Environmental Pollution : COURSE HANDBOOK Intended for 3rd year Bachelor students in Ecology and Environment Specialty: Ecology and Environment

Abstract

Over the past century, human activities have profoundly altered the Earth's environment, leading to multiple global changes such as climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, resource depletion, and environmental pollution (Steffen et al., 2015). These transformations are driven by rapid industrialization, population growth, urban expansion, intensive agriculture, and unsustainable resource exploitation (IPCC, 2023). Among these global changes, pollution has emerged as one of the most pervasive and immediate threats to ecosystem functioning and human health. Unlike some environmental changes that may occur over decades or centuries, pollution can have rapid and sometimes irreversible effects on natural systems (Rockström et al., 2009). Pollution manifests in various environmental compartments:  In the atmosphere, emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants disrupt atmospheric composition, contributing to global warming, acidification, and respiratory illnesses (WHO, 2023).  In aquatic ecosystems, the discharge of chemical contaminants, nutrients, microplastics, and pathogens degrades water quality, threatens aquatic biodiversity, and compromises freshwater availability (UNEP, 2024).  In terrestrial environments, the accumulation of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and agrochemicals in soils affects fertility, plant growth, and food safety, while also altering soil microbial communities (FAO, 2023).