Chapter 5.

Pollution
-Jyoti Jadhav

Definition


Pollution is the effect of undesirable changes in our surroundings that have harmful effects on plants, animals and human beings Pollutants are solid, liquid or gaseous substances present in greater than natural abundance, abundance, produced due to human activity, activity, which have detrimental effect on our environment.

Pollutants are classified as:

Degradable or non-persistent pollutants: Those which are rapidly broken down by natural processes e.g. domestic sewage, discarded vegetables, etc. Slowly-degradable or persistent pollutants: These remain in the environment for many years in an unchanged condition and take decades or longer to degrade e.g. DDT and most plastics Non-degradable pollutants: These cannot be degraded by natural processes. They are difficult to eradicate and continue to accumulate. e.g. toxic elements like lead or mercury and nuclear wastes

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3.

Air Pollution


  

King Edward I made the first anti-pollution law antiin 1273 Main causes are transportation systems and industries Air pollution Act was passed in 1981 in India Bhopal Gas Tragedy on Dec. 2nd, 1984 Air pollution occurs due to the presence of undesirable solid or gaseous particles in the air, in quantities that are harmful to human health and the environment

Pollutants that are emitted from natural events and human activities are called primary pollutants e.g. dust storms Primary pollutants are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds and suspended particulate matter The pollutants that are produced in the atmosphere when certain chemical reactions take place among the primary pollutants are called secondary pollutants e.g. sulfuric acid, nitric acid, carbonic acid, etc.

 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Particulates are small pieces of solid material dispersed into the atmosphere e.g. smoke particles from fires, bits of asbestos and ash Types of particulates are: are: Aerosol Mist Dust Smoke Fume Plume Fog Smog

Effects of Air Pollution

    

Effect on human health Effect on vegetation Effect on animals Effect on non-livings nonEffect on climate

Measures to control Air pollution

  

Controlling pollution at the source Construction of tall chimneys Development of green belt around industrial areas Use of better quality fuel and use of catalytic converters Sprinkling water in mining areas to reduce the dust particles Air quality monitoring

Water Pollution


It can be defined as the presence of impurities and foreign substance in water in such a quantity that lowers its quality and makes it unfit for consumption and becomes a health hazard Dissolved material should not be more than 150 ppm and pH should be between 7 and 8.5

Causes of water pollution



Caused through sewage and other wastes Caused through industrial discharges Caused through agricultural discharges Caused through solid waste of industries

Effects of Water Pollution

Effects caused due to:  Industrial effluents  Fertilizers and detergents  Domestic and commercial effluents  Non-biodegradable pesticides Non Oil-pollutants Oil Radio-active pollutants Radio Fluorides

Measure to control water pollution

   

Disinfection of water Sedimentation Filtration Softening of water

Soil Pollution


It is the contamination caused by chemicals and other subsistences resulting in the loss of the fertility of the production of soil.

Causes of Soil Degradation

    

Humans Insecticides Industrial wastes Radioactive waste Nitrification

Effects of soil pollution



  

Kills microorganisms and the soil fertility is affected Chronic diseases Human health is affected due to pesticides Fluorosis

Methods of controlling the soil degradation

 1. 2. 3. 4.

Measures to control quantitative losses of soil: soil: By making vegetation cover By terrace or contour bonding By controlling the grazing By applying water infiltration measures for soil and moisture conservation

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3.

4. 5.

Measures to control qualitative losses of soil: : Soil waste sources must be minimized By using proper methods of disposal of waste material Heavy metals and toxic material must be treated Faulty sanitation methods must be improved Formulate and implement pollution control acts

Noise Pollution


A sound of unpleasant and annoying nature Greater than 140 dB causes noise pollution Normal talk 40 dB shouting is 60 dB Big auto machines 90 dB Traffic 70 dB Lightening 120 dB Airplanes 150 dB Rocket engines 190 dB

Sources of Noise Pollution

      

Industrial Activities Transport Activities Domestic Activities Cultural Activities Agricultural Activities Defense Activities Mining Activities

Effects of Noise Pollution

A. Physical effects: effects:  Temporary Effects  Permanent Effects  Damage to tympanic membrane B. Physiological effects: effects:  Headache  Heart trouble  Reduced vision  High Blood pressure  Loss of memory

