Environmental Chemistry MODULE - 8

Chemistry in Everyday Life

32
Notes

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

The earth has just the right kind of conditions of temperature range, air, water,
soil for supporting life and is protected from harmful rays from the outer space by
the ozone layer. With progressive increase in human population and human
activities, the quality of air, water, soil and other natural sources get degraded
and become unfit for use by organisms. Increasing population, urbanisation and
industrialisation has led to the decreased availability of water. The quality of
water used is also being deteriorated as it is getting more and more polluted. You
may be aware of at least some health hazards and harmful effects of water pollution.
The main components of soil are 90–95%. Inorganic matter and 5–10% organic
matter besides soil contains water and air, the composition of the soil varies
considerably place to place.
Soil has become dumping ground of most of the waste products There will be
a great loss of earth crust. The dumping of nuclear waste is a world side problem,
cause of soil pollution. In this lesson a detailed account of various types, sources
and effects of water pollutants is given. Some methods of water pollution control
and legislatures involved have also been discussed.
It causes unwanted effects. In this lesson you shall learn about the sources of
pollutants and their effects on environment. Thus the pollution in many ways
threaten the existence of many organisms including human being on the earth.
Therefore, any threat of degradation or damage to the environment should be
a matter of concern the green chemistry is environment friendly living on design
of chemical products with their impacts on human health and on environment.
it reduces the use of hazardous substances.

OBJECTIVES
After reading this lesson you will be able to :
z define environment and biosphere;

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z differentiate the varions environmental segments;
z explain nature of threats to environment;
z define pollutants and its types;
z list sources of pollutants and
z explain the effects of pollutants on environment, organisms and humans in
particular.
Notes
z list earth’s water resources;
z define water pollution and its different parameters;
z list the major types of water pollutants, their sources and effects;
z distinguish between natural and man -made pollutants;
z use the concept of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and account for the
changes in a water body;
z state methods for the prevention of water pollution;
z compare primary, secondary and tertiary treatment of sewage;
z identify the sources of soil pollution;
z how to control of soil pollution,
z explain the principles of green chemistry;
z the achievements of green chemistry; and
z explain strategies to control environmental pollution.

32.1 COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT

Different organisms live in different types of surroundings such as air, water and
soil. Different kinds of living organisms share these surroundings. The surroundings
are the “environment” of an organism.
Environment has two components
(i) physical or abiotic (non-living) components and
(ii) living or biotic components.
Abiotic components of environment are air, water, soil, energy radiation, etc.
Biotic components of environment are microbes (such as bacteria, algae and
fungi), plants, animals, etc.
Environment is the sum total of living and non living components
surrounding an organism.
Environment consists of four segments such as
(i) Biosphere (ii) Atmosphere (iii) Hydrosphere, and (iv) Lithosphere

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Biosphere : All the parts of the earth are not suitable for survival of organisms.
Some parts are too hot or very cold to support life.
The part of earth on which organisms can survive and reproduce is called
biosphere.
Survival of organisms depend upon a delicate balance between themselves and
with the various components of the environment. Any disturbance, damage or
adverse change in the quality of environment poses a threat to the survival and Notes
well being of organisms. Therefore, any threat of degradation or damage to
environment should be a cause of concern to all of us.
Atmosphere : Atmosphere is the only place where free oxygen and water vapour
exist.
Atmosphere is a thin layer of air (mixture of gases) around the earth which
is a great source to all living organisms.
Hydrosphere : Water plays an important role in the biosphere, without it life is
impossible.
Hydrosphere is the part of earth on which all types of water resources exists,
viz., oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, glaciers, ice caps, ground water, etc.
Lithosphere : Soil is a part of lithosphere which supports life.
Lithosphere is the part of the earth where all types of minerals, metals,
organic matters, rocks, soils, etc. exist

Global Environmental Damages

Some example of global damages are discuss below.
(i) Chloroflouro carbons (CFCs), used as refrigerants, and various kinds of
sprays or sols (eg. perfumes, air freshner, etc.). CFCs cause ozone holes
in the ozone layer. Ozone hole refer to depletion of ozone molecules in
the ozone layer due to the reacton of CFCs.The holes in the ozone layer
appear elsewhere and not where these chemicals are used.
(ii) More ultraviolet radiations reach the earth through the ozone holes and the
reflected radiations from the earth are absorbed by CO2 water vapour, etc.
The traped radiations release more and more heat resulting in the
phenomenon of Global Warming. This effect is also known as Green
House Effect.
Global environment damage affects quality of environment over a much larger
area and is not localised to the area where the damage is initiated. Global warming
will cause ill effects and are not confined to the area causing the damage. It
causes wide range of effects like melting of glaciers, polar caps, rise in water
level of sea and flooding of costal plains, etc.

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INTEXT QUESTIONS 32.1

1. Define environment.
2. What are the two components of environment?
3. List three biotic components?
4. How do CFCs affect the ozone layer? Notes
5. What are the different segments of environment?

32.2 POLLUTION
In ancient times human settlements began and flourished along river banks as
rivers provided them basic facilities. Growth of population forced people to move
to other places. They started utilising natural resources such as trees and soil
(mud) to build shelters. More waste material started collecting at places they
inhabited. Humans themselves created conditions for disposal of waste (sanitation).
Humans then started industries to manufacture goods for their own comforts.
Pesticides and chemical fertilisers were manufactured to grow more food for the
growing demand by population. Industries also generated wastes, which ultimately
finds its way to water sources. Pesticides and chemicals were washed into natural
water bodies such as sea, river, lakes and ponds and affected the aquatic organisms.
Supply of potable (safe for drinking) water diminished. All this badly affects life
of organism including humans. All such waste generated through human activities
and spoiling the natural environment is termed as pollutants. Damaging the natural
environment by pollutants is termed as pollution.
Pollution refers to deterioration or unclean objectionable conditions in the quality
of natural resources such as air, water and soil because of the action or presence
of unwanted substances beyond a certain limit.

32.3 POLLUTANTS
Pollutants are the substances or effect introduced into the environment in significant
amounts in solid, semi solid, liquid gas or sub molecular particle form which has
a detrimental (bad) effect on the environment.
The pollutants may be classified in the following ways (Fig.32.1).

Fig. 32.1 : Classification of pollutants

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32.3.1 Natural Pollutants
There can be several natural sources which are the cause of pollution. Some of
them are listed below :
(i) Fires in forests may be caused when lightening strikes the trees. Burning of
tree produces a lot of CO2 which is released to the atmosphere.
(ii) Soil erosion increases suspended particulate matter and dust in air. These Notes
may even enter water bodies as they are washed down by rain or natural
water falls.
(iii) Volcanic eruptions also add pollutants like SO2 and solid particles to the
environment.
(iv) Volatile organic compounds from leaves, trees and dead animals naturally
enter the atmosphere.
(v) Natural radioactivity and the other natural pollutants have been entering the
environment since ages. (But the low level of pollution has rarely endangered
lives of organisms).

32.3.2 Anthropogenic Pollutants

Increased human activities releases a large amount of pollutants to the environment
and poses a threat to the human life. Pollutants added to the environment through
human activities are termed anthropogenic pollutants. These are of two kinds.
(i) Primary pollutants: Primary pollutants are added directly in a harmful form
to the atmosphere. eg CO2 and CO from burning of fossil fuel; SO2 and
oxides of nitrogen from vehicular combustion, thermal power stations, etc.
(ii) Secondary Pollutants: Secondary pollutants are the products of reaction
between the primary pollutants and normal environmental constituents.

2SO2 + O2 ⎯⎯
→ 2SO3

Thus, SO2 a primary pollutant which reacts with oxygen of air to give SO3.
Further, SO3 reacts with water vapour present in the atmosphere and forms
H2SO4. Thus SO3 and H2SO4 are secondary pollutants.

SO3 + H2O ⎯⎯
→ H2SO4

2NO + O2 ⎯⎯
→ 2NO2

Nitric oxide (NO), a primary pollutant reacts with oxygen to give NO2 which
is a secondary pollutant.

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Depending on the sources. anthropogenic pollutants may be classified further into
(i) Industrial Pollutants
(ii) Domestic Pollutants
(i) Industrial Pollutants: Paper, textile industries, tanneries and distilleries
dispose various effluents like oil, grease, plastic and metallic wastes into
the environment. Notes
(ii) Domestic Pollutants: Detergents, fluoride toothpastes, edible colours,
food flavouring agents, polythene bags and wrappers find their way into
the environment as pollutants. Methane is produced in cattle stomach and
in stagnant paddy fields is also a domestic pollutant.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 32.2

1. Define a pollutant.
2. Name two sources of natural pollution.
3. Define a secondary pollutant.
4. What do you mean by environmental pollution?

