Impact of Water Pollution on Ecosystems and Organisms - Research Paper Example

HERE HERE YOUR HERE HERE The Impact of Water Pollution on Ecosystems and Organisms Water pollution occurs when various bodies of water become contaminated with toxins, poisons, or other types of impure waste. It is a type of ecological degradation which manifests when these contaminants are released into rivers, groundwater, oceans or lakes without steps taken to remediate these bodies of water by removing dangerous and toxic chemicals and compounds. Water pollution maintains significant negative impact on the planet’s biosphere and destroys local ecosystems, the plants and animals that inhabit a variety of bodies of water. Water pollution maintains significant, negative consequences for organisms and ecosystems throughout the world as a result of its pervasiveness. The most significant problem with water pollution is that it endangers amphibians (and other genus) and can lead to extinction of various species without adequate steps taken to mitigate water pollution’s reoccurrences. There are many different types of water pollutants which threaten species. These include introduction of pathogens and chemicals which are dispersed into bodies of water from many different sources. Pipes, storm drains, factor-based discharges and sewer systems maintain the capability to contaminate various bodies of water. Specific contaminants, and the most common, include sodium, iron, benzene, and harmful pathogens. One of the most significant problems is that water-polluting substances tend to deplete oxygen levels in a body of water or cause a phenomenon known as turbidity, a situation in which vital light is obstructed, thereby disrupting the capability of plants to grow and even causing blockage of a water-dwelling species’ gills. When harmful chemicals are introduced into these bodies of water, it can promote the production of various diseases, increase the acidity of the water, cause dramatic shifts in temperature which are not conducive to longevity for species, and affect the general quality of the water which impacts the reproductive cycles of water-dwelling creatures. A common water pollutant is benzene, which is often introduced into bodies of water as a result of industrial activity and through waste disposal of different consumer products such as glue and detergents. To illustrate the potential harm that benzene causes, a study was conducted in an industrial environment dedicated to producing nanotechnologies. The researchers recruited 121 different workers and performed a longitudinal study over five years. The recruited sample population was asked to allow recurring blood samples to be taken in order to analyze whether their exposure to benzene impacted human health. The study found that even low-level exposure to this chemical led to the production workers sustaining fewer antibodies and blood platelet levels (Huang et al. 95). If even low-level exposure to this dangerous toxin can radically alter the blood chemistry of humans, then it can likely impact the capability of aquatic species to fend off disease. The aforementioned study illustrates the toxicity of benzene, a common by-product of industrial activity and consumer products in landfills. To further illustrate the dangers, another study was conducted to determine the impact of benzene introduction into an aquatic ecosystem. In this study, it was found that after being exposed to benzene, there was a significant deformity rate in aquatic salamanders and a measurable deformity rate occurring in the frog population (Black 14). This study also measured that the benzene levels in this aquatic system were very low, indicating that various water-dwelling species can have significant reproductive problems as a result of being exposed to this particular contaminant. As it pertains to humans, when benzene is ingested as a result of contaminated water, it can lead to abnormalities in bone marrow, leukemia, and has been shown to be a catalyst for the development of cancer. Hence, this common pollutant is of considerable concern for humans and ecosystems when introduced into a body of water. Other studies have measured nitrogen and heavy metal water pollutants to determine the impact on amphibian life. These particular pollutants have been found to decrease the life cycle of amphibians, harm their development rate and stunt normal growth (Massal et al. 27). Scientists have deliberately exposed aquatic life to heavy metals and nitrogen and have found 100 percent mortality rates for various species. High and moderate exposure to certain pollutants can even impact the survival rate of an amphibian’s eggs and larvae which maintains long-term impact on the health and vitality of the ecosystem. Yet another study found that high concentrations of phosphates and sulphates can weaken the immune system of aquatic life and make certain amphibian species vulnerable to infectious diseases and parasites (Engel, Lim and Tang 40). Phosphate and sulphates are common pollutants in various bodies of water and can also have significant, negative impact on plant species within these aquatic ecosystems. These particular contaminants create a phenomenon known as hypoxia, or a situation where oxygen is dramatically depleted in the body of water. When this occurs, it stimulates rapid growth of algae. Algae consumes significant volumes of oxygen, compounded the problem, which leads to higher mortality rates for fish and various amphibians that rely on these bodies of water to sustain their health and longevity. Bodies of water that sustain high levels of algae are also a threat to human health and well-being and there are numerous problems in critical bodies of water relied upon by humans when there are significant depletions of oxygen. What is interesting is that scientists are recognizing a different type of contaminant, light pollution, which causes damage to aquatic systems as a direct result of the artificial lighting that it utilized in urban regions. Many aquatic species’ biological functions are regulated by natural light and when artificial light pervades these bodies of water where animals co-exist, it can impact reproductive health of various species and impact their migratory patterns (Rich and