ACM C A11 Environmental Management

Systems
Assignment-2

Name: Vamsi charan Roll no: AH20114

1. Describe various Environmental impacts of forestry and

explain conceptual model for analysing ecosystem services?
Ans) Environmental impacts of forestry

Forestrycanhaveavarietyofnegativeimpactsonbiodiversity,
particularly when carried out without management standards designed to
protect natural assets.
Biodiversity loss: Unsustainable forest operations and other pressures on forest
resources, such as gathering of fuelwood, can lead to forest degradation and
permanent losses in biodiversity.
Climate change: As forest ecosystems are important stores for carbon, their loss
has serious implications for climate change. Deforestation and forest degradation
are estimated to cause about 20% of annual greenhouse gas emissions.
Livelihoods of forest dwellers: Forestry can also have negative impacts on
indigenous and local communities, by competing with these communities for
access to a finite forest resource base, and by disregarding cultural or spiritual sites
and practices.
Illegal hunting: Increased hunting continues to be a major threat to forest
biodiversity in many countries. The depletion of wildlife and unsustainable hunting
pressures are often linked to logging activities.
Illegal settlements: Another side effect of forestry operations, illegal settlements
are a threat to forest biodiversity following construction of new forest access roads
to previously inaccessible regions.
Conceptual model for Analyzing ecosystem service ?

Conceptual Model : Numerous agreements and policies have codified the

worldwide consensus on the value of biological variety and the need to maintain it.
Stopping species extinctions and conserving a percentage of land area have been
established as stated goals. The systematic review of these targets over the last few
decades, however, has yielded dismal results, indicating that the apparent political
will and meticulously crafted policies have not stopped biodiversity decrease.
Failure to safeguard ecosystems from degradation and conversion, or species from
decline and extinction, has compelled scientists and policymakers to adopt a more
holistic approach to conservation, which recognizes people as key beneficiaries of
nature.

The proposal provides a methodology for experimentally analyzing ecosystem

service governance. The ecosystem service model is projected to expand the
arguments for biodiversity conservation and provide better conservation outcomes.
The authors then examine empirical biodiversity and environmental governance
literature, paying special attention to different implementation mechanisms that
represent distinct modes of governance, as well as the ways in which the effects of
arguments for biodiversity conservation are ev
aluated within each governance mode. They finished by incorporating the
identified governance modes into the conceptual framework of ecosystem services,
as well as examining the important interactions and feedback between governance
modes and the specific components of the ecosystem services model. The resultant
conceptual framework includes the following elements: (1) hierarchical top-down
governance; (2) scientific-technical governance; (3) adaptive collaborative
governance; and (4) governing strategic behavior.

The evaluation of the effectiveness of specific biodiversity conservation policies

often focuses on the outcomes and impacts rather than the mechanisms through
which governance puts the policies into action. The impacts and evolution of
conservation arguments expressed in the formulation of policy aims are typically
not followed through when reviewing the policy or the numerous processes of
implementation that comprise governance and finally yield conservation effects.

Discuss various sources of Air pollution and discuss effects of any two-criterial
pollutants on human health?

Ans) There are four main types of air pollution sources:

 Mobile sources – such as cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains.

 Stationary sources – such as power plants, oil refineries, industrial

facilities, and factories.

 Area sources – such as agricultural areas, cities, and wood

burning fireplaces.
 Natural sources – such as wind-blown dust, wildfires, and volcanoes.

Stationary and Area Sources

 A stationary source of air pollution refers to an emission source that does not
move, also known as a point source.
 Stationary sources include factories, power plants, dry cleaners and
degreasing operations.
 The term area source is used to describe many small sources of air pollution
located together whose individual emissions may be below thresholds of
concern, but whose collective emissions can be significant.
Mobile Sources
 A mobile source of air pollution refers to a source that is capable of moving
under its own power.
 In general, mobile sources imply "on-road" transportation, which includes
vehicles such as cars, sport utility vehicles, and buses.
Agricultural Sources
 Agricultural operations, those that raise animals and grow crops, can
generate emissions of gases and particulate matter.
 Manure emits various gases, particularly ammonia into the air.
Natural Sources
 It include wild land fires, dust storms, and volcanic activity contribute gases
and particulates to our atmosphere.
 Unlike the above-mentioned sources of air pollution, people or their
activities do not cause natural “air pollution”.
 An erupting volcano emits particulate matter and gases; forest fires can emit
large quantities of "pollutants”.

Effects of criterial pollutants on human health

Toxicological effects of lead on human health
Neurologic toxicity
Neurotoxicity means exposure of the entire body to lead toxic agents and the
imbalance in the neurophysiological function.
There are two main symptoms caused by such exposures; they are psychiatric
disturbances and neurocognitive symptoms.

It predominantly influences the CNS, generally the developing brain and affects
almost every organ system. Therefore, children suffer more from neurotoxic effects
than adults suffer and are at a greater risk.

