Pollution
Introduction
Pollution can be termed as the introduction of toxic substances that have a harmful result on the environment. Pollution occurs in various different forms and can be from different sources such as chemical substances that are dumped into water bodies as well as industrial accidents among many other sources. Pollution is termed to be have very detrimental consequences as it not only affects those people and living organisms that are present but also life that may be present in the future. The lack of concern for the environment by human beings has seen it being depleted and the negative impacts are already being felt from the lowest to the highest levels of living.
Causes of the different types of pollution
Various types of pollution exist depending on the kind of environment that is being affected. What is air pollution?
Air pollution
Air pollution usually occurs in the form of dangerous emissions that are from chemical gases. Disturbances to the normal composition of air that leaves an undesired impact on the living creatures could also be a form of air pollution. The emission of gases that are detrimental to the environment usually takes the form of carbon monoxide that when released to the atmosphere affects living organisms including human beings. Other common causes of air pollution include practices such as the burning of fossil fuels and other activities in large organizations such as power plants, refineries, automobile companies among many others. Other causes of air pollution include the release of toxic gases such as carbon IV oxide, methane, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and chlorofluorocarbons.
Water pollution
Water pollution is the other major type of environmental pollution. This usually occurs when there is a change in the chemical, biological and physical components of water which then becomes dangerous to the living organisms in the water bodies. The water bodies that are usually affected by this type of pollution include seas, oceans, lakes and rivers. Water pollution of caused by the release of harmful substances to the water bodies. Such substances include industrial wastes, agricultural wastes, and domestic wastes. Oil spills from oil companies as well as atmospheric deposition where pollutants find their way to the water bodies by dissolving in rain or snow are other causes of water pollution. David (1997).
Land pollution
The third major type of environmental pollution is land pollution. This usually occurs when there is degradation and contamination of the earth’s land surface. When various sources of wastes such as domestic and industrial fail to properly dispose of, harmful and toxic substances find their way on the ground hence causing pollution. Other causes of land pollution include materials such as cans and plastic bottles that are non-biodegradable.
Lead and mercury which take the form of electronic metals are another major cause of land pollution. This is because they deposit toxics to the ground hence affecting its content. Mineral exploitation practices that are environmentally unfriendly as well as agricultural practices that are harmful are also other causes of land pollution. Mineral exploitation practices that are not conducted in the right manner leave huge gaps of the earth with excavations that are damaging to the environment. Use of agricultural materials that are not in line with environmental management also has a negative impact on land.
Noise pollution
This is another type of environmental pollution which occurs when there is excessive use of sound from various sources such as machines. Vehicles as well as industrial facilities that use heavy duty machines are some of the causes of noise pollution. Other sounds that are made from other sources such as entertainment joints as well as clubs have been labeled as facilitators of noise pollution. When excessive noise is produced fro whatever source it is termed as pollution as it may have negative consequences as other people in the environment may be irritated by the high levels of sound. The major causes and sources of noise pollution include; rail traffic, air traffic, and industrial noises as well as domestic and neighborhood noise.
Effects of pollution
Pollution has numerous negative consequences to both the environment and the living creatures that exist in the environment. One of the effects of air pollution to human beings is the development of cardio- respiratory infections among other health problems. This arises as a result of inhaling the toxic emissions that usually arise from manufacturing and industrial organizations. Air pollution also has negative costs on the environment such as climate change and global warming. Acid rain as well as depletion of the earth’s ozone layer are other effects that come from air pollution.
Water pollution also has detrimental effects on the environment and the inhabitants. The toxic substances that are released into water bodies affect the living organisms that are in those water bodies. The most affected creatures are the fish since they solely depend on the water bodies for their survival. This means that the reproductive capabilities of the fish and other sea creatures are affected as they lose the natural nurseries for their young. This happens as a result of lack of sunlight for the sea grass that grows at the sea bed due to covering by the toxic substances. The toxic substances eliminate the grass and other vegetation hence there are minimal oxygen levels which lead to the demise of the living organisms in the seas.
When there is contamination of the sea water by the toxic substances some of the creatures are not able to move as first hence organisms such as oysters and lobsters are also affected by the intoxication. Water pollution also affects negatively human beings as they suffer fro various infections that come about as a result of using polluted water. Diseases such as typhoid and cholera are common in regions where there is frequent water pollution. Gordon Karp (2003)
Land pollution has negative consequences as it affects human beings, plants and animals. As a result of land pollution wildlife is usually eliminated and the balance of nature is disrupted. Plants are also victims of land pollution as the toxic substances that are present in land that has been polluted could be absorbed by the plants. This therefore means that human beings are also affected by land pollution as they consume the plants that have already absorbed the toxic substances. The chemicals that are present in the plants when in human bodies have negative effects such as skin diseases, birth defects among other implications.
