Type of Water Pollution Effects Control Measures

1. Infectious Agents (Bacteria, Cause various diseases in humans Proper disposal of human and
viruses, protozoa, parasitic and animals. animal waste, water purification,
worms) sanitation.

2. Oxygen Demanding Wastes Depletes dissolved oxygen, Wastewater treatment, reducing

(Organic wastes like manure, causing the death of fish and organic waste discharge, aeration
plant debris) aquatic life. of water.

3. Inorganic Chemicals (Acids, Makes water unsuitable for Industrial waste treatment,
toxic metals - Pb, As, Se, salts) drinking and irrigation, damages banning toxic substances, safe
organs. waste disposal.

4. Organic Chemicals (Oil, Causes nervous system damage, Reduce chemical usage, proper
gasoline, plastics, pesticides, cancer, harms wildlife. disposal of chemicals, regulations
detergents) on pollutants.

5. Plant Nutrients (Nitrate, Causes excessive algal growth, Proper use of fertilizers,
phosphate, ammonium ions) oxygen depletion, fish death. wastewater treatment,
controlling agricultural runoff.

6. Sediment Pollution (Soil, silt) Reduces photosynthesis, clouds Soil conservation, afforestation,
water, disrupts aquatic controlling deforestation and land
ecosystems. erosion.

7. Radioactive Materials Genetic mutations, birth defects, Proper disposal of radioactive

(Isotopes of iodine, radon, cancers. waste, regulations, monitoring
uranium, cesium, thorium) radiation levels.

8. Thermal (Heat) Pollution Increases water temperature, Cooling ponds, recycling

(Hot water from industries, reduces dissolved oxygen, affects industrial water, strict regulations
power plants) aquatic life. on discharge.

9. Point & Non-Point Sources Causes contamination of water Strict pollution laws, wastewater
(Direct industrial discharge, sources, affecting humans and treatment, eco-friendly farming
agricultural runoff) ecosystems. practices.
Type of Air Sources (Causes) Health Effects Environmental Control Measures
Pollutant Effects

1. Carbon Cigarette smoking, Reduces oxygen Contributes to Use of catalytic

Monoxide incomplete fossil transport in blood, global warming. converters, improved
(CO) fuel burning, causes headaches, vehicle emissions
motor vehicle anemia, brain standards, proper
exhaust (77%). damage, or death at ventilation.
high levels.

2. Nitrogen Fossil fuel burning Causes lung Forms acid rain Reduce fossil fuel
Dioxide (NO₂) in vehicles (49%) irritation, (HNO₃), damages combustion, use low-
and power plants respiratory issues. trees, soils, lakes, emission vehicles,
(49%). corrodes buildings install scrubbers in
and fabrics. industries.

3. Sulphur Coal and oil Causes respiratory Forms acid rain Use low-sulfur fuels,
Dioxide (SO₂) burning in power issues, aggravates (H₂SO₄), damages implement flue gas
plants (88%), asthma. trees, soil, aquatic desulfurization,
industrial life, and reduces switch to cleaner
processes (10%). visibility. energy sources.

4. Suspended Burning coal, Causes lung Reduces visibility, Use electrostatic

Particulate diesel, agriculture, diseases, bronchitis, acid deposition precipitators, bag
Matter (SPM) unpaved roads, asthma, damages trees, soil, filters, planting trees,
construction, reproductive and lakes. dust suppression
industrial problems, cancer. techniques.
processes.

5. Ozone (O₃) - Formed by Causes respiratory Contributes to Reduce industrial

Tropospheric chemical reaction irritation, chest photochemical emissions, control
of VOCs and NOₓ pain, and lung smog. vehicle emissions,
from cars and damage. limit VOC use in
industries. industries.

6. Volatile Emitted by Can cause dizziness, Contributes to smog Use low-VOC

Organic vehicles, solvents, nervous system formation. products, improve
Compounds paints, industrial damage, liver and ventilation, enforce
(VOCs) processes. kidney issues. emissions control.

7. Radioactive Nuclear power Causes genetic Leads to long-term Safe disposal of

Pollutants plants, radon gas mutations, birth radioactive radioactive waste,
from soil, defects, and contamination. proper ventilation in
improper disposal cancers. buildings, strict
of nuclear waste. nuclear regulations.
 8. Thermal Heat emissions Indirect health Alters weather Cooling towers, use
Pollution from industries, effects due to patterns, affects of alternative energy
power plants. increased ecosystems. sources, efficient
temperature. heat management in
industries.

Control Measures:

I. Source Control:

• Use unleaded petrol and low-sulfur fuels.

• Develop efficient public transport to reduce vehicle emissions.

• Encourage non-motorized transport (walking, cycling).

• Avoid building houses, schools, or play areas near busy streets.

• Plant trees along roads to absorb pollutants and reduce noise.

II. Industrial Control:

• Restrict industrial emissions to permissible levels.

• Mandate air pollution control equipment in industrial plants.

• Continuously monitor pollution levels to ensure compliance.

III. Control Methods for Removing Particulates:

• Electrostatic Precipitators – Remove fine particles from industrial emissions.

• Bag Filters – Trap pollutants before they are released into the air.

• Cyclone Separators – Separate particulates from exhaust gases.

• Wet Scrubbers – Reduce sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions and other pollutants.
 Term Definition / Explanation

Biochemical Oxygen The amount of oxygen required for the biological decomposition of organic
Demand (BOD) matter present in the water.

Chemical Oxygen The amount of oxygen required for the chemical oxidation of organic matter
Demand (COD) using an oxidizing agent like K₂Cr₂O₇ (potassium dichromate) or KMnO₄
(potassium permanganate).

Composition of Soil

Component Percentage (%)

Mineral Matter (Inorganic) 45%

Organic Matter 5%

Soil Water 25%

Soil Air 25%

Difference Between Sound and Noise

Sound Noise

Sound is a form of energy that propagates as vibrations in Noise is unwanted, unpleasant, and
the air and can be pleasant or unpleasant. disruptive sound.

It can be harmonious (music, speech) or mechanical It causes irritation, hearing loss, and is a
(machines, nature). major contributor to noise pollution.

Differences Between Primary and Secondary Air Pollutants

Primary Air Pollutants Secondary Air Pollutants

Emitted directly into the atmosphere in harmful forms. Formed by the reaction of primary pollutants
with other atmospheric components.

Examples: Carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen oxides Examples: Ozone (O₃), Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄),
(NOₓ), Sulfur dioxide (SO₂), Particulate matter (SPM). Nitric acid (HNO₃), Smog.
Point & Non-Point Sources of Water Pollution

Point Sources Non-Point Sources

Discharge pollutants from a specific, identifiable Pollutants originate from large land areas or
location (e.g., pipes, ditches, sewers). diffuse sources, difficult to pinpoint.

Examples: Factories, sewage treatment plants, oil Examples: Agricultural runoff, urban stormwater,
refineries. atmospheric deposition.