UNIT-III

Environmental Pollution: Causes, effects and control measures of air pollution, water
pollution, soil pollution, marine pollution, noise pollution.

AIR POLLUTION
The WHO defines air pollution as the presence of materials in the air in such concentration which are harmful to
man and his environment. A number of ingredients find their way in the air and these are mostly gases, which
rapidly spread over wide areas.

CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION

Various sources of air pollution are fossil fuels, industries, agricultural activities, wars, natural causes arid
emissions from vehicles.
(i) Burning Fossil Fuels
Burning of wood, charcoal and other fossil fuels causes air pollution by the release of carbon dioxide (CO2),
carbon Sulphur dioxide etc. Petroleum consists mainly of hydrocarbons, Sulphur and nitrogen.

(ii) Emissions from Automobiles

Vehicles are mainly responsible for more than 80% of total air pollution. The major pollutants released from
automobiles, locomotives, aircraft etc., include CO, unburnt hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide.

(iii) Industries
Paper and pulp factories, petroleum refineries, fertilizer plants, and steel industries, thermal power plants are
the main sources of air pollution. They add various harmful gases like CO, SO3, NO, Hydrocarbons etc., to the
atmosphere. Textile factories release cotton dust into the air. Cities experiencing this type of pollution are
Kanpur, Surat and Ahmedabad. The pesticide and insecticide industries are posing serious threat to the
environment. Food processing industries and tanneries emit offensive odors. Release of poisonous gases from
accidents also poses serious threats. e.g. Bhopal Gas Tragedy in which methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leakage killed
several people. In Tokyo, about 34 tons of carbon particles mixed with other suspended particles settle per
square kilometer every day.

(iv) Agricultural Activities

Spraying of insecticides and weedicides also cause air pollution. These, when inhaled create severe problems to
both animals and man.

(v) Wars
Various forms of explosives used in war pollute the air by releasing poisonous gases. This greatly disturbs the
ecology of the area. Nuclear explosions pollute air by radioactive rays. The effects of nuclear explosions on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki are well-known examples.

(vi) Natural Causes

Gas emissions from active volcanoes, marsh gas, spores of fungi and pollens are the natural causes of air
pollution.

EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

Effect on Plants
(I) SO 2 causes chlorosis and also results in the death of cells and tissues.
(ii) Fluorides and PAN damage leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach.
(iii) Oxides of nitrogen and fluorides reduce crop yield.
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(iv) Smog bleaches and blaze foliage of important leafy plants.
(v) Hydrocarbons cause premature yellowing, fall of leave and flower buds, discoloration and curling of sepals
and petals.
(vi) Smoke and dust cover the leaf surface and reduce photosynthetic capacity of plants.
(vii) Ozone damages cereals, fruits, and cotton crop.

Effect on Man
The effect of pollutants on animals and man are as follows
(i) Ozone causes dryness of mucous membranes, changes eye vision, causes headache, pulmonary congestion
and oedema.
(ii) Ozone has been reported to produce chromosomal aberrations.
(iii) SO 2 causes drying of mouth, scratchy throat, smarting eyes and disorders of respiratory tract.
(iv) SO 3, CO and NO2 diffuse into blood stream and reduce oxygen transport. CO damages cardiovascular
system. Hydrocarbons and other pollutants act, as carcinogens and lead to different cancers.
(v) Cotton dust leads to respiratory disorders e.g. bronchitis and asthma.
(vi) Smoking of tobacco causes cancerous growth in lungs.

