Water from Natural Sources
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 10.1.3
Water from Natural Sources
Water from natural sources contains various substances that impact aquatic life, health, and the environment.
Substances in natural water
- Water from natural sources contains dissolved oxygen.
- Water contains many substances:
- Metal compounds from soil and rocks
- Plastics from pollution
- Sewage from human waste
- Harmful microbes
- Nitrates from fertilisers
Beneficial substances in natural water
- Dissolved oxygen supports aquatic life in water.
- Some metal compounds provide essential minerals for life.
- Phosphates from fertilisers and detergents support plant growth.
Harmful substances in natural water
- Some metal compounds in water are toxic to organisms.
- Some plastics in water harm aquatic life.
- Sewage in water contains harmful microbes that cause disease.
- Nitrates in water lead to oxygen loss and damage aquatic life.
- Phosphates in water cause oxygen loss and damage aquatic life.
Environmental impact summary
- Substances in water can both support and harm ecosystems.
- Pollution from plastics, sewage, nitrates, and phosphates threatens water quality.
- Managing natural water requires balancing beneficial and harmful substances.
Test yourself on Water from Natural Sources
Which substance is explicitly mentioned as being beneficial because it supports aquatic life in natural water sources?
What is one source of metal compounds found in natural water?