- Ozone (O₃) in the upper atmosphere forms a protective layer that blocks harmful UV-B rays from the sun.
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from refrigerators, aerosol sprays, and styrofoam break down ozone into oxygen, thinning this layer.
- Ozone depletion allows more UV-B rays to reach Earth, causing sunburn, skin cancer, genetic damage, and reduced ecosystem productivity.
Definitions [11]
Definition: Waste
Waste is any unwanted or undesired material or substance resulting from industliial, commercial mining, and agricultural operations, and from community activities.
Definition: Pollutant
Pollutant is any such constituent which causes pollution.
Definition: Pollution
Pollution is the addition of any such constituent to air, water or land which deteriorates the natural quality of the environment.
Define the following term:
Oil spills
Oil spills are the accidental discharges of petroleum into oceans or estuaries. The sources of spills are overturned oil tankers, offshore oil mining, and oil refineries.
Definition: Water pollution
Water pollution means any change in the water quality which makes it unsuitable for use by humans and by other living organisms.
Define the following term:
Sanitary landfills
Sanitary landfills are places where waste is dumped in a ground depression and covered with dirt every day.
Define the following term:
Pesticides
Pesticides such as DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) are used in agriculture to destroy pests, alter the basic structure of the soil, kill microorganisms in it, and may even reach the human body through food grown in such soils.
Definition: Soil Pollution
The contamination of soil by natural or synthetic substances that adversely affect its physical, chemical, and biological properties and reduce its productivity is called soil pollution.
Define the following term:
Noise
Noise is defined as any unpleasant, loud, undesired sound that interferes with one’s hearing and concentration, and the pollution caused by noise is termed noise pollution.
Definition: Noise Pollution
Noise is defined as any unpleasant/loud undesired sound interfering with one's hearing and concentration and the pollution caused due to noise is termed as noise pollution.
Define ‘Noise Pollution’.
Noise pollution, also known as sound pollution, is defined as the presence of excessive, unwanted, or harmful sounds in the environment that disrupt normal activities and adversely affect the health and well-being of humans and other living organisms.
Key Points
Key Points: Acid Rain
- Acid rain forms when rainwater absorbs industrial gases like CO₂, SO₂, and nitrogen oxides, making it more acidic.
- It harms soil and vegetation, corrodes buildings, damages monuments by reacting with calcium, and reduces visibility.
- It also acidifies water bodies, endangering fish and aquatic life.
- Soil pollution reduces soil fertility and nutrients.
- Waste control is essential to protect soil health.
Key Points: Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
- Greenhouse gases like CO₂ and methane trap heat in the atmosphere, preventing its escape and causing the greenhouse effect.
- Increased burning of fuels and deforestation raise CO₂ levels, intensifying global warming.
- Global warming results in rising temperatures, melting polar ice, higher sea levels, and reduced agricultural and fishery yields.
Key Points: Ozone Layer Depletion
Key Points: Control of Pollution
- Pollution control measures include using CNG and unleaded petrol, switching off engines at red lights, installing chimneys with filters in factories, and treating sewage and industrial waste before disposal.
- Organic farming practices and recycling of plastics, metals, and glass help reduce land and water pollution.
- Planting trees improves air quality and prevents soil erosion by reducing CO₂ and stabilizing the soil.
- Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms, modeled after Euro standards, regulate vehicle emissions to control air pollution; BS IV was implemented nationwide in 2017.
- The Central Pollution Control Board oversees the enforcement of these norms, while oil refineries and vehicle manufacturers are responsible for producing cleaner fuels and emission-compliant vehicles.
Key Points: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
- Launched on 2nd October 2014, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aimed to promote cleanliness and hygiene across India, encouraging people not to litter.
- Key goals included cleaning urban and rural areas, eliminating open defecation by building toilets, and ensuring their usage.
- The mission also focused on creating effective systems for managing solid and liquid waste efficiently.
Key Points: Plastic Pollution
- Plastic is non-biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to decompose, making it highly harmful to the environment.
- Single-use plastics like bags, bottles, and packaging materials are used once and often discarded irresponsibly.
- Discarded plastics block drains, pollute land and water, and release toxic chemicals into the environment.
- Marine animals ingest plastic waste from rivers and oceans, leading to injury or death and disruption of aquatic ecosystems.
- Solutions include reducing plastic use, reusing materials, recycling, carrying reusable bags and bottles, and avoiding disposable items.
Important Questions [13]
- Study the Picture Given Below and Answer the Following Questions : What is a ‘Pollutant’ ? Explain the Term.
- Give appropriate biological/technical terms for the following: The type of waste generated in hospitals and pathological laboratories
- Give two examples of water pollutants.
- An example of non-biodegradable waste is
- Give One Example Of A Water Pollutant.
- Study the Picture Given Below and Answer the Following Questions : Mention the Impact of this Pollution on Human Health.
- Study the Picture Given Below and Answer the Following Questions : Water Pollution
- Study the Picture Given Below and Answer the Following Questions : Sewage
- Study the Picture Given Below and Answer the Following Questions : State One Measure to Control this Pollution.
- Explain Biomedical Waste
- The prime source of chlorofluorocarbons is ______.
- Sewage, newspaper, Styrofoam, Hay.
- Write any two objectives of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
