B.Pharmacy 2nd Semester Environmental Science Unit – 3 notes available in pdf form carewell pharma
Unit- III
Environmental Pollution: Air pollution; Water pollution; Soil pollution
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🌍 Unit III: Environmental Pollution
Pollution = The undesirable change in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of air, water, or soil that can harm life.
🔸 1. Air Pollution
✅ Definition:
Contamination of the air by harmful substances that affect human health, animals, plants, and the environment.
🏭 Major Air Pollutants:
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10)
- Ozone (O₃)
- Lead (Pb)
- Hydrocarbons
🧪 Sources:
- Vehicles
- Factories
- Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil)
- Agricultural burning
- Indoor pollutants (smoke, chemicals)
🚨 Effects:
- Respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis)
- Acid rain
- Global warming
- Ozone layer depletion
- Reduced visibility (smog)
✅ Control Measures:
- Use of filters, scrubbers in industries
- Promoting public transport
- Switching to renewable energy (solar, wind)
- Plantation of trees
- Laws like Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
🔸 2. Water Pollution
✅ Definition:
Contamination of water bodies (rivers, lakes, oceans, groundwater) that makes it harmful for living beings and unfit for use.
🧪 Sources:
- Industrial waste
- Sewage and domestic waste
- Agricultural runoff (pesticides, fertilizers)
- Oil spills
- Plastic waste
🚨 Effects:
- Waterborne diseases (cholera, typhoid)
- Destruction of aquatic life
- Eutrophication (algae overgrowth)
- Groundwater contamination
- Scarcity of clean drinking water
✅ Control Measures:
- Treatment of sewage before disposal
- Strict industrial waste management
- Use of eco-friendly fertilizers
- Water conservation and recycling
- Laws like Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
🔸 3. Soil Pollution
✅ Definition:
The presence of toxic chemicals or pollutants in soil, affecting fertility, plants, animals, and humans.
🧪 Sources:
- Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides
- Dumping of industrial waste
- Plastic and non-biodegradable waste
- Mining activities
- Acid rain
🚨 Effects:
- Loss of soil fertility
- Contaminated food crops
- Harm to soil organisms (earthworms, bacteria)
- Groundwater pollution through leaching
✅ Control Measures:
- Organic farming
- Proper waste disposal
- Bioremediation (using microbes to clean soil)
- Avoiding plastic use
- Afforestation and reforestation
📝 Summary
| Type of Pollution | Causes | Effects | Control Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air | Vehicles, industries | Respiratory issues, smog, climate change | Renewable energy, air filters |
| Water | Industrial/sewage waste, agriculture | Disease, aquatic damage | Waste treatment, eco-friendly farming |
| Soil | Chemicals, waste dumping | Poor crop yield, food contamination | Organic farming, recycling |