POLLUTION

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms.[1] Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light. Pollutants, the elements of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or naturally occurring contaminants.

Forms of pollution
The major forms of pollution are listed below along with the particular pollutants relevant to each of them:

Air pollution:- the release of chemicals and particulates into the atmosphere. Common gaseous pollutants include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and nitrogen oxides produced by industry and motor vehicles. Photochemical ozone and smog are created as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react to sunlight. Particulate matter, or fine dust is characterized by their micrometre size PM10 to PM2.5. Light pollution:- includes light trespass, over-illumination and astronomical interference. Littering:- the criminal throwing of inappropriate man-made objects, unremoved, onto public and private properties. Noise pollution:- which encompasses roadway noise, aircraft noise, industrial noise as well as high-intensity sonar. Soil contamination occurs when chemicals are released by spill or underground leakage. Among the most significant soil contaminants are hydrocarbons, heavy metals, MTBE,[9] herbicides, pesticides and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Radioactive contamination, resulting from 20th century activities in atomic physics, such as nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons research, manufacture and deployment. (See alpha emitters and actinides in the environment.) Thermal pollution, is a temperature change in natural water bodies caused by human influence, such as use of water as coolant in a power plant.

Visual pollution, which can refer to the presence of overhead power lines, motorway billboards, scarred landforms (as from strip mining), open storage of trash or municipal solid waste. Water pollution, by the discharge of wastewater from commercial and industrial waste (intentionally or through spills) intosurface waters; discharges of untreated domestic sewage, and chemical contaminants, such as chlorine, from treated sewage; release of waste and contaminants into surface runoff flowing to surface waters (including urban runoff and agricultural runoff, which may contain chemical fertilizers and pesticides); waste disposal and leaching into groundwater; eutrophication and littering.

Effects of pollution in various ways:

Overview of main health effects on humans from some common types of pollution.[25][26][27]

Adverse air quality can kill many organisms including humans. Ozone pollution can causerespiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, throat inflammation, chest pain, and congestion. Water pollution causes approximately 14,000 deaths per day, mostly due to contamination ofdrinking water by untreated sewage in developing countries. An estimated 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet, and 1,000 Indian children die of diarrhoeal sickness every day.[28]Nearly 500 million Chinese lack access to safe drinking water.[29] 656,000 people die prematurely each year in China because of air pollution. In India, air pollution is believed to cause 527,700 fatalities a year.[30] Studies have estimated that the number of people killed annually in the US could be over 50,000.[31] Oil spills can cause skin irritations and rashes. Noise pollution induces hearing loss, high blood pressure, stress, and sleep disturbance. Mercury has been linked to developmental deficits in children and neurologic symptoms. Older people are majorly exposed to diseases induced by air pollution. Those with heart or lung disorders are under additional risk. Children and infants are also at serious risk. Lead and other heavy metals have been shown to cause neurological problems. Chemical and radioactive substances can cause cancer and as well as birth defects.

Environment
Pollution has been found to be present widely in the environment. There are a number of effects of this:
Biomagnification describes situations where toxins (such as heavy metals) may pass through trophic levels, becoming exponentially more concentrated in the process. Carbon dioxide emissions cause ocean acidification, the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans as CO2 becomes dissolved. The emission of greenhouse gases leads to global warming which affects ecosystems in many ways. Invasive species can out compete native species and reduce biodiversity. Invasive plants can contribute debris and biomolecules (allelopathy) that can alter soil and chemical compositions of an environment, often reducing native species competitiveness. Nitrogen oxides are removed from the air by rain and fertilise land which can change the species composition of ecosystems.

Smog and haze can reduce the amount of sunlight received by plants to carry out photosynthesis and leads to the production of tropospheric ozone which damages plants.

Soil can become infertile and unsuitable for plants. This will affect other organisms in the food web. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can cause acid rain which lowers the pH value of soil.

AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into theatmosphere. The atmosphere is a complex dynamic natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet Earth.Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has long been recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth's ecosystems.

