Ozone depletion is the process where ozone holes are created in the ozone layer. The main reason for ozone depletion are the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) found in everyday products such as refrigerator coolant, fire extinguishers, and in aerosol cans. These were released into the atmosphere during the second half of the twentieth century and their effects are still being felt.

Chlorine is released from the CFCs which destroys the ozone. The major cause of ozone deletion is the pollution of the environment. This is mainly done when halons are released into the atmosphere. The different ways of controlling ozone layer depletion includes:

1. Limit private vehicle driving

A very easy way to control ozone depletion would be to limit or reduce the amount of driving as vehicular emissions eventually result in smog which is a culprit in the deterioration of the ozone layer. Car pooling, taking public transport, walking, using a bicycle would limit the usage of individual transportation. It would be a great option to switch to cars/vehicles that have a hybrid or electric zero-emission engine.

2. Use eco-friendly household cleaning products
Usage of eco-friendly and natural cleaning products for household chores is a great way to prevent ozone depletion. This is because many of these cleaning agents contain toxic chemicals that interfere with the ozone layer. A lot of supermarkets and health stores sell cleaning products that are toxic-free and made out of natural ingredients.

3. Avoid using pesticides
Pesticides may be an easy solution for getting rid of weed, but are harmful for the ozone layer. The best solution for this would be to try using natural remedies, rather than heading out for pesticides. You can perhaps try to weed manually or mow your garden consistently so as to avoid weed-growth.

4. Developing stringent regulations for rocket launches
The world is progressing in scientific discoveries by leaps and bounds. A lot of rocket launches are happening the world over without consideration of the fact that it can damage the ozone layer if it is not regulated soon. A study shows that the harm caused by rocket launches would outpace the harm caused due to CFCs. At present, the global rocket launches do not contribute hugely to ozone layer depletion, but over the course of time, due to the advancement of the space industry, it will become a major contributor to ozone depletion. All types of rocket engines result in combustion by products that are ozone-destroying compounds that are expelled directly in the middle and upper stratosphere layer – near the ozone layer.

5. Banning the use of dangerous nitrous oxide
Due to the worldwide alarm caused by a study in the late 70s about the alarming rate at which the ozone was being depleted, nations around the globe got together and formed the Montreal Protocol in the year 1989 with a strong aim to stop the usage of CFCs. However, the protocol did not include nitrous oxide which is the most fatal chemical that can destroy the ozone layer and is still in use. Governments across the world should take a strong stand for banning the use of this harmful compound to save the ozone layer.

Water pollution, in simple terms, can be defined as the contamination of the water bodies when pollutants are released into the water without thorough treatment and removal of harmful components.

Water pollution can occur in oceans, rivers, lakes, and underground reservoirs, and as different water sources flow together the pollution can spread.

1.Pesticides:Pesticides that are applied to and certain animals may drip onto the soil are carried into local stream and rivers by surface runoff. They can also drain down into groundwater, this contaminates the water , affecting the living organisms in the water and making the water unsafe for drinking

 

2. Fertilizers (nutrients):Many courses of pollution such as sewage, manure and chemical fertilizer, contain nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates.In excess level, the nutrients cause excessive growth of aquatic plant and algae. This is known as eutrophication. 

 

Eutrophication clogs waterways and blocks light from penetrating into the deeper water. When the aquatic plants and the algae die, they use up dissolve oxygen as they decompose. This lower the amount of oxygen available in the water for aquatic organisms such areas are commonly called Dead zones

 

3. Sediments:When forests are cleared, the root system that previously held the soil in place die. This exposes the soil to erosion by running water, the eroded sediments is deposited in nearly stream, rivers, and lakes. The sediments effects fish and other aquatic life in the water bodies.

Poor farming practice also expose the soil to pollution, thereby contributing to sediments pollution in water.

 

4. Industrial process:Most of the water that are used in production process in industrial is thereafter discharged into water bodies. This waste water may contain acids, alkalis, salts, ionics, chemicals, oils and, in some cases harmful bacteria. These substances affect the quality of water and interfere with the lives of water organisms.

 

 5. Oil spills: Oil spills in oceans cause major water pollution and problem for local wildlife and fisherman. A spill forms a thin layer of oil on the surface of water affecting the exchange of gases between the water and the atmosphere.

 

Land based petroleum pollution is also carried into waterways by rainwater runoff. This includes drips of oil, fuel and fluid from vehicles, and drips from industrial machinery. Drilling and extraction operation from oil and gas can also contaminate coastal waters and groundwater.

 

6. Sewage: In developing countries, about 90% of waste water is discharged directly into rivers and streams without being treated. Untreated sewage wastes gives rise to disease causing organisms in water bodies. Leaking septic tanks and other sources of sewage can cause groundwater and stream water contamination.

 

7. Mining activities: Mining causes water pollution in a number of ways, the include the following;The mining process exposes heavy metals and sulphur compound that were previously buried in the earth. Rainwater leaches these compound out of the exposed earth, resulting in acid drainage and heavy metal pollution that cn continue long after the mining operations have ceased.

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the environment that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or that damage the environment." Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light

There are several types of pollution, and while they may come from different sources and have different consequences, understanding the basics about pollution can help environmentally conscious individuals minimize their contribution to these dangers. 

In total, there are nine recognized sources of pollution in the modern world. These sources of pollution don't simply have a negative impact on the natural world, but they can have a measurable effect on the health of human beings as well. Generally pollution can categorized into four kinds, namely;-

1.Soil pollution occurs due to incorporation of unwanted chemicals in the soil due to human activities. Use of insecticides and pesticides absorbs the nitrogen compounds from the soil making it unfit for plants to derive nutrition from. Release of industrial waste, mining and deforestation also exploits the soil. Since plants can’t grow properly, they can’t hold the soil and this leads to soil erosion.

2.Noise pollution is caused when noise which is an unpleasant sound affects our ears and leads to psychological problems like stress, hypertension, hearing impairment, etc. It is caused by machines in industries, loud music, etc.

3.Air Pollution is the most prominent and dangerous form of pollution. It occurs due to many reasons. Excessive burning of fuel which is a necessity of our daily lives for cooking, driving and other industrial activities; releases a huge amount of chemical substances in the air everyday; these pollute the air.

Smoke from chimneys, factories, vehicles or burning of wood basically occurs due to coal burning; this releases sulphur dioxide into the air making it toxic. The effects of air pollution are evident too. Release of sulphur dioxide and hazardous gases into the air causes global warming and acid rain; which in turn have increased temperatures, erratic rains and droughts worldwide; making it tough for the animals to survive. We breathe in every polluted particle from the air; result is increase in asthma and cancer in the lungs.

4. Water Pollution has taken toll of all the surviving species of the earth. Almost 60% of the species live in water bodies. It occurs due to several factors; the industrial wastes dumped into the rivers and other water bodies cause an imbalance in the water leading to its severe contamination and death of aquatic species