POLLUTION

Undesirable state of the natural environment being contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of human activities

POLLUTION
Any undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of any component of the environment (air, water, soil) which can cause harmful effects on various forms of life or property.

Types Of Pollution
a) Air pollution b) Water pollution c) Soil pollution d) Marine pollution e) Noise pollution f) Thermal pollution g) Nuclear hazards

AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution occurs when the air contain gases, dust, fumes or odour in harmful amounts.

Air pollution
It is an atmospheric condition where certain substances are present in concentration which can cause undesirable effects on man and his environment. Air is one of the most important constituent of mans environment. It is calculated that a man breathes about 22,000 times a day, inhaling about 16 kg of air

Sources of air pollution

Natural sources 1. Volcanic eruption 2. Forest fires 3. Biological decay 4. Sea salt spray 5. Pollen grains of flowers

Man made sources(anthropogenic) thermal power plants (fly ash, SO2) industrial units vehicle emission- (CO77%, HC-14%, NOX8%)- (Heavy duty diesel vehicles- more NOX and SPM Petrol vehicles CO & HC ) fossil fuel burning

Sources of air pollution

Industries, power plants, smelters, mines and refineries, vehicular traffic are primary sources of air pollution. Fuel burning, accidental leakage are also sources of air pollution. Approximately 200 million tons of CO, 146 tons of SO2 and 53 million tons of nitric oxides are discharged to atmosphere.

NATURAL POLLUTION

INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION

AUTOMOBILE POLLUTION

Air pollutants
Gaseous pollutants sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides, volatile organic compounds Particulate pollutants smoke, dust, soot, fumes, aerosol, liquid droplets, pollen grains Radio active pollutants Radon 222, Iodine 131, Sr 90

Classification of air pollutants

According to origin
Primary pollutants (SO2, NOX, smoke) secondary pollutants (PAN, SO3, aldehydes)

According to state of matter

Gaseous air (CO2, NOX) Particulate air (dust, mist)

AIR POLLUTANTS Oxides of carbon Oxides of nitrogen Hydrocarbons Particulate matter Smog Radioactive gasses

CONSEQUENCES or EFFECTS
Lung irritation & damage Reduce visibility Breathing problems Climatic change Central nervous system & cancer

Effect on atmosphere

Effect on humans
1 Aldehydes Thermal decomposition of
fats and oils-Irritates nasal and respiratory tracts 2 Ammonia -Chemical processes, dye making, explosives and fertilizers-Upper respiratory passage 3 Arsenic -Coal and oil furnacesDamages kidney, cause jaundice, lung and skin cancer 4 Carbon Monoxide -Motor exhausts, oil and coal furnaces -damages lungs and heart

Effect on plants
Growth rate of plants Stomata of plants get clogged Photosynthesis gets affected, thus release of oxygen gets affected CO2 intake is also affected

Effect on animals
The effect of pollutant takes place in two steps
Accumulating on their foods Poisoning when goes inside Sheep and cattle are found to be largely affected by fluorine

Control measures

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Use unleaded petrol Reduce number of private vehicles Plant trees Continuous monitoring Complete combustion

PREVENTION

Keep smoke emission from homes, factories, vehicles to minimum. Avoid use of firecrackers. Dispose garbage in bins, do not bum it. Use spittoons or flowing drains for spitting. Get all to practice laws regarding Air pollution. Save energy. Use water based paints instead of varnishes.

Air pollution control methods

There are four Air pollution control methods they are

Proper planning of industrial areas-zoning Dilution of source discharge by using tall stacks Using source correction method Controlling equipments

Proper planning of industrial areas-zoning

A separate zone or area is set for industries This reduces effects of pollution in urban areas It makes a green belt between industries and township It is also called urban planning Zoning is done under two aspects
Functional requirement Performance characteristics

Functional requirement Inter industry linkages Railway sidings Traffic regulation Performance characteristics Raw material hazard Waste generation Processing temperatures Fire, smoke, noise

Dilution of source discharge by using tall stacks

The concentration of pollutants are reduced by taking it to higher altitudes by dilution and diffusion methods The pollutants are taken to higher altitude by means of tall stacks Today there are hundreds of stacks in excess of 180 m tall Dilution of pollutant depends on atmospheric temperature , speed and direction of wind

Using source correction method

Prevention of air pollution at source

Change in raw materials Process changes Equipment modification or replacement

Change in raw materials

If one type of raw material, currently in use produces air pollution, use a substitute material that induce less pollution
E.g. Liquefied petroleum gas(LPG) or liquefied natural gas(LNG) can be substituted for coal Low sulphur fuel should be substituted for high sulphur fuel

