speech on soil pollution for class 5

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• Speech on Pollution

Pollution Speech in English

Pollution is one of the greatest challenges the world is facing today. It is the introduction of harmful pollutants in the environment that degrades the quality of air, water, and soil. As human civilization progressed, we invented machines and products that can ease our life. During this process, we exploited nature, and started polluting it. We are in a time of crisis where the glaciers in Antarctica are melting due to global warming.

Pollution not only affects the environment but also introduces diseases that could kill all living organisms. Toxic chemicals released in water have killed aquatic life and also reduced the quality of water. Toxic gasses released in the air cause different lung diseases such as asthma etc. More and more legislative acts are passed to control pollution and it has been adopted by governments all around the world. However, only legislative acts and protocols cannot help in controlling the pollution as it is the duty of every individual to act on his or her own to control pollution. It is also very important that children from an early age should be educated about pollution and the effect it has on the environment and their future.

Here we have provided a long and short speech on pollution and along with that we have also given 10 line pointers about the pollution speech in English.

Long Speech on Pollution

Good morning everyone present over here today. I feel honored to be selected to give a speech on pollution. In this speech, I will try my best to explain to you all what pollution is, its effects, and how it can be controlled. 

Pollution is the presence of harmful contaminants in the natural environment that cause harm and damage and leads to adverse changes. Before blaming someone else for the pollution let us as a generation self analyze ourselves. There is no one, in particular, we can blame for the increase in pollution except humankind. We, humans, are responsible for the exponential increase of pollution in the environment. Throughout centuries as our civilization progressed and found new ways to earn, learn and develop we have exploited mother nature in a bigger way. The harmful substances and the effluents released into the atmosphere by the factories, industries, and household waste have made an impact in contaminating the environment.

As we all know there are three kinds of pollution and those are air, water, and soil pollution. Air pollution is mostly caused due to the presence of harmful substances and contaminants in the air. These harmful gasses are released by vehicles, dust, dirt, and poisonous gasses from the manufacturing factories. The use of vehicles or the products made at factories may make our lives easy but it also has caused a lot of effects on the environment. The harmful gasses released from vehicles and factories cause a lot of respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, etc. The harmful pollutants in the air can cause the ozone layer to deplete which leads to the ultraviolet rays entering the earth’s atmosphere which can cause serious health problems, even cancer. Radioactive pollution is a product of air pollution that has a serious effect on living organisms. Some of the harmful effects of Radioactive pollution are skin cancer, burning of the skin, etc.

Water pollution is caused when toxic substances get mixed in water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. The toxic substances could be chemical fertilizers from the agricultural field or the poisonous Industrial waste, sewage water. marine dumping etc. This waste generated from different sources is directly drained into the large water bodies which get mixed in the drinking water and causes water pollution. The toxics that get mixed with water bodies have bacteria, germs, etc that can be life-threatening to all living organisms. Due to water pollution, the amount of drinking water is reducing every day which is causing a lot of problems for everyone.  Similarly, soil pollution is the contamination of the soil with toxic pollutants. The toxic substances could be the chemicals present in fertilizers, pesticides, and industrial chemicals.

Though we receive the benefits of using the products from industries knowingly and unknowingly we are the reason for exploiting the earth. We overuse the resources provided by mother nature and then are so careless to not think about the future. One example of overuse of the resources of nature is the use of fertilizers to increase the production of crops. Though there is an increase in the production of crops due to fertilizers it has also become the reason for land and water pollution due to the presence of the chemicals in the fertilizers. We can also give the example of Industries to get us products that ease our life but the toxic gasses released from the factories are destroying the Earth. 

So how can we correct things? how can we make sure that we don’t exploit nature?. As a community, it is our sole responsibility to fight against pollution by using eco-friendly things instead of using the non-biodegradable substances. Pollution of any kind cannot be eliminated completely but it can be controlled. We can overcome pollution by taking small measures in our day-to-day lives. We should be aware of small preventive measures that could help in controlling pollution. Do not throw domestic waste near the water bodies, instead throw the garbage at the garbage disposal site. Avoid using vehicles as it causes pollution. Carpooling and bike pooling are the best methods of reducing the usage of many vehicles, electric cars and bikes could be used instead of the vehicles which run on petrol and diesel.

