Any kind of environmental pollution is a significant global problem of our time, which is discussed with increasing regularity on television, as well as in scientific circles. Many international organizations have been formed, the main focus of which is to combat the deteriorating natural conditions.
To date, a lot is known about the processes leading to environmental pollution. Many scientific papers and books have been written, innumerable studies have been carried out. However, the practical solution of these problems for humanity turned out to be not entirely within our power. The issues of natural pollution are still relevant, putting them on the back burner can turn into tragic consequences for the same humanity.
The main typological division of pollution types
From the history of biosphere pollution
Due to the fact that there is an intensive industrialization of public life, the problem of environmental pollution has become especially acute in recent decades, although environmental pollution is still considered one of the oldest problems. human history. In ancient times, at the dawn of mankind, people barbarously destroyed forests, exterminated flora and fauna, and also engaged in changing the natural landscape in order to further expand their territories of residence and receive precious resources in ever greater quantities.
Even in those days, this attitude led to climate change of various scales and other environmental disasters. The constant increase in the population of the Earth and the rapid progress of civilization was accompanied by intensive mining. This often led to the drainage of water bodies and, of course, to chemical pollution of the biosphere. The age of the scientific, technological and industrial revolution was marked not only by a new era of social order, but also by a new wave of pollution.
The development of science and technology has given scientists the tools to make accurate and detailed diagnostics of the environmental situation on the planet. Satellite data, weather reports, samples chemical composition air masses, water resources, soils, as well as a visual demonstration of ubiquitous smoking pipes and oil slicks on the sea surface can only confirm that the problem is only getting worse due to the expansion of the technosphere. It is not for nothing that some scientists express the opinion that the appearance of a “reasonable” person is the main ecological catastrophe.
Types (classification) of pollution of the biosphere
The main pollutants of the biosphere
To date, there is a whole classification of types of causes of environmental pollution, which are based on a wide variety of factors.
Mainly, several types of environmental pollution are known. So pollution is:
- Biological. The source of pollution is living organisms. This may be happening naturally or the primary source may be anthropogenic activity;
- Physical. Such pollution leads to changes in the corresponding characteristics in the environment. Physical pollution can be thermal, radiation, noise and other varieties;
- Chemical. Occur due to an increase in the percentage of substances or their penetration into the environment. This can lead to changes in the normal chemical composition of the resources;
- Mechanical. With this type of pollution of the biosphere come from garbage.
In fact, each type of pollution can be accompanied by another or several at the same time.
Human pollution
The gaseous layer of the Earth is the most important participant in the natural processes of the planet, thanks to which its climate with a thermal background is determined (a change in temperature is now observed). It protects against the harmful effects of cosmic radiation, takes part in relief formation. The composition of gases in the atmosphere has been modified throughout the history of the formation of the planetary body. The harsh reality is that some of the volume in the Earth's gaseous envelope is due to human activity. So industrial areas and large metropolitan areas differ high level harmful impurities in the atmosphere.
Chemical pollution is caused by some human activities
The main sources of chemical pollution of the atmosphere can be activities:
- Chemical plants;
- Enterprises of the fuel and energy complex;
- Vehicle.
Such sources of pollution are considered to be the cause of the appearance of many heavy metals in the atmosphere, such as lead, mercury, chromium, and copper. They are permanent components of air masses from industrial areas. Modern power plants emit thousands of tons of carbon dioxide, soot, dust, and ash into the atmosphere every day.
The growth in the number of motor vehicles in cities and villages has led to an increased accumulation of many harmful substances in the atmosphere that come with car exhaust gases. Anti-knock additives that are added to the fuel contribute to the release of large amounts of lead. Car engines produce ash with dust, due to which not only the air environment is polluted, but also the soil.
The air, among other things, is polluted with extremely toxic gases emitted by factories and chemical industry factories. Chemical waste containing nitrogen and sulfur oxides often leads to acid rain. They tend to react with the elements of the biosphere, after which other equally dangerous derivatives are formed. As a result of thoughtless human activity, forest fires systematically occur, during which a huge amount of carbon dioxide is released.
Soil pollution by humans
Types of physical pollution and main factors
The soil is a thin layer of the lithosphere, which was formed due to many natural circumstances. There are many processes associated with the interaction of living and non-living systems. By extracting natural resources, carrying out mining operations, erecting a wide variety of buildings, roads and airfields, large-scale areas of soil are being destroyed.
As a result of irrational economic human activity, the fertile layer of the earth is degrading. There is a change in its natural chemical composition, as well as mechanical pollution. Intensity in the development of agriculture leads to significant losses of fertile land. Excessively frequent plowing contributes to the fact that soils are threatened by flooding, salinization and wind, as a result of which soil erosion can occur.
The generous use of fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, and chemical poisons to kill pests and weeds introduces unnatural chemicals into the soil. Anthropogenic activity leads to changes associated with chemical pollution of the earth, and pollution is produced mainly heavy metals and their derivatives. The main harmful element in this case is lead, together with its compounds. When processing lead ores, chemical plants emit approximately 30 kg of metals from each processed ton of raw materials. Automobile exhausts containing a lot of this metal penetrate the soil and lead to the poisoning of living organisms living in it. Liquid waste discharged from mines that contain zinc, copper and other metals also lead to contamination of the earth.
The activities of power plants and scientific research centers studying atomic energy, radioactive fallout, for example, during nuclear tests leads to radioactive contamination. Because of all this, radioactive isotopes enter the soil, and they can then enter human bodies when eating food. The metals accumulated in the bowels of the earth are scattered due to the exorbitant industrial activity of man. Further, they will concentrate in the upper soil layers.
It should be noted that not so long ago industrial production only 18 elements were used, from those available in the earth's crust, and in our time - all known.
