ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

UNIT – 4
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Pollutant:
Materials or factors, which cause adverse effect or the natural quality of any
component of the environment.

Environmental pollution:
Any desirable 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.

Classification of pollutants:

1. According to the form in which they persist after release into the environment, the
pollutants may be primary pollutants and secondary pollutants
a. Primary pollutants:
They persist in the form in which they are added to the environment
Example: DDT, plastic, CO, organic compounds, SPM (Suspended Particulate
Matter) etc.
b. Secondary pollutants:
Formed by the interaction among the primary pollutants.
Example: PAN (Peroxyacetyl nitrate), NONHC (Nitrous oxy n-hydro Carbon), smog
(smoke + fog), acids rains (water + oxides of nitrogen)

2. According to the existence in nature, the pollutants are quantitative pollutants and
qualitative pollutants
a. Quantitative pollutants:
Substances occur in nature but because pollutants when their can increases.
Example: CO2, Nitrous oxide
b. Qualitative pollutants:
Substances which do not occur in the environment but they are passed into
it through human activity.
Example: Fungicides, Herbicides, DDT etc.

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

3. According to the natural disposal the pollutants may be bio degradable and non
bio-degradable pollutants.
a. Biodegradable pollutants:
Waste products, which can slowly degraded by microbial acids.
Example: Sewage
b. Non bio-degradable pollutants:
The pollutants which are not decomposed or decomposed slowly.
Example: plastic, glass, plastic bottles, heavy metals radioactive substances
etc.
4. In terms of origin pollution may be natural and anthropogenic pollution
a. Natural pollution:
Toxic gases and particulate matter releasing into the environment by
natural activities.
Example: Volcanic eruptions, storms, flood etc.
b. Anthropogenic pollution:
Man-made pollution such as industrial pollution, agricultural pollution etc.

Air Pollution
Atmospheric gases:

Nitrogen – 78%, Oxygen – 21%, Argon – 0.9%, Carbon Dioxide – 0.3%, Helium, Neon,
Krypton, Xenon, Hydrogen and Ozone

Causes of Air pollution:

➢ Increase in the level of atmospheric CO2.

➢ Use of harmful chemicals like pesticides, insecticides, herbicides etc. in agriculture.
➢ Industrial effluents.
➢ Gases from automobiles and factories causing serious health problems to human.
➢ Discharge of radioactive substances.
➢ Usage of aerosol sprays propellants.
➢ Volcanic eruptions, forest fires, storm and strong winds.
➢ Methane gas and pollen grains.
➢ Smoke dressing from the factories, chimneys, automobiles, aero planes etc.

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

➢ The major cause of air pollution is the release of Methyl isocyanide (MIC) gas from
the UNION CARBIDE INDIA pvt Ltd.

Sources of air pollution

Natural sources Man made Activities

Example: Volcanic eruptions, forest Example: Thermal power plant,
Fires, death and decay, pollen grains Vehicular emission, fossil fuel
Radioactive materials etc. burning, agricultural activities etc.

Indoor air pollution:

➢ The most important indoor gas air pollutant is Radon gas.

➢ Radon gas and its radioactive daughters are responsible for a large number of lung
cancer deaths each year.
➢ Radon can be emitted from building materials like bricks, concrete, tiles etc. which
are derived from soil containing radium.
➢ Radon is also present in ground water and natural gas and is emitted indoors while
using them.
➢ Incomplete combustion of coals, dung-cakes, wood and kerosene in their kitchens
produces the toxic gases, carbon monoxide.
➢ SO2 and NO2 and many others like formaldehyde from carpets, Benzo – (a)Pyrene
(BAP) are toxic and harmful for health.
➢ BAP is also found in cigarette smoke and considered to cause cancer.
➢ A house wife using wood as fuel for cooking inhales BAP equivalent to 20 packets
of cigarette a day.
➢ CO, NO2, Pb and other small particles which pose a major treat health of young
children with acute lower respiratory infections, chronic of structure pulmonary
disease and cancer in adults.
➢ On urban areas due to pesticides, household care products, perfumes, glues, air
fresheners, moth repellants, wood preservatives as well as reduced ventilation in
buildings.
➢ Tobacco smoke contributes to a variety of chemicals that are harmful to the active
as well as passive smoker.

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

➢ Biological pollutants are pollen, mites, hairs from pets, fungi, parasites cause
allergies.
➢ Low birth weight. ➢ Asthma
➢ Infections in middle year ➢ Tuberculosis
➢ Nasopharyngeal cancer ➢ Laryngeal cancer
➢ Cataract ➢ Cardio vascular diseases

General effects of Air pollution:

Environmental effects:

1. Acid deposition
2. Smog (smoke + fog):
➢ Causes smoky dark atmosphere over the cities causing poor visibility and
creating a haze throughout the area.
➢ The particulates that are present in smog are CO, dirt, soot, dust and ozone.
➢ Smog has harmful effects as agriculture many crop plants like soya beans,
wheat, tomatoes, peanuts, cotton etc. are subjecting to infections by exposure
to smog.
3. Eutrophication – NO, Ammonia
4. Loss of ozone layer:
➢ Chloro fluoro carbons (CFC
➢ )
➢ Chlorine containing compounds like methyl chloroform, carbon tetra chloride
➢ Fire extinguishing agents – CL, Br, S
➢ Methyl bromide – soil fumigant (used as a pesticide)
5. Green house effect

Photochemical Smog:

➢ Smoke + fog (Air pollution)

➢ Mixture of pollutants or contaminants includes particulates, NO, ozone, aldehydes,
peroxy ethanoyl nitrate (PAN), unreached hydrocarbons etc. produced when
motor vehicle exhaust gases.

