Environmental pollution is one of the most serious global challenges. Wild-type organisms have a slower degradation rate of hazardous materials. Currently, advanced molecular biology tools along with conventional approaches allow us to rapidly degrade or accumulate hazardous materials from environments. This can help modify microorganisms to gain the ability to sense and degrade hazardous chemicals from contaminated sites, in turn, allowing us to grow vegetation and improve crop productivity.
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 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.
Environmental pollution is the unfavorable alteration of our
surroundings, wholly or largely as a byproduct of man’s actions, through direct
or indirect effects of the changes in the energy pattern, radiation levels, and
chemical and physical constitution and abundance of organisms. Environmental
pollution is a global problem and is common to both developed as well as
developing countries, which attracts the attention of human beings for its
severe long-term consequences. The decline in environmental quality as a
consequence of pollution is evidenced by loss of vegetation, biological
diversity, excessive amounts of harmful chemicals in the ambient atmosphere and
in food grains, and growing risks of environmental accidents and threats to
life support systems. Pollution is viewed from different angles by different
people but is commonly agreed to be the outcome of urban-industrial and
technological revolution and rapacious and speedy exploitation of natural
resources, increased rate of exchange of matter and energy, and ever-increasing
industrial wastes, urban effluents, and consumer goods. Environmental pollution is the introduction by
man, into the environment, of substances or energy liable to cause interference
with legitimate uses of environment. Pollution in a very simple manner, is,
“Disequilibrium condition from equilibrium condition in any system.” This
definition may be applied to all types of pollution ranging from physical to
economic, political, social, and religious. Over the past couple of decades,
various sources of pollution were identified that altered the composition of
water, air, and soil of the environment. The substances that cause pollution
are known as pollutants. A pollutant can be any chemical (toxic metal,
radionuclides, organophosphorus compounds, gases) or geochemical substance
(dust, sediment), biological organism or product, or physical substance (heat,
radiation, sound wave) that is released intentionally or inadvertently by man
into the environment with actual or potential adverse, harmful, unpleasant, or
inconvenient effects. Such undesirable effects may be direct (affecting man) or
indirect, being mediated via resource organisms or climate change. Depending on
the nature of pollutants and also subsequent pollution of environmental
components, the pollution may be categorized as follows:
1.Air Pollution
2.Water Pollution
3.Soil/Land Pollution
4.Noise Pollution
5.Radioactive Pollution
6.Thermal Pollution
Among these types of pollution, air pollution is the main
type threatening the environment, humans, plants, animals, and all living
organisms.
Environmental pollution is currently the biggest challenge
facing the word today.
In the United States 40% of rivers and 46% of lakes are too
polluted for fishing, swimming, and aquatic life. Not surprising though when
1.2 trillion gallons of untreated storm water, industrial waste, and untreated
sewage are being discharge annually into American waters.
One-third of the topsoil in the world is already degraded,
and with the current rate of soil degradation caused be improper agricultural
and industrial practices, and deforestation, most of the world’s topsoil could
be gone within the next 60 years.
The Great Smog in 1952 killed 8000 people in London. This
event was caused by a period of cold weather combined with windless conditions
that formed a dense layer of airborne pollutants, mostly from coal plants, over
the city.
There are many sources of pollution and each one has its own
effect on the environment and living organisms. This article will discuss the
causes and effects of the different kinds 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.
1. Air Pollution
There are two types of air pollutants, primary and
secondary. Primary pollutants are emitted directly from their source, while
secondary pollutants are formed when primary pollutants react in the
atmosphere.
The burning of fossil fuels for transportation and electricity
produces both primary and secondary pollutants and is one of the biggest
sources of air pollution.
The fumes from car exhausts contain dangerous gases and
particulates including hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide.
These gases rise into the atmosphere and react with other atmospheric gases
creating even more toxic gases.
According to The Earth Institute, the heavy use of
fertilizer for agriculture is a major contributor of fine-particulate air
pollution, with most of Europe, Russia, China, and the United States being
affected. The level of pollution caused by agricultural activities is thought
to outweigh all other sources of fine-particulate air pollution in these
countries.
