freshwater pollution
Rivers and lakes fouled
Freshwater pollution is contamination of rivers, lakes, streams, and groundwater by harmful substances—agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, sewage, or chemical spills.
The term distinguishes pollution of inland water bodies from ocean pollution: Freshwater pollution threatens drinking water supplies for millions.
Effects include fish kills, algal blooms, and ecosystem collapse.
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
- plasticCapable of being molded
- eutrophicationExcess nutrients depleting oxygen
- agricultural runoffWater draining from farmland
- toxic runoffPoisonous liquid waste flow
factory farms · oil · bioaccumulation · pharmaceuticals · pathogens · trash · pesticides · wastewater treatment plants · litter · biodiversity loss · fertilizers · fish kills · algal blooms · oil spills · sewage · sludge · radioactive materials · acid rain
freshwater pollutionpotable water
Liquid safe for consumption
clean water · water quality · water purity · pristine waters · pristine lakes
freshwater pollutionwater purification
Rendering liquid safe to drink
river cleanup · river restoration · watershed protection · water conservation · water treatment
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