The 10 types of pollution (and effects on the ecosystem)

Concern for the environmentAlthough it has existed throughout history, it was not a widespread phenomenon until relatively recently.

But today society is aware of the need to preserve the environment, as well as that human activity itself can cause different types of waste (both in form of material and energy) that can have consequences and cause alterations both in the environment (such as by acidification of the soil or water, or the acceleration of global warming) as well as in the different species of living beings including humans (loss of habitats, biological rhythms such as sleep or behavioral alterations, for example).

In addition, we are aware of the existence of various types of contamination. In this article we are going to visualize the main ones.

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The concept of pollution

Although, as we have said, there are very different types, as a general concept that encompasses them, we understand contamination as the fact of introduce into the environment any type of element that causes damage

more or less prolonged in time (it can also be permanent) in such a way that its normal functioning is altered in a negative way.

The term pollution is generally associated with the environment, but it can also be considered as such that which aversively affects a locality, species or person.

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Types of pollution

When classifying pollution we can take into account different criteria. However, as a general rule, it is used as the main way to classify the types of contamination the observation of the pollutant element or the one that is contaminated. In this sense we have the following types of contamination.

1. Atmospheric pollution

The best known is the type of pollution that arises from the release of chemical particles into the atmosphere. Also known as pollution, it is the type of pollution that affects through the air. One of the best known pollutants in this sense are CO2, methane and smoke from combustion.

2. Water pollution

It is the effect of the emission and release of pollutants in the waters. Life and normative use are made difficult or altered, making it undrinkable. Usually this pollution is of industrial origin. It includes maritime pollution, which would refer to the pollution of the seas and oceans for the same cause.

3. Soil and subsoil pollution

Caused by the filtration of substances in the soil, it generates physical and chemical alterations in it that make it uninhabitable for example, the groundwater is polluted or the growth of life in the area is prevented.

4. Radioactive pollution

It is one of the most dangerous and aggressive types of pollution with life. It is produced by the release of radioactive material and has an effect on any surface. It is usually derived from human action, such as the dumping of waste or disasters in nuclear power plants like the one in Chernobyl.

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5. Thermal pollution

One of the lesser known types of pollution, it is generated by the change in temperature in the environment or in different environments due to human activity.

6. Visual contamination

Although in principle the concept may be similar to that of light pollution, in this case it refers to the alteration of the environment based on visual stimuli that they have nothing to do with brightness. For example, it refers to the visual changes that occur in nature due to human activity.

7. Light pollution

It is one of the types of pollution in which the pollutant is visual. light pollution the polluting element itself is the emission of light outside of what would be natural, causing problems such as loss of orientation or changes in biorhythms both human beings and other animals.

8. Noise pollution

We call noise pollution the emission of sound in an excessive proportion, frequency, tone, volume and rhythm that causes an alteration in the environment or in the beings that inhabit it. This type of pollution is experienced, for example, by those who live in highly touristy neighborhoods where there are many discos and music venues.

9. Electromagnetic pollution

Although it may not be so directly perceptible by humans, it refers to contamination derived from the use of electrical elements or that generate electromagnetic phenomena. They can cause disorientation and possible harm in different animals, and the effects on humans even are discussed (sometimes linked to cancer, erection disorders or some mental problems and physical).

10. Food contamination

It refers to the presence of different substances in food that cause effects of different magnitude in those who consume it. For example, the contamination of fish by mercury from water contamination or that caused by the sale of food in poor condition or infected with some disease.

Bibliographic references:

• Elsom, D. (1990). The atmospheric pollution. Ediciones Cátedra SA.
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2001). "Status of Ratifications".