SMP SAINS MIFTAHUL HUDA

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3.8 Analyzing the occurrence of environmental All students can get information and analyze the
pollution and its impact on the ecosystem causes and impacts or air, water and soil
4.8 Writing about the idea of solving pollution pollution on ecosystems
problem in the environment based on
All students can making reports on solving
observations
pollution problems that occur in the
surrounding environment
Source :
Dr Binocs Show on Youtube
Ipa Terpadu Erlangga VII

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
A. DEFINATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Environmental pollution means adding impurities to the environment. It is an undesirable change in
chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of air, water and soil, which causes the health problem
to all the living beings.
B. CLASSIFICATION OF POLLUTANTS
Pollutants are the elements, molecules and particles involved in pollution life can be harmed when
exposed to these materials, and the effects of them on humans and plants are well known.
The pollutants may be classified as:
 Degradable or non-persistent pollutants
These can be broken down rapidly by the natural process e.g. Domestic waste, garbage and sewage.
 Slowly degradable or persistent pollutants
These remains in environment for a very long period of time, in unchanged condition, may be for few
decades e.g. Pesticides, aerosole
 Non-degradable pollutants
These are pollutants which never get degraded by any natural process. E.g. Toxic elements like lead,
mercury, nuclear waste
C. DIFFERENT POLLUTANTS
Pollutants Examples
Gases NOx, SOx, COx
Industrial waste Soot, smoke, tar, dust
Metal waste Mercury, lead, zink, nickel, cadmium, chromium
Acids H2SO4, MNO3
Agro pesticides Herbicides, fungicides, bactericides, weedcides
Domestic waste Garbage, rubbish
Radioactive waste Nuclear ash from atomic reactors
E-waste From IT sector

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D. TYPES OF POLLUTIONS
1. AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution can be defined as addition of any contaminant to the air which causes harm to the
health of living organisms.
 Pollutants
 Major air pollutants
a. Carbon compounds (C): CO2 is released by complete combustion of fossil fuels while CO
is a very toxic gas which released by automobile exhausts.
b. Sulphur compounds (S): is caused from the thermal power plants, they using of coal and
from the oil refineries. All those activities will release SO2 , H2S, H2SO4.
c. Nitrogen Oxides (NO): these oxides like NO, NO2, HNO3 are released from automobiles,
power plants and industries.
d. Ozone (O3): due to cooling industries the CFC is released to the atmosphere which has
affected the O 3 there.
e. Fluorides (F): they are produced by the industrial and insecticide spary.
f. Hydrocarbons (CH): they are released by the automobiles e.g. Benzene, Benzpyrene, etc.
g. Metals: the metal such as lead, nickel, tin, beryllium, titanium are present in to form of solid
particles produced by metallurgical processes.
h. Photochemical matter: the product such as PAN, PB2N are the photochemical smog produced
by automobile.
i. Particulate matter: the suspended particulated matter (SPM) is released into the air by the
stone crushing industries and dust and the ash from the thermal power plants.
j. Biological particulate : they are mainly the bacterial cells, fungal spores and pollens.
 Secondary pollutants
a. Acid rain: Atmospheric H2SO4 is formed by reaction of moisture or water + SO2 / SO3.
b. Photochemical smog: it is harmful mixture formed by gases of nitrogen and particulated
matter due to photochemical reactions under influence of strong sunlight.
c. Ozone contributes majorly to photochemical smog
 Effects of Air Pollution
o Irritation of eyes, throat, nose and respiratory system
o Respiratory damage through tobacco smoke
o Convulsions, coma due to lead poisoning
o Cigarette smoking cause cardiovascular diseases, due to cadmium particulates
o Radioactive dust causes genetic effects on the next generation
o The mercury from combustion of fossil fuel affects the nerves, brain and kidney
o The direct use of pesticides affect the growth of metabolic activities by destroying
chlorophil and also by disrupting photosynthesis.
o Corrosion or abrasion of metals
 Air Pollution Prevention
o Don’t burn leaves, trash, and other smoky materials.
o Don’t use gas-powered lawn and garden equipment like blowers.
o Delay the number of trips you take in your car or motorcycle.
o Lessen your fireplace and wood stove usage.
o Walk whenever possible or ride a bike.
2. WATER POLLUTION
Water pollution is Any physical, biological or chemical change in water quality that adversely
affects living organism.
 Pollutans
1. Organic pollution is caused by microorganisms bacteria and viruses present in the water,
generated by excrement, animal and vegetable waste.
2. Chemical pollution is caused by the nitrates and phosphates of pesticides, human and animal
drugs, household products, heavy metals, acids and hydrocarbons used in industries.
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 Effect of water pollution

