I. What is water pollution?

Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies (such as rivers, lakes, oceans,
groundwater) by harmful substances or pathogens, making them unfit for human use or harmful
to aquatic life. This contamination can occur from various sources, including industrial
discharge, agricultural runoff, untreated sewage, and improper disposal of waste. The presence of
pollutants in water can have serious environmental, health, and economic consequences.

II. Sources of water pollution:

Water pollution can occur from two sources. 1. Point source and 2. Non-point source. Point
sources of pollution are those which have direct identifiable source. Example includes pipe
attached to a factory, oil spill from a tanker, effluents coming out from industries. Point sources
of pollution include wastewater effluent (both municipal and industrial) and storm sewer
discharge and affect mostly the area near it. Whereas non-point sources of pollution are those
which arrive from different sources of origin and number of ways by which contaminants enter
into groundwater or surface water and arrive in the environment from different non identifiable
sources. Examples are runoff from agricultural fields, urban waste etc. Sometimes pollution that
enters the environment in one place has an effect hundreds or even thousands of miles away.
This is known as transboundary pollution. One example is the radioactive waste that travels
through the oceans from nuclear reprocessing plants to nearby countries. Water pollutants may
be i) Organic and ii) Inorganic water pollutant.

1. Organic water pollutants: They comprise of insecticides and herbicides, organohalides and
other forms of chemicals; bacteria from sewage and livestocks farming; food processing wastes;
pathogens; volatile organic compounds etc.

2. Inorganic water pollutants: They may arise from heavy metals from acid mine drainage; silt
from surface run-off, logging, slash and burning practices and land filling; fertilizers from
agricultural run-off which include nitrates and phosphates etc. and chemical waste from
industrial effluents.
III. Pollutants and their Effects
Water pollution is caused by various contaminants entering water bodies, leading to degradation
of water quality and harmful impacts on ecosystems and human health. Major water pollutants
can be categorized based on their origin, chemical nature, and effects on the environment. Here’s
a detailed look at the key types of water pollutants:

1. Nutrients

Nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, are essential for plant growth, but excess
amounts can disrupt ecosystems. Major sources of nutrient pollution include agricultural runoff,
wastewater discharge, and industrial effluents. When these nutrients enter water bodies, they
cause a phenomenon called eutrophication, which leads to rapid algae growth, decreased
oxygen levels, and harm to aquatic life.
 Phosphates: Found in fertilizers, detergents, and sewage. Excess phosphates stimulate
algae blooms, leading to oxygen depletion in water.
 Nitrates: Commonly found in fertilizers and animal waste, nitrates can contaminate
drinking water and pose health risks, especially to infants (causing methemoglobinemia
or "blue baby syndrome").

2. Pathogens

Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, that
enter water through untreated sewage, animal waste, and agricultural runoff. Contaminated water
can lead to waterborne diseases, which are particularly dangerous in regions with inadequate
sanitation.

 Bacteria: Pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella cause diseases
like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
 Viruses: Viruses, such as hepatitis A and norovirus, contaminate water through sewage
and cause gastrointestinal and liver infections.
 Parasites: Protozoa like Giardia and Cryptosporidium can cause severe gastrointestinal
issues when ingested through contaminated water.
 Coliform bacteria are gram negative motile or non-motile bacteria, are essential indicator
of water quality, as their presence often signifies potential contamination by harmful
 pathogens. These can be found in the aquatic environment, in soil or on vegetation; tey
are universally present in large number in the faecal matter of warm blooded animals as
they are known to inhabit the gastrointestinal system. While coliform bacteria are not
normally the cause of serious illness, they are easy to culture, an their presence is used to
infer that other pathogenic organisms of faecal origin may be present in the sample.
Hence indicator Regular monitoring, proper water treatment, source protection, and
regulatory standards are necessary to manage coliform levels and ensure safe water for
consumption and recreation. Through diligent efforts in both detection and prevention,
public health risks associated with waterborne pathogens can be significantly minimized.

