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Pollutants That Harm Plants

Plants and animals are vulnerable to all kinds of pollutants. The quality of life and the life span of plants are put at risk when they are exposed to toxic levels of a variety of environmental pollutants. It is important for humans to become aware of the effects pollutants have on plant life. An understanding of the negative effects that chemicals and poor air and water quality have on plants is the place to start; this is vital if plants are to survive.

Greenhouse Pollutants
- There has been a lot written about the greenhouse effect and how it is dangerous to human, animal and plant life. The greenhouse effect is a process similar to what happens in a man-made greenhouse. Gasses, from the atmosphere collect radiation from the sun and warm the environment like in a greenhouse. The gasses found in the greenhouse effect are carbon dioxide, methane pollutants and nitrous oxide. The greenhouse effect is causing a change in the normal balance of these gasses which affects healthy plant and animal life.
Air Pollutants
- Air pollution is on the rise and air pollutants have a serious impact on plant life. The sulfur dioxide in air pollution harms many farm and agricultural crops including: alfalfa cotton and wheat. Crops with leafy vegetation, such as tobacco and tomatoes are also negatively impacted by air pollutants. Many states are spending millions of dollar a year dealing with the effects of air pollutants.
Water Pollutants
- One of the main water pollutants that affects plants is acid rain. Acid rain is a result of harmful gas emissions being added to the atmosphere from industrial processes. The most toxic gasses making up acid rain are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen. When acid rain, or any kind of harmful precipitation falls on plants, it is harmful. Because the highest concentration of the acid accumulates near the base of clouds, tall trees and vegetation located in higher altitudes are especially impacted by acid rain.
Soil Pollutants
- The pollution of soil has a direct affect on plants. Soil pollution is multi-factorial as pollutants enter into the soil through the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Acid rain and polluted ground water, rivers and streams also affect plant life. Pollutants, such as DDT, that have been identified to have the most dangerous outcomes on human, animal and plant life have been banned. Land overuse is also has detrimental affect on to plant life. In order for soil to be a rich environment for plants it must be balanced. Soil organisms and minerals are vital for plant life.

Nature