Pollutants are substances that contaminate the environment and cause harmful effects to humans, animals, plants, or ecosystems. They can be solid, liquid, or gaseous and may come from natural sources or human activities.
Types of Pollutants
- Air Pollutants:
- Examples: Carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), particulate matter, ozone (O₃).
- Source: Vehicles, industries, burning fossil fuels.
- Water Pollutants:
- Examples: Heavy metals (lead, mercury), pesticides, plastics, sewage, oil spills.
- Source: Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, domestic sewage.
- Soil Pollutants:
- Examples: Pesticides, chemical fertilizers, heavy metals, radioactive waste.
- Source: Agriculture, mining, industrial processes.
- Noise and Thermal Pollutants:
- Noise from machinery, vehicles, or industries.
- Thermal pollution from industrial cooling processes affects water bodies.
Characteristics of Pollutants
- Toxicity: Can cause diseases or death in living organisms.
- Persistence: Some pollutants remain in the environment for a long time (e.g., plastics, heavy metals).
- Bioaccumulation: Certain pollutants accumulate in organisms and magnify through the food chain.