Study Material For M A Semester II Geography

Study Material For M. A. Semester II: Geography Paper: M-202 Environmental Geography Unit-2 Topic: Air Pollution Prepared by: Dr. Vinita Prasad Asst. Professor Department of Geography A. N. College (PPU), Patna

Air Pollution: Meaning Pollution is derived from Latin word "polluere" which means to defile. Pollution is an undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of our air, land water that can harmfully affect human life or that of other species. Air pollution is the contamination of air by harmful gases, dust and smoke which affects the plants, animals, and humans drastically. In other words Air pollution means the presence of chemicals or compounds in the air which are usually not present and which lower the quality of the air or cause detrimental changes to the quality of life.

Types of Air Pollutants There are two types of air pollutants: Primary Pollutants The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are known as primary pollutants. Secondary Pollutants The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of primary pollutants are known as secondary pollutants. Smog, formed by the intermingling of smoke and fog is a secondary pollutant.

Air Pollution: Causes Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems. The anthropogenic activities such as mining, construction, transportation, industrial work, agriculture, smelting, etc are the prime source of air pollution. However, natural processes such as volcanic eruptions and wildfires may also pollute the air, but their occurrence is rare and their effect is confined to small area, where as anthropogenic activities have global impact. air pollution caused by

Air Pollution : Causes Air Pollution: Natural Causes • Air Pollution: Anthropogenic Causes Volcanic eruptions emit a series of toxic gases such as sulfur and • of metallic particulate matters in chlorine as well as particulate the air. matter like ash particles. • Winds and air currents can lift • • Accidental leakage inorganic chemicals. and particulate matter to the atmosphere. process industrial processes. transport them over large areas. Wildfires adds carbon monoxide Emission of piousness gases during various pollutants from the ground and • Mining and smelting emits variety • Burning of Fossil Fuels of volatile

Air Pollution : Causes Air Pollution: Natural Causes • Microbial decaying Air Pollution: Anthropogenic Causes processes • Automobiles releases harmful gases such as • Construction methane gas in the atmosphere. and demolition activities. • Coal Power Plants • Landfill disposal practices emits methane. • Agricultural Activities releases toxic volatile organic compounds. • Military activities • Domestic Sources

Effects of Air Pollution The hazardous effects of air pollution on the environment include: Diseases Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory disorders and rise in heart diseases, lung cancer, pneumonia and asthma. Many people die every year due to the direct or indirect effects of air pollution. Global Warming Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, has led to an increase in the temperature of the earth giving way to global warming. This has resulted in the melting of glaciers and an increase in sea levels.

Acid Rain The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides gases in the air. The water droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic, and fall as acid rain which damages human, animal and plant life. Ozone Layer Depletion The release of chlorofluorocarbons and hydro chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is the major cause of depletion of the ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer allows the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun to inter the earth’s atmosphere causing skin diseases and eye problems.

Air Pollution Control Following measures should be adopted to control air pollution: Avoid Using Vehicles one should avoid using personal vehicles for shorter distances, and should prefer public modes of transport to travel from one place to another. Energy Conservation Use of energy-efficient devices and practices can control pollution to a greater level.

Use of Clean Energy Resources: The use of solar, wind and geothermal energies reduce air pollution at a larger level. Other air pollution control measures include: By minimizing and reducing the use of fire and fire products. Industrial emissions should be controlled or treated at the source itself to reduce its harmful effects. Fuel substitution is another way of controlling air pollution. The industries are need to maintain their equipments to minimize the emission of air pollution. Plants and trees reduce a large number of pollutants in the air. Ideally, planting trees in areas of high pollution levels will be extremely effective.

Conclusion a larger scale, governments at all levels are making commitments to limit emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The Paris Agreement, the Kigali Amendment and the Montreal Protocol all have their focus on to curb air pollution at the global level.

Reference: 1. https: //byjus. com/biology/air-pollution-control 2. https: //www. environmentalpollutioncenters. org 3. https: //www. thefreedictionary. com 4. https: //healthfully. com