5.4. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON THE HYDROSPHERE

One of the main negative impacts on water is water pollution, that reduces water quality and makes it less suitable for use.

Types of water pollutants

• Suspended matter: plastic, sand, organic matter or soot.
• Dissolved solids: nutrients (eutrophication), metals, etc.
• Liquids: oils, industrial liquid waste, etc.
• Gases: CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O (rivers); CO₂ (ocean acidification).
• Microbiological contaminants: viruses, bacteria and protozoa.
• Energy: heat, sound, radioactivity, etc.

The hydrosphere can be significantly deteriorated by the following negative impacts:

• Fresh water:
  • Overexploitation of groundwater and surface waters (it reduces the reserves).
  • Alteration of river regimes.
  • Salinization of aquifers.
• Seawater: spills (Mar Menor and Portman).

YouTube: Microplásticos TED-Ed “What really happens to the plastic you throw away - Emma Bryce”

YouTube: National Geographic “How we can keep plastics out of our ocean”

PRÁCTICA DE LABORATORIO Nº 6: Depuradora casera.