River water pollution. Depletion of the ozone layer. How people pollute groundwater

Among the most important issues facing us are special place covers water pollution in Russia and around the world. Without this liquid, the existence of life as such is impossible. A person can live without food for up to 100 days, but without water he can last no more than 10 days. And this is not surprising. After all, water makes up a significant part of the human body. It is known that it makes up more than 60% of an adult’s body.

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Main sources of hydrosphere pollution

All sources of water pollution in the world can be divided into two categories:

natural;
anthropogenic.

Natural sources of water pollution

Natural pollution of the hydrosphere is caused by the following reasons:

volcanic activity;
washing out of coastal soil;
excretion of waste products of organisms;
remains of dead plants and animals.

Volcanic eruption in Hawaii

Nature has determined ways to solve the problem independently, without outside help. There are natural water purification mechanisms that have worked flawlessly for thousands of years.

It is known that there is a water cycle. Moisture evaporates from the surface of reservoirs and enters the atmosphere. Through the process of evaporation, water is purified, which then enters the soil in the form of precipitation, forming groundwater. A considerable part of them again ends up in rivers, lakes, seas and oceans. Part of the precipitation enters water bodies immediately, bypassing intermediate stages.

As a result of such a cycle, water is returned in a purified form, so the environmental problem of water pollution is solved by itself.

Human water pollution

We can say that humans pollute water more than all other living organisms combined. The consequences of water pollution have a detrimental effect on the entire environment. The damage caused by humans to the aquatic environment every day is comparable only to a catastrophe on a global scale. That is why it is impossible to pollute the hydrosphere, and solving the problem of pollution of the aquatic environment is a primary task.

The consequences of water pollution are such that now almost all the water present in one form or another on the planet cannot be called clean. Human water pollution falls into three categories:

industrial;
agricultural;
household

Water pollution from industrial enterprises

Hydrospheric pollution is steadily increasing. Is it true, Lately there is a tendency towards its reduction.

Water pollution by humans can be primary or secondary. In primary cases, harmful substances have a direct negative effect on the human body, flora or fauna. Secondary pollution is considered to be pollution of water bodies that is not directly related to a harmful substance that has entered the hydrosphere. Water pollutants cause the extinction of organisms and cause an increase in the number of animal or plant remains, which are also sources of water pollution.

Water pollution leads to fish deaths

Types of pollution

There are five main types of hydrosphere pollution:

chemical;
biological;
mechanical;
radioactive;
thermal

Discharges of pollutants in wastewater

Why is hydrosphere pollution dangerous for living organisms?

Water pollution and its consequences represent serious danger for the health and life of organisms inhabiting our planet. Exists the following types such impact:

neurotoxic;
carcinogenic;
genotoxic;
failure of reproductive function;
disturbance of energy exchange.

Neurotoxic effects

Poisoning nervous system heavy metals can harm the nervous system of humans and animals and cause mental disorders. They may cause inappropriate behavior. Such pollution of water bodies can cause unreasonable aggression or suicide of its inhabitants. For example, there are many known cases where, for some unknown reason, whales washed ashore.

About 200 black pilot dolphins stranded on land off Cape Farewell in the north of New Zealand's South Island

Carcinogenic effect

Drinking contaminated water is a cause oncological diseases. Under the influence of toxic substances, absolutely healthy cells of the body can degenerate into cancer cells, causing the formation of malignant tumors.

Genotoxicity of water pollutants

The genotoxic properties of pollutants lie in their ability to disrupt the structure of DNA. This may cause serious illnesses not only in the person into whose body harmful substances have entered, but also have a detrimental effect on the health of his descendants.

Reproductive disorders

It often happens that toxic substances do not lead to death, but still cause the extinction of a population of living organisms. Under the influence of dangerous impurities contained in water, they lose their ability to reproduce.

