Figure 25.13: Sand processing Mill, near Provodin, Czech Republic. Water is used to wash
mined sand, then is drained into tanks, filtered, and recycled. ( 17 )
especially wetlands and riparian zones (areas located on the bank of a waterway, like a river,
or sometimes along a lake or tidewater). Not only do these measures conserve biota, but they
can also make more effective the natural water cycle flushing and transport that make water
systems more healthy for humans. What are some ways you can save water in your own
house or community in order to increase the resource of clean water, to be made available
to everyone?
Lesson Summary
- There are two primary sources of water pollution, point source and nonpoint sources.
- Specific contaminants causing water pollution include chemicals, pathogens, and phys-
ical or sensory changes. - Water pollution can affect both ecology and human health.
- One effect of water pollution is eutrophication, which can cause detrimental effects on
aquatic ecosystems as well as on human life, including health. - Water pollution also causes ocean acidification, which impacts oceanic calcifying or-
ganisms. - Contaminated groundwater can lead to poisoned drinking water and various health
problems, including cancer. - A variety of water pollutants can cause waterborne diseases.
- Various legislation has regulated discharge of contaminants into water resources and
led to dramatic nutrient reductions, but more can be done, especially in areas such as