Environmental studies pollution

POLLUTION
Unit 5

,CONCEPT OF POLLUTION
• Definition: Pollution refers to the presence or introduction of harmful substanc
or contaminants into the natural environment, leading to adverse effects
ecosystems, human health, and the quality of natural resources like air, water, an
soil.


• Types of Pollutants:
• Biodegradable Pollutants: Decompose naturally over time (e.g., food waste).
• Non-biodegradable Pollutants: Do not decompose easily, persisting in th
environment (e.g., plastics, heavy metals).

, AIR POLLUTION
▪ Air pollution occurs due to the presence of undesirable solid or gaseous particl
in the air in quantities that are harmful to human health and the environment.
▪ Air may get polluted by natural causes such as volcanoes, which release ash, dus
Sulphur and other gases, or by forest fires that are occasionally naturally caused b
lightning.
▪ However, unlike pollutants from human activity, naturally occurring pollutants ten
to remain in the atmosphere for a short time and do not lead to permane
atmospheric change.