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Environmental Pollution -Jss1
Environmental Pollution
Pollution is the contamination of air, land, or water environments, resulting in changes that may harmfully affect humans. The discharge of waste substances into the environment in quantities harmful to human beings is known as pollution. The materials and energy that cause pollution are called pollutants. Examples of pollutants include acids, soaps and detergents, alcohol, oils, chemical compounds (e.g., lead, sulphide), fertilizers, herbicides, refuse, sewage, etc. These make the environment undesirable, unpleasant, and threaten the health and existence of living organisms, including humans.
Types of Pollution
- Water Pollution
- Air Pollution
- Land or Soil Pollution
I will be breaking them down for you to understand better.
Water Pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities. Water bodies include lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers, and groundwater. Water pollution occurs when contaminants are introduced into the natural environment. Some causes of water pollution include the following:
Causes of Water Pollution
- Industrial Waste: Industries produce large amounts of waste containing toxic chemicals and pollutants such as lead, mercury, sulfur, asbestos, and nitrates. Improper waste management systems allow these pollutants to enter freshwater sources, posing hazards to water organisms.
- Marine Dumping: Garbage such as paper, aluminium, rubber, glass, plastic, and food is deposited into the sea in some countries. These items can take weeks to centuries to decompose, harming marine animals and polluting the water.
- Accidental Oil Leakage: Oil spills introduce large amounts of oil into the sea, which does not dissolve in water and harms local marine wildlife like fish, birds, and sea otters.
- Leakage from Sewer Lines: Small leaks in sewer lines can contaminate underground water, making it unfit for drinking. If unrepaired, these leaks can create breeding grounds for insects and mosquitoes.
- Mining Activities: Mining processes emit harmful chemicals, metal waste, and sulphides into water sources, increasing toxicity levels and causing health problems.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Common sources include car emissions, chemicals from factories, dust, pollen, and mould spores. Ozone, a gas, is a major component of air pollution in cities. Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive substances are introduced into the Earth’s atmosphere. It is also referred to as smog.
Causes of Air Pollution
- Gases: For example, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide.
- Solids: For example, soot from industrial machines, dust, coal industries.
- Mists or Drops: For example, chemical fumes from industrial processes, sulphuric acid mist.
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