Natural Sources of Pollution - Research Paper Example

Pollution Introduction The earth’s ecosystem has continually been threatened due to the perennial problem of pollution. To this end,adverse effects on the earth’s ecosystem have contributed to the degradation in the quality of air, water, soil and health of living organisms. Moreover, in some instances, scientific evidence has shown that extinction of species has been caused due to extreme pollution of their habitats. Over and above this, the global crisis of climate change has been attributed to the increasing pollution levels as a result of unsustainable human processes. Evidently, pollution has been in existence since the dawn of mankind. These pollutions have been mostly due to natural causes arising from the Earth’s natural processes such as volcanic activity or sedimentation caused by river flows. However, the Earth possesses its own purifying systems that are in a capacity of counterbalancing the adverse effects of pollution. On the other hand, the Earth’s natural purifying systems have a limit to what it can adequately control. To this end, the acceleration of pollution due to rapid industrialization and unsustainable practices by man, has led to the compounding of pollution effects across earth’s ecosystem levels. At this juncture, the United Nations Environmental Program have defined pollution as the inclusion of contaminants into a pristine environment that consequently degrades its quality, and leads to detrimental effects. Evidently, pollution stems from two principal sources; natural source and manmade sources or industrial sources. Moreover, there are myriad types of pollution that accrue from pollution. To this end, these types of pollution include, air, water, noise, visual, soil, waste, food, light and construction pollution. The subsequent section will intricately delve into the two sources and types of pollution. Moreover, an in depth analysis of the effects of pollution on the environment, health, and animals will be highlighted. Finally, the report will recommend measures of preventing and reducing pollution in Dubai. Natural Sources of Pollution The natural sources of pollution refer to contaminants are introduced by natural processes as opposed to manmade processes. Evidently, these natural sources affect the air water and soil. To this end, natural sources include toxic gases produced by volcanic eruptions (BTNEP). These gases are mostly nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide that contribute to the changing of chemical processes such as acidification of rainwater. Moreover, the heat generated during a volcanic eruption increases the surface temperature of the atmosphere. In addition, the dust and ash produced during a volcanic eruption causes visibility problems and respiratory infections. Windstorms and sandstorms are another source of natural air pollution that generated dust, sand and dirt into the atmosphere. Natural forest fires generate smoke that emits toxic carbon monoxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. Evidently, particulate matters are composed of tars, dangerous organic matter and soot that can result to cardiovascular and respiratory complications. Furthermore, methane gas emissions from wetlands such as swamps are equally another source of natural pollution. Cows too are culprits in emitting methane gas after consumption of organic materials from grass and hay. The methane degrades the air quality. On the other hand, the natural sources of water pollution include sedimentation resulting from erosive aspects of water flow in the river system. Moreover, sedimentation may occur after storm events such as windstorms or hurricanes that carry dust and dirt particles. Further natural sources of water pollution include nutrients. Evidently, nutrients that possess phosphorous and nitrogen have a substantial impact on waterways. The nutrients contribute to the excessive growth of planktons. Consequently, when the planktons die, excessive amounts of organic matter decompose in the water. This leads to lower amount of dissolved oxygen in water. Moreover, high amounts of waste are excreted by a large number of animals such as geese, ducks and fish that reside in water. Consequently, the excessive excretions cause pollution by degrading the water quality. Man made Types Pollution Man made types of pollution contribute to the most adverse effects to the natural environment. Evidently, the growing human population coupled with rapid industrialization has led to the increase in all types of pollution. In effect man made pollution have led to the subsequent types of pollution; Air Pollution Air pollution denotes the substances that interfere with the composition of normal atmospheric compounds. Consequently, the leading pollutants arising from man’s process include exhaust fumes from motor vehicles, industrial processes that emit carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons and nitric acid. Other sources, include man made forest fires, solvent evaporation during production of lubricants and paints, solid waste disposal that emit strong, pungent odors. Moreover, during fuel production such as fractional distillation, carbon dioxide emissions in the amount of 14% occur in the atmosphere (Gammon, 2012). Water Pollution Water pollution arises from manmade pollutants that degrade the water quality. To this end, pollution occurs in waterways and water sources such as rain, lakes, rivers or oceans. Evidently, the major sources of water pollutants include petroleum products such as plastics, production of crude oil or solvent manufacture (Oracle Education Foundations). These petroleum products contaminate water through accidental spillage from fuel tanks or improper production processes of toxic substances. Other sources include agricultural chemical such as pesticides, insecticides or fungicides. Poorly treated sewage sludge, excess organic matter from chemical fertilizers and animal waste also pollute water sources. Noise Pollution Noise pollution involves an increase in the noise levels within the environment due to human activities (Gammon, 2012). To this end, the major causes of noise arise from traffic noises caused by road, rail and air transportation. Moreover, industrial noise resulting from various manufacturing processes and operation of plant materials result noise pollution. Other sources include demolition or construction noise as well as domestic noise arising from neighborhoods. Visual Pollution Visual pollution pertains to obscene, and undesirable attributes of a particular scenery. The visual pollutions negatively affect the aesthetic value of a particular area. To this end, source of visual pollution includes adverts displayed on posters or billboards, dumping sites, construction areas, power cables or vacant and neglected buildings. Soil Pollution Soil pollution refers to human practices that deteriorate the land surface. To this end, the causes include improper agricultural practices, dumping of industrial wastes, overexploitation of mineral resources and uncontrolled disposal of domestic wastes. Pollution waste Pollution waste refers to the disposable garbage that contaminates the three principal components of the environment. Incidentally, these pollution wastes contaminate the air, water and land resources. To this end, the sources of pollution waste include raw sewage, litter, and electronic wastes. References BTNEP. (n.d.). Natural Sources of Pollution. BTNEP. Retrieved November 15, 2012, from http://www.btnep.org/subsites/water/ estuarywater/sourcesofpollution/naturalsources.aspx Corder, R. (2008, March 7). Dubais traffic pollution among worlds worst.arabianbusiness.com. Retrieved November 16, 2012, from www.arabianbusiness.com/dubai-s-traffic-pollution-among-world-s-worst-52827.html Gammon, K. ,. (2012, August 27). Pollution Facts | Types of Pollution | LiveScience . Science News – Science Articles and Current Events | LiveScience. Retrieved November 15, 2012, from http://www.livescience.com/22728-pollution-facts.html Gray, J. (2012, October 24). Pollution From Construction. Sustainable Building, Development and ECO Construction Techniques . Retrieved November 15, 2012, from http://www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/pollution fromconstruction.html Oracle Education Foundations. (n.d.). [ Types ].ThinkQuest : Library. Retrieved November 15, 2012, from http://library.thinkquest.org/C0111040/ Types/types.php United Arab Emirates. (2011, November 23). UAE ramps up efforts to curb construction pollution | Middle East Real Estate | AMEinfo.com. Middle East business & financial news | business directory & current events | AME Info. Retrieved November 15, 2012, from http://www.ameinfo.com/281866.html Read More