Energy exchange disorders

Some water pollutants have the ability to inhibit the mitochondria of the body's cells, resulting in a loss of the ability to produce energy. The consequences of water pollution can be such that many life processes of the inhabitants of water bodies slow down or stop, even leading to death.

What diseases threaten drinking water contamination?

Contaminated water may contain pathogenic microorganisms that cause the most dangerous diseases. To understand the dangers of water pollution and what they can lead to, we will briefly list some of these diseases:

cholera;
oncology;
congenital pathologies;
burn of mucous membranes;
amoebiasis;
schistosomiasis;
enterovirus infection;
gastritis;
psychical deviations;
Giardiasis

Cholera epidemic in Haiti

Not only specialists, but also ordinary residents began to realize the danger of this situation. This is evidenced by the increasing demand for purified bottled and draft water around the world. People buy this water to ensure that they do not get dangerous pathogens into their bodies.

Water purification

The main culprit of chemical water pollution is production activity. Although the most active pollutants of water are industrial enterprises that actively discharge harmful substances into surrounding water bodies. It may contain the entire periodic table. Except for the ejection chemical elements thermal and radiation pollution occurs. The problem of wastewater safety is given catastrophically little attention. Around the world, you can count on one hand the number of industries that completely treat their wastewater, making it safe for environment.

Discharge of a number of pollutants in wastewater was often carried out without an approved permit for the discharge of pollutants into the environment

This is not due to the negligence of management, but due to the extreme complexity of the cleaning technology. This is why water bodies should not be polluted. After all, it is easier to prevent pollution than to organize cleaning.

Sewage treatment plants partially help solve the pollution problem. Regardless of the cause of pollution, the following types of water purification exist:

In general, there are ways to solve the problem.

The problem of water pollution and its solution at the state and global level

World statistics notes fast growth water consumption. The main reasons for this are the rapid development of production and the growth of the world population.

For example, in the USA, daily water consumption is 3600 billion tons. Back in 1900, Americans needed 160 billion liters a day. The country is now faced with the need to clean up and reuse water resources.

Western Europe has already crossed this threshold. For example, water taken from the Rhine is reused up to 30 times.

It is no longer possible to significantly reduce water consumption, because this would require cutting back on production and giving up many of the benefits of civilization. Pollution factors also have an impact, as the volume of water suitable for consumption is reduced. Therefore, more attention should be paid to maintaining clean water resources.

The problem is common to all humanity, because the movement of water masses does not know state borders. If one country does not take care of the purity of water resources, which results in the pollution of the World Ocean, the ecology of our planet suffers from this.

Pollution of the World Ocean with plastic waste. Plastic waste floated from densely populated areas of the continental coast as a result of dumping

The state of water in Russia worries the public no less than throughout the world. And here our country has no disagreements with the rest of the world community. After all, water resources can only be preserved through joint efforts.

Water pollution

Any actions performed by a person with water lead to a change in how it physical properties(for example, when heated), and chemical composition(in areas of industrial wastewater). Over time, substances that enter the water are grouped and remain in the same state. The first category includes household and most of industrial wastes. The second group includes different kinds salts, pesticides, dyes. Let's take a closer look at some pollutants.

Settlements

This is one of the main factors affecting the condition of water. Fluid consumption per person per day in America is 750 liters. Of course, this is not the amount you need to drink. A person consumes water when washing, using it for cooking, and using the toilet. The main drain goes to the sewer. Water pollution increases depending on the number of people living in locality residents. Each city has its own treatment facilities, where sewage is purified from bacteria and viruses that can seriously harm the human body. The purified liquid is discharged into rivers. Water pollution from household waste is also increasing because, in addition to bacteria, it contains food debris, soap, paper and other substances that negatively affect its condition.

