Definitions [4]
Definition: Pollution
Pollution is the addition of any such constituent to air, water or land which deteriorates the natural quality of the environment.
Definition: Pollutant
Pollutant is any such constituent which causes pollution.
Define 'Greenhouse effect'.
The heating-up of the earth’s atmosphere due to trapped infrared rays reflected from the earth's surface by atmospheric gases is called the greenhouse effect.
Define the following.
Potable water
The water suitable for drinking is called potable water.
Key Points
Key Points: Green House Effect
- The greenhouse effect is a naturally occurring phenomenon that heats Earth's surface. Without it, Earth's temperature would be -18°C instead of 15°C.
- Greenhouse gases are transparent to solar radiation but retain and reflect back long-wave heat radiation. Main gases — CO₂ (60%), CH₄ (20%), CFCs (14%), N₂O (6%).
- Earth's surface re-emits heat as infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases like CO₂ and CH₄ absorb this and return heat to Earth's surface — causing the greenhouse effect.
- Rising CO₂ due to the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation intensifies the greenhouse effect, causing global warming.
- Global warming leads to melting of polar ice, rising sea levels, changes in rainfall patterns and loss of biodiversity.
