Pollution The litter problem on the coast ofGuyana , 2010 Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. [1] 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 . Ancient cultures Air pollution has always accompanied civilizations. Pollution started from prehistoric times when man created the first fires. According to a 1983 article in the journal Science, "soot found on ceilings of prehistoric caves provides ample evidence of the high levels of pollution that was associated with inadequate ventilation of open fires." [2] Metal forging appears to be a key turning point in the creation of significant air pollution levels outside the home. Core samples of glaciers in Greenland indicate increases in pollution associated with Greek, Roman and Chinese metal production, [3] but at that time the pollution was comparatively small and could be handled by nature. Official acknowledgement King Edward I of England banned the burning of sea-coal by proclamation in London in 1272, after its smoke became a problem. [4] [5] But the fuel was so common in England that this earliest of names for it was acquired because it could be carted away from some shores by the wheelbarrow. Air pollution would continue to be a problem in England, especially later during the industrial revolution, and extending into the recent past with the Great Smog of 1952 . London also recorded one of the earlier extreme cases of water quality problems with the Great Stink on the Thames of 1858, which led to construction of the London sewerage system soon afterward.
Transcript
Pollution
The litter problem on the coast ofGuyana, 2010
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change.[1]Pollution can take the form of chemical substancesor 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.
Ancient culturesAir pollution has always accompanied civilizations. Pollution started from prehistoric times when man created the first fires. According to a 1983 article in the journal Science, "sootfound on ceilings of prehistoric caves provides ample evidence of the high levels of pollution that was associated with inadequate ventilation of open fires."[2] Metal forging appears to be a key turning point in the creation of significant air pollution levels outside the home. Core samples of glaciers in Greenland indicate increases in pollution associated with Greek, Roman and Chinese metal production,[3] but at that time the pollution was comparatively small and could be handled by nature.
Official acknowledgementKing Edward I of England banned the burning of sea-coal by proclamation in London in 1272, after its smoke became a problem.[4][5] But the fuel was so common in England that this earliest of names for it was acquired because it could be carted away from some shores by the wheelbarrow. Air pollution would continue to be a problem in England, especially later during the industrial revolution, and extending into the recent past with the Great Smog of 1952. London also recorded one of the earlier extreme cases of water quality problems with the Great Stink on the Thames of 1858, which led to construction of the London sewerage system soon afterward.
It was the industrial revolution that gave birth to environmental pollution as we know it today. The emergence of great factories and consumption of immense quantities of coal and otherfossil fuels gave rise to unprecedented air pollution and the large volume of industrialchemical discharges added to the growing load of untreated human waste. Chicago andCincinnati were the first two American cities to enact laws ensuring cleaner air in 1881. Other cities followed around the country until early in the 20th century, when the short lived Office of Air Pollution was created under the Department of the Interior. Extreme smog events were experienced by the cities of Los Angeles and Donora, Pennsylvania in the late 1940s, serving as another public reminder.[6]
Modern awarenessPollution became a popular issue after World War II, due to radioactive fallout from atomic warfare and testing. Then a non-nuclear event, The Great Smog of 1952 in London, killed at least 4000
people.[7] This prompted some of the first major modern environmental legislation, The Clean Air Act of 1956.
Pollution began to draw major public attention in the United States between the mid-1950s and early 1970s, when Congress passed the Noise Control Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.[8]
Smog Pollution in Taiwan
Severe incidents of pollution helped increase consciousness. PCB dumping in the Hudson Riverresulted in a ban by the EPA on consumption of its fish in 1974. Long-term dioxin contamination at Love Canal starting in 1947 became a national news story in 1978 and led to the Superfund legislation of 1980. Legal proceedings in the 1990s helped bring to lighthexavalent chromium releases in California—the champions of whose victims became famous. The pollution of industrial land gave rise to the namebrownfield, a term now common in city planning.
The development of nuclear science introduced radioactive contamination, which can remain lethally radioactive for hundreds of thousands of years. Lake Karachay, named by theWorldwatch Institute as the "most polluted spot" on earth, served as a disposal site for the Soviet Union throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Second place may go to the area of Chelyabinsk U.S.S.R. (see reference below) as the "Most polluted place on the planet". [9]
Nuclear weapons continued to be tested in the Cold War, sometimes near inhabited areas, especially in the earlier stages of their development. The toll on the worst-affected populations and the growth since then in understanding about the critical threat to human health posed by radioactivity has also been a prohibitive complication associated withnuclear power. Though extreme care is practiced in that industry, the potential for disaster suggested by incidents such as those at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl pose a lingering specter of public mistrust. One legacy of nuclear testing before most forms were banned has been significantly raised levels of background radiation.[citation needed]
International catastrophes such as the wreck of the Amoco Cadiz oil tanker off the coast ofBrittany in 1978 and the Bhopal disaster in 1984 have demonstrated the universality of such events and the scale on which efforts to address them needed to engage. The borderless nature of atmosphere and oceans inevitably resulted in the implication of pollution on a planetary level with the issue of global warming. Most recently the term persistent organic pollutant (POP) has come to describe a group of chemicals such as PBDEs and PFCsamong others. Though their effects remain somewhat less well understood owing to a lack of experimental data, they have been detected in various ecological habitats far removed from industrial activity such as the Arctic, demonstrating diffusion and bioaccumulation after only a relatively brief period of widespread use.
