Water Pollution Flashcards
caused by human activities like
chemicals, heavy metals, plastics, sewage, and
agricultural runoff, leads to degradation of water
quality and ecosystem disruption
Water pollution
IMPORTANCE OF CLEAN WATER FOR
ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN HEALTH (Ecosystem)
Biodiversity and Habitat
Health
Natural Processes and
Balance
Food Chain Integrity
IMPORTANCE OF CLEAN WATER FOR
ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN HEALTH (Human Health)
Safe Drinking Water
Agricultural and Food Safety
Recreational and Economic
Benefits
substances that contaminate water bodies through
chemical reactions or toxicity, posing risks to ecosystems,
wildlife, and human health
CHEMICAL POLLUTANTS
Example of chemical pollutants
Industrial waste
pesticides and fertilizers
Living or once-living organisms that contaminate
water and can harm ecosystems and human health.
They include pathogens, invasive species, and organic
waste, which can lead to diseases, disrupt ecosystems,
and affect water quality.
BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS
Example of biological pollutants
Bacteria, viruses, and parasites
Wastewater and sewage
contamination
Substances that affect the physical properties of water
without necessarily causing a chemical reaction. These
pollutants can alter water clarity, temperature, and
overall habitat conditions, making it less suitable for
both aquatic life and human use.
PHYSICAL POLLUTANTS
Example of physical pollutants
Plastics and microplastics
Sediments from soil erosion
Human activities, such as industrial facilities, can
cause unnatural increases in water temperature in
water bodies like rivers, lakes, and oceans, which are
then discharged back into the environment
THERMAL POLLUTANTS
Example of thermal pollutant
Heated water from industrial processes
Sources of water pollution
Industrial
agricultural
domestic
marine dumping
oil spills
Industrial sources
factories
oil refinery
mining activities
discharge pollutants, such
as heavy metals, toxic
chemicals, and hazardous
substances, directly into
rivers and lakes, leading to
contamination of surface
and groundwater.
Factories
Wastewater from these
refineries often contains
high levels of hydrocarbons,
which can lead to oxygen
depletion in aquatic
ecosystems, harming marine
life.
) Oil Refinery
lead to acid mine drainage,
where toxic metals and
acidic water from mine
waste seep into nearby
rivers and lakes. This runoff
affects water pH, making the
environment inhospitable
for aquatic organisms.
Mining Activities
Agricultural Sources
Runoff from
Pesticides and Fertilizers
Animal Waste from
Farms
________ can cause nutrient
pollution, especially with nitrogen
and phosphorus, leading to algal
blooms
Fertilizers
Waste from ________ is
rich in organic matter and
pathogens. It increases the levels
of harmful bacteria and viruses,
creating health hazards for
humans and animals
livestock farming
domestic sources
Household Waste and
Sewage
Improper Disposal of
Chemicals
contains organic matter, bacteria,
and nutrients that can disrupt
aquatic ecosystems. Improperly
treated sewage introduces high
levels of bacteria and viruses into
water sources, which poses
health risks and can contaminate
drinking water supplies.
Household Waste and
Sewage
These chemicals can be toxic to
aquatic life and disrupt the
natural chemistry of water
bodies, leading to detrimental
effects on biodiversity
Improper Disposal of
Chemicals
This waste can harm marine
organisms through ingestion,
entanglement, and toxicity.
Plastics are particularly harmful
as they do not decompose and
break down into microplastics
Disposal of Waste in
Oceans
EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION
1.Human Health
2.Environmental Impact
3.Economic Impact
________ can harbor harmful microorganisms, including bacteria,
viruses, and parasites.
Polluted water
caused by pathogens
that are transmitted
through water
Waterborne
Diseases
arise from prolonged
contact with hazardous
substances, typically
over months or years.
Long-term exposure
to Chemicals
effects on ecosystems, wildlife, and natural resources
Environmental Impact
effects that contaminants
have on the health and
functioning of freshwater and
marine environments.
Damage to aquatic
ecosystems
decline or extinction of
various species in aquatic
ecosystems
Loss of biodiversity
alterations in the
relationships between
organisms at different
trophic levels
Disruption of food chains
financial consequences and losses associated with the degradation of
water quality due to contaminants.
Economic Impact
Economic impact
Loss of livelihood
Healthcare cost
On an international level, treaties like the ____________ and the __________ set standards that push nations to prioritize water quality.
Water Framework Directive (EU), Clean
Water Act (USA)
The law mandates proper wastewater management and regulates discharges into
water bodies to maintain safe quality standards.
CLEAN WATER ACT OF 2004 (REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9275)
This regulation sets effluent standards for the discharge of pollutants from
various industries into water bodies.
REVISED EFFLUENT REGULATIONS OF 1990 (DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 35)
play a critical role by filtering and treating wastewater before
it re-enters natural water sources, removing a significant portion
of contaminant
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS
-it offers a natural and promising solution by
employing microorganisms to break down
pollutants.
BIOREMEDIATION
TYPES OF BIOREMEDIATION
1.MICROBIAL (PROKARYOTES)
2.BIOAUGMENTATION
3.BIOSTIMULATION
plays a significant role in water pollution
mitigation by providing innovative
solutions to treat contaminated water
NANOTECHNOLOGY
focuses on creating eco-friendly chemicals that degrade safely
in water, minimizing long-term environmental impacts.
GREEN CHEMISTRY
Precision farming techniques and controlled release
fertilizers can reduce excess application, targeting only what
crops need
REDUCING CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES
- offers a holistic alternative, minimizing or eliminating synthetic
chemicals and relying on natural fertilizers, crop rotation, and
biological pest control
ORGANIC FARMING
play key
roles in educating communities, organizing cleanup efforts, and advocating for
stricter environmental policies
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and local governments
GLOBAL EFFORTS
TO ADDRESS
WATER POLLUTION
I. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6: Clean
Water and Sanitation)
II. International Organizations and Partnerships
III. Role of Climate Change and Water Conservation
Specific targets within SDG 6 address various
aspects of water pollution,
United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG 6: Clean
Water and Sanitation)
Improve water quality by
reducing pollution, eliminating dumping,
and minimising the release of hazardous
chemicals and material
Target 6.3:
Substantially increase wateruse efficiency across all sectors to address
water scarcity
Target 6.4
Focuses on the health impacts of
water pollution and promotes safe
water and sanitation practices. The
Organization connects nations,
partners and communities to promote
health and serve the vulnerable.
World Health Organization
(WHO)
International Organizations and
Partnerships
World Health Organization
(WHO)
United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP)
International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA)
Leads global efforts to monitor
and assess water quality, promotes
sustainable water management,
and coordinates international
partnerships.
United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP)
Uses nuclear and isotopic
techniques to study water
resources, detect pollutants, and
develop water protection
strategies.
International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA)
___________ poses a significant threat to water quality, exacerbating
existing pollution problems and creating new challenges.
Climate change
_________ worsens water pollution by
altering weather patterns, increasing the frequency and intensity of
floods and droughts, and impacting water quality.
Climate change
Reducing water consumption through efficient
technologies and practices is crucial for mitigating water scarcity and
pollution.
Water Conservation
