Degradation in Water Quality Due To Natural and Anthropogenic Contaminant

Abstract

Water is vital to the existence of all living organism, but this valued resource is increasingly being threatened as human population grow and demand more water of high quality for domestic purpose and economic activities. Water abstraction for domestic use, agricultural production, mining, industrial production, power generation, and forestry practices can lead to deterioration in water quality and quantity that impact not only the aquatic ecosystem but also the availability of safe water for human consumption. Providing safe and secure water to people around the world and promoting sustainable use of water resources are fundamental objectives of the Millennium Development Goals. The ability to properly track progress toward minimizing impacts on natural environments and improving access of humans to safe water depends on the availability of analytical data. As such monitoring water quality  in  surface and groundwater  resources, is a necessary activity at all governing levels. Water quality and quantity are intimately linked although not often measured simultaneously. Monitoring of water quantity can be undertaken, to a certain degree, with a minimal amount of human intervention, once a monitoring station has been set up. In contrast, water quality is usually determined by analyzing samples of water collected at different sites.

Keyword:Anthropogenic, Economic Activities, Water Abstraction, Ecosystem, Contaminant.