The+End+Product

=A big question is, what kind of end product does water pollution cause?=

We may divide water quality degradation into seven main categories: surface water pollution, groundwater pollution, microbiological pollution, oxygen depletion pollution, nutrient pollution, suspended matter pollution, and chemical pollution. We go on to explore these various types of pollution and their results.

**I. Surface Water Pollution**
Surface water pollution is the classic type of pollution in that is visible on the surface in the form of discarded plastic, metal, and other forms of waste, and also encompasses other types of surface wastes, such as oil or gasoline. Because these materials are **insoluble** with water, they often take the form of giant "garbage patches," as in the case of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a huge mass of plastics and chemical sludge. Additionally, they may also take the form of oil spills, as in the recent Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Because seawater is generally slightly **basic**, 7.5-8.4 on the **pH scale,** and water and most plastic particulates and other surface waste are not **soluble**, the **pH** of the area should not be effected by a lot.

//An example of surface water pollution//

**II. Groundwater Pollution**
Groundwater pollution is generally caused by the seepage of chemicals and pesticides into groundwater - namely wells and aquifers. In this form of water pollution the pollutants entering the water will plume out and form a kind of **solution** with the water. Through natural and man-made causes, this infected water can quickly spread into the drinking water system of humans. The pH of this infected groundwater can sometimes be very low and **acidic**, sometimes even around 2.

**III. Microbiological Pollution**
This type of pollution generally occurs naturally, but can be increased or altered by man-made causes. The bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that are present in the water can cause disease. Generally this type of pollution is only avoidable in countries that have access to water-filtering/cleaning facilities. Consequently, this type of pollution is very serious in developing countries that do not yet have these facilities. Because most organisms do not excrete substances that would effect pH, this type of pollution does little to alter the pH of given systems of water.

**IV. Oxygen Depletion Pollution**
In this form of pollution the sudden influx of biodegradable and other forms of matter into water depletes the amount of oxygen present in the water. As this happens it causes microorganisms that thrive upon the oxygen to die, and harmful microorganisms that release dangerous chemicals to thrive. Because oxygen does not have a free proton to give up, it cannot really be classified as acidic. Consequently, oxygen is on the basic side, and the loss of oxygen will result in the water behaving more like an **acid**.

**V. Nutrient Pollution**
Pollutants such as fertilizers can carry extra phosphorus and carbon into water, contributing to the problem. As the amount of phosphates in the water increase, algae blooms will occur. These sudden rises in the number of algae in water will create a rapid reduction in the amount of oxygen, due to the fact that algae and other microorganisms thrive on this oxygen. This will produce hypoxic, or oxygen reduced, conditions within the water, resulting in rapid death of other organisms with the water such as fish. Because oxygen does not have a free proton to give up, it cannot really be classified as acidic. Consequently, oxygen is on the basic side, and the loss of oxygen will result in the water behaving more like an acid.

//An example of an algae bloom, caused by oxygen depletion pollution.//

When some materials enter water they do not mix with the water molecules because they do not have polarity. This causes the materials to settle on the waterbed and form a fine silt. This will reak havoc upon the natural infrastructure of the water and absorb the vital nutrients that many organisms thriving in the water need to survive. As these nutrients are taken away, the possible pH's that result may be very varied, depending largely upon the nature of the nutrients and suspended matter.

**VII. Chemical Pollution**
Today some 50% of the water pollution in the United States comes from this type of pollution - Chemical Pollution. This is due to the increasing use of chemicals in industry and farming, and also the inefficient methods used to dispose of these harmful chemicals. Strictly chemical pollution is defined as chemical run-off that flows into water sources, and can encompass many different types. In continental areas, metals and other materials that do not take water as a **solvent** will badly pollute areas, resulting in death of wildlife. Petroleum is another type of chemical pollution, and when introduced into wide areas of ocean, such as was the case during the Exxon Valdez Spill, can devestate surrounding ecosystems by killing fish and encasing the wings of birds. Because chemicals are in general more acidic, although this is not always the case, chemical pollution will generally effect the pH of the surrounding water by lowering it.

Fresh water, salt, water fromrain or groundwatercanbecontaminated  by materialsthatcanmakeitharmful. Polluted, itis the cause of various  diseases and canseriously affect health.First, itcanbecontaminated   by organicmatter. Thus, chlorides and nitrates in human and animal  wastecanalsocontaminate the groundwaterfromshallowwells. But also the pollution of ground water table are due to overexploitatioof the soil.Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides… All theseproductseeps

into the soil or runoff to the lake, river and sea.
Fresh water, salt, water fromrain or groundwatercanbecontaminated  by materialsthatcanmakeitharmful. Polluted, itis the cause of various  diseases and canseriously affect health.First, itcanbecontaminated   by organicmatter. Thus, chlorides and nitrates in human and animal  wastecanalsocontaminate the groundwaterfromshallowwells. But also the pollution of ground water table are due to overexploitation  of the soil.Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides… All theseproductseeps

into the soil or runoff to the lake, river and sea.
Fresh water, salt, water fromrain or groundwatercanbecontaminated  by materialsthatcanmakeitharmful. Polluted, itis the cause of various  diseases and canseriously affect health.First, itcanbecontaminated

by organicmatter. Thus, chlorides and nitrates in human and animal
wastecanalsocontaminate the groundwaterfromshallowwells. But also the pollution of ground water table are due to overexploitation  of the soil.Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides… All theseproductseeps

into the soil or runoff to the lake, river and sea.
Fresh water, salt, water fromrain or groundwatercanbecontaminated  by materialsthatcanmakeitharmful. Polluted, itis the cause of various  diseases and canseriously affect health.First, itcanbecontaminated   by organicmatter. Thus, chlorides and nitrates in human and animal  wastecanalsocontaminate the groundwaterfromshallowwells. But also the pollution of ground water table are due to overexploitation  of the soil.Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides… All theseproductseeps

into the soil or runoff to the lake, river and sea.
Fresh water, salt, water fromrain or groundwatercanbecontaminated  by materialsthatcanmakeitharmful. Polluted, itis the cause of various  diseases and canseriously affect health.First, itcanbecontaminated   by organicmatter. Thus, chlorides and nitrates in human and animal  wastecanalsocontaminate the groundwaterfromshallowwells. But also the pollution of ground water table are due to overexploitation  of the soil.Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides… All theseproductseeps

into the soil or runoff to the lake, river and sea.
Fresh water, salt, water fromrain or groundwatercanbecontaminated

by materialsthatcanmakeitharmful. Polluted, itis the cause of various

diseases and canseriously affect health.First, itcanbecontaminated

by organicmatter. Thus, chlorides and nitrates in human and animal

wastecanalsocontaminate the grounoil or runoff to the lake, river and sea.