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UNIT 2 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

WHAT IS POLLUTION?
Undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of any
component of the environment (air, water, soil) causing harmful effects on various forms of
life or property is termed as environmental pollution.

Classification the pollutants:

Pollutants can be classified as:

1. Degradable or non-persistent pollutants: These can be rapidly broken by natural
processes. Eg. Domestic sewage, discarded vegetables etc.

2. Slowly degradable or persistent pollutants: These remain in the environment for many
years in an unchanged condition and take decades or longer to degrade. Eg: DDT

3. Non degradable pollutants: These cannot be degraded by natural processes. Eg: Toxic
elements like lead or mercury and nuclear wastes.

1. AIR POLLUTION

Define air pollution.

Air pollution may be defined as, “the presence of one or more contaminants like dust,
smoke, mist and odour in the atmosphere which are injurious to human beings, plants
and animals”.

SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION:

Types Examples
Natural Volcanic eruptions, forest fires, sea salt sprays, biological decay, pollen
Sources grains of flowers, spores etc.
Man-made thermal power plants, industrial units, vehicular emissions, fossil fuel
sources burning, agricultural activities etc
Indoor The most important indoor air pollutant is radon gas. Radon can be emitted
pollutants from building materials like bricks, concrete, tiles etc. which are derived
from soil containing radium.

CLASSIFICATION OF AIR POLLUTANTS:

Air pollutants can be classified depending upon the form in which they are present in the
environment as: 1) Primary pollutants and 2) Secondary pollutants

Primary pollutants Primary pollutants are those emitted directly into the atmosphere
in the harmful form. eg. CO, NO, SO2 etc.,
Secondary pollutants Some of the primary pollutants might react with one another or
with the basic components of air to form new pollutants. These
resultant new pollutants are called secondary pollutants.
Eg. NO/NO2 (HNO3/ NO3)
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Common air pollutants Causes and Effects:

Control measures of air pollution:

I. Source control
*Use only unleaded petrol
*Fuels containing les less sulphur and ash
*Reduce private vehicles & use public transport
*Use biodiesel, biofuels etc.,
*.Plant trees to remove particles and carbon monoxide
*Use of catalytic converters to help control the emissions of Carbon monoxide and
hydrocarbons.

II. Control in Industrial centers

*To use mechanical devices like Electrostatic precipitator, Baghouse filter, Cyclone
separator, wet scrubber etc.
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1. Electrostatic
precipitator:
*it is used to collect
particulate matter
* Particles are removed
from air by using the force
of an induced electrostatic
charge.

2 . Baghouse filters :
*it is used to remove
suspended particulates
*particles are removed by
using fabric filter bags,
commonly called a
baghouse

3. Cyclonic separators :
*Centrifugal collectors use
cyclonic action to separate
dust particles from the gas
stream.
*In a typical cyclone, the
dust gas stream enters at an
angle and is spun rapidly.
*The centrifugal force
created by the circular flow
throws the dust particles
toward the wall of the
cyclone.
*After striking the wall,
these particles fall into a
hopper located underneath.
*Cyclone separators are
found in all types of power
and industrial applications,
including
pulp and paper plants,
cement plants, steel mills,
petroleum coke plants,
metallurgical plants, saw
mills.
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4. Wet scrubber:
* it is used to remove
pollutants from a furnace
flue gas
* In a wet scrubber, the
polluted gas is got into
contact with the scrubbing
liquid, by the way remove
the pollutants.

2.WATER POLLUTION
DEFINITION:
The alternation in physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water which may
cause harmful effects on humans and aquatic life.

CAUSES:
1.Infectious Bacteria & Viruses
Agents Human sources: Human and Animal wastes
2.Oxygen Organic wastes decomposed by aerobic bacteria, that reduce dissolved oxygen
Demanding in water.
Wastes Human sources: Sewage , paper mill and food processing wastes
3.. Inorganic Water soluble inorganic chemicals. Like acids, toxic chemicals
Chemicals Human sources (causes):  Surface runoff, industrial effluents and household
cleansers
4. Organic Oil, Gasoline, plastics, pesticides, cleaning solvents, detergents.
Chemicals Human sources (causes):  Industrial effluents, household cleansers, surface
runoff from forms.
5. Sediment Soil, silt, etc
Human sources (causes):  Soil erosion
6. Radioactive Radioactive isotopes of iodine, radon, uranium, cesium and thorium
Materials Human sources (causes):  Nuclear power plants, mining and processing or
uranium and other ores, nuclear weapons production and natural sources

EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION

1.Infectious Variety of disease
Agents
2.Oxygen When dissolved oxygen level decrease, causes fish and other aquatic life to
Demanding die.
Wastes
3. Inorganic  Can make fresh water unusable for drinking or irrigation.  Causes skin
Chemicals cancers and neck damage.  Damage the nervous system, liver and kidneys.
4. Organic  Causing nervous system damage and some cancers.  Harm fish and wild
Chemicals life.  Drinking water with excessive levels of nitrates lower the oxygen
carrying capacity of the blood and can kill urban children and infants.
5. Sediment  Can reduce photosynthesis  Carry pesticides, bacteria and other harmful
substances.
6.Radioactive  Genetic mutations, birth defects and certain cancers.
Materials
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Point and Non-point source of water pollution

POINT SOURCES NON-POINT SOURCES
Point sources are discharged pollutants at Large land areas polluted by run off or
specific locations through pipes or ditches subsurface flow.
e.g. Sewage treatment plants, underground e.g. Acid deposition and runoff chemicals
mines and oil tankers into croplands, urban street and parking
areas.

