River:  Pollution Sinking Rivers
Researchers have discovered that 33 of the world’s major deltas are sinking. This, they say, is due either directly or indirectly to flooding. Human factors such dams, reservoirs, and manmade channels that cause the trapping of sediments contribute to this happening. Levees that send water rushing into the oceans and the extraction of natural gas all contribute to the sinking of the deltas.

Water Pollution

Water pollution comes from several sources. Rain contains contaminants picked up as it falls. The main pollutants are sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These are formed when fuels are burned. When it reaches the ground the acid liquid can release harmful substances such as aluminium and heavy metals. This can turn into compounds that are poisonous to plants and animals. If it washes into rivers and lakes the aluminium can kill small water creatures and fish.

Pollution

Agriculture and industry contribute to pollution by discharging waste products into waterways. Sometimes there are serious incidents where toxic chemicals are discharged causing major problems in rivers or the sea. But slow leakages of pollutants may cause more damage.

Many of the industrial wastes that are discharged into our waterways are mixtures of chemicals that are difficult to treat. It can be expensive to deal with industrial waste. Some companies try to avoid the costs of dealing with waste safely. They illegally dump chemicals at places where and when there is less likelihood of being caught.

Agricultural Pollution

Many of the problems in rivers are caused by agricultural wastes. These take the form of silage or liquid manure. When this escapes into the river it reduces the amount of oxygen in the water. In 1985 ten thousand fish died when pig slurry entered the River Severn.

When too much chemical fertiliser is used on the land the excess runs off. It can then end up in our drinking water sources such as rivers, lakes and dams.

Other Sources of Water Pollution

• People can pollute rivers by leaving rubbish such as plastic bags on the banks or throwing it overboard from boats
• The rubbish that collects at rubbish dumps creates a chemical mixture called leachate. This can kill fish and small water creatures as well as plants.
• Sewerage containing phosphorus from detergents can stay in rivers for a long time. It takes up valuable oxygen.
• Abandoned mines produce polluting chemicals including aluminium, iron, lead, mercury tin, and cadmium.

Other great pages to visit in "Environment" are:

Floods, The Water Cycle, River; Conservation, How Rivers Change, Threatened Rivers,

Some major rivers

Murray-Darling basin and the Amazon

Read More

Residential Towers

Rivers are very important.

Saving Water

Water is our most precious natural resource.