Water Pollution Facts, Effects of Water Pollution, Clean Water Act

Plastic Pollution in Oceans Environmental Issues > Oceans Main Page > All Oceans Documents The Basics We're treating the oceans like a trash bin: around 80 percent of marine litter originates on land, and most of that is plastic. Plastic that pollutes our oceans and waterways has severe impacts on our environment and our economy. Seabirds, whales, sea turtles and other marine life are eating marine plastic pollution and dying from choking, intestinal blockage and starvation. Read more » What it Means to You Plastic pollution affects every waterway, sea and ocean in the world. Solutions The most effective way to stop plastic pollution in our oceans is to make sure it never reaches the water in the first place. NRDC is working on three key strategies to curb plastic water pollution in the U.S. and beyond: 1. 2. 3. What You Can Do Marine plastic pollution shows us that we cannot really throw anything "away." 1. 2. 3. Conduct a waste audit and share the information. 4. 5. last revised 3/8/2014

What are the effects of water pollution Effects of water pollution. You will notice in the previous pages that water pollution is very harmful to humans, animals and water life. The effects can be catastrophic, depending on the kind of chemicals, concentrations of the pollutants and where there are polluted. Below, we shall see a summary of the effects of water pollution. (Make sure you see the factsheet page for some very unfortunate incidents of water pollution in recent time) The effects of water pollution are varied and depend on what chemicals are dumped and in which locations. Many water bodies near urban areas (cities and towns) are highly polluted. Death of aquatic (water) animals The main problem caused by water pollution is that it kills life that depends on these water bodies. Disruption of food-chains Pollution disrupts the natural food chain as well. Diseases Eventually, humans are affected by this process as well.

Environment « Water Pollution Guide There are many different types of water pollution and all have a different adverse effect on the environment. Heavy metals from industrial processes can accumulate in nearby lakes and rivers. These are toxic to marine life such as fish and shellfish, and can affect the rest of the food chain. This means that entire animal communities can be badly affected by this type of pollutant.Industrial waste often contains many toxic compounds that damage the health of aquatic animals and those who eat them. How Does Water Pollution Endanger Human Health? One of the greatest dangers to human health is water pollution. After all, people can’t survive without drinking water, and if their freshwater resources are polluted, they can become ill from drinking them. Different types of pollutants affect human health in different ways. Organisms that cause disease are called pathogens. Pathogens include bacteria, viruses, and parasitic organisms that infect humans and cause illness. Some pathogens occur naturally, and others pollute water when human or animal waste washes into the water. Typhoid Cholera Dysentery Polio Hepatitis These illnesses are particularly dangerous for young children; in fact, they account for almost 60 percent of early childhood deaths worldwide. In some cases, organisms rather than the water itself carry pathogens. Scientists seek to stop waterborne pathogens before they can infect humans and cause illness. Metals, such as mercury, iron, and nickel, pollute water as well.