Effects on human health:

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

➢ Reduced visibility.
➢ Breathing problems like asthma, bronchitis, coughing, wheezing, chest pain,
increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, eye, nose and throat irritations,
lung diseases.
On vegetation:
Less crop yields, slanted growth, reduced reproduction of leaf damage to
sensitive plants tobacco, spinach, tomatoes and beans.
Preventive measures:
Reduce the harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

Effects of air pollution on living organisms:

1. Carbon monoxide (CO):

➢ Dizziness, tiredness, breathing difficulty and serious health problems in heart
patient, nausea, poor reflexes.
➢ Carboxyhemoglobin reduces the ability of blood to carry O2.
2. NO2 (a reddish brown gas with strong smell):
➢ Respiratory system damage.
➢ Acid rains harm plants and animals, eye, throat diseases, lung cancer, chest
discomfort.
➢ Risk of viral infections, eye burning.
3. SO2 (corrosive gas with rotten egg smell):
➢ Respiratory disorder patients are affected – irritation of eyes, nose, throat.
➢ Damage of buildings, plants and trees gets harm.
4. Lead:
➢ Renal malfunction, anemia and damage to the brain issues.
5. Ozone:
➢ Hazardous to the health of patients with chronic respiratory ailments.
➢ Keels the seedlings, damage the foliage and make them susceptible to pests,
diseases and harsh weather.
6. CFC’s:
➢ Depletion of ozone layer.
➢ Skin cancer, cataract and suppression of the immune system.
➢ Hurt plants and animals.
7. Particulate matter:

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

➢ Injuries to respiratory system of humans and causes asthma, chronic,

bronchitis, lung cancer etc.

Effects on plants:

➢ Effects plants by entering through stomata destroy chlorophyll and affect

photosynthesis.
➢ Erode waxy coating of the leaves ( cuticle)
➢ Cuticle prevents excessive water loss and damage from diseases , pests, drought
and frost.
➢ Damage of leaf structure causes necrosis (dead area of leaf)
➢ Chlorosis (loss or reduction of chlorophyll causing yellowing of leaf).
➢ Abscission (dropping of leaves)
➢ Interfere with photosynthesis and plant growth reduces nutrient uptake and
changes to yellow or brown.
➢ High content of SOx

Air pollution – health effect:

➢ Dizziness ➢ Sore throat

➢ Head ache ➢ Lung cancer and lung disease
➢ Eye irritation ➢ Chest pain
➢ Nasal irritation ➢ Increased cold allergies
➢ Coughing and shortness of breath
➢ Tropospheric ozone – chest pain, cough, eye irritation
➢ Tobacco – lung cancer
➢ Ozone – skin cancer
➢ PAN – eye irritation

Effects on materials:

➢ Due to corrosiveness, particulate cause damage to exposed surfaces.

➢ SO2 + moisture - accelerate corrosion of metallic surfaces.
➢ SO2 – effects fabric, leather, paint, paper, marble and lime stone.
➢ Ozone in atmosphere – cracking of rubber
➢ NOx – fading of collars and rayon, fibre.

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Indian air quality standards:

Area SPM SO2 NOx CO Lead NH3

3
(μg/m )
Industrial 500 120 120 5000 1.0 0.1
Residential 200 50 50 2000 0.75 0.1
Sensitive 100 30 30 1000 0.5 0.1
As per the air act – 1981, no industrial pollution causing activity could came up
without the permission of the SPCB.

Control of air pollution:

Air pollution can be minimized by the following methods.

➢ Sighting of industries after proper EIA studies.
➢ Using low sulphur, coal in industries.
➢ Removing sulphur from coal.
➢ Removing NOx during the combustion process.
➢ Removing particulate from stack exhaust gases by employing electrostatic
precipitators bughouse filters, cyclone separators, scrubbers etc.
➢ Using mass transport system, car pooling, bicycle etc.
➢ Shifting to less polluting fuels (hydrogen gas)
➢ Using non-conventional sources of energy.
➢ Using biological filters and bio- scrubbers.
➢ Planting more trees.
➢ Vehicular pollutions can check by regular time of engines.

Classification of various sources of air pollution:

Total sources

Stationary sources Mobile sources

Point source Area source Line source Area source

Point sources:

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

It is a large stationary source.

Example: industrial chimneys from which the effluent are thrown into the
atmosphere.

Area sources:
It covers both small stationary sources and mobile sources with indefinite routes.
Example: whenever clusters of industries exists into pollutants that are emitted
into the atmosphere from air cloud over the industrial complex.

