Water contaminants

Types of Water Contaminants

Water pollution comes from various sources and includes different types of contaminants. Here are the main categories:

Chemical Contaminants

• Industrial chemicals and heavy metals
• Pesticides and fertilizers from agriculture
• Petroleum products from oil spills
• Household cleaning products

Biological Contaminants

• Bacteria and viruses
• Parasites
• Algal blooms
• Invasive species

Physical Contaminants

• Plastic waste and microplastics
• Sediments from erosion
• Thermal pollution from industrial cooling
• Mining debris

Emerging Contaminants

• Pharmaceuticals
• Personal care products
• Nanomaterials
• Microfibers from synthetic clothing

Each type of contaminant affects water quality differently and requires specific methods for detection and removal.