(a) (i) What is Pollution? (ii) Name two pollutants each of air and water. (b) (i) State four effects of water pollution. (ii)Mention four ways of preventin...

Answer Details

(a)(i) Pollution

Pollution is the release of harmful or unwanted substances (pollutants) into the environment (air, water or soil), which makes it unclean, unsafe or unfit for living things.

(a)(ii) Two pollutants each

• Air pollutants: carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide (also carbon dioxide, smoke/soot, oxides of nitrogen).
• Water pollutants: crude oil (petroleum) and sewage (also industrial chemicals, detergents, fertilisers, refuse).

(b)(i) Four effects of water pollution

• It kills fish and other aquatic organisms.
• It causes water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid in humans.
• It makes water unfit for drinking, domestic and industrial use.
• It reduces the dissolved oxygen in water (leading to death of aquatic life).
• It destroys the beauty of water bodies and can cause the growth of harmful algae (eutrophication).

(b)(ii) Four ways of preventing water pollution

• Treating sewage and industrial waste before discharging it into water bodies.
• Preventing the dumping of refuse and chemicals into rivers, streams and drains.
• Preventing oil spillage and cleaning up spills promptly.
• Enforcing laws (legislation) against polluting water bodies and educating the public.

(c)(i) Three sources of noise pollution

Vehicles and aeroplanes (traffic), industries and factory machines, and loud music/loudspeakers (also generators, blasting/explosions, market noise).

(c)(ii) Three effects of noise pollution on man

• It causes deafness or partial loss of hearing.
• It causes headache, high blood pressure and stress.
• It disturbs sleep, concentration and communication, and can cause nervousness or irritability.