Environmental pollution is when an element that causes damage to the soil, water or air is introduced. This damage can last for a longer or shorter time, and can even be permanent. Consequently, the natural functioning is negatively altered.
Although we associate it with the environment when we talk about pollution, it can also be a location, a person or a species.
There are three fundamental criteria to classify pollution: according to the environment it affects, the polluting method and the extension of the source.
Classification of environmental pollution:
According to the environment it affects:
Atmospheric or environmental pollution: this is the most well-known type of pollution. It occurs when chemical substances are released into the atmosphere. Therefore, it occurs through the air. What produces this type of pollution most is the release of CO2, methane and smoke from combustion. It can affect both locally and globally.
Hydric or water: it occurs when waste or substances that pollute water are released or emitted. This alters or complicates the lives of marine animals and people. It can make the water undrinkable, even causing infections and diseases to those who come into contact with it. It is usually caused by the dumping of domestic and industrial waste.
Ground or subsoil: when contaminating matter seeps into the soil, altering it physically and chemically. Some of the consequences are: the soil becomes uninhabitable, groundwater is contaminated or life cannot grow around the affected soil.
Depending on the polluting method:
Radioactive: occurs when radioactive materials are released or dispersed. It affects any surface. It is one of the most dangerous and aggressive contaminations. It occurs as a result of an accident, because of the use of radioactive material or when radioactive material is stored when it is no longer needed.
Chemical: usually occurs when the other types of contamination occur by the methods already described. Chemical residues accumulate and end up contaminating as well. It can affect water, soil, food…
Thermal: perhaps it is one of the least known contaminations, but it does not cease to exist. It is when the temperature of the environment increases due to human activity. It is one of the causes of climate change.
Visual: this concept refers to when, because of human activity, the natural landscape is visually altered. That is, because of the increase in construction, rural or urban landscapes are affected and the landscape no longer looks the same. We now see more buildings, electric towers, billboards, roads, instead of nature and green spaces. It is in reference to what we see in our environment.
Acoustics: when the noise or music of an environment exceeds certain decibels and disturbs those who live near this noise. It is usually a consequence of human activity.
Light: when artificial light is excessive, it is more than that produced naturally, and interferes with observatories and astronomers being able to observe the sky in ideal conditions. It also causes loss of orientation and changes in biorhythms and affects the lives of animals. It is especially noticeable at night near large cities.
Electromagnetic: is the pollution produced by electronic equipment. For example, computers, televisions, high voltage towers, antennas and household appliances.
Genetics: occurs when genetic material is transferred to plants, either in a controlled or unchecked way. It can affect a particular population or species and genetic biodiversity.
Food: when substances are found in food that affect consumers differently.
Depending on the extent of the contaminating source:
Point: the contaminating agent is found at a specific point.
Linear: the contamination occurs in a line.
Diffuse: the contamination is found homogeneously in an area.