What Does water contamination Mean
The concept of contamination is used to refer to the process and the result of contaminating : modifying, in a harmful way, the natural or normal characteristics of something. The water , in turn, is the substance with molecules composed of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms, in pure state appears as a tasteless, odorless, colorless and transparent.
The idea of water pollution , therefore, is linked to an alteration of the normal conditions of this liquid essential for life. Changes in water are usually caused by man through different actions.
The contaminated water is no longer potable : ie can no longer safe to drink. In this way, pollution makes the water unsafe for consumption or for agriculture or industry. In turn, polluted water can make it impossible to develop recreational activities (swimming, fishing, etc.).
A sea , a river , a lake , a stream and a lagoon , to name a few possibilities, can present contaminated waters. The possible perpetrators of pollution are very diverse: from a person who leaves a plastic bottle on a beach and the container later ends up in the sea to a paper factory that dumps its industrial waste into a river. Of course, the level of pollution produced by an industry is much higher than that generated by an individual.
Importantly, water pollution doesn't just affect humans . Animals that drink water and those that live in it also suffer the consequences of poor water conditions.
Faced with the problem of water contamination, many people choose to take certain precautionary measures to minimize the risk , and for this there are various tips that we can all follow in our daily lives. It is important to remember that water is a fundamental resource for the subsistence of the planet, for which we must use it with respect and moderation.
Taking care of water begins with an in-depth evaluation of our domestic habits : it is very likely that we can improve at least one of our habits to reduce the impact that our day-to-day lives have on water pollution. For example, it is advisable to use fewer chemicals for cleaning tasks, something that can be especially difficult under the influence of advertisements in the media.
Among the reasons why we should opt for natural cleaning products are that toxic chemicals such as ammonia and bleach not only affect the water supply once they pass through the pipes but are unnecessary to leave the house in perfect condition. . For those people who do not know which cleaners to choose, the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) offers a list of the most recommended within the "green" options, that is, respectful with the environment.
Another of the habits that we must review in our daily life is the management of waste . First of all, we should never pour a substance that is not biodegradable down the drain. If we need to use products such as paint for the walls, cleaning solvent, motor oil or chemicals for swimming pools, we must dispose of the remains following the steps recommended by the local government, both for the preparation and for the choice of the appropriate container.
Medicines should not be thrown down the drain either; Many people dispose of expired pills and syrups down the toilet or sink, and this contributes greatly to water contamination. As well as for the toxic products mentioned in the previous paragraphs, there are also recycling programs specifically designed for medicines.