Pollutio

n types
Answer the following questions

Question 1

Define pollution. How is it caused?

Answer and
The presence or introduction of a substance in the environment that is harmful or has poisonous

sources
effects, is called pollution.

Pollution is caused by improper management of resources or by careless human activities. They may
be caused naturally or by human activities.

Question 2

State the causes of soil pollution.

Answer

The causes soil pollution are deposition of solid waste, accumulation of non-biodegradable material
and toxic chemicals etc., which come from the following sources:

1. Industrial waste — Industrial waste containing chemicals, when dumped in soil, cause soil
pollution. For example, fly ash from thermal plants, chemicals from oil refineries pollute the
soil.

2. Urban commercial and domestic waste — Non-biodegradable wastes like glass, plastic,
polythene bags remain in the soil for a long time.

3. Chemical fertilizers — Chemical fertilizers when used, disturb the natural balance of the soil.
They also contaminate water bodies through run-off.

4. Biomedical waste — Hospital wastes containing plastics, metal needles and chemicals are
dumped in soil.

5. Pesticides — Pesticides show permanent accumulation in soil in the form of nitrates and
phosphates.

Question 3

State the effects of freshwater pollution. How is it caused?

Answer

The effects of freshwater pollution are:

1. Eutrophication and death of aquatic animals — Nitrate and phosphate accumulate in water
bodies with run off water. They may be derived from fertilizers and detergents. They
overstimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae, resulting in eutrophication.

2. Disturbance in aquatic ecosystem — Leached heavy metal and chemicals may kill aquatic
animals and plants disturbing the aquatic ecosystem.

3. Oil spill results in a layer of oil over the water surface, insulating the water from the
atmosphere. This lowers the level of dissolved oxygen in water and ultimately leads to loss of
aquatic life.
 4. Many industries dump hot water in the freshwater bodies which raises the temperature of
water and causes adverse effects on the aquatic creatures.

Freshwater pollution is caused due to:

1. Natural sources — The natural sources are gases, animal waste, living organisms, soil,
minerals (Nickel, Cobalt, Lead and Mercury etc.) and other pollutants soluble in water.

2. Human sources — Urbanization and industrialization have resulted in excessive water

pollution. The human sources of water pollution can be classified as follows:

i. Sewage and Domestic waste

ii. Industrial waste

iii. Agricultural waste

iv. Nuclear waste

v. Oil spills

vi. Thermal pollution

Question 4

How do agricultural wastes harm the environment?

Answer

Agricultural wastes harm the environment in the following way:

1. Agriculture, including commercial livestock and poultry farming is a source of many organic
and inorganic pollutants in surface waters. Pesticides from agricultural run off, metals and
processed chemicals are also major sources of water pollutants.

2. Excess nitrates and phosphates lead to Eutrophication in water bodies which leads to loss of
aquatic life and disturbs the aquatic ecosystem.

3. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides contain potassium and phosphorus, which are released in
water bodies through run-off water. This also affects the plant growth in the soil.

4. Radio-tracers extensively used in agriculture are also responsible for radiation pollution.

Question 5

Which gases are emitted through refrigerators and air-conditioners?

Answer

Chlorofluorocarbons are the gases emitted through refrigerators and air-conditioners.

Question 6

Differentiate between the natural and man-made sources of pollution.

Answer
S.
No Natural sources of pollution Man-made sources of pollution.
.

The sources of pollution that emit

1. Pollutants are released due to human activities.
pollutants naturally.

Example - burning of fossil fuels, automobile fumes,

2. Example - volcanic eruption, forest fires
deforestation etc.

3. Not under our control. Can be avoided with careful planning.

Question 7

What is meant by oil spill?

Answer

The leakage or spill of oil in the sea causes a layer of oil spreading on the surface of water. This is
known as oil spill. The oil spread on the sea water acts as an insulating layer between air and water.
Due to this, the oxygen of the atmosphere cannot mix with water and causes death of aquatic
creatures.

Question 8

How is oil spill caused?

Answer

Oil spill may be caused in the following ways:

1. waste oil from city drains, tankers

2. leakage from oil well

3. accidental oil spill

Question 9

What is meant by radiation?

Answer

The emission of highly charged particles and electro-magnetic rays from radioactive substances is
called radiation.

Question 10

Explain the following terms :

(a) Smog

(b) Pollutants

(c) CFC
(d) Eutrophication

Answer

(a) Smog — The term 'smog' is derived from 'smoke + fog' as it is formed due to mixing of smoke and
fog. Smog is common in industrial areas in winters. It reduces visibility and is unhealthy for humans,
animals and plants.

(b) Pollutants — The substances or materials that cause pollution are called pollutants. They are
harmful for the environment and living beings. They can be natural such as volcanic ash or man-
made like plastic.

(c) CFC — CFC or Chlorofluorocarbons are the synthetic chemical compounds which are used as
refrigerant or cooling agent in AC and refrigerators. When these chemicals are released in
atmosphere, they split due to ultraviolet rays and damage the ozone layer.

