Chemical pollution is a global problem that has significantly affected both the water and the air we breathe. With over 300 chemicals present in our bodies, the impact of these substances has increased human illness and biodiversity loss. In this article, we explore how chemicals have contributed to the pollution of these vital resources.
What are chemical agents
Chemical agents are substances that, when they come into contact with other substances, produce alterations at the molecular level. These alterations can be chemical reactions, physical transformations or changes in the properties of the substances involved. These agents include both natural substances such as oxygen, and synthetic components developed by humans, ranging from pesticides and cleaning products to industrial compounds.
In addition, recent years have shown that many of these agents have a harmful effect on ecosystems and human health. Chemical agents are often not biodegradable, which means that they remain in the environment for long periods of time, seriously affecting ecosystems.
Types of chemical pollutants
Pollutants can be classified into several categories according to their properties and effects. These are the most relevant types:
- Chemical contaminants: Organic or inorganic substances that alter the environment. These can be toxic and have both short- and long-term effects.
- Physical contaminants: These include suspended particles such as dust and pollen, noise and radiation. Although not necessarily toxic, they can affect the well-being of living organisms.
- Biological contaminants: Bacteria, viruses or parasites found in water, air or soil that can cause infectious diseases.
Pollution of water and air by chemical agents
Pollution from chemical agents has destructive effects on our planet's main resources, particularly water and air. Although the sources of this pollution are diverse, they are mainly grouped in human activities, such as industry, agriculture and transport.
Water contamination
Water is one of the resources most affected by human activity. Groundwater and surface water around the world are contaminated with substances that not only affect water quality, but also endanger aquatic and human life. The main water pollutants are:
- Sewage water: They contain toxic substances such as heavy metals and industrial products. In many cases, they are not treated properly before being dumped into rivers or seas, which makes them one of the main causes of mortality in aquatic ecosystems.
- Heavy metals: Elements such as mercury and cadmium are highly toxic. These metals can bioaccumulate, affecting both marine animals and humans who consume contaminated fish.
- pesticides: Used in agriculture to control pests, these products reach groundwater through leaching. Some have been banned due to their harmful effects.
- Emerging pollutants: Pharmaceutical products and microplastics, which despite their small size, represent a major danger to marine fauna and human health.
A particularly worrying case is the PFAS (perfluoroalkyl chemicals), which are persistent in the environment, surviving for decades in soils and bodies of water. These substances, known as “forever chemicals,” have even been detected in rain and snow, and exposure to them has been linked to cancer and immune system problems.
Air pollution
Air, like water, is a vital resource that is affected by the increasing emission of chemical pollutants. Among the most worrying pollutants are greenhouse gases and suspended particles. These are some of the most dangerous air pollutants:
- Suspended particles: Microparticles in the air, such as nitrogen dioxide, can easily penetrate the respiratory systems of living beings, causing diseases such as asthma and other lung conditions.
- Greenhouse gases: Gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) contribute significantly to global warming and climate change.
- Nitrogen and sulfur oxides: Emitted mainly by vehicles and industry, these pollutants are primarily responsible for the formation of acid rain, which damages natural ecosystems and urban buildings.
Soil pollution
Soil is also severely affected by contamination from chemical agents. In many cases, pollutants end up in the soil through leaching and atmospheric deposition, damaging terrestrial ecosystems. Some of the main problems are:
- pesticides: Used to control agricultural pests, they filter into the soil where they remain for years, affecting beneficial organisms and reducing soil fertility.
- Heavy metals: Mining activities and industrial waste are the main causes of heavy metal accumulation in the soil, which affects both the flora and fauna of the area.
- Garbage and solid waste: The accumulation of waste in landfills contributes to the release of toxic substances into the soil, affecting both the organisms that live in it and the groundwater.
Intensive use of fertilizers has also contributed to soil acidification, which reduces the ability of plants to absorb essential nutrients.
Through this content, we hope to help you understand the severity and impact of chemical pollution on ecosystems, and how human behavior is contributing to the destruction of our most valuable resources.