Introduction to Environmental pollution

Course Title: Environmental Pollution

Course code: ENV-223
BS Environmental Sciences
Presenter: Dr. Aqsa Kanwal
Assistant Professor Department of Environmental Sciences
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

❑Environmental Pollution can be defined as any undesirable change in physical,

chemical, or biological characteristics of any component of the environment i.e. air,
water, soil which can cause harmful effects on various forms of life or property.

❑ Types of Pollution- a) Air Pollution

b) Water Pollution
c) Land Pollution/ Soil Pollution
d) Sound Pollution/ Noise Pollution

❑Generally, Substances that causes pollution is called as Pollutant.

❑ Types of Pollutant –

Depending on origin- a) Persistent & non-Persistent

Depending on nature of disposable- b) Degradable or Non-Degradable

Depending on source-) Point source and non-point source
❑ Generally, Substances that causes pollution is called as Pollutant.

❑ Pollutants are basically two types –a) Persistent pollutants: pesticides, nuclear wastes, and plastics etc.

b) Non-Persistent pollutants: plant debris, animal debris, etc.

❑ From another perspective, pollutants can be classified as follows:

▪According to origin- Man-made pollutant (pesticides, fungicides) and natural pollutant (dust)

▪According to nature- Primary pollutant (CO, NOx, dust) and Secondary pollutant (Ozone, Smog, PAN)

▪According to decomposition nature- Degradable (plant debris) and Non-Degradable pollutant (plastic,
D.D.T)

▪According to origin- Point source pollutants (iron, zinc) and Non-point sources (rural sanitation, mining)
 Water Pollution

▪Water Pollution can be defined as alteration in physical, chemical, or biological

characteristics of water through natural or human activities and making it
unsuitable for its designated use.

▪Physical characteristic refres to colour, taste, turbidity and smell of water.

▪Chemical characteristic refers to- pH, TDS, DO, COD, BOD.

▪Biological characteristic referes to- presence of biological components i.e. bacteria,

fungi, etc.

▪On Earth, only 1/3th part of available water from ice and groundwater is pure, rest is
contaminated.
 SOURCES OF WATER
The sources oPf wOateLr

LpolUlutTionIOcanNbe classified as
▪Municipal Waste Water

▪Industrial Pollution- wastes

▪Inorganic Pollutants- from industries,
fine particles of heavymetals,
metals,
etc. Municipal waste water
chlorides,

▪Organic Pollutants- oil, phenols, organic acids like HNO3 etc.

▪Agricultural Wastes- Chemical fertilizers, pesticides

▪Marine Pollution – Grease, oils, detergents,

▪Thermal pollution -Thermal plants and nuclear plants

Industrial pollution

Marine pollution Thermal pollution

Agricultural pollution
 EFFECT OF WATER
POLLUTION
▪An excessive amount of mercury in water can cause Minamata disease in humans and dropsy
in fishes; Lead in large amount can cause dyslexia, Cadmium poisoning causes Itai – Itai
disease, etc.

▪Polluted water has less amount of Dissolved oxygen (DO) content which is important for
sensitive organisms, thereby eliminates sensitive organisms.

▪Excess of nitrate in drinking water is dangerous for infants and human health, excess fluoride
cause neuromuscular disorder and teeth deformity, hardening of bones and painful joints.

▪Biological magnification and eutrophication.

 CONTROL OF WATER POLLUTION
▪Usage of water should be minimized by changing the techniques involved.

▪Recycling and treatment of water should be used to the maximum extent

possible.

▪The quantity of discharge of wastewater can be minimized.

▪Excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers should be avoided.

▪Organic farming and efficient use of animal residues as fertilizers.

 ❖AIR POLLUTION
❖Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that
cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural
environment or built environment, into the atmosphere.

❖A substance in the air that can cause harm to humans and the environment is known as an air
pollutant.
 CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION
▪Carbon dioxide-this happens because of deforestation and fossil fuel burning.

