Lecture 10: Environmental Pollution, Problems and Measures

Definition
Environmental pollution is defined as the undesirable change in physical, chemical and biological characteristics of our air, land and water

Categories of Pollutants
(a) Biodegradable pollutants - Biodegradable pollutants are broken down by the activity of microorganisms and enter into the biogeochemical cycles. Examples of such pollutants are domestic waste products, urine and fecal matter, sewage, agricultural residue, paper, wood and cloth etc. (b) Non- Biodegradable pollutants - Nonbiodegradable pollutants are stronger chemical bondage, do not break down into simpler and harmless products. These include various insecticides and other pesticides, mercury, lead, arsenic, aluminum, plastics, radioactive waste etc.

Types of Environmental Pollution

Air Water Soil Noise

Air Pollution

Air Pollution
Air Pollution: Air is mainly a mixture of various gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen. These are present in a particular ratio. Whenever there is any imbalance in the ratio of these gases, air pollution results.

Sources of Air Pollution

Natural; such as, forest fires, ash from smoking volcanoes, dust storm and decay of organic matters. Man-made due to population explosion, deforestation, urbanization and industrializations.

Air Pollution According to Physical Form

Air pollutants are classified as suspended particulate matter, gases and vapours that are present in the atmosphere in abnormally high concentrations. Particulate matter affects more people on continuing basis than any other pollutant. The main components are coarse particles such as soil and mineral ash or fine particles found in wood smoke or coming from engine exhausts. Gaseous air pollutants are principally oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ammonia (NH3) and volatile organic compounds. Other air pollutants include chlorinated fluorocarbons (CFCs) and other "greenhouse" gases, lead and other heavy metals and radon.

Air Pollution According to Location

Ambient air pollution Without proper controls, industry is a major source of air pollution. In this way, industrial operations can affect the health of workforces, the general environment and the health of nearby (and sometimes very far removed) populations. Particular industries with significant health impacts include: chemical, paper and pulp, cement, glass and ceramics, iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, leather, refining and processing petroleum, and particularly from coal and oil burning plants producing electric power. Motor vehicles account for about 30% of emissions of nitrogen oxides, 50% of hydrocarbons, 60% of lead and 60% of carbon monoxide in cities of developed countries. In city centres the values rise to 95% for carbon monoxide and up to 70% for nitrogen oxides.

Air Pollution According to Location

Indoor air pollution Even today, homes of the poor in developing counties are dangerous, unhealthy places a rule of thumb states that a pollutant released indoors is 1000 times more likely to reach people's lungs than a pollutant released outdoors. Some 2000 million people throughout the world use wood or other biomass fuels (cow dung, crop residues and grass) for cooking and heating. The domestic burning of these fuels is an inefficient process that produces many pollutants, some of which may be carcinogenic. The problems are worsened in areas where people spend most of their time indoors. A 20% reduction in indoor air pollution could reduce mortality from acute respiratory infection by at least 4-8% in some populations. Coal burning for heating and cooking in developing countries results in indoor particle concentrations of up to 10,000 g/m, a level that is much higher even than ambient concentrations in polluted cities in Asia.

Harmful Effects of Air pollution

Dirty air- affects respiratory system of living organisms and causes bronchitis, asthma, lung cancer, pneumonia etc. Carbon monoxide (CO) emitted from motor vehicles and cigarette smoke affects the central nervous system. Depleted of ozone layer - UV radiation reaches the earth. UV radiation causes skin cancer, damage to eyes and immune system. Acid rain - caused by presence of oxides of nitrogen and sulfur in the air. These oxides dissolve in rain water to form nitric acid and sulfuric acid respectively. Various monuments, buildings, and statues are damaged due to corrosion by acid present in the rain. The soil also becomes acidic. The cumulative effect is the gradual degradation of soil and a decline in forest and agricultural productivity. Green house gases - such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) trap the heat radiated from earth. This leads to an increase in earths temperature.

Air Pollution Control

Combustion This technique is used when the pollutants are in the form of organic gases or vapors. During flame combustion or catalytic process, these organic pollutants are converted into water vapor and relatively less harmful products, such as CO2. Absorption In this technique, the gaseous effluents are passed through scrubbers or absorbers. These contain a suitable liquid absorbent, which removes or modifies one or more of the pollutants present in the gaseous effluents. Adsorption The gaseous effluents are passed through porous solid adsorbents kept in suitable containers. The organic and inorganic constituents of the effluent gases are trapped at the interface of the solid adsorbent by physical adsorbent.

Air Pollution Control

Use of better designed equipment and smokeless fuels, hearths in industries and at home. Automobiles should be properly maintained and adhere to recent emission-control standards. More trees should be planted along road side and houses. Renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar energy, ocean currents, should fulfill energy needs. Tall chimneys should be installed for vertical dispersion of pollutants.

Air Pollution Control at Home

Avoid using chemical pesticides or fertilizers in your yard and garden. Many fertilizers are a source of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Try organic products instead. Compost your yard waste instead of burning it. Outdoor burning is not advisable, as it pollutes air. Breathing this smoke is bad for you, your family and your neighbors. Plus, you can use the compost in your garden. If you use a wood stove or fireplace to heat your home, it would be better to consider switching to another form of heat which does not generate smoke. It is always better to use sweater or warm clothing than using fireplace. Be energy efficient. Most traditional sources of energy burn fossil fuels, causing air pollution. Keep your home well-maintained with weather-stripping, storm windows, and insulation. Lowering your thermostat can also help and for every two degrees Fahrenheit you lower it, you save about two percent on your heating bill. Plant trees and encourage other to plant trees as well. Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and filter out air pollution. During warmer days, trees provide cool air, unnecessary use of energy on air conditioning is avoided, hence the air pollution. Try to stop smoking; at home, at office or at outside. Tobacco smoking not only deteriorates selfs health, it affects others health too.

