Pollution | A Threat to Environment

No doubt humans are eradicating and disturbing the equilibrium of the environment. Our environment have all the necessary things which a living organism required, but what we are doing we are exhausting and making unavailable for others if not then for our future generations. Pollution is the main reason behind this because more over the pollution lesser is the growth of environment ( here I say 'Ecosystem').


Environmental Pollution Relationships between the pollution with each other
Environmental Pollution Relationships between the pollution with each other

Pollution means presence of anything in the system which is not naturally found in that or presence in unproportionate manner. It is the process of making the environment land water and air dirty by adding harmful substance to it which causes imbalance in the environment.

Environmental pollution is a serious problem of the industrialized societies. The industrial development & the green revolution have adversely affected the environment. Day by day pollution has been increasing & imbalance has threatened the very survival of all forms of life. It is threat to the whole world. People have converted the life supporting system of the entire living world into their own resources and have vastly disturbed the natural ecological balance. It is defined as the unfavourable alteration of our surroundings. In India allay the source of water lie rivers lakes ponds and wells have been polluted and are unfit for drinking. As a result of the increased use of fertilizers, the rivers seas and oceans have become contaminated with harmful pollutants. Pollution is a product of people activities which directly or indirectly responsible for the changes in environment. All changes in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of land, air, or water than harm human life and other living things. Population explosion, rapid industrialisation deforestation unplanned urbanization scientific and technological advancement.

Pollution occurs in different forms like air, water, soil, radioactive, noise, heat, light. All forms of pollution have two sources of matter like point and non-point sources. The point sources are easy to find while the non-point sources are hard to find and hard to control.


Types of Pollution

Air is the outer covering and an essential part of our environment. Air provide oxygen and carbon-dioxide to animals and plants. Air is the only source of them, that's why we breathe. It refers to the contamination of atmospheric air due to presence of some substance and gases which have poisonous effect. Day by day the fresh air of our environment is getting polluted due to mixing of biological molecules and some other harmful material. Such polluted air is causing health problems. It is most important environmental issues which requires to be notices and solved by the efforts of all of us. It is the most serious problem of the current time all over the world mostly in the large cities because of the huge level of industrialisation. The release of such air pollutants in heavy concentrations such as smog, solid materials, harmful gases, particles, paint, batteries contain lead, cigarettes release carbon monoxide, transport means releases carbon dioxide and other toxic substances to the atmosphere etc are getting settled over the city, causing air pollution and health hazards to the people. It is continuously damaging the whole ecological system and affecting the lives of plants and animal as well. Lots of dirty waste produced by people on daily basis especially in the big cities polluting the whole atmospheric air to a great extent. The release of gaseous pollutants from burning fuel of motors vehicles, industrial processes, burning of garbage, etc are contributing to the air pollution. Some natural pollutants like pollen, dust, soil particles, natural gas, etc are also the sources of air pollution. They are also called air pollutants.

Sources

  • Mobile sources- such as car, trucks, trains, and buses
  • Stationary sources- such as power plant, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and factories
  • Area sources- such as agricultural areas, cities, and wood burning fireplaces

Effects 

  • Acid rain
  • Ozone layer depletion
  • Green house effect and global warming

Remedies 

  • Avoid smoking indoors
  • Use craft supplies in well-ventilated areas
  • Make sure gas stove is well ventilated
  • Remove carpeting if possible
  • Filters must be used in chimneys of industries

Health Effects of Air pollution 

Every living species requires oxygen except plants they require Carbondioxide for their metabolism and other body requirements. If along with oxygen other particles and molecules enter in body have adverse effects on health:-
  • Alveolar Damage/Shrinkage
  • Metabolic disability 
  • Toxcity in body
  • Asthma 
  • Head ache
  • Poor growth 
  • Low life span
  • Heart Problems 
Effects of Air pollution showing impact on heart, lungs and other body parts
Health effects of Air Pollution 
See

TOP POLLUTED INDIAN CITIES 

So, what do you think about what are some other ways to prevent air pollution and our earth. comment..!!.. ............... 

