How About Our Water?
The essence of life, the planet’s unique source of sustenance: water! Comprising a large part of our bodies and holding life in every sip, water is not only vital for us but the lifeblood of all ecosystems. However, an invisible danger is stealthily polluting this essential resource and pushing us towards an uninhabitable future. Keeping our waters clean is crucial for us and for future generations.
Only 0.02% of the world’s water is usable by humans, plants, and animals. Pollution of water resources continues to have serious and irreversible effects on ecosystems and human health every day. Pollution degrades water quality, causing both environmental and economic harm, while also limiting access to clean water, contributing to the spread of diseases, driving biodiversity loss, and negatively impacting economic activities.
Sources of Water Pollution
Water pollution has various causes and is generally divided into two main sources: point and diffuse sources. Point sources are pollutants that come from a specific location, such as a factory or wastewater treatment plant discharge, and is usually easier to detect and control. Diffuse sources, on the other hand, come from agricultural areas, city roads, or a broad regions. This type of pollution spreads over large areas and is more challenging to manage.
After the Industrial Revolution, water pollution became an increasingly serious issue. The rapid industrialisation and urbanisation from the 18th century onwards led to large amounts of waste being discharged into waterways. During this period, the inadequacy of sewage systems and the direct discharge of factory waste into water bodies caused water pollution to escalate rapidly. By the mid-20th century, water pollution became a global problem, prompting many countries to enact various laws and regulations to protect water quality. The Clean Water Act, passed in the United States in 1972, was a significant step in combating water pollution. However, despite all these legal regulations, water pollution remains a serious threat today.
There are many causes of water pollution, with many consequences. Industrial activities discharge various chemicals and wastes into water resources, which often mix directly or indirectly with waterways, causing toxic pollution. Chemical wastes from factories contain toxic substances and can alter the pH balance of water. Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium from industrial activities mix with water resources, posing serious environmental and health-related threats. Organic pollutants found in industrial wastewater lower the oxygen levels in water, threatening the life of aquatic organisms.
Microplastics and New Types of Pollution
Microplastics are among the new types of pollution emerging from the modern world. These plastic particles, smaller than 5 mm, originate from cosmetic products, textile fibers, and packaging materials. They cannot be completely filtered out in wastewater treatment plants, and thus enter water bodies and negatively impact marine life. They can also enter the food chains, posing a threat to human health.
Recent studies have detected fiberglass particles in seafood. Technically, fiberglass pollution is another type of plastic pollution. Fibreglass, sometimes called glass fiber or fiber-reinforced plastic, is a composite material made from plastic resin (usually polyester, vinyl ester, or epoxy) and glass fibers. It is extremely strong, lightweight, flexible, water-resistant, and non-biodegradable. These properties make it highly useful for construction and aquatic applications.
These particles originate from various industries, including construction, automotive, and shipbuilding, and mix with waterways, adversely affecting marine life. Fiberglass particles can be mistakenly ingested by aquatic organisms and pose a threat to their health as they cannot be digested.
In 2018, a centuries-old oyster facility in the UK closed due to mass deaths. Researchers identified a new type of microplastic pollution as the cause of the deaths. Each kilogram of examined oyster meat contained up to 7,000 microscopic fiberglass particles!
Pharmaceutical drug residues, personal care products, and hormones are other new pollutants threatening water resources. These chemicals can cause hormonal imbalances and biological effects in aquatic ecosystems.
In another recent study, microplastics were found in human testicles. Researchers suggest that this discovery could be linked to a decrease in sperm count in men. Microplastics have also been recently discovered in human blood, placenta, and breast milk, indicating widespread contamination in human bodies.
Agricultural Activities
Modern farming practices can have serious impacts on the pollution of water resources. Agricultural chemicals, pesticides, and fertilisers can run off into water bodies, damaging ecosystems. Pesticides can be toxic to aquatic life and lead to a reduction in biodiversity, while excessive fertiliser use can cause algal blooms, which lower oxygen levels in the water.
Agricultural activities contribute to water pollution by increasing soil erosion. Eroded soil, in turn, increases water turbidity, making life difficult for aquatic organisms. Additionally, soil carried by erosion can transport agricultural chemicals into waterways, further exacerbating water pollution.
Agricultural irrigation consumes a significant portion of water resources and increases the risk of water pollution. Inefficient irrigation methods can lead to unnecessary wasting of water and the re-entry of polluted water into waterways.
Mucilage Problem
Mucilage, an organic matter layer, has become a significant issue in the Marmara Sea in recent years. This dense layer accumulates on the sea surface or in the water column and forms due to a combination of factors. The primary causes of mucilage formation are excessive nutrient loading, climate change, and rising sea temperatures. Fertilisers used in agriculture and phosphates and nitrates from domestic waste lead to nutrient overloading in seas, accelerating phytoplankton blooms. Climate change results in higher sea temperatures and more stagnant water conditions. Industrial waste, ship waste, and other pollutants also contribute to the spread of mucilage, disrupting marine ecosystems and causing it to spread over a larger area.
Mucilage has serious negative impacts on marine ecosystems and human health. The dense organic matter layer lowers oxygen levels in the water, suffocating marine life and disrupting ecosystem balance. Mucilage makes it difficult for marine organisms to breathe and affects the food chain. This situation can lead to the loss of habitats for fish, shellfish, and other marine creatures, and may result in mass deaths. It negatively impacts economic activities such as fishing and tourism, by causing a decline in fish stock and the closure of touristic beaches. Mucilage also threatens public health by reducing sea water quality as the bacteria and other microorganisms within mucilage can cause various infections.
