Hi, welcome to this blog on environmental pollution.
Introduction
Learn about the causes, effects, and control measures of environmental pollution. Discover how industrial activities, waste disposal, and deforestation impact the planet, and explore solutions to reduce pollution and safeguard our future.
Environmental pollution is one of the most pressing challenges faced by the world today. It encompasses the contamination of air, water, land, and even the biosphere, leading to negative impacts on ecosystems, human health, and the planet as a whole. Understanding the causes, effects, and potential solutions is crucial to mitigate the damage and safeguard the environment for future generations.
Table Of Contents
- Meaning of environmental pollution
- Types of environmental pollution.
- Causes of environmental pollution.
- Effects of environmental pollution.
- Control.
- Revision Questions.
Meaning Of Environmental Pollution
Pollution is the release of substances into the environment, i.e, air, water or land in quantities or to the level that are harmful to man, animals and plants. The substances that causes pollution in the environment are called pollutants.
Types of Environmental Pollution
There are three main types of pollution. These are: air pollution, land pollution, and water pollution.
Air Pollution: Air pollution refers to the release or injection of substances into the air in quantities or to the level that is harmful to man, animals and plants.
Causes of Air Pollution
- Discharge of solid substances like smoke, dust and soot from Industries, machines and coal into the air.
- Fumes from Industrial processes such as sulfuric acid, mist from coal mining and cement factors.
- Gases such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide from exhaust pipes of motor vehicles and airplanes.
- Radioactive rays from industrial processes such as electric plants that use radioactive substances.
- Spray of liquids (vapour) and gaseous herbicides and pesticides.
- Noise from loudspeakers, cars, sirens, aerorplanes, horn blarring, construction and mining sites.
- Poor refuse disposal.
- Nuclear waste.
- Fumes from explosion of bombs and other dangerous war weapons.
- Artificial cloud seeding.
- Dust storms from desert/harmattan.
- Emission of smoke into the atmosphere.
- Volcanic eruptions can also cause dangerous air pollution.
Effects of Air Pollution
- Air pollution causes impaired health such as the irritation of eyes, lungs and skin cancer.
- Formation of thin layer on leaves, leading to reduction in transpiration.
- It causes acid rain which can corrode materials and burn green plants.
- It causes suffocation.
- Noise pollution affect hearing by causing temporary deafness and reduces concentration and relaxation.
- It can increase or decrease the temperature.
- It causes climate variation.
- It causes the destruction of the ozone layer.
- It can cause accidents as a result of poor visibility.
- It affects plant growth and aquatic life.
- It can also affect the economy.
Control of Air Pollution
- Chemical waste should be discharged high into the air through fumes Chambers.
- Industries should be sited away from residential houses.
- Creation of conditions for complete combustion of fuel.
- Provision of filters or absorbers to reduce pollutants from waste gases.
- Controlling the level of noise from loudspeakers, car sirens and horn through legislation.
- There should be government legislation on air pollution.
- There should be international corporation and control on air pollution.
- Improved technology should developed, e.g, waste recycling.
Land Pollution: Land pollution is defined as the release or injection of substances into the land in quantities or level that are harmful to man, animals and plants.
Causes: Land pollution is caused by dumping of refuse, sewage, metal scraps, plastic wastes, chemicals, oil spillage, toxic wastes, pesticides and fertilizers in an area or place.
Effects of Land Pollution
- Land pollution causes offensive odour.
- Some are poisonous to man and animals.
- Some can kill useful soil organisms.
- Some can render soil infertile.
Measures to Control Land Pollution
- Refuse should be burnt in an incinerator.
- Urban waste should be buried.
- Proper disposal of sewage.
- Legislation by government against dumping of harmful or toxic wastes at any place.
- Pesticides, fertilizers, etc should be applied as instructed.
- Oil-pipe lines should be maintained and checked regularly to prevent oil spillage.
Water Pollution: Water pollution is defined as the release or discharging of toxic substances into the water bodies in quantities or level that are harmed to man, animals and plants.
Causes of Water Pollution
- Discharging industrial effluents or waste into water bodies.
- Oil spillage.
- Fishing with chemicals such as gamalin 20.
- Use of detergents in the water bodies.
- Use of chemical fertilizers.
- Utilization of same water by man and animals.
- Acid rain.
- Volcanic eruption.
- Discharge of domestic waste into water.
Effects of Water Pollution
- It causes the death of aquatic animals and plants.
- It reduces the recreational values of water.
- It causes water-borne Diseases.
- It can encourage the growth of sea weeds and Algae which can impede water transport.
- It impairs the use of water for domestic use.
- It impairs the use of water for industrial purposes.
- Loss of Man-hours in search of usable water.
- It can lead to unemployment among fishermen.
Measures To Control Water Pollution
- Proper legislation on use of water bodies.
- Avoid dumping of untreated wastes into the waters.
- Public enlightenment.
- Good fishing practices.
- Providing public utilities, e.g, toilets and incinerators.
- Treatment of industrial wastes.
Conclusion on the effects of environmental pollution
Environmental pollution is a complex problem that affects every aspect of life on Earth. It requires a multi-faceted approach involving technological innovation, sustainable practices, and concerted efforts from individuals, industries, and governments.
Revision Questions
- What is environmental pollution?
- (a) Name two main types of Environmental pollution and describe three causes of any one of them (b) state three effects of Environmental pollution to man.
- Outline any five causes of Environmental pollution on air.
- State five measures to control of water pollution.