Hobbies And Interests
Oxygen Deprivation
Fish require dissolved oxygen so they can breathe. When a creek, lake, stream or the ocean is filled with sewage and other wastes this decreases the amount of oxygen available to the fish. Large-scale fish kills take place regularly throughout the world. Scientists also theorize certain pollutants encourage algae growth. That growth rapidly changes the environment of streams, ponds and lakes perhaps contributing to the demise of certain fish species.
Chlorine
When chlorine is put into our sewage system to kill bacteria, this kills marine life. Chlorine produces carcinogenic or cancer-causing hydrocarbon byproducts.
Mercury
When there is too much mercury in the water, this accumulates in the fish and when humans eat these fish it can cause birth defects and neurological symptoms. These toxic elements in the water occur when there are industrial accidents or when toxins are purposely and illegally released into water by industry.
Oil and Other Factors
Otters and sea birds have been killed by the thousands when oil is dumped. Oil is insoluble in water. It is very hard to clean up an oil spill. Electrical transformers emit polychlorinated byphenyls and this contaminates water and kills fish. Acid rain is another water pollutant that wreaks havoc on aquatic ecosystems.
Industrial Farms
Industrial farms use animal waste as fertilizer and spray it over their land. Once the land is saturated, the excess waste runs off into nearby waterways. This creates too much phosphorous or nitrogen in the water. When water is contaminated by manure and synthetic fertilizers this is risky for animal and human health as well as damaging to the environment. Manure has a lot of pathogens or disease causing microorganisms in it and these pathogens may end up in the local water supply.