Change in Climate
i)CO2 content of air is increasing due to deforestation and combustion of fuel. This increase is affecting the
composition and balance of gases in the atmosphere.
ii)Increase in CO2 concentration may increase the atmospheric temperature, producing greenhouse effect A rise
of global temperature by more than 2-3 degrees may melt glaciers and polar ice. This would lead to a rise in
ocean level and consequent flooding and submergence of coastal areas.
iii)Rainfall pattern may also change, affecting agricultural output in various regions of’ the world.
iv)Aerosols deplete the ozone layer in the stratosphere. Thinning of ozone layer would permit more of the
harmful ultraviolet rays to reach the earth. This may cause, sunburn, blindness and inactivation of proteins,
RNA, DNA and plant pigments.
v)Aesthetic Loss Dust and smoke spoils the beauty of nature. Especially the mountain environments, which serve
as a great attraction for tourists.
vi)Foul odors emitted by industries, automobiles, dirty drains and garbage heaps in cities are a great nuisance.

CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION

Following measures have been suggested to control air pollution
(i) Some gases, which are more soluble in a particular liquid than air, for example, ammonia in water, can be
separated by dissolving in it
(ii) Particles larger than 50 mm are separated in gravity settling tanks. Using cyclone collectors or electrostatic
precipitators separates fine particles.
(iii) The height of chimneys should .be increased to the highest possible level to reduce pollution at the ground
level.
(iv) SO 2 pollutions can be controlled by extracting Sulphur from the fuel before use.
(v) Pollution control laws should be enforced strictly.
(vi) Trees should be planted on the roadside, riverbanks, parks and’ open places as they keep the environment
fresh. (vii) Population growth, which is the main cause of pollution should be checked.
(viii) Nuclear explosions should be restricted.

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WATER POLLUTION

Sources of Water Pollution

(i) Domestic sewage This includes household’s wastes like food wastes, synthetic detergents used for washing
clothes and cleaning bathrooms and latrines and water based paints.
(ii) Industrial effluents The industrial wastes are discharged in the adjoining rivers and streams through flush
lines of factories. The textiles, sugar and fertilizers factories, oil refineries, drugs manufacture, rubber, and rayon
fibers, the paper industries and the chemical factories all produce Chemical pollution.
(iii) Agricultural source Increased use of fertilizers has become essential for high yielding crop plants. Excess of
nitrates used as fertilizers seep into ground water is carried into lakes and pond. On entering the drinking water
supply system these create several health problems.
(iv) Pesticides These include insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, rodenticides, herbicides and soil fumigants.
These contain chlorinated hydrocarbons, organophosphates, metallic salts, carbonates, acetic acid derivatives
etc. many pesticides are non-degradable. They pass through the food chains and accumulate in fatty tissues thus
causing several health hazards.
(v) Thermal pollution Power plants and nuclear power stations are the main sources of thermal pollution of
water where water is used for cooling and becomes hot. The hot water on entering the main water body raises
its temperature, which kills fishes and other aquatic animals and increases the rate of respiration in aquatic
plants.
(vi) Pathogenic organisms Sewage and domestic waste from houses introduces pathogenic organisms viz.,
protozoa, worms-eggs and bacteria into water. This contaminated water if consumed causes jaundice, typhoid,
dysentery, cholera, tuberculosis etc.
(vii) Mineral oils Oil from oil spills and washings of automobiles finds way into river water through sewers.
(viii) Underground water pollution Underground water particularly in cities and industrial areas is no more pure
and safe. The sources of underground water pollution are sewage, seepage, pits, industrial effluents, septic
tanks, fertilizers and pesticides, garbage etc.
(ix) Marine water pollution River and stream network sources of water ultimately end up ocean and seas. Thus,
these acts as the sink of all natural and man-made water based pollutants. The main sources of oceanic
pollution are discharges of oil, greases, petroleum products, detergents, sewage and garbage including
radioactive wastes.

Effect of Water Pollutants

The main effects of water pollutants are:
1. Compounds of mercury, arsenic and lead are poisonous and chemically harmful as they even affect water
treatment plants e.g. organic Sulphur compounds interfere with nitrification.