Process changes

Air pollution can sometimes reduced by adapting new processes

Volatile substances can be recovered by condensation Coal washed before pulverization controls fly ash

Equipment modification or replacement

Old equipment that contribute higher pollution should be replaced by new pollution less equipment
Smoke, carbon monoxide and fumes are reduced in larger amount by replacing open hearth furnaces with electric furnaces Petroleum vehicles should be replaced by electric or other non polluting vehicles

Controlling equipments
Control devices for particulate pollutant

Control devices for gaseous pollutant

Gravitational settling Cyclone separator Fabric filters Electrostatic precipitator Wet collectors Spray tower Ventury scrubber Cyclone scrubber

Wet absorption Dry absorption

WATER POLLUTION
The contamination of water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater caused by human activities, which can be harmful to organisms and plants which live in these water bodies

Sources of water pollution

Based on activities
Natural

activities Human activities

Based on origin
Point

source Non point source

Point source

Non point source

Discharged from specific sites Sewage treatment plants, industries, house hold wastes

Discharged from larger area (non specific) Agricultural runoff, mining waste, flood, etc.

POLLUTED WATER

Sources of water pollution

Agricultural waste Industrial waste Inorganic & organic chemicals Domestic sewage Thermal & radio active wastes Natural sources and runoff

TYPE OF POLLUTANT

1. Suspended Matter 2. Thermal Discharge 3. Pathogens (Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa Fungi) 4. Natural Organic Pollutants 5. Synthetic Organic Pollutants 6. Inorganic Chemicals 7. Radioactive Waste, Oil, Sediments 8. oxygen demanding waste

Dissolved oxygen Biochemical oxygen demand Chemical oxygen demand

CAUSES

Unable to drink Skin cancers Damage nervous system, liver & kidneys Lower crop yields Harm fish & wild life Genetic mutations

1. Objectionable color and odour is unacceptable

Effects of water pollution

and unsuitable for drinking and other purposes. 2. Highly turbid and very hard water is unpleasant to drink, food processing 3. Acid and alkaline water cause serious health problem 4. Water borne infectious enteric disease like typhoid, cholera, dysentery, are the predominant health hazard arising from drinking contaminated water 5. Radioactive pollution enter human body through food and get accumulated in thyroid gland, liver, bones and muscles

6. Biodegradable waster deplete DO in the receiving stream, affect the flora cause creates anaerobic conditions 7. Non biodegradable waste and pesticides travel the food chain and ultimately reach human where they accumulate in fatty tissues 8. Thermal discharge in stream depletes DO 9. Phosphate, nitrate, promote the growth of algae and encourage eutrophication 10. Industrial effluents result in addition of poisonous chemicals such as arsenic, mercury, lead may reach human body through contaminated food.

The sediments can also clog fish gills, smother organisms that live on the bottom of the body of water. Birds may die if the oil coats their feathers they can neither fly or stay warm. Microbiological-polio, cholera. Chemicals-taste, smell & odour of water.

EFFECT

PREVENTIONS

Recycle used motor oil & avoid pouring waste oil into water. Use natural fertilizers. Properly dispose off hazardous household products like paints. Use non-toxic products whenever possible

Control measures of water pollution

Lay down standard for

A. Drinking water B. Disposal of waste water into water course/sewer/land

Monitoring

Treatment A. Domestic treatment

Screening Sedimentation Filtration,

ph adjustment Disinfection

B. Waste water treatment

Preliminary

treatment Primary treatment Secondary treatment Advanced treatment

Waste water treatment

Convert harmful compounds into harmless compounds To eliminate the offensive smell To remove solid content To destroy disease producing microorganism

Treatment process
1.Preliminary treatment to remove coarse solids 2.Primary treatment or settling process- to remove organic & inorganic solids 3.Secondary treatment or biological treatment to remove bacteria

Trickling filter process

Activated sludge process

4.Tertiary treatment lime is added Ammonia tower NH4+ ion is converted into ammonia Activated charcoal to remove organic waste Finally treated with chlorine

5.Disposal
Dumping into sea Using it as low grade fertilizers Burning of sludge Dumping into low lying areas

SOIL POLLUTION
The contamination of soil by human and natural activities which may cause harmful effects on living beings. Population explosion, rapid urbanization, intensive industrialization, mechanization of agriculture have brought harmful effect to soil called soil pollution.

