RADIOACTIVE WASTE

industrial, medical and scientific processes uses radioactive materials which produces nuclear/radioactive waste. nuclear waste can have detrimental (harmful) effects on marine habitats. there are some examples of sources that produces nuclear waste below:

• nuclear power stations conducts procedure that produces radioactive waste.
• mining and refining (purifying) of uranium and thorium are also causing marine nuclear waste.
• waste is also produced in the nuclear fuel cycle, which is the series of industrial processes which involve the production of electricity from uranium in nuclear power reactors.

MARINE DUMPING

dumping things in water bodies is a serious problem for many countries like singapore, as things can get caught in marine animals and may result in death. different objects take different timing to degrade in water and there are some examples provided below:

• cardboard - takes 2 weeks to degrade
• newspaper - takes 6 weeks to degrade
• photodegradable packaging - takes 6 weeks to degrade
• foam - takes 50 years to degrade
• styrofoam - takes 80 years to degrade
• aluminium - takes 200 years to degrade
• plastic packaging - takes 400 years to degrade
• glass - the time needed for it to degrade is unknown as it takes a very long time.

POLLUTED WATER BODIES

OIL POLLUTION

oceans are polluted by oil which are caused by oil spills, routine shipping, run-offs and dumping, which happens regularly. it is also a serious problem for many countries like singapore

• 12% of the oil discharge in the ocean is cause by oil spills while the rest comes from shipping, drains and dumping.
• oil spills from a tanker is a serious problem because a huge amount of oil is spreaded in a particular area.
• oil spills not only affect humans live but also the marine wildlife such as fish, bird and aquatic plants.
• oil cannot dissolve in water hence it forms a thick layer on the water surface. this causes suffocation to fish, prevents the feathers of a bird from moving so it cannot fly and prevents the aquatic plants from taking in sunlight, hence they cannot photosynthesise.

INDUSTRIAL WASTE

One of the huge source of water pollution is waste produce from industries, it produces pollutants that are very dangerous to the people and the environment. it is a serious problem for many countries like singapore.

• facilities in industry use freshwater to carry away waste from the plant and into water bodies.
• pollutants from industrial sources include:  

1. Abestos - this pollutant is a serious health hazard and carcinogenic. asbestos fibres can be inhaled and cause illnesses such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, intestinal cancer and liver cancer. 
2. lead - this is a metallic element and can cause health and enviromental problems. it is  non-biodegradable substance so it is hard to break it down. when it contaminated the environment, it might harm the health of many animals, including humans, as it can prevent the action of bodily enzymes. 
3. mercury - this is also a metallic element and similarly, it can cause health and environmental problems. it is also non-biodegradable. mercury is harmful to animal's health as it can diseases through mercury poisoning.
4. nitrates - more nitrates are often being washed from the soil and into water bodies due the increase use of fertilisers. this can result to eutrophication , which can greatly affect marine environments. 
5. phosphates - this substance affect the environment similarly as the nitrates. 
6. sulphur - this is a non-metallic substance that is harmful to the marine environment. 
7. oils - oil forms a think layer on the water surface, which prevents the marine plants from taking in light for photosynthesis. it is also harmful for fish and marine birds. 
8. petrochemicals - this is produce from gas or petrol and can be poisonus to marine life. 

                                                                               

SEWAGE AND WASTEWATER

1) sewage is used as a term for wastewater often contains faeces, urine and laundry waste.
2) there many people on earth, so the handling of sewage is someting that is treated seriously.
3) this major issue on sewage had caused people in developed countries, like singapore, with no access to sanitary conditions and clean water
4) untreated sewage can contaminate the environment and cause diseases such as diarrhoea.
5) sewage from the homes, in developed countries, are carried straight away and hygienically through sewage pipes
6) sewage is treated in water treatment plants and the waste is usually disposed into the sea.
7) sewage is mainly biodegradable and most of it is broken down in the environment.
8)  In developed countries like singapore, sewage often causes problems when people flush chemical and and pharmaceutical (drugs) substances down the toilet. when people gets sick, sewage often carries harmful viruses and bacteria into the environment causing health problems.

CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION

1) sewage and wastewater
2) industrial waste
3) oil pollution
4) marine dumping
5) radioactive waste
6) underground storage leakages
7) atmospheric deposition
8) global warming
9) eutrophication