Effects on children:
Cities around the world with high exposure to air pollutants have the possibility of children living within them to develop asthma, pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections as well as a low initial birth rate. Protective measures to ensure the youths' health are being taken in cities such as New Delhi, India where buses now use compressed natural gas to help eliminate the pea-soup smog.[28] Research by the World Health Organization shows there is the greatest concentration of particulate matter particles in countries with low economic world power and high poverty and population rates. Examples of these countries includeEgypt, Sudan, Mongolia, and Indonesia. In the United States, the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, however in 2002 at least 146 million Americans were living innon-attainment areasregions in which the concentration of certain air pollutants exceeded federal standards.[29] Those pollutants are known as the criteria pollutants, and include ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead. Because children are outdoors more and have higher minute ventilation they are more susceptible to the dangers of air pollution.

Air pollution can affect our health in many ways with both short-term and long-term effects. Different groups of individuals are affected by air pollution in different ways. Some individuals are much more sensitive to pollutants than are others. Young children and elderly people often suffer more from the effects of air pollution. People with health problems such as asthma, heart and lung disease may also suffer more when the air is polluted. The extent to which an individual is harmed by air pollution usually depends on the total exposure to the damaging chemicals, i.e., the duration of exposure and the concentration of the chemicals must be taken into account. Examples of short-term effects include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Other symptoms can include headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions. Short-term air pollution can aggravate the medical conditions of individuals with asthma and emphysema. In the great "Smog Disaster" in London in 1952, four thousand people died in a few days due to the high concentrations of pollution. Long-term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Continual exposure to air pollution affects the lungs of growing children and may aggravate or complicate medical conditions in the elderly. It is estimated that half a million people die prematurely every year in the United States as a result of smoking cigarettes. Research into the health effects of air pollution is ongoing. Medical conditions arising from air pollution can be very expensive. Healthcare costs, lost productivity in the workplace, and human welfare impacts cost billions of dollars each year.
A variety of air pollutants have known or suspected harmful effects on human health and the environment. In most areas of Europe, these pollutants are principally the products of combustion from space heating, power generation or from motor vehicle traffic. Pollutants from these sources may not only prove a problem in the immediate vicinity of these sources but can travel long distances.

Health Effects
Generally if you are young and in a good state of health, moderate air pollution levels are unlikely to have any serious short term effects. However, elevated levels and/or long term exposure to air pollution can

lead to more serious symptoms and conditions affecting human health. This mainly affects the respiratory and inflammatory systems, but can also lead to more serious conditions such as heart disease and cancer. People with lung or heart conditions may be more susceptible to the effects of air pollution. The table below shows the types of health effects experienced by the most common pollutants at elevated levels:
Pollutant Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Ozone Particles Health effects at very high levels These gases irritate the airways of the lungs, increasing the symptoms of those suffering from lung diseases Fine particles can be carried deep into the lungs where they can cause inflammation and a worsening of heart and lung diseases This gas prevents the uptake of oxygen by the blood. This can lead to a significant reduction in the supply of oxygen to the heart, particularly in people suffering from heart disease

Carbon Monoxide

Reduction efforts:
There are various air pollution control technologies and land use planning strategies available to reduce air pollution. At its most basic level land use planning is likely to involve zoning and transport infrastructure planning. In most developed countries, land use planning is an important part of social policy, ensuring that land is used efficiently for the benefit of the wider economy and population as well as to protect the environment. Efforts to reduce pollution from mobile sources includes primary regulation (many developing countries have permissive regulations),[citation needed] expanding regulation to new sources (such as cruise and transport ships, farm equipment, and

small gas-powered equipment such as lawn trimmers, chainsaws, andsnowmobiles), increased fuel efficiency (such as through the use of hybrid vehicles), conversion to cleaner fuels (such as bioethanol, biodiesel, or conversion to electric vehicles).

LAND POLLUTION
Land pollution is the degradation of Earth's land surfaces often caused by human activities and their misuse of land resources. It occurs when waste is not disposed properly. Health hazard disposal of urban and industrial wastes, exploitation of minerals, and improper use of soil by inadequate agricultural practices are a few factors. Urbanization and industrializationare major causes of land pollution. The Industrial Revolution set a series of events into motion which destroyed natural habitats and polluted the environment, causing diseases in both humans and other species of animals.

