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Phosphates have many effects upon organisms like the aquatic life that live in Lake Whatcom. The effects are mainly consequences of emissions of large quantities of phosphate into the environment due to mining and cultivating. During water purification phosphates are often not removed properly, so that they can spread over large distances when found in surface waters.
The increasing phosphor concentrations in surface waters raise the growth of phosphate dependent organisms, such as algae and duckweed. These organisms use great amounts of oxygen and prevent sunlight from entering the water. This makes the water fairly unlivable for other organisms. Since pathogens is not a good bacteria, it can have long term effects on humans. When we drink the polluted water from Lake Whatcom symptoms can include minor gas discomfort which is probably the most common symptom. However, pathogens that may cause only minor sickness in some people may cause serious conditions or death in others, especially in the very young, old, or those with weakened immunological systems.
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