4.16: Understand the Biological Consequences of Pollution of Water by Sewage

BIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF SEWAGE IN WATER:

WATER POLLUTION BY SEWAGE

Picture showing sewage released into river

CONSEQUENCES: REPRODUCTION OF MICRO-ORGANISMS As sewage is rich in Minerals and Nutrients, this provides large amounts of energy for organisms such as Decomposers to reproduce and populate Additionally, sewage rich in Minerals and Nutrients will encourage Algae growth, causing Algae bloom to form on the surface of rivers and lakes DEPLETION OF OXYGEN As the formation of Algae bloom on the Water surface blocks sunlight, this prevents Plants from absorbing sunlight via Photosynthesis, resulting in the death of aquatic Plants Therefore, Decomposers will break down sewage and dead Plants via aerobic respiration, depleting Oxygen reserves in Water Sewage may also contain Bacteria that will respire aerobically to deplete Oxygen levels in Water