Author: Tasrik

Effects on taste, odors and color of beverages by Water contaminants

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We know that water is the main component of beverages. If water is contaminant by some of elements then it may effects on the taste, odors and color of beverages.

Most treated water is chlorinated to destroy pathogenic bacteria and other micro-organisms. If the water contains little amount of free chlorine, even that are not identified by taste in water can react with others chemicals and may alter the taste of finished beverages product.

There is a large amount of chemicals in the Public water supplies; it may cause medicinal, fishy, musty, grassy, etc. tastes. This unpleasant taste may cause a detectable off-taste in beverage drinks.

Some water systems have a high mineral concentration. Iron is the most common metal in the surface water and ground water. It is corrosive to supply piping line. Iron creates a metallic taste in the water; most people can detect it more than 0.5 milligrams per liter. Even some people are so sensitive to the taste of iron that they can detect as little as 0.2 milligrams per liter. Hence, it is suggested that it should not contains more than 0.2 milligrams of iron per liter in the water which is used for beverages. Moreover, mild steel and copper should not use in the beverages lines. As carbonated water are used in the beverages drinks and carbonated water can able to dissolves both iron and copper. Manganese also creates a strong metallic taste. Again iron and manganese containing water may red, brown or rusty color and copper containing water may green or blue; it can also change the color of the finished product, especially the water color (colorless) carbonated beverages.

The majority people are very sensitive to the odor of H2S gas. This gas generates the rotten egg odor. Normally hydrogen sulfide are found in underground and spring water but rarely found in surface water because it is a volatile gas and when this water come out into the surface, the gas is liberated into the air. If the odors of this gas are found in any water, it should not be used for beverages; otherwise it alters the taste and odor of the soft drinks. Moreover this gas is corrosive to plumbing.

Generally water is contaminants by many neutral salts such as sodium chloride, Ca and Mg salt. If the concentration of these salts is high then it may alter the taste of the soft drinks. Normally the concentration is below then 250 milligrams per liter then the syrups can able to mask the taste of these neutral salts.

The public supply water may contaminants by bacteria’s and microorganisms. These organisms can degrade the beverages and alter the taste and order; even reduce the shelf life of soft drinks.

Turbidity of the water is another problem for soft drinks. The finely divided particles in the water are the source of the turbidity. It can create the cloudy or white color of the soft drinks. To remove the color from water activated carbon filter is used; hence sometimes some carbon particles may contains in water.

Effects of water pollution

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Water may be polluted in different ways. It effects enormous on aquatic life, environment and human beings. Some effects of water pollution are described below:

Effects of oxygen demanding wastes
The bacterial degradation of waste in water requires oxygen. In this process the bacteria consume the dissolve oxygen in water. If there are huge amount of oxygen demanding wastes, then the oxygen concentration of water may drop so low that it is difficult to survive for the aquatic lives. On the other hand some anaerobic microorganisms begin to bloom. Since they generate harmful toxins as like ammonia and sulfides so it may harmful to people and animals.

Effects of plant nutrients
Plant nutrients as like nitrates, phosphates, potassium may be added to the water bodies through human activities and over nutrition may cause extreme growth of algae and other water plants. In this process a good number of aquatic lives decay; moreover as the plant and algae die, it may collect a good amount of organic matters and is filled with sediment. It lowers the oxygen level in the water. Furthermore, to biodegrade this sediment again lowers the oxygen level; such a phenomenon is known as eutrophication. It disturbs the ecological balance.

Effects of organic pollutants
Organic pollutants as like oil, plastics, petrochemicals and pesticides are harmful to humans and all plants and animals in the water. Plastic waste can soak up toxic chemicals from ocean pollution. If any marine birds or animals consume, it may reduce appetite or even starvation. Oil is lighter than water; it does not mix with water, as an alternative it form a thick layer on the surface. It works as a barrier for photosynthesis; hence it is harmful for aquatic life, fish and birds.

