POLLUTION
TOTAL 15 PAGES \3 = 5 PAGES
INTRODUCTION PAGE 1
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural
environment that cause adverse change.[1] Pollution can take
the form of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or energy (such
as radioactivity, heat, sound, or light). Pollutants, the
components of pollution, can be either foreign
substances/energies or naturally occurring contaminants.
Although environmental pollution can be caused by natural
events, the word pollution generally implies that the
contaminants have an anthropogenic source — that is, a source
created by human activities. Pollution is often classed as point
source or nonpoint source pollution. In 2015, pollution killed 9
million people worldwide.[2][3]
Major forms of pollution include air pollution, light pollution,
litter, noise pollution, plastic pollution, soil contamination,
radioactive contamination, thermal pollution, visual pollution,
and water pollution.
AIR POLLUTION PAGE 2
Air Pollution Definition
“Air Pollution is the release of pollutants such as gases,
particles, biological molecules, etc. into the air that is harmful
to human health and the environment.”
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological
change in the air. It is the contamination of air by harmful gases,
dust and smoke which affects plants, animals and humans
drastically.
There is a certain percentage of gases present in the
atmosphere. An increase or decrease in the composition of
these gases is harmful to survival. This imbalance in the gaseous
composition has resulted in an increase in earth’s temperature,
which is known as global warming.
Types of Air Pollutants
There are two types of air pollutants:
Primary Pollutants
The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are known as
primary pollutants. Sulphur-dioxide emitted from factories is a
primary pollutant.
Secondary Pollutants
The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of
primary pollutants are known as secondary pollutants. Smog,
formed by the intermingling of smoke and fog, is a secondary
pollutant.
Causes of Air Pollution PAGE 2
Following are the important causes of air pollution:
Burning of Fossil Fuels
The combustion of fossil fuels emits a large amount of sulphur
dioxide. Carbon monoxide released by incomplete combustion
of fossil fuels also results in air pollution.
Automobiles
The gases emitted from vehicles such as jeeps, trucks, cars,
buses, etc. pollute the environment. These are the major
sources of greenhouse gases and also result in diseases among
individuals.
Agricultural Activities
Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases emitted during
agricultural activities. The insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers
emit harmful chemicals in the atmosphere and contaminate it.
Factories and Industries
Factories and industries are the main source of carbon
monoxide, organic compounds, hydrocarbons and chemicals.
These are released into the air, degrading its quality.
Mining Activities
In the mining process, the minerals below the earth are
extracted using large pieces of equipment. The dust and
chemicals released during the process not only pollute the air,
but also deteriorate the health of the workers and people living
in the nearby areas.
Domestic Sources
The household cleaning products and paints contain toxic
chemicals that are released in the air. The smell from the newly
painted walls is the smell of the chemicals present in the paints.
It not only pollutes the air but also affects breathing.
Effects of Air Pollution PAGE 3
The hazardous effects of air pollution on the environment
include:
Diseases
Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory disorders and
heart diseases among humans. The cases of lung cancer have
increased in the last few decades. Children living near polluted
areas are more prone to pneumonia and asthma. Many people
die every year due to the direct or indirect effects of air
pollution.
Global Warming
Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, there is an imbalance
in the gaseous composition of the air. This has led to an
increase in the temperature of the earth. This increase in
earth’s temperature is known as global warming. This has
resulted in the melting of glaciers and an increase in sea levels.
Many areas are submerged underwater.
Acid Rain
The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as
nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides in the air. The water
droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic and fall
as acid rain which damages human, animal and plant life.
Ozone Layer Depletion
The release of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydro
chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is the major cause of
depletion of the ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer does not
prevent the harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the sun and
causes skin diseases and eye problems among individuals.
Effect on Animals
The air pollutants suspend on the water bodies and affect the
aquatic life. Pollution also compels the animals to leave their
habitat and shift to a new place. This renders them stray and
has also led to the extinction of a large number of animal
species.
Air Pollution Control
Following are the measures one should adopt, to control air
pollution:
Avoid Using Vehicles
People should avoid using vehicles for shorter distances. Rather,
they should prefer public modes of transport to travel from one
place to another. This not only prevents pollution, but also
conserves energy.
Energy Conservation
A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity.
Therefore, do not forget to switch off the electrical appliances
when not in use. Thus, you can save the environment at the
individual level. Use of energy-efficient devices such CFLs also
controls pollution to a greater level.
Use of Clean Energy Resources
The use of solar, wind and geothermal energies reduce air
pollution at a larger level. Various countries, including India,
have implemented the use of these resources as a step towards
a cleaner environment.
WATER POLLUTION
What is Water Pollution?
Water pollution can be defined as the contamination of water
bodies. Water pollution is caused when water bodies such as
rivers, lakes, oceans, groundwater and aquifers get
contaminated with industrial and agricultural effluents.
When water gets polluted, it adversely affects all lifeforms that
directly or indirectly depend on this source. The effects of water
contamination can be felt for years to come.
Sources Of Water Pollution
The key causatives of water pollution in India are:
Urbanization.
