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TOPIC: ENVIRONMENT POLLUTION: ITS SOURCES AND

TYPES

Class: BA-III

KAPIL KAUSHIK

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Department of Geography

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INTRODUCTION

“Pollution is the introduction of substances (or energy) that causes adverse changes

in the environment and living entities.”

Environmental pollution is one of the most serious problems facing humanity and

other life forms on our planet today. Environmental pollution is defined as

“the contamination of the physical and biological components of the earth/atmosphere system

to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected.” Pollutants can

be naturally occurring substances or energies, but they are considered contaminants when in

excess of natural levels. Any use of natural resources at a rate higher than nature’s capacity to

restore itself can result in pollution of air, water, and land.

ECOLOGICAL ISSUES

Environmental pollution represents an obstacle to the economical exploitation of coal

deposits. In industrialized countries, the rules for protection of the environment are stricter

than in developing countries. Thus, to get a license to open mines involves lengthy procedures

which in turn cause delay. Indian authorities have also started to put stringent conditions in

place regarding environmental pollution. Consequently, ecological problems can be totally

prevented, but such measures are costly.

Some environmental consequences of mining and processing coal deposits

are deforestation, land damage, water pollution and hydrological damage, air pollution, noise

pollution, ground vibration and rock dispersal, and visual impact. Such environmental impacts

are increasing day by day because the scale of individual mining operations is increasing as

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mining of lower grade deposits increases. The current trend toward surface mining, and

mine mechanization, is also aggravating such problems.

The use of environmental standards as criteria for decision making in a developing

country like India has to be properly assessed. If the norms of developed countries are applied

in India, costs will be very high. Thus, the standards selected should be compatible with the

country’s economic situation.

SOURCES OF POLLUTION

Another way of classifying pollution is by the sector of human activity that produces

it. Before we look at the various sectors, there is an important distinction to be made about

pollution sources. Sources of pollution can be categorised as point or non-point sources. Point

sources are identifiable points or places that you can easily locate. An example is a diesel

truck that produces visible black exhaust fumes from its tailpipe. Liquid waste released from a

pipe into a river is another example. A non-point source (also known as ‘diffuse pollution’) is

one where it is difficult to identify the exact origin of the pollution. A good example is

floodwater that washes all types of waste from the land into a river. In this situation you

cannot identify the individual or household or establishment that has caused the water

pollution.

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� Domestic Sources

Domestic sources of pollution include toilets, latrines and wastewater from kitchens

and bathrooms. If these wastes are properly contained and prevented from getting into the

environment, they will not cause pollution. However, frequently this is not the case. Open

defecation obviously releases human waste into the environment, which can then be washed

into rivers and other surface waters. Solid wastes from households and also from shops,

markets and businesses include food waste, packaging materials and other forms of rubbish.

Domestic sources are also responsible for gaseous pollutants in the form of smoke and carbon

dioxide from domestic fires.

� Industry Sources

Pollution from the industrial sector in Ethiopia has been on the rise, posing a serious

problem to the environment. Many industrial processes produce polluting waste substances

that are discharged to the environment, frequently through chimneys (to the air) or through

pipes (to surface water). Among the most polluting industries are food processing, tanneries

and textiles with processing plants and factories that produce liquid effluents which are

discharged into rivers, often without treatment . In practice, rivers frequently receive polluting

discharges from many different sources all at the same time. The Little Akaki River in Addis

Ababa, for example, is polluted by several different industrial sources as well as by domestic

wastes.

� Agriculture Sources

Like industry, agricultural activities are also increasing in Ethiopia, and changing too.

Nowadays, agricultural activities in Ethiopia use more pesticides and fertilisers. Ethiopia

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imports over 3000 tons of various types of pesticides annually. Fertiliser use in Ethiopia has

increased from 140,000 metric tons in the early 1990s to around 650,000 metric tons in 2012.

Fertiliser contains phosphate and nitrate and if these reach water bodies they can cause

excessive plant growth.

Agriculture is also responsible for gaseous pollutants in the form of methane produced

by livestock and solid pollutants from crop residues, packaging materials and other wastes

similar to those produced domestically. Animals also contribute to waste products and

potential pollutants with their excrement.

� Transport Sources

Do you live in a city or have you visited a city close to where you live? If so you will

no doubt be familiar with the variety of vehicles on our roads. Some are small cars, others are

heavy motor trucks. These vehicles differ not only in their size, but also by using different

types of fuel such as petrol, diesel, and blended fuel (10% ethanol and petrol). If you observe

the tailpipe of diesel engine vehicles, you will have seen the black exhaust gas produced. The

intensity of the black colour is greater for poorly maintained vehicles, to the extent sometimes

that it makes the air hazy or smoky and causes coughs and eye irritation. The lack of a policy

to remove old vehicles from the roads adds to the problem.

TYPES OF POLLUTION

The causes of pollution are not just limited to fossil fuels and carbons emissions.

There are many other types of pollution including chemical pollution into bodies of water and

soil through improper disposal practices and agricultural activities, and noise and light

pollution created by cities and urbanization as a result of population growth.

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� Air Pollution

Air pollution refers to the release of harmful contaminants (chemicals, toxic gases,

particulates, biological molecules, etc.) into the earth’s atmosphere. These contaminants are

quite detrimental, and in some cases, pose serious health issues. Some causes that contribute

to air pollution are:

• Burning fossil fuels

• Mining operations

• Exhaust gases from industries and factories

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� Water Pollution

Water pollution is said to occur when toxic pollutants and particulate matter are

introduced into water bodies such as lakes, rivers and seas. These contaminants are generally

introduced by human activities like improper sewage treatment and oil spills. However, even

natural processes such as eutrophication can cause water pollution.

Table: Water Pollution load in different states in India.

