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3
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
AND
ENGINEERING
(GE8291)

DEPARTMENT ECE/IT

BATCH/YEAR 2019-2023/II

CREATED BY CHEMISTRY DIVISION

DATE 17.03.2021

4
 Table of Contents
S.No. Topics Page
No.
1 Course Objectives 7
2 Syllabus 8

3 Course outcomes 9

4 CO-PO mapping 10

5 Lecture Plan 11

6 Activity Based Learning 12

7 Unit -II - Pollution and its Management 13

2.1. Air pollution 15

2.2. Water pollution 27

2.3. Soil pollution 35

2.4. Marine pollution 40

2.5. Noise pollution 44

2.6. Thermal pollution 48

2.7. Nuclear hazards 53

2.8. Nuclear accidents and holocaust 55

2.9. Role of an individual in prevention of 60

pollution
2.10. Waste management 63

2.10.1. Municipal Solid Wastes 65

2.11. Disaster Management 72

5
 Table of Contents
S.No. Topics Page
No.
8 Practice Quiz 86

9 Assignments 88

10 Part A Questions and Answers 89

11 Part B Questions 98

12 Supportive Online Certification Courses 100

13 Real Time Applications in day to day life 101

and in industry
14 Content Beyond the Syllabus 102

15 Prescribed Textbooks and Reference Books 103

16 Mini project suggestions 104

6
 COURSE OBJECTIVES

Objectives:

To study the nature and facts about environment.

To finding and implementing scientific, technological, economic

and political solutions to environmental problems.

To study the interrelationship between living organism and

environment.

To appreciate the importance of environment by assessing its

impact on the human world; envision the surrounding
environment, its functions and its value.

To study the dynamic processes and understand the features of the

earth’s interior and surface.

To study the integrated themes and biodiversity, natural resources,

pollution control and waste management.

7
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING LTPC 3 0 0 3
(GE8291)

UNIT II ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 8

Definition – causes, effects and control measures of: (a) Air
pollution (b) Water pollution (c) Soil pollution (d) Marine pollution
(e) Noise pollution (f) Thermal pollution (g) Nuclear hazards – solid
waste management: causes, effects and control measures of
municipal solid wastes – role of an individual in prevention of
pollution – pollution case studies – disaster management: floods,
earthquake, cyclone and landslides. Field study of local polluted site
– Urban / Rural / Industrial / Agricultural.

8
 COURSE OUTCOMES

COs Outcomes

Explaining the concepts of different ecosystem and

CO 1 biodiversity present.

Applying the basic concepts of science and engineering for

CO 2 pollution abatement

Explaining the different types of natural resources, usage and

CO 3 exploitation

Implementing scientific, technological, and economic

CO 4 solutions to
environmental problems

Outline on the impact of population on environment

CO 5

Relating the concepts of science and environment with

CO 6
engineering process

9
 Course Outcome mapping with POs / PSOs

PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO
COs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

2 1 1 - - - - - - - - 3
CO1

1 2 - - - - - - - - - -
CO2

1 1 - - - - - - - - - -
CO3

2 2 1 - - - - - - - - -
CO4

1 1 1 - - - - - - - - -
CO5

1 1 1 - - - - - - - - 3
CO

10
 LECTURE PLAN
S.No. Topics to be No. of Proposed Actual CO Taxonomy Mode of
covered periods date lecture level delivery
date

1 Pollution- 1
Introduction,
Air pollution
2 Water 1
pollution
3 Soil pollution 1
& Marine
pollution
4 Noise 1
pollution &
Thermal
pollution
5 Nuclear 1
hazards

6 Waste 1
management-
MSW
7 Disaster 1
Management

8 Role of an 1
individual in
prevention of
pollution &
Case studies

11
 ACTIVITY BASED LEARNING
Activity based learning helps students express and embrace their curiosity.

Once the students become curious, they tend to explore and learn by themselves.

To evoke curiosity in students the following activities are given

S.No. Topic Activity Remarks

Create a mind map of Group activity

1 Pollution
causes of pollution.

2 Waste Think pair share Using a chart all

management the terminologies
can be learnt by
pairing them.

3 Pollution Write a slogan on

pollution control.

4 Crossword puzzle Online activity

https://drive.google.c
om/file/d/1_lZ9GQpz
N_WGOfjHYjeJg1WHz
eSedxkl/view?usp=sh
aring

12
 UNIT – II
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

13
 UNIT-II- POLLUTION AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Introduction:

Pollution is derived from a Latin word ‘polluere’ which means ‘to contaminate’ any
feature of the environment. Environmental pollution is not a new phenomenon. Yet,
it remains the world’s most significant problem facing humanity and the leading
environmental causes of morbidity and mortality. Man’s activities through
urbanization, industrialization, mining, and exploration are at the forefront of
environmental pollution. Pollution may be local, regional, trans-boundary, or global.
The agent which causes pollution is called a pollutant.

Definition:

Environmental pollution is defined as “the unfavorable alteration of our

surroundings”. It changes the quality of air, water and land, which interferes and
affects human health and other life on earth. Thus, pollution is the introduction of
contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. Pollution is of
various kinds, depending on the nature of pollutants generated from different
sources.

Types of pollutants:

Biodegradable pollutants:

Biodegradable pollutants are pollutants that can be broken down into natural
components that do not harm the environment over time. This is done by the action
of microorganisms. Ex: food waste like vegetable and fruit peels, dead plants and
animals, egg shells, chicken, garden waste paper materials, etc.

Non- biodegradable pollutants:

Non-biodegradable pollutants, on the other hand, are pollutants that can't be broken
down this way, and may cause environmental harm. These include pesticides and
toxic metals like lead and mercury.

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Sometimes they may decompose very slowly in the environment. The slowly
decomposed materials are most dangerous because it is complicated to remove from
the environment.

Classification of pollution:

The different kinds of pollution that affect the environment are:

i) Air pollution
ii) Water pollution
iii) Soil pollution
iv) Marine pollution
v) Noise pollution
vi) Thermal pollution and
vii) Nuclear hazards.

2.1 AIR POLLUTION:

Air pollution is one of the world’s largest health and environmental problems. Air
pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year. WHO data
shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits
containing high levels of pollutants with low- and middle-income countries suffering
from the highest exposures.

Definition:
Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical, or biological change in the air. It
means the presence of chemicals or compounds like dust, smoke, mist, etc., in the
air which are usually not present and which lower the quality of the air or cause
detrimental changes to the quality of life (such as the damaging of the ozone layer
or causing global warming).

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Composition of atmospheric air:

During several billion years of chemical and biological evolution, the composition of
earth’s atmosphere has varied. Today, about 99% of the volume of air we inhale
consists of two gases: Nitrogen and Oxygen.

Constituents %
Nitrogen 78
Oxygen 21
Argon <1
CO2 0.037
Water vapour Remaining
O3,He,NH3 Trace amount

Classification of Air pollutants:

Pollutants can be classified into two types.

1. Primary pollutants:

The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are known as primary pollutants. Ex:
CO, NO, SO2 etc., Primary pollutants can be emitted from many sources including
cars, coal fired power plants, biomass burning, forest fires, volcanoes etc.

16
2. Indoor air pollutants:
They are primary air pollutants. The most important indoor air pollutant is radon gas.
Ex: CO, NO, SO2, etc.

3. Secondary pollutants: These are formed by the reaction between primary

pollutants and basic components of air. Ex: Smog, formed by the intermingling of smoke
and fog, is a secondary pollutant, formation of HNO3 and H2SO4.

Common air pollutants:

Name of the gas & Source Health effects

Nature

Carbon monoxide: Produced by the incomplete Reacts with hemoglobin

Colorless, odorless, burning of carbon-based fuels and reduces the oxygen to
poisonous gas. & natural and synthetic body cells and tissues,
products such as cigarettes head ache, anemia. At
2C + O2→ 2CO high level causes coma,
irreversible brain cell
damage and death etc.

Nitrogen dioxide: Burning fuels including petrol, Lung irritation and

Reddish brown irritating diesel, and coal damage.
gas that gives
photochemical smog.
NO2 + Moisture →HNO3

Sulphur dioxide: Coal burning in power plant Breathing problems for

Colorless irritating gas. nearly 88% and industrial healthy people
processes.

Suspended particulate Burning of coal in power & Nose and throat irritation,
matter (SPM): Industrial plants, agriculture, lung damage, reproductive
It includes variety of unpaved roads, constructions problems, asthma &
particles & droplets. etc. cancer.

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 Name of the gas &
Nature
Ozone (O3): Irritating
gas with unpleasant
odour. It is a major
component of
photochemical smog.
Photochemical smog:
Brownish smoke like
appearance in clear, sunny
days over large cities with
significant amounts of
automobile traffic.
Lead (Pb): Solid toxic
metal and its metallic
compounds, emitted into
the atmosphere as
particulate matter.
Chromium(Cr): Solid
toxic metal.
Hydrocarbons
(aromatic and
aliphatic):
Source
Chemical reactions with
volatile organic compounds
and nitrogen oxides.
Chemical reactions among
nitrogen oxides and
hydrocarbon by sunlight.
Paints, smelters,
manufacture of lead, storage
batteries etc.
Paints, smelters,
manufacture of Chromium,
Chromium plating etc.
Decay of vegetable matters.
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Health effects
Due to increased UV
radiation levels certain
negative effects of skin
cancers, eye cataracts
and immune deficiency
disorders.
Breathing problem,
cough, eye, nose, throat
irritation, heart diseases
etc.
Damage of brain and
nervous systems, mental
retardation, digestive
problem, cancer etc.
Damage of brain and
nervous systems, mental
retardation, digestive
problem, cancer, chrome
holes etc.
Carcinogenic.
Impacts of air pollution:

1. Acid rain:

Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation

with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from

the atmosphere in wet or dry forms. Acid rain results when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and

nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and

air currents. The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form

sulfuric and nitric acids. These then mix with water and other materials before

falling to the ground.

Effects:

Acid rain affects nearly everything. Plants, soil, trees, buildings and even statues can

be transformed by the precipitation.

 It weakens the trees by washing away the protective film on leaves, and it

stunts growth.

 Acid rain can also change the composition of soil and bodies of water, making

them uninhabitable for local animals and plants. For example, healthy lakes

have a pH of 6.5 or higher. As acid rain raises the level of acidity, fish tend to

die off. Most fish species can't survive a water pH of below 5. When the pH

becomes a 4, the lake is considered dead,

 It can additionally deteriorate limestone and marble buildings and monuments,
like gravestones.

Solutions:

There are several solutions to stopping manmade acid rain. Regulating the emissions
coming from vehicles and buildings is an important step, according to the EPA. This
can be done by restricting the use of fossil fuels and focusing on more sustainable
energy sources such as solar and wind power.

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2. Green house effect:

It is defined as the progressive warming up of the earth’s surface due to blanketing

effect of man made CO2 in the atmosphere. The four major greenhouse gases,
which causes adverse effect are: CO2 ,CH4, N2O, CFCs.
Among them CO2 in the most common and important green house gas. Ozone and
SO2 also act as serious pollutants is causing global warming
Global Warming: The raise of earth’s surface temperature due to intense green
house effect is called global warming.
Causes:
Over the last century, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increase by
25%, the level of nitrous oxide by 19% and the level of methane by 100%. These 3
major global warming gases are released into the atmosphere. by burning of fossil
fuels, industrialization, mining, deforestation, exhaust from increasing automobiles
and other anthropogenic activities.

