Effects of Pollutants on the Hydrosphere

The effects of pollutants on the hydrosphere are quite notorious. For example, an estimated 40% of the U.S. waterways are too polluted for swimming or fishing. Thus, it is important to understand the sources of these pollutants, their interactions and effects. 

Many thousands of chemicals enter water bodies from anthropogenic sources. These chemicals have significantly different properties, which makes it impossible to monitor or measure such a variety. Consequently, when these water pollutants are considered, they are generally grouped into substance types, and a priority or indicator substance is used to estimate their presence. 

The main types of water pollutants and their sources are listed in Table 8.5. 

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