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When there
are some physical, chemical or biological changes occur in
our physical environment it is known as pollution and the
substances which brings these changes are known as
pollutants. The sources for the pollution can be natural or
man made.
Following are the types of Environmental pollution.
1.
Air
pollution
2.
Water
pollution
3.
Soil
pollution
4.
Noise
pollution
5.
Marine
pollution
6.
Thermal
pollution
7.
Nuclear
pollution
Air pollution:
When some foreign particles enters the air and deteriorate its quality
is known as air pollution. These particles can be produced
naturally or man made. Dust storms, Bacteria and gases of
volcanic eruptions are examples of natural’s sources of
pollutants. Gases released from the automobile and the
chimneys are the example of man made pollutants.
Major Air pollutants: Carbon monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Nitrogen
dioxide (NO2), Sulphur
dioxide (SO2) and lead.
Water pollution:
When some foreign particle, organic, inorganic or biological impurities
are added to the water so that it becomes unfit for use is
known as water pollution.
Major Water pollutants:
Point Sources: Sewerage system and industrial effluents
etc.
Diffused
sources: agriculture. Mining and construction etc.
Soil pollution:
When the productivity of the soil reduces due to the presence of
pollutants in it is known as soil pollution. Man has
polluted the soil by the excess use of pesticides.
Major soil pollutants: Pesticides, fungicides and herbicides
Noise pollution:
An unwanted and unpleasant sound is known as Noise pollution. Noise
pollution affects human being not the physical environment.
It reduces the efficiency of the human being.
Major Sources:
Industries, Transport vehicles, public address systems etc.
Marine pollution: Human being has polluted the oceans by adding the oil and waste
disposal in it. The main causes of marine pollution are
shore based industries, off-shore drilling, wrecked oil
tankers and transport activities. Also the waste discharged
into the rivers that flows to the ocean is the main reason
of marine pollution. Marine pollution has adversely affected
the sea life.
Major sources:
Transport, oil tankers and industries.
Thermal pollution:
It is an increase in the water temperature due to industrial operations
(steel industries and power plants). Many industries are
using water as a coolant. Due to which the temperature of
the water rises. This hot water is then discharged into the
environment causing a warming of surface water. This can
result in a permanent increase in water temperature. It can
also affect the aquatic system.
Major sources: Steel Industries, Power plants and nuclear power plants
Nuclear pollution:
Pollution caused by the radioactive waste material due to nuclear
explosion is known as nuclear pollution. It can give rise to
diseases like skin cancer. Due to the increased numbers of
nuclear plants the nuclear waste disposal has become a
threat for the environment.
Major Sources: Natural: Cosmic rays
Man made:
Nuclear weapons testing
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