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Most Essential and Basic Nutrient, Water… Contaminated!

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Water plays a key role in our lives. It starts playing its role throughout the day. Every household activity like cleaning, washing, cooking etc. involves the use of water in it. Not only household activities but all our body functions require water for their efficient functioning.

The importance of water is significant not only for these two aspects. The composition of earth also depicts the major role being played by water. Earth consists of 71% of water on it. Out of which only 0.3% is available to us as fresh water. Such a low percentage provides us with the water for all of our basic needs. In such a scenario what would happen if the present status of water contamination continues to exist? The issue of contamination of the water bodies is nothing less than a serious threat to us.

Causes of Water Contamination-

There are various causes that lead to the contamination of water present in various forms on earth.

1.    Sewage

The waste water containing faeces, laundry waste and urine are included in sewage. Since the sewage comes from the vast population, its treatment becomes difficult as well as the topmost priority. The sewage can hygienically be carried away and decomposed easily as its contents are completely biodegradeable. And thus break down in the environment.

Ill health of people and flushing of chemicals and pharmaceutical substances in the toilets makes the sewage less biodegradable due to the toxic content in it.

2.    Marine Dumping

Dumping litter in the water bodies causes severe water contaminations. Things like plastic, foam, cardboard, paper, glass and aluminum causes serious adulteration of water resources as such thing take long time to decompose. For example cardboard takes two weeks, foam takes 50 years, aluminum takes 200 years, plastic takes 400 years and glass take unknown numbers of years to decompose.

3.    Radioactive Waste and Nuclear Waste

Radioactive waste from nuclear operations, waste from the mining as well as refining of uranium and thorium are harmful water pollutants.

4.    Industrial Waste

Industrialisation has given way to much advancement in technology but it has also given this contamination of water through the industrial waste.  Pollutants like sulphur, nitrate, phosphates, mercury, lead, petro chemicals, oil, etc. damage the usefulness of water and make it dangerous for consumption.

5.    Eutrophication

Rise in the nutrient content in water through the fertilizers etc. lead to eutrofication which again contaminates the water bodies.

6.    Underground Storage Leakages

The underground storage of petroleum and other potential dangers to water are also a common cause of water pollution.

Threats of Water Pollution

All these pollutants cause great harm to water sources and affect all species in general. Diseases like cholera, hepatitis, typhoid fever, asbestosis mesothelioma, lung cancer, and intestinal as well as liver cancer are the common problems being faced by people due to water contamination.


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