DESCRIBE CAUSES AND METHODS OF CONTROLLING WATER POLLUTION. (20 MKS)
Describe causes and
methods of controlling water pollution. (20 mks)
It is the addition of substance
or forms of energy into the water that may cause harm to organisms and are
destructive to the ecosystem.
Causes
of water pollution are:
Industrial effluents.
- Industrial effluents that
may be toxic chemicals which kill the aquatic organisms; this can be controlled
by treating the effluents before discharging them;
- Hot water reduces the
concentration of oxygen, killing the animals; it is controlled by replacing hot
water with cold water;
- Oil spillage from oil
tankers that reduces ability of oxygen to dissolve in water, reduce penetration
of light and clog feathers of marine birds; it can be controlled by regular
servicing of oil tankers to prevent spillage;
Domestic
effluents;
- Untreated sewage that
causes water borne diseases; it can be controlled by treating sewage before
being discharged;
-Detergents that cause
eutrophication causing reduced oxygen concentration and increasing biochemical
oxygen demand; it is controlled by banning phosphate based detergents;
Agricultural
effluents;
-Pesticides and herbicides that
have heavy metal that they may accumulate along the food chain killing the
higher animals; it is controlled by use of biological control pests;
-Inorganic fertilizers that have
nitrates and sulphates that causes eutrophication; is controlled by use of
organic fertilizers;
-Silting due to soil erosion
reduces penetration of light to the plants and clog respiratory surfaces of
animals; it is controlled by proper farming methods;
[20MKS]
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