WATER POLLUTION TYPES & RESOURCES

Submitted to: Sir Zaheer Abbas

Submitted by:

Muhammad Khuram (2007-chem-45)

Usman Ashraf (2007-chem-63)
AbaidUllah (2007-chem-47)
Tahir Haroon (2007-chem-105)

2/15/2011
Environmental Engineering

Water Pollution
Water pollution can be defined as "any biological, chemical, or physical change in water quality
that has a harmful effect on living organisms or makes water unsuitable for desired uses."
In the United States, approximately 44%
of lakes, 37% of rives, and 32% of
estuaries are unsafe for recreation due
to toxic water pollution.
Pollutants fall into three main
categories: 1) biological, such as bacteria
or viruses; 2) chemical, including heavy
metals, nutrients, pesticides, and
wastes; 3) physical, such as sediment,
radioactive material, and heat.

Types of water pollution

There are various types of water
FIGURE 1
pollution based on different types of
pollutants. Types of water pollutions are

Physical Pollution
Chemical Pollution
Biological Pollution
I) Chemical Pollution

When various chemicals are mixed into the water then chemical water pollution causes. The
following chemicals are the most common water pollutants:

Crude oil and various petroleum (including gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, motor and
lubricating oils, jet fuel). These compounds are lighter than water and thus always sit on
top of water forming sheens of “free product”. However, part of these compounds
dissolve in water and, even in small amounts may be harmful and at the same time may
remain unnoticeable by the eye.
Fertilizers (including nitrates and phosphates) – while small amounts are useful to life,
higher amounts of nitrates and phosphates in water are only benefic to algae and
harmful microorganisms and are poisonous to human and aquatic life. These
contaminants cannot be seen themselves in water (as they do not form sheens or color
the water), but their effects can. The typical effect of water pollution by fertilizers
(usually through agricultural runoff) is the fast and abundant water growth.
Chlorinated solvents (including TCE, PCE, 1,1,1-TCA, carbon tetrachloride, Freons)
which sink in water (are denser than water) and are quite persistent and to 558 xic.
These compounds thus, cannot be seen by the eye, in contrast with petroleum products
that are easily seen as sheens on top of water surface.
Petroleum solvents (including benzene, toluene, xylenes, ethylbenzene)

Organic water pollutants are:

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 Food processing waste, including pathogens

 Insecticides and herbicides, a huge range of organohalide and other chemicals
 Tree and brush debris from logging operations
 Bacteria from sewage or livestock operations

Inorganic water pollutants are:

 pre-production industrial raw

resin pellets
 heavy metals including acid mine
drainage
 silt in surface runoff due to
logging, slash and burn practices,
construction sites or land clearing
sites

Antibiotics and other FIGURE 2

pharmaceutical products
Per chlorate – perchlorate salts are used in rocket fuels, as well as many other
applications such as fireworks, explosives, road flares, inflation bags, etc. This
contaminant is usually associated with military bases, construction sites (when
explosives are used). However, natural formation in arid areas may account for
perchlorate in water, too (e.g., in Chile, Texas or California where natural formation of
per chlorate has been observed).
Trihalometanes – these are usually byproducts of water chlorination and may pollute
groundwater and surface water via leaking sewer lines and discharges. Examples of
such compounds are: chloroform, bromoform, dichlorobromomethane;
Metals and their compounds – of higher health risk are the organo-metal co 558
mpounds which may form when metals from water react with organic compounds from
water. Common examples include Hg, As, and Cr poisoning of water. Thus, if water is
polluted with both metals and organic compounds the health risk is higher. And so is the
effect of water pollution on aquatic life.
Heavy metals represent a common type of chemical pollution in water. They can be
found naturally in bedrock and sediment or they may be introduced into water from
industrial sources and household chemicals. Heavy metals harm humans through direct
ingestion of contaminated water or through accumulation in the tissues of other
organisms that are eaten by humans. The following are some common heavy metals
found in water:
Mercury (Hg): Enters the environment through the leaching of soil due to acid rain, coal
burning, or industrial, household, and mining wastes. Causes damage to nervous
system, kidneys, and vision.
Lead (Pb): Sources include paint, mining wastes, incinerator ash, water from lead pipes
and solder, and automobile exhaust. Causes damage to kidneys, nervous system,
learning ability, ability to synthesize protein, and nerve and red blood cells.

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Cadmium (Cd): Sources include electroplating, mining, and plastic industries, as well as
sewage. Causes kidney disease.

Example of Chemical water Pollution:

Arsenic in Bangladesh
The presence of arsenic in tube wells in Bangladesh
because of natural contamination from underground geological
layers was first confirmed in 1993. Ironically, the
United Nations Children’s Fund had introduced the wells
in the 1960s and 1970s as a safe alternative to water contaminated
with microbes, which contributed to a heavy
diarrheal disease burden. Estimates indicate that 28 million
to 35 million people of Bangladesh’s population of
130 million are exposed to arsenic levels exceeding
50 micrograms per liter, the prescribed limit for drinking
water in Bangladesh (Kinniburgh and Smedley 2001).
This number increases to 46 million to 57 million if the
WHO guideline level of 10 micrograms per liter is used.
The most common sign of arsenic poisoning in
Bangladesh is skin lesions characterized by hyperkeratosis
and melanosis. Other effects reported, but not epidemiologically
confirmed, include cancer (particularly of the
skin, lungs, and bladder); liver damage; diabetes; hypertension;
and reproductive effects (spontaneous abortions
and stillbirths). Cancer and vascular effects are the dominating
effects in other arsenic-polluted areas (WHO
2001).
Source: Authors.

