Environmental problems - water pollution. Sources of water pollution

Chemical properties natural water determined by the amount and composition of foreign impurities that are present in it. As the modern industry The issue of global freshwater pollution is becoming increasingly relevant.

According to scientists, soon water resources, suitable for use in household activities, will become catastrophically small, since sources of water pollution, even if there are treatment facilities negatively affect surface and ground waters.

Pollution of drinking water is the process of changing the physical and chemical parameters and organoleptic properties of water, which provides for some restrictions in the further exploitation of the resource. Particularly relevant is pollution fresh water, the quality of which is directly related to human health and life expectancy.

Water quality is determined taking into account the degree of importance of resources - rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs. When possible deviations from the norm are identified, the reasons that led to the contamination of surface and groundwater. Based on the analysis obtained, prompt measures are taken to eliminate pollutants.

What Causes Water Pollution

There are many factors that can lead to water contamination. This is not always the fault of people or industrial development. Man-made disasters and cataclysms have a great influence, which can lead to disruption of favorable environmental conditions.

Industrial companies are capable of causing significant harm environment, polluting water with chemical waste. Biological pollution of domestic and economic origin poses a particular danger. This includes wastewater from residential buildings, utilities, educational and social institutions.

The water resource may be polluted during heavy rains and snowmelt as precipitation comes from agricultural lands, farms and pastures. High contents of pesticides, phosphorus and nitrogen can lead to environmental disaster, since such wastewater cannot be treated.

Another source of pollution is air: dust, gas and smoke from it settle on the water surface. Petroleum products are more dangerous for natural bodies of water. Contaminated wastewater appears in oil production areas or as a result of man-made disasters.

What kind of pollution are underground sources susceptible to?

Sources of pollution groundwater can be divided into several categories: biological, chemical, thermal, radiation.

Biological origin

Biological contamination of groundwater is possible due to the ingress of pathogenic organisms, viruses and bacteria. The main sources of water pollution are sewer and drainage wells, inspection holes, septic tanks and filtration zones where wastewater is treated as a result of household activities.

Groundwater pollution occurs on agricultural lands and farms, where people actively use strong chemicals and fertilizers.
No less dangerous are vertical cracks in rocks through which chemical pollution into pressure water layers. In addition, they can leak into an autonomous water supply system if the water intake column is deformed or insufficiently insulated.

Thermal origin

Occurs as a result of a significant increase in groundwater temperature. This often occurs due to the mixing of underground and surface sources, and the discharge of process wastewater into treatment wells.

Radiation origin

Groundwater can be contaminated as a result of bomb explosion tests - neutron, atomic, hydrogen, as well as during the production of reactors at nuclear fuel and weapons.

Sources of pollution are nuclear power plants, storage facilities for radioactive components, mines and mines for the extraction of rocks with a natural level of radioactivity.

Sources of drinking water contamination can cause significant harm to the environment and human health. Therefore, we need to conserve the water we drink to ensure a long and happy existence.

Water is the most valuable natural resource. Its role is to participate in the metabolic process of all substances that are the basis of any life form. It is impossible to imagine the activities of industrial and agricultural enterprises without the use of water; it is indispensable in human everyday life. Water is necessary for everyone: people, animals, plants. For some it is a habitat.

The rapid development of human life and inefficient use of resources has led to the fact that Environmental problems (including water pollution) have become too acute. Their solution comes first for humanity. Scientists and environmentalists around the world are sounding the alarm and trying to find a solution to the global problem.

Sources of water pollution

There are many reasons for pollution, and it’s not always to blame human factor. Natural disasters They also harm clean water bodies and disrupt the ecological balance.

The most common sources of water pollution are:

Industrial, domestic wastewater. Having not undergone a system of purification from chemical harmful substances, when they enter a body of water, they provoke an environmental disaster.

Tertiary treatment. Water is treated with powders, special compounds, multi-stage filtered, killing pests and destroying other substances. It is used for household needs of citizens, as well as in Food Industry, V agriculture.



- radioactive contamination of water

The main sources that pollute the World Ocean include the following radioactive factors:

• nuclear weapons testing;

  radioactive waste discharges;

  major accidents (ships with nuclear reactors, Chernobyl nuclear power plant);

  disposal of radioactive waste at the bottom of oceans and seas.

Environmental problems and water pollution are directly related to contamination by radioactive waste. For example, French and English nuclear plants contaminated almost the entire North Atlantic. Our country has become the culprit of pollution of the Northern Arctic Ocean. Three underground nuclear reactors, as well as the production of Krasnoyarsk-26, were clogged largest river Yenisei. It is obvious that radioactive products entered the ocean.