Industry

Any developed state must have its own plants and factories. This is the largest factor causing water pollution. The liquid is used in technological processes, it serves both for cooling and heating the product, various aqueous solutions used in chemical reactions. More than 50% of all discharges come from four main liquid consumers: oil refineries, steel foundries and blast furnaces, and the pulp and paper industry. Due to the fact that the disposal of hazardous waste is often an order of magnitude more expensive than its primary treatment, in most cases it is discharged into water bodies along with industrial wastewater. a large number of a variety of substances. Chemical water pollution leads to disruption of the entire ecological situation in the entire region.

Thermal impact

Most power plants use steam energy to operate. In this case, water acts as a coolant; after completing the process, it is simply discharged back into the river. The temperature of the current in such places may increase by several degrees. This effect is called thermal water pollution, however, there are a number of objections to this term, since in some cases an increase in temperature can lead to an improvement in the environmental situation.

Water pollution with oil

Hydrocarbons are one of the main sources of energy on the entire planet. Tanker wrecks and ruptures in oil pipelines form a film on the water surface through which air cannot flow. Spilled substances envelop marine life, often leading to their death. Both volunteers and special equipment are involved in eliminating pollution. Water is a life-giving source. It is she who gives life to almost every creature on our planet. A careless and irresponsible attitude towards it will lead to the fact that the Earth will simply turn into a sun-scorched desert. Already, some countries are experiencing water shortages. Of course, there are projects to use arctic ice, but the best solution to the problem is to reduce overall water pollution.

Water pollution

The most well-known source of water pollution is domestic (or municipal) wastewater. Almost all used water goes down the drain. Since a huge volume of feces enters wastewater every day, the main task of city services when processing household wastewater in the sewers of treatment plants is to remove pathogenic microorganisms. If insufficiently treated faecal waste is reused, the bacteria and viruses it contains can cause intestinal diseases(typhoid, cholera and dysentery), as well as hepatitis and polio.

Soap, synthetic washing powders, disinfectants, bleaches and other substances household chemicals. Paper waste comes from residential buildings, including toilet paper and baby diapers, waste from plant and animal food. Rain and melt water flows from the streets into the sewer system, often with sand or salt used to accelerate the melting of snow and ice on the roadways and sidewalks.

In industrialized countries, the main consumer of water and the largest source of wastewater is industry. Industrial wastewater into rivers is 3 times larger than municipal wastewater.

A huge amount of various organic and inorganic substances. More than half of the wastewater entering water bodies comes from four main industries: pulp and paper, oil refining, industry organic synthesis and ferrous metallurgy (blast furnace and steel foundry). Due to the growing volume of industrial waste, the ecological balance of many lakes and rivers is being disrupted, although most of the wastewater is non-toxic and non-lethal to humans.

Thermal pollution.The largest single use of water is in electricity generation, where it is used primarily for cooling and condensing steam generated by turbines in thermal power plants. At the same time, the water heats up by an average of 7 ° C, after which it is discharged directly into rivers and lakes, being the main source of additional heat, which is called “thermal pollution.”

Agriculture.The second main consumer of water is agriculture, which uses it to irrigate fields. The water flowing from them is saturated with salt solutions and soil particles, as well as chemical residues that help increase productivity. These include insecticides; fungicides that are sprayed over orchards and crops; herbicides, a famous weed control agent; and other pesticides, as well as organic and inorganic fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other chemical elements.

Except chemical compounds, a large volume of feces and other organic residues from farms where large meat and dairy products are grown cattle, pigs or Domestic bird. A lot of organic waste also comes from the processing of products. Agriculture(when cutting meat carcasses, processing leather, producing food products and canned food, etc.).

Impact of pollution. Pure water transparent, colorless, odorless and tasteless, inhabited by many fish, plants and animals. Polluted waters are cloudy, with unpleasant smell, not suitable for drinking, often contain huge amounts of bacteria and algae. The water self-purification system (aeration with running water and sedimentation of suspended particles to the bottom) does not work due to an excess of anthropogenic pollutants in it.

Reduced oxygen content. Organic substances contained in wastewater are decomposed by enzymes of aerobic bacteria, which absorb oxygen dissolved in water and release carbon dioxide as organic residues are absorbed. Commonly known breakdown end products are carbon dioxide and water.

