What is the danger of water pollution. What causes resource pollution? Depletion of ground and surface waters

St. Petersburg

Humanitarian University of Trade Unions

Test work on the subject: Ecology

Topic: Danger of water pollution for humans

Completed by: Yarov E.N.

Faculty of Culture

Specialty: Social Work

Correspondence faculty

St. Petersburg

1. Introduction.

2. Pollution of the hydrosphere.

3. Main types of pollution

4. The main sources of pollution of surface and ground waters.

5. Ecological consequences of pollution of the hydrosphere.

6. Depletion of underground and surface waters.

7. Protection of the hydrosphere.

8. Conclusion.

1. Introduction

Water and life are inseparable concepts. Therefore, the abstract of this topic is immense, and I consider only some, especially topical problems.

The existence of the biosphere and man has always been based on the use of water. Mankind has constantly sought to increase water consumption, exerting a huge multilateral impact on the hydrosphere.

At the current stage of development of the technosphere, when the human impact on the hydrosphere is increasing in the world, and natural systems have largely lost their protective properties, new approaches are obviously needed, ecologolization of thinking, “awareness of the realities and trends that have appeared in the world in relation to nature in as a whole and its components. This fully applies to the awareness of such a terrible evil as pollution and depletion of waters in our time.

2. Pollution of the hydrosphere

To begin with, I want to give a brief definition of such a concept as pollution of water bodies. Pollution of water bodies is understood as a decrease in their biospheric functions and ecological significance as a result of the entry of harmful substances into them.

Water pollution manifests itself in a change in physical and organoleptic properties (violation of transparency, color, smell, taste), an increase in the content of sulfates, chlorides, nitrates, toxic heavy metals, a reduction in air oxygen dissolved in water, the appearance of radioactive elements, pathogenic bacteria and other pollutants.

Our country has one of the highest water potentials in the world - each inhabitant of Russia has over 30 thousand m3 / year of water. However, at present, due to pollution or clogging, which is the same in total, about 70% of the rivers and lakes of Russia have lost their qualities as sources of drinking water supply, as a result, about half of the population consumes polluted poor-quality water, which is naturally one of the main reasons reducing the survival of each person. In 1998 alone, industrial, municipal and agricultural enterprises discharged 60 km3 of wastewater into the surface water bodies of Russia, 40% of which were classified as polluted. Only a tenth of them underwent regulatory clearance. The historical balance in the water environment of Lake Baikal, the most unique lake on our planet, which, according to scientists, could provide clean water to all mankind for almost half a century, has been disturbed. Over the past 15 years alone, more than 100 km3 of Baikal water has been polluted. More than 8500 tons of oil products, 750 tons of nitrates, 13 thousand tons of chlorides and other pollutants were annually supplied to the water area of the lake. Scientists believe that only the size of the lake and the huge volume of water mass, as well as the ability of biota to participate in self-purification processes, save the Baikal ecosystem from complete degradation.

It has been established that more than 400 types of substances can cause water pollution. If the permissible norm is exceeded by at least one of the three indicators of harmfulness: sanitary-toxicological, general sanitary or organoleptic, the water is considered contaminated.

There are chemical, biological and physical pollutants. Among the chemical pollutants, the most common are oil and oil products, surfactants (synthetic surfactants), pesticides, heavy metals, dioxins. Biological pollutants, such as viruses and other pathogens, and physical pollutants, such as radioactive substances, heat, etc., pollute water very dangerously.

3. Main types of pollution

The most common chemical and bacterial pollution of water. Radioactive, mechanical and thermal pollution is observed much less frequently. Chemical pollution is the most common, persistent and far-reaching. It can be organic (phenols, naphthenic acids, pesticides, etc.) and inorganic (salts, acids, alkalis), toxic (arsenic, mercury compounds, lead, cadmium, etc.) and non-toxic. When deposited on the bottom of reservoirs or during filtration in the reservoir, harmful chemicals are sorbed by rock particles, oxidized and reduced, precipitated, etc., however, as a rule, complete self-purification of polluted waters does not occur. The source of chemical contamination of groundwater in highly permeable soils can extend up to 10 km or more. Bacterial pollution is expressed in the appearance of pathogenic bacteria, viruses (up to 700 species), protozoa, fungi, etc. in the water. This type of pollution is temporary.

The content in water, even at very low concentrations, of radioactive substances that cause radioactive contamination is very dangerous. The most harmful are "long-lived" radioactive elements that have an increased ability to move in water (strontium-90, uranium, radium-226, cesium, etc.). Radioactive elements enter surface water bodies when radioactive waste is dumped into them, waste is buried at the bottom, etc. Uranium, strontium and other elements get into groundwater as a result of their fall to the surface of the earth in the form of radioactive products and waste and subsequent seepage into the depths of the earth together with atmospheric waters, and as a result of the interaction of groundwater with radioactive rocks. Mechanical pollution is characterized by the ingress of various mechanical impurities into the water (sand, sludge, silt, etc.). Mechanical impurities can significantly worsen the organoleptic properties of water.

In relation to surface waters, they are also polluted with garbage, timber rafting residues, industrial and domestic wastes, which worsen the quality of waters, negatively affect the living conditions of fish, and the state of ecosystems.

Thermal pollution is associated with an increase in the temperature of waters as a result of their mixing with warmer surface or process waters. When the temperature rises, the gas and chemical composition in the waters changes, which leads to the multiplication of anaerobic bacteria, the growth of hydrobionts and the release of toxic gases - hydrogen sulfide, methane. At the same time, the hydrosphere is polluted by the “blooming” of water, as well as the accelerated development of microflora and microfauna, which contributes to the development of other types of pollution.

According to existing sanitary standards, the temperature of the reservoir should not rise by more than 3°C in summer and 5°C in winter, and the thermal load on the reservoir should not exceed 12-17 kJ/m3.

