Essay/Term paper: Water pollution

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Society Term Papers

Water Pollution


Water pollution has affected many people and animals. Water pollution is
the disposal of garbage into a water stream. Some of the water pollution is from
littering, some water pollution is done by chemical leaks, and others by ships.
Also, There is much information about water pollution. I am going to take that
education on water pollution a step farther; and explain how water pollution
affects us, how it affects marine life, what companies affect it the most, and
what people are doing to help.

There are many causes for water pollution. The main one is plastics. The
reason for that is that plastics take four hundred and fifty years to decompose
in the water. Also many companies use plastic and people throw it in the
waterways. Because water can float and be carried by the wind, it can cause harm
to unsuspecting creatures hundreds of feet from where it was originally dumped.
Such waste includes bags, bottles, cups, straws, cup lids, utensils, six pack
holders, cling wrap, fishing line, bait bags, and floats.

The second highest cause of water pollution is ship waste. Ships used to
take much garbage with them on their ships and dump them. This was very common
until the government took action. They were giving sailors up to one million
dollars fines for disposing waste. Because of that, ships now carry less garbage
with them.

Animals are not the only thing being harmed by water wastes. Fishing
lines, rope, and plastic nets are being caught in the rutter and the engine, but
the ships are not exactly perfect.

The other main cause of water pollution is industrial waste. Industries
do not be harmed by water pollution but the cause much it. Many companies pour
chemicals into the waterways. Some of the businesses that contribute to the
water pollution are businesses that repair and maintain motor vehicles,
electroplate, operate printing and coping equipment, perform dry cleaning and
laundry services, process photographs, operate labs, involve building and
construct roads, provide pest control, preserve wood, and make Furniture.

Water pollution doesn¹t just effect humans, it affects are whole
ecosystem. Birds and marine life are affected by it. More than fifty species of
birds are known to ingest plastic. When they eat plastic, they feel full, so
some of them die of starvation. Algal blooms are another thing that kills marine
life. Algal blooms are sea scum, whale food, and sea sawdust. Algal blooms are
bundles of fine threads, rusty brown, they have a fishy smell, and are common in
August through December.

Water is our main source of our life. We need it to live, drink, bathe,
recreation, manufacturing, and power. We need water for almost everything; if we
don't start cleaning up we will be in big trouble. Bunches of families dispose
of chemicals everyday. It affects us drastically and we depend on it to be clean.


Right now the government is fining people for illegal dumping. But that
is all the government is doing.

People in cities are organizing water pollution groups. A lot of people
are producing fliers and giving them out. The are asking people to adapt a
waterway. In Australia they had a national clean up day and went out to the
ocean and cleaned it up. I think the people are taking this more seriously than
the government.

We need to start cleaning up the water or we will be in big trouble. the
government needs to get active and so does the public.

In some places water pollution is a main concern. The last defense of
water pollution is water treatment. Their are two main reasons for water
treatment. The first one is to protect the public's health. The second one is to
protect the water quality. Most of the waste water comes from industries, homes,
businesses, storm runoff, ground water, and schools. Also sludge is being
treated to remove some of its water. Then it is further processed by stabilizing,
dewatering, and disposal.

If more effort isn't being made the human race will die. Eventually all
the water will be infested and unable to drink out of. We will have no places to
bathe or anything. We will have to do something soon or else we will not make it.