In waters containing fecal matter, plant or animal residues coming from enterprises Food Industry, paper fibers and cellulose residues from pulp and paper industry enterprises, the decomposition processes proceed almost identically.

In small streams with fast currents, where the water is intensively mixed, oxygen coming from the atmosphere compensates for the depletion of its reserves dissolved in the water. At the same time, carbon dioxide formed during the decomposition of substances contained in wastewater evaporates into the atmosphere. This reduces the period of adverse effects of organic decomposition processes. Conversely, in bodies of water with weak currents, where the waters mix slowly and are isolated from the atmosphere, an inevitable decrease in oxygen content and an increase in carbon dioxide concentration entail major changes. When the oxygen content decreases to a certain level, fish die and other living organisms begin to die, which, in turn, leads to an increase in the volume of decomposing organic matter.

Most fish die due to poisoning from industrial and agricultural wastewater, but many also die from a lack of oxygen in the water. Fish, like all living things, absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide. If there is little oxygen in the water, but a high concentration of carbon dioxide, the intensity of their respiration decreases (it is known that water with a high content of carbonic acid, i.e. carbon dioxide dissolved in it, becomes acidic).

Biodegradability. Artificial materials, which biodegrade, increase the load on bacteria, which in turn increases the consumption of dissolved oxygen. These materials are specially created in such a way that they can be easily processed by bacteria, i.e. decompose.

Formation of gases.Ammonia is the main product of microbiological decomposition of proteins and animal excretions. Ammonia and its gaseous amine derivatives are formed both in the presence and absence of oxygen dissolved in water. In the first case, ammonia is oxidized by bacteria to form nitrates and nitrites. In the absence of oxygen, ammonia does not oxidize, and its content in water remains stable. As the oxygen content decreases, the resulting nitrites and nitrates are converted into nitrogen gas. This happens quite often when water flowing from fertilized fields and already containing nitrates ends up in stagnant reservoirs, where organic residues also accumulate. Depending on the type of bacteria, carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) are formed - a colorless and odorless flammable gas, also called swamp gas.

Eutrophication, or eutrophication, – process of enrichment of water bodies nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, mainly of biogenic origin. As a result, the lake gradually becomes overgrown and turns into a swamp filled with silt and decaying plant debris, which eventually dries out completely. IN natural conditions This process takes tens of thousands of years, but as a result of anthropogenic pollution it proceeds very quickly. For example, in small ponds and lakes under human influence it is completed in just a few decades.

Eutrophication increases when plant growth in a body of water is stimulated by nitrogen and phosphorus contained in fertilizer-laden agricultural runoff, cleaning products and other waste. The waters of the lake receiving this wastewater provide a fertile environment in which aquatic plants grow vigorously, taking over the space where fish usually live. Algae and other plants die, fall to the bottom and decompose aerobic bacteria consuming oxygen for this, which leads to the death of fish. The lake is filled with floating and attached algae and other aquatic plants, as well as small animals that feed on them. Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, make the water taste like pea soup with a foul odor and fishy taste, and coat rocks in a slimy film.

Powerful power plants noticeably heat the waters in the rivers and bays on which they are located. In the summer, when the demand for electrical energy for air conditioning is very high and its production increases, these waters often overheat. Concept"thermal pollution"applies specifically to such cases, since excess heat reduces the solubility of oxygen in water, accelerating the rate of chemical reactions and, therefore, affects the life of animals and plants in water intake basins. There are vivid examples of how, as a result of increasing water temperatures, fish died, obstacles arose in the path of their migrations, algae and other lower species multiplied at a rapid pace weeds, untimely seasonal changes in the aquatic environment occurred. However, in some cases, fish catches increased, the growing season extended, and other beneficial effects were observed.

