Most human activities that result in degradation or degradation of the quality of the natural environment are called pollution. Pollution is not a new phenomenon, but it remains humanity’s greatest problem and the leading environmental cause of morbidity and mortality. In 2015, pollution-related diseases were estimated to cause 9 million premature deaths, three times the number of deaths from malaria, AIDS, and tuberculosis combined (Landrigan et al., 2017). In general, pollution is more severe in low- and middle-income countries than in developed countries, possibly due to poverty, inadequate legislation, and lack of information about forms of pollution. Perhaps people unknowingly encounter pollution on a daily basis or may become immune to its effects in their fast-paced lives (Muralikrishna and Manickam, 2017). Although it may seem impossible, ignorance about the forms of pollution leads people to engage in activities that produce harmful by-products in forms and quantities that the environment cannot compensate for without completely changing the system. can’t. For example, deforestation, burning of forests, dumping of agricultural and domestic waste into waterways, use of chemicals in the collection of aquatic animals, improper disposal of electronic waste etc. are the causes of air, land and water pollution. Also, as population density increases, human activities also increase, which at the same time increases the impact on the environment. This effect affects not only humans, but also other aquatic and terrestrial animals, including microorganisms, which, due to their abundance and diversity, maintain biochemical functions essential for the maintenance of ecosystems.
The causes of environmental pollution are not only limited to industrialization, urbanization, population growth, exploration and mining, but also cross-border transfer of pollutants from developed countries to developing countries and vice versa. Transboundary pollution is one reason why pollution remains a global challenge. Pollution in one country can have a devastating impact on another country through various routes, especially air and water. Therefore, no country can remain indifferent to environmental pollution. Cross-border transportation of non-functioning electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) from developed countries to developing countries in the name of bridging the digital divide is also a serious cause of toxic metal pollution in air, water and soil. Furthermore, environmental pollution is caused by the release of harmful substances such as gaseous pollutants, toxic metals and particulate matter (PM) into the air and water bodies such as sewage, industrial and agricultural runoff and electronic waste.
It is not uncommon to feign ignorance when it comes to the fact that human activities are destabilizing the natural environment. Thus, such activities continue even when they cause serious illness and death. In low- and middle-income countries, some human activities found to be harmful to the environment are still carried out, either because of inadequate legislation, delayed enforcement of penalties, or indifference to the health and environmental impacts of such activities. . The effects of environmental pollution, especially air pollution, are dangerous and disproportionately affect low-income people, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups in developing countries.
Knowledge of the causes and consequences of pollution is paramount, but the cost of inaction is very high. Various physical and chemical methods have been used to remove environmental pollution, but most of them cause environmental problems and are expensive. To truly combat pollution with emerging persistent pollutants, the literature has explored environmentally friendly and economical methods that generate fewer secondary by-products. Among these methods, microbial bioremediation is being explored worldwide. This is probably because restoring the environment in this way is practical and environmentally friendly. There are many different types of pollution, but three main types of pollution should be considered: air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution.
1. Urbanization and industrialization
Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have been adding harmful substances to the environment at an alarming rate. Industrialization, urbanization, economic growth, and the environment are linked by a combination of positive and negative impacts. In general, many countries are experiencing urbanization and rapid economic growth, with populations moving from villages to cities and towns. One of the consequences of uncontrolled urbanization in developing countries is environmental degradation. This happens very quickly and gives rise to many other problems, such as excessive air pollution, water pollution, increasing problems of waste disposal and degraded agricultural land. The rapid pace of industrialization, modernization, and urbanization has likely contributed to environmental pollution throughout the world, but its effects are more pronounced in developing countries. Water resources are depleting, and with increasing population, indifference towards water conservation and wasteful consumption of water is likely to lead to further depletion and drying up. Pollution also contaminates water bodies, making them inedible. Furthermore, industrialization leads to high discharge of waste materials into land and water bodies. Due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, large amounts of waste water, heavy metals, toxic sludge and solvents are flowing into rivers and streams, polluting them. Urbanization has led to an increase in the number of motor vehicles, making air pollution a serious problem. Finally, industrialization has led to the dramatic destruction of habitats through felling trees for lumber, building roads, and building settlements, leading to the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of some plant and animal species.
