Water Pollution

Sources of water pollution Industrial waste –Factories such as chemical plants discharge toxic chemicals and waste into drains, rivers and seas –The pollutants contain cyanide, mercury, lead, oil, pesticides and acids –These pollutants kill fish and destroy the natural habitat of the aquatic species

Waste Heat –Iron and steel mills and other factories can release heated water into the drains. –This will increase the temperature of the river water –Even by increasing the river water by 2degrees, it can kill fish and marine organisms

Sewage –Untreated sewage contain bacteria. Some of this matter can enter the rivers. People who bathe in this polluted water will become sick. –Bacteria can be carried in the water. People who drink this water will suffer from diarrhoea, typhoid and cholera

Agricultural waste –Fertilizers enter the rivers. The aquatic plants are also fertilized as a result. These plants will compete with the fish for oxygen in the water. When the plants die and decompose, more oxygen is used. Over a period of time, the fish will soon die because of a lack of oxygen. –This process is known as eutrophication.

Solid waste –Garbage thrown by people and from building sites or quarries

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Oil Spills

What can you do? Air pollution or water pollution –Individual level On your own –National level Within the country –Regional level Asean Southeast Asia

How to cut down Air Pollution on your own Go green –Car pool –Switch off lights when you are not using them –Use energy saving light bulbs –Use public transport Be informed –Learn more about the environment and how to protect it –Keep ourselves informed

Be involved –Don’t buy or use things that will be thrown away after one use –Bring your own bags –Think about whether somethings can be recycled before throwing them out –Put things that can be recycled in a recycling bin