Pollution
|Introduction
|Air Pollution |Water Pollution |Land
Pollution |
Introduction
Pollution is the addition to the ecosystem of someting which has a
detrimental effect on it. One of the most important causes of pollution is the high rate
of energy usage by modern, growing populations.
Different kinds of pollution are found. In this section we will discuss:
- Air Pollution.
- Water Pollution.
- Land Pollution.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is the accumulation in the atmosphere of substances that,
in sufficient concentrations, endanger human health or produce other measured effects on
living matter and other materials. Among the major sources of pollution are power and heat
generation, the burning of solid wastes, industrial processes, and, especially,
transportation. The six major types of pollutants are carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons,
nitrogen oxides, particulates, sulfur dioxide, and photochemical oxidants.
Examples of Air Pollution
- Noise Pollution
Noise pollution or unwanted sounds that are carried by the air,
have an irritating and detrimental effect on humans and other animals. Careful planning of
streets and biuldings in towns and better control over noisy vechiles may add to the
control of noise pollution.
- Tobacco Smoke
Tobacco smoke is one of the major forms of pollution in
buildings. It is not only the smoker who is infected, but everyone who inhales the
polluted air. There is a very strong connection between smoking and lung cancer.
Bronchitis is common among smokers and unborn babies of mothers who smoke also suffer from
the harmful effects of smoking.
- Exhaust Gases of Vehicles
Pollution from exhaust gases of vehicles is reponsible for 60%
of all air pollution and in cities up to 80%. There is a large variety of harmful
chemicals present in these gases, with lead being one of the most dangerous.
- Combustion of Coal
The combustion of caol without special precautions can have
serious consequences. If winds do not blow away the poisonous gases, they can have fatal
effects and may lead to death.
- Acid rain
Acid rain is the term for pollution caused when sulfur and
nitrogen dioxides combine with atmospheric moisture to produce highly acidic rain, snow,
hail, or fog. The acid eats into the stone, brick and metal articles and pollutes water
sources. Coal in South Africa is rich in sulphur and the power stations in the Mpumalanga
Province could be reponsible for acid rain over other areas of our country.
Control Measures
Although individual people can help to combat air pollution in
their own immediate environment, efficient control can be best achieved by legislation.
Some commonly enforced control measures include
- the establishment of more smokeless zones;
- control over the kinds of fuel used in cars, aeroplanes, power stations, etc.
Water Pollution
Water pollution is the introduction into fresh or ocean waters of
chemical, physical, or biological material that degrades the quality of the water and
affects the organisms living in it. This process ranges from simple addition of dissolved
or suspended solids to discharge of the most insidious and persistent toxic pollutants
(such as pesticides, heavy metals, and nondegradable, bioaccumulative, chemical
compounds).
Examples of Water Pollution
- Industrial affluents
Water is discharged from after having been used in production
processes. This waste water may contain acids, alkalis, salts, poisons, oils and in some
cases harmful bacteria.
- Mining and Agricultural Wastes
Mines, especially gold and coal mines, are responsible for
large quatities of acid water. Agricultural pesticides, fertilisers and herbicides may
wash into rivers and stagnant water bodies.
- Sewage Disposal and Domestic Wastes
Sewage as wel as domestic and farm wastes were often allowed to
pollute rivers and dams.
Control Measures
The following measures can be used to stop water pollution:
- every intelligent people should be wise enough not to pollute water in any way;
- by research and legislation the pollution of water bodies, even though not entirely
prevented, must be effectively controlled.
Land Pollution
Land pollution is the degradation of the Earth's land surface through
misuse of the soil by poor agricultural practices, mineral exploitation, industrial waste
dumping, and indiscriminate disposal of urban wastes. It includes visible waste and litter
as well as pollution of the soil itself.
Examples of Land Pollution
Soil Pollution
Soil pollution is mainly due to chemicals in herbicides (weed
killers) and pesticides (poisons which kill insects and other invertebrate pests). Litter
is waste material dumped in public places such as streets, parks, picnic areas, at bus
stops and near shops.
Waste Disposal
The accumulation of waste threatens the health of people in
residential areas. Waste decays, encourages household pests and turns urban areas into
unsightly, dirty and unhealthy places to live in.
Control Measures
The following measures can be used to control land pollution:
anti-litter campaigns can educate people against littering;
organic waste can be dumped in places far from residential areas;
inorganic materials such as metals, glass and plastic, but also paper, can be reclaimed
and recycled.
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