Pollution and Water Quality
According to the United Nations, declining water quality has become a global issue of concern as human populations grow, industrial and agricultural activities expand, and climate change threatens to cause major alterations to the hydrological cycle. Resources available in this sub-theme include manuals describing water quality testing and treatment, reports and assessments of water quality from around the world, methods of maintaining water quality and managing pollution, and other resources that support enabling environments for effective water quality control.
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Pollution and Water Quality Resources
Interactive Map of Eutrophication and Hypoxia
World Resources Institute
This interactive map represents 762 coastal areas impacted by eutrophication and/or hypoxia. There are 479 sites identified as experiencing hypoxia, 55 sites that once experienced hypoxia but are now improving, and 228 sites that experience other symptoms of eutrophication, including algal blooms,...Read more
World Water Day: How Cities Cause "Dead Zones"
World Resources Institute
World Water Day this year focuses on "Water for Cities," but what about water from cities? Urban runoff is one of the biggest threats to water quality around the world, with serious impacts on economies and people. However, it's a problem that most cities are only starting to address...Read more
Protecting Waterways from a Deadly Problem
World Resources Institute
This article examines why nutrient pollution emerges as one of the greatest threats to water quality. Using examples such as in the Chesapeake Bay, where large schools of jellyfish scare away swimmers. In the Gulf of Mexico, a 3,000 square mile "dead zone"" threatens a multi-billion...Read more
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