Effects of pollutants on the aquatic environment

7.8 Other biological pollutants

Many other forms of pollution mentioned previously could be considered as biological pollutants, e.g. algal blooms and the growth of sewage fungus. Examples that are more clearly of this type of pollution are the many species of blue-green algae, which produce substances that are toxic to terrestrial organisms and can impart tastes and odours to water.

Activity 3

Identify which of the following statements are true. If a statement is false, give the reason why.

Activity 4

Identify which of the following statements are true. If a statement is false, give the reason why.

Activity 5

Indicate the causative agent (virus, bacterium, protozoan or helminth) of each of the following diseases:

  • cholera
  • poliomyelitis
  • typhoid
  • bilharzia
  • anthrax
  • cryptosporidiosis.