Physical Pollutants

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Sediment, solid fragments of inorganic or organic material that do not dissolve in water,
represents the most significant source of water pollution, physical or otherwise.

Sources of sediment include erosion, deforestation, and agricultural and hydroelectric projects.
Sediment chokes and fills lakes, reservoirs, harbors, and other aquatic environments, reducing
photosynthesis and disrupting aquatic food webs. Sediment may also carry pesticides, bacteria,

FIGURE 3

and other harmful substances, and it can destroy the feeding and spawning grounds of fish.
Heat is another physical water pollutant. Excessive heat in water results when large quantities
of water are used for cooling of electric power plants. Each year, almost half of the water
withdrawn in the United States is used for such cooling. Thermal pollution in water lowers
dissolved oxygen levels and makes aquatic species more susceptible to disease, parasites, and
toxic chemicals. Thermal shock occurs when an organism adapted to a certain temperature
range is suddenly exposed to a temperature outside of that range. Thermal pollution results in
death for many aquatic species.

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FIGURE 4

Physical Pollution is measured in NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units)

Normal levels: 1-50 NTU
Drinking Water: 0.5-1 NTU
Visible: >5 NTU
Higher during storms

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Biological Pollutants
Water pollution which is caused by bacteria, and harmful microorganisms is called biological
water pollution.

Pathogens are another type of pollution that prove very harmful.  They can cause many
illnesses that range from typhoid and dysentery to minor respiratory and skin diseases. 
Pathogens include such organisms as bacteria, viruses, and protozoan.  These pollutants enter
waterways through untreated sewage, storm drains, septic tanks, runoff from farms, and
particularly boats that dump sewage.  Though microscopic, these pollutants have a tremendous
effect evidenced by their ability to cause sickness. 

Each year, about 1.5 million Americans become ill as a result of bacterial contamination in
drinking water. Other examples of biological pollutants include viruses, protozoa, and parasitic
worms. These infectious agents enter the environment from human and animal wastes, and
they cause a variety of serious diseases. The United States Environmental Protection Agency
uses the number of coli form bacteria per 100 milliliters of a water sample in order to determine
the severity of biological pollution in water. The EPA recommends that drinking water contain
zero colonies per 100 milliliters, and that swimming water contain no more than 200 colonies
per 100 milliliters.

FIGURE 5

Oxygen-Demanding Waste Dissolved Oxygen

Added by: turbulent water and photosynthesis.
Removed by: Increased temperature (exsolution) and respiration/decomposition

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Good: > 6 ppm (mosquitoes can survive in 1 ppm)

(also measured in % of maximum - Good = 60-80%)

Water quality

Water Do (ppm) at 20˚C

Quality

Good 8-9
Slightly
polluted 6.7-8
Moderately
polluted 4.5-6.7
Heavily
polluted Below 4.5
Gravely
polluted Below 4

FIGURE 6

Point Resources – including any localized source such as an industrial process, mining
activity, etc. These sources are usually regulated and thus their effect may be predicted and of
low impact. However, an exception related to accidental leaks and spills. Point-source
pollutants in surface water and groundwater are usually found in a plume that has the highest

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concentrations of the pollutant nearest the source (such as the end of a pipe or an underground
injection system) and diminishing concentrations farther away from the source.

Non-point Resources – include un-localized sources from which pollutants are carried
away by water discharges and runoffs. Thus, non-point pollution may involve a broad range of
pollutants usually at lower amounts than the point sources.

FIGURE 7

Point and Nonpoint Sources

Water consumption
Worldwide, agriculture accounts for 70% of all water consumption, compared to 20% for
industry and 10% for domestic use. In industrialized nations, however, industries consume
more than half of the water available for human use. Belgium, for example, uses 80% of the
water available for industry.

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Freshwater withdrawals have tripled over the last 50 years. Demand for freshwater is
increasing by 64 billion cubic meters a year (1 cubic meter = 1,000 liters)
The world’s population is growing by roughly 80 million people each year.
Changes in lifestyles and eating habits in recent years are requiring more water consumption
per capita.
The production of biofuels has also increased sharply in recent years, with significant impact on
water demand. Between 1,000 and 4,000 liters of water are needed to produce a single litre of
biofuel.
Energy demand is also accelerating, with corresponding implications for water demand.
Almost 80% of diseases in so called "developing" countries are associated with water, causing
some three million early deaths. For example, 5,000 children die every day from diarrhoea, or
one every 17 seconds.

Water consumption Country vice

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Conclusion
Water demand is increasing in the world and resources are going to be scarce. There will come a
time in near future when drinking water will not be available due to increasing pollution in the
water. Experts say that the third world war will be due to water and it will be final. Increasing
water pollution is a threat to life on earth and directly or indirectly every human being is
involved in it. New and dangerous diseases are taking place due to water pollution. Every kind
of life is facing the serious effects of water pollution on earth.

We should try to reduce our activities that may contaminate water. Government environmental
protection agencies should emphasize chemical industries not to throw heavy chemicals in the
river or lakes.

Reference:
http://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org (Retrieved on 12/02/2011)

http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/01590/pollution/pollutants.html
(Retrieved on 12/02/2011)

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http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Po-Re/Pollution-Sources-Point-and-
Nonpoint.html#ixzz1Dq24LRVj ( Retrieved on 12/02/2011)

http://www.defra.gov.uk/evidence/statistics/environment/inlwater/kf/iwkf1
1.htm ( Retrieved on 12/02/2011)

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