C. Psychological effects: effects:  Depression  Fatigue  Emotional disturbance  Frustration  Irritation

Measures to control Noise Pollution



 

  

Ear plugs, ear muffs, noise helmets & head phones Reduction at the source Blowing of horns and esp. pressure horns should be reduced Green belt should be developed Laws need to be implemented Public awareness

Thermal Pollution


Waste water generated by thermal power plants, nuclear plants has higher temperature than the normal temperature of the surface water (More than 8 to 10 degree C). This causes thermal pollution

Effects of thermal pollution

  

Aqua ecosystems get affected Animals die or migrate Quantity of dissolved oxygen declines

Measures to control Thermal pollution

  

Constructing cooling towers Developing cooling ponds Creating artificial ponds

Marine Pollution


It is the result of human activities, industrial wastes, transport, municipal waste, domestic waste, etc. which are allowed directly to flow into the sea or estuaries, to make the oceanic water pollute

Causes
Sea, Wage (Pathogens) Fuel oil from ships, cars, trucks , oil tankers Industrial effluents, pesticides from agricultural farms Fishing nets, cargo, plastic waste Radio active, nuclear waste

Effects
Diseases like typhoid, gastro ,etc. Marine life of plant and animals comes in danger Contamination of sea food. FatFatsoluble toxic elements bio-magnify bioto create danger to life NonNon-degradable material causes danger to aquatic life. Enters into the food chain. Alters the chromosomes in the DNA.

Control of Marine Pollution



  

To control, first identify the load (amount) and the type of pollutants i.e. the sources Public awareness Develop the technology to treat the effluents Form the acts (laws) to protect the marine environment

Nuclear Pollution
  1. 2.

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Nuclear fusion and Nuclear fission Advantages: Production cost per unit of power is less Area required for mining of nuclear fuel is less By using the correct technology, air and water pollution can be kept under control Heat generated is higher than any other thermal power plant

Limitations


  

High technology to generate nuclear power is not available in all the countries Fuel required is not available in all the countries Nuclear waste is large and radioactive, disposal is to be done very cautiously Risky process of nuclear energy generation Danger of misuse of nuclear fuel Risk of accidents

Solid waste management



It is a method of collection, processing , resource recovery and disposal of the solid waste Contents are: Industrial waste Hospital waste Domestic waste Atomic waste

Disaster Management


 A. B.

If there is a sudden action with different intensity and different frequency it is called a disaster. Classification of Disasters: Artificial or Man-made ManNatural

A. Artificial or Man-made Man

The activities of human beings when become serious to cause ill effects to the environment it gives rise to Artificial or Man-made disasters ManE.g. Wars, Riots, Atomic Explosion, Deforestation, Hunting, etc. These disasters can be put under control if not totally prevented

B. Natural Disasters


It is an unwanted, unpredictable event, which neither can be prevented nor can be forecasted There is no 100% safe and sound system against natural disasters like Earthquakes, Floods, Cyclones, Landslides, Snow avalanches, etc.

Causes of urban solid wastes

    

Growth in urban population Mass production Expansion of urban areas Transportation Hospitals

Effects of urban solid wastes

     

Diseases Choking of pipes in the drainage Decomposition of solids Soil pollution Affects crops Aesthetic beauty is lost

Measure to control urban solid waste

  

Disposal of solid waste by land filling Disposal by composting Disposal by incineration (burning of solid wastes in furnace) Disposal by pyrolysis (solid waste is heated in specially designed pyrolysis reactor) Disposal into sea

Floods
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5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Factors causing floods: Intensity of rainfall Duration of rainfall Amount of rainfall on catchment areas Shape of the catchment area Topography Surface soil Wind direction Humidity Heat Ground water table

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Flood control measures: Store excess water Construct flood protection work Build flood control walls Construct dams Use diversions Improve land management Make river bank stabilized Tree plantation Deepen the river beds Create zones like: Prohibitive zone, Restrictive zone and warning zone

Land slides

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Causes:
Chemical or physical weathering of rocks Changes in temperature conditions Heavy rainfall Change in course of water Level of underground water changes Earthquakes Mining Cutting of forests Construction of roads in hilly regions Construction of dams

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Cyclones

1. 2. 3. 4.

Effects of cyclones:
Uprooting of trees Dislocation of rails Heavy floods Dislocation of communication linkages and electric poles Poor visibility Salination Damages property

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Earthquakes