Introduction
Water has become one of the most prominent natural resources gifted by the Mother Nature, since the early existence of all life forms on the planet Earth. With the vast improvements in society, the living beings, especially human’s consumption of water has advanced from solely for drinking, cleaning and cooking purposes to using water for entertainment and advanced infrastructure (mining) etc. Along with its consumption, there have been numerous issues arising about the ‘influence of humanity on the accessibility of water resources’. This report will discuss the quality of Australia’s water resource in the 21st century by considering the definition of quality water and comparing it against the water found in Australia today. Moreover, …show more content…
Despite the guidelines (discussed above), there are a number of undesirable qualities that are free flowing into every day water supplies. Some of these qualities as identified by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines are “Chlorine, Bacteria, Pesticides, Nitrate, Lead, Mercury, Trihalomethas, Fluorides, Cadmium and Polyromantic hydrocarbons”.
Human Activities
What are the results of poor water quality?
Poor water quality has seen two major consequences on the Australian society in the 21st century. In the past, it is evident that poor water quality in Australia has had severe consequences on the environment and the quantity of quality water resources left.
Effects on the environment
Freshwater ecosystems have seen to be amongst the most degraded by decreasing water quality. It is suggested that due to the contamination of water with dangerous microorganisms and radioactive materials, a great number of species of aquatic life have impacted due to diseases. This is evident in Eastern Queensland, where it is suggested that at least 6 species of marine turtles, 12 species of cetaceans and 34 species of seabirds have significantly dropped in population due to diseases occurring from plastic debris in water and high levels of lead introduced to water pathways.
Effects on the quantity of quality water
Water has become one of the most prominent natural resources gifted by the Mother Nature, since the early existence of all life forms on the planet Earth. With the vast improvements in society, the living beings, especially human’s consumption of water has advanced from solely for drinking, cleaning and cooking purposes to using water for entertainment and advanced infrastructure (mining) etc. Along with its consumption, there have been numerous issues arising about the ‘influence of humanity on the accessibility of water resources’. This report will discuss the quality of Australia’s water resource in the 21st century by considering the definition of quality water and comparing it against the water found in Australia today. Moreover, …show more content…
Despite the guidelines (discussed above), there are a number of undesirable qualities that are free flowing into every day water supplies. Some of these qualities as identified by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines are “Chlorine, Bacteria, Pesticides, Nitrate, Lead, Mercury, Trihalomethas, Fluorides, Cadmium and Polyromantic hydrocarbons”.
Human Activities
What are the results of poor water quality?
Poor water quality has seen two major consequences on the Australian society in the 21st century. In the past, it is evident that poor water quality in Australia has had severe consequences on the environment and the quantity of quality water resources left.
Effects on the environment
Freshwater ecosystems have seen to be amongst the most degraded by decreasing water quality. It is suggested that due to the contamination of water with dangerous microorganisms and radioactive materials, a great number of species of aquatic life have impacted due to diseases. This is evident in Eastern Queensland, where it is suggested that at least 6 species of marine turtles, 12 species of cetaceans and 34 species of seabirds have significantly dropped in population due to diseases occurring from plastic debris in water and high levels of lead introduced to water pathways.
Effects on the quantity of quality water