One of the examples of chemical pollution of water by man
At present, unlike land or air, the waters on the planet are much more polluted than one can imagine. Oil slicks, as well as many floating seas and oceans plastic bottles- this is just what, as they say, "lies on the surface." Where most of all kinds of pollutants have already dissolved and remain in this state.
Of course, water quality can also deteriorate due to natural causes. So, for example, when mudflows and floods occur, magnesium particles are washed out of mainland soils, which, when they enter water bodies, harm aquatic animals and fish more than their natural enemies do. Any chemical transformations lead to the penetration of aluminum into fresh water. Thus, natural pollution makes up only a small proportion, in contrast to anthropogenic ones. Through the fault of people, imperfect industrial equipment pollutes water:
- Surface-active compounds;
- pesticides;
- Phosphates, nitrates and other salts;
- medicines;
- Oil products;
- radioactive isotopes.
There can be many sources of such pollutants. A lot of pollution is allowed:
- farms;
- Fisheries;
- oil platforms;
- power plants;
- chemical industry enterprises;
- Sewer drains.
By the way, acid precipitation, which also appears as a result of human activity, dissolves soils, which leads to washing out of heavy metals.
In addition to chemical pollution of water, there is also physical, or rather, thermal pollution. A large amount of water is used in the power industry. So thermal power plants use it to cool turbines, and the heated waste liquids are drained into reservoirs. Mechanical degradation of water quality by household waste and organic residues in cities reduces the habitats of aquatic life, and some of them die.
Polluted waters are the main cause of most diseases. For example, many living beings die, the ecosystem of the seas and oceans suffers, normal natural processes are disrupted. As a result, pollutants get into food, after which they negatively affect human organisms.
Global pollution problems: how to deal with them?
To avoid catastrophic consequences, the fight against physical pollution should be the number one task. Problems must be solved at the global level, because nature does not have state borders. To prevent pollution, sanctions are needed against enterprises that dump waste into the environment, as well as considerable fines for throwing garbage in the wrong places. It is necessary to stimulate compliance with environmental safety standards using financial methods. Such approaches have already proven their effectiveness in some countries.
One of the promising directions in the fight against pollution can be the use of alternative energy sources. Thus, the use of solar panels, hydrogen fuel and other energy-saving technologies will lead to a reduction in emissions of harmful compounds into the environment.
To combat pollution, you need:
- Build treatment facilities;
- Create National parks and reserves;
- Increase green spaces;
- To draw public attention to the problem of the consequences of pollution.
Environmental pollution is a global problem, the solution of which is directly dependent on the active participation of everyone who considers the planet Earth to be their home, otherwise an ecological catastrophe simply cannot be avoided.
In the process of its development, mankind is constantly faced with environmental pollution.
Although technological advances improve our quality of life, such rapid progress inevitably leads to noise, light, biological and even radioactive pollution.
As a result, with the growth of life comfort, a person worsens the quality own health. That is why environmental protection is so important.
Physical pollution of the environment
This concept is quite voluminous and therefore it is divided into several subspecies, each of which characterizes one or another physical phenomenon.
Any pollution of the natural environment in which a person participates is called anthropogenic.
Anthropogenic impact suppresses the ability of nature to self-renewal.
thermal
It occurs for various reasons, and can serve as a source of this type of pollution:
- underground construction;
- laying communications;
- activity of certain types of microorganisms.
These factors can significantly increase the temperature of the soil, which releases heat into the environment, as a result, the temperature of the environment also changes. In addition, any petrochemical enterprise, where production wastes are constantly burned, can serve as a serious source of thermal pollution.
As a result of thermal pollution in large industrial cities, the average temperature changes, and this affects water bodies. Due to thermal pollution in water bodies, some species of flora and fauna disappear and others appear instead, the conditions for fish spawning are violated, and the amount of oxygen in the water decreases. An example can serve.
light
This type of pollution at first glance seems to be completely harmless, since, in fact, light pollution is a violation of the natural illumination of the environment.
However, experts say otherwise, and as a result of light pollution, water bodies suffer the most.
The turbidity of the water changes in them, and artificial light blocks the possibility of access to the depth of natural light. As a result, the conditions for plant photosynthesis in water bodies change. 
There are four main sources of light pollution:
- illumination of the night sky in cities;
- light intentionally directed in the wrong direction;
- lighting directed to the sky;
- accumulation of bright, unsystematic excess illuminations.
Noise
The main components of noise pollution are excessively loud noises and sounds that have an extremely harmful effect on the human body, so noise pollution is considered one of the most dangerous for humanity. Too loud sounds, which include sounds with a noise level of more than 130 decibels, can lead to such consequences as: 
- diseases of the hearing aid;
- nervous disorders (including shock reactions);
- mental disorders;
- visual and work impairments vestibular apparatus(this is especially true for people who work in noisy industries).
vibrating
As you know, very strong vibrations adversely affect the surrounding buildings and structures: such vibrations and vibrations can cause uneven settlement of foundations and entire buildings, which can subsequently lead to their deformation, as well as partial or complete destruction.
Such vibrations and fluctuations of different frequencies are called vibrational pollution of the environment, but it is dangerous not only by its impact on buildings and structures, but also by its negative impact on the human body. At the same time, vibration pollution not only causes irritation and interferes with rest or work, but can also have a serious impact on health.
Areas where the following objects are located are especially prone to vibration pollution:
- compressor and pump stations;
- vibration platforms;
- turbines of diesel power plants;
- cooling towers (devices for cooling large volumes of water).
electromagnetic
Electromagnetic pollution occurs as a result of the operation of energy devices, electronics and radio engineering, while ordinary household electrical appliances have nothing to do with this.
We are talking about radar stations, electric vehicles, high-voltage power lines and television stations.