Line sources:
It is a mobile source with definite route. It is capable of moving from one place to
another under its own power.
Example: Automobile emission.

Case study London smog:

➢ Smoke particles trapped in the fog formed smog in stagnant weather condition.
➢ A smoky dark atmosphere settled over cities for many days that caused poor
visibility and haze all through with serious impact on human health.
➢ The smog related deaths first occurred in London in1873 which killed 500 people,
1000 deaths in 1880 and about 4000 deaths in Dec 1952.

Case study Bhopal Disaster 1984:

➢ The Bhopal gas tragedy at the union carbide pesticide plant located in Bhopal, at
the night on 2nd and 3rd Dec 1984, is one of the greatest chemical disasters in
history.
➢ The poisonous and highly toxic clouds of suffocating methyl isocyanate gas
engulfed the residents of the city, killing 2000 people immediately and injured 3
lakh people.
➢ About 1000 animals were killed and about 7000 were injured.
➢ Among the survivors of the tragedy, many of them continue to suffer from one or
several health problems from the disastrous effect of massive poisoning.

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Control of particulate emission:

1. Gravitational setting chambers:

Setting chambers in air pollution control provide enlarged areas to minimize
horizontal velocities and allow time for the setting velocity to carry the particle by
force of gravity. These are effective for removal of particle with size greater than
50μm.

2. Wet scrubbers:
➢ Dirty gases are passed through water in the chamber of water is sprayed on the
gas.
➢ Particles are made wet and are removed from the gas stream which leaves from
the top of the scrubber.
➢ Wet scrubbers are very efficient for removing the particulates.
➢ The scrubbers are very useful for removal of toxic and acidic gases also.
➢ Commonly used wet scrubbers are
a. Spray towers
b. Venturi scrubber

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

3. Electrostatic precipitator:
The electrostatic precipitators may be plate type or cylinder type. Vertical
wires are placed between the parallel plates or wire is hung along the axis of the
cylinder. High negative voltage is applied to the wire. Dust particles while passing
from the lower end get negatively charged and are collected on the positively
charged surface while the clean gas leaves from the top.
The deposited dust particles fall down in the collector or are removed by
scrapping or by liquids. Electrostatic precipitators utilize electric energy and can
efficiently remove even submicroscopic particles.

4. Centrifugal separators:
Driven by the inlet pressure, liquid with particles is accelerated through
tangential slots/holes towards the Centre of the separator. By the rotation of the
liquid, a vortex is formed in the Centre of the separator and by the centrifugal force
a separation of heavy particles takes place. Separated particles are accumulated in
the bottom collection chamber and are then periodically evacuated.

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Advantages of CNG fuel:

➢ More energy efficient

➢ Produces 40% less of nitrous oxide
➢ Emits 90% less HC.
➢ 80% less of CO.
➢ 25% less of CO2.
➢ Lower noise level of CNG engine.
➢ Cleaner fuel than gasoline or diesel fuel.
➢ Less vehicle maintenance & longer engine service life.
➢ Safer than petrol or diesel vehicles.
➢ Cost of CNG is lesser than the cost of petrol in terms of calorific value.
Since natural gas is abundant in India, its uses is better for the national economy
and it is environment friendly too.

WATER POLLUTION
Water pollution:
“The alteration in physical, chemical & biological characteristics of water which
may cause harmful effects on humans and aquatic life”.

Pollutants:
Sewage, industrial and chemical effluents, oil & other wastes.
➢ Acid rains, fertilizers, pesticides, & herbicide leveled from the land also pollute
water.
97% - Marine
3% - Fresh

Uses of water:

➢ Used by man for recreation and aesthetic aquatic life, public water supply,
agriculture and industry etc.

Cadmium (Cd): The disease caused by cadmium is contaminated rice. The rice fields
were irrigated with effluents of zinc smelters and drainage water from mines.
Symptoms: Bones, kidney, lungs, pancreas and thyroid are affected.

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

The pollutants in water may be categorized into the following types

1. Surface water pollution:

➢ Domestic sewage and oxygen depleting wastes.
➢ Infectious agents and pathogens.
➢ Inorganic plant nutrients.
➢ Chemicals such as pesticides, spilling into water bodies.
➢ Radioactive materials.
➢ Suspended matter from soil erosion.
➢ Hot water discharged by power plants and industries.

These pollutants deteriorate the quality of water, thereby affecting the aquatic
ecosystems.

2. Ground water pollution:

➢ Ground water forms about 6.2% of total water available on planet earth and is
about 30 times more than surface water (lakes, streams, estuaries).
➢ Due to soil mantle through which water passes helps to retain various
contaminants due to its cation exchange capacity and seems to be less prone
to pollution.
➢ Sources of ground water pollution are septic tanks industry (textile, chemical,
tanneries, deep well infection, mining etc.)
➢ Ground water pollution is irreversible.
➢ Ground water pollution with arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, cadmium is posing
serious health hazards.
Cadmium – Itai - Itai disease, Ouch-Ouch disease
Nitrate – Methemoglobinemia, Blue Baby syndrome
Fluoride – fluorosis, yellow teeth, spinal cord damage
Arsenic – arsenic skin lesions, damage to the liver and nervous systems and
vascular
Lead – central nervous system damage diseases
Petrochemicals – carcinogenic
Pesticides - nervous system and carcinogenic too
Chlorides -- Chlorides in pesticides cause damage to the reproductive and
endocrine system

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Salts – salts in drinking water makes it unfit for human consumption and
irrigation purposes.