32.4 SOURCES OF POLLUTANTS

Many of the pollutants in our environment have natural as well as human related
origins. For example, the natural origin of pollutants includes the release of sulphur
dioxide (SO2) from volcanic eruptions, erosion of soil by wind and water, dissolved
minerals carried on to rivers and ocean by surface run off, etc.

The sources of pollutants are also classified :

(i) Stationary and

(ii) Mobile sources

Stationary Sources : The pollutants relased from a fixed location or a well defined
area is known as stationary source. e.g. smokestacks of power plants, smelters,
surface mines, etc.

Mobile Sources : The pollutants released from diffused sources or the sources
that move from place to place is termed as a mobile source. e.g. automobiles,
buses, aircrafts, ships, trains, etc.

The various pollutants of water, their sources and effects are given in Table 32.1

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Table No. 32.1 : Major Air Pollutants their Sources and Effects
Major Pollutants of Air Some of the Sources Some of the Effects
SO2 Vehicular combustion, fossil Irritation to the eyes, acid rain
fuel burning premature falling of leaves
CO and CO2 Vehicular combustion and Global warming, green house effect
burning of fuels and CO has great affinity for
hydrocarbons haemoglobin and forms the
carboxy haemoglobin Notes
Smoke, fly ash and soot Thermal power stations Respiratory diseases.
Lead and mercury Auto exhaust from gasoline, Affects the nervous system and
paints, storage batteries. fossil circulatory system causing nerve
fuel burning and brain damage.
CFCs Refrigerants and aerosol Kidney damage and ozone
depletion.

The various pollutants of water, their sources and effects are summerised in
Table No. 32.2
Table 32.2 : Major Water Pollutants their Sources and Effects

Major Pollutants of Water Some of the Sources Some of the Effect

Pesticides and insecticides Improper use in agriculture, Toxic to fishes, predatory
like DDT, BHC mosquitos repellants birds and mammals.
Plastics Homes and industries Kills fishes and animals like
cows.
Chlorine compounds Water disinfection with chlorine, Fatal for plankton (organisms
paper and bleaching powder floating on the surface of
industries water) foul taste
and odour, can cause
cancer in humans.
Lead Leaded gasoline, paints, etc. Toxic to organisms
Mercury Natural evaporation and dissolved Highly toxic to humans
industrial wastes, fungicides
Acids Mine drainage, industrial wastes Kills organisms
Sediments Natural errosion, run off from Reduces ability of water to
fertilizer and other factories, assimilate oxygen.
mining and construction activities.

The general effects of pollutants are produced due to interactions of pollutants

among themselves.

Contamination
Contaminations refer to the mere presence of undesirable materials to a medium
like air, water, soil, etc. making it unfit for a particular use. For example,
contamination of air by hazardous exhaust from automobiles. It becomes a
pollutant if its concentration exceeds the level which can cause harmful effect.

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32.5 AIR POLLUTION
You have just learnt how nature has its own means of using up and getting back
its components such as CO2, O2 and N2. If the balance of CO2, O2 or N2 is disturbed
by human activity then it will have adverse affect on life on the earth. Now you
know why environmentalists are deeply concerned about environmental pollution,
tree plantations and afforestation.
Notes
Undesirable changes have occurred in the physical and chemical constituents of
air due to human activities. Undesirable change in the atmosphere is air pollution.
Pollutant gases such as SO2 oxides of nitrogen, CO and excessive amount of CO2
have been added to the atmosphere. Air pollutant may be classified as particulate
matter, liquid droplets and gaseous pollutants (Fig 32.2) :

Soot Hydrocarbons SO2

Fly ash H2S
Flourides NO(x)
Lead NH3
Dust from cement CO2 and CO
and other industries Photo-chemical
Sodium chloride oxidants (O3, PAN)
Agricultural chemicals Tobacco smoke

Fig. 32.2 : Classification and Example of Air pollutants

32.5.1 Particulate Pollutants

Particulate pollutants such as soot and fly ash are released by various industries
as by products of industrial processes. They are blown away by wind when they
come out of the chimneys and other outlets of industries and mix with air.

Suspended particulate matter is also emitted by exhaust of polluting diesel vehicles

and ill managed coal fired power plants. In nature, forest fires, wind erosion and
volcanic eruptions add suspended particulate matter into air. Examples of
particulate pollutants are soot, flyash from thermal power plants, cement dust,
petrocoke from petroleum refineries. Some of the particulate pollutants are
discussed in detail below:

Fluoride: Aluminium, steel and electrochemical plants, blast furnaces, brick kilns,
coal combustion, tile and glass etching factories add fluoride particles which settle

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on vegetation. They burn tips of leaves and when cattle eat the vegetation they
suffer from fluorosis resulting in loss of teeth, weight and lameness. Humans also
suffer from fluorosis. Volcanoes also release fluorides which form gaseous as
well as particulate pollutant.

Lead: Lead particles come into air from automobile exhausts. Lead is used as an
antiknock agent in automobile gasoline which contains tetraethyl lead. Paint,
ceramic and pesticide industries also add lead particles to the atmosphere. Notes
Manufacture of lead storage battries and recycling of discarded battries add to
lead pollution. Lead interferes with development of red blood corpuscles and
causes anaemia (lack of haemoglobin - the oxygen carrying pigment of blood).
Lead is a cumulative poison and prolonged exposure even in low concentration
may damage kidneys and liver.
Dust: Particulate matter less than 10 microns in size is dust. It reaches lungs,
deposits along the respiratory tract and causes asthma or even lung cancer. Dust
from stone crushers is another example of particular pollutant.
Sodium chloride: Sodium chloride is used to remove snow in winter and remains
in the enviromnent. Some sodium chloride is also added to the environment when
waves of the sea spray it. Excess sodium chloride has been found to cause defoliation
(leaf falling), suppression of flowering and breaking of terminal shoots of apple.
Agricultural chemicals: Chemical insecticides, herbicides and other pesticides
are known to have damaging effects on plants. They are toxic to animals and
humans also. Residues of pesticides get suspended as particulate matter in air.

32.5.2 Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons which may be in the form of liquid droplets or gas pollute air. As
liquid droplets they spill or are added through seepage of oil fields and natural
gas leakage. Methane is emitted in the swamps and paddy fields by methanogenic
bacteria. Methane (CH4) is also generated in stomachs of ruminant animals.
Incomplete combustion of fuels release 3, 4 benzopyrene which causes lung cancer.
Pesticides, paints and solvents also release hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are a
source of photochemical smog.

32.5.3 Gaseous Pollutants

SO2, CO2, nitrogen oxides are commonly added to the air by human activities.
Excess of these have very serious damaging effects on the physical environment
as well as on humans.
SO2 and H2S : These are released into atmosphere through smelting of ores
containing sulphur, manufacture of H2SO4 petroleum refining, combustion of fossil

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fuels, paper making, burning of sulphur containing refuse and in nature through
volcanic eruptions. Plants exposed to SO2 and H2S show defoliation (leaves falling
off) and reduced growth.

In humans, SO2 pollution causes headache, vomiting, irritation of eye and

respiratory passages. SO2 reacts with water to form H2SO4 which is washed down
as acid rain about which you shall study later in the chapter.
Notes
Nitrogen Oxides: Anaerobic breakdown of nitrogenous compounds by bacteria
is the natural source of nitrogen oxides. Burning fossil fuel also releases them.
Power generators, automobile exhausts, explosives and nitrogenous fertilizer
industries and the other anthropogenic sources produce nitrogen oxides.

NO2: causes early dropping off of leaves and fruits in plants. Nitrogen oxides are
one source of photochemical smog, acid deposition and greenhouse effect. .

CO2 and CO : Combustion of oil, gas, coal and wood releases CO2 in the
atmosphere. CO is released chiefly from gasoline engines and burning of coal in
defective furnaces. Motor vehicles with internal combustion engines emit high
levels of CO and hydrocarbons. Excess of CO2 can cause global warming, CO
causes photochemical smog and has a fatal effect when inhaled by humans.

CO poisoning: CO has a high affinity for haemoglobin. It combines with the

blood pigment haemoglobin to form carboxyhaemoglobin. The normal function
of haemoglobin is to carry O2. But CO combines with haemoglobin about two
hundred times faster than O2. Tissues do not get oxygen and die due to lack of
oxygen. Carboxy haemoglobin is dark red in colour, the victims of CO poisoning
have dark red lips. Mild CO poisoning causes lung disorders like bronchitis and
emphysema. CO from cigarette smoke makes haemoglobin non functional in
smokers.

