UNIT- V

POLLUTION, WASTE
MANAGEMENT, BIODIVERSITY
Definition

• When Harmful Substances Contaminate the

Environment it is Called as Pollution.

• Pollution refers to the very bad condition of

environment in terms of quantity and quality .
 Meaning

• Pollution is aAn unwanted change in the environment

which affects the human life directly or indirectly.

• Pollution has become a serious issue after World War- II

in developing countries due to unchecked rapid
industrialization. Pollution is the root cause of many
diseases that kill and disable living organisms.
Pollution is everywhere.....
Types
Air Pollution.
Water Pollution.
Noise Pollution.
Soil Pollution (by lead, heavy metals)
Littering (spilling of oils in oceans)
Radioactive contamination.
Thermal pollution.
Visual Pollution.
Air Pollution…
Air Pollution
Definition: the presence in or introduction into
the air of a substance which has harmful or
poisonous effects.

• Atmosphere is the life blanket of Earth.

Therefore it is essential that we must know more
about the atmosphere and the ways in which it is
Polluted.

• Air pollution causes acid rain, ozone depletion,

photochemical smog and other such phenomena.
 Sources of Air Pollution
• Household Domestic fuels.
• Motor Vehicles.
• Industrial emission.
• Forest fires.
Effects of Air Pollution
• Human health
• Animals health
• Plants
• Links to cancer
• Effects on children
• Effects on breathing (asthma).
• The atmosphere as a whole
 How to control air pollution?
•Maintaining a healthy distance between the Industrial and
residential areas.
•The chimneys should be constructed tall in Size so that
the emissions must be released Higher in the environment
•The coal fuel should be replaced with gas Fuel to control
the air pollution.
•The automobiles must be designed with Emission control
system.
•The wastes must be removed and recycled In the
industrial plants and refineries.
• Timely servicing of the car helps to keep it in a
good condition, and also minimizes fuel Exhaustion.
• Using public transportation helps to prevent the air
pollution.
• Using renewable sources of energy like solar
energy, hydroelectric energy, and wind energy.
Level of Pollution
Water Pollution
Introduction:
The Contamination of water with undesirable
substances which make it unfit for usage is termed water
Pollution.

Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged

directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate
treatment to remove harmful compounds.

Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in

water. In almost all cases the effect is damaging not only
to individual but also to the natural biological
communities.
Sources of Water pollution
• Domestic sewage.
• Industrial wastewater
• Agricultural wastewater.
• Construction site
• Urban runoff (storm water)
Water Pollutants….
•Plastics
•Pesticides
•Heavy metals
•Thermal effluents
•Detergents
•Food processing waste (fats and grease)
•Insecticides and herbicides.
•Petroleum hydrocarbons, (gasoline, diesel and fuel oil)
•Lubricants (motor oil).
How to Avoid Water Pollution
• Rivers should not be used for washing clothes or bathing
animals.
• In sacred river like Ganga the dead bodies shouldn’t
thrown.
• Don’t throw paints and oils in water channels.
• Use eco friendly household products, such as washing
powder.
• Avoid overuse of pesticides and fertilizers.
Effects of Water Pollution
• Diseases like Cholera
• Malaria
• Typhoid (spread during the rainy season )
• Aquatic life gets destroyed
NOISE POLLUTION
Noise Pollution..
Noise Pollution
• Noise can be simply defined as unwanted sound.
• The sound is pleasant or not depends upon its
volume, duration, rhythm and the mood of the
person.
• According to the World Health Organization,
sound levels less than 70 dB are not damaging to
living organisms, regardless of how long or
consistent the exposure is.
 Sources of Noise Pollution…
• Street traffic sounds from cars, buses ambulances etc.
• Construction sounds like drilling or other heavy machinery in
operation
• Airports, with constant high sounds from air traffic, i.e. Planes taking
off or landing
• Workplace sounds.
• Constant loud music in or near commercial venues
• Industrial sounds like fans, generators, compressor etc.
• Train stations traffic.
• Household sounds, from the television set to music playing on the
computer, vacuum cleaners, fans and coolers, washing machines,
dishwashers, lawnmowers etc.
• Events involving fireworks, firecrackers, loudspeakers etc.
• Conflicts generate noise pollution through explosions, gunfire etc.
Effects of Noise Pollution
Hypertension: in this case, a direct result of noise pollution caused
high blood pressure.
Hearing loss: It can be directly caused by noise pollution, whether
listening to loud music in your headphones or being exposed to loud
drilling noises at work. Noise levels reach dangerous intervals, such as
around 140 dB for adult or 120 dB for children.
Sleep disturbances are usually caused by constant air or land traffic at
night, and they are a serious condition in that they can affect
everyday performance and lead to serious diseases.
Child development. Children appear to be more sensitive to noise
pollution and a number of noise-pollution-related diseases and
dysfunctions are known to affect children, from hearing impairment
to psychological and physical effects.
Annoyance:. Noise annoyance is, in fact, a recognized name for an
emotional reaction that can have an immediate impact.
 How to Avoid Noise Pollution
• The Government should ensure the new machines that
Should be noise proof.
• Air ports must be away from residential area.
• The Sound horn symbol compulsory in School/hospital
Roads.
• Wear earplugs whenever exposed to high noise levels
• If possible, choose your residential area as far as away
from heavy traffic.
• Avoid prolonged use of earphones, especially at high
sound levels
• If possible, avoid jobs with regular exposure to high
sound levels.
SOIL POLLUTION
Soil Pollution..
• Soil pollution is the contamination of soil with
harmful substances that can adversely affect the
quality of the soil and the health of those living
on it..
Causes of Land Pollution
It is typically caused by
• Agricultural chemicals
• Improper disposal of waste.
• Mining
• Household garbage
• Industrial waste
• Sewage waste
How to control soil pollution?
• Waste should be disposed immediately
• Avoid drilling the Land for more underground water.
• Avoid using more fertilizers and Pesticides.
• Treating Wastes of industries.
• Proper disposing of plastics and other garbage materials.
Waste Management
 Introduction
Waste (also known as rubbish, trash, refuse, garbage,
junk, litter and ort) is unwanted or useless materials.

