Download PDF of Pollution of Air and Water Class 8 Notes: CBSE Science Chapter 18

Pollution of Air and Water: Class 8 Notes

Pollution is a serious problem that affects our environment and our health. It is the contamination of natural resources by harmful substances that can cause damage to living organisms and the planet. In this article, we will learn about the causes, effects, and solutions of pollution of air and water, which are two essential elements for life.

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What is pollution?

Pollution is the introduction of substances or energy into the environment that have undesirable effects on the quality or functioning of natural resources. These substances or energy are called pollutants. Pollutants can be solid, liquid, or gaseous, and they can be natural or man-made. Some examples of pollutants are:

• Smoke, dust, smog, and gases from vehicles, factories, power plants, and fires

• Chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, and metals from industries, agriculture, and mining

• Oil spills, sewage, garbage, and plastics from human activities and waste disposal

• Radioactive materials from nuclear power plants and weapons

• Heat from thermal power plants and cooling systems

Types and sources of pollution

Pollution can affect different parts of the environment, such as air, water, land, and soil. Depending on where the pollutants originate from, they can be classified as point sources or nonpoint sources. Point sources are specific locations or outlets that release pollutants into the environment, such as pipes, chimneys, or drains. Nonpoint sources are diffuse or scattered sources that release pollutants over a large area, such as runoff from farms, roads, or urban areas.

Air pollution

Air pollution is the contamination of the atmosphere by pollutants that can harm living beings and nonliving things. Air pollution can affect the quality of air we breathe, the visibility of the sky, and the climate of the earth. Some of the major sources of air pollution are:

• Burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas for energy production and transportation

• Industrial processes that emit smoke, dust, fumes, and vapors

• Agricultural activities that produce methane, ammonia, and other gases from livestock and crop residues

• Natural events such as volcanic eruptions, forest fires, dust storms, and pollen dispersal

Water pollution

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies by pollutants that can affect their quality and usability. Water pollution can affect the availability and safety of drinking water, the health of aquatic organisms, and the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. Some of the major sources of water pollution are:

• Domestic sewage that contains organic matter, pathogens, nutrients, and chemicals

• Industrial wastewater that contains toxic substances such as metals, acids, oils, and solvents

• Agricultural runoff that carries fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste, and soil erosion

• Marine activities that cause oil spills, dumping of waste, overfishing, and introduction of invasive species

What are the effects of pollution?

Pollution has negative impacts on various aspects of life on earth. It can affect human health, wildlife and ecosystems, and climate change.

Effects on human health

Pollution can cause various diseases and disorders in humans. Some of the common health effects are:

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• Respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and lung cancer due to air pollution

• Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, and typhoid due to water pollution

• Skin problems such as rashes, allergies, and infections due to contact with polluted water or air

• Neurological problems such as headaches, dizziness, and memory loss due to exposure to heavy metals or chemicals

• Cancer and genetic mutations due to exposure to radioactive or carcinogenic substances

Effects on wildlife and ecosystems

Pollution can also harm the animals, plants, and microorganisms that live in different habitats. Some of the ecological effects are:

• Loss of biodiversity and extinction of species due to habitat destruction, fragmentation, or degradation

• Alteration of food chains and webs due to changes in population size, distribution, or behavior of organisms

• Reduction of productivity and fertility of soil and water due to nutrient depletion or imbalance

• Increase of invasive species and diseases that can outcompete or infect native species

Effects on climate change

Pollution can also contribute to the global phenomenon of climate change, which is the long-term change in the average weather patterns of the earth. Some of the climatic effects are:

• Global warming and rising of sea levels due to the greenhouse effect of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide

• Ozone depletion and increased ultraviolet radiation due to the destruction of the ozone layer by gases such as chlorofluorocarbons and halons

• Acid rain and smog formation due to the reaction of gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides with water and sunlight

• Changes in precipitation patterns, storm frequency and intensity, droughts and floods, and seasonal variations due to the disturbance of atmospheric circulation

How can we prevent pollution?

Pollution is a global problem that requires collective action from individuals, communities, governments, and organizations. There are many ways to prevent or reduce pollution of air and water, such as:

Ways to reduce air pollution

Some of the ways to reduce air pollution are:

• Using renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass instead of fossil fuels

• Improving energy efficiency and conservation by using less electricity, appliances, and vehicles

• Adopting cleaner modes of transportation such as walking, cycling, public transit, carpooling, or electric vehicles

• Implementing emission standards and regulations for industries, power plants, and vehicles

• Planting more trees and vegetation that can absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen

Ways to reduce water pollution

Some of the ways to reduce water pollution are:

• Treating domestic sewage and industrial wastewater before discharging them into water bodies

• Reducing the use of chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, and plastics that can leach into water sources

• Practicing organic farming, composting, mulching, and crop rotation that can enhance soil quality and prevent erosion

• Preventing oil spills, dumping of waste, overfishing, and introduction of invasive species in marine environments

• Conserving water by using less water for washing, bathing, cooking, and gardening

Benefits of preventing pollution

Preventing pollution of air and water can have many benefits for the environment and human well-being. Some of the benefits are:

• Improving the quality and availability of natural resources such as air, water, land, and soil

• Enhancing the health and productivity of living organisms such as humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms

• Preserving the diversity and stability of ecosystems and habitats

• Reducing the risks and costs of diseases, disasters, and conflicts

• Supporting the social and economic development and sustainability of communities and nations

Conclusion

Pollution of air and water is a major environmental issue that affects the quality of life on earth. It is caused by various human activities that release harmful substances or energy into the environment. It has negative impacts on human health, wildlife and ecosystems, and climate change. It can be prevented or reduced by using renewable sources of energy, improving energy efficiency and conservation, adopting cleaner modes of transportation, treating sewage and wastewater, reducing the use of chemicals and plastics, practicing organic farming, preventing oil spills and dumping of waste, conserving water, planting more trees, and implementing emission standards and regulations. By preventing pollution of air and water, we can protect our environment and our health, and ensure a better future for ourselves and generations to come.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about pollution of air and water:

What is the difference between point sources and nonpoint sources of pollution?

• Point sources are specific locations or outlets that release pollutants into the environment, such as pipes, chimneys, or drains. Nonpoint sources are diffuse or scattered sources that release pollutants over a large area, such as runoff from farms, roads, or urban areas.

What are some examples of air pollutants and water pollutants?

• Some examples of air pollutants are smoke, dust, smog, gases, chemicals, metals, and radioactive materials. Some examples of water pollutants are oil spills, sewage, garbage, plastics, chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, and metals.

What are some diseases caused by air pollution and water pollution?

• Some diseases caused by air pollution are respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and lung cancer. Some diseases caused by water pollution are gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, and typhoid.

What are some ways to measure air pollution and water pollution?

• Some ways to measure air pollution are using instruments such as air quality index (AQI), particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and lead (Pb). Some ways to measure water pollution are using indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), and coliform bacteria.

What are some organizations that work to prevent pollution of air and water?

• Some organizations that work to prevent pollution of air and water are the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Greenpeace, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

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