Introduction
Over the course of the last few decades, global pollution has overwhelmingly been on the rise. As years go by - the humans' way of thinking evolves. Hence, the technological aspect of life keeps on advancing rapidly at the expense of contaminating our planet. Similar to other elements associated with human life, the natural environment is also undergoing a continuous change. There is the unchallengeable need of developing knowledge of the issues that characterize this change. The modern world is experiencing an increase in the natural calamities and varying weather patterns. These changes are primarily associated with the environmental pollution. Having knowledge of the different forms of pollution in the current world would enhance their management. The following essay will underline the significance of different types of pollution that we are experiencing in the world today as well as the root causes behind them.
Pollution primarily entails the contamination of the natural environment following the introduction of elements that can harm the environment or living organisms. Pollution falls under various categories with the main ones being Air, Land, and water. Other important forms of pollution of great relevance include noise and thermos pollution. Vehicular and pollutants from industries are the primary sources of pollution. Another important category of the toxicants entails the heavy metals, plastics, and nitrates. Water pollution is mainly attributable to the oil spill, urban runoff, oil spill, and acid rain. Air pollution mostly happens due to gasses and some toxic substances from industries and the burning of the fossil fuels. Lastly, soil/land pollution develops from industrial by-products that take or destroy important soil nutrients (Swiss, 1993).
Pollution is one of the most detrimental factors to the environment in this world. It entails the release of a harmful substance into the air, water or soil (Allero, 2014). Pollution results in the degradation of the environment. Poisoning of the planet is attracting serious environmental crisis. The situation has caused serious harm to the ecosystems. This is essentially evident in the increasing global warming. The deteriorating environmental state makes all living plants and animals vulnerable to aspects such as disasters and catastrophes. Furthermore, the fuel situation cases of human diseases and mortality rate other animals and plants resulting in a serious imbalance in the ecosystem (Swiss, 1993). In essence, we are at the situation of planetary emergency with the increasing levels of environmental problems. The fate of the human race is doomed unless we establish effective interventions for addressing this problem. Toxins have more pronounced effects on children and elderly. Pollution is of concern because many pollutants are carcinogens. For instance, individuals exposed to such substances can suffer asthma and other health complications (Hill 2004).Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels and the release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are causing the Earth to become warmer (Woodford 2015). Toxic substances from air eventually land on plant and water bodies. Accordingly, they are consumed by animals; thus, they get introduced into the food chain (Hill, 2004). Soil pollution has the potential of affecting wildlife, human, and plants in various ways. For instance, pollution can result in the death of wildlife while causing an imbalance in nature. The plant often takes in substances released into the soil, and such toxins find their way into animals and humans who consume the plants. These substances, when consumed, are dangerous as they result to serious health complication such as birth defects, cancer and skin diseases among other problems.
Land pollution is interchangeably used with the term soil contamination. It essentially entails pollution by factory chemicals or sewage and other wastewater. This type of pollution essentially entails contamination and depletion of Earth’s land surfaces. This mainly takes place when there is poor water disposal. Sources of such water may be industrial or domestic. In consequence, this improper disposal creates a situation where toxic substances leach into the ground (Woodford, 2016). Pollution has mainly been witnessed due to improper use of soil through harmful agricultural undertakings and inappropriate mineral exploitation. For instance, following the process of mining, non-biodegradable elements such as plastic bottles and cans can remain in landfills. These materials with time leach chemicals and other toxins into the soil. Furthermore, materials that have heavy metal such as mercury and lead release poisons into the soil. The situation gets even worse when the released harmful substances get into contact with the underground water system, thus resulting in serious water pollution (Woodford, 2016). In the modern world, the problem of soil pollution is closely associated with the general issue of urbanization. This is the systematic creation of cities and other human settlements from Greenfield or virgin land (Woodford, 2016).Other aspects associated with soil pollution includes Mining Activities and Agricultural Deposition. Fracking, which involves a strategy for recovering gas and oil from shale rock, is also an activity of high concern. The process includes the injection of under-pressure water or other substances into the rock; thus, allowing gas to flow out (Shukman, 2015). Fracking is controversial because the technique is challengeable in terms of the huge amount of water consumed in the process. In this context, one worries about the sustainability and efficiency of the technology. With the recent water crisis, such strategies that result in high utilization of the scarcely available water cannot be justified. Furthermore, there is worry because of the potentially carcinogenic substance utilized in the process as they might find their way into the groundwater near the fracking site. In this context, it strategists feels that investing in renewable energy instead of relying on fossil fuels would be a more justifiable alternative.
