Logo

Causes of air pollution: Man-made causes


MAN-MADE CAUSES


Deforestation:

  • Deforestation is defined as cutting of trees at a large scale and rapid rate.
  • As the population is increasing, deforestation is done residential, agriculture and other basic requirements.

  • Deforestation causes the permanent destruction of forest that result in disturbance of biogeochemical cycles.

 

Combustion of fossil fuels:

  • The fossil fuels like coal and petroleum contain small amount of nitrogen and sulphur.
  • When these fuels are burnt, nitrogen and sulphur too are burnt and this produces different oxides of nitrogen and sulphur.
  • The combustion of fossil fuels also increases the amount of suspended particles in air. Suspended particles are the unburnt carbon particles called hydrocarbons.
  • Accumulation of oxides of nitrogen, sulphur and carbon causes disturbance in the environment and damage to biotic and biotic components.
  • They are used for different purposes and releases different pollutants in the environment.
  • Automobiles: By the combustion of petrol or diesel, used in mechanical vehicles, a poisonous gas called carbon monoxide is produced which mixes with air.

  • Industries: Because of burning of coal in factories, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are produced. These gases combine with moisture (water) in air and produce acid which is harmful.

  • Thermal power plants emit ashes, CO etc.

 

Industrial effluents (Gases)

  • Waste generated from the industries is known as effluents. Beside combustion of fossil fuels, the gaseous effluents produced by due to chemical reactions are also eliminated from the chimneys. These contain toxic and dangerous components like minute particles of metallic oxides, hydrocarbons and gaseous residues that cause the air pollution.

 

Mining:

  • Air pollution from coal mines is mainly due to emissions of suspended particulate matter and gases including methane (CH4), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) etc.

 

Overgrazing:

  • Overgrazing of grass or plants lead to the deforestation and thus affect the quality of air.

 

Solid waste:

  • Decomposition of accumulated waste in open areas releases persistent toxic gases in the environment that damages the environment.

 

CFC’s:

  • Chloroflurocarbons or freons are extensively used as coolants in refrigerators and air conditioners and as propellants in home insulation, foam, metallic cans etc. they are not decomposed in readily in environment and causes ozone layer depletion.