An effective receptor N-methyl-D-aspartate is involved in the maturation of brain

plasticity that occurs in brain organization; lead blocks this receptor and results in
the interruption of long-term potentiating and storage of newly learned knowledge.
Cardiovascular toxicity

Lead can cause hypertension and affect blood vessels. Lead-blocked blood vessels
can lead to immediate heart attack and death. Chronic and acute both types of lead
poisoning can cause cardiac dysfunction and vascular damage.

Recently, researchers have found an intriguing correlation between low blood lead
concentration and cardiovascular toxicity, and recently, some studies suggest that
low levels of lead may be associated with high blood pressure.
 Toxicological effects of SO2 on human health
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless, reactive air pollutant with a strong odor. This
gas can be a threat to human health, animal health, and plant life.
The main sources of sulfur dioxide emissions are from fossil fuel combustion and
natural volcanic activity.
 How can sulfur dioxide affect your health?

Sulfur dioxide irritates the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, throat,
and lungs. High concentrations of SO2 can cause inflammation and irritation of the
respiratory system, especially during heavy physical activity.

The resulting symptoms can include pain when taking a deep breath, coughing,
throat irritation, and breathing difficulties.

High concentrations of SO2 can affect lung function, worsen asthma attacks, and
worsen existing heart disease in sensitive groups. This gas can also react with other
chemicals in the air and change to a small particle that can get into the lungs and
cause similar health effects.
Who is at risk?
People sensitive to sulfur dioxide include People with lung diseases, such as
asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema will generally have more serious
health effects at higher SO2 levels.
Children are at higher risk from SO2 exposure because their lungs are still
developing. They are also more likely to have asthma, which can get worse with
SO2 exposure.
Older adults may be more affected by SO2 exposure, possibly because they are
more likely to have pre-existing lung or cardiovascular disease.
Active people of all ages who exercise or work outdoors have higher exposure to
sulfur dioxide than people who are less active.
2. Enlist and explain functions of various water treatment units?
Ans)

Rapid mixing: where chemicals are added and rapidly dispersed through the water

Flocculation: Chemicals like alum (aluminum sulfate) are added to the water both
to neutralize the particles electrically and to make them come close to each other
and form large particles called flocs that could more readily be settled out

Sedimentation: During sedimentation, floc settles to the bottom of the water

supply, due to its weight.

Filtration: Once the floc has settled to the bottom of the water supply, the clear
water on top will pass through filters of varying compositions (sand, gravel, and
charcoal) and pore sizes in order to remove fine particles that were not settled, such
as dust, parasites, bacteria, viruses, and chemicals
Disinfection: involves the addition of chemicals in order to kill or reduce the
number of pathogenic organisms

3. Why is COD always greater than BOD is, explain? Discuss

significance of ASP and Trickling filters in wastewater treatment.

Ans) COD is normally higher than BOD because more organic compounds can be
chemically oxidised than biologically oxidised.
This includes chemicals toxic to biological life, which can make COD tests very
useful when testing industrial sewage, as BOD testing will not capture them.
Significance of ASP and Trickling filters in wastewater treatment

Some of the major process of secondary or biological treatment are as follows: (i)
Activated Sludge Process (ii) Trickling Filters.
The biological process of sewage is a secondary treatment involving removing,
stabilizing and rendering harmless very fine suspended matter, and solids of the
wastewater that remain even after the primary treatment has been done.

(i) Activated Sludge Process:

The essential features of activated sludge process are:

An aeration stage, solids- liquid separation following aeration, and a sludge recycle
system.

Wastewater after primary treatment enters an aeration tank where the organic
matter is brought into intimate contact with the sludge from the secondary clarifier.

This sludge is heavily laden with microorganisms, which are in an active state of
growth. Air is introduced into the tank either in the form of bubbles through
diffusers or by surface aerators.

The microorganisms utilize the oxygen in the air, convert the organic matter into
stabilized, low-energy compounds such as NO3, SO4, and CO2, and synthesize new
bacterial cells.

The effluent from the aeration tank containing the flocculent microbial mass,
known as sludge, is separated in a settling tank. In the settling tank, the separated
sludge exits without contact with the organic matter and becomes activated.

A portion of the activated sludge is recycled to the aeration tank as a seed; the rest
is wasted. If all the activated sludge were recycled, then the bacterial mass would
keep increasing to the stage where the system is clogged with solids.
 1 → Pretreatment,
2 → Primary Clarifier,
3 → Aeration Tank,
4 → Secondary Clarifier,
5 → Thickener,
6 → Sludge Digestion (- – – → Sludge Flow) (→ Liquid Flow).

(ii) Trickling Filters:

The secondly commonly used biological waste treatment process is the trickling
filter method. Trickling filters are also called percolating filters. It has good
adaptability to handle peak shock loads and the ability to function satisfactorily
after a short period.
Milk processing, paper mill and pharmaceutical wastes are among those treated by
tricking filters. Conventional trickling filters normally consist of a rock bed, 1 to 3
meters in depth, with enough openings between rocks to allow air to circulate
easily.

