7
Environmental
Science
Quarter 3 – Module: 1
Pollutants in the Environment
(Air, Water, and Land Pollution)
DIVISION OF ANGELES CITY
Science – Grade 7
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3 – Module 1: Pollutants in the Environment (Air, Water and Land Pollution)
First Edition, 2021
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Published by the Department of Education
Regional Director
:
May B. Eclar PhD, CESO V
OIC Asst. Regional Director :
Rhoda T. Razon EdD, CESO V
Development Team of the Module
Writer: Angelica M. Tayag
Editors: Lorie l. Macatula, Analiza P. Coricor, Suzzette M. Ramirez
Reviewers: Gemima A. Estrabillo, Hermes Vargas, Adrian Tamayo,
Emily F. Sarmiento, Noel S. Reganit, Krislene Ida N. Mercado,
Ryan Sapao, Billy Ray B. Manuel, Marvin R. Leano, Gemmarie G. Rivas
Illustrator: Angelica M. Tayag
Layout Artists: Ray Jason Sanguyu and Anthony D. Taruc
Management Team: May B. Eclar PhD, CESO V
Rhoda T. Razon EdD, CESO V
Ma. Irelyn P. Tamayo PhD, CESE
Fernandina P. Otchengco PhD, CESE
Librada M. Rubio PhD
Ma. Editha R. Caparas EdD
Emily F. Sarmiento PhD
Gemima A. Estrabillo PhD
Rochella C. David
Printed in the Philippines by ________________________
Department of Education – Region III – Schools Division of Angeles City
Office Address:
Jesus St., Pulungbulu, Angeles City
Telephone:
(045) 322-5722; 322-4702 888-0582; 887-6099
E-mail Address:
angeles.city@deped.gov.ph
7
Environmental
Science
Quarter 3 – Module: 1
Pollutants in the Environment
(Air, Water, and Land Pollution)
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-bystep as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge of lessons in each
SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed with completing this module or if you
need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for a better understanding
of the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to selfcheck your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust
that you will be honest in using these.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can
best help you on your home-based learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And
read the instructions carefully before performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.
What I Need to Know
Hello there! How are you doing? Today, we are going to learn another exciting
lesson! What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘Pollution’? Some of you
may instantly think about factories producing smoke mixing into the air that can
make it hard to breathe. Others may think of oil spilling into bodies of water that can
contaminate drinking water.
As society advances, the environment is continuously degrading because of
pollution. Pollution is anything that makes the earth dirty and unsuitable to use.
Pollutions occur when we place harmful materials in the environment. These
harmful materials are called pollutants. In this module, you will learn about the
different pollutants found in our environment. This knowledge will help you value
our environment and protect it from getting destroyed.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. describe the pollutants in the environment;
- air
- water
- land pollution.
1
What I Know
Warrior of Environment!
Direction: Identify the type of pollution shown in the images below and its main
causes.
1.
Pollution: __________________________________________________
Main Causes: __________________________________________
2.
Pollution: __________________________________________________
Main Causes: __________________________________________
2
3.
Pollution: ________________________________________________________
Main Causes: ___________________________________________________
4.
Pollution: ________________________________________________________
Main Causes: ___________________________________________________
5.
Pollution: ________________________________________________________
Main Causes: ___________________________________________________
3
Lesson
1
Pollutants in the
Environment
What’s In
Hello students! In our previous module, we have learned how to protect and
preserve our environment. Biodiversity is a vast array of plants, animals, insects,
and microorganisms inhabiting the earth, either aquatic or terrestrial habitats.
Conserving biodiversity means ensuring that natural landscapes, with their array of
ecosystems, are maintained and that species, populations, genes, and the complex
interactions between them thrive into the future. We should preserve the
environment for the continuity of life on earth and the maintenance of its integrity.
It is our responsibility to take care of our environment. Protecting our Mother
Nature provides us many benefits and will make the Earth a beautiful and interesting
place to live!
How about you? How do you conserve and preserve our environment? Give
(4) ways to conserve and preserve the environment. Share your idea by answering
the following question.
1. How can I keep
the
environment
around my home
clean?
