A river full of garbage

Have you ever looked at a river, seen a bit of garbage and did not care about it?

Around 70% -75% of global marine pollution is the product of human activities that take place on the earth’s surface. In addition, 90% of the pollutants are transported by rivers to the sea.

The most polluted river in the world is the Salween, located in South East Asia, such is the pollution that life has disappeared, since its ecosystem has been altered.

In Spain, the most polluted river is the Júcar, located in Castilla-La Mancha, as it contains toxic pesticides that affect our hormones. Although there are also important pollution problems in the Tagus, Guadiana and Segura.

One of the consequences of living with polluted rivers is that the possibility of water is limited, since it cannot be used for cultivation, much less for drinking. It also favors epidemics and diseases, such as scabies, a disease that is manifested by the contact of water with the skin and that has affected many people, but especially children.

It is important to be aware of all the pollution that is in the rivers and therefore, that which is transported to the ocean. We must seek an immediate solution, since it is one of the worst cases of pollution on the planet.

Statement of the problem and research

In order to raise the contamination of the Villanueva del Pardillo river, we will carry out small interview at street level to citizens of the town.

With the results of these questions, we will be able to assess the knowledge and awareness that the citizens of Villanueva del Pardillo have about the contamination of their river.

Results of the investigation

We have carried out the small interview at street level of 6 questions to 4 citizens of Villanueva del Pardillo.

While we interviewed them, we took notes of what they said.

As you will see below, the answers are different according to the experience of each one.

From these answers to the questions, we will make a small conclusion about the knowledge and awareness of citizens about the pollution of their river in Villanueva del Pardillo.

  1. Have you ever bathed in the river?
  • Citizen 1: No, but it is true that I have passed by the river and there were people bathing.
  • Citizen 2: Of course, in summer it is a pleasure to bathe.
  • Citizen 3: Not me personally, although my children have bathed many times, especially in the part of the river that passes through the hermitage.
  • Citizen 4: Well no, the water is frozen and also very cloudy with dirt. And I’ve never seen anyone else take a bath, either.

2. Have you seen garbage in the river?

  • Citizen 1: I don’t know, it’s not like I noticed.
  • Citizen 2: Once when I have bathed, I have had to put away some garbage, like some bag or something like that.
  • Citizen 3: The truth is that yes, especially in summer when we go with the family to spend the afternoon.
  • Citizen 4: Man! And so much! That’s one of the reasons I don’t shower.

3. Have you noticed any changes in the pollution of the river before the confinement and after?

  • Citizen 1: As I have already said, it is that I do not look at the river or anything, but also, there will not have been a great change either?
  • Citizen 2: I’m not sure, after quarantine I have not bathed again and I have not passed near the river.
  • Citizen 3: Well, at the beginning of the summer of 2020, that is, after the quarantine, when we went to the hermitage there was not much dirt, or at least, the amount was less than in other summers.
  • Citizen 4: I had not thought about it, but it is true that after confinement I have not seen as much garbage as in other years.

4. Do you think the river is a big problem for global pollution?

  • Citizen 1: Let’s see, I don’t think so? It is only a small river in the town, it will not affect the whole world, I would not give it so much importance.
  • Citizen 2: Well, I don’t think it’s a problem, of course it’s not right, but it’s not that bad either.
  • Citizen 3: The truth is that I don’t care about global pollution, it only bothers me that there is garbage when my children are bathing, it’s disgusting.
  • Citizen 4: Well, I am sure, because for a little garbage nothing happens, but I have been seeing garbage for many years, it will have to have some consequence.

5. What is the weirdest thing (not belonging to nature) that you have seen in the river?

  • Citizen 1: No idea, I think nothing.
  • Citizen 2: Some garbage bag, plastic …
  • Citizen 3: My children found several pieces of clothing and shoes one day.
  • Citizen 4: I have seen many things, garbage bags, some shoes, cans, litronas … nothing very strange, the typical thing is.

6. Do you think the city council should do something about it?

  • Citizen 1: No way, there are problems much more important than the river.
  • Citizen 2: Let’s see, I don’t know, maybe they should clean it up a bit, but they sure have other better things to do.
  • Citizen 3: Well yeah, I don’t want my kids to get an infection or something because of that garbage.
  • Citizen 4: Of course, I have wanted you to do something about it for many years, but it seems that it is not important enough.

Conclusion: Most are aware that there is garbage in the river, but not all see it as a big problem.

Most of them are not aware that most of the pollution is transported by rivers that eventually end up in seas or oceans.

And only half consider it important that the city council put solutions or measures.

As can be seen, the citizens are not really aware of the evil that garbage does in the river.

To change something, the first step is to be aware of the problem, and we are not there yet.

References

https://www.cepal.org/es/publicaciones/6411-la-contaminacion-rios-sus-efectos-areas-costeras-mar

https://www.unprofesor.com/ciencias-naturales/causas-y-consecuencias-de-la-contaminacion-de-los-rios-2299.html

Autores: Gabriela Alcalá, Marién Pinillos, Isabel del Peso, Elena Hernández y Lucía Murga

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marzo 2024
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