A much more recently discovered problem is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a huge concentration of plastics, chemical sludge and other debris which has been collected into a large area of the Pacific Ocean by the North Pacific Gyre. This is a less well known pollution problem than the others described above, but nonetheless has multiple and serious consequences such as increasing
wildlife mortality, the spread of invasive species and human ingestion of toxic chemicals. Organizations such as 5 Gyres have researched the pollution and, along with artists like Marina DeBris, are working toward publicizing the issue.
Growing evidence of local and global pollution and an increasingly informed public over time have given rise to environmentalism and the environmental movement, which generally seek to limit human impact on the environment.
Forms of pollution
The Lachine Canal in Montreal Canada , is polluted.
The major forms of pollution are listed below along with the particular contaminant relevant to each of them:
Air pollution :- the release of chemicals and particulates into the atmosphere. Common gaseous pollutants include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide,chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and nitrogen oxidesproduced by industry and motor vehicles. Photochemical ozone and smog are created as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react to sunlight.Particulate matter, or fine dust is characterized by their micrometre size PM10 to PM2.5.
Light pollution :- includes light trespass, over-illumination and astronomical interference.
Littering :- the criminal throwing of inappropriate man-made objects, unremoved, onto public and private properties.
Noise pollution :- which encompasses roadway noise, aircraft noise, industrial noise as well as high-intensity sonar.
Soil contamination occurs when chemicals are released by spill or underground leakage. Among the most significant soil contaminants are hydrocarbons, heavy metals, MTBE,[10] herbicides , pesticides and chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Radioactive contamination , resulting from 20th century activities in atomic physics, such as nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons research, manufacture and deployment. (See alpha emitters and actinides in the environment.)
Thermal pollution , is a temperature change in natural water bodies caused by human influence, such as use of water as coolant in a power plant.
Visual pollution , which can refer to the presence of overhead power lines, motorwaybillboards, scarred landforms (as from strip mining), open storage of trash, municipal solid waste or space debris.
Water pollution , by the discharge of wastewater from commercial and industrial waste(intentionally or through spills) into surface waters; discharges of untreated domesticsewage, and chemical contaminants, such as chlorine, from treated sewage; release of waste and contaminants into surface runoff flowing to surface waters (including urban runoff and agricultural runoff, which may contain chemical fertilizers and pesticides); waste disposal and leaching into groundwater; eutrophication and littering.
PollutantsMain article: Pollutant
A pollutant is a waste material that pollutes air, water or soil. Three factors determine the severity of a pollutant: its chemical nature, the concentration and the persistence.
Sources and causes
Air pollution produced by ships may alter clouds, affecting global temperatures.
Air pollution comes from both natural and human-made (anthropogenic) sources. However, globally human-made pollutants from combustion, construction, mining, agriculture and warfare are increasingly significant in the air pollution equation.[11]
Motor vehicle emissions are one of the leading causes of air pollution.[12][13][14] China, United States, Russia, India [15] Mexico, and Japan are the world leaders in air pollution emissions. Principal stationary pollution sources includechemical plants, coal-fired power plants, oil refineries,[16] petrochemical plants, nuclear waste disposal activity, incinerators, large livestock farms (dairy cows, pigs, poultry, etc.),PVC factories, metals production factories, plastics factories, and other heavy industry. Agricultural air pollution comes from contemporary practices which include clear felling and burning of natural vegetation as well as spraying of pesticides and herbicides[17]
About 400 million metric tons of hazardous wastes are generated each year.[18] The United States alone produces about 250 million metric tons.[19] Americans constitute less than 5% of the world's population, but produce roughly 25% of the world’s CO2,[20] and generate approximately 30% of world’s waste.[21][22] In 2007, China has overtaken the United States as the world's biggest producer of CO2,[23] while still far behind based on per capita pollution - ranked 78th among the world's nations. [24]
An industrial area, with a power plant, south of Yangzhou's downtown,China
In February 2007, a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), representing the work of 2,500 scientists, economists, and policymakers from more than 120 countries, said that humans have been the primary cause of global warming since 1950. Humans have ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions and avoid the consequences of global warming, a major climate report concluded. But to change the climate, the transition from fossil fuels like coal and oil needs to occur within decades, according to the final report this year from the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).[25]
Some of the more common soil contaminants are chlorinated hydrocarbons (CFH), heavy metals (such as chromium, cadmium–found in rechargeable batteries, and lead–found in lead paint, aviation fuel and still in some countries, gasoline), MTBE, zinc, arsenic andbenzene. In 2001 a series of press reports culminating in a book called Fateful Harvestunveiled a widespread practice of recycling industrial byproducts into fertilizer, resulting in the contamination of the soil with various metals. Ordinary municipal landfills are the source of many chemical substances entering the soil environment (and often groundwater), emanating from the wide variety of refuse accepted, especially substances illegally discarded there, or from pre-1970 landfills that may have been subject to little control in the U.S. or EU. There have also been some unusual releases of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, commonly called dioxins for simplicity, such as TCDD.[26]
Pollution can also be the consequence of a natural disaster. For example, hurricanes often involve water contamination from sewage, and petrochemical spills from ruptured boats orautomobiles. Larger scale and environmental damage is not uncommon when coastal oil rigsor refineries are involved. Some sources of pollution, such as nuclear power plants or oil tankers, can produce widespread and potentially hazardous releases when accidents occur.