Causes of land pollution:

Increase in urbanization. Construction uses up forestland. More constructions means increase in demand for raw materials like timber. This leads to the exploitation and destruction of forests. There is more demand for water. Reservoirs are built leading to the loss of land. Increase in agricultural land. As the human population grew there was a greater demand for food. This caused more land allocated to agriculture. Forests were cut down for this purpose. Domestic waste. Every single day, tons and tons of domestic waste is dumped ranging from huge pieces of rubbish such as unused refrigerator to fish bones. If all these wastes are not disposed of properly, the damage they can do to the environment and humankind can be devastating. While waste collected from

homes, offices and industries may be recycled or burnt in incinerators, a large amount of rubbish is neither burnt nor recycled but is left in certain areas marked as dumping grounds. We throw away more things today and there is an increase in the quantity of solid waste. This has given rise to problems as new dumping grounds have to be found. Agricultural activities. Besides domestic waste, pesticides and herbicides used by farmers to increase crop yields also pollute the land when they are washed into the soil. Industrial activities. Industrial activities also are a contributing factor to land pollution. For example, in open cast mining, huge holes are dug in the ground and these form dangerously deep mining pools. Heaps of mining waste are left behind and these waste often contain several poisonous substances that will contaminate the soil. Pollution sources include plastics factories, chemical plants, oil refineries, nuclear waste disposal activity, large animal farms, coal-fired power plants, metals production factories and other heavy industry. Reducing land Pollution We can take the following steps: encourage organic farming proper garbage disposal recycle garbage reduce use of herbicides and pesticides Avoid overpackaged items efficient utilization of resources and reducing wastage

Effects of land pollution:

exterminates wildlife

acid rain kills trees and other plants. vegetation that provides food and shelter is destroyed. it can seriously disrupt the balance of nature, and, in extreme cases, can cause human fatalities. pesticides can damage crops; kill vegetation; and poison birds, animals, and fish. Most pesticides kill or damage life forms other than those intended. For example, pesticides used in an effort to control or destroy undesirable vegetation and insects often destroy birds and small animals. Some life forms develop immunity to pesticides used to destroy them.

People today throughout the world experience several health conditions triggered by effects of land pollution. Speaking about land pollution, it is one of the most harmful factor on both nature and living beings. Land pollution is characterized through the contamination of earth's surface, in which humans along with other creatures live. One of many major reasons behind land pollution is human activities. Given below is full information regarding the main causes and hazardous effects of land pollution. Causes of land pollution may include one of the following: Increase in urbanization is among the major causes of land pollution. Construction uses up forest land. This results in the exploitation and devastation of forests. Reservoirs are made causing the loss of land. The disposal of non-biodegradable waste materials, such as containers, bottles and cans made of plastic, used cars and trucks and electronic goods, results in the pollution of land. Burning of solid fuels ends up in the formation of ashes, that is certainly another root of land pollution.

 Improper treatment of sewage results in the buildup of solids, like biomass sludge. These solid wastes overflow through the sewage, making the whole place look dirty. To solve this cause of water pollution, government funding is needed to improve sewage systems. Agricultural wastes such as the waste matters produced by crop, animal manure and residues of the farm land are on the list of major causes of land pollution. The pesticides as well as fertilizers used by farmers to raise the crop yield, leaches into the nearby land areas and pollutes them. Although household and industrial wastes are collected and recycled or burnt in incinerators, a large number of spams are left untreated. These are then trashed into grounds, resulting to land pollution. Garbage dumped by individuals tends to make the roadway unhealthy, unfit and dirty to live in. The waste matter commonly consists of leftover food, fruit and vegetable peels along with other non decomposable solid materials just like plastic, glass, cloth, paper, wood etc. The process of mining causes the formation of piles of coal and slag. If these wastes aren't disposed through proper channel, they are built up and contaminate the land. Industrial wastes are main causes of water pollution. Throwing of toxic materials like chemicals and paints would make the areas surrounding the establishments, appear very unclean. Effects Of land pollution on living things are:

 Skin problems are sometimes diagnosed caused by land pollution. It is stated that the improper disposal of household wastes causes allergic reactions on the skin. Land pollution ultimately has effects on the respiratory system of human beings. Inhaling polluted dust or particle can lead to a variety of health problems in connection with the respiratory system. Tons domestic wastes are trashed in land every single day. Because individuals tend not to follow proper methods for the disposal of such wastes, it simply leaves the areas look dirty and would make them unhealthy. Land pollution usually disturbs the balance of Nature, leading to human fatalities. Land pollution has critical impact on wildlife. Flora, which supplies food and shelter to wildlife, are damaged. Land pollution has been observed as one of the major causes for birth defects. Pregnant women residing in unhealthy and dirty environment can incur difficulty in breathing as well as a number of diseases, which can affect the health of the baby at the same time. Effective treatment of household wastes and modern methods of sewage systems can be applied in order to minimize the effects of land pollution. Formulation of rigorous pollution control legislation and its efficient realization is additionally important. Also providing public awareness plan to inform people concerning the health hazards of pollution is a must to manage and to avoid the effects of land pollutionwhich looks devastating to the health.

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 disposal of urban wastes. It includes visible waste and litter as well as pollution of the soil itself. It can also be defined like this: the addition of undesirable matter to the land that damage the terrestrial organisms, reduce the uses of the land by man for agricultural, residential, recreational or other purposes or increase the risk of health hazards to man. Furthermore, it is the action of environmental contamination with man-made waste on land.

What types of land pollution are there?

- Solid Waste - garbage, rubbish, ashes, large wastes, sewage, industrial wastes, mining wastes, agricultural wastes - Soil Erosion - Construction, urbanization, war, mining and other such activities are often significant in accelerating the erosion of the soil, but the prime cases are agriculture and deforestation - Hill Fires - Fire destroys all vegetation as well as the soil animals. Fires can cause a great fluctuation in temperature, the burnt soil gives a black surface which is a good absorber of solar energy. Without any plant cover the soil rapidly gains heat and loses heat.

What human activities and industries contribute to land pollution? - Essentially these include: farming, mining and quarrying, household waste, demolition and putting up buildings, factory waste
- Domestic Waste - ranging from fish bones to huge pieces of rubbish such as unused refrigerator. A lot of this waste ends up in dumping grounds. With the rising standards of living, we throw away more things and there is an increase in the quantity of solid waste. This has given rise to problems as new dumping grounds have to be found - Agricultural Waste - pesticides and herbicides used by farmers to increase crop yields also pollute the land when they are washed into the soil - Industrial Waste - in open cast mining, enormous holes are dug in the ground and these form dangerously deep mining pools. Heaps of mining waste are left behind and these waste often contain many poisonous substances that will contaminate the soil. Hydrocarbons from leaking oil tanks is also affecting the soil.

NOISE POLLUTION
Noise pollution is excessive, displeasing human, animal or machine-created environmental noise that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life. The word noise comes from the Latin word nauseas, meaning seasickness. The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly construction and transportation systems, including motor vehiclenoise, aircraft noise and rail noise.[1][2] Poor urban planning may give rise to noise pollution, since side-by-side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential area.

Noise pollution refers to sounds in the environment that are caused by humans and that threaten the health or welfare of human or animal inhabitants. The most common source of noise pollution by far, the one that affects the most people on the planet, is motor vehicles. Aircraft and industrial machinery are also major sources. Additional noise pollution is contributed by office machines, sirens, power tools, and other equipment. Noise pollution is not easy to measure, because the very definition of noise depends on the context of the sound and the subjective effect it has on the people hearing it. One person's idea of exultant, joyful music might be another person's pure torment.

Causes of Noise Pollution:

The sources/causes of noise pollution increased or probably originated with the invention of machines. Let us have a look at the various noise pollution causes in detail. Traffic: It is the biggest source of noise pollution in today's times, especially in urban areas. In the past few years the number of automobile vehicles has increased manifold. Thus, traffic problems created by these vehicles is an important source of noise pollution. The sound produced by the exhaust systems of trucks, autos, buses, motorcycles, etc. cause a lot of noise. Railway Stations: Locomotive engines of trains are an important source of noise pollution. Besides, the shunting and switching operations in rail yards too cause noise pollution to a great extent. The whistles and horns being used by the railway employees add to the effect and increase noise pollution. Aircraft: The national parks and wastelands were earlier considered to be the pollution free zones and people traveled to these places for relaxation. Nowadays, however, the sound created by low flying military aircraft causes noise pollution in these areas too. Industrial Noise: The various machines used in industries are also a major cause of noise pollution. The different machines which are responsible for creating noise include the compressors, motors and other machinery. It is therefore recommended to grow trees in the premises of industries, which act as absorbents of noise. The trees grown in the premises of 'Tata Motors' an automobile company based in India is a perfect example of how to reduce