Ammonia is the primary air pollutant that comes from agricultural
activities. Ammonia enters the air as a gas from concentrated livestock waste
and fields that are over fertilized.
This gaseous ammonia then combines with other pollutants
such as nitrogen oxides and sulfates created by vehicles and industrial processes,
to create aerosols. Aerosols are tiny particles that can penetrate deep into
the lungs and cause heart and pulmonary disease.
Other agricultural air pollutants include pesticides,
herbicides, and fungicides. All of which also contribute to water pollution.
2. Water Pollution
Nutrient pollution is caused by wastewater, sewage, and
fertilizers. The high levels of nutrients in these sources end up in bodies of
water and promote algae and weed growth, which can make the water undrinkable
and depleted oxygen causing aquatic organisms to die.
Pesticides and herbicides applied to crops and residential
areas concentrate in the soil and are carried to the groundwater by rainwater
and runoff. For these reasons anytime someone drills a well for water it must
be checked for pollutants.
Industrial waste is one of the main causes of water
pollution, by creating primary and secondary pollutants including sulphur, lead
and mercury, nitrates and phosphates, and oil spills.
In developing countries around 70% of their solid waste is
dumped directly into the ocean or sea. This causes serious problems including
the harming and killing of sea creatures, which ultimately affects humans.
3. Land & Soil Pollution
Land pollution is the destruction of land as a result of
human’s activities and the misuse of land resources. This occurs when humans
apply chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides to the soil, dispose of waste
improperly, and irresponsibly exploit minerals through mining.
Soil is also polluted through leaking underground septic
tanks, sewage systems, the leaching of harmful substances from landfill, and
direct discharge of waste water by industrial plants into rivers and oceans.
Rain and flooding can bring pollutants from other already
polluted lands to soil at other locations.
Over-farming and over-grazing by agricultural activities
causes the soil to lose its nutrient value and structure causing soil
degradation, another type of soil pollution.
Landfills can leach harmful substances into the soil and
water ways and create very bad smells, and breeding grounds for rodents that
transmit diseases.
4. Noise & Light Pollution
Noise is considered an environmental pollutant caused by
household sources, social events, commercial and industrial activities, and
transportation.
Light pollution is caused by the prolonged and excessive use
of artificial lights at night that can cause health problems in humans and
disrupt natural cycles, including wildlife activities. Sources of light
pollution include electronic billboards, night sports grounds, street and car
lights, city parks, public places, airports, and residential areas.
The effects of pollution can be seen every day, all around
you. Pollution is destroying ecosystems and drinking water, and wreaking havoc
on human and environmental health.
1. Effects of Air Pollution
High levels of air pollution can cause an increased risk of
heart attack, wheezing, coughing, and breathing problems, and irritation of the
eyes, nose, and throat. Air pollution can also cause worsening of existing
heart problems, asthma, and other lung complications.
Like humans, animals can suffer from a number of health
problems due to air pollution, including birth defects, reproductive failure,
and diseases.
Air pollution causes a number of environmental effects in
addition to the effects on humans and animals.
Acid rain contains high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids
that are created by oxides and sulfur oxides released into the air by the
burning of fossil fuels. Acid rain damages trees and acidifies soils and water
bodies, making the water too acidic for fish and other aquatic life.
Nitrogen oxides released into the air by the burning of
fossil fuels also contribute to the nitrogen responsible for toxic algae
blooms.
The release of man-made compounds including
hydrochlorofluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, and halons formerly used as
coolants, foaming agents, pesticides, solvents, aerosol propellants, and
fire-extinguishers are depleting the ozone. The ozone layer in the stratosphere
forms a protective layer that reflects harmful ultraviolet rays back into space
that would otherwise destroy animal and plant life.
2. Effects of Water Pollution
Water pollution is a serious threat to humans, animals, and
aquatic life.
The effects of water pollution depend on which chemicals are
being dumped where. Bodies of water that are near urbanized areas tend to be
heavily polluted by dumbing of garbage and chemicals, both legally and
illegally, by industrial plants, health centers, and individuals.
