Question

Which is incorrect regarding pollution? (a) The presence of anything in the environment in excess of the required. (b) Anything put into environment which was not there in its natural state. (c) Direct or indirect changes in one or more components of the ccosystem which are not harmful to living organisms. (d) International relcase of any chemical substance into the cnvironment with harmful cffects.

Short answer

Option (c) is incorrect.

Step-by-step solution

- Analyze the Statement in Option (a)

Option (a) states: 'The presence of anything in the environment in excess of the required.' This statement is correct because pollution often involves substances being in excess quantities.

- Analyze the Statement in Option (b)

Option (b) states: 'Anything put into environment which was not there in its natural state.' This statement is also correct because pollution can involve the introduction of new, unnatural substances.

- Analyze the Statement in Option (c)

Option (c) states: 'Direct or indirect changes in one or more components of the ecosystem which are not harmful to living organisms.' This statement is incorrect because pollution is characterized by harmful effects to living organisms.

- Analyze the Statement in Option (d)

Option (d) states: 'International release of any chemical substance into the environment with harmful effects.' This statement is correct because pollution often involves harmful substances being released.

- Conclusion

After analyzing all the statements, it is clear that the incorrect statement regarding pollution is option (c).

Key concepts

Ecosystem Changes

Ecosystems are balanced and interconnected environments where plants, animals, and microorganisms interact with each other and their surroundings. Pollution disrupts these delicate balances. For example, pollution can lead to shifts in species populations, making some species dominate while others decline.
Take a water body, for instance. When excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus enter the water, it leads to an overgrowth of algae. This process, known as eutrophication, depletes oxygen in the water and causes fish and other aquatic life to die off.
Changes in the ecosystem can cascade through, affecting various aspects of the environment.

• Loss of biodiversity: Pollution might drive certain species to extinction.
• Habitat destruction: Pollutants can make environments uninhabitable.
• Food web disruption: Pollution affects organisms at all levels of the food chain.

Excess Substances

Pollution is often a result of substances present in the environment in quantities beyond what is naturally required. These excess substances can be harmful in different ways.
For example, excess carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere contributes to global warming and climate change. When pollutants like heavy metals accumulate in soil, they can become toxic to plants and animals.
Excess substances can come from:

• Industrial emissions
• Agricultural runoff
• Household waste
• Vehicle exhaust

When these substances exceed natural levels, they disrupt the equilibrium of the natural world, leading to various environmental and health problems.

Unnatural Substances

Unnatural substances refer to materials that do not occur naturally in the environment. These are often man-made chemicals introduced through industrial processes, plastic waste, and synthetic fertilizers.
For instance, plastic pollution is a significant threat to oceans. Marine animals ingest plastic, mistaking it for food, which can lead to injury or death. Besides physical hazards, plastics also release toxic chemicals as they break down.
Other examples of unnatural substances include:

• Pesticides and herbicides
• Heavy metals like mercury and lead
• Pharmaceuticals
• Industrial chemicals like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls)

These contaminants persist in the environment, posing long-term risks to ecosystems and human health.

Harmful Effects

The primary concern with pollution is its harmful effects on living organisms and the environment. Pollution can cause a range of detrimental effects:

• Health problems: Air pollution can lead to respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and even cancer.
• Environmental damage: Acid rain, resulting from air pollutants, can destroy forests and aquatic ecosystems.
• Climate change: Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and severe weather events.
• Water contamination: Pollutants can make water unsafe for drinking, harming both humans and wildlife.

Minimizing the release of harmful substances and managing waste effectively are crucial steps towards reducing the negative impacts of pollution on our planet.