DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLLUTION (PART II)

Soil pollution occurs when industrial waste is buried or dumped on the land, and via polluted air and water. Sulphur dioxide in the air coats the leaves of plants blocking out the sun's light and preventing growth. Crop yields are reduced and sulphur accumulates in the soil. The banks of some rivers can no longer support the growth of plants because heavy metals and other toxins have entered the soil from the water. It is impossible to remove most of these toxins; in some cases it will take thousands of years for their levels to fall sufficiently for the soil to support life again.

Domestic waste is another environmental problem. "Throwaway" products such as cans, plastic bags and disposable diapers are all avoidable sources of domestic waste. When you buy a takeout meal the packaging often weighs more than the food! Domestic waste is either burned in large incinerators or buried in landfill sites. Both these processes cause environmental damage. Burning garbage produces carbon dioxide, toxic fumes, soot and other airborne particles as well as an unpleasant smell. Burying garbage in landfill sites can contaminate the soil with toxic products, which then enter the water supply. Another hazard of landfill sites is the generation of explosive gases.

When people learn of the irresponsible dumping of industrial waste into rivers and oceans they are usually horrified. But on a smaller scale, most of us are just as irresponsible with our own waste. About 80 % of all our domestic waste can be recycled. Most developed countries now have recycling centers for glass, paper, aluminium cans and plastic. But we are often too busy or too lazy to sort our trash for recycling. If we do not change our philosophy of "live now, pay later", our children will bear the burden of our “throwaway” lifestyle.

TEXT–BASED ASSIGNMENTS

I. Try to identify the part of speech of the following words according to the word–building elements:

longer, growth, impossible, sufficiently, packaging, unpleasant, explosive, irresponsible, smaller, to recycle.

II. Find out synonyms:

1. Pollution a) ground

2. Soil b) wastes

3. Food c) contamination

4. Trash d) meal

III. Find out antonyms:

1) To reduce a) pleasant

2) Heavy b) possible

3) Impossible c) light

4) Unpleasant d) responsible

5) Irresponsible e) to increase

IV. Give Ukrainian equivalents:

To dump on the land, via air and water, to prevent growth, crop yields, to remove toxins, to fall sufficiently, avoidable sources of waste, environmental damage, large incinerators, toxic fumes, airborne particles, the generation of explosive gases, to be horrified, to be irresponsible, aluminum cans, throwaway lifestyle.

V. Translate the following word combinations into English:

Забруднення ґрунту, вкривати листя рослин, перешкоджати сонячним промінням, береги річок, важкі метали, потрапляти у ґрунт через воду, видаляти токсини, підтримувати життя, упаковка, сміттєзвалище, спричиняти, руйнування, неприємний запах, небезпека смітників, вибухові гази, перероблювати пластик та папір, змінити філософію.

VI. Complete the following sentences:

1. Soil pollution occurs….

2. Sulphur dioxide in the air coats the leaves of plants….

3. The banks of some rivers can no longer support….

4. It is impossible to remove most of these toxins; in some cases it will take thousands of years for their levels to ….

5. "Throwaway" products such … are all avoidable sources of domestic waste.

6. Domestic waste is either burned in large incinerators or ….

7. Burning garbage produces ….

8. Burying garbage in landfill sites can ….

9. Most developed countries now have recycling centers for ….

10. If we do not change our philosophy of "live now, pay later" ….

VII. Correct the statements if necessary using the phrases of agreement or disagreement:

1. Soil pollution occurs when industrial waste is buried or dumped on the land, and via polluted air and water.

2. Crop yields are increased and sulphur accumulates in the soil.

3. The banks of some rivers can support the growth of plants because heavy metals and other toxins have entered the soil from the water.

4. It is possible to remove most of these toxins; in some cases it will take some minutes for their levels to fall sufficiently for the soil to support life again.

5. "Throwaway" products such as cans, plastic bags and disposable diapers are all unavoidable sources of domestic waste.

6. Burning garbage produces carbon dioxide, toxic fumes, soot and other airborne particles as well as an unpleasant smell.

7. Burying garbage in landfill sites cannot contaminate the soil with toxic products, which then enter the water supply.

8. Most of us are very responsible with our own waste.

9. About only 10 % of all our domestic waste can be recycled.

10. Most developed countries now have recycling centers for glass, paper, aluminium cans and plastic.

VIII. Answer the following questions:

1. When does the soil pollution occur?

2. What damage does sulfur dioxide cause?

3. Why can’t the banks of some rivers support the growth of plants any longer?

4. What are “throwaway” products?

5. What do people do with domestic waste?

6. What are the results of burying garbage in landfill sites?

7. Are we responsible with our own waste?

8. What for do most developed countries create recycling centers?

9. Who will bear the burden of our “throwaway” lifestyle?

IX. Translate into English:

1. Забруднення ґрунту відбувається, коли промислові відходи закопують у ґрунт або через забруднення повітря і води.

2. Двоокис сірки у повітрі вкриває листя рослин, перешкоджаючи сонячним промінням.

3. Береги деяких річок вже більше не в змозі підтримувати життя рослин, оскільки важкі метали та інші токсини потрапляють у ґрунт з води.

4. Консервні банки і пластикові пляшки, серветки одноразового використання – це складові побутового сміття.

5. Спалювання сміття вивільняє двоокис вуглецю, токсичні випари, сажу та інші частки, а також неприємний запах.

6. Ще одна небезпека появи сміттєзвалищ – утворення вибухових газів.

7. Коли люди дізнаються про безвідповідальне скидання промислових відходів у річки та океани, вони зазвичай лякаються.

8. У багатьох розвинених країнах працюють центри переробки скла, паперу, алюмінієвих пляшок та пластика.