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* Sources:Agricultural runoffs and waste from oil palm and


rubber processing mills
1)Pollutants:Nitrates and phosphates(in fertilisers)
* Solution:Control the use of fertilisers by
a)Applying only when crops are growing
b)Not applying in empty fields
c)Not spraying when there is a forcast of rain
d)Not disposing of them into rivers and ponds
e)Reducing the usageof excess nitrates from fertilisers and
ammonia
2)Pollutant:Herbicide and pesticide residues
-Accumulation of perticides and herbicides may have toxic effects
on organisms in the water and humans if the water is used as
drinking water
-The pesticide levels accumulate as they pass through the food
chains
-High concentrations of pesticides may accumulate in the tissue of
final consumers which are mainly carnivores.The perticides may
kill the carnivores or may affect their metabolism
-Studies have also shown that pesticides have led to lower sperm
counts,decreased ovulation,the inability to conceive and birth
defects.
-Solution:
a)Use biodegradable pesticides
b)Use biological pest control methods
c)Plant genetically modified crops that can resist attacks by pests
as this may reduce the need of chemical insecticides
* Sources:Untreted sewage-consisting mainly of human faeces
and domestic waste
1)Pollutant:Suspended solids
-Reduced light penetration
-If suspended solids are biodegradable,they can be decomposed
by microorganisms and this process requires a high demand for
oxygen
Solutions:-
a)Treat sewage before it enters rivers
b)Prevent farm slurry(liquid manure)from entering rivers and
ponds

2)Pollutant: Nitrates and phosphates


-Lead to entrophication
* Source:Domestic waste includes detergents and food waste
* Pollutant:Detergents
-’Hard’ detergents create foam which reduces the supply of
oxygen to organisms living in water
-’Soft’ detergents are biogradable but may contain high
levels of phosphates which can lead to eutrophication
Solution:Use biodegradable detergents with low phosphate
content

Source:Animal waste from farms


Pollutants:Microorganisms such as bacteria and protozoa
-If water is used for drinking,it must be properly treated or
it may cause water-borne diseases such as cholera
Solution:Drink properly treated and boiled water
* Source:Effluents from industries
-Electronics and electroplating plants
-Food and beverage processing industry
-Rubber product processing industry
Pollutant:Heavy metal
-Highly toxic and accumulate in the organisms via food chains
-Mercury can cause acute nervous disorders in humans
Solution:-
a)Treat effluents before they are discharged into water sources
b)Take legal action against illegal dumping of toxic wastes

Source:Underground pipes
Pollutant:Lead
-Lead is highly toxic heavy metal which can accumulate in the tissues of
living organisms
-Lead can impair the mental ability of children
-Solution:Use copper pipes instead of lead pipes in plumbing

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