3. Heavy Metals and other toxic elements

Heavy metals are toxic elements that can accumulate in the food chain, posing serious health
risks. Common heavy metal pollutants include lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and
chromium, petrochemicals, chlorinated solvents, pesticides and nitrates, fluoride, etc.
 Fluoride in water is essential for protection against dental carries and weakening of the
bones. Concentration below 0.5 mg/l causes dental carries and mottling of teeth but
exposure to higher levels above 0.5 mg/l for 5-6 years may lead to adverse effect on
human health leading to a condition called fluorosis.
 Arsenic is a very toxic chemical that reaches the water naturally or from wastewater of
tanneries, ceramic industry, chemical factories and from insecticides such as lead
arsenate, effluents from fertilizers factories and from fumes coming out from burning of
coal and petroleum. Arsenic is highly dangerous for human health causing respiratory
cancer, arsenic skin lesion from contaminated drinking water in some districts of West
Bengal. Long exposure leads to bladder and lungs cancer.
 Lead is contaminated in the drinking water source from pipes, fitting, solder, household
plumbing systems. In the human beings, it affects the blood, central nervous system and
the kidneys. Child and pregnant women are mostly prone to lead exposure.
 Mercury is used in industries such as smelters, manufactures of batteries, thermometers,
pesticides, fungicides etc. The best known example of Mercury pollution in the oceans
took place in 1950s when a Japanese factory discharged a significant amount of mercury
into Minamata Bay, by contaminating the fish stocks there. It took several years to show
 its effects. By that time, many local people had eaten the fish and around 2000 were
poisoned, hundreds of people were left dead and disabled (Akio, 1992) and the cause for
death was named as “Minamata disease” due to consumption of fish containing methyl
mercury. It causes chromosomal aberrations and neurological damages to human.
Mercury shows biological magnification in aquatic ecosystems.
 Cadmium reaches human body through food crop from soil irrigated by affected
effluents. Friberg et al. (1974) noted that long term consumption of rice from affected
fields by the people living in areas contaminated by cadmium in regions of Japan,
resulted into many renal diseases like “itai-itai disease”, nephritis and nephrosis.

4. Organic Pollutants

Organic pollutants include pesticides, pharmaceuticals, solvents, and industrial chemicals.

 Pesticides: Used in agriculture to control pests but can enter water bodies through runoff,
causing toxicity to aquatic organisms and potentially contaminating drinking water.
Common pesticides include DDT, atrazine, and glyphosate.
 Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs): Medicines and personal care
products enter water bodies through sewage and industrial waste. PPCPs, such as
antibiotics, hormones, and painkillers, can disrupt endocrine systems and harm aquatic
life.
 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Previously used in electrical equipment and
industrial applications, PCBs persist in the environment and are toxic to fish, wildlife,
and humans.
 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): These are chemicals like benzene and toluene
found in industrial solvents and petroleum products, which can cause cancer and organ
damage.

5. Sediments
Sediment pollution is caused by soil erosion, deforestation, mining, and construction activities
that disturb soil. Excessive sediment in water bodies reduces water clarity, affecting
photosynthesis in aquatic plants and clogging fish gills, which can be lethal.

 Suspended Particles: Fine particles of soil, sand, and silt that make the water murky and
can carry other pollutants, such as nutrients and heavy metals.
 Sedimentation: Deposition of sediments can alter river and stream habitats, harm fish
spawning areas, and increase the cost of water treatment for human consumption.

6. Plastics and Microplastics

Plastic pollution, including microplastics (particles smaller than 5mm), is a growing concern.
Plastics enter water bodies through littering, improper waste disposal, and industrial discharge.
They are not biodegradable and persist in the environment, affecting wildlife and ecosystems.

 Macroplastics: Large plastic items like bottles, bags, and packaging that can entangle
wildlife and degrade aquatic habitats.
 Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles from the breakdown of larger plastics, synthetic
fibers, and personal care products. Microplastics can be ingested by fish and other
organisms, leading to toxic accumulation in the food chain.

7. Thermal Pollution

Thermal pollution occurs when industries and power plants discharge heated water into natural
water bodies. Elevated water temperatures decrease oxygen levels, disrupt aquatic ecosystems,
and make organisms vulnerable to diseases.

 Source: Often results from cooling processes in industrial plants, nuclear plants, and
power stations.
 Effects: Warmer temperatures can alter the reproductive cycles of aquatic life, reduce
dissolved oxygen, and promote the growth of invasive species.

8. Radioactive Substances
Radioactive pollution comes from nuclear power plants, medical facilities, mining activities,
and improper disposal of radioactive waste. These substances can persist in the environment
for thousands of years, posing long-term health risks.