4. Main sources of pollution of surface and ground waters

The greatest harm to water bodies and watercourses is caused by the release of untreated wastewater into them - industrial, municipal, collector-drainage, etc. Industrial wastewater pollutes ecosystems with a wide variety of components, depending on the specifics of industries. It should be noted that at present the volume of industrial wastewater discharges into many aquatic ecosystems not only does not decrease, but continues to grow. So, for example, in the lake. Baikal, instead of the planned cessation of wastewater discharges from the pulp and paper mill and their transfer to a closed water consumption cycle, a huge amount of wastewater is being discharged.

Municipal wastewater in large quantities comes from residential and public buildings, laundries, canteens, hospitals, etc. This type of wastewater is dominated by various organic substances as well as microorganisms, which can cause bacterial contamination.

Such hazardous pollutants as pesticides, ammonium and nitrate nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc. are washed away from agricultural areas, including areas occupied by livestock complexes. For the most part, they enter water bodies and streams without any treatment, and therefore have a high concentration of organic matter, nutrients and other pollutants.

Significant danger is posed by gas-smoke compounds (aerosols, dust, etc.) settling from the atmosphere onto the surface of watersheds and directly onto water surfaces. The density of deposition, for example, of ammonium nitrogen in the European territory of Russia is estimated at an average of 0.3 t/km2, and sulfur from 0.25 to 2.0 t/km2. The scale of oil pollution of natural waters is enormous. Millions of tons of oil annually pollute marine and freshwater ecosystems during oil tanker accidents, in oil fields in coastal areas, when ballast water is discharged from ships, etc.

In addition to surface water, groundwater is also constantly polluted, primarily in the areas of large industrial centers. Sources of groundwater pollution are very diverse.

Pollutants can penetrate to groundwater in various ways: through seepage of industrial and domestic wastewater from storage facilities, storage ponds, settling ponds, etc., through the annulus of faulty wells, through absorbing wells, sinkholes, etc.

Natural sources of pollution include highly mineralized (salty and brine) groundwater or sea water, which can be introduced into fresh unpolluted water during the operation of water intake facilities and pumping water from wells.

It is important to emphasize that groundwater pollution is not limited to the area of industrial enterprises, waste storage facilities, etc., but spreads downstream to distances of up to 20-30 km or more from the pollution source. This poses a real threat to the drinking water supply in these areas.

It should also be borne in mind that groundwater pollution has a negative impact on the ecological state of surface water, atmosphere, soil, and other components of the natural environment. For example, contaminants found in groundwater can be carried by seepage flow to surface water bodies and pollute them. As emphasized by V.M. Goldberg (1988), the circulation of pollutants in the system of surface and ground waters predetermines the unity of environmental and water protection measures and they cannot be broken. Otherwise, measures to protect groundwater without regard to measures to protect other components of the natural environment will be ineffective.

5. Ecological consequences of pollution of the hydrosphere

Pollution of aquatic ecosystems is a great danger to all living organisms and, in particular, to humans. In my work, I want to start first of all with freshwater reservoirs.

It has been established that under the influence of pollutants in freshwater ecosystems, there is a drop in their stability, due to disruption of the food pyramid and breakdown of signaling links in the biocenosis, microbiological pollution, eutrophication and other extremely unfavorable processes. They reduce the growth rate of aquatic organisms, their fertility, and in some cases lead to their death.

Accelerated, or so-called anthropogenic, eutrophication is associated with the entry into water bodies of a significant amount of nutrients - nitrogen, phosphorus and other elements in the form of fertilizers, detergents, animal waste, atmospheric aerosols, etc. Under modern conditions, eutrophication of water bodies occurs in much shorter periods - several decades or less.

Anthropogenic eutrophication has a very negative effect on freshwater ecosystems, leading to a restructuring of the trophic relationships of aquatic organisms and a sharp increase in phytoplankton biomass. Due to the mass reproduction of blue-green algae, causing the "bloom" of water, its quality and living conditions of aquatic organisms (moreover, they emit toxins dangerous to humans) deteriorate. An increase in the mass of phytoplankton is accompanied by a decrease in the diversity of species, which leads to an irreplaceable loss of the gene pool, a decrease in the ability of ecosystems to homeostasis and self-regulation.

The processes of anthropogenic eutrophication cover many large lakes of the world - the Great American Lakes, Balaton, Ladoga, Geneva, etc., as well as reservoirs and river ecosystems, primarily small rivers. On these rivers, in addition to the catastrophically growing biomass of blue-green algae from the banks, they are overgrown with higher vegetation. The blue-green algae themselves, as a result of their vital activity, produce the strongest toxins that are dangerous for aquatic organisms and humans.

In addition to an excess of biogenic substances, other pollutants also have a detrimental effect on freshwater ecosystems: heavy metals (lead, cadmium, nickel, etc.), phenols, surfactants, etc. chemical compounds of the tributaries of the lake, turned out to be incapable of processing chemical compounds alien to natural waters (petroleum products, heavy metals, salts, etc.). As a result, depletion of aquatic organisms, a decrease in the biomass of zooplankton, the death of a significant part of the population of the Baikal seal, etc., were noted.

Marine ecosystems. The rate at which pollutants enter the oceans has increased dramatically in recent years. Up to 300 billion m3 of sewage is discharged into the ocean every year, 90% of which is not subjected to preliminary treatment.

Marine ecosystems are exposed to an increasing anthropogenic impact through chemical toxicants, which, accumulating by hydrobionts along the trophic chain, lead to the death of consumers of even high orders, including terrestrial animals - seabirds, for example.

Among chemical toxicants, petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides and heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, etc.) pose the greatest danger to marine biota and humans.

The environmental consequences of pollution of marine ecosystems are expressed in the following processes and phenomena:

Violation of the stability of ecosystems;

Progressive eutrophication;

The appearance of "red tides";

Accumulation of chemical toxicants in biota;

Decreased biological productivity;

The emergence of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis in the marine environment;

Microbiological pollution of coastal areas of the sea.