Water is the basic requirement of every living organisms, and it is daily consumed. Many diseases spread through water. There are several reasons which contaminate the water, like toxic chemicals from industries, garbage, and sewage.

Pollution in Water

Fresh water is the most important sources of life on the earth. Any living thing may survive without food for days however it is impossible to imagine life without water and oxygen. The ever-increasing human population enhances the demand of water for purpose like drinking, washing, performing industrial processes, irrigation crops, arranging swimming pools and others water-sports centre. Water pollution is done by the people of all over the world because of increasing demand and competition of luxuries life. Waste product from the people activities are spoiling the whole water and decreasing the amount of oxygen available in the water. When we drink the polluted water, harmful chemicals and other pollutants goes inside our body and deteriorates all the body organs functioning and puts our lives in danger. Such harmful chemicals also disturb the lives of animals and plants greatly. When plants absorb dirty water through their roots, the stop growing and die.
Such pollutants are altering the physical, chemical, thermal and biological characteristics of the water and adversely affecting the lives inside as well as outside the water. It is the main issue affecting human lives in many ways. It is the most dangerous and worst form of pollution putting lives in danger. The water we drink daily looks very clear however contained verities of microscopic pollutants floating inn it. Our earth is covered with water almost 70% of total so a little change in it could affect lives worldwide. Water pollution is the big environmental and social issue all across the world. It has reached to the critical point now. All the pollutants are very harmful to the environment.

Sources

  • Agricultural pollution
  • River dumping
  • Marine dumping
  • Oil pollution
  • Nuclear Reactor's Hot water/ Hot water released by industries (Thermal Pollution in Water

Effects

  • Ground water contamination from pesticides causes reproductive damage within wildlife in ecosystems
  • Swimming in and drinking contaminated water causes skin rashes and health problem like cancer, reproductive problem, typhoid fever and stomach sickness in human
  • Human-produces litter of items such as plastic bag can get aquatic animals caught and killed from suffocation
  • Water pollution causes flooding due to the accumulation of the solid waste in the streams and rivers

Remedies

  • Do not throw industrial, farm or other waste material o sewage into the river
  • City water should be treated properly
  • Oil spill should be prevented
  • Dead bodies should not throw in water bodies
  • Boil water before drinking

Health effects of Water Pollution 

Consumption or use of contaminated water may cause severe diseases: 
Contaminated water is unhealthy and unfit for the health, it creates gastrointestinal problems which may be severe if contaminant is virus or bacteria. Sometimes viral infections are also spread through the water e. g Ebola infection. 
Children who consume unhealthy water have poor growth and development. 
So, Always consume clean water, 
Comment what are you doing for preventing water pollution? 

Pollution occurs in different forms like air, water, soil, radioactive, noise, heat, light. All forms of pollution have two sources of matter like point and non-point sources. The point sources are easy to find while the non-point sources are hard to find and hard to control. There is about 28% land available for farming on earth rest of the 72% is covered with water. In that 28% we have to live, grow plants and trees and the current situation is leading to the pollution in soil which makes it infertile. Means to say that the land available for habitat but not for plants. In this way no farming is possible, slowly plants disappear from land and the plants present in oceans not sufficient for us. So humans can't survive without plants, and plants without soil.

Pollution in Soil

It 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 drive nutrition from. Soil pollution refers to the mixing of human made chemicals like industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals, and other harmful disposal of wastes from houses, factories, etc. into the natural soil which causes land degradation and makes it unfit for the cropping. Soil is the natural resources on the earth which directly supports the life of plants and indirectly of animals since the origin of life on the earth. It is very important complex substance available everywhere on the earth. Increasing human population and advancement of the human lives is causing soil pollution to a great extent. Main causes of soil pollution are excessive soil erosion, forest fires, use of chemical fertilizers to improve crop production, pesticides (insecticides and herbicides), to get control over insects, urban and industrial wastes, drought untreated industrial water irrigation, deforestation etc. It is increasing day by day at a faster rate in the rural and urban areas of the country due to increasing density of the people.
All the soil contaminants get mixed to the fertile land and causes variety of health disorder directly such as respiratory illness, bronchitis, asthma, cancer, etc. Kids are more prone to the polluted soil than the adults as they into it and gets attacked by many diseases especially respiratory disorders. Increasing human population need more grains thus in order to fulfil this requirement people use highly concentrated fertilizers to improve the crop production which ultimately affects health through the food chain. Soil pollution is the gradual process of soil poisoning of the toxic soil contaminants. Soil pollution has become a major challenge to the whole human fraternity in modern time. Soil is the most important natural resources highly requires to maintain the healthy life here.