Photochemical oxidants: Primary pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and

hydrocarbons mix in the atmoshpere and form secondary pollutants like
peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and ozone, under the influence of UV radiation from
the sun. Both PAN and O3 form photochemical smog. PAN and O3 are toxic to
plants. In humans they cause irritation of eyes coughing, headache, dry throat,
respiratory problems and haemorrhage.

Tobacco smoke: Smoke from burning cigarettes or bidis contains nicotine,

aromatic hydrocarbons and tar. These cause problems of blood pressure and heart,
windpipe and lungs in the smoker as well as those around the smoker. Cigarette
smoke is also carcinogenic. The various human and natural activities which
introduce air pollutants into the atmosphere are summarised in Table 32.2

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Table 32.3 : Common air pollutants, their sources and contribution of Natural and
Anthropogenic pollution

Emission (% of total)
Air Pollutants Some Sources Natural Anthropogenic
Sulphur oxide (SOx) Fossil fuel burning, industry biomass 50 50
biomass burning, volcanoes, oceans.
Carbon monoxide (CO) Incomplete combustion, methane 91 9 Notes
oxidation, transportation, biomass
burning, plant metabolism.
Nitrogen oxide (NOx) Fossil fuel burning, lightening, 40 60
biomass burning, soil microbes.
Hydrocarbons (HC) Fossil fuels, industrial processes, 84 16
evaporation of organic solvents,
agricultural burning, plant isoprenes
and other biogenics.
Suspended Particulate Biomass burning, dust, sea salt, 89 11
Materials (SPM) biogenic aerosols, gas to particle
conversion.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 32.3

1. What is atmospheric pollution?
2. Name two particulate pollutants.
3. Name two gaseous pollutants?
4. Name one source which causes pollution due to methane.
5. Name two air pollutants which form photochemical smog.

32.6 EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE ATMOSPHERIC

POLLUTANTS ON NATURE (OUTDOOR
POLLUTION)
You are now familiar with the various atmospheric pollutants. Most of these are
products of fuel combustion. These pollutants have been released into atmosphere
ever since human first started burning wood and coal. Later on, pollutants are
being released into air due to increased industrial activity. The nature has not
been able to remove all these pollutants because much more pollutants are added
than the nature can handle to maintain the balance. Therefore, pollutants have
now accumulated in the atmosphere to a proportion whereby atmospheric
composition of air has been significantly altered. It is the causes of physical
phenomena such as photochemical smog, acid rain, ozone depletion, greenhouse
effect and global warming. These are damaging to plants, animals and humans.

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The figure Fig. 32.3 shows the four major effects of atmospheric pollutants. In
the diagram, arrows from the pollutant depicts its involvement in the physical
phenomenon. The sources of the pollutants are depicted below the names of the
pollutants. The four major phenomena are subsequently discussed one by one.
They are temperature inversion, photochemical smog, acid rain, greenhouse effect
and ozone layer (shield) depletion.

OZONE SHIELD DISTRUCTION Notes

GREEN HOUSE EFFECT AND GLOBAL WARMING

ACID DEPOSTION

CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS
PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG
CARNBON MONOXIDE

SULPHURE DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES

CARBON DIOXIDE
HYDROCARBONS

HALOGENS
METHANE

[Nox] [HCL] [CO] [SO2] [CO2] [CH2] [CFC5] [CxFxBrx]

Automobile Automobile Automobile

Fire
Plastic foam extinguisher
Farms
Fossil fuel Fossil fuel
Pesticides burring Deforestation
burring
PAINT
Deforestation
Refrigeration
Fossil fuel burring
Paints Solvents

Fig. 32.3 : Four Major Effects of Atmospheric Pollutants

32.7 TEMPERATURE INVERSION AND PHOTO-

CHEMICAL SMOG
Pollutants like sulphur dioxide which is released while burning sulphur containing
fuels (fossil fuels) and particulate matter like soot present in stagnant air masses,
get modified in sunlight and form a sheet called photochemical smog.
Smog is a combination of fog, smoke and fumes released by mills and
factories, homes and automobiles.
When sunlight falls on stagnant air under low humid conditions in the presence of
pollutants such as SO2 soot, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons, photochemical

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smog is formed (photochemical: chemical reactions in the presence of light).
Smog stays close to the ground and reduces visibility and causes irritation.
Photochemical smog is also called PAN smog due to the formation of peroxyacetyl
nitrate or PAN and ozone which are formed from hydrocarbons and nitrogen
oxides in the presence of solar radiation. PAN and ozone are called photochemical
oxidants. Both of these are toxic irritants to human lungs.
Notes
Smog formation is accompanied by Temperature inversion or Thermal inversion,
Temperature inversion causes smog to settle and remain near the ground till wind
sweeps it away. Normally, warm air rises up into atmosphere. When a layer of
cool air at the ground level is held there by an overlying layer of warm stagnant
air. It is called temperature or thermal inversion (Fig.32.4).
Coal.................

Rising warm air

Industrial smoke Domestic smoke

(A) NORMAL CONDITIONS

No cool winds to dispence smoke

Cooler air due to dropin temperature
at night, sattles at ground level
and forms amog

(B) FOG FORMATION Temperature invesrsion

Warmer air
Smoke+fog form a dense
blanket of smog which cools
and settles down

(C) TEMPERATURE INVERSION

AND SMOG FORMATION Peroxides
O O
SO NO sool HC PAN
SO

Motor car
exhaust
(D) PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG

Fig. 32.4 : Formation of Photochemical Smog and Temperature Inversion

Exposure to smog causes respiratory problems, bronchitis, sore throat, cold,

headache and irritation to eyes (red shot eyes). Smog also damages crops
and reduces crop yield.

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32.8 ACID RAIN
Coal and oil burned by power plants and other industries release SO2 into air
because coal and oil contain small amount of sulphur. Automobile exhausts add
SO2 and nitrogen oxides to the air. Both SO2 and nitrogen oxides are converted
into acids HNO3 and H2SO4 when they combine with oxygen and water vapour in
the atmosphere as per the following photo chemical reactions.
Notes
2SO2 + O2 + 2H2O → 2H2SO4
4NO2 + O2 + 2H2O → 4HNO3
This reaction is promoted by O3 in smog. The acids, so formed are washed down
from air to earth during rain or snow fall. It is called acid rain or acid snow. The
acids react with minerals present in soil to form sulphates and nitrates due to acid
rain.
Rain water even in its purest form is slighlty acidic with pH 5.6 due to dissolved
CO2. But areas near coal and oil burning industries and where motor vehicles ply
in large numbers, pH goes down to 2 and rain becomes strongly acidic. Mountain
foot hills are the worst affected. There is moisture laden air rises to higher altitudes
it condenses to fall as rain or snow, dropping its load of pollutants. In spring.
snow melts and adds pollutants to lakes and other water bodies.
When the dissolved pollutants drop as rain or snow (wet deposition) it is termed
acid precipitation. Deposition of dry gases and salts is dry deposition. Acid rain
spreads over areas of several hundreds to several thousand kilometers.

32.8.1 Effects of Acid Rain

Some of the effects of acid rain are listed below:
(1) Excessive acid concentrations are phytotoxic (toxic to plants). There have
been widespread death of trees in forests due to acid rain.
(2) Sea waters are rich in minerals and have great buffering capacity. But
buffering capacity of fresh water bodies is low and acid deposits have a
toxic effect on the fresh water ecosystems.
(3) Mature (capable of reproduction) fish survives in acid rain fed water bodies
but fails to reproduce. So there are no young fish in such waters.
(4) Exposed surfaces of buildings, statues get corroded. Limestone or marble
(CaCO3) structures are specially damaged (Fig. 32.5).
The chemical reaction is like
CaCO3 + H2SO4 → CaSO4 + CO2 + H2O.
The sulphates are leached out by rain water.

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(5) Acidic sulphate when present in the atmosphere causes laziness. Acidic
mist falling on the ground reduces visibility.

Notes

Fig. 32.5 : A Stone statue showing corrosive effects of Acid Rain

32.9 GREEN HOUSE EFFECT AND GLOBAL WARMING

The literal meaning and function of green house is to trap the heat. You must
have seen delicate plants being grown in a glass chamber which is comparatively
warmer inside than outside. Glass permits solar radiations to come in but restricts
the outward movement of heat. The radiations get trapped inside the glass chamber
and raises the temperature.
Gases such as CO2, NO2, CFCs (chloro fluorocarbons) allow sun rays to pass
through them but then absorb and reradiate the heat back towards the earth.
These are therefore termed as green house gases.