To a certain extent, marine ecosystems can withstand the harmful effects of chemical toxicants using the accumulative, oxidizing and mineralizing functions of aquatic organisms. For example, bivalve mollusks are able to accumulate one of the most toxic pesticides - DDT and, under favorable conditions, remove it from the body. (DDT is known to be banned in Russia, the United States and some other countries, however, it enters the World Ocean in significant quantities.) Scientists have also proved the existence of intense biotransformation processes of benzapyrene in the waters of the World Ocean, due to the presence in open and semi-enclosed water areas heterotrophic microflora. It has also been established that the microorganisms of reservoirs and bottom sediments have a sufficiently developed mechanism of resistance to heavy metals, in particular, they are able to produce hydrogen sulfide, extracellular exopolymers and other substances that, interacting with heavy metals, convert them into less toxic forms.

At the same time, more and more toxic pollutants are entering the ocean, and the problems of eutrophication and microbiological pollution of coastal zones of the ocean are becoming increasingly acute. In this regard, it is important to determine the allowable anthropogenic pressure on marine ecosystems, to study their assimilation capacity as an integral characteristic of the ability of biogeocenosis to dynamically accumulate and remove pollutants.

For human health, the adverse effects of the use of polluted water, as well as contact with it (bathing, washing, fishing, etc.) are manifested either directly when drinking, or as a result of biological accumulation in authentic food chains such as water - plankton - fish - man or water - soil - plants - animals - man, etc.

In modern conditions, the danger of such epidemic diseases as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, etc., caused by bacterial contamination of water, is also increasing.

6. Depletion of ground and surface water

Water depletion should be understood as an unacceptable reduction in their reserves within a certain territory (for groundwater) or a decrease in the minimum allowable flow (for surface waters). Both lead to unfavorable environmental consequences, violate the established ecological ties in the human-biosphere system.

Practically in all large industrial cities of the world, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kyiv, Kharkov, Donetsk and other cities, where groundwater was exploited for a long time by powerful water intakes, significant depression funnels (depressions) with radii of up to 20 km or more . For example, increased groundwater abstraction in Moscow led to the formation of a huge regional depression with a depth of up to 70-80 m, and in some areas of the city up to 110 m or more. All this, ultimately, leads to a significant depletion of groundwater.

According to the data of the State Water Cadastre, in the 1990s in our country over 125 million m3/day was withdrawn during the operation of water intakes. As a result, in large areas, the conditions for the relationship of groundwater with other components of the natural environment have changed dramatically, and the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems has been disrupted. Intensive exploitation of groundwater in areas of water intake and powerful drainage from mines and quarries leads to a change in the relationship between surface and groundwater, to significant damage to river flow, to the cessation of the activity of thousands of springs, many dozens of streams and small rivers. In addition, due to a significant decrease in groundwater levels, other negative changes in the environmental situation are also observed: wetlands with a large species diversity of vegetation are being drained, forests are drying up, moisture-loving vegetation - hygrophytes - is dying.

So, for example, at the Aidos water intake in Central Kazakhstan, a decrease in groundwater occurred, which caused the drying and death of vegetation, as well as a sharp reduction in transpiration flow. Hydrophytes (willow, reed, cattail, chaevik) died out rather quickly, even plants with a deeply penetrating root system (wormwood, wild rose, Tatar honeysuckle, etc.) partially died; tugai thickets have grown. The artificial lowering of the groundwater level, caused by intensive pumping, also affected the ecological state of the parts of the river valley adjacent to the water intake. The same anthropogenic factor can lead to an acceleration of the succession series change time, as well as to the loss of its individual stages.

Long-term intensification of water intakes in certain geological and hydrogeological conditions can cause slow subsidence and deformation of the earth's surface. The latter negatively affects the state of ecosystems, especially coastal areas, where low areas are flooded, and the normal functioning of natural communities of organisms and the entire human habitat is disrupted.

To all of the above, groundwater is being depleted. The depletion of groundwater is also facilitated by the long-term uncontrolled self-discharge of artesian water from wells.

The depletion of surface waters is manifested in a progressive decrease in their minimum allowable flow. On the territory of Russia, the surface runoff of water is distributed extremely unevenly. About 90% of the total annual runoff from the territory of Russia is discharged to the Arctic and Pacific oceans, while the internal runoff basins (Caspian and Azov Seas), where over 65% of the Russian population lives, account for less than 8% of the total annual runoff.

It is in these areas that the depletion of surface water resources is observed, and the shortage of fresh water continues to grow. This is due not only to unfavorable climatic and hydrological conditions, but also to the intensification of human economic activity, which leads to ever-increasing water pollution, a decrease in the ability of water bodies to self-purify, depletion of groundwater reserves, and, consequently, to a decrease in spring flow that feeds watercourses and reservoirs.

Let's not forget about one of the main environmental problems - the restoration of water content and cleanliness of small rivers (no more than 100 km long), the most vulnerable link in river ecosystems. They were the most susceptible to anthropogenic impact. The ill-conceived economic use of water resources and adjacent land has caused their depletion (and often disappearance), shallowing and pollution.

At present, the state of small rivers and lakes, especially in the European part of Russia, as a result of a sharply increased anthropogenic load on them, is catastrophic. The flow of small rivers has decreased by more than half, the water quality is unsatisfactory. Many of them have completely ceased to exist.

Other very significant types of human impact on the hydrosphere include: the creation of large reservoirs that radically transform the natural environment in the adjacent territories, and the withdrawal for economic purposes of a large amount of water from rivers flowing into water bodies, which leads to the reduction and drying up of many inland water bodies (Aral sea, Dead Sea, etc.).

The creation of large reservoirs, especially of the flat type, for the accumulation and regulation of surface runoff leads to multidirectional consequences in the natural environment.

It should be taken into account that the creation of reservoirs by blocking the channel of watercourses by dams is fraught with serious negative consequences for most hydrobionts. Due to the fact that many fish spawning grounds are cut off by dams, the natural reproduction of many salmon, sturgeon and other anadromous fish is drastically worsened or stopped.