2. Mining and Exploration
Various degrees of pollution are generated during mining and exploration processes, which affect air, water and soil quality. The degree of pollution depends on the stage and extent of work being carried out at the site. Excavation at a mining site alone can generate waste, create sinkholes and cause habitat loss. When particularly valuable materials such as gold ore are mined, other toxic elements such as lead (Pb) can leak out and contaminate soil and water. Mineral exploration may cause mild pollution, but various stages of large-scale exploration can lead to more severe soil, water and air pollution. Pollution becomes even more serious due to large-scale exploitation of rocks, oil and limestone used in various construction works. In most oil-producing African states, vandals illegally blow up oil pipelines or pump oil to be refined in illegal refineries. In most of the cases, these illegal refineries are burnt down by security agencies to stop fueling. However, this combustion activity produces large amounts of carbon compounds, sulfur compounds, organic pollutants and toxic metals, which have significant impacts on the environment as well as terrestrial and aquatic life. For example, acid rain occurs, greenhouse gases increase the intensity of heat, and fish and other aquatic animals die in surface waters. Cement plants and mining operations in limestone quarries can release large amounts of dust into the air, further increasing environmental pollution.
3. Agricultural Activities
Agriculture is a source of economic growth for any country and ensures the livelihood of its people. Despite this important role of agriculture, agricultural activities still cause pollution, which poses many risks to health and the environment. Agricultural pollution can be caused by certain agricultural activities that harm, contaminate, and degrade the environment and ecosystem. Sources of pollution in agriculture include burning of waste from agricultural activities such as land clearing, use of fertilizers in excess of crop requirements, and use of certain pesticides that are not biodegradable. These processes result in the entry of some chemicals into the food chain, the production of smoke and particulate matter, and the destabilization of habitats. Additionally, nitrates released from agricultural processes are considered chemical pollutants of aquifers. Eutrophication is caused by an overabundance of nutrients in aquatic environments, often due to fertilizers applied in doses greater than those required by plants. Excess nitrogen and phosphate can enter surface water and groundwater through runoff.
In addition to the pollution caused by cultivating agricultural land, raising land and aquatic animals also pollutes the environment. For example, uneaten animal food and animal feces have a pungent odor that can affect health. Furthermore, the drive to increase agricultural production to support an ever-growing population has led to the use of antifouling agents, antibiotics and fungicides in agriculture, which increases ecosystem pollution. Although agriculture is a basic human need and necessary to feed the population, pollution from agricultural activities should be of great concern.
4. Burning of fossil fuels
Fossil fuels can release harmful air pollutants long before they burn. Burning of fossil fuels releases many air pollutants which cause environmental pollution and resulting destruction of the ecosystem. We burn oil, coal and gas to meet our energy needs, but these substances are causing the current global warming crisis. The burning of fossil fuels releases many primary and secondary pollutants, including airborne particles, SO2, CO2, CO, hydrocarbons, organic compounds, chemicals, and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Fossil fuel emissions include major greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases. Therefore, air pollution from these activities not only poses a threat to air quality but also contributes to climate change and global warming.
5. Particulate Matter
Fine dust is an important component of the atmosphere. Particulate matter can come from natural or anthropogenic sources. There are many natural sources that release millions of tons of particulate matter into the atmosphere. These include reactions between volcanic eruptions, wind and dust storms, wildfires, salt spray, rock debris, gas emissions, and soil erosion. Anthropogenic activities like fuel burning, industrial processes, steel industry, oil foundries, cement and glass manufacturing, smelting and mining operations, ash from power plants, coal burning, agricultural wastes etc. also contribute to the production of particulate matter in the atmosphere.
6. Plastic
People are beginning to understand to what extent plastic contributes to environmental pollution. Types of plastics present in the natural environment include polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide, and polyester. In most developing countries, plastic bags are mainly used for shopping and storing foods, as they are durable and expensive. Most beverages previously sold in glass bottles are now packaged in plastic bottles. However, in some areas, beverages are consumed in these plastic bottles and the bottles are thrown away indiscriminately, increasing the amount of plastic in the environment. Most plastics are not biodegradable, but can break down into macro- or microplastics. Between 1960 and 2013, the U.S. Municipal solid waste generation recorded an increase of 188% and plastic production increased by 8238% (Tsiamis et al., 2018).
However, the increase in plastic production was accompanied by a decrease in glass and metal waste production. Microplastics (MPs) are primarily found in fibers from consumer products such as paints, cosmetics, and washed synthetic clothing, while secondary MPs are produced from the decomposition of larger plastic waste (Ota et al., 2017). Most surface plastics are MP (0.33-4.75 mm). MP pollution is recognized as a threat to coastal marine waters. However, research continues to clarify the environmental impacts of MP distribution, concentrations, and properties.
Read Also:
- Environmental Pollution
- Extents Of Environmental Degradation
- Introduction to Environmental Degradation: Causes and Effects
- Awareness Note On Mobile Tower Radiation & Its Impacts On Environment
- Air Pollution And Its Control
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