APES 110_Gizmo Water Pollution_2021

Question: What are the main types of water pollution? 1. Read and learn: Besides toxic pollution, the other types of pollution are sediment pollution, nutrient pollution, and bacterial pollution. You have already described toxic pollution on the previous page. Read about the other types, and describe each in your own words. Sediment pollution Description: Sediment pollution is caused by the erosion of soil in waterways, usually during heavy rain. Causes: It is caused by the soil being eroded after heavy rainfalls. Consequences Sediments pile up in reservoirs, rivers, and harbors, destroy fish and wildlife, and cloud the water, blocking sunlight interfering with aquatic plants. Nutrient pollution Description: Nutrient pollution is the presence of excessive nutrients in water. Causes: High concentrations of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus can promote explosive algal growth and eutrophication. Consequences: When the algae die, the process of decomposition consumes oxygen and leads to a state of hypoxia, or low-oxygen conditions, killing fish and other aquatic organisms.