The withdrawal of a large amount of water from rivers flowing into reservoirs for economic purposes also leads to very serious negative environmental consequences. Thus, the level of the once abundant Aral Sea, starting from the 1960s, has been catastrophically decreasing due to the unacceptably high water withdrawal from the Amudarya and Syrdarya. As a result, the volume of the Aral Sea has decreased by more than half, the sea level has decreased by 13 m, and the salinity of the water (mineralization) has increased by 2.5 times.

Academician B.N. Laskarin spoke about the tragedy of the Aral Sea as follows: “We stopped at the very edge of the abyss ... The Aral was destroyed, one might say purposefully. There was even a certain anti-scientific hypothesis, according to which the Aral Sea was considered a mistake of nature. Allegedly, he interfered with the development of the water resources of the Syr Darya and Amu Darya (they said that, taking their water, the Aral evaporates it into the air). The supporters of this idea did not think about fish or that the Aral Sea is the center of an oasis.”

The drained bottom of the Aral Sea is becoming the largest source of dust and salts today. In the delta of the Amudarya and Syrdarya, in place of dying tugai forests and reed beds, barren solonchaks appear.

The transformation of phytocenoses on the shores of the Aral Sea and in the deltas of the Amudarya and Syrdarya occurs against the backdrop of the drying up of lakes, channels, swamps and the widespread decrease in the level of groundwater due to a drop in sea level. In general, water re-absorption from the Amudarya and Syrdarya and the drop in sea level caused such ecological changes in the Aral landscape, which can be characterized as desertification.

To preserve and restore the Aral Sea, normalize the ecological, sanitary-hygienic and socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea region, joint efforts of the states of Central Asia and Kazakhstan are needed to restructure the economies of these countries (refusal to focus on extremely water-intensive agricultural crops, reduce irrigated areas, etc. .), a constant focus on environmentally sustainable development.

7. Protection of the hydrosphere

And of course we must not forget about measures to protect the hydrosphere. Surface waters are protected from clogging, pollution and depletion. To prevent clogging, measures are taken to prevent the entry of construction debris, solid waste, timber rafting residues and other items into surface water bodies and rivers that adversely affect water quality, fish habitats, etc.

Depletion of surface water is prevented by strict control of the minimum allowable runoff.

The most important and most difficult problem is the protection of surface waters from pollution. To this end, the following environmental protection measures are envisaged:

Development of non-waste and waterless technologies; introduction of water recycling systems;

Wastewater treatment (industrial, municipal, etc.);

Injection of sewage into deep aquifers;

Purification and disinfection of surface waters used for water supply and other purposes.

The main pollutant of surface waters is sewage, therefore, the development and implementation of effective wastewater treatment methods seems to be a very urgent and environmentally important task.

The most effective way to protect surface waters from pollution by sewage is the development and implementation of an anhydrous and waste-free production technology, the initial stage of which is the creation of a recycling water supply.

When organizing a recycling water supply system, it includes a number of treatment facilities and installations, which makes it possible to create a closed cycle for the use of industrial and domestic wastewater. With this method of water treatment, wastewater is always in circulation and their entry into surface water bodies is completely excluded.

Due to the huge variety of wastewater composition, there are various ways to treat them: mechanical, physico-chemical, chemical, biological, etc. Depending on the degree of hazard and the nature of the pollution, wastewater treatment can be carried out by any one method or a set of methods (combined method). The treatment process involves the treatment of sludge (or excess biomass) and disinfection of wastewater before discharging it into a reservoir.

During mechanical treatment, up to 90% of insoluble mechanical impurities of various degrees of dispersion (sand, clay particles, scale, etc.) are removed from industrial wastewater by straining, settling and filtering, and up to 60% from domestic wastewater. For these purposes, gratings, sand traps, sand filters, sedimentation tanks of various types are used. Substances floating on the surface of wastewater (oil, resins, oils, fats, polymers, etc.) are retained by oil traps and other types of traps or burned out.

Chemical and physico-chemical treatment methods are the most effective for industrial wastewater treatment.

The main chemical methods include neutralization and oxidation. In the first case, special reagents (lime, soda ash, ammonia) are introduced into wastewater to neutralize acids and alkalis, in the second case, various oxidizing agents. With their help, wastewater is freed from toxic and other components.

For physical and chemical treatment, the following are used:

Coagulation - the introduction of coagulants (ammonium salts, iron, copper, sludge waste, etc.) into wastewater to form flocculent sediments, which are then easily removed; - sorption - the ability of certain substances (bentonite clay, activated carbon, zeolites, silica gel, peat, etc.) to absorb pollution. By the sorption method, it is possible to extract valuable soluble substances from wastewater and their subsequent disposal;

Flotation is the passage of air through wastewater. Gas bubbles capture surfactants, oil, oils, and other contaminants as they move upwards and form an easily removable foamy layer on the surface of the water.

Biological (biochemical) method is widely used for purification of municipal wastewater from pulp and paper, oil refineries, and food enterprises. The method is based on the ability of artificially introduced microorganisms to use for their development organic and some inorganic compounds contained in wastewater (hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, nitrites, sulfides, etc.). Cleaning is carried out using natural methods (irrigation fields, silt pads, filtration fields, biological ponds, etc.) and artificial methods (aerotanks, metatanks, biofilters, circulating oxidizing channels), biological modules, etc.

After clarification of wastewater, a precipitate is formed, which is fermented in reinforced concrete tanks (methane tanks), and then removed to sludge sites for drying.

Dried sludge is usually used as a fertilizer. However, in recent years, many harmful substances (heavy metals, etc.) have been detected in wastewater, which excludes this method of sludge disposal. The clarified part of the wastewater is treated in aeration tanks - special closed tanks through which wastewater enriched with oxygen and mixed with activated sludge is slowly passed. Activated sludge is a collection of heterotrophic microorganisms and small invertebrates (molds, yeasts, aquatic fungi, rotifers, etc.), as well as a solid substrate. It is important to choose the right temperature, pH, additives, mixing conditions, oxidizing agent (oxygen) in order to maximize the intensification of the hydrobiocenosis that makes up activated sludge.

