The concern for the environment , although it has existed throughout history, has not been a widespread phenomenon until relatively recently.

But today society is aware of the need to preserve the environment, as well as the fact that human activity itself can cause different types of waste (both in the form of material and energy) that can have consequences and cause alterations both in the environment (such as through the acidification of soil or water, or the acceleration of global warming) and in the different species of living beings including human beings (loss of habitats, biological rhythms such as sleep or behavioural alterations, for example).

Likewise, we are aware of the existence of various types of pollution .In this article we are going to visualize the main ones.

The concept of contamination

Although, as we have said, there are very different types, as a general concept that encompasses them, we understand contamination as the fact of introducing into the environment any type of element that carries out damage more or less prolonged in time (it can also be permanent) in such a way that its normal functioning is altered in a negative way.

Generally associated with the term pollution to the environment, but can also be considered as such that which affects a locality, species or person in an aversive way.

Types of pollution

Different criteria can be taken into account when classifying pollution. However, as a general rule, the main way to classify the types of pollution is to observe the polluting element or the one that is contaminated . In this sense, the following types of pollution are available.

1. Air pollution

The best known is the type of pollution that arises from the release of chemical particles into the atmosphere. Also known as pollution, it is the type of pollution that affects through the air . One of the best known pollutants in this sense is CO2, methane and smoke from combustion.

2. Water pollution

This is the effect of the emission and release of pollutants into the water. It hinders or alters life and regulatory use, making it undrinkable. Usually this pollution is of industrial origin . It includes maritime pollution, which would refer to the pollution of the seas and oceans from the same cause.

3. Soil and subsoil pollution

Caused by the filtration of substances into the soil, it generates physical and chemical alterations in the soil that make it uninhabitable , contaminate the groundwater or prevent the growth of life in the area.

4. Radioactive contamination

This is one of the most dangerous and life-threatening types of pollution. It is produced by the release of radioactive material and has an effect on any surface. It usually derives from human action , such as the dumping of waste or disasters in nuclear power plants like Chernobyl.

5. Thermal pollution

One of the least known types of pollution is generated by the change of temperature in the environment or in different environments due to human activity.

6. Visual pollution

Although in principle the concept may be similar to that of light pollution, in this case reference is made to the alteration of the environment based on visual stimuli that have nothing to do with luminosity . For example, it refers to the visual changes that occur in nature due to human activity.

7. Light pollution

This is one of the types of pollution in which the polluting element is visual. Light pollution the polluting element itself is the emission of light outside of what would be natural, causing problems such as loss of orientation or changes in biorhythms of both human beings and other animals.

8. Noise pollution

We call acoustic pollution to the emission of sound in an excessive proportion, frequency, tone, volume and rhythm that causes an alteration in the environment or in the beings that inhabit it. This type of pollution is experienced, for example, by those who live in very touristy neighbourhoods where there are many discotheques and establishments with music.

9. Electromagnetic pollution

Although perhaps not so directly perceptible by humans, it refers to pollution derived from the use of electrical elements or that generate electromagnetic phenomena. They can generate disorientation and possible damage in different animals, and the effects on humans are still discussed (sometimes linked to cancer, erection disorders or some mental and physical problems).

10. Food contamination

It refers to the presence of different substances in food that cause effects of different magnitude in those who consume it . For example, the contamination of fish with mercury from water contamination or that caused by the sale of food in poor condition or infected with some disease.

Bibliographic references:

  • Elsom, D. (1990). Air pollution. Ediciones Cátedra SA.
  • Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2001). “Status of Ratifications.