Solar radiation reflected

by earth

Absorbed radiation
Green house re-emitted by
gases green house gases

Trapped
solar radiation global warming

Fig. 32.6 : Green House Effect

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32.9.1 Greenhouse Gases
The common green house gases and their sources of pollution are listed below:
(1) CO2 - from fossil fuel burning.
(2) NO2 - from fertilizer plants, automobile exhaust use
and animal waste.
(3) CH4 - from bacterial decomposition, biogas, Notes
flooded rice fields.
(4) CFCs - from freon, (a refrigerant), areosol sprays.
(5) HALONS (halocarbons) - from fire extinguishers.

32.9.2 How Does Earth’s Atmosphere Trap Heat?

Radiations (ultra violet) from the sun penetrate the earth’s atmosphere and reach
earth. The surface of earth partially absorbs the radiations. The rest is re-radiated
as infrared radiation from the earth’s surface. In polluted air, molecules of CO2,
CH4, CFCs, N2O, O3 and water vapours are present. These gases can absorb
infrared radiations but cannot absorb the ultra violet radiations. Energy of these
trapped radiations raise the temperature of earth and its atmosphere. Thus if
proportion of green house gases increases in the atmosphere heat trapped by
them will raise the temperature of the earth and will cause global warming.
Greenhouse effect leading to global warming shall have severe effects on rainfall,
sea level, plant and animal growth..
Global warming is defined as the increase in the average global temperature
of the atmosphere near earth’s surface.
(1) Rise in sea level: It is estimated that by the turn of the century a rise of 5°C
in global temperature will be due to effect of greenhouse gases if not checked
now. Polar ice caps would melt because of rise in temperature and add more
water to sea. Moreover water expands when it heats up. This will lead to
rise of sea level. It will flood the low lying coastal area and many cities will
get submerged in water.
(2) Drought: A 3° C warming will result in 10% decrease in precipitation (rain
fall) and this will decrease rain fall causing drought conditions.
(3) Effect on plant growth: Drought will reduce photosynthesis in plants and
lead to reduced growth of plants.
(4) Effect on animals: Warmer conditions will encourage growth of pests.
(5) Water shortage: Increase in temperature will lead to increased evaporation
leading to shortage of water for agricultural, municipal and industrial use.
(6) Climatic changes : It has great effect on climate changes. For example,
spring now occurs about a week earlier than normal time.

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(7) Increase in CO2: Warmer conditions accelerate microbial degradation of
organic matter and add more CO2
(8) Day and Night temperature : Night temperatures have increased more
than day temperature as green house gases prevent heat from escaping at
night.
(9) Formation of ozone hole :
Notes
The atmosphere has two layers, the stratosphere and troposphere. Stratosphere lies 15
km to 50 km above the surface of earth. The energy of the sun splits some molecular O2
in this layer to give individual (O) atoms which combine with intact molecular oxygen to
give O3. The layer of O3 forms a shield as it absorbs UV rays and prevent them from
striking the earth. If UV rays penetrate our atmosphere the life would not be possible as
organisms cannot tolerate heavy doses of UV radiation. Troposphere is the atmospheric
layer closest to the earth’s surface whose compostion you have already studied. Chloro
fluorocarbons and halons released into the atmosphere have destroyed the ozone shield
and an ozone hole has been detected at the South Pole of Antartic and North Pole of
Arctic.

32.10 DEPLETION OF OZONE LAYER

Ozone shield depletion is primarily caused due to the following reasons:
(a) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the heat transfer agents used in refrigerators
and air conditioners, and foaming agents in foam cups and cartons.
(b) Halons or halocarbons are anti fire agents used in fire extinguishers.
The ozone in the stratosphere is being depleted by the presence of mainly
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halogen gas, particularly chlorine. The highly
energetic ultra violet radiation splits up the CFCs, releasing chlorine. The released
chlorine is responsible for convertion of the ozone into oxygen molecule
consequently depletion of ozone layer occurs as per the following equations.
Cl + O3 → ClO + O2
ClO + O → Cl + O2
It is believed that one molecule of CFC is capable of destroying 1,00,000 ozone
molecules in the stratosphere. The area where the ozone is completely destroyed
is known as ozone hole. The first ozone hole was observed over Antaractic Ocean.
The important function of ozone layer in the stratosphere in to protect us from
dangerous ultra violet (UV) radiations from the sun by absorbing it.

32.10.1 Effects of Ozone Depletion

Ozone layer depletion will allow more UV rays to enter the troposphere and will
cause a series of harmful effects such as :
(1) Plants and animals living on the surface will start dying.

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(2) UV radiation will fasten the formation of smog
(3) Temperature of the earth will increase leading to rise in sea level and flooding
of low lying areas.
(4) More UV rays will directly fall on the skin of humans causing skin cancer.
(5) Leaves of plants will show chlorosis (loss of chlorophyll and yellowing),

Notes
32.11 EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON HUMANS
Air is mobile and impact of air pollution on ecosystems is reduced as wind blows
away pollutants. But when winds are calm, air pollution becomes not only
damaging but life threatening.
The damaging effects of atmospheric pollution have been described along with
the account on pollutants. Long term exposure to moderate pollution causes
more discase and death. Some adverse effects of air pollution on humans are
summarised in table 32.4.
Table 32.4 : Effects of air pollutants on humans

Disease / Discomfort Caused by

Emphysema. Bronchitis CO, SO2, PAN, O3

Eye irritation, headache SO2, PAN, O3
Silicosis. Asbestosis Suspended particulate matter like
silica, asbestos.
Coronary artery disease Tobacco smoke
Anemia, kidney, liver damage Pb
Fluorosis, Skin Cancer Fluorides
Poisoning death CO

32.12 CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION

The alarming rate at which the atmosphere is being polluted, soon there will be
more ailing human beings than healthy. The need of the hour is to put a quick
check to atmospheric pollution.
Since most of air pollutants are emitted during combustion of fossil fuels, there
are two practical approaches for air pollution control which are discussed below:
(i) One approach is control undesirable changes in the air we breathe by
observing the following precaution :
(a) Limiting pollutants into air by using sulphur-free oil and coal, using catalytic
convertors in automobiles and avoiding burning of waste material.
(b) Taking stringent measures against release of emissions from industries.

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(ii) The other approach is to use sources of energy other than fossil fuels such
as wind, water, solar power, etc. Use bicycles and battery powered cars
rather than vehicles with internal combustion engines. Service vehicles should
use lead free petrol.
Above all, it is necessary to educate the general public. Air pollution should become
every human being’s concern. Only then will the air become more congenial to
healthy living. Notes

INTEXT QUESTIONS 32.4

1. What is smog?
2. Name two photochemical oxidants.
3. Name two gases which form acid rain.
4. Mention any four greenhouse gases.
5. What are the sources of freons and halons in air?
6. What effect does acid rain have on marble statues ?
7. Mention one measure to control air pollution.

32.13 WATER POLLUTION – PARAMETERS

A large amount of water is discharged back after domestic and industrial usage.
This is contaminated with domestic waste and industrial effluents. When this
contamination reaches beyond certain allowed concentrations, it is called pollution
and the contaminants are called the pollutants. Water pollution may be defined
as the contamination of streams, lakes, seas, underground water or oceans by
substances, which are harmful for living beings. If the concentration of substances
naturally present in water increases then also the water is said to be polluted.
Water pollution may be defined as the contamination of streams, lakes, seas,
underground water or oceans by substances, which are harmful for living beings.
Industrialisation and population explosion are two important factors for water
pollution.
Water may be called polluted when the following parameters stated below reach
beyond a specified concentration in water.
(i) Physical parameters. Colour, odour, turbidity, taste, temperature and
electrical conductivity constitute the physical parameters and are good
indicators of contamination.

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For instance, colour and turbidity are visible evidences of polluted water
while an offensive odour or a bitter and difference than normal taste also
makes water unfit for drinking.
(ii) Chemical parameters: These include the amount of carbonates, sulphates,
chlorides, fluorides, nitrates, and metal ions. These chemicals form the total
dissolved solids, present in water.
Notes
(iii) Biological parameters: The biological parameters include matter like algae,
fungi, viruses, protozoa and bacteria. The life forms present in water are
affected to a good extent by the presence of pollutants. The pollutants in
water may cause a reduction in the population of both lower and higher
plant and animal lives. Thus, the biological parameters give an indirect
indication of the amount of pollution in water.

