Pollution 101

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a stretch of floating plastic with twice the surface area of France. CREDIT: The Ocean Cleanup

Let's talk about pollution. 

What are the types of pollution? When you hear pollution you think: dirty water, unclean air, and overused soil. In reality, pollution is much more than that. And with this, instead of thinking of all the causes, let's talk about those solutions. We are here to stop being the bystanders and become the doers. 

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​So, what’s air pollution? What causes air pollution? What are the effects of air pollution? 

​In simplistic terms, air pollution is caused from harmful particles and gases intertwining with the atmosphere. The common pollutants of air pollution include methane, ammonia, carbon monoxide, and sometimes ozone. These substances become collected in the air or in other terms, they are considered aerosols. Aerosols are an after effect caused by human behavior. These unwanted particles are often released from factory production, car emissions, or chemical reactions.  

Aerosols are a major contribution to climate change. They can affect the climate in two ways. CREDIT: Avi Sood.

​Questions stemming from the topic of air pollution often are related to the concept of ozone. What is ozone you ask? Ozone can be both harmful and helpful. When ozone is far from our atmosphere--higher above the ground we walk on--it serves as a shield from sun radiation. However, when ozone dips down closer to us and mixes with aerosols, it creates smog.

​Not only does air pollution hurt us health wise, but the effects of air pollution are much grander than that. Air pollution can be linked to changes in global temperatures. Greenhouse gases (substances that take in radiation and give off radiation) are warming the Earth and increasing global temperatures. The air pollution facts are simple; we need to change our ways of living to improve the world around us.

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What are the causes of water pollution? What is water pollution? What are the effects of water pollution? And most importantly, what is water pollution?

To even begin to answer these questions, we must define water pollution. Water pollution is when particles corrode fresh water and ultimately, cause the water quality to drastically degrade. Water is easily polluted because water is the universal solvent; it can break down and intertwine with any polar material. 

Now, how does water pollution affect us? When water falls from the sky, it becomes our drinking water. However, this groundwater can be easily contaminated with pollutants from pesticides to fertilizers. ​

Another widely known pollutant of water is oil. Oil spills can cause catastrophic damage to a body of water. Oil cannot dissolve in water and therefore it accumulates on the water surface. The oil can therefore suffocate marine life and prevent photosynthetic plants from receiving sunlight. ​

There's water pollution in Africa and there's water pollution in Florida--the problem is worldwide. Once water is polluted, it can be nearly impossible to get rid of contaminants. Any body of water, regardless of its size or shape, can become contaminated and it is our job to help prevent this pollution. ​

The Mauritius oil spill is just the most recent of a long history of disastrous oil spills. CREDIT: Greenpeace Africa

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What is land pollution? What are the effects of land pollution? What are the land pollution statistics?

​The land pollution definition is simple. Land pollution is the gradual destruction of Earth’s viable soil and resources due to human activities. The causes of land pollution are extensive.    

​Deforestation is a leading cause of land pollution. If land is converted to dryland, the soil will never be viable again--completely unusable for vegetation. Along with this, increasing population has turned into a huge contributor to land pollution. With a higher need for living accommodations, more land is being converted to livable terrain for people. With this, less land is available for plant life.

​Along with this, increased population leads to a higher need for food. Farmers use more and more chemical fertilizers and pesticides to prevent loss of food. And with that, the soil slowly becomes unusable until the land can no longer be used for production of food.

​On top of that, the rising rates of population contribute to the increasing amounts of trash produced by each family that are sent to landfills. These landfills are filled and increase in size each and every day, gradually taking away the beauty of our land.

Pesticides are slowly poisoning the land as well as insects. CREDIT: MCN

From sewage treatment to littering, each act is impacting our land in a negative way. Land pollution statistics are clear. Change needs to be done. ​

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​Pollution is obviously a huge problem and listed above are only some of the causes and effects of pollution on Earth. Pollution directly impacts the people and animals that live on Earth and it is our duty to clean up our act before it is too late. 

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Hailey Ferris is a high school junior in central California. Hailey participates in tennis, robotics, history day, Destination Imagination, and two nonprofits! Career wise, Hailey intends on becoming a biologist. Hailey hopes The Ecolibrium Project can help increase environmental awareness and create an overall more green planet!