Water pollution is two things. The first being marine pollution and the second being freshwater pollution. Let’s start with marine pollution. Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which is caused by nitrogen that washes away from inland soils and drains into the ocean water. The pollution also comes from land sources and is washed or blown into the ocean. This pollution damages our fragile ecosystem and environment. It affects the health of all organisms, and to economic structures worldwide. Excess nitrogen creates algae blooms that prevent sunlight and oxygen from penetrating into the ocean water to get to the underwater organisms. This causes an environment.
A hypoxic environment is a low or depleted oxygen in an area of water or in a body of water which often leads to 'dead zones '. Dead zones are regions where life cannot be sustained. Vast stretches of open water become hypoxic. That means that creatures such as fish, crustaceans, and sea mammals can’t live. Mobile marine animals leave the area. Immobile marine life dies. Dead zones may cause die-offs of fish, shellfish, corals, and aquatic plants. Dead zones are a primary cause for loss of coral reefs around the globe. Marine pollution can also consist of trash and recyclables that wash into the ocean and form massive flotillas of rubbish.
Freshwater pollution is from the contamination of streams, rivers, lakes & groundwater, and inland waters. When water is polluted, it is harmful to human health and the environment along with many aquatic creatures. Freshwater pollution is harmful to humans because it is becoming to polluted to drink.
Freshwater pollution is also caused by nitrogen in the water, but it can also be from actions of humans. Some examples are trash that ends up in the water, sewer treatment plant releases (treated and untreated), dirty stormwater runoff, pharmaceuticals, detergents, and other things people put in the water system, heavy metals like lead and mercury, arsenic, and radon. Some of these things we can’t avoid, but a lot of it is preventable.
Some solutions are if farmers can use cover crops to fix nitrogen in the soil. Cover crops are a blend of legumes, grasses and brassicas delivers a wide range of cover crop benefits and balances the tasks of fixing N in the soil, sequestering it so it doesn't leach away, and turning it into soil organic matter. It is not instantaneous fix, but it is better than doing nothing and it will make a significant effect on the health of the oceans and will eventually eliminate dead zones. Homeowners can also use as little culinary water as possible for watering outdoor plants. Try xeriscaping to save water. Install rain barrels to collect free water to use on outdoor plants and trees. Dispose of medicines, motor oil, household chemicals, and paint in the proper facilities so they stay out of the watershed. A watershed is a land area that channels rainfall and snowmelt to creeks, streams, and rivers, and eventually to outflow points such as reservoirs, bays, and the ocean.
That way they won’t end up in the ocean pollution our water sources and our oceans. Eating organic as much as you can. This isn’t fail-proof, but most organic farms rely on natural sources of nitrogen rather than synthetic nitrogen to increase crop yields. This way nitrogen won’t be washed away from inland soils and drain into the ocean water. Being happy you’re your imperfect produce. There is a massive global cost to get those symmetrical and perfect fruits and vegetables. They’re treated with pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers to make them perfect. Go natural to encourage farmers who want to save the planet. Enjoy water sports without a motor. You can greatly reduce your own impact on inland water supplies by enjoying muscle-powered water sports. That means your water sports are powered by your own strength that way your sports won’t introduce oils, gasoline, and exhaust particulates into the water supply. Think of the consequences of your actions before doing them because they could end up husting our environment and eventually affect you as well. Think of how you are using your water sources. Water can be accessed easily in developed countries so please don’t forget where your watersheds are located. The watershed needs our protection to continue to provide us with the clean water we need to survive.
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