Types of pollution

Think of at least 3 different types of pollution.

Pollution Management!!Nature of pollution

Learning outcomes

You will be able to:• Define the term pollution• State the major sources of pollution

Most of you should be able to:• Distinguish between point source and non-point

source pollution• Outline the challenges they present for

management

What is pollution?

Individually write down your ideas for a definition of pollution…

“Pollution is defined as the contamination of the Earth and atmosphere to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected.”

Point source pollution• What do you think it means?

Discrete sources of pollution that can be represented as single points on a map. Source of the pollution can be tracked, e.g. waste disposal pipe into a river.

Non-point source pollution

More dispersed – numerous sources from which pollutants originate and enter the environment, e.g. gases from vehicles.

Which of the two is it going to be easier to manage?

Point source…

Whereas,Non-point source…

It can be found much more easily. You can identify who is polluting and control emissions, apportion responsibility and take legal action.

It may be virtually impossible to detect exactly where it is coming from. Rainwater can collect nitrates and phosphates then travel many kilometres before draining into a lake. You would never know who had spread the excess fertilizer.

Major sources of pollution

Combustion of fossil

fuels

Domestic waste

Industrial waste

Agricultural waste

Sulphur dioxideCarbon dioxide

Nitrogen oxides Carbon monoxide

Organic waste

Waste paper

Plastics

Glass

Heavy metalsFluorides

HeatLead

Acids

Nitrates

Organic waste

Pesticides

Checking outcomes

Eyes closed and hands up if you think you can…• Define the term pollution• Distinguish between point source and non-

point source pollution• Outline the challenges they present for

management• State the major sources of pollution

Let’s do it...

On the piece of paper write down:• A definition of pollution• The distinction between point source and

non-point source pollution• Which is easier to manage, why?• The major sources of pollution