TESTING WASTE WATER BY COD AND BOD

BOD COD
BOD is the amount of oxygen required for COD is the amount of oxygen required for
the biological decomposition of organic chemical oxidation of organic matter using
matter present in water oxidising agents like KMnO4
Significance: Significance:
1. Indicate amount of organic matter present *It is carried out to determine the pollution
in water strength in water
2. The rate of oxidation and demand depends
on the amount and type of organic matter
present in the water.

Control Measures of water Pollution:

*Careful use of agrochemicals like pesticides and fertilizers which will reduce their surface
run-off and leaching.
* Prevent run-off of manure. Divert such run-off to basin for settlement. The nutrient rich
water can be used as fertilizer in the fields.
* Separate drainage of sewage and rain water should be provided to prevent overflow of
sewage with rainwater.
* Setting up of effluent treatment plants to treat waste water can reduce the pollution. The
treated effluent can be reused either for gardening or cooling purposes
*The administration of water pollution control should be in the hands of Govt.
*Scientific techniques should be adopted in catchment areas of rivers, pond or lakes.

WASTE OR SEWAGE TREATMENT

(Explain all the following process)
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3. SOIL POLLUTION
Definition: “the contamination of soil by human and natural activities which may cause
harmful effects on living beings “

Causes and Effects of Soil Pollution

S.No Nature Sources Effects
1 Industrial Discharged from Paper mills, Oil The pollutants affect the soil, then
waste refineries, sugar industry, textiles enter into human food chain that
cement industries etc. leads serious ill effects on living
organisms
2 Urban Commercial and domestic wastes They cannot be degraded and
wastes containing plastics, glasses metal cans, dangerous
rubber etc.
3 Agricultural Modern fertilizers, pesticides are added Soil pollution
Practices to increase the yield
4 Radioactive Explosion of nuclear materials and Penetrate to the soil and accumulate,
pollutants radioactive wastes. then make land pollution
5 Biological Human, anima and bird’s excreta Major source for land pollution
Agents

Effects of Soil Pollution

1. Desertification
2. Decrease in the extent of agricultural land
3. Top soil erosion
4. Excess use of irrigation leads to waterlogging and soil salinization.
5. Fertilizer run off leads to the eutrophication of waterways.

Control measures
I. Proper soil conservation measures to minimize the loss of top soil:
1. Soil erosion can be controlled by a variety of forestry and farm practices
2.Reducing deforestation
3. Substituting chemical manures by animal wastes would also help to arrest soil
erosion in the long term.

II. Proper dumping of unwanted materials:

Excess of waste products by man and animals cause chronic disposal problem.
Open dumping is most commonly practiced method. Recently controlled tipping is
followed for solid waste disposal. The surface so obtained then can be used for housing
or sports field.

III. Production of natural fertilizers:

Avoid excess use of chemical fertilizer. Better use natural fertilizers
IV. Proper Hygienic conditions: People should be trained regarding the
sanitary habits.

V. Recycling and Reuse of wastes:

To minimize soil pollution, the wastes such as paper, plastics, metals,
glasses, organics, petroleum products and industrial effluents etc., should
be recycled and reused.

VI. Ban on Toxic chemicals – Pesticides like DDT & improper disposal of nuclear
waste.
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4. MARINE POLLUTION
Definition: 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.

SOURCES OF MARINE POLLUTION

1. DUMPING THE WASTES :

* The most serious issue is dumping of untreated wastes and sewage into oceans by
the coastal towns and cities and industrial units into rivers.
* Rivers receive huge amount of sewage, garbage, agricultural discharge, pesticides,
including, heavy metals.
* Huge quantity of plastic is being dumped in sea.
EFFECTS: Many marine birds ingest plastic that causes gastro intestinal
disorders.

2. OIL POLLUTION OF MARINE WATER:

* The great damage to water is imposed by petroleum and its products.
* Heavy petroleum products precipitate to the bottom or absorbed on rock, stone, and
sand banks to inhibit the life of hydrocarbons.
* One drop of petroleum spreads over a great area to isolate the water from contact with
atmospheric oxygen.
Ex:
*Oil enters water from cracks of oil tankers, accidental spillage, cleaning of fuel tanks
by merchant and warships and also from street cleaning.
*Heavy petroleum products precipitate to the bottom or an adsorbed on rock, stone
and sand blanks to inhibit the life of hydrobionts.
* One drop of petroleum spreads over a great area to isolate the water from contact
with atmospheric oxygen.

EFFECTS:
+ The continuous oil films inhibit photosynthesis and the formation of
oxygen.
+This inhibits the growth of plankton, which is the main source of the
hydrobionts inhabiting the water body.
+ All aquatic animals depend either directly or indirectly on plankton,
which is the basis of the tropic chain.
+ The surface of water in contact with the shore is usually
contaminated with oil, which interferes with the normal development
of many hydrocarbons.