Effects:
1. Increase evaporation of surface water – influence climate change
2. Leads to declining biodiversity
3. Melting of mountain glaciers and polar ice, which cause rise in sea level
4. Changes the climate and rainfall – reduction in food production
5.The biological productivity of ocean also decreased due to warming of earth's
surface
6.With more carbon dioxide in the air, the plants will grow bigger with increase in
yield and resulting in the soils getting poor quality.
7.If proper precautions are not taken, the conc. Of green house gases may double in
the atom. with in next 50 years, and will makes the average global temperature to
450°C.
Control measures:
1. CO2 emission can be cut by reducing the use of fossil fuels.
2. Implementation energy conservations measures.
3. Plant more trees

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4. Shift from coal to natural gas.
5. Adopt sustainable agriculture.
6. Stabilize population growth
7. Efficiency remove CO2 from smokes stacks
Clean development mechanism (CDM):
CDM is an arrangement under the Kyoto protocol allowing industrialized countries
with a green house gas reduction commitment to invest in projects that reduce
emissions in developing countries. It aims to develop sustainable development in all
countries by reducing CO2 and HFC (Hydrofluro carbon) emission.

3. Ozone layer depletion:

Ozone layer depletion occurs when chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halogen
(organic halogen compounds) gases formerly found in aerosol spray cans and
refrigerants—are released into the atmosphere. Ozone exists in the upper
atmosphere and absorbs ultraviolet radiation, another type of solar energy that's
harmful to humans, animals and plants. CFCs and halons cause chemical reactions
that break down ozone molecules, reducing ozone's ultraviolet radiation-absorbing
capacity.

The sun emits electromagnetic radiation at different wavelengths, meaning energy

at different intensities. The atmosphere acts like a multi-layer shield that protects
Earth from dangerous solar radiation. Ozone is found in two different parts of our
atmosphere. Ground level or ‘bad’ ozone is a human health irritant and component
of smog. It is found in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) and has nothing to do
with the ‘ozone hole.’ High level or ‘good’ ozone occurs in the stratosphere and
accounts for the vast majority of atmospheric ozone.
Chemistry of Ozone Depletion:

CFC molecules are made up of chlorine, fluorine and carbon atoms and are
extremely stable. This extreme stability allows CFCs to slowly make their way into
the stratosphere (most molecules decompose before they can cross into the
stratosphere from the troposphere).
21
This prolonged life in the atmosphere allows them to reach great altitudes
where photons are more energetic. When the CFC's come into contact with
these high energy photons, their individual components are freed from the
whole. The following reaction displays how Cl atoms have an ozone destroying
cycle:

Cl+O3→ClO+O (step 1
ClO+O→Cl+O2 (step 2)
O3+O→2O2 (Overall reaction)
Chlorine is able to destroy so much of the ozone because it acts as a catalyst.

The ozone hole:

The term ‘ozone hole’ refers to the depletion of the protective ozone layer in
the upper atmosphere (stratosphere) over Earth's polar regions. Because of
circulation patterns, ozone in the lower stratosphere move toward the poles,
where its concentration builds up. During the continuous dark polar winter at
the poles, the air inside the polar vortices becomes extremely cold and
creates the condition for drastic ozone destruction, providing a surface for
chlorine to change into ozone-destroying form. They generally last until the
sun comes up in the spring. Scientists also discovered that the thinning in the
ozone layer was caused by increase in concentrations of ozone depleting
chemicals. These chemicals can remain in the atmosphere for decades to over
a century.

The Montreal Protocol:

It is an international commitment to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals that

was universally ratified by all countries that participate in the UN during 1980.

22
Control Measures of air pollution:

The atmosphere has the following built-in self-cleaning processes like,

1. Dispersion
2. Gravitational settling
3. Flocculation
4. Absorption
5. Rain wash out etc.

But the recent studies indicate increasing pollution is hampering the

atmosphere's inherent cleansing ability. So, the best way to protect air quality
is to reduce the emission of pollutants by changing to cleaner fuels and
processes. To reduce pollutants, the appropriate methods which can be
followed are:

A) Source control:
It is more desirable and effective method.
 Use only unleaded petrol.
 Use fuels with low sulphur and ash content.
 By developing an efficient public transport system.
 By encouraging people to walk or use cycles.
 Ensure children play area is not located on busy streets.
 Plant trees (which reduces both air and noise pollution).
 Industries & waste disposal sites should be situated outside the city etc.

B) Control measures in Industries:

 Emission rates should be in permissible level.
 Incorporation of air pollution control equipment must be made mandatory.
 Continuous monitoring of the atmosphere for the pollutants.

23
  Sufficient supply of oxygen and adequate temperature in the combustion
chamber so that the combustion is complete.
 By using mechanical devices such as scrubbers, cyclones, bag houses and
electrostatic precipitators.
 Chemical treatments to deal with factory fumes.
 Finally, the disposal of the collected air pollutants is equally important for
successful control of air pollution.
C) Equipments used to control air pollution:
Air pollution can be reduced by adopting the following approaches:
i) To ensure sufficient supply of oxygen to the combustion chamber and adequate
temperature so that the combustion is complete, eliminating much of the
smoke consisting of partly burnt ashes and dust.
ii) Pollutants not eliminated in this way must be collected or trapped by
appropriate air-cleaning devices as they are generated and before they can
escape into the atmosphere.
iii) Hence mechanical devices such as scrubbers, cyclone dust separator, bag
houses and electro- static precipitators can be used to reduce particulate
pollutants.

24
The above four equipments are commonly used control methods for removing
particulates from the exhaust gases of electric power and industrial plants. All these
methods retain hazardous materials that must be disposed of safely. The wet
scrubber can also reduce sulphur dioxide emissions.
iv) Chemical treatment to deal with factory fumes:
The disposal of the collected air pollutants is equally important for successful control
of air pollution.
v) Carbon sequestration

The best way to reduce the levels of CO2 in the air is to use energy more efficiently
and to reduce the combustion of fossil fuels by using alternative energy sources.
Carbon sequestration involves the long-term storage of carbon dioxide underground,
as well as on the surface of earth in forests and oceans. Carbon sequestration in
forests and oceans relies on natural processes such as forest growth. Storing carbon
dioxide underground a technology under development that is also called geo
sequestration or carbon capture and storage would involve pumping the gas directly
into underground geologic ‘reservoir’ layers.

25
Case studies for air pollution:
1. Bhopal gas tragedy:
The world’s worst industrial accident occurred at Bhopal city, M.P. on the midnight of
3rd December 1984. It happened at Union Carbide India Ltd., who manufactures
some carbonate pesticides, using ‘methylisocyanate’ (MIC). The reactor gets
exploded, due to failure of its cooling system and 40 tons of MIC leaked into the
atmosphere.

1. Methyl-iso-cyanate is a toxic gas, lower concentrations of which affects lungs,

eyes and causes irritation in the skin.
2. Higher amounts of MIC removes oxygen from the lungs and can cause death.
Effects in Bhopal: The gas spread over 40 sq.km area. About 5000 persons were
killed and 65,000 people suffered from severe eye, respiratory, neuromuscular and
gastrointestinal disorders. Nearly 1000 persons became blind.
2. 2020 Beirut explosion:
On 4th August 2020, a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored at the port of the
city of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, exploded, causing massive air pollution and
nearly 200 deaths, 6,500 injuries, US$ 10–15 billion in property damage and leaving
an estimated 300,000 people homeless. Around 2,750 tones of substance
(equivalent to around 1.1 kilotons of TNT) had been stored in a warehouse without
proper safety measures for the previous six years. The explosion was felt in Turkey,
Syria, Israel, Palestine and parts of Europe, and was heard in Cyprus which is more
than 250 km (160 miles) away. It was detected by the United States Geoloical
Survey as a seismic event of magnitude 3.3 and it is considered one of the most
powerful non-nuclear explosions in the history.
https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/16/16778604/london-great-smog-1952-
death-in-the-air-pollution-book-review-john-reginald-christie
https://www.history.com/news/the-killer-fog-that-blanketed-london-60-years-ago

26
 2.2 WATER POLLUTION

Introduction:
Water is uniquely vulnerable to pollution. Known as a “universal solvent,” water is
able to dissolve more substances than any other liquid on earth. Water pollution
occurs when harmful substances—often chemicals or microorganisms—contaminate
a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other body of water, degrading water quality
and rendering it toxic to humans or the environment. The pollutants also seep
through and reach the groundwater, which might end up in our households as
contaminated water we use in our daily activities, including drinking.

Definition:
The alteration in physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water which may
cause harmful effects on human and aquatic life.

Sources & effects of water pollution:

Pollutants Source Effects

Infectious agents: Human and animal variety of diseases
Ex: bacteria, viruses, wastes
protozoa etc.

Oxygen demanding Sewage, paper mills, Reduces the DO level

wastes: Ex: organic animal feedlots and of water & therefore,
wastes that can be food processing degrades water quality.
decomposed by aerobic facilities This causes fish and
(oxygen requiring) other aquatic life to die
bacteria.

Inorganic Surface runoff, • Unfit for drinking.

chemicals: Ex: Acids, industrial effluents etc. • Skin cancer and
toxic metals such as neck damage.
lead, arsenic, and • Damage to nervous
selenium, salts such as system, liver and
NaCl in ocean water kidneys
and fluorides found in • Harmful to aquatic
some soils. life.
• Accelerates
corrosion of metals.
• Lowers the crop
yield.

27
Pollutants Source Effects
Organic chemicals: Industrial effluents, • Damage to nervous
Ex: Oil, plastics, surface fun off, systems & some
pesticides, detergents, household cleansers. cancers.
gasoline, cleaning • Harmful to fish and
solvents. wild life.
Plant nutrients: Sewage, manure, run • Can cause excessive
Water soluble off from agriculture growth of algae and
compounds containing other aquatic plants,
Nitrates, phosphates which die, decay,
and ammonium ions. deplete dissolved
oxygen in water and
kill the fish
(Eutrophication)
• Drinking water with
excessive level of
nitrates lower the
oxygen carrying
capacity of the blood
and can kill urban
children and infants
(Blue baby
syndrome)
• Depletion of
dissolved oxygen
Sediments: Ex: Soil, Land erosion • Reduces
silt, etc. photosynthesis and
cloud water
• Disrupt aquatic food
webs.
• Carry pesticides,
bacteria, and other
harmful substances.
• Clog and fill lakes,
artificial reservoirs,
stream channels and
harbors etc.

28
 Pollutants Source Effects
Radioactive Nuclear power plants, Genetic mutation, birth
materials: mining, nuclear defects and certain
Ex: Radioactive weapons production cancers
isotopes of I, U, Cs, Th and natural sources
etc.
Heat (Thermal water cooling of • Lowers dissolved
pollution): electric power plants oxygen levels and
Ex: Excessive heat and some types of makes aquatic
industrial plants. organisms more
Almost half of all water vulnerable to
withdrawn in United disease, parasites
States each year is for and toxic chemicals.
cooling electric power • Thermal shock
plants. (when a power plant
shut down for repair,
then the aquatic
organisms can be
killed by the abrupt
change in water
temperature)

Characteristics (or) Testing of river water (waste water):

Oxygen amount Significance

Dissolved oxygen (DO)
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the
amount of oxygen dissolved in
a given quantity of water at a
particular pressure and
temperature.
• DO is vital for the support of fish and other
aquatic life in river water.
• It determines whether the biological
changes are brought about by aerobic or
anaerobic micro- organisms
•DO determinations serve as the means of
control of river pollution.
• A minimum level of DO (4 mg/lit) must be
maintained in rivers so as to support the
aquatic life in a healthy condition. Thus, it is
necessary to ensure that the treated water
must have at least 4 mg/lit of DO before its
disposal into river

29
 Oxygen amount
Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (BOD):
It is the amount of oxygen
required for the biological
decomposition of organic
matter present in the water.
Chemical Oxygen Demand
(COD):
It is the amount of oxygen
required for chemical oxidation
of organic matter using some
oxidizing agent like K2Cr2O7
and KMnO4 .
Significance
•It is an important indication of the amount of
organic matter present in the river water.
•Since complete oxidation occurs in indefinite
period, the reaction period is taken as five
days at 20°C For all practical purposes , it is
written as BOD5.
•The rate of oxidation and demand depends
on the amount and type of organic matter
Present in river water.
• It is carried out to determine the pollution
strength of river water.
•It is rapid process and takes only 3 hours.

