Pollution of Parramatta River: Socio-Ecological Challenges for Cities

Running Head: ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
Environment And Society
Name of Student
Name of University
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1ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
Introduction
Extensive urbanization has caused a loss of green space and threatened the biodiversity of
metropolitan areas. Since the ecological system of the cityscape is deeply associated with the
social system developed by humans (Elmqvist et al 2013), it becomes necessary to conduct an
interdisciplinary research and plan a framework for ensuring biodiversity maintenance in urban
areas. Sustainability considerations that is the methodical interplay between ecological, socio-
cultural, environmental and economic considerations are crucial strategic aspects for determining
the future improvement of the urban sphere. This realm involves challenges concerning climate
change, natural resources and water availability. Discussing ecological issues in context to urban
challenges, sustainability challenge is a point to start with since it is linked to urbane space
(Adger 2000). There are further relevant considerations involving the implications of urban
development and the impacts it has on other activities carried out within the geographical space.
The connection between the urban and rural is not compulsively to be considered a negative one;
urban space is not necessarily an intruder or and eroder of the ecological space. Rather, there is
an elaborate interplay between the activities of urban space with the ones that are directly
connected to that of the rural space having certain mutual benefits. The two differing spaces are
therefore symbiotically linked, each re-enforcing the vitality and survival of both. However, the
existence of an ecological footprint left by the urban space on the ‘hinterland’ cannot be denied.
Additionally, the social facets of city life like value orientation, human satisfaction and
demographics entail ‘green’ connotations. For instance, the way climatic changes can affect the
availability and quality of water have deep consequences for society and its inhabitants.
The vitality of water as a valuable source of human survival is a widely acknowledged
fact although very little is being done for the protection and preservation of the water bodies.

2ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
This paper considers the issue of the pollution of the Paramatta river for analyzing the socio-
ecological challenges encountered by cities.
Literature review
Australia’s most developed catchments, the Paramatta River, is a source of nourishment
for many citizens. While a considerable number of people depend on the river for basic
necessities, several activities of these same people have unfavorable impacts on the health of the
river. Storm water pollution is one of the main contributors to health deterioration of the river.
Both in semi-urban and urban areas, the rain falling on the house roof or the collected raindrops
in footpaths, roads and driveways is channelized and carried through a pope system called the
stormwater system. The system is designed to channelize the flow of water directly from the
street drains to rivers and creeks. Some systems are modified to filter and treat the water before it
flows down to the river, but in most cases the water in its untreated and impure state coalesces
into the river. This indicates how everything that is washed down by the drains like pesticides,
litter and oil accumulates in the waterways. Pollutants like mulch, soil and weed is easily washed
away during rainfall and erodes the water bodies (Montoya 2015). Since beaches and rivers are
heavily impacted by stormwater pollution, the quality if water worsens significantly after rain.
Some major pollutants responsible for quality degradation are as follows:
Weed- the impact of weed on catchments not threatens the native flora and fauna but also
degrades its health. They might choke the waterways, smother native plants and destroy native
animal habitats. Weeds have made it to bush lands from people’s backyards due to water runoffs
and animals or the winds carry their cuttings and seeds. As grass clippings, cuttings and pruning
are dumped into bushlands, it allows weed to invade and spread quickly. Noxious weeds threaten
animal and human health, causing significant damage to the environment and agricultural

3ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
production. Environmental weed reduce the environmental value of bushlands by invading them.
They produce huge number of seeds and have very few predators.
Erosion by animals- introduced animals is a major threat to the Paramatta river catchment. The
eroded river attracts several animals that pollute both the land and the water bodies. Some birds
and rabbits damage vegetation, which is a primary cause of erosion.
Sedimentation- the waterways are gradually becoming muddier and shallower, which is most
noticeable after a heavy downpour. Human activities like vehicle use, building and clearing leave
the ground bare the soil is hence washed away easily during rain. The fertile topsoil is removed
by erosion and the washed away soil contains minerals, seeds, organic matters and nutrients.
When sand, dust, soil, building debris, paint and cement accumulate at the waterways, they block
drains, causes algal blooms, causes health hazards for swimmers, suffocate and smother water
plants and affects the ability of animals to reproduce.
Some lobby groups are attempting to sanction the harbor to eliminate the argumentative
issue concerning marine parks. More efforts and strategies need to be implemented for ensuring
that the waterways remain exemplary, a nurturing estuary replete with aquatic life for everyone
to enjoy. A fanciful utopia of marine park is a far cry and the blame lies with excessive
urbanization. The government has good reasons for shutting down commercial fishing (Banks et
al 2016) since the fish species are under constant threats of extinction. The quality of water is the
biggest quality by far and the water management teams must ensure clean sources for protecting
marine life. Environmentalists ned to invest more energy and time on water quality to make a
progress with sustainability and ecological preservation. The sediments of the Paramatta river are
so hazardously polluted that it is no longer safe to consume fish in the west of Harbor Bridge.
Researchers have discovered concentrations of lead, zinc and copper from industrial work (Lee