Water Pollution
1. Introduction
Water is one of our most important natural resources. Water is used in different purpose such as domestic, industrial supply, transportation, recreation. However, nowadays, humans are continuously deteriorating rivers, lakes, and oceans through different agricultural, industrial activities. Abel (1996) states that water pollution defines as “the addition of undesirable materials into aquatic bodies” (p.1). This may cause physical, chemical or biological change in water, leading to different harmful effects on organisms and environment. Lots of aquatic organisms are killed. Therefore, the problem of water pollution should be solved immediately. And before we combat the problem, we must analysis the causes and effects on the environment and organisms. In this essay, the causes of water pollution will be firstly discussed, and follow by some solutions toward water pollution.
2. Water Pollution in Hong Kong
The continuous population growth and urban development in Hong Kong cause the water in Hong Kong deteriorates and the water pollution has a great impact on aquatic ecosystem. Thus, Environmental Protection Department (1997) announced that a Harbour Area Treatment Project was launched. It is a long term project to stop sewage being dumped into the harbour. Also, the Environmental Protection Department is responsible for controlling and monitoring the quality of both marine and river water in Hong Kong.
3. Categorization of Water Pollution Water pollution can be classified into point source pollution and non-point source pollution.
3.1 Point Source Pollution According to Kifferstein (2000), point sources are specific locations from which water pollutants are discharged through pipes, ditches into river. Point source pollutants can be identified and monitored easily due to specific site.
3.2 Non-Point Source Pollution According to Kifferstein (2000), non-point sources are those that cannot traced to any single site of
Water is one of our most important natural resources. Water is used in different purpose such as domestic, industrial supply, transportation, recreation. However, nowadays, humans are continuously deteriorating rivers, lakes, and oceans through different agricultural, industrial activities. Abel (1996) states that water pollution defines as “the addition of undesirable materials into aquatic bodies” (p.1). This may cause physical, chemical or biological change in water, leading to different harmful effects on organisms and environment. Lots of aquatic organisms are killed. Therefore, the problem of water pollution should be solved immediately. And before we combat the problem, we must analysis the causes and effects on the environment and organisms. In this essay, the causes of water pollution will be firstly discussed, and follow by some solutions toward water pollution.
2. Water Pollution in Hong Kong
The continuous population growth and urban development in Hong Kong cause the water in Hong Kong deteriorates and the water pollution has a great impact on aquatic ecosystem. Thus, Environmental Protection Department (1997) announced that a Harbour Area Treatment Project was launched. It is a long term project to stop sewage being dumped into the harbour. Also, the Environmental Protection Department is responsible for controlling and monitoring the quality of both marine and river water in Hong Kong.
3. Categorization of Water Pollution Water pollution can be classified into point source pollution and non-point source pollution.
3.1 Point Source Pollution According to Kifferstein (2000), point sources are specific locations from which water pollutants are discharged through pipes, ditches into river. Point source pollutants can be identified and monitored easily due to specific site.
3.2 Non-Point Source Pollution According to Kifferstein (2000), non-point sources are those that cannot traced to any single site of