Control measures of water pollution:

Water pollution, to a larger extent, can be controlled by a variety of methods. The

control of pollution should ideally take place at the point of generation, or, in other
words, it should be prevented at source.
1. The administration of water pollution control should be in the hands of state or
central government.
2. Scientific techniques are necessary to be adopted for environmental control of
catchment areas of rivers, ponds or streams.
3. The industrial plants should be based on recycling operations, because it will
not only stop the discharge of industrial wastes into natural water sources but
by products can be extracted from the wastes.
4. Plants, trees and forests control pollution and they acts as natural air
conditioners. Hence the national goal should be “Conservation of forests”.
5. Forests in and around big cities and industrial establishments are capable of
reducing the sulphur dioxide and nitric oxide pollutants to a greater extent from
the atmosphere.

30
6. It is not advisable to discharge any type of waste either treated, partially treated
or un-treated into streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and reservoirs.
7. Highly qualified and experienced persons should be consulted from time to time
for effective control of water pollution.
8. Public awareness regarding adverse effects of water pollution is a must.
9. Suitable laws, standards and practices should be formed to regulate the discharge
of undesirable flow of water in water bodies.
10. Basic and applied research in public health engineering should be encouraged.

Waste water (or) Sewage Treatment:

Sewage refers to liquid wastes containing a mixture of human feces and wastewater
from non-industrial human activities such as bathing, washing, and cleaning.
Untreated sewage poses a major risk to human health since it contains waterborne
pathogens that can cause serious human illness. Untreated sewage also destroys
aquatic ecosystems, threatening human livelihoods, when the associated biological
oxygen demand and nutrient loading deplete oxygen in the water to levels too low
to sustain life.

Objectives:
The main objectives of waste water treatment are:
i) To convert harmful compounds into harmless compounds.
ii) To eliminate the offensive smell.
iii) To remove the solid content of the sewage.
iv) To destroy the disease producing microorganisms.

Treatment process:
The sewage (or) waste water treatment process involves the following steps:
I) Preliminary Treatment:
In this treatment, coarse solids and suspended impurities are removed
by passing the waste water through bar and mesh screens.

31
II) Primary Treatment (or) settling process:
In this treatment, greater proportion of the suspended inorganic and organic
solids is removed from the liquid sewage by settling. In order to facilitate
quick settling coagulants like alum or ferrous sulphate is added. These
produce large gelatinous precipitates, which entraps finely divided organic
matter and settles rapidly.
Al2(SO4)3 + 6H2O → 2Al(OH)3 ↓ + 3H2SO4
III) Secondary (or) Biological Treatment:
In this treatment, biodegradable organic impurities are removed by aerobic
bacteria. It removes up to 90% of the oxygen demanding wastes. This is done
by trickling filter or activated sludge process.
a) Trickling filter process:
The trickling filter is an aerobic treatment system that utilizes microorganisms
attached to a medium to remove organic matter from wastewater. It consists of
a circular tank which is filled with either coarse or crushed rock (media). Sewage
is sprayed over this bed by means of slowly rotating arms. Air circulation in the
void space, by blowers, provides oxygen for the microorganisms. When sewage
starts percolating downwards, microorganisms present in the sewage grows on
the surface of filtering media using organic material of the sewage as food. After
completion of aerobic oxidation, the treated sewage taken out and the sludge is
removed. This process removes about 80 – 85 % of BOD.

32
(b) Activated sludge process:
Activated sludge is biologically active sewage and it has a large number of
aerobic bacteria, which can easily oxidize the organic impurities. The sewage
effluents from primary treatment is mixed with the required amount of
activated sludge and is aerated in the aeration tank. Under these conditions,
organic impurities of the sewage get oxidized rapidly by the microorganisms.
After aeration, the sewage is taken to the sedimentation tank. Sludges settle
down in this tank called activated sludge. A portion of which is used for
seeding fresh batch of the sewage. This process removes about 90 – 95% of
BOD.
IV. Tertiary treatment:
Tertiary treatment of wastewater is the third stage of the wastewater treatment and
is also known as an advanced treatment. Tertiary treatment removes the load of
nitrogen and phosphorus present in the water. It includes processes like filtration,
chlorination, activated carbon adsorption, nitrification, and denitrification.

33
 V. Disposal of sludge:
This is the last stage in the sewage treatment. Sludge formed from different steps
can be disposed by:
i) Dumping into low lying areas.
ii) Burning of sludge (incineration).
iii) Dumping into the sea.
iv) Using it as low-grade fertilizers.

Case studies on water pollution:

Indian Children Blinded, Crippled By Fluoride In Water:
In India nearly 11.5 million people at high
risk of fluorosis due to lack of clean drinking
water. Health ministry has identified at least
132 districts in 19 states severely affected
by high fluoride content in drinking water, a
leading cause of fluorosis.

Arsenic poison in ground water:

West Bengal and Bangladesh are severely

contaminated by the toxic heavy metal arsenic.
The first report of arsenic pollution in West Bengal
came in 1978 and that in Bangladesh in 1993,
where it was found to be even more widespread.
Arsenic poisoning has far reaching consequences.
The local people were found to be ingesting low
doses of arsenic for 10-14 years after which
suddenly white or black spots called melanosis
started mottling the skin. The spots were later
found to get converted into leprosy like skin
lesions encrusting the palms and soles, eventually
rotting into gangrenous ulcers. Long exposures
often led to bladder and lung cancer.
34
 2.3 SOIL POLLUTION
Introduction:

Soil is the top layer of earth’s crust which is formed by the weathering of rocks. The
contamination of soil by human and natural activities which may cause harmful
effects on living beings. Organic matter in the soil makes it suitable for living
organisms. Dumping of various types of materials, mainly domestic and industrial
wastes, causes soil pollution. Domestic wastes include garbage, rubbish material like
glass, plastics, metallic cans, paper, fibers, cloth rags, etc., which pollute the soil.
Industrial wastes and chemical discharges from various industries also pollute the
soil.

Definition:
Soil pollution is defined as the presence of toxic chemicals (pollutants or
contaminants) in soil, in high enough concentrations to pose a risk to human health
and/or the ecosystem.

Composition of soil:
Components %
Mineral matter 45
(inorganic)
Organic 5
Soil Water 25
Soil air 25

Sources and effects of soil pollution:

Pollutant Source
Industrial waste: Pulp and paper mills,
chemical industries, oil
refineries, sugar factories,
tanneries, textiles, steel,
distilleries, pesticides,
fertilizers, drugs, glass,
coal, mineral, petroleum
etc.
35
Effect
1. it alters the chemical
and biological properties
of soil. 2. Hazardous
chemicals can enter into
human food chain and
leads to serous effects.
Pollutant Source
Urban wastes Plastics, glasses, metallic
cans, fibers, street
sweepings, fuel residues,
containers, abandoned
vehicles and other
discarded manufactured
products.
Agricultural practices Fertilizers, pesticides,
herbicides, weedicides,
farm wastes, etc.
Radioactive pollutants Natural Source:
a) space – emits cosmic
rays.
b) soil, rocks, air, water,
food etc., contains one or
more radioactive
substances.
Man made source:
Nuclear power plants,
X-rays, nuclear reactors,
nuclear accidents, nuclear
bombs, diagnostic kits
etc., where radioactive
substances are used.
36
Effect
They are dangerous
because they cannot be
easily degraded.
Pollutes the soil to a large
extent
It affects the cell in the
body and function of
glands and organs.
Blood cancer and bone
cancer.
Genetic disorders even in
the subsequent
generations
Exposure to high doses of
radiation causes death
within hours or days.
Vomiting, bleeding of the
gums, mouth ulcer etc.
Internal bleeding and
blood vessel damage
Brain damage and metal
retardation to the unborn
children.
 Pollutant Source Effect

Biological agents Large quantities of Causes serious

human, animal, bird’s damage to plants
excreta that constitute within few years.
the major source of Manures and digested
land pollution. Faulty sludge containing
sanitation, municipal more live viruses and
garbage, waste water viable intestinal
also induce heavy soil worms.
pollution.

Major physico- chemical characteristics of untreated wastes of

organic chemical industries in soil:
S. No Industry Physico – chemical characteristics

1 Pulp and paper Suspended solids, high or low pH, colour,

BOD, COD, high temperature and fibers.
2 Rubber industry Chlorides, Suspended and dissolved solids,
variable pH and high BOD.
3 Oil refineries Acids, alkalis, phenols, resinous materials and
petroleum oils.
4 Antibiotics Toxic organics and high acidity or alkalinity.
5 Synthetic drugs High Suspended and dissolved organic matter
including vitamins.
6 Distillery Very high COD, low pH, high organic matter,
high Suspended and dissolved solids
containing nitrogen, high potassium.
7 Organic chemical industry Toxic compounds, phenols, high acidity,
alkalinity.

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Major physico- chemical characteristics of untreated wastes of Inorganic
chemical industries in soil:

S.No Industry Physico – chemical characteristics

1 Thermal Power Plants Heat, heavy metals, dissolved solids and

inorganic compounds
2 Steel Mills Acids, phenols, low pH, alkali, lime stone,
oils, fine Suspended solids, cyanides and
iron salts.
3 Cotton Industry Sodium, organic matter, color, high pH and
fibers.
4 Metal Plating Metallic, toxic cyanides, cadmium, zinc,
copper and low pH .
5 Iron Foundry Coal, clay, Suspended solids and iron.
6 Pesticides Aromatic compounds, acidity and high
organic matter
7 Acids Low pH and organic content.
8 Tanneries Calcium, chromium, high salt content, color,
dissolved and Suspended matter.
9 Explosives Alcohols, metals, TNT and organic acids.

Control measures of soil pollution:

1. Soil erosion can be controlled by afforestation, contour farming, conservational

till farming, terracing, agro forestry etc.
2. Proper dumping of unwanted materials.
3. Bio pesticides should be used in place of toxic chemical pesticides.
4. People should be trained regarding the sanitary habits.
5. Public awareness programs should be imparted.

38
6. The wastes such as paper, plastics, metals, glasses, effluents should be recycled
and reused.
7. Use of chemicals like DDT, BHC etc., should be banned which are fatal to plants
and animals.
8. Nuclear explosions and the improper disposal of radioactive wastes should be
banned.
9. Biodegradable organic waste should be used for generation of biogas. Cattle dung
should be used for methane generation. Night-soil can also be used in the biogas
plant to produce inflammable methane gas.

Case Study:

Kodaikanal is aptly named as the princess of hill stations due to its aesthetic value.
Hindustan Unilever Limited factory imported mercury from the United States and
exported finished thermometers to markets in the United States and Europe. The
factory dumped 7.4 tons of mercury containing broken glass from thermometers.
Sacks of hazardous mercury containing glass spilled in parts of Shola forest resulting
in air and water-borne mercury emissions. Department of Atomic Energy, India
found the level of dumped mercury to be 1000 times more than the normal. The
HLL mercury plant was shut down in March 2001 after a prolonged agitation by the
workers. It caused irreparable damage to the ex-workers, the local people and
especially pregnant women. The extent of destruction reached to unborn babies
being born with mental retardation, deformed organs and loss of memory.

Did you know?

World Soil Day is celebrated on 5th
December annually. It is celebrated to
spread awareness regarding soil erosion
its importance, food, water, climate,
biodiversity etc.

39
 2.4 MARINE POLLUTION

Introduction:

The ocean is the heart of the planet. Water covers more than two-thirds of
the Earth’s surface. Sea plants like Posidonia produce 70% of the oxygen that
we breathe. Oceans are home for millions of aquatic flora and fauna. The
oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide produced by humans; hence,
buffering the impacts of global warming. It provides us food, jobs, life,
entertainment, and sailing. Without it, we cannot survive. Human activities
highly pollute the ocean. Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and
trash, most of which comes from land sources and is washed or blown into
the ocean. This pollution results in damage to the environment, to the health
of all organisms, and to economic structures worldwide.

