Key Causes and Effects of Water Pollution Explained
Kids, when we are very thirsty, there is nothing compared to a cool glass of water. Right? But have you ever wondered where this water comes from before it hits the drinking fountain, a faucet or your refrigerator?
Children Drinking Water
Seventy per cent of our earth’s surface is covered with water. But do you know that only a tiny portion of that seventy per cent of water is drinkable? Water is needed for all living things, and we use it daily. We drink it, wash with it, cool it off, and cook with it.
What is Water?
We all know that without water, life is not possible on earth. But children, have you ever thought about what water is exactly? We will study water and water pollution in this article.
Two chemicals, oxygen and hydrogen, make up water. Oxygen and Hydrogen are both gases, but when combined, they form a liquid- Water. It is why water is sometimes referred to as H2O. A water molecule is the same whether it is a solid, a liquid or a gas. Water, in its liquid form, is what we drink. Water evaporates to form steam or vapour. When water gets cold enough, it freezes and becomes a solid, which we call ice. Water can also become a gas when boiled and becomes hot, which is called water vapour.
A Water Molecule
Water Pollution
Let's know about some water pollution information for children:
Our bodies need fresh water to survive, and clean drinking water is essential for life on our planet. But in some parts of the world, people don’t have clean drinking water. Some people must travel long distances to get water and boil it or use special filters before they can drink it. The primary cause of this impure water is water pollution. Large pieces of the trash sometimes pollute the water we can see, or other times it is contaminated by invisible chemicals unseen by the naked eye.
Polluted water cannot be used for drinking because it contains chemicals or other germs which can make you sick. Water pollution is becoming a huge problem, so it is important to prevent it whenever possible.
A Polluted Water Body
Natural Causes of Water Pollution
Water pollution happens when different chemicals, particles, and other substances cause the water to become unsafe for human usage. There can be some natural causes of water pollution. The eruption of a volcano, silt from storms or a flood is some way water is naturally polluted. When mixed with dirty chemicals, rainwater makes its way to the ocean, rivers, lakes and streams.
Animal waste is also a big natural water pollutant. When any big marine animal dies, it causes contamination of that particular part of the water body, making it unfit for use. Aquatic weed found on water bodies depletes the oxygen dissociation of water bodies, thus causing marine death. Excessive growth of algal plants in the water body is also a big natural cause of water pollution. The sludge and mud which flows from river currents and their diversions are also one major factor causing water pollution naturally.
Died Marine Fish as a Natural Water Pollutant
Facts About Water Pollution
Now, let's learn some facts about water pollution:
Every year nearly seventeen billion pounds of plastic is dumped into the ocean and other water bodies. That is more plastic in the ocean than fish.
Even though nearly seventy per cent of the earth is covered with water, only twenty-five per cent of that water is fit for the consumption of humans. Most of the water on our planet is the ocean.
Over one billion people on our planet need clean drinking water resources.
There are more human causes of water pollution than natural causes. Sewage, fertilisers and pesticides from farm waste, waste from factories and construction sites, and oil spillage from ships are some human-made causes of water pollution.
Water pollution disrupts food chains. Smaller aquatic animals eat the chemical pollutants, and when larger fishes consume these animals, they die. This disrupts the aquatic food chain.
Drinking unclean and polluted water can cause severe diseases and health problems. Polluted water contains many germs and pathogens which cause severe diseases in humans and other living beings.
Summary
Children, we all know that life on earth would not exist without water. The above article taught us how water is formed and water pollution information for children. We also read about the natural causes and facts about water pollution. Although it might not be possible for you to prevent all types of water pollution, there are lots of ways by which you can help keep the water clean where you live.
Fresh, clean water is a precious resource, so we can save it by reducing the water we use in showers or lawns. Also, recycling the garbage we generate can help reduce water pollution as it will not go directly to the water bodies. We hope you enjoyed reading this article; in case of any doubts, feel free to ask in the comments.
FAQs on Water Pollution: Essential Facts and Solutions
1. What is water pollution in simple terms?
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies like rivers, lakes, and oceans by harmful substances. This makes the water unsafe for drinking, cooking, and for the plants and animals that live in it.
2. What are the main sources of water on Earth?
The main sources of water on Earth can be divided into two categories:
- Surface Water: This is water found on the surface of the Earth, such as in rivers, lakes, streams, and ponds.
- Groundwater: This is water that is stored underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rock. It is brought to the surface through wells and springs.
Oceans contain most of the Earth's water, but it is saltwater.
3. What is the difference between freshwater and saltwater?
The main difference is the amount of dissolved salt. Freshwater, found in rivers and lakes, has a very low concentration of salt and is what we use for drinking. Saltwater, found in oceans and seas, has a high concentration of salt, making it unsafe for us to drink directly.
4. What are some common examples of how water gets polluted?
Water gets polluted in several ways. Some common causes include:
- Industrial Waste: Factories releasing untreated chemicals and waste into rivers.
- Sewage: Untreated wastewater from homes and cities flowing into water bodies.
- Agricultural Runoff: Fertilizers and pesticides from farms being washed into nearby streams and lakes by rain.
- Improper Waste Disposal: People throwing garbage, plastic, and other trash directly into water sources.
5. What are the harmful effects of drinking polluted water?
Drinking polluted water can be very dangerous for our health. It contains harmful germs and chemicals that can cause diseases like typhoid, cholera, and diarrhoea. It can also lead to long-term health problems.
6. What is potable water?
Potable water is another term for drinking water. It is water that is safe for human consumption because it is free from harmful microorganisms and pollutants. Water from sources like rivers and lakes must be purified to make it potable.
7. Why is it so important to prevent water pollution?
It is crucial to prevent water pollution to protect our health and the environment. All living things need clean water to survive. When water is polluted, it not only makes people sick but also kills aquatic life like fish and plants, disrupting the entire ecosystem. Protecting our water sources ensures a healthy planet for everyone.
8. If most of the Earth is covered in water, why do we need to worry about water scarcity?
This is a common confusion. While about 71% of the Earth is covered in water, over 97% of it is saltwater in oceans, which we cannot use for drinking or farming. Less than 3% is freshwater, and most of that is frozen in glaciers. Water pollution makes the very small amount of usable freshwater even scarcer, which is why conservation is critical.
9. How does throwing a single plastic bottle into a river cause harm?
A single plastic bottle can cause significant harm. It does not break down for hundreds of years. Animals can mistake it for food and choke on it. Over time, it breaks into tiny pieces called microplastics, which poison the water and are consumed by fish, eventually entering the human food chain.
10. How can we use the '3 Rs' to help reduce water pollution?
The 3 Rs are powerful tools to fight water pollution:
- Reduce: Use less water by turning off taps when not in use. Using fewer chemicals and plastics at home means less waste ends up in the water.
- Reuse: Find new ways to use items instead of throwing them away. For example, reuse water from washing vegetables to water plants.
- Recycle: Properly dispose of plastic, paper, and glass so they can be made into new products instead of polluting our rivers and oceans.
11. How does dirty water from cities and farms pollute large oceans?
Dirty water travels through a process called runoff. When it rains, rainwater flows over city streets and farmlands, picking up pollutants like oil, chemicals, and garbage. This polluted runoff flows into small streams, which lead to larger rivers. These rivers eventually carry all the collected pollution downstream and empty it into the vast oceans, harming marine life far from the original source.