By far the biggest consequence of water pollution is the
death of aquatic creatures, which can disrupt the entire food chain. Pollutants
such as cadmium, mercury, and lead are eaten by tiny aquatic organisms that are
then eaten by fish and shell fish, becoming more concentrated with each step up
the food chain and causing serious problems in humans and wildlife.
Nutrient pollution can cause toxic algal blooms in drinking
water sources that create toxins that kill fish and other aquatic animals.
Direct exposure to this toxic alga causes serious health problems in humans
including neurological effects, respiratory problems, stomach and liver
illness, and rashes.
A consequential problem is created when disinfectants used
to treat drinking water reach water polluted with toxic algae, they react
creating dioxins. Dioxins are extremely harmful chemical compounds that have
been linked with reproductive and development problems, and even cancer.
Nitrates, caused by fertilizers, also contaminate drinking
water and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, babies who consume
water that is high in nitrates can become seriously ill with blue-baby
syndrome, which causes shortness of breath and blue-tinted skin, and can lead
to death if not treated early.
3. Effects of Land & Soil Pollution
Land and soil pollution has substantial consequences for
humans, animals, microorganisms and aquatic life. Contaminated land and soil
can cause various problems on the skin, respiratory problems, and even
different kinds of cancers.
These toxic substances come into contact with the human body
directly through eating fruits and vegetables that have been grown in polluted
soils, being consumed through drinking water that has been contaminated, direct
contact with the skin, and breathing in air polluted with particles and dust.
Deforestation is the biggest concern when it comes to land
degradation and soil erosion. Clear cutting of vegetation and tree cover
creates harsh conditions that destroy ecosystems and habitats.
Deforestation also creates an imbalance in atmospheric
conditions, reducing the amount of carbon that is naturally taken out of the
atmosphere. This is a serious problem considering that most pollution created
by people is carbon based.
4. Effects of Noise & Light Pollution
Noise pollution can cause stress, anxiety, headaches,
irritability, hearing loss, and sleep loss resulting in decreased productivity.
Oil drills, submarines, and other vessels on and in the
ocean can cause excessive noise that has resulted in the injury or death of
marine animals, especially whales.
Too much light causes eye strain and stress, harming our
eyes and decreasing our quality of life. Light pollution also causes a decrease
in the hormone melatonin that helps us to fall asleep, resulting in
restlessness and fatigue.
Many mammals, insects, birds, and reptiles are photoperiodic
meaning their movement, mating, growth and development, and eating cycles are
regulated by natural light patterns. Light pollution can interfere with these
natural behaviors and cycles, causing a decrease in wildlife populations.
Pollution prevention approaches can be applied to all
potential and actual pollution-generating activities, including those found in
the energy, agriculture, federal, consumer and industrial sectors. Prevention
practices are essential for preserving wetlands, groundwater sources and other
critical ecosystems - areas in which we especially want to stop pollution
before it begins.
In the energy sector, pollution prevention can reduce
environmental damages from extraction, processing, transport and combustion of
fuels. Pollution prevention approaches include:
* Increasing efficiency in energy use;
* Use of environmentally benign fuel sources.
In the agricultural sector, pollution prevention approaches
include:
* Reducing the use of water and chemical inputs;
* Adoption of less environmentally harmful pesticides or
cultivation of crop strains with natural resistance to pests; and
* Protection of sensitive areas.
In the industrial sector, examples of Pollution prevention
practices includes:
* Using non-toxic or less toxic chemicals as cleaners,
degreasers and other maintenance chemicals
* Implementing water and energy conservation practices
* Reusing materials such as drums and pallets rather than
disposing of them as waste
In homes and schools examples of Pollution prevention
practices include:
* Using reusable water bottles instead of throw-aways
* Automatically turning off lights when not in use
* Repairing leaky faucets and hoses
* Switching to "green" cleaners
The world in which we live in today can be a better place if
you and I can come together to curb this environmental menace that has turned
out to be a plague to our society. Together we can!
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