Question

What are the major sources of water pollution? Discuss the nature of the pollutants involved and suggest methods of control.

Answer 1

Hint: Water pollution is the adverse result of the toxic elements and the contaminated substances which enter the water bodies such as ponds, streams, rivers etc. water pollution leads to many diseases such as typhoid, cholera etc.

Complete answer:
There are mainly two causes of water pollution: natural causes and man-made causes.
Natural causes: volcanic eruption is a major cause for water pollution, with large eruptions volcano spew out not only lava but also ash and gases. The effects of the ash which falls from volcano to natural water increase the turbidity of water.
Animal waste that comes out from the dairy farm adds to the water pollution. The feces and the urine of birds also causes water pollution.
Floods: most of us are not aware but flood also causes water pollution, as there are many particles present in the flooded water mix with river, ponds or lakes and pollute them.
Man-made causes: chemicals released by the industries is a major source of water pollution.
Sewage: the disposal of untreated sewage waste results in both air and water pollution. Disposal of sewage waste leads to many diseases such as diarrhea etc.
Methods to control water pollution is:
Keep out the oil, fat and grease from the sink
Do not flush contaminated liquids, drugs, medicines etc. down the drain
Do not use the toilet as a bin.
Minimize the use of bleaching powder of detergents.
Proper management and sewage treatment.

Note:
There are many other causes of water pollution such as the disposal of radioactive waste without proper treatment and the highway runoff etc. water pollution not only harms the aquatic ecosystem it also affects the groundwater.