In the case of noise pollution the dominant source class is the motor vehicle, producing about ninety percent of all unwanted noise worldwide.
EffectsHuman healthFurther information: Air pollution § Health effects, Soil pollution § Health effects, Toxic hotspots and Hydraulic fracturing § Health effects
Overview of main health effects on humans from some common types of pollution.[27][28][29]
Adverse air quality can kill many organisms including humans. Ozone pollution can cause respiratory disease,cardiovascular disease, throatinflammation, chest pain, andcongestion. Water pollution causes approximately 14,000 deaths per day, mostly due tocontamination of drinking waterby untreated sewage indeveloping countries. An estimated 500 million Indianshave no access to a proper toilet,[30][31] Over ten million people in India fell ill with waterborne illnesses in 2013, and 1,535 people died, most of them children.[32] Nearly 500 million Chinese lack access to safe drinking water.[33] A 2010 analysis estimated that 1.2 million people died prematurely each year in China because of air pollution.[34] The WHO estimated in 2007 that air pollution causes half a million deaths per year in India.[35] Studies have estimated that the number of people killed annually in the United States could be over 50,000.[36]
Oil spills can cause skin irritations and rashes. Noise pollution induces hearing loss, high blood pressure, stress, and sleep disturbance. Mercury has been linked to developmental deficits in children and neurologic symptoms. Older people are majorly exposed to diseases induced by air pollution. Those with heart or lung disorders are at additional risk. Children and infants are also at serious risk. Lead and other heavy metals have been shown to cause neurological problems. Chemical and radioactive substances can cause cancer and as well as birth defects.
Environment
Pollution has been found to be present widely in the environment. There are a number of effects of this:
Biomagnification describes situations where toxins (such as heavy metals) may pass through trophic levels, becoming exponentially more concentrated in the process.
Carbon dioxide emissions cause ocean acidification, the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans as CO2 becomes dissolved.
The emission of greenhouse gases leads to global warming which affects ecosystems in many ways.
Invasive species can out compete native species and reduce biodiversity. Invasive plants can contribute debris and biomolecules (allelopathy) that can alter soil and chemical compositions of an environment, often reducing native species competitiveness.
Nitrogen oxides are removed from the air by rain and fertilise land which can change the species composition of ecosystems.
Smog and haze can reduce the amount of sunlight received by plants to carry outphotosynthesis and leads to the production of tropospheric ozone which damages plants.
Soil can become infertile and unsuitable for plants. This will affect other organisms in thefood web.
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can cause acid rain which lowers the pH value of soil.
Environmental health information
The Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program (TEHIP)[37] at the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM) maintains a comprehensive toxicology and environmental health web site that includes access to resources produced by TEHIP and by other government agencies and organizations. This web site includes links to databases, bibliographies, tutorials, and other scientific and consumer-oriented resources. TEHIP also is responsible for the Toxicology Data Network (TOXNET)[38] an integrated system of toxicology and environmental health databases that are available free of charge on the web.
TOXMAP is a Geographic Information System (GIS) that is part of TOXNET. TOXMAP uses maps of the United States to help users visually explore data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Toxics Release Inventory and Superfund Basic Research Programs.
Regulation and monitoringMain article: Regulation and monitoring of pollution
To protect the environment from the adverse effects of pollution, many nations worldwide have enacted legislation to regulate various types of pollution as well as to mitigate the adverse effects of pollution.
