Water Pollution: Distribution of The Water On Earth

WATER POLLUTION
Earth is known as the "Blue Planet" because 71 percent of the Earth's surface is covered
with water. Water also exists below land surface and as water vapor in the air. Water is a
finite source. The majority of fresh water is actually found underground as soil moisture
and in aquifers. Groundwater can feed the streams, which is why a river can keep flowing
even when there has been no precipitation. Humans can use both ground and surface
water.
Distribution of the water on Earth
 Ocean water: 97.2 percent

 Glaciers and other ice: 2.15 percent
 Groundwater: 0.61 percent
 Fresh water lakes: 0.009 percent
 Inland seas: 0.008 percent
 Soil Moisture: 0.005 percent
 Atmosphere: 0.001 percent
 Rivers: 0.0001 percent.
Even though we know that this water is very precious to humans and other species,
but we the humans tending our lives and other species to danger by making the life
of the water to great danger and one of the means is polluting the water.
Water pollution:
Water pollution can come from a variety of sources. Pollution
can enter water directly, through both legal and illegal discharges from factories, for
example, or imperfect water treatment plants. Spills and leaks from oil pipelines can
degrade water supplies. Wind, storms, and littering—especially of plastic wastes—can also
send debris into waterways.
Different types of water pollution
 Agriculture
 Wastewater and Sewage
 Oil pollution
 Radioactive waste
 Urban Development
 Plastics
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture plays a major role in water pollution around the world. Every day,
farms release large quantities of organic matter, agrochemicals, sediments, drug residues, and saline
drainage into bodies of water. Nitrate from manure, fertilizers, ammonia, and waste is one of the
most common contaminants found in groundwater aquifers. These toxins can harm fish and other
animals. Nitrates also soak into the ground and can end up in drinking water. If ingested, agriculture
waste can cause illness and even death.
WASTEWATER AND SEWAGE

Wastewater is any type of water that is used for
industrial, agricultural, or commercial activities. This is also water that comes from your
home from your toilets, showers, and sinks. Stormwater runoff is also considered
wastewater and can carry a range of oils, salts, chemicals, grease, and debris that end up in
the waterways. As most wastewater is transported back into the environment, it is often
reused. Unfortunately, wastewater and sewage are not always treated beforehand, meaning
polluted water is being used for drinking and sanitation. Drinking contaminated wastewater
often results in diseases and illnesses like diarrhea.
OIL POLLUTION
Every day, oceans are heavily polluted with oils derived
from oil spills, dumping, run-offs, and routine shipping. In fact, an estimated 706
million gallons of waste-oil enters the ocean each year. As the oil is not able to
dissolve in water, it develops into a thick sludge that harms fish, affects marine birds,
and blocks light to aquatic plants. These oils can also contaminate water for drinking
and other purposes. As oil clean up can be a long and expensive process, cleaning
water that has been contaminated with oil is simply not an option. This means men,
women, and children in less privileged countries are forced to use polluted water to
drink, bathe, and cook.
RADIOACTIVE WASTE
Exposure to radiation increases the risk of damage to
cells, tissues, and DNA. Long-term exposure can result in serious issues like cancers,
birth defects, leukemia, genetic mutations, and immune and endocrine system
disorders. When factories release radioactivity into the air, soil, and water, it can
cause these problems and more in people who come into contact with the
radioactive waste. Radioactive waste can also last for many centuries making clean
up a major challenge. If radioactive waste is not disposed of properly, contaminants
can spread to groundwater and surface water.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Rapid urban development can have a direct impact on
water pollution. Factories are often guilty of dumping chemical waste into bodies of
water causing ocean pollution. Runoff from roads and highways that are covered in
harmful chemicals like brake fluids, spilled fuels, and exhaust emissions, can also be
washed into rivers and lakes. Even regular people are responsible for some water
pollution. Simply pouring chemicals down the drain or flushing detergents down the
toilet can contribute to water pollution. Oftentimes, polluted bodies of water
become more contaminated as the years go by.
PLASTICS
Today, plastics are used in all types of manufacturing ranging from the
production of clothing to car parts. As plastic is lightweight, it is often washed away
into rivers and oceans. Plastic is also non-biodegradable, meaning it can last for
decades while presenting a danger to marine animals. Modern plastics also contain
harmful chemicals that can seep into the water over time. Some types of plastic
contain bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that can have direct health effects on the brain
and prostate gland of children, infants, and even fetuses, and can also go so far as to
cause changes to a child’s behavior.
Major sources of water pollution are discharge of domestic and agriculture wastes,

population growth, excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers and urbanization. It is
recommended that there should be proper waste disposal system and waste should be
treated before entering in to river.
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed”

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WATER POLLUTION

 Ocean water: 97.2 percent

WASTEWATER AND SEWAGE

Major sources of water pollution are discharge of domestic and agriculture wastes,

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