A material, substance, or by-product eliminated or

discarded as no longer useful or required after the
completion of a process

Definition of Wastes
“substances or objects which are disposed or are
intended to be disposed or are required to be
disposed of by the provisions of the law”
 Classification of Waste
 Solid Wastes: wastes in solid forms, domestic,
commercial and industrial wastes
Examples: plastics, Styrofoam containers, bottles,
cans, papers, scrap iron and other trash
 Liquid Wastes: wastes in liquid form
Examples: domestic washings, chemicals, oils, waste
water from manufacturing industries etc.
 Bio-degradable:
Which Can be degraded (paper, wood, fruits etc.)
 Non-biodegradable:
Which cannot be degraded (plastics, bottles, old
machines, cans, Styrofoam containers etc.)
 Classification of Wastes according to
their Effects on Human Health and the Environment

 Hazardous wastes:
Substances unsafe to use commercially, industrially,
agriculturally, or economically and have any of the following
properties- ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity & toxicity.
 Non-hazardous:
Substances safe to use commercially, industrially,
agriculturally, or economically and do not have any of those
properties mentioned above. These substances usually create
disposal problems.
Classification of wastes according to their origin
and type
 Municipal Solid wastes: Solid wastes that include household garbage,
rubbish, construction & demolition debris, sanitation residues, packaging
materials etc. are managed by any municipality.
 Bio-medical wastes: Solid or liquid wastes including containers, intermediate
or end products generated during diagnosis, treatment & research activities
of medical sciences.
 Industrial wastes: Liquid and solid wastes that are generated by
manufacturing & processing units of various industries like chemical,
petroleum, coal, metal gas, sanitary & paper etc.
 Agricultural wastes: Wastes generated from farming activities. These
substances are mostly biodegradable.
 Fishery wastes: Wastes generated due to fishery activities. These are
extensively found in coastal areas.
 Radioactive wastes: Waste containing radioactive materials. Usually these are
byproducts of nuclear processes. Sometimes industries that are not directly
involved in nuclear activities, may also produce some radioactive wastes, e.g.
radio-isotopes, chemical sludge etc.
 E-wastes: Electronic wastes generated from any modern establishments. They
may be described as discarded electrical or electronic devices. Some
electronic scrap components, such CD, DVD etc..
Sources of Wastes

