Environmental Pollution

The word ‘pollution’ is derived from the Latin word ‘polluere’ which
means ‘to soil or defile’ .

Any alteration to air, water, soil or food that threatens the health,
survival capability or activities of humans or other living organisms is
called environmental pollution.
Types of Environmental pollution

Air Pollution

Water Pollution

Noise Pollution

Soil Pollution

Marine pollution

Thermal pollution

Radiation Pollution

Solid waste Pollution

Air Pollution

Air pollution is the introduction into the atmosphere of chemicals,

particulates, or biological materials that cause discomfort,
disease, or death to humans, damage other living organisms such
as food crops, or damage the natural environment or built
environment
Pollutants

Primary pollutants are the pollutants, which are emitted

directly from identifiable sources, and

Secondary pollutants, are those which are produced in the

atmosphere when certain chemical reactions take place
among primary pollutants.
 Air Pollutants
• Primary air pollutants: harmful chemicals that are released
directly from a source into the atmosphere.
• Particulate matter such as soil particles, soot (Soot is a general
term that refers to impure carbon particles resulting from the
incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon), lead, asbestos, and
sulphuric acid.
• Oxides of carbon and nitrogen and sulphur dioxide
• Hydrocarbons like methane and benzene
• Secondary air pollutants: produced from chemical reactions
involving the primary pollutants.
• Ozone (Ozone, a gas, is a form of oxygen. In the Earth's
• upper atmosphere ozone plays an important and beneficial role
by providing a shield from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Ozone at
ground level is a harmful air pollutant.
 Primary Pollutants

CO2 ( burning of coal, oil, natural gas)

Suspended Particulate matter (SPM)- Consists of solids in the air
in form of smoke, dust and vapor.
Sulfur dioxide,
Nitrogen oxides,
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
(organic chemicals that have a low boiling point, evaporate
easily and mix with the air, HCHO from painting, chemicals
from perfumes)
Carbon monoxide, and CFC.
Lead

Secondary Pollutants

Atmospheric sulfuric acid

Photochemical smog
Ozone.
Table 1: Sources, Health and Welfare Effects for Criteria Pollutants.
Pollutant Description Sources Health Effects Welfare Effects
Carbon Colorless, odorless Motor vehicle exhaust, Headaches, reduced mental Contribute to the formation of
Monoxide gas indoor sources include alertness, heart attack, smog.
(CO) kerosene or wood burning cardiovascular diseases,
stoves. impaired fetal development,
death.

Sulfur Dioxide Colorless gas that Coal-fired power plants, Eye irritation, wheezing, chest Contribute to the formation of
(SO2) dissolves in water petroleum refineries, tightness, shortness of breath, acid rain, visibility impairment,
vapor to form acid, manufacture of sulfuric acid lung damage. plant and water damage,
and interact with other and smelting of ores aesthetic damage.
gases and particles in containing sulfur.
the air.

Nitrogen Reddish brown, highly Motor vehicles, electric
Dioxide (NO2) reactive gas. utilities, and other
industrial, commercial, and
residential sources that
burn fuels.
Susceptibility to respiratory
infections, irritation of the lung
and respiratory symptoms
(e.g., cough, chest pain,
difficulty breathing).
Contribute to the formation of
smog, acid rain, water quality
deterioration, global warming,
and visibility impairment.

Ozone (O3) Gaseous pollutant Vehicle exhaust and certain Eye and throat irritation, Plant and ecosystem damage.
when it is formed in other fumes. Formed from coughing, respiratory tract
the troposphere. other air pollutants in the problems, asthma, lung
presence of sunlight. damage.

Lead (Pb) Metallic element Metal refineries, lead Anemia, high blood pressure, Affects animals and plants,
smelters, battery brain and kidney damage, affects aquatic ecosystems.
manufacturers, iron and neurological disorders,
steel producers. cancer, lowered IQ.

Particulate Very small particles of Diesel engines, power Eye irritation, asthma, Visibility impairment,
Matter (PM) soot, dust, or other plants, industries, bronchitis, lung damage, atmospheric deposition,
matter, including tiny windblown dust, wood cancer, heavy metal aesthetic damage.
droplets of liquids. stoves. poisoning, cardiovascular
effects.
Causes of air pollution

Natural causes

Dust storms
Volcanoes
Forest fires

Man-made causes

Industrial Emissions
Automobiles
Thermal power stations
Nuclear explosions
Nuclear power plants
Agricultural activities
Disposal of garbage
Effects of Air Pollution

Effects on Human Health: CO forms carboxyhaemoglobin. Then

Blood cannot carry O2. SO2 causes burning sensation in eyes.

