Pollution & Its Type | Lucent for GK - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Pollution is defined as the contamination of the environment by foreign or toxic substances and excessive forms of energy that are harmful to the ecosystem. The substances or energy that constitute pollutants can take the form of solids, gases, liquids, or energy sources. Pollution always involves a source, which emits the pollutants, and a recipient, which receives and experiences the harmful effects. For instance, a factory emitting harmful gases acts as the pollution source, while humans and animals inhaling these pollutants become the recipients.

Types of Pollution

Air Pollution: Air pollution refers to the contamination of the atmosphere by harmful gases, particulate matter, and chemicals. It significantly reduces the air quality and poses severe health risks, particularly respiratory diseases, to humans. The primary sources of air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, wildfires, and dust storms. The notorious example of air pollution is witnessed in Delhi during winter, where agricultural stubble burning, industrial emissions, and vehicular pollution lead to environmental emergencies.

• Causes of Air Pollution: The major causes of air pollution include burning fossil fuels, agricultural activities like aerial spraying of insecticides, industrial release of chemicals, methane emissions from landfills, and natural factors such as volcano eruptions and forest fires.
• Effects of Air Pollution: Air pollution causes respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma, contributes to global warming, leads to acid rain, and depletes the ozone layer.

Water Pollution: Water pollution occurs when water sources become contaminated beyond permissible limits. It affects both surface water and groundwater, endangering aquatic ecosystems and reducing the availability of clean drinking water. Manufacturing industries, which require vast amounts of water, often release contaminated water into water bodies, allowing chemicals to enter the food cycle. Major rivers such as the Ganga and Yamuna face increasing threats from sewage water discharge and industrial releases.

• Causes of Water Pollution: Water pollution is primarily caused by untreated domestic sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural waste runoff, and spillage of petroleum products.
• Effects of Water Pollution: Water pollution leads to the destruction of marine life and aquatic ecosystems, degradation of water quality, scarcity of fresh drinking water, and the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid.

Soil Pollution: Soil pollution refers to the contamination and degradation of land due to the presence of pollutants that disrupt the soil's nutrient balance. It renders the soil unsuitable for agriculture and leads to barrenness. Soil pollution is often a result of the overuse of fertilizers and herbicides in agriculture, improper waste management, runoff of municipal sewage water, and improper irrigation practices.

• Causes of Soil Pollution: The major causes of soil pollution include overuse of fertilizers and herbicides, dumping of industrial waste and harmful chemicals, improper domestic waste management, and poor irrigation management.
• Effects of Soil Pollution: Soil pollution degrades fertile soil, reduces the quality of agricultural produce, causes health issues due to the consumption of contaminated food, and disrupts the soil ecosystem.

Noise Pollution: Noise pollution occurs when unwanted and excessive sound levels harm human beings and animals. It can disrupt essential activities, affect sleep quality, and reduce overall quality of life. Government regulations specify permissible sound limits for different areas, including residential and industrial zones.

• Causes of Noise Pollution: Noise pollution stems from sources such as factories, transportation systems, construction activities, and events/functions.
• Effects of Noise Pollution: Noise pollution can cause mental problems like anxiety and irritation, partial or complete hearing impairment, and disrupt animals' ability to communicate and attract mates.

Other Types of Pollution

In addition to the aforementioned types of pollution, there are other forms that deserve attention:

• Radioactive Pollution: Radioactive pollution, exemplified by nuclear disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima, has long-term implications for human health and affects communities geographically distant from the source.
• Light Pollution: Light pollution refers to the excessive presence of artificial light, particularly in urban areas. It interferes with natural ecosystems, affecting the migratory patterns of birds and disrupting their ability to travel at night.
• Thermal Pollution: Thermal pollution occurs when human intervention causes a significant rise in the temperature of water bodies. This can have adverse effects on aquatic life and disrupt the balance of ecosystems.