32.14 WATER POLLUTION – SOURCES

Water pollutants refer to the substances which are capable of making any physical,
chemical or biological change in the water body. These have undesirable effect
on living organisms. As mentioned earlier, the water used for domestic, agricultural
and industrial purposes is discharged with some undesirable impurities in it. This
contamination leads to the pollution of water, which is generally called the fresh
water pollution. Fresh water pollution may be classified into two types: surface
water pollution and ground water pollution.

32.14.1 Surface Water Pollution

When pollutants enter a stream, river or lake these gives rise to surface water
pollution. The surface water pollution has a number of sources. These can
categorised as:
• Point and Non-point Sources
• Natural and Anthropogenic Sources
(i) Point and Non-point Sources
The well-defined sources that emits pollutants or effluents directly into different
water bodies of fresh water are called point sources. Domestic and industrial
waste are examples of this type. The point sources of pollution can be effectively
checked. On the other hand, the non-point sources of water pollution are scattered
or spread over large areas. This type of sources deliver pollutants indirectly through
environmental changes and account for majority of the contaminants in streams
and lakes. For example, the contaminated water that runs off from agriculture
farms, construction sites, abandoned mines, enters streams and lakes. It is quite
difficult to control non-point sources.

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(ii) Natural and Anthropogenic Sources
As mentioned earlier, an increase in the concentration of naturally occurring
substances is also termed pollution. The sources of such an increase are called
natural sources. Siltation (which includes soil, sand and mineral particles) is
one such natural source. It is a common natural phenomenon, which occurs in
most water bodies. Indiscriminate deforestation makes soil loose and flood waters
bring silt from mountains into streams, rivers and lakes. Notes
On the other hand, the human activities that result into the pollution of water are
called anthropogenic or man made sources of water pollution. For example,
domestic (sewage and waste water), industrial and agricultural wastes that goes
into the rivers, lakes, streams and seas are anthropogenic sources. Certain materials
that are leached from the land by run-off water and enter the various water bodies
also belong to this category. The anthropogenic sources of water pollution are
shown in Fig. 32.7.

Precipitation Disposal and injection

Land fill dump and leguon Pumping
Pumping or refuse pile well
well Imigation
Sewer
Soptic tank
or cesspool Water
table
Leakage Discharge Percolation Leakage Aquifier (fresh)

Leakage Aquifier (fresh)

Internation input Discharge or injection

Urintentional input
Direction of ground water movement Aquifer (saline)

Fig. 32.7 : Anthropogenic Sources of water pollution

32.14.2 Ground Water Pollution

When the polluted water seeps into the ground and enters an aquifer it results
into ground water pollution. The most of our villages and many townships,
ground water is the only source of drinking water. Therefore, pollution of
groundwater is a matter of serious concern. Groundwater gets polluted in a number
of ways. The dumping of raw sewage on soil, seepage pits and septic tanks cause
pollution of groundwater. Fig. 32.3. The porous layers of soil hold back solid
particles while the liquid is allowed to pass through. The soluble pollutants are
able to mix with the groundwater. In addition to these, the excessive use of
nitrogenous fertilizers and unchecked release of toxic wastes and even
carcionogenic substances by industrial units many ressult in slow trickling down

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through the earth’s surface and mixing with the groundwater. This problem is
very serious especially in areas where water table is high (i.e., where water is
available near surface of earth).
The ground water can move over large distances by virtue of the large empty
space available below the earth’s surface. This way if some impurities seep into
the ground water at one point, they may be observed at a different point far
removed from the point of source. In such a case it is difficult to estimate the Notes
source of water pollution. However, suspended impurities and bacterial
contaminants are removed in the process of seepage by the soil acting as an
absorbent and filter, and water acting as a solvent.
Since the movement of groundwater through the porous rock is very slow,
pollutants which get mixed with the groundwater are not readily diluted.
Furthermore, groundwater does not have access to air (in contrast to surface
water) therefore, oxidation of pollutants into harmless products in groundwater
does not occur.

32.15 WATER POLLUTANTS

You have read the various sources from where pollutants enter the water bodies.
Let us now learn about the various types of pollutants arising out of these sources.
These can be broadly put under the following types.
(i) Sewage Pollutants (Domestic and Municipal Waste)
(ii) Industrial Pollutants
(iii) Agricultural Pollutants
(iv) Radioactive and Thermal Pollutants
(i) Domestic and Municipal Pollutants : The sewage contains garbage, soaps,
detergents, waste food and human excreta and is the single largest sources
of water pollution. Pathogenic (disease causing) microogranisms (baccteria,
fungi, protozoa, algae) enter the water system through sewage making it
infected. Typhoid, chloera, gastroenteritis and dysentery are commonly
caused by drinking infected water. Water polluted by sewage may carry
certain other bacteria and viruses cannot grow by themselves, but reproduce
in the cells of host organisms. They cause a number of diseases, such as,
polio, viral hepatitis and may be cancer which are resistant to like the organic
matter are oxygen demanding substances. They are responsible for
deoxygenation of water-bodies which is harmful for aquatic life.
Other ingedients which enter the various water bodies are the plant nutrients,
i.e., nitrates and phosphates. They support growth of algae, commonly called
algal bloom (blue-green species). This process is called eutrophication
and is discussed in details in the next section.

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(ii) Industrial Pollutants : Many industries are located near rivers or fresh
water streams. These are responsible for discharging their untreated effluents
into rivers like highly toxic heavy metals such as chromium, arsenic, lead,
mercury, etc. along with hazardous organic and inorganic wastes (e.g., acids,
alkalies, cyanides, chlorides, etc.). River Ganges recives wastes from textile,
sugar, paper and pulp mills, tanneries, rubber and pesticide industries. Most
of these pollutants are resistant to breakdown by microorganisms (called
nonbiodegradable), therefore damage the growth of crops and the polluted Notes
water is unsafe for drinking purposes.
Factories manufacturing plastic, caustic soda and some fungicides and
pesticides release mercury (a heavy metal) along with other effluents in nearby
water body. Mercury enters the food chain through bacteria, algae, fish and
finally into the human body. The toxicity of mercury became evident by the
Minamata Bay tragedy in Japan during the period 1953-60. Fish died due to
mercury consumption and those who ate fish were affected by mercury
poisoning and quite a few died. The milder symptoms of mercury poisoning
are depression and irritability but acute toxic effects can cause paralysis,
blindness, insanity, birth defects and even death. The high concentration of
mercury in water and in fish tissues results from formation of soluble
monomethylmercury ion, (CH3, Hg+) and volatile dimethylmercury [(CH3)2
Hg] by anaerobic bacteria in sediments.
(iii) Agricultural Waste: Manure, fertilizers, pesticides, wastes form farms,
slaughterhouse, poultry farms, salts and silt are drained as run-off from
agricultural lands. The water body receiving large quantities of fertilizers
(phosphates and nitrates or manures becomes rich in nutrients which leads
to eutrophication and consequent depletion of dissolved oxygen.
Consumption of water rich in nitrates is bad for human health especially for
small children.
Pesticides (DDT, dieldrin, aldrin, malathion, carbaryl etc.) are used to kill
insect and rodent pests. Toxic pesticide residues enter the human body
through drinking water or through food chain (biomagnification). These
compounds have low solubility in water but are highly soluble in fats. For
example, the concentration of DDT in river water may be very low but some
fish over a period of time accumulate so much of DDT that they become
unfit for human consumption. The use of pesticides in our country is
increasing very rapidly.
Some of these chemicals which are highly toxic become metabolised by
animals that graze on fields. Therefore, these poisonous chemicals have been
often observed in the humanfood chain. The presence of these chemicals in
humans even in minute amounts can cause hormonal imbalance and may
lead to cancer.

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(iv) Physical Pollutants: Physical pollutants can be of different types. Some of
them are discussed below :

(a) Radioactive Wastes : Radionucleides found in water are radium and

potassium-40. These isotopes originate from natural sources due to leaching
from minerals. Water bodies are also polluted by accidental leakage of waste
material from uranium and thorium mines, nuclear power plants
and industries, research laboratories and hospitals which use radioisotopes. Notes
Radioactive materials enter human body through water and food, and may
be accumulated in blood and certain vital organs. They cause tumours and
cancer.

(b) Thermal Sources: Various industries, nuclear power plants and thermal
plants require water for cooling and the resultant hot water is often discharged
into rivers or lakes. This results in thermal pollution and leads to the imbalance
in the ecology of the water body. Higher temperature lowers the dissolved
oxygen level (which is very essential for marine life) by decreasing the
solubility of oxygen in water. Fish and other aquatic organism can get affected
by a sudden change in water temperatures.

(c) Sediments : Soil particles carried to streams, lakes or oceans form the
sediments. The sediment become polluting due to their large amount. Soil
erosion defined as the soil carried by flood water from crop land, is responsible
for sedimentation. The sediments may damage the water body by introducing
a large amount of nutrient matter.