The influent is sprinkled over the bed packing (See Fig. 5.17), which is coated with
a biological slime. As the liquid trickles over the packing, oxygen and the
dissolved organic matter diffuse into the film to be metabolized by the micro-
organisms in this slime layer. End products such as NO 3, CO2 etc., diffuse back out
of the film and appear in the filter effluent.
As the micro-organisms utilize the organic matter, the thickness of the slime film
increases to a point where it can no longer be supported on the solid media and gets
detached from the surface. This process is known as sloughing. A settling tank
following the trickling filter removes the detached bacteria film and some
suspended matter.

Handling and disposal of sludge from biological wastewater treatment plants is an

important problem and represents about half the cost of most sewage treatment
plants.

4. Discuss about sources, effects and control measures of Noise

pollution?
Ans) Sources of noise pollution
Industrial noise

Stamping metal into auto fenders, punching holes into metal plates, riveting plates
together, and crushing different materials all produce impact noise; Grinding and
drilling metal produce continuous noise. Rapid air motion caused by jets of air,
blower, and fans and vibration of equipment also cause noise.

Domestic noise

A residential community abounds with its own sources of noise. Loud radio and
television, amplified rock music, loud conversation, children’s screams, barking
dogs, roosters, air-conditioners, washing machines, kitchen appliances .People are
more annoyed by noise in the evening and at night than at any other time.

Traffic noise

Traffic noise is generated by a vehicle’s power unit, such as a jet’s engine or a

truck’s motor, and from the contact between the tires or wheels and the road or
rails. The greatest amount of aircraft noise is produced upon landing and takeoff
because more power is used at these times.
Near the airport, noise levels between 85 and 95 dB were recorded with an increase
of dB during landing and takeoff. Near railway tracks, ambient noise level
increases up to dB during train movement.

Construction sites

Building and car park construction and road and pavement resurfacing works are
very noisy. For example, a pneumatic drill produces 110 db.

Catering and nightlife

Bars, restaurants and terraces that spill outside when the weather is good can
produce more than 100 db. This includes noise from pubs and clubs.

Animals

Noise made by animals can go unnoticed, but a howling or barking dog, for
example, can produce around 60-80 db.

EFFECTS OF NOISE POLLUTION

Physical

Respiratory agitation, racing pulse, high blood pressure, headaches and, in case of
extremely loud, constant noise, gastritis, colitis and even heart attacks.

Psychological

Noise can cause attacks of stress, fatigue, depression, anxiety and hysteria in both
humans and animals.
Sleep and behavioral disorders

Noise above 45 dB stops you from falling asleep or sleeping properly. Remember
that according to the World Health Organization it should be no more than 30 dB.
Loud noise can have latent effects on our behaviour, causing aggressive behaviour
and irritability.

Memory and concentration

Noise may affect people's ability to focus, which can lead to low performance over
time. It is also bad for the memory, making it hard to study.

Interestingly, our ears need more than 16 hours' rest to make up for two hours of
exposure to 100 dB.
 SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE NOISE POLLUTION

Around the home:

 Close the windows. By simply closing the windows, we can reduce the
amount of noise entering into our homes and buildings.

 Improve your insulation. Insulation measures are some of the basic and most
practical ways to reduce noise pollution at home.

 Do wall-to-wall carpeting. Wall-to-wall carpeting comes in as another

simple and practical way of reducing noise pollution. Such an undertaking
goes a long way in reducing incoming noise into our homes or offices.

 Be creative with the house layout. For instance, noisy machines can be
situated in areas that are not close to the sitting/resting or working areas.

 Turn off the electronic or reduce the volume. The solution is to turn them off
when not in use and also keep them on moderate volume to reduce noise
pollution. Besides, by turning them off you’ll also be saving electricity costs.

In your wider community/workplace:

 Plant trees. Trees have been established to be effective in reducing noise
levels within urban settings, around major highways, and even at the places
we stay.. In addition to that, trees have various aesthetic advantages and
improve air quality.

 Have a dedicated quiet space. Having a dedicated quite space can pay off
whenever we want to escape the noises that make us uncomfortable and
reduce the quality of life. Quite spaces can guarantee as much as 100%
soundproof areas.
  Install cubicles and wall partitions. In places with large free space such as
offices and other big rooms at home, wall partitioning and the use of
cubicles will reduce the overall indoor noise. Cubicles and wall partitions act
as noise absorbers and prove very effective even with low-level installation.

 Shut the door. Shutting the door keeps away unpleasant sounds especially if
you have noisy neighbors.

Activism/Government Response:
 Creating awareness and education on the consequences of noise pollution.

 Let us all be good neighbors. By being a good neighbor, it means

maintaining awareness of your loud music, barking dogs or loud parties
among others.

 Put pressure on the relevant city or governing authorities to introduce noise

regulation policies.