Point and non-point sources of water pollution:

Point sources:
Point sources are discharged pollutants at specific locations through pipes, ditches
or sewers into bodies of surface water.
Example: factories, sewage treatment plants, etc.

Non – point sources:

➢ They cannot be traced into any single site of discharge.
➢ They are usually large land areas that pollute water by runoff, subsurface flow or
deposition from the atmosphere.
Example: acid deposition, runoff of chemicals into surface water from croplands etc.

Causes of water pollution:

1. Dumping of industrial effluents.

2. Fertilizers and pesticides runoff into rivers from crops.
3. Nitrogenous fertilizers when accumulated in water body makes unfit for drink is
contaminate potable.
4. Eutrophication.
5. Municipal wastes.
6. Effluents released from chlorine plants into water bodies leads to toxicity to
aquatic vegetation.
7. Domestic sewage is drained.
8. Warm water released from the plants leads to thermal pollution.
9. Oil spills or oil slick
10. Radioactive wastes
11. Bio magnification.

Diseases caused by contaminated water:

1. Typhoid, cholera, parathyroid fever, bacillary dysentery – bacterial infection

2. Polio, hepatitis, jaundice – viral infection
3. Amoebic dysentery – protozoan infection
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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Sources of pollutants of water:

1. Infectious agents
Example: Bacteria, Viruses, Protozoa and Parasitic warm
2. Oxygen demanding wastes (Dissolved Oxygen):
Dissolved Oxygen is the amount of oxygen dissolved in a given quantity of water
at a particular pressure and temperature.
3. Inorganic chemicals:
➢ Causes skin cancer and neck diseases.
➢ Damage the nervous system, liver and kidneys.
➢ Harm fish and other aquatic life.
➢ Lower crop yields etc.
4. Organic wastes:
➢ Nervous system damage and cancers
5. Plant nutrients
6. Sediments.
7. Radioactive materials.
8. Heat (thermal pollution)

Drinking water quality standards:

➢ Drinking water quality standards refers to a reference point for standard setting
and drinking water safety.
➢ Drinking water is the potable water meant for human consumption for drinking
and cooking purposes from any source.
➢ It should be of highest purity to meet the health needs of the community.
➢ The bureau of Indian Standard specifications IS: 10500 – 1991 govern the quality
of drinking water supplies in India.
➢ A number of government agencies are responsible is forest the availability of
drinking water of adequate quality of potable quality. They are:
1. Ministry of water resources.
2. Ministry of urban development and poverty alleviation.
3. Ministry of rural development.
4. Ministry of environment and forests.
5. Ministry of health.

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Indian water quality standards:

Characteristics Permissible limits

➢ physical standards
1. turbidity (clarity of water) 5 – 10 NTU scale
2. colour (on platinum and cobalt
scale) 5 – 25 Hazel units
3. taste and odour No objectionable
➢ Chemical standards
1. PH value 6.5 – 8.5
2. Total hardness 300 – 600 mg/l
3. Iron 0.3 – 1.0 mg/l
4. Chlorides 250 – 1000 mg/l
5. Calcium 75 – 200 mg/l
6. Magnesium 32 - 75 mg/l
7. Copper 0.05 – 1.5 mg/l
8. Manganese 0.1 – 0.3 mg/l
9. Sulphates 200 - 400 mg/l
10. Nitrate 45 - 100 mg/l
11. Chloride 1 - 15 mg/l
12. Phenolic compounds 0.001 – 0.002 mg/l
13. Mercury 0.001 mg/l
14. Selenium, cadmium, mineral oils 0.01 mg/l
15. Arsenic, cyanide, lead, chromium 0.05 mg/l
16. Alkalinity 200 mg/l
17. Aluminum 0.03 mg/l
18. boron 1 mg/l

Conventional water treatment plant:

Treatment process:
Sedimentation
Water Gravity filtration To consume
with or without Chlorination
slow or high rate
coagulation

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

1. screens --> Exclude coarse material from source of collection

2. Plain sedimentation --> Removes 35% suspended solids and filtration
3. Filtrations --> Removes more than 90% of suspended solids, turbidity, 95%
bacteria
4. Coagulation --> Removes fine suspended and colloidal matter
5. Disinfection --> Kills all the bacteria
6. Aeration --> Helps in controlling the tastes and odour of water

Sedimentation:

➢ One of the most widely used process in treatment of water.

