Classifications of Water Pollution

Water pollution can cause harm to the surrounding environment and its inhabitants. Protecting the environment should be a prevalent issue for all people, since there is no way to get around using water. There are two classifications of water pollution sources, point and non-point source pollution. By identifying how the water is being polluted it makes it easier to fix the problem.
There are many causes of water pollution; these include sewage, nutrients, waste water, chemical waste, radioactive waste, oil pollution, plastics, alien species, and other forms. This pollution affects everything. Through oil spills aquatic life is disrupted and many animals are killed. Sewage also carries harmful substances within it which then contaminates the water and the fish living in it. Point source pollution comes from one specific source, it can come from wastewater discharge, power plants, and industrial plants; a good example is the Exxon Valdez oil spill. A more recent example of point source pollution is the BP oil spill that is taking place now, where crude oil is spewing directly into the Gulf of Mexico. Non-point source pollution is caused indirectly through environmental sources. It can come from storm water from large land areas; this is mostly seen in streams and lakes. An example of this is when fertilizer used for farming purposed is washed into a stream due to rain.
There are a number of ways to detect water pollution. These ways can range from the simple method of merely smelling the water and visually analyzing it, to using some of the most advance technologies in the world today. The smell of rotten eggs, which is actually hydrogen sulfide gas in the atmosphere and produced by many pathogenic bacteria, can warn population of water pollution. To discover the extent of the pollution, technology plays a very prominent role. Water pollution can be detected in laboratories, where samples of water are analyzed for different contaminants. Living organisms such as fish can also be used for the detection of water pollution through their changes in behavior and growth. By detecting the problem of water pollution early on, it becomes easier to stop later on.
Many diseases due to water pollution come unnoticed; some diseases that water pollution can cause are cancer, kidney damage, organ failure, and nervous damage. There are many ways to prevent water pollution which then lessen the likelihood of developing one of the diseases that are associated with water pollution. Some ways to prevent water pollution and the diseases are to dispose of toxic products and trash properly, refrain from throwing liter into streams and lakes, use environmental friendly products, and also use natural fertilizers.

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