To combat mucilage, stricter pollution control should be implemented to prevent domestic and industrial waste from entering the seas, and treatment systems should be established. Waste management and recycling can help prevent mucilage formation. Reducing the amount of fertilisers and pesticides used in agriculture, and promoting organic farming practices can prevent excessive nutrient loading. Fighting climate change is crucial for reducing mucilage formation. International cooperation is essential for limiting global warming and controlling sea temperatures.
The Future of Aquatic Products
Aquatic products are obtained through fishing and aquaculture (fish farming) methods. However, these sectors face various threats. Overfishing leads to the depletion of fish stocks and the disruption of ecosystem balance, threatening aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity, and making the sustainability of the fishing industry more challenging. On the other hand, fish farms that play a significant role in meeting the demand for aquatic products can also cause water pollution and habitat destruction. There are also risks of disease spread and genetic diversity reduction.
To ensure the sustainability of aquatic products, eco-friendly and responsible practices must be followed in fishing and aquaculture. Regulations such as quotas and seasonal restrictions should be implemented to maintain fish stocks at sustainable levels, while marine reserves and protected areas should be established to promote conservation. Aquaculture facilities must be environmentally friendly and implement biosecurity measures. Adopting sustainable feed sources and strategies to protect genetic diversity is also essential for reducing water pollution and preventing the spread of diseases.
Sustainable Water Management
Sustainable management of water resources is critical in combating water pollution and protecting aquatic ecosystems. The Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach is rather holistic, combining various elements such as water use, pollution control, ecosystem protection, and public participation. The treatment of industrial and domestic waste is also crucial for reducing water pollution. Advanced treatment technologies and wastewater management play an effective role in protecting water resources. Water conservation is a key factor for the sustainability of water resources; optimising water use in agriculture, industry, and households is important to prevent wasting water. Efficient irrigation techniques (such as drip irrigation) can effectively reduce water consumption in agriculture. Educational programmes and awareness campaigns aimed at raising public awareness about water resource conservation promote water saving and environment-friendly behaviours.
Future Strategies
The future of aquatic products and water ecosystems can be safeguarded through sustainable management and conservation strategies. These strategies are essential for maintaining ecosystem health and ensuring the sustainable use of water resources. As international cooperation is crucial for the protection of water resources and combating water pollution, countries should be encouraged to share information and technology. Innovative technologies offer significant potential for water purification, pollution monitoring, and water conservation, which are all vital for sustainable water management. Ecosystem-based management approaches also help preserve water ecosystems by taking a holistic view on ecosystems and minimising the impact of human activities.
Individual Contributions and Public Awareness
Small changes in daily life can make a significant difference in preventing water pollution. Saving water at home and in the workplace supports the sustainable use of water resources. Actions such as turning off taps while brushing teeth or washing dishes, using low-flow showerheads and taps, and reducing shower times can substantially decrease water consumption. Reducing the use of chemical cleaning products at home can lessen pollutants entering water bodies. We should opt for natural and eco-friendly cleaning products, and properly dispose of chemical waste, pills, and other harmful substances to help avoid damage to water resources. Proper recycling of plastic waste can reduce microplastic pollution.
Education and awareness campaigns can help the public understand their impact on water resources and adopt better practices that are environmentally friendly. Educational programmes in schools and youth centres can inform children and adults about water pollution and conservation, whereas awareness campaigns by local governments and environmental organisations can foster public awareness about water pollution and conservation. Volunteer programmes and community events can bring people together for activities such as protecting water resources and cleaning efforts, helping individuals reduce their impact on water resources.
Social Contributions and Policy Recommendations
Local governments should develop policies and regulations aimed at safeguarding water resources and reducing pollution. Water management policies should encompass pollution control and environmental protection measures. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play a vital role in the protection of water resources and combating water pollution. These organisations can engage in awareness-raising, advocacy, and educational activities. The business and industrial sectors also play a significant role in protecting water resources and promoting sustainable water management. Companies should act responsibly by reducing water consumption and controlling pollution.
In the future, developing sustainable practices and technologies to address water pollution will be crucial. However, before relying on technology to solve all problems -such as a massive device to eliminate microplastics from the oceans- it is essential to focus on reducing plastic waste and promoting recycling, starting with individual steps. Protecting water resources and maintaining healthy water ecosystems is a shared responsibility for all of us.
REFERENCES
- 1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-44947-3
- 2. https://news.mongabay.com/2024/03/pollution-poses-big-risks-to-global-clean-water-supplies-study-shows/
- 3. https://news.mongabay.com/2022/01/weve-breached-earths-threshold-for-chemical-pollution-study-says/
- 4. https://earth911.com/living-well-being/fiberglass-an-overlooked-aquatic-pollutant/#:~:text=Fiberglass%20Ocean%20Pollution&text=Each%20kilogram%20of%20oyster%20meat,and%20as%20paint%20flakes%20off.
- 5. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/20/microplastics-human-testicles-study-sperm-counts
- 6. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/13/godfather-microplastics-richard-thompson-how-to-stop-them