➢ The simplest method of removing suspended impurities is by plain sedimentation.
➢ The water is allowed to stand quiescent or move slowly through natural or artificial
toxins until the suspended impurities sent to the bottom and relatively clear water
is obtained.
➢ Particles combine together (coalesce, flocculate) and settle quickly in coagulation
– sedimentation tank.
➢ Particles settle as discrete (single, unattached) particles in a plain sedimentation
tank.

Coagulation:

➢ Very small particles of 1-100μm size (organic or inorganic), causing turbidity do not
settle due to gravitational force only.
➢ These smaller particles are made to combine into a bigger mass, settling will take
place quickly, early and completely in a sedimentation tank.

Filtration:

➢ Water with suspended impurities and bacteria pass through a bed of clean sand
and the impurities are retained in the filter layers.
➢ Pores between sand particles act like a sieve and retain bigger particles.
➢ Pores act as a miniature settling tanks.
➢ Due to physical and electrochemical forces, surfaces of the sand particles in the
filter bed attract and attach (absorb) turbid particles.

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

➢ Bacteria utilize (decompose) organic material deposited in the top layers of sand
bed and forms a fine (slimy) layer.
➢ This layer is very effective in removing finer solids also.
➢ More deposition in the top layers only.
➢ So bacteria and solids are retained at the top layers.

Disinfection:

➢ The main aim of disinfection is to destroy pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria

and thus prevent water borne disease.
➢ Chlorine is used universally as a disinfectant, normally after water filtration.
➢ The dosage of chlorine is decided by available chlorine in the disinfectant and
chlorine demand.
➢ Normally dosage is selected in such a way to maintain the residual chlorine of
about 0.2 mg/hr.

Aeration:

➢ Aeration of water removes bad tastes and odours and freshens water with oxygen.
➢ It removes iron by oxidation and precipitation.

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD):

➢ The amount of O2 required to breakdown a certain amount of organic matter.

BOD = Milligram of O2 / Litre of water
➢ The amount BOD in the water is an indicator of the level of pollution.
➢ Too much organic matter reduces O2.
➢ BOD is measured by keeping a sample of water containing known amount of O2 for
5 days at 20⁰C in the dark.
➢ At the end of this period the O2 content is again measured.
➢ The amount of O2 utilized during the period indicates BOD of the water sample.
➢ A sample of H2O with weak organic waste bar BOD below 1500 gm/ lt.
➢ A high BOD indicates intense level of microbial pollution.
➢ Since, BOD is limited to organic wastes only, therefore it is not a reliable method
of measuring water pollution.

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Chemical Oxygen Demand:

It measures all oxygen consuming pollutant materials present in water.

Effects of water pollution:

1. Physico – chemical effects:

➢ A large number of pollutants can change the physical conditions of the habitat
like imparting colour, tastes and odour to the receiving waters. Thus, making
them aesthetic and even unfit for domestic and other uses.
2. Biological effects:
➢ Most of the fresh water algae are sensitive to pollutants and their changes
modify and their changes modify the prey- predatory relationships by altering
the food chain.
3. Toxic effects:
➢ Chemicals are toxic to the aquatic organisms especially (heavy metals and
pesticides), organic and inorganic accumulate in the organisms through bio
magnification.
Example: Minamata disease.
4. Pathogenic effects:
➢ Wastes from tanneries, slaughter houses and sewage wastes, contain several
pathogenic and non- pathogenic micro –organism.
Example: Cholera, Typhoid, Paratyphoid, Hepatitis
5. Sewage and oxygen demanding wastes:
➢ Sewage contains oxidizable and fermentable matter causing depletion of
dissolved oxygen in the receiving water bodies affecting the aquatic flora and
fauna.
➢ Sewage is an excellent medium for the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
6. Industrial effluents
7. Agricultural discharges
8. Detergents
9. Toxic metals: deteriorates water quality and extremely toxic to life

Control of water pollution:

➢ Judicious use of agrochemicals like pesticides and fertilizers which will reduce their
surface run-off and leaching.

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

➢ Use of nitrogen fixing plants to supplement the use of fertilizers.

➢ Adopting integrated pest management to reduce reliance on pesticides.
➢ Prevent run-off of manure.
➢ Planting trees would reduce pollution.
➢ Separate drainage of sewage and rainwater should be provided.

Thermal Pollution
Thermal pollution:

Thermal pollution can be defined as presence of waste heat in the water which can
cause undesirable changes in the natural environment.

Causes:

➢ Heat producing industries is thermal power plants, nuclear power plants,

refineries, steel mills etc. are the major sources.
➢ Cold water, generally is drawn from same nearby water body, passed through the
plant and returned to the same water body with temperature 10 - 16⁰C higher than
the initial temperature.
➢ Excess of heat reaching such water bodies causes thermal pollution of water.
➢ Dissolved Oxygen decreases with high temperature.
➢ Barrier for O2 penetration into deep cold water.
➢ Toxicity increases with increasing temperature.
➢ Change in flora and fauna.
➢ A metabolic activity of aquatic organisms increases.
➢ Disturb spawning can even kill young fishes at shores.
➢ Fish migration takes place.
➢ Direct mortality due to failure of respiration system and nervous system.

Control: cooling ponds, spray ponds, cooling tower.

