The main cause of physical pollution is the impact on the biosphere of radiation. It affects the natural state of the environment, resulting in a serious deviation of natural substances from the norm. Physical pollution includes such types of radiation as:
As a rule, all of the above types of pollution are directly related to human activities. For example, the operation of power lines is capable of emitting such types as electromagnetic, radio wave, microwave, light and infrared radiation. However, we note that the main radiation comes from sunlight, as well as natural matter and various natural phenomena.
Characteristics of types of physical pollution and their impact
Each type of physical pollution has its own characteristic features. Thermal and radioactive pollution has a great influence.
thermal pollution
Characterized by the effect of heat on air and water. It can be negative when thermal temperature gradients increase. Such fluctuations entail energy changes in processes in the atmosphere and hydrosphere. It can affect the earth’s crust and generally negatively affect people’s lives. The main sources of this pollution are gas pipelines that come from industrial complexes, as well as heating mains and various prefabricated collectors.
Thermal pollution affects the hydrosphere by increasing the temperature of the water, as a result of which the solubility of oxygen decreases and the activity of the biocenosis of the water system decreases. In addition, many living organisms are very sensitive to various changes in the temperature background of water.
Nuclear pollution
The active impact of radiation affects during the entire period of the formation of life on the Earth. It has been scientifically proven that radioactivity affects the heredity of all living organisms. Moreover, the impact can even be from low-intensity radiation. Radioactive radiation enters the body through living tissues, like small bullets. It can destroy the cells of any organisms. With a high intensity of radioactive radiation, cells can stop dividing altogether. For this reason, it is actively used in oncology to fight cancer cells.
Activists from Greenpeace Africa simulate nuclear pollution on the beach in Sea Point, Cape Town. The simulated nuclear pollution disaster seeks to increase public awareness of nuclear risks. The activists are taking part in a global day of action. Activists in 19 countries protest against nuclear power in advance of the March 11 memorial for the Fukushima Daiichi disaster.
radiation pollution
Radiation itself is extremely dangerous for any organisms on Earth. Even low doses of radiation destroy DNA molecules. These damaged cells can mutate and cause cancer. A very small radiation contamination may not immediately show up on people, but they contribute to the development of oncology and affect the birth of offspring.
Physical pollution of industrial production. The entire industry, according to the degree of impact on human health and the state of the natural environment, is divided into three types. The first type does not have a cardinally harmful effect on humans. The second type indirectly affects the state of people and nature. The third group has a serious harmful effect on the environment and humans. For a long time, the construction of large industrial complexes near cities was prohibited, however, due to development, this rule began to be ignored in many countries.
Pollution from high-voltage power lines and various radio and television broadcasts lead to electromagnetic radiation, as well as the use of microwaves, telephones and computers.
Noise pollution
Noise, the level of which goes beyond the natural background, has a negative impact on all living organisms. It can be both industrial and household.
All types of physical pollution have a negative impact on the environment and human health. In particular, a lot of people died from strong radiation, and a small amount of it led to the development of oncology and mutations.
