Sources of Environmental Pollution
Rubbish is produced daily by human. Rubbish such as domestic wastes (leftover food) is classified as biodegradable while glass, plastic and metals are classified as non-biodegradable. Non-biodegradable rubbish is imperishable and remains in rubbish dump sites for a long time. Problems associated with the improper disposal of rubbish are foul-smelling dump sites, as well as the dump sites becoming a breeding place for microorganisms which cause diseases.
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Pollution is defined as any undesirable change of the natural environment (physical, chemical or biological) caused by the release of harmful substances due to human activities. Pollution is any harmful substances (in the form of solid, liquid or gas) that have harmful effects on the environment. The increase in human population, the industrialization of cities and urbanization all contribute to pollution.
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There are four categories of pollution: a) air pollution b) water pollution c) noise pollution d) thermal pollution. The various sources of environmental pollution are: a) combustion of fossil fuels b) disposal of by-products, wastes, toxic, substances, radioactive substances, smoke and eat from factories c) excessive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides in agriculture d) emission of noise, smoke and poisonous gases from vehicles and machinery e) disposal of rubbish such as plastics leftover food and solid substances f) disposal of sewage g) use of chlorofluorocarbon chemicals (CFCs).
Combustion of Fossil Fuels
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Fossil fuels are produced from the remains of animals and plants which have been buried in the ground for hundreds of years. Fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas are widely used in factories and vehicles to produce energy. The incomplete burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and carbon particles into the atmosphere. Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen dissolve in rainwater to produce acid rain which is harmful to the physical and biological environment. The other gases and carbon particles cause air pollution.
Disposal of By-Products, Wastes, Toxic, Substances, Radioactive Substances, Smoke and Heat from Factories
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Electronic and semiconductor factories produce by products containing toxic substances such as mercury, nickel, cadmium and lead that can cause metal poisoning. Toxic substances such as cyanide from various industries poison aquatic organisms where drained into rivers and seas. Nuclear energy plants are radioactive substances to produce energy. Nuclear waste products produce radioactive radiation which harms the health and lives of all living organisms. Water which is used as a cooling agent in power stations to generate electricity causes thermal pollution and affects aquatic organisms when it is drained into the sea.
Excessive Use of Chemical Fertilizers, Pesticides and Fungicides in Agriculture
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Aquatic organisms require oxygen from their environment and any change that alters the amount of the oxygen in their habitat can cause the death of these organisms. Two pollutants that reduce the concentration of oxygen in water are chemical fertilizers and sewage. Farmers add chemical fertilizers containing nitrates and phosphates to the soil to produce better quality crops. These fertilizers, which are soluble in water, are washed from the soil by rainwater into rivers and pounds. This process is called leaching.
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These nutrients encourage the rapid growth of algae and water plants which cover the surface of the water, blocking sunlight from reaching the base of the ponds and rivers. This causes rooted water plants to be unable to carry out photosynthesis. As a result of this, they die. The dead plants are decomposed by bacteria and release more nutrients which causes the bacteria to multiply rapidly. These bacteria consume oxygen, resulting in a lack of oxygen in the water and the death of other aquatic organisms.
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The above phenomenon is called ‘Eutrophication’. The spraying of pesticides and fungicides to kill and control pests on land is harmful to animals as well as plants. These toxic substances are carried by rainwater into ponds and this raises the pesticide level in the water. The pesticides level is amplified through the food chain where smaller animals are fed on by bigger carnivores and finally by humans. Accumulated toxic substances in the bodies of carnivores (fish) and humans cause the death of these living organisms.
Emission of Noise, Smoke and Poisonous Gasses from Vehicles and Machinery
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The operation of heavy machines and vehicles causes the noise and air pollution. A level of noise that is more than 80 decibels can affect the emotion and health of humans. Factories and vehicles which use fossil fuels to produce energy release smoke and poisonous gases into the air. The pollutants released are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, lead, hydrocarbons and heavy metals. These air pollutants are harmful and affect the health of humans. They can damage tissues and organs in the body.
