Pollution of the hydrosphere is a major problem. When we think of pollution, we sometimes only think of things like plastic, bottles, oil and so on. But any chemical that is present in the hydrosphere in an amount that is not what it should be is a pollutant. Animals and plants that live in the Earth's water bodies are specially adapted to surviving within a certain range of conditions. If these conditions are changed (e.g. through pollution), these organisms may not be able to survive. Pollution then, can affect entire aquatic ecosystems. The most common forms of pollution in the hydrosphere arewaste productsfrom humans and from industries,nutrient pollutione.g. fertiliser runoff which causes eutrophication (an excess of nutrients in the water leading to excessive plant growth) and toxic trace elements such as aluminium, mercury and copper to name a few. Most of these elements come from mines or from industries.
Overuse of water
We mentioned earlier that only a very small percentage of the hydrosphere's water is available as freshwater. However, despite this, humans continue to use more and more water to the point where waterconsumptionis fast approaching the amount of water that isavailable. The situation is a serious one, particularly in countries such as South Africa which are naturally dry and where water resources are limited. It is estimated that between 2020 and 2040, water supplies in South Africa will no longer be able to meet the growing demand for water in this country. This is partly due to population growth, but also because of the increasing needs of industries as they expand and develop. For each of us, this should be a very scary thought. Try to imagine a day without water... difficult isn't it? Water is so much a part of our lives, that we are hardly aware of the huge part that it plays in our daily lives.
As populations grow, so do the demands that are placed on dwindling water resources. While many people argue that building dams helps to solve this water-shortage problem, there is evidence that dams are only a temporary solution and that they often end up doing far more ecological damage than good. The only sustainable solution is to reduce the demand for water, so that water supplies are sufficient to meet this. The more important question then is how to do this.
Water ensures the existence of living organisms on Earth, and the course of their life processes. It is part of the cells and tissues of any animal and plants. On average, water is about 90% of the mass of all plants and 75% of the mass of animals. Climate and weather on Earth is largely dependent on and determined by the presence of water spaces and water vapor content in the atmosphere.
In human water are widely used. Water is used in industry, serves as coolants used in the construction and. Agricultural activities associated with the consumption of vast quantities of water. Rivers, canals, lakes — important means of communication.
Historically, people have always settled near water sources. They provided them with fresh water, were given water for irrigation and production development. In the middle of XX century, mankind has created new opportunities in the sustainable provision of water resources: they built reservoirs and canals, artesian wells were drilled. Along with increases in capacity and the emergence of an increasing need for fresh water — has grown, and the ability to waste water, waste, without looking back. In terms of everyone on the planet quantity intake increased from 140 to 780 liters per day. And in all the calculations of water consumption, taking into account agriculture, industry and domestic needs, never taken into account other important consumer of water — environment.
As a result of irrational consumption expenditure of the water began to exceed the rate of recurrence. Rivers no longer reach the sea, drying lakes, depleting aquifers, degraded ecosystems — all due to overruns in the water and the underestimation of the value of this resource in ill-considered policy of consumption.
Thus, slowly, step by step, the world is squandering one of the important natural resources, increasing the ecological debt, which will inherit the future generations. The way we can do this is by raising the fine on polluting and placing more RECYCLE and garabage cans.
Info from: http://www.slideshare.net/mariscotes/earths-hydrosphere-and-water-pollution-6954785