To conclude this speech I want to say that every kind of pollution has a negative impact on the environment, animals and human lives. We as humans should take important steps for a better future. A lot of innocent lives are put in danger because of pollution so we should take part in an initiative to fight and control this problem. Together we can control pollution. Thank you for listening.

Short Speech on Pollution

Good morning to everyone present here today. I am honored to be here and to be given the opportunity to speak about the rising problem of our generation which has been a concern for many for over a decade, that is pollution. Pollution is the contamination of the environment by the introduction of harmful pollutants in it. Pollution has three types which are air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution. We all know what these types of pollutants are and the pollutants that cause it so  I will keep the speech short and not take much of anyone’s time. Thus I will not go into a detailed explanation about all the types of pollution and their effects because by this time I assume everyone knows about it.

In this speech on pollution, I will talk about our responsibility to save the environment and how we can save the future. Firstly I want to make it clear that pollution of any type cannot be completely eliminated but it can be controlled. It is our responsibility to take small steps to control pollution such as not throwing domestic waste near water bodies such as rivers, lakes, etc. Domestic waste is considered to be the major reason for water pollution so it is your sole responsibility to take care of the domestic waste. Throw it to the nearest garbage disposal site. Secondly, it is very important to use electric vehicles instead of the usual ones which consume petrol and diesel. Carpooling and bike pooling options could be considered to reduce the use of vehicles which will, in turn, reduce air pollution. All parents should educate children about pollution and its effect on the environment. This step is very important as it creates a sense of care and awareness in the mind of children to take care of the environment. It is high time to take any action and put a ban on the usage of a different carcinogenic compound such as polymers. To conclude I want to say that it is our responsibility to control the pollution and save the future or else we all are going to pay for it. Thank you for listening. 

10 Lines Pollution Speech in English

Pollution can be defined as the introduction of harmful substances in the environment. 

The harmful substances are called pollutants. Pollutants could be natural such as gasses released from volcanic eruptions.

Pollutants could also be man-made such as the trash from the domestic waste or the harmful chemicals from the industries. 

Pollutants damage the quality of air, water, and soil and thus it causes water, air, and soil pollution. 

Water pollution can decrease the quality of drinking water which in modern times has caused a lot of problems for everyone as there is very less drinking water available.

Air pollution can cause many respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, etc. Air pollution also causes smog which is not good for anyone. 

It is the responsibility of every parent to teach their child about pollution and the effect it can have on the environment. 

Pollution of any type cannot be completely eliminated but it can be controlled if we take important steps. 

Pollution was created by the human race so it is our responsibility to control it.

The use of Electric vehicles instead of the usual vehicles that run on fuel could help in reducing air pollution. Taking small steps slowly is better than not taking any steps at all to control pollution. 

Key points to remember about pollution 

Pollution is caused by many harmful things in the environment. It contaminated our earth and because of it, there are other global problems that are increasing. Because of pollution, people are also affected with many illnesses and this can stop only if we take some measures to stop pollution or atleast to put some effort into reducing it. Many harmful usage of products like plastic and thermocol are also the causes of pollution. The types of pollution are: -

Air pollution.

Water pollution.

Soil pollution.

Radioactive pollution.

Noise pollution.

Air pollution is caused by the release of harmful chemicals, contaminants like toxic gasses in the earth environment. These harmful gasses cause dangerous health issues. Water pollution occurs when these harmful chemicals or contaminants are released in the water body. Because of these water animals like fishes and sharks lose their life very frequently and lead to a biological imbalance. Soil pollution is the degradation of land because of harmful chemicals that are released into the soil for reasons like gardening and so on. Some causes of soil pollution are: -

Industrial Activity

Agricultural Activities

Waste Disposal

Accidental Oil Spills

Radioactive pollution on the other hand means that harmful chemicals or elements that are released because of radioactive activities. Noise pollution is caused when an excessive amount of noise is released in the atmosphere that disrupts the natural balance of the earth. 

What does pollution affect?

Pollution affects everyone. There are many kinds of pollution and when one or many pollutants are released in the air, then it causes great harm to the global environment. People are not the only creatures who suffer from pollution, many water body animals, and land animals are also affected and even the flora and fauna of the world is negatively impacted. Although the harm of pollution is immediately noticed only in the close by areas, it has a long-lasting negative impact on the entire world. This is also one of the reasons why climate change is in an unavoidable increase. If people take steps to reduce all kinds of pollution, then it will be possible to bring back the balance of the environment.

