Contaminants

Nitrogen & ammonia (as nitrogen compounds, e.g. ammonium/nitrate) - from fertilizers, manure, animal waste. These contribute to nutrient loading in water bodies.

Phosphorus - from fertilizers, animal manure, food-processing wastes. Combined with nitrogen, can cause eutrophication (algal blooms).

Nutrients (general: N, P, other nutrient compounds) - same as above, cause water-quality degradation, eutrophication, oxygen depletion in natural waters.

Fats, oil and grease (FOG) - especially from dairy, meat, egg, and food-processing wastewater. These increase biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), interfere with treatment, and can form fat layers that hinder oxygen transfer in receiving waters.

Heavy metals (for example: lead, mercury, arsenic, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, chromium, nickel, cobalt, aluminium, boron) - can come from feed additives, fertilizers, equipment corrosion, other chemical uses; heavy metals are persistent and toxic.

Persistent organics / hydrocarbon-related compounds (e.g. aromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phenol, PCBs) - if food-processing or agriculture involve chemical additives, machinery, or heating/processing that generate such by-products, these organics may enter wastewater or runoff.

Turbidity / suspended solids / colour / odour - from organic wastes (manure, animal waste, food waste), soils, sediments, waste solids; degrade water clarity and quality and may carry adsorbed pollutants.

Nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, ammonia, nitrate, etc.) - from agricultural runoff, aquaculture effluents (feed residues, fish waste), fertilizers, etc. Promote algal growth.

Algae (or algal blooms) - often a result of nutrient enrichment; excess algae disrupt aquatic ecosystems, reduce oxygen when they decay, may produce toxins.

Heavy metals (e.g. copper, zinc, lead, other metals) - from shipyard operations, antifouling paints, hull cleaning, marine maintenance, metal corrosion, industrial discharge; these metals accumulate and are toxic to marine life.

Organic contaminants / hydrocarbons - e.g. petroleum hydrocarbons, PAHs, aromatic hydrocarbons — from fuel spills, bilge water, ship maintenance oils/greases, painting and cleaning solvents.

Turbidity / suspended solids / sediments / silt - from dredging, hull cleaning, run-off, coastal disturbance; sediments may carry metals or organics adsorbed to particles.

Nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, ammonia, nitrate, etc.) - from human waste, detergents, soaps, fertilizers; leads to nutrient pollution when discharged.

Organic matter (measured as BOD/COD) - from food waste, human waste, kitchen effluent, detergents; leads to oxygen depletion in receiving waters if not properly treated.

Fats, oils and grease (FOG) - from kitchen waste, restaurants, domestic effluent; can block sewers, cause fatbergs, interfere with treatment, and create surface films if discharged untreated.

Heavy metals & inorganic contaminants - from old piping, household products, industrial discharges entering sewer, urban runoff mixing with sewage; includes lead, mercury, copper, zinc, chromium, arsenic, etc.

Persistent organic pollutants / hydrocarbon-derived organics (e.g. PCBs, phenolic compounds, other organics) - if industrial / chemical wastes are connected to municipal sewer or via illicit discharges.

Suspended solids / turbidity / sediments / colour / odour - due to solids, food waste, sludges, particulates; degrade water clarity and quality, cause unpleasant odour.

Pathogens (microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, protozoa) - from human/animal waste, sewage, greywater, latrines; pose direct health risks if untreated or improperly treated.

Heavy metals & metalloids (lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic, nickel, zinc, iron, manganese, cobalt, etc.) - from metal processing, plating, manufacturing, mining residues, and other industrial operations.

Organic pollutants / persistent organics / hydrocarbons / petrochemicals - aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, phenolic compounds, solvents, chlorinated organics like PCBs — from chemical manufacturing, petrochemical processes, solvent use, industrial wastes.

Oily wastewater / oil & grease / lubricants / petroleum hydrocarbons - from industries using oils, lubricants, fuels, machine maintenance, metal working fluids, etc.

Nutrients / inorganic salts / other chemical species - e.g. nitrates, sulphates/sulphides depending on process — especially when industrial sewer water mixes with other wastewater streams or from chemical production.

Suspended solids / turbidity / sediments / particulates - from process water, sludge, particulate emissions, corrosion, dust, solids handling.

