Water pollution is a global problem that seriously affects the health of ecosystems and the well-being of people. Normally, water pollution occurs through direct or indirect discharges into water resources (rivers, seas, lakes, etc.) from various sources. polluting substances.
Nature has mechanisms to recover and eliminate a small amount of pollutants, restoring natural balance. The problem begins when pollutants exceed the ecosystem's capacity to absorb and process these substances.In this context, water becomes a vector of disease and environmental deterioration, affecting both humans and biodiversity.
Main forms of water pollution:
One of the causes of water pollution is related to its natural cycle, since along its path it can come into contact with minerals and other substances present in the atmosphere, in the earth's crust and even in other bodies of water. However, most of the current pollution is directly related to human action.
Anthropogenic pollution is one of the main dangers for our water resources; among the most common causes of water pollution we can highlight the following:
- Spills of toxic substances: Industries and urban centres produce waste that, in many cases, is not treated correctly before being released into natural environments, affecting rivers, lakes and seas.
- Pesticides and fertilizers: The intensive use of chemicals in agriculture generates leaks that contaminate both groundwater and surface water bodies.
- Solid waste: Garbage dumped on coasts and rivers takes centuries to degrade, affecting aquatic fauna and flora.
- Fuels in boats: Cleaning of ships and maritime accidents, such as that involving the oil tanker Prestige, release toxins directly into the sea.
Ocean Pollution
The ocean is essential for life on Earth, not only because it is home to thousands of marine species, but also because oxygen production is largely linked to the oceans. However, human action has caused serious ocean pollution.
El intentional dumping of waste, oil and chemical spills is irreversibly damaging the seas, affecting biodiversity and human health globally. The oceans absorb much of the CO2 we emit, which contributes to mitigating climate change, but pollution is altering the ocean balance.
Oil spills
Oil is one of the greatest threats to the oceans. Production and transport of this substance has grown exponentially, but oil spills are still a latent concern. Some of the most notable accidents have released millions of liters of crude oil into the sea, causing the death of thousands of species and seriously affecting fishing and tourism.
Worse still, much of the spilled oil ends up washed by ocean currents into coastal areas where clean-ups are difficult and often incomplete. In addition to crude oil, petroleum-derived products, such as plastics made from it, also end up submerged at the bottom of our oceans.
Negative effects of oil on the ocean
It is estimated that more than 80% of marine pollution is due to human activities, including oil spills. This directly translates into an irreparable loss for marine biodiversity. Cleaning up these disasters is complicated, and even if some of the waste is removed, the effects can last for decades. Species such as whales, seals, turtles and fish are among the most affected, as they are exposed to a reduction in their food sources or even direct contamination of their living environment.
Prevention and control of marine oil pollution
Oil pollution is controlled by various methods, including the development of technical regulations that regulate the activities of tankers. Some of the most effective methods to combat these disasters are:
- Regular inspections of ships
- Strict control of maritime traffic
- Training for ship and tanker operators
- Implementation of rapid response means, such as tugboats and control towers
Pollution of rivers and lakes
It is not only the oceans that suffer from pollution; rivers and lakes are constantly exposed to numerous sources of pollution. Wastewater and urban waste, especially in developing countries, are dumped without adequate controls, greatly affecting freshwater aquatic ecosystems.
Some of the major problems associated with water pollution include:
- sewage water, which carry with them organic matter that depletes the dissolved oxygen in the water, thus affecting aquatic life.
- Infectious agents, such as bacteria and viruses, which can cause serious illnesses to those who consume untreated water.
- Plant nutrients, which stimulate the excessive growth of aquatic plants and algae that are harmful to local fauna.
- Chemical products, such as pesticides, detergents and other industrial products, which alter the natural quality of water.
Overexploitation of aquifers is also an important cause of deterioration that affects the capacity of these ecosystems to regenerate themselves. inorganic minerals and other chemical compounds, such as mercury, are concentrated in the waters at levels that are toxic to wildlife and human consumption.
In short, water pollution is one of the great environmental challenges of our time. With better control and management, we can mitigate its effects on the various ecosystems affected.