FAQs on Speech on Pollution

1. What is pollution?

Pollution is caused when harmful contaminants are released in the environment. There are many kinds of pollution in the world that disrupt the balance of the earth. Because of pollution, many living creatures on the planet suffer very hard, including human beings. Pollution kills globally and it affects millions of people. 

2. What are the types of pollution?

There are 5 types of pollution. All kinds of pollution happens because toxic chemicals are released in the atmosphere that affect the lives of living creatures. The types of pollutions are: -

3. What are the causes of soil pollution?

Soil pollution is the degradation of land because of harmful chemicals that are released into the soil for reasons like gardening and so on. Some causes of soil pollution are: -

Decreased Soil Fertility

Nuclear sources

Deforestation

Biological agents

4. Does pollution affect water animals?

Pollution affects all living creatures. Water pollution occurs when these harmful chemicals or contaminants are released in the water body. Because of these water animals like fishes and sharks lose their life very frequently and lead to a biological imbalance. Because of water pollution, the balance in the water is reduced and contaminated which causes the earth of so many water animals. 

5. What are the causes of pollution?

Pollution is the presence of harmful contaminants in the natural environment that cause harm and damage and leads to adverse changes. There are many causes of pollution like wastage, deforestation and usage of harmful products and so on. Pollution came into existence because of the human race so it is in our hands to reduce pollution and save the earth. Causes of pollution are: -

 Fossil Fuels

Industrial Emission

Indoor Air Pollution

Microbial Decaying Process

Transportation

Open Burning of Garbage Waste

Construction and Demolition

• Environmental Chemistry

Soil Pollution

What is soil pollution.

Soil pollution refers to the contamination of soil with anomalous concentrations of toxic substances.

It is a serious environmental concern since it harbours many health hazards. For example, exposure to soil containing high concentrations of benzene increases the risk of contracting leukaemia. An image detailing the discolouration of soil due to soil pollution is provided below. It is important to understand that all soils contain compounds that are harmful/toxic to human beings and other living organisms. However, the concentration of such substances in unpolluted soil is low enough that they do not pose any threat to the surrounding ecosystem. When the concentration of one or more such toxic substances is high enough to cause damage to living organisms, the soil is said to be contaminated.

The root cause of soil pollution is often one of the following:

• Agriculture (excessive/improper use of pesticides)
• Excessive industrial activity
• Poor management or inefficient disposal of waste

The challenges faced in soil remediation (decontamination of soil) are closely related to the extent of soil pollution. The greater the contamination, the greater the requirement for resources for remediation.

What are the Pollutants that Contaminate Soil?

Some of the most hazardous soil pollutants are xenobiotics – substances that are not naturally found in nature and are synthesized by human beings. The term ‘xenobiotic’ has Greek roots – ‘Xenos’ (foreigner), and ‘Bios’ (life). Several xenobiotics are known to be carcinogens. An illustration detailing major soil pollutants is provided below.

The different types of pollutants that are found in contaminated soil are listed in this subsection.

Heavy Metals

The presence of heavy metals (such as lead and mercury, in abnormally high concentrations) in soils can cause it to become highly toxic to human beings. Some metals that can be classified as soil pollutants are tabulated below.

These metals can originate from several sources such as mining activities, agricultural activities, and electronic waste (e-waste), and medical waste.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (often abbreviated to PAHs) are organic compounds that

• Contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
• Contain more than one aromatic ring in their chemical structures.

Common examples of PAHs include naphthalene, anthracene, and phenalene. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been linked to several forms of cancer. These organic compounds can also cause cardiovascular diseases in humans.

Soil pollution due to PAHs can be sourced to coke (coal) processing, vehicle emissions, cigarette smoke, and the extraction of shale oil.

Industrial Waste

The discharge of industrial waste into soils can result in soil pollution. Some common soil pollutants that can be sourced from industrial waste are listed below.

• Chlorinated industrial solvents
• Dioxins are produced from the manufacture of pesticides and the incineration of waste.
• Plasticizers/dispersants
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

The petroleum industry creates many petroleum hydrocarbon waste products. Some of these wastes, such as benzene and methylbenzene, are known to be carcinogenic in nature.