Households

Commerce and Industry

Impacts of Waste on Health:
• Nausea and vomiting
• Low birth weight, Cancer, Neurological disease.
• Chemical poisoning through chemical inhalation.
• Increase in hospitalization of diabetic residents living
near hazard waste sites.
• Mercury toxicity from eating fish with high levels of
mercury.
Impacts of Waste on Environment:
• Waste breaks down in landfills to form methane, a
potent greenhouse gas.
• Green house gases are accumulating in Earth’s
atmosphere as a result of human activities, causing
global warming.
• Change in climate and destruction of ozone layer due
to waste biodegradable.
• Uncollected waste can obstruct the storm water
runoff resulting in flood.
• Littering, due to waste pollutions, illegal dumping,
Leaching: is a process by which solid waste enter soil
and ground water and contaminating them.
Effects of waste on animals and aquatics life

• Affects our coastal and marine environment

• Increase in mercury level in fish due to
disposal of mercury in the rivers.
• Plastic found in oceans ingested by birds.
• Degrades water and soil quality.
Waste hierarchy/ Waste Management
Waste hierarchy refers to 3 R’s
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

/ Reduce
 WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
Reduce Waste
- Reduce office paper waste by making training manuals and
personnel information available electronically.
- Improve product design to use less materials.
- Redesign packaging to eliminate excess material.
- Switch to reusable transport containers.
- Purchase products in bulk.
Reuse
- Reuse office furniture and stationary such as interoffice
envelopes, file folders,and paper.
- Use durable towels, tablecloths, napkins, dishes, cups, and
glasses.
- Use incoming packaging materials for outgoing shipments.
- Encourage employees to reuse office materials rather than
purchase new ones.
 Recycle: Recycling is the process of
converting waste materials into new materials and
objects. Recycling is a key component of modern waste
reduction and it is the third component of the
"Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" waste hierarchy
Donate/Exchange: old books, old clothes, old computers,
excess building materials, old equipment to local
organizations.
Employee Education:
- Develop an “office recycling procedures”.
- Send recycling reminders to all employees including
environmental articles.
- Train employees on recycling practices before
implementing recycling programs.
- Conduct an ongoing training process as new
technologies are introduced and new employees join the
institution.
Segregation at source
Composting
More efficient collection
More environmentally sound disposal
 CATEGORIES OF WASTE DISPOSAL

1. DILUTE AND Throw it in the river /

DISPERSE lake / sea
(ATTENUATION)

Basically this involves spreading trash thinly over a

large area to minimize its impact

Works for sewage, some waste chemicals, when

land-disposal is not available
2. CONCENTRATE Waste dumps,
landfills
(ISOLATION)

Historically, that’s how most of the solid waste

gets treated
 Basel Convention
 The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary
Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal.
 Basel Convention is an international agreement that was
designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste
between nations, specially to prevent transfer of hazardous
waste from developed to less developed countries. however, It
does not, address the movement of radioactive waste. The
convention is also intended to minimize the amount and toxicity
of wastes generated and to assist less developed countries in
environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other
wastes they generate.
 The Convention was opened for signature on 22nd March 1989,
and entered into force on 5th May 1992. Total Signatories
are: 53, Location: Basel, Switzerland.
 Biodiversity
Bio means “Life”
Diversity means “Varity”
Introduction:
Biodiversity is the shortened form of two words "biological" and
"diversity". It refers to all the variety of life that can be found on
Earth (plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms) as well as
interdependence of all living things
Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms from all
sources including terrestrial, marine and other
aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are
part; this includes diversity within species, between species, and of
ecosystems.
Scientists have identified more than 2 million species. millions of
species are still unknown
 Types of Biodiversity
 Genetic diversity - It refers to the variations among the
genetic resources of the organisms. Every individual of
a particular species differs from each other in their
genetic constitution. That is why every human looks
different from each other. Similarly, there are different
varieties in the same species of rice, wheat, maize,
barley, etc.
Diversity of genes
Chihuahuas, beagles, and Rottweiler are all dogs—
but they're not the same because their genes are different.

Chihuahua Beagle
Rottweilers
• Species diversity- Species diversity refers to the
variety of different types of species found in a
particular area. It is the biodiversity at the most basic
level. It includes all the species ranging from plants
to different microorganism.
Diversity of species
For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and flower are
all different species.

Monkey Dragonflies Flower

• Ecosystem diversity- It is the diversity
observed among the different ecosystems in a
region. Diversity in different ecosystems like
deserts, forests, Aquatic etc.
• Ecological biodiversity refers to the variations
in the plant and animal species living together
and connected by food chains and food webs.
Variety of ecosystems
Grass land, Desert, tropical rain forests are all
ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of
species living in it.

