WATER POLLUTION EFFECTS

WATER POLLUTION EFFECTS

November 14, 2007 on 7:42 am | In Uncategorized |

Water pollution effects vary depending on the type of water pollution. The type of pollution can be devastating. Water is the number one natural resource that all life depends on here on Earth and it is up to us to take care of it. Many of the effects of water pollution are passed right up the food chain.

Water pollution is known to be responsible for many human infectious diseases like hookworm, typhoid, intestinal parasites, and giardiasis. Bacteria and cysts are known to be water pollution effects.

Beach water can be serious causing rashes on the skin, pink eye, vomiting, diarrhea, hepatitis, earaches, and more. What happens at the beach is called nutrient pollution, which is the most widespread problem in the ocean. Nutrient pollution creates harmful overgrowth of algae that is not only toxic but lowers the oxygen levels in the water. The nutrient pollution is known to create a pollution called ‘brown tide’. What happens is that algae is eaten by one life form, that life form gets eaten, and passed up the food chain to bigger fish, then humans. Brown tide is so bad that exposure can cause lesions on the skin. Homeowners living on the beach can be subject to airborne illnesses.

Water pollution effects of chemical spills immediately kill fish and all life forms that are living and exposed to the water. If consumed, chemical in the water can have the same effect on humans.

The effects of pesticides polluting the water are known to be linked to cancers like lymphoma, causing liver damage, damage to the nervous system, damage to the reproductive system, and toxic and chronic effects that could be life threatening. Pesticides even affect the bird community like bald eagles when they swoop down to catch a fish that is contaminated or feed it to its young. Death is usually the result.

Water pollution effects are serious and must be taken seriously. Managing the control over oil spills, chemical dumps, and pesticides being used in crops can help in ensuring healthy drinking water and prevent poisoned waters from killing our natural life cycles.