20-11-2017, 11:54 AM
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (for example, lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater). This form of environmental degradation occurs when contaminants are discharged directly or indirectly into bodies of water without adequate treatment to eliminate harmful compounds. Water pollution affects the entire biosphere of plants and organisms that live in these bodies of water, as well as organisms and plants that may be exposed to water. In almost all cases, the effect is detrimental not only to individual species and populations, but also to natural biological communities.
Causes
Many of the chlorinated solvents commonly used in industry (such as PCE, TCE, 1,1,1-TCA) are examples of such chemicals that pollute our waters exclusively due to human activities. Another example is MTBE (methyl-tert-butyl-ether), an oxygenated gasoline compound that is currently banned in the US. UU Regardless of their origin, the chemical or biological agents that cause water pollution are generically called water pollutants. Chemical and biological agents represent the main causes of water pollution and are generically referred to as water pollutants.
Any type of water can be contaminated, regardless of its size or location. This includes lakes from remote areas or huge bodies of water and is due to the air transport of polluting particles and their transfer to precipitation water. Ground and surface water consist of pools, lagoons, lakes, streams, rivers, seas and oceans that can be contaminated at some point. Due to the rapid diffusion and dissipation of pollution and the faster natural degradation processes, the larger the mass of water, the shorter the time required to naturally clean up pollution and recovery.