 Uranium and Radium: Naturally occurring radioactive elements that can leach into
groundwater, especially near mining sites.
 Radon: A radioactive gas that can contaminate groundwater, posing risks to people
through inhalation.
 Cesium and Iodine Isotopes: Released in nuclear accidents or through improper
disposal, these isotopes increase the risk of cancer and genetic mutations in exposed
populations.

9. Oil and Hydrocarbons

Oil pollution results from oil spills, leakage from pipelines, shipping accidents, and runoff
from roads and urban areas. Oil forms a layer on the water surface, which affects oxygen
exchange and harms aquatic life.

 Crude Oil: A complex mixture of hydrocarbons that can cause large-scale ecological
damage, especially to marine life and coastal environments.
 Refined Oil Products: Gasoline, diesel, and lubricants from vehicles and industries can
contaminate rivers and lakes, affecting fish and other organisms.

10. Excess Salts (Salinization)

Salinization, or the buildup of dissolved salts, occurs due to irrigation runoff, industrial
discharge, and mining activities. High salt concentrations in water affect the osmotic balance of
freshwater organisms, making it difficult for them to survive.

 Agricultural Runoff: Excessive irrigation causes salts to accumulate in water bodies and
soils, affecting crop yields and biodiversity.
 Industrial Effluents: Certain industries release saline effluents, which raise the salinity
of nearby rivers and lakes, harming ecosystems.
Effect of water pollution on plants
The following are the effects of water pollution on plants:
i. Effects of acid deposition: Many of the gases from acid, aerosols and other acidic substances
released into the atmosphere from industrial or domestic sources of combustion from fossil fuels
finally fall down to ground and reach the water bodies along with run-off rainwater from
polluted soil surfaces thereby causing acidification of water bodies by lowering its pH . In many
countries chemical substances like sulphates, nitrates and chloride have been reported to make
water bodies such as lakes, river and ponds acidic.
ii. Nutrient deficiency in aquatic ecosystem: Population of decomposing microorganisms like
bacteria and fungi decline in acidified water which in turn reduces the rate of decomposition of
organic matter affecting the nutrient cycling. The critical pH for most of the aquatic species is
6.0. The diversity of species decline below this pH whereas the number and abundance of acid
tolerant species increases. Proliferation of filamentous algae rapidly forms a thick mat at the
initial phase of the acidification of water. Diatoms and green algae disappear below pH 5.8.
Cladophora is highly acid tolerant species and is abundant in acidic freshwater bodies.
Macrophytes are generally absent in acidic water as their roots are generally affected in such
water resulting in poor plant growth. Potamogeton pectinalis is found in acidified water. It is
observed that plants with deep roots and rhizomes are less affected while plants with short root
systems are severely affected in acidic water.
iii. Effects of organic matter deposition: Organic matter from dead and decaying materials of
plants and animals is deposited directly from sewage discharges and washed along with
rainwater into water bodies causing increase in decomposers / microbes such as aerobic and
anaerobic bacteria. Rapid decomposition of organic matter increase nutrient availability in water
favouring the luxuriant growth of planktonic green and blue-green algal bloom. In addition many
of the macrophytes like Salvinia, Azolla, Eicchhornia etc. grow rapidly causing reduced
penetration of light into deeper layer of water body with gradual decline of the submerged flora .
This condition results in reducing the dissolved Oxygen and increase in the biological oxygen
demand (B.O.D). The B.O.D of unpolluted fresh water is usually below 1mg/l while that of
organic matter polluted water is more than 400 mg/l.
iv. Effects of detergent deposition: Detergents from domestic and industrial uses wash down
into water bodies causing serious effects on plants. Detergents contain high phosphates which
results in phosphate-enrichment of water. Phosphates enter the plants through roots or surface
absorption causing retarded growth of plants, elongation of roots, carbon dioxide fixation,
photosynthesis, cation uptake, pollen germination and growth of pollen tubes, destruction of
chlorophylls and cell membranes and denaturation of proteins causing enzyme inhibition in
various metabolic processes.
v. Effects of agricultural chemicals: Chemicals from fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides,
herbicides etc. applied to crops in excess are washed away with rainwater as runoff, then enter
into soil and finally arrive at the water bodies. Chemicals from fertilizers result in eutrophication
by enrichments of nutrients. Ammonium from fertilizers is acidic in nature causing acidification
of water. Similarly pesticides, herbicides and insecticides also cause change in pH of the water
bodies. Most common effect of these substances is the reduction in photosynthetic rate. Some
may uncouple oxidative phosphorylation or inhibit nitrate reductase enzyme. The uptake and
bioaccumulation capacities of these substances are great in macrophytic plants due to their low
solubility in water.
vi. Effects of industrial wastes: Effluents from industries contain various organic and inorganic
waste products. Fly ash form thick floating cover over the water thereby reducing the penetration
of light into deeper layers of water bodies. Fly ash increases the alkalinity of water and cause
reduced uptake of essential bases leading to death of aquatic plants. Liquid organic effluents
change the pH of water and the specific toxicity effects on the aquatic plants vary depending on
their chemical composition. There may be synergistic, additive or antagonistic interactions
between metals with respect to their effects on plants however these effects are reduced in hard
and buffered freshwater bodies.
vii. Effects of silt deposition: Deposition of silt in water bodies occurs as a result of erosion
carrying silt laden water and due to flood. It increases the turbidity of water and reduces light
penetration in deep water causing decline in abundance of submerged plants. Siltation inhibits
the growth of aquatic plants. Abundance of phytoplankton is affected due to reduction in surface
exchange of gases and nutrients. Plants that are tolerant to turbidity are abundant followed by
those that are intermediate and the least tolerant species. Plants such as Polygonum, Sagittaria
etc. are found to grow in dominance.
viii. Effects of oil spillage: Oil pollution due to spillage of oil tankers and storage containers
prevents oxygenation of water and depletes the oxygen content of the water body by reducing
light transmission inhibiting the growth of planktons and photosynthesis in macrophytes.
ix. Effects of thermal pollution: The release of heated water into water bodies from the thermal
power plants has an adverse effect on the aquatic life. It reduces the activity of aerobic
decomposers due to oxygen depletion because of high temperature. With decreased organic
matter decomposition, the availability of nutrients in the water bodies is jeopardised. Aquatic
plants show reduced photosynthesis rate due to inhibition of enzyme activity with increased
temperature. Primary productivity and diversity of aquatic plant species decline because of
increased temperature of water bodies as a result of thermal pollution.
x. Effect of nutrient enrichment: Nutrient enrichment in aquatic water bodies leads to
eutrophication which is a process whereby water bodies receive excess inorganic nutrients,
especially N and P, stimulating excessive growth of plants and algae.
Eutrophication can happen naturally in the course of normal succession of some freshwater
ecosystems. However, when the nutrient enrichment is due to the activities of humans, it is
referred to as “cultural eutrophication”, where the rate of nutrient enrichment is greatly
intensified. Eutrophication was recognized as a pollution problem in North American lakes and
reservoirs in the mid 20 century. Plants must take in nutrients from the surrounding environment
th

