Water Pollution

Water Pollution

Contamination of water bodies by pollutants, which can include oil spills, microplastics, sewage, solid waste, and pollutants discharged from point and non-point sources.

Point Source

Pollution discharged from a single source, such as sewage, industrial waste, oil spills, and mining.

Non-Point Source

Pollution discharged from multiple sources, such as agriculture runoff, road salt, animal waste, and precipitation.

Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface, including processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and surface runoff.

Reservoir

A location where water is stored, including oceans, freshwater bodies, groundwater, glaciers, surface waters (lakes, rivers), and the atmosphere.

Evaporation

The process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas (vapor) and is transported into the atmosphere due to heating from the sun.

Condensation

The process by which water vapor in the atmosphere cools and changes back into liquid form, forming clouds.

Precipitation

When a cloud grows large enough, it falls out of the sky as rain, snow, or hail.

Surface Runoff

The flow of precipitation over the ground, eventually ending up in rivers or streams and flowing into lakes or oceans.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

The amount of oxygen required to decompose a given amount of organic material in water. High BOD can reduce or deplete dissolved oxygen, leading to fish and plant deaths.

Eutrophication

The process of nutrient enrichment and subsequent ecosystem degradation, which can occur naturally or as a result of excessive inputs of nutrients into water systems from human activities.

pH

A scale of acidity ranging from 0 to 14, with values below 7 indicating acidity, values above 7 indicating alkalinity, and 7 being neutral. Changes in pH can have harmful effects on aquatic organisms.

Pathogens

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and toxic algal species that can be found in water and cause diseases in humans and other organisms.

Sediment Pollution

The presence of excessive amounts of sand, soil, or other particles in water, which can have negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems, including coral populations.

Priority (Toxic) Pollutants

A list of 126 pollutants, including metals, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), regulated by environmental agencies due to their toxic nature.

DDT

A synthetic insecticide developed in the 1940s, known for its persistence in the environment and harmful effects on birds, aquatic invertebrates, and fish.

Bioaccumulation

The increase in concentration of a pollutant in a single organism over its lifetime.

Biomagnification

The increase in concentration of a pollutant up the food chain.

Non-Conventional and Non-Toxic Pollutants

Pollutants that do not fit into the conventional or toxic pollutant categories, including road salt, iron, aluminum, dyes, and heat.

Aquatic Pollution

Pollution specifically affecting aquatic ecosystems, often caused by the discharge of pollutants into water bodies.

Mismanaged(litter)

Refers to the improper handling or disposal of waste, particularly plastic waste, leading to pollution in terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Landfill

A designated area where waste materials are disposed of and buried underground.

Leachate

The liquid that forms as rainwater percolates through landfills, carrying dissolved water-soluble compounds from the waste.

Biogas (CH4)

A mixture of gases, primarily methane, produced by the decomposition of organic matter in landfills.

Plastic in oceans

Refers to the accumulation of plastic waste in marine environments, posing physical and chemical threats to ecosystems.

Ingestion of plastic

The act of consuming plastic materials, which can cause malnutrition, starvation, suffocation, and drowning in marine organisms.

Entanglement of plastic

When marine organisms become trapped or entangled in plastic waste, such as fishing nets, leading to injury or death.

Bioaccumulation

The gradual buildup of pollutants or toxic substances in the tissues of an organism over its lifetime.

Biomagnification

The process in which the concentration of pollutants increases as they move up the food chain, with higher levels found in organisms at the top.

Microplastic

Tiny degraded pieces of plastic that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items.

Water treatment

The process of purifying and treating water collected from natural sources before it is distributed for human consumption.

Screening

The initial step in water treatment where large objects and debris are removed from the raw water.

Chlorine

A chemical added to water to kill microorganisms, such as bacteria, algae, and fungi.

Settling Basin

A tank where heavy particles and flocs settle at the bottom, allowing cleaner water to be drawn off from the surface.

Filtration

The process of passing water through layers of graded gravel, fine sand, and activated carbon to remove impurities.

Storage

Holding basins where purified water is stored before distribution, and where safe levels of chlorine are added to kill harmful microorganisms.

Ammonia

The final step in water treatment, where ammonia is added to stabilize the remaining chlorine and keep the water safe during distribution.

Quality Tests

Regular testing of treated water to ensure it meets the maximum acceptable concentrations (MACs) for microbiological, chemical and physical, and radiological parameters.

Distribution

The process of delivering treated water to homes, apartments, schools, and industries through a network of pipes, reservoirs, and pumping stations.

MACs (Maximum Acceptable Concentrations)

Guidelines that specify the maximum allowable levels of contaminants in drinking water, including microbiological, chemical and physical, and radiological parameters.