Other significant causes of water pollution include:

• Dumping solid wastes in water bodies

• Disposing untreated industrial sewage into water bodies

• Human and animal wastes

• Agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilizers.

� Land and Soil Pollution

Soil pollution, also called soil contamination, refers to the degradation of land due to

the presence of chemicals or other man-made substances in the soil. The xenobiotic

substances alter the natural composition of soil and affect it negatively. These can drastically

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impact life directly or indirectly. For instance, any toxic chemicals present in the soil will get

absorbed by the plants. Since plants are producers in an environment, it gets passed up

through the food chain. Compared to the other types of pollution, the effects of soil pollution

are a little more obscured, but their implications are very noticeable.

Some of the common causes of soil pollution are:

• Improper industrial waste disposal

• Oil Spills

• Acid rain which is caused by air pollution

• Mining activities

• Intensive farming and agrochemicals (like fertilisers and pesticides)

• Industrial accidents

� Noise Pollution

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Noise pollution refers to the excessive amount of noise in the surrounding that disrupts

the natural balance. Usually, it is man-made, though certain natural calamities like volcanoes

can contribute to noise pollution.

In general, any sound which is over 85 decibels is considered to be detrimental. Also,

the duration an individual is exposed plays an impact on their health. For perspective, a

normal conversation is around 60 decibels, and a jet taking off is around 15o decibels.

Consequently, noise pollution is more obvious than the other types of pollution.

Noise pollution has several contributors, which include:

• Industry-oriented noises such as heavy machines, mills, factories, etc.

• Transportation noises from vehicles, aeroplanes, etc.

• Construction noises

• Noise from social events (loudspeakers, firecrackers, etc.)

• Household noises (such as mixers, TV, washing machines, etc.)

� Light Pollution

Most people can't imagine living without the modern convenience of electric lights.

For the natural world, though, lights have changed the way that days and nights work. Some

consequences of light pollution are:

• Some birds sing at unnatural hours in the presence of artificial light.

• Scientists have determined that long artificial days can affect migration schedules, as they

allow for longer feeding times.

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• Streetlights can confuse newly hatched sea turtles that rely on starlight reflecting off the

waves to guide them from the beach to the ocean. They often head in the wrong direction.

• Light pollution, called sky glow, also makes it difficult for astronomers, both professional and

amateur, to properly see the stars.

• Plant's flowering and developmental patterns can be entirely disrupted by artificial light.

• According to a study by the American Geophysical Union, light pollution could also be

making smog worse by destroying nitrate radicals that helps the dispersion of smog.Solid

� Waste Pollution

Solid wastes are categorized as municipal waste, industrial waste, and hazardous

wastes. Municipal waste arises from domestic activities of human beings. Industrial waste

arises from industrial activities and hazardous wastes are the substances which causes hazard

to plants, animals and human beings. Few of the common hazardous waste is radioactive

substances, chemicals, biological wastes, flammable wastes and explosives

SERIOUS EFFECTS OF POLLUTION

1. Environment Degradation

The environment is the first casualty for the increase in pollution weather in air or

water. The increase in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere leads to smog which can restrict

sunlight from reaching the earth. Thus, preventing plants in the process of photosynthesis.

Gases like Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide can cause acid rain. Water pollution in terms of

the oil spill may lead to the death of several wildlife species.

2. Human Health

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The decrease in quality of air leads to several respiratory problems including asthma

or lung cancer. Chest pain, congestion, throat inflammation, cardiovascular disease,

respiratory disease are some of the diseases that can be caused by air pollution. Water

pollution occurs due to contamination of water and may pose skin related problems including

skin irritations and rashes. Similarly, noise pollution leads to hearing loss, stress and sleep

disturbance.

3. Global Warming

The emission of greenhouse gases particularly CO2 is leading to global warming.

Every other day new industries are being set up, new vehicles come on roads and trees are cut

to make way for new homes. All of them, in a direct or indirect way, lead to an increase in

CO2 in the environment. The increase in CO2 leads to melting of polar ice caps which

increases the sea level and pose danger for the people living near coastal areas.

4. Ozone Layer Depletion

Ozone layer is the thin shield high up in the sky that stops ultraviolet rays from

reaching the earth. As a result of human activities, chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons

(CFCs), were released into the atmosphere which contributed to the depletion of the ozone

layer.

5. Infertile Land

Due to the constant use of insecticides and pesticides, the soil may become infertile.

Plants may not be able to grow properly. Various forms of chemicals produced from industrial

waste are released into the flowing water which also affects the quality of the soil.

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Pollution not only affects humans by destroying their respiratory, cardiovascular and

neurological systems; it also affects the nature, plants, fruits, vegetables, rivers, ponds, forests,

animals, etc, on which they are highly dependent for survival. It is crucial to control pollution

as nature, wildlife and human life are precious gifts to mankind.

CONCLUSION

Pollution needs to be dramatically reduced because it is destroying the environment

we live in, contaminating our food and water, causing diseases and cancers in humans and

wildlife, and destroying the air we breathe and the atmosphere that protects us from harmful

ultra-violet radiation.

It is the responsibility of every living person to protect the environment, and with the

population ever increasing, pollution problems are only going to get worse unless we do

something about it.

Protecting the environment is a long and daunting task, requiring continuous planning,

governmental policies, and public and industrial participation. However the result of ignoring

the problem will be catastrophic and life as we know it will begin to end.

By decreasing waste, implementing recycling policies, banning dangerous agricultural

chemicals, and developing safe renewable energy we can significantly reduce the amount of

pollution going into the environment annually and increase our quality of living. Everyone is

entitled to clean air to breathe, water to drink, and public lands to enjoy. If you have any ideas

on how to reduce pollution, please drop a comment and share your thoughts.