On the environment
Water pollution truly harms biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems.
The toxic chemicals can change the color of water and increase the
amount of minerals - also known as eutrophication - which has a bad
impact on life in water. Thermal pollution, defined by a rise in the
temperature of water bodies, contributes to global warming and causes
serious hazard to water organisms.
On human health
Water pollution has very negative effects on public health. A lot of diseases result from drinking
or being in contact with contaminated water, such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, dysentery or skin
infections. In zones where there is no available drinking water, the main risk is dehydration obviously.
 Water pollution prevention
 Wastewater Treatment
Wastewater treatment consists of removing pollutants from wastewater through a physical,
chemical or biological process. The more efficient these processes are, the cleaner the water becomes.
 Green Agriculture
Globally, agriculture accounts for 70% of water resources, so it is essential to have climate-
friendly crops, efficient irrigation that reduces the need for water and energy-efficient food
production. Green agriculture is also crucial to limit the chemicals that enter the water.
 Water Conservation
Without water conservation, we won’t go very far. It is central in making sure the world has
better access to clean water. It means being aware that water is a scarce resource, taking care of it
accordingly, and managing it responsibly.
3. SOIL POLLUTION
Land pollution refers to all forms of pollution affecting any type of soil: agricultural, forestry, urban,
etc. Soil pollution is a disruptive element for many biological resources and ecosystems. A soil is polluted
when it contains an abnormal concentration of chemical compounds potentially dangerous to human
health, plants or animals.
 Pollutans
 Agricultural
Agricultural activities are one of the major sources of land pollution. The spreading of plant
protection products such as pesticides and herbicides, as well as the emissions of livestock
biuldings and farms are the origin of soil pollution, in particular by nitrogen and phosphates.
Natural disasters, such as drought, floods and volcanic eruptions, or technological events like
radioactive fallout following a nuclear test also produce soil degradation.
 Deforestation
Because of deforestation and forest fires, soils lose their vegetation cover. The erosion
process is thus accelerated, creating soil degradation as well as water pollution. Deforestation
leads to loss of the land’s value as, once converted into a dry or barren land. It can never be made
fertile again.
 Waste Disposal
We produce large quantities of household waste every year, many of wich could and should
be recycled or degrade naturally. Much of our waste is either incinerated causing potential air
pollution issue or burried in landfills causing soil pollution problems.

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 Effect of soil pollution

 On the environment
Contamination of groundwater, loss of topsoil, water nutrient enrichment and increased risk of
wildfires (because of the dry conditions created by the pollutants in the soil) are among the
consequences of land pollution.
 On wildlife
As land pollution and soil erosion progress, animals are forced to shift habitats and adapt to new
conditions. As a result, some species are at risk of extinction.
 On human health
The potential effects of soil contamination on human health include breathing disorders, birth
defects, skin diseases, and cancer.
 Soil pollution prevention
 Cleanup
Environmental remediation consists of removing pollution from the soil, groundwater or surface
water. Bioremediation (microbes) and phytoremediation (plants) can be used to convert the pollutants
into harmless products. These are natural solutions that need to be supported by in-depth actions.
 Sustainable forest management
Conservation of the forests is key. Without the protection of the trees, the land becomes dry and
starts to erode. Therefore, sustainable forestry or logging is crucial to saving the soil from pollution.
 The "3 R's" Rule & Education
Reducing the use of non-biodegradable products will lower plastic pollution and eventually have
an impact on land pollution. This is why it is very important to reuse and recycle every possible item.
Education should also play a major role in efforts to protect the environment from land pollution.
4. NOISE POLLUTION
Noise pollution, also known as environmental noise or sound pollution, is the propagation of
noise with ranging impacts on the activity of human or animal life, most of them harmful to a
degree.
 Cause of noise pollution
There are many sources of noise pollution, but here are some of the main ones:
1. Traffic noise
Traffic noise accounts for most polluting noise in cities. For example, a car horn produces 90
dB and a bus produces 100 dB.
2. Air traffic noise
There are fewer aircraft flying over cities than there are cars on the roads, but the impact is
greater: a single aircraft produces 130 dB.
3. Construction sites
Building and car park construction and road and pavement resurfacing works are very noisy.
For example, a pneumatic drill produces 110 dB.
4. Catering and night life
Bars, restaurants and terraces that spill outside when the weather is good can produce more
than 100 dB. This includes noise from pubs and clubs.
5. Animals
Noise made by animals can go unnoticed, but a howling or barking dog, for example, can
produce around 60-80 dB.
 Effect of noise pollution
As well as damaging our hearing by causing tinnitus or deafness , constant loud noise can
damage human health in many ways, particularly in the very young and the very old. Here are
some of the main ones:
1. Physical
Respiratory agitation, racing pulse, high blood pressure, headaches and, in case of extremely
loud, constant noise, gastritis, colitis and even heart attacks.

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2. Psychological
Noise can cause attacks of stress, fatigue, depression, anxiety and hysteria in both humans and
animals.
3. Memory and concentration
Noise may affect people's ability to focus, which can lead to low performance over time. It is
also bad for the memory, making it hard to study.
Interestingly, our ears need more than 16 hours' rest to make up for two hours of exposure to
100 dB.
 Noise pollution prevention
International bodies like the WHO agree that awareness of noise pollution is essential to beat
this invisible enemy. For example, avoid very noisy leisure activities, for alternatives means of
transport such as bicycles or electric vehicles over taking the car, do your housework at
recommended times, insulate homes with noise absorbing materials, etc. Educating the younger
generation is also an essential aspect of environmental education.
Governments can also take measures to ensure correct noise management and reduce noise
pollution. For example, protecting certain areas parts of the countryside, areas of natural
interest, city parks, etc. From noise, establishing regulations that include preventive and
corrective measures mandatory separation between residential zones and sources of noise like
airports, fines for exceeding noise limits, etc. Installing noise insulation in new buildings,
creating pedestrian areas where traffic is only allowed to enter to offload goods at certain times,
replacing traditional asphalt with more efficient options that can reduce traffic noise by up to 3
dB, among others.

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