Deforestation.
Industrial effluents.
Social and Religious Practices.
Use of Detergents and Fertilizers.
Agricultural run-offs- Use of insecticides and pesticides.
Water Pollution – A Modern Epidemic
Causes of Water Pollution
One of the primary causes of water pollution is the
contamination of water bodies by toxic chemicals. As seen in
the example mentioned above, the dumped plastic bottles, tins,
water cans and other wastes pollute the water bodies. These
result in water pollution, which harms not just humans, but the
whole ecosystem. Toxins drained from these pollutants, travel
up to the food chain and eventually affect humans. In most
cases, the outcome is destructive to only local population and
species, but it can have an impact on a global scale too.
Nearly 6 billion kilograms of garbage is dumped every year in
the oceans. Apart from industrial effluents and untreated
sewage, other forms of unwanted materials are dumped into
various water bodies. These can range from nuclear waste to oil
spills – the latter of which can render vast areas uninhabitable.
Effects Of Water Pollution
The effect of water pollution depends upon the type of
pollutants and its concentration. Also, the location of water
bodies is an important factor to determine the levels of
pollution.
Water bodies in the vicinity of urban areas are extremely
polluted. This is the result of dumping garbage and toxic
chemicals by industrial and commercial establishments.
Water pollution drastically affects aquatic life. It affects their
metabolism, behaviour, causes illness and eventual death.
Dioxin is a chemical that causes a lot of problems from
reproduction to uncontrolled cell growth or cancer. This
chemical is bioaccumulated in fish, chicken and meat.
Chemicals such as this travel up the food chain before entering
the human body.
The effect of water pollution can have a huge impact on the
food chain. It disrupts the food-chain. Cadmium and lead are
some toxic substances, these pollutants upon entering the food
chain through animals (fish when consumed by animals,
humans) can continue to disrupt at higher levels.
Humans are affected by pollution and can contract diseases
such as hepatitis through faecal matter in water sources. Poor
drinking water treatment and unfit water can always cause an
outbreak of infectious diseases such as cholera, etc.
The ecosystem can be critically affected, modified and
destructured because of water pollution.
Types of surface water pollution
A polluted river draining an abandoned copper mine on
Anglesey
Pollution of rivers, lakes and oceans
Surface water pollution includes pollution of rivers, lakes and
oceans. A subset of surface water pollution is marine pollution
which affects the oceans. Nutrient pollution refers to
contamination by excessive inputs of nutrients.
Globally, about 4.5 billion people do not have safely managed
sanitation as of 2017, according to an estimate by the Joint
Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation.[4]
Lack of access to sanitation is concerning and often leads to
water pollution, e.g. via the practice of open defecation: during
rain events or floods, the human feces are moved from the
ground where they were deposited into surface waters. Simple
pit latrines may also get flooded during rain events.
Marine pollution
This section is an excerpt from Marine pollution.[edit]
Marine pollution occurs when substances used or spread by
humans, such as industrial, agricultural and residential waste,
particles, noise, excess carbon dioxide or invasive organisms
enter the ocean and cause harmful effects there. The majority
of this waste (80%) comes from land-based activity, although
marine transportation significantly contributes as well.[29]
Since most inputs come from land, either via the rivers, sewage
or the atmosphere, it means that continental shelves are more
vulnerable to pollution. Air pollution is also a contributing factor
by carrying off iron, carbonic acid, nitrogen, silicon, sulfur,
pesticides or dust particles into the ocean.[30] The pollution
often comes from nonpoint sources such as agricultural runoff,
wind-blown debris, and dust. These nonpoint sources are
largely due to runoff that enters the ocean through rivers, but
wind-blown debris and dust can also play a role, as these
pollutants can settle into waterways and oceans.[31] Pathways
of pollution include direct discharge, land runoff, ship pollution,
atmospheric pollution and, potentially, deep sea mining.
Nutrient pollution
This section is an excerpt from Nutrient pollution.[edit]
It has been suggested that this article be merged into
eutrophication. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2022.
Nutrient pollution caused by Surface runoff of soil and fertilizer
during a rain storm
Nutrient pollution, a form of water pollution, refers to
contamination by excessive inputs of nutrients. It is a primary
cause of eutrophication of surface waters, in which excess
nutrients, usually nitrogen or phosphorus, stimulate algal
growth.[32] Sources of nutrient pollution include surface runoff
from farm fields and pastures, discharges from septic tanks and
feedlots, and emissions from combustion. Raw sewage is a large
contributor to cultural eutrophication since sewage is high in
nutrients. Releasing raw sewage into a large water body is
referred to as sewage dumping, and still occurs all over the
world. Excess reactive nitrogen compounds in the environment
are associated with many large-scale environmental concerns.
These include eutrophication of surface waters, harmful algal
blooms, hypoxia, acid rain, nitrogen saturation in forests, and
climate change.[33]
Thermal pollution
The Brayton Point Power Station in Massachusetts discharges
heated water to Mount Hope Bay.