These objects create electromagnetic fields that cause field strength, and in the area of increased fields, a person may experience problems such as irritation, fatigue, insomnia, persistent headaches and nervous system disorders.
ionizing
Ionizing radiation is divided into three types:
- Gamma radiation.
- Beta radiation.
- Alpha radiation.
All three species are of great danger to living organisms. Under the influence of such radiation, changes occur in the body at the molecular level. In the nuclei of cells, depending on the strength of the radiation, irreversible changes occur, disrupting the normal functioning of cells.
Literally half a century ago, ionizing radiation was not considered particularly dangerous, only deposits of uranium ores, radioactive slates and crystalline rocks were considered serious sources, and the sun was and remains a serious source of ionizing radiation.
At present, there are a large number of sources of ionizing radiation created by man: these are nuclear reactors, elementary particle accelerators, and artificial radionuclides.This type of pollution is also called
Mechanical
One of the most insidious types of environmental pollution is mechanical pollution. It would seem that there is nothing irreversible and dangerous in it: this is the entry of dust into the atmosphere, and the silting of water bodies with soils, and waste dumps. In fact, the danger is not so much the phenomenon of mechanical pollution as its scale. It is because of these huge scales that in recent years, various environmental problems have increasingly arisen, the elimination of which sometimes requires huge financial costs.
biological
Experts divide this type of pollution into bacterial and organic.
In the first case, pathogenic microorganisms are to blame, which contribute to the spread of many diseases, but the sources of organic environmental pollution can be water pollution, waste disposal, and neglect of sewerage cleaning measures.
Bacterial contamination is the most dangerous for a person, since many pathogens of serious infectious diseases appear in this case.
geological
Geological pollution is mainly caused by the actions of the person himself: as a result of certain types of activity, landslides or landslides, flooding, subsidence of the earth's surface, and drainage of territories can form. The main reasons why this happens:
- mining;
- construction;
- vibration impact of transport;
- impact on the soil of waste and sewer waters.
Chemical
This is another serious type of pollution that results from the release of various pollutants, and such pollutants can be a variety of substances, from heavy metals to synthetic and organic compounds.
Technological progress has made it easier everyday life man, but brought a lot of problems. Environmental pollution is one of them. The increased content of reagents in the atmosphere and lithosphere, the reduction of biological diversity is a consequence of human intervention. Pollution differs in strength and degree of influence, but all of them have a negative impact on development.
Objects of environmental pollution.
Types of pollutants
Pollutants have a devastating effect on the environment. They are divided into natural, caused by natural processes occurring in nature, and anthropogenic, resulting from human activities.
Chemical substances
This group includes heavy metals, organic and synthetic compounds, salts.
The main source of chemical pollutants is industry and agriculture.
Heavy metals and pesticides decompose poorly, which leads to their accumulation in the soil and water layers of the planet. At the breakup chemical compounds release poisonous gases. They rise into the atmosphere, accumulating and entering into chemical reaction with particles of water contained in the lower atmosphere, forming acid. 
Mechanical contaminants
Garbage dumps overflowing with plastic, construction and household waste - the process of decay of mechanical pollutants is estimated for decades.
The main producers of mechanical pollutants are industrial facilities and settlements.
Discarded mercury lamps
According to their state of aggregation, mechanical pollutants are liquid, solid and gaseous (aerosols). Some of them are more toxic, for example, batteries, mercury thermometers. Others, such as glass, polyethylene, do not emit toxic fumes, but this does not prevent them from polluting nature.
Change in physical characteristics
As a result of the impact of negative factors, the physical parameters of the environment change:
- thermal;
- aerosol;
- ionizing;
- wave;
- radiation.
Factories, plants, mining pollute the environment, expanding the area of exposure to toxic substances.
For example, from the negative impact of pollutants, photochemical fog and poisonous clouds appear. Such problems are most often typical for settlements located near industrial enterprises and adjacent territories.
Biological contaminants
The main sources of biological pollutants: laboratories, factories.
The danger is:
- pathogenic bacteria and drugs released into the atmosphere from emissions from enterprises producing the synthesis of structural elements;
- waste of biological and bacterial weapons, the consequences of their release into the environment are practically unpredictable;
- products of genetic engineering, it is impossible to predict how new organisms and strains will behave when they enter a new environment.
Main causes of pollution
Scientific and technological progress has led to the growth of industry. In combination with unreasonable human activity, this has become the main factor in the deterioration of the state of the environment.
natural sources
Anthropogenic sources
According to UNEP, 15% of the soils of the entire planet are lifeless, 23% are in the process of degradation, 30% of all lands have lost part of their fertility due to leaching of humus.
In Russia
In terms of the number of natural resources, Russia is in first place, but so far two-thirds of the territory is in its original untouched form. This is a unique resource that will restore the planet's biosphere.
But those territories that have been mastered by man have suffered greatly:
- the area of cultivated fields has decreased significantly;
- the process of soil erosion and desertification is continuous;
- swamping of the area, flooding of lands, deterioration of the quality of pastures and meadows;
- soil contamination with toxins, heavy metals, radionuclides.
Ways to solve the problem
Violation of the ecological balance is a global problem that all mankind has faced, therefore, the ways to solve it must have a global scale. The adoption of comprehensive measures on a global scale will save resources and restore.
Resource Cleanup Methods
Treatment facilities are used to eliminate pollutants from wastewater and gaseous emissions.
Waste disposal and recycling
Solid is not stored on, but sorted and sent for processing. Plastic, metal and glass containers receive a second life.
Disposal of industrial waste is a more complex and costly process.
- Composting- the garbage filtered during the cleaning process is mixed with organic matter. They speed up the decomposition process.
- Thermal neutralization- in the process of processing waste with a temperature of over 1200 degrees, toxic substances are neutralized.
- Biodegradation– splitting hazardous substances into microorganisms.
- Electricity- Reduces the level of toxins.
