Environmental Effects Of Sewage
ntroduction
Sewage is a major source of pollution in fresh water ecosystems. If the sewage is not filtered correctly or not filtered at all, it can dump harmful chemicals, particles and materials into the fresh water system. These pollutants contaminate the water, spread disease and causes environmental degradation, which on the long run can kill a fresh water ecosystem and harm humans, plants and animals alike.
Discussion
following agents are released into the water through swage: organic matter, pathogens and microbial contaminants, nutrients, toxic organic compounds and micro organic pollutants, harmful chemicals, suspended sediments.
When organic matter is dumped into a fresh water ecosystem it leads to the depletion of oxygen ins water
…show more content…
This process is known as eutrophication. As the algae dies off it decompose robbing the water of valuable oxygen with in turn harm the aquatic life. Increased bioavailability of nutrients leads to an increase in productivity of plankton near the sewage outfall, thus and increased chance of algal blooms. High levels of nitrates in drinking water are harmful to humans and can lead to illnesses.
Toxic organic compounds and micro organic pollution can have various effects such as mild immune suppression to acute poisoning or reproductive failure in humans and aquatic fauna.
At sewage works a lot of chlorine gets used to clean the water. This gets circulated in the dumped sewage water. Chlorine is a compound that can easily turn into other chemical compounds such as chloroform. This can negatively impact the water system over time, it can happen over a short or long period of time. The chemical reactions can happen faster the warmer the water is.
Increased levels of turbidity and suspended sediments can lead to the reduction in levels of light penetration. This reduction has a negative effect on plant growth, as plants need light to photosynthesise. Which in turn lead to the smothering of habitats as not enough oxygen is released to sustain life. As the habitats are destructed by the dying plants it can damage the gills of fish and respiratory structures of other
…show more content…
The largest area that is usually affected is where the sewage is let into the water system. Sometimes raw sewage is let into the fresh water ecosystem it can lead to large amount of damage, which take a lot of time, effort and money to rectify. So it is important that there are systems in place to look after the fresh water systems and make sure that places like sewage works are functioning properly to protect the
Summary: Waste Water Pollutes The Chesapeake Bay
168 Words | 1 PagesSome non-point source pollution is from runoff which carries soil (which is packed with nutrients) into the Chesapeake Bay. Although nutrients are good for the organisms, excess nutrients cause algal blooms. This lowers the oxygen levels and causes many organisms to die. The algae also blocks sunlight
Conodoguinet Creek Field Observation Report
842 Words | 4 PagesEutrophication is the excessive nutrients in a lake or body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of a plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen. We tested for phosphate, nitrate, and dissolved oxygen. Phosphates and Nitrates are found in fertilizers, laundry detergents, and sewage treatments. Dissolved oxygen is microscopic bubbles of gaseous oxygen that are mixed in water and aailable to aquatic organisms for respiration. We found that there was a phosphate average of 0.1 parts per million (ppm).
Sci201 Unit 1
391 Words | 2 PagesOne issue found is the creation of smelly phytoplankton that makes murky unclear waters along with aquatic impurities. Moreover, the reduction of growth due to poor light conditions and dying plants make it difficult for predatory fish to hunt leading to overpopulation. (Chislock, 2013) Eutrophication can be found in many of our water resources such as ponds, estuaries, and bays. One region with high areas with eutrophication is in a lake shared by Kisumu, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda.
Megae Bay Research Paper
437 Words | 2 PagesAll organisms need oxygen to survive and when their is not enough oxygen, it leaves plants and animals to die. The area of water where there is a low count of oxygen are often called a dead zones. Also, an increase of the pH level in the water can be created because of algae blooms. The toxic killing algae can make humans sick. For the aquatic animals, these toxins attack mainly the organisms liver and nervous system (Nitrogen and
Examples Of Invasive Species Affecting The Everglades Ecosystem
1196 Words | 5 PagesThe increase in the changes of climate is affecting the delicate coral reefs. Coral reefs depend on a balanced temperature to thrive. The increased water temperature due to global warming are causing the coral to become bleached. They turn white and die. This also kills the wildlife and algae that live in them.
Pros And Cons Of Chloramines
401 Words | 2 PagesDid you know some byproducts of of chloramine are way more toxic than chlorines? A byproduct is a secondary or incidental product formed from the first. In the article it states that “ Chloramines are widely used in the U.S, and water providers in the East Bay and San Francisco already rely on the source. Another reason to why Chloramines are dangerous because it is toxic to aquatic life, including the mosquito fish, the mosquito fishes are put into our ponds to control the mosquito populations.
