What is Pollution?
Pollution is the contamination of land, air and water. Not just land, air and water, there are many other different types of pollution present. Noise pollution, radioactive pollution and thermal pollution are the other different types of pollution. Disasters caused by pollution include floods, landslides, earthquakes, etc. Pollution can be of two types. They are natural pollution and man-made pollution. Man-made pollution is the major cause of degradation of the environment.
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Types of Pollution and Calamities
There are many different types of pollution present in the environment, but the major or primary types of pollution are three in number. They are mentioned below:
Air Pollution
Water Pollution
Land Pollution
Now, one by one we will learn about them.
Air Pollution: When the air is contaminated, it is known as air pollution. The major cause of air pollution is the smoke released from factories and vehicles, the burning of fossil fuels, the burning of coal for energy, and the burning of wastes and crops. Due to this, many harmful gases are released into the atmosphere and this causes various diseases such as asthma, difficulty in breathing, skin diseases and many more.
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Water Pollution: When oils, chemicals, plastics and other wastes are thrown into the water bodies, they cause water pollution. Contamination of water from these human-made activities is termed water pollution.
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Land Pollution: When the waste materials from households are not properly discarded and recycled, it causes land pollution. Land pollution leads to degradation of the soil and hence farmers face difficulty in growing crops.
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Causes of Pollution and Calamities
There are natural factors and human-made factors that are responsible for causing different types of pollution. The different pollutions along with their causes are written below:
Air Pollution: Causes of air pollution are the burning of fossil fuels, burning of coal for energy extraction, smoke from factories and vehicles, burning of residual crops, and burning of garbage.
Water Pollution: Causes of water pollution are washing of household items into the water bodies, bathing in the water bodies, oil spills, chemical waste dumping, radioactive waste discharge, improper sewage disposal, etc.
Land Pollution: Waste from sewage treatment plants, waste from oil platforms, trash and waste that are dumped on land.
Effects of Pollution and Calamities
Pollution and calamities have very harsh effects on the environment. Not only the environment, but they also affect human beings too. The effects of pollution and calamities are listed below along with different types of pollution.
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Air Pollution: There are many long-term effects that are associated with air pollution. When an individual is exposed to harmful air for a longer period of time, there are certain types of diseases that develop. They are Asthma and the degradation of the lungs. Heart diseases and lung cancer are also caused by long-term exposure to polluted air.
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Water Pollution: Overpopulation is one of the major causes of water pollution. Due to this, there is destruction of biodiversity and also contamination of the food chain. When water bodies get polluted, it results in the destruction and death of aquatic plants and animals.
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Land Pollution: When the land or soil is polluted, it causes a loss of fertility of the soil which then results in damage to the crop plants and deficiency of nutrients in the crop plants.
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Conclusion
When harmful materials and chemicals are introduced into the environment, it is known as pollution. There are many different types of pollution such as air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, noise pollution and many more. Any type of pollution, if present, has ill effects on the environment. It causes problems for the animals, plants and also the human beings. Therefore, we must take measures to get rid of pollution and follow a sustainable living lifestyle. Since the resources we have are pretty limited, it is our responsibility to pass them on to the coming future generations.
Do It Yourself
Visit the pollution level indicators in your city.
Note the reading of them and mark it as Day 1.
Now, after every 15 days, check the reading for 6 months.
Note the levels of p.m 2.0 and p.m 10.
What do you observe after 6 months?
Are the readings the same for every month or are they affected by the changing weather?
Compare your results with your friends in different cities.
FAQs on Pollution and Calamities
1. What is pollution in simple terms?
Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances, known as pollutants, into the environment, which makes the air, water, and soil dirty and unsafe. These pollutants can harm humans, animals, and plants, disrupting the natural balance of ecosystems.
2. What are the four main types of pollution?
The four main types of pollution that affect our environment are:
Air Pollution: Contamination of the air by smoke from vehicles, factories, and burning waste.
Water Pollution: The mixing of sewage, industrial chemicals, and other waste into water bodies like rivers and lakes.
Land Pollution: The dumping of garbage and harmful chemicals on land, which degrades soil quality.
Noise Pollution: Excessive and unpleasant sound from traffic, machinery, and loudspeakers that disturbs living beings.
3. How are pollution and natural calamities related?
Pollution can worsen the effects of natural calamities and sometimes contribute to their frequency. For instance, global warming, fuelled by air pollution, can lead to more extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and cyclones. Similarly, deforestation, a form of land degradation, can increase the risk of landslides during heavy rainfall.
4. What are some simple ways to reduce pollution?
Every student can contribute to reducing pollution with simple actions:
Follow the 3 R's: Reduce waste, Reuse old items, and Recycle materials like paper and plastic.
Plant more trees as they help purify the air.
Save electricity and water at home and school.
Encourage the use of public transport or carpooling to minimise smoke from vehicles.
5. How does air pollution damage historical monuments like the Taj Mahal?
Air pollution from nearby industries and vehicles releases harmful gases such as sulphur dioxide. These gases mix with moisture in the atmosphere to form acid rain. When acid rain falls on monuments made of marble, like the Taj Mahal, it causes a chemical reaction that corrodes the surface, making the white marble turn yellow and lose its shine.
6. What is the difference between a natural calamity and a man-made disaster?
A natural calamity, like an earthquake, flood, or cyclone, is caused by natural processes of the Earth. Humans have little to no control over their occurrence. In contrast, a man-made disaster is caused by human actions or negligence, such as industrial accidents, oil spills, or large-scale pollution events.
7. What should you do during an earthquake?
If you are indoors during an earthquake, you should follow the 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On' method. Drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops. Stay away from windows, glass, and heavy objects. If you are outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings, trees, and power lines.