Noise pollution

Sound is a main mean of communication & entertainment

Noise:
A loud unwanted or unpleasant sound that causes discomfort is called noise.

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P.BHARATH KUMAR, MECS
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Noise pollution:

The release of unwanted sound in the atmosphere is called noise pollution.

Sound travels in pressure waves and affects ear drum. The unit of sound level is decibels
(dB) are a name that was given to recognize the work of Alexander Graham Bell.

Sources of Noise pollution:

1. Manmade
a. Transport sector
b. Industrial sector
c. Neighbourhood sector
➢ Various modes of transportation (Air, road, rent, transportation) industrial
operation, construction activities and celebration (social/religions functions,
electrician etc.) electric home appliances.

Natural source of Noise:

Natural sources Noise level

1. Thunder 110 dB
2. Roaring of lion 105 – 110 dB
3. Water falls 90 dB
4. Chirping of birds 70 dB
5. Sea waves 65 – 75 dB

Effects of Noise pollution:

Effects of Noise pollution

Abiotic environment Impulsive damage due Biotic environment

Ex: supersonic aircraft to impulsive sounds
Ex: explosives, fire crackers

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Auditory Effect Non – Auditory effect

Auditory Fatigue Deafness Annoyance Sleep disturbance

90dB (TINNITUS)

Temporary hear loss permanent hear loss

Abiotic Effect:

➢ Supersonic aircrafts, which flew faster than the speed of sound, produce shock
waves.
➢ These shock waves can spread over an area of around 128 sq.km and can break
glass panels, doors, windows and cause cracks even in the walls of concrete
buildings.

Auditory fatigue:

➢ At 90dB intensity shows symptoms of ringing, whistling and buzzing in the ears.

Deafness:

➢ Along with age.

➢ Prolonged exposure to noise.

Temporary hearing loss or threshold shifting:

➢ Temporary loss and recovery is due course of time

Example: A person entering into a noisy environment for a short time

Permanent hearing loss:

➢ A person exposed to noise for several years.

➢ Permanent loss and irreversible.
Example: Pop musicians, train drivers etc.

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Hearing damage due to impulsive sounds:

➢ Causes tinnitus, pressure and pain in the ear and permanent hearing loss.
➢ Sound intensity around 160dB can broke the tympanic membrane and cause
permanent hearing loss.

Non – Auditory effect:

➢ Annoyance
➢ Sleep disturbance
➢ Interference with speech communication
➢ Physiological and psychological responses

Noise standards recommended by Central pollution Control Board (CPCB) committee:

Area Code Category of area Noise level in decibels(dB)

Day Night

A Industrial 75 70

B Commercial 65 55

C Residential 55 45

D Silence Zone 50 40

Control of noise pollution:

1. Reduction in sources of noise:

Heavy vehicles and old vehicles may not be allowed to play in this populated
area.
2. Proper lubrication and maintenance of machines can reduce noise.
3. Noisy machines should be installed in sound proof chambers.
4. Noise producing industries should be located away from human settlement.
5. These should be silence zones around residential areas, educational institutions
and hospitals.
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6. Planting more trees having broad leaves.

Example: Neem, Tamarind, Coconut
7. Using protective devices such as ear – muffs or cotton – plugs.
8. Use of loud – speakers and amplifiers should be restricted.

Soil Pollution

Soil Pollution:

Soil pollution is defined as the contamination of soil by human and natural

activities may cause harmful effects on living beings.

Components of soil:

Components Percentage

1. Mineral matter (inorganic) 45%

2. Organic matter 5%
3. Soil water 25%
4. Soil air 25%

Sources of soil pollution:

1. Industrial wastes:
Pulp and paper mills, chemical industries, oil refineries, sugar factories,
tanneries, textiles, fertilizers, pesticides, cement, drugs etc.

Effects:

➢ Alter the chemical and biological properties of soil.

➢ As a result, hazardous chemicals can enter into human food chain from the
soil or water.
2. Urban wastes: Both commercial and domestic wastes.
3. Agricultural practices
4. Radioactive pollutants
5. Biological wastes
Human, animal and birds excrete leads is land pollution

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Impact of modern agriculture on soil:

Disadvantages of pesticides in agriculture:

1. Pest resistance
2. Secondary pest resurgence
3. Toxic effects
4. Bio magnification
5. Effect on environment

Problems of over grazing:

1. Loss of soil fertility

2. Loss of native species
3. Desertification
4. Reduced transpiration leads to less rainfall in the region

Degradation of soil:

Causes:

➢ Land is dumped with wastes.

➢ Over irrigation leads to water logging and salination.
➢ Deforestation makes the land barren and forms wastelands.
➢ Used for construct, grow crops, fodder etc.

Land degradation:

➢ When the forest trees are extensively felled and the land brought under
cultivation, it leads to degradation.
➢ Extensive irrigation.
➢ Enhancing the spraying of pesticides.

