ENVIROMENTAL POLLUTION/ CONTAMINATION

The aim of this report is to look at the causes and consequences of environmental pollution and contamination.

Our sources include facts and figures from several recent websites. We have searched information related with the negative effects, the types of contamination and the possible solutions to avoid these problems.

We have used information, photos and several videos we have found in the Internet.

The objective of this project is to promote all the information we found out about this topic and teach people how we can prevent this kind of problems.

1. WHAT IS ENVIROMENTAL POLLUTION?

Environmental pollution is one of the most serious problems facing humanity and other life forms on our planet today. Environmental pollution is defined as “the contamination of the physical and biological components of the  earth/atmosphere system to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected.” 

Pollutants can be naturally occurring substances or energies, but they are considered contaminants when in excess of natural levels. Any use of natural resources at a rate higher than nature’s capacity to restore itself can result in pollution of air, water, and land.

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2. DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLLUTION:

The five major types of pollution include: air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, light pollution and noise pollution.

-Air pollution is a mix of particles and gases that can reach   harmful concentrations both outside and indoors. Its effects can range from higher disease risks to rising temperatures. Soot, smoke, pollen, methane, and carbon dioxide are a just a few examples of common pollutants.

              

                                                         

  

-Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities. Water bodies include for example lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater. Water pollution results when contaminants are introduced into the natural environment. For example, releasing inadequately treated wastewater into natural water bodies can lead to degradation of aquatic ecosystems. In turn, this can lead to public health problems for people living downstream. They may use the same polluted river water for drinking or bathing or irrigation. Water pollution is the leading worldwide cause of death and disease, e.g. due to water-borne diseases.

                                                                    

                                               
- Soil pollution-is defined as the presence of toxic chemicals (pollutants or contaminants) in soil, in high enough concentrations to pose a risk to human health and/or the ecosystem.

                       

               

-Light pollution, also known as photo pollution, is the presence of anthropogenic and artificial light in the night environment. It is exacerbated by excessive, misdirected or obtrusive uses of light, but even carefully used light fundamentally alters natural conditions.

              

                   

-Noise pollution, also known as environmental noise or sound pollution, is the propagation of noise with harmful impact on the activity of human or animal life. The source of outdoor noise worldwide is mainly caused by machines, transport (especially planes) and propagation systems.

                                                           

3. WHAT CAN WE DO TO AVOID THESE KIND OF CONTAMINATION?

Now we are going to give you some tips you can follow in order to avoid this pollution problems.

-WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP REDUCE AIR POLLUTION?

  

Every time we drive to school, use our heater or air conditioner, clean our windows, or even style our hair, we make choices that affect air pollution.

These steps, as well as many others, are things we all can do to help reduce air pollution.

   • Conserve energy– remember to turn off lights, computers, and electric appliances. When are not in use.

   • Using public transportation, biking and walking.

   • Keep your automobile well-tuned and maintained.

                                                     

   • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on routine maintenance, such as  changing the oil and filters, and checking tire pressure and wheel alignment.

•Drive electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
                                       

                 
         
             
                               

                           

-WHAT CAN WE DO TO AVOID WATER POLLUTION?

  -Don´t pour fat from cooking or any other type of fat, oil, or grease down the    sink.

  -Don´t dispose of household chemicals or cleaning agents down the sink or toilet.

  -Don´t flush pills, liquid or powder medications or drugs down the toilet.

  -Avoid using the toilet as a wastebasket.

  -Avoid using a garbage disposal.

                      

-WHAT CAN WE DO TO AVOID SOIL POLLUTION?

Avoid using Herbicide, Pesticide and Fertilizer, Reuse and Recycle and follow a Proper Solid Waste Treatment in which you can recycle all waste in order if it belongs to plastic, paper or biodegradable garbage.

                              

 

-WHAT CAN WE DO TO AVOID LIGHT POLLUTION?

Here are four ways you can reduce light pollution and help preserve Dark Skies in your area of the world:

  -Use Core Glow stones for all your Outdoor Night Lighting: ...

  -Only purchase IDA Approved light fixtures: ...

  -Talk to your local representatives and support Dark Sky initiatives: ...

                                               

-WHAT CAN WE DO TO AVOID NOISE POLLUTION?

Adjust the volume of the voice and items of equipment to avoid noise pollution.

We can avoid this if night flights and noise pollution are tackled at European level.

In the fields of health and environment protection, we work with technologies, which avoid noise pollution and emissions.
                                                         
                                    
                                                  

                

  4. CONCLUSION:

To sum up, environmental pollution is a major problem in different parts of the world, which requires the policy makers to employ some mitigation strategies. The developed economies such as the United States contribute significantly towards environmental pollution because of the high number of factories and industries that release harmful gases into the atmosphere. These economies consume energy heavily, thus leading to environmental pollution. This shows that depletion of natural resources in these countries is very high. The emerging economies also contribute significantly to environmental pollution, but lesser than the developed ones. The developing economies such as Ethiopia pollute the environment at a slower rate than the developed economies. These countries have fewer factories and industries, which make them to release lesser harmful gases into the atmosphere as compared to other countries. However, poverty rates in these countries are higher than developed countries because of the few employment opportunities. It is important to regulate the rates at which countries pollute the environment in order to prevent its harmful effects such as global warming.

Work made by:

Alejandro Expósito

Maria Simón

Andrea Guijar

Eva Alcaide