Pollution of world waters with radionuclides

The problem of pollution of the waters of the World Ocean is acute. Let us briefly list the most dangerous radionuclides that enter it: cesium-137; cerium-144; strontium-90; niobium-95; yttrium-91. All of them have a high bioaccumulating capacity, pass through food chains and concentrate in marine organisms. This creates a danger for both humans and aquatic organisms.

The waters of the Arctic seas are subject to severe pollution various sources influx of radionuclides. People carelessly dump hazardous waste into the ocean, thereby turning it dead. Man has probably forgotten that the ocean is the main wealth of the earth. It has powerful biological and mineral resources. And if we want to survive, we urgently need to take measures to save him.

Solutions

Rational consumption of water and protection from pollution are the main tasks of humanity. Ways to solve environmental problems of water pollution lead to the fact that, first of all, great attention should be paid to discharges hazardous substances into the rivers. On an industrial scale, it is necessary to improve wastewater treatment technologies. In Russia, it is necessary to introduce a law that would increase the collection of fees for discharges. The proceeds should be used for the development and construction of new environmental technologies. For the smallest emissions, the fee should be reduced, this will serve as motivation to maintain a healthy environmental situation.

The education of the younger generation plays a major role in solving environmental problems. From an early age it is necessary to teach children to respect and love nature. Instill in them that the Earth is ours big house, for which every person is responsible. Water must be conserved, not poured out thoughtlessly, and efforts must be made to prevent foreign objects and harmful substances from getting into the sewer system.



Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to say thatecological problems Russia and water pollution probably worries everyone. The thoughtless waste of water resources and the littering of rivers with various garbage has led to the fact that there are very few clean, safe corners left in nature.Environmentalists have become much more vigilant, and numerous measures are being taken to restore order in the environment. If each of us thinks about the consequences of our barbaric, consumerist attitude, the situation can be corrected. Only together will humanity be able to save water bodies, the World Ocean and, possibly, the lives of future generations.

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Pollution of fresh groundwater occurs almost unhindered both from above - through the aeration zone, and from below - by pressure water from deep-lying aquifers. The penetration of contaminated water from above is controlled by the degree of natural protection of groundwater. The influx of water from below is caused by the disruption of natural impermeable strata by numerous wells and artificially created discontinuities in the seals of oil deposits. A forced increase in reservoir pressure intensifies the penetration of brines, oils, and gases into the upper horizons through tectonic disturbances and lithological windows of different genesis.  

Industrial wastewater of high mineralization can also be a significant source of pollution of fresh groundwater. Their quantity can reach 3 m3 per 1 ton of oil produced. The main pollutant is chlorides, less often sulfates, sodium, calcium and hydrocarbons from crude oils. During well flooding, the same waters can become pollutants of fresh (artesian) horizons, penetrating through the annulus of wells, as well as due to upward flows into overlying aquifers during ejection mode of field operation.  

A significant source of pollution of fresh groundwater in oil and gas and gas condensate fields is surface water, since part of the industrial wastewater is discharged into surface reservoirs and watercourses. In addition, the components of the runoff under consideration enter the aquifers of subzone I as a result of infiltration from their reservoirs. Industrial wastewater is the associated reservoir water of the II subzone of technogenic pressure on the underground hydrosphere. Their quantity depends on the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the field, the rate and technology of hydrocarbon extraction, and the period of its operation. The main polluting components of industrial wastewater are chlorides (less commonly sulfates), sodium, calcium and hydrocarbons from crude oils.  

A final and unambiguous conclusion has been made about the predominant (82 - 90%) contamination of fresh groundwater as a result of surface spills of highly mineralized formation waters and oil products due to depressurization of oil field structures and communications. A basis has been prepared for the design of systems for forced desalination of contaminated springs.  

A final and unambiguous conclusion was made about the predominant (82 - 90%) contamination of fresh groundwater as a result of surface spills of highly mineralized formation waters and oil products due to depressurization of oil field structures and communications. A basis has been prepared for the design of systems for forced desalination of contaminated springs.  

The results of hydrogeological studies carried out in the areas of oil fields in the Cis-Ural region allow us to conclude that contamination of fresh groundwater occurs mainly from above, that is, through the aeration zone. The vulnerability of upper production aquifers to pollution, high concentrations of pollutants in them, high rates of vertical and lateral migration of the latter in a number of oil fields are explained by the high filtration properties of the rocks of the aeration zone and water-bearing sediments, the lack of stable reliable aquitards, and the regional interconnection of aquifers. horizons by downward flows through clay layers. As a result, the entire freshwater zone (up to 250 m) becomes saline within several years from the moment of entry of pollutants.  