Grass land ecosystem Water ecosystem

Forest ecosystem
 Factors determining Degree of Diversity

 Habitat stress

 Geographical isolation

 Dominance by one species

 Availability of ecological resources

 Outskirts effect

 Geological history
 Important Role of Biodiversity
 Ecological Role: All species provide at least one
function in an ecosystem. Each function is an integral
part of regulating the species balance, species diversity
and species health: all aspects which are intrinsic for
the ecosystem as a whole to survive and prosper
 Economic Role:
Food: Crop Biodiversity.
Goods: Various things like timber, paper, medicines.
Recreation: Wildlife tourism, trekking, nature
photography.
 Scientific Role:
Genetic resources: Biotechnology and genetic
engineering use the genes of organisms to make new
crops and medicines.
Each species can give scientist some clue as to how life
evolved and will continue to evolve.
Threats to biodiversity
 Habitat destruction
 Pollution
 Global Climate Change
 Exploitation
 Construction of large dams.
 Commercial hunting.
 Global Warming
Sun
 Introduction
• Global warming is a phenomenon of climate
change characterized by a general increase in
average temperatures of the Earth, which
modifies the weather balances and
ecosystems for a long time. It is directly linked
to the increase of greenhouse gases in our
atmosphere, worsening the greenhouse
effect.
 Greenhouse Gases
• Carbon dioxide: Combustion of solid waste, fossil fuels
(oil, natural gas, and coal), and wood and wood products
• Methane : Production and transport of coal, natural gas,
and oil. Methane emissions also result from the decomposition
of organic wastes in municipal solid waste landfills, and the
raising of livestock.
• Nitrous oxide: Agricultural and industrial activities, as well
as during combustion of solid waste and fossil fuels.
• hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons
(PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6),

