Water Pollution And Its Sources (Copy)
4.7 Water Pollution and Its Sources – Cheat Sheet
Sources of Water Pollution
| Source | Description | Pollutants / Effects | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Waste (Sewage) | Wastewater from homes in both urban and rural areas | Organic matter, bacteria, viruses → spread of waterborne diseases (cholera, dysentery) | Untreated sewage in Ganges River, India |
| Industrial Processes | Factories discharge chemicals, metals, heated water into rivers/lakes | Toxic chemicals (arsenic, mercury, lead), thermal pollution → harms aquatic life | Minamata disease, Japan (mercury poisoning) |
| Agricultural Practices | Runoff from fields carries fertilisers, pesticides, animal waste | Fertilisers → eutrophication, Pesticides → kill aquatic organisms, Livestock waste → bacterial contamination | Mississippi River runoff causing Gulf of Mexico “Dead Zone” |
Quick Pointers
- Water pollution = domestic + industrial + agricultural main contributors.
- Impacts: health risks, reduced biodiversity, fisheries collapse, unsafe drinking water.
- LEDCs face higher risks due to weak waste treatment infrastructure.
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