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| Pollution |
Pollution is the addition to the ecosystem of someting which has a detrimental effect on it. One of the most important causes of pollution is the high rate of energy usage by modern, growing populations.
Different kinds of pollution are found.
1. Air Pollution.
2. Water Pollution.
3. Land Pollution.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is the accumulation in the atmosphere of substances that, in sufficient concentrations, endanger human health or produce other measured effects on living matter and other materials. Among the major sources of pollution are power and heat generation, the burning of solid wastes, industrial processes, and, especially, transportation.
Examples of Air Pollution
• Noise Pollution
Noise pollution or unwanted sounds that are carried by the air, have an irritating and detrimental effect on humans and other animals.
• Tobacco Smoke
Tobacco smoke is one of the major forms of pollution in buildings.
• Exhaust Gases of Vehicles
Pollution from exhaust gases of vehicles is reponsible for 60% of all air pollution and in cities up to 80%.
• Combustion of Coal
The combustion of caol without special precautions can have serious consequences.
• Acid rain
Acid rain is the term for pollution caused when sulfur and nitrogen dioxides combine with atmospheric moisture to produce highly acidic rain, snow, hail, or fog.
• Control Measures
Although individual people can help to combat air pollution in their own immediate environment, efficient control can be best achieved by legislation.
Pollution from exhaust gases of vehicles is reponsible for 60% of all air pollution and in cities up to 80%.
• Combustion of Coal
The combustion of caol without special precautions can have serious consequences.
• Acid rain
Acid rain is the term for pollution caused when sulfur and nitrogen dioxides combine with atmospheric moisture to produce highly acidic rain, snow, hail, or fog.
• Control Measures
Although individual people can help to combat air pollution in their own immediate environment, efficient control can be best achieved by legislation.
Water Pollution
Water pollution is the introduction into fresh or ocean waters of chemical, physical, or biological material that degrades the quality of the water and affects the organisms living in it.
Examples of Water Pollution
• Industrial affluents
Water is discharged from after having been used in production processes.
• Mining and Agricultural Wastes
Mines, especially gold and coal mines, are responsible for large quatities of acid water.
• Sewage Disposal and Domestic Wastes
Sewage as wel as domestic and farm wastes were often allowed to pollute rivers and dams.
Control Measures
The following measures can be used to stop water pollution:
• every intelligent people should be wise enough not to pollute water in any way;
• by research and legislation the pollution of water bodies, even though not entirely prevented, must be effectively controlled.
Land Pollution
Land pollution is the degradation of the Earth's land surface through misuse of the soil by poor agricultural practices, mineral exploitation, industrial waste dumping, and indiscriminate disposal of urban wastes.
Examples of Land Pollution
Soil Pollution
Soil pollution is mainly due to chemicals in herbicides and pesticides.
Waste Disposal
The accumulation of waste threatens the health of people in residential areas. Control Measures
The following measures can be used to control land pollution:
• anti-litter campaigns can educate people against littering;
• organic waste can be dumped in places far from residential areas;
• inorganic materials such as metals, glass and plastic, but also paper, can be reclaimed and recycled.
