Web Form Automation for Bonterra Impact Management (fka Social Solutions Apri...
Water Pollution
1. Water Pollution Water Pollution is polluting the water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans and so on
2. Causes and the Effects of the Automobiles and Urban Water Pollution Runoff water from buildings, streets and sidewalks carries many pollutants including: sediment, nutrients, bacteria, oil, metals, chemicals, road salt, pet droppings and litter. Cars, refineries, power plants and other contaminant emitting sources send pollutants into the air that eventually settle in water. Some businesses and industries don't dispose of waste properly and dump pollutants directly into waterways. Also, when cities are built, the natural watershed is changed. Wetlands are often filled in with dirt and concrete and natural streams are redirected by man-made channels. This takes away nature's ability to filter out contaminants before they end up in larger bodies of water. Automobiles include cars, trucks, motorcycles and boats (anything that burns gas). They leave oil, antifreeze, grease and metals on streets and driveways. They also emit nitrogen and other contaminants, which settle in water. Americans dump enough oil to contaminate about 1.5 trillion gallons of water every year. Also, many car washing detergents contain phosphorus. Please click once you have finished reading. Thank you! Oil, petroleum products and other toxins from automobiles kill fish, plants, aquatic life and even people. One quart of oil will contaminate thousands of gallons of water because it doesn't dissolve. These toxins as well as trace metals and degreasing agents used on automobiles contaminate drinking water and can cause major illness. Some of these toxins and metals are absorbed in various sea life and cause medical problems to people when eaten. Phosphorus and nitrogen cause explosive growth of algae, which depletes water of oxygen, killing fish and aquatic life. Contaminated runoff kills aquatic life. Metals and other toxins are absorbed in the flesh of fish and shellfish and are dangerous when eaten. Bacteria, parasites and chemical toxins contaminate recreation areas and drinking water, which cause major illness and sometimes death. Most streams, lakes and coastal waters surrounding large cities are too polluted for people to use. If development of cities continue without care and management of pollution and the natural watershed, most or all fish and aquatic life will be killed, entire ecosystems will be destroyed and it will be nearly impossible to find uncontaminated water that is safe to use or drink.
3. Causes and Effects of Constructional and Agricultural Water Pollution Runoff from barnyards, feedlots and cropland carries away manure, fertilizers, ammonia, pesticides, livestock waste, oil, toxins from farm equipment, soil and sediment. Construction and clearing land often put sediment in rivers and bodies of water. Filling in wetlands takes away natural water filters that can break down many pollutants before they reach other water bodies. Oil, debris, paint and other harmful chemicals also can runoff with water and sediment from construction sites. Agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is the leading source of water quality impacts to rivers and lakes. Nitrogen from fertilizers, manure, waste and ammonia turns into nitrite and nitrate. High levels of these toxins deplete waters of oxygen, killing all of the animals and fish. Nitrates also soak into the ground and end up in drinking water. Health problems can occur as a result of this and they contribute to methemeglopbinemia or blue baby syndrome which causes death in infants. Ammonia, pesticides as well as oil, degreasing agents, metals and other toxins from farm equipment harm and kill aquatic life and animals and cause health problems when they get into drinking water. Bacteria and parasites from animal waste can get into drinking water which can cause illness and death. Soil and sediment smothers and kills aquatic life. It also absorbs and carries with it other toxins that reduce water quality. Oil, grease, degreasers and other chemicals soak into the ground and contaminate drinking water, causing health problems. Those toxins as well as paint and other hazardous materials can harm and kill fish and land animals drinking the water.
6. When cleaning your car, use a commercial car wash. Click here to learn Best Management Practices when washing your car, streets, parking and sidewalks.
7. Clean up after pets and dispose of droppings in the trash or toilet.
8. Never dump anything into the ground or street and don't allow anything other than rain water to flow into storm drains