Chemicals , dissolved in rainwater and absorbed by soil particles, as a result of their leaching, end up in groundwater, and then in rivers draining agricultural land, where they begin to accumulate in fish and smaller aquatic organisms. Although some living organisms have adapted to these harmful substances, there have been cases of mass death individual species, probably due to poisoning from agricultural pesticides. For example, gulls have died after eating large quantities of fish, and several other fish-eating bird species, including the bald eagle and pelican, have been threatened with extinction due to declining reproduction. Due to pesticides entering their body, the eggshell becomes so thin and fragile that the eggs break and the embryos of the chicks die.

It is known that radiation destroys the tissues of plants and animals, leads to genetic mutations, infertility, and at sufficiently high doses – to death. The mechanism of the effect of radiation on living organisms has not yet been fully elucidated, and there are no effective ways mitigation or prevention of negative consequences. But it is known that radiation accumulates, i.e. Repeated exposure to low doses may eventually have the same effect as a single high dose exposure.

Effect of toxic metals.Mercury contained in industrial wastewater is deposited in bottom silt sediments in rivers and lakes. Living in the mud anaerobic bacteria they process it into toxic forms, which can lead to serious damage to the nervous system and brain of animals and humans, as well as cause genetic mutations. Even though the fish do not die, a person who eats such contaminated fish may become poisoned and even die.

Another well-known poison that enters waterways in dissolved form is arsenic. It has been found in small measurable quantities in detergents containing water-soluble enzymes and phosphates, and in dyes intended to color cosmetic tissues and toilet paper. Lead (used in the production of metal products, batteries, paints, glass, gasoline and insecticides) and cadmium (used mainly in the production of batteries) also enter water areas through industrial effluents.

Other inorganic pollutants.Rust forms on the surface of iron and its compounds. Soluble forms These metals exist in different types of wastewater: they have been found in waters leaking from mines and scrap metal dumps, as well as from natural swamps. Salts of these metals that oxidize in water become less soluble and form solid colored precipitates that precipitate from solutions. Therefore, the water takes on color and becomes cloudy. Thus, the drains from iron ore mines and scrap metal dumps are colored red or orange-brown due to the presence of iron oxides (rust).

Inorganic pollutants such as sodium chloride, sodium sulfate and calcium chloride cannot be processed biologically or chemically. Although these substances themselves are not transformed, they affect the quality of the water into which wastewater is discharged. In many cases, it is undesirable to use “hard” water with high content salts, as they form sediment on the walls of pipes and boilers.

Inorganic substances - zinc and copper - are absorbed by the silty bottom sediments of watercourses receiving wastewater, and then transported along with these fine particles by the current. Their toxic effect stronger in acidic environment than in neutral or alkaline. In acidic coal mine wastewater, zinc, copper and aluminum reach concentrations that are lethal to aquatic organisms. Some pollutants, while not particularly toxic individually, become toxic compounds when interacting (for example, copper in the presence of cadmium).

Control and cleaning.Three main methods of wastewater treatment are practiced. The first has been around for a long time and is the most economical: discharging wastewater into large watercourses, where it is diluted with fresh running water, aerated and neutralized naturally. Obviously this method doesn't answer modern conditions. The second method is largely based on the same natural processes, which is the same as the first, and consists of removing and reducing the content of solid and organic substances by mechanical, biological and chemical methods. It is mainly used in municipal wastewater treatment plants, which rarely have the equipment to process industrial and agricultural wastewater. The third method is widely known and quite common, which consists of reducing the volume of wastewater by changing technological processes; for example, as a result of recycling materials or using natural methods pest control instead of pesticides, etc.

Cleaning of drains. Although many industrial enterprises are now trying to clean up their wastewater or make the production cycle closed, and the production of pesticides and other toxic substances is prohibited, the most radical and quick solution The problem of water pollution will be the construction of additional and more modern treatment facilities.

There are only a few enterprises in the world that can carry out complete wastewater treatment.