in order to grow. Nitrogen and phosphorous, in particular, encourage growth because they
stimulate photosynthesis. This is why they are common ingredients in plant fertilizers. When
agricultural runoff pollutes waterways with nitrogen and phosphorous rich fertilizers, the
nutrient-enriched waters often paves way to algal bloom leading to eutrophication. The result is
oxygen depletion and dying of fishes due to suffocation.

xi. Phytotoxicity effects on plants: When chemical pollutants build up in aquatic or terrestrial
environments, plants can absorb these chemicals through their roots. Phytotoxicity occurs when
toxic chemicals poison plants. The symptoms of phytotoxicity on plants include poor growth,
dying seedlings and dead spots on leaves. For example, mercury poisoning which many people
associate with fish can also affect aquatic plants, as mercury compounds build up in plant roots
and bodies result in bioaccumulation. As animals feed on polluted food the increasing levels of
mercury is built up through food chain.
Effect on Economy

As a nation grows and urbanizes, its water bodies are getting toxic. It's estimated that around
70% of surface water in India is unfit for consumption. Every day, almost 40 million litres of
wastewater enters rivers and other water bodies with only a tiny fraction adequately treated. A
recent World Bank report suggests that such a release of pollution upstream lowers economic
growth in downstream areas, reducing GDP growth in these regions by up to a third. To make it
worse, in middle-income countries like India where water pollution is a bigger problem, the
impact increases to a loss of almost half of GDP growth. Another study estimates that being
downstream of polluted stretches in India is associated with a 9% reduction in agricultural
revenues and a 16% drop in downstream agricultural yields.