Effects of plants: SO2 leads to decreases the amount of

chlorophyll.

Effects on climate

Green house effect and global warming

Acid rain

O3 layer depletion
Control of Air Pollution

The industrial gaseous wastes should be treated from discharging them into the
atmosphere.

The air quality can be improved and maintained by growing and developing green
belts and forests.

Instead of using low grade and conventional fuels, non-conventional fuels like gobar
gas, LPG, natural gas, must be prepared and used.

The vehicular pollution can be controlled by using good quality fuel by keeping the
engine fully effective and by minimizing the use of motored vehicles.
 Air Quality Index
The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean
or polluted your air is, and what associated health effects might be a
concern for you. The AQI focuses on health effects you may experience
within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. EPA calculates
the AQI for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act:
ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter),
carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. For each of
these pollutants, EPA has established national air quality standards to
protect public health .AQI less that 100 is considered as satisfactory
quality of air.
Water Pollution

The addition of various organic and inorganic substances changes the physical and
chemical properties of water and thereby causes adverse effects on life and water
usability.

In a simple sense, water pollution is the adding to water of any substance, or the
changing of water's physical and chemical characteristics in any way which interferes
with its use for legitimate purposes.
 Water Pollution
The addition of various organic and inorganic substances that change the
physical and chemical properties of water thereby leading to detrimental effects
on living organisms and reducing water usability
is termed as water pollution.

Causes of Water Pollution

•Sewage and other wastes

•Industrial waste

•Agricultural waste

•Human activities

•Customs and traditions

Causes of Water Pollution

Natural causes

Soil eroded by rains

Dead and decay of vegetation and dead organisms
High speed winds
Floods

Man made causes

Sewage and other wastes

Industrial waste
Agricultural waste
Human activities
Customs and traditions
 Water Pollutants
• Sediments: Excessive amounts of soil particles carried by flowing water,
when there is severe soil erosion.
• Oxygen-demanding wastes: Organic waste such as animal manure and
plant debris that are decomposed by bacteria, from sewage, animal
feedlots, paper mills, and food processing facilities.
• Infectious microorganisms: Parasitic worms, viruses and bacteria from
infected organisms as well as human and animal wastes.
• Organic compounds: Synthetic chemicals containing carbon from
industrial effluents, surface runoff, and cleaning agents.
 Water Pollutants (contd)
• Inorganic nutrients: Substances like nitrogen and phosphorus from animal
waste, plant residues, and fertilizer runoff.
• Inorganic chemicals: Acids, salts, and heavy metals like lead and mercury
from industrial effluents, surface runoff, and household cleaning agents.
• Radioactive substances: Wastes from nuclear power plants, nuclear
weapons production, mining and refining uranium and other ores.
• Thermal pollution: Hot water from industrial processes.
 Effects of water pollution

Adverse effects on human health

Loss of aquatic biodiversity

Disruption of aquatic ecosystem

Loss of scenic beauty

•Leads to various waterborne diseases such as diarrheoa, typhoid, cholera,
infectious hepatitis, jaundice, etc., in human beings
•Eutrophication of water bodies

•Loss of aquatic biodiversity

Control of Water Pollution

•Treatment of domestic and industrial waste

•Control on excess use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture

•Strict enforcement of rules

•Public awareness
Control of Water Pollution

Industrial waste should be treated before it is discharged into the pond or lake.

Paper, plastic, food material etc. should not be thrown in rivers.

Human activities like bathing and washing must be stopped.

The laws of pollution should be implemented strictly.

Washing of trucks, tractors and other heavy vehicles in the water bodies should not be
allowed.

Use of harmful chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers must be controlled in

agriculture
 Sewage Treatment
1. Primary treatment removes suspended particle
2. Secondary treatment uses disinfectant (mostly
using chlorine) to disinfect the water.
and uses microorganism to decompose the
organic material.
 Sewage Treatment
➢ Physical and biological treatment

Fig. 22-16 p. 511

 Methods of Purifying Water
• Reverse Osmosis or RO method:- Water is forced
through is semi-permeable membrane for filtering
the unwanted material
• The UV method :- UV ray kills the bacteria,
virus and fungi.
• Distillation method
• Planted filter method:-1st water goes through
a septic tank and a baffle reactor.
 Water pollutants come from?
• Point source- Sewage treatment plant,
factories are point source that discharge
pollutant through pipe. (Easy to control)

• Non point- surface runoff, mining waste,

Construction sediments, Municipal
waste. (Difficult to control)
 The Minamata Story