Reducing industrial emissions and waste
There are no absolutely harmful substances and compounds in the world. All of them are present in nature in safe concentrations. The task of a person in the course of the activities of enterprises is not to provoke an increase in the content of these substances. To prevent such a consequence, when treating water and gaseous effluents, the concentration of pollutants should not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations.
Planting green spaces
Man cuts down forests, thereby reducing the green mass of the planet, the number of green spaces also decreases as a result of forest fires. Planting forest park zones, putting things in order in existing forest areas is an effective measure that allows you to replenish the green mass of the planet.
Alternative Power Sources
The bowels of the planet are rich in reserves of oil, gas, coal, people use them in order to obtain energy.
Uncontrolled mining leads to a decrease in mineral reserves, while the cost of extraction is high, and the use of natural resources as sources of heat and energy is unsafe for the planet's ecology.
This leads to the fact that some countries refuse to use minerals in favor of generating electricity.
- sunlight- through the conversion of sunlight receive electrical and thermal energy. Solar panels capture light and convert it into energy.
- Wind– wind generators are located on any surface. The wind turns the blades, the process of generating energy takes place.
- Water- due to the natural movement of water flows, there is an impact on the blades of the turbine - the basis of the hydroelectric power station.
- tides- an alternative way of obtaining food due to the ebbs and flows.
- The warmth of the earth– the internal high temperatures of the planet are converted into electrical energy.
- biofuel- Organic components form the basis, during processing they release the energy necessary for work.
Other pollution control options
A person by nature is a consumer, but not all the things he acquires are really necessary in everyday life. Most of it quickly goes out of use and ends up in the trash, making a certain contribution to the common cause of pollution of the planet.
Simple rules that everyone must follow
Every inhabitant of the planet can take part in solving the problem of total pollution of nature.
- Buy only those items that are needed;
- Make a choice in favor of eco-bags;
- Reuse plastic and glass containers;
- Dispose of biodegradable waste in a compost pit;
- Use the car only when necessary, use public transport more;
- Properly dispose of waste: oils, batteries,.
Legislative measures taken at the international level
Many governments have adopted legislation to reduce the negative impact of human activities. There are supervisory bodies that regulate the rational use of natural resources and the development of subsoil.
“Humanity diligently recycles nature into garbage,” said Mason Cooley. Environmental pollution is one of the most pressing problems in our society; it affects our biosphere extremely negatively, leaving virtually no chance to revive it for future generations. Such pollution is divided into physical (energy) and chemical (material: sewage, emissions into the atmosphere, or pesticides, etc.); today we will talk about the first.
Physical pollution of the environment is such an impact on nature that introduces foreign agents into it, as a result of which natural biological processes are interrupted or disappear and the functioning of this ecosystem is disrupted. Simply put, any changes in nature that harm it. Pollution can be anthropogenic (man-made) or partially anthropogenic, and its objects are water (including underground), soil and atmosphere.
Types of physical pollution
Let's consider each in more detail.
thermal
Pollution resulting from an increase in the temperature of the medium. Due to such changes, the inhabitants of the reservoirs, which for the most part are very sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, may even cease to exist. At a temperature of 26-30, the condition of some fish worsens. At 34 degrees, some species die.
Noise
A change in the sound background or noise (erratic vibrations), where the periodicity, frequency and volume may exceed the allowable values. Noise pollution is inherent in cities: transport, industrial enterprises, construction works, mass gatherings of people ( educational establishments, shopping centers, at home) have a harmful effect on the human condition. The degree of harm caused depends on the initial state of health, age and gender - women are more difficult to tolerate increased noise.
Dangerous noise level starts from 110-120 dB, where a person enters a state of “noise intoxication”; 145-160 dB lead to rupture of the eardrums.
Also, the complete absence of sound can lead to problems, many people begin to feel uncomfortable being in complete soundproofing. Others feel good in such an environment, and they concentrate better. The most comfortable sources of noise for a person are natural (birdsong, water murmur, crackling fire, etc.).
electromagnetic
Electromagnetic fields negatively affecting a person: EMF. Due to the fact that the electromagnetic current creates an EMF around itself, the natural EMF background of the earth is disturbed. People working with an unstable or abnormal electromagnetic field are more likely to develop intolerable diseases: leukemia, cancer.
radiation
The most dangerous kind; it leads to irreversible consequences even in small doses, as it affects DNA. Mutated DNA cells can divide uncontrollably, leading to the creation of malignant tumors. When affecting the sex cells, defects develop in the offspring.
Separate the somatic and genetic effects of radiation. Somatic is such an influence in which the body is either at great risk or instantly dies. Genetic involves the impact on the offspring, resulting in mutations. The most dangerous is gamma radiation due to its high permeability - it is difficult to hide from it even in a bunker with thick walls, but its propagation range is short. Tight clothing or a sealed room will save you from beta radiation, and it is possible to protect yourself from alpha radiation with a sheet of paper, but at the same time it travels the greatest distances.
And yet we are all exposed to natural radiation. During irradiation, we normally receive 0.1 rem per year. For employees of nuclear power plants, the norm is different - about 5 rems per year, but this is also an acceptable value. The use of nuclear facilities (nuclear power plants, icebreakers, submarines) does not lead to a large-scale change in the radiation background, but accidents greatly undermine it. Let's take as an example the infamous accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which led to the death of a huge number of people and polluted the surrounding territories to a state unsuitable for existence.
The storage of radioactive waste is also confusing, since their excessive amount affects the radiation background.
Examples
One of the clearest examples of energy pollution is the physical pollution of water. As already noted, thermal effects can destroy the flora of water bodies due to a slight temperature difference. Electromagnetic fields primarily affect fish spawning due to the sensitivity of eggs to current. Electric barriers prevent fish migration. Radioactive waste pollutes rivers, radiation affects the life of aquatic life, which harms us: when we eat fish, we also “consume” radiation.
