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Different types of pollution Help
Sheet

1 Read the 3 descriptions about types of pollution :

Acid rain Detergents in the water

Acid rain is a form of air pollution.
The corrosive nature of acid rain causes
widespread damage to the environment. The
problem begins with the production of sulphur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the burning of
fossil fuels, such as coal, natural gas, and oils.
Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with
water and other chemicals in the air to form
sulphuric acid, nitric acid and other pollutants.
Damage from acid rain has been widespread.
Acid rain causes nutrients to leach out of the
soils, slows the growth of trees, and makes
lakes uninhabitable for fish. In cities it corrodes
everything it touches. Reducing the amount of
sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from
power plants, motorised vehicles and factories
can best stop acid rain. The simplest way to
cut these emissions is to use less energy from
fossil fuels.
Detergents consist of washing powders, washing up
liquids and other cleaning products. They often
contain chemicals called phosphates and nitrates.
When detergents are used in the home or on a large
scale in factories they are washed down the drain and
eventually end up in rivers and streams. This can
cause unattractive foam on the surface of the
waterways, especially if the water is stagnant. The
excess nitrates and phosphates are used for growth by
aquatic weeds, as well as ‘blooms’ of algae. When the
algae and weeds die the bacteria grow in number as
they feed on the dead material and in the process
reduce the amount of oxygen in the water. This causes
the fish to suffocate because there is not enough
oxygen. These algae also cause the streams and rivers
to smell. Treating water before it enters streams and
rivers and finding substitute chemicals for our
detergents that do not pollute water can reduce
this pollution.

(Encarta 2000)

Photochemical smog
A brownish haze and painful eyes are often indicators of photochemical smog. The reactions that lead to the
formation of photochemical smog are started by sunlight and involve hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides
emitted from cars. The smog can cause headaches, eye, nose and throat irritations, impaired lung function,
coughing and wheezing. It can also cause rubber and fabrics to deteriorate and can damage plants. Reducing
the number of vehicles on the roads can reduce this smog.

2 Copy the table below.

Use the information above to complete the table.

Type of pollution How is it caused? What is its effect? How can it be stopped?

Acid rain

Detergents in the water

Photochemical smog

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GCSE Biology for You, 5 edition Oxford University Press Chapter 20 © Williams Services Ltd