Water Pollution

Definition

Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies (such as rivers, lakes, oceans) by harmful substances or pollutants. These pollutants can be chemical, biological, or physical in nature and have adverse effects on aquatic life and human health.

Related terms

Point Source Pollution: Point source pollution refers to pollution that originates from a single identifiable source such as industrial discharge pipes or sewage treatment plants. It is relatively easier to monitor and control compared to non-point source pollution.

Eutrophication: Eutrophication is the excessive enrichment of water bodies with nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus), often due to human activities like agriculture or wastewater discharge. This leads to an overgrowth of algae and other aquatic plants, disrupting the balance of ecosystems.

Microplastics: Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size that pollute water bodies. They come from sources like plastic waste breakdown or microbeads in personal care products. Microplastics pose risks to marine life when ingested or absorbed by organisms.