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.