Effects of inorganic pollutants
Water soluble inorganic pollutants as like acids, salts and toxic metals make water unfit to drink and will cause the death of aquatic life. Toxic metals as like lead, mercury can cause health and environmental problems, including humans. Many non-metallic substance as like Sulphur is harmful for aquatic life.

Effects of radioactive compounds
Water soluble radioactive compounds are extremely dangerous for health. They can cause cancer, birth defects and genetic damage.

Effects of thermal pollution
Thermal pollution of the water bodies can decreases oxygen levels and may have a terrible effect on aquatic life.

Effects of microorganisms
If Disease-causing microorganisms (pathogenic microbes) are found in surface waters, it may cause human health problems including typhoid, diarrhea, hepatitis and may have negative impacts on aquatic life. Sewage often carries harmful viruses and bacteria into the water bodies and environment.

Effects of agricultural waste
Many agricultural farms often use large amounts of toxic substances as like herbicides and pesticides. These chemicals are particularly dangerous to aquatic life in water bodies.
Asbestos fibers are another serious pollutant; it can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma and cancer.
Effects of water pollution are the major problem for developing countries. They do not supply enough pure water. Moreover they are not concern about effects of water pollution.

Types and Sources of water pollution

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The major sources of water pollution are domestic wastes, industrial wastes, agricultural, and natural. The wastes are discharged into natural bodies and chemical pesticides and fertilizers, part of which are washed and go to the water bodies. They altered the water from the natural state in physical condition, chemical and microbiological composition.

The sources of water pollution are two types; point source and non-point source of water pollution. Point sources of water pollution happen when the polluting substance is discharging directly into the water channel for example a city storm drain or a pipe spewing toxic chemicals directly into a river. A non-point source (NPS) pollution does not originate from a single discrete source. It is the collective effect of little quantity of contaminants accumulate from a big region, for instance when fertilizer from a field is carried into a stream by surface runoff.

Industrial Waste
All most all industry directly or indirectly polluted the water. The major industries such as fertilizer industries, paper industries, tanneries, food processing, textiles, and paints industries directly discharge wastes into the water bodies. Industrial processes are the main sources of the water pollution. Some of them are following:

  • Many industry as like food industry and other light industries discharge non-toxic organic substances (BOD, COD).
  • Thermal pollution can be occurs both human and naturally. Different industries such as power plant, nuclear power plant, nuclear weapon plants release heat into nearby water bodies for cooling purposes. Many human activities such as greenhouse effect and many industrial processes as like burning of fossil fuel are responsible for global warming. It is another reason for thermal pollution.
  • Many industry releases oil, fats, grease etc into water bodies. Moreover dumping, Oil spills and shipping travel polluted the oceans.
  • Different petrochemical industries discharge different petroleum hydrocarbons as like gasoline, fuel, lubricants.
  • Different inorganic pollutants (as like mineral acids, Toxic metals, heavy metals, salts, acidic gas) are discharges from different industries such as automobile industry, steel manufacturing industry.
  • Different organic pollutants as like plastics, fibers, elastomers, paint, elastic, plasticizer, solvents, drug, personal hygiene and cosmetic
  • Many nuclear power plants, weapon plants, medicinal, industrial and research applications that use radioactive material are produced radioactive waste. Moreover mining and processing of U, Ra, Po and Th are other sources of marine nuclear waste.

Municipal Waste
The wastes from domestic households and some portion of industrial waste waters are included in municipal waste. These wastes are other significant sources of water pollution.

Sewage disposal is the main municipal waste. Frequently, it contains faeces, urine and laundry waste, flush chemical and pharmaceutical substances. It is the major problem in developing countries. Sewage often carries harmful viruses, bacteria and microorganisms.

Another municipal waste is suspended particles which is causing thick silt at the bottom. The sources of these silts are construction sites, logging, slash, burn practices or land clearing particles. Municipal waste can cause eutrophication.

