Project on
Environment
Topic:- ‘Pollution
’
Submitted to :-
Submitted By:-
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Mr. Vijay
Bhawna
Class :-
10+2
INTRODUCTION
Pollution is the introduction of
contaminants into the natural
environment that cause adverse
change. Pollution can take the
form of chemical substances or
energy, such as noise, heat or
light. Pollutants, the components
of pollution, can be either foreign
substances/energies or naturally
occurring contaminants. Pollution
is often classed as point source or
nonpoint source pollution.
Pollution is when something is
added to the environment that is
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harmful or poisonous to living things. Smoke in the air from
factories is a type of pollution as it is bad for the lungs when
breathed in. Sewage in drinking water is another type of pollution,
as it can make people ill because it contains germs and viruses.
People living next to a building site where there is too much noise
can become sick as they cannot sleep or relax.
Overview
Pollution is a large problem and is growing rapidly. The majority of the modern
descriptions of information pollution apply to computer based communication
methods, such as e-mail, instant messaging (IM) and RSS feeds. The term acquired
particular relevance in 2003 when Jakob Nielsen, a leading web usability expert,
published a number of articles discussing the topic. However, as early as 1971
researchers were expressing doubts about the negative effects of having to recover
“valuable nodules from a slurry of garbage in which it is a randomly dispersed
minor component.”[3] People use information in order to make decisions and adapt
to circumstances. Yet, cognitive studies have demonstrated that there is only so
much information human beings can process before the quality of their decisions
begins to deteriorate.[4] The excess of information is commonly known as
information overload and it can lead to decision paralysis, where the person is
unable to make a judgment as they cannot see what is relevant anymore.[1][4]
Although technology has clearly exacerbated the problem, it is not the only cause of
information pollution. Anything that distracts our attention from the essential facts
that we need to perform a task or make a decision could be considered an
information pollutant.
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Types of ‘Pollution’
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Water
Pollution
Air Light
Pollution Pollution
POLLUTION
Noise Soil
Pollution Pollution
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Water Pollution
Raw sewage and industrial waste in the New River
as it passes from Mexicali to Calexico, California
Water pollution is a major global problem which requires ongoing evaluation and
revision of water resource policy at all levels (international down to individual
aquifers and wells). It has been suggested that water pollution is the leading
worldwide cause of deaths and diseases, and that it accounts for the deaths of more
than 14,000 people daily. An estimated 580 people in India die of water pollution
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related illness every day.Around 90% the water in the cities of China is polluted,
and as of 2007, half a billion Chinese had no access to safe drinking water. In
addition to the acute problems of water pollution in developing countries,
developed countries also continue to struggle with pollution problems. For example,
in the most recent national report on water quality in the United States, 45 percent
of assessed stream miles, 47% of assessed lake acres, and 32 percent of assessed
bays and estuarine square miles were classified as polluted .The head of China's
national development agency said in 2007 that one quarter the length of China's
seven main rivers were so poisoned the water harmed the skin.
Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic
contaminants and either does not support a human use, such as drinking water, or
undergoes a marked shift in its ability to support its constituent biotic communities,
such as fish. Natural phenomena such as volcanoes, algae blooms, storms, and
earthquakes also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological status of
water.
Pollution in the Lachine Canal, Canada
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans,
aquifers and groundwater). This form of environmental degradation occurs when
pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate
treatment to remove harmful compounds.
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Water pollution affects the entire biosphere – plants and organisms living in these
bodies of water. In almost all cases the effect is damaging not only to individual
species and population, but also to the natural biological communities.
Air Pollution
"Bad air quality" and "Air quality" redirect here. For the obsolete
medical theory, see Bad air. For the measure of how polluted the air
is, see Air quality index.Not to be confused with Qualities of air.
Air pollution from a fossil-fuel power station
Air pollution is the introduction of particulates, biological molecules, or other
harmful materials into the Earth's atmosphere, possibly causing disease, death to
humans, damage to other living organisms such as food crops, or the natural or built
environment.
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The atmosphere is a complex natural gaseous system that is essential to support life
on planet Earth. Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has been
recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth's ecosystems.
Indoor air pollution and urban air quality are listed as two of the world's worst toxic
pollution problems in the 2008 Blacksmith Institute World's Worst Polluted Places
report.According to the 2014 WHO report, air pollution in 2012 caused the deaths
of around 7 million people worldwide
Pollutants
An air pollutant is a substance in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and the
ecosystem. The substance can be solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases. A pollutant can
be of natural origin or man-made. Pollutants are classified as primary or secondary.
Primary pollutants are usually produced from a process, such as ash from a volcanic
eruption. Other examples include carbon monoxide gas from motor vehicle exhaust, or
the sulfur dioxide released from factories. Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly.
Rather, they form in the air when primary pollutants react or interact. Ground level ozone
is a prominent example of a secondary pollutant. Some pollutants may be both primary
and secondary: they are both emitted directly and formed from other primary pollutants.
Major primary pollutants produced by human activity include:
Sulfur oxides (SOx) - particularly sulfur dioxide, a chemical compound with the
formula SO2. SO2 is produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes.
Coal and petroleum often contain sulfur compounds, and their combustion
generates sulfur dioxide. Further oxidation of SO2, usually in the presence of a
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catalyst such as NO2, forms H2SO4, and thus acid rain.[2] This is one of the causes
for concern over the environmental impact of the use of these fuels as power
sources.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) - Nitrogen oxides, particularly nitrogen dioxide, are expelled
from high temperature combustion, and are also produced during thunderstorms
by electric discharge. They can be seen as a brown haze dome above or a plume
downwind of cities. Nitrogen dioxide is a chemical compound with the formula
NO2. It is one of several nitrogen oxides. One of the most prominent air pollutants,
this reddish-brown toxic gas has a characteristic sharp, biting odor.