▪Sulfur dioxide –Due to the burning of sulfur containing compounds of fossil fuels (Coal &
petroleum).

▪Sulfur oxides- very dangerous to humans at a high concentration. Sulfur in the

atmosphere is responsible for acid rain.

▪Nitrous Oxide (N2O)- Fossil fuel

▪Secondary Pollutants- Photochemical smog(PAN), Acid rain, O3,

 SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION

Natural sources Man-made sources

•Burning of Fossil fuels- CO, CO2,

• Volcanic eruptions
• Forest Fires Particulate matters, hydrocarbons and
• Biopollutants- Foul odours metalic traces
•Automobiles- CO, oxides of nitrogen
emitted by decay
decomposition and of (NOx), sulphur compounds, NH3 , Organic
material organic acids
• Strong winds or storms •Steel plants- CO, CO2, SO2, Fluorine and
dust
•Thermal power plants- SO2, dust, in form
fly ash.
•Textiles Industries- Cotton dust, nitrogen
oxides, chlorine, SO2, smoke, vapours of
naptha, etc.
•Fertilizer Industries- Oxides of Sulphur,
•ammonia, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons
 EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION

▪Cause Global warming due to excess concentration of CO2, NOx, CFC, SO2.

▪Causes Green House Effect.

▪Causes Acid rain.

▪Nitrogen oxides in air cause Problems in the lungs, respiratory systems and
causes asthma and bronchitis.

▪Suspended particulate matter in air causes lung irritation reduces development of

RBC and pulmonary malfunctioning.

▪CO causes severe headache, irritation to mucous membrane, unconsciousness and

death.

▪Photochemical smog cause asthma and bronchitis.

 CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION

▪Policy measures- Environment Protection Act, 1986.

▪Modification of industrial process and selection of suitable fuels

and its utilization.

▪Collection of pollutants and convert it into less toxic forms

by different methods.

▪Mass Emission Standards

▪Fuel Quality Specifications

▪Alternate Fuels-Initiatives
 LAND POLLUTION
❖Land pollution is the demolition of Earth's land surfaces often caused by human activities
and their misuse of land resources. It occurs when waste is not disposed properly.
 CAUSES OF LAND POLLUTION

Four Main causes of land pollution are-

❖ Intensive use of pesticides and fertilizers in agricultural practices

❖ Unscientific disposal of solid wastes on land\

❖ Dumping of radioactive wastes on land and/ or radioactive out fall

❖ Heavy metals in soil pollution

 EFFECT OF LAND POLLUTION

❖ Agriculture: It reduces soil fertility and thus crop yields; increase soil erosion and salinity.

❖ Ecological imbalance and imbalance in flora and fauna further

increases.

❖Problems in urban areas like clogging in drains, the release of gases, foul smells, and
problems in wastewater management.

❖ Release of radioactive rays, biomagnification and pollutant gases cause health

problems.
 SOUND POLLUTION

✔ Sound Pollution is excessive, displeasing human, animal, or machine-created

environmental noise that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life.

Sound becomes undesirable when it disturbs the normal activities such as working,
sleeping, and during conversations.

□ World Health Organization stated that “Noise must be recognized as a major threat
to human well-being”.
 SOURCES OF SOUND POLLUTION

• Industrial Noise – Machines, crushing and grinding, drilling, stamping metal

• Transportation Noise- Vehicular noise, engines in jets, motors in trucks, Airplane’s noise

• Domestic and Religious Activities

 EFFECT OF SOUND POLLUTION

▪According to the USEPA, there are direct links between noise and health. Also,
noise pollution adversely affects the lives of millions of people.

▪Noise pollution can damage physiological and psychological health.

▪High blood pressure, stress related illness, sleep disruption, hearing loss,
and productivity loss are the problems related to noise pollution.

▪It can also cause memory loss, severe depression, and panic attacks.
THANK YOU