Environment Pollutions and Preventive Measures

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTIONS

When there are some physical, chemical or biological changes occur in our physical environment it is known as pollution and the substances which brings these changes are known as pollutants. The sources for the pollution can be natural or manmade.

Following are the types of Environmental pollution.

1. Air pollution

2. Water pollution

3. Soil pollution

4. Noise pollution

5. Marine pollution

6. Thermal pollution

7. Nuclear pollution

1. Air pollution: When some foreign particles enters the air and deteriorate its quality is known as air pollution. These particles can be produced naturally or manmade. Dust storms, Bacteria and gases of volcanic eruptions are examples of natural’s sources of pollutants. Gases released from the automobile and the chimneys are the example of manmade pollutants.Major Air pollutants: Carbon monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and lead.
How to control air pollution?
• Maintaining a healthy distance between the industrial and residential areas
• The chimneys should be constructed tall in size so that the emissions must be released higher up in the environment
• The sulphur must be removed after burning
• The gasoline must have anti knocking agents
• The railway track must be electrified
• The mining area should be planted with trees
• The coal fuel should be replaced with gas fuel to control the air pollution
• The automobiles must be designed with emission control system
• The wastes must be removed and recycled in the industrial plants and refineries
• Plants like pinus and ribes need to be planted to metabolize the nitrogen oxides and other pollutants
• Timely servicing of the car helps to keep it in a good condition, and also minimizes fuel exhaustion
• Using public transportation helps to prevent the air pollution
• Using alternative energy sources like solar energy, hydroelectric energy, and wind energy

2. Water pollution: When some foreign particle, organic, inorganic or biological impurities are added to the water so that it becomes unfit for use is known as water pollution.
Major Water pollutants: Point Sources: Sewerage system and industrial effluents etc.
Diffused sources: agriculture. Mining and construction etc.
How to control water pollution?
• Water pollution can be controlled by using non-toxic soaps, detergents and cleaning products
• Avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides on your lawn and gardens
• Dispose of paints, motor oil, gasoline, antifreeze and other harmful chemicals in accordance with your local laws and safety regulations
• Protect groundwater, which is critical for drinking water, irrigation systems and natural ecosystems
• Use chemicals in a proper way which may be harmful to the environment
• Use environment friendly washing powders, cleaning agents and toiletries to control water pollution
• Store chemicals in tightly sealed containers to avoid groundwater contamination
• Reduce the runoff that comes from your property
• Maintain your vehicle
• Replace your lawn and high maintenance plants with native plants
• Clean up pet waste
• Avoid using salt to de-ice walk ways
• Maintain your septic system

3. Soil pollution: When the productivity of the soil reduces due to the presence of pollutants in it is known as soil pollution. Man has polluted the soil by the excess use of pesticides.
Major soil pollutants: Pesticides, fungicides and herbicides
How to control soil pollution?
• Limit the use of fertilizers and pesticides
• Awareness about biological control methods and their implementation
• The grazing must be controlled and forest management should be done properly
• The afforestation and reforestation must take place
• Proper preventive methods like shields should be used in areas of wind erosion and wind breaks
• Remember to carry paper bags and minimize using plastic bags
• The soil binding grass must be planted and the large trees must be placed along the banks
• The industrial wastes must be dumped in the low lying areas
• There should be a definite technique of cropping which does not allow the weeds to settle on the fields
• The mining ways must be improved along with their transportation
• The area must not be left barren and dry

4. Noise pollution: An unwanted and unpleasant sound is known as Noise pollution. Noise pollution affects human being not the physical environment. It reduces the efficiency of the human being.
Major Sources: Industries, Transport vehicles, public address systems etc.
Noise pollution in India can be controlled by implementing following strategies:
• Control can be done by isolating noisy machines and also by using mufflers or noise reducers.
• Control of transmission by building enclosures and covering walls
• Protection from exposure by using ear plugs and ear muffs
• Legislation to restrict the use of loud speakers etc
• Education through films and newspapers about the hazards of noise pollution
• Use of noise barriers
• Limitation of vehicle speeds
• Alteration of roadway surface texture
• Limitation of heavy vehicles
• Use of traffic controls to reduce braking and acceleration and tire design
• Aircraft noise can be reduced to some extent by design of quieter jet engines
• Reconsideration of operations, such as altering flight paths and time of day runway use, has demonstrated benefits for residential populations near airports