Chemical oxygen demand / biochemical oxygen demand (COD / BOD) - indicating high load of organic/inorganic pollutants and waste, which require oxygen to decompose, depleting oxygen in receiving waters.

Oily wastewater / oil & grease / petroleum hydrocarbons / aromatic hydrocarbons / hydrocarbons - from produced water, flowback water, refinery discharge, oil spills, fuel leaks. These include lighter-end aromatics and heavier hydrocarbons.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other persistent organics - from oil spills, incomplete combustion, petroleum processes; PAHs are toxic, carcinogenic, persistent.

Heavy metals & metalloids (e.g. iron, manganese, arsenic, lead, selenium, etc.) - often present in produced water, refinery wastewater, or from geological formation water; can leach into water streams.

Suspended solids / turbidity / sediments / colour - from produced water, drilling/completion fluids, particulates, sediments carried by water.

Heavy metals & metalloids (lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic, selenium, nickel, etc.) - contamination of soil and groundwater from mining, industrial sites, waste disposal, landfills.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), hydrocarbons, PAHs, PCBs, phenolics - from industrial waste, chemical manufacturing, contaminated sediments, spills.

Bulk organics / oil & grease / petroleum hydrocarbons - from waste oils, contaminated soils, leaking tanks, spills.

Nutrients, inorganic chemical species (nitrates, phosphates, salts, sulphates/sulphides) - from waste leachate, landfill leachate, contaminated groundwater, waste-holding ponds.

Suspended solids / turbidity / sediments - contaminated soils, sediments, sludges; sediments may adsorb heavy metals or organics.

Oil & grease / petroleum hydrocarbons / aromatic hydrocarbons / PAHs - from spills, accidental leaks, tanker accidents, pipeline ruptures, fuel leaks, etc.

Persistent organic pollutants / toxic organics (e.g. PCBs, phenolics, solvents) - if the spill involves industrial chemicals or contaminated materials, these may leach into environment.

Heavy metals & metalloids - if spill involves contaminated soil, mining wastes, industrial residues, or metal-containing materials; metals can leach or be carried in runoff.

Suspended solids / turbidity / sediments - displacement can stir up sediments containing adsorbed pollutants; runoff may carry sediments.

Nutrients / nitrogen / phosphorus / inorganic salts - depending on the spilled material (e.g. wastewater, agricultural waste, chemicals), may contribute to nutrient loading.

Oil & grease / oily wastewater / petroleum hydrocarbons / aromatic hydrocarbons - from vehicle washing, engine oil leaks, fuel residues, lubricants, road-residue runoff.

Heavy metals (lead, copper, zinc, chromium, nickel, etc.) - from metal wear, brake linings, engine parts, corrosion, vehicle residues.

Hydrocarbons / persistent organics (PAHs, aromatic hydrocarbons, phenolic compounds) - from fuel residues, exhaust deposits, lubrication oils, road deposits.

Suspended solids / turbidity / sediments - from wash-off dirt, dust, particulates, urban runoff mixing with washwater.

Nutrients / other inorganics - if washwater includes detergents, cleaning agents, soaps; may include phosphorus, nitrogen, salts.

Nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, other nutrient compounds) - from urban runoff, fertilizers, lawns, waste, landscaping, animal waste.

Heavy metals & metalloids (lead, copper, zinc, cadmium, mercury, chromium, etc.) - from road surfaces, vehicle wear/brake pads, corrosion, atmospheric deposition, urban surfaces, industrial run-off.

Hydrocarbons / petroleum-derived organics / PAHs / aromatic hydrocarbons / persistent organics - from vehicle exhaust/residue, road-surface wear, oil/leaks, fuel spills, industrial emissions, atmospheric deposition.

Oil & grease / oily wastewater / lubricants / petroleum residues - from road runoff, vehicle leaks, spills, urban surfaces.

Suspended solids / sediments / turbidity / silt / particulates - from soil erosion, road surface wear, surface runoff, dust, construction, urban surfaces, sediment transport.

Organic matter / natural organic matter (NOM) / biological waste / decaying matter - from plant and animal waste, organic debris, waste discharge — impacts dissolved oxygen and water quality.