Disposal of Rubbish Such as Plastics, leftover Food and Solid Substances
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Rubbish is produced daily by human. Rubbish such as domestic wastes (leftover food) is classified as biodegradable while glass, plastic and metals are classified as non-biodegradable. Non-biodegradable rubbish is imperishable and remains in rubbish dump sites for a long time. Problems associated with the improper disposal of rubbish are foul-smelling dump sites, as well as the dump sites becoming a breeding place for vectors and microorganisms which cause diseases.
Disposal of Sewage
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Sewage includes water from kitchens, bathrooms and toilets which is made up of 99% water and 1% solid wastes. Sewage encompasses human and animal faces, detergents, domestic wastes and others. Sewage is filled with bacteria. Thus it must be properly treated before it released into rivers and seas so that it does not pollute the land and the sea.
Use of Chlorofluorocarbons
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Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) is made up of carbon, chlorine and fluorine. It is a chemical compound used in aerosols. It is also used as a coolant in air conditioners and refrigerators. Examples of CFCs are: a) dichlorodifluoromethane (CF2Cl2) b) trichlorofluoromethane (CFCl3). CFC is stable compound which can remain in the atmosphere for a long time. Pollution due to CFCs arises from the improper disposal of electrical appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators which may leak CFCs, the use of aerosols containing CFCs and evaporation of solvents used to manufacture plastic which also contain CFCs. Chlorine atoms in CFC molecules which result in the thinning of the ozone layer in the atmosphere.
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Biological magnification is a process whereby a chemical substance becomes more concentrated in animals higher in the food chain. For example, in Los Angeles, DDT (a non-biodegradable pesticide) was dumped into the sewage system. The DDT then contaminated fishes in the ocean. The substance finally accumulated in large amounts in pelicans and caused the death of a large number of pelicans. Hence in 1972, DDT was banned in the United States of America.
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21 Responses to “Sources of Environmental Pollution”
On July 27, 2009 at 7:04 am
Complete, thorough coverage of a subject dificult to manage. Lot of talk about it. Some action…not enough. Well done, Mr. Ghaz.
On July 27, 2009 at 7:48 am
Great informative and well written article. Great pictures too.
On July 27, 2009 at 8:20 am
Nice and learned article.
On July 27, 2009 at 9:59 am
thanks mr.ghaz for added info.
On July 27, 2009 at 10:13 am
Very enlightening information!
On July 27, 2009 at 10:20 am
Very detail article on pollution. Thanks and liked it.
On July 27, 2009 at 10:36 am
Ghaz, you have combined a great narration with great pictures. In future, I’d like to take your help in getting pictures, if you don’t mind sharing your secrets. I especially like the photo that depicts the over fertilized land: it has the appropriate burnt-out links.
On July 27, 2009 at 10:44 am
Well written narrative. A great eye opener for all self conscious pollutants in the planet. Humankind.
On July 27, 2009 at 11:11 am
Like it much, very informative!
On July 27, 2009 at 1:00 pm
A very informative, and well written article Mr. Ghaz. We have made a lot of strides over the last decade in pollution of our land, and still have a long way to go. I must correct you on one picture in your article though. The tractor pulling the trailor is not spraying pesticides, but instead is spreading cow manure to naturally fertilize the land.
On July 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Another great article. I liked it.
On July 27, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Interesting, Mr Ghaz.
On July 27, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Hi Mr. Ghaz
I like this article, it’s very informative.
On July 27, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Very detailed piece, Mr Ghaz!
On July 27, 2009 at 7:52 pm
This is very important information. It’s good to have the basics put in again. Most of us recycle and upcycle. It’s good to be reminded of why.
On July 27, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Thoughtful and well researched article.
On July 27, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Main facts in pollution we must face to clean our environment.
On July 28, 2009 at 12:52 am
Well written.
On August 7, 2009 at 3:03 am
Very well written and informative article. I liked it. Thanks for sharing
On August 23, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Your articles are all so informative
On September 26, 2009 at 2:33 am
this is pretty good there has been a lot of people liking your writing of the sources of pollution i liked it pictures were good . It was connected with the topic .GOOD .
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