Definition:

“The introduction by man, directly, or indirectly, of substances or energy to the

marine environment resulting in deleterious effects such as hazards to human
health, a hindrance to marine activities, impairment of the quality of seawater for
various uses and reduction of amenities.”

Sources of marine pollution:

1. Introduction of sewage: Dumping of untreated wastes and sewages into

oceans by coastal town, cities and industrial units.
2. Rivers on their way to sea accumulates huge amounts of sewage, garbage,
pesticides etc., These are all added to sea.
3. Oil spillage: The significant damage to water is caused by petroleum and its
products. Oil enters water from cracks of oil tankers, accidental spillage,
cleaning of fuel tanks etc.
4. Detergents used to clean up the spill.
5. Introduction of plastics and litters.

40
6. Deep sea mining activities: Ocean mining sites drilling for silver, gold, copper,
cobalt, and zinc create sulfide deposits up to three and a half thousand meters down
into the ocean.
Effects of marine pollution:

1. Effect of toxic wastes on marine animals:

The oil spill is dangerous to marine life in several ways. The oil spilled in the ocean
could get on to the gills and feathers of marine animals, making it difficult for them
to move, fly properly or feed their children. The long-term effect on marine life
include cancer, failure in the reproductive system due to thinning of eggshells, tissue
damage, behavioral changes and even death.
2. Disruption to the cycle of coral reefs:
Oil spill floats on the surface of the water and prevents sunlight from reaching the
marine plants and affects the process of photosynthesis.
3. Depletes oxygen content in water:
Most of the debris in the ocean does not decompose and remain in the ocean for
years. It uses oxygen as it degrades. As a result of this, oxygen levels go down.
When oxygen levels go down, the chances of survival of marine animals like whales,
turtles, sharks, dolphins, penguins for a long time also goes down.
4. Failure in the reproductive system of sea animals:

Industrial and agricultural wastes include various poisonous chemicals that are
considered hazardous for marine life. Chemicals from pesticides can accumulate in
the fatty tissue of animals, leading to failure in their reproductive system.
Detergents used to clean up the spill are also harmful to marine life.
5. Affects human health:
Animals from impacted food chain are then eaten by humans which affects their
health as toxins from these contaminated animals get deposited in the tissues of
people and can lead to cancer, birth defects or long-term health problems.

41
6. Effect on the food chain:
Chemicals used in industries and agriculture get washed into the rivers and from
there they are carried to oceans. These chemicals do not get dissolved and sink at
the bottom of the ocean. Small animals ingest these chemicals and are later eaten
by large animals which then affects the whole food chain.

Control measures of marine pollution:

1. Plans for conserving marine biodiversity must be taken into account.

2. People should be educated about marine biodiversity.

3. Local communities must be involved in protecting their coastal resources.

4. Social and economic incentives may be offered for conserving and sustainable
use of marine resources.

5. The government must manage its waters.

6. The industrial units on the coastal line should be equipped with pollution
control instruments.

7. The urban growth near the coasts should be regulated.

8. The needs of fisherman should be accommodated.

9. Oil film can be removed either by physical (skimming or absorbing) or chemical

(dispersion, emulsification, using chemical additives) methods etc.

10. Municipal and industrial wastes should be treated before allowed to join the
sea.

11. Coastal wastes should be periodically analyzed for detecting pollution levels.

12. Suitable control techniques should arrest soil erosion on the coastal land.

Did you know?

World ocean day
The concept of World Ocean Day was proposed at the
Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Officially World
Ocean Day was established by the United Nations General
Assembly in 2008 to be celebrated worldwide annually on
8th June to resolve the problems of oceans and also to save
ocean water.

42
Case Studies for marine pollution:

1. Minamata disease:

In 1953, people in Japan suffered from the numbness of body parts, vision, hearing
problems and abnormal mental behavior. This disease is called Minamata disease
occurred due to the consumption of methyl mercury-contaminated fish caught from
Minamata bay in Japan. A plastic factory was discharging mercury directly into the
Minamata bay. Over 20 years, 8000 people had paralysis, brain damage and several
hundred people died.

2. A Global Tragedy for Our Oceans and Sea Life:

Plastic accumulating in our oceans and beaches has become a global crisis. Billions
of pounds of plastic have been found in swirling convergences that make up about
40 percent of the world's ocean surfaces. At current rates, plastic is expected to
outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050. Plastic pollution has a direct and deadly
effect on wildlife. Thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals and other marine
mammals are killed each year after ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it.

3. Marine pollution in Teluk Bahang, Penang, Malaysia:

https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1071.4641&rep=rep1&ty
pe=pdf

Did you know?

Sustainable Development Goal 14

SDG 14 or Global Goal 14 is about "Life below water". It is one of the

17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations
in 2015; the official wording is "Conserve and sustainably use the
oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development“.

43
 2.5 NOISE POLLUTION
Introduction:
The word ‘Noise’ is derived from the Latin word ‘nausea’ which means feeling of
sickness at the stomach with an urge to vomit. Disturbing or excessive noise that
may harm the activity or balance of human or animal life. The source of most
outdoor noise worldwide is mainly caused by machines, transportation systems,
motor vehicles, aircrafts and trains.
Definition:

We hear various types of sounds every day. Sound is mechanical energy from a
vibrating source.
Noise:
A type of sound may be pleasant to someone and at the same time unpleasant to
others. The unpleasant and unwanted sound is called noise.
Noise pollution:
It can be defined as any disturbing or unwanted noise that interferes or harms
humans or wildlife. Although noise constantly surrounds us.
Noise pollution generally receives less attention than water quality and air quality
issues because it cannot be seen, tasted or smelled. World Health Organization
stated that “Noise must be recognized as a major threat to human well-being”.
Units of Noise:
The unit of sound intensity is decibel (dB). The sound intensity from 0 to 100 dB is
pleasant but when the sound intensity exceeds 120 dB, it causes noise pollution.
Sound intensity of 130 dB is the upper limit for the threshold of hearing and beyond
this level, the threshold of pain which may cause damage to ear and leading to
hearing impairments. So, sound more than 120 dB causes noise pollution. The most
common instruments used for measuring noise are the Sound Level Meter (SLM),
the Integrating Sound Level Meter (ISLM) and the noise dosimeter.
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Permissible Exposure Limit
(PEL) and Recommended Exposure Limits (REL) in hours given below. Based on the
reference table given below, continuous 16 hours of 85 dB provides auditory risk, 8
hours of 90 dB, 4 hours of 95 dB, 2 hours of 100 dB, and so on.

44
Level, in dB A 85 88 90 92 94 95 100 105 110 115
OSHA PEL (hr) 16 8 4 2 1 0.5 0.25
NIOSH REL (hr) 8 4 1 0.25

Sources of noise pollution:

1. Industrial noise: It includes different machines of numerous factories,

industries and mills.
2. Transport noise: It includes road traffic, rail traffic and aircraft noise. The
number of road vehicles like motors, scooters, cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks
and diesel engine vehicles has increased enormously in recent years.
3. Neighborhood noise: Common noisemakers are musical instruments, TV,
radios, telephones, loudspeakers etc.
4. Festivals, political meetings also cause noise pollution.
5. Construction of buildings, highways and streets cause a lot of noise due to the
usage of air compressors, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks and pavement
breaker.
Loudness chart:

Effects of noise pollution:

1. It mainly affects human health: Excessive secretion of adrenalin into

blood serum, high blood pressure, mental distress, heart attacks, birth
defects, abortion etc.
2. Nervous breakdown, tension etc.
3. Change in hormone content of blood, increases heartbeat, dilation of
pupil of eye.
45
4. Causes damage to heart, brain, kidneys, liver etc.
5. The most immediate effect is impairment of hearing.
6. Physiological and pathological disorders and brain is also affected.
7. The ability of learning and reading decreases, when we regularly get exposed
to loud noise.
Preventive measures of noise pollution:
1. Prescribing noise limits for vehicular traffic.
2. Ban on honking of horns in silent zones.

3. Buildings can be designed with suitable noise absorbing material for the walls,
windows, and ceilings.

4. Reduction of traffic density and giving preferences to public transport system.

5. Source control: Acoustic treatment to machine surface, design changes,

limiting the operational timings etc.

6. Transmission path Intervention: This includes construction of noise barrier

(or) provision of sound absorbing material along the path.

7. Receptor control: It includes the protection of the receiver by altering the

work schedule or by providing protection devices such as ear plugs.

8. Proper oiling will reduce the noise from the machine.

9. Planting bushes and trees in and around sound generating sources is an

effective solution for noise pollution.

10. Regular servicing and tuning of automobiles can effectively reduce the noise
pollution.

11. Community development or urban management should be done with long-term

planning along with an aim to reduce noise pollution.

12. Social awareness programs should be taken up to educate the public about the
causes and effects of noise pollution.

13. Legislation can ensure that sound production is minimized at various social
functions.

46
Case study:

Noise pollution during Diwali:

Diwali is a festival of lights. Traditionally people of all ages enjoy firecrackers.

Some accidents do occur every year claiming few lives. According to the test report
by the National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi most of the firecrackers available in
the market produce noise beyond the permissible levels of 125 decibels as per the
Environment (Protection) (Second amendment) Rules, 1999. Some of them have
observed to produce noise near the threshold of pain.

1883 Eruption of Krakatoa:

The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa began on afternoon of 26th August and peaked in the
early morning of 27th August. It was one of the deadliest and most destructive
volcanic events in recorded history and explosions were so violent that they were
heard up to 3,110 kilometres (1,930 miles) away in Perth, Western Australia and
Rodrigues near Mauritius, 4,800 kilometres (3,000 miles) away. At least 36,417
deaths are attributed to the eruption and it created Tsunami.

Did you know?

International Noise Awareness Day
It is a global campaign, founded in 1996 by the Center for Hearing and
Communication (CHC), aiming to raise awareness of the effects of noise on the
welfare and health of people. The day is commemorated on the last
Wednesday of April of each year. Activities aimed at creating a focus not only
on noise, but also on means of reducing noise levels are organized in a
number of countries all over the world.

47
 2.6 THERMAL POLLUTION

Introduction:

Thermal pollution, sometimes called ‘Thermal enrichment,’ is the degradation

of water quality by any process that changes ambient water temperature. A common
cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and
industrial manufacturers. When water used as a coolant is returned to the natural
environment at a higher temperature, the sudden change in temperature
decreases O2 supply and affects ecosystem composition. Fish and other organisms
adapted to particular temperature range can be killed by an abrupt change in water
temperature (either a rapid increase or decrease) known as "thermal shock."

Definition:

“Addition of excess of undesirable heat to water that makes it harmful to man,

animals and aquatic life”.

Sources of thermal pollution:

1. Nuclear power plants: It includes nuclear reactor, nuclear experiments,

explosions etc., heated effluents from power plants are discharged at 10oC higher
than the receiving water that affects the aquatic flora and fauna.
2. Coal- fired power plants: The condenser coils are cooled with water and the
hot water is discharged to other stream that increases the nearby water to about
15oC.
3. Industrial effluents: Industries generating electricity requires huge amount of
cooling water for heat removal. This results in the increase of stream temperature
ranging from 6oC to 9oC.

48
4. Domestic sewage: The municipal sewage normally has a higher temperature
than the receiving water.

5. Hydroelectric power: Sometimes, it results in negative thermal loading in

water systems.

Effects of thermal pollution:

1. Thermal shock – aquatic life adapted to a specific water temperature can go

into shock when the temperature is changed even 1 or 2 Oc. It can kill off
insects, fish and amphibians. This sudden loss of life causes further issues in
the ecosystem.
2. Reduction in dissolved oxygen - It results in killing of fish and other aquatic
organisms.
3. It increases the toxicity of the poison present in water. (example: A 10oC rise
doubles the toxic effect of KCN).
4. The temperature changes totally disrupt the entire ecosystem.
5. In fishes, several activities like hatching, migration and reproduction etc.,
depends on optimum temperature.
6. Increase in temperature exhausts the micro organisms. At high temperature,
death occurs to fish due to failure in respiratory and nervous system.
7. Due to the change in temperature, the fish may lack the right food at right
time.