2. What are the
things that threaten
the
conservation
and preservation of
the environment?
3.
How
can
businesses keep the
environment clean?
4. How does taking
care poorly of our
environment affect
the
plants
and
animals on earth?
4
What’s New
Observe the environment around you. You
may see any ecosystem with multiple forms of
contamination—streams full of toxic chemicals from
industrial processes, rivers filled with pesticides from
farms, trashes blowing away from landfills, city skies
covered in smog. Even landscapes that appear pure
can show the effects of pollution.
Pollution dilute landscapes, poison soils, and
waterways, or kill plants and animals. Humans are
also regularly harmed by pollution. Being exposed to polluted air can cause chronic
respiratory problems, lung cancer, and other diseases. Animals consumed by
humans are exposed to toxic chemicals, making them unsafe to eat. Additionally,
more than one billion people lack access to clean water, and 2.4 billion do not have
adequate sanitation, putting them at risk of contracting deadly diseases.
ACTIVITY 1: Pollutant Buster!
Direction: Use the illustrations below to fill in the crossword puzzle with the correct
answer.
5
What Is It
Pollution is defined as an undesirable change in the physical, chemical, or
biological characteristics of air, water, and land that may be harmful to human life
and other animals, living conditions, industrial processes, and cultural assets.
Pollution can be natural or manmade. The agents that pollute are called pollutants.
Pollutants are by-products of man’s action. These are chemicals that have
ended up in the environment because of human activities and are hazardous to
health. The important pollutants are summarized below:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Deposited matter - Soot, smoke, tar or dust and domestic wastes.
Gases – Carbon monoxide, Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, Sulphur
oxides, halogens (chlorine, bromine, and iodine).
Metals - Lead, zinc, iron, and chromium.
Industrial pollutants - Benzene, ether, acetic acid etc., and cyanide
compounds.
Agriculture pollutants - Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers.
Photochemical pollutants - Ozone, oxides of nitrogen, aldehydes, ethylene,
photochemical smog, and peroxyacetyl nitrate.
Radiation pollutants - Radioactive substances and radioactive fallouts of
the nuclear test.
Classification of Pollutants
A. Pollutants can be classified based on their natural disposal:
1. Non-degradable Pollutants
These are the pollutants which are degraded at a
plodding pace by the natural biological processes.
These are inorganic compounds such as salts
(chlorides),
metallic
oxides,
waste-producing
materials, and materials like aluminum cans,
mercuric salts, and even DDT (Dichloro-diphenyltrichloroethane). These may continue to accumulate
in the environment.
2. Biodegradable Pollutants
These include domestic sewage that quickly
decomposes under natural processes and can be
rapidly decomposed by natural/ artificial methods.
These cause serious problems when accumulated in
large amounts as the pace of deposition exceeds the
decomposition of disposal.
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B. Pollutants can also be classified based on the form in which they persist after
their release into the environment:
1. Primary Pollutants - these include those substances which are emitted directly
from some identifiable sources. These include:
a. Sulfur compounds: SO2, SO3, H2S produced by the oxidation of fuel.
b. Carbon compounds: Oxides of carbon (CO+CO2) and hydrocarbons.
c. Nitrogen compounds: NO2 and NH3.
d. Halogen compounds: Hydrogen fluoride (HF) and hydrochloric acid (HCl).
e. Particles of different sizes and substances: These are found suspended
in the air. The fine particles below the diameter of 100u are more
abundant and include particles of metals, carbon, tar, pollen, fungi,
bacteria, silicates, and others.
2. Secondary Pollutants – are produced by a combination of primary emitted
pollutants in the atmosphere. In bright sunlight, a photochemical reaction
occurs between nitrogen oxides, oxygen, and waste hydrocarbons from the
gasoline that form peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and ozone (O3). Both
peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and ozone (O3) are toxic components of smog and
cause smarting eyes and lung damage.
3. Smog - The fog deposited with smoke and chemical fumes forms a dark and
thick covering, the smog. Smog is widespread in almost all the industrial areas
as the smog is trapped for many days by the stagnant air. The smog is harmful
both for animals and plants.
