Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment.

These harmful materials are

called pollutants. Pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash. They can also be created by human
activity, such as trash or runoff produced by factories. Pollutants damage the quality of air, water,
and land

Cities of ancient times were often noxious places, fouled by human wastes and debris. Beginning
about 1000 ce, the use of coal for fuel caused considerable air pollution, and the conversion of coal
to coke for iron smelting beginning in the 17th century exacerbated the problem.

But, with the rapid spread of industrialization and the growth of the human population to
unprecedented levels, pollution became a universal problem.

use of the word pollution generally implies that the contaminants have an anthropogenic source—
that is, a source created by human activities.

Pollutants damage the quality of air, water, and land. All living things—from one-celled microbes to
blue whales—depend on Earth’s supply of air and water. When these resources are polluted, all
forms of life are threatened.

For example, pesticides and other chemicals have been found in the Antarctic ice sheet. In the
middle of the northern Pacific Ocean, a huge collection of microscopic plastic particles forms what is
known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Pollution, the addition of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or any form of energy (such as heat,
sound, or radioactivity) to the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed, diluted,
decomposed, recycled, or stored in some harmless form. The major kinds of pollution, usually
classified by environment, are air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution. Modern society is
also concerned about specific types of pollutants, such as noise pollution, light pollution, and plastic
pollution. Pollution of all kinds can have negative effects on the environment and wildlife and often
impacts human health and well-being

When we talk about the introduction to pollution, we can say it is when the purity of our
environment gets destroyed or contaminated.

Living things are dependent on non-living parts for their survival. Thus, plants, animals and humans
depend on land, air and water for survival

Mostly, it happens because of economic gains that are implemented for a short time but end up
creating a long-term impact on our ecological system.

The pollutants we produce not only affect our own lives but also those of other living things, the
plants and animals that we share our environment with. All living things depend upon the non-living
parts of the environment to survive - the land, the air and the water, and it is these 3 parts which are
affected by pollution...

Pollution can reduce the health of ecosystems by harming or even causing death to the living things
that call those ecosystems home. The negative effects of pollution can range in severity depending
on what the pollutant is, the characteristics of the pollutant, and where the pollutant is located.

The way in which pollution is categorized, studied, and managed depends on what Earth system is
affected. Parts of Earth’s systems that can be affected by pollution include land, waterways (such as
ground-water, rivers, lakes, bays, and oceans), air, and climate.
Air pollution

Sometimes, air pollution is visible. A person can see dark smoke pour from the exhaust pipes of large
trucks or factories, for example. More often, however, air pollution is invisible.

Polluted air can be dangerous, even if the pollutants are invisible. It can make people’s eyes burn and
make them have difficulty breathing. It can also increase the risk of lung cancer.

Sometimes, air pollution kills quickly. In 1984, an accident at a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India,
released a deadly gas into the air. At least 8,000 people died within days. Hundreds of
thousands more were permanently injured.

Natural disasters can also cause air pollution to increase quickly. When volcanoes erupt,
they eject volcanic ash and gases into

Volcanic gases, such as sulfur dioxide, can kill nearby residents and make the soil infertile for years.

Most air pollution is not natural, however. It comes from burning fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural
gas. When gasoline is burned to power cars and trucks, it produces carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless gas. The gas is harmful in high concentrations, or amounts. City traffic produces highly
concentrated carbon monoxide.

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
The effects of air pollution vary based on the kind of pollutant. But generally, the impact of air
pollution ranges from:

 Increased risk of respiratory illness and cardiovascular problems

 Increased risk of skin diseases
 May increase the risk of cancer
 Global warming
 Acid rain
 Ozone depletion
 Hazards to wildlife
Among the other types of pollution, air pollution is theorized to have a planet-wide implication.
Scientists have even speculated an apocalypse-like scenario where air pollution if left unchecked, can
bring about an extreme form of global warming called the runaway greenhouse effect. Though this is
purely speculative, it is a phenomenon that has already occurred on Venus.
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.