Pollution control
A litter trap catches floating waste in the Yarra River, east-central Victoria,Australia
Pollution control is a term used in environmental management. It means the control of emissionsand effluents into air, water or soil. Without pollution control, the waste products from consumption, heating, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, transportation and other human activities, whether they accumulate or disperse, will degrade the environment. In the hierarchy of controls, pollution prevention and waste minimization are more desirable than pollution control. In the field of land development, low impact development is a similar technique for the prevention of urban runoff.
PerspectivesThe earliest precursor of pollution generated by life forms would have been a natural function of their existence. The attendant consequences on viability and population levels fell within the sphere of natural selection. These would have included the demise of a population locally or ultimately, species extinction. Processes that were untenable would have resulted in a new balance brought about by changes and adaptations. At the extremes, for any form of life, consideration of pollution is superseded by that of survival.
For humankind, the factor of technology is a distinguishing and critical consideration, both as an enabler and an additional source of byproducts. Short of survival, human concerns include the range from quality of life to health hazards. Since science holds experimental demonstration to be definitive, modern treatment of toxicity or environmental harm involves defining a level at which an effect is observable. Common examples of fields where practical measurement is crucial include automobile emissions control, industrial exposure (e.g.Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) PELs), toxicology (e.g. LD50), andmedicine (e.g. medication and radiation doses).
"The solution to pollution is dilution", is a dictum which summarizes a traditional approach to pollution management whereby sufficiently diluted pollution is not harmful.[40][41] It is well-suited to some other modern, locally scoped applications such as laboratory safety procedure and hazardous material release emergency management. But it assumes that the dilutant is in virtually unlimited supply for the application or that resulting dilutions are acceptable in all cases.
Such simple treatment for environmental pollution on a wider scale might have had greater merit in earlier centuries when physical survival was often the highest imperative, human population and densities were lower, technologies were simpler and their byproducts more benign. But these are often no longer the case. Furthermore, advances have enabled measurement of concentrations not possible before. The use of statistical methods in evaluating outcomes has given currency to the principle of probable harm in cases where assessment is warranted but resorting to deterministic models is impractical or infeasible. In addition, consideration of the environment beyond direct impact on human beings has gained prominence.
Yet in the absence of a superseding principle, this older approach predominates practices throughout the world. It is the basis by which to gauge concentrations of effluent for legal release, exceeding which penalties are assessed or restrictions applied. One such superseding principle is contained in modern hazardous waste laws in developed countries, as the process of diluting hazardous waste to make it non-hazardous is usually a regulated treatment process.[42] Migration from pollution dilution to elimination in many cases can be confronted by challenging economical and technological barriers.
Greenhouse gases and global warmingMain article: Global warming
Historical and projected CO2 emissions by country.
Source: Energy Information Administration.[43][44]
Carbon dioxide, while vital forphotosynthesis, is sometimes referred to as pollution, because raised levels of the gas in the atmosphere are affecting the Earth's climate. Disruption of the environment can also highlight the connection between areas of pollution that would normally be classified separately, such as those of water and air. Recent studies have investigated the potential for long-term rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide to cause slight but critical increases in the acidity of ocean waters, and the possible effects of this on marine ecosystems.
Most polluted places in the developing worldThe Blacksmith Institute, an international non-for-profit organization dedicated to eliminating life-threatening pollution in the developing world, issues an annual list of some of the world's worst polluted places. In the 2007 issues the ten top nominees, already industrialized countries excluded, are located in Azerbaijan, China, India, Peru, Russia, Ukraine andZambia.[45]
Environmental pollutionEnvironmental PollutionOur planet and its environment are much more fragile than past generations ever understood. Only in the last few decades have we come to recognize the problems caused by that lack of comprehension. Our biosphere's delicate balance, upset by humanity's methods of manufacturing, waste disposal and use of resources, must be restored. Having learned enough to start working to correct it, we must now learn even more about the protection of our fragile ecology, so that we may maintain our biosphere in the natural balance it once held on its own
Three Major Types of Environmental PollutionSince the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, our planet has been affected by an issue which is perhaps more grave than those like overpopulation, natural disasters, and even terrorism. Environmental pollution it is. It has affected the environment in an adverse and almost irreversible manner. Here we look at the three main types of pollution and their effects on living beings.Advertisement
Technically speaking, environmental pollution can be defined as the addition of contaminants and harmful substances to the environment. The contaminants affect all
living organisms including human beings. In the last three hundred years, especially in the 20th century, the Earth has endured many problems that have spoiled its environment. Overpopulation, increase in demand and supply of commodities, exploitation of natural resources, technological advancement, shortage of eco-friendly options, etc., are some of the main reasons for this global issue of pollution. In this century, the problem has magnified to such a large scale, that its total eradication has become impossible. We can only reduce its effects to some extent by taking some sensible steps, and by devising effective solutions. Pollution has certainly caused a permanent and irreparable damage to the Earth by affecting its environment, and undoubtedly, human beings are responsible for this.
