Environmental Science (2+1)

Pollution

 
• Any undesirable change in the physical, chemical and biological properties of air, water and soil that adversely affects the life is called pollution. The pollution may be due to human activities or natural ecosystems. Natural pollution contaminates the air by storms, forest fire, volcanoes and natural processes (methane from marshy lands). Man-made pollutants threaten the integrity of the nature.

Types of pollution

• The various types of pollution are classified based on the environment, based on sources of pollutant or nature of pollutants. Based on environment they are classified as Soil pollution, water pollution, and air pollution. Based on sources of pollutants, they are classified as automobile pollution, agricultural pollution and industrial pollution (tanneries, distilleries, nuclear power plants, chemical industries, etc.). Based on nature of pollutants, pollution is classified as pesticide pollution, plastic pollution, heavy metal pollution, radiation pollution, oil pollution, sewage pollution, noise pollution, etc.

Pollutants

• Any substance present in concentrations high enough to cause adverse effect in the environment/living organisms. Substances that cause pollution is also called pollutants. Environment Protection Act, 1986 (EPA, 1986) defines pollutant, as any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such a concentration as may be, or tend to be, injurious to environment.