The increased concentration of suspended solids in water and their accumulation on bottoms where they are undesirable, creates what kind of water pollution?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Siltation.
The increased concentration of suspended solids in water and their accumulation on the bottom of a water body creates a type of water pollution known as siltation.
Siltation is the process where fine particles like silt, clay, and organic matter settle out of the water and accumulate on the bed of a river, lake, or ocean. This process is primarily caused by soil erosion from activities like deforestation, improper agricultural practices, and construction runoff.
This type of pollution has severe environmental consequences:
- It increases the turbidity of the water, which reduces sunlight penetration and inhibits photosynthesis in aquatic plants.
- It can smother and destroy habitats for bottom-dwelling organisms, affecting the entire food chain.
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It can also reduce the storage capacity of reservoirs and the depth of rivers, impacting navigation and increasing the risk of flooding.