River Pollution
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 1.3.1
Causes and Impacts of River Pollution
Human actions cause river pollution, which damages water quality, harms wildlife, and threatens human health and economies.
Human causes of river pollution
- Factories release chemicals and waste into rivers.
- Farming uses fertilisers and pesticides that wash into rivers.
- Cities discharge untreated sewage and household waste.
- Mining adds toxic metals and acidic water to rivers.
Impacts on people
- River pollution spreads waterborne diseases.
- Dirty water reduces safe drinking supplies.
- Fish deaths cut food sources and jobs for fishing.
- Tourism falls when polluted rivers look or smell unpleasant.
Impacts on ecosystems
- Chemicals poison fish and river plants.
- Excess fertiliser causes algal blooms that block light.
- Low oxygen levels kill aquatic life.
- Pollution reduces biodiversity in rivers and wetlands.
Laws and regulations
- Governments set laws to control river pollution.
- Industries must limit waste released into rivers.
- Fines and inspections enforce rules.
- Strong laws reduce harmful discharges.
Treatment and technology
- Sewage treatment plants clean waste water.
- Factories use filters and recycling systems.
- Monitoring devices check river pollution levels.
- Technology reduces toxic waste entering rivers.
Sustainable approaches
- Farmers reduce fertiliser use to protect rivers.
- Planting buffer strips absorbs runoff.
- Reusing water cuts waste release.
- Education encourages communities to keep rivers clean.
Evaluating strategies
- Laws work well but need strict enforcement.
- Treatment plants are effective but expensive.
- Sustainable farming lowers pollution long term.
- Combined methods give the best river protection.
Test yourself on River Pollution
Which of the following is a human cause of river pollution?
How does river pollution affect aquatic life?
Why do excess fertilisers from farms cause fish to die in rivers?
How does river pollution affect people who rely on fishing for their income?
Why are sewage treatment plants considered effective but not a perfect solution to river pollution?