Three Major Types of Environmental Pollution

When we talk about the Earth's environment, we generally refer to the atmosphere (air), lithosphere (soil/rock) and hydrosphere (water) - which happen to be the three spheres of the planet (with the fourth sphere being the biosphere comprises all living forms on the planet.) When contaminants are introduced into any of these three components of the planet it amounts to pollution. For instance, release of harmful gases in the atmosphere results in air pollution, discharge of sewage waste in water bodies results in water pollution and introduction of harmful chemicals in soil results in soil pollution. Of the various different types of environmental pollution that the planet is subjected to, air pollution, water pollution and soil pollution are the three major types.

Major Types of Pollution

There are different ways in which the quality of the environment is degraded by these means. Let us have a look at the environmental pollution facts through this article.

Air Pollution
This kind of pollution results from the adulteration of pure air which exists in nature. There are many pollutants released in the air which dilute the natural/original quality. Most of these pollutants are emitted from industrial plants. Automobiles also play a major role in raising the levels of air pollution. Carbon monoxide and other sulfur-based gases released by vehicles are greatly responsible for air pollution. It was at the onset of the Industrial Revolution that air pollution started affecting our world to a great extent. Today, there are many different sources of air pollution. Chloro-fluoro carbon is one of the greenhouse gases along with carbon monoxide which causes thinning of the ozone layer. The ozone layer is important from the point of protecting life on earth since it blocks the ultraviolet rays from entering the atmosphere of our planet. The particulate matter present in air apart from the above mentioned gases is the cause of health problems like asthma. Air pollution is also one of the causes of acid rains. Such type of rains affect the quality of soil they penetrate; chemicals which come down in the form of acid rains renders the soil to be useless for plant growth.

Water Pollution
The quality of water on earth is undergoing degradation day-by-day due to the accumulation of pollutants. Pollutants that alter the quality of water include industrial effluents, insecticides washed off in water bodies, oil spills, etc. All these pollutants have a damaging effect on the flora and fauna of our planet. For example, oil spills cause the death of thousands of fish every year. Industrial effluents drained into rivers damage the quality of water and even cause death of many aquatic animals. Impure water is the cause of many waterborne diseases (typhoid, diarrhea) in human beings. The water that contains chemicals also affects the normal functioning of liver and kidneys.

Soil Pollution
The pollution of soil affects the entire ecosystem as it is the source of food/nutrition of all the living beings on earth. Any alteration of the purity of this natural resource (soil) has a 'chain-reaction' kind of effect. Pollutants mixed in the soil enter the food chain and disseminate to every nook and corner of the planet. Amongst the three major types of environmental pollution, soil pollution is therefore, the most dangerous. Apart from insecticides, pollutants in the soil are also emitted as a result of leaching of landfill wastes.

The description of different forms of pollution presented through this article should give an idea about the agents which deteriorate the quality of our natural resources. It is important that these pollutants are kept under check for maintaining the purity of our natural resources.