Types of Pollution
A. Air pollution is the presence of materials in the air in such concentrated
concentrations to man and his environment. Several ingredients find their way
in the air, and these are mostly gases, which rapidly spread over vast areas.
Various air pollution sources are fossil fuels, industries, agricultural activities,
wars, and natural causes arid emissions from vehicles.
Common Air Pollutants
● Carbon dioxide (CO2)
● Carbon monoxide (CO)
● Oxides of Nitrogen
● Hydrocarbon
● Aerosols
● Radioactive substances
B. Water pollution happens when undesirable substances are added to water
sources that alter the basic chemistry of water. Sources of water pollution
come from household waste like food waste, synthetic detergents, and waterbased paints. It may also come from industrial wastes, fertilizers, pesticides,
or mineral oils.
Common Water Pollutants
● Mercury, lead, or arsenic
● Cadmium & Chlorine
● Inorganic nitrates, or phosphates
● Soaps and detergents
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C. Soil pollution is an occurrence in which soil is undergoing degradation
because of contamination. Any substance that reduces soil productivity is
called a soil pollutant. Several materials adversely affect the soil’s physical,
chemical, and biological properties and thus reduce its productivity.
These include the following:
● Chemicals present in industrial waste.
● Pesticides and insecticides that are sprayed on crops.
● Fertilizers and manures that are added to the soil to increase the crop
yield.
D. Noise can be defined as an unwanted/unpleasant sound. So, noise pollution
is unwanted sound dumped into the atmosphere without care for its
unfavorable effects. All the boons of industrialization and civilization such as
motors, horns, heavy and light machinery, work and movement, blaring
radios, supersonic airplanes have become disturbing and irritating.
E. Radiation Pollution – or Radioactive Pollution is the accumulation of natural
radiation levels caused by human activities. The radiations contain high
energy levels which cause electrons from atoms to be removed. Radioactive
pollution is caused by mining, handling and storing radioactive waste
materials, and the use of radioactive reactions to produce energy, such as
nuclear power plants.
8
1.
What’s More
ACTIVITY 1: Pollutant Finder
Directions: Observe the picture below. Identify all the types of pollution that you see.
Guide Questions:
1. What are the types of pollution seen in the picture above? Identify all of them.
2. Name the pollutants found in the illustration.
3. What do you think are the effects of these pollutants in the environment?
Cite your answer.
9
ACTIVITY 2: Say it Louder!
Direction: Match the pollutants with the appropriate type of pollution by
completing the sentence.
1. The smoke from planes, cars, and
factories
soil pollution.
2. Detergent thrown in the streams
radiation pollution.
cause/
causes
1. Remaining pesticides
noise pollution.
2. The sound created by airplanes
air pollution.
3. Biochemical
water pollution.
Guide Questions:
1. Pollutants are harmful to humans. What health issues can they cause?
2. Describe some of the pollutants found in air, water, and land.
ACTIVITY 3: Sorting Out
Direction: Write the correct pollutant inside the appropriate classification.
1.
PET bottles
vegetable.
dog manure
thumbtacks
2.
glass objects
Styrofoam
paper
metal nail
leaves
Non-degradable
Pollutant
Biodegradable
Pollutant
10
chains
Guide Questions:
1. How can pollutants causing air, water, and land pollution be reduced?
2. Explain the differences between primary and secondary pollutants.
ACTIVITY 4: Pollution Problems
Directions: The charts show the amount in the percentages of different pollutants in
1997 and 2007. Use these pie graph to answer the questions below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Which pollutant is produced the most in 1997? In 2007?
Which pollutant has the least amount in 1997? In 2007?
According to the graph, which pollutant decreased drastically in 2007?
How many percentages of marine waste was lessened in 2007?
How many percentages of domestic sewage was added in 2007?
What do you think is the reason for litter to be reduced to 0% in 2007? Give a
reasonable answer.
Guide Questions:
1. How has the atmosphere changed from that of the early Earth?
2. Explain how water pollutants affect the water cycle.
3. Cite (3) pollutants of air, water, and land. Explain where these pollutants come
from and what are the effects it has on humans and the environment.
