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Ocean Pollution California Article
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Water Pollution: Be Careful Not To Take A Sip
from:Take a sip, take a swim, but take a moment and think what may be in that water. Water pollution is everywhere and we may come in contact with it more then one may think. Water pollution does not just occur when a big tanker has a spill, but when we see or hear about those incidents it helps us remember how precious our water sources are.
What It Boils Down To
Water pollution is more then just dirty water. A good definition of water pollution would be any biological, physical, or chemical change in the quality of the water that has a harmful effect to any living thing that uses, lives in, or drinks it.
There are different classes or categories of water pollution, which include:
• Disease-causing agents, such as bacteria, viruses, parasitic worms, etc. These enter the sewage systems and untreated waste.
• Oxygen-demanding agents which are wastes that can be decomposed by oxygen-requiring bacteria. When large amounts of decomposing bacteria are trying to breakdown these wastes it is using the oxygen in the water, which depletes the supply needed by the fish, so they in turn die.
• Water-soluble inorganic pollutants that make water unfit to drink and cause death to aquatic life. Examples of these would be acids, salts, and toxic metals.
• Water-soluble phosphates and nitrates. These agents cause excessive growth of algae and other plants that deplete the much needed oxygen supply.
• Organic compounds. Just because the word organic is there, does not make it healthy. Oil, plastics, and pesticides are in this category and these are harmful to all humans, plants, and animals in the water.
• Water-soluble radioactive compounds, usually associated with illegal dumping; these can cause birth defects, cancers, and genetic damage.
Water Pollution Solutions
All the information can be overwhelming and it may seem that all hope is lost but one should consider that there are standards that have been put into place that did not once exist. However, we should ask what we can do to help. A few helpful suggestions include:
• Waste not, want not - The lack of water can be just as harmful as the possible toxins found. It is best to use smart water consumption, like not running your sprinklers in the heat of the day, using water smart appliances, and don't let the water run constantly while brushing your teeth.
• Chemical charade – Toxins and chemicals do not make the house cleaner and now thankfully there are more choices on the market that will allow you to make smart choices. Purchase items that do not include phosphates and other toxins, so the wastewater is entered back into the ground as chemical free as possible.
• Crackdowns - Stricter laws on drinking water standards, illegal dumping, and possible environmentally friendly business tax breaks can be an enormous help. Get involved locally with new bills because the power of the vote can help out our water supply for today and for tomorrow.
Water is one of our most indispensable resources and the fact that our world is covered by a large percentage of it should not be taken for granted. We need to take a daily consideration for our own actions to help preserve our supply and protect our waterways. The effects of pollution do not stop at bad drinking water, but can and do lead to death. If we do not take action, then that will become our reality.
Ocean Pollution California Specific links
Ocean Pollution California News
Water at California beaches cleanest in years - San Francisco Chronicle
 The Bay Citizen | Water at California beaches cleanest in years San Francisco Chronicle Nearly every beach in the Bay Area, and throughout the state, had dramatically lower levels of bacteria and pollution than last year, according to an annual survey of 650 West Coast beaches by Heal the Bay, a Santa Monica environmental group. 7 of 10 Dirtiest California Beaches Are in Los Angeles County Water quality at LA County beaches improves Bay Area Beaches Get Mostly Good Grades in 'Heal the Bay' Report |
California sport fish survey: mercury, PCBs higher - San Francisco Chronicle
California sport fish survey: mercury, PCBs higher San Francisco Chronicle Mercury pollution is caused by a variety of factors, from mining to upwelling from the depths of the ocean. Not all of the causes can be controlled on the local level. Though rare, long-term mercury exposure in adults can impair vision and hearing, ... |
LA Council moves to ban plastic grocery bags - BusinessWeek
 Greener Ideal | LA Council moves to ban plastic grocery bags BusinessWeek A large percentage of ocean pollution is plastic, she said, and that pollution damages ocean life and the jobs that depend on it. The ban was opposed by lobbyists for manufacturers and union employees who produce the ubiquitous bags and argued that a ... Los Angeles Largest US City to Ban Plastic Bags Los Angeles City Council expected to ban plastic bags, improve marine health L.A.'s Plastic and Paper Bag Ban is Built on Past Mistakes |
Ocean Acidification: The Local Story - The Daily Score
Ocean Acidification: The Local Story The Daily Score When people learn that carbon dioxide pollution is turning our oceans more corrosive, it's tempting to decide that the problem is too big for any person or local government to tackle. But as our knowledge of ocean acidification continues to evolve, ... |
Surfrider partners with city to promote ocean-friendly gardens - Ventura County Star
Surfrider partners with city to promote ocean-friendly gardens Ventura County Star By Christopher Stolz Pamela Berstler (front center) of the G3 Green Gardens Group, talks about a soil sample during an ocean-friendly gardening workshop held April 15 in Ventura. To reduce flooding, prevent street pollutants from washing into the ocean ... |