• The long-term and indirect effects of the prolonged of

chemical pollutants in the water best illustrated by the
Minamata episode.
• In Japan, near the bay of Minamata, people began suffereing
from the mysterious disease.
• The culprit was traced to mercury.
• It is deposited in the river stream from the industrial waste,
which meets in bay of Minamata.
• The accumulation of mercury is increased day by day, in the
all local inhabitants, whomsoever consumed the poisoned
fishes, rich with the accumulation of mercury.
• This result death of the several people, neurological
disorder, loss of senses etc…
 Marine Pollution
The presence of undesirable materials in the ocean environment added
directly or indirectly by humans that adversely affect biological resources
and human health is called marine pollution.

Causes of Marine Pollution

•Oil and petroleum spillage

•Toxic chemicals

•Hazardous wastes (Radioactive

Waste)

•Raw sewage

•Thermal pollution
 Effects of Marine Pollution
•Reduction in photosynthetic rate in marine plants, as polluted water allow
less sunlight to go in.
•Decline in volume of dissolved O2 affecting the survival of marine
organisms
•Toxicity of water by heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium,
cyanide, etc.
•Consumption of marine food collected from polluted waters causes
various diseases
Control of Marine Pollution

• By using oleic and stearic acid which help in concentrating and

removing oil pollutants
•By recycling solid waste such as plastic, glass, metal, papers, etc.
•By establishing marine protected areas, bioregional management
approach, and negotiation of international agreements
•By ensuring maintenance and proper security of ships
• Removal of pollutants by using Microbes.
 Thermal Pollution
The rise in the temperature of water due to discharge of warm water, which
is used to cool machines in factories and in nuclear and thermal power
plants, is called thermal pollution.

Sources of Thermal Pollution

• Electric power plants

• Industries

A major cause of thermal pollution is deforestation. Soil erosion and

contamination of water also cause retention of heat.
Effects of Thermal Pollution

•Increase in temperature of water decreases the concentration of dissolved

oxygen in water making it unsuitable for the survival of aquatic life.

•Activities of certain pathogenic microorganisms accelerate due to increase in

temperature.

•Toxic pollutants as cadmium, copper, and arsenic present in heated effluents

make the water unsuitable for any purpose.

Control of Thermal Pollution

•Establishment of cooling towers in industries

•Construction of ponds for collecting hot water

•Construction of artificial lakes for the discharge of hot effluents from where
cool water can be extracted later
Environmental Impact of Thermal Power Stations

▪ Air pollution: Various air pollutant (SO2, CO, NO2, VOC) are emitted
from power plant.
▪ Water pollution: From thermal pollution (as referred earlier),

▪ Land Degradation: Ash produced from burning coal in thermal

power station, need to be disposed to the land which cause degradation of
land quality. [ It needs 1 acre area to dispose the amount of ash produced
for generation of just 1 MW electricity]

▪ Noise pollution: Noisy equipment used in thermal power plant cause

noise pollution.
 Noise Pollution
Refers to loud sound created by humans or machines that distrupt the
environment and normal living of organism in it.
The unwanted noise dumped into the atmosphere that leads to discomfort
and health hazards is known as noise pollution.

Sources of Noise Pollution

•Natural phenomena such as violent volcanic eruptions, thunder, fierce
storms, etc.
•Domestic appliances such as mixers, washing machines, telephones, etc.
• Industries such mills and factories
• Automobiles –music system n constant honking by drivers.
•Noise by Trains, ships, and aircrafts
•Bursting of crackers and playing loud music during social
gatherings and festivals.
• Entertainment devices such as radio, television, etc.
 Measurement of Sound
➢ Intensity and frequency are the two important
properties of sound. The unit of measurement of
intensity is decibel (dB)
➢ If we consider frequency, the human ear is known to
be sensitive in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000
Hz. However, human ear is more sensitive to sounds of
middle frequencies, i.e. 100 Hz.
Effects of Noise Pollution
•Auditory effect- Exposure to high intensity sound lead
to temporary deafness.

