chemical contamination water and air

by Tijani Oladimeji
(Port Harcourt, Nigeria)

Can you please provide some detail on Environmental effects that come from various types of pollution in air and water? Please elaborate on air quality in countries suth as Japan, Nigeria or Ghana.

Barry's Response - Tijani:

In my work, environmental quality is the concentrations of certain key pollutants.

1) Mass per cubic volume is usually expressed as µg/m3 in air, grams or moles per liter in water, or as a fractional content as % or ppm.

2) It's likely that the chemicals in question vary by region and type of human activity. On special occasions, we look at nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide
(SO2), suspended particulate matter (like dust) and many others. Water has its own list of chemicals to worry about.

3) Global issues are getting more and more important. Global warming and greenhouse gases are the most well-known examples. There's Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), and three others I can't remember. Here we're not as worried about local concentrations as we are about total mass emissions, from which inventories are calculated and countries trade emissions credits based on those statistics.

See this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol

World countries

Pollution can have big effects on ecosystems and human health. Here are some examples of air and water pollution in Japan, Nigeria, and Ghana:

A) Pollution in the air:

- Asthma, bronchitis, and other lung diseases can be caused by air pollution, especially industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust.

- In acid rain, pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide mix with moisture in the air, damaging forests, soil, and aquatic ecosystems.

- Pollution can cause smog, which reduces visibility, harms plant life, and can cause respiratory issues.

- Changes in weather patterns and sea level rise are caused by greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide.

B) Pollution in the water:

- Drinking Water Contamination: Industrial waste, sewage, and agricultural runoff can pollute water sources, making them unsafe to drink.

- Impacts on marine life: Oil spills, heavy metals, and plastic waste can damage marine ecosystems, destroying coral reefs, reducing fish populations, and disrupting food chains.

- Poor water quality can lead to waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, especially in areas with poor sanitation.

- Destruction of aquatic habitats: Pollution can damage aquatic plants, animals, and biodiversity in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.

The extent and severity of pollution can vary from region to region and country to country. Mitigating pollution and protecting the environment requires stricter regulations, promoting sustainable practices, and raising awareness about the importance of clean air and water.



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