Longcore 287). Scientists have deliberately exposed tadpoles to varying levels of artificial light in order to examine the potential impact of this type of pollution. Light levels in these experiments were comparable to very bright house lighting for a room and were introduced to the tadpoles during periods where the body of water would normally experience nighttime darkness. It was found that even this lower-level of artificial light, during a nocturnal period, delayed the metamorphosis of tadpoles into frogs and caused higher mortality rates. Artificial light as a type of aquatic pollution can even alter the temperature of various bodies of water. When water temperatures increase, it tends to stimulate growth of algae, certain types of harmful bacteria, and even certain unwanted protozoa, single-celled organisms that can act as dangerous parasites for aquatic creatures. Development of harmful organisms and bacteria, as a result of light pollution, can impact the feeding behaviors of tadpoles and slow the growth rate of many different aquatic species. Humans, to some degree, rely on healthy frog populations to ensure insect control and pest mitigation. Therefore, when tadpole breeding and growth is impacted by this unique type of water pollution, it can potentially lead to significant insect infestations that threaten human health and even agriculture. Many other common pollutants, when introduced into water, alter the acidity levels of the body of water where the contaminants are present. Changes in water pH can destroy the eggs of a species and cause malformations in developing larvae. To illustrate, many amphibian creatures deliberately seek exposure to sunlight as a means of raising their core body temperatures. For some species, ultraviolet radiation is critical for ensuring reproductive health. When pollutants block sunlight from entering the aquatic system, it creates an unfavorable condition whereby the species is unable to lay eggs. Because an aquatic ecosystem is reliant on a balance and harmony that occurs through the presence of diverse species, when important fish or amphibians cannot effectively reproduce, other organisms that rely on these species for food can die off over time. The implications to the natural environment in the aforementioned situation are quite clear: long-term damage can occur that ultimately destroys the stability of an ecosystem as a direct result of introducing contaminants into a body of water sustaining multiple life forms. Aquatic habitat fragmentation is a significant issue for humans. The health implications for humans are also significant as a result of water pollution. In some countries, the disease Malaria, which is spread through mosquitoes carrying parasitic protozoa, is a significant problem. In a situation where a body of water experiences significant oxygen depletion as a result of the introduction of pollutants, it becomes a favorable breeding ground for high volumes of mosquitoes. Malaria is accompanied by symptoms which include vomiting, headaches, seizures and, in severe cases, even death. Various contaminants which enter bodies of water can create stagnation and the development of the parasitic protozoa that continues to make Malaria a significant, global problem that threatens human health. Malaria is not the only disease that is caused by invasive aquatic protozoa that blossoms as a result of water pollution, other diseases include toxoplasmosis and amoebic dysentery, two diseases that can cause violent diarrhea in humans, muscle pains and swollen lymph nodes. Human, plant and animal mortality rates are clearly impacted by the presence of many different toxins, chemicals and pathogens that are introduced into bodies of water. As it pertains to humans, many chemicals and other contaminants are absorbed into the soil and become part of the underground water table that is significantly-important for sustaining human health. Heavy metal poisoning, when consumed in groundwater where the contaminant was introduced, can lead to cancer development in humans or cause life-long nervous system problems that deplete the quality of life for those who were affected by water pollution. Common contaminants in groundwater include mercury, lead and iron which, when ingested in large doses, are severely detrimental to sustaining a normally-functioning central nervous system in the long-term. As illustrated by the research, water pollution maintains substantially-negative implications for human, plant and animal life. Water pollution takes many forms, including chemicals, bacteria and even artificial light and without mitigation of these contaminants, ecosystems around the world will continue to be threatened. It might be unrealistic to assume that all types of pollution can be curbed, especially in urbanized and industrial nations, however water pollution requires more social attention if business leaders and general society members are to assist in reducing its prevalence. When fish, algae levels, amphibians, and other organisms become impacted by water pollutants, it can lead to substantial ecological problems and jeopardize human health in the long-term. It is abundantly clear that water pollution dramatically impacts ecosystems and health probability of various organisms. Whether it is chemical, bacterial or created through artificial lighting, an entire ecosystem can be destroyed which might not be repairable for many years or even decades. Works Cited Black, Jeffrey A. The Aquatic Toxicity of Organic Compounds to Embryo-Larval Stages of Fish and Amphibians. Lexington: Water Resources Research Institute, 1982. Print. Engel, Bernie, Kyoung Lim and Zhenxu Tang. “Effects of Calibration on LTHIAGIS Runoff and Pollutant Estimation.” Journal of Environmental Management 78 (2006): 35-43. Print. Huang, Jianshu, Mingdong Zhao, Peng Wang, Xiuju Li, Jihong Zhang and Yuangling Zhao. “Effects of Low Concentrations of Benzene Exposure on Levels of Platelet-Associated Parameters”. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 56.10 (2014): E92 – E97. Print. Massal, Laura R., Joel W. Snodgrass and Ryan E. Casey. “Nitrogen Pollution of Stormwater Ponds: Potential for Toxic Effects on Amphibian Embryos and Larvae.” Applied Herpetology 4 (2007): 19-29. Print. Read More