With the beginning of the industrial boom, the problems of environmental pollution have acquired a planetary scale. The entry of large quantities of pollutants into the soil, atmosphere and water has led to the mass extinction of a number of plant and animal species.
Some populations are still under threat of extinction. However, environmental pollution has a negative impact on human health. Environmental problems are directly related to the increase in the number of cases of cancer and other dangerous pathologies.
History of biosphere pollution
Even in ancient times, people harmed nature by massively destroying animals, cutting down forests and changing the landscape, adapting it to agricultural activities. This negatively affected the climate and the general state of the biosphere. However, in antiquity and the Middle Ages, natural pollution occurred, i.e. not so dangerous. Human waste products could be gradually decomposed by bacteria and other organisms into simpler and safer substances.
For a long period of development of human civilization, a balance has been maintained. Natural pollution of the environment in places where a large number of people lived was of a local nature. If people moved to other territories, nature quickly recovered.
In the middle of the XIX century, another round of development received chemical science and industry. Animals were also slaughtered. Mass hunting of animals began, the fat of which could be used as fuel. This led to the death of many whales. At the same time, unnecessary parts of the carcass were thrown into the ocean, which led to an increase in the number of pathogens and scavengers. This fishery upset the balance in the ocean environment for many years.
In the future, many mechanisms appeared, for which oil products were required as fuel. In addition, some other things began to be obtained from "black gold" that increase the level of people's comfort. Already to late XIX century, pollution of the planet has become so intense that it began to visibly affect the state of the biosphere and human health.
Global pollution with human waste products is rapidly increasing. At the end of the 20th century, there were many international organizations engaged in the study of the structure and dynamics of environmental pollution, the development of ways to reduce the negative impact of man on nature.
Classification of pollution of nature. Types and main sources of environmental pollution
The term “pollutant” refers to the penetration into space of any harmful substances or non-physical agents that can have a negative impact on the biosphere for a long time. According to the most commonly used classification, the following types of pollution are distinguished:
- biological;
- physical;
- mechanical;
- chemical.
The source of the biological variety of pollution are living organisms. This pollution can occur as a result of the influence of natural causes, but more often it appears against the background of anthropogenic activities that violate the natural balance.
TO physical species pollution include factors that lead to changes in some of the natural characteristics of the biosphere. Such pollutants include radiation, increased noise levels, temperature rise, etc.
The source of the chemical variety of pollution are various industrial enterprises, whose activities increase the content of harmful substances in the environment. This leads to a change in the normal chemical composition of water, air and soil.
The source of mechanical pollution is household and industrial waste. Landfills near large cities stretch for many kilometers. In addition, large garbage islands have already formed in the oceans.
In most cases, the contaminants complement each other. There are many such examples. If an increase in the concentration of household waste is observed in a separate area, it releases poisonous gases and other harmful gases during decomposition. chemical substances. Under these conditions, pathogenic microflora can rapidly multiply. Thus, there will be a combination of biological, chemical and mechanical contamination of the area.
Air pollution
The atmosphere of the planet is the most important component of all natural processes. Without this gaseous shell, life on land would be impossible, because. it protects the surface from cosmic radiation and even affects the formation of relief. Throughout the entire period of the planet's existence, the composition of the atmosphere has often changed as a result of natural causes.
However, with the development of civilization, human activity began to have a pronounced negative impact on the atmosphere. The composition of the gas layer varies depending on the geographic location. In industrialized regions, the level of harmful impurities in the air is increased. The main sources of air pollution are:
- aerosols and gases emitted by chemical plants;
- gaseous wastes of enterprises of the fuel and energy complex;
- vehicles.
In industrialized regions, there is an increase in the concentration of impurities of such heavy metals as mercury, lead, chromium and copper. Power plants emit tons of carbon dioxide, ash and dust into the air during operation.
The composition of the emissions that appear as a result of the operation of vehicles includes lead, ash, dust and other substances that can remain in the air for a long time and pollute the soil.
The pollutants produced by the chemical industry are the most dangerous. Increased emissions of sulfur and nitrogen can bind with the components of the biosphere, causing the appearance of extremely toxic compounds that are characterized by increased volatility. In addition, it is not uncommon for emissions from chemical plants to lead to acid rain.
Soil is a thin, fertile layer that took thousands of years to form. This layer is a breeding ground for plants and fungi. Large areas of fertile soil are damaged or destroyed during the construction of roads and buildings, during the extraction of minerals.
Irrational economic activity also leads to the deterioration of the state of this layer of the lithosphere, which causes soil depletion, changes in their chemical composition, weathering and even erosion. Deteriorates the condition of the soil and abundant watering, because. it leads to the accumulation of salts in the surface layer of the earth.
The use of insecticides, fertilizers and chemical production wastes lead to the accumulation of toxic substances in the soil layer. In areas with a developed industrial industry, the permissible threshold for the content of heavy metals, incl. zinc, mercury, lead, copper.
Discharge of waste from research centers for the study of atomic energy, testing of nuclear weapons, man-made disasters at power plants lead to contamination of the soil with radioactive isotopes. If the soil is heavily polluted, grasses and trees cannot grow on it.
Almost all countries of the world heavily pollute fresh water. In lakes and rivers, toxic substances are washed away from fields and roads. A large amount of household and chemical waste is dumped into water bodies. Later they end up in the oceans and seas. Due to human activities, the water penetrates:
- drug residues;
- radioactive isotopes;
- pesticides;
- surface-active compounds;
- nitrates;
- phosphates;
- oil products, etc.
There are many kilometers of oil slicks and garbage islands on the surface of the oceans and some seas. These are visible contaminants, but impurities dissolved in water are more dangerous. They can provoke the extinction of fish and other aquatic life in large areas.
