III. METODOLOGÍA
3.4. Participantes
Water encompasses 71% of EarthÊs surface. Out of this, 97% is sea water, 2% is water in snow form, and 1% is water found on land. It is this 1% that we use for our daily activities, and in industries and agriculture. We should preserve this small amount of drinkable water from pollution. Water is a resource that is renewed through the water or hydrology cycle. Thus, proper water management will ensure continued access to clean water sources.
In the face of development and innovation, various new technologies have been introduced to make life more comfortable and pleasant. However, humans are often caught between progress and preserving water resources. Positive steps are not taken to ensure the continual cleanliness of water supplies and canals. Water pollution encompasses pollution in rivers, lakes and seas. At the moment, water pollution is a serious issue that must be overcome effectively to ensure current and future generations continue to enjoy clean and fresh water. There have been many issues in water pollution that have been highlighted by the media but what are the solutions? Who should be held responsible? Can this issue be put to rest?
ACTIVITY 11.3
Do you know how some countries develop eco-friendly towns? Follow the planning of these projects on www.midrand-ecocity.co.za/pp-5.htm. Then, use the search engine and find other websites which can give you more information about this. Discuss whether Malaysia can one day have eco-friendly towns.
11.2.1 Causes of Water Pollution
Causes of water pollution are divided into two categories ă natural causes and extreme human activities. In this case, natural causes of water pollution cannot be helped but pollution occurs faster and more seriously due to human activities. Among the causes of water pollution are:
(a) Soil Erosion and Floods
Soil erosion can be divided into two types. Firstly, normal geological erosion, which exists on the EarthÊs surface wherever there is a flow of energy, whether water, ice or wind. The second is rapid erosion which is linked to human activities that disrupt the balance between soil, plant coverage and the eroding energy of geological agents. The rapidity of soil erosion by water will pollute the water which would be carrying material like mud and rubbish. Indirectly, polluted water will bring about disease- carrying agents that will harm human health and other organisms.
Floods arise from several basic factors like the climate. However, there are several other factors that can alleviate the intensity of floods like sedimentation at the bottom of rivers and such. Floods pose a serious problem as they cause loss of lives and property. Flash floods that often occur in urban areas are due to human activities that favour development while disregarding the cleanliness of the environment. Floods occur naturally or due to unplanned development and human activities that disrupt water channels. At the same time, the flood waters carry along dissolved substances and suspended particles that are not usually found in clean water supplies.
(b) Logging
The activity of cutting down forest trees for development purposes causes water pollution. Logging accelerates erosion. Trees are generally a medium of water filtration. Unplanned and uncontrolled logging causes disruptions to water containment sources. Water will flow and erosion will occur. Soil erosion, resulting from logging activities, pollutes the water with suspended and dissolved substances that contaminate the water content. Widespread logging in several areas in Peninsular and East Malaysia has worsened the problem of sedimentation in rivers.
(c) Development and Industrial Activities
The development of new townships directly destroys forests that serve as water containment centres. As in the case of logging, development causes water pollution. Water passageways built by developers often clog up and this leads to flash floods. Industrial activities also contribute to water
pollution. Many studies have shown that natural resource-based industries bring about many water pollution problems.
(d) Oil Spills
Oil spills from vessels pollute the sea water. One litre of spilled oil will cover 4000 square metres of the seaÊs surface. Within a few days, around 25% of the oil will evaporate and leave brown residue floating on the surface. After three months, black, tarred residues can be seen and sticky patches will be formed.
Oil spills cause:
(i) Organisms living in the sea to face problems in obtaining oxygen; (ii) The disruption in the growth and fertility of plankton;
(iii) The death of organisms living in the sea; and
(iv) Difficulty in mobility due to stickiness (physical characteristic of oil).
11.2.2 The Moral Question over Water Pollution
Figure 11.3: Man and water
Water is very precious to living things. However, the human attitude of placing importance on profits and disregarding water conservation can lead to loss of drinkable water and life forms in water. Development activities like widespread, uncontrolled logging will hasten the destruction of water sources.
Therefore, in chasing development, noble values and love for Nature should not be pushed aside. Every stage in the development process should have an appropriate role. In other words, all involved parties, from the planning officers to the labourers, should cooperate in guarding, preserving and conserving our water sources and practise noble moral values.
EXERCISE 11.2
Explain how the moral values of visitors can help preserve the beauty of waterfalls.