Band 7+: Pollution of rivers, lakes and seas is a major concern for people who seek to protect the environment. What are the possible causes of water pollution, and what effects does this have on animal life and human society?

Water contamination is a serious form of pollution and poses a grave threat to human beings and the biosphere. This issue is due to vehicle and industrial emissions and discharge from agricultural practices, which can result in the demise of aquatic creatures and the weakened economy of a country.

To commence, water pollution can be caused by emissions from cars and industrial activities. This is because both automobiles and factories consume fossil energy to operate, and thus release emissions containing damaging pollutant particles which contaminate rainwater that runs into aquifers, streams, and rivers. Another major cause is the discharge of agricultural contaminants from farming practices. Many farmers utilize synthetic pesticides and fertilizers to cultivate their crops, and chemicals from these inputs can be carried away by irrigation runoffs, leading to contamination of nearby water bodies. For example, the United States Geological Survey has pointed out that pesticides are widespread in surface water and groundwater across the United States, and that at least one pesticide was found in about 94 percent of water samples.

Polluted water can poison animals and push them to the brink of extinction, especially for species living in the oceans and rivers. To be more specific, aquatic creatures such as whales and sea turtles may inadvertently ingest pollutants while feeding, and amphibians may also take in harmful substances when absorbing oxygen in the water through their skin, which causes them to be poisoned or even die. Regarding the impacts on human society, water pollution can weaken a country’s economy because it causes waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery to people. As a result, more people have to go to the hospital, which places a strain on public healthcare services. Besides, polluted water bodies can deter tourists, leading to a decline in revenue from the tourism industry. For instance, according to AsianNews, marine tourism-related business in Ha Tinh in Vietnam dropped by 90% due to contaminated water.

In conclusion, the main causes associated with water pollution are emissions from vehicles and industrial activities, coupled with chemical discharge from farming practices, and this issue can bring death to animals inhabiting water environments and undermine the economy of human civilisation.