Water Pollution
The Deadly Crisis
By Emma Moore
He is only 3 years old. He has only days left. Every day millions of children like this die from dehydration. Why? Because of our mindless dumping of pollutants into the Earth’s water systems. Children have to walk miles just to get adequate water. It’s so simple to turn on a tap and get all the water you want. We forget the people who die every day because they do not even have a drop. Millions die every year from dehydration. We need to stop this outrage, today. This first step is to cut down on water pollution.
H2O commonly known as water, is everywhere from the ocean to clouds to our bodies. Without water, life would be impossible. It is clearly the most precious resource on Earth. Formed by the bonding of an oxygen atom with two hydrogen atoms, over 70% of the globe is water. 75% of it is salt water while the rest is locked up in ice caps. This leaves only around 1% left for drinking water. However, due to a combination of industry, agriculture, and private uses, our supply of this essential substance dwindles. Over a billion worldwide do not have access to this basic amenity. That is roughly one out of every six people.
Water pollution is defined by any human-caused contamination of water that reduces its usefulness to humans and other organisms in nature. Pollutants can range from grass clipping to sewage run off to radioactive waste. They are divided into two types, point source and non-point source. Point source pollution is emitted directly into the water. For example, the BP oil spill is a point source. Non-point source pollution indirectly poisons the environment. An example of this would be agricultural runoff which flows through streams killing aquatic life. Non-point sources are much more difficult to control because there are no obvious starting places.
There are numerous causes of water pollution.
One of the most common non-point source pollutants is sewage and fertilizer runoff. They contain nitrates and phosphates which algae transform into a form of energy. This reaction uses oxygen in the water which aquatic life needs to breathe. Overgrowth causes the algae to clog waterways. When the supply of food runs out they die, falling to the bottom. Fish suffer respiratory problems from the lack of oxygen. Algae also blocks sunlight from entering the water bed. Animals and plants die unnecessarily. This causes disruptions in the food chain ensuring further deaths from starvation. The same thing happens with other organic runoff such as grass clippings and livestock feedlots.
One of the most deadly pollutants are pathogens: bacteria, viruses, and protozoan. Though microscopic, these disease vectors are responsible 5 million deaths a year. The majority are young children. Untreated sewage, storm drains, farm runoff, and septic tanks are all carriers of pathogens. Drinking water contaminated by pathogens often causes chronic illnesses if not death. Typhoid fever, dysentery, skin and respiratory problems can all be linked to it.
Remember last April? The world was horrified by news of an leak gushing out tons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. B.P. was drilling on April 20 th when it happened. It is estimated that so far 8 million gallons have spread through the ocean and more is coming. Petroleum leaks are the most ecologically damaging. Countless creatures who live by or in the sea die from poisoning. Because oil and water do not mix, petroleum can rapidly flow across the ocean. Wild animals do not know to avoid the oil spills. Dolphins can be seen eating, playing, and sleeping in oiled areas. Efforts to halt oil leaks just damage the sea more. Chemically treating the spill with dispersant just kills more aquatic life and spreads the oil further below the surface. They may be aimed to prevent concentrated spread to the shore. However, dispersants are generally ineffective. They do not clean the oil on the water, merely breaking it down and sinking it to the bottom. There are many types but they all contain a solvent and a solution. Planes spray down the dispersant onto the oil slick. The solvent carries the solution down into the oil. The Type 1 dispersant is a hydrocarbon solvent sprayed onto the oil at the surface of the water in the Gulf. Another type of dispersant is made up of alcohol and glycol in a higher concentration.
Despite all the damage that is being done, organizations across the globe are making an effort into preserving our water supply. The United Nations had formed U.N.E.P. (United Nations Environmental Program). Their goal is to provide access to sanitary water for all by 2015. While this may not happen, so far they have spread programs from 22 countries to 88. The Clean Water Act of 1970 prevents factories from dumping waste. This deals with point source which can be easily traced. Non-point sources, like the examples in the above paragraphs, are harder to trace.
We have gotten off to good start, but this is not enough, you, yes you need to act, starting today. Do you want your children to live in a world without clean water? Do you want to? Recycle! When they are produced most factories that make your materials pollute. Reduce! Try to bike or walk as often as you can. Emissions from cars go up into the atmosphere then rain down upon bodies of water. Reuse! Packaging often contains harmful dyes. Factories that produce the packaging let out poisonous emissions. If you make smart choices everyday you can ensure sanitary water throughout your life.
As you can see, water pollution is a major issue. Everyone needs to pitch in and reverse society’s mindless poisoning. I believe that saving our water supply is an urgent cause. What else do we depend on so heavily for life? Humans can only last days without water. We need it for sanitation, drinking, and recreation. Anyone who poisons water systems must realize they will eventually poison themselves or their home, the Earth. We can all make a difference, it just takes work.