noise pollution in the industrial belts. Read more on effects of industrial noise pollution. Construction Equipment: The different types of machines and equipment used in construction of roads and buildings is also an important cause behind noise pollution. The machinery used for the purpose of construction includes pneumatic hammers, bulldozers, air compressors, dump trucks, loaders, sidewalk breakers, etc. is also responsible for noise pollution to a great extent. Household Equipment: The household equipment are amongst the minor contributors to noise pollution. These machines include mixers, vacuum cleaners and other noise creating equipment. The effects of noise pollution caused by these machines shouldn't be neglected. This is because one has to work in close contact with the equipment and the magnitude of sound that one needs to bear is high. Other Causes: The boilers, plumbing equipment, air conditioners, generators and fans contribute to noise pollution to some extent. Noise created by people in public places too is a major contributor amongst different sources. Loudspeakers used in public places are responsible for creating noise of a high degree/amplitude.

Effects Of Noise Pollution:

Deafness, temporary or permanent, is one of the most prevalent effects of noise pollution. Mechanics, locomotive drivers, telephone operators etc all have their hearing impairment. The first and foremost effect of noise is a decrease in the efficiency in working. Research has proved the fact that human efficiency increases with noise reduction. Too much of noise disturbs the rhythms of working, thereby affecting the concentration required for doing a work. Noise of traffic or the loud speakers or different types of horns divert the attention, thus causing harm in the working standard. Fatigue caused is another effect of noise. Due to lack of concentration, people need to devote more time to complete their task, which leads to tiredness and fatigue. Noise pollution acts as a stress invigorator, increasing the stress levels among people.

Sometimes, being surrounded by too much of noise, people can be victims of certain diseases like blood pressure, mental illness, etc. Noise pollution indirectly affects the vegetation. Plants require cool & peaceful environment to grow. Noise pollution causes poor quality of crops. Animals are susceptible to noise pollution as well. It damages the nervous system of the animals. Noise indirectly weakens the edifice of buildings, bridges and monuments. It creates waves, which can be very dangerous and harmful and put the building in danger condition.

WATER POLLUTION
Water pollution is a major global problem which requires ongoing evaluation and revision of water resource policy at all levels (international down to individual aquifers and wells). It has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases,[1][2] and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily.[2] An estimated 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet, and 1,000 Indian children die of diarrheal sickness every day.[3] Some 90% of China's cities suffer from some degree of water pollution,[4] and nearly 500 million people lack access to safe drinking water.[5] In addition to the acute problems of water pollution in developing countries, developed countriescontinue to struggle with pollution problems as well. In the most recent national report on water quality in the United States, 45 percent of assessed stream miles, 47 percent of assessed lake acres, and 32 percent of assessed bay andestuarine square miles were classified as polluted.[6] Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic contaminants and either does not support a human use, such as drinking water, and/or undergoes a marked shift in its ability to support its constituent biotic communities, such as fish. Natural phenomena such as volcanoes, algae blooms, storms, and earthquakes also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological status of water.

The causes

of water pollution vary and may be both natural and anthropogenic. However, the most common causes

of water pollution are the anthropogenic ones including: Agriculture runoff - carrying fertilizers, pesticides/insecticides/herbicides and other pollutants into water bodies such as lakes, rivers, ponds). The usual effect of this type of pollution consists in algae growing in affected water bodies. This is a sign of increased nitrates and phosphates in water that could be harmful for human health. Storm water runoff carrying various oils, petroleum products and other contaminants from urban and rural areas (ditches). These usually forms sheens on the water surface. Leaking sewer lines may add trihalomethanes (such as chloroform) as well as other contaminants into groundwater ending up contaminating surface water, too. Discharges of chlorinated solvents from Dry Cleaners to sewer lines are also a recognized source of water pollution with these persistent and harmful solvents. Mining activities mining activities involve crushing the rock that usually contains many trace metals and sulfides. The left material may easily generate sulfuric acid in the presence of precipitation water. Please, read more at Mining Sites. Foundries have direct emissions of metals (including Hg, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cr and other metals) and other particulate matter into the air. Please, read more at Foundry. Industrial discharges may add significant pollution to water bodies, but are usually regulated today. Please, read more at Industrial Sites. Accidental leaks and spills associated with handling and storage of chemicals may happen anytime and, although they are usually contained soon after they occur, the risk of polluting surface and groundwater exist. An example are ship accidents such as Exxon Valdez disaster which spilled large amounts of petroleum products into the ocean; Intended/illegal discharges of waste while such occurrences are less common today, they may still happen due to the high cost of proper waste disposal; illegal waste discharges into water bodies were recorded all over the world; Burning of fossil fuels the emitted ash particles usually contain toxic metals (such as As or Pb). Burning will also add a series of oxides including carbon dioxide to air and respectively water bodies.

