Pollution

Pollution

Pollution is a degradation of the environment by the introduction into the air, water or soil of materials that are not naturally present in the environment. It causes a disruption of the ecosystem, the consequences of which may include the migration or extinction of certain species unable to adapt to change. Often due directly or indirectly to human activity, pollution can however result from natural phenomena such as a volcanic or solar eruption.

1.    Types of pollution

Air pollution

There are two types of air pollutants, primary and secondary. Primary pollutants are emitted directly from their source, while secondary pollutants are formed when primary pollutants react in the atmosphere.

Water pollution

Nutrient pollution is caused by wastewater, sewage, and fertilizers. The high levels of nutrients in these sources end up in bodies of water and promote algae and weed growth, which can make the water undrinkable and depleted oxygen causing aquatic organisms to die.

Land and Soil pollution

Land pollution is the destruction of land as a result of human’s activities and the misuse of land resources, while Soil is polluted through leaking underground septic tanks, sewage systems, the leaching of harmful substances from landfill, and direct discharge of waste water by industrial plants into rivers and oceans.

Pollution by type or pollutants

We can list industrial, radioactive, electromagnetic, thermal, light, spatial pollution, noise etc. Noise and light pollution will be discussed.

2.    Causes of pollution

Air pollution

·    The burning of fossil fuels for transportation and electricity produces both primary and secondary pollutants and is one of the biggest sources of air pollution;

·    The fumes from car exhausts contain dangerous gases and particulates including hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. These gases rise into the atmosphere and react with other atmospheric gases creating even more toxic gases;

·    According to The Earth Institute, the heavy use of fertilizer for agriculture is a major contributor of fine-particulate air pollution. Ammonia is the primary air pollutant that comes from agricultural activities. Other agricultural air pollutants include pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. All of which also contribute to water pollution.

Water pollution

·    Industrial waste is one of the main causes of water pollution, by creating primary and secondary pollutants including sulphur, lead and mercury, nitrates and phosphates, and oil spills;

·    In developing countries around 70% of their solid waste is dumped directly into the ocean or sea. This causes serious problems including the harming and killing of sea creatures, which ultimately affects humans.

Land and Soil pollution

·    Rain and flooding can bring pollutants from other already polluted lands to soil at other locations;

·    Over-farming and over-grazing by agricultural activities causes the soil to lose its nutrient value and structure causing soil degradation, another type of soil pollution;

·    Landfills can leach harmful substances into the soil and water ways and create very bad smells, and breeding grounds for rodents that transmit diseases.

Pollution by type or pollutants

·    Noise pollution is caused by household sources, social events, commercial and industrial activities, and transportation, while light pollution is caused by the prolonged and excessive use of artificial lights at night that can cause health problems in humans and disrupt natural cycles, including wildlife activities;

·    Sources of light pollution include electronic billboards, night sports grounds, street and car lights, city parks, public places, airports, and residential areas.

3.     Effects

Air pollution

·    High levels of air pollution can cause an increased risk of heart attack, wheezing, coughing, and breathing problems, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. It can also cause worsening of existing heart problems, asthma, and other lung complications;

·    Like humans, animals can suffer from a number of health problems due to air pollution, including birth defects, reproductive failure, and diseases;

·    Air pollution causes a number of environmental effects such as climate change in addition to the effects on humans and animals.

Water pollution

·    By far the biggest consequence of water pollution is the death of aquatic creatures, which can disrupt the entire food chain;

·    Nutrient pollution can cause toxic algal blooms in drinking water sources that create toxins that kill fish and other aquatic animals. Direct exposure to this toxic alga causes serious health problems in humans including neurological effects, respiratory problems, stomach and liver illness, and rashes;

·    Bodies of water that are near urbanized areas tend to be heavily polluted by dumbing of garbage and chemicals, both legally and illegally, by industrial plants, health centers, and individuals;

·    Nitrates, caused by fertilizers, also contaminate drinking water and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, babies who consume water that is high in nitrates can become seriously ill with blue-baby syndrome, which causes shortness of breath and blue-tinted skin, and can lead to death if not treated early.

Land and Soil pollution

·    Contaminated land and soil can cause various problems on the skin, respiratory problems, and even different kinds of cancers;

·    Deforestation is the biggest concern when it comes to land degradation and soil erosion. Clear cutting of vegetation and tree cover creates harsh conditions that destroy ecosystems and habitats. Deforestation also creates an imbalance in atmospheric conditions, reducing the amount of carbon that is naturally taken out of the atmosphere. This is a serious problem considering that most pollution created by people is carbon based.

Pollution by type or pollutants

·    Noise pollution can cause stress, anxiety, headaches, irritability, hearing loss, and sleep loss resulting in decreased productivity;

·    Too much light causes eye strain and stress, harming our eyes and decreasing our quality of life. Light pollution also causes a decrease in the hormone melatonin that helps us to fall asleep, resulting in restlessness and fatigue;

·    Many mammals, insects, birds, and reptiles are photoperiodic meaning their movement, mating, growth and development, and eating cycles are regulated by natural light patterns. Light pollution can interfere with these natural behaviours and cycles, causing a decrease in wildlife populations.

Conclusion

Pollution needs to be dramatically reduced because it is destroying the environment we live in, contaminating our food and water, causing diseases and cancers in humans and wildlife, and destroying the air we breathe and the atmosphere that protects us from harmful ultra-violet radiation.

Protecting the environment is a long and daunting task, requiring continuous planning, governmental policies, and public and industrial participation. However the result of ignoring the problem will be catastrophic and life as we know it will begin to end.

By decreasing waste, implementing recycling policies, banning dangerous agricultural chemicals, and developing safe renewable energy we can significantly reduce the amount of pollution going into the environment annually and increase our quality of living.

It is the responsibility of every living person to protect the environment. Everyone is entitled to clean air to breathe, water to drink, and public lands to enjoy.

By Mr. Kamagate Yaya, Intern. Marketing in Sigma Group of Institutes - Vadodara.

Source: https://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/pollution-causes-effects/

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