3 Causes and Effects of Water Pollution in Romania
89
Radionuclides, as well as natural constituents of the aquatic environment, come
from the erosion of rocks with radionuclides. Natural radionuclides are incorporated
as elements in the crystal lattice of minerals and are present in sediments, their
activities being dependent on the type of existing minerals. Existing radioactive
materials in soil and sediments could pose a potential health risk, especially if they are
assisted by natural processes such as atmospheric deposition and erosive activities.
As a result of natural processes, minerals containing radionuclides are transported
to the lake environment and are eventually incorporated into the sediment in the water
bodies [202].
Radioactive materials come from the following:
– exploitation and processing of ores; use in research, agriculture, medical and industrial activities such as I
131 , P
32 , Co
60 , Ca
45 , S
35 , C
14 etc.; radioactive discharges
from nuclear power plants and nuclear reactors, e.g. Sr
90 , Cs
137 , Pu
248 .
– the radioactive isotopes are toxic to life forms; they accumulate in bones, teeth,
and can cause serious disorders; the safe use for lifelong use is 1 × 10
−7
µCi/mL.
A large number of studies on the behavior of radionuclides in European lakes
have been carried out over the last decades. The accidental release of radioactive
substances into the environment leads to the need to apply appropriate countermeasures to restore the polluted environment. However, despite their obvious benefits,
such interventions can have harmful economic, ecological and social effects, which
need to be carefully assessed. Human significant doses may occur after radioactive
contamination of water bodies such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
3.3.1.7 Other Forms of Pollution
Plastics
Plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats facing our oceans, which range between
whole plastic bottles and small microplastics found in seas around the world. Almost
all researches on plastic contamination of water systems focus on the oceans. But
the biggest problem is plastic that is found in freshwater ecosystems. Preoccupied
citizens read about all the plastic contaminants found in the ocean—from the whole
plastic waste to the dead whales, with plastic-filled bellies. “But not the plastic in
the oceans, we should worry most about it,” but from the rivers and lakes around us.
Most people find this a worrying situation and believe that this should be prevented,
but we live in a plastic age where we are surrounded by plastic products that are easy
to obtain and easy to throw. In the life cycle of plastic products, a multitude of actors
are involved, ranging from the chemical industry and plastic producers to garbage
collectors and regulators [56] (Figs. 3.24 and 3.25).
89
Radionuclides, as well as natural constituents of the aquatic environment, come
from the erosion of rocks with radionuclides. Natural radionuclides are incorporated
as elements in the crystal lattice of minerals and are present in sediments, their
activities being dependent on the type of existing minerals. Existing radioactive
materials in soil and sediments could pose a potential health risk, especially if they are
assisted by natural processes such as atmospheric deposition and erosive activities.
As a result of natural processes, minerals containing radionuclides are transported
to the lake environment and are eventually incorporated into the sediment in the water
bodies [202].
Radioactive materials come from the following:
– exploitation and processing of ores; use in research, agriculture, medical and industrial activities such as I
131 , P
32 , Co
60 , Ca
45 , S
35 , C
14 etc.; radioactive discharges
from nuclear power plants and nuclear reactors, e.g. Sr
90 , Cs
137 , Pu
248 .
– the radioactive isotopes are toxic to life forms; they accumulate in bones, teeth,
and can cause serious disorders; the safe use for lifelong use is 1 × 10
−7
µCi/mL.
A large number of studies on the behavior of radionuclides in European lakes
have been carried out over the last decades. The accidental release of radioactive
substances into the environment leads to the need to apply appropriate countermeasures to restore the polluted environment. However, despite their obvious benefits,
such interventions can have harmful economic, ecological and social effects, which
need to be carefully assessed. Human significant doses may occur after radioactive
contamination of water bodies such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
3.3.1.7 Other Forms of Pollution
Plastics
Plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats facing our oceans, which range between
whole plastic bottles and small microplastics found in seas around the world. Almost
all researches on plastic contamination of water systems focus on the oceans. But
the biggest problem is plastic that is found in freshwater ecosystems. Preoccupied
citizens read about all the plastic contaminants found in the ocean—from the whole
plastic waste to the dead whales, with plastic-filled bellies. “But not the plastic in
the oceans, we should worry most about it,” but from the rivers and lakes around us.
Most people find this a worrying situation and believe that this should be prevented,
but we live in a plastic age where we are surrounded by plastic products that are easy
to obtain and easy to throw. In the life cycle of plastic products, a multitude of actors
are involved, ranging from the chemical industry and plastic producers to garbage
collectors and regulators [56] (Figs. 3.24 and 3.25).