Earth's environment consists of four basic components:
Atmosphere- It is a layer of gases that envelope the Earth. The air we breathe is a part of the atmosphere.Hydrosphere- It includes all the elements that are a part of the water bodies and their sources.Lithosphere- It includes everything land-based; every minor and major constituent that exists on the Earth's crust is included.Biosphere- It includes all the living organisms that inhabit the planet.
The introduction of contaminants to the first three components affects the fourth component - the biosphere, in many different ways. The contamination of the atmosphere pollutes air, that of the hydrosphere pollutes water, and that of the lithosphere pollutes land. And these are the three major types of pollution.Air pollutionWater PollutionLand PollutionThe quality of the environment deteriorates in a myriad ways, due to the various harmful substances that pollute it.
Air PollutionThe addition of harmful chemicals, particulate matter, aerosols, toxic and hazardous gases, and organic material to the atmosphere, is known as air pollution.Automobile and industrial exhausts play an important role in increasing this type of pollution, and they cause severe air quality degradation.Gases like sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, methane, carbon dioxide, etc., are the ones that mainly contribute to air pollution.Sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides are the main cause of acid rain, which can lead to massive destruction of crops, and also affect human and animal life. The former is released from vehicular exhausts, during industrial processes, and due to burning of fossil fuels like coal and petroleum, whereas, the latter is released during processes involving high temperatures (reaction of nitrogen and oxygen during combustion), and also when there is a discharge of electricity during thunderstorms. Acid rain is formed due to the interaction of these gases with the natural cloud formations, resulting in rain that is mixed with dilute amounts of sulfuric and nitric acid, which are hazardous to living organisms.Carbon monoxide is produced when there is incomplete combustion of fossil fuels like coal, wood, and natural gas. This pollutant causes severe respiratory problems, and being a strong reducing agent, it drastically reduces the oxygen percentage in the air.Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are harmful chemical compounds which damage the ozone layer in the stratosphere, thereby causing the sun's hazardous ultraviolet rays to reach the Earth's surface. Older refrigerators and air conditioners released CFCs. Aerosol sprays like perfumes and body sprays release them.Particulate matter is responsible for many respiratory diseases. It consists of fine solid particles that are a result of various anthropogenic processes. Dust, soot, ash, asbestos particles, etc., are some examples of this category of pollutants. Smoke consists of particulates, which on mixing with fog, form smog. Formation of smog is a serious concern in the urban areas.Apart from these, other pollutants like radioactive elements, ammonia, methane, and secondary pollutants (PAN and ozone) also harm the atmosphere.[Back]
Water PollutionHarmful chemicals, gases, and waste products enter water bodies, and lead to contamination of water causing water pollution.Industrial wastes, untreated sewage, oil spills, toxic chemicals and compounds that are discharged from factories and refineries, and radioactive wastes are some other causes of water quality degradation.Untreated sewage drained into water bodies can affect the aquatic flora and fauna. It also leads to water-borne diseases like typhoid, cholera, and diarrhea.Oil spills caused due to shipwrecks, oil rig disasters, pipeline leaks, etc., damage the aquatic fauna. This mainly affects fish and other organisms living in water. Also, the process of cleanup is difficult and the costs involved are very high.Eutrophication causes water pollution wherein there is an increase in the nutrients needed by aquatic plants and animals. This causes a drastic drop in the oxygen level of water (anoxia), thus degrading the water quality and posing a risk to the aquatic life. An example of this is the rampant growth of water hyacinth in rivers and streams causing depletion of the oxygen content of water.Ground water pollution is caused due to the seepage of toxic chemicals and compounds like insecticides and pesticides, below its surface into the natural water-storing formations known as aquifers. This significantly degrades the water quality and can make it unfit for consumption. Groundwater pollutants also include disease-carrying pathogens, radioactive wastes, and leachates.Apart from this, toxic heavy elements like arsenic, zinc, cadmium, and even mercury, when introduced in water bodies, can severely affect the water quality.[Back]Soil or Land PollutionA majority of the human population lives on land or the lithosphere. If a pollutant gets introduced in the lithosphere, it directly affects the surrounding environment, causing soil or land pollution.It impacts the entire food chain and thus turns out to be the most hazardous of all types of pollution.Untreated solid wastes like sewage, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, litter contamination, slash and burn techniques, radioactive wastes, and mining activities lead to soil pollution.When inorganic and organic sewage is left untreated, it degrades the soil quality. Synthetic materials like plastic, nylon, thermocol, and other complex polymer compounds do not decompose for millions of years. They keep accumulating and there is no possible solution to this problem, except for treatment and proper disposal.Organic wastes, if left untreated, can form leachates and other harmful chemical compounds, causing extensive damage to the soil and its fertility. In such cases, the soil cannot be used for cultivation, unless the sewage is properly treated and disposed off in landfill areas.Improper use of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, can cause permanent or long-term damage to the agricultural land. Soil salinity drastically increases due to the use of chemical compounds on a large scale, and may cause it to become infertile.Nuclear detonations release a large amount of nuclear wastes that pollute the land and water bodies. The Chernobyl disaster, Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear explosions, and the recent Fukushima disaster, are well-known examples of such incidents.Improperly conducted mining activities can destroy the landscape of the area where they are undertaken. A barren wasteland results mostly due to mining activities, and is also considered as a form of land pollution.Apart from the above-mentioned sources, electronic wastes, acid rain, deforestation, rampant urbanization, and open defecation lead to land pollution.Earth is the only planet capable of sustaining life. And that underlines the importance of maintaining it in a state conducive to living. Though we may not be able to eradicate pollution in totality, we can surely take concrete steps towards reducing it. Knowledge of the various types of pollution is crucial to mankind's fight against this menace.
