Back to: Environmental Biology 200 Level
Welcome to class!
Hello brilliant friend! Have you ever seen thick black smoke from a generator, or a dirty stream filled with plastic waste, or even dry farmland with no healthy crops? These are all signs of pollution. Today, we’ll talk about Air, Water, and Soil Pollution, which are some of the biggest challenges our environment faces.
Air, Water, And Soil Pollution
What is Pollution?
Pollution is when harmful substances or activities make the environment unsafe for living things. These substances can come from human activities like burning fuel, throwing rubbish in rivers, or using harmful chemicals on farms.
Air Pollution
Air pollution happens when harmful gases, dust, or smoke fill the air, making it unsafe to breathe.
Sources of Air Pollution:
Vehicle exhaust fumes from cars, buses, and motorcycles.
Smoke from generators, factories, or bush burning.
Gases like carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide from burning fossil fuels.
Effects of Air Pollution:
Causes breathing problems like asthma.
Leads to global warming and climate change.
Damages crops and reduces food production.
Water Pollution
Water pollution happens when harmful substances like oil, chemicals, or waste enter rivers, lakes, or oceans, making them unsafe for people, animals, and plants.
Sources of Water Pollution:
Dumping waste or plastics into rivers and streams.
Oil spills in water bodies, especially in the Niger Delta.
Industrial chemicals released into rivers.
Effects of Water Pollution:
Kills fish and other aquatic life.
Makes water unsafe for drinking or cooking.
Spreads diseases like cholera and typhoid.
Soil Pollution
Soil pollution occurs when chemicals, plastics, or waste make the soil unhealthy.
Sources of Soil Pollution:
Overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
Dumping plastic waste or harmful chemicals on land.
Oil spills that seep into the ground.
Effects of Soil Pollution:
Reduces soil fertility, leading to poor crop yields.
Contaminates food grown on polluted soil.
Harms animals and humans who depend on the soil for food.
How to Reduce Pollution
Plant trees to clean the air.
Dispose of waste properly and recycle where possible.
Use eco-friendly products instead of harmful chemicals.
Avoid burning waste and reduce generator use by saving electricity.
Summary
- Pollution affects the air, water, and soil, making them harmful to living things.
- Air pollution comes from smoke, fumes, and gases.
- Water pollution comes from waste, chemicals, and oil spills.
- Soil pollution is caused by harmful waste, chemicals, and plastics.
- Reducing pollution involves proper waste disposal, recycling, and using eco-friendly products.
Evaluation
- What is pollution?
- Mention two sources of air pollution.
- State one effect of water pollution on humans.
- List two ways we can reduce pollution in our environment.
You’re doing so well! Understanding pollution helps us take better care of our environment and create a healthier future for everyone. Keep going with Afrilearn — you are becoming a true environmental guardian.