What Are the Environmental Impacts of Wastewater Contaminants?
When wastewater contaminants enter natural water bodies, they can severely disrupt ecosystems. Nutrient pollution from wastewater can cause eutrophication, leading to harmful algal blooms that deplete oxygen in the water and harm aquatic life. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can accumulate in the food chain, affecting wildlife and biodiversity. Moreover, certain contaminants can degrade over time into more toxic byproducts, further exacerbating their impact on the environment.