How Does Pollution Affect the EnvironmentHave you ever wondered how pollution affects the environment around us? The following write-up about pollution and its effects on the environment will provide you the details about the same.Advertisement
The need to implement various measures to save planet Earth has become even more urgent as we continue to inch towards an obvious disaster that we have created for ourselves. Carbon dioxide concentration in the Earth's atmosphere has reached 386.3 parts per million (ppm) from 280 ppm in 1970s. Similarly, the concentration of greenhouse gases such as CFC-11 and CFC-12, which were not present in the atmosphere at all in 1970s, has reached an alarming 243 ppm and 537 ppm respectively today.
Environmental Pollution
In a broad sense, the term environmental pollution encompasses the pollution of various biological and physical components of the Earth, such as air, water, soil, etc. These components of the planet get polluted when certain contaminants are released into them as a result of various human activities. While the natural causes of pollution such as volcanic eruption and methane gas release do exist, they are relatively less severe as compared to their anthropogenic or human induced counterparts. The most common forms of pollution on this planet are:Air pollution which is caused when various harmful gases, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, chlorofluorocarbons, etc. are released in the Earth's atmosphere as a result of burning of fossil fuels.Water pollution which is caused when various harmful chemicals are introduced in various water sources on the planet as a result of human activities such as sewage water discharge, marine transportation, etc.Soil pollution or land pollution which is caused when certain harmful chemical are introduced in the soil as a result of human activities such as agriculture.Other than these, there also exist other types of pollution such as noise pollution, thermal pollution, radiation pollution, etc. Among these, radiation pollution is perhaps the most severe form of pollution - which can even cause the death of a person who comes in contact with these harmful radioactive substances. Each of these forms of pollution affect the environment adversely, and eventually trigger a series of domino effects on the Earth.
How Does Pollution Affect the Environment?
Air Pollution: This is by far one of the most widespread forms of pollution, and the effects of the same are also quite severe. When it comes to health hazards, the effects of air pollution include a wide range of diseases, right from viral infection to life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks. Other than this, air pollution also has adverse effects on the environment in which we live. It has the tendency to trigger severe environmental issues such as global warming and acid rain. Wondering how does pollution affect global warming? As we mentioned earlier the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is increasing rapidly, and this increase in their concentration is trapping the radiations of the Sun and causing the global temperatures to soar.
Water Pollution: Water is one of the necessities when it comes to existence of life on the planet, and therefore pollution of same is bound to impact the numerous species which are dependent on water directly or indirectly. As in case of air pollution, even the effects of water pollution on humans revolve around various health disorders. The pollutants which contaminate various water sources reach our body even if we don't come in contact with the polluted water directly. For instance, fish species get contaminated as a result of oil spills, and the same contaminants enter our body when we consume this fish.
Soil Pollution: Like water, even soil is one of the major components of the planet as it supports plant life. Plants are important for the existence of humans and other lifeforms because only they have the ability to prepare their own food by means of photosynthesis, while other lifeforms (including humans) depend on them for our energy requirements. As a result of this, understanding soil pollution causes and effects is of immense importance. Some of the major effects of soil pollution on the environment include decrease in soil fertility, disruption of food chain, toxic crop produce, etc.