Pollution of water bodies– discharge or otherwise entering water bodies (surface and underground), as well as formation in them harmful substances that worsen the quality of water, limit its use or negatively affect the condition of the bottom and banks of water bodies; anthropogenic introduction of various pollutants into the aquatic ecosystem, the impact of which on living organisms exceeds the natural level, causing their oppression, degradation and death.

There are several types of water pollution:

Chemical water pollution seems to be the most dangerous at present due to the global scale of this process and the growing number of pollutants, including many xenobiotics, i.e. substances alien to aquatic and near-water ecosystems.

Pollutants enter the environment in liquid, solid, gaseous and aerosol form. The routes of their entry into the aquatic environment are varied: directly into water bodies, through the atmosphere with precipitation and during dry deposition, through the drainage area with surface, intrasoil and underground water flow.

Sources of pollutants can be divided into concentrated, distributed, or diffuse, and linear.

Concentrated runoff comes from enterprises and utilities and, as a rule, is controlled in volume and composition by the relevant services and can be managed, in particular through the construction of treatment facilities. Diffuse runoff comes irregularly from built-up areas, unequipped landfills and landfills, agricultural fields and livestock farms, as well as from precipitation. This runoff is generally unmonitored and unregulated.

Sources of diffuse runoff are also zones of anomalous technogenic soil pollution, which systematically “feed” water bodies with hazardous substances. Such zones were formed, for example, after the Chernobyl accident. These are also lenses of liquid waste, for example, petroleum products, solid waste burial sites, the waterproofing of which is broken.

It is almost impossible to control the flow of pollutants from such sources; the only way is to prevent their formation.

Global pollution is a sign of today. Natural and man-made flows of chemicals are comparable in scale; For some substances (primarily metals), the intensity of anthropogenic turnover is many times greater than the intensity of the natural cycle.

Acid precipitation, formed as a result of nitrogen and sulfur oxides entering the atmosphere, significantly changes the behavior of microelements in water bodies and their catchment areas. The process of removal of microelements from soils is activated, water acidification occurs in reservoirs, which negatively affects all aquatic ecosystems.

An important consequence of water pollution is the accumulation of pollutants in the bottom sediments of water bodies. At certain conditions they are released into the water mass, causing an increase in pollution in the absence of visible pollution from wastewater.

Dangerous water pollutants include oil and petroleum products. Their sources are all stages of oil production, transportation and refining, as well as consumption of petroleum products. In Russia, tens of thousands of medium and large accidental oil and petroleum product spills occur annually. A lot of oil gets into the water due to leaks in oil and product pipelines, railways, on the territory of oil storage facilities. Natural oil is a mixture of dozens of individual hydrocarbons, some of which are toxic. It also contains heavy metals(for example molybdenum and vanadium), radionuclides (uranium and thorium).

The main process of transformation of hydrocarbons in the natural environment is biodegradation. However, its speed is low and depends on the hydrometeorological situation. In the northern regions, where the main Russian oil reserves are concentrated, the rate of oil biodegradation is very low. Some of the oil and insufficiently oxidized hydrocarbons fall to the bottom of water bodies, where the rate of their oxidation is practically zero. Substances such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons of petroleum, including 3,4-benzo(a)pyrene, exhibit increased stability in water. An increase in its concentration poses a real danger to the organisms of the aquatic ecosystem.

Another dangerous component of water pollution is pesticides. Migrating in the form of suspensions, they settle to the bottom of water bodies. Bottom sediments are the main reservoir for the accumulation of pesticides and other persistent organic pollutants, which ensures their long-term circulation in aquatic ecosystems. IN food chains their concentration increases many times over. Thus, compared to the content in bottom silt, the concentration of DDT in algae increases 10 times, in zooplankton (crustaceans) - 100 times, in fish - 1000 times, in predatory fish - 10,000 times.