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 fertilisers
The effects of water pollution are very pronounced in our environment. Furthermore, toxic
chemicals can bioaccumulate in living beings, and these chemicals can travel their way up the food
chain, ultimately reaching humans.

Among the other types of pollution, water pollution has severe consequences on humans. For
instance, in 1932, a grave case of water pollution incapacitated the inhabitants of an entire city in
Japan with neurological diseases and mental illness for many decades. However, the immediate
cause was not apparent but was eventually attributed to acute mercury poisoning. Methylmercury
was dumped into the surrounding bay and had ultimately bioaccumulated inside the fish. The local
population then consumed these fish, and this resulted in the manifestation of ill effects and
neurological diseases.

Read More: A grave case of water pollution

Other consequences of water pollution include:

 Disruption of the ecosystem

 Threats to marine life
 Increased risk of water-borne diseases
 Increases toxic chemicals (such as mercury) in water bodies
 Eutrophication
Noise pollution

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.)
Noise pollution has now become very common due to dense urbanisation and industrialisation.
Noise pollution can bring about adverse effects such as :

 Hearing loss
 Tinnitus
 Sleeping disorders
 Hypertension (high BP)
 Communication problems
Radiation Pollution

Radioactive pollution is defined as a form of physical, nuclear pollution to living organisms and the
environment (hydrosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere) arising from exposure to the release of
ionizing radiation from radioactive elements such as uranium. Such releases occur as a result of
radioactive decay of radioactive elements during:

 Nuclear explosions and testing

 Disposal of nuclear waste
 Mining radioactive ores
 Accidents at nuclear power plants

Where Do Radioactive Pollutants Originate?

Radioactivity was first observed by Henri Becquerel, a French physicist, in 1896. He noted how
certain elements that had unstable nuclei could, under certain conditions, form entirely new
elements while releasing electromagnetic radiation and subatomic particles as byproducts in the
process. These byproducts are known as ionizing radiation and include:

 Alpha particles—two protons and two neutrons bound within a helium-like nucleus
 Beta particles—highly energized electrons or positrons
 Gamma radiation—high-frequency electromagnetic energy

Radioactivity can occur naturally or artificially. Artificially-induced radioactivity occurs in two ways:

 Nuclear fission—when a neutron is fired at an unstable nucleus, leading to the splitting of an

atom into two lighter atoms.
 Nuclear fusion—when two unstable nuclei are combined using extremely high energy to
form a heavier nucleus and, thus, a new, heavier element.

Nuclear fission releases more radioactive waste and produces less energy than nuclear fusion.
Radioactive Pollutant Examples

There are numerous radioactive pollutants and sources of ionizing radiation, including:

 Iodine-123—This is a non-metallic iodine isotope used in clinical imaging and diagnosing

thyroid disorders. It has a short half-life of 13.22 hours. In large doses, it can lead to
hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer.
 Radon—This is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless noble gas produced from the radioactive
decay of thorium and uranium. It has a half-life of 3.8 days and is used in radiotherapy and
hydrologic research. In toxic amounts, radon exposure leads to lung cancer and other lung
diseases. It is second only to tobacco smoking among all causes of lung cancer deaths in the
U.S.
 Uranium—This is the most popular radioactive element, with three isotopes; Uranium-234,
Uranium-235, and Uranium-238. Uranium-235 is the most stable of the three, hence its use
in nuclear power plants. However, it is extremely toxic to humans and has a half-life of 703.8
million years, meaning that it decays extremely slowly while contaminating the environment
and groundwater. Uranium exposure in humans leads to many types of cancers, birth
defects, reproductive problems, and kidney damage.
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Different Types of Radioactive Pollution

About 20% of all radiation pollution that humans are exposed to in their lifetimes is artificial. This
exposure may be categorized according to its frequency as follows:

 Continuous pollution—This occurs through constant exposure to radioactive waste from

nuclear reactors, uranium mines, nuclear test facilities, and even excessive exposure to
sunlight. Such exposure is continuous since radioactive waste is constantly produced.
 Occasional pollution—This type of pollution occurs from periodic tests on radioactive
materials such as detonations of nuclear bombs and experimental research on radioactive
matter. Therefore, this radioactive pollution only occurs when such activities are being
conducted.
 Accidental pollution—Accidents are likely to happen at some point as has been seen in the
past. When experimental tests on radioactive substances go wrong or nuclear meltdowns
occur, the resulting radioactive pollution is unintended and unforeseen.
Types of pollutants

Nitrogen dioxide is a red/brown coloured gas with a sharp, unpleasant smell. NO2 is
made up of one nitrogen atom and two oxygen atoms as shown in the diagram. It is
a secondary pollutant and is created when nitric oxide (NO) – formed in the
combustion process – reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere.

Definition: A primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted directly from a source. A

secondary pollutant is not directly emitted in large quantities, but forms when other
pollutants (primary pollutants) react in the atmosphere.

The major sources of NO2 in the Wales are through the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil,
gas, petrol and diesel) for domestic heating, power generation and road transport.

unsustainable agricultural practices, the improper disposal of waste (both

hazardous and non-hazardous), mining (often called “mineral
extraction”), illegal dumping and littering.

As different waste materials and pollutants like heavy metals, pesticides,

plastic, litter and pharmaceuticals sit on top of and leach into our soil, they
change and degrade its natural composition. Over time, some pollutants
can also go through a chemical transformation, creating secondary
pollutants like fumaric and phthalic acids

When pollutants come directly from a source, they are called primary pollutants.
These include particles such as dust and industrial emissions. Secondary
pollutants are created when a primary gas-phase pollutant is oxidised by a
chemical reaction. For example, when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are
combined with nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone and fine particles such as PM2.5 may
be produced (Figure 6). Chemical reactions can also occur on particle surfaces,
and substances can condense onto or dissolve into surface layers.

 Combustion, including biomass (vegetation) burning in dom

heaters, prescribed burns and bushfires, motor vehicles an
Carbon monoxide
manufacturing

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and  Combination of nitrogen and oxygen during high-temperat
nitric oxide (NO), together combustion of fossil fuels
 Motor vehicle exhaust (responsible for about 80% of urban
termed NOx
 Electricity generation in fossil-fuelled power stations, petro
refining, food processing and other manufacturing industri
  NOx naturally emitted from lightning activity and from micr
soils

 Electricity generation in c
Sulfur dioxide

 Burning in domestic wood heaters, prescribed burns and bu

Coarse particulate matter mining; other land uses; and road dust
(PM10)  Sea salt and windblown dust

 Combustion
 Chemical processes – can form in the atmosphere during ch
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reactions, such as those involving secondary nitrates and su
secondary organic aerosols

 Industrial applications involving paints, solvents and evapo

Volatile organic compounds
 Naturally occurring VOCs emitted from vegetation
(VOCs)

 Road dust, metal manufacturin

Lead ore mining

 Mining, metal processing indus

power stations
Mercury  Soil and vegetation, biomass b
Hazardous geological sources
substances

 POPs in pesticides and industr

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and produced as a byproduct o
processes
and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
 PAHs generated during the inc
(PAHs) combustion of organic materia
  Plants and fungi
Allergens Pollen, fungal spores

Land pollution
Littering, the improper disposal of waste products, is unfortunately
common. According to a study by Litter in America, litter cleanup costs the
U.S. more than an estimated $11.5 billion each year.

Even if you throw your trash into the bin and take it out to be picked up by
the garbage truck, its journey is not complete. Your trash has to go
somewhere and where it typically goes is a landfill. When not managed
propertly, landfills can also contribute to land pollution.

Major contributors to agricultural-related land pollution include run-off from

pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer and animal waste.

This extraction and the methods used, however, deplete the earth of its
natural resources and cause damage and land pollution in its wake. It also
frequently damages the surrounding area’s natural ecosystems, altering the
landscape, destroying natural habitats for wildlife and ultimately reducing
biodiversity.

