Lecture 7,8 & 9

Lecture 7,8 & 9

By Chirag Bhargava

What is Pollution?
Definition: Pollution is the act of contaminating or polluting the environment by
introducing (intentionally or accidentally) unwanted substances or factors that cause
harmful effects on:
Nature
Humans
Plants
Animals
It is an undesirable state of the natural environment, where contamination occurs due
to human activities.

Pollutants
Substances (solid, liquid, gas) present in quantities greater than natural levels due to
human activity.
Types of Pollutants:
Degradable/Non-persistent: Break down quickly (e.g., domestic sewage,
vegetable waste).
Slowly degradable/Persistent: Degrade slowly (e.g., DDT, plastics).
Non-degradable: Do not degrade (e.g., lead, mercury).

What is a Pollutant?
Even small quantities can be harmful
Human needs: 12 kg of fresh air daily – 12-15 times more than food.
Exposure to pollutants, even in small amounts, can lead to serious health issues.

Air Pollution

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Definition
The release of harmful natural or synthetic materials into the atmosphere due to
human activity (OECD).

Atmosphere Composition
78% Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
1% CO₂, water vapor, and other gases

Sources of Air Pollution

Natural: Volcanoes, forest fires, dust storms, oceans, vegetation.
Anthropogenic:
Stationary:
Point Sources: Industries, power plants
Area Sources: Residential heating, open burning
Mobile:
Line Sources: Vehicles, ships, railroads

Historical Milestones
Bans on coal use in medieval England (1272–1422)
“Fumifugium” by John Evelyn (1661)
Rise of pollution post-industrial revolution (1784 onwards)
Key US Regulations:
1955: Federal Air Pollution Control Act
1963: Clean Air Act
1967–1970: Emission and performance standards (NAAQS, NSPS)

Types of Air Pollutants

Primary Pollutants (direct emissions)
Smoke, dust, SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter)
CO, CO₂, NOx, SOx, VOCs, Pb

Secondary Pollutants (formed in atmosphere)

Acid Rain, Smog, PAN (Peroxyacetyl Nitrate), Ozone

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Particulates
PM1: ≤1 μm, affects alveoli
PM2.5: ≤2.5 μm, affects trachea
PM10: ≤10 μm, affects nasal cavity

Short-lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs)

Methane, Black Carbon: contribute significantly to warming

BAP (Benzo[a]pyrene) and PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) are toxic organic
pollutants formed during incomplete combustion of organic matter. They are carcinogenic,
persistent in the environment, and can contaminate air, water, and soil, posing serious health
and ecological risks.

Health Effects
Respiratory illnesses (COPD, lung cancer)
Cardiovascular diseases
Carcinogens like BAP: exposure equivalent to 20 cigarette packs/day (from wood
cooking)

Air Pollution in Delhi

Nov 2019, Nov 2021, Nov 2024: AQI crossed 1,200, declared most polluted city globally

Government Interventions
21-point Winter Action Plan
Closure of coal power plants, promotion of gas-based ones
BS-VI vehicle norm enforcement
Bans on firecrackers (except for religious occasions)
Incentives for EVs, old vehicle phase-out
Real-time monitoring systems
Hotspot identification: 13 major areas targeted for intensive action

Technologies & Regulations

Electrostatic Precipitators
Catalytic Converters
Online Emission Monitoring

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Air Ambience Fund (diesel tax to promote clean tech)

Industrial switch to Piped Natural Gas (PNG)

Water Pollution and Quality

Water Cycle Facts
505,000 km³ water evaporates annually; 86% from oceans
Only ~0.3% of Earth’s water is usable freshwater
After evaporation, the residence time in the atmosphere is about 9 days before it falls on
Earth.

Water Composition
Pure water (H₂O) is never found in nature; always contains:
Chemical (nutrients/toxins)
Microbial (beneficial/harmful)

Physical Characteristics of Water

Colour
Taste/Odour
Turbidity
Solids
Conductivity
Temperature
pH

Pollution Indicators
BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand): Amount of oxygen used by microbes to break
down organic matter.
Measured as BOD₅ (5 days at 20°C)
The typical range of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is:
Unpolluted water: 1–2 mg/L
Moderately polluted water: 3–5 mg/L
Heavily polluted water: >5 mg/L
COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)

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TOC (Total Organic Carbon)

Toxic Chemicals & Emerging Contaminants

Heavy metals: Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium
Pesticides, Pharmaceuticals, Microplastics, PFAS
Trihalomethanes, DDT (limits: 0.001 mg/L)

Ganga Action Plan (GAP)

Introduction
The Ganga Action Plan was launched to improve the water quality of the River Ganga by
reducing pollution. It has been implemented in two major phases:

Phase I of GAP
Launched: June 1985
States Involved: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal
Completion: Year 2000
Initial Objective: Improve water quality by preventing pollution load from reaching the
river.
Revised Objective (1987): Restore water quality to ‘Bathing Class’ standards, as
decided by the Monitoring Committee chaired by Prof. M. G. K. Menon.

