State the harmful effects of water pollution.

Pollution is not a distant phenomenon anymore. It is affecting the quality of our day to day lives. Following are harmful effects of water pollution:

● The chemicals such as arsenic, lead and flourides discharged by the industries are very toxic to plants and animals.

● The hot water released by certain industries raises the temperature of the water body. It adversely affects the plants and animals living in it.

● The fertilizers act as nutrients for the algae to grow. When these algae die, they act as a nutrient for decomposers like bacteria. As a result of this process, a lot of oxygen in the water gets used up and leads to the deficiency of Oxygen in the water. This may kill the aquatic organisms.

● Water contaminated with sewage may contain bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites which can cause diseases like cholera, typhoid and jaundice.