Water pollution and control

Biomagnification

the increase in concentration of a substance, e.g a pesticide, in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain.

Eutrophication

a process in which nutrients accumulate in a body of water, resulting in an increased growth of microorganisms that may deplete the water of oxygen.

Water (Hydrologic) Cycle

The water cycle, is a biogeochemical cycle that involves the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.

Transportation

the movement of water through the atmosphere, usually between oceans and landmasses.

Condensation

the process by which water vapor in the air is changed into liquid water.

Evaporation

the process that changes liquid water to gaseous water (water vapor).

Precipitation

any liquid or frozen water that forms in the atmosphere and falls back to the earth (ex: rain, sleet, and snow).

Sublimation

the process of snow and ice changing into water vapor (gas) in the air without first melting into water.

Snowmelt runoff

snowmelt is surface runoff produced from melting snow. It can also be used to describe the period or season during which such runoff is produced.

Transpiration

the biological process that occurs mostly in the day. Water inside of plants is transferred from the plant to the atmosphere as water vapor through numerous individual leave openings.

Surface flow/runoff

precipitation that runs off the landscape When rain hits saturated or impervious ground, it begins to flow overland downhill.

Percolation

the movement of water through the soil itself.

Plant uptake

the process by which water in soil is drawn into plants and returned in gaseous form to the atmosphere through leaf stomata.

Infiltration

precipitation (rain/sleet/snow) that soaks into the soil.

Groundwater flow

movement of water underground

Water pollution causes

• Global warming.

• Deforestation.

• Industry, agriculture and livestock farming.

• Rubbish and faecal water dumping.

• Maritime traffic.

• Fuel spillages.

Water pollution effects

Destruction of biodiversity

Contamination of the food chain

Lack of potable water

Diseases (cholera, hepatitis A, dysentery, etc.)

Water pollution control methods

• Wastewater Treatment

• Reducing Plastic Waste

• Water Conservation

• Water-efficient Toilets

• Septic Tanks

• Do Not Use the Toilet as a Trash Bin

• Treatment and management of stormwater