Impact of Water Pollution (Copy)
4.8 Impact of Water Pollution – Cheat Sheet
Impacts on People
| Issue | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Global Inequalities | MEDCs invest in sewage & water treatment; LEDCs lack facilities → higher health risks | 99% safe water access in Europe vs <50% in some African countries |
| Infectious Diseases | Untreated sewage spreads cholera, typhoid, dysentery through contaminated water | Cholera outbreaks in Haiti (2010) |
| Toxic Substances | Industrial chemicals/metals enter drinking water → poisoning, cancers, neurological damage | Lead poisoning in Flint, USA |
Impacts on Environment
| Impact | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Accumulation of Toxins | Heavy metals and chemicals build up in lakes/rivers → long-term pollution | Minamata mercury poisoning, Japan |
| Bioaccumulation | Toxins move up food chains, magnifying effects at higher levels | DDT pesticide → thinning of bird eggshells |
| Acid Rain Effects | Acidified rivers/lakes kill fish, disrupt aquatic ecosystems | Scandinavian lakes losing trout populations |
| Eutrophication | Excess fertilisers → algal blooms → oxygen depletion → fish kills | Gulf of Mexico “Dead Zone” |
Quick Pointers
- Health impacts: waterborne disease + toxic contamination.
- Environmental impacts: reduced biodiversity, ecosystem collapse.
- Prevention: sewage treatment, regulation of industrial waste, sustainable farming.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Environmental Management Full Scale Course