Nutrient pollution is a major hazard. The discharge of human and animal waste products into water bodies leads to an increase in the number of a number of microorganisms. They are not only able to decompose such waste, but also lead to the mass death of fish. Acid rain dissolves the soil and releases heavy metals that seep into the water, poisoning it. Thermal pollution of water bodies can also cause great harm. It is the result of draining water from cooling turbines used in thermal power plants.
The main types of environmental pollution associated with human activities
Human activity affects the state of ecology on all continents. People manage to pollute even areas located beyond the Arctic Circle, because. harmful substances are discharged into the soil, atmosphere and water. The most dangerous and common are the following types of pollution:
- noise;
- thermal;
- aerosol;
- ionizing;
- organic;
- chemical.
Some physical factors of environmental pollution manifest themselves clearly only in industrialized major cities. These include photochemical fog and acid rain. Toxic clouds, resulting from the release of large amounts of harmful substances into the atmosphere, can carry them over long distances. Because of this, forests, fields and water bodies are polluted. Such physical pollution has adverse effects on humans as well.
For the environment, the most dangerous enterprises that are engaged in oil refining, the production of paints and varnishes, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers. Ingredient pollution from effluent and combustion products causes slightly less harm, but even this impact can negatively affect populations of living beings. The situation is aggravated by the fact that in most cases in regions with an unfavorable environmental situation, a combination of environmental pollution factors is revealed.
Most of the mechanisms created by people and enterprises heavily pollute the environment with noise. The danger of such pollution began to be studied relatively recently, because. the ability of noises of varying degrees of intensity to worsen the general condition of a person and contribute to the emergence of mental illness was revealed.
Noises coming from airfields and bases serving military aviation are especially dangerous. Near such places it is almost impossible to live. The deterioration in health status is often noted by people living near highways, railways and large enterprises.
Noise negatively affects not only people, but also animals. Animals and birds cannot live near such intense noise sources. If possible, they leave their habitats. In the forests located near airfields, it is often impossible to meet either animals or birds for many kilometers. This negatively affects other elements of biotopes.
Nuclear pollution
Emissions of radioactive isotopes into the environment are extremely dangerous, since such substances have a long decay period. Most often, this type of pollution occurs during man-made disasters at nuclear power plants, with improper storage of radioactive waste, testing, etc. The ingress of a large number of isotopes into the environment leads to the death of animals and plants over a large area. These substances can accumulate in the body of living beings, continuing their destructive effect.
In humans, ionizing radiation can cause vision loss, skin damage, and malfunction. internal organs. It contributes to the appearance of malignant tumors and infertility. Often, such damage to the body of adults leads to the fact that they have children with severe deformities and genetic mutations.
Radiation radiation also affects animals in the most negative way. After man-made disasters accompanied by the release of radioactive substances, the number of young animals with pronounced genetic mutations sharply increased. At autopsy, severe diseases were found in individuals.
For a long time, even environmentalists underestimated the danger of light pollution on the planet. It is a violation of the natural light environment. Water bodies suffer the most from excessive lighting at night. They disrupt the natural processes of photosynthesis. The water becomes more cloudy due to the increase in the number of phytoplankton. The risk zone includes not only water bodies located in the city.
Due to the intense lighting of city streets, there is such an effect as the illumination of the sky. What is easy to see in large cities in cloudy weather. The sky takes on a pinkish or light gray tint. Spotlights directed upwards can contribute to the appearance of a similar effect. Excessive lighting at night leads to a deterioration in the general condition of people and contributes to the development of nervous and mental disorders.
Light pollution causes significant damage to populations of migratory birds. Because of the illumination of the sky, migratory birds do not see the stars, lose their bearings and often crash against high-rise buildings. To reduce harm, the illumination of high-rise buildings is completely turned off for the periods of passage of migrating birds. Such measures can save hundreds of birds from death.
Thermal thermal pollution
Thermal pollution mostly concerns the aquatic environment. It consists in the discharge of waters heated to critical levels. This negatively affects the ecosystem. Even in a large reservoir, due to the systematic discharge of refrigerant, an increase in water temperature is observed. This helps to reduce oxygen saturation.
Fish and other organisms accustomed to temperature conditions may die. Especially often such an unfavorable outcome is observed with a rapid increase in temperature in the reservoir. Temperature pollution of the earth's atmosphere leads to climate change and the extinction of some species of insects, animals and plants.
Items made from plastic are convenient to use and durable, but they have a long decay time. Their accumulation in the environment negatively affects representatives of wild flora and fauna. In the seas and oceans, fish and other organisms become entangled in plastic debris. There are frequent cases of death of fish that swallowed polyethylene.
Plastic, which is under the aggressive action of salt water, rain, temperature fluctuations and direct sunlight, begins to release toxic substances. They can cause disturbances in the functioning of internal organs not only in animals, but also in humans.
Large accumulations of plastic waste create conditions for the reproduction of pathogenic microflora. People who live in areas with high plastic pollution are more likely to develop respiratory problems.
This variant of pollution is more of an aesthetic problem. It lies in the wrong organization of urban planning, as a result of which there is a pile of buildings different forms and sizes.
These types of pollutants include overhanging wires, open garbage dumps, numerous billboards, antennas, etc. Visual pollution leads to a decrease in people's ability to enjoy the world around them. It is believed that living in such conditions increases the risk of depression and a number of mental illnesses.
vibrating
For a long time it was believed that vibration negatively affects only the human body, but this is not true. It contributes to the disruption of the normal course of biological processes in the organisms of animals and plants.
Vibration adversely affects the strength of materials used for the construction of buildings for various purposes. Due to such an impact, uneven shrinkage of foundations, the appearance of deformations and deep cracks can be observed. In some cases, such an impact can cause the complete or partial destruction of the building.
