4.15: Understand the Biological Consequences of Pollution of Water by Sewage, Including Increases in the Number of Micro-Organisms causing Depletion of Oxygen

BIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF SEWAGE IN WATER:

WATER POLLUTION BY SEWAGE

Picture Showing Sewage Released into a River

CONSEQUENCES: REPRODUCTION OF MICRO-ORGANISMS Sewage is Rich in Minerals and Nutrients that Provides Large Amounts of Energy to Allow Organisms such as Decomposers to Reproduce, increasing their Population Sewage is Rich in Nutrients (Phosphates) that will Encourage the Growth of Algae, causing Algae Bloom to Form on the Surface DEPLETION OF OXYGEN Decomposers will Respire Aerobically to Break Down Sewage and Dead Plants (From Lack of Sunlight Due to Algae Bloom) so will cause Depletion of Oxygen, causing Aquatic Organisms to Die Sewage May Contain Bacteria that will Respire Aerobically, Using Up Oxygen in the Water Sewage will Increase Population of Organisms in the Water so will cause More Aerobic Respiration to take place, Further Increasing the Depletion of Oxygen