Air Pollution Control At the Road

Keep your vehicle well maintained. A poorly maintained engine both creates more air pollution and uses more fuel. Replace oil and air filters regularly, and keep your tires properly inflated. Drive less. Walking, bicycling, riding the bus, or working from home can save you money as well as reducing air pollution. Dont idle your vehicle. If you stop for more than 30 seconds, except in traffic, turn off your engine. Dont buy more car than you need. Four-wheel drive, allwheel drive, engine size, vehicle weight, and tire size all affect the amount of fuel your vehicle uses. The more fuel it uses the more air pollution it causes.

Water Pollution

Water Pollution
Water is said to be polluted when there is any physical, biological or chemical change in water quality that adversely affects living organisms or makes water unsuitable for use.

Sources of Water Pollution

Sources of water pollution are mainly factories, power plants, coal mines and oil wells situated either close to water source or away from sources. They discharge pollutants directly or indirectly into the water sources like river, lakes, water streams etc

Causes of Water Pollution

Factors that contribute to water pollution can be categorized into two different groups
Point sources Non-point sources

Point sources are the easiest to identify and control Non point sources are ambiguously defined and harder to control

Point Sources
Some point sources of water pollution include
Waste products from factories Waste from sewage system Waste from power plants Waste from underground coalmines Waste from oil wells

They are called point sources because they are direct sources of water pollution and can be reduced and monitored

Example of a point source

Non-point Sources
The term non-point source encompasses a large range of sources such as:
when rain or snow moves through the ground and picks up pollutants as it moves towards a major body of water the runoff of fertilizers from farm animals and crop land air pollutants getting washed or deposited to earth storm water drainage from lawns, parking lots, and streets

Non-point source: Agricultural runoff

Water Pollution Control

Wastewater discharges are most commonly controlled through effluent standards and discharge permits. Under this system, discharge permits are issued with limits on the quantity and quality of effluents. Water-quality standards are sets of qualitative and quantitative criteria designed to maintain or enhance the quality of receiving waters. Classification of bodies of water to maintain water quality

Water Pollution Control

Sewerage and sanitation with wastewater treatment using effluent standards Septage treatment using effluent standards

What is soil
The physical material that covers most of the earths land surface Generally composed of sand, silt and clay particles, organic matter, water and air spaces

Functions of Soil
Healthy soil gives us clean air and water, bountiful crops and forests, productive rangeland, diverse wildlife, and beautiful landscapes. Soil does all this by performing five essential functions: Regulating water. Soil helps control where rain, snowmelt, and irrigation water goes. Water and dissolved solutes flow over the land or into and through the soil. Sustaining plant and animal life. The diversity and productivity of living things depends on soil. Filtering potential pollutants. The minerals and microbes in soil are responsible for filtering, buffering, degrading, immobilizing, and detoxifying organic and inorganic materials, including industrial and municipal by-products and atmospheric deposits. Cycling nutrients. Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and many other nutrients are stored, transformed, and cycled through soil. Supporting structures. Buildings need stable soil for support, and archeological treasures associated with human habitation are protected in soils.

Sources of Soil/Land Pollution

Hazardous waste/sewage oil spills Improper disposal of solid wastes Transfer of air pollutants to land Transfer of water pollutants to land Soil contamination can lead to poor growth and reduced crop yields, loss of wildlife habitat, water and visual pollution, soil erosion, and desertification.

Soil/land Pollution
Spills deposit pollutants to soil Solid wastes not properly disposed make the soil/land unsuitable for its intended use Air pollutants emitted in the atmosphere will eventually be deposited in the soil Water pollutants traversing land areas have the tendency to be absorbed by soil

Soil/land Pollution Control

Treeplanting Solid waste management Integration with air and water pollution control Regulating human activities and penalizing violators

What is Noise
Unwanted sound

Noise Standards
AREAS PHILIPPINES ASIA (India) NOISE STANDARD (dB = Decibel) EUROPE UNITED STATES

Daytime

Night time

Daytime

Night time

Daytime

Night time

Daytime

Night time

Industrial Area

75dB

65dB

75dB

70dB

70dB

70dB

80dB

80dB

Commercial Area

65dB

55dB

65dB

55dB

60dB

45dB

70dB

70dB

Residential Area Silence Zone

55dB 50dB

45dB 40dB

55dB 50dB

45dB 40dB

50dB 45dB

35dB 35dB

65dB 40dB

55dB 40dB

Sources of Noise
Traffic Airports Railroads Manufacturing plants Construction or demolition Concerts/entertainment

Health Effects of Noise

sleep disturbance cardiovascular effects damage to work and school performance hearing impairment including tinnitus.

Noise Pollution Control

redesigning equipment to reduce the speed or impact of moving parts; to install mufflers on intakes and exhausts; to replace old equipment with newer, better designed equipment; servicing and maintaining equipment to replace worn parts and to lubricate all moving parts; isolating equipment either by distance, by enclosures or by barriers; damping and cushioning noise sources by using rubber pads to reduce vibration and noise coming from metal parts; reducing the drop height of objects falling into bins or onto belts; installing absorptive baffles in work areas to absorb sounds generated there Creation of greenbelt