Environmental Science: Pollution: Types and Sources
Identifying pollution types and where they come from
Environmental Science: Pollution: Types and Sources
Identifying pollution types and where they come from
Environmental Science - Grade 6-8
- 1
A factory burns coal to make electricity. Smoke from the smokestacks contains gases and tiny particles that spread through the air. What type of pollution is this, and what is the source?
Think about which part of the environment the smoke enters first.
This is air pollution. The source is the factory burning coal, which releases gases and particles into the atmosphere. - 2
After a heavy rain, fertilizer from lawns and farms washes into a nearby river. Algae grow quickly and fish begin to die. What type of pollution is described, and why can it harm fish?
This is water pollution. Fertilizer runoff adds extra nutrients to the river, which can cause algal blooms that reduce oxygen levels and harm fish. - 3
A family throws plastic bags, food wrappers, and broken toys into an empty lot instead of using trash bins. What type of pollution is this, and what is one possible effect on wildlife?
Focus on where the waste is being placed.
This is land pollution. Wildlife may eat the trash, become trapped in it, or lose safe habitat because of the litter. - 4
A busy highway has thousands of cars and trucks each day. The vehicles release exhaust that contains carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants. Identify the pollution type and the source.
This is air pollution. The source is vehicle exhaust from cars and trucks on the highway. - 5
A construction crew works late at night using loud machines near a neighborhood. Residents report trouble sleeping. What type of pollution is this, and what is the source?
Not all pollution is a substance like smoke or trash.
This is noise pollution. The source is the loud construction equipment being used at night. - 6
A city has many bright signs, streetlights, and building lights that shine upward into the night sky. People can no longer see many stars. What type of pollution is this, and what causes it?
This is light pollution. It is caused by excessive or poorly directed artificial lighting that brightens the night sky. - 7
A tanker ship leaks oil into the ocean. The oil coats seabirds and floats on the water surface. What type of pollution is this, and name one way it can affect marine life.
Consider how oil changes the ocean environment for living things.
This is water pollution. Oil can coat animals, damage feathers or fur, poison organisms, and block sunlight from reaching plants and algae in the water. - 8
Sort each source into the most likely pollution type: car exhaust, litter in a park, loud airport traffic, and sewage leaking into a stream.
Car exhaust is air pollution. Litter in a park is land pollution. Loud airport traffic is noise pollution. Sewage leaking into a stream is water pollution. - 9
A farm uses pesticides to kill insects. Some of the pesticides soak into the soil and later enter groundwater. Identify two types of pollution that may be involved and explain your reasoning.
A pollutant can move from one part of the environment to another.
Land pollution and water pollution may be involved. The soil can be polluted when pesticides soak into it, and groundwater can be polluted when those chemicals move through the ground into water supplies. - 10
A student says, "Pollution only comes from factories." Explain why this statement is incorrect using at least two examples of other pollution sources.
The statement is incorrect because pollution can come from many sources besides factories. Examples include vehicle exhaust causing air pollution, fertilizer runoff causing water pollution, litter causing land pollution, and loud traffic causing noise pollution. - 11
A community notices more asthma attacks on days when the air looks hazy and smells smoky. What pollution type could be contributing to the problem, and what are two possible sources?
Haze and smoke are clues about pollutants in the air.
Air pollution could be contributing to the problem. Two possible sources are vehicle exhaust and smoke from burning fuels or wildfires. - 12
Choose one pollution problem from this list: plastic in the ocean, smoke from burning trash, or chemical runoff from a farm. Identify the pollution type, source, and one action that could reduce it.
Answers will vary, but the response should correctly identify the pollution type, source, and a reasonable solution. For example, plastic in the ocean is water pollution from litter or poor waste disposal, and it can be reduced by using less single-use plastic and properly recycling or throwing away trash.