runoff from livestock feedlots and pastures. When natural bacteria and protozoan in the water break down this organic material, they begin to use up the oxygen dissolved in the water. Many types of fish and bottom-dwelling animals cannot survive when levels of dissolved oxygen drop below two to five parts per million. When this occurs, it kills aquatic organisms in large numbers which leads to disruptions in the food chain.

picture of water pollution

water pollution