Atmospheric Pollution: Definition, Types, Pollution Indicator

The Earth’s atmosphere can be divided mainly into two parts; the troposphere and the stratosphere. The troposphere is the region of the atmosphere that is closest to the ground. Humans and animals dwell here, and the majority of biological activity takes place here. Poisonous gases, smoke, fumes, smog, and other pollutants contribute to atmospheric pollution.

We are all worried about the ozone layer’s continuous depletion. We all are aware that the ozone layer’s depletion does not protect people from the harmful UV rays of the sun. This further causes skin diseases and eye problems. In this article, we have provided detailed information on atmospheric pollution. Scroll down to learn more!

Define Atmospheric Pollution

Atmospheric pollution is defined as the introduction of unwanted materials into the atmosphere due to natural phenomena or human activity on Earth, which hurts the air quality and, as a result, on life on Earth.

Also, check,

Environmental Pollution
Air Pollution
Water Pollution
Soil Pollution
Noise Pollution
Industrial Pollution

Types of Atmospheric Pollution

Atmospheric pollution research shows that pollutants may be classified into the following two categories.

1. Primary pollutants: Primary pollutants are emitted directly from sources. This category of pollutants includes toxic gases like sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, hydrogen sulphide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter, including smoke, dust, fumes, ash, metal particles, etc.
2. Secondary pollutants: Secondary pollutants are pollutants produced in the atmosphere due to chemical reactions involving primary pollutants. Oxidation, dissociation, and dissolution are the main chemical events that lead to secondary pollutants. Sulphur trioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, and other pollutants fall under this category.

Atmospheric pollutants can be divided into two groups based on their physical characteristics.

I. Gaseous pollutant: Gaseous pollutants are pollutants that become mixed up with air in a gaseous condition and do not settle down. Inorganic and organic gases are examples of gaseous pollutants. The vapours of low-boiling-point substances can also be considered gaseous pollutants. These pollutants include sulphur dioxide, sulphur trioxide, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, etc.

II. Particulate matter or particulates: The term “particulate” refers to all substances that are not gases but are present in the atmosphere. Particulates or particle matter are contaminants that mix with air in a liquid or solid condition and either stay suspended for a long time or settle down after a while. Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, moulds, mists, smoke, fumes, dust, carbon particles, lead, cadmium compounds, cotton dust, and other pollutants are examples.

Major Sources of Atmospheric Pollution

1. Carbon monoxide: Incomplete combustion of fuels in automobiles, fireplaces, and various industries releases carbon monoxide into the atmosphere.
2. Carbon dioxide: Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring gas in the atmosphere that plants require. It is released into the atmosphere as a result of the combustion of fuels in homes and industries.
3. Sulphur dioxide: It is also a prevalent contaminant produced when sulphur-containing coal and petroleum are burned.
4. Sulphur trioxide: The oxidation of \({\rm{S}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}\) in the presence of sunlight in the atmosphere produces sulphur trioxide.
5. Oxides of nitrogen: Nitric oxide \({\rm{(NO)}}\) and nitrogen dioxide \({\rm{(N}}{{\rm{O}}_2})\) are the most significant air pollutants among the nitrogen oxides present in the atmosphere. The primary source of these nitrogen oxides is the combustion of fossil fuels in automobiles and thermal power plants.

Causes of Atmospheric Pollution

The causes of atmospheric pollution are as follows:

1. Deforestation: Deforestation is a source of pollution in the atmosphere. Green plants use \({\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}\) for photosynthesis and release \({{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}\) into the atmosphere, cleaning the air. As a result, plants aid in the control of air pollution. Excessive tree cutting thus contributes to air pollution.
2. Industrial processes: Air pollution is also caused by a wide variety of industrial processes. For example, sulphuric acid industries emits a significant amount of \({\rm{S}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}\) into the atmosphere; the iron and steel industries emit \({\rm{S}}{{\rm{O}}_2}{\rm{,}}\,{\rm{CO, C}}{{\rm{O}}_2},\) metal oxides, and other pollutants; and so on. The fertiliser industry emits nitrogen oxides and dust; the cement industry emits dust including oxides of sodium, potassium, aluminium, calcium, and other metals; and the petrochemical industry emits \({\rm{CO, N}}{{\rm{H}}_3},\) formaldehyde, gasoline, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and other air pollutants.
3. Combustion of fuels: Air pollution is mainly caused by the combustion of fuels such as coal, wood, petrol, and diesel in various industries and automobiles. Coal is used as a fuel in thermal power plants and a variety of industries. The combustion of coal releases \({\rm{S}}{{\rm{O}}_2}{\rm{,}}\,{\rm{CO}},\) nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and other pollutants into the environment, polluting the air. In planes and automobiles, fuel combustion produces smoke with a high percentage of carbon monoxide.
4. Usage of pesticides: The use of pesticides, weedicides, and other chemicals in agricultural and other activities is on the rise. When sprayed on crops, chlorinated hydrocarbons, organic phosphates, lead, mercury, and other pollutants are released into the atmosphere, polluting the air.
5. Sewage and domestic refuse: Sewage and household waste emit foul-smelling gases that pollute the air because they contain \({\rm{CO, C}}{{\rm{O}}_2},\) hydrocarbons, and other hazardous gases.
6. Nuclear explosions: Nuclear explosions contaminate the atmosphere by producing uranium and beryllium dust, radioisotopes, and hazardous radioactive radiations.
7. Usage of toxic solvents: Toxic solvents are commonly used in processes such as painting furniture, cars, and other items, as well as dyeing, printing, and dry cleaning, emit a variety of pollutants into the environment, such as hydrocarbons and organic vapours.

