Water, though indispensable, and playing a pivotal role in our lives, is one of the most badly abused resources. Water pollution is any physical or chemical change in water that can adversely affect organisms. Heat, toxic metals, acids, sediment, animal and human wastes, and synthetic organic compounds foul the water ways of developed nations. Human and animal wastes, sediment, and pathogenic organisms head the list in the non-industrialised nations. In these countries, unsanitary water and malnutrition account for most of the illness and deaths.
Water pollutants may be broadly grouped into toxic substances which are poisonous to living organisms, nutrient wastes which upset the natural balance among the plants and animals inhabiting a lake or stream, and waste heat which kills sensitive organisms.
a) Toxic organic water pollutants: About 10,000 synthetic organic compounds are in use today in industrialised countries. Many of these find their way into the water creating a serious water pollution problem. Examples include – Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), Phenols.
b) Toxic inorganic water pollutants: These include metal, acids and salts from a diverse array of sources. One of the most harmful toxic metals is Mercury. It is a by-product of manufacturing the plastic vinyl chloride (PVC).
Water pollutants may be broadly grouped into toxic substances which are poisonous to living organisms, nutrient wastes which upset the natural balance among the plants and animals inhabiting a lake or stream, and waste heat which kills sensitive organisms.
a) Toxic organic water pollutants: About 10,000 synthetic organic compounds are in use today in industrialised countries. Many of these find their way into the water creating a serious water pollution problem. Examples include – Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), Phenols.
b) Toxic inorganic water pollutants: These include metal, acids and salts from a diverse array of sources. One of the most harmful toxic metals is Mercury. It is a by-product of manufacturing the plastic vinyl chloride (PVC).