This section is an excerpt from Thermal pollution.[edit]
Thermal pollution, sometimes called "thermal enrichment," is
the degradation of water quality by any process that changes
ambient water temperature. Thermal pollution is the rise or fall
in the temperature of a natural body of water caused by human
influence. Thermal pollution, unlike chemical pollution, results
in a change in the physical properties of water. A common cause
of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power
plants and industrial manufacturers. Urban runoff—stormwater
discharged to surface waters from rooftops, roads and parking
lots—and reservoirs can also be a source of thermal pollution.
[34] Thermal pollution can also be caused by the release of very
cold water from the base of reservoirs into warmer rivers.
Biological pollution
The introduction of aquatic invasive organisms is a form of
water pollution as well. It causes biological pollution.[36]
Groundwater pollution
This section is an excerpt from Groundwater pollution.[edit]
Groundwater pollution (also called groundwater contamination)
occurs when pollutants are released to the ground and make
their way into groundwater. This type of water pollution can
also occur naturally due to the presence of a minor and
unwanted constituent, contaminant, or impurity in the
groundwater, in which case it is more likely referred to as
contamination rather than pollution Using polluted
groundwater causes hazards to public health through poisoning
or the spread of disease (water-borne diseases).
SOIL POLLUTION
What is Soil Pollution?
Soil pollution refers to the contamination of soil with
anomalous concentrations of toxic substances.
Soil Contamination
All the soils contain compounds that are harmful to human
beings and other living organisms. However, the concentration
of such substances in unpolluted soil is so low that they do not
pose any threat to the surroundings but when the
concentration of such toxic substances becomes high enough to
cause damage to living organisms, the soil is said to be
contaminated.
Soil contamination can occur because of human activities or
because of natural processes. However, mostly it is due to
human activities. It occurs due to many different activities such
as overuse of pesticides the soil will lose its fertility and the
presence of excess chemicals will increase the acidity or
alkalinity of soil and hence degrading the quality of the soil.
Types of Soil Pollution
Agriculture soil pollution is caused due to the excessive use of
pesticides and insecticides.
Soil Pollution by industrial discharges of chemicals from mining
and manufacturing of goods.
Solid waste soil pollution/ Poor management or inefficient
disposal of waste.
Soil Pollution due to urban activities. etc
Soil Pollution Causes
Industrial Pollution
The discharge of industrial waste into soils can result in soil
pollution. In India, as mining and manufacturing activities are
increasing rapidly, soil degradation is also increasing. The
extraction of minerals from the earth is responsible for affecting
soil fertility. Whether it is iron ore or coal, the by-products are
contaminated, and they are disposed of in a manner that is not
considered safe. As a result, the industrial waste stays on the
soil surface for a long duration and makes it unsuitable for
further use.
Agricultural Activities
The use of insecticides and pesticides for a long period can
cause soil pollution. Repetitive use can cause insects and pests
to become resistant to it. Instead of killing pests and insects, it
degrades the soil quality. They are full of chemicals that are not
produced in nature and cannot be broken down by them. As a
result, they seep into the ground after they mix with water and
slowly reduce the fertility of the soil. Plants absorb many of
these pesticides, and after decomposition cause soil pollution.
Waste Disposal
Disposal of plastics and other solid waste is a serious issue that
causes soil pollution, disposal of electrical items such as
batteries causes an adverse effect on the soil due to the
presence of harmful chemicals. Eg: lithium present in batteries
can cause the leaching of soil. Human waste such as urine,
faeces, diapers, etc is dumped directly in the land. It causes
both soil and water pollution.
Acid Rain
It is caused when pollutants present in the air mix with the rain
and fall back on the ground. The polluted water could dissolve
away some of the essential nutrients found in soil and change
the structure of the soil thus making it unsuitable for
agriculture
Heavy Metals
The presence of heavy metals (such as lead and mercury) in
very high concentrations present in soils can cause them to
become highly toxic for human beings
Nuclear Waste
It can also lead to soil degradation.
Oil Spills
Oil leaks can happen during the storage or transport of
chemicals, the chemicals present in the fuel deteriorates the
quality of soil and make them unsuitable for further cultivation,
chemicals can also enter into the groundwater through the soil,
and hence it will make water undrinkable.
,
Soil pollution affects the health of humans, plants, and animals.
Crops or plants grown on such contaminated soil absorb toxic
material from the soil and will decrease the agricultural output
of the land. When animals or human beings consume these
crops or plants the toxic material can pass into their body.
Long-term consumption of these crops may cause chronic
diseases that are untreatable. children are usually more
susceptible to exposure to contaminants because they come in
close contact with the soil by playing in the ground, So, it is
always important to test the quality of the soil before allowing
kids to play there, especially in an industrialized area.
Effects of Soil Pollution on Human Health
The contamination of soil has a major consequence on human
health. Crops and plants that are grown on polluted soil absorb
most of the pollution and then pass them to humans. Living,
working, or playing in contaminated soil can lead to respiratory
diseases, skin diseases, and other health problems. Diseases
caused by soil pollution include Irritation of the skin and the
eyes, Headaches, nausea, vomiting, Coughing, pain in the chest,
and wheezing.
