Subject Sociological, cultural and contemporary issues in

Education
Assignment
Causes of pollution
Submitted to:
Dr. Ibtasam
Submitted By:
Abeera Siddiqui roll no: 131651001
major
education
bs 4, cemester 7th
Section B
Date: November 1st, 2019
Causes of pollution:
There are many sources of pollution and each one has its own effect on the environment and
living organisms. In the below paragraphs, I will discuss the causes and effects of the different
kinds of pollution.

The causes of pollution are not just limited to fossil fuels and carbons emissions. There are
many other types of pollution including chemical pollution into bodies of water and soil through
improper disposal practices and agricultural activities, and noise and light pollution created by
cities and urbanization as a result of population growth.

1 Air pollution:
There are two types of air pollutants, primary and secondary. Primary pollutants are emitted
directly from their source, while secondary pollutants are formed when primary pollutants react
in the atmosphere.

The burning of fossil fuels for transportation and electricity produces both primary and
secondary pollutants and is one of the biggest sources of air pollution.

The fumes from car exhausts contain dangerous gases and particulates including hydrocarbons,
nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. These gases rise into the atmosphere and react with
other atmospheric gases creating even more toxic gases.

According to the Earth institute:

the heavy use of fertilizer for agriculture is a major contributor of fine-particulate air pollution,
with most of Europe, Russia, China, and the United States being affected. The level of pollution
caused by agricultural activities is thought to outweigh all other sources of fine-particulate air
pollution in these countries.

Ammonia is the primary air pollutant that comes from agricultural activities. Ammonia enters
the air as a gas from concentrated livestock waste and fields that are over fertilized.

This gaseous ammonia then combines with other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and
sulfates created by vehicles and industrial processes, to create aerosols. Aerosols are tiny
particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause heart and pulmonary disease. Other
agricultural air pollutants include pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. All of which also
contribute to water pollution.

2 water pollution:
Nutrient pollution is caused by wastewater, sewage, and fertilizers. The high levels of nutrients
in these sources end up in bodies of water and promote algae and weed growth, which can
make the water undrinkable and depleted oxygen causing aquatic organisms to die.
Pesticides and herbicides applied to crops and residential areas concentrate in the soil and are
carried to the groundwater by rainwater and runoff. For these reasons anytime someone drills a
well for water it must be checked for pollutants.

Industrial waste is one of the main causes of water pollution, by creating primary and
secondary pollutants including sulphur, lead and mercury, nitrates and phosphates, and oil
spills.

In developing countries around 70% of their solid waste is dumped directly into the ocean or
sea. This causes serious problems including the harming and killing of sea creatures, which
ultimately affects humans.

3 Land and Soil pollution:

Land pollution is the destruction of land as a result of human’s activities and the misuse of land
resources. This occurs when humans apply chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides to the
soil, dispose of waste improperly, and irresponsibly exploit minerals through mining.

Soil is also polluted through leaking underground septic tanks, sewage systems, the leaching of
harmful substances from landfill, and direct discharge of waste water by industrial plants into
rivers and oceans.

Rain and flooding can bring pollutants from other already polluted lands to soil at other
locations.

Over-farming and over-grazing by agricultural activities causes the soil to lose its nutrient value
and structure causing soil degradation, another type of soil pollution.

4 Noise and light pollution:

Noise is considered an environmental pollutant caused by household sources, social events,
commercial and industrial activities, and transportation.

Light pollution is caused by the prolonged and excessive use of artificial lights at night that can
cause health problems in humans and disrupt natural cycles, including wildlife activities. Sources
of light pollution include electronic billboards, night sports grounds, street and car lights, city
parks, public places, airports, and residential areas.

Effects:
The effects of pollution can be seen every day, all around you. Pollution is destroying
ecosystems and drinking water, and wreaking havoc on human and environmental health.

1 effects of air pollution:

High levels of air pollution can cause an increased risk of heart attack, wheezing, coughing, and
breathing problems, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Air pollution can also cause
worsening of existing heart problems, asthma, and other lung complications.
Like humans, animals can suffer from a number of health problems due to air pollution,
including birth defects, reproductive failure, and diseases.