Agricultural sources of water pollution
There are different fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, defoliants, and veterinary drugs are used in agricultural purposes and these are the sources of water pollution. These compound go indo to the water bodies and polluted the water.

Fertilizers containing nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) cause excessive growth of algae and other water plants in the water bodies which is responsible for eutrophication process. Moreover some radioactive containing fertilizers are used in many farms such as tobacco farm.

Natural sources of water pollution
About 0.35% of air is carbon dioxide, moreover many industry emit huge amount of acidifying gasses, such as sulfur dioxides, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. These gasses react with the rainwater and makes different acid as like sulfuric acid, carbonic acid. This acidic rain water accumulates different water bodies and changes the overall pH as well as polluted the water. It kills many vital plant lives, thereby affecting the whole food chain. Moreover when rainwater runway into water bodies, it picks up many toxic chemicals, dirt, garbage and disease-carrying organisms; this is unsafe for aquatic life.

Flood is another Natural source of water pollution. The flood water mixes with garbage, many disease-carrying organisms, chemicals, dirt and polluted the surface water.

Global warming is also responsible for water pollution. It increases the temperature of the water bodies and raises the sea levels.

The causes of water pollution

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The elements that causes of water pollution are referred as the water pollutants. Water pollutants may be classified under the following categories: organic, inorganic, radioactive and so on.

Organic pollutants:
The following organic pollutants causes of water pollution.

  • Oxygen demanding waste: These types of wastes are different natural materials (as like plant leaves, grass), some artificial biodegradable substances (Food processing waste), and some others chemicals that may cause  This environment helps to increase some Microorganisms.
    Microorganisms mainly degrade these substances in presence of dissolve oxygen (DO) and the net results being the de-oxygenation process and quick depletion of dissolve oxygen.oxygen depletion reaction in biodegrade process
  • Synthetic organic compounds such as fuel, plastics, fibers, elastomers, paint, elastic, plasticizer, solvents, drug, personal hygiene and cosmetic
  • Disease causing agents such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa and parasitic worms.
  • Petroleum hydrocarbons, as like gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuels, lubricants and fuel ignition byproducts.
  • Different insecticides, herbicides, and  organohalides (such as Trichloroethylene)
  • Plant nutrients
  • Detergents
  • Sewage
  • Oil, fats, grease etc.

Inorganic pollutants:
The following inorganic pollutants causes of water pollution.

  • Inorganic salts such as sulfate, nitrate, nitrite, chloride, phosphate etc.
  • Mineral acids such as HCl, H2SO4, HNO3
  • Toxic metals such as chromium, mercury, lead, arsenic etc.
  • Ammonia
  • Heavy metals
  • Chemical waste

Radioactive pollutants:
Four human activities are responsible for radioactive pollution. They are:

  • Mining and processing of ores for radioactive substances as U, Ra, Po etc.
  • Use of radioactive materials in nuclear power plants.
  • Use of radioactive materials in nuclear weapon plants.
  • Use of radioactive materials in medicinal, industrial and research applications.

Thermal pollution:
Thermal water pollution means the increase or decrease of the temperature of a natural water body. It is also cause of water pollution. It is the change of physical properties of water. Most cases it is occur by human activities, but some of the cases are occurs by naturally. Power plant, nuclear power plant and nuclear weapon plants, greenhouse, Global warming are the main thermal pollutants of water.

Sediments:
Some substances do not dissolve in water; they may float on the water or settle at the bottom of the water that is also causes of water pollution. The natural process of soil erosion gives rise to sediments in water, which are most extensive pollutants of surface water.

Water Pollution in the River of Shela at sundarbans by oil spill

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A tanker named “OT Southern Star 7”, carrying 3.57 lakh liters of furnace oil, sank in the river of Shela on December 09, 2014, which is flowing through the Sundarbans and threatening its unique biodiversity due to water pollution. Sundarbans is the world largest mangrove forest. It is declared World Heritage Centre by UNESCO. It is situated both in Bangladesh and India. The water bodies along with mangrove simultaneously support an eco-system all together special with the effect that the Sundarbans could be effortlessly developed into the value regarding biodiversity.