Control Measures of thermal pollution:

1. Cooling towers: It is generally used to eliminate the problems of

thermal pollution. Cooling towers transfer some of the heat from hot
water to the surrounding atmosphere by evaporation. Cooling curves are
of two types: a) Wet cooling tower b) Dry cooling tower.

49
a) Wet cooling tower: Hot water is allowed to spray over baffles
where the cool air is passed, which takes away the heat.

b) Dry cooling tower: Hot water is allowed to flow in a long spiral

pipes. Cold air passed over these pipes, cools down the hot water.

2. Cooling ponds:

Cooling ponds or reservoirs are the simplest methods of controlling thermal

discharges. In cooling ponds, heated effluents on the surface water maximize
the dissipation of heat to the atmosphere and minimize the area and volume
of water. Cooling ponds are the simplest and cheapest method of cooling
thermal discharges. However, the technique alone is less desirable as well as
inefficient in terms of air-water contact.

50
3. Spray ponds: Hot water is allowed to pass into ponds through sprayers as
fine droplets. It dissipates the heat to the atmosphere.

4. Artificial lake: These are the man-made water body. Here, the heated
effluents can be discharged into the lake at one end and the water for the cooling
purpose may be withdrawn from the other end.

51
Case study for thermal pollution:

The Ennore tragedy (NCTPS):

The North Chennai Thermal Power Station is a power station situated

about 25KM (16 miles) from Chennai city. It is one of the major power
plants of Tamil Nadu and has a total installed capacity of 1,830 MW
(2,450,000 hp). Thermal power plants (North Chennai Thermal Power
Stations) have destroyed Chennai's fishing communities due to thermal
pollution. National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) southern zone has directed the
government to form a committee to assess alleged environmental damage
caused by Ennore Thermal Power Station (EPTS) along Kosasthalaiyar
river. Recently hundreds (Aug 2020) of fish were found in the north
Chennai near the power plant. Fishermen claims that, it is due to hot
water discharge from the thermal power station. The creek natural
ecosystem has been damaged over several years. But the officials denied
the charges.

52
 2.7 NUCLEAR HAZARDS

Introduction:
Risk or danger to human health or the environment exposed by the radiation

emanating from the atomic nuclei is called a Nuclear hazard. It is an actual or

potential release of radioactive material at a commercial nuclear power plant or a

transportation accident. Radioactive substances are present in nature. They undergo

natural radioactive decay in which unstable isotopes are spontaneously given out.

Fast-moving particles, high energy radiation, or both at a fixed rate until a new

stable isotope is formed. The isotopes released either is in the form of:

 Gamma rays (High energy Electromagnetic radiation)

 Alpha and beta particles (Ionization particles)

These ionization radiations have variable penetration power.

Sources of Radioactivity:
1. Natural sources: Sources of natural radioactivity include cosmic rays from outer

space, soil, rocks, air, water and food which contains one or more radioactive

substances.

53
2. Anthropogenic sources: These sources are nuclear power plants, nuclear
accidents, X-rays, diagnostic kits, test laboratories etc., where radioactive substances
are used.

Effects of Radiations:
* It affects the cell in the body and the function of glands and organs.
* Results in blood cancer and bone cancer.
* Genetic disorders even in the subsequent generations
* Exposure to high doses of radiation causes death within hours or days.
* Vomiting, bleeding of the gums, mouth ulcer etc.
* Internal bleeding and blood vessel damage.
* Brain damage and mental retardation in the unborn children.

Control of Radiation / Nuclear Pollution:

 Nuclear devices should never be exploded in air.
 In nuclear reactor, a closed-cycle coolant system may be used.
 Production of radio isotopes should be minimized.
 Minimum number of nuclear installation should be commissioned.
 The use of radio isotopes may be carried out under a jet of soil or water.

 Extreme care should be taken in the disposal of wastes contaminated with

radio nuclides.

 Fission reaction should be minimized.

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women:

During World War I and the years thereafter, dozens of teenage girls and young
women worked in radium-dial factories (U.S. Radium Corporation - From 1917 to
1926) painting glow-in-the-dark numbers onto watches and airplane instruments.
The paint got onto their hands, into their hair, and settled on their clothes. And so,
they glowed. The factories assured them it was safe to use radium.

54
They were even taught to paint tiny numbers on the dials by licking their
paintbrushes to a fine point. Then years later, after they stopped working the
factories, the women started getting mysteriously ill. Their teeth started to fall out.
Their jaw bones—brittle and degraded—broke at a light touch. Their hips locked into
place. Their radium-filled bones were being bombarded with radiation from the
inside. U.S. Radium and other watch-dial companies rejected claims that the afflicted
workers were suffering from exposure to radium. employees began asking for
compensation for their medical and dental bills as early as 1927 but were refused by
management.

2.8 Nuclear energy and nuclear accidents:

The most serious hazard to human and environmental health from the nuclear
accident is the release of large amounts of nuclear energy and radioactive products
into the atmosphere.

Types of nuclear accidents:

1. Nuclear test- Nuclear explosions, carried out in underground, cause settling

down radioactive materials on the earth’s surface and radioactive particles,
radioactive rays into the atmosphere.

2. Nuclear power plant- The release of radiation occurs during the accidents. The
nuclear power plant located in the seismic vulnerable area may cause nuclear
accidents.

3. Improper disposal of radioactive waste- It is another source of accident,

drums stored underground can rust and leak radioactive materials into water, land
and air.

4. Accident during transport-Tracks carrying radioactive waste or fuels are

involved in frequent accidents.

5. Core melt down- The major accident at a nuclear power plant is a “core melt
down”.

55
Biological Effects:

1. Thyroid cancer: Caused due to radioactive Iodine which is a common

radioactive material used in reactors.
2. Loss of white blood cells and platelets: Which impairs immune system and
may cause hemorrhaging.
3. Leukemia: Skin cancer caused due to exposure of gamma rays.
4. Bioaccumulation: Accumulation of radioactive material in food chain.
5. Genetic Mutation: Causes changes in DNA sequence.

Non-Biological effects:
1. Loss of Infrastructure: Destruction of buildings, bridges etc.
2. Cost of cleanup: Total cleanup cost for Three Mile island disaster was $1
billion.
3. Explosions: Causes mass destruction of human lives and other life forms.
4. Evacuations: Immediate evacuation of people in affected areas.
5. Harm to Ozone layer: The explosions causes nitrogen oxides to form from the
oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere which depletes the ozone layer.
6. Nuclear winter: The absorption of sunlight when large amounts of soot are
injected into the atmosphere.

Prevention of Nuclear Accidents:

1. Proper Disposal of radioactive wastes: Reactor wastes can be dumped in deep

unused mines.
2. Awareness among public.
3. Proper transportation: The transporting containers must be leakage proof.
4. Making the violation of procedures a criminal offense.
5. Ban on nuclear weapons.
6. Strong infrastructure.

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2.8.1 Holocaust:

The word 'holocaust' means 'completely burnt', is commonly defined as 'a great

destruction resulting in the extensive loss of life, especially by fire’. The great

destruction of life forms at the mass level causing genocide (i.e.) complete

destruction of a human civilization.

Nuclear Holocaust:

The possibility of complete life destruction on earth due to nuclear equipments and

nuclear bombs is known as nuclear holocaust.

Nuclear Winter:
Nuclear bombardment will cause combustion of wood, plastics, petroleum, forest,
etc. Large quantity of black soot will be carried to stratosphere. Black soot will
absorb all UV- radiation and will not allow the radiation to reach the earth. So,
cooling will result. Due to this cooling effect, water evaporation will also reduce. In
stratosphere, there won’t be significant moisture to rainout the thick soot. Thus, due
to nuclear explosions, a process opposite to global warming will occur. This is called
nuclear winter.

Effects:

1. Lowers global temperature even in summer.

2. Crop productivity will be reduced.
3. It ignite all combustible material, destroy all the living beings, material crushing

and destruction of homes.

Control Measures:

1. Suitable precaution is to be taken and training must be given to people for

handling these materials to avoid accidents.
2. Constant monitoring of the radiation level has to be carried out, limiting
exposure to the workers.
3. Regular check up and control measures are done by atomic energy regularly by
board under the Department of Atomic energy.

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Case Studies:
1. Nuclear accident in Japan:

In August 1945, the first nuclear weapons were dropped on Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, Japan killing an estimated 210,000 people. Approximately 80 percent of
the deaths in these bombings were the result of burns or other injuries caused by
the blasts. However, 20 percent of the fatalities were the result of radiation sickness.
While the majority of deaths took place at the time of the bombings or by the end of
1945, atomic bomb survivors continued to die from atomic bomb related injuries or
illnesses for decades afterward. Since World War II, nine countries have developed
and detonated nuclear weapons. In that time, the use of nuclear power has also
expanded beyond a military focus. Today, nuclear power is used for civilian purposes
such as generating electricity. Accidents in nuclear power plants have shown that
nuclear power is not without risk. Such accidents can release radiation, which can
have harmful consequences on human health, the environment and the society as a
whole. As in the cases of the Japanese atomic bomb survivors, victims of nuclear
accidents can be exposed to a substantial dose of radiation that can result in
leukemia and other forms of cancer or other negative side effects.

2.Chernobyl nuclear disaster:

On April 26, 1986, a sudden surge of power during a reactor systems test destroyed
Unit 4 of the nuclear power station at Chernobyl, Ukraine, in the former Soviet
Union. The accident and the fire that followed release of massive amounts of
radioactive material into the environment. Emergency crews responding to the
accident used helicopters to pour sand and boron on the reactor debris. The sand
was to stop the fire and additional releases of radioactive material. The boron was to
prevent additional nuclear reactions. A few weeks after the accident, the crews
completely covered the damaged unit in a temporary concrete structure called
the “sarcophagus” to limit further release of radioactive material.

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The Soviet government also cut down and buried about a square mile of pine forest
near the plant to reduce radioactive contamination at and near the site. Chernobyl’s
three other reactors were subsequently restarted but all eventually shut down for
good, with the last reactor closing in 1999. The Soviet nuclear power authorities
presented their initial accident report to an International Atomic Energy Agency
meeting in Vienna, Austria, in August 1986. After the accident, officials closed off
the area within 30 kilometers (18 miles) of the plant, except for persons with official
business at the plant and those people evaluating and dealing with the
consequences of the accident and operating the undamaged reactors. The Soviet
(and later on, Russian) government evacuated about 115,000 people from the most
heavily contaminated areas in 1986 and another 220,000 people in subsequent
years.

3.Fukushima Daiichi:

Fukushima, Japan, March 2011:

The earthquake and tsunami that struck eastern Japan on March 11 2011, caused a
serious accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on the northeastern
coast of Japan.

The earthquake cut off external power to the reactors. Tsunami, which reached
levels more than twice as high as the plant was designed to withstand disabled
backup diesel generators, crippling the reactor cooling systems. Battery power was
quickly exhausted and overheating fuel in the plant's operating reactor cores led to
hydrogen explosions that severely damaged three of the reactor buildings. Fuel in
three of the reactor cores melted and radiation released from the damaged reactors
contaminated a wide area surrounding the plant and forced the evacuation of nearly
half a million residents.

4.Three Mile Island:

https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/3mile-isle.html

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 2.9 Role of an individual to control pollution

Environmental protection has been a burning issue in the last half century. In order
to tackle the menace of pollution, urgent steps have to be taken at not only global
or country level but also at local level. In fact, the role of individuals in prevention of
pollution is of critical importance because, it is the individuals that make a
community or country. The effort by each individual at his or her level can
significantly affect a global level. It has been aptly said, ‘Think globally act
locally’.

Role and responsibility of individual participation in

environmental protection:
Air pollution:

 Planting more trees.

 Using non-conventional sources of energy.
 Limit driving by carpooling, using public transportation and walking.
 Keep your automobile well tuned and maintained.
 Shifting to less polluting fuels (hydrogen gas).

