Pollution is an alarming threat for this century. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of pollution and their causes. From air pollution to water pollution and more, read on to learn about the different ways that pollution is harming our planet – and what we can do to fight back.
What is pollution?
Pollution is introducing toxic and unhealthy substances
in the biosphere. There are different types of pollution, and each has its own
unique set of causes.
Types of pollution
Air pollution occurs when harmful gases, such as carbon
dioxide and sulfur dioxide, are released into the air. These gases can come
from a variety of sources, including factories, power plants, and automobiles.
Air pollution can be a serious problem in large cities, where the air is often
filled with smog and other pollutants.
Water pollution occurs when harmful chemicals or sewage are released into bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. Water pollution can come from a variety of sources, including factories, agriculture, and oil spills. Water pollution can be a serious problem in many parts of the world, where clean drinking water is scarce.
Soil pollution is introducing unwanted chemicals in the ground. Soil pollution can come from a variety of sources, including factories, mines, and landfills. Soil pollution can be a serious problem in agricultural areas, where crops may absorb the pollutants and contaminate the food supply.
Agricultural pollutants (pesticides, antibiotics, herbicides, pesticides) and their byproducts. They include nitrates, sulfates, and organic compounds (soil pollution), agricultural residues, and fertilizers, water runoffs from farms. There are many other types of pollution that can impact both the environment and human health. Some other examples include noise pollution, light pollution, and thermal pollution.
Causes of pollution
There are many causes of pollution. The most common
are:
- consuming fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas by burning them
- mining and burning of coal
- deforestation
- agricultural activities such as livestock farming and
use of pesticides and fertilizers
- industrial activities such as factory farming,
production and use of chemicals
- transportation, such as cars and airplanes
- disposing wastes e.g. in landfills, or incinerators
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of undesired
particulate matter in the air. The main types of air pollution are particulate
matter, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen
oxides. Natural sources of air pollution include wildfires, volcanoes, and dust
storms. Man-made sources of air pollution include emissions from vehicles,
power plants, factories, and construction activity. Air pollution can also come
from indoor sources like cleaning products and burning candles.
Most types of air pollution are harmful to human health. Fine particulate matter can enter the lungs and cause respiratory problems. Ground-level ozone can cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Carbon monoxide exposure can lead to dizziness, headaches, and even death. Sulfur dioxide exposure can cause bronchitis and aggravated asthma symptoms. Nitrogen oxide exposure has been linked to increased risk for respiratory infections. Individuals can reduce their contribution to air pollution by driving less, using less energy at home, and avoiding the use of products that contain harmful chemicals. Businesses can reduce their emissions by investing in cleaner technologies and practices. There are several ways in which air pollution happens, such as:
1. Vehicle emission
Most of the time when we are
driving; our car emits a lot of CO2 and NOX gases when being driven. Cars and
trucks are very pollutive; hence it becomes difficult to reduce them from
flying as the number of cars and trucks grows every minute.
2. Power plant emissions
Power plants emit greenhouse
gasses, Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen oxide, which end up forming aerosols and
smog which have significant effects on visibility, ozone concentration and
temperature in the surrounding.
3. Industrial smog
This refers to fine particulate
suspended particles, often composed of dirt, dust, silt, and sand. Industrial
smog is caused mainly by engine exhaust from automobiles and other equipment,
as well as fumes from fossil fuel combustion.
4. Natural disasters, floods, fires, wildfires & weather disasters
Natural disasters, floods, fires, wildfires & weather disasters like drought and forest fires can also be attributed to air pollution. However, there is no definite link between air pollution and disasters like earthquakes, tornados, floods etc.
Water pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies with
harmful substances such as chemicals and garbage which can be harmful to living
beings in form of algae, bacteria etc. The major cause of this type of
pollution is industrial waste that is dumped in water bodies and landfills. The
other cause of water pollution is improper management of sewage. When the
drainage system is not strong enough causing floods, then it is a chance for
these polluting substances to enter into the water bodies and affect human
health.
Water Quality Index
Water Quality Index (WQI) is a term used to measure the
degree to which chemical, biological and physical indicators indicate
contaminated water. There are 2 methods of assessing water quality;
physicochemical method of assessment and microorganisms method of assessment.
Chemical parameters like chlorophyll, total alkalinity, pH, oxygen, and
nitrogen levels, hardness level and turbidity, conductivity, salinity,
oxidation potential, metal content were measured using standard techniques to
check whether polluted water was found in a sample. To check microbiological
parameter is checked to find out if any contamination is present in the water
body. Microbial contamination found in drinking water is also known as fecal
contamination. The presence or absence of pathogens is determined by
determining microbial load present in the water samples collected by the
sampling method. For instance, test tubes used for collecting water samples are
inoculated with E. coli, Salmonella Typhimurium etc.
Ways to avoid pollution
There are a number of things that we can do to reduce pollution, however, and by taking some simple steps we can all help to make a difference. One way is to reduce the amount of waste we produce. Recycling and composting can contribute to great extent. Another way is to reduce the amount of energy we use. We can do this by using energy-efficient appliances and turning off lights when we don’t need them. Walking or using bike instead of drive can be a healthy alternative. We can also help reduce air pollution by not burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Burning these materials releases harmful chemicals into the air, including carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which is a great threat for our biosphere.
We can also help reduce water pollution by not littering and disposing of hazardous materials properly. When hazardous materials are disposed of in landfills, they can leach into the ground and contaminate groundwater supplies. Soil pollution can be reduced by avoiding the use of pesticides and fertilizers. If we must use them, we should follow the directions carefully and only apply them to the areas where they are needed. We should also avoid using herbicides in areas where there are sensitive plants or animals
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