Soil Erosion: (Refer in 2nd unit)

Causes of deforestation:

1. Shifting cultivation

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2. Explosion of human population

3. Demand of wood for industries
4. Construction of roads
5. Mining operations
6. Over grazing
7. Pests
8. Fires
9. Weather
10. Dams and hydroelectric project

Solid Waste Management (SWM):

Waste:

Any substance that is discarded is designated as waste.

Solid Waste:

Wastes which arises from human activities and which are discarded as useless or
unwanted material and is in the solid form is considered as solid wastes.

➢ 7.6 million tonnes of municipal solid waste is produced per day in developing
countries.

Types of solid wastes:

1. Urban or municipal wastes:

a. Domestic wastes:
➢ It contains a variety of materials thrown out from the homes.
Example: Food, cloth, paper, glass bottles, polythene etc.
b. Commercial wastes:
➢ Wastes from shops, markets, hotels, offices, institutions etc.
Example: Waste paper, packing material, cans, bottles, polythene bags etc.
c. Construction wastes:
➢ Wastes from construction materials:

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Example: Wood, concrete, debris etc.

d. Bio medical wastes:
➢ Mostly the waste from organic materials.
Example: Anatomical wastes, infectious wastes etc.
2. Industrial wastes:
➢ Chemical industries, metal and mineral processing industries
Example: Nuclear power plant – radioactive wastes
Thermal power plant – fly ash
Chemical industry – hazardous and toxic materials
Other industries – rubber, plastic, paper, glass, etc.

Classification of wastes:

1. Bio degradable wastes:

➢ Wastes degraded by micro organisms.
Example: Vegetable peels, discarded food, leaves, crop and farm residue etc.
2. Non – biodegradable wastes:
➢ Wastes which cannot be degraded by microbes.
Example: Polythene bags, glass bottles, plastic, metals etc.
3. Toxic wastes:
➢ Non – poisonous wastes are non – toxic wastes.
Example: pesticides, acids, radioactive substances etc.
4. Non – toxic wastes:
➢ No – poisonous wastes are non – toxic wastes.
Example: Glass, ceramic, paper, leather, rubber etc.
5. Bio medical wastes:
➢ Wastes which are released by the hospitals and clinics are bio medical wastes.
Example: cotton, syringe glass, plastic bottles, anatomical parts.

Impact of waste accumulation:

1. Spoilage of landscape
2. Pollution
3. Health hazard
4. Effect of soil

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5. Effect on terrestrial and aquatic life

Process of Solid Waste Management:

Solid waste generation

Transportation

Storage

Segregation of waste

Disposal method

Land fill Sanitary composting vermi pulverization incineration

land fill composting

Solid waste management:

1. Reduce, re-use, recycle

2. Discarding wastes
1. Reduce the usage of raw materials:
If raw materials are reduced, the generation of wastes also gets reduced.
Re-use the waste materials:
The refillable containers, which are discarded after use can be re-used.
Recycling:
Reprocessing of the discarded materials into new useful products.

2. Discarded wastes:
a. Land filling:
➢ Collected material is directly placed in a dump.
➢ A site of land fill should be away from human habitation because of public
health.
➢ Land is used for parks, roads and small buildings.
b. Sanitary land filling:
➢ Spreading the polythene cover on the dump site before waste is disposed.

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c. Incineration:
➢ It is an industrial process designed to reduce unwanted materials to simple
solid and gaseous residue.
➢ Process of controlled burning of the waste at high temperature of 850⁰C in
presence of air.
➢ It reduces the volume of waste, bit it release a number of toxic chemicals
into the atmosphere.
d. Composting:
➢ Involves degradation of organic wastes by micro – organisms in the
presence of O2.
➢ Organic waste is converted into compost and CO2.
e. Vermi composting:
➢ The technique is popularly known as earthworm farming.
➢ Converting solid waste such as sewage sludge and domestic wastes into
compost with the help of earthworms.
➢ Dig a pit and line with straw, dried leaves and grass.
➢ Put the organic waste into the pit.
➢ Introduce a culture of earthworms.
➢ Contents are covered with a sprinkling of dried leaves and soil every day.
➢ Waste in the pit be moist by sprinkling water.
➢ Turn over the content of the pit for every 15 days.
➢ In about 45 days, the waste will be decomposed by the action of
earthworms.
➢ The manure derived is fertile and rich in nutrients.

Factories act 1948, amended in 1987:

Safe guards our environment.

Objectives:

➢ Cleanliness of the industrial establishment and factories.

➢ Proper and safe disposal of wastes and effluents.
➢ Safe use and handling hazardous substances.
➢ Penalize any disobedience of law.

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E – Waste
E – Waste:

Popularly referred to electronic waste of electronic goods (including discarded

computer, TV sets, VCRs, stereos, fax machines, electric lamps, cell phones, audio
equipments, batteries, pagers, scanners, refrigerators, washing machines, micro wave
ovens, DVDs, CDs, floppies, chips, tapes, military electronic waste, mother boards, etc.)
which have become outdated due to advancements in technology, modifications in life
style.

Components of E – Waste:

Lead, cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), plastics including PVC, barium
(Ba), beryllium (Be), toxic dioxins and furans.