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What I Have Learned
Directions: Fill in the blanks with the most suitable words given to complete the
composition below using the ‘word bank’ terms.
pollutants
modernization
problems
air
water
households
impures
soil land
non-degradable urbanization
smog
noise
fertilizers
natural disposal
fossil fuels
Pollution is one of the most worrying (1) __________ of our time. Our earth has
been exposed to many kinds of pollution due to human’s high level of (2) __________.
Pollution (3) __________ the environment, kill plants and animals, and impose danger
to human health. Materials that pollute the earth are called (4) __________. It can be
classified based on their (5) __________ or based on their persistence after being
released to the environment. One of the common examples is (6) __________, which is
a combination of fog, smoke, and chemical fumes.
The (7) __________, (8) __________, and (9) __________ pollution are the most
common types of pollution. Different sources of air pollution come from (10)
__________, agricultural activities, wars, and industries. While water pollution comes
from (11) __________ such as food wastes, detergents, and paints. Another type of
pollution is (12) __________ pollution which is an event where soil undergoes
degradation because of contamination. (13) _______ and manure are pollutants added
to soil to increase the crop yield. There is also (14) _________ pollution which can be
defined as unwanted or unpleasant sound. In conclusion, pollution arises from (15)
_____________, development and urbanization and if humans do not take prompt
action, then pollution in the environment will become a serious problem.
12
What I Can Do
SOLUTION
Directions: Talk with any of your family members, talk about pollutants that cause
pollution. List three (3) pollutants and propose ways to reduce these pollutants’
production to save the environment.
_______________________________
Pollutant
SOLUTION
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________
Pollutant
SOLUTION
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________
Pollutant
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
13
Grading Rubric
Pointing system: 1 – not present, 2 – minimal, 3 – Evident, 4 – Evident with
additional information
Category
1
2
3
4
The presence of ideas is developed through facts,
examples, details, opinions, statistical reasons, and or
explanation.
The organization of thoughts is sustained across the
paragraphs.
The choice, use, and arrangement of words and sentence
structures are precise.
Rules in grammar, spelling, usage, and sentence formation
are properly adhered to.
Assessment
Multiple Choice
Directions: Read each question carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. It is a material produced naturally or artificially that harms the environment.
a. agent
c. trash
b. pollutant
d. toxic chemical
2. This happens when there is a sudden unfavorable change in the
characteristics of air, water, and land.
a. contamination
c. impurity
b. ecological imbalance
d. pollution
3. Carbon dioxide is a pollutant found in ____.
a. air
c. soil
b. radiation
d. water
4. Which of the following best describes biodegradable pollutants?
a. An example of this material is domestic sewage.
b. A massive quantity of these materials causes harm to the environment.
c. These are materials that decompose slowly through natural or artificial
methods.
d. A material that quickly decays and piles up and may result in damaging
the ecosystem.
14
5. The following are example of non-degradable pollutant except:
a. DDT
c. paper
b. Metallic oxides
d. salt
6. It is a fog combined with smoke and other chemical fumes.
a. dirty smoke
c. smog
b. exhaust gas
d. vapor
7. They are a combination of substances emitted directly from various sources.
a. biodegradable pollutants
c. secondary pollutants
b. non-degradable pollutants
d. tertiary pollutants
8. The following describes water pollution except:
a. A degradation caused by aerosols.
b. An occurrence that contaminates bodies of water.
c. Primary source of this pollution comes from food wastes, mineral oils, and
detergents.
d. It is a condition where materials are found in water which harms the
environment.
9. It is an example of a common air pollutant.
a. chlorine
b. fertilizer
c. hydrocarbon
d. supersonic airplane
10. It has high energy and removes electrons, and it is highly dangerous to
protoplasm.
a. atom
c. radiation
b. chemical
d. hazardous material
15
Additional Activities
Be an Advocate
Directions: Design your own tote bag which advocates the prevention of pollution in
the environment.
16
Rubrics for Tote bag Design Making
Category
4
3
2
1
Required
Elements
It includes all
required
elements as
well as
additional
information.