Unfortunate, an empty cargo vessel hit the oil tanker on account of poor visibility as it was dense fog at the dawn. The oil spill was spread about 65 kilometres in the upstream and downstream of the river Shela and at least 20 canals linked to that of the river of Sundarbans. Different small plants, dolphins, crocodiles and other aquatic lives are adversely affected by this water pollution. Moreover, the world’s largest mangrove forest has also been adversely affected; a serious threat to its aquatic life and the flora and fauna.
water pollutioa at shela river
The oil spill occurred close to the aquatic protected area of Chadpai Wildlife Sanctuary (declared by the government of Bangladesh). This is the home of two threatened dolphin species: Ganges Dolphin and Irrawaddy Dolphin. Sundarbans is composed of three wildlife sanctuaries- East, south and West Wildlife Sanctuary.

Many experts, national and international (such as United Nations expert team) say that any commercial vessel movement, as like oil tankers, is harmful for wildlife in the forest. To make sure ecological balance in Sundarbans, the UNDP and Bangladesh government are agree to work together. In the economical view, the loss of the environment and ecological due to the oil spill in the river, ranging from $130 million to $640 million. The extent of the damage caused by this oil spillage would be assessed, after next five to ten years. It can be calculated by investigating how a large amount of phytoplankton and zooplankton remain in the water of the affected river and cannel region and compare it to other restricted regions of the Sundarbans.

Water pollution and the signs of it

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Water covers above 70 percent of the Earth’s surface. No life can survive without water. Hence, water is the most fundamental resource for living beings on the earth and for this reasons the other name of the water is life, but we polluted this water by many ways. Water Pollution may be defined in a number of ways. Water pollution occurs when many unwanted substances go into water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater. It can be physical, chemical, or biological change from the natural state. It alters the quality of water and has dangerous effects on any living things. The quality of water is of vital concern for mankind. This polluted water becomes unsuitable or less suitable for any safe or beneficial consumption and brings serious effects on human health (such as water-borne diseases), when they uses or drinks this water. In the same way water pollution affects on the living things in the water bodies (plants, organisms). Nearly all cases the effects of water pollution not only individual living species, but also whole ecosystems that exist in the waters.
water pollution
Water pollution is one of the major worldwide crises. Although the non-developing and developing countries are mostly affected, but developed countries also affected seriously. In one report on water quality in the USA shows that the water of many streams, lakes and other water bodies are recognized as polluted. Every year many unwanted death are taking place for water pollution related illness.

The signs of water pollution:

  • Bad taste of drinking water
  • Developing unwanted colorization in the water
  • Unpleasant odor from lakes, rivers and sea-beaches
  • Unchecked growth of aquatic weeds in water bodies
  • Decrease in number of fish in fresh water, lakes, rivers and ocean water
  • Oil and grease floating on water surfaces etc.

There are many interruption happens due to water pollution such as public water supply, recreation and aesthetics, fish, other aquatic life and wild life, agriculture, industry. Water pollution can be happens by naturally or by mankind.

Importance of water conditioning for soft drinks

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Water is the main ingredient for soft drinks manufacturing; about 87%-90% is water in soft drinks. Even some product as like diet beverage may contain up to 99% water. The others important ingredients are citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium benzoate, sugar, flavor, carbon di oxide etc. Water is used not only as an fundamental part of the finished product but also used for many others functions during in the production of the soft drinks such as cooling system, boiler feed, bottle washing, floor washing, pasteurization process etc. As water is the key ingredient, so it should be more careful about the quality control of the soft drinks water.