Water pollution:
 Planting trees would reduce pollution by sediments and will also prevent soil
erosion.
 Industrial effluent and domestic waste must be treated before disposal.
 Recycling of waste water through waste water treatment.
 Public awareness programs.
 Separate drainage of sewage and rain water should be provided to prevent
overflow of sewage with rain water.

Noise Pollution:
 Planting more trees having broad leaves.
 Proper oiling will reduce the noise from the machinery.
 The sources that generate unwanted sound should be reduced.

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  Residential houses should be constructed far away from industries, factories
and airports.
 Legislations should be framed.

Soil pollution:
 Soil erosion must be prevented by proper tree plantation.
 Waste from industry and domestic must be treated before dumping.
 Recycling and reuse of waste materials.
 Solid wastes should be properly collected and disposed off by appropriate
methods.
 Biodegradable organic waste should be used for generation of biogas.

Marine pollution:

 Toxic pollutants from industries and sewage treatment plants should not be
discharged in coastal waters.
 Run-off from non-point sources should be prevented to reach coastal areas.
 Dumping of toxic, hazardous wastes and sewage sludge should be banned.
 Developmental activities on coastal areas should be minimized.
 Oil ballast should not be dumped into sea.

Thermal pollution:

 Cooling ponds, man-made bodies of water designed for cooling by evaporation,

convection and radiation.
 Cooling towers, which transfer waste heat to the atmosphere through
evaporation.
 Cogeneration, a process where waste heat is recycled for domestic and
industrial heating purposes.
 Before releasing heated water into major water ways put it in an area in which
it can cool down like a pond.
 Change the state of releasing heat from liquid to gas.

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Radioactive pollution:

 Prevention of leakage of radioactive elements from nuclear reactor.

 Proper storage and disposal of nuclear wastes.

 Regular monitoring and high risk analysis.

 Increasing the use of nonharmful energy source.

 Safety measures should be strengthened against nuclear accidents.

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 2.10 WASTE MANAGEMENT

Introduction:
In the olden days, people converted the waste materials into wealth. Raw food
waste is dumped into the soil around plants, trees or added in a backyard pit with
the straw bedding from cattle-sheds, to decompose naturally into compost that is
fully used in the fields during every monsoon. Cooked food is rarely wasted or is fed
to livestock. Until plastics came along to replace leaf or paper packaging this
ancient practice of returning nutrients back to soil was sustainable, profitable,
nuisance and pollution free. Plastics render the land less fertile or even un-
cultivatable. Yet, cities continue to dump on the outskirts as before.
For example, location near industrial area will be rich in hazardous waste and those
near hospitals will have higher biomedical waste. Rural India has more agricultural
waste and urban places have more of E-waste/plastic/diapers etc. The advent of
technology, coupled with urbanization, increased the E-waste and non-biodegradable
waste content in the municipal waste.

Definition for waste:

It is the unwanted materials or objects that people have thrown away. It is often
also called trash, garbage, rubbish or junk. It can be solid, liquid or gas.
When waste is a liquid or gas, it can be called as emission.

(or)

Waste (or wastes) are unwanted or unusable materials. Waste is any substance
which is discarded after primary use, or is worthless, defective and of no use.

Types of solid wastes (or) Sources of Solid wastes:

In general, solid waste is classified into several types as given below. The waste
types are governed by various rules laid down by the Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change, Government of India.

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 Types of Definition / Governing rules
waste
Municipal Solid  Household waste, commercials, street
waste sweeping, hotels and restaurants, clinics and
dispensaries, construction and demolition,
Horticulture and sludge. In India, the
biodegradable portion dominates the bulk of
Municipal Solid Waste.
 It is governed by the Municipal Solid Waste
Management and Handling Rules, 2016.
Biomedical  Any waste generated during the diagnosis,
waste treatment or immunization of human beings
or animals or in research activities pertaining
thereto or in the production or testing of
biological.
 It is governed by the Bio-Medical Waste
Management Rules,2016.
Plastic waste  Waste generated from indiscriminate use
and disposal of plastic into the physical
environment leading to water, soil and air
pollution.
 It is governed by the Plastic Waste
Management Rules, 2016.
E-Waste  ‘E-waste' means electrical and electronic
equipment, whole or in part discarded as
waste by the consumer or bulk consume as
well as rejects from manufacturing,
refurbishment and repair processes.
 It is governed by the E-waste
(Management), Rules 2016.
Hazardous  Waste either generated from residential,
Waste commercial or industrial activities.
 Attributed to its qualities – ignitability,
corrosively, reactivity or toxicity.
 It is governed by the Hazardous and Other
Wastes (Management and Transboundary
Movement) Rules, 2016.
Industrial Waste  Attributes to waste material produced during
the industrial activities.
 Can be Hazardous as well Non-Hazardous in
nature.
 It is governed by various rules based on the
type of waste.

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Apart from the above waste categories, the construction and demolition waste
generated comprising building materials, debris and rubble resulting from
construction, re-modelling, repair and demolition of any civil structure has also
been defined with the regulatory framework under the Construction and
Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016 published by the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2016.
The term municipal solid waste refers to urban waste because rural waste will
be predominantly agricultural waste.

Impact of solid waste on health and environment:

1. Dust and Filthy Dirt: Strong wind and storm are spreading dust and filth
from the open dumps of solid waste to adjacent areas.
2. Odor: Nearby areas to the open dump sites is being affected due to odor
emitting from these dumps.
3. Rats and other vermin: Open dumps of communal solid waste are
providing attractive habitat to rats and other vermin.
4. Toxic Gases: Toxic gases are continuously exposed to the atmosphere.
5. Leachate: Percolating rainwater through the open dump contaminating
ground water resources.
6. Health and Sanitation: Open dumps of solid waste are a serious threat
to human health and sanitation.
2.10.1 Solid Waste Management/Municipal Solid Waste
Management (MSWM):
Solid waste management may be defined as the control of generation,
storage, collection, transfer, transport, processing and disposal of solid wastes
in a manner that is accord with the best principles of public health,
economics, engineering, conservation, aesthetics and other environmental
considerations, and that is also responsive to public attitudes.

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Goal of MSWM:
 To remove discarded materials from inhabited places in a timely manner to
prevent the spread of diseases.
 To protect environmental health.
 To promote the quality of the urban environment.
 To support the efficiency and productivity of the economy.
 To generate employment and income.
To achieve the above goals, it is necessary to establish sustainable system of SWM.
The principal of sustainable waste management strategies are to:
• Minimize waste generation.
• Maximize waste recycling and reuse.
• Ensure the safe and environmentally sound disposal of waste.

Functional elements of MSWM:

The activities associated with the management of municipal solid wastes from the
point of generation to final disposal can be grouped into the six functional elements.

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Solid waste treatment processes:
1. 3R principle- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle of MSWM:
(i) Reduction in use of raw materials: Reduce the use of harmful,
wasteful and non-recyclable products. Other commonly used items
that we can focus on reducing includes single-use plastics, plastic
packaging, organic waste and styrofoam cups.
(ii) Reuse of waste materials: In an effort to reduce waste, reuse items
throughout instead of buying new ones. All of the single-use eating
utensils, styrofoam cups, water bottles and paper plates can be
replaced with compostable or reusable alternatives.
(iii) Recycling of materials: Recycling is the most eco friendly waste
disposal method. For example, cardboard, mixed paper products,
commingled materials (plastics, aluminum, glass) and organics may
be collected separately and recycled.

2.Sanitary Landfill:
 In a sanitary landfill, garbage is spread out in thin layers, compacted and
covered with clay or plastic foam.

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 In the modern landfills the bottom is covered with an impermeable liner, usually
several layers of clay, thick plastic and sand.
 The liner protects the ground water from being contaminated due to
percolation of leachate.
 Leachate from bottom is pumped and sent for treatment.
 When landfill is full it is covered with clay, sand, gravel and top soil to prevent
seepage of water.
 Several wells are drilled near the landfill sites to monitor if any leakage is
contaminating ground water.
 Methane produced by anaerobic decomposition is collected and burnt to
produce electricity or heat.

Merits
(i) Reduces emission of methane
and toxics.
(ii) Lowers land and water table
contamination.
(iii) Reduces menace of birds and
rodents
(iv) Controls fire hazards.
(v) Curbs the problem of bad odour
in the inhabited area.
Demerits
(i) Involves high initial cost of design.
(ii) Public may object to the site
selected.
(iii) Emits obnoxious gases in the
atmosphere.
(iv) Pressure of rodents and birds
remains.
(v) If the landfill site is not properly
maintained, it becomes source of
uncontrolled emission of landfill
gases.

3.Incineration:
It is a process of direct burning of waste in presence of excess air oxygen, at
temperatures of about 800 °C and above liberating heat energy, inert gases and ash.
In practice, about 65–80% of the energy content of the organic matter can be
recovered as heat energy, which can be utilized either for direct thermal application
or for producing power via steam turbine generation (with conversion efficiency of
about 30 %).

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 Merits Demerits

(i) Reduction in the size of waste (i) Air pollution cannot be avoided
reduces the problem of its dumping. even in highly sophisticated plants.
(ii) Complete sterilization prevents the (ii) It is a high-investment system.
outbreak of epidemics. (iii) Additional cost inputs are required
(iii) Biologically hazardous waste is for complete pollution control.
reduced to ash. (iv) Dioxins and furan emissions are
hazardous.
(v) Treatment of ash for pollutants is
expensive.
(vi) High maintenance cost.

4.Gasification:
Gasification involves the thermal decomposition of organic matter at high
temperatures in presence of a limited amount of air, producing a mixture of
combustible and non-combustible gases carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Merits Demerits

(i) Handling of gas is easier than solid (i) Plant requires regular maintenance.
fuel. (ii) Operation and maintenance are
(ii) Reduction in volume reduces very costly.
dumping. (iii) It releases tar and volatile poisons
(iii) Ash production is lesser as into the environment.
compared to incineration.
(iv) There is no emission of hazardous
gases.

5.Composting:
Composting involves the breakdown of organic waste in the presence of
microorganisms, heat and moisture. This can be carried out on a small scale in
households or on a large scale depending upon the quantity of waste to be
processed. Composting has the following advantages:

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  Recycling of waste by generation of useful manure, which is organic in nature.
 Reduction in volume of waste to be disposed on land.
 No requirement of any high-end technical expertise.

Methods of composting:

Windrow compositing In this process, production of compost by piling organic

matter or biodegradable waste such as animal manure and
crop residues in long rows (windrows). This method is
suited for producing large volumes of compost.
Vermicomposting In this process, food material and kitchen waste including
vegetables and fruit peelings, papers etc., can be converted
into compost through the natural action of worms. An
aerobic condition is created by the exposure of organic
waste in air.

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Case study:
Indore ranked cleanest city fourth time in a row:
Madhya Pradesh’s Indore has been ranked India’s cleanest city for the fourth
consecutive year by Swachh Survekshan 2020, the central government’s annual
cleanliness survey to promote sanitation in urban centres under the Swachh Bharat
Mission. since 2016, Indore’s municipal corporation (IMC) has eliminated garbage
dumps, ensured 100% household-waste segregation and converted waste to usable
products such as compost and fuel.

7 habits
Everyday garbage disposal
Garbage to compost
Discouraging use of polythene
Dustbin on the wheels
Awareness among children
4 formulae
Removing garbage bins
Night cleaning
New-design municipal trucks
Children made brand ambassadors

Public and social functions

The eighth pledge - The

newlyweds are administered
oath of cleanliness. Dustbins are
distributed during wedding
ceremonies in Indore.

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2.11. Disaster management:

Disaster Management means, organization and management of resources and

responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in
particular preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.
Disaster Management involves a continuous and integrated process of planning
organizing, coordinating and implementing measures during the calamity or grave
occurrence from natural or man-made causes.

Disaster:

Any occurrence that causes damage, ecological disruption, loss of human life,
deterioration of health and health services on a scale, sufficient to warrant an
extraordinary response from outside the affected community or area.