Pesticides are substances (or mixtures of substances) that are used to kill or inhibit the growth of pests. Common types of pesticides used in agriculture include

• Herbicides – used to kill/control weeds and other unwanted plants.
• Insecticides – used to kill insects.
• Fungicides – used to kill parasitic fungi or inhibit their growth.

However, the unintentional diffusion of pesticides into the environment (commonly known as ‘pesticide drift’) poses a variety of environmental concerns such as water pollution and soil pollution. Some important soil contaminants found in pesticides are listed below.

• Phenoxyalkyl acids
• Aliphatic acids

Insecticides

• Organophosphates
• Chlorinated hydrocarbons
• Arsenic-containing compounds
• Mercury-containing compounds
• Thiocarbamates
• Copper sulfate

These chemicals pose several health risks to humans. Examples of health hazards related to pesticides include diseases of the central nervous system, immune system diseases, cancer, and birth defects.

What are the Processes that Cause Soil Pollution?

Soil pollution can be broadly classified into two categories –

• Naturally caused soil pollution
• Anthropogenic soil pollution (caused by human activity)

Natural Pollution of Soil

In some extremely rare processes, some pollutants are naturally accumulated in soils. This can occur due to the differential deposition of soil by the atmosphere. Another manner in which this type of soil pollution can occur is via the transportation of soil pollutants with precipitation water.

An example of natural soil pollution is the accumulation of compounds containing the perchlorate anion (ClO 4 – ) in some dry, arid ecosystems. It is important to note that some contaminants can be naturally produced in the soil under the effect of certain environmental conditions. For example, perchlorates can be formed in soils containing chlorine and certain metals during a thunderstorm.

Anthropogenic Soil Pollution

Almost all cases of soil pollution are anthropogenic in nature. A variety of human activities can lead to the contamination of soil. Some such processes are listed below.

• The demolition of old buildings can involve the contamination of nearby soil with asbestos.
• Usage of lead-based paint during construction activities can also pollute the soil with hazardous concentrations of lead.
• Spillage of petrol and diesel during transportation can contaminate soils with the hydrocarbons found in petroleum.
• Activities associated with metal casting factories (foundries) often cause the dispersion of metallic contaminants into the nearby soils.
• Underground mining activities can cause the contamination of land with heavy metals.
• Improper disposal of highly toxic industrial/chemical waste can severely pollute the soil. For example, the storage of toxic wastes in landfills can result in the seepage of the waste into the soil. This waste can go on to pollute groundwater as well.
• Chemical pesticides contain several hazardous substances. Excessive and inefficient use of chemical pesticides can result in severe soil pollution.
• Sewage produced in urbanized areas can also contaminate soil (if not disposed of correctly). These wastes may also contain several carcinogenic substances.

Other forms of waste that can pollute soil include nuclear waste, e-waste, and coal ash.

What are the Negative Consequences of Soil Pollution?

Soil pollution harbours a broad spectrum of negative consequences that affect plants, animals, humans, and the ecosystem as a whole. Since children are more susceptible to diseases, polluted soil poses a greater threat to them.  Some important effects of soil pollution are detailed in this subsection.

Effects on Human Beings

Soil contaminants can exist in all three phases ( solid, liquid, and gaseous ). Therefore, these contaminants can find their way into the human body via several channels such as direct contact with the skin or through the inhalation of contaminated soil dust.

The short term effects of human exposure to polluted soil include

• Headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
• Coughing, pain in the chest, and wheezing.
• Irritation of the skin and the eyes.
• Fatigue and weakness.

A variety of long-term ailments have been linked to soil pollution. Some such diseases are listed below.

• Exposure to high levels of lead can result in permanent damage to the nervous system. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead.
• Depression of the CNS (Central Nervous System).
• Damage to vital organs such as the kidney and the liver.
• Higher risk of developing cancer.

It can be noted that many soil pollutants such as petroleum hydrocarbons and industrial solvents have been linked to congenital disorders in humans. Thus, soil pollution can have several negative effects on human health.

Effects on Plants and Animals

Since soil pollution is often accompanied by a decrease in the availability of nutrients, plant life ceases to thrive in such soils. Soils contaminated with inorganic aluminium can prove toxic to plants. Also, this type of pollution often increases the salinity of the soil, making it inhospitable for the growth of plant life.

