Introduction
Global pollution of water resources has had devasting effects on the environment that include the irreversible destruction of the ocean ecosystem and biodiversity, long-term health conditions, and contamination of seafood.
Context and Value
At the moment, many countries in Africa and Asia are facing serious droughts and famines that threaten the lives of millions of people. These occasional droughts and famine serve as a reminder of the importance of water and water resources. Water is crucial to all living things and it is essential to the social and economic development of human beings (Liu, et al). However, despite a consensus on the importance of water resources, human beings are yet to abandon their destructive habit of polluting rivers, dams, lakes, seas, and oceans with plastic, metal, chemicals, and all manner of harmful items and substances (Shahid & Saba). The pollution of these water resources accelerated with the industrial revolution and despite the negative effects of water pollution such as the destruction of biodiversity and ocean ecosystems, serious solutions to the problem are yet to be developed to combat water pollution,
Human activity including in industries and at home is the single largest cause of the water population. Ironically, human beings are also critically dependent on water and it beats logic why they would pollute their sources of water. Broadly defined, water pollution is the entry of foreign substances into the water that makes it toxic for use by humans and marine wildlife (Inyinbor, et al). Generally, the effects of water pollution are devastating to all living things including plants, animals, and people that depend on it to survive. The effects of the water population are disproportionately felt by vulnerable and lower-income communities that live near the polluted water resource (Haseena, et al). Consequently, a concerted effort that incorporates individuals and entire industries is needed to address water pollution before it becomes too toxic to support the survival of the human race and other living things on the planet.
This article by Beaumont and others discusses the global impact of water pollution through the dumping of plastic into the water. The author maintains that the marine ecosystem provided natural resources that support marine life and the economic and social lives of the people who live near large water bodies such as oceans. Consequently, any threat to the marine ecosystem is bound to have monumental negative effects that impact not just the people but also the ocean ecosystem. The authors note that plastic pollution in oceans has increased in the recent past to levels that have left large parts of the ocean toxic. Millions of tonnes of plastic flood the oceans each year which then fragments into small parts known as microplastics. These microplastics have had devastating effects on global ecology, and social, and economic life.
This article is relevant for the research because it discusses an aspect of water pollution that has left families devastated and ocean ecology in tatters. The author is experts on the topic as they are from the Plymouth Marine Laboratory in the UK. Additionally, the article is less than five years old meaning that the information it contains is not academically out of date. Additionally, the authors do not have a conflict of interest as the disclosed funders of their research are also experts and players in marine ecology. Thus, the article is both credible and relevant and will be used to support arguments about the effects of polluting the water with plastics.
In this article, the author assesses the negative effects of water pollution on human beings. The authors note that water pollution is the largest cause of disease in the world today, millions of premature deaths, the degradation of the ecosystem, and billions in economic losses. The authors also highlight that water pollution is an equally existential catastrophe waiting to happen and it is disappointing that policymakers are not actively looking to find solutions for it. The authors put a disclaimer on their work and noted that the possible consequences of the water pollution were not exhaustive as some of the effects are only just beginning to be understood. Additionally, they note that while water pollution is increasing, some countries lack the necessary capacity to slow it down let alone eliminate the problem. Finally, their analysis of some of the most polluted waters found traces of toxic metal, manufactured chemicals, pesticides, sewerage, and mini plastic.
Conclusion
This article is relevant to the research because it outlines the sources of water pollution and highlights the many negative effects it causes. In addition, the article takes a multifaced approach when discussing the effects of water pollution by highlighting the economic, social, and health consequences of water pollution. The author has not declared any conflict of interest and has disclosed the source of funding for their study. A lack of conflict of interest and funding disclosure helps explain some biases the authors may have regarding a topic. Thus, this article is credible and relevant to this research.
Works Cited
Haseena, Mehtab, et al. “Water pollution and human health.” Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation 1.3 (2017).
Inyinbor, Adejumoke, A., et al. “Water pollution: effects, prevention, and climatic impact.” Water Challenges of an Urbanizing World 33 (2018): 33-47.
Liu, Yu, et al. “A review of water pollution arising from agriculture and mining activities in Central Asia: Facts, causes, and effects.” Environmental Pollution 291 (2021): 118-209.
Shahid, Ahmed & Saba, Ismail. ‘Water Pollution and its Sources, Effects & Management: A Case Study of Delhi’. International Journal of Current Advanced Research 7.2 (2018): 104-142.