In this paper, the issue of water quality at a water intake is considered primarily in connection with natural substandard waters, which are hereinafter referred to as salt waters for brevity. However, the solutions presented can also be used to predict water quality in connection with pollution of fresh groundwater, although in this case additional issues may arise that relate to the field of physicochemical hydrodynamics and require special consideration.  

If it is impossible to continue drilling for geological and technological reasons, conservation and liquidation plans are also coordinated with the emergency rescue service and Gosgortekhnadzor. In case of detection of oil, gas or formation water outputs in the area of ​​wellheads that are subject to liquidation, as well as contamination of fresh groundwater with petroleum products, measures are taken to eliminate sources of pollution according to an additional plan.  

Technogenic pollution of groundwater is the appearance in it of harmful impurities in quantities that disrupt the medium’s ability to self-purify, which makes this water partially or completely unsuitable for use. Certain MPC standards for individual components serve as a quantitative characteristic of pollution. Pollution of fresh groundwater is expressed in an increase in their mineralization, an increase in the content of atypical components (chlorides, sulfates, calcium, iron, etc.), the appearance in water of substances unusual for them (inorganic and organic), changes in temperature, pH value, the appearance of odor, coloring, microorganisms.  

Assessing the natural protection of groundwater from pollution is one of the important hydrogeological tasks. Currently, the processes of technogenic impact on groundwater in Bashkortostan have turned from local to regional. In this regard, the threat of contamination of fresh groundwater poses many times greater danger than the threat of their quantitative shortage. Under these conditions, assessing the natural protection of groundwater from pollution is not only of theoretical, but also of great practical interest.  

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Water is necessary for human life, industrial, agricultural and domestic needs. IN developed countries The level of water consumption reaches 400-500 liters per capita per day. In many countries, including a number of regions of Russia, the shortage of fresh water is becoming increasingly noticeable. However, the main reason for the worsening problem of water resources is not the increase in water consumption, but the pollution of many water sources.

Pollution of the hydrosphere occurs due to the discharge of industrial, agricultural and domestic wastewater into water bodies and seas. For example, more than 30 cubic meters were discharged into water bodies of the Russian Federation in 1989. km of wastewater, of which 27.8% is untreated, and 60.5% is insufficiently treated due to unstable and poor operation of treatment facilities.

Natural bodies of water are not a natural habitat for pathogens. In contrast, domestic wastewater always contains various microorganisms, some of which may be pathogenic. The potential danger of the spread of intestinal infections with water is judged by the presence of so-called indicator microorganisms in it, primarily coli if. According to hygienic standards, the presence of no more than 3 E. coli in drinking water is allowed in 1 liter (coli index - 3). It has been proven that after water is disinfected with chlorine, ultraviolet rays, ozone or gamma radiation when it contains about three E. coli per liter, the water no longer contains viable microbial pathogens of typhoid fever, dysentery and others. However, the resistance of pathogenic viruses is higher than that of E. coli. This makes it necessary to evaluate the coli index with caution as an indicator of the safety of drinking water in relation to the infectious hepatitis virus and other viruses.

Currently, complete confidence in the disinfection of drinking water can only be achieved by boiling it.

The list of industrial wastewater substances includes thousands of items. Most often they contain solvents, detergents, heavy metals, cyanides, mineral and organic acids, nitrogen- and chlorine-containing substances, salts, sulfides, fats, dyes and pigments, phenolic compounds, tanning agents. Many of them have toxic properties.

Of particular concern is the contamination of drinking water sources with agricultural waste. This is mainly wastewater from livestock complexes, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides washed away from fields by melt and rainwater. A typical cattle complex of 10 thousand heads produces the same amount of organic matter in the form of waste per day as a city with a population of 160 thousand people, and a pig breeding complex produces even more. Agricultural wastewater may contain pathogens of various infectious diseases.

Underground sources of fresh water play an important role in organizing household and drinking water supply. They are generally cleaner than surface water and safer to drink. This is due to the fact that the soil is an effective cleansing system. Pollution of underground fresh water can occur as a result of an emergency spill of oil and other liquids, leaching of soluble substances from household and industrial waste dumps, or seepage of wastewater from sludge and manure reservoirs. Sea water is an unfavorable environment for the survival of pathogenic microorganisms. However, pathogens of infectious diseases are increasingly found in seawater near the coastline in areas where large cities are located. And this is due to the pollution of sea coasts with sewage. Modern urban planning projects provide for the construction of special treatment facilities in places where wastewater is discharged. To protect the source of domestic drinking water supply, a special territory is allocated, called a sanitary protection zone. A special regime is established in this territory, significantly limiting the possibility of water pollution, a decrease in its quality at the point of water intake, and a decrease in the flow rate of the water source. However, sanitary and technical measures that are carried out in places of water intake, as well as places of wastewater discharge, are not enough for the environmental protection of reservoirs.