Sources of soil pollution

Industrial waste Urban waste Agricultural practices Radioactive pollutants Biological agent

Effects
Affect human health Affect soil fertility Reduce soil productivity Cause abnormalities

Control measures
Properly collect solid waste Microbial degradation Recovery of products from waste For methane generation, use cattle dung For biogas generation, use biodegradable organic waste

MARINE POLLUTION

The discharge of waste substances into the sea resulting in harm to living resources, hazards to human health, hindrance to fishery and impairment of quality for use of sea water.

Causes
Rivers Catchment area Oil drilling and shipment.

Sources
Waste disposal Oil spill Thermal pollution (plants located nearby coastal areas) Ship breaking activities Aquaculture practices Nuclear test conducted in seas and oceans

Effects

Disturb entire aquatic or marine ecosystem Oil has suffocation effect on most aquatic animals Smaller animals can be caught in oil envelope and die Thermal pollution may increase the temp. Of water and DO may be depleted which causes danger. There may be chances for bioaccumulation and bio magnification in the food chain due to the disposal of non-degradable wastes

Oil promotes anaerobic conditions by preventing diffusion of oxygen from air Disposal of radio active wastes cause chronic, acute and genetic damage Affects the recreational activity along the beaches Affect sensitive flora and fauna Loss of buoyancy Affect phytoplankton, zooplankton, algal species, coral reefs, fish, birds and mammals.

Control measures
Ban to dump the toxic, hazards waste and sewage sludge. Prevent sewer overflows Minimize coastal developmental activities Oil ballast should not be dumped into sea.

NOISE POLLUTION
Sound is mechanical energy from a vibrating source Unpleasant and unwanted sound is called noise Sound can propagate through air, liquid or solid Sound pressure creates alternate compression and rarefaction.

Intensity and frequency are two important properties of sound The unit measurement of intensity is decibel(dB) Decibel scale begins with zero One unit or one decibel is the smallest value of sound a human ear can hear and is called threshold of hearing 140 dB is the maximum sound and that is called threshold of pain

When coming to frequency, human ear is sensitive to sound waves in frequency range of 20 hertz(Hz) to 20000Hz
location T.V, radio Factories Light vehicles Heavy vehicles Hammer War plane Acceptable noise level (dB) 25 to 30 60 to 65 65 to 105 85 to 100 120 140

According to pollution control board there are certain permissible noise level

Sources of noise pollution

1. Industrial units 2. Transportation modes 3. Construction activities 4. Celebrations 5. Electric home appliances

Effects of noise pollution

Interferes communication Hearing damage (90 dB) Physiological and Psychological disorders

Physiological effect
Dilation of blood Narrowing of arteries Decrease heart output Night vision impairment Muscular strain

Psychological disorders
Depression Insomnia Strain Psychomotor performance Emotional disturbance

Control of noise pollution

Reduction in source of noise] Noise making machines should be kept in containers with sound absorbing media Proper oiling will reduce noise from machinery Using silencers fibrous material Planting trees Legislation can prevent excess sound production, unnecessary horn blowing etc.

THERMAL POLLUTION
Addition of excess undesirable heat to water Accumulation of unusable heat from human activities that disturbs the natural environment

Sources of thermal pollution

Nuclear power plants Coal fired power plants Industrial effluents Domestic sewage Hydroelectric power plants

Effects of thermal pollution

Reduction in dissolved oxygen Change in water properties Increase in toxicity Interference with biological activities Interference with reproduction Increase vulnerability to diseases Food shortage for fishes

Control of thermal pollution

Cooling towers
WET DRY

Cooling ponds Spray ponds

NUCLEAR HAZARDS OR RADIO ACTIVE POLLUTION

The physical pollution of air, water and soil by radio materials Nuclear power station, research laboratories, X-ray testing, radio and color TV units Ionizing radiations such as X-ray, gamma ray, alpha ray, beta ray carries high energy particles

Radioactive isotopes are formed due to variation in number of neutrons E.g. carbon 12 atom has 6 neutrons, 6 protons and 6 electrons revolving it but radioactive isotope of carbon is carbon 14 which has 8 neutrons instead of 6 The radioactive isotope is unstable and try to become stable by releasing radiations of different nature

The time required for total atom to decay to 50% is called as half life period Half life period can vary from few seconds to thousands of years

Sources of radiation

Natural sources
Suns

rays Earth crust

Manmade sources
X-rays
Radio

isotopes Nuclear test Nuclear reactors

Effects of nuclear pollution

Ionizing radiation penetrates living tissue Create unstable H+ and OH- ions when reacts with water Initiates chain reaction Deactivates enzyme Initiates cancer Genetic manipulation