After secondary settling, wastewater is disinfected (disinfected) using chlorine compounds or other strong oxidizing agents. With this method (chlorination), pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and pathogens are destroyed.

In wastewater treatment systems, the biological (biochemical) method is the final one, and after its application, wastewater can be used in circulating water supply or discharged into surface water bodies.

In recent years, new effective methods have been actively developed to promote the ecologization of wastewater treatment processes:

Electrochemical methods based on the processes of anodic oxidation and cathodic reduction, electrocoagulation and electroflotation;

Membrane purification processes (ultrafilters, electrodialysis, etc.);

Magnetic treatment to improve suspended solids flotation;

Radiation purification of water, which makes it possible to subject pollutants to oxidation, coagulation and decomposition in the shortest possible time;

Ozonation, in which wastewater does not form substances that adversely affect natural biochemical processes;

The introduction of new selective types of sorbents for the selective separation of useful components from wastewater for recycling, etc.

It is known that a significant role in the pollution of water bodies is played by pesticides and fertilizers washed off by surface runoff from agricultural land. To prevent the ingress of polluting effluents into water bodies, a set of measures is required, including:

1) compliance with the norms and terms of applying fertilizers and pesticides;

2) focal and tape treatment with pesticides instead of continuous;

3) application of fertilizers in the form of granules and, if possible, together with irrigation water;

4) replacement of pesticides by biological methods of plant protection, etc.

It is very difficult to dispose of livestock waste, which has a detrimental effect on aquatic ecosystems. Currently, the technology is recognized as the most economical, in which harmful effluents are separated by centrifugation into solid and liquid fractions. At the same time, the solid part turns into compost and is taken out to the fields. The liquid part (slurry) with a concentration of up to 18% passes through the reactor and turns into humus. When organics decompose, methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide are released. The energy of this biogas is used to produce heat and energy.

One of the promising ways to reduce pollution of surface waters is the injection of wastewater into deep aquifers through a system of absorption wells (underground disposal). With this method, there is no need for expensive treatment and disposal of wastewater and for the construction of treatment facilities.

However, according to many leading experts in this field, this method is appropriate for isolating only small amounts of highly toxic wastewater that cannot be treated with existing technologies. These concerns stem from the fact that it is very difficult to assess the possible environmental impacts of enhanced waterflooding of even well isolated deep groundwater aquifers. In addition, it is technically very difficult to completely exclude the possibility of the penetration of removed highly toxic industrial effluents onto the surface of the earth or into other aquifers through the annulus of wells. And yet, in the foreseeable future, such a solution to environmental problems is inevitable as the lesser evil.

Among the water protection problems, one of the most important is the development and implementation of effective methods of disinfection and purification of surface water used for drinking water supply. Inadequately purified drinking water is dangerous both from an environmental and social point of view.

Since 1896 and up to the present time, the method of water disinfection with chlorine has been the most common method of combating bacterial pollution in our country. However, it turned out that chlorination of water carries a serious danger to human health.

It is possible to eliminate this effect hazardous to human health and achieve a reduction in the content of carcinogens in drinking water by replacing primary chlorination with ozonation or treatment with ultraviolet rays, by refusing primary chlorination, as well as by using chemical-free cleaning methods in biological reactors (State report "Drinking Water", 1995).

It should be noted that water treatment with ozone or ultraviolet rays has almost completely replaced chlorination at water treatment plants in many countries of Western Europe. In our country, the use of these environmentally efficient technologies is limited due to the high cost of retrofitting water treatment plants.

The modern technology of drinking water purification from other environmentally hazardous substances - petroleum products, surfactants, pesticides, organochlorine and other compounds is based on the use of sorption processes using activated carbons or their analogues - graphite-mineral sorbents.

Agroforestry and hydrotechnical measures are becoming increasingly important in the protection of surface waters from pollution and clogging. With their help, it is possible to prevent siltation and overgrowth of lakes, reservoirs and small rivers, as well as the formation of landslide erosion, bank collapse, etc. The implementation of a set of these works will reduce polluted surface runoff and contribute to the cleanliness of water bodies. In this regard, great importance is attached to reducing the processes of eutrophication of water bodies, in particular reservoirs of such hydrotechnical cascades as Volokamsky and others.

An important protective function in any water body is performed by water protection zones. The width of the water protection zone of rivers can be from 0.1 to 1.5-2.0 km, including the river floodplain, terraces and the slope of the river banks. The purpose of a water protection zone is to prevent pollution, clogging and depletion of a water body. Plowing of land, grazing, the use of pesticides and fertilizers, construction work, etc., are prohibited within the water protection zones.

The surface hydrosphere is organically connected with the atmosphere, underground hydrosphere, lithosphere and other components of the natural environment. Given the inseparable interconnection of all its ecosystems, it is impossible to ensure the purity of surface water bodies and watercourses without protection from atmospheric pollution, groundwater nights, etc.

In order to protect surface waters from pollution, in some cases it is necessary to take drastic measures: the closure or re-profiling of polluting industries, the complete transfer of wastewater to a closed water consumption cycle, etc.

The main groundwater protection measures currently being taken are to prevent the depletion of groundwater reserves and protect them from pollution. As for surface waters, this large and complex problem can only be successfully solved in close connection with the protection of the entire environment.

To combat the depletion of fresh groundwater reserves suitable for drinking water supply, various measures are envisaged, including: regulation of the groundwater withdrawal regime; more rational distribution of water intakes over the area; determination of the value of operational reserves as the limit of their rational use; introduction of a crane mode of operation of self-flowing artesian wells.