A disaster is an occurrence disrupting the normal conditions of existence and causing a

level of suffering that exceeds the capacity of adjustment of the affected community.
Disasters can be regarded as the effect of the interaction between a hazard and
vulnerability.

Types of Disaster:
Based on the origin, disaster is grouped into two types:

1. Natural Disasters:

Natural Disasters are naturally occurring physical phenomena caused either by rapid or
slow onset events that have immediate impacts on human health and secondary impacts
causing further death and sufferings. These disasters can be :

 Geophysical (Ex: Earthquakes, Landslides, Tsunamis and Volcanic Activity).

 Hydrological (Ex: Avalanches and Floods).
 Climatological (Ex: Extreme Temperatures, Drought and Wildfires).
 Meteorological (Ex: Cyclones and Storms/Wave Surges).
 Biological (Ex: Disease Epidemics and Insect/Animal Plagues).

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2. Man-Made Disasters:

Man-Made Disasters are events that are caused by humans which occur in or close to
human settlements often caused as a result of Environmental or Technological
Emergencies. This can include:

 Environmental Degradation
 Pollution
 Accidents (Ex: Industrial, Technological and Transport usually involving the
production, use or transport of hazardous materials.)

Process of disaster management:

Disaster/emergency management involves preparing for a disaster before it happens,

disaster response (Ex: emergency evacuation, quarantine, mass decontamination etc.,)
as well as supporting and rebuilding society after natural or human-made disasters have
occurred. The main aim of disaster management is to reduce the impact of disaster
though we cannot prevent the disaster itself.

It involves four phases:

1. Mitigation: Activities that prevent, eliminate or reduce the effects of a disaster.

2. Preparedness: Planning how to respond to a disaster and increasing resources
available to respond effectively.
3. Response: Activities to provide emergency assistance to victims of the event and
reduce the likelihood of secondary damage.
4. Recovery: Short-term recovery returns vital life support systems to minimum
operating standards. Long-term recovery returns area to normal or near-normal
conditions.

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Important Disasters:
The following are some important disasters:

1. Floods

2. Drought

3. Earth-quakes

4. Tsunami

5. Cyclone

6. Landslides

Floods:
A flood is an overflow of water, whenever the magnitude of flow of water exceeds the
carrying capacity of the channel within its banks. Floods are the most frequent type
of natural disaster and occur when an overflow of water submerges land that is usually
dry.

a. Causes of flood:
 Heavy rain or rainfall during cyclone causes floods.

 Sudden melting of snow also raises the quantity of water in streams and causes
flood.

 Reduction in the carrying capacity of the channels, due to accumulation of

sediments causes floods.

 Sudden and excess release of impounded water behind dams.

 Human activities like construction of roads, buildings and parking space that
covers the earth’s surface, prevents infiltration of water into the soil and speeds
up the run off.

 Clearing of forests for agriculture has also increased the severity of floods.

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 b. Effects of flood:
 Economic loss, loss of crops, live stocks.

 Flood water brings diseases like cholera, dysentery, malaria, yellow fever and
even death.

 Damage to fixed and movable properties.

 Soil erosion.

 Slitting of dams.

c. Flood control / Prevention:

 Construction of dams and check dams.

 Advance meteorological information.

 Proper diversion of water channel and river networking.

 Avoid construction of buildings in low lying lands.

 Encroachment of flood ways should be banned.

 Instead of constructing buildings on flood plain it can be used for wildlife

habitat, parks, recreational areas, which are not susceptible to flood damage.

 Satellite pictures of pre-flood, flood and post flood with other information’s
contribute to the flood management process.

 Reduction of runoff by increasing infiltration through appropriate afforestation.

d. Case study:
Kerala received heavy monsoon rainfall in the month of August 2018, resulting in
dams filling to capacity; in the first 24 hours of rainfall, the state received 310 mm
(12 in) of rain. In fact, the state received 42% more rains in the southwest monsoon
than it normally receives and all of it in a short time-span – causing widespread
devastation and loss of lives. Almost all dams have been opened since the water
level has risen close to overflow level due to heavy rainfall, flooding local low-lying
areas. The situation took a turn when the shutters of the state’s 34 (out of 42) dams

75
 had to be opened following ceaseless rains in catchment areas. The devastating
flood and associated landslides affected 5.4 million people and claimed over 400
lives. The post-disaster assessment commissioned by the Government of Kerala
estimated the economic loss to be more than $3.8 million.

Earthquake:
An earthquake is the shaking of the surface of earth due to sudden release of energy in
the earth’s crust, as a result seismic waves are created. The seismic activities in an area
determine the type and intensity of the earthquake.

a. Occurrence of an earthquake:
Earthquakes are caused due to sudden tectonic movements in the earth’s crust. When
the tectonic plates slide over one another, there is a cause of orogeny which results
in earthquakes and volcanoes. These disturbances cause vibrations that spread in all
directions. As there is a relative motion of these plates, there is stress built up which
breaks by releasing the stored energy known as shock waves.

Severity of an earthquake: The severity of an earthquake is generally measured

by its magnitude in Richter Scale as shown on table.

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 Richter Scale Severity of
earthquake

Less than 4 Insignificant

4 – 4.9 Minor

5-5.9 Damaging

6-6.9 Destructive

7-7.9 Major

More than 8 Great

b. Causes of earthquake:

 Earthquakes are caused due to disequilibrium in any part of the earth’s crust. This
disequilibrium is caused by volcanic eruptions, hydrostatic pressure of man-made
water bodies like reservoirs, dams and lakes which in turn causes movements of
plates.

 Underground nuclear testing.

 Decrease of underground water level.

c. Effects of earthquake:
 Causes widespread damage and loss of human life.

 Causes ground displacement along the fault.

 The shaking of the ground causes landslides and avalanches.

 Causes rupturing of dams and can cause floods and tsunami.

 The broken electric lines and gas lines due to the earthquakes can cause fire.

 The entire city can be devastated.

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d. Earthquake Management (or) Steps to mitigate earthquake
(Preventive Measures):

 Damage to property and life can be prevented by constructing earthquake –

resistant building in the earthquake prone areas.

 Wooden houses are preferred in earthquake prone areas as in Japan.

 Seismic – hazard map should give the information about the magnitude of intensity
of anticipated earthquakes.

 Seismologist should analyze the pattern of micro seismicity and indicate the
possibility of occurrence of earthquakes in a potential area.

e. Case study:
An earthquake struck in Mexican state of Oaxaca on 23 June 2020, with a
magnitude of 7.4. The epicenter was 19 miles (31 km) from San Miguel del Puerto
and 7.5 miles (12.1 km) south-southwest of Santa Maria Zapotitlan. The quake was
felt by an estimated 49 million people in Mexico and Guatemala with some tremors
felt as far away as 640 kms (400 miles). Thousands of houses in Oaxaca were
damaged and 10 deaths were reported.

Tsunami:
A tsunami is a giant wave (or series of waves) created by an undersea earthquake,
volcanic eruption or land slide. “Tsunami” in Japanese means “harbor wave”.
Tsunamis are not “tidal waves”.

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a. Causes of Tsunami:

i) Earthquakes: These are the most destructive and cause a tsunami. When an
earthquake is massive, at least 7.5 in magnitude, it displaces enough water to
generate a giant wave.

ii) Volcanic eruption: A massive volcanic eruption can disturb the ocean floor, which
can lead to the formation of a tsunami.

iii)Landslides: Enormous submarine landslides can occur on the flanks of ocean

islands, leading to the tsunami. An earthquake or volcanic activity can also trigger
landslides.

iv) Meteorites: Asteroids falling into the ocean can lead to a tsunami.

b. Effects of Tsunami:

 Tsunami attacks mostly the coastlines causing devastating property, damage and
loss of life.

 Tsunamis not only destroy human life but have a devastating effect on insects,
animals, plants and natural resources.

 A tsunami changes the landscape.

 Tsunami disrupt communication and transportation.

 Tsunami may also spread lot of water borne diseases.

c. Tsunami Management:

 Tsunami walls can be built to force the energy of the tsunami back towards the
ocean.

 Flood gates and water channels can redirect water from tsunamis.

 Replacing destroyed natural habitat to buffer the force of the tsunami - mangrove,
coral reefs.

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 Deep ocean detection buoys - notifying of ocean floor movement and energy
displacement.

 A possible early warning system.

 Mangroves and other coastal trees also show a positive effect on tsunami.

d. Case Study:

Tsunami in India: Tsunami was formed on 26th December 2004 in the Bay of Bengal
and the Indian Ocean. The tidal waves originated because of the massive earthquake
occurred under the ocean floor of the Indonesian coast. The magnitude of the
earthquake is 8.9 on Richter scale and striked Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, at 6:25
am. Some locations reported that the waves had reached a height of 30 feet (9
metres) or more when they hit the shoreline. The tsunami killed at least 225,000
people across a dozen countries, with Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, and
Thailand sustaining massive damage. Long-term environmental damage was severe
as well, with villages, tourist resorts, farmland, and fishing grounds demolished or
inundated with debris, bodies, and plant-killing saltwater.

1.2.1. Cyclone:

A cyclone is a huge strong wind system which blows around the Centre of intense
low-pressure area. In the northern hemisphere, cyclone winds blow anticlockwise and
they reverse in the southern hemisphere. In meteorology, a cyclone is a large-scale
air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure. Cyclones
are characterized by inward spiraling winds that rotate about a zone of low
pressure. Cyclones are called as hurricanes in the Atlantic, Caribbean and North
Eastern Pacific and as Typhoons in the western Pacific and cyclones in the Indian
Ocean and as Willy Willies in the sea around Australia.

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a. Effects of cyclone:
i) Change in weather: The main effects of tropical cyclones include heavy rain,
strong wind, large storm surges at landfall.

ii) Destruction to life and property: Cyclones can inflict heavy loss to human lives
and property in terms of destruction of buildings, transport systems, water and power
supply systems, disruption of communication system, destruction of agricultural crops,
domestic and wild animals, natural vegetation, private and public institutions etc.,

iii) Change in landscape: Tropical cyclones act to remove forest canopy as well as
change the landscape near coastal areas, by moving and reshaping sand dunes and
causing extensive erosion along the coast.

iv) Spread of diseases: Standing water can cause the spread of disease. This will
be an after effect of cyclone.

v) Transportation and communications: Transportation may become stand still

and due to the bad weather during cyclone the connections will get cut hence
communication will be hampered.

b. Cyclone Management (Preventive Measures):

 Meteorological departments use satellite images for forecasting the weather

conditions, which reveal the strength and intensity of the storm.

 Radar system is used to detect the cyclone and is being used for cyclone warning.

 For observing the exact location of cyclone, every half an hour satellite pictures
are analyzed.

 Though these natural calamities cannot be prevented, but the effect of which can
be minimized by planting more trees on the coastal belt, construction of dams,
dykes, embankments and wind breaks.

81
c. Case study:

Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan was a powerful and deadly tropical cyclone that
caused widespread damage in Eastern India specifically West Bengal and also
Bangladesh in May 2020. It was the strongest tropical cyclone that struck the
Ganges Delta. West Bengal, the epicenter of the cyclone's landfall, saw the most
widespread damage. Wind speed along coastal areas were measured up to 150–
160 km/h. At least 86 people died in West Bengal; most of the fatalities were due to
electrocution or the collapse of homes. The state government estimated that the
storm caused at least ₹1 trillion in damage and directly affected 70 percent of the
state's population. Neighboring Odisha saw significant effects, with wind speed
reaching 106 km/h. Across the ten affected districts in Odisha, 4.4 million people
were impacted in some way by the cyclone. The cyclone also affected the
neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Landslides:

Landslides are more widespread than any other geological event, and can occur
anywhere in the world. They occur when large masses of soil, rocks or debris move
down a slope due to a natural phenomenon or human activity. Mudslides or debris
flows are also a common type of fast-moving landslide. Landslides can accompany
heavy rains or follow droughts, earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. Areas most
vulnerable to landslides include:
 Steep terrain
 Land previously burned by wildfires
 Land that has been modified due to human activity, such as deforestation or
construction

 Channels along a stream or river

 Mountainous areas

82
a. Causes of landslides:
Natural causes Anthropogenic causes

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions. Deforestation, cultivation and

construction.