Control of nuclear pollution

Radiation from a source can be avoided by time, distance and shielding Shielding is done by placing dense materials between sources Neutrons can be avoided by paraffin Should avoid X-rays Atomic explosion must be avoided Nuclear reactions should be made deep under sea or deserts

Solid waste management

It is organic & inorganic waste materials that have no values in the eyes of owner

Sources 1.Municipal waste Residential & Commercial 2.Open areas Parks, play ground 3. Agricultural Dairies, farms, 4.Industrial wastes - Bricks, chemical plants 5.Hospital wastes Blood, cotton, human body 6.Hazardous wastes - Explosives, toxic materials

Sources
1.Over population 2.Needs 3.Technology

Effects
1.Municipal solid wastes Bad smell & various types of insects 2.Industrial solid wastes Affect soil & ground water

Solid waste management

1.Solid waste generation 2.Collection of waste 3.Transportation 4.Storage 5.Segregation of wastes 6.Disposal a. Land fill b. Incineration c. Composting

Land fill
Spreading the solid waste on ground, compacting it & covering it with soil

Advantages Simple & economical Segregation not required Reclaimed & used for other purposes Natural resources are returned to soil & recycled

Disadvantages Large area required Land away from town Bad odours Sources of mosquitoes & flies Fire hazards due to formation of methane

Incineration
The municipal solid waste are burnt in a furnace called incinerator

Advantages Residue is 20-25% of original weight Little space Transportation cost is low Safest from hygienic point of view 300 tonnes generate 3MW of power

Disadvantages Operating cost is lost Skilled personnel Smoke, dust & ashes needs further disposal

Composting
Bulk organic waste is converted into manure by biological action

Advantages Increases water retention & ion exchange capacity of soil recycling

Disadvantages Non-consumables disposed separately No assured market

Role of an individual in prevention of pollution

Use stairs instead of elevators Use public transportation walk or ride a bicycle Plant trees around building Turn off lights, television sets and computer when not in use. Pay immediate attention to leaks in pipes. Install waste saving equipments.

Recycle glass metal and paper. Compost garden waste Segregate waste and recycle Buy locally made long losing material Buy environmentally degradable products. Take some bag from home to market to purchase.

Disaster management
It

is an natural event in which a society undergoes severe danger

Types of disaster

Natural disaster :
1.Originate within the earth earthquakes & volcanos 2.Related to superficial surface processes landslides 3. Fluctuations in the atmosphere stroms & floods

Man made disaster :

Accidents , Pollution, fire

Earthquakes
An abrupt & tremendous release of energy stored in rocks under the earths crust The magnitude of earthquake is expressed in Richter scale It measures the amplitude of seismic waves

Effects of earthquake
Violent ground motion Fissures and cracks on ground Permanent displacements Liquefaction-sand mixes with water Sinking of structures Flood, landslides, fire and tsunamies

Influence of earthquake
Strength of earthquake waves reaching the surface Length of earthquake motion Proximity of the fault Geologic foundation Building design

Pre disaster activities

Developing construction techniques that are seismic resistant Analyzing soil type and geological structure Conducting awareness Land use control Identifying potential sites

Earthquake preparedness
Training teams for search and rescue Training teams for disaster management Identifying safe sites for people Training adequate personnel in trauma care Preparing plans and necessary equipments

Floods

Heavy rainfall is main cause of floods

the

Characteristics of flood
Depth of water Duration Velocity Rate of rise Frequency of occurrence seasonality

Impact of flood
Built and natural environments Health effects Agricultural effects Development effects

Flood control measures

Channelization Detention facilities Flood proofing Flood detection and warning systems Acquisition Public awareness programme

Cyclones
Forming over the open oceans & moving towards the land May be active for days to weeks

Effects
Depends on the intensity of the cyclone Damage to human life crops roads, transport, communication could be very heavy

Control measures
Planting more trees on coastel areas Construction of dams Radar system is used to detect cyclone e.g. Cyclone in AP

Land slides

Falling of rocks or soil resulting from heavy rains or floods

Causes
Earthquake, shock, vibration Deep water ground mining Movement of heavy vehicles on the unstable sleepy region

Effects
Increase erosion of soil Block the roads Damage the houses, crop yield, life stock

Control measures
Planting of deep rooted vegetation Encouragement for construction of bridges water ways Create national parks, sanctuaries biosphere. e.g. land slides in U.P