EFFECTS OF MARINE POLLUTION

*The presence of heavy metals and organic pollutants cause more damage in birds as
thinning of eggshell and tissue damage of eggs.
*Oil pollution cause damage to marine fauna and flora including algae, fish, birds,
invertebrates.
*About 50,000 to 2, 50,000 birds are killed every year by oil.
*Oil spilling in sea water causes abnormally low body temperature in birds resulting in
hypothermia.
*Nearly 150 rare species of bald eagles also became Victims when they ingested oil
during Exxon Valdez accident
*Oil films are able to retard significantly the rate of oxygen uptake by water.
*The continuous oil films inhibit photosynthesis and formation of oxygen.
*This inhibits the growth of plankton, which is the main source of the hydrobionts
inhabiting the water body.
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*Hydrocarbons and benzpyrene accumulate in food chain and consumption of fish by

man may cause cancer.
*Detergents used to clean up the spill are also harmful to marine life.

CONTROL MEASURES OF MARINE POLLUTION

The world wide fund for Nature and World Conservation Union suggested a plan for
sustainable management involving six principles.
*Plants for conserving marine biodiversity must be taken into account of human needs
*People should be educated about marine ecosystems and the benefits offered by them.
*Local communities must be involved in protecting and managing their coastal resources.
*Social and economic incentives must be offered for conserving and sustainable use of
marine resource
*The fact that all the oceans in the world are connected must be reflected in the policies
*Governments must manage their own waters while extending cooperation to the
neighboring states.
*Methods of removal of oil:
1. Physical Methods: Skimming the oil off the surface with suction device or use saw
dust to absorb oil from the sea water
2. Chemical Methods: Dispersion, Emulsification or using chemical additives

5. NOISE POLLUTION
DEFINITION:
Noise pollution is defined as, “the unwanted, unpleasant or disagreeable sound that
causes discomfort for all living beings.”

UNIT OF NOISE (Decibel):

* The sound intensity is measured in decibel (dB), which is one tenth of the longest unit
Bel.
* One dB is equal to the faintest sound, a human ear can hear.

NOISE LEVEL:
* Normal conversation sound ranges from 35 dB to 60dB. Noise above 140 dB becomes
painful.

TYPES AND SOURCES OF NOISE:

Industrial noise  Highly intense sound or noise pollution is caused by many machines.  There
exists a long list of sources of noise pollution including different machines of
numerous factories, industries and mills.  Industrial noise, from mechanical
saws and pneumatic dill is unbearable. Example:  In the steel industry the
workers are exposed to 112 dB for eight hours and suffer from the occupation
pollution.
Transport noise  It mainly includes road traffic noise, rail traffic noise and aircraft noise. 
Particularly the diesel engine vehicle has increased enormously in recent years.
 According to the experts, the noise level in most of the residential areas in
metropolitan cities is already hovering on the border line because of vehicular
noise pollution.  A survey conducted in metropolitan cities has shown that
noise level in Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta is as high as 90dB.
Neighbourhoo  This type of noise includes disturbance from household gadgets and
d noise community.  Common noise makers are musical instruments, TV, VCR,
radios, transistors, telephones and loudspeakers etc.,
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EFFECTS OF NOISE POLLUTION:

 Noise pollution affects human health, comfort and efficiency.

 It causes contraction of blood vessels, makes the skin pale, and leads to excessive secretion
of adrenalin hormone into blood stream which is responsible for high blood pressure.
 It causes muscles to contract leading to nervous breakdown, tension etc.,
 These adverse reactions are coupled with a change in hormone content of blood, which in
turn increase the rate of heart beat.
 It affects health efficiency and behavior.
 It may cause damage to heart, brain and liver.
 When exposed to very loud and sudden noise acute damage occurs to the ear drum.
 In addition to serious loss of hearing due to excessive noise, impulsive noise also causes
psychological and pathological disorders.
 Ultrasonic sound can affect the digestive, respiratory, cardio vascular systems.
 Brain is also affected by loud and sudden noise as that of jet and aero plane noise etc.,
 Blood also thickened by excessive noises.
 Impairment of night vision and decrease in the rate of colour perception are some of its
severe effects.

CONTROL MEASURES OF NOISE POLLUTION:

1. Source  This may include source modification such as acoustic treatment to machine
control surface, design changes.
2. Transmission  This may include containing the source inside a sound insulating enclosure,
path construction of a noise barrier
intervention
3. Receptor  This includes protection of the receiver by altering the work schedule or
control provision of personal protection devices such as ear plugs for operating noisy
machinery.
4. Oiling  Proper oiling will reduce the noise from the machines.
5. Planting trees  Around houses can also act as effective noise barriers
6. Usage of  To control interior noise.
absorptive
materials

PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
 Noise can be reduced by prescribing noise limits for vehicular traffic, ban on honking of
horns.
 Creation of silent zones near schools and hospitals.
 Redesigning of buildings to make them noise proof.
 Reduction of traffic density.
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6. THERMAL POLLUTION
DEFINITION:
 Addition of excess of undesirable heat to water that makes it harmful to man, animals or
aquatic life is called thermal pollution.

