INTRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN ECUADOR

Environmental pollution is one of the greatest problems that the world is facing today .But especially in Ecuador every day we see that this problem is increased causing an unpleasant environment in our daily living. Also causes deep and irreparable damage to the earth. But if we think and analyze for a moment; What are the causes of environmental pollution in Ecuador? We will realize that we are responsible for this catastrophe because in some way or another it contributes to that happening. For this reason we want every one of us to be aware of this because this is the way we live in and the future generations will live.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN ECUADOR

Environmental pollution is any discharge of material or energy into water, land, or air that causes or may cause acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) detriment to the Earth's ecological balance or that lowers the quality of life. Pollutants may cause primary damage, with direct identifiable impact on the environment, or secondary damage in the form of minor perturbations in the delicate balance of the biological food web that are detectable only over long time periods.

TYPES OF POLLUTION WATER POLLUTION Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater). Water pollution occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds. Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of water. Pollution of rivers, lakes, and the oceans can come from many sources. Sometimes the source is easily traced it may be a pipe that discharges wastewater into a river, for example. Tighter regulations have almost eliminated this kind of pollution in some countries, but it continues to be a problem in others. Discharges of toxic industrial waste into rivers can devastate aquatic life, and the release of sewage into waterways can spread dangerous bacteria.

AIR POLLUTION Air pollution is the introduction into the atmosphere of chemicals, particulates, or biological materials that cause discomfort, disease, or death to humans, damage other living organisms such as food crops, or damage the natural environment or built environment. In Ecuador the biggest source of air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels. Oil, gas, and coal are burned on a huge scale, releasing a variety of pollutants into the air, including carbon dioxide(CO2), sulfur di oxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulates, such as smoke and soot. Fossil fuels consist mainly of hydrocarbons compounds of carbon and hydrogen. SOIL POLLUTION Soil pollution is defined as the build-up in soils of chemicals, salts, radioactive materials, or disease causing agents, which have adverse effects on plant growth and animal health. Soil is the thin layer of organic and inorganic materials that covers the Earth's rocky surface. Soil can be contaminated by chemicals from industrial premises, mining activities, and landfill sites, as well as by water containing pollutants from other sources, such as agriculture and even domestic activities.

CAUSES OF POLLUTION Domestic Solid Waste Industrial Solid Waste Excess fertilizer and chemicals Tala Burning Garbage Carbon monoxide vehicle Sewage drains or polluted the sea or rivers.

The Ecuadorian cities continue to grow and lack of energy production and transport industries, which are the cause wholesale air pollution. The pollution of our country comes from various sources. The following graph shows the percentage contribution of each.

VEHICLES Most air pollution is caused by vehicles using low quality oil, according to the National Hydrocarbons of Ecuador. For example, the amount of sulfur has the diesel in our country is ten times greater than that tolerated in the U.S. standards. But at least these fuels do not contain lead. Cars generally pollute in many different stages, for example initial production will pollute due to the electricity needed will often be generated by coalor gas- fired power stations. Painting will pollute due to paint particulates becoming suspended in air, however adequate enclosure and filtering minimises this in most factories. It is generally accepted, however, that the most polluting stage in a cars life is during its use, by burning fuel and emitting it to the atmosphere .A final stage is the disposal of the car, all the fluids (motor oil, antifreeze etc) are all harmful to the environment and so their disposal needs to be done carefully and in a controlled manor. VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS Volcanic ash contains lead, cadmium and arsenic. Furthermore, large particles cause respiratory problems, conjunctivitis, skin allergy, among others. Conditions affecting especially children, girls and elderly, the most vulnerable segment of the population.

INDUSTRIES Many cities across the country coexist with factories and other industries that eliminate harmful gases. This closeness has occurred due to a breach of laws prohibiting installation industries near population centers and the growth of cities, which results in the peripheral sites before today are in the midst of cities.

GENERATION Hydropower plants emit particulate product of combustion engines, in addition to the above already mentioned gases

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION PREVENTION Do not burn or cut plants Control the pesticides use of fertilizers and

Do not throw garbage in inappropriate places Regular garbage collection service Create public awareness Develop ways of drains for industries that do not reach the seas and rivers used for the service of man or animal consumption Controlling accidental oil spills Controlling mine tailings.

CONCLUSION

Pollution is a problem that nobody wants to take responsibility and, even in some cases, not seen until after it is too late. As citizens of a country that wants to grow and improve their quality of life, we begin to become aware of this problem and all the difficulties that routes to the environment and, therefore, health and human welfare. That is why we must implement measures necessary to control any contaminants to thereby stop this problem the only thing it does is hurt us every day more.