The Effects of Water Pollution - Research Paper Example

Research on the Effects of Water Pollution s 7th February, Table of Contents Chapter One 4 0 Introduction 4 1.1 Background study 4 1.2 Problem statement 6 1.3 Research objective 6 1.4 Research questions 6 1.5 Significance of the study 6 1.6 Scope of the study 7 Chapter Two 8 2.0 Literature review 8 2.1 Water and its significance 8 2.2 How pollution occurs 9 2.3 Factors that cause water pollution 9 2.4 Effects of water pollution on the eco-system 11 2.5 Strategies that can be implemented to prevent or tame water pollution 12 Chapter Three 13 3.0 Research methodology 13 3.1 Research method 13 3.2 Methods of data collection 14 3.3 Construction of the survey instrument 14 3.4 Study population 15 Chapter Four 17 4.0 Data analysis 17 4.1 Demographics 17 4.2 How pollution occurs 19 4.3 Factors that cause pollution 20 4.4 Water pollution as a cause of diseases amongst the population 21 4.5 Water pollution as a cause for the death of aquatic life 22 4.6 Impact of polluted water on plants and land animals 23 4.7 Impact of water pollution on the eco-system 24 4.8 Descriptive analysis 25 Chapter Five 26 5.0 Conclusion 26 References 27 OLeary, Z. ( 2009).The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. SAGE Publications Ltd 27 Royse, D. M. (2010). Research Methods in Social Work.(6th edition). Stamford, Connecticut: 27 Cengage Learning Publications. 27 Turabian, K. Booth, W. Colomb, G. and Williams, J. (2007). A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Seventh Edition: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing). Chicago: University Of Chicago Press 28 Appendices 29 a)Sample questionnaire 29 b)Raw data 32 c)Image of water components 34 Chapter One 1.0 Introduction In the writings by Agarwal (2008, p. 48), he described pollution as “the presence or the introduction of materials or substances that have poisonous or harmful effect on living organisms on earth that include human beings, plants, and animals.” In a separate study conducted by Calhoun and Seideman (2005, p 23), they described environmental pollution as “the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment, which normally results to an adverse negative change on the natural environment.” In these two studies, it was collectively noted that pollutants comprise of chemical substances, wastewater, garbage, and various forms of energy such as noise, light, and heat. Goel (2006) in his writings stated that certain pollutants normally cause an harmful effect if they are used in excess, for example, a small discharge of noise, light, or heat into the environment is not likely to cause an harmful effect or rather it is not likely to pollute the environment. This research study will focus on water pollution and in particular, it seeks to investigate the effects of water pollution from a broader perspective that comprises of the eco-system and even the living organisms. Because of the essential use of water in everyday life by all living organisms, Villers (2001) argued that water pollution tends to have the most detrimental effects amongst all other forms of pollution. 1.1 Background study Water pollution occurs when toxic substances either in liquid or solid form are discharged into water bodies and there is no effective treatment plan that has been put in place to remove the toxic substances. Because of it wide use by all living organisms, water pollution tend to have the most detrimental effect on the entire population, individual species and the natural biological community. This fact is supported by the argument that was given by Calhoun and Seideman (2005), who deemed water pollution as a major global problem that is the root cause of many diseases and deaths that in the society. In particular, a report released by the United Nations in the year 2011 under the title ‘Water Factsheet’ noted that water pollution accounts for over fourteen thousand deaths that occur on a daily basis across the World. This report further noted that water pollution caused the deaths of 580 people in India who died of diseases that were attributed to water pollution. In regards to water quality, the factsheet noted that ninety percent of cities in China suffer from some levels of water pollution and approximately five hundred million people across the World lack access to clean water. It is important to note that water pollution is a persistent problem both in the developing and developed countries, for example, in the United States it was noted that 45% of assessed stream miles, 32% of assessed estuarine and bays square miles and 47% of assessed lake acres were considered to be polluted. In developing countries, nearly 90% of natural water bodies are polluted and there is no effective treatment plan that has been implemented. Goel (2006) interconnected water pollution to the sporadic increase in economic activities across different countries in the World, which is equally attributed to increased globalization. The increased economic activities equally means there is increased discharge of waste both in solid and liquid form, which are then transferred either directly or indirectly to the external environment that includes water bodies. Agarwal (2008) lamented on this fact by stating that nations across the World have ignored environmental conservation because of the desire to increase the gross domestic national product since strict environmental conservation discourage heightened economic activities, which normally generates a lot of waste. 1.2 Problem statement Water pollution affects humans, fish and animals, and the earth in entirety while water is our most precious resource and yet through various actions, people continue to spoil the cleanliness, purity, and overall quality of the earths supply. While gradual erosion occurs naturally, there is no reason for the excessive pollution by man. Even though organizations such as Green Peace try to control pollution, point-source pollution, which can be traced to the polluter such as industrial waste, chemicals, toxic waste dumps and wastewater treatment plants and non-point-source pollution that is more difficult to identify such as herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizer still occur every day. In this regard, humanity needs to continue to monitor and work towards eliminating this problem as water pollution affects all ecosystems. 