Phase II of GAP
Started: In stages between 1993 & 1996
States Covered: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Delhi,
Haryana
Aims:
Improve Ganga’s water quality
Serve as a model for improving other polluted rivers
Cover left-out works from Class I cities, and include Class II and III towns
Include major tributaries like Yamuna, Gomati, and Damodar
Funding Structure:
Initially: 50:50 Centre-State
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Post-1997: Central Government took full control

Later: Funding pattern revised to 70:30 (Centre: State)

SWOT Analysis of GAP (2011)

Strengths:

Political will and central leadership

Created public awareness
Infrastructure like STPs (Sewage Treatment Plants) was initiated

Weaknesses:

Inadequate sewage infrastructure

Delays in project execution
Weak monitoring and coordination

Opportunities:

Expand to tributaries and other rivers

Public-private partnerships
Community participation

Threats:

Rapid urbanization and population growth

Industrial effluents and untreated sewage discharge
Limited enforcement of environmental regulations

Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) – Key Steps &

Processes
1. Screening and Pumping:
Removes large debris (rags, plastic, grease)
Screened materials sent to landfills
2. Grit Removal:
Fine but heavy materials (sand, gravel) removed
Disposed in landfills
3. Primary Settling:

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Uses clarifiers for slow-settling particles (primary sludge)

Floating materials skimmed off
Chemicals added to remove phosphorus
4. Aeration / Activated Sludge:
Main treatment step: Biological degradation by microorganisms
Organic matter converted into cell mass, water, nitrogen
5. Secondary Settling:
Separation of treated wastewater from biological sludge
Sludge recycled to aeration tanks
6. Filtration:
Fine filtration using 10-micron filters
Backwashed residue returned for re-treatment
7. Disinfection:
UV light used to kill remaining pathogens
Ensures compliance with discharge norms
8. Oxygen Uptake:
Final aeration step to ensure sufficient dissolved oxygen
Treated water discharged into rivers/water bodies

Pollutant Removal Efficiency: Up to 98% or more

Soil: The “Skin of the Earth”

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Characteristics and Role

Formed from weathered rock (soft: 15 years; hard: hundreds of years)
Influenced by climate (faster in warm, humid conditions)
Anchors plants, supplies nutrients and water
Central to biogeochemical cycles
Acts as a buffer, regulates temperature, and supports biodiversity

Soil Fertility
Factors Influencing Fertility:

Organic Matter – Improves structure and nutrients

Soil Texture – Sand, silt, clay; loam is ideal
Compaction – Hinders root growth
Water Holding Capacity – Essential for drought resistance
Biological Activity – Microbial diversity drives nutrient cycling

Quote: “Fertilizers are not a substitute for fertile soil” – Donald Worster

Soil Horizons / Profile

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Soil Pollution
Definition:
Contamination by chemicals or substances that negatively impact organisms and ecological
functions.

Causes:

Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides

Industrial wastes, sewage, and petroleum products
High salinity, waterlogging
Solid waste landfilling
Radioactive pollution

Example:

DDT Case Study: Showcases bioaccumulation and biomagnification, leading to

harmful effects on food chains

Consequences:

Low crop yield

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Degraded fertility
Groundwater contamination
Disruption of microbial and nutrient cycles
Decreased water retention

Soil Erosion
Definition: Removal of topsoil by agents like water, wind, and ice
Natural and Anthropogenic Causes: Includes urban development, deforestation,
improper agriculture

Healthy Soil vs. Polluted Soil

Characteristic Healthy Soil Polluted Soil

Structure Good aeration, infiltration Compacted, poor infiltration
Organic Matter High Low
Microorganisms Diverse, active Reduced diversity
Nutrient Cycling Efficient Impaired
Pollutants Minimal Heavy metals, chemicals
Water Retention Good Poor
Plant Growth Supports healthy yields Stunted or inhibited growth
Ecosystem Services Maintained Degraded

Radioactive Pollution
Historical Event:
6–9 August 1945: Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings by the U.S. during WWII
Bombs Used:
"Little Boy" – Uranium gun-type
"Fat Man" – Plutonium implosion
Impact:
120,000 to 140,000 people killed instantly
Long-term effects include radiation sickness and cancers

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