Biosphere 3 Flashcards
What is water pollution?
‘Alteration in physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water which may have harmful effects on human and aquatic life.’
What are the natural sources of water pollution?
Soil erosion, landslides, volcanic eruption, decay and decomposition of plants and animals.
What are the man-made sources of water pollution?
Industrial effluents, urban waste, domestic waste, agricultural waste, thermal waste, oil spill, offshore drilling, nuclear waste.
What are the types of water pollution?
Sea or Ocean water pollution, Ground water pollution, River water pollution, Lake pollution.
What are the important effects of water pollution?
Spreads water-borne diseases and epidemics, causes death of aquatic life, affects irrigation water and agricultural crops.
What measures can be taken to control water pollution?
Industrial effluents must be treated; drinking water sources must be kept clean; sewage treatment plants; control disposal of waste on water bodies.
What is soil pollution?
Decrease in the quality of soils either due to human sources or natural sources or by both.
What are the sources of soil pollution?
Industrial and mining waste, domestic and urban waste, agricultural waste, nuclear waste.
What are the effects of soil pollution?
Decreases the fertility of the soil, converts the region into wasteland, destroys micro-organisms in the soil.
What measures can be taken to control soil pollution?
Controlled use of chemical fertilizers, proper disposal of industrial and urban waste, proper land use and crop management, awareness programs.
What is noise pollution?
‘Any undesirable sound dumped into the atmosphere leading to health hazards.’