Water pollution is another type that pertains to land pollution because it is being used to dump waste. Water pollution presents dire effects on entire ecosystems, making life more difficult for humans, plants and animals (Woodford, 2015). Water pollution is of great concern because harmful substances easily build up in the water posing a threat to the humans, animals, and plants. This pollution mainly happens in various forms including chemical, biological and physical properties that are harmful to living things. Furthermore, it easily happens in different water sources, rivers, oceans, ponds among others. A prominent practice resulting to water pollution includes disposing domestic and industrial wastes into the body (Kumar, 2014). Furthermore, marine dumping and release of radioactive wastes into water bodies cause serious pollution. The atmospheric deposition also results in the formation of acid rain that results in severe pollution. Here, harmful substances get into the water bodies dissolved on falling particles (Bradford, 2015). Air pollution is the primary cause of the acid rain. Following combustion, chemicals escape into the air in the form of gasses (Woodford, 2015). Some of these gasses such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides interact with the water droplets to form acids that fall on ground and water bodies as acid rain. Another leading aspect resulting to water pollution includes the oil spills. This kind of pollution is of serious concern in the world as it causes severe damage, especially to the marine environment. This consequently destabilizes the aquatic ecosystem greatly as it often results in massive deaths of the aquatic inhabitants (ITOPF, 2015).
Lastly, air pollution has to do with the way we breathe as well as the collateral damage directed towards the environment. This pollution may happen in the form of release of harmful gasses (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide) or particulates into the air (Friedl, 2015). It also includes the disorganization of the normal composition of the air. The leading practice resulting in air pollution includes the burning of fossil fuels. Other causes include the emission of gasses from manufacturing and refining plants. Air pollution mainly affects people by causing cardio-respiratory and other health complications (Woodford, 2016). On the environmental context, this pollution is associated with issues such as global warming, Ozone depletion and acid rain among others.
Pollution has long-term repercussions. The long-term consequence of pollution is evident in the ever-changing environment. Currently, there are increased cases of natural disasters, changing the weather and climate patterns, warming and cooling period among others. Global warming is an undisputable long-term consequence of pollution. The environment is increasingly warming up (Swiss, 1993). Throughout the world, people are experiencing new and challenging environmental issues that are all linked to global warming. Some of these changes are minimal and affect few ecosystems while others are catastrophic as they include changing the entire environment’s landscape. The following proposed solutions would be effective in reducing further damage. In overall, the remedy to the problem of water pollution globally includes appropriate management of domestic and industrial effluents especially through recycling (Kumar, 2014). There is the need of educating people to have knowledge of how to reduce water pollution. Furthermore, instituting effective legislations for enhancing good industrial practices is essential. On the other hand, practicing and promoting appropriate litter disposal can reduce land pollution. Strategies such as recycling materials to reduce litter would go a mile in minimizing soil pollution. Furthermore, adopting environmental conscious agricultural undertakings like the use of organic pesticides and fertilizers would considerably reduce pollution (Swiss, 1993). Environmental friendly procedures should also be promoted in mining and other manufacturing and production plants. Air pollution can be minimized through adopting simple practices such as effective use of vehicles, and fostering carbon emission reduction and energy saving plans.
Conclusion
Throughout the essay, I delved into the aspects of pollution by focusing on the main form of pollution—land, water and air. The paper has presented the serious problems that characterize the issue of pollution by highlighting various the pertinent consequences of various types of pollution. In particular, each of this kind of pollution has comprehensively been explored including its source, extent, and effects on the environment, humans, plants, and animals. I have critically explained major concepts associated with pollution such as global warming, ozone depletion and acid rain among others. The study has justified the urgent need of responding and remaining conscious of the issue of pollution and proposed effective strategies that can effectively minimize the problem of pollution.
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