water pollution
Tainted rivers, lakes
Water pollution is the contamination of bodies of water—rivers, lakes, oceans, groundwater—by harmful substances.
Sources include industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, sewage, and oil spills.
Pollution may introduce chemicals, pathogens, or excess nutrients that harm aquatic ecosystems and make water unsafe for drinking or recreation: Fertilizer runoff caused water pollution that killed fish downstream.
Nitrogen-oxygen salt compounds
- phosphatesSalts of a certain acid
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
- mercuryLiquid metallic element
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
arsenic · cadmium · pesticides · microplastics · pathogens · bacteria · petroleum · dioxins
Excess nutrients depleting oxygen
- algae bloomsRapid aquatic plant overgrowth
- dead zonesAreas lacking life or signal
- hypoxiaInsufficient tissue oxygenation
- fish killsMass aquatic animal deaths
coral bleaching · biodiversity loss · bioaccumulation · biomagnification · habitat destruction · acidification · turbidity · oxygen depletion
Liquid refuse in drains
- agricultural runoffWater draining from farmland
- stormwaterSurface flow from precipitation
- oil spillsAccidental marine contamination
- fertilizer runoffAgricultural chemicals entering water bodies
Illness transmitted through contaminated water
- choleraBacterial disease causing fatal dehydration
- dysenteryBloody intestinal infection
- typhoidSalmonella-caused systemic infection
- hepatitisInflammatory liver condition
lead poisoning · mercury poisoning · cancer risk · developmental disorders · skin disease · arsenic poisoning · parasitic infection · giardia
Separating solids from liquids
- chlorinationDisinfecting with a halogen
- wastewater treatmentCleaning used liquid for reuse
- bioremediationLiving organisms detoxify pollutants
- aerationInfusing with oxygen
activated carbon · reverse osmosis · dredging · skimmers · ozonation · septic systems · retention ponds · buffer zones
nitrates
Nitrogen-oxygen salt compounds
- phosphatesSalts of a certain acid
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
- mercuryLiquid metallic element
lead · arsenic · cadmium · pesticides · microplastics · pathogens · bacteria · petroleum · dioxins · PCBs
eutrophication
Excess nutrients depleting oxygen
- algae bloomsRapid aquatic plant overgrowth
- dead zonesAreas lacking life or signal
- hypoxiaInsufficient tissue oxygenation
fish kills · coral bleaching · biodiversity loss · bioaccumulation · biomagnification · habitat destruction · acidification · turbidity · oxygen depletion · reproductive harm
sewage
Liquid refuse in drains
- agricultural runoffWater draining from farmland
- stormwaterSurface flow from precipitation
- oil spillsAccidental marine contamination
fertilizer runoff · plastic waste · dumping · urban runoff · dredging
waterborne disease
Illness transmitted through contaminated water
- choleraBacterial disease causing fatal dehydration
- dysenteryBloody intestinal infection
- typhoidSalmonella-caused systemic infection
hepatitis · lead poisoning · mercury poisoning · cancer risk · developmental disorders · skin disease · arsenic poisoning · parasitic infection · giardia · cryptosporidium
filtration
Separating solids from liquids
- chlorinationDisinfecting with a halogen
- wastewater treatmentCleaning used liquid for reuse
- bioremediationLiving organisms detoxify pollutants
aeration · activated carbon · reverse osmosis · dredging · skimmers · ozonation · septic systems · retention ponds · buffer zones · monitoring
- environmentecology, clean air, biosphere, air quality, climate
- environmental harmoil spills, acid rain, deforestation, climate change, toxic waste
- environmental issuesclimate change, biodiversity loss, global warming, habitat loss, deforestation
- Environmental problemsclimate change, global warming, habitat loss, deforestation, biodiversity loss
- pollutionsmog, toxic waste, emissions, factory emissions, sewage
- Eco-crisesclimate change, global warming, oil spill, deforestation, biodiversity loss
water pollutionwater purity
Cleanliness of drinking supply
clean water · pure water · pristine lakes · potable water · fresh water
water pollutionwater purification
Rendering liquid safe to drink
water treatment · water filtration · wastewater treatment · river restoration · water conservation
water pollutionwater conservation
Minimizing freshwater waste strategically
marine conservation · ocean conservation · watershed protection · environmental preservation · ecosystem health
water, pollution, watered, pollute, watering, underwater, saltwater, waterway, waters