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.

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FAQs on Pollution and Calamities: Key Concepts and Impact

1. What is pollution, and what are its main types as per the Biology syllabus?

Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances or contaminants, known as pollutants, into the natural environment, causing adverse changes. It negatively affects ecosystems and the health of living organisms. The four major types of pollution are:

Air Pollution: The contamination of the atmosphere with harmful gases like carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter.
Water Pollution: The contamination of water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and oceans with substances like industrial waste, sewage, and agricultural runoff.
Land (Soil) Pollution: The degradation of the Earth's land surface through the dumping of waste, misuse of agricultural chemicals, and industrial activities.
Noise Pollution: The presence of excessive, unwanted, and disturbing sound that can harm human health and wildlife.

2. Can you provide some examples of common air and water pollutants?

Yes, here are some common examples of pollutants that contaminate our air and water:

Air Pollutants: Common examples include Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) from industrial emissions, Carbon Monoxide (CO) from vehicle exhaust, and Particulate Matter (PM) such as dust, soot, and smoke.
Water Pollutants: Key examples are untreated sewage from households, toxic chemical waste from factories, fertilisers and pesticides from agricultural fields, and non-biodegradable waste like plastics.

3. How does air pollution damage historical monuments like the Taj Mahal?

Air pollution severely damages monuments through a process called acid rain. Pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, released from nearby industries and vehicles, mix with water droplets in the atmosphere to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid. When this acidic mixture falls as rain, it reacts with the marble (calcium carbonate) of monuments like the Taj Mahal. This chemical reaction corrodes the marble, causing it to discolour (turn yellow) and deteriorate over time, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as 'marble cancer'.

4. What is the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable pollutants?

The primary difference lies in how they decompose in the environment.

Biodegradable pollutants are substances that can be broken down into simpler, harmless components by natural processes, mainly by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. Examples include vegetable peels, paper, wood, and sewage.
Non-biodegradable pollutants are substances that cannot be broken down by natural processes or take thousands of years to decompose. They persist in the environment for a very long time, causing significant harm. Examples include plastics, glass, heavy metals, and certain types of pesticides.

5. How are pollution and natural calamities interconnected?

Pollution and natural calamities have a two-way relationship. Firstly, natural calamities can worsen pollution. For example, a flood can sweep through industrial areas, spreading chemical waste and contaminating water sources over a large region. Similarly, volcanic eruptions release massive amounts of ash and toxic gases into the atmosphere. Conversely, long-term pollution, particularly air pollution, contributes to climate change, which can increase the frequency and intensity of certain natural calamities like hurricanes, droughts, and extreme heatwaves.

6. Beyond harming human health, what are the long-term environmental impacts of land pollution?

While the health risks are significant, the long-term environmental impacts of land pollution are equally devastating. They include:

Soil Infertility: The accumulation of chemicals and heavy metals can destroy the soil's structure and kill essential microorganisms, making it unfit for agriculture.
Groundwater Contamination: Harmful chemicals can seep deep into the ground, a process called leaching, and contaminate underground water reserves, making them unsafe for consumption.
Loss of Biodiversity: Contaminated soil cannot support healthy plant life, which in turn affects the animals and insects that depend on those plants for food and shelter, leading to a disruption of the entire ecosystem.

7. In what ways can an individual student help reduce pollution?

Every student can make a significant contribution to reducing pollution by adopting simple, conscious habits in their daily life. Key actions include:

Following the 3 R's: Reduce consumption of resources, Reuse items whenever possible, and Recycle materials like paper, plastic, and glass.
Conserving Energy: Switching off lights and electronic devices when not in use helps reduce the demand for electricity, which is often generated by burning fossil fuels.
Planting Trees: Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a major air pollutant, and release oxygen.
Avoiding Single-Use Plastics: Using reusable water bottles, bags, and containers helps reduce plastic waste, a major land and water pollutant.