1.3 Research objective The main objective of this research study is to establish the effects of water pollution 1.4 Research questions a) How does water pollution occur? b) What are the main factors that cause water pollution? c) What are the effects of water pollution on the eco-system? d) What strategies can be implemented to prevent or tame water pollution? 1.5 Significance of the study This research study will equally contribute to the efforts that have already been exhibited in other studies that aimed at establishing the true effects of water pollution and the strategies that could be implemented to tame or prevent water pollution. Additionally, the findings of this research study can be adopted for use by organizations such as Green Peace that are trying to control pollution. From a personal perspective this research study is of significance because it will enable me to establish the dangers I am exposed to from polluted water and the actions I can take as a individual action to reduce water pollution in my immediate environment. 1.6 Scope of the study This research study will pursue only quantitative techniques whilst pursing the research objective. This means that previous research studies with similar objectives will be utilized and the researcher will interview at least four environmental scientists in order to establish the true effects of water pollution and possible remedies that can be explored in order to reduce water pollution. Apart from the environmental scientists, the researcher will also interview other six randomly selected participants within the university compound in order to get their views as to what they think are the effects of water pollution and solutions that can be applied to control water pollution. The inclusion of environmental scientists in the research study is beneficial since they have accurate and current information on the effects of water pollution and the possible remedies based on their trainings and even work experience. Chapter Two 2.0 Literature review This section will discuss answers that were obtained from the secondary sources that were used to meet the research objective and even answer the research questions. The secondary sources that will be used will be listed in the reference list at the end of this study. 2.1 Water and its significance In the writings by Calhoun and Seideman (2005), they described water as a tasteless, odorless, transparent, and colorless liquid that forms rain, seas, lakes, and rain, and it also the main ingredient for fluids in living organisms. Water provides valuable uses to human beings one among them being supporting life. A common saying that denotes the significance of water is “water is life.” This saying acknowledges the importance of water and the fact that human beings can rely on water as a food in order to stay alive but this only applies within a limited timeframe since the human body requires a variety of nutrients to stay health and survive (Agarwal, 2008). In the writings by Goel (2006), he stated that human beings use water for a variety of reasons that include drinking purposes, washing, agriculture, heat exchange, industrial applications, food processing, recreation, chemical uses, and for fire extinction services, among others. Animals rely on water as a food item and it even aides them in the normal functioning of their body such as in the digestion process and even the creation of certain nutrients within the body. Aquatic animals such as fishes, whales, and sharks use water bodies as their natural habitat. Plants also rely on water as a food item or supplement and therefore, if they lack water they wither. It is important to note that water can only be put into these gainful uses if it is only pure and clean. 2.2 How pollution occurs According to Villers (2001), pollution occurs at two different points of which one of them is the point sources whereby contaminants or toxic substances enter the path of clean water from a single and identifiable point such as a pipe thereby polluting these point sources. Examples of these point sources include discharge that is emanating from a factory or sewage plant. Secondly, pollution occurs at the nonpoint sources whereby the pollutants or toxic substances from unidentified sources get into contact with a clean water source or other water bodies such as rivers, lakes, seas, or oceans. Examples, of such forms of pollution include the washing away of contaminated water from roads and highways during storms and this form of pollution is normally termed as urban runoff. The second example is the washing away of nitrogen particles contained in fertilizers from land that is used for agricultural purposes. 2.3 Factors that cause water pollution There are varieties of factors that cause water pollution and they include pathogens, chemicals, and even sensory or physical changes that may include discoloration or increased temperatures. It is however, it is important to note that whilst some of the substances and chemicals may be generated out of natural process their concentration and what is considered natural concentration is water components, determines whether it is a pollutant or not Grover (2006). This is because the existence of high concentration of substances that a generated from natural is potentially harmful to both fauna and flora. An example of a natural substance that is generated from natural process includes oxygen that is produced by plants during the photosynthesis. In the writings by Calhoun and Seideman (2005), they stated that one of the most common water pollutants is pathogens, which are microorganisms that produce waterborne diseases. According to Agarwal (2008), pathogens can be found in untreated sewerage waste. However, it is important to note that a number of pathogens are beneficial and/ or harmless. Other microorganisms found within water surfaces that can also produce diseases include salmonella, novovirus, giradia lambia, and parasitic worms. In the studies conducted by Goel (2006), he classified water pollutants as organic and inorganic pollutants. Organic pollutants include detergents, insecticides, disinfectants, petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, and