The Effects of Sewage Dumping
Sewage being emitted into the ocean.
The main effects of sewage pollution are the destruction of underwater ecosystems and disease. When toxins are dissolved into water, it does not only cause the quality of water slowly deteriorate, but can absorb into reefs, which kills off ecosystems, and/or absorb into the shore where it can effect groundwater, rivers,and other bodies of water. This water could then ultimately end up in households and cause deadly diseases. Chemicals carried in detergents and/or from industrial factories causes the breakdown of organic material found it water. This includes depleting the oxygen supply in the ocean which organisms need to survive.
One of the biggest effects that sewage pollution can do is called eutrophication. Eutrophication is the proccess by which the essential chemicals for life is increased causing organisms to over populate to where the oxygen supply starts depleting which makes it harder for other organisms living in the same envoirment trying to survive. In this system, the bacteria found in the water is basically strangling the organisms. If not careful, the overpopulated organisms can contract diseases.
People that swim in sewage contaminated waters are at risk for contracting diseases as well. Most disorders caused by swimming in sewage contaminated water are related to the gastrointestinal system. One example includes shellfish. Shellfish strain water through their gills to get their food. If the water is contaiminated, the shellfish absorbs the toxins. When a person eats the shellfish raw or not fully cooked, the person could get sick. Depending on the level of sewage dumping, the shellfish could contain high traces of toxins. If not careful, the consumption of sewage contaminated foods could cause serious health effects to include: Giardiasis, Amoebic dysentery, and cholera. Detergents that may be found in sewage water contain harmful chemicals that can damage the liver and kidney.
One of the biggest effects that sewage pollution can do is called eutrophication. Eutrophication is the proccess by which the essential chemicals for life is increased causing organisms to over populate to where the oxygen supply starts depleting which makes it harder for other organisms living in the same envoirment trying to survive. In this system, the bacteria found in the water is basically strangling the organisms. If not careful, the overpopulated organisms can contract diseases.
People that swim in sewage contaminated waters are at risk for contracting diseases as well. Most disorders caused by swimming in sewage contaminated water are related to the gastrointestinal system. One example includes shellfish. Shellfish strain water through their gills to get their food. If the water is contaiminated, the shellfish absorbs the toxins. When a person eats the shellfish raw or not fully cooked, the person could get sick. Depending on the level of sewage dumping, the shellfish could contain high traces of toxins. If not careful, the consumption of sewage contaminated foods could cause serious health effects to include: Giardiasis, Amoebic dysentery, and cholera. Detergents that may be found in sewage water contain harmful chemicals that can damage the liver and kidney.