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1. Water Pollution
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water pollution |
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Water Pollution—bob dillon Water is the basis of all life, plant, and animal. Human bodies consist of 70% water, making every man, woman, or child like a small river seeking replenishment. Once a human body loses water, it may first become thirsty, then feverish, then immobile, and eventually die. Without water life cannot survive. There is no alternative or substitute for water. Water is what makes the earth capable of habitation. Water covers 70% of the earth’s surface however, 97% of that amount is salt water. Salt water cannot be used by humans for drinking or cooking without expensive desalination or removal of the salt. The fresh water that does exist is for the most part in icebergs, glaciers, and snow (Outwater 8). Therefore, fresh water is a precious resource for all human kind to share. Human life truly revolves around the availability of clean water. Once the small amount of water that is readily available becomes contaminated the entire ecosystem is threatened. There is currently a worldwide problem with water pollution. Humans around the globe have come to take clean water for granted instead of the precious gift that it is. As water changes, so does the face of humanity. There are economic and political ramifications due to a lack of clean water for drinking, cooking, crop irrigation, and other agricultural purposes, which will affect how humans relate to each other. ... In addition to needing clean water for life-sustaining purposes, water is also used for relaxation and recreation. ... Water is used as a means of relaxation and exercise for both swimmers and boaters. If water is significantly polluted to the point that harm will come to those who immerse themselves in it, then it does pose a potential health risk (Swanson, 9). ... Rivers that were once sparkling and pristine are unsafe for boaters, water skiers and swimmers. ... A large majority of the population is concerned about the prospect of a future without an adequate water supply. ... Typically, the initial response to the problem of water pollution is anger with the people and groups who pollute the waterways. ... Without an adequate supply of non-polluted water, the lives of all plants and animals will be threatened. ... There are several factors that affect the quality of the water. It begins with how the earth came to have such polluted water supplies, what the major pollutants are, and how they are carried into the water streams. ... Due to the rising levels of awareness and concern around the world regarding water pollution and the effects of pollutants several studies have been conducted. Currently, knowledge is scarce but increasing that the world’s water supply is diminishing. ... Several books have been written addressing how poorly the world understands water pollution as people continue to simply dump wasteful materials into water. Gradually, there has been an increased concern about the effects of water pollution on society. ... Discarding waste in rivers and streams has been called “the dilution solution to pollution” (Null, 47). ... Petroleum and radioactive substances are two very major forms of pollution. Petroleum most commonly pollutes water in the form of oil as the result of an oil spill. The tragic Exxon Valdez oil spill is a prime example of this particular form of water pollution. These large-scale accidental discharges of petroleum are a very serious cause of pollution along the shore lines. Off-shore drilling operations contribute to a large share of pollution as well. ... Pathogens are another type of pollution that can be very harmful. ... Large industries dumping chemicals into waterways are one of the main causes of water pollution, in addition to irrigation runoff and pesticides from agriculture. ... A high concentration of people in one area causes a much greater amount of pollution. Americans have almost given up on bathing and swimming in most rivers because of the toxicity of the water. ... Chemical pollution is estimated to produce 60% of the nation’s hazardous waste (Null, 48). ... An example of this was clearly demonstrated in 1983 when a cancer epidemic hit Michigan as a result of pollution. ... The world continues to have toxic water problems that are not being handled in an effective and timely manner. Stopping the pollution and beginning the clean-up process have been very slow to take place. ... Until recently, records indicated that there was an abundance of water and there was no threat of a shortage (Null, 71). |
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Title: water pollution
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