waste from pharmaceutical drugs and their metabolites. Inorganic pollutants include ammonia produced from food processing waste, chemical waste generated from industrial by-products, fertilizers, sediments from runoff from construction sites. Goel (2006) added there are also other large visible items, which pollute water sources in a process called macroscopic pollution. Examples of such pollutants include trash, shipwrecks, and nurdles, which are tiny ubiquitous waterborne plastic pellets. The other cause of water pollution that was highlighted by Goel (2006), include thermal pollution that refers to the sudden increase or decrease of water temperatures resulting from human activities. Thermal pollution results in a change in the physical properties of water. For example, water that has been used as coolant in power plants has high temperatures that lower oxygen levels, which kills aquatic life, disrupts the food chain, and lowers the biodiversity of species. 2.4 Effects of water pollution on the eco-system In the writings by Calhoun and Seideman (2005), they stated that water pollution has a diverse effect on the eco-system considering the crucial roles that is plays, which is summarized in the saying that “Water is Life.” Therefore, pollution of water definitely endangers the life of living organisms within the eco-system. According to Grover (2006), the eco-system relies on using water at its natural form and therefore, when a pollutant distorts the molecular composition of water it becomes useless and it might even endanger the life of a person, animals, and/ or plants. UNESCO and World Water Assessment Programme (2006) argued that the effects of polluted water depend on the chemical that have contaminated the water, the concentration of the pollutant, and even the point of pollution. For example, polluted water bodies in urban areas are more harmful to the eco-system and such water can cause serious harm on a person’s skin unlike polluted water bodies that are in rural areas. This is because in urban areas pollutants could include toxic chemicals from manufacturing industries operating in urban areas. In the writings by Grover (2006), he stated that pollution of water bodies that also act has habitat for aquatic animals lead to their death since a change in the chemical composition of the water hinders their survival and growth. Pollution of water disrupts food chain in the sense that when animals and plants consume polluted water, the harmful effects will be transferred to human beings when they consume such plants and animals, and this might result in human being developing health problems. Among the common diseases that people suffer from; which are attributed to consuming polluted water include hepatitis and cholera diseases (Goel, 2006). According to Calhoun and Seideman (2005), the eco-system is interrupted by water pollution since the interaction of living organisms is interrupted by the disruption of the food chain. 2.5 Strategies that can be implemented to prevent or tame water pollution According to Goel (2006), the main strategies that can be used to control pollution of water mostly in the urban areas is by instituting strict laws that ensure waste water is treated at the point of discharge. Secondly, to control pollution there should be treatment plants in all access points across water bodies to ensure that no polluted water is discharge even those from storm or rain off are not discharged in these water bodies. Chapter Three 3.0 Research methodology The main aim of this research project just as a recap is to investigate the effects of water pollution. It is important to note here that this research study used questionnaires as the main data collection tool. Sample questionnaires for the environmental scientists and the randomly selected participants that were used for this study are shown in the appendix section of this dissertation. 3.1 Research method This present research study will apply the investigative research methods because there are other available previous research studies that focused on a rather similar objective as this research study. Secondly, the investigative research methods will be appropriate because this present study seeks to answer the research questions that were presented in the first chapter (Kothari, 2004). According to the writings by Khan (2011), an aspect that is of great significance in this research project is the research method that shows the kinds of strategies that the researcher employed to attain the research objectives. There are various types of investigative research methods that can be employed, and the most common are; experiments, case studies, survey, theoretical perspectives, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. However, it is beneficial to the survey method since it will be applied in this particular research project. Survey is an important investigative research method that was relevant while conducting this research. OLeary (2009) noted that surveys allow the collection of a large amount of data from a large population. This implies that the researcher can conduct surveys and question specific groups of people to obtain large amount of information that is relevant to the subject of the survey. The data is usually collected from the people either via questionnaires or through an interview process. The purpose of the survey in this particular project was to establish and analyze the views of the respondents in order to find out their opinion about the effects of water pollution. However, Turabian et al. (2007) lamented that despite the fact that the views from a large number of respondents can be gathered through the survey method; the data obtained might not reflect the objective of the research at an in-depth level. 3.2 Methods of data collection Use of research tools such as questionnaires, relevant journals, and online sources would be utilized in the process of conducting this research. In implementing the research activities, only the quantitative approach was considered, meaning that quantitative data was generated from the overall data collected based on accuracy and efficiency. The data collection process was scheduled to run for a period of two days whereby the scientists and other participants from the University were issued with questionnaires, which they filled out diligently. Prior to issuing the participants with the questionnaires, the researcher made personal visits to the participants in order to get their consent to participate in the research study. 