causes of air pollution 150 to 200
Answers
DEFINITION
Before we get into the sources of pollution, it is important for us to know the definition of the term “Pollution”.
Pollution is not a textbook term and can be commonly defined as any kind of unwanted and undesirable changes in the environment due to the introduction, accumulation and multiplication of foreign “Unnatural” pollutants and toxicants over time. These contaminants that cause pollution are called “Pollutants”.
Pollutants can be in Biological, Physical and Chemical substances or even energy, such as noise, heat or light. These pollutants can be in the form of solid, liquid or gas whose excess release into the environment can cause direct effects or indirect effects through chain reactions.
It is important to realise that pollution is not a sudden event, it occurs when pollutants accumulate in various spheres, strata and trophic levels of the environment over a long period of time.
TYPES OF POLLUTION
There are primarily 7 major types of pollution recognized in today’s world.
Air pollution
Water pollution
Soil/Land pollution
Noise pollution
Radioactive pollution
Electronic pollution
Thermal pollution
SOURCES OF POLLUTION
There are numerous sources that have been studied to cause various forms of pollution today. Sources of pollution can be categorized into 2 major categories.
Natural sources
Sources from the natural environment that release pollutants that contaminate the environment. These sources are mainly natural calamities like Volcanic eruptions and forest fires, that release large amounts of CO2 and other harmful gases and material into the environment.
Anthropogenic sources (Man made sources)
These are man made sources or activities caused by humans that release pollutants and contaminants that harm the environment. The most common examples of Anthropogenic sources of pollution are
Burning of fossil fuels for energy generation. (Thermal power stations, etc.)
Emissions from various modes of transportation.
Agricultural waste run offs.
Oil spills
Improper waste management and disposal.
Air pollution is a most serious problem of the current time all over the world especially in the large cities because of the huge level of industrialization. The release of such air pollutants in heavy concentrations such as smog, particulates, solid materials, etc are getting settled over the city, causing air pollution and health hazards to the people. Lots of dirty wastes produced by people on daily basis especially in the big cities polluting the whole atmospheric air to a great extent.
The release of gaseous pollutants from burning fuel of motor vehicles, industrial processes, burning of garbage, etc are contributing to the air pollution. Some natural pollutants like pollen, dust, soil particles, natural gases, etc are also the source of air pollution.