(d) Eutrophication — The process by which the excess phosphates and nitrates lead to over growth
of algae and other aquatic plants in a water body, depleting the oxygen of water, is called
Eutrophication.

Question 11

Write a short note on the following:

(a) Radiation

(b) Oil spill

(c) Air pollution

(d) Noise pollution

Answer

(a) Radiation — Radiation pollution is the emission of highly charged particles and electromagnetic
rays entering the earth's atmosphere. Sources of radiation may be natural or man-made. Natural
sources consist of cosmic rays that pollute the life supporting systems like air, water and soil. Man-
made sources consist of waste water from nuclear power stations, mining of uranium ore, waste
from hospitals where isotopes are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes etc.

(b) Oil spill — The leakage or spill of oil in the sea cause a layer of oil spreading on the water. This is
known as oil spill. The oil spread on the sea water acts as an insulating layer between air and water.
Due to this, the oxygen of the atmosphere cannot mix with water. It leads to death of aquatic
animals due to deficiency of dissolved oxygen. The birds cannot fly as their feathers are oil-soaked.

(c) Air pollution — The contamination of air with harmful gases and particles is called air pollution.
Natural sources of air pollution consist of volcanic eruption, dust storms and forest fires. Man-made
sources consist of burning of fossil fuels, use of CFCs, industrial and construction wastes etc. Air
pollution leads to poor air quality which further result in breathing problems, lung diseases, smog,
damage to buildings and also disrupts ecological balance.

(d) Noise pollution — Any sound that causes annoyance is regarded as noise and is considered as a
source of pollution. Sound level of about 80 decibels causes noise pollution. The sources of noise
pollution are aeroplanes,trains, loud-speakers, fire crackers and industries etc. Noise pollution cause
discomfort, deafness, high blood pressure, palpitation, headache etc.
Question 12

What kind of pollution is produced by brick kilns?

Answer

Brick Kilns cause air pollution. They use coal to burn the bricks. They give out huge quantity of
carbon dioxide and particulate matter such as smoke, dust which is very harmful. Brick kilns cause air
pollution.

Question 13

How is thermal pollution caused?

Answer

The thermal power plants release the recycled hot water into the rivers and sea causing water
pollution. The hot water raises the temperature of the water body. It can lead to a decrease in the
dissolved oxygen level in the water while also increasing the biological demand of aquatic organisms
for oxygen.

Question 14

What are the sources of radioactive pollution?

Answer

The sources of radioactive pollution are:

1. Natural sources — Cosmic rays emit radioactive radiation.

2. Man-made sources — waste water from nuclear power plant, waste generated during
nuclear weapon testing, mining and processing of uranium ore, waste generated from
hospitals and research laboratories where radioisotopes are used, X-ray waste, nuclear
accidents, nuclear bomb explosions and use of radio tracers.

Question 15

How do water bodies get contaminated by the effluents from industries?

Answer

Water bodies get contaminated by the effluents from industries in following ways:

1. Waste and sewage generated by industry can get into the water supply, introducing large
organic pollutants into the ecosystem.

2. Most of the industries release chemicals like chlorides, sulphides, carbonates, nitrates and
metal like Zinc, Mercury, Copper, Chromium, etc. in the rivers or their water sources.

3. Water can become contaminated with toxic or radioactive material from the industry, mine
sites and abandoned hazardous waste sites.

4. Air pollution leads to acid precipitation which lower the overall pH of lakes, streams, and
ponds; thereby killing vital plants and affecting the whole food chain.

5. Leaching of heavy metals from soil into the water bodies leads to contamination of water. It
may kill aquatic flora and fauna.
Question 16

What is the difference between primary and secondary pollutants?

S.
no Primary pollutants Secondary pollutants
.

They are formed due to chemical interactions

They are directly released into
1. between the atmospheric components and
the air.
primary pollutants.

For example- smoke, dust, ash,

2. sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide For example- smog, acid rain.
etc.

3. It is comparatively less harmful. It is more harmful.

Answer

Question 17

How does urbanization cause air pollution?

Answer

Urbanization has resulted in concentration of industries around the cities. Big and small industries,
power plants, brick kilns create air pollution. Also there are numerous vehicles in the urban areas
creating a lot of air pollution. Urbanization causes air pollution in following ways:

1. The burning of fuels in automobiles and aeroplanes lead to emission of Carbon Monoxide
and Hydrocarbons containing nitrogen and oxygen.

2. Industries like il refinery discharge Ammonia, Hydrocarbons and Sulphur oxide. Aluminium
plants release fluoride dust.

3. Burning of garbage lead to emission of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

4. Brick kilns also release huge quantity of Carbon dioxide and particulate matters.

5. Use of cleansing agents release chemicals like Ammonia and chlorine, causing indoor
pollution.

6. Use of radioactive elements or use of isotopes(medical purpose) lead to emission of α, β and

γ radiations.