Noise Pollution
Traffic is the main source of noise pollution in cities.
Noise pollution or noise disturbance is the disturbing or excessive noise that may
harm the activity or balance of human or animal life. The source of most outdoor
noise worldwide is mainly caused by machines and transportation systems, motor
vehicles, aircraft, and trains. Outdoor noise is summarized by the word
environmental noise. Poor urban planning may give rise to noise pollution, since
side-by-side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the
residential areas.
Indoor noise can be caused by machines, building activities, and music
performances, especially in some workplaces. Noise-induced hearing loss can be
caused by outside (e.g. trains) or inside (e.g. music) noise.
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High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects in humans, a rise in blood
pressure, and an increase in stress and vasoconstriction, and an increased incidence
of coronary artery disease. In animals, noise can increase the risk of death by
altering predator or prey detection and avoidance, interfere with reproduction and
navigation, and contribute to permanent hearing loss.
Effects of Pollution
Human
A sound level meter, a basic tool in measuring sound.
Noise pollution effects both health and behavior. Unwanted sound (noise) can
damage psychological health. Noise pollution can cause hypertension, high stress
levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects.
Sound becomes unwanted when it either interferes with normal activities such as
sleeping, conversation, or disrupts or diminishes one’s quality of life
Wildlife
Noise can have a detrimental effect on wild animals,
increasing the risk of death by changing the delicate balance
in predator or prey detection and avoidance, and interfering
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the use of the sounds in communication, especially in relation
to reproduction and in navigation. Acoustic overexposure can
lead to temporary or permanent loss of hearing.
Soil Pollution
Excavation showing soil contamination at a disused gasworks.
Soil contamination or soil pollution is caused by the presence of xenobiotic
(human-made) chemicals or other alteration in the natural soil environment. It is
typically caused by industrial activity, agricultural chemicals, or improper disposal
of waste. The most common chemicals involved are petroleum hydrocarbons,
polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (such as naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene),
solvents, pesticides, lead, and other heavy metals. Contamination is correlated with
the degree of industrialization and intensity of chemical usage.[citation needed]
The concern over soil contamination stems primarily from health risks, from direct
contact with the contaminated soil, vapors from the contaminants, and from
secondary contamination of water supplies within and underlying the soil.[1]
Mapping of contaminated soil sites and the resulting cleanup are time consuming
and expensive tasks, requiring extensive amounts of geology, hydrology, chemistry,
computer modeling skills, and GIS in Environmental Contamination, as well as an
appreciation of the history of industrial chemistry.
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In North America and Western Europe that the extent of contaminated land is best
known, with many of countries in these areas having a legal framework to identify
and deal with this environmental problem. Developing countries tend to be less
tightly regulated despite some of them having undergone significant
industrialization
Naturally occurring fate of pollutants in soils
Causes
Soil pollution can be caused by the following
Accidental Spills
Acid rain
Intensive farming
Deforestation
Genetically modified plants
Nuclear wastes
Industrial Accidents
Landfill and illegal dumping
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Agricultural practices, such as application of pesticides, herbicides and
fertilizers
Mining and other industries
Oil and fuel dumping
Buried wastes
Disposal of coal ash
Disposal of ammunitions and agents of war.
Drainage of contaminated surface water into the soil
Electronic waste
Light Pollution
Aerial view of Paris at night (France)
.
Light pollution, also known as photopollution or luminous pollution, is
excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive artificial light. Pollution is the adding-of/added
light itself, in analogy to added sound, carbon dioxide, etc. Adverse consequences
are multiple; some of them may not be known yet. Scientific definitions thus
include the following:
Degradation of photic habitat by artificial light.
Alteration of natural light levels in the outdoor environment owing to artificial
light sources.
Light pollution is the alteration of light levels in the outdoor environment
(from those present naturally) due to man-made sources of light. Indoor light
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pollution is such alteration of light levels in the indoor environment due to
sources of light, which compromises human health
Light pollution is the introduction by humans, directly or indirectly, of
artificial light into the environment.
The first three of the above four scientific definitions describe the state of the
environment. The fourth (and newest) one describes the process of polluting by
light.
Light pollution competes with starlight in the night sky for urban residents,
interferes with astronomical observatories,and, like any other form of pollution,
disrupts ecosystems and has adverse health effects. Light pollution can be divided
into two main types:[citation needed]
This time exposure photo of New York City at night shows
skyglow, one form of light pollution
Unpleasant light that intrudes on an otherwise natural or low-light setting
Excessive light (generally indoors) that leads to discomfort and adverse health
effects
Light pollution is a side effect of industrial civilization. Its sources include building
exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories,
streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues. It is most severe in highly
industrialized, densely populated areas of North America, Europe, and Japan and in
major cities in the Middle East and North Africa like Tehran and Cairo, but even
relatively small amounts of light can be noticed and create problems. Since the
early 1980s,[citation needed] a global dark-sky movement has emerged, with concerned
people campaigning to reduce the amount of light pollution. The International
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Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is one non-profit advocacy group involved in this
movement.
Conclusion for the project on pollution?
Much is being done to control, monitor and rectify damage done
by pollutants. The problems are diverse and some are only being
recognised but it is important to keep a close control over
pollutants so that we can maintain the environment in an
acceptable condition for future generations.
We need to take pollution issue seriously because ignorance is
certainly not the proper way to go. The stakes are really high and
world needs to wake up and start acting right now because
environmental issues are constantly growing in both number and
size.
Aren't we aware of the different problems occurring in our nature,
especially in different bodies of water? We, humans are only
creating problems that consequently we will also carry the burden
of these problems. We all know how important environment is .Act
right now.
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Thanks
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