Water pollution
Combined sewer systems that have a single set of underground
pipes to collect both sewage and storm water runoff from streets for
wastewater treatment can also be major point sources of pollutants.
During heavy rain, storm water runoff may exceed sewer capacity,
causing it to back up. This spills untreated sewage directly into
surface waters (figure 20.1.1.c20.1.1.�). Other examples include
pipes from factories, waste disposal sites, storage tanks, and
chemical spills.
Nonpoint sources of pollution include agricultural fields, cities, and
abandoned mines. Rainfall runs over the land and through the
ground, picking up pollutants from throughout
the watershed (including areas of land and smaller streams that
drain into a particular body of water). These pollutants might
include herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizer from agricultural fields
and lawns; oil, antifreeze, animal waste, and road salt from urban
areas; and acid and toxic elements from abandoned mines.
Chemical pollution from agriculture, industry, cities, and mining
threatens global water quality.
Organic pollutants include herbicides and pesticides,
pharmaceuticals, fuel (such as oil spills), industrial solvents and
cleansers, and synthetic hormones associated with pharmaceuticals.
These synthetic hormones
Many are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are long-
lived in the environment, biomagnify through the food chain, and
can be toxic. As previously mentioned, DDT (pesticide), dioxin
(herbicide by-product), and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls, which
were used as a liquid insulator in electric transformers), are all POPs.
include nutrients like nitrate (NO3-) and phosphate (PO43-), heavy
metals, chloride (Cl-), and radioactive isotopes released from mining
or nuclear accidents (such as cesium, iodine, uranium, and radon
gas).
Hard water contains abundant calcium and magnesium, which
reduces its ability to develop soapsuds and enhances scale (calcium
and magnesium carbonate minerals) formation on hot water
equipment. Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium, which
allows the water to lather easily and prevent the minerals from
precipitating on surfaces (figure 20.1.1.g20.1.1.�). Hard water
develops naturally from the dissolution of calcium and magnesium
carbonate minerals in soil; it does not have negative health effects
in people.

Trash, sediments, and thermal pollution arise from physical sources of

pollution (figure 20.1.1.h20.1.1.ℎ). Trash was discussed extensively
in Solid Waste Management. Excess sediments enter bodies of water
when various land uses, such as mining, deforestation, and agriculture
increases erosion. Sediments can carry toxins or excess nutrients with
them, and they cloud the water (resulting in turbidity). Turbidity
obstructs aquatic plants from accessing sufficient sunlight. Thermal
pollution occurs when water temperature exceeds its natural range. Many
power plants (such as coal, natural gas, nuclear, etc.) rely on water from
the environment for cooling. This water is released back into bodies of
water at a higher temperature than usual. High temperature disrupt
aquatic organisms for several reasons; one is that warmer waters cannot
hold as much dissolved oxygen (see below;
figure 20.1.1.i20.1.1.�). Dams can also raise water temperature to the
detriment or the organisms that live there. Decomposers, such as bacteria
and fungi, also conduct cellular respiration and consume oxygen as they
break down dead organic matter.

Too much decaying organic matter in water is a pollutant because it

removes oxygen from water, which can kill fish, shellfish, and aquatic
insects. The amount of oxygen used by aerobic (in the presence of
oxygen) decomposition of organic matter is called biochemical oxygen
demand (BOD). The major source of dead organic matter in many natural
waters is sewage; grass and leaves are smaller sources.

Unsafe water kills more people each year than war and all other
forms of violence combined.
The term also includes stormwater runoff, which occurs when
rainfall carries road salts, oil, grease, chemicals, and debris from
impermeable surfaces into our waterways
Moreover, nearly half of the estimated 1 million tons of oil that
makes its way into marine environments each year comes not
from tanker spills but from land-based sources such as factories,
farms, and cities. At sea, tanker spills account for about 10
percent of the oil in waters around the world, while regular
operations of the shipping industry—through both legal and
illegal discharges—contribute about one-third.