The Omnivore's Dilemma By Michael Pollan
1217 Words | 5 PagesWhen concerning our drinking water it should be considered that pathogenic organisms may contaminate soil, as well as stick on to the sediments in the surrounding area; making it more tricky to clear completely. Nitrate poisoning is another large concern,
How Does Fracking Affect Water Quality
918 Words | 4 PagesDrinking contaminated water can cause different types of cancers and also infertility and birth defects due to of the presence hazardous chemicals. Impoundments that have not been built or properly closed off have led to the death of many animals and also health issues in
Indian River Lagoon
452 Words | 2 PagesThe serious threat to the health of the IRL is the reduced water quality due to the manmade hydrologic changes, non-point pollution, loss
Impact Of Climate Change In The Chesapeake Bay
138 Words | 1 PagesNutrient-loading will increase the dissolved oxygen, which high levels will harm aquatic life and affect the water quality. Fish and other species will
Great Lakes Environmental Pollution
393 Words | 2 PagesClearly, pollution is still a huge problem facing the Great Lakes ecosystem. Chemicals from agricultural uses get in the lakes. The fish digest the chemicals; we catch and eat the fish. Therefore, we have the toxins in our body and eventually die.
Conodoguinet Creek Research Paper
1063 Words | 5 PagesEutrophication, which is excessive richness of nutrients in any form of body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen, is another reason why the creek could be polluted. Fertilizers are used in farming to provide crops with nutrients, but they also play a big role in the Eutrophication process. If too much fertilizer is used, it leaches from the soil in
King River
439 Words | 2 PagesKing River, Tasmania Outline the physical features of the King River. The river in Western Tasmania is made by two rivers, Eldon and South Eldon, coming together. It flows down for 52km to Lake Burbury where it goes through a tunnel to a power station. Along the sides of the river you can find huon pines - a type of plant native to Tasmania. The top part of the river lies in a glaciated valley and is surrounded by mountains.
Synthesis Essay About Water Pollution
885 Words | 4 PagesWater Pollution is a huge environmental problem that has serious effects on marine habitats, animals, and water quality. BP1: The world's marine habitat has been getting worse because of how bad the pollution has gotten. “ Over 80% of marine pollution comes from land based activities “ (source 5 ). This quote explains how most of the water pollution is caused by human activity. “ Plastic litter does not degrade, can be expected to last in the oceans for hundreds of years “ ( source 6 ).
Potential Use Of Big Data In Ocean Pollution Analysis
842 Words | 4 PagesMarine pollution such as presence of organic matter in the ocean can result in the condition known as hypoxia or oxygen depletion and this can have adverse effect on the marine life including plant and animals and fish. Death of these fish can result in loss of millions of US dollars that are generate from the fishing industry. Marine pollution can also result in presence of foul smell resulting from the decomposing sewage being directed to the ocean and this has the effects to hinder recreational activities taking place in the sea as well as cause discomfort and breathing problem to the surrounding population (Laura, 11).marine pollution can also result in danger to human health. The human swimmers and water sport lovers can become endangered by swimming in the polluted marine waters (Laura,
More about Environmental Effects Of Sewage
Summary: Waste Water Pollutes The Chesapeake Bay
168 Words | 1 PagesConodoguinet Creek Field Observation Report
842 Words | 4 PagesSci201 Unit 1
391 Words | 2 PagesMegae Bay Research Paper
437 Words | 2 PagesExamples Of Invasive Species Affecting The Everglades Ecosystem
1196 Words | 5 PagesPros And Cons Of Chloramines
401 Words | 2 PagesThe Omnivore's Dilemma By Michael Pollan
1217 Words | 5 PagesHow Does Fracking Affect Water Quality
918 Words | 4 PagesIndian River Lagoon
452 Words | 2 PagesImpact Of Climate Change In The Chesapeake Bay
138 Words | 1 PagesGreat Lakes Environmental Pollution
393 Words | 2 PagesConodoguinet Creek Research Paper
1063 Words | 5 PagesKing River
439 Words | 2 PagesSynthesis Essay About Water Pollution
885 Words | 4 PagesPotential Use Of Big Data In Ocean Pollution Analysis
842 Words | 4 Pages