How Water Pollution Affects the Environment

There is a complex relationship between water pollution and the environment. Polluted water bodies such as dams tainted by oil spills, solid waste, or other contaminants inadvertently affect the environment around them.

These pollutants contribute to surface water pollution and marine pollution, which disrupt the health of aquatic ecosystems and cause human health issues.

It’s fascinating to delve into how water pollution reverberates through the entire environment, from microscopic organisms to crop yield.

Are Dams the Cause of Water Pollution?

While dams are important for numerous reasons, such as flood control and irrigation, they can negatively impact the environment through polluted water.

Dams can face several challenges, some often resulting in water pollution:

Sediment Buildup: Due to stagnant or slow-moving water, the accumulation of organic matter on the bottom of the dam promotes invasive algal blooms and depletes dissolved oxygen.

Thermal Stratification: When water temperatures vary greatly, aquatic life suffers, as the environment is no longer balanced. Food and oxygen are scarce in the low, cold water layers.

Gas Production: Besides having a foul odour, dams with low oxygen emit gases like methane and carbon dioxide.

These are just some of the ways dams cause water pollution. However, with controlled methods like aeration and environmental management, the negative impact of dams can be minimised.

Water Pollution and Aquatic Ecosystems

From temperature to plants, aquatic ecosystems take the brunt of water pollution, particularly in dams. Nutrient pollution and toxic chemicals contribute to reduced oxygen levels, disrupted food webs, and more.

Unhealthy Fish and Plants

Toxic chemicals, including pesticides and industrial wastewater, pose a risk to the health of fish and plants. These toxins affect breeding capabilities, weaken immune systems, and make it harder for them to get the necessary food and nutrients.

Some species are more vulnerable to water pollution, but each plays an important part in sustaining a balanced ecosystem. Due to these issues, polluted water often sees declines in fish populations, leading to a loss of biodiversity.

Algal Blooms

Phosphorus and nitrogen compounds from agricultural runoff encourage algae growth, referred to as algal blooms. This algae blocks sunlight, making it almost impossible for lower layers, where aquatic plants often are, to survive.

When the algae dies and decomposes, it sucks up dissolved oxygen and, as a byproduct, can suffocate other plants and fish. Some algae types also release dangerous toxins into the water and atmosphere.

Food Web Disruption

When species are killed off due to light blockage, low oxygen or toxic waste, it affects organisms higher up on the food chain. As populations decline, food availability drops, resulting in a ripple effect throughout the food web. Invasive animals and plants typically get the upper hand and consequently cause more environmental damage.

Water Pollution and Human Health Risks

When talking about water pollution, it’s important to consider its impact on ecosystems and human communities, as they are all interconnected. Sewage treatment plants can bleed industrial and municipal wastewater into dams through storm drains or improper disposal due to overflows.

Unsafe Drinking water

Contaminated water may contain plastic waste and a range of other industrial waste pollutants. Many dams provide homes with drinking water, but severe health risks can appear without intervention if the water bodies contain toxic substances.

These contaminants enter the water supply through local waterways from industrial processes and poor infrastructure, making drinking water quality unsuitable for millions.

Air Pollution

Public health is a big concern, as polluted water can emit harmful gases like methane and hydrogen sulphide. This air pollution can worsen respiratory issues like asthma, particularly in vulnerable individuals.

The gases emitted from polluted water lend to climate change, intensifying the cycle between water pollution and the environment. A surprising amount of greenhouse gases are released and while in small levels compared to other sources, can speed up global warming.

Diseases and Infections

Many dams and reservoirs are used for recreational activities like boating, but this pleasant activity can quickly lead to severe health outcomes related to water pollution.

Pathogens like E. Coli and Giardia cause stomach issues when ingested, and others may experience typhoid or even death. Stagnant waters attract mosquitoes and even parasitic worms and snails that thrive in slow-moving waters.

