Back to: Environmental Biology 400 Level
Welcome to class!
Pollution is one of the most serious threats to the health of our environment—and by extension, human life. In Nigeria, we witness it every day: smoke from burning refuse, oil spills in the Niger Delta, plastic waste clogging gutters in cities, and chemicals being discharged into rivers near industrial zones. But what exactly is pollution from a biological point of view? That’s what this course introduces you to—understanding how pollutants interact with living organisms and ecosystems, and how we can measure, assess, and reduce these effects.
Introduction To Pollution Biology
What is Pollution Biology?
Pollution biology is the study of how contaminants in air, water, and soil affect living organisms—plants, animals, microbes, and even humans. It goes beyond identifying pollutants to investigating their biological impacts, how long they last in the environment, and how organisms respond to them.
Major Types of Environmental Pollution
Air Pollution
Caused by emissions from vehicles, industries, and open burning. Common pollutants include carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter. In cities like Lagos and Kano, traffic congestion leads to elevated air pollution, which has been linked to respiratory diseases and reduced plant growth.
Water Pollution
This includes contamination of rivers, lakes, and coastal waters by chemicals, oil, waste, and sewage. For instance, many communities along the River Niger experience pollution from untreated industrial effluents, leading to fish kills and unsafe drinking water.
Soil Pollution
Often results from dumping of solid waste, use of agrochemicals, oil spills, and mining. Polluted soils can harm plant growth, affect food safety, and disrupt soil microbial life. In areas like Ogoniland, petroleum contamination has rendered farmlands useless.
Biological Indicators of Pollution
Certain organisms, like lichens and specific fish species, serve as bioindicators. When their population declines or behaviour changes, it signals pollution. In Nigeria, the disappearance of certain fish species in polluted rivers has been a key sign of ecological stress.
Why Pollution Biology Matters
It helps us detect and monitor environmental degradation
It provides scientific evidence for policy-making and regulations
It guides the development of pollution control strategies
It protects biodiversity and public health
Real-Life Nigerian Example
In the Niger Delta, years of oil pollution have led to loss of biodiversity, contaminated water supplies, and health issues among locals. Studies in pollution biology have helped environmental scientists measure the toxicity levels in water and fish species, prompting clean-up campaigns and legal actions against oil companies.
Summary
- Pollution biology studies the biological effects of environmental pollutants.
- Major pollution types include air, water, and soil pollution.
- Bioindicators are organisms used to detect pollution in an ecosystem.
- Nigeria faces serious pollution problems due to industrial, oil-related, and urban waste activities.
- Pollution biology informs environmental protection, policy, and restoration efforts.
Evaluation
- Define pollution biology in your own words.
- List and explain three types of pollution common in Nigeria.
- What are bioindicators? Give two Nigerian examples.
- Why is pollution biology important for environmental scientists?
- Describe a real Nigerian case of pollution and its biological effects.
You’ve just unlocked a powerful lens for seeing how pollution silently affects the living world around us. As an environmental scholar, your understanding of pollution biology can help drive change—one solution, one voice, one project at a time. Keep going strong—Afrilearn is proud to be with you on this journey!