WATER POLLUTION 1.Water sources are most easily polluted as they most affected by human activities. 2.

Industrial,domestic and agricultural activities produce waste which pollutes water. 3. The sources of water pollution are summarized in Table1. Table1 The sources, pollutants and effects of water pollution Sources Agricultural runoffs and waste from oil palm and rubber processing mills. Components/ pollutants and their effects Nitrates and phosphates (in fertilisers) Excess nitrates and phosphates lead to eutrophication. Solutions Control the use of fertilizers by (a)applying only when crops are growing (b)not applying in empty fields (c)not spraying when there is a forecast of rain (d)not disposing of them into rivers and ponds Use biodegradable pesticides. Use biological pest control methods. Plant genetically modified that can resist attacks by pests as this may reduce the need of chemical insecticides.

Herbicide and pesticide residues Accumulation of pesticides and herbicides may have toxic effects on organisms in the water and humans if we drink it. The pesticide levels accumulate as they pass through the food chains. High concentrations of pesticides may accumulate in the tissues of final consumers which are mainly carnivores. Untreated sewage consisting mainly of human faeces and domestic waste Suspended solids Reduced light penetration If suspended solids are biodegradable, they can be decomposed by microorganisms and their process require a high demand for oxygen. Nitrates and phosphates Lead to eutrophication Detergent Hard detergents create foam which reduces the supply of oxygen to organisms living in water. Soft detergents are biodegradable

Treat sewage before it enters rivers. Prevent farm slurry (liquid manure) from entering rivers and ponds.

Domestic waste includes detergents and food waste.

Use biodegradable detergents with low phosphates content.

Animal waste from farm

Effluents from industries Electronic and electroplating plants Food and beverage processing industry Rubber product processing industry. Underground pipes

but may contain high level of phosphates which can lead to eutrophication. Microorganism such as bacteria and protozoa If the water is used for drinking, it must be properly treated it may cause water borne disease such as cholera. Heavy metals such as copper,mercury,zinc and chromium Highly toxic accumulate in the organism via food chain Mercury can cause acute nervous disorder in human. Oil, grease and suspended solids Waste water contain numerous contaminants, including hydrogen sulphide.

Drink properly treated and boiled water.

Treat effluent before they are discharged into water sources. Take legal action against illegal dumping of toxic wastes.

Lead Lead is highly toxic heavy metals which can accumulate in tissues of living organism. Lead can impair the mental ability of children.

Use copper pipes instead of lead pipes in plumbing.

Eutrophication 1.Eutrophication occurs as a result of an abundant supply of fertilizers or sewage in lakes, pond or rivers. 2.F e r t i l i z e r s a n d s e w a g e c o n t a i n h i g h c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f n i t r a t e s a n d phosphates which encourage eutrophication. They promote rapid growth of algae and subsequently a rapid increase in the population of algae. 3.The algae that grow extensively cover up the surface of the lake, pond or river. 4.This prevents sunlight from reaching the plants in the lower depths of the water. 5.As a result, the plants in the water die. 6.The number of aerobic bacteria that decompose the dead plants also increases using more of the oxygen in the water. 7.This reduces the concentration of oxygen in the water and results in the death of aquatic organisms.

8.The rapid growth of the algae and the process of decomposition by the bacteria use up the oxygen supply in the water and thus increase the biochemical oxygen demand(B.O.D). Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B.O.D) 1.Biochemical oxygen demand is the amount of oxygen taken up by the m i c r o o r g a n i s m s ( b a c t e r i a a n d a l g a e ) t h a t d e c o m p o s e o r g a n i c w a s t e matter in water. 2.B.O.D is used as a measure of the amount of certain types of organic pollutants in water. Hence, B.O.D can be used to measure the level of water pollution. 3.A high B.O.D indicates the presence of a large number of microorganisms which suggest a high level of pollution. 4. The higher the B.O.D value, the more polluted is the water sample. 5 .Polluted water contains a large amount of organic waste matter. This process of decomposition requires oxygen. As a result ,much oxygen s u p p l y in the water is used up and the B.O.D value is high. The concentration of oxygen in the water is low. 6.Good quality water has a B.O.D value of less than 0.5mg of oxygen per litre.