Chemically pure water (the water that contains only two atoms of hydrogen chemically combined with one atom of oxygen) is not necessary for soft drinks. However, the water that is suitable for human consumption must not be chemically pure at all. Even, some element containing water is good for human health. Moreover it increases the taste of the water.
Importance of water conditioning for soft drinks
The source of soft drinks water can be different basis on different countries and water availability. It may be surface water, ground water, spring water, public supplies etc. The main source of the water of soft drinks industries in the United States is public supplies. Besides this other sources are private or spring water. This water may contaminants by many foreign elements such as calcium, magnesium and potassium salt, turbidity, suspended solids, microorganisms, bacteria, bad order, taste and color, dissolved gasses (carbon di oxide, oxygen, sulfur di oxide etc). Most of these contaminants may affect the quality of the soft drinks. These contaminants may alter the taste and color of the soft drinks; moreover shelf life of it. Hence it is very important part for beverage industries to remove these elements from water or conditioning the water so that it is suitable for beverage drinks. Otherwise the products lose its market. Therefore the quality of the soft drinks water should not be considered.

Another important subject for soft drinks is that most of the ingredients that are used in it are acidic. So the alkalinity of the soft drinks water is very important. We know that alkaline water is good for human health. Alkali metals increase the alkalinity of the water, so it should be consider during water conditioning for soft drinks.

Benefits of drinking alkaline water

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Alkaline water means the pH level of the water is above seven. PH scale level is from 0 to 14, where pH level 7 is the neutral position. Below pH level 7 is acidic. Basically, pure water PH is 7, but many contaminants in the water, make change the pH. The best drinking water pH level should be 8 to 9, which is alkaline. It can be attained by alkalizing the water. Hence, it should be known what the pH level of your drinking water is.

The water contains both the ions H+ and OH–. If the pH level of water is 7, then it is called pure water that means it does not contaminants by any foreign elements, and then both the ions contain equal number. In the acidic water H+ is greater than OH–; on the other hands alkaline water contains extra OH– than H+. Furthermore acidic or alkaline water must always contain equivalent amount of positive and negative ions, but the kinds of ions may different.

As the alkaline water contains additional amount of OH– ions, hence this water must contains some other types of positive ions such as calcium, sodium or magnesium to balance it.
Ca2+ + 2OH– → Ca(OH)2

Similarly, the acidic water contains excess amount of H+ ions, hence this water must contains some other types of negative ions such as bicarbonate HCO3– (most common) to balance it.
HCO3– + H+ → H2CO3

In these discussions we know that alkaline water contains various important metal ions such as sodium, calcium or magnesium.

Benefits of alkaline water
There are lots of benefits of alkaline water such as it can boost our metabolism, decrease acid in our bloodstream, cells and tissues and help our body absorb nutrients more promptly. It helps us to balance our body’s pH, since we consume high acidic foods which lead to our body to acidic.

Many people believe that alkaline water can perform as an antioxidant, but it has no evidence. It has ability to neutralize the risky free radicals, because it is able to release electrons.

How to make water alkaline
Firstly check the pH of your water with a pH kit. If the water is not alkaline, then you can alkaline it. Water can be alkaline by different ways as like using baking soda, lemons, adding pH drops, by water ionizer and more other methods. After alkalizing the water the pH range may be 8 to 9.

Water ionizer can be best choice, if it is available. It contains both the positive and negative electrodes. By using these electrodes water can be separated into alkaline water and acidic water. Water ionizer can be used in broad range applications. Moreover different ionizer water filter are found in the market for home applications.

Drinking distilled water

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What is the distilled water?
If most of the impurities are removed from water through distillation process, then that water are called distilled water. Steams are created by boiling the water, then condensing the steam through a condenser and collect the condensate into a container; it is called distillation process.

Uses of distilled water
There are many uses of distilled water such as laboratories (chemical and biological), lead acid batteries, deionized water etc. Double or more distillation process water is used for higher purity water.

