What do we call the pollution of natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and oceans?

The term used to describe the pollution of natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and oceans is "water pollution." This concept encompasses a wide range of harmful substances being introduced to water bodies, which can originate from various sources such as industrial discharge, agricultural run-off, sewage, and plastic waste. Water pollution negatively affects aquatic ecosystems, disrupts the balance of marine life, and poses health risks to humans and wildlife that depend on these water sources.

Alternative terms presented do not encompass the full breadth of the issue as comprehensively as "water pollution" does. For example, "water contamination" refers broadly to the presence of harmful substances in water but does not necessarily capture the broader environmental and ecological impacts. "Hydrological pollution" is less commonly used and can refer to changes in the water cycle due to human activity rather than pollution of the water itself. Lastly, "aquatic waste" implies waste materials found in water bodies but does not fully encapsulate the concept of pollution, which includes a variety of pollutants beyond just waste. Therefore, "water pollution" is the most accurate and widely accepted term for this environmental concern.