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 comprising of 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

Three major types of environmental pollution as stated above are water, air and soil 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 factsthrough 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. The 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 as 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 the cause of acid rains. Acid rain affects the quality of soil that they seep into; chemicals which come down in the form of acid rain, renders it useless for plant growth.

Water Pollution
The quality of water on earth is undergoing degradation day-by-day as a result of accumulation of pollutants. The pollutants which alter the quality of water include industrial effluents, insecticides that are washed off in water bodies, oil spills, etc. All these pollutants have a damaging effect on the flora and fauna of our plant. 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 the death of many aquatic animals. Impure water is the cause of many water borne diseases (typhoid, diarrhea) in human beings. The water containing chemicals also affects the normal functioning of the liver and kidneys.

Soil Pollution
The pollution of soil affects the entire ecosystem as it's 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. More information on different types of environmental pollution should help in getting a better idea of this topic.

The description of three major types of environmental pollution presented through this article should give an idea about the agents/pollutants which deteriorate the quality of our natural resources. It is important that these pollutants are kept under check in order to maintain the purity of our natural resources.