2. Mercury when dissolved in water is absorbed by aquatic plants and enters the food chain. Lead impairs
metabolism and brings about congenital deformities, anemia etc.
3. Cadmium damages kidneys and liver.
4. Inorganic nitrates and phosphates promote growth of oxygen-consuming algae, which result in the death of
fishes and other aquatic animals.
5. Presence of dyes and compounds in the discharged water changes the colour of water.
6. Soap, detergents and, alkalis result in foam formation.
7. Industrial effluents containing iron, free chlorine, phenol, manganese, oils, hydrocarbons, ammonia, algae and
microorganisms impair the taste and odors of water.
8. The nitrates and phosphates dissolved in water accelerate the growth of microorganisms, which consume
much of the dissolved oxygen depriving fish and other aquatic life (Eutrophication).

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9. Bio magnifications is the increase of toxic materials at each tropic level of a food chain. For example, DDT
after reaching a water system is absorbed by the microorganisms on which smaller fishes feed. From them, DDT
reaches the carnivorous animals. Since bigger fishes consume more food, large amounts of DDT accumulate in
their body.

CONTROL OF WATER POLLUTION

(i) Separate ponds and tanks to be used for cattle and animals.
(ii) Use of pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers should be done judiciously. Rapid biodegradable substitutes for
pesticides should be employed.
(iii) In towns where sewage facilities are not available, septic tanks should be made in the houses.
(iv) Rivers and lakes should not be used for bathing or washing as it contaminates water.
(v) Domestic sewage and industrial wastes should be treated before discharging them into drains.
(vi)Treatment of waste Water

SOIL POLLUTION

Sources of Soil Pollution

There are several materials, which adversely affect physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil and
thus reduce its productivity. These are
1. Chemicals present in industrial waste.
2. Pesticides and insecticides that are sprayed on crops.
3. Fertilizers and manures that are added to the soil to increase the crop yield.

Effect of Soil Pollutants

1) Chemicals and pesticides affect the structure and fertility of soil by killing the soil microorganisms.
2)Pesticides are absorbed by the plants and then transferred to other organism. Hence, they affected food
chains and food webs.
3)Excretory products of livestock and human beings used as manure pollute the soil besides giving high yield.
The faulty sanitation and unhygienic practices of the people add to the soil pollution. Pathogens present in the
wastes and excreta contaminate the soil and vegetable crops causing diseases in man and domesticated
animals.

Control of Soil Pollution

Various measure to control soil pollution are-
1. Transfer stations for bulk shifting of refuse should be constructed in cities and big towns.
2. Pneumatic pipes should be laid for collecting and disposing wastes.
3. Materials like paper, glass and plastics can be recycled.
4. Metals should be recovered from scrap and disposed materials.
5. Use of chemical fertilizers should be reduced by the use of bio fertilizers and manures.
6. Use of pesticides can be reduced by adopting biological control of pests.
7. Use of cattle dung and agricultural wastes in biogas plants should be encouraged.
8. Deforestation can check soil erosion to a great extent.

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Noise Pollution

Causes of Noise Pollution:

Sources are broadly classified into:
Outdoor sources: Ex - Industries, Vehicular movement, Construction work, Defense equipment, Explosion, Loud
speakers during festivals, high speed aircrafts, launching of Satellites using rockets, etc.
Indoor sources: Playing radio or music loudly

Effect of Noise Pollution

1. Constant noise affects a man physically and mentally. Physical effects include blood vessels to contract, skin
to become pale, muscles to constrict and rise in blood pressure leading to tension and nervousness.
2. High intensity sound emitted by industrial plants, bottling machines, supersonic aircrafts, when continued for
long periods of time not only disturbs but also permanently damages hearing.
3. Offices, industries and crowded places where constant noise prevails can produce temper tantrums,
headaches, fatigue and nausea.
4. Loud and sudden noise affect the brain. Intermittent noise leads higher incidence of psychiatric illness and
also a danger to health of pregnant mothers and small infants.
5. Noise has harmful effects on nonliving materials too, e.g. cracks develop under the stress of explosive sound.

