The Implications of Water Pollution - 1513 Words

The Consequences of Water Pollution Annually, 90 million people add to the current population of 6.5 billion. At this rate the global population will reach approximately 8.5 billion by 2025 (http://dieoff.org/page120.htm). As the global population grows exponentially, so does the demand for natural resources. Of all these natural resources, water, is the most vital for survival and expansion. Humans dependency on water will never go away, making it a key part to any civilizations future. It is used daily for purposes such as: drinking, washing, bathing, sustaining agriculture, acquiring energy, and transporting goods. All of which help sustain a societys stability. In Jared Diamonds book, Collapse, he reveals similarities and†¦show more content†¦Main sources of water pollution include: industrial discharge of chemical wastes and byproducts, surface runoff containing pesticides or fertilizers, acid rain caused by industrial discharge of sulfur dioxide, discharge of contaminated or heated water used for i ndustrial processes, surface runoff containing spilled petroleum products, silt runoff from construction sites and farms, discharge of poorly treated or untreated sewage, excess nutrients added by runoff containing fertilizers, and underground storage tank leakage leading to soil contamination. Each source of pollution correlates to one or more of the twelve processes through which past societies have undermined themselves by damaging their environment. Thus, water pollution is considered to be a contributor to a possible collapse. Industry is responsible for the majority of water pollution because its practices produce several contaminants. The combined industrial discharge of chemical wastes and byproducts pollute rivers, lakes, and oceans by producing organic and inorganic contaminants that enter groundwater and soil, which can compile at the bottom of oceans. Subsequently, industrial discharge significantly increases the acidity of water. Heavy metals toxicity combined with increases in acidity yields water that cannot sustain life that it once could. TheShow MoreRelatedAlex Wiley. Geo1110 Geology. Mrs. Ma. 2 February 2017 .1186 Words   |  5 PagesFuture Water Supply The water supply on earth plays a huge role in daily lives. You need to have clean water to drink, do laundry and water your garden. Since water is necessary, the future water supply is very important for future generations. They will need clean water to use daily. Society can not let the water become so polluted and unsanitary that future generations can not use it for their daily needs. Water supply is affected by humans and the area surrounding the water. The water supplyRead MoreGlobal Climate Change On Natural Disasters And Agricultural Production1308 Words   |  6 Pagescultural and regulating services that they provide (World Bank, 2007). Clean water is one of the critical resources provided to man by ecosystems. As such, the ecosystem concept has been elevated as a fundamental attribute for human development. Maintenance and access to ecosystem services has consistently been associated with better health and economic outcomes. Human health risks originate from traditional forms of pollution and broader pressures on ecosystems, ranging from reduction and degradationRead MoreSustainability and Urban Development1428 Words   |  6 Pagesperspective assumes that the market will allocate resources in the most efficient way possible. Yet there are many externalities that often left out of this model such as clean air, clean water, and the carrying capacity of the Earths natural systems. For example, when someone used oil as a source of fuel, the pollution from its use is not counted in the standard economic perspective. Furthermore, the fact that oil is a nonrenewable resource is also not effectively included in these models. SustainableRead MoreEssay On Environmental Pollution1605 Words   |  7 Pagesissue of environmental pollution, especially soil, water, air and thermal pollution. This has caused some people to leave their homes, animals to die and even children to become sick which is quite disheartening. This paper addresses the environmental pollution problem by looking at the causes, the effects, and some possible remedies or solutions that we can employ. It engages in online research as well as field research. Introduction Environmental pollution is a severe problem thatRead MoreWater Pollution in Bangladesh1429 Words   |  6 PagesWater Pollution in Bangladesh INTRODUCTION Water is the most vital element among the natural resources, and is crucial for the survival of all living organisms. The environment, economic growth and development of Bangladesh are all highly influenced by water - its regional and seasonal availability, and the quality of surface and groundwater. Spatial and seasonal availability of surface and groundwater is highly responsive to the monsoon climate and physiography of the country. Availability alsoRead MoreEthical Dilemmas : Ethical Dilemma Essay1355 Words   |  6 Pagesethical dilemma as an Environmental Engineer for MeatNZ, as his dilemma has no obvious answer. In his situation at his work, Marvin poses a dilemma about whether or not to report the company’s excess water discharge into the local lake to the Ministry. Although there is a legal limit to how much water this company is allowed to dump into this lake, there are supposedly not many negative consequences to either side of this dilemma. Because the decision of this dilemma is not so clear, it can be seenRead MoreContamination Of Air And Water Resources898 Words   |  4 PagesContamination of air and water resources by exposure to landfills, and its consequences in the form of various implications on human health and environment, has made people alert and aware of the issue. This attitude has led to formulation of certain laws and policies by Federal Government while choosing a site for the construction of landfill, ensuring that all the requirements are met, and directions are followed as laid by the regulatory authorities. Location, functioning, design, nearby water reserves, closureRead MoreExtracting Natural Gas From Shale And Other Rock Formation1465 Words   |  6 Pagesmajority of this gas was not economically reachable. However over the past decade, two new technological advancements recently combined allowing extracting of the gas. This process is known as hydraulic fracturing, in which extremely high pressured water with addi tional chemicals forced two to three kilometers in the ground is extracting the gas. The manufacturing sources claim that fracking has produced over one million natural gas wells since the 1940 s. Only 2% of these wells created since theRead MoreEssay on Low Health Expectancy1034 Words   |  5 Pagesperson is expected to live in full health. This essay will argue that the main factors which contributes to low health expectancy in developing countries are malnutrition and environmental pollution and the possible solutions to this problem is eradicating poverty, improving health services and education on pollution and other substitutions to cooking with traditional stoves. The first main factor that contributes to low health expectancy in developing countries is malnutrition. According to NHSRead MoreEssay On Environmental Pollution706 Words   |  3 PagesThe environmental pollution history is as old as life itself. At life’s beginning on Earth, man discovered the use of fire and burnt food for cooking food with the emitted smoke from it being the earliest environmental pollutants of this world. First forward to the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century and that was when the Earth experienced the highest rates of environmental pollution. After the machine invention from printing press and later motor vehicles, the pollution menace started enveloping