In recent years, to prevent the depletion of groundwater, artificial replenishment of their reserves has been increasingly used by transferring surface runoff into groundwater. Replenishment is carried out by infiltration (leakage) of water from surface sources (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) into aquifers. At the same time, groundwater receives additional nutrition, which makes it possible to increase the productivity of water intakes without depleting natural reserves.

Measures to combat groundwater pollution are divided into: 1) preventive and 2) special, the task of which is to localize or eliminate the source of pollution.

Eliminate the source of pollution, i.e. extracting contaminants from groundwater and rocks is very difficult and can take many years.

Therefore, preventive measures are the main ones in environmental protection measures. Groundwater pollution can be prevented in a variety of ways. To this end, wastewater treatment methods are being improved to prevent the ingress of polluted effluents into groundwater. They introduce production with drainless technology, carefully screen the bowls of pools with industrial effluents, reduce hazardous gas and smoke emissions at enterprises, regulate the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agricultural work, etc.

The most important measure to prevent pollution of groundwater in areas of water intakes is the arrangement of sanitary protection zones around them. Sanitary protection zones (SPZ) are areas around water intakes created to exclude the possibility of groundwater pollution. They consist of three belts. The first belt (strict regime zone) includes an area at a distance of 30-50 m from the water intake. The presence of unauthorized persons and the performance of any work not related to the operation of the water intake is prohibited here. The second zone of the ZSO is designed to protect the aquifer from bacterial (microbial) pollution, and the third - from chemical pollution. The boundaries of the belts are determined by special calculations.

On their territory, it is prohibited to place any objects that can cause chemical or bacterial pollution (slag storage facilities, livestock complexes, poultry farms, etc.). The use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, industrial logging is also prohibited. Other industrial and economic activities of a person are also limited or prohibited.

ZSO projects must be coordinated with the sanitary supervision authorities and approved by specially authorized state bodies in the field of environmental protection.

Special measures for the protection of groundwater from pollution are aimed at intercepting polluted waters through drainage, as well as isolating sources of pollution from the rest of the aquifer. Very promising in this regard is the creation of artificial geochemical barriers based on the transfer of pollutants into inactive forms. To eliminate local sources of pollution, long-term pumping of contaminated groundwater from special wells is carried out.

Conclusion

An assessment of the degree of deterioration of conditions in aquatic ecosystems under the influence of pollution or other anthropogenic impacts with one or another accuracy can currently be formulated only in relation to practical forms of using water bodies. A well-developed biocirculation can serve as an indicator of the ecological well-being of aquatic ecosystems. The forecast of the state of aquatic ecosystems and the influence of trends in their change are extremely important for long-term planning of the rational operation of water bodies. Man must stabilize his exchange with nature on the basis of its adequacy, a harmonious combination of the interests of society and the possibilities of nature. In simple terms, a person must protect nature - in particular water resources. After all, the possibilities of our water resources are not unlimited, and sooner or later they may end.

List of used literature

1. Ecology: textbook / L.V. Peredelsky, V.I. Korobkin, O.E. Prikhodchenko.- M.: TK Velby, Prospect Publishing House, 2006.

2. Yu.V. Novikov "Ecology, environment and man" Moscow 1998.

3. V.D. Ermakova, A ... Ya. Sukhareva "Environmental Law of Russia" Moscow 1997.

4. V.V. Plotnikov "Introduction to ecological chemistry", 1989.

Introduction

Water and life are inseparable concepts. Therefore, the abstract of this topic is immense, and I consider only some, especially topical problems.

The existence of the biosphere and man has always been based on the use of water. Mankind has constantly sought to increase water consumption, exerting a huge multilateral impact on the hydrosphere.

Hydrosphere pollution

Our country has one of the highest water potentials in the world - each inhabitant of Russia has over 30 thousand m 3 /year of water. However, at present, due to pollution or clogging, which is the same in total, about 70% of the rivers and lakes of Russia have lost their qualities as sources of drinking water supply, as a result, about half of the population consumes polluted poor-quality water, which is naturally one of the main reasons reducing the survival of each person. In 1998 alone, industrial, municipal and agricultural enterprises discharged 60 km 3 of wastewater into the surface water bodies of Russia, 40% of which were classified as polluted. Only a tenth of them underwent regulatory clearance. The historical balance in the aquatic environment of Lake Baikal, the most unique lake on our planet, which, according to scientists, could provide clean water to all mankind for almost half a century, has been disturbed. Over the past 15 years alone, more than 100 km 3 of Baikal water has been polluted. More than 8500 tons of oil products, 750 tons of nitrates, 13 thousand tons of chlorides and other pollutants were annually supplied to the water area of the lake. Scientists believe that only the size of the lake and the huge volume of water mass, as well as the ability of biota to participate in self-purification processes, save the Baikal ecosystem from complete degradation.

There are chemical, biological and physical pollutants. Among the chemical pollutants, the most common are oil and oil products, surfactants (synthetic surfactants), pesticides, heavy metals, dioxins. Biological pollutants, such as viruses and other pathogens, and physical pollutants, radioactive substances, heat, etc., pollute water very dangerously.

St. Petersburg

Humanitarian University of Trade Unions

Test work on the subject: Ecology

Topic: Danger of water pollution for humans

Completed by: Yarov E.N.

Faculty of Culture

Specialty: Social Work

Correspondence faculty

St. Petersburg

1. Introduction.

2. Pollution of the hydrosphere.

3. Main types of pollution

4. The main sources of pollution of surface and ground waters.

5. Ecological consequences of pollution of the hydrosphere.

6. Depletion of underground and surface waters.

7. Protection of the hydrosphere.

8. Conclusion.

1. Introduction

Water and life are inseparable concepts. Therefore, the abstract of this topic is immense, and I consider only some, especially topical problems.

The existence of the biosphere and man has always been based on the use of water. Mankind has constantly sought to increase water consumption, exerting a huge multilateral impact on the hydrosphere.

