Pollution
The word pollution is derived from the Latin word ‘pollutioenm’, whose meaning is to defile or make dirty. Pollution can be defined as the undesirable change in chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the environment which may cause adverse effects on all the living beings. In other words, pollution may be defined as: “The addition of harmful substance on nature and reduction of useful substances from nature.”
Pollutants
There are various factors or materials which results in pollution, such materials are called pollutants. In other words, pollutant refers to a material that pollutes air, water, soil or other factors. It causes pollution in the environment. For.eg: Carbon Monoxide, Carbon dioxide, etc.
On the basis of degradability, pollution can be classified into two parts:
Biodegradable pollutant: The pollutant that decompose easily by natural process and is environment friendly is called bio-degradable pollutant. For.eg: fertilizers, banana peels, kitchen wastes, etc.
Non-biodegradable pollutant: The pollutant that do not decompose easily and remains in natural atmosphere for long time is called non-biodegradable pollutant. For.eg: DDT, glasses, cans, etc.
The difference between Bio degradable and non-biodegradable is given below:
Types of pollution
1. Air pollution
2. Land and soil pollution
3. Water pollution
4. Noise pollution
1. Air Pollution
Air pollution is the undesirable change in the physical or abiotic elements which adversely affects biotic community. However, it is the presence in or introduction into the air of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects. Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including gases, particles, and biological molecules are introduced into Earth’s atmosphere. Well. The concept can be made clear by the following statement: ADDITION OF THE HARMFUL SUBSTANCE, SUBTRACTION OF USEFUL SUBSTANCE
Sources of air pollution
There are various sources of air pollution. Some of them are mentioned below:
Automobiles: automobiles such as cars, trucks, and other vehicles, are the major sources of air pollution.
Industries: a main source of air pollution is industry too.There are various industries like cotton mills, sugar mills, brick and metal industries, etc. which out throw pollutants directly into the air.
Electrical power plants: there are certain electrical power plants like thermal power stations and generators are also a major source of air pollution.
There are various other sources like domestic sources, natural sources, nuclear explosions which directly contribute to air pollution but the above mentioned are the major ones.
Air Pollutants
There are various substances which pollute the air. These substances are called air pollutants. Various air pollutants are in either gaseous form or as dust particles which are mentioned below:
•S02: so2 is a harmful gas released on combustion of petroleum products by the automobiles and burning of coal. It reacts with water to form Sulfuric acid which is washed down by water into rain during rainfall which results to acid rain. Acid rain causes adverse effects on environment and properties because it is highly acidic. *
•CO: Carbon monoxide (co) is one of the most dangerous air pollutant released chiefly from gasoline engines, and burning of coal. It highly contributes to ozone layer depletion as well as health hazards like headache, nausea, heart palpitation and cardio pulmonary diseases. Moreover, it reduces the oxygen carrying capacity in human.
•Smoke: Smoke is normally released from houses and factories; it is blown away to the atmosphere causing various hazards. Other particles like soil dust, pollen grains, and microbes mix with smoke to cause several allergic reactions to the humans.
•Lead: lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that is released into the atmosphere from automobile exhaust. It adversely affects health by causing health hazards such as nephrons and gastro-intestine diseases and induces abnormalities in fertility and pregnancy. High lead accumulation in the tissues causes Anemia.
•Aerosols: There are the chemicals released by jet or airplanes which contain chlorofluorocarbons. The aerosols deplete ozone layer which acts as a preventive shield against UV rays. UV light increases the risk of skin cancer and lethal affects to human and other organisms including plants.
•CO2 (Carbon dioxide): Reports has shown that, the concentration of the CO2 in atmosphere has increased about 15% largely as a result of burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
•Nitrogen oxides: NO2 and NO are also the pollutants which contribute to air pollution. When Nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons are mixed in atmosphere in the presence of UV rays, it forms more toxic substances such as Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and other photochemical oxidants. It causes health problems such as stinging of eyes, coughing, headache, changing in hair structure, dry throat, pulmonary congestion, etc.
