Artificial Pollution and Natural Pollution

Concept sheet | Science and Technology

Grade

3-6

Top of page
Anthropogenic Pollution
Natural Pollution

Definitions

Pollution is defined as any release of pollutants into the environment. A pollutant that is harmful to the environment can be biological, physical, or chemical in nature.

Pollution can result from human activity (anthropogenic pollution), but also from nature itself (natural pollution).

Anthropogenic Pollution

Examples of anthropogenic sources of pollution are industry, transport, heating, chemical fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture, aerosol products (chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs), as well as tourism.

Examples of anthropogenic pollutants	Sources
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)	Industry, transport (cars, trucks, airplanes), heating (coal-fired power plants), forest fires for the benefit of pastures
Mercury (Hg)	Old batteries, fungicides, bactericides, excessive drainage, agriculture
Dioxin	Incinerators, mining production, cigarette combustion
Methane (CH₄)	Coal mining operation, waste decomposition in landfills
Nitrous oxide (N₂O)	Combustion engines
Light	Urban environments with multiple light sources (streetlights, neon lights, etc.)
Noise	Transport, industries, human activities
Nitrates (NO₃^-)	Agricultural fertilizers

Natural Pollution

Biological waste, forest fires, extraterrestrial dust, and pollen are just a few examples of sources of natural pollution. In excessive quantities, naturally occurring pollutants can also disrupt ecosystems.

Examples of natural pollutants	Sources
Methane (CH₄)	Wetlands (marshes, mangrove forests), ruminants, natural organic decomposition
Radioactivity	Uranium, carbon-14
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)	Volcanoes, forest fires

The current challenge of reducing land pollution involves considering the sources of natural pollution and anthropogenic pollution, as they occur simultaneously. These different types of pollution disturb, among other things, the soil, the air, and the water of ecosystems.