Sources 

  • Mining and smelting
  • Overcrowded landfills
  • Biological agents like fungi, virus, bacteria and protozoan
  • Urban wastes
  • Overuse of chemical fertilisers 
  • Untreated water when comes under the contact of soil. The untreated water have lot of toxic and heavy metals. You may say water pollution is also a reason for soil pollution.

Effects

  • Urban wastes harmful for human health
  • Mining and smelting makes the soil fertile
  • Biological agents are harm the development and existence of flora and fauna

Remedies

  • Do not litter
  • Use dustbin
  • Reduce use of plastic
  • Spraying of pesticides must be reduced
  • Sewage treatment before dumping wastes

Health effects of Soil Pollution 

Plants are the largest and only producers present on earth. They depend on the soil, because all their required nutrients and water comes from soil, if it is polluted the pollutants move in plants and the effect will be seen on the consumers who consume directly or their products. The heavy metals and toxic elements enter in the animal and human body which may lead them in several disabilities and diseases. 
So what you have seen unusual in soil.... .. Tell us... 

According to the physics Radiation the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles which cause ionization. The radiation is not very much fruitful for animals and humans, however modern technology used it in several medical applications. Yes, It is harmful but in higher amount or frequency below a limit it is useful. Here I must say about the electromagnetic waves coming from sun which is reflected back in the universe by earth's magnetic field.

Radiation as a Pollution 

It is highly dangerous when it occurs. It can occur due to nuclear plant malfunctions, improper nuclear waste disposal, accidents, etc. It can cause cancer, infertility, blindness, defects at the time of birth; can sterile soil and affect air and water. Radioactivity is radioactive decay or emission of particles (neuron, proton or heavier particles) from an atom or nucleus. Recently radioactive elements are also used in research and medicine. These pollutants are directly linked to nuclear energy. It contamination also call radiological contamination, is the deposition off or presence of radioactive substances on surfaces or within solids, liquids or gases. The most dangerous long-lived radio nuclides are those emitted by nuclear reactors. It’s most popular use in the past has been in wars where it destroyed entire cities in one go; however, today it is widely used as an energy source to fuel electricity. It may be due to electromagnetic radiation, nuclear radiation, or cosmic radiation.
Electromagnetic radiation occurs through X-rays, gamma rays, UV rays visible light, infrared rays and radio waves.
Nuclear radiation pollution occurs when radioactive atoms like uranium, thorium etc. release radiation in the form of alpha and beta particles. Nuclear radiation also occurs when radioactive elements are produced artificially in nuclear reactors and particle accelerators.
Cosmic radiation takes place due to high energy particles invading the earth and its atmosphere from outer space and the sun. Cosmic rays consist of electrons, protons, helium nuclei, hydrogen nuclei, and the nuclei belonging to heavier elements like carbon and oxygen.
Sources
  • Nuclear power plant accidents or leakage
  • Improper nuclear waste disposal
  • Uranium mining operations

Effect

  • Cancer
  • Sterilization
  • Birth defect
  • Mutations which have greater impact on our physique 

Remedies

  • The protective garments must be worn
  • The natural radiation must be at the permissible limits

The normal range of hearing is 20Hz to 20KHz. When we talk in decibel unit it is 60db for average speech. The maximum sound of 140db can be hearable by a young man how ever long period of time may harm. For the children it is 120db beyond that several health effects seen. "Experiments have shown that a healthy young person hears all sound frequencies from approximately 20 to 20,000 hertz." "The maximum range of human hearing includes sound frequencies from about 15 to about 18,000 waves, or cycles, per second." "The general range of hearing for young people is 20 Hz to 20 kHz."