Plants that are grown in polluted soil may accumulate high concentrations of soil pollutants through a process known as bioaccumulation. When these plants are consumed by herbivores, all the accumulated pollutants are passed up the food chain. This can result in the loss/extinction of many desirable animal species. Also, these pollutants can eventually make their way to the top of the food chain and manifest as diseases in human beings.

Effects on the Ecosystem

• Since the volatile contaminants in the soil can be carried away into the atmosphere by winds or can seep into underground water reserves, soil pollution can be a direct contributor to air and water pollution .
• It can also contribute to acid rain (by releasing huge quantities of ammonia into the atmosphere).
• Acidic soils are inhospitable to several microorganisms that improve soil texture and help in the decomposition of organic matter.  Thus, the negative effects of soil pollution also impact soil quality and texture.
• Crop yield is greatly affected by this form of pollution. In China, over 12 million tons of grain (worth approximately 2.6 billion USD) is found to be unfit for human consumption due to contamination with heavy metals (as per studies conducted by the China Dialogue).

How can Soil Pollution be Controlled?

Several technologies have been developed to tackle soil remediation. Some important strategies followed for the decontamination of polluted soil are listed below.

• Excavation and subsequent transportation of polluted soils to remote, uninhabited locations.
• Extraction of pollutants via thermal remediation – the temperature is raised in order to force the contaminants into the vapour phase, after which they can be collected through vapour extraction.
• Bioremediation or phytoremediation involves the use of microorganisms and plants for the decontamination of soil.
• Mycoremediation involves the use of fungi for the accumulation of heavy metal contaminants.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What are the key causes of soil pollution.

Some common causes of soil pollution are listed below,

• Improper disposal of industrial waste: industries are believed to be one of the leading causes of soil pollution due to improper management and disposal of the toxic wastes generated during industrial activities.
• Excessive and inefficient usage of pesticides and fertilizers: the agriculture industry makes extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for the growth and maintenance of crops. However, excessive and inefficient use of these toxic chemicals can seriously contaminate the soil.
• Petroleum or diesel spills: leaks in fuel transportation pipes can cause fuel spills. These fuels are known to contain toxic hydrocarbons which can cause soil contamination.

What are the effects of soil pollution on human health?

The contaminants found in polluted soil can enter human bodies through several channels such as the nose, the mouth, or the skin. Exposure to such soils can cause a variety of short-term health problems such as headaches, coughing, chest pain, nausea, and skin/eye irritation. Prolonged exposure to contaminated soil can lead to the depression of the central nervous system and damage to vital organs (such as the liver). Long-term exposure to polluted soils has also been linked to cancer in humans.

List some examples of the contaminants that pollute soils.

Some common soil pollutants are:

• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

How can soil pollution be avoided?

Many crucial changes must be brought about in order to control soil contamination and soil pollution without making huge compromises on the economy. For example, the use of toxic substances in industrial activities can be avoided wherever suitable alternatives exist. Also, the recycling of waste products will also contribute to a reduction in soil contamination due to landfills. Promoting healthy agricultural practices such as the use of organic manure and organic farming methods can help reduce the number of chemical fertilizers used on agricultural soils. Efficient and limited use of chemical pesticides must also be advocated.

What are the environmental remediation processes that can be employed to curb the negative effects of soil pollution?

• The contaminated soil can be excavated and transported to a remote disposal site.
• Thermal remediation of contaminated soil, involves heating up the soil in order to vaporize the volatile toxic pollutants.
• Soil decontamination via surfactant leaching.

Put your understanding of this concept to test by answering a few MCQs. Click ‘Start Quiz’ to begin!

Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” button Check your score and answers at the end of the quiz

Visit BYJU’S for all Chemistry related queries and study materials

Your result is as below

Request OTP on Voice Call

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Post My Comment

Very very good Iam happy

It is very use full app to study

Nice. Vital info. Given

it is a very clear and helpful information to be used.

Byjus is doing a great job by helping students to tackle their projects in best methods. I liked byjus very much because of his kindness to students without taking any benefit.

It’s so easy to understand I like it

very helpful app !!!!

Very good thx

• Share Share

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.