What is Pollution?

Study Notes

What is Pollution?

Pollution is the act of releasing harmful or damaging substances into the environment, known as pollutants.
There are five recognized categories of pollution: air, land, water, noise, and light.

Types of Pollution

Air pollution is caused by the release of harmful gases into the atmosphere, such as soot or ash from burning substances and toxic gases like carbon dioxide from fossil fuels.
Land pollution is defined by the presence of toxic substances in soil or litter, including litter, fertilizer runoff, oil spills, and raw sewage disposal.
Water pollution is caused by factors such as litter, fertilizer runoff, oil spills, and raw sewage disposal.
Noise pollution is caused by the noise of a busy environment, such as a city.
Light pollution is caused by the cumulative effect of many lights on the night sky, disrupting nocturnal animals' environments.

Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution is the damaging effect of human activity on Earth, specifically land, air, and water.
Examples of environmental pollution include air, water, and soil pollution.
Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and releasing toxic gases, contribute to environmental pollution.

Reducing Environmental Pollution

Using cleaner forms of energy can reduce air pollution.
Recycling products and goods can reduce waste and keep materials out of landfills.
Using green products, or natural products, can replace harmful chemicals and reduce pollution.

Physical Pollution

Physical pollution occurs when materials or objects are introduced into the environment, causing toxicity or harm.
Examples of physical pollution include litter, such as incorrectly disposed of water bottles, and landfills.

Landfills

Landfills are designated areas for trash disposal, lined with a waterproof barrier to prevent soil contamination.
Landfills contribute to pollution by releasing greenhouse gases and contaminating surrounding soil and land.

Chemical Pollution

Chemical pollution is the release of harmful chemicals into the soil, air, or water by humans.
Examples of chemical pollutants include mercury, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.
Chemical pollutants can come from industrial waste, fertilizers, pesticides, and chemical factories.
Dioxin is a particularly harmful chemical pollutant that weakens the immune system and affects seed development in plants.

Biological Pollution

Biological pollution consists of substances derived from nature that cause human harm.
Examples of biological pollutants include pollen, bacteria, and human fecal matter.
Biological pollutants can adapt to the environment and indicate contamination from humans.

Description

Pollution occurs when harmful substances are released into the environment, causing damage. There are five main categories of pollution: air, land, water, noise, and light. Understand the causes and effects of pollution.