Water pollution

Water pollution has many sources and characteristics. Humans and other organisms produce bodily wastes which enter rivers, lakes, oceans and other surface waters; in high concentrations these wastes result in bacterial contamination and excessive nutrient loading (eutrophication). Industries discharge a variety of compounds such as heavy metals, and wastewater, sometimes in toxic concentrations, from industrial process may also be too hot or too low in dissolved oxygen to support life. Silt-bearing runoff from construction sites and farms can inhibit the penetration of sunlight through the water column, hampering water organisms in their ability to photosynthesize.

Related Topics:
River - Lake - Ocean - Water - Bacteria - Nutrient - Eutrophication - Heavy metals - Wastewater - Oxygen - Silt - Construction - Farm - Photosynthesize

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Groundwater pollution is more difficult to clean up than surface pollution because groundwater can move hundreds of miles through unseen aquifers. Porous, fine-grained aquifers such as sands and sandstones naturally purify water of bacteria by simple filtration (adsorption and absorption), dilution, and, to a lesser extent, chemical reactions and biological activity. Groundwater that moves through cracks and caverns is not filtered and can be polluted just as easily as surface water. In fact this can be aggravated by the human tendency to use sinkholes in areas of Karst topography as dumps.

Related Topics:
Groundwater - Aquifer - Sand - Sandstone - Cave - Sinkhole - Karst

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