Olympiad Notes: Pollution and Calamities | Science Olympiad Class 6 PDF Download

Pollution Fundamentals

• Definition: Pollution is the degradation of the environment due to unwanted and undesirable substances, impacting health and daily life.
• Types of Pollutants: These include sulphur dioxide (SO2), lead oxides, smoke, and dust particles, found in air, water, and soil.

Types of Pollution

• Air Pollution: Air contamination with harmful gases and substances.
• Water Pollution: Presence of undesirable substances in water.
• Soil Pollution: Soil deterioration due to harmful chemicals.
• Noise Pollution: Unwanted sound over 80 decibels (dB).
• Radioactive Pollution: Harmful radiation exposure.

Air Pollution Causes

• Man-Made Causes: Burning fossil fuels, factory smoke, harmful vehicle gases, and deforestation.
• Natural Causes: Volcanic eruptions and forest fires.
• Deforestation Impact: Reduction in natural air purifiers, leading to increased pollution.

Air Pollution Consequences

• Acid Rain: Caused by SO2 and NO2 mixing with rainwater, leading to structural corrosion.
• Greenhouse Effect: Earth's atmosphere warming due to gases like CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide.
• Ozone Depletion: Prevented by CO2 which inhibits nitrogen oxide formation, protecting against ultraviolet radiation.

Air Pollution Effects

• Causes respiratory issues, skin irritation, reduced visibility, and potential cancer or neurological disorders.

Air Pollution Mitigation

• Use of safer fuels (e.g., CNG), installation of purification systems in factories, tree plantation, and promotion of renewable energy.

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Water Pollution

• Definition: Compromised smell and quality of water due to human activities and industrialization.
• Causes: Waste dumping, algal growth, use of chemicals, sewage spills, etc.
• Consequences: Affects aquatic life, disturbs food chains, leads to eutrophication, and can cause human diseases.

Water Pollution Prevention

• Increased awareness, use of electric vehicles, and proper waste management.

Soil Pollution

• Causes: Chemicals from agriculture, acid rain, improper irrigation, and non-biodegradable substances.
• Consequences: Affects food chains, reduces plant growth, causes soil erosion, and leads to diseases.

Soil Pollution Mitigation

• Use of organic fertilizers, crop rotation, and removal of contaminated soil.

Noise Pollution

• Definition: Loud, unwanted sound above 80dB.
• Causes: Construction, transport, industry, and explosions.
• Consequences: Hearing loss, sleep disturbances, stress, and structural damage.

Noise Pollution Protection

• Education, soundproofing, and tree plantation near noisy areas.

Natural Calamities

• Earthquakes: Sudden ground shaking due to tectonic movements, measured on Richter's scale.
• Volcanoes: Eruptions releasing molten rock and gases.
• Tsunamis: High tidal waves caused by undersea earthquakes.
• Droughts: Caused by low rainfall, leading to water scarcity.