• Non Auditory Effects-

•Physiological disorders like anxiety, insomnia, high
blood pressure,
fatigue, increased heart beat etc.
• Loss of working efficiency- poor concentration and
reduces ability to think.
•Annoyance- For neurotic people, they feel annoyed in
noisy surrodings.
•Decline in the number of migratory birds at noisy
places [ In alipore zoo, migratory birds were 15,000 in
1982, in year 2005 it become 2000].
 Control of Noise Pollution

• Workers in factories should be provided with ear plugs and ear

muffs.
• Vehicular noise can be reduced by keeping the engine clean.
• Industrial noise can be reduced by keeping the machines well
serviced.
• Noisy machines should be placed in special glass or wooden
cabins.
• Special silencing devices should be designed for aircraft
engines.
• More number of trees should be planted since they are
effective sound absorbers.
• Public awareness should be created.
 Radiation Pollution
Radiation pollution is the emission of any form of
ionizing or non-ionizing radiation as a result of
natural or human activities.
Causes of Radioactive or Radiation Pollution

Natural causes

• Cosmic rays are high-energy protons and electrons that

are released from sun.
• Environmental sources – Soil, rock, air ,etc.

Man made causes

• Radioactive waste from nuclear power plants

• Nuclear explosions
• Medical use [ X ray]
• Radiations from luminous watches, clock dials,rays from
microwave, etc. constitute the miscellaneous sources of
exposure.
Effects of Radiation Pollution

Somatic Effects

Radiations can cause cataract, skin cancer, bone

cancer, reduction of life span, premature ageing,
cardiovascular disorders, etc.

Genetic Effects- Change in DNA

Increase in the number of abnormal children and increased

infant mortality.
Control of Radiation Pollution

•Dense trees should be planted around atomic power plants.

•Proper management of radioactive waste should be ensured.

•Unnecessary X-ray examination should be avoided. Lead shields should

be used by workers.

•During nuclear installations, various efforts including the process of site

selection, its design, construction, operation, and its short-term and long-
term effects should be seriously considered to control radiation.
 Radiation pollution by cellular phones
• EMR is the radiation produced by sources such as electrical
appliances, power lines, wiring in buildings, and electrical appliances
etc.
• The extensive use of cellular phones, also exposes human beings to a
large dose of EMR, which poses a serious health hazard for long
duration each day.
• It being a radio that sends signals on waves to a base station
• Carrier signal consists of two radiation fields: a near-field plume and
a far-field plume.
• Living organism is also generated EM fields at the cellular, tissue and
organ level, called biofield.
• Cellular fields are interfere with the human biofield when they are in
contact.
• If biofield disturbs anywat, causes health disorders.
• The emr from the cell and from the tower carrying signals result
somewhat in brain tumours, genetic damage etc.
 Soil Pollution

Any change in the physical, chemical, and biological properties of

soil due to natural or anthropogenic activities is known as soil
pollution.
 Major Types of Soil Pollutants and their Impact on
Human Health

• Heavy metals- it accumulate in the top few inches of soil, it pose a

danger to important organs of humans such as the blood, kidneys,
liver and nervous system.

• Dioxins – dioxins are byproducts released with the production of

pesticides and other industrial processes, released in air and settle
down on soil. Its contamination in soil lead to nerve and liver
damage as well as cancer.

• Pesticides, Fertilizers and other Agricultural products- Although

its important for improving the quality of soil, but it is also well
known for its harmful effects, it cause development of cancer,
heavy metal poisoning which contain heavy metals.
• Lead – lead is available in soil naturally, but small amount
of it deposits left by automobile exhaust when leaded
gasoline is used. Main sources is lead battery manufacturing
plants or brass foundries. Inhalation of lead in humans
causes damage in nervous system, urinary system and the
reproductive system.

• Cadmium - used in metallurgical and electrical industries,

exposed in atmosphere from the phosphate fertilizers,
detergents and petroleum products. Long term exposure of
Cd may lead to renal dysfunction and obstructive lung
disease, demineralization of the bone substances and
osteoporosis.
Causes of Soil Pollution

Natural causes- eathquakes, landslide and hurricanes etc.

Manmade causes-
•Industrial waste

•Urban waste

•Mining

•Agricultural waste

•Domestic waste and garbage

•Radioactive wastes
Effects of Soil Pollution
1. Reducing the fertility of the soil and degrading the quality of land.

2. Increase in the the growth of a number of mosquitoes, flies which cause

diseases in human beings .

3. Loss of soil microorganisms

4. Water Pollution

5. Causing diverse health effects such as cancer, deformities in bones, etc in

human beings .

6. Loss of aesthetic value of land.

Control of Soil Pollution

The industrial waste must be treated in the proper treatment plants and then
allowed to be discharged through the proper drains.

The city garbage must be properly separated so that the bio-degradable waste
may be used to make fertilizers and non bio degradable waste may be recycled.

Soil can be conserved by planting trees like mango, neem, etc. around the fields
so that their leaves continuously supply the nutrients to the soil.

The release of radioactive materials in the soil should be minimized. Activities

such as nuclear testing should be prohibited.