CAUSES OF THERMAL POLLUTION:

Nuclear  It includes drainage from hospitals, research institutes, and nuclear experiments &
power explosions discharges toxic radio nuclides into nearby water streams.
plants.  Heat effluents from power plants are discharged at 10° C higher than the receiving
water which affects the aquatic flora and fauna
Coal-  Constitute the major sources of thermal pollutants.
fired  Heat effluents decrease the dissolved oxygen content of water.
power  It results into killing of fish and other marine organisms.
plants.
Industrial  The discharged water from stream-electric power industry using turbo generators
effluents. will have a higher temperature ranging from 6° C to 9° C than the receiving water.
 It results in the increase of stream temperature to a level at which natural
dissipation of heat will be inefficient.
Domestic  It is commonly discharged into rivers, canals or streams with or without waste
sewage. treatment which has higher temperature than receiving water.
 It decreases the content of dissolved oxygen and the of oxygen increases.
 This will set up the anaerobic condition results in release of foul and offensive
gases in water.
 The marine organism will die out

EFFECTS OF THERMAL POLLUTION:

Reduction  When the temperature in water increases, there is reduction in dissolved oxygen.
in
dissolved
oxygen
Increase in  The rising temperature increase the toxicity of the poison present in water
Toxicity  A 10° C rise in temperature doubles the toxic effect of potassium cyanide
causing massive mortality of fish.
Interferenc  The temperature changes totally disrupt the entire ecosystem like controlling
e with respiratory rates, digestion, excretion and overall development of aquatic
biological organisms.
activities
Direct  Unutilized heat in water is responsible for direct mortality of aquatic organism.
mortality  Above a particular temperature death occurs to fish due to failure in respiratory
system, nervous system process.
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Control measures or management of thermal pollution

1.Wet Cooling tower method.
*Hot water coming from the condenser is
allowed to spray
*Cool air with high velocity is passed from
sides
*the cool air takes away the heat from the
hot water.

2.Dry cooling tower method

*Hot water is allowed to flow in a long
spiral pipes
*Cool air is passed over the over the hot
pipes with help of fan
*the cool air cools down the hot water

3.Cooling ponds method

*Hot water discharge into cooling ponds
*the surface water dissipates its heat to the
atmosphere and gets cool

4.Spray ponds
*The hot water from condenser is allowed to
pass into ponds through sprayers.
*The water is sprayed through nozzles as the
fine droplets.
*Heat from the fine droplets gets dissipated
to the atmosphere.

7. NUCLEAR HAZARDS OR RADIO ACTIVE POLLUTION

Define hazardous waste: Wastes like toxic chemicals, radioactive substances contribute
to an increase in mortality or in serious illness to human health and environment are called
hazardous wastes.

1. Sources of nuclear hazards

1.Natural *Space is important natural source for cosmic rays
Source *Soil, rocks, radio active radon-222 etc. contain more radio active substances
2.Man-made *Nuclear power plants, nuclear accidents and nuclear bombs
sources *X-ray equipment and radioactive diagnostic kits

2. Effects of nuclear hazards: Health effects due to radiation are

1. Exposure to brain causes – convulsions and death
2.Exposure to eye-the cells die and forming cataracts
3.Acue radiation is marked by vomiting, bleeding of the gums and mouth ulcers
4.Interal bleeding or blood vessel damage show up as red spots on the skin
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5. Genetic damage is caused by radiations, which induce mutations in the DNA,

thereby affecting genes and chromosomes. The damage is often seen in the offspring and
may be transmitted upto several generations.
6. Somatic damage includes burns, miscarriages, eye cataract and cancer of bone,
thyroid, breast, lungs and skin

3. Contron measure of nuclear hazards

1. Nuclear devices should never be exploded in air.
2. In nuclear reactor, closed-cyclic coolant system may be used
3.Production of radioisotopes should be minimized
4. In nuclear mines, wet drilling may be employed
5. Nuclear medicines and radiation therapy should be applied when it is necessary with
minimum doses
6. Dispose the radioactive wastes in a tightly sealed containers

4. Disposal of radioactive wastes

High Level *The waste have high radioactivity per volume e.g. spent nuclear
Wastes *Before disposal it must be cooled and stored for several fuels
(HLW) decades
*Then convert into inert solid and buried deep into earth
Medium *Disposed by mix the waste with concrete in steel drums. e.g. rector
Level *Then buried in deep mines or below the sea bed in components
Wastes concrete champers
(MLW)
Low Level Disposed in steel drums in concrete lined trenches e.g. contaminated
Wastes solid with traces
(LLW) of radioactivity

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT OR WASTE SHED MANAGEMENT

Types / causes of solid waste
1. Municipal/Urban solid waste
Municipal solid waste consists of
Household/domestic waste – food waste, glass plastic bags
Commercial wastes from shops, markets – packing materials, cans
Construction wastes – wood concrete, demolition debris
Biomedical wastes – anatomical wastes syringes, swabs, bandages and body
fluids
2. Indusrial Wastes
1. Nuclear power plants- generate radioactive wastes
2.Thermal power plants – produce fly ash
3.Chemical industries – produce large toxic chemicals
3. Hazardous waste
1. Toxic wastes from Chemical companies, petroleum refineries, paper mills
2.Radioactve wastes- gun powder, nitroglycerine
3. Corrosive wastes – acids and bases
4. Infectious Wastes – used bondages, needles etc.
5.Heavy metals – Lead, mercury and arsenic

Effects of Solid wates

*Solid wastes on the road sides – produces foul smell, breeds insects
*industrial solid wastes like toxic metals – affect the productivity of the
soil
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*toxic chemicals percolate into ground and contaminate ground water

*burning of some solid wastes releasing dioxins/biphenyls - harmful to
Human beings
Steps involved in Solid waste management or control measures of
municipal solid wastes
Step I – 3R method
1. Reduce the usage of raw materials
2. Reuse of waste materials –rubber rings from discarded cycle tubes
3.Recycling of materials –old glass bottles are melted and recast into new
bottles
Step II – 3 methods of disposal
1. LANDFILL:
*Solid wastes are placed in sanitary landfill system in alternative layers of 80cm thick
refuse, covered with earth fill of 20 cm thickness.
*After two or three years, solid waste volume shrinks by 25-30% and the land is used
for parks, roads and small buildings.
*This method is employed in Indian cities.
ADVANTAGES:
*Simple & economical.
*Segregation not required.
*Landfills can be used for other purposes.
*Natural resources are returned & recycled.
DISADVANTAGES:
*Large area is required.
*Transportation cost is heavy.
*Causes fire hazard due to the formation of methane in wet weather.