Pollution of Sound 

It means unwanted sound that can have deleterious effects on human health and environmental quality. It is commonly generated inside many industrial facilities and some other workplaces, but it also comes from highway, railway, and airplane traffic and from outdoor construction activities. It has become a serious problem for human health. The noisy atmosphere in which we are living is an obstacle in securing good health. Noise pollution and environmental noise are hurting human and other organisms. Noise beyond a limit produces many diseases, such as hypertension, stress, making people vulnerable to forgetfulness, depression and many other serious ailments. Noise is also very dangerous for nature as a whole because it disturbs the tranquillity of all creatures and increases mortality rate in them. Noise pollution is dependent on the loudness and frequency of the sound. In facts, when the sound exceeds its limit, it become fatal for human and other organisms.

The sources of noise pollutions are divided into two categories:

Natural sources

The natural environment is filled with various sounds- thunderstorm, lightning, tornado, cyclone, volcanic eruption, earthquakes, landslides, sounds produced by animals, and rapidly falling water.

Human sources

Rapid industrialization, urbanisation, use of modern means of transport, population growth, and increasing scale of human activities are some of the human factors responsible for noise pollution, Both types of noise pollution, affect sleep, listening ability, physical and mental health.
Low, Soft, high medium sound waves
Vehicular noise: The modern means of traffic including vehicles such as buses, trucks, scooters, cars etc. pollute the atmosphere. Sound of other automated vehicles and horn, excessive use of loudspeakers for religious purposes also generate jarring noise.
Industrial noise: Industry- businesses, factories and commercial establishments produced a variety of harsh sounds that bump into our ears and disturb our mind. Noise pollution is an integral part of the industrial environment with heavy machines used in the industries; it is on the rise with the increase in industrial urbanisation.
Fireworks: It is another source of pollution. Uncontrolled fireworks in festivals, fairs, or crackers, after victory in matches and elections produce unbearable noise.
Some reasons are also for that inside and outside the house includes car alarms, emergency service siren, machine tools, compressed air horn, equipment, electrical equipment, megaphone etc.

Effect

  • Physical effects: The physical manifestation of noise pollution is the effect on hearing ability. Repeated exposure to noise may result in temporary or permanent shifting of the hearing threshold of a person depending upon the level and duration of exposure.
  • Physiological effects: Headache bye dilating blood vessels of the brain.
  • Increase in the rate of heart beat.
  • Narrowing of arteries.
  • Pain in the heart.
  • Migration patterns of birds are disturbed, due to which their population is decreasing.

Remedies

  • Automobile servicing 
  • Tree plantation
  • Soundproof homes
  • Factory location
No matter what is it but the noise pollution doesn't have greater impact on ecosystem but it is harmful for humans because humans have limit of hearing 20KHz beyond it harms. So what is the sound frequency in your near by......... Do you know what to do to prevent yourself from this situation. ... ..................! !!

Basically heat is not a contamination you guys are thinking what I am saying Heat as pollution, well heat is required for everyone living on Earth because it is the only mode of transfer of energy, but what if this is increased and make changes to our abiotic components (e.g: Water). This over heating is not only caused by Sun, The human activities are involved in the Thermal pollution mostly.

Heat As Pollution  

Thermal pollution is the degradation of water quality by any process that changes ambient water temperature. Thermal pollution is usually associated with increases of water temperature in a stream, lake or ocean due to the discharge of heated water from industrial processes, such as the generation of electricity. Increase in ambient water temperature also occur in streams where shading vegetation along the banks is removed or where sediments have made the water more turbid. It is due to 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.
There are four major causes of thermal pollution: The use of water as a cooling agent, deforestation of shorelines, soil erosion and burning of fossil fuels. The foremost cause being the use of water as cooling agent in nuclear power plants and other industrial facilities. In an aquatic system temperature is an important factor which affects physio-chemical parameters of water quality as well as plant, animal and microbial life considerably. Aquatic life is usually well adjusted to seasonal changes inn temperatures which occur naturally. However, man-made changes in temperature of water often cause adverse changes which damage its utility and productivity.