All required
elements
are included
on the
poster.
All but 1 of
the required
elements are
included on
the poster.
Several
required
elements
were missing.
Graphic
Relevance
All graphics
are related to
the topic and
make it
easier to
understand.
All borrowed
graphics
have a source
citation.
All graphics
are related to
the topic and
most make it
easier to
understand.
Some
borrowed
graphics have
a source
citation.
All graphics
related to the
topic. One or
two
borrowed
graphics have
a source
citation.
Graphics are
not related to
the topic OR
several
borrowed
graphics do
not have a
source
citation.
Attractiveness
The bag is
exceptionally
attractive in
terms of
design,
layout, and
neatness.
The bag is
attractive in
terms of
design,
layout, and
neatness.
The bag is
acceptably
attractive
though it may
be a bit
messy.
The bag is
distractingly
messy.
It is not
attractive.
Effort
The effort
was far
beyond that
required.
The effort was
completely
satisfactory.
The work
could have
been improved
with more
effort.
The work was
completed
with
minimum
effort.
17
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What’s In
What's More
1. Be responsible in using the natural
resources through conservation and try to
maintain the present state or conditions of
areas through preservation.
Act ivity 1
1-3. Answers may vary
2. The things that threaten the conservation
and preservation of environment are hunting,
logging, or mining.
3. Businesses should practice reducing paper
waste and recycle garbage. They should also
improve the air quality by providing indoor
plants.
4. Natural habitat of plants and animals will
be disturbed thus will lead to stressing
factors and poor welfare. Poorly taking care of
the environment may lead to production of
unsafe food.
Activity 2
1. The smoke from planes, cars, and
factories cause air pollution.
2. Detergent thrown in the streams
causes water pollution.
3. Remaining pesticides cause soil
pollution.
4. The sound created by airplanes
causes noise pollution.
5. Biochemical causes radiation
pollution.
What’s New
Activity 1
1. radioactive substances
6. iodine
2. carbon dioxide
7. ozone
3. fertilizers
8. smoke
4. pesticides
9. iron
5. wastes
10. zinc
Activity 4
1. 1997 - Pollutants from air; 2007 Domestic sewage and Pollutants from
air
2. 1997 - Litter and farm waste; 2007 litter
3. Industrial waste
4. 5%
5. 11%
6. Answer may vary.
Act ivity 3
Biodegradable Pollutant
1. Vegetable
2. dog manure
3. paper
4. leaves
Non-degradable Pollutant
What I Can Do
Answers may vary.
5. pep bottles
6. thumbtacks
7. glass objects
8. Styrofoam
9. metal nail
10. chains
Assessment
1. b
2. d
3. a
4. d
5. c
6. c
7. c
8. a
9. c
10. c
What I have Learned
1. problem
11. households
2. urbanization 12. soil
3. impures
13. Fertilizers
4. pollutants
14. noise
5. natural disposal
15. modernization
6. smog
7. air/water/land
8. air/water/land
9. air/water/land
10 fossil fuels
Answer Key
References
Environmental Pollution Center. 2020. What is Radioactive Pollution? Retrieved
from: https://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/radiation/
King Island Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity-Definition and Benefits.
Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/38xDNnn
National Geographic. 2021. Smog. Retrieved from:
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/smog/
National Ocean Service. 2021. Contaminants in the Environment. Retrieved from:
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/observations/contam/
Pinclipart.com 2021. Pollution Clipart. Retrieved from: http://bit.ly/3brVRkX
Singh, Y.K. 2006 Environmental Science, New Delhi. P. 61-81. Retrieved from:
http://rvskvv.net/images/Environmental-Science_23.04.2020.pdf
World Health Organization. 2021. Types of Pollutants. Retrieved from:
http://bit.ly/39heQMo
World Wildlife (2021). Pollution. Retrieved from: http://wwf.to/3bpLMon
19
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Region III Schools Division of Angeles City
Office Address:
Jesus St., Pulungbulu, Angeles City
Telephone: (045) 322-5722; 322-4702 888-0582; 887-6099
E-mail Address:
angeles.city@deped.gov.ph