2. INCINERATION (OR) THERMAL PROCESS:

*The combustible substances such as paper, rubbish, garbage a burnt in the incinerators.
*The left out ashes, clinkers from incinerators accounts for 10 to 20% which need for
further disposal by sanatory landfill.
*The heat from the incinerator is used for producing electricity throughout turbines.
*The wet waste is dried in preheated called destructors which can incinerate about 100 to
150 tons per hour.
*The temperature maintained in combustion chamber about 7000C & increased to 1000C
when electricity is to be generated.
ADVANTAGES:
*The clinker can be used for other purposes; residue is only 20-25%.
*It requires very little space.
*Cost of transportation is not high as incinerators are within city limits.
*Safest from hygienic point of view.
* An incinerator of 300 tons per day can generate 3MW of power.
DISADVANTAGES:
*Its capital &operating cost is high.
*Needs skilled personnel.
* Needs further disposal of smoke & dust to reduce air pollution.

3. COMPOSTING:
*In this method, bulk organic waste is converted into fertilizing manure by biological
action.
*This method is practiced in many countries.
*The separated biodegradable waste is dumped in underground earthen trenches in layers
of 1.5m & is finally covered with earth of about 20 cm and left over for decomposition.
*For active decomposition microorganisms such as actinomycetes are introduced.
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*After 2 to 3 days biological action starts & temperature is increased about 75°C &
Finally odorless powdery brown coloured mass known as humus which has fertilizing
Value can be used for agricultural field.
*It contains a lot of nitrogen, phosphates & other minerals.
*WHO has set up a compost plant in New Delhi in 1981with capacity of 90 to 100 tons of
waste every day.
*It is widely employed in developing countries.
ADVANTAGES:
*When this is added to soil, it increases water retention & ion exchange
capacity of soil.
*Industrial solid wastes can also be treated.
*It can be sold, thus it reduces cost of disposing of wastes.
*Recycling occurs.
DISADVANTAGES:
*The non-consumables have to be disposed separately.
*No assured market, as it does not reach farmers.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Disaster :A disaster is the realization of the hazard.
It is defined as the geological process and it is an event concentrated in time and space in
which a society or subdivision of a society undergoes severe danger and causes loss of its
members and physical property.
Types
1. Natural disasters – refers to those disasters that are generated by natural phenomena
2. Man-made disasters – refers to the disasters resulting from manmade hazards.

Floods
Whenever the magnitude of water flow exceeds the carrying capacity of the channel
within its banks the excess of water overflows on the surroundings causes floods.

Causes of floods
1. Heavy rain, rainfall during cyclone causes floods
2. sudden snow melt also raises the quantity of water in streams and causes flood
3. sudden and excess release of impounded water behind dams
4. clearing of forests for agriculture has also increased severity of floods.