•Ammonia (NH3): ammonia is a compound with pungent odor. Ammonia is both caustic and hazardous. In the atmosphere, ammonia reacts with oxides of nitrogen and Sulphur to form secondary pollutants.
•Photochemical smog: smog is the combination of two words ‘smoke’ and ‘fog’. Smog smoke that comes from vehicular and industrial emissions that are acted on in the atmosphere by UV rays from the sun to form pollutants combining with primary emissions to form photo chemical smog.
Consequences of air pollution
The consequences caused due to air pollution are mentioned below:
1. When various gases and dust particles mix in the atmosphere, there a formation of smog due to which sky becomes blurry. As a result, objects are not visible which makes it risky to drive vehicles and fly airplanes.
2. Due to reduction of solar radiation of a place, the temperature of other areas are drastically increased which might be harmful to humans. Various greenhouse gases act as a blanket and does not allow the heat to escape to outer surface due to which temperature of a certain place increases which is also known as greenhouse effect.
3. Air pollution causes inhibition in biological growth in plants.
4. Air pollution also causes adverse effects in human health and causes various health hazards like congestion, insomnia, laziness, etc.
5. Air pollution is also responsible for other consequences like acid rain, destruction of historical monuments, climate change and so on.
Measures to control air pollutionIn order to prevent any further consequences of air pollution, the following measures should be implemented.
1. The emissions of air pollutants from industries should be controlled using electro statistic precipitators.
2. The industrial areas should be constructed far from human settlement. Over population should be controlled.
3. Use of alternative sources of energy should be encouraged and promoted instead of renewable and non –renewable natural resources.
4. Various awareness programs should be launched in an effective manner.
5. Use of electric vehicles should be promoted
Water Pollution
Addition of harmful substance and reduction of useful substance in water resources is called water pollution. For e.g. nowadays in Begnas lake people are throwing wastage i.e. addition of harmful substance and using the water of Begnas lake i.e. reduction of useful substance and this is good example of water pollution.
Sources of water Pollution
The major of water pollution:
Industrial source: The material or harmful substance produced by industry like inorganic and inorganic effluents are directly or indirectly mixed with water resources and cause water pollution.
Domestic source: The wastage like sewage, detergent, etc. are mixed to water resources and result is water pollution.
Agriculture source: The harmful chemicals used in agriculture like pesticides, insecticides, etc. also cause water pollution.
Other: Oil produce from automobiles tankers and radioactive substances, thermal and clear power plants when mixed in water cause water pollution.
Water Pollutants
The substances which cause water pollution are called water pollutants. Major water pollutants are as follows:
Inorganic or organic effluents: Sulphides, Sulphites and other organic residues produced from industry. When it is mixed with water resources and affect aquatic flora and fauna.
Domestic waste and sewage: The liquid waste materials from home is called sewage and other domestic waste also cause water pollution when mixed in water. About 75% water pollution is caused by domestic waste and sewage.
Hot water: Sometime when hot water released from many industries cause serious thermal pollution.
Poison: Poisons like acids, alkaline, lead, copper, cyanides released from various sources reduces oxygen transporting capacity of blood in humans.
Oil: Oil released from washing and spilling of automobiles when mixed within the river and ocean get polluted. It decreases the oxygenation in water so that aquatic animals are badly affected.
Pesticides, Insecticides and Fungicides: These poisonous chemicals are used by farmers in their field to kill agricultural pests. They are washed from the fields into the river and are taken up by many organisms through food chains.
Consequences of water pollution
Following are the negative consequences are:
Domestic wastes and sewage contain many micro-organisms or diseases causing agents which may cause typhoid, cholera, dysentery, jaundice, etc. Such organisms also utilize the oxygen dissolved in water which directly affects the aquatic animals.
Domestic wastes and sewage create foul smell make water unfit for many purposes. It also increases algal blooms due to which inorganic matters are increased.
Inorganic compounds of Nitrate and Phosphate increase the rate of eutrophication.
Detergents from washing and bathing are slow degrading substances, hence their effects also remain for longer periods.
Thermal pollution increases the water temperature and the hot water can hold less oxygen. It affects life in water.