The source of vibration pollution can be
- turbines of diesel power plants;
- vibration platforms;
- pumps and compressor stations;
- cooling towers.
Living near these structures is associated with a high risk of developing pathologies of the musculoskeletal system and other diseases.
electromagnetic
Electromagnetic pollution is the result of powerful electrical appliances and radio technology. The magnetic radiation emanating from household appliances is so small that it cannot harm humans or nature. The source of such pollution can be electric vehicles, powerful television and radio antennas, power plants and high-voltage lines. Sources of pollution in the military unit are radar stations.
For people who have been in the zone for a long time electromagnetic field health problems appear. The most common complaints are sleep disturbances, irritability, fatigue and headaches.
ionizing
Pollution of gamma, beta and alpha radiation negatively affects the state of all types of living organisms. Such exposure leads to failures in cells at the molecular level. Increasing changes in the cell nucleus lead to irreversible consequences. Previously, only mines where uranium ore, radioactive crystalline rocks and slates were mined were classified as sources of ionizing radiation dangerous to humans and other organisms.
However, later it was revealed that the sun is the strongest source of ionizing radiation. Its detrimental effect intensifies as the ozone layer thins. Now the most powerful sources of ionizing radiation include particle accelerators, nuclear reactors and artificial radionuclides.
Mechanical
Mechanical pollution is the release of chemical vapors into the atmosphere, the washing off of contaminated soils into water bodies, the accumulation of solid waste, etc. Some of these pollutions are reversible, but the areas that are decommissioned because of this are steadily increasing. Recycling existing landfills already requires large financial outlays. Mechanical varieties of pollutants, as they decompose, release a lot of toxic substances and toxic fumes. This negatively affects the state of living organisms.
biological
Biological pollution is divided into organic and bacterial. The source of organic clogging is the discharge of untreated sewage into water bodies. Bacterial contamination is detected when, as a result of various chemicals entering the soil or aquatic environment, there is a rapid increase in the number of bacteria, incl. pathogenic.
geological
Human activity, incl. construction, mining, vibration from vehicles and impact on the ground Wastewater, can cause geological pollution.
Often, due to the irrational use of resources, landslides and subsidence of the earth's surface occur. In addition, the development of rivers and deforestation lead to the drainage of large areas and an increase in desert areas.
Chemical
Pollution of the earth with chemical waste is extremely dangerous, because. leads to the rapid extinction of all biological species in the contaminated area. Even weeds cannot grow for a long time on the ground, where a lot of waste has been poured.
Chemical contamination of the soil leads to the fact that the land cannot be used for agricultural purposes for a long time. Heavy metal salts, organic and synthetic compounds can act as pollutants. The main sources of pollution of this type are chemical and industrial enterprises, agriculture and transport.
Under the influence of environmental factors, chemicals decompose, releasing no less dangerous poisonous gases and other compounds that make the earth unsuitable for life and agricultural use for many years.
The largest garbage dump on the planet
The largest garbage dump is located in Las Vegas (Nevada) in the USA. It occupies approximately 890 hectares. However, it does not look as terrifying as much smaller landfills located in developing countries. The landfill area has been improved. There is a recycling plant here. Up to 9,000 tons of waste are processed daily, and the capacity of the plant can be doubled.
Recycling waste from this landfill generates up to 11 MW of energy in the United States, providing electricity to more than 10,000 homes in the state. Up to 18% of the total amount of methane in the USA is extracted from this garbage. Now this garbage dump is no longer growing in size.
A landfill near New Delhi in India is almost 4 times smaller than the largest in the US, and occupies only 202 hectares, but it causes much more harm. The landfill here has been full for a long time. At the same time, waste continues to be dumped on it. The height of the landfill is more than 40 m. At the same time, the garbage is almost not recycled.
Under the influence of heat, rotting waste emits hundreds of tons of methane. Chemical slurry, released due to the decomposition of garbage, poisons adjacent lands and water bodies. Landfill fires are also a danger. They lead to the release of a large amount of toxic substances into the air.
Pollution of the world's oceans
Pollution of the world's oceans has almost reached a critical point. In the Pacific Ocean alone, there are several islands made of plastic debris, the total size of which exceeds the area of the continental United States. These garbage spots are located in neutral waters, so no country in the world wants to take responsibility for their disposal. Now the garbage heap under the influence of ocean currents remains in one place.
A large amount of chemical waste is dumped into the world's oceans every year. Clog water fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides, which are washed off the fields. In the areas of oceanic depressions, throughout the second half of the 20th century, not only chemical, but also nuclear waste was dumped. The amount of waste dissolved in the world's oceans cannot be calculated.
Some researchers believe that the containers in which there were dangerous reagents have already fallen into disrepair, and toxic substances are washed into the waters of the world's oceans. All this leads to a reduction in the number of zooplankton and other living creatures. First of all, living beings suffer, sensitively reacting to the degree of water pollution, incl. large areas of coral reefs are dying off. The full extent of human damage to the world's oceans has not yet been studied.
Consequences of pollution
The consequences of pollution can be conditionally divided into reversible and irreversible. The first category includes cases where the biotope can gradually recover if further environmental pollution is stopped. In the second case, the damage is so great that a complete restoration of the previous characteristics of the environment is no longer possible. When it comes to anthropogenic pollution, the causes and consequences of this phenomenon are interrelated. Not only all species of animals and plants, but also the person himself suffer from clogging of soils, water resources and the atmosphere.
environmental degradation
Pollution of the environment primarily leads to its degradation. Emissions of carbon dioxide and other compounds into the atmosphere impair the penetration of sunlight to the earth's surface. This leads to the fact that the air shell of the planet gradually warms up, causing a violation of the photosynthesis process in plants.
Thus, oxygen production is gradually reduced. Emissions of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere can cause acid rain and the extinction of biotopes. Oil spills lead to the death of plants and the death of animals over large areas. Flora and fauna are depleted.