Effects of Floods:
*Floods cause heavy suffering to people living in low lying areas because the houses
and the properties are washed away.
*Floods damage standing crops and livestock.
* Floods cause a great economic loss and health related problems due to widespread
contamination.
Flood management
1. Encroachment of flood ways should be banned
2. Building walls prevent spilling out the flood water over flood plains
3. Diverting excess water through channels or canals to areas like lake, rivers etc.,
where water is not sufficient,
4. Optical and microwave data from IRS is also used for flood management
5. Flood forecasts and flood warning are also given by the central water commission
Case Studies
Flood n Bangladesh 1974 : In 1974, flooding extended one-half of the country,
stagnated for more than one month. 1500 people died. 2,80,000 people died for
disease. 4,50,000 houses destroyed. 35 million people lost their belongings .
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Cyclones
It is a meteorological process, intense depressions forming over the open oceans and
moving towards the land.
Different Names
1.Hurricanes – in Atlantic, Caribbean and USA
2.Typhoons-in Western Pacific, China and Japan
3Cyclones-in Bangladesh and Eastern Coast of India
4.Willy Willies-in Australia
Effect:
1. The damage depends on the intensity of cyclone the damage to human life, crops,
roads, transport, could be heavy
2. Cyclone occurrence slow down the developmental activities of the area
Cyclone management:
1. Satellite images are used by meteorological departments for forecasting the
weather conditions which reveal the strength and intensity of the storm.
2. Radar system is used to detect the cyclone and is beign used for cyclone warning.
Case Studies
Cyclone in Orissa- 1999:Two cyclones on 18th and 29th October 1999 in coastal area
of Orissa. Wind speed 260 km/hr. 14 districts damaged . 15 million people affected.
90% crop yield affected. 11,500 local schools damaged.
Land slides
The movement of earthy materials like coherent rock, mud, soil and debris from higher to
lower region to gravitational pull is called land slides
Causes:
1. Movement of heavy vehicles on the unstable sloppy regions create landslides
2. Earthquake, shocks, vibrations and cyclone create landslide
Effects:
*Block roads and diverts the passage
* Soil erosion increases
* Causes damages to houses, crops and live stock.
Land slide Management
* Unloading the upper parts of the slope
* Concrete support can be made at the base of the slope
* Soil stabilization using some chemicals like quick lime is widely followed.
* Steepness of slope reduced by developing benches.
Case Studies
Landslides in UP-1998: Landslides on 18.8.1998 in Malpa Village, UP -180 people
killed.
Earth quakes
An earthquake is an sudden vibration caused on earth surface with the sudden release of
tremendous energy stored in rocks under the earth’s crust.
Causes:
*Disequilibrium in any part of the earth crust
*Underground Nuclear testing
*Decrease of underground water level.
Effect:
*Damage the settlements and transport systems
*Collapses houses and their structures
*Deformation of ground surface
*Tsunami
Earthquake management:
* Constructing earthquake resistant building
*Wooden houses are preferred
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*Seismic hazard map should give the information about the magnitude of intensity of
anticipated earthquakes.
Case Studies
Earth quake in Iran: In Iran, 25,000 people killed in 1971, 50,000 in 1990 and many
thousand were killed in 2003
Tsunami
Tsunami is a large wave that is generated in a water body when the seafloor is deformed
by seismic activity. This activity displaces the overlying water in the ocean.
Causes of tsunami
1. Seismic activities like earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, explosions, can
generate tsunami.
2. Deformation of the sea floor due to the movement of plates.
Concept of Tsunami
A tsunami is not a single wave but a series of waves like the ordinary waves which we
see on a sea.
Effects on Tsunami
1. Tsunami attacks mostly the coastlines, causing devastating property, damage and
loss of life
2. Tsunami can kill lot of human beings, livestock’s, etc
3. Tsunami may also spread lot of water borne diseases.
Tsunami Managements
*Earthquakes under the water are monitored by sensors on the floor of the sea.
*The sensors send the information of floating buoys on the surface, whenever they
detect any changes in pressure of the sea
*The information is then relayed to satellites, which passes it on to the earth stations.
*Finally the country make the people alert through the media to take all necessary
precautions.

ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN PREVENTION OF POLLUTION

1. Plant more trees
2. Help to prevent pollution than pollution control
3. Use water and energy efficiently
4. Purchase recyclable and recycled products
5. Use CFC free refrigerators
6. Use natural gas than coal
7. Reduce deforestation
8. Remove nitrogen oxides from motor exhaust
9. Use machines in well ventilated areas
10. Use less polluting materials
11. Use ecofriendly products
12. Do not use polystyrene cups
13. Use rechargeable batteries
14. Use drip irrigation to reduce water
15. Go shopping with cloth bags
16. Use public transport
17. Use handkerchiefs instead of paper tissues.
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POLLUTION CASE STUDIES

National
1. Effluents treatment at MRL, Chennai
*A leading petroleum refinaery “ The Madras Refineries Limited”
*The treatment consists of tree streams containing the following contaminants
+Process and utility stream – Oil, grease, phenols, acids and bases
+The storm and wash water stream – oil and grease
+The general purpose stream – waste water, organics and bio-organisms
*The MRL has taken steps to meet the water requirements
+Installed non-chromate type treatment facility to avoid
chromium mixing with the effluent.
+Installed recycling unit to reduce pollutants discharge
+Installed tertiary treatment plant to reuse waste water
2. The Bhopal gas tragedy
*Accident occurred in Bhopal city, MP on 3.12.1984
*It happened at Union Carbide India Ltd.
*Manufacturing carbonate pesticides using methyl isocyanate
*The reator got exploded due to failure of cooling system
*Effects
+MIC is a toxic, lower amount affects lungs & eyes and irritate in the skin
+High amount, remove oxygen from lungs and causes death.
+Spread over 40sq.km.
+Above 5000 persons killed
+65000 peoples suffered from severe eye & respiratory problems
+1000 persons became blind
3. Arsenin poison in ground water
*West Bengal &, Bihar are contaminated by toxic metal Arsenic
*The people takes low doses of arsenic for 10-14 years affected from black spots on
the skin called melanosis.
*Long exposures lead bladder and lung cancer
4. Mercury Wastes
*Hindustan Lever Ltd. , Kodikannal is manufacturing thermometer.
*They disposed mercury laden glass waste into nearby areas and created land
pollution
International
5.Gulf war
*Gulf war took place in Kuwait from 16.1.1991 to 26.2.1991
*The war between Iraq and USA
*During the Iraqi withdraw al, the have set fire on nearly 700 oil wells of Kuwait
*Oil from the oil well spills out into the sea and floating over 80 km long and 25 km
wide.
*Burning oil wells continue for 10months
*Effects.
+One million birds have been killed due to oil slick
+due to oil slick, desalination plants ineffective
+Because of burning released large amounts of CO2 and SO2
6. The Miniamatta Epidemic (1953)
*Miniamatta is a small coastal village in Japan
*Chisso Chemical Company producing vinyl polymer
*The industry released mercury containing effluent into the sea
*The mercury ions converted into methyl mercury, highly toxic compounds
*methyl mercury enter into food chain
Methyl mercuryZooplanktonsSmall fishLarge fishHuman
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*Effects
+Damage the central nervous system
+Loss of vision and hearing
+Severe head ache
+nervous disorder
7. Chernobyl nuclear disaster
* Nuclear reactor of Chernobyl melt down on 26.4.1986 in Russia.
*Radioactive rays and radioactive materials leaked out
*Nearly 2000 persons killed in the accident
*People suffered with severe bleeding, anemia and skin cancer
*Animals and plants were affected by nuclear radiations.