Transportation even though Pb has been banned in gasoline in the U.S. and many other countries, vehicle emissions pollute the air with various tailpipe compounds (including sulfur and nitrogen compounds, as well as carbon oxides) that may end up in water bodies via deposition with precipitation water.

Construction activities introduce a series of contaminants into the ground that may eventually end up in groundwater. Please, read more at Construction Sites. Plastic materials/wastes in contact with water may degrade slowly releasing harmful compounds for both human health and ecosystem. Disposal of personal care products and household chemicals (including detergents and various cleaning solutions) this is a serious problem since the releases to water are unpredictable and hard if not impossible to control. It is up to each of us to minimize this contribution to water pollution by controlling our consumption and disposal of such products as well as trying to recycle as much as we can!

Improper disposal of car batteries and other batteries may add metals Leaking landfills may pollute the groundwater below the landfill with a large variety of contaminants (whatever is stored by the landfill). Animal wastes contribute to the biological pollution of water streams.

a)What are the sources of water pollution? There are many causes for water pollution but two general categories exist: direct and indirect contaminant sources. Direct sources include effluent outfalls from factories, refineries, waste treatment plants etc.. that emit fluids of varying quality directly into urban water supplies. In the United States and other countries, these practices are regulated, although this doesn't mean that pollutants can't be found in these waters. Indirect sources include contaminants that enter the water supply from soils/groundwater systems and from the atmosphere via rain water. Soils and groundwaters contain the residue of human agricultural practices (fertilizers, pesticides, etc..) and improperly disposed of industrial wastes. Atmospheric contaminants are also derived from human practices (such as gaseous emissions from automobiles, factories and even bakeries).

Contaminants can be broadly classified into organic, inorganic, radioactive and acid/base. Examples from each class and their potential sources are too numerous to discuss here. b)What are the effects of water pollution? The effects of water pollution are varied. They include poisonous drinking water, poisionous food animals (due to these organisms having bioaccumulated toxins from the environment over their life spans), unbalanced river and lake ecosystems that can no longer support full biological diversity, deforestation from acid rain, and many other effects. These effects are, of course, specific to the various contaminants. c)What are the ways we can take to decrease those problem? Science provides many practical solutions to minimizing the present level at which pollutants are introduced into the environment and for remediating (cleaning up) past problems. All of these solutions come with some cost (both societal and monetary). In our everyday lives, a great deal can be done to minimize pollution if we take care to recycle materials whose production creates pollution and if we act responsibly with household chemicals and their disposal. Additionally, there are choices we make each day that also can affect the quantity of pollutants our actions will introduce into the environment. Heavily packaged foods, for instance, contain boxes, cartons, bottles etc.. made with polluting dyes, many of which are released from groundwater at municipal land fills. Whether we choose to drive to the corner store rather than walk or ride a bicycle will determine how much we personally contribute to acid and hydrocarbon emissions to the atmosphere (and ultimately to global fresh water supplies). In the end, there are many choices on the personal and societal level that we must make (consciously or not) that affect the amount of pollution our town or country will be forced to live with. Our standard of living and very way of life is based upon practices which are inherently "dirtier" than those of our distant ancestors, although they too polluted their environment to some extent. Without taking a step backward in terms of our standards of living, the answer seems to lie in a combination of many small changes in our daily practices and paying more for goods and services, so that manufacturers of various materials and drivers of automobiles (for instance) will have cleaner devices with which to conduct their activities.