The introduction of harmful waste materials that are hazardous to life, the natural world and our activities, is commonly known as pollution. Pollution has harmful effects on the ecosystem. It disturbs the balance of biosphere in which living beings survive. This imbalance of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon and water vapour causes discomfort to all living organisms on the planet. It depletes the ozone layer over the earth that defends us from the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. The major types of environmental pollution are air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, thermal pollution, soil pollution and light pollution. Environmental pollution is caused by deforestation and hazardous gaseous emissions Air pollution is caused by the smoke emitted by cars, buses, trucks, trains and factories. This is known to cause lung cancer, asthma, allergies, and various skin and breathing problems along with severe and irreparable damage to flora and fauna. Water pollution is caused when industrial waste products are released into lakes, rivers, and other water bodies. This is destructive for the marine ecosystem. Noise pollution is caused by loud noises from aircraft, cars, buses and trucks, vehicle horns, loudspeakers and industry noise. Soil pollution is a result of acid rain, polluted water, fertilizers, etc. In short, this occurs when chemicals are released into the soil. Light pollution includes use of excess lighting equipment. The excessive and inappropriate artificial light causes several phenomena that decrease visibility and cause visual discomforts like glare, urban sky glow2 and light trespass}. Light pollution is a great hindrance to astronomy as it has become increasingly difficult to view the night sky because of interference from artificial light. The last decade has witnessed an alarming rise in environmental pollution. This problem is even more alarming as this has caused irreparable damage to the earth. Answer the following questions very briefly. a. What is pollution? (2) b. How does pollution affect the environment? (2) c. How does the reduction of the ozone layer affect us? (2) d. Mention four different kinds of pollution. (2) e. What are the two chief causes of environmental pollution?
Answers
Explanation:
1) The introduction of harmful waste materials that are hazardous to life, the natural world and our activities, is what is termed as pollution. Thus, pollution is caused by an imbalance of waste in our environment.
2) Pollution causes an imbalance of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon and water vapour. This causes discomfort to all living organisms on the planet. Air pollution is also known to cause lung cancer, asthma, allergies, and various breathing problems along with severe and irreparable damage to flora and fauna. Water pollution destroys our marine life.
3) Ozone layer defends us from the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. Its depletion leads to these rays reaching us directly and harming us in various water.
4) The four different kinds of pollution include water pollution, soil pollution, air pollution and noise pollution.
5) The two chief causes of environmental pollution are deforestation and hazardous gaseous emissions.