Types of pollution: Definition, History, Types, Facts, Sources, FAQ

What is Pollution?

Pollution is the process of putting undesirable substances into the environment which has a bad impact on the living organisms and habitats of the earth. It is important to comprehend pollution since it involves air, water, and soil, and affects the overall biodiversity, creating health complications for people and other living organisms.

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Types of Pollution

The types of pollution are described below :

Air Pollution

One of the major types of environmental pollution is air pollution. It usually emanates when harmful gases, particulate matter, or biological molecules find their way into the atmosphere, which degrade air quality and have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Some of the basic points about air pollution are discussed below:

• Natural sources of air pollution include volcanic eruptions and wildfires that release particles and gases into the air.

• Sources that are human-made such as emissions from vehicles, industrial processes, and power plants, make them contributors to causes and effects of air pollution.

• Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) is made up of particulates in the air which cause problems to human bodies in terms of respiration, besides reducing visibility. These are responsible for air pollution.

• Toxic gases include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), ozone (O3), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are common factors of air pollution.

• The smog is formed due to these gases and has greenhouse effects, thus underlining the impact of air pollution on the environment.

• Continuous exposure to gases leads to respiratory diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, and heart conditions, thus reflecting the health impacts of air pollution.

Water Pollution

It is water pollution when poisonous compounds are dumped into rivers, lakes, and oceans that do not make the water safe for use by human beings or aquatic animals. Of all types of pollution, it is said to cause the most damage to ecosystems and human lives. The awareness about pollution and its various forms presents a deal for everyone to act towards reducing its consequences. Some of the basic points about water pollution is discussed below:

• Water bodies receive fertilizers and pesticides that flow off the farms because the heavy rainfall injures the aquatic life, thus causing some of the effects of pollution on the environment.

• Factories just dispose of their harmful chemicals and heavy metals in the rivers and lakes, worsening water pollution.

• Waterborne diseases are caused by water contaminated with harmful bacteria and viruses through sewage are also responsible for water pollution.

• The minute fragments of plastic litter settle in the water, poisoning aquatic animals and seeping into the food chain, too, which shows pollution's impact reaches the deepest areas and is also a contributing factor to water pollution.

• Water contaminated with diseases like cholera exposes peoples' lives to toxic heavy metals also leads to water pollution.

• Dissolved extra nutrients from fertilizers cause algal blooms, which deplete oxygen within the water, affecting fish and other aquatic species

Soil Pollution

Soil pollution can be defined as the contamination of the soil with harmful chemicals, waste, or pollutants that can affect its health and ecosystems. It affects plant growth, human health, and the environment. Soil pollution is mainly caused by industrial activities, the use of agricultural chemicals, improper disposal of wastes, and increasing urbanization. It is one of the major types of pollution that adversely affects the environment. Some of the basic points about soil pollution are discussed below:

• Heavy metals used in industrial waste such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic poison affect soil health. This leads to soil pollution.

• The contaminated soil from soil pollution causes food crops to be contaminated and provokes toxicity, cancer, and a range of health conditions.

• The use of chemicals will be reduced to a minimum, but the natural ways in which it produced improve the health of the soil.

• Chemicals, heavy metals, and other industrial wastes pollute the soil.

• Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers used in agriculture can also concentrate in the soil and thus indirectly affect plants and animals.

Noise Pollution

Noise pollution is the excessive or harmful noise levels in the environment, negatively affecting people's health, wildlife, and general quality of life. It is one of the unsighted types of pollutants although it affects both people and the environment considerably. Some of the basic points are discussed below:

• Some of the major sources of high noise levels include factories, construction sites, and machinery. It mainly occurs in cities.

• The noise in cities is usually high because of the presence of constant construction work, traffic, and loudspeakers.

• Continuous exposure to loud noise causes the process of hearing loss, stress, and even sleep disorders, among others also leads to noise pollution.

• In cities, animals rarely communicate or find ways to their intended destinations, while their nature of reproductive behaviour is often disrupted leading to a negative impact on their survival and ecosystems.

• Designing cities such that residential areas are placed far from noisy zones with quieter surroundings in sensitive places helps prevent noise pollution.

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