2. Pollution of the hydrosphere

Our country has one of the highest water potentials in the world - each inhabitant of Russia has over 30 thousand m 3 /year of water. However, at present, due to pollution or clogging, which is the same in total, about 70% of the rivers and lakes of Russia have lost their qualities as sources of drinking water supply, as a result, about half of the population consumes polluted poor-quality water, which is naturally one of the main reasons reducing the survival of each person. In 1998 alone, industrial, municipal and agricultural enterprises discharged 60 km 3 of wastewater into the surface water bodies of Russia, 40% of which were classified as polluted. Only a tenth of them underwent regulatory clearance. The historical balance in the water environment of Lake Baikal, the most unique lake on our planet, which, according to scientists, could provide clean water to all mankind for almost half a century, has been disturbed. Over the past 15 years alone, more than 100 km 3 of Baikal water has been polluted. More than 8500 tons of oil products, 750 tons of nitrates, 13 thousand tons of chlorides and other pollutants were annually supplied to the water area of the lake. Scientists believe that only the size of the lake and the huge volume of water mass, as well as the ability of biota to participate in self-purification processes, save the Baikal ecosystem from complete degradation.

3. Main types of pollution

According to existing sanitary standards, the temperature of the reservoir should not rise by more than 3 ° C in summer and 5 ° C in winter, and the thermal load on the reservoir should not exceed 12-17 kJ / m 3.

4. Main sources of pollution of surface and ground waters

Significant danger is posed by gas-smoke compounds (aerosols, dust, etc.) settling from the atmosphere onto the surface of watersheds and directly onto water surfaces. The density of deposition, for example, of ammonium nitrogen in the European territory of Russia is estimated at an average of 0.3 t / km 2, and sulfur from 0.25 to 2.0 t / km 2. The scale of oil pollution of natural waters is enormous. Millions of tons of oil annually pollute marine and freshwater ecosystems during oil tanker accidents, in oil fields in coastal areas, when ballast water is discharged from ships, etc.

In addition to surface water, groundwater is also constantly polluted, primarily in the areas of large industrial centers. Sources of groundwater pollution are very diverse.

Pollution is the introduction of pollutants into the natural environment that cause adverse changes. Pollution can take the form of chemicals or energy such as noise, heat or light. Pollution components can be either foreign substances/energy or natural pollutants.

The main types and causes of environmental pollution:

Air pollution

Coniferous forest after acid rain

Smoke from chimneys, factories, vehicles, or from burning wood and coal makes the air toxic. The effects of air pollution are also obvious. The release of sulfur dioxide and dangerous gases into the atmosphere causes global warming and acid rain, which in turn increase temperatures, causing excessive rainfall or droughts around the world, and making life difficult. We also breathe every polluted particle in the air and as a result, the risk of asthma and lung cancer increases.

Water pollution

It caused the loss of many species of flora and fauna of the Earth. This was due to the fact that industrial wastes dumped into rivers and other water bodies cause an imbalance in the aquatic environment, which leads to serious pollution and death of aquatic animals and plants.

In addition, spraying insecticides, pesticides (such as DDT) on plants pollute the groundwater system. Oil spills in the oceans have caused significant damage to water bodies.

Eutrophication in the Potomac River, USA

Eutrophication is another important cause of water pollution. Occurs due to untreated sewage and fertilizer runoff from the soil into lakes, ponds or rivers, due to which chemicals enter the water and prevent the penetration of sunlight, thereby reducing the amount of oxygen and making the reservoir uninhabitable.

Pollution of water resources harms not only individual aquatic organisms, but the whole, and seriously affects people who depend on them. In some countries of the world, due to water pollution, outbreaks of cholera and diarrhea are observed.

Soil pollution

soil erosion

This type of pollution occurs when harmful chemical elements enter the soil, usually caused by human activities. Insecticides and pesticides absorb nitrogen compounds from the soil, after which it becomes unsuitable for plant growth. Industrial waste, and also adversely affect the soil. Because plants cannot grow as they should, they are unable to hold the soil, resulting in erosion.

Noise pollution

This pollution occurs when unpleasant (loud) sounds from the environment affect a person's hearing organs and lead to psychological problems, including tension, high blood pressure, hearing loss, etc. It can be caused by industrial equipment, aircraft, cars, etc.

Nuclear pollution

This is a very dangerous type of pollution, it occurs due to failures in the operation of nuclear power plants, improper storage of nuclear waste, accidents, etc. Radioactive contamination can cause cancer, infertility, loss of vision, birth defects; it can make the soil infertile, and also negatively affects the air and water.

light pollution

Light pollution of planet earth

Occurs due to noticeable over-illumination of the area. It is common, as a rule, in large cities, especially from billboards, in gyms or entertainment venues at night. In residential areas, light pollution greatly affects people's lives. It also interferes with astronomical observations by making the stars almost invisible.

Thermal/thermal pollution

Thermal pollution is the degradation of water quality by any process that changes the temperature of the surrounding water. The main cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a refrigerant by power plants and industrial plants. When water used as a refrigerant is returned to the natural environment at a higher temperature, the change in temperature reduces the supply of oxygen and affects the composition. Fish and other organisms adapted to a particular temperature range can be killed by sudden changes in water temperature (or rapid increases or decreases).

Thermal pollution is caused by excess heat in the environment creating unwanted changes over long periods of time. This is due to the huge number of industrial enterprises, deforestation and air pollution. Thermal pollution increases the Earth's temperature, causing drastic climate change and extinction of wildlife species.

Visual pollution

Visual pollution, Philippines

Visual pollution is an aesthetic problem and refers to the effects of pollution that impair the ability to enjoy the outside world. It includes: billboards, open dumps, antennas, electrical wires, buildings, cars, etc.

Overcrowding of the territory with a large number of objects causes visual pollution. Such pollution contributes to distraction, eye fatigue, loss of identity, and so on.

plastic pollution

Plastic pollution, India

Includes the accumulation of plastic products in the environment that have adverse effects on wildlife, animal or human habitats. Plastic products are inexpensive and durable, which has made them very popular among people. However, this material decomposes very slowly. Plastic pollution can adversely affect soil, lakes, rivers, seas and oceans. Living organisms, especially marine animals, become entangled in plastic waste or are affected by chemicals in plastic that cause interruptions in biological function. People are also affected by plastic pollution, causing a hormonal imbalance.