3.3 Construction of the survey instrument Section A of the questionnaire consists of questions that are more inclined at getting to know the research participant or in other words the demographics of the participant. These questions are particularly important since they help in explaining more on how why a participant answered certain questions in a particular manner. Section B of both questionnaires contains questions that are simply designed to answer the research questions listed in the first chapter. The questionnaires were utilized by gathering primary data regarding the true effects of water pollution 3.4 Study population The target population comprise of people with basic knowledge about water pollution and those with detailed information concerning the effects of water pollution. The randomly selected participants are people with basic knowledge about water pollution while the environmental scientists involved in this research study have precise information regarding water pollution. A sample size of at least ten participants is considered reasonable because of the limited duration that has been allocated for the data collection process. The researcher will use purposive and snowball sampling to arrive at a good sample. The respondents will be purposively selected so that respondents who are known to have key information will be selected. In snowball sampling, the researcher collects data on the few members of the target population he or she can locate, and then they ask those individuals to provide the information needed to locate other members of that population whom they happen to know (Kothari, 2004). At the University, one key informer is the dean of students who will direct the researcher to the environmental scientist who work in the school and other people who might have precise information concerning effects of water pollution. Snowballing technique is appropriate as the participants will lead the researcher to other participants for instance the environmental scientist can direct the researcher to bright students majoring on environmental science (Royse, 2010). Chapter Four 4.0 Data analysis This section will analyse data that was collected from the eight participants who included two environmental scientists and six students majoring in environmental science. The participants were issued with questionnaires and they had two days to fill them out. The research center was at the University where the researcher issued questionnaires and even conducted secondary research at the school library. The researcher achieved a response rate of 80% since eight participants were able to return their filled questionnaires. Those who were unable to return their filled questionnaires after the two days period were two environmental scientists. 4.1 Demographics The first section of the questionnaire sort to establish demographical information about the participants and on the question of the current position of the participants it was noted that two were environmental scientists while the rest were students majoring in environmental studies. This information is presented in the chart below. Figure 1: Participants’ position at the University On the question of participants’ level of knowledge in environmental studies and particularly water pollution, the environmental scientist ranked themselves at the scale of 1, while the students ranked themselves at the scale of 2 and 3. Figure 3: Participants’ level of knowledge 4.2 How pollution occurs All of the participants agreed to the fact that pollution occurs when a contaminant either in liquid or solid form is exposed to a water-body or a distribution pipe that contains clean water. The table below presents statistical analysis of the response, which is also presented in the graph below. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree Total Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent 6 75% 2 25% 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 Table 1: How pollution occurs Figure 3: How pollution occurs 4.3 Factors that cause pollution Participants believe that water pollution was caused by numerous factors that include organic and in organic substances. Under organic substances majority of the participants stated that industrial waste are the leading cause of water pollution followed by other such as insecticides, detergents, and disinfectants. In regards to inorganic pollutants majority of the participants stated that runoff water from the roads and filthy areas is the leading cause of water pollution. Two participants listed insoluble such as plastics and waste papers as pollutants that cause water pollution. 4.4 Water pollution as a cause of diseases amongst the population All the eight participants strongly agreed to the fact that water pollution causes diseases among the human population. This fact was equally noted in the secondary research whereby studies had attributed diseases such as hepatitis and cholera to water pollution. The feedback by the participants in regards to this question is presented in the table and chart below. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree Total Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent 8 100% 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 Table 2: Relation of water pollution and diseases amongst the population Figure 4: Relation of water pollution and diseases 4.5 Water pollution as a cause for the death of aquatic life On this question, the eight participants all indicated that water pollution in water bodies that act as habitat for flora and fauna destroys their foods and the change in the chemical composition of water stifles their survival and growth. The table and the chart below presents the feedback that was obtained from the participants in regards to this question. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree Total Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent 8 100% 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 Table 3: Relation of water pollution and death of aquatic life Figure 5: Relation of water pollution and death of aquatic life 4.6 Impact of polluted water on plants and land animals The six students collectively agreed that polluted water has a serious harm on plants and aquatic animals. However, the two environmental scientists opted to stay neutral on this question as they argued that it all depends on the components of the polluted water and even the concentration of the polluted water. Moreover, they argued that certain animals like ducks and hippos have been known to survive in water bodies polluted by sewage water. The response obtained on this question is presented in the table and chart below. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree Total Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent 0 0 6 75% 2 25% 0 0 0 0 8 Table 4: Impact of polluted water on plants and land animals Figure 6: Impact of polluted water on plants and animals 4.7 Impact of water pollution on the eco-system The participants collectively agreed to the fact that water pollution creates a disruption on the eco-system. This fact is interlinked to the earlier argument that water pollution distorts the food chain, which affects every living organism with the environment. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree Total Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent Freq Percent 8 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 Table 5: Impact of water pollution on the eco-system Figure 6: Impact of water pollution on the eco-system 4.8 Descriptive analysis Based on the feedback that was provided by the respondents it could be stated that generally water pollution has a detrimental effect on the eco-system as well as the living organisms within the eco-system. However, the environmental scientists gave an interesting view that the impact of water pollution on plants and land animals highly depend on the concentration of the pollutant and even its chemical composition. Therefore, the effects of water pollution should be studied in specific as to the actual effect of specified polluted water for example, effects of industrial water waste or sewerage waste water. Chapter Five 5.0 Conclusion Water pollution is presently a critical issue more so because of the increased economic activities in nearly all the countries of the World. The rate of water pollution has increased thereby creating damaging effects on the eco-system. This study has established that water pollution occurs at the point of source and even at the non-point of source, and the leading pollutants are categorized under organic and inorganic groups but insoluble substances also cause water pollution. The effects of water pollution range from diseases that affect the human population such as hepatitis and cholera. Secondly, animals can also suffer from various diseases owing to the consumption of polluted water but this will greatly depend on the chemical composition of the polluted water since certain animals have been known to thrive in dirty water while domestic animals can drink from muddy water without suffering from any health issues. References Agarwal, S. K. (2008). Water pollution. New Delhi: A.P.H. Pub. Corp. Calhoun, Y., and Seideman, D. (2005). Water pollution. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers. Goel, P. K. (2006). Water pollution: Causes, effects and control. New Delhi: New Age International. Grover, V. I. (2006). Water: Global common and global problems. Enfield, N.H. [u.a.: Science Publ. Khan, M. (2011). Research Methodology. New Delhi, India: APH Publishing Kothari, C. (2004). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Delhi, India: New Age International OLeary, Z. ( 2009).The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. SAGE Publications Ltd Royse, D. M. (2010). Research Methods in Social Work.(6th edition). Stamford, Connecticut: Cengage Learning Publications. Turabian, K. Booth, W. Colomb, G. and Williams, J. (2007). A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Seventh Edition: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing). Chicago: University Of Chicago Press Unesco., & World Water Assessment Programme (United Nations). (2006). Water: A shared responsibility. Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO. Unesco., & World Water Assessment Programme (United Nations). (2006). Water: A shared responsibility. Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO. Villers. M. (2001). Water: The fate of our most precious resource. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. Appendices a) Sample questionnaire Section A Personal particulars 1. What is your current position at the University? ..................................................................................................................................................... 2. Kindly rate your knowledge on environmental issues and in particular effects of water pollution on a scale of 1 to 10 whereby 1 signifies a high level of knowledge and 10 represents lowest level of knowledge ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Section B 1. Do you agree to the fact that water pollution simply occurs when a contaminant is discharged into a water-body or it is exposed to clean water at its point of source such as a distribution pipe? a) Strongly agree b) Agree c) Neutral d) Disagree e) Strongly Disagree 2. List some of the factors that you believe cause water pollution ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3. Do you believe water pollution causes diseases in human beings? a) Strongly agree b) Agree c) Neutral d) Disagree e) Strongly Disagree 4. Do you believe water pollution is results in the death of aquatic life? a) Strongly agree b) Agree c) Neutral d) Disagree e) Strongly Disagree 5. Do you believe that polluted water causes a serious harm on plants and land animals when they are exposed to such water? a) Strongly agree b) Agree c) Neutral d) Disagree e) Strongly Disagree 6. Based on your knowledge, do you think water pollution causes a disruption to the eco-system? a) Strongly agree b) Agree c) Neutral d) Disagree e) Strongly Disagree b) Raw data c) Image of water components Image of Water formula Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=chemical+composition+of+water&client Read More