BFR – Brominated flame Retardants

TCDD – Tetrachloro dibenzo dioxin
PCDDs – Polychlorinated dibenzo dioxins
PBDDs – Polybrominated dibenzo dioxins
PCDFs - Polychlorinated dibenzo furans

Characteristics:

1. Ignitability (highly volatile and easily catches fire):

➢ Can create firer under certain condition
Example: waste oils and used solvents
2. Corrosivity:
➢ Acids and bases (pH <= 2, pH >= 12.5) that are capable of corroding metal
contains such as storage tanks, drums, barrels.
➢ Battery acid is an example.
3. Reactivity:
➢ These wastes are unstable under “normal” condition.
➢ They can cause explosions, toxic fumes, gases.

4. Toxicity (causes serious warm to living organism):

➢ Toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when absorbed

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 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Example: mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb)

Health effects:

Constituent Health effect

➢ Damage to central and peripheral
Lead (Pb) nervous system, blood systems and
kidney damage.
➢ Effects brain development of children
➢ Toxic irreversible effects on human
Cadmium (Cd) accumulate in kidney and causes
neural damage.
➢ Chronic damage to the brain
Mercury (Hg) respiratory and skin disorders due to
bio accumulation is fishes
Hexavalent Chromium ➢ Asthmatic bronchitis, DNA damage
➢ Reproductive and developmental
Plastics including PVC problems, immune system damage.
➢ Interfere with regulatory hormone

Management of E – Waste:

A. Waste minimization techniques:

1. Inventory management:
➢ Proper control over materials used in the manufacturing process is an
important way to reduce generation.
➢ Materials should be evaluated for hazardous constituents.
➢ Materials must be purchased on an are needed basis.
2. Alteration in the production process:
➢ Modification in the production process can minimize the waste generation.
3. Reduction in hazardous portion of E – Waste:
➢ Volume reduction of hazardous waste can be accomplished by source
segregation and waste concentration.
4. Recovery and reuse of E – Waste:
➢ E – Waste can be recovered on-site or at on off- site recovery facility by
various techniques including reverse osmosis, electrolysis, filtration etc.
B. Designing sustainable products:
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Efforts should be made to reduce material use and propose a centralized

network system.
➢ Product designers should ensure reusable, repairable and upgradable
materials that are safer.

Harmful chemicals:

Cyanides, As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Se, Ni, Ba, phenols, asbestos, hydrocarbons,
PCB.

➢ Special care has to be taken during handling, storage, transportation and disposal
operation of these wastes.
➢ Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cr, Ni (less than 0.05 PPM) small quantities damage liner, kidney,
skin, respiratory system to create neurological disorders.
➢ Many are useful to life as iron, Ca.
➢ Various industries, agricultural operation and vehicle traffic are responsible for
these heavy metals in water, air, soil and food.

Environment Protection Act (1986)

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 authorizes the central government to protect and
improve environmental quality, control and reduce pollution from all sources, and prohibit
or restrict the setting and /or operation of any industrial facility on environmental grounds.

The Environment (Protection) Act was enacted in 1986 with the objective of providing for
the protection and improvement of the environment. It empowers the Central Government
to establish authorities [under section 3(3)] charged with the mandate of preventing
environmental pollution in all its forms and to tackle specific environmental problems that
are peculiar to different parts of the country. The Act was last amended in 1991.

Air Act (1981)

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The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1981 and amended in
1987 to provide for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution in India.

WATER ACT (1974)

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the
prevention and control of water pollution, and for the maintaining or restoring of
wholesomeness of water in the country. The Act was amended in 1988. The Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act was enacted in 1977, to provide for the levy
and collection of a cess on water consumed by persons operating and carrying on certain
types of industrial activities. This cess is collected with a view to augment the resources of
the Central Board and the State Boards for the prevention and control of water pollution
constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The Act was last
amended in 2003.

WILD LIFE (PROTECTION) ACT, 1972

The Act made a comprehensive list of endangered wildlife species for the first time and
prohibition of hunting of the endangered species was mentioned. It also provides for the
protection of some endangered plants. It provides for setting up of National Parks, Wildlife
Sanctuaries, etc.

Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

The aim of the Forest (Conservation) Act was to ensure the protection and conservation of
trees so that they can support the wildlife as well as save the habitat of many animals and
to keep an eye on the deforestation and degradation of forest resources

To protect the forest, its flora, fauna and other diverse ecological components. To protect the
integrity, territory and individuality of the forests. To protect the forests and prevent deforestation
that will lead to land erosion and subsequent degradation of the land.

Environmental Legislation

Environmental legislation is the collection of laws and regulations pertaining to air quality,
water quality, the wilderness, endangered wildlife and other environmental factors. ... The
act ensures that matters important to the environment are thoroughly considered in any decisions
made by federal agencies

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Environmental law works to protect land, air, water, and soil. Negligence of these laws results
in various punishments like fines, community service, and in some extreme cases, jail time.
Without these environmental laws, the government would not be able to punish those who treat
the environment poorly.

The six laws related to environmental protection and wildlife are: The Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986; The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
and The Indian Forest Act, 1927

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