Effects of Atmospheric Pollution

The effects of atmospheric pollution are as follows:

1. Global warming: There is an imbalance in the gaseous composition of the atmosphere as a result of greenhouse gas emissions. The Earth’s temperature has risen as a result of this. Global warming refers to an increase in the Earth’s temperature. The melting of glaciers and rising sea levels have resulted as a result of this. Many parts of the island are completely submerged.
2. Acid rain: Acid rain occur when atmosphere is heavily polluted with nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides. The combustion of fossil fuels emits hazardous gases into the atmosphere. When water droplets come into contact with these contaminants, they become acidic and cause acid rain, harming people, animals, and plants.
3. Disease: Humans have been detected with various respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as a result of air pollution. Lung cancer has been more common during the previous few decades. Pneumonia and asthma are common in children who live near polluted environments. Every year, a large number of people die as a result of the direct or indirect impacts of air pollution.
4. Harmful effect on Animals: Pollutants in the air settle in the water, affecting aquatic life. Pollution also causes animals to leave their natural habitat and relocate. This causes them to become stray and has resulted in the extinction of several animal species.
5. Ozone layer Depletion: The main source of ozone layer depletion is the emission of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere. The ozone layer’s depletion does not protect people from the harmful UV rays of the sun, which cause skin diseases and eye problems.
6. Harmful effects on plants: A high concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere harms the plants, causing leaf drop, reduced leaf size, and premature ageing, damaging plants, causing leaf spotting, photosynthetic activity to be slowed, and vegetative development to be stifled.

Atmospheric Pollution Indicator

Usually, lichen indicates atmospheric pollution:

Lichen

Below we have provided detailed information about Lichen:

1. Environmental indicators like lichens are commonly employed. There may be no lichens present, only green algae if the air is extremely polluted with sulphur dioxide.
   Shrubby, hairy, and leafy lichens become common when the air is clean. A few lichen species can withstand high amounts of pollution and are regularly seen on city sidewalks, walls, and tree bark.
2. The dispersion of air pollutants via large chimney stacks resulted in acid rain, becoming a recognised international problem. Lichens on bark have been affected by air pollution and acid deposition, particularly because tree bark has become increasingly acidic. Despite lower amounts of gaseous sulphur dioxide, the bark of older trees is too acidic for recolonisation in some regions and new growth forms on twigs and younger trees.

Atmospheric Pollution Research

Atmospheric Pollution Research \(({\rm{APR}})\) is a peer-reviewed international journal that publishes research on air pollution. New experimental data, theory, and air pollution modelling on local, regional, and global scales are presented in papers. Air quality monitoring, air quality management, atmospheric dispersion and transport, air-surface (soil, water, and vegetation) exchange of pollutants, dry and wet deposition, indoor air quality, exposure assessment, health effects, satellite measurements, natural emissions, atmospheric chemistry, greenhouse gases, and effects on climate change and atmospheric chemistry are among the topics covered.

Summary

Atmospheric pollution is defined as the introduction of unwanted materials into the atmosphere. Primary pollutants include sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, hydrogen sulphide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter. Secondary pollutants are pollutants produced in the atmosphere due to chemical reactions involving primary pollutants. The major sources of atmospheric pollution are \({\rm{CO}},\,{\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_2},{\mkern 1mu} {\rm{S}}{{\rm{O}}_2},{\mkern 1mu} {\rm{N}}{{\rm{O}}_3},\) etc. Global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion are major harmful effects of atmospheric pollution.

FAQs on Atmospheric Pollution

Q.1. What is meant by atmospheric pollution?
Ans. Atmospheric pollution is defined as the introduction of unwanted materials into the atmosphere due to natural phenomena or human activity on Earth, which hurts the air quality and, as a result, on life on Earth.

Q.2. What is the effect of atmospheric pollution?
Ans: Global warming, acid rain, diseases, harmful effect on animals and plants and ozone depletion are the effect of atmospheric pollution.

Q.3. What are \(10\) ways to reduce pollution?
Ans: Ways to reduce pollution are as follows:
a. Implement afforestation
b. Avoid using products with chemicals
c. Use filters for chimneys
d. Reduction of forest fires and smoking
e. Reduce the use of plastic bags
f. Use fans instead of air conditioner
g. Recycle and reuse
h. Use public transport
i. Turn off the lights when not in use
j. Avoid using products with chemicals

Q.4. What are the top \(5\) causes of air pollution?
Ans: Causes of air pollution are as follows:
a. Deforestation
b. Industrial process
c. Combustion of fuels
d. Usage of pesticides
e. Nuclear explosion

Q.5. What are the major atmospheric pollutants?
Ans: The major atmospheric pollutants are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, sulphur trioxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrogen sulphide, ozone, hydrocarbons.

Q.6. What are the major sources of atmospheric pollution?
Ans: The major sources of atmospheric pollution are deforestation, industrial process, combustion of fuels, usage of pesticides, nuclear explosion, etc.

Q.7. What is atmospheric pollution in geography?
Ans: Chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the health of humans, animals, and plants are referred to as air pollution. They can be gases, solid particles, or liquid droplets.

Q.8. What is the highest cause of atmospheric pollution?
Ans: The combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and other factory combustibles is a major source of atmospheric pollution.

Q.9. What are the main dimensions of atmospheric pollution?
Ans: The major atmospheric pollutants are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, sulphur trioxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrogen sulphide, ozone, hydrocarbons.