(v) Petroleum Products: Petroleum products are widely used for fuel,
lubrication, plastics manufacturing, etc. and happen to be poisonous in nature.
Crude oil and other related products generally get into water by accidental
spillage from ships, tankers, pipelines etc. Besides these accidental spills, oil
refineries, oil exploration sites and automobile service centres pollute different
water bodies. Oil slick which floats on the water surface causes death of
marine life and severely affects the ecosystem of the ocean.

A list of various types of water pollutants, their sources and effects have been
summarised in Table 32.1.
Table 32.1: Types of water pollutants, their sources and effects
Pollutant Sources of Pollutants Effects and Significance
1 Pathogens Sewage, human and animal Depletion of dissolved oxygen
wastes, natural and urban runoff in water (foul odour) health
from land, industrial waste effects (outbreaks of water
borne diseases)

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2 Organic pollutants Automobile and machine waste, Disruption of marine life,
z Oil and grease tanker spills, offshore oil leakage aesthetic damage
z Pesticides and Chemicals used for better yield Toxic effects (harmful for
weedicides from agriculture aquatic life), possible genetic
z Plastics Industrial and household waste defects and cancer; kills fish
z Detergents Industrial and household waste Eutrophication, aesthetics
3 Inorganic pollutants Agricultural runoff Algal bloom and
Fertilizers eutrophication, nitrates Notes
(phosphates and cause methemoglobenemia
nitrates)
Acids and alkalies Mine drainage, industrial wastes, Kill fresh water organisms,
natural and urban runoff unfit for drinking, irrigation
and industrial use.
4 Radioactive Natural sources, uranium mining Cancer and genetic defects
materials and processing, hospitals and
research laboratories using
radioisotopes
5 Heat Cooling water for industrial, Decreases solubility of oxygen
nuclear and thermal plants in water, disrupts aquatic
ecosystems
6 Sediments Natural erosion, runoff from Affects water quality, reduces
agricultural land and construction fish population
sites

INTEXT QUESTIONS 32.5

1. Define water pollution.
2. List any three anthropogenic sources of water pollution.
3. List the parameters indicating water pollution.

32.16 WATER POLLUTION AND SOME BIOLOGICAL

EFFECTS
The natural source of water in the form of precipitation or rain is the purest form
available in nature. However after reaching the surface and then underground it
gets contaminated by a number of pollutants. There are some biological factors
also mentioned earlier responsible for spoiling the quality of water. These include
the lower plants like algae and bacteria which are the causes of nutrient
accumulation in aquatic systems. This nutrient accumulation gives rise to a
condition called eutrophication explained below.

32.16.1 Eutrophication
Eutrophication is a process by which a water body slowly becomes rich in plant
nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates due to soil erosion and run off from the

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surrounding land. Let us try to understand this phenomenon. A water system like
a lake or any reservoir may get a large inflow of organic matter from domestic
wastes and run off from the surrounding land. Increasing human population,
intensive agriculture and rapid industrial growth have led to an increasing release
of domestic waste, agricultural residues, industrial wastes and land run-off into
various water bodies. Nutrients are released from organic waste by aerobic (oxygen
requiring) bacteria which start decomposing it. Dissolved oxygen is consumed in
this process. As more and more organic matter enters a water body, more is the Notes
deoxygenation of the water body and larger is the production of nutrients. These
nutrients fertilize an abnormal growth of algae and other large water plants such
as duckweed. As more plants grow, some of them die also due to larger oxygen
demand and therefore oxygen deficiency in the water body (i.e., deoxygenation
of the water body). Such a water body is said to be eutrophied and the process
is called eutrophication. The word eutrophication is derived from the Greek
word which means well nourished as (eu:true, trophos:feeding)
Eutrophication of a water body results due to the release of large amount of
nutrients by the action of aerobic bacteria on organic wastes entering a
water body naturally or by human activity.
The above discussion leads us to a concept called biological oxygen demand
(BOD). Let us try to understand by the description given below.

32.16.2 Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

The quality of oxygen used up by microorganisms at 27ºC and in darkness during
3 days in breaking down organic wastes in a water body is called its biological
oxygen demand (BOD).
It can be explained in the following manner.
You know that there are many organic compounds or waste present in a water
body. The microorganisms present in the system act upon this waste for their
own consumption and growth. In the process the metabolic activity requires
oxygen which is met by the dissolved oxygen present in water. It is this amount of
oxygen which is defined as biological oxygen demand (BOD). The BOD value
of an aquatic system depends upon:
z the type and amount of organic waste
z the organisms acting on it
z temperature and pH
The greater the amount of organic waste in the water body, the greater is the
amount of oxygen required to break it down biologically and therefore higher is
the BOD value of water. This value is a good measure in evaluating the degree of
pollution in a water body. The less polluted water shows comparatively low value
of BOD. Its value is used as a criterion for managing water pollution of a water

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body. An evaluation is made by determining oxygen concentration in water before
and after incubation at 20ºC in dark for 5 days.

32.16.3 Biomagnification
A variety of toxic chemicals move through food chains. Toxic pesticides may be
sprayed for controlling insect pests, fungi, herbs, but they concentrate in the food
chain and harm to other (non target) organisms. For example, DDT was sprayed Notes
in the U.S. to control mosquitoes at a concentration expected to be harmless to
non target organisms like fish and birds. DDT accumulated in the marshes and
planktons. Planktons were eaten by fish and the fish had a higher concentration
of DDT in its body. Further, when birds ate the fish, they accumulated still higher
concentration. This increase in concentration of accumulated toxic chemicals as
one goes higher in the food chain is termed biomagnification. Biomagnification
has at times threatened the reproduction and survival of carnivores (secondary
consumers) who occupy the highest level of the food chain.

Aerobic bacteria converts organic

Sewage and agriculture wastes into nutrients and consumes
run-off enter a water body. oxygen leading to oxygen deficiency
in the water -body.

Eutrophication, i.e.,
high nutrient content

Increased growth of algae leading to Oxygen depletion causes

algal bloom. Also more plants die off. death of marine life. Water
Both steps lead to increased use up of body is rendered useless and
dissolved oxygen water smells.

32.17 WATER POLLUTION – SOME CONTROL MEASURES

Waste water generated by household activity, industries or garbage landfills is
called sewage which is classified as the municipal water pollution. Sewage contains
solid matters in the form of suspended colloidal and dissolved organic matter,
detergent, mineral matter, nutrients and gases. Sewage is one of the major causes
of water borne diseases and therefore the treatment of sewage is one of the
important tasks. For a long time treatment of municipal waste in the form of
sewage involved mainly of the removal of suspended solids, oxygen demanding
materials and harmful bacteria. Now the disposal of the solid residue from sewage
has been improved by applying municipal treatment processes.

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The treatment of this waste water is carried out in the following three stages:
(i) Primary treatment
(ii) Secondary treatment, and
(iii) Tertiary treatment
Primary Treatment: When the waste water is to be dumped off into a river or
flowing steam, the treatment is carried out by sedimentation, coagulation and Notes
filtration. This is known as primary treatment. If the water is required for drinking
purposes, it has to undergo further treatment called secondary and tertiary
treatments. The following steps are performed to do primary treatment of water:
(i) Sedimentation: This step is carried out in large tanks specially built for this
purpose in sewage treatment plant. The polluted water is allowed to settle
so that silt, clay and other matter settle to be bottom and water is slowly
allowed to move out. Fine particles do not settle and are thus required to be
removed in the next step.
(ii) Coagulation: Fine particles and colloidal suspension are combined into large
particles by a process called coagulation. This step is carried out by the
addition of special chemicals called coagulants (flocculants) such as potash
alum. The large particles either settle to the bottom or are moved in the next
step.
(iii) Filtration: Suspended particles, flocculants, bacteria and other organisms
are filtered by passing the water through a bed of sand or finely divided coal
or through some fibrous materials. The total impurities collected in these
steps are called sludge. It is used as a valuable fertilizer. On composting
(i.e. the action of anaerobic bacteria), it releases sludge gas. It consists mainly
of methane gas which is used for cooking purposes.
Secondary or Biological Treatment: The water after primary treatment is not
fit for drinking purposes and has to undergo further treatment. This is done through
secondary or biological treatment. A commonly used method is to allow polluted
water to spread over a large bed of stones and gravel so that the growth of
different microorganisms needing nutrients and oxygen is encouraged. Over a
period of time a fast moving food chain is set up. For example, bacteria consume
organic matter from the polluted water; protozoa live on bacteria. Every form of
life including algae and fungi help in the cleaning up process. This is called
secondary treatment of water. It involves the following processes
(i) Softening : By this treatment undesirable cations of calcium and magnesium
are removed from hard waters. Either water is treated with lime and soda
ash to precipitate Ca2+ ions as carbonates or it is passed through cation
exchangers. This makes water soft.