Distilled water is most preferable to tap water for many cases such as automotive cooling systems, model steam engine boilers and model engines, steam irons, heating and air conditioning systems. Ion containing water is corrosive for engine elements and boiler plates. It build-up scale and decreases the effectiveness of the boiler. It is also utilized in health care establishments in formation of medications and injection solutions.

Distilled water for batteries
Distilled water is common used for lead acid batteries. If the presence of foreign ions water is used, then it greatly reduces the lifetime of battery. Lead acid batteries are commonly used in automobiles such as bus, car, trucks.

Distilled waterDrinking distilled water
The distilled water is harmless to drink but the drawback is that some essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron are absence in this water.

If the distilled water is consumed for long time, then the body loss more mineral and consumer can face to some risk such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and a long list of degenerative diseases generally associated with premature aging.

As the body rapidly loss electrolytes elements such as sodium, potassium, chloride and trace minerals similar to magnesium, then it can cause electrolyte imbalances and may experience irregularities heart beat, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and high blood pressure.

Tooth Decay: As the distilled water does not contain any fluoride, subsequently it may increase amount of cavities in little children who drink it.

The people who are lived in waterless seaside areas where is lacking of sufficient freshwater are used distilled water for drinking purpose.

Some distilled water is found in naturally such as rain water, snow, morning dew and frost. This water is created through natural distillation process; at first water evaporates by sun heats from surface such as sea, lack, river, land, plant, stream, damp rock and condensate at atmosphere as clouds. When the water droplets are heavier, then it falls into earth. If the area is non-polluted, then this water is almost pure and safe to drink. The rain water dissolves the Oxygen, carbon-di-oxide and sulfur dioxide, mix with dust and smoke on its short way to the earth. The clear rain water may contain up to 0.005% contaminates.

Distilled water pH
Distilled water is almost neutral (pH level 7) but tends to be acidic due to it absorbs carbon dioxide from the air rapidly, and this could believably lower the pH and makes the water acidic. It may increase more health troubles. Slightly alkaline water is ideal for the human body. Water becomes alkaline in the presence of some alkaline metals as like potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Drinking Spring Water

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Springs water means the water that flows on to the surface from the underground water source in naturally or collect by pumped the underground water through a borehole tapping (According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration – FDA). It is collected from the nature, artesian spring or mountain. The drinking spring water is considered to be free from harmful elements and micro-organisms. So unlike other forms of bottled water, this water is not essential to filtered or treated to eliminate impurities. It is usually bottled straightly from the source. It is also consider that it contains a level of minerals which is beneficial to our health. Mineral-rich water typically a neutral or slightly alkaline. This water may assist to neutralize acidity in the body and able to lessen the amount of free radical damage. Many people drink as it is a clean, good and refreshing taste. The calcium and magnesium level of this water is also useful for strong bones and teeth. Artesian spring water (water is naturally pumped) is better than any others drinking spring water.

Consume of spring water has become familiar in drinking and various households purpose instead of municipal water; because municipal water is contaminants with many harmful micro-organisms. It increases the taste of brew coffee or tea.

Drinking Spring WaterAlthough the drinking spring water is health promoted, it has some limitation. A lot of people consider that spring water is pure water. They also believe that it is as mineral water. This mistakes are arises for they don’t know properly about the spring water and many spring water companies divert them to think that so, with their proper advertisement. But all the spring water is not so good. Some of them contains so impurities that they are as like tap water even more worsen than it. These people think that remote mountain spring water is far away from the contamination of the civilization.

Spring water feed our river, some spring water company direct bottled from this water. All places water are not same because geological different; hence some spring water contains low level TDS, on the other hand some are heavy TDS level. Consequently we have to notice that the source of the spring water which we consumed. If the water bottled from the river it may be contaminants by impurities or micro-organisms.

In recent years, spring water consumers are increase rapidly in some development countries such as USA, Canada due to its refreshing taste and health benefits.