Human pollution is one of the main causes of aquatic ecosystem contamination. According to the Safe Drinking Water Foundation, there are a number of different sources of pollution. These pollutants include human and animal waste, nitrate and phosphate runoff, sedimentary pollution, toxic chemicals such as oil spills and radioactive wastes. The only way to alleviate these problems is to stop them at the source.
Red tide is a term used to describe a form of poisonous plankton that occurs naturally along saltwater coastlines. The Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services reports that a red tide is caused by a microscopic plankton known as dinoflagellates. When warm, calm water combines with low salt levels, these plankton can reproduce very quickly and cause a reddish coastal seawater contamination.
Volcanoes can play a role as a natural contaminant of aquatic ecosystems. The Geological Survey of Canada states that volcanoes can cause surface water pollution due to ash and can even kill fish. Volcanic eruptions can also lead to both acid rain and underwater thermal acid pollution.