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(ii) Aeration: In this process, soft water is exposed to air by forcing air through
it to add oxygen to water. This encourages bacterial decomposition of organic
matter into harmless products such as carbon dioxide and water. The addition
of oxygen reduces carbon dioxide. sulphide etc.. The water is as yet not fit
for drinking purposes. The pathogenic and other microorganisms need to be
killed. This is done in the next treatment.
Tertiary Treatment : The tertiary treatment is actually disinfecting water. Notes
Chlorine is the most commonly used disinfectant used for killing bacteria.
However, chlorine also reacts with traces of organic matter present in water and
forms undesirable chlorinated hydrocarbons (toxic and potentially carcinogenic).
It is therefore desirable to reduce the organic matter in water before passing
chlorine gas. Other methods of disinfection such as ultraviolet radiation, ozone
gas treatment or reverse osmosis are preferred over chlorine treatment. But
these methods are more expensive. Fig. 32.8 gives a clear picture of the process
of sewage treatment in total.

(a) Primary (b) Secondary

Grate Grit chamber Primary Sludge
sedimentation tank Aeration tank setting tank

Sludge return Air pump

Sludge is incinerated, Sludge line

composted,
or used as
soil ammendment
Sludge drying bed

Chlorination
Trickling bed tank
i

Fig. 32.8 : Treatment process of sewage

In a treatment plant, the waste is passed through a series of screens, chambers and
chemical processes to reduce its bulk and toxicity. During primary treatment a large
percentage of suspended solids and inorganic material is removed from sewage. The
secondary stage reduces organic material by accelerating natural biological processes.
Tertiary treatment is done when water is to be reused. Here 99% of solids are removed
and various chemical processes are used to ensure that water is free from infecting
materials.

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INTEXT QUESTIONS 32.6

1. Define eutrophication.
2. Why does aquatic life get killed in an eutrophied pond?
3. What is the significance of BOD?
4. What is biomagnification? Notes

32.18 SOIL POLLUTION

The adulteration of soil (land) by the addition of unwanted substances is known
as soil pollution.

Sources of pollution
1. Industrial waste: The industrial wastes are the major cause of soil pollution
because the wastes are toxic due to presence of cyanides, chromates, acids,
alkalies, metal like nickel, cadmium, mercury and lead. Some industries like
paper industries Sugar mills, textile mills and distilleries, chemical industries
& cement industries are also responsible for soil pollution. The wastes of
these industries are not bio-degradable.
2. Urban and domestic waste: The urban and domestic wastes referred as
soil refuse, containing garbage, and rubbish, paper pieces, glass, plastics
polythene bags, cans detergents and cakes. These substances emit gases,
toxic hydrocarbons and pathogenic microbes cause to disease.
3. Agricultural chemicals: The fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides insecticides
and fungicides are commonly used to save and increase the yield of crops
but they have polluted the soil. Some time the entry of these chemicals in
food chain has cause to adverse effects on health of consumers.
4. Fertilizers: The fertilizers increase the yield crop it has no doubt but the
excessive use has adverse effects. It disturb the pH of soil, ionic balance
and the presence of certain elements. So they have a number of health
hazards. The nitrites cause to cancer in human body.
5. Pesticides: The chemicals are used to kill or to stop the growth of unwanted
organisms and entry of these chemicals into food and water cause cause
effect on the health of animals and human beings.
6. Insecticides: Some chemicals like DDT, BHC, aldrin, dieldrin are used to
kill the insects, the use of DDT is banned by the Government because It
is not biode gradable. It also effects the next crop in the field due to
observed by the soil. Some bio degradable organ phosphates, carbonates
may be used in place of insecticides.

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7. Herbicides: The compounds used to control the growth of weeds, some
inorganic compounds like sodium chlorate and sodium arsenite (Na3AsO3)
were commonly used as herbicids. These one toxic in nature. So Now-a-
days organic herbicide Triazines are preferred.
8. Fungicides: Fungicides are used to chock the growth of fungi. Fungi is
one those plants in which chlorophyll is not present i.e. they can not make
their food by the process photosynthesis. They live an dead organic matters
Notes
as saprophytes. Organic compounds of mercury have been used as
fungicides. Many people in Iraq resulted to death due to eating breads made
from grains that been treated with methyl mercury fungicide. It’s use have
many disastrous consequences because these compounds breakdown in soil.
Control of soil Pollutions: The following steps have been suggested to control
the soil pollutioins:
(i) The use of chemical fertilizers can be reduced by applying bio-fertilizers
and manures.
(ii) Re cycling and recovery of materials appears to be a reasonable solution
for reducing soil pollutions. Materials like papers, gas and some kinds of
plastics can be recycled.
(iii) Control of land loss can be attempted through restoring forests and grass
cover to check soil erosion and flood.
(iv) Proper methods should be adopted for the disposal of solid wastes.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 32.7

1. What is refuse?
2. Write the name of one insectide?
3. What is soil erosion?

32.19 GREEN CHEMISTRY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TOOL

FOR REDUCING POLLUTION
We have discussed about hazards of environmental pollution in these units. The
main reasons of this pollution is due to rapid industrialization, productions and
use of toxic chemicals. An important initiative to protect the environment from
chemical effluents and wastes is known as Green chemistry.
“Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce
or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.”
Green chemistry is environment friendly, linking the design of chemical products
and processes with their impacts on human health and the environment.

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Principles of Green Chemistry
(i) The use of starting materials, reagents and solvents which are less
hazardous to man and his environment.
(ii) More efficient use of raw materials.
(iii) Utilisation of chemical reactions which completely incorporate the starting
materials in to final products and last amount of by product.
Notes
(iv) Search new alternatives which are environmental friendly.
(v) It is better to prevent the waste than to treat or cleanup the waste after
it has been created.

Achievements of Green chemistry

(i) Development of dense phase CO2. Dense phase CO2 has been recently
developed chemical product with amazing characteristics. It has ability to
clean everything. It can be used as recyclable solvent and finds number of
applications in food industries.
(ii) Development of fuel cells of cellular phones which can last for the full life
time of the phone.
(iii) Development of process involving use of CO2 as a blowing agent for
manufacture of poly styrene foam. This technology discard the use of chloro
fluoro carbon.
(iv) H2O2 hydrogen peroxide gives better results and not harmful for bleaching
of clothes in the laundary instead of tetrachloro ethene (Cl2C=CCl2). This
compound is suspected to be carcinogenic and contiminated the ground
water.
(v) Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is used with catalyst for bleaching papers,
instead of toxic chlorine gas.
(vi) Ethanal (CH3CHO) is now a days being prepared an a commercial scale
by one step oxidation of ethane in presence of ionic catalyst in aqueous
solution

CH 2 = CH 2 + O 2 Pd(II)Cu(II)
uuuuuuuuuuuuur CH 3CHO (90%)
in water

32.20 STRATEGIES TO CONTROL ENVIRONMENTAL

POLLUTIONS
Environmental pollutions affects the plants, animals and human beings as well
as materials. The production and improper disposal of waste are causes for the
great deal of environmental pollution. In addition to the have hold waste

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thesewage and municipal garbage, many toxic industrial wastes from
manufacturing processes require treatment and safe disposal. The biodegradable
and non-biodegradable waste like polythene bags plastics, metal scrap should
be put in separate boxes. The biodegradable waste is deposited in the land fills.
Industrial wastes are also sorted as biodegradable and non-biodegradable,
should be put in separate boxes. Fly ash, furnace stag mud and failings and
gypsun like non-biodegradable wastes have produce great problem. Some Notes
chemical industries producing inflammable wastes and hazardous chemicals as
by products.
Some methods are usually employed one given below
1. Recycling: When materials one recycled, there are several benefits, apart
from savings on the cost of raw materials, waste disposal costs are reduced.
(i) the collections and recycling of glass.
(ii) Iron scrap can be used in manufacturing steel.
(iii) Polythene bags and plastics can also recycled.
(iv) The newspapers, used copies, and magazines can be used for making
papers.

