Environment

• 1. By: Shiven Rawat Class : X-B

2. Environmental pollution is the contamination of the physical and biological components of the earth/atmosphere system to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected. 3. AIR POLLUTIONPOLLUTIONWATER POLLUTIONSOIL POLLUTION 4. Air pollution is the introduction into the atmosphere of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause discomfort, disease, or death to humans, damage other living organisms such as food crops, or damage the natural environment or built environment . Smoke from chimneys, automobile exhaust, burning of fossil fuels and forest fires result in air pollution 5. Some of the most important air pollutants are sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and airborne particles, with radioactive pollutants probably among the most destructive ones (specifically when produced by nuclear explosions). Due to increase in the volume of these gases in atmosphere the ozone layer is depleting because of which the ultraviolet rays of sun are reaching us and causing damage to our skin, eyes and other organs. 6. Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater). Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds. 7. Soil contamination or soil pollution is caused by the presence of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals or other alteration in the natural soil environment. It is typically caused by industrial activity, agricultural chemicals, or improper disposal of waste. The most common chemicals involved are petroleum hydrocarbons, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (such as naphthalene and benzopyrene),solvents, pesticides, lead, and other heavy metals. Contamination is correlated with the degree of industrialization and intensity of chemical usage. 8. Air Pollution i.Acid rain is precipitation containing harmful amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. These acids are formed primarily by nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. ii. Haze is caused when sunlight encounters tiny pollution particles in the air. Haze obscures the clarity, color, texture, and form of what we see. iii. Ozone depletion- This is a layer present in the atmosphere which protects us from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun which can cause skin cancer. But due to the air pollutants this layer is getting depleted. iv. The air pollutants also cause diseases in humans like lung cancer, asthma, Irritation of eyes, nose, mouth and throat, etc. 9. Water Pollution i.Water bodies like lakes and rivers are polluted which results in the death of marine animals like fishes, turtles, whales, dolphins etc. ii. Oil spills not only harm marine animals but they also affect precipitation rate. iii. If the polluted water is consumed by humans then water-borne diseases like typhoid, cholera, dysentery. iv. When the pesticides after surface runoff reach the lakes, they lead to the growth of algae which after sometime covers the whole lake and due to lack of oxygen the animals die. 10. Soil Pollution i.ii. iii.iv. v.The waste from landfill leaches and causes contaminates the groundwater. Certain animals like cows eat waste like plastic bags and die. It emits foul odor and becomes breeding ground for mosquitoes. The waste on a landfill reduces the fertility of the soil. Pesticides, benzene, chromium and weed killers sprayed on the field are carcinogens which have been established to lead to all kinds of cancer. Long-term benzene exposure is responsible for irregular menstrual cycles in women, leukemia and anemia.