Oil when spreads over the surface of water, decreases its oxygenation and the aquatic faunas are badly affected. The oil may catch fire and harm all organisms living in water.
Muddy water caused by running water cuts off sunlight for submerged plants.
Prevention
Use of pesticides and insecticides should be controlled or reduced.
Hot effluents from industries should be converted into compost rather than throwing in the sources of water.
The soil erosion, floods and landslides are to be controlled so that the sources of water may not be polluted.
The municipal wastes should be treated before the disposal to the water bodies.
People’s awareness should be aroused regarding polluted water which causes an adverse effects on the health of living creatures.
Land or Soil Pollution
Land pollution is the destruction of the earth’s land surfaces, often directly or indirectly as a result of human activities and the misuse of land and soil resources. Soil pollution or contamination of soil as a part of land degradation is caused by the presence of xenobiotic (manmade) chemicals or other alternation in the natural soil environment.
Sources of land pollution
The major sources of soil pollution are grouped into five different categories:
Industrial source: these are in organic and organic effluents, poisons heavy metals like Sn, Pb, Cu, Hg, Al, etc. These also includes plastics and aluminum cans. Industries release unwanted toxins into land and soil which reduces the quality of soil and different natural calamities occurs.
Domestic source: Soil pollution is increasing due to domestic wastes. Plastic bags, rubber material, etc. Which do not undergo degradation. Such wastes ultimately reaches the soil and pollutes it.
Agricultural source: These are pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, fertilizers. Such sources are the major causes of land and soil pollution because it degrades the quality of soil.
Radioactive source: nuclear dusts and radioactive substance release from nuclear explosions pollute the soil after they are released into the air and enter the soil as radionuclide’s with rainwater.
Overgrazing and deforestation: over grazing causes land and soil pollution. When overgrazing takes place, the necessary herbs and shrub are also eaten by animals due to which land becomes barren.
Chemical Pesticides: Chemical Pesticides are the poisonous chemicals used by human to control or destroy the harmful organisms like pests, including weeds.
Effects of land pollution
Drinking water problem: Drinking water is highly affected by land pollution. Nearly 50% of the world’s population does not have access to safe drinking water, and each year water-based diseases cause up to 10 million deaths.
Ground Water Poisioning: When harmful substances from industrial processes, chemicals are improperly disposed of on the land or in illegal landfills or storages, the chemicals and other substances could end up in the groundwater system. The process is called leaching. It can happen on farms, industrial sites, and landfills and affect the health of animals, plants and also humans.
Change in climate patterns: The effects of land pollution are very hazardous and can lead to the loss of ecosystems. When land is polluted, it directly or indirectly affects the climate patterns.
Environmental impact: When deforestation is committed, the tree cover is compromised. This leads to a steep imbalance in the rain cycle. A disturbed rain cycle affects a lot of factors. Most importantly, the green cover is reduced. Trees and plants help balance the atmosphere; without them, we are subjected to various concerns like global warming, the greenhouse effect, irregular rainfall and flash floods, among other imbalances.
Causes Air Pollution: Landfills across the city keep on growing due to an increase in waste and are later burned, which leads to air pollution. They become home for rodents, mice, etc., which in turn transmit diseases.
Effect on wildlife: The animal kingdom has suffered most in the past decades. They face a serious threat with regard to the loss of habitat and natural environment. The constant human activity on land is leaving it polluted, forcing these species to move further away and adapt to new regions or die trying to adjust. Several species are also pushed to the verge of extinction, due to no homeland.
Preventive Measures
The use of pesticides and fertilizers should be minimized or controlled. Various types of solid wastes should be recycled or converted into compost manures.
The solid wastes like plastics, paper, glasses, etc. should be recycled. Water logging in the field should be prevented.
Agricultural lands should not be used as dumping places. It should be settled far way.
Animal’s refuge can be used for the production of bio gas to use in various domestic and industrial uses.
People should be more educated and made aware of harmful effect of littering. Encourage your government to preserve forested area.
Always use the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Avoid using chemical fertilizers and pesticides
IF YOU LIKE THIS , PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG AND ENCOURAGE ME TO BRING MORE MATERIALS TO YOU.
Post a Comment