Sewage treatment
Sewage is the liquid waste which includes house hold wastes, Industrial wastes
ground wastes, etc. which contains 99.9 water with inorganic, organic matters
in dissolved, suspension and colloidal states. It involves the following stages.
(i) The removal of large solid particles. It can be done by screening and
sedimentation. The solid wastes are deposited in land fillsites.
(ii) It is allowed to stand is tanks. Many solids settle down by the use of the
chemicals like alums and ferrousulphate while oil, grease, float on the surace
which can be shimmed off.
(iii) Next stage involve the biological oxidation of organic content of waste
materials by microorganisms followed by filtration.
(iv) Finally some physical and chemical processes are applied to remove some
chemicals like phosphates and adding chlorine to improve the quality of
waste water.
(i) Incineration: It convert the organic and biogical wastes to carbon dioxide
and water at higher temp 1273 k and excessive supply of oxygen. Exhaust
gases must be filtered. The incomplete oxidation of Poly chlorinated
biphynyls (PCBs) may convert to toxic polychlorobidenzodioxins (PCDDs).
Main problem of this process is air pollution due to incomplete oxidations.

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(ii) Digestion: In digestion, sluge is kept in a closed tank in the absence of
air for a prolonged period whereby it goes anaerobic respirations, yields
gases like carbon dioxide methane and ammonium sulphide. The methane
gas can be used as fuel.
2(CH2O) —→ CO2 + CH4
(iii) Dumping: Dumping of the sewage stage into sea has been very common.
Notes
However dumping of the sluge into land is increasing now-a-days. Because
it has nitrogen and phosphorous which act as fertilizers for the soil.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 328

1. Write the names of those wastes which can be recycled
2. Name the chemicals which are used in sedimentation of solid waste.
3. How the incrination cause to air pollutions?

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

z Surroundings in which we live is our environment.
z There are two components of environment : physical or abiotic and living
organisms or biotic
z Pollutants may be defined as substances added to natural surroundings.
z There are two major sources of pollutants - stationary and mobile.
z Pollutants have adverse effects on environment and living organisms.
z SO2, CO2, CO, smoke, Pb, Hg, CFC, etc. pollute air. Their sources and effects
are varied.
z Pollution in simple words is the unhealthy and harmful condition for living
organisms and non-living things.
z Pesticides, plastic, detergents, chlorine, mercury, etc. pollute water and
endanger life of aquatic organisms.
z Unwanted sounds are termed as noise. Sounds is measured in decibels. Beyond
70 decibels noise has harmful effects on humans.
z The Government of India has set up various environmental laws and judiciary
system to punish the polluters.
z Nature’s balance has beeen upset by human activities releated to urbanisation,
industrialisation and intensive agriculture.

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z Atmosphere is made up of gases of which nitrogen - 78%, oxygen - 21%,
carbondioxide - 0.1 to 0.3%, inert gases 1 %
z Increase of temperature with altitude is known as positive lapse rate where
as decrease in temperature with increase of altitude is negative lapse rate of
temperature.
z Air pollution is due to
(i) particulate matter (soot, dust) Notes

(ii) aerosols composed of hydrocarbons

(iii) gases like SO2, NO2 are mostly released by burning fossil fuels.
z NO2 and hydrocarbons are modified by sunlight to form photochemical smog.
Smog is a combination of smoke and fog. Automobile exhausts give out NO2
and hydrocarbons. They form PAN (peroxyacetyl nitrate) which along with
ozone and SO2 forms photochemical smog.
z Smog cools and settles down near the earth and forms a blanket, while warmer
air covers it. Thus there is a ‘temperature inversion’ with warm air above and
cool air below unlike in the normal conditions.
z SO2 and NO2 form acids which drop as H2SO4 and HNO3 on statues and spoil
them. This is called acid precipitation. Acid rain kills trees, prevents
reproduction in fish and causes poor visibility.
z Greenhouse gases are CO2, NO2, CH4, chlorofluorocarbons and halons. They
trap solar radiation and cause global warming.
z Global warming due to greenhouse effect leads to drought, rise in sea level,
lack of rain and water shortage.
z There is a layer of ozone in stratosphere, which protects us from UV radiation
by absorbing it.
z Chlorofluorocarbons which are used in refrigerators and foam cups as aerosols
and halons used in fire extinguishers, when released into the air cause depletion
of ozone shield which protects us from harmful effects of solar radiations. It
is feared that ozone depletion will have damaging effects on humans such as
causing skin cancer.
z Complete destruction of ozone layer over an area is termed as ozone hole.
z Air pollution causes respiratory diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis,
eye irritation, fluoroisis, cancer and may even be fatal.
z Control measures include use of sulphur free oil and coal, use of alternative
sources of energy such as wind and solar power, use bicycle and battery
powered vehicles, stop burining waste indiscriminately, have stringent
measures for release of emissions from industries and above all educate general
public and caution them against releasing air pollutants.

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z Water pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological change that has
an undesirable affect on living organisms.
z Sewage, industrial, agricultural pollution and physical pollutants are the
various sources of water pollution. These sources may be limited to a point
sources or spread over large areas (non-point sources).
z Sewage, fertilizers, detergents, toxic wasters released by industries are some
of the sources of groundwater pollution. Notes
z Phosphatic, and nitrogenous fertilizers cause algal bloom and severe oxygen
depletion in water body. The water body is said to be eutrophied.
z The quantity of oxygen needed by micro-organisms in degrading organic
wastes in a water body is defined in terms of its biological oxygen demand
(BOD).
z Biological magnification of toxic materials released into water bodies poses
a serious threat to aquatic life and eventually to human life.
z Polluted water may be made useful for human consumption by subjecting it
to various treatments.
z Legislative measures have been enacted in our country to restrict the pollution
of various water bodies.

TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. What is environment?
2. Explain the term anthropogenic pollutants.
3. Write four major pollutants of water, their sources and effects.
4. Differentiate between the Primary and Secondary Pollutants.
5. What are the damaging effects of SO2 and NO2 on plants and animals?
6. Write a note on carbon monoxide poisoning.
7. What is thermal inversion and how is it caused?
8. Enumerate the various effects of acid rain.
9. What is ozone hole? What are the effects of ozone depletion?
10. Why does sea level rise due to global warming?
11. How do greenhouse gases cause global warming.
12. Mention five disease/discomforts in humans caused by different air pollutants.
13. Enumerate the various measures of control of air pollution.
14. How the industrial wastes and domestic wastes are helpful in soil pollution?

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15. What one fungicides.
16. How to control soil pollution?
17. Explain main effects of water pollutions.
18. What are the various types of water pollutants? State their consequences.
19. What are the effects of detergents on fresh water bodies?
Notes
20. What are the various sources of groundwater pollution?
21. How is the disease ‘methaemoglobinaemia’ caused?
22. How can domestic waste be used as manure?
23. What will be the problem arise due to abundance of phyto plankton?
24. Write in brief about sewage treatment.

ANSWERS TO INTEXT QUESTIONS

32.1
1. The air, water, earth and living beings in a joint form is called environment.
2. There are two components of environment namely biotic and abiotic.
3. Living organisms such as plants, animals, microbles, etc.
4. Causes holes in the ozone layer.
5. Atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.

32.2
1. Any substance which is present in its excess concentration such as CO2, CO,
SO2.
2. Volcenicerruptions and run-off from surface mines.
3. Secondary pollutants are the products of reaction between the primary pol-
lutant and the normal environmental constituents.
4. Environmental pollution is the deterioration or unclean objectionable condi-
tions in the quality of natural resources such as air water and soil because of
the action or presence of unwanted substances in undesirable concentration.

32.3
1. undesirable level of undesirable and harmful substances in the atmosphere
2. soot, fluoride, Pb dust, NaCl (any two)
3. SO2, CO2, CO, NH3, H2S (any two)

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4. methanogenic bacteria, ruminant stomach, fermentation in water logged paddy
fields (any one).
5. PAN and O3

32.4
1. fog and smoke
Notes
2. O3 and PAN
3. SO2 and NO
4. CO2, NO2, CH4, CFC, Halons
5. refrigerants, fire extinguishers
6. corrode them
7. reducing use of fuel which releases air pollutants and use clean renewable
fuels. Educate everyone about dangers of pollution.

32.5
1. Refer to section 32.2
2. Refer to section 32.3.1. (ii)
3. Refer to section 32.1

32.6
1. Refer to section 32.5.1
2. Refer to section 32.5.1
3. Refer to section 32.5.2
4. Refer to section 32.5.3

32.7
1. The urbon and domestic wastes referred as soil refuse containing.
2. DDT or BHC,
3. The loss of fertile layer (dipper layer) of soil is called soil erosion.

32.8
1. Glass, polythene, ion, paper etc.
2. Potash Alumns and ferrous sulphate.
3. The conversion of biological wastes to CO2 and water at 1273 K. The
incomplete oxidation PCBS are also causes to air pollutions.

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