How to Remove Pollutants

Smoke polution can have negative environmental impacts.

Environmental pollutants are usually evident in soil, water and air resources. Their accumulation causes a health hazard for plants, animals and human beings. They may also have a negative effect on the ecosystem by changing weather patterns. These pollutants need to be removed from the environment on a regular basis to reduce their negative effects. There are various methods that are used to remove pollutants depending on the type of pollutant, the level of pollution and the resources and knowledge available.

Instructions

1. Use ultraviolet radiation to isolate pollutants to contaminated liquid resources such as water, as ultraviolet rays have the potency to break down chemical bonds. Add catalysts such as hydrogen peroxide to speed ultraviolet chemical separation.

2. Isolate pollutants such as clay, concrete and nuclear waste because they are difficult and expensive to destroy. Create a barrier so that water or other pollutants do not come into contact with these pollutants.

3. Remove pollutants such as contaminated soil physically, using methods such as dredging. Treat the contaminated soil and return it to the ground.

4. Carry out a microbial remediation procedure. Microbial remediation involves the breakdown of environmental pollutants using microorganisms. Introduce microbes to feed on the pollutants.

5. Use plants to remove pollutants such as heavy metals from the soil through their roots. Plants used in phytoremediation function by taking up pollutants from the environment and storing them in their parts.

References

• USDA: Phytoremediation -- Using Plants to Clean Up Soils
• CLUIN: A Citizen's Guide to Bioremediation
• CLUIN: Remediation Technologies