P0llution

Pollution
Pollution is a negative/undesirable change in the
environment, usually the addition of something
hazardous or detrimental

The presence of a substance in the environment that

because of its chemical composition or quantity prevents
the functioning of natural processes and produces
undesirable environmental and health effects. (EPA
Definition)

The term has been defined as the man-made or man-

induced alteration of the physical, biological, chemical,
and radiological integrity of water and other media.
(Under the Clean Water Act)
 Classification of pollution
1. Based on source of origin
a) Point Source Pollution
b) Non-point Source Pollution
2. Based on Place of pollution
a) Air pollution
b) Water pollution
c) Soil Pollution
d) Marine pollution
e) Noise pollution
f) Thermal pollution
g) Nuclear hazards
 Pollutants
Pollutants are the substances which affects
adversity quality of environment and causing
damage to humans, plants and animals

Types of pollutants
1. Ecologically, pollutants can be divided into
three types
a) Degradable or non – persistent pollutants
b) Slowly degradable or persistent pollutants
c) Non – degradable pollutants.
 Water Pollution
Any physical, biological or chemical change in
water quality that adversely affects living
organisms or makes water unsuitable for certain
use is referred as Water pollution.
 Characteristic of water
The raw or treated water can be checked and
analyzed by studying and testing their
1. Physical Characteristic of water
2. Chemical Characteristic of water
3. Biological/ Microscopical Characteristic of
water
 Characteristic of water
Physical Characteristic of water
 Turbidity. (NTU/FTU/JTU)
 Colour. (Hazens)
 Taste and Odour
 Temperature
 Specific conductivity
 Characteristic of water
Chemical Characteristic of water
 Total Solids and Suspended Solids
 pH value of water
 Hardness of water
 Nitrogen content
 Chloride content
 Metals and other chemical substances
 Characteristic of water
Biological Characteristic of water
 Bacteria
 Microscopic plants
 Viruses
 Protozoa
 Water Quality standards
1. BIS/IS Standards
2. WHO Standards
3. CPCB and SPCB Standards
4. Domestic Sewage effluent Standards
5. Industrial Effluent Standards
6. River Standards
 Water Quality standards

• ..\00 Raw\standards\wq-standards.pdf
 Major forms of Water Pollution
1. Nutrients Pollution
 Some wastewater, fertilizers and sewage
contain high levels of nutrients.
 If they end up in water bodies, they encourage
algae and weed growth in the water.
 This will make the water undrinkable, and
even clog filters.
 Too much algae will also use up all the oxygen
in the water, and other water organisms in the
water will die out of oxygen starvation.
 Major forms of Water Pollution
2. Surface water pollution
 Surface water includes natural water found on
the earth's surface, like rivers, lakes, lagoons
and oceans.
 Hazardous substances coming into contact
with this surface water, dissolving or mixing
physically with the water can be called surface
water pollution.
 Major forms of Water Pollution
3. Oxygen Depleting
 Water bodies have micro-organisms.
 These include aerobic and anaerobic
organisms.
 When to much biodegradable matter (things
that easily decay) end up in water, it
encourages more microorganism growth, and
they use up more oxygen in the water.
 If oxygen is depleted, aerobic organisms die,
and anaerobic organism grow more to produce
harmful toxins such as ammonia and sulfides.
 Major forms of Water Pollution
4. Ground water pollution
 When humans apply pesticides and chemicals
to soils, they are washed deep into the ground
by rain water.
 This gets to underground water, causing
pollution underground.
 This means when we dig wells and bore holes
to get water from underground, it needs to be
checked for ground water pollution.
 Major forms of Water Pollution
5. Microbiological
 In many communities in the world, people
drink untreated water (straight from a river or
stream).
 Sometimes there is natural pollution caused by
micro-organisms like viruses, bacteria and
protozoa.
 This natural pollution can cause fishes and
other water life to die.
 They can also cause serious illness to humans
who drink from such waters.
 Major forms of Water Pollution
6. Suspended Matter
 Some pollutants (substances, particles and
chemicals) do not easily dissolve in water.
 This kind of material is called particulate
matter. Some suspended pollutants later settle
under the water body.
 This can harm and even kill aquatic life that live
at the floor of water bodies.
 Major forms of Water Pollution
7. Chemical Water Pollution
 Many industries and farmers work with
chemicals that end up in water.
 These include chemicals that are used to
control weeds, insects and pests.
 Metals and solvents from industries can
pollute water bodies.
 These are poisonous to many forms of aquatic
life and may slow their development, make
them infertile and kill them.
 Major forms of Water Pollution
8. Oil Spillage
 Oil spills usually have only a localized effect on
wildlife but can spread for miles.
 The oil can cause the death to many fish and
get stuck to the feathers of seabirds causing
them to lose their ability.
 Industrial causes of water pollution
Industrial waste
 Industries cause huge water pollution with
their activities.
 These come mainly from: Sulphur – This is a
non-metallic substance that is harmful for
marine life.
 Industrial causes of water pollution
Oil Pollution by Oil Industries
 Routine shipping, run-offs and dumping of oils on
the ocean surfaces happen everyday.
 Oil spills cause major problems, and can be
extremely harmful to local marine wildlife such as
fish, birds, sea otters and other aquatic life.
 Because oil does not dissolve, it stays on the water
surface and suffocates fish.
 Oil also gets caught in the feathers of sea birds,
making it difficult for them to fly. Some animals
die as a result.
 Other causes of water pollution
Sewage and waste water
 Sewage is the term used for wastewater that
often contains feces, urine and laundry waste.
 The sewage and waste water that is produced
by each household is chemically treated and
released in to sea with fresh water.
 The sewage water carries harmful bacteria and
chemicals that can cause serious health
problems.
 Pathogens are known as a common water
pollutant
 Other causes of water pollution
Mining activities
 Mining is the process of crushing the rock and
extracting coal and other minerals from
underground.
 These elements when extracted in the raw form
contains harmful chemicals and can increase
the amount of toxic elements when mixed up
with water which may result in health
problems.
 Other causes of water pollution
Ocean and marine dumping
 Paper waste, food waste, plastic, rubber,
metallic and aluminum waste.
 In some countries, they are deposited into the
sea.
 All these waste types take time to decompose.
 Other causes of water pollution
Underground storage and tube leakages
 Many liquid products (petroleum products)
are stored in metal and steel tubes
underground.
 Other sewage systems run in underground
tubes. Overtime, they rust and begin to leak.
 If that happens, they contaminate the soils, and
the liquids in them end up in many nearby
water bodies
 Sources of Water Pollution
The two chief sources of water pollution can be
seen as
1. Point : refer to the pollutants that belong to a
single source. An example of this would be
emissions from factories into the water
2. Non-Point : pollutants emitted from multiple
sources. Surface water runoff.
 Sources of Water Pollution
1. Industrial effluents
2. Domestic Sewage
3. Fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural
lands
4. Leachate from solid waste disposal sites
 Commonly used Terms in Wastewater
Management
1. Sewer: The pipeline or conduit carrying
sewage.
2. Sewage: It is the liquid flowing in a sewer.
3. Sullage / Grey water: Wastewater generated
from kitchen and bathrooms.
4. Sanitary sewage / Domestic sewage:
Wastewater generated from residential areas.