CASE STUDIES IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Case Study 1: Japan (11 March 2011)

Type of Disaster: Earthquake followed by Tsunami, Flood and Nuclear Reactor
disaster.
Area Affected: Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefecture
Area Affected in Square Kilometres: 555.36 sq. km
Population Affected: 12,554 killed , 15,077 missing, 2886 injured
Impact on Communication System:
1. Around 7 million homes suffered from Power cut problem for one week.
2. Several undersea telecommunication cables sustained major damage during the main
tremor and the tsunami.
3. Ten Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) were swept away by tsunami.
4. A maximum of 29,000 mobile base stations ceased to function
5. A maximum of 1,900,000 terrestrial communication channels became
unavailable for 3 to 4 days.
Solutions used in Recovery:
* During Disaster: “Twitter” -Twitter was the only functioning communication tool
during the disaster for real time news updates and to determine the whereabouts and
well-being of loved ones.

* After Disaster:
1. Installed emergency use public phones in evacuation centers ‟utilizing portable satellite
equipment”.
2. Several Wi-Fi hotspot providers started providing free access to their networks.
3. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) :
A UAV (unmanned aircraft) using radar and optical surveillance. The aircraft was
used to assess damage to infrastructure throughout the affected area.

*Problem faced with Twitter

The biggest problem was the reliability of twitter updates, particularly in calls for help,
that were misplaced, or lies. It was found that numerous unreliable "retweets" (RTs), where
users of the service repeated inaccurate information and that this was one of the
biggest information-related problems facing those involved.

*Suggested Solution:
Twitter communication could be improved if official hash tags were announced
during disasters and the number of retweets for a given hash tag could be limited to avoid
the wider spread of disinformation.
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Case Study 2: Pakistan (July 2010)

Type of Disaster: Flood
Area Affected : Azad Jamu & Kashmir , Balochistan, Gilgit Balistan , Khyber
Pakhtonkhawa , Punjab ,indh
Area affected in Square Kilometres: 132,000 square kilometres
Population Affected: 14,571,885
Situation before flood:
*The level of Pakistan‟s technological infrastructure in the flooded areas was very
poor.
*The non-availability of satellite imagery of the country made the volunteer developers
struggle in plotting where relief was a priority.

Impact on Communication System: Although the loss of terrestrial

communication system was not too high, but the applications of modern tools used
was limited and did not prove much successful.

Solutions used in Recovery:

*During Disaster
Humari Awaz:
#This is a mobile phone based social networking channel available to all cell
phone operators in Pakistan. Through this network, one can create their
own group and anyone can join it for free. The group founder can then send one
SMS, which will automatically be sent to all the group followers.
* After Disaster
1. Flood MAPS:
It is local website tool which derives from the reliability of Google Earth and
Google Maps to track the path of the flood and monitor devastation like washed
out bridges that needed to be rebuilt, etc.
These maps provided detailed views of thousands of villages affected by the
downpour, broken down by region.
2. Google Crises Response:
Google's tool, Google Person Finder, which is used to connect those seeking
information about loved ones, and Google Resource Finder, which helps locate
medical facilities and other emergency services during a crisis, were used to
some extent during flood relief operations.
3. PakRelief Crowd Map, Pak Flood Incident Reporting System:
People with access to working mobile phones were asked to text a message to
3441 and relay their first hand information about the nature of emergencies and
the needs of people in a particular flood affected location.
The information was then verified and mapped onto the CrisesMap. PakRelief
would then notify a relief agency working nearby of that particular incident and
the type of help required.
4. ZTE Network Management:
The communication network was maintained by ZTE in disaster areas, and
provided a strong surviving power for the provision of relief to local residents.
After disaster, ZTE immediately set up a “Disaster Evaluation and Rescue” team
and deployed maintenance engineers to advance into the disaster areas, and ensure
that communication was maintained in a normal and stable state.
5. Social Networking Sites like Facebook and Twitter:
These sites helped the Pakistani community to be connected and to raise the
voice for the help of flood victims throughout the world. They were able to mobilize people
in different parts of the world to help the flood victims.
Using Twitter also got different celebrities throughout the world to tweet
their fans to help flood victims at Pakistan.
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Case Study 3: Haiti (12 January 2010)

Type of Disaster: Earthquake (7.0 magnitude)
Area Affected: Port au Prince, Petit Goave, Grand Goave, Leogane, Carrefour,
Miragoane, Delmas, Verrettes, Santo Domingo
Population Affected: 3 million
* After Disaster
1. New free applications were made available for iPhone, Blackberry, Android
and Windows Mobile cell phone platforms. Downloading the new apps allowed
users to stay updated on how the American Red Cross was helping in Haiti through a
real-time newsfeed, and by connecting to popular American Red Cross social media
channels such as Facebook and Twitter. Users could also help support the relief and
recovery efforts by donating via text, phone or Web.
2. Ushahidi:
It is an open-source crisis-mapping software which first provided a way
to capture, organize, and share critical information coming directly from
Haitians. Information was gathered through social media (e.g., blogs, Twitter,
and Facebook) and text messages sent via mobile phones.
3. Satellite Imagery:
There was extensive use of remote sensing data, including satellite imagery
and aerial photography, to guide damage assessment, rescue and recovery efforts. The
organizations involved in these efforts included ImageCat, the World Bank‟s Global
Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, the Rochester Institute of
Technology, the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, and MCEER.
4. LIDAR:
They have also used Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology
to create a three-dimensional map of the region to further enhance
their knowledge of the damage.
LADAR is an optical remote sensing technology that can measure the
distance to, or other properties of a target by illuminating the target with
light, often using pulses from a laser.

