Human Impact on Water

Industrial and Urban Run-off

Run-off is the term used to describe water from precipitation such as snow or rain that has not soaked into soil, but instead runs off and collects various particulates and pollution. Run-off often ends up in many different types of natural water sources such as streams, rivers, ponds, ocean, and even drinking water. The run-off specifically from industrial or urban locations includes solids or pollutants from construction sites, parking lots, roadways, factories, and the like. Despite drainage systems to channel storm water, run-off still occurs and flushes into waterways along with storm water, often polluting sources of water to varying severity. Depending on the contaminants within the industrial or urban run-off, which are often numerous; various negative effects occur as a result. Contamination of drinking water, ill health effects or even death to wildlife and fish, destruction of marine habitat, and ill effects to human health at recreation sites are all negative consequences of industrial and urban run-off (National Library of Medicine, 2015).

Harmful Algae Blooms

While algal blooms are generally harmless and a part of marine food webs, harmful algal blooms (HABs) are toxic and cause many issues to humans, animals, and habitat. Certain algae species are naturally toxic and form in the ocean when certain conditions are present for their growth. The blooms are commonly red or brown and often referred to as, “red tide” or “brown tide”. The HABs produce toxins that can harm marine life, fish species, wildlife, and humans. Shellfish exposed to HABs can cause food poisoning in those that consume them among other health issues. In addition to their unsightly appearance, HABs can fully block the sunlight from penetrating the surface waters, which many marine organisms require for survival. Algal blooms with larger surface areas are capable of depleting