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  • Essay / The effects of water pollution on people and animals

    Table of contentsWater pollutionImpact of water pollution on animalsImpact of water pollution on peopleConclusionWater pollution waterWater pollution results from the disposal of waste into water storage bodies and sources. Various factors have been associated with water pollution as causes of the environmental problem. For example, the expansion of urban centers has directly and indirectly contributed to water pollution. Construction work to expand cities results in upwelling of debris that pollutes water when washed into rivers and lakes. The expansion of urban centers also attracts many populations who dispose of their waste without taking into account safety standards. As a result, waste is washed into water bodies where it pollutes the water. Additionally, water pollution in urban centers results from industrial agriculture in which farmers use chemicals in an attempt to increase yields to meet the growing demand for food products. When chemicals are released into rivers, lakes and dams, they contaminate the water, making it unfit for human consumption. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay Deforestation and agriculture are also factors linked to water pollution as an environmental problem. Clearing forests to obtain wood can cause water pollution by promoting soil erosion. Soils that do not benefit from the protective cover provided by trees are subject to erosion during rains. Soil erosion makes the water cloudy and dangerous for people and aquatic life. Additionally, efforts to loosen the soil when preparing land for agriculture encourage water pollution resulting from soil erosion. Fertilizers used in agricultural fields to increase yields cause water pollution when they are washed into water bodies by rainwater. Groundwater also becomes vulnerable to pollution when chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides are used in agriculture. Impact of Water Pollution on Animals Water pollution affects aquatic animals in many ways, regardless of its severity. For example, dirty water can cause the death of aquatic animals like fish because it clogs their gills. Additionally, water pollution affects aquatic life by reducing oxygen levels in these animals' habitats. Water rich in agricultural chemicals is vulnerable to eutrophication, making it easily soluble in compounds such as phosphate. When water dissolves such compounds, it loses a considerable amount of oxygen, endangering the lives of aquatic animals. According to Chaudhry and Malik (2017), nitrogen compounds used in the manufacture of fertilizers cause dissolved oxygen deficiency as they are highly soluble in water and which can cause death of aquatic animals. The challenge facing efforts to combat eutrophication resulting from the use of nitrogen compounds in agriculture is that the chemicals have a high leaching rate, such that they even pollute groundwater. Interestingly, some areas may contain nitrogen and phosphate compounds elevated to the soil surface and washed into water bodies, killing aquatic animals unbeknownst to authorities. For example, in its report, the EPA (2017) found that approximately twenty percentlakes across the country contain nitrogen and phosphorus compounds that may have leached from different areas without detection. Water pollution also leads to the growth of bacteria and algae that affect aquatic animals. Dirty water is vulnerable to the growth of algae and bacteria associated with high aquatic animal mortality. Eutrophic water provides a suitable environment for algae to grow. Algae tends to compete with fish and other aquatic animals for nutrients and oxygen. Continued growth of algae can rob water of nutrients and lead to the death of fish and plants in water bodies. Additionally, algae can clog fish gills and prevent them from breathing, causing death. Mammals and birds are also threatened by water pollution, such as that which affected the US coastline in 2010 (EPA , 2017). This event resulted in the death of mammals and birds that ingested oil from bodies of water. Impact of water pollution on people People and governments are also affected by water pollution. For example, consuming polluted water causes deadly diseases, including cancer (EPA, 2017). The economic activities of people such as fishermen also suffer greatly from the death of aquatic animals due to water pollution. Water pollution disrupts the food chain to the extent that it can cause disease and death of all species. The government must take responsibility and clean up the environment after water pollution, which poses a financial burden on its institutions. Water pollution and its impacts have financial implications for the government and other agencies involved in the provision of the product. For example, water pollution in Michigan in 2016 resulted in financial costs for the government and water agencies. The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that cleaning the water sources and pipe system could cost more than $200 million (EPA, 2017). Additionally, the exercise could take time, showing the possibility of additional costs during the cleanup exercise. The death of aquatic animals has financial implications for people who rely on seafood as a source of income. The 2010 pollution in the United States caused the deaths of millions of fish and other aquatic animals. These deaths have had financial consequences for people whose income comes from the fishing industry. Additionally, water pollution causes diseases that result in financial expenses for governments and individuals in the form of purchasing medicines and medical care. Water pollution has an environmental impact by disrupting the ecosystem. For example, the 2010 oil spill disrupted the ecosystem to the extent that it killed aquatic life and organisms that depend on aquatic animals for survival. Additionally, cloudy water can slow or even kill tree growth. The overall impact of destruction, disruption and destruction of ecosystems results in health complications and starvation of humans as they depend on the ecosystem for food and water. The presence of algae in water, for example, affects the food chain as it kills fish and introduces other organisms into bodies of water. Reducing fish numbers affects the food supply of communities that rely on fishing for food. Regarding social impacts, water pollution encourages people to change their eating habits. For example, communities that.