Air & Water Pollution

Beauty of this monument in white marble is being threatened by air

pollution in the area surrounding the Taj

People suffering from diseases of the respiratory system

Air consists of a mixture of gases. By volume, about 78% of this mixture is nitrogen and about 21% is oxygen. Carbon dioxide,argon, methane, ozone and water vapour also present

Covering nose while passing a brick kiln emitting smoke or started coughing while walking on a busy road

Compare the quality of air at the places-A park and a busy road-A residential area and an industrial area-A busy traffic intersection at different times of the day e.g.

early morning, afternoon and evening-A village and a town

air gets contaminated by unwanted substances which have a harmful effect on both the living and the non-living

smoke and dust arising from forest fires or volcanic eruptions factories,

power plants, automobile exhausts and burning of firewood and dung cakes

number of vehicles-Vehicles produce high levels of pollutants like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and smoke

Carbon monoxide is produced from incomplete burning of fuels such

as petrol and diesel. It is a poisonous gas. It reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood

smog is made up of smoke and fog.

Smoke may contain oxides of nitrogen which combine with other air pollutants and fog to form smog. The smog causes breathing difficulties such as asthma, cough and wheezing in children

industries-Petroleum refineries are a major source of gaseous pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Sulphur dioxide is produced by combustion of fuels like coal in power plants. It can cause respiratory problems, including permanent lung damage

chlorofluorocarbons used in refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol sprays. CFCs damage the ozone layer of the atmosphere.

Automobiles which burn diesel and petrol, also produce tiny particles which remain suspended in air for long periods . They reduce visibility. When inhaled, they cause diseases

Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide react with the water vapour present in the atmosphere to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid. The acids drop down with rain, making the rain acidic. This is called acid rain.corrodes the marble of the monument

industries to switch to cleaner fuels like CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas).

Automobiles should switch over to unleaded petrol excess of CO2 in the air, it acts as a pollutant

Plants utilise CO2 from the atmosphere for photosynthesis,thereby decreasing the amount of CO2 in the air

CO2 traps heat and does not allow it to escape into space- the average

temperature of the earth’s atmosphere is gradually increasing-global warming-reduce the emission of greenhouse gases

To switch to fuels like CNG and unleaded petrol

To switch over to alternative fuels instead of the fossil fuels-solar energy, hydropower and wind energy

Plant trees and nurture the ones already present in the neighbourhood

Water becomes “dirty” after use  for washing clothes, bathing, etc. -adding some materials to the water, which spoil its quality and change its smell and colour

Harmful substances such as sewage, toxic chemicals, silt, etc., get mixed with water, the water becomes polluted

Towns and cities, through which the river flows, throw large quantities of garbage, untreated sewage, dead bodies, and many other harmful things, directly into the river

Bathing, washing clothes and defecating in the river.  throwing garbage, flowers, idols of gods and goddesses and non-biodegradable polythene bags into the river

Industrial units discharge toxic chemical wastes into the river

Factors responsible for pollution of the river

Steps can be taken to restore the river Ganga to its past glory

How would the disposal of garbage, etc., affect the living organisms in the river ?

Oil refineries, paper factories, textile and sugar mills and chemical factories. These industries cause chemical contamination of water.

Chemicals released include arsenic, lead and fluorides which lead to toxicity in plants and animals

Importance of pesticides and weedicides for the protection of crops-these chemicals dissolve in water and are washed into water bodies from the fields- seep into the ground to pollute ground water.

Pollutants are the substances which contaminate air and water.

Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, methane and sulphur dioxide are the major pollutants of air.

Increasing levels of greenhouse gases like CO2 are leading to global warming.

Water pollution is the contamination of water by substances harmful to life.

Sewage, agricultural chemicals and industrial waste are some of the major contaminants of water.

Water which is purified and fit for drinking is known as potable water.

Water is a precious natural resource.-must learn to conserve .