Paper, glass, tin, iron, etc. present in solid waste should be reused after
recycling.

Solid waste can also be used for electricity generation by burning the solid.

Use of chemical fertilizers and toxic chemicals should be minimized as far as

possible.
Bioremediation
 Bioremediation
• Definition: Use of living organisms to
transform, destroy or immobilize
contaminants

• Goal: Detoxification of the parent

compound(s) and conversion to products
that are no longer hazardous to human
health and the environment.
 Forms of Bioremediation
• In situ Bioremediation
– Treating the contaminated material at the site.

• Ex situ Bioremediation
Removal of contaminated material and to be
treated elsewhere.
Land Pollution
(Solid Waste
Management)
 Introduction
❑ Solid waste is that material (such as domestic trash,
garbage, metal scrap etc.) which arises from various
human activities and which is normally discarded as
useless or unwanted. It is responsible for land pollution
in urban and industrial areas.
Solid Waste Management (SWM)

What is solid waste ?

Solid waste is the unwanted or useless solid materials generated from combined
residential, industrial and commercial activities in a given area.

Why Management ??

Management of solid waste reduces or eliminates adverse impacts on the environ

and human health and supports economic development and improved quality of l
 Some common terms
Garbage refers to the putrescible solid waste (Solid
waste that contains organic matter capable of being
decomposed by microorganisms) constituents
produced during the preparation or storage of meat,
vegetables, etc.
Rubbish is the non-putrescible solid waste
constituents, either combustible or non combustible.
Combustible waste includes paper, wood, scrap,
rubber, leather, etc. Non-combustible wastes are
metals, glass, ceramics etc.
Refuse means all decomposing and non-
decomposing combustible and non-combustible
solid wastes such as garbage, ashes, paper,
cans, wood scraps, plastic etc.
Important Sources of Solid Waste

•Domestic garbage

•Industrial waste

•Commercial waste

•Mining waste

•Radioactive waste

•Agricultural waste

•Hospital waste

•E-waste
Important source of solid waste
Domestic garbage refers to household wastes such
as plastic, paper, glass pieces, metal objects etc.
Pathological wastes include dead animals and
human waste.
Industrial wastes generally include chemicals,
paints, sand, metal ore processing, fly ash, sewage
treatment sludge, etc.
Agricultural wastes contain mainly farm animal
manure and crop residues.
Municipal Solid waste (MSW) is commonly known
as trash or garbage and consists of everyday items
such as product packaging, furniture, bottles etc.
Mining wastes result from mining activities. Eg.
Heavy metals.
Important source of solid waste
Radioactive wastes: Nuclear explosions,
nuclear testing, use of radioactive
substances in medical and scientific
research etc.
Hospital wastes includes disposable
needles, syringes, blades, tissues etc.
E-waste refers to electrical and electronic
equipment wastes.
Plastic bottles in a trash can
E waste
 Effects of Solid Waste
• Solid waste helps disease-causing organisms such as
mosquitoes, flies, etc., to thrive freely and increase in
population.
• It runs off with rainwater and mixes with the nearby
water bodies causing water pollution.
• Burning of solid waste leads to air pollution.
• Radioactive substances present in solid waste cause a
number of diseases in human beings.
• Solid waste reduces the aesthetic value of land.
• Non-biodegradable solid wastes such as polythene,
plastic, rubber, etc., release toxic gases when burnt
hence causing air pollution.
 Solid waste management

• Indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes-

especially of hazardous waste causes
adverse environment effects.
• The main objective of solid waste
management is to minimize these
adverse effects before it becomes too
difficult to rectify in the future.
 Treatment of Solid Waste

Solid waste management (SWM) is a

three-step process:

❖Collection of solid waste

❖Transportation of solid waste

❖Disposal of solid waste

 Collection of solid waste
• Large number of dustbins must be provided
to enable proper collection of solid wastes
according to categories.
• Door to door collection of domestic garbage,
is the most common and popular practice.
• Rag pickers contribute to waste
management. They segregate recyclable
materials from other wastes and hence save
the cost and time.
 Transportation of solid waste
• Transportation of solid wastes from urban
areas to the dumping grounds with the help
of tractors, trucks etc.
 Disposal of solid waste
• Open dumping

• Land fill

• Ocean dumping

• Incineration

• Composting
Waste Disposal Methods

Open Dumping Land Fill

Incineration

Ocean Dumping Composting

 5 Rs of Solid Waste Management
Over-consumption and waste of commodities can be checked
by adopting the five Rs of consumption.

• Refuse

• Reduce

• Reuse

• Repair

• Recycle