Control of Noise Pollution

Following methods can control noise pollution:
1. Limited use of loudspeakers and amplifiers.
2. Excursing control over noise producing vehicles.
3. Industrial workers should be provided with ear plugs.
4. Delocalization of noisy industries far away from dwelling units.
5. Within a radius of 10 miles of airport, no buildings or factories should be allowed.
6. Plants and trees should be planted all around the hospitals, libraries and schools and colleges.
7. Personal protection against noise can be taken by using, cotton plugs in the ear.

MARINE POLLUTION:

Causes:
• The most obvious inputs of waste are through pipes directly discharging wastes into the sea. Very often
municipal waste and sewage from residences and hotels in coastal towns are directly discharged into the sea.
• Pesticides and fertilizers from agriculture which are washed off the land by rain, enter water courses and
eventually reach the sea.
• Petroleum and oils washed off from the roads normally enter the sewage system but storm water overflows
carry these materials into rivers and eventually into the seas.
• Ships carry many toxic substances such as oil, liquefied natural gas, pesticides, industrial chemicals, etc. in
huge quantities sometimes to the capacity of 350,000 tones. Ship accidents and accidental spillages at sea
therefore can be very damaging to the marine environment. Shipping channels in estuaries and at the entrances
to ports often require frequent dredging to keep them open. This dredged material that may contain heavy
metals and other contaminants are often dumped out to sea.
• Offshore oil exploration and extraction also pollute the seawater to a large extent.

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Effects of marine pollution:
Apart from causing eutrophication a large amount of organic wastes can also result in the development of red
tides. These are phytoplankton blooms of such intensity that the area is discolored. Many important
commercially important marine species are also killed due to clogging of gills or other structures.

When liquid oil is spilled on the sea it spreads over the surface of the water to form a thin film called an oil slick.
The rate of spreading and the thickness of the film depends on the sea temperature and the nature of the oil.

Oil slicks damage marine life to a large extent. Salt marshes, mangrove swamps are likely to trap oil and the
plants, which form the basis for these ecosystems thus suffer. For salt marsh plants, oil slicks can affect the
flowering, fruiting and germination.

If liquid oil contaminates a bird’s plumage its water repellent properties are lost. Water thus penetrates the
plumage and displaces the air trapped between the feathers and the skin. This air layer is necessary as it
provides buoyancy and thermal insulation. With this loss the plumage becomes water logged and the birds may
sink and drown. Even if this does not happen loss of thermal insulation results in exhaustion of food reserves in
an attempt to maintain body temperature often followed by death. Birds often clean their plumage by preening
and in the process consume oil which depending on its toxicity can lead to intestinal, renal or liver failure

Control of Oil Pollution

One way of reducing the pollution load on marine waters is through the introduction of sewage treatment
plants.

Cleaning oil from surface waters and contaminated beaches is a time consuming labor intensive process. The
natural process of emulsification of oil in the water can be accelerated through the use of chemical dispersants
which can be sprayed on the oil.

Environmental Problems in India: Effects of human activities on the quality of life, Water
and River, Ground water,

Write about above water and marine pollution

Wasteland reclamation.

Waste Land Reclamation:

Waste land. The land which is not in use is called waste land. Waste land is unproductive, unfit for
cultivation Grazing etc. 20% of the geographical area of India is waste land.
Types of waste land:
1.Uncultivable waste land. -- Barren rocky areas, hilly slopes, sandy deserts
2. Cultivable waste land. -- These are cultivable but not cultivated for more than 5 years. Ex Degraded forest
land, Gullied water logged, marsh lands, saline lands.

Causes of waste land formation:

1.Over exploitation of natural resources.
2. Industrial and sewage wastes.
3. Due to soil erosion, deforestation, water logging, salinity etc.
4. Mining activities destroy the forest and cultivable land.

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The different methods used for the reclamation of wastelands are:
1. These lands can be brought under cultivation by using excess water and fertilizers.
2. Afforestation and agronomical methods are used to conserve the soil, which help us to use it for
agriculture.
3. Contour bunds are constructed which afford safe disposal of water of the catchment areas.
4. These lands can be used for settling the landless agricultural laborers.

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