Question

say how pollution affect the environment and living beings

Answer 1

pollution effects the environment

Answer 2

Air pollution is by far one of the most widespread forms of pollution and thus, its effects are also quite severe. While the health hazards of air pollution range from viral infection to life-threatening conditions, the same is also known to affect the environment by fueling global warming, acid rain, smog, etc.

When we talk about air pollution, we refer to introduction of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, etc., in the atmosphere. These gases trap the Sun's infrared radiations and regulate the near-surface temperature of the Earth. If the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases increases, then the things are not restricted to 'regulation,' but go well beyond it. And that is exactly what is happening today in the form of global warming and climate change.

Acid rain is fueled by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which are primarily released in the atmosphere by factories and vehicles. The smoke released from factories also contributes to the formation of smog, which, in turn, affects the amount of sunlight that reaches the Earth and interferes with the process of photosynthesis.

Water Pollution

Water is a necessity when it comes to existence of life on the planet and therefore, its pollution is bound to impact the numerous species which are dependent on it―humans included―directly or indirectly. Tons of waste is dumped in water sources, like lakes, rivers, and even oceans, thus reducing these water bodies to virtual garbage dumps. These pollutants don't just render the water unusable for humans, but also affect the species inhabiting them, thus affecting the whole food web.

Pollutants introduced in water bodies sound the death knell for millions of species inhabiting aquatic biomes. Scores of fish, seabirds, and marine mammals are killed by oil spills alone every year. Abandoned fishing nets kill hundreds of sea turtles, sea birds (species that dive into the water to hunt), and marine mammals, which get entangled in them and thus, are unable to surface to breathe.

The chemicals dumped into the oceans are transported from one place to another by wind or ocean currents. In fact, there have been cases wherein chemicals dumped into the oceans in the tropical areas were found in the waters of the Arctic Ocean, and also in the bodies of animals inhabiting the Arctic. Additionally, the garbage dumped into oceans also makes it to the shores, and you are welcome by the unpleasant sight of garbage-covered beaches.

Soil Contamination

Like water, even soil is one of the major components of the planet. It facilitates the growth of plants, which are important for our existence. Only plants can prepare their own food by means of photosynthesis, while other life forms, including humans, have to depend on them to fulfill their energy requirements. The contaminants released in the soil either affect its fertility or affect the plants growing in it, thus resulting in toxic crop produce. It can only be described as ironic that to a large extent soil pollution is attributed to pesticides that are meant to boost agricultural production.

The pollution of water and soil may or may not affect us directly, but that doesn't mean it doesn't affect us at all. In either case, it disrupts the food chain. While the toxic chemicals dumped in water are ingested by fish, contaminants in the soil are absorbed by plants along with nutrients after they get dissolved in water. In this manner, the concentration of chemicals in the food chain increases as they are transferred from one trophic level to the other in what is known as biomagnification. The same chemicals are eventually transferred to us when we feed on plants and animals.

It would be naive to say that the effects of pollution on the environment are not our lookout, because sooner or later we are bound to find ourselves at the receiving end. It is high time we start taking environmental pollution seriously and take necessary measures to combat it, or else it won't be long before the very demon we created blows down our own door.