Water Pollution Research Midterm Integrated Project

This is fundamentally an ethical question. The question of whether some degree of water pollution is justifiable for the achievement of some higher good, is purely a function of the ethical theory adopted. Nevertheless, where the pollution causes considerable adverse effects over a long period, say destruction of ecosystems or public health concerns, then the advantages might not be worth the negative consequences of the pollution. In the case of water pollution, we don’t achieve something positive because it is simply the act of disposing of industrial waste. Therefore, any positive effects that come from this type of contamination are meaningless because it causes too much negativity, death, and destruction.

Water pollution is the contamination of any body of water to the point where it harms humans and the environment. This phenomenon is primarily caused by humans (point sources) but sometimes indirectly by nature (non-point sources). Point sources are specific and identifiable origins of purposeful pollution into water bodies, such as city sewage systems, industry chemical spills, factory oil leaks, and individual waste dumping. Non-point sources are broad and untraceable origins of accidental pollution into bodies of water, such as floods, wind, and earthquakes moving debris into oceans, seas, lakes, or rivers. Point sources can be identified by finding pipes or ditches discharging pollutants into water bodies. This pollution can be categorized depending on the type of water it affects: groundwater and surface water pollution. 

Groundwater pollution is the contamination of aquifers or water that’s under the ground. When fertilizers are used on the surface, they eventually seep deep into the earth and mix with groundwater, making it hazardous for human consumption. Additionally, groundwater pollution can spread to distant water bodies since aquifers often connect and flow into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Surface water pollution is the contamination of any water body above the ground. For example, oils spilled by ships into the ocean kill marine life, disrupt ecosystems, and corrupt the food chain by sticking to animals and preventing them from breathing or moving, blocking sunlight from reaching algae or corals, and poisoning animals that are then consumed by others. 

There are several types of water pollution, such as: Suspended Matter, Oil Spillages, Microbiological Pollution, Chemical Water Pollution, Thermal Pollution, Oxygen-Depletion Pollution. Suspended Matter is a type of water pollution where man made materials such as rubber, plastics, etc release particles that either float on the water's surface, blocking the sun and oxygen from reaching the water below, or they settle at the bottom of water sources, harming marine life and releasing harmful chemicals into drinking water supplies. Oil Spillages is another type of water pollution caused mostly by accidental oil spillages, transportation, or intentional dumping. Seabirds' feathers are suffocated by water pollution from oil spills, which also exposes them to oil ingestion when they capture fish. Chemical Water Pollution is mainly caused by industries that use metals or fertilizers that cause the chemicals to end up in water. The disposal of waste produced by the chemical industry is currently subject to strict laws and treatment procedures, which confirm that these waste streams have been  discussed before being tossed into the environment. Microbiological pollution consists of bacteria and fungi and molds and mites that can make indoor air unhealthy. Chemicals called mycotoxins are produced by fungi and they can be harmful to health. Molds produce more mycotoxins in damp conditions and this helps them protect themselves from other organisms. Oxygen-depletion pollution occurs when water bodies are entered by too many nutrients and fertilizers or waste. When algae grow quickly in response to ecological changes and form algal blooms, they consume oxygen rapidly as they die and decompose, which can lead to oxygen depletion in the water. Fish and other aquatic life battle to survive in waters with less oxygen and this leads to dead zones in rivers, lakes, or oceans. Thermal pollution occurs when industries or power plants release warmed water into a body of water leading to increased temperature of that water. This causes an imbalance in the aquatic environment, creates an oxygen deficiency and strains aquatic animals that cannot deal with the sudden change in those conditions.

Water pollution is undeniably real, as proved by the significant changes in water properties—acidity, temperature, and density—caused by human activities. Water acidity is determined by the pH value of oceans; when pH decreases due to increased hydrogen ions, water becomes more acidic. For millions of years, the oceans have kept an 8.2 pH average but dropped to 8.1 over the last century, representing a 30% increase in acidity (U.S. Global Change Research Program, 2017, p.15). This was mainly due to the mass carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions; they dissolve in water to form carbonic acid, which lowers pH. Water pollution contributes to these emissions: mine drainages contain sulfide minerals that dissolve to form sulfuric acid, which reduces pH; organic waste releases CO2 when it breaks down; and agricultural runoff promotes the growth of algae that releases CO2 when decomposed. If acidification continues, the pH average will fall to 7.8 by 2100 (U.S. Global Change Research Program, 2017, p.20). This value means coral reef disintegration, calcifying organisms' extinction, ecosystem collapse, and food chain corruption. 