5. Marine pollution: Human being has polluted the oceans by adding the oil and waste disposal in it. The main causes of marine pollution are shore based industries, off-shore drilling, wrecked oil tankers and transport activities. Also the waste discharged into the rivers that flows to the ocean is the main reason of marine pollution. Marine pollution has adversely affected the sea life.
Major sources: Transport, oil tankers and industries.
Preventions/control of Marine Pollution
Following are some of the preventive measures of marine pollution:
1.Careful handling of oil and petroleum products.
2.Ban ocean dumping of sludge and hazardous dredged materials.
3. Dispose fully treated municipal and industrial wastes.
4. Regulate coastal development.
5. Hygienic and aesthetic maintenance of recreational beaches.
6. Controlled use of pesticides and chemicals in agricultural activities in delta portions.
7. Separate sewage and storm water lines.
8.Ban on dumping of radioactive wastes.

6. Thermal pollution: It is an increase in the water temperature due to industrial operations (steel industries and power plants). Many industries are using water as a coolant. Due to which the temperature of the water rises. This hot water is then discharged into the environment causing a warming of surface water. This can result in a permanent increase in water temperature. It can also affect the aquatic system.
Major sources: Steel Industries, Power plants and nuclear power plants
Following are the means to reduce thermal pollution:
1. Theoretically, when efficiency of any heat engine is equal to 1.0 then it will convert 100% of heat energy to mechanical energy. So there will be no loss of heat to the environment. This is practically impossible. Rather, we should aim at maximizing the efficiency of heat engines (steam, IC, nuclear etc) so that heat loss is minimum.
2. Reduce mechanical friction in any rotating parts.
3. Avoid consuming energy more than necessity. Burn less coal, oil or gas.
4. Promote use of more nuclear energy because it will not generate Carbon di oxide.
5. One of the major cause of Global warming is increasing concentration of Carbon di oxide, leading to more green house effect. On the other hand, green plants have got the capacity to absorb Carbon di oxide. In the photo synthesis plants take water, sunlight and carbon di oxide to prpoduce their food. So, plant as many trees as possible. Massive plantation is the only solution for reducing global carbon di oxide level. Indirect effect of plantation is, It will reduce soil temperature, cause more rains, some of the carbon di oxide shall be dissolved in rain and shall go to the sea - which will ultimately form carbonate rocks and will help in the flora and fauna of the marine life.
If we can follow these, certainly we shall be successful in reducing thermal pollution and will be able to prevent the glaciers from melting and rising of sea levels.
Thermal can be prevented very easily. Most of the people who cause thermal pollution are big facctories which use the water then pour it back in the ocean. To prevent this all they have to do is just cool the water before they put it back in the ocean.

7. Nuclear pollution: Pollution caused by the radioactive waste material due to nuclear explosion is known as nuclear pollution. It can give rise to diseases like skin cancer. Due to the increased numbers of nuclear plants the nuclear waste disposal has become a threat for the environment.
Major Sources: Natural: Cosmic rays
Man made: Nuclear weapons testing
How can radioactive pollution be prevented?
The only option against nuclear hazards is to check and prevent radioactive pollution by taking the following measures and precautions.
1. safety measures should be enforced strictly;
2. leakages from nuclear reactors, careless handling, transport and use of radioactive fuels, fission products and radioactive isotopes have to be totally stopped;
3. there should be regular monitoring and quantitative analysis through frequent sampling in the risk areas;
4. waste disposal must be careful, efficient and effective;
5. appropriate steps should be taken against occupational exposure;
6. safety measures should be strengthened against nuclear accidents; and
7. preventive measures should be followed so that background radiation levels do not exceed the permissible limits.

Prevention and control of pollution:
Pollution control is an approach to eliminate the release of pollutants into the environment. It is regulated by various environmental agencies that establish limits for the discharge of pollutants into the air, water, and land. A wide variety of devices and systems have been developed to control air and water pollution and solid wastes. Pollution is prevented by using the below strategies:
• Recycling
• Reusing
• Reducing
• Mitigating