Case Study 4: India (23-26 May 2009 )

Type of Disaster: Tropical Cyclone AILA
Area Affected : Kolkata, East Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly, Burdwan
Area affected in Square Kilometres: 26570 square kilometres
Population Affected: 330 killed 8,208 missing, 1 million rendered homeless, 350,000
others affected
Impact on Communication System:
1. GSM / CDMA networks were downed and took 4-5 days to come up again.
2. Suffered from electricity failure for several days.
3. Road connection to several remote areas was cut off.

Solutions used in Recovery:

The Amateur Radio was used to setup communication in several districts.
Volunteers carried a suitcase containing HF Transceiver, VHF transceiver, 2 Hand-helds,
Inverted „V‟ antenna for 20/40M, VHF whip antenna, 100 meters of coaxial cables, tools.
The District Administration provided fully charged heavy duty 12V Batteries which
was judiciously used to run the transceivers up to 5 days for uninterrupted communication
at two remote locations.
The messages were mostly on requirement of relief material, administrative reports
on disbursement of relief, reports on public health as well as situation reports of medical
camps and movement of officials.
The mobile communications from private cell phone operators was partially
restored. Amateur Radio communication was asked to remain as backup
 21

communication as information received by administration included new weather warnings

and rise in river water currents on account of High Tides.

Case Study 5:Hurricane Sandy(October 22-29, 2012 )

Type of Disaster: Tropical Cyclone Sandy
Area Affected: Caribbean, Bahamas, United States, Florida, North Carolina,
Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New
York, Canada
Damage: At least $50 billion (2012 USD)
Population Affected: 60 million, more than 100 died

Impact:
Power and Network outage: The super storm caused major power and
Internet outages in a region that is home to more than 60 million people.

Transport disrupted: More than 19,500 flights have been cancelled as a

result of the storm, according to flight tracking site. More than 7,000 flights were
cancelled.

Dry pump: Gasoline shortages are hobbling businesses and hampering recovery
efforts throughout communities hard hit by Hurricane Sandy, a situation that experts
say could persist for several more days (As of Nov 2, 2012).

Relief measures:
*About 1,000 groups and contractors will work throughout the storm to keep the roads
as safe as possible and motorists informed of road conditions.
*Customer Service staff is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to assist members and
ensure they have uninterrupted access to health care services during the storm‟s
aftermath.
*All pre- certification, referral, and hospital admission requirements are waived for
Monday, October 29 through Friday, November 2 for medically necessary care.
*The Defense Department says it is flying 17 aircraft from California to New York
loaded with power generation equipment and crews to help restore power to the
millions of homes and businesses devastated by Hurricane Sandy.
* 14 helicopters are available for awareness and assessment and search and rescue;
approximately 8 heavy lift aircraft are available for potential evacuations; Engineer unit
and logistical support units are also available for supporting response.
U.S.
*1.5 million meals (loaded onto 55 trucks) began arriving in New York from
Charleston and Martinsburg, W.Va.
*60 fuel trucks carrying approximately 200,000 gallons of fuel have arrived at Incident
places.

Case Study 6:Cyclone Nilam(October 28, 2012):

Type of Disaster: Tropical Cyclone Nilam
Area Affected: Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, and the town of
Pondicher
ry
Death toll: More than 30 died
Impact:
*Rescue operations are under way in India's southern city of Chennai to find five
sailors missing from an oil tanker that ran aground in a cyclone.
*The authorities say they are concerned because the vessel is carrying oil which
could create a major problem if it spills out.
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*Seven people were killed when Cyclone Nilam struck the south-eastern coast with
winds of up to 100km/h (60mph).
*Schools, colleges and cargo operations at the port in Chennai were shut.
*Fishermen in both states were warned not to venture out to sea.
*Roads and agricultural land across the coast have been badly damaged and
power lines have been brought down in several areas by the cyclone struck.

Measures
Taken:
*Coast guard helicopters and boats are combing the sea for sailors from the Pratibha
Cauvery.
*More than 100,000 people were evacuated ahead of the storm and shifted to higher
ground, into schools and other temporary shelters.
*Reports say more than 300 schools and community centres in Chennai have been
kept ready to receive evacuated people.
*Control rooms have opened in the vulnerable coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh.

What is mitigation?
It is the effort to reduce loss of the life and property by lessening the impact of
disasters.

Define disaster?
Disaster is a geological process and is defined as an event, concentrated in time and
space, in which a society, or sub-division of a society undergoes severe danger and causes
loss of its members and physical property.

What do you mean by disaster management?

Disaster management is the action taken y an organization in response to unexpected
events that are adversely affecting people or resources.

What do you mean by environment refugees?

An environmental refugee is a person displaced due to environment causes, especially
land loss and degradation and natural disaster.