5
 Causes of Global Warming
• Fossil Fuels: The massive use of fossil fuels is obviously the
first source of global warming, as burning coal, oil and gas
produces carbon dioxide - the most important greenhouse
gas in the atmosphere - as well as nitrous oxide.
• Deforestation: The exploitation of forests has a major role
in climate change. Trees help regulate the climate by
absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. When they are cut
down, this positive effect is lost.
• Intense Farming: Another cause of global warming is
intensive farming, not only with the ever-increasing
livestock, but also with plant protection products and
fertilizers. In fact, cattle and sheep produce large amounts
of methane when digesting their food, while fertilizers
produce emissions of nitrous oxide.
• Waste management: methods like landfills and
incineration (burning) emit greenhouse and toxic gases
- including methane - that are released into the
atmosphere, soil and waterways, contributing to the
increase of the greenhouse effect.
• Mining: Metals and minerals are the raw materials used
in the construction, transportation and manufacturing
of goods. From extraction to delivery, this market
accounts for 5% of all greenhouse gas emissions.
• Overconsumption: It also plays a major role in climate
change. In fact, it is responsible for the overexploitation
of natural resources and transport emissions, which
both contributes to global warming.
 Consequences/ Effects of Global Warming
On biodiversity: The increase of temperatures and the climate
change disturb the ecosystems, modify the conditions and cycles
of plant reproduction, changing life habits and migratory cycles
of animals. We are already witnessing the disappearance of
many species.
On oceans: Because of global warming polar ice cap and glaciers ice
are melting massively, increasing the sea level at a rate never
known before.
On humans: The scarcity of resources like food and energy gives
rise to new conflicts, Rising sea levels and floods are causing
population migration, Small island are in danger.
On the weather: World have been watching the effects of global
warming on the weather and the impact is huge: more droughts
and heat waves, more natural disasters like floods, hurricanes,
storms and wildfires etc.
 Global Warming Prevention
1. Renewable energies: The first way to prevent climate
change is to move away from fossil fuels. And shift to
Renewable energies like solar, wind, biomass and
geothermal.
2. Energy & water efficiency: Producing clean energy is
essential, but reducing our consumption of energy and
water by using more efficient devices (e.g. LED light
bulbs, innovative shower system) is less costly and
equally important.
3. Sustainable transportation: Promoting public
transportation, carpooling, electric vehicles can help to
reduce CO2 emissions and thus fight global warming.
4. Sustainable infrastructure: In order to reduce the
CO2 emissions from buildings - caused by heating, air
conditioning, hot water or lighting - it is necessary
both to build new low energy buildings and to
renovate the existing constructions.
5. Sustainable Agriculture & forest management:
Encouraging better use of natural resources,
stopping massive deforestation as well as making
efficient/ Greener agriculture.
6. Responsible consumption & recycling: Adopting
responsible consumption habits is crucial, be it
regarding food, clothing, cosmetics or cleaning
products. Last but not least, recycling is necessary for
dealing with waste.
Bharat Stage 4 ( BS IV )
 What Is Bharat Stage ?
• Bharat stage emission standards (BSES) are emission
standards instituted by the Government of India.
• India's auto sector accounts for about 18% of the total
CO2 emissions in the country.
• To regulate the output of air pollutants from internal
combustion engines and Spark-ignition engines
including motor vehicles, BS standards are formed.
• The standards and the timeline for implementation
are set by the Central Pollution Control Board under
the Ministry of Environment & Forests.
• The standards are based on European regulations.
Introduction
• All new vehicles manufactured after the
implementation of the norms have to be compliant
with the regulations.
• The first emission norms were introduced in India in
1991 for petrol and 1992 for diesel vehicles.
• These were followed by making the Catalytic
converter mandatory for petrol vehicles and the
introduction of unleaded petrol in the market.
Image of Catalytic Converters
History
• On 29th April 1999 the Supreme Court of India ruled
that all vehicles in India have to meet Euro I and Euro
II will be mandatory in the NCR by April 2000.
• Since October 2010, Bharat Stage (BS) III norms was
enforced across the country.
• In 13 major cities, Bharat Stage IV emission norms
have been in place since April 2010 and it has been
enforced for entire country since April 2017.
• In 2016, the Indian government announced that the
country would skip the BS-V norms altogether and
adopt BS-VI norms by 2020.
 Indian Emission Standards (4-Wheel Vehicles)
Standard Reference Year Region
India 2000 Euro 1 2000 Nationwide
NCR*, Mumbai,
2001
Kolkata, Chennai
Bharat Stage II Euro 2
2003-04 NCR*, 13 Cities†
2005-04 Nationwide
2005-04 NCR*, 13 Cities†
Bharat Stage III Euro 3
2010-10 Nationwide
2010-04 NCR*, 13 Cities†
Bharat Stage IV Euro 4
2017-04 Nationwide
Bharat Stage V Euro 5 (To be skipped)
Euro 6 2018-04 Delhi
Bharat Stage VI 2019-04 NCR
2020-04 Nationwide
* National Capital Region (Delhi)
*Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur, Lucknow,
Sholapur, Jamshedpur and Agra
Comparison between Bharat Stage and Euro Norms
• The Bharat Stage norms have been styled to suit
specific needs and demands of Indian conditions. The
differences lie essentially in environmental and
geographical needs, even though the emission
standards are exactly the same.
• For instance, Euro-III is tested at sub-zero temperatures
in European countries. In India, where the average
annual temperature ranges between 24 and 28 °C.
• Another major distinction is in the maximum speed at
which the vehicle is tested. A speed of 90 km/h is
stipulated for BS-III, whereas it is 120 km/h for Euro-III,
keeping emission limits same in both cases
 ROLE OF NGO’S IN PROTECTING
ENVIRONMENT
• A Non-Governmental Organization are usually non-
profit and independent, typically one whose purpose is
to address a social issues.
• The past five decades have witnessed the difficult
problems encountered in providing health care services
to poor people.
• The success of India's environmental programes
depends greatly on the awareness and consciousness of
the people hence, NGO’s play vital role.
 Roles & Objectives of NGO
• Conducting education and citizen awareness
programmes in the field of environment.
• Fact – finding and analysis.
• Filing case to protect public interest and take
legal action.
• Innovation and experimenting in areas which are
difficult for government agencies to make
changes.
• Providing expertise and policy analysis.
• Providing factual and reliable information with a
network of professional expert staff.
• Passing relevant information to the public and
governmental bodies.
• unity and support to environmental
defenders.
• Working in collaboration with the government
for capacity building and promotion of
community participation in environmental
awareness and protection.
• Work at root level with or without the
government support.
 Limitations In The Performance NGO’s
 Shortage of trained personnel in the field of
environment protection.
 Lack of research and development facilities.
 Financial constraints.
 Lack of cooperation from the governmental agencies.
 Difficulties in the mobility on account of lack of
transport facilities.
 Environmental NGOs are facing a credibility crisis with
a number of cases scandals.
Thank you….