Index >> Water Microbiology >> Chemical Water Pollution

Chemical Water Pollution

It occurs due to introduction of inorganic and organic waste to water. For example, water passing out of a mine contains large amount of copper, iron or other ore. Another source of pollution is metal pipelines. Corrosion of metals of the pipes may yield rusty or black precipitates.

Other chemical pollutants include laundry detergents, radioactive wastes and nitrates from fertilisers etc. An important group of chemicals are polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, a group of industrial chemicals used in the production of electric insulators and paper products.