More than 300 links have already been proven dangerous diseases with the state of the ecosystem. In regions with increased level air pollution is more often diagnosed with lung cancer, asthma, chronic bronchitis and diseases of the cardiovascular system. Eating food contaminated with heavy metals can cause damage to the kidneys, liver, pancreas, and digestive organs.
Exposure to these compounds increases the risk of developing malignant tumors of internal organs. Water pollution leads to an increase in the incidence of dermatological pathologies. Vibration leads to damage to the musculoskeletal system and disruption of the nervous system.
Noise pollution can provoke hearing loss, depressive disorders and chronic sleep disorders in a person. Living in ecologically unfavorable areas leads to early aging of the body.
Badlands
Irrational use of agricultural land, incl. expressed by the systematic use of insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers, as well as the discharge of chemical waste, leads to soil depletion. The soil becomes infertile.
Now more than 27% of the land that was previously used for cultivation cultivated plants, salted or simply become infertile. The possibility of restoring these lands is being actively studied, but even rest for 10 years does not always allow the land to become fertile again.
In addition, as part of the development of agriculture, virgin lands are being actively plowed up. This often leads to the fact that the nutrient layer of the soil, not held by the roots of plants, is blown away by the winds. Because of this, vast areas have become like a desert.
The ozone layer is a thin shell that protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet and other radiations coming from space. Without it, life on land would be impossible. Now the thinning of this layer is noted. Emissions of chlorofluorocarbons contribute to this process. Due to human activity, the formation of ozone holes is noted, through which cosmic radiation can freely penetrate to the surface of the planet.
Global warming
Global warming is one of the most dangerous consequences pollution of nature. Emissions of large amounts of carbon dioxide and other compounds provoke the greenhouse effect. Heat lingers near the ground. An increase in atmospheric temperature leads to the rapid melting of glaciers.
Over the past 25 years, more than 30% of the glaciers located in mountainous areas have already melted. However, the matter is not limited to mountain glaciers. The glaciers located in Greenland, at the north and south poles, are rapidly melting. Global warming leads to flooding of coastal areas.
Some countries are at risk of flooding. Global warming has provoked an increase in seasonal flooding, an increase in the intensity of tornadoes and other natural disasters. It is believed that in the distant future, global warming may cause disruption of ocean currents and the next ice age.
Environmental protection from pollution
Already at the beginning of the twentieth century, the problems of environmental protection began to be brought up for public discussion. Studies began to be carried out to identify the level of harm, the impact on the nature of various types of pollution. Many regulations have been developed and adopted.
Organizations dealing with environmental issues have emerged. The fight against pollution of the atmosphere, water and soil is carried out in all countries of the world. Protected areas have been created to preserve the wealth of flora and fauna.
How to preserve natural purity and prevent pollution of nature?
Only the adoption of comprehensive environmental measures will reduce the rate of environmental pollution. First of all, efforts should be directed to the sparing use of natural resources. Some developed countries of the world are increasingly beginning to use renewable energy sources.
It is not possible to completely abandon industrial enterprises, therefore, the latest ways to combat air, water and soil pollution are being developed. To do this, special filters are installed on the pipes, which are able to capture most of the harmful substances, preventing them from entering the atmosphere.
To prevent pollution of water and soil, special treatment facilities are used. They reduce the degree of contamination of the environment. To speed up the recycling of household waste, some countries around the world have separate disposal rules. People sort their garbage themselves and throw it into different containers. This speeds up the process of its disposal and recycling.
To maintain soil fertility, a transition from synthetic to organic fertilizers is necessary. The use of compost and humus requires large financial costs, but this approach allows you to save not only land, but also water bodies, which in smaller quantities with this approach to agriculture harmful substances will be washed away.
In addition, compliance with the rules of agricultural technology is required. This will not only make it possible to obtain large yields and protect the soil from degradation, but will also reduce the number of pests and the need for additional use of insecticides and toxic substances.
International protection
The problem of pollution has acquired a global character, so most countries take part in programs and agreements aimed at reducing the damage from anthropogenic impact on nature. Many documents have already been developed that regulate the adoption of measures by the participating countries aimed at protecting the climate, the oceans, fresh water bodies, forests and the atmosphere from pollution.
An example of such agreements is the Kyoto Protocol, which provides for the introduction of restrictions on the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This document was signed in 1997 in Japan.
The program (UNEP) was developed and adopted by the UN in 1972. It is aimed at protecting the available natural resources for the next generations.
In 1992, the UN adopted the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), which is aimed at stabilizing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that cannot cause changes in climate conditions.
This is far from full list documents used different countries world in the fight against pollution.
State protection
At the level of governments of individual countries, legislative acts are adopted that help reduce the negative impact of anthropogenic factors. Each state has a number of environmental organizations that monitor the discharge of waste by industrial and chemical enterprises, the rational use of available resources, the recycling process, etc.
How to protect nature on your own?
Often for people, protecting the environment from pollution is an abstract problem, although each person can contribute to the preservation of nature for future generations. First of all, it is necessary to rationally use such resources as water, electricity and fuel.
If possible, it is better to abandon the use of plastic bags in favor of eco-bags and paper packaging. If possible, avoid items that are not recyclable. Garbage should be sorted before disposal.
To reduce the amount of exhaust gases, you need to reduce car trips, giving preference to public transport, cycling or walking. Do not pour used oil and chemicals on the ground, as this will contaminate the soil and water sources located in the immediate vicinity.
In addition, anyone can take part in community work days and cleaning up forests and beaches.
Planting trees in deforestation areas and along the edges of ravines can bring great benefits to nature. This will prevent soil erosion and reduce the risk of landslides.
Great benefits to nature and human health can bring a reduction in the amount of meat consumed or a complete rejection of it.
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