It is very important to maintain the ability of reservoirs to self-purify. One of the processes of self-purification of a reservoir is the sedimentation of insoluble substances. The self-purification of reservoirs is influenced by factors such as the degree of pollution development, flow speed, and water temperature. Organic matter in wastewater they gradually decompose under the influence of oxygen. The biological need of a reservoir for oxygen (BOD) is expressed by the weight of the amount of oxygen dissolved in water, spent on the processes of biological decomposition of organic substances. The BOD value ranges from 1 mg/L for clean surface water to 500 mg/L for untreated domestic wastewater. When dissolved oxygen resources are depleted, the process of self-cleaning of the reservoir stops and unfavorable anaerobic transformations begin to predominate in it. The ability of a reservoir to self-purify is also ensured by the combined activity of the bacteria, algae, and aquatic plants, shellfish. If the water temperature is favorable for their life, then the self-purification of the reservoir proceeds faster. Thus, in the temperate climate zone it ends on a section of the river 200-300 km from the place of pollution, and in the Far North this process stretches for many kilometers, covering a section of the river up to 2 thousand km long. Water - necessary condition life on Earth. Pollution of water bodies with various wastes hinders self-purification processes, which, along with a lack of fresh water, pose a threat to human health. Water pollution can have harmful effects on human health in two ways:

It is possible that chemical or radioactive substances may enter the body due to contamination of drinking water sources with wastewater, as well as during emergency situations.

, groundwater. Occurs when pollutants enter the water directly or indirectly in the absence of quality measures to clean and remove harmful substances.

In most cases, freshwater pollution remains invisible because the pollutants are dissolved in the water. But there are exceptions: foaming detergents, as well as oil products and untreated waste floating on the surface. There are several natural pollutants. Aluminum compounds found in the ground enter the fresh water system as a result of chemical reactions. Floods wash out magnesium compounds from the soil of meadows, which cause enormous damage to fish stocks.

However, the volume of natural pollutants is negligible compared to that produced by humans. Every year, thousands of chemical substances with unpredictable effects, many of which are new chemical compounds. Increased concentrations of toxic substances may be found in water heavy metals(such as cadmium, mercury, lead, chromium), pesticides, nitrates and phosphates, petroleum products, surfactants, drugs and hormones, which can also get into drinking water. As is known, up to 12 million tons of oil enter the seas and oceans every year.

Acid rain also makes a certain contribution to the increase in the concentration of heavy metals in water. They are able to dissolve minerals in the soil, which leads to an increase in the content of heavy metal ions in the water. Nuclear power plants release radioactive waste into the natural water cycle.

Discharge of untreated wastewater into water sources leads to microbiological contamination of water. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of diseases in the world are caused by inappropriate quality and unsanitary water. IN rural areas The problem of water quality is particularly acute - about 90% of all rural residents people around the world constantly use contaminated water for drinking and bathing.

Sources of pollution:

• Pollutants enter fresh water in a variety of ways: through accidents, deliberate dumping, spills and leaks.
• The largest potential source of pollution is farms occupying almost 80% of the land in England and Wales. Some of the untreated animal manure that covers the soil leaks into fresh water sources.
• In addition, farmers in England and Wales apply 2.5 million tonnes of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the soil each year, and some of this ends up in fresh water. Some of them are persistent organic compounds that penetrate food chains and causing environmental problems. Today in the UK the production of organochlorine compounds produced in large quantities in the 1950s
• An increasing threat to freshwater bodies is posed by wastewater discharged from fish farms, due to their widespread use of pharmaceuticals to combat fish diseases.
• Rapid contamination of groundwater around cities. The source is the increasing number of contaminated wells due to improper operation.
• Forestry and open drainage - sources large quantity substances entering fresh water, primarily iron, aluminum and cadmium. As trees grow, the acidity of the forest soil increases, and heavy rains create very acidic runoff that is harmful to wildlife.
• Once in the river, slurry can cause serious environmental disaster, since its concentration is 100 times higher than that of wastewater treated at wastewater treatment plants.
• Atmospheric pollution of fresh water is particularly harmful. There are two types of such pollutants: coarse (