North Pole and South Pole pollution
The region in the North Pole is usually affected by pollution which in turn results to climatic change and this has lead to the environmental bodies such as the Arctic Ocean having alarming levels of acids. The absorption of carbon IV oxide by the water bodies in the arctic has lead to increased levels of pollution. Studies have been conducted and scientists claim that acid levels in the Arctic Ocean may be at corrosive levels in the next ten years.
The acidic levels in the water bodies in the North Pole have endangered the living organisms in the water bodies and this is said to have ecosystems in the marine. It is therefore essential for there to be implementation of measures that can assist in reducing the acidification levels in the North Pole. One of the measures that should betaken is to ensure that there is a reduction of the green house gas emissions as they form a major part of the pollution percentage.
The South Pole is also victim to pollution as a result of the tourists who visit the region annually. The ‘eco-tourists are said to have negative consequences on the environment as they result to enormous emissions of green house gases. The actions of the visitors pose danger not only to the Antarctic region but also to the rest of the globe. Researchers have conducted studies on the impact of the tourism activities in the region and have come up with various solutions to curb the problem.
Tourism may be considered as having numerous advantages foe the South Pole region but caution needs to betaken on the influx of pollution in the region. This is a result of the massive amounts of carbon IV oxide that is produced by the tourists. The countries involved such as Netherlands should ensure that they take the necessary steps and formulate long term plans that would enable solve the problem of pollution.
Solutions to environmental pollution
Pollution occurs at very different levels as discussed above. It is therefore crucial that everyone in their own capacity plays their part to prevent pollution. With regard to air pollution various measures can be taken that can help in reducing the pollution levels. The proper handling of automobiles is one of the simplest but effective measures that can be taken by anyone who owns and uses an automobile. Servicing of vehicles and other machinery is important as it would enable in reducing the amount of emissions from such sources. It would also be effective if measures were put in place to improve the status of public transport hence individuals would not necessarily use their vehicles always. This would reduce on the number of vehicles on the roads some of which may be unfriendly to the environment. Practicing tree planting, practicing energy efficiency tips as well as use of renewable energy sources are other solutions to air pollution.
It is also necessary to put in measures that can reduce the levels of water pollution. Staring with the most basic practices that can be adopted in the house hold, individuals should opt using household cleaning products that are non-toxic. Such include the use of laundry detergents and home cleaners that are eco-friendly. This could be used as substitutes fro those products containing toxic chemicals. On a larger perspective of preventing water pollution, organizations that release industrial wastes should ensure that they have treated those wastes prior to releasing them to the water bodies. There should be measures that are put in place including legal provisions for those organizations that are realized to have released untreated wastes to any water body. James R. (2010).
Land pollution can be eliminated by involving in practices that are eco –friendly. Such practices are practiced from a very basic level such as proper disposal of litter and reducing on the amount of trash. Recycling is also another major way of reducing the levels of land pollution as the wastes that are produced are converted into useful materials. Other practices of avoiding land pollution are the purchase of products that are biodegradable and storing all liquid chemicals in containers that are spill proof. Individuals should also refrain from the use of pesticides as well as refraining from dumping motor oil on the ground. Agricultural practices that are environmental friendly also play a big role in avoiding land pollution, and this can be done by use of organic fertilizers.
Conclusion
The environment is a major component of the ecosystem and therefore it is paramount that it is protected at all costs. Individuals and organizations as well as industries should engage in activities that seek to improve the condition of the environment and not to worsen it. It is for this reason that it should be everyone’s responsibility to protect the environment in which one operates and lives. Governments should put in place measures that seek to protect the environment. Civic education should be conducted to enlighten the citizens on how to maintain the environment and the importance of having a superb environment. Violators of environmental conditions and requirements should be dealt with by the legal machinery so as to discourage practices that are damaging to the environment.
Reference:
David (1997). Performance versus design standards in the regulation of pollution. Journal of Public Economics.
Gordon Karp (2003) The effects and efficiencies of different pollution standards: Eastern Economic Journal.
James R. (2010) Management of Water Discharges: Design and Operations of Oil-Water Separators: New York.
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