A number of pesticides have structures unknown to nature and therefore resistant to biotransformation. These pesticides include organochlorine pesticides, which are extremely toxic and persistent in the aquatic environment and in soils. Representatives such as DDT are banned, but traces of this substance are still found in nature.

Persistent substances include dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls. Some of them have exceptional toxicity that exceeds most strong poisons. For example, the maximum permissible concentration of dioxins in surface and groundwater in the USA is 0.013 ng/l, in Germany - 0.01 ng/l. They actively accumulate in food chains, especially in the final links of these chains - in animals. The highest concentrations are observed in fish.

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) enter the environment with energy and transport waste. Among them, benzo(a)pyrene accounts for 70–80% of the emission mass. PAHs are classified as strong carcinogens.

Surfactants (surfactants) are usually not toxic, but form a film on the surface of water that disrupts gas exchange between water and the atmosphere. Phosphates included in surfactants cause eutrophication of water bodies.

The use of mineral and organic fertilizers leads to contamination of soils, surface and ground waters with nitrogen compounds, phosphorus, and microelements. Pollution with phosphorus compounds – main reason eutrophication of water bodies, the greatest threat to the biota of water bodies is posed by blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, in huge quantities breeding in the warm season in water bodies susceptible to eutrophication. When these organisms die and decompose, acutely toxic substances – cyanotoxins – are released. About 20% of all phosphorus pollution in water bodies comes from agricultural landscapes, 45% comes from livestock farming and municipal wastewater, and more than a third comes from losses during transportation and storage of fertilizers.

Mineral fertilizers contain a large “bouquet” of microelements. Among them are heavy metals: chromium, lead, zinc, copper, arsenic, cadmium, nickel. They can negatively affect animals and humans.

The huge number of existing anthropogenic sources of pollution and the numerous ways in which pollutants enter water bodies make it practically impossible to completely eliminate pollution of water bodies. Therefore, it was necessary to determine water quality indicators that ensure the safety of water use by the population and the stability of aquatic ecosystems. The establishment of such indicators is called water quality standardization. In sanitary and hygienic standards, the focus is on the impact of dangerous concentrations of chemicals in water on human health, while in environmental standards, the priority is to ensure the protection of living organisms in the aquatic environment from them.

The indicator of maximum permissible concentrations (MAC) is based on the concept of the threshold of action of a pollutant. Below this threshold, the concentration of the substance is considered safe for organisms.

The classification of water bodies according to the nature and level of pollution allows for a classification that establishes four degrees of pollution of a water body: permissible (1-fold excess of MPC), moderate (3-fold excess of MPC), high (10-fold excess of MPC) and extremely high (100 - multiple excess of MPC).

Environmental regulation is designed to ensure the preservation of the sustainability and integrity of aquatic ecosystems. Using the principle of the “weak link” of an ecosystem allows us to estimate the concentration of pollutants that are acceptable for the most vulnerable component of the system. This concentration is accepted as acceptable for the entire ecosystem as a whole.

The degree of pollution of land waters is controlled by the State Monitoring of Water Bodies system. In 2007, sampling for physical and chemical indicators with the simultaneous determination of hydrological indicators was carried out at 1716 points (2390 sections).

IN Russian Federation the problem of providing the population with benign drinking water remains unresolved. The main reason for this is the unsatisfactory condition of water supply sources. Rivers like

Pollution of aquatic ecosystems leads to a decrease in biodiversity and depletion of the gene pool. This is not the only, but important reason for the decline in biodiversity and numbers of aquatic species.

Protection of natural resources and quality assurance natural waters- a task of national importance.

By Order of the Government of the Russian Federation of August 27, 2009 No. 1235-r, the Water Strategy of the Russian Federation for the period until 2020 was approved. It states that in order to improve the quality of water in water bodies, restore aquatic ecosystems and the recreational potential of water bodies, the following tasks must be solved:

To solve this problem, legislative, organizational, economic, technological measures are required, and most importantly, political will aimed at solving the formulated problems.