Even though we talk about different types of pollution and effects of each of these different types, we need to understand that their causes and effects are related to each other directly or indirectly. It's high time we start taking environmental pollution seriously, and take the necessary measures to stop it or else all these hazardous effects of the same will contribute to end of life on this planet.Ways to Reduce Environmental PollutionIf you are looking for some easy yet important ways to reduce environmental pollution, this article will tell you all about them. These ways to curb pollution will help you in contributing your bit in the prevention of this pollution. Read on...Advertisement
Not all of us are aware of what exactly environmental pollution means, or rather, most of us misunderstand. There is a difference between this particular pollution and the general term 'pollution'. Environmental pollution includes only those types of pollutions that bring about a change, that is against the laws of nature. It is a change that affects, in a harmful manner, the elements of water, air and land. The extent to which the biological cycles between these elements are disturbed, cannot be measured. The factors that bring about these changes, or in other words, cause this pollution, are called pollutants. The two largest factors are industrial revolution and urbanization. Both have, in their own way, depleted the resources and contributed to horrendous conditions. Amongst other major pollutants, are also biomagnification, emission of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, haze and smog too. There is an urgent need that we do something about the increase in pollution. Quite a few people want to do their bit, but don't know how to reduce pollution. The environmental pollution facts demand that quick action must be taken, before our environment changes beyond recognition. But how do we achieve this goal? It's simple. Just follow these simple tips, and you'll be contributing your bit.
Tips on Reducing Environmental Pollution: Reduce, Reuse & Recycle
Though we are going to look at a lot of ways in which we can reduce air pollution, let's start from the basic ones. Do not smoke in congested areas and in closed rooms, specially in the house. The next are fires. Fires, used to dispose wastes, are one of the most dangerous pollutants. In many countries, even today, waste is collected on roads and burnt, right where it is found. Do not use fires for your barbecues as well. Start them with an electric probe instead, or use a natural and/or propane gas barbecue. Your cars are the next, when it comes to air pollution. If you still don't have a car, make sure you buy a low polluting model, whenever you plan to buy one. You can get information on these directly from the respective sales departments. Combine as many tasks as you can, so as to make only one trip. Resort to carpooling or use public transport. Don't hesitate to park at a distance. Your tires should be appropriately maintained. The alignment and elation should be checked on a regular basis. A general tip would be to buy locally produced food items. This reduces resources used for packaging, transporting and also the refrigeration they
need at times. For the same reasons, buy supplies in bulk whenever possible.
Examples: Air pollution does not only include the gases that are let out by our cars and cigarettes, it also includes the emission of highly poisonous gases. The best example to state here, would be the 1984 incident that occurred in India - The Bhopal Gas Tragedy. It killed 25,000 human beings. These figures help show us some gravity. Also, in 1272, burning of sea-coal was banned in England by King Edward I, after reports of problems related to smoke.
~ Reducing Water Pollution
Uncontrolled DrainageSewagePet WasteRunning Tap
We have been hearing this from school but yet, very few of us are actually conscious about it. Running taps still continue to be one of the largest sources of water pollution. One has to understand that the first step towards cure, is prevention. Prevent water pollution, and you will be helping in a huge way. You have to first reduce your usage of resources. The next in line are lawns. If you have garden space around your home, plant natural plants instead of big lawns. The maintenance of big lawns requires a lot of water, more than what you should use, not to forget the chemicals. Your consumption of meat is also a factor that leads to water pollution. Unbelievable, isn't it? The amount of water we require to produce meat is improbable. In your bathroom, make sure you install shower heads that are low-flow. Did you know that cleaning your pet waste with water is another huge contributor towards environmental pollution? Pet waste doesn't only contain harmful bacteria, it also leads to the eutrophication of lakes. Make it a habit to pick up pet waste and dispose it. Detergents and shampoos also should be bought with a lot of thought. Buy environment friendly shampoos and detergents, as the others contain chemicals which prove harmful for the environment. Detergents mostly contain nonylphenol, a chemical that disrupts reproduction in fish. Quite a lot of ways to try at home itself, isn't it?
Examples: It is believed that approximately 14,000 people die everyday, due to water pollution. At the same time, in India, a thousand children are said to die of diarrheal causes daily. 90% cities in China are victims of water pollution, in one degree or another. During the Iraq war in the 90's, 900,000,000 barrels of oil from the ships was leaked in ocean waters. Once, in Minnesota, approximately 250,000 or more black crappie disappeared. We all remember finding 240,000 fish dead along the Tennessee River, Alabama.