Air pollution causes a number of environmental effects in addition to the effects on humans and
animals.

Acid rain contains high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids that are created by oxides and sulfur
oxides released into the air by the burning of fossil fuels. Acid rain damages trees and acidifies
soils and water bodies, making the water too acidic for fish and other aquatic life.

Nitrogen oxides released into the air by the burning of fossil fuels also contribute to the
nitrogen responsible for toxic algae blooms.

The release of man-made compounds including hydrochlorofluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons,

and halons formerly used as coolants, foaming agents, pesticides, solvents, aerosol propellants,
and fire-extinguishers are depleting the ozone. The ozone layer in the stratosphere forms a
protective layer that reflects harmful ultraviolet rays back into space that would otherwise
destroy animal and plant life.

2 effects of water pollution:

Water pollution is a serious threat to humans, animals, and aquatic life.

The effects of water pollution depend on which chemicals are being dumped where. Bodies of
water that are near urbanized areas tend to be heavily polluted by dumbing of garbage and
chemicals, both legally and illegally, by industrial plants, health centers, and individuals.

By far the biggest consequence of water pollution is the death of aquatic creatures, which can
disrupt the entire food chain. Pollutants such as cadmium, mercury, and lead are eaten by tiny
aquatic organisms that are then eaten by fish and shell fish, becoming more concentrated with
each step up the food chain and causing serious problems in humans and wildlife.

Nutrient pollution can cause toxic algal blooms in drinking water sources that create toxins that
kill fish and other aquatic animals. Direct exposure to this toxic alga causes serious health
problems in humans including neurological effects, respiratory problems, stomach and liver
illness, and rashes.

A consequential problem is created when disinfectants used to treat drinking water reach water
polluted with toxic algae, they react creating dioxins. Dioxins are extremely harmful chemical
compounds that have been linked with reproductive and development problems, and even
cancer.

3 effects of land and soil pollution:

Land and soil pollution has substantial consequences for humans, animals, microorganisms and
aquatic life. Contaminated land and soil can cause various problems on the skin, respiratory
problems, and even different kinds of cancers.
These toxic substances come into contact with the human body directly through eating fruits
and vegetables that have been grown in polluted soils, being consumed through drinking water
that has been contaminated, direct contact with the skin, and breathing in air polluted with
particles and dust.

Deforestation is the biggest concern when it comes to land degradation and soil erosion. Clear
cutting of vegetation and tree cover creates harsh conditions that destroy ecosystems and
habitats.

4 effects of noise and light pollution:

Noise pollution can cause stress, anxiety, headaches, irritability, hearing loss, and sleep loss
resulting in decreased productivity.

Oil drills, submarines, and other vessels on and in the ocean can cause excessive noise that has
resulted in the injury or death of marine animals, especially whales.

Too much light causes eye strain and stress, harming our eyes and decreasing our quality of
life. Light pollution also causes a decrease in the hormone melatonin that helps us to fall asleep,
resulting in restlessness and fatigue.

Many mammals, insects, birds, and reptiles are photoperiodic meaning their movement, mating,
growth and development, and eating cycles are regulated by natural light patterns. Light
pollution can interfere with these natural behaviors and cycles, causing a decrease in wildlife
populations.

Conclusion:
Pollution needs to be dramatically reduced because it is destroying the environment we live in,
contaminating our food and water, causing diseases and cancers in humans and wildlife, and
destroying the air we breathe and the atmosphere that protects us from harmful ultra-violet
radiation.

It is the responsibility of every living person to protect the environment, and with the
population ever increasing, pollution problems are only going to get worse unless we do
something about it.

Protecting the environment is a long and daunting task, requiring continuous planning,
governmental policies, and public and industrial participation. However the result of ignoring the
problem will be catastrophic and life as we know it will begin to end.

By decreasing waste, implementing recycling policies, banning dangerous agricultural chemicals,

and developing safe renewable energy we can significantly reduce the amount of pollution
going into the environment annually and increase our quality of living.