Water Pollution and Agricultural Activities

Agriculture is both a cause and a victim of water pollution. Agricultural practices like using fertilisers and pesticides often enter dams through local waterways. When water quality suffers, it causes a destructive cycle in which the very agricultural systems that rely on clean water for irrigation are impacted.

Soil Contamination

Contamination from polluted water reduces long-term soil quality. Water pollutants, particularly heavy metals, enter the soil over time, and it can take decades for them to filter out. Soil organisms that help keep the biological nutrient cycle functioning are harmed, limiting the soil’s reusability.

Poor Crop Growth

Many may not realise how much the effects of water pollution impact our food supply. Crops irrigated with harmful pollutants find it harder to grow, absorb water and fight off disease. This vulnerability stresses the crops even in well-irrigated areas, hindering crop growth and quality.

Lower yields affect the supply chain, reducing the produce available to buyers. This drives up prices and makes food security a big concern for developing countries.

Livestock Health

Water contamination can harm animals on agricultural land in various ways. If livestock drink from contaminated water, whether from dams or freshwater systems, they may ingest pathogens detrimental to their health.

Chronic disease and reproductive issues not only impact the welfare of the animal but also increase vet costs and decrease animal product production and quality.

The Solution to Water Pollution in Dams

As worrying as these environmental afflictions are, strategies to mitigate the effects of water pollution are continuously improving.

Advanced Aeration and Nanobubble Technology

Low oxygen is a major contributor to water pollution. Traditional aeration methods introduce oxygen to water, helping break down organic materials and preventing anaerobic conditions. Nanobubble aeration technology shows big strides in this solution, allowing oxygen to penetrate deep layers for prolonged periods.

Nanobubbles are very small and active bubbles that transfer huge amounts of dissolved oxygen to help prevent the growth of harmful algae and benefit the aquatic environment. This stabilises the food chain and allows light to penetrate water layers to keep plants and fish healthy.

Aeration systems provide a sustainable, environmentally friendly solution. This technology addresses both immediate water pollution control and long-term environmental impacts.

Controlled Sediment Management

Sediment management maintains water clarity, making it easier for sunlight to reach deeper layers.

These solutions are necessary for preventing algal bloom, ensuring a healthy dam environment that’s safe for animals and humans. Examples of controlled sediment management include:

• Dredging: Special equipment physically removes the sediment from the dam floor. Dredging is effective but can be expensive and disruptive to habitats.

• Controlled Flushing: Releases water periodically to copy the natural flow of rivers and lakes. It carries sediment downstream, breaking it up and mixing it with oxygen. This is effective for removing sediment but isn’t effective for significant buildup.

• Sediment Traps: Traps are set upstream, catching organic matter before it has a chance to enter the dam and settle on the bottom. This strategy is cheap and effective but sediment traps do need to be cleaned regularly.

Improved Infrastructure

Effective wastewater treatment facilities and sewage treatment plants remove pathogens before they reach dams, reservoirs, etc. Untreated sewage can spread downstream if these facilities aren’t functioning properly due to poor maintenance or outdated equipment.

Upgrading filtration systems and using advanced treatment technology ensures contaminants are removed before they move on. The impact of these upgrades is significant, from cleaner water bodies to improved irrigation.

Final Thoughts

The effects of water pollution transcend more than just aquatic life. It’s challenging to tackle such an issue because of numerous causes, including agricultural runoff and ineffective sewage treatment facilities.

Dams are both a cause and a victim of water pollution, possessing characteristics that exacerbate poor water quality. Stagnant water is prone to sediment buildup and thermal stratification, two conditions where pollutants can concentrate and oxygen levels diminish.

In turn, these issues harm aquatic life and disrupt the overall ecosystem. The lack of circulation in dams often causes nutrient overloads, boosting invasive species and impacting the food web.

At Love My Dam, we are experts in water pollution and what is required to keep a dam, reservoir, or any body of water clean. We have a wide array of equipment and resources to give customers the best solution to water pollution. Contact us for more information and give your ecosystem a helping hand today.