Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary 2

Pollution

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TERM – 1ST TERM

WEEK ELEVEN

Class: Senior Secondary School 2

Age: 16 years

Duration: 40 minutes of 5 periods each

Date:

Subject: Biology

Topic: POLLUTION

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to

  1. Define pollution
  2. Identify the types and sources of pollution
  3. Identify the effects of air and noise pollutants
  4. Discuss water and soil pollution ( The types, compositions and Effects)

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Videos, loud speaker, textbook, pictures

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES

PERIOD 1-2

PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITY

STUDENT’S

ACTIVITY

STEP 1

INTRODUCTION

The teacher introduces pollution and identify various sources of air pollution

 

Students pay

attention

STEP 2

EXPLANATION

Teacher discusses the effects of air, water and soil pollution.

Students pay

attention and

participate

 

STEP 3

DEMONSTRATIO

N

Teacher lead students to an industrial estate to observe the effect of industrial waste on the environment.

 

Students pay

attention and

record their observations

STEP 4

NOTE TAKING

The teacher writes a summarized

note on the board

 

The students

copy the note in

their books

 

NOTE

ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION

Air pollution is the presence of substances in the air that can be harmful to living organisms and the environment. Some major sources and types of air pollutants include:

  1. Carbon Monoxide (CO): Combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles, industrial processes, and residential heating.
  2. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): Burning of coal and oil in power plants, industrial facilities, and certain industrial processes.
  3. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): Combustion processes in vehicles and industrial activities.
  4. Particulate Matter (PM): Combustion of fossil fuels, industrial processes, construction activities, and natural sources like wildfires.
  5. Ozone (O3): Formed by chemical reactions between NOx and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight.
  6. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Released from vehicle exhaust, industrial processes, and the use of certain products like paints and solvents.

Effects of Air Pollution

  1. Respiratory Issues: Inhalation of pollutants like particulate matter and ozone can lead to respiratory problems, exacerbating conditions such as asthma and causing other respiratory diseases.
  2. Cardiovascular Problems: Air pollution has been linked to cardiovascular issues, including heart attacks and strokes, as pollutants can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart.
  3. Reduced Lung Function: Long-term exposure to certain pollutants can result in decreased lung function, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
  4. Cancer Risk: Prolonged exposure to certain air pollutants, like benzene and formaldehyde, has been associated with an increased risk of developing cancer.
  5. Environmental Impact: Air pollution can harm ecosystems, leading to acid rain, damage to vegetation, and contamination of water bodies.

Effects of Noise Pollution

  1. Hearing Loss: Prolonged exposure to high levels of noise can lead to hearing impairment or loss.
  2. Stress and Sleep Disturbances: Noise pollution can cause stress, disturb sleep patterns, and contribute to the development of stress-related health issues.
  3. Interference with Communication: Excessive noise can interfere with communication, leading to difficulties in understanding speech and potential safety hazards.
  4. Impacts on Wildlife: Noise pollution can disrupt the behavior and communication of wildlife, affecting their ability to find food, mate, and avoid predators.
  5. Negative Impact on Mental Health: Constant exposure to noise has been linked to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and even mental health disorders.

Water Pollution

Water pollution refers to the contamination or degradation of water quality, making it harmful or unfit for human use and detrimental to aquatic ecosystems. This contamination can result from the introduction of various pollutants, including chemicals, nutrients, pathogens, and physical agents, into lakes, rivers, oceans, or groundwater. Common sources of water pollution include industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, improper disposal of waste, and untreated sewage.

Types of water pollution

  1. Chemical Pollution: Involves the introduction of harmful chemicals into water bodies, often from industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, or improper disposal of waste.
  2. Nutrient Pollution: Excessive levels of nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, can lead to issues like algal blooms and oxygen depletion in water.
  3. Microbial Pollution: Contamination by disease-causing microorganisms, usually from untreated sewage or animal waste, which can result in waterborne diseases.
  4. Physical Pollution: Involves the presence of physical objects like plastics, debris, or sediment that degrade water quality and harm aquatic life.

Composition of water pollution

  1. Heavy Metals: Mercury, lead, and cadmium from industrial discharges.
  2. Pesticides and Herbicides: Chemicals used in agriculture that can runoff into water bodies.
  3. Pathogens: Bacteria, viruses, and parasites from sewage and animal waste.

Side Effects of water pollution

  1. Human Health Impact: Waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid can result from microbial contamination.
  2. Ecosystem Disruption: Disruption of aquatic ecosystems due to changes in water chemistry, oxygen levels, and the death of aquatic organisms.
  3. Loss of Biodiversity: Pollution can lead to the decline or extinction of aquatic species, affecting the overall biodiversity of ecosystems.

Soil Pollution

Soil pollution refers to the introduction of harmful substances into the soil, leading to its degradation and adverse effects on plant and animal life. This contamination can result from the presence of pollutants such as industrial chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and improper disposal of waste. Human activities, including industrial processes, agricultural practices, and waste disposal, contribute to soil pollution.

Types of soil pollution

  1. Chemical Contamination: Introduction of harmful chemicals into the soil through industrial discharges, improper waste disposal, or the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
  2. Soil Erosion: Removal of the topsoil layer, often caused by deforestation, improper agricultural practices, and construction activities.
  3. Salinization: Accumulation of salts in the soil, usually from irrigation with saline water.

Composition of soil pollution

  1. Pesticides and Herbicides: Residues from agricultural activities.
  2. Heavy Metals: Lead, arsenic, and cadmium from industrial activities and improper waste disposal.
  3. Industrial Chemicals: Pollutants from manufacturing processes.

Side Effects of soil pollution

  1. Reduced Soil Fertility: Chemical pollutants can alter soil composition, leading to decreased fertility and productivity.
  2. Contaminated Food Supply: Plants grown in polluted soil can accumulate toxins, affecting the safety of the food supply.
  3. Groundwater Contamination: Soil pollution can lead to the leaching of contaminants into groundwater, compromising its quality.

EVALUATION: 1. What is pollution?

  1. Identify 4 sources of pollution
  2. Mention 3 Effects of water pollution

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher commends the students positively