~ Reducing Land Pollution
Waste DumpPlastic BagsLitterPesticide Spray
Maybe, we have become accustomed to the air we breathe. Maybe, we have completely forgotten the pictures of polluted oceans and rivers we saw in our geography textbooks. But how can we ignore the dirty streets we travel everyday? How can we forget the extent to which we take this earth for granted, on a daily basis. Land pollution is indeed threatening us, subtly. We know how much plastic we use. The first thing you need to do, is replace all your plastic bags. Buy a few cloth bags in advance, a quantity that will last you for at least a month. Every city and/or neighborhood has a structured disposal system. Read through yours, and dispose wastes as requested. Recycle everything that is inorganic,DO NOT dispose it. Items like cell phones can be recycled. Do not litter, it will eventually rot the earth and then water. One more amongst all the ways to reduce environmental pollution, is to reuse storage bottles/jars at home. Buy refills for products instead of
buying new packages altogether. Study composting and start the process at home. This isn't only a great individual step, but you can slowly suggest others to engage in it too. Composting is both, a prevention, and a cure. Proper mining activities will reduce creation of elements.
Examples: In 1993, in Scotland, waste as much as 14 million tons was created. During the same time, 90% of controlled waste went to landfill sites. This, in turn, produced methane gas, the quantity of 2 million. Though everything started off from the era of Industrial Revolution, households are one of the highest polluters of land. In China, 50 million mi land, is polluted. Some more gets damaged when it is cultivated with polluted and contaminated water.
As we have seen, there aren't any 50 ways to reduce environmental pollution that will give us a permanent solution. What has been done, has been done. Before we clean that up, we have to stop adding to the already existent pollution. Do your own bit, everyday. The simplest resolution would be to do all these things at least once a month. That is sufficient for a start. If others do it too, we'll be contributing in a great way to reduce pollution. Awareness is important, and so is the want to live in a better world. Help the Environment, Help Yourself!Environmental Pollution FactsThis article gives some information about basic environmental pollution facts, which are necessary for everyone to know so that we can become aware of this global issue, and contribute our bit for saving mother Earth.Advertisement
Environmental pollution poses one of the greatest threats to the existence of life on this Universe. With sights like those of smog hanging over cities becoming a common occurrence, it's now the time to focus on finding concrete solutions for environmental issues. The statistics are alarming, and they're certainly something that cause unrest in our thinking.
Major PollutantsIn the past 50 years, threats of environmental pollution have increased significantly. Simply stated, it is nothing but addition of contaminated substances into the environment, which degrades the ecosystem, harms, and causes discomfort in the health of species that inhabit our planet. There are various facets regarding this issue viz, air, water, land, and noise pollution. Mostly, unchecked air pollution has led to growth of mild to severe respiratory diseases, allergies, eye irritation, and several other health problems. It is mainly caused due to exhaust gases from vehicles, which can leads to nerve damage, headache, and fatigue as inhalation of hazardous gases, even in small doses, over a long period of time is dangerous.
Deforestation and increased dependence on vehicles has been some of the greatest causes of this pollution all across the globe. The pace of industrialization has gripped every developing and developed country in the last 50 years, and has been a major contributor in deepening its menace. Unchecked growth has led to negative implications on our planet's greenery.
Carbon Monoxide: An odorless and colorless gas, that is produced after incomplete combustion in the exhaust of motor vehicles. Hailed to be a major contributor to vehicular air pollution.
Greenhouse Gases: Consisting of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide - known as greenhouse gases, they are major contributors for the menace of global warming.
Ozone: A colorless gas, found in the stratosphere layer of our Earth's atmosphere, ozone is one of the gases found in photochemical smog. Ozone layer is a boon and a bane at the same time. While it helps in absorption of harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, a hole in it can cause several health complications. Due to ozone hole depletion, gases like
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform are responsible for ozone layer depletion.
Sulfur Dioxide: A major pollutant, found in smog, it's a colorless and odorless gas, and is found in acid rain. It severely affects the human heart and aggravates asthma.
Lead: Very dangerous element that severely affects the nervous system. Lead contamination through inhalation, soil, or ingestion is very harmful for mental health, and children are at a very high risk of its contamination.
Nitrogen Dioxide: A light brown colored gas that is potentially toxic at a higher concentrations, and is a major constituent of acid rains.
Other Air Pollutants: Arsenic, asbestos, and benzene are some of the other toxic air pollutants, and have been related to several medical complications.
Due to land pollution, the soil has been rendered dilute, and has lost its ability to grow healthy food. Excessive use of pesticides in the soil has increased the risk of cancer, gastroenteritis, and even nausea. Similarly, due to threats of water pollution, waterborne diseases have become a common occurrence. Access to clean drinking water seems to be a challenge for every country.
The menace of environmental pollution has reached to alarming levels, and every individual has to work towards finding some concrete solutions. On an individual level, we can deal with environmental issues by trying to reduce global warming, by driving and flying less, recycling, and putting a check on the amount of carbon dioxide (known as carbon footprints), which we are adding to the atmosphere. Similarly, government and environmental agencies can unite together to put a serious control on carbon emissions from chemical plants and factories.