Objects of pollution

The main objects of environmental pollution are such as air (atmosphere), water resources (streams, rivers, lakes, seas, oceans), soil, etc.

Pollutants (sources or subjects of pollution) of the environment

Pollutants are chemical, biological, physical or mechanical elements (or processes) that harm the environment.

They can be harmful both in the short and long term. Pollutants originate from natural resources or are produced by humans.

Many pollutants have a toxic effect on living organisms. Carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide) is an example of a substance that harms humans. This compound is taken up by the body instead of oxygen, causing shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, heart palpitations, and in severe cases can lead to serious poisoning, and even death.

Some pollutants become hazardous when they react with other naturally occurring compounds. Nitrogen and sulfur oxides are released from impurities in fossil fuels during combustion. They react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form acid rain. Acid rain adversely affects aquatic ecosystems and leads to the death of aquatic animals, plants, and other living organisms. Terrestrial ecosystems also suffer from acid rain.

Classification of pollution sources

According to the type of occurrence, environmental pollution is divided into:

Anthropogenic (artificial) pollution

Deforestation

Anthropogenic pollution is the impact on the environment caused by the activities of mankind. The main sources of artificial pollution are:

industrialization;
the invention of automobiles;
the growth of the world's population;
deforestation: destruction of natural habitats;
nuclear explosions;
overexploitation of natural resources;
construction of buildings, roads, dams;
the creation of explosive substances that are used during military operations;
use of fertilizers and pesticides;
mining.

Natural (natural) pollution

Eruption

Natural pollution is caused and occurs naturally, without human intervention. It can affect the environment for a certain period of time, but it can be regenerated. Sources of natural pollution include:

volcanic eruptions, with the release of gases, ash and magma;
forest fires emit smoke and gas impurities;
sandstorms raise dust and sand;
decomposition of organic matter, during which gases are released.

Consequences of pollution:

environmental degradation

Left photo: Beijing after the rain. Right photo: smog in Beijing

The environment is the first victim of atmospheric pollution. An increase in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere leads to smog, which can prevent sunlight from reaching the earth's surface. As a result, it becomes much more difficult. Gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide can cause acid rain. Water pollution in terms of an oil spill can lead to the death of several species of wild animals and plants.

Human health

Lung cancer

Decreased air quality leads to some respiratory problems, including asthma or lung cancer. Chest pain, sore throat, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease can be caused by air pollution. Water pollution can create skin problems, including irritation and rashes. Similarly, noise pollution leads to hearing loss, stress and sleep disturbance.

Global warming

Male, the capital of the Maldives, is one of the cities facing the prospect of being flooded by the ocean in the 21st century.

The release of greenhouse gases, especially CO2, leads to global warming. Every day new industries are created, new cars appear on the roads, and the number of trees is reduced to make room for new homes. All these factors, directly or indirectly, lead to an increase in CO2 in the atmosphere. Rising CO2 causes the polar ice caps to melt, which increases sea levels and endangers people living near coastal areas.

Ozone layer depletion

The ozone layer is a thin shield high in the sky that prevents ultraviolet rays from reaching the earth. As a result of human activity, chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons are released into the atmosphere, which contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer.

Badlands

Due to the constant use of insecticides and pesticides, the soil can become infertile. Various types of chemicals from industrial waste end up in water, which also affects soil quality.

Protection (protection) of the environment from pollution:

International protection

Many of these are particularly vulnerable as they are subject to human influence in many countries. As a result, some states unite and develop agreements aimed at preventing damage or managing human impact on natural resources. They include agreements that affect the protection of the climate, oceans, rivers and air from pollution. These international environmental treaties are sometimes binding instruments that have legal consequences in case of non-compliance, and in other situations are used as codes of conduct. The most famous include:

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), approved in June 1972, provides for the protection of nature for the present generation of people and their descendants.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was signed in May 1992. The main goal of this agreement is "stabilizing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system"
The Kyoto Protocol provides for the reduction or stabilization of the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. It was signed in Japan at the end of 1997.

State protection

The discussion of environmental issues often focuses on the level of government, legislation and law enforcement. However, in the broadest sense, the protection of the environment can be seen as the responsibility of the whole people, and not just the government. Decisions that affect the environment will ideally include a wide range of stakeholders, including industrial sites, indigenous groups, representatives of environmental groups and communities. Decision-making processes in the field of environmental protection are constantly evolving and becoming more active in different countries.

Many constitutions recognize the fundamental right to protect the environment. In addition, in various countries there are organizations and institutions dealing with environmental issues.

While protecting the environment is not just the responsibility of government agencies, most people consider these organizations paramount in creating and maintaining basic standards that protect the environment and the people who interact with it.

How to protect the environment yourself?

Population and technological advances based on fossil fuels have seriously affected our natural environment. Therefore, now we need to do our part to eliminate the consequences of degradation so that humanity continues to live in an ecologically safe environment.

There are 3 main principles that are still relevant and important more than ever:

use less;
reuse;
recycle.

Create a compost heap in your garden. This helps to recycle food waste and other biodegradable materials.
When shopping, use your eco-bags and try to avoid plastic bags as much as possible.
Plant as many trees as you can.
Think about how you can reduce the number of trips you make with your car.
Reduce car emissions by walking or cycling. These are not just great alternatives to driving, but also health benefits.
Use public transport whenever you can for your daily commute.
Bottles, paper, waste oil, old batteries and used tires must be properly disposed of; All this causes serious pollution.
Do not pour chemicals and used oil onto the ground or down drains leading to waterways.
If possible, recycle selected biodegradable waste, and work to reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste used.
Reduce the amount of meat you consume or consider a vegetarian diet.

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