Positive Effects: 

A few positive effects of water pollution include: sunken cars serving as reefs for fish and kelp; oil sludge feeding microorganisms; quicklime toxins restoring giant-kelp beds in California by removing invasive sea urchins; iron-contaminated waters boosting phytoplankton growth; fertilizer runoff increasing algal blooms that marine herbivores require; and heated water increasing the population of: oysters at Northport, lobster at Maine, shrimp at Miami, and catfish at Nashville, Texas, and Washington D.C. (Blumenthal, 1971, para.1).  For humans, water pollution benefitted us by creating (the need for) new jobs related to fixing the issue, like river cleanup technicians, aquatic trash-capture engineers, ecotoxicologist, and water policy analysts.

Negative Environmental Effects:

In a lake or marine environment, when water pollution results in an algal bloom, the growth of newly added nutrients promote the development of plants and algae, which lowers the water's oxygen content. Eutrophication, a lack of oxygen, suffocates plants and animals and can result in "dead zones," or areas of water that are practically lifeless. These dangerous algal blooms can occasionally also create neurotoxins that damage animals, including sea turtles and whales. Waterways are also contaminated by chemicals and heavy metals from urban and industrial effluent. As predators consume prey, these pollutants go up the food chain and are hazardous to aquatic life, usually shortening an organism's lifespan and reproductive potential. That's how large fish like tuna build up high quantities of toxins, such as mercury. Marine ecosystems are also at risk from marine litter as it can constrict, fill with and prevent the food to an extent, some animals. Most of this hard waste, such as plastic waste bags and soft drink cans, finds its way into a sewer system or blocked drainage and ultimately comes out in the ocean. Lost fishing apparatus and other trash are said to affect over 200 marine species.

Negative Health Effects:

Water pollution has serious health implications for humans, as dirty water is often filled with germs that may result in diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid, especially in places with poor hygiene practices. Industrial waste usually contains heavy metals such as lead and mercury, which further contribute to neurological conditions, kidney failures, and growth abnormalities in young children. The use of chemical substances such as arsenic, which is abundant in water that is usually for consumption, acts as a catalyst for increased chances of developing various forms of cancer. Additionally, toxic water used to water agricultural land soils results in tainted food, while seafood from impure waters also possesses harmful substances like mercury and microplastics raising health concerns regarding the food ingested by people. Additionally, the pollution of aquatic systems lowers the amount of water available for drinking and increases the price of packaged water or treatment options, which are expensive for the poor, thereby increasing poverty. Contaminated waters disrupt economic activities for example fish farming, agriculture and within communities such economic losses are experienced. 

Lowering levels of emissions of greenhouse gases can help decrease outdoor air pollution which could prevent about 2 million deaths per year in the future due to pollution related diseases. In the upcoming years of time, renewable energy will foster new employment and economic opportunities at the community level while pushing energy prices lower. Societies who utilize green technologies like carbon capture systems and energy-efficient buildings, enable ecological and economic disparities to grow together peacefully. It allows for both the health of the planet and the health of the economy to advance. For communities to balance economic growth with environmental protection, it relies on a transition towards a cleaner energy source. Some solutions can be to apply environmentally friendly operations, support renewable energy models, and invest in environmentally friendly technologies in order to manage a balance between economic growth and environmental protection. Such approaches as reducing the use of fossil fuels also conserve natural resources and promote cleaner and more sustainable environments.

The few positive effects of water pollution will never outweigh all its drawbacks. What’s the point of progressing for the future if we won't have one? In this case, no progress comes from water pollution—it is simply the act of getting rid of waste, with only a few unexpected positive effects. But industrialization does come with risk-worth progress as it has made life easier with technology. However, this progress is meaningless when it comes at the cost of destroying the world that grants us a future. Maybe we should prioritize finding ways to live simply and ecologically instead of ways to further modernize lifestyles and damage nature. -Ada

Water pollution is a reminder of how human activity affects the environment in a negative way. Water pollution destroys aquatic life, plants and contaminates drinkable water. For these reasons, I understand the need to take action to provide assistance that allows water filtering and improves people's quality of life. -Saul

Water pollution is severely impacting human life and our aquatic systems, contaminated water is so harmful to our bodies it carries many diseases and parasites that are very severe to us. Also, aquatic life is being destroyed, aquatic animals are constantly trapped in garbage and pollutants also poison them. Plants are also extremely affected by polluted water because of agricultural irrigation. In the end we should think about new ways on how to fix this issue, to better our planet and life. -Mia

Water pollution is an issue that needs to be fixed, it's really harmful for the environment and our development as a society. Think about life without water and drinkable water. If this issue is not fixed, that day might come, so it is better to persuade people about the problems that it may cause. -Axel