CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF POLLUTION

Consequences of pollution

WHAT IS POLLUTION?
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. 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. In 2015, pollution killed 9 million people in the world.

Pollution, we hear it every other day at school, college and read about it in newspapers. So what is it?Pollution occurs when pollutants contaminate the natural surroundings; which brings about changes that affect our normal lifestyles adversely. Pollution occurs in different forms; air, water, soil, radioactive, noise, heat/ thermal and light. Every form of pollution has two sources of occurrence; the point and the non-point sources.
Pollution causes many animals to die.

Pollution occurs in different forms: air, water, earth, radiation, heat/thermal noise and light. Each form of contamination has two sources of occurrence; The main point and the secondary sources. The main sources are easy to identify, monitor and control, but secondary sources are more difficult.

Types and causes of contamination
RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION

Radioactive pollutionis highly dangerous when it occurs. It can occur due to nuclear plant malfunctions, improper nuclear waste disposal, accidents, etc. It causes cancer, infertility, blindness, defects at the time of birth; can sterilise soil and affect air and water.

                                                        AIR POLLUTION 

Air pollution is the most prominent and dangerous form of pollution. It is produced because of many reasons, for example, the excessive burning of fuel releases an enormous amount of chemical substances that pollute the environment. This activity is produced daily because it is necessary to cook, to drive, to work and to carry out other types of activities.

Industrial activity promotes pollution and climate change. Smoke from chimneys, factories, vehicles, or the destruction of wood is produced after the burning of carbon that releases sulfur dioxide into the air, making it toxic. The effects of air pollution are obvious. The release of carbon dioxide and gas hazards to the air generates global warming and acid rain; Which in turn increase temperatures, irregular rains and droughts around the world; Turning for the animals very difficult to survive.

WATER POLLUTION

Water pollution has passed toll on all surviving species on Earth. Almost 60% of the species live in bodies formed by water. This pollution occurs due to factors such as industrial waste being dumped into rivers, lakes and seas, causing an imbalance in water that leads to severe pollution and the death of aquatic species.

Eutrophication is another great resource that is affected by the daily activity that occurs in some countries of washing clothes or utensils near lakes, lagoons or rivers. This causes detergents to enter the water, blocking the penetration of solar rays and reducing oxygen. The main and most damaging consequence is that they turn this habitat into uninhabitable. Water pollution not only harms aquatic beings, it also contaminates the food chain by seriously affecting humans who benefit from these animals. Water-borne diseases such as cholera or diarrhea have increased in all places.

Eutrophication is another great resource that is affected by the daily activity that occurs in some countries of washing clothes or utensils near lakes, lagoons or rivers. This causes detergents to enter the water, blocking the penetration of solar rays and reducing oxygen. The main and most damaging consequence is that they turn this habitat into uninhabitable.

SOIL CONTAMINATION

The Amazonian forest provides 20% of the planet's oxygen.

Land-based pollution occurs because of human activities that incorporate harmful chemicals into the soil. The use of insecticides and pesticides absorbs the nitrogen components of the soil making it uninhabitable and infertile for plants. The release of industrial waste, mining and deforestation also exploits the soil. Since then the plants can not grow properly, so they can not be subjected to the soil, resulting in erosion.

occurs due to incorporation of unwanted chemicals in the soil due to human activities. Use of insecticides and pesticides absorbs the nitrogen compounds from the soil making it unfit for plants to derive nutrition from. Release of industrial waste, mining and deforestation also exploits the soil. Since plants can’t grow properly, they can’t hold the soil and this leads to soil erosion.

NOISE POLLUTION

Noise pollution is caused when noise which is an unpleasant sound affects our ears and leads to psychological problems like stress, hypertension, hearing impairment, etc. It is caused by machines in industries, loud music, etc.

THERMAL/HEAT POLLUTION

Thermal/heat pollution is due to the excess heat in the environment creating unwanted changes over long time periods; due to huge number of industrial plants, deforestation and air pollution. It increases the earth’s temperature, causing drastic climatic changes and extinction of wildlife.

LIGTH POLLUTION

Light pollution occurs due to prominent excess illumination of an area. It is largely visible in big cities, on advertising boards and billboards, in sports or entertainment events at the night. In residential areas the lives of the inhabitants is greatly affected by this. It also affects the astronomical observations and activities by making the stars almost invisible.

1. Environment Degradation : Environment is the first casualty for increase in pollution weather in air or water. The increase in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere leads to smog which can restrict sunlight from reaching the earth. Thus, preventing plants in the process of photosynthesis. Gases like Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide can cause acid rain. Water pollution in terms of Oil spill may lead to death of several wildlife species.

2. Human Health : The decrease in quality of air leads to several respiratory problems including asthma or lung cancer. Chest pain, congestion, throat inflammation, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease are some of diseases  that can be causes by air pollution. Water pollution occurs due to contamination of water and may pose skin related problems including skin irritations and rashes. Similarly, Noise pollution leads to hearing loss, stress and sleep disturbance.

3. Global Warming :  The emission of greenhouse gases particularly CO2 is leading to global warming. Every other day new industries are being set up, new vehicles come on roads and trees are cut to make way for new homes. All of them, in direct or indirect way lead to increase in CO2 in the environment. The increase in CO2 leads to melting of polar ice caps which increases the sea level and pose danger for the people living near coastal areas.

4. Ozone Layer Depletion: Ozone layer is the thin shield high up in the sky that stops ultra violet rays from reaching the earth. As a result of human activities, chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), were released int to the atmosphere which contributed to the depletion of ozone layer.

5. Infertile Land : Due to constant use of insecticides and pesticides, the soil may become infertile. Plants may not be able to grow properly. Various forms of chemicals produced from industrial waste is released into the flowing water which also affects the quality of soil.

Pollution not only affect humans by destroying their respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological systems; it also affects the nature, plants, fruits, vegetables, rivers, ponds, forests, animals, etc, on which they are highly dependent for survival. It is crucial to control pollution as the nature, wildlife and human life are precious gifts to the mankind.