Water is one of the most important natural resources, and we have the power to prevent its pollution. Small changes in habits, such as using natural cleaning products instead of toxic chemicals in the home or growing trees and flowers in the garden, can make a huge difference. For larger-scale changes, try not to hush up the facts of discharges of dirty wastewater from enterprises into local water bodies. Any action can lead to a positive result.

Steps

Changing housekeeping habits

Use as few chemicals as possible when cleaning your home. This simple step can make a big difference. Using toxic chemicals like bleach or ammonia is not only harmful to water resources, but it is simply unnecessary. Natural cleaning products are also effective for cleaning your household, but they do not harm the environment or the planet's water resources.

Dispose of waste correctly. Never pour waste that does not decompose down the drain. When you use toxic substances such as paints or ammonia, take steps to dispose of them properly. If you are unsure how to properly dispose of them, consult your hazardous waste collection point or search online for information. Here is a list of some substances that should never be poured down the drain:

Paints
Engine oil
Solvents and Cleaners
Ammonia
Pool chemicals

Do not flush medications down the drain. Medicines are made from substances that may be harmful to the environment. If you have expired medications, take them to a hazardous waste collection point, such as mobile collection points called Ecomobiles. This way, medications will not get into the water body and cause harm to people and animals.

Do not flush trash down the drain. Flushing items such as diapers, wet wipes, and plastic tampon applicators down the toilet can create drainage problems. In addition, these items will clog rivers and lakes, and this can kill fish and other river and sea life. Instead of flushing such items down the toilet, simply throw them in the trash.
- You can use cloth diapers, recycled toilet paper, biodegradable tampons to minimize items that end up in landfill.
Save as much water as possible. Saving water is very important for preserving the planet's water resources. Cleaning drinking water and water, running a household requires a lot of effort and energy resources, so save as much water as possible, especially during droughts. Here are some good habits that will help you save water:

Try not to use plastic. Since plastic is not biodegradable, it accumulates in rivers, lakes, and seas because it has nowhere else to go. For example, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, or the Eastern Garbage Continent, or the Pacific “Garbage Pit” - garbage accumulated in Pacific Ocean. Garbage polluting rivers, seas and lakes harms marine life and people. Whenever possible, use glass containers or cloth bags instead of plastic.
Collect and compost garden waste. If waste is stored haphazardly, it can end up in sewers, ditches, and drains. Even if your waste does not contain herbicides or pesticides, large amounts of branches, leaves, and grass clippings can oversaturate the water with nutrients.
- Store compost in a bin or barrel to prevent the compost from washing out across the area. In some countries, these boxes are provided free of charge or at a low cost.
- Use a mulching lawn mower instead of a bag lawn mower. A mulching lawn mower adds a natural layer of compost to your lawn, plus you don't have to deal with disposing of grass clippings.
- Properly dispose of garden waste and grass clippings. If you don't have compost, find out if there are compost recycling facilities in your area.
Monitor the condition of your car. If your car leaks gasoline or other liquids, remember that they enter through the soil. Carry out regular technical inspections of the machine and eliminate all faults in a timely manner.
- In addition to the above, remember to properly dispose of your motor oil instead of simply pouring it down the drain.
Dissemination of your ideas and achievements
1. Be active at school or at work. You can take the same steps at school or work as you do at home. Review your school or office policies and determine what areas need to be changed to improve the health of the water and the environment in general. Involve friends, teachers, and colleagues in this process, tell them about the possibilities of maintaining clean water.
  - For example, you can recommend environmentally harmless means on cleaning your school or office, tell us which of these products are most effective.
  - You can put up signs to remind people to conserve water in the kitchen and bathroom.
2. Help clean up trash around waterways. If you live close to a local water source, you can do a lot to protect it from contamination. Find out if community clean-up days are organized to clean up areas close to the reservoir; be sure to participate in such cleaning as a volunteer to clean the banks of a river, lake, or sea.