What are the 4 main pollution types?
The four main pollution types are air, water, soil and land. Each of these types has its own distinct set of environmental problems and consequences.
Air pollutants:
The most common types of air pollutants are carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and photochemical ozone (the layer of gas that absorbs sunlight). They are produced by industry and motor vehicles.
Soil contamination:
When a chemical is spilled or leaking into the ground, it can cause soil erosion. It can also make the soil more acidic, which can damage plants.
Water pollution:
The water we drink, cook with and use for gardening is contaminated with many different substances. Some of these substances can be dangerous to our health.
Animal waste from cattle ranches, car oil and chemicals that are added to fertilizers are just a few examples of what’s found in our waterways every time it rains. They wash into streams and rivers, causing harmful algal blooms in lakes.
Plastic pollution:
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a huge concentration of plastics and chemical sludge in the middle of the northern Pacific Ocean. This problem is becoming more widely known, and organizations like 5 Gyres are working to raise awareness about it.
Noise pollution:
The sounds of traffic, aircraft and industrial noise are also a problem. They affect the lives of people and animals who live near the sources of these noises.