Sources

  • Urban sprawl
  • Power plants
  • Air pollution particulates that trap heat
  • Deforestation
Effect
  • Decrease in dissolved oxygen levels
  • Increase in toxins
  • Loss of biodiversity
  • Ecological impact
  • Affects reproductive systems
  • Increases metabolic rate
  • Migration
Remedies
  • Plants as many trees as possible
  • Cool the water before they put it back in the ocean
  • Burn less coal, oil or gas
  • Reduce mechanical friction

Effects on Living ones

The aquatic ecosystem is commonly disturbed due to the thermal pollution because when the hotwater enters the aquatic ecosystem the oxygen dissolving capacity is reduced and the pH of that system also disturbed. These abiotic conditions are most prominently required to run an ecosystem. 
If this Heated water is transferred on soil the eco-friendly microbes die due to change in environment and soil becomes less fertile. So comment what type of water in your area!! 

Sun light is the major source of light on earth, although sunlight also not good for us if it comes to us without passing by ozone. What I am saying is that the sun light contains UV, Infrared and other Magnetic Rays which are harmful to us they are filtered by Ozone layer and our environment to protect us. But are you sure we are not contaminating our visible light inside our environment, yes we are!

Here I am not talking about the harmful light coming from sun, I am discussing about the light which is present on earth and how we are making it uncomfortable for living organisms.

Pollution of Light 

It occurs due to prominent excess illumination of an area. It is largely visible in big cities, on bill boards, in sports or entertainment events at the night. In residential areas the lives of the inhabitants are greatly affected by this. It also affects the astronomical observations and activities by making the stars almost invisible. Bright lightning in the function, big cities, etc. causes light pollution. Light pollution is also known as photo-pollution, it is the presence of anthropogenic light in the night environment. Light pollution occurs at night and is obtrusive, inappropriate or excessive artificial light. Component of light pollution are: Urban sky glow which is the brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas; Light trespass, when light falls where it is not intended or not to fall, visual discomfort caused by excessive brightness and high levels can decrease visibility; light sources which are bright and excessive. These light sources can be found in urban areas.
It is the brightening of the night sky and it diminishes the view of stars and planets.

Sources

  • Large cities
  • Billboards and advertising
  • Night time sporting events and other night time entertainment

Effects

  • Degrade the quality of life
  • Discomfort in the eyes

Remedies

  • Work with your neighbours and local government to keep the light on the ground and the skies natural
  • Use light emitting diodes (LED)
  • Use only the light you need to get the job done

Health Effects of Unwanted light 💡 

Generally the visible light do not have an enormous effects on human health, but when its intensity increases it corrodes the retina of the eye. Some people feel eye dryness due to using modern smart phones as their eyes are more exposed to the high intensity light over long time. Unfortunately there is no permanent cure for dry eyes.
The other lights like UV, Infrared, Gama etc. have negative impact on body and can be seen easily. 
Comment what are you thinking about it.. ..! 




8 Comments

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  1. El modelo capitalista es insostenible con la humanidad y la naturaleza, es necesario cambiar de modelo.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mohassin Ahemad26 October

    But there are very worst situations and you are telling it as a Threat !....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If the situations are not controlled then it will be worst, but this is actually a threat to our environment similarly to us..... ....

      Delete
  3. Wow, What a Excellent post. I really found this to much informatics. It is what i was searching for.I would like to suggest you that please keep sharing such type of info.Thanks how is the air in delhi

    ReplyDelete
  4. The pollution of the environment occurs when polluters enter the natural environment, disrupt their balance and negatively affect the life of living organisms.

    I hope we can start building awareness among us to change our habits so that all of us can participate in protecting the environment.
    Thanks...

    junk removal near me

    ReplyDelete
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