Saturation by rain water infiltration, snow Vibrations from machinery or traffic.

melting or glaciers melting.

Increase of hydrostatic pressure in cracks Blasting and mining.

and fractures.

Loss or absence of vertical structure, soil, Unconsolidated sediments exposed due

nutrients and soil structure. to logging road or house building.

Erosion of the toe of a slope by rivers. Temporal variation in land use and land
cover.

b. Effects of landslides:
 Loss of life (Human, animal, plant).
 Damage to property.
 Damaged roadways and railways.
 Increase in erosion of soil.
 Sudden landslides leads to damage of crop yield, livestock etc.,
 Broken water lines and other underground utility lines.

c. Landslide management (Preventive Measures):

It is very difficult to control landslides. However, these can be minimized by:

83
  Hazard mapping will locate areas prone to slope failures. This will permit to identify
avoidance of areas for building settlements.
 In construction of roads, irrigation canals etc., proper care is to be taken to avoid
blockage of natural drainage.
 Retaining walls can be built to stop land from slipping (these walls are commonly
seen along roads in hill stations).
 The surface drainage control works are implemented to control the movement of
landslides accompanied by infiltration of rain water and spring flows.
 Increasing vegetation cover is the most effective way of arresting landslides. This
helps to bind the top layer of the soil with layers below while preventing excessive
run-off and soil erosion.

d. Case Study:
A landslide took place in Kerala's Idukki district on 6 August 2020. Many workers of
Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company have been residing in Pettimudi region, in
Rajamalai in Kerala’s Idukki district. Around 30 families are feared to be trapped after
a major landslide hit. Due to heavy rain, rocks, sludge came falling down for 1.5 km,
resulting in the crashing of many houses of these real estate workers. 49 bodies have
been recovered during the rescue operations. According to the report, many people are
missing. Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force, the police and fire service,
aided by local people, were involved in rescue operations and searching in the rubble
for survivors.

Disaster preparedness plans and protocols:

 Need to improve initial response to the disaster.

 A reliable Early Warning System needs to be developed.
 Preparation, planning and practice are essential.

84
 Based on the vulnerability of the location and zone, risk assessment can be done for
low to a high likelihood of occurring. With the help of the risk matrix given below,
the Government can go for planning and investment for potential emergencies.

 Response time is a critical attribute in effective disaster management. There should

be no delay in disaster response.
 Plan for search operations and evacuations with the help of local guides and maps.
 We must keep all hospitals on alert.
 A dedicated communication system is needed because the local communication
networks and transport services will be severely affected. A robust communication
channel is required for managing and coordinating the rescue and relief operations.
 Mass casualty management.
 Infrastructure of local hospitals may be destroyed in the disaster, so there is a strong
need to keep hospitals of surrounding cities alert.
 A dedicated plan is required to make the roads operational soon after the disaster
to ease the evacuations.

85
 Practice Quiz

1. Which is/are the most significant air-borne allergen(s)?

a) Fungi
b) Pollen
c) Soot
d) All of the mentioned

2. Which of the following pollutants is the major contributor to

photochemical smog?
a) Peroxynitrates
b) Hydroperoxides
c) Nitrogen dioxide
d) Ozone

3. Which of the following air pollution control device has maximum

efficiency?
a) Electrostatic precipitator
b) Dynamic precipitator
c) Spray tower
d) Wet cyclonic scrubber

4. ___________ poisoning water in Japan is from fishes.

a) Bismuth
b) Arsenic
c) Antimony
d) Palladium

5. What is the full form of BOD?

a) Biochemical oxygen demand
b) Biological oxygen demand
c) Biometric oxygen deep water
d) Biological oxygen deep water

6. In which unit sound is measured?

a) Kilometer
b) Pascal
c) Kilogram
d) Decibel

86
 Practice Quiz

7. What is called for the movement of surface litter and topsoil from
one place to another?
a) Soil submerge
b) Soil degradation
c) Soil erosion
d) Soil pollution

8. What is the major problem in nuclear plants?

a) Drawing out energy
b) Fusion of particles
c) Disposal of nuclear waste
d) Handling of fuel

9. Which of the following element make e-waste hazardous in nature?

a) Lead
b) Glass
c) Plastic
d) Iron

10. The process of burning of municipal solid waste at high temperature

is called ____________
a) Incineration
b) Composting
c) Land filing
d) Shredding

11. Which of the following is not required for the biodegradation

process?
a) Micro-organism
b) Environment conditions
c) Adhesives
d) Substrate

12. How do PCBs impact on birds?

a) They decrease the memory
b) They cause reproductive failure
c) They cause bird flu
d) They cause indigestion

87
 Assignment

S.No. Questions K level

1. How phytoremediation works in the removal of metal toxic K3

waste.
2. How does a pollution affect the country’s growth and economy. K3

88
 Part-A Question and Answer

S.No. PART-A K CO
level
Q&A

1 Define pollution. K1 CO2

Pollution is defined as “the unfavorable alteration of our

surroundings”.

2 Define environmental pollution and what are the K1 CO2

types of pollutants?
Environmental pollution is defined as any undesirable
change in the physical, chemical, biological characteristics
of the components of the environment which can cause
harmful effects to biotic & abiotic components. Types:
(i)Biodegradable pollutants - Decomposed rapidly by
natural processes.
(ii)Non- degradable pollutants – Do not decompose [or]
decompose slowly.

3 Define Air pollution. K1 CO2

Air pollution may be defined as the presence of impurities
in excessive quantity and duration to cause adverse effects
on plants, animals, human beings and materials.

4 What are particulate matter? Mention its K1 CO2

importance.
Particulate matters are components that are non-gaseous
substances in Earth's atmosphere, such as dust, soil, fecal
matter, metals, salt, smoke, ash and other
solids. They are important because they provide a baseline
for water vapor to condense on, which then become
raindrops.

89
S.No. PART-A K CO
Q&A level
5 Define photochemical smog. K1 CO2
Photochemical smog is a type of somg produced when UV
light from the sun reacts with nitrogen oxides in
the atmosphere. It is visible as a brown haze, and is most
prominent during the morning and afternoon, especially in
densely populated, warm cities. Cities that experience this
smog daily include Los Angeles, Sydney, Mexico City,
Beijing, and many more.
6 What are the different sources of air pollution? K2 CO2
The different sources of air pollution are,
(i)Natural Sources - Dust storms, Volcanoes,
Lightening, Sea salt, Smoke, Forest fires.
(ii)Man-made or anthropogenic sources - Agricultural
activities, Industrial growth, Domestic wastes, Automobile
exhausts.
7 What is meant by indoor air pollutants? K2 CO2
Indoor air pollutants are primary air pollutants. The most
important indoor air pollutant is radon gas. It is emitted
from the building materials like bricks, concrete, tiles etc.,
which is derived from soil containing radium.
8 Differentiate between pollution prevention and K2 CO2
pollution control.
Pollution prevention is basically avoiding the pollution
before it is caused. Cost required for environmental
protection is low.
Pollution control means when there is pollution and the
measures we take to control it once it has taken place.
Cost required for environmental protection is high.
9 What is PAN? Give its detrimental effect? K2 CO2
PAN is Peroxy Acetyl Nitrates formed by the
photochemical reaction between nitrogen oxides,
hydrocarbons and light. The environmental effects are
given below;
(i)Damage plants.
(ii)React explosively.
(iii)Plays a very large role in photochemical smog.
90
S.No. PART-A K CO
Q&A level
10 How will you control air pollution? K2 CO2
The air pollution can be controlled by the following
methods;
(i)Source correction methods [Substitution of raw
materials, process modification].
(ii)Pollution control equipments [Cyclone separator,
Electrostatic precipitators].
(iii)Enforcing laws, regular monitoring & maintenance.
(iv)Planting more trees.
11 Define water pollution. K1 CO2
Water pollution is defined as the alteration in physical,
chemical and biological characteristics of water which
may cause harmful effects on human and aquatic life.
12 What is point and non –point sources of water K2 CO2
pollution?
Point Sources: These are discharged pollutants at
specific locations through pipes, ditches into bodies of
surface water.
Non-Point sources: They are large land areas that
pollute water by runoff, sub surface flow or deposition
from the atmosphere.
13 List the major water pollutants with example. K1 CO2
The major water pollutants are,
(i)Untreated sewage & effluent [Organics].
(ii)Heavy metals [Mercury, Lead &Cadmium].
(iii)Inorganics in ground water [Phosphates, Sulphates,
and Carbonates].
(iv)Biological contaminants [Bacteria, virus in water
bodies].

91
S.No. PART-A K CO
Q&A level
14 What is meant by BOD and COD? K1 CO2
BOD [Biological Oxygen Demand]:It is the amount of
oxygen required for the biological decomposition of organic
matter present in the water.
COD [Chemical Oxygen Demand]:It is the amount of
oxygen required for chemical oxidation of organic matter
present in the water.
15 Explain Dissolved oxygen (DO). K2 CO2
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the amount of oxygen dissolved in
a given quantity of water at a particular pressure and
temperature. The saturated point of DO varies
from 8-15 mg/lit.
16 Enumerate the control measures of water pollution. K1 CO2
(i) It is not advisable to discharge any type of waste, either
treated, partially treated or un-treated, into streams, rivers,
lakes, ponds and reservoirs.
(ii) Public awareness regarding adverse effects of water
pollution is a must.
(iii) Suitable laws, standards and practices should be farmed
to regulate the discharge of undesirable flow of water in
water bodies.
17 Mention the objectives of waste water treatment. K2 CO2
The objectives of waste water treatment are,
(i)To convert harmful compounds into harmless compounds.
(ii)To eliminate the offensive smell.
(iii)To eliminate the solid content of the sewage.
(iv)To destroy the disease producing microorganisms.

92
S.No. PART-A K CO
Q&A level
18 What is Noise pollution? K1 CO2
Noise pollution is defined as, “the unwanted, unpleasant
or disagreeable sound that causes discomfort for all living
beings.

19 How do you measure the noise pollution? K2 CO2

The sound intensity is measured in decibel [dB], which is
one tenth of the longest unit Bel. One dB is equal to the
faintest sound, a human ear can hear.

20 What are the causes of noise pollution? K2 CO2

The causes of noise pollution are,
(i)Road traffic noise.
(ii)Air traffic noise.
(iii)Rail traffic noise.
(iv)Domestic noise.
(v)Industrial noise.
21 List the control measures of noise pollution. K3 CO2
(i) Planting trees in and around sound generating sources
is an effective solution for noise pollution
(ii) Prescribing noise limits for vehicular traffic
(iii) Proper oiling will reduce the noise from the machine.
(iv) Social awareness programs should be taken up to
educate the public about the causes and effects of noise
pollution.

93
S.No. PART-A K CO
Q&A level
22 Define marine pollution. K1 CO2
The discharge of waste substances into the sea resulting
in harm to living resources, hazards to human health,
hindrance to fishery and impairment of water quality is
called marine pollution.
23 What are the sources of marine pollution? K1 CO2

S.No Sources Effects

1 Dumping the Marine birds ingest plastic

wastes which causes gastro-intestinal
disorders.

2 Oil Spillage Damage to marine flora and

fauna

24 What are the control measures of marine pollution? K2 CO2

(i) People should be educated about marine biodiversity.
(ii) The industrial units on the coastal line should be
equipped with pollution control instruments.
(iii) Municipal and industrial wastes should be treat before
allowed to join the sea.
25 How can you define thermal pollution/thermal K1 CO2
enrichment?
Addition of excess heat to water that makes it harmful to
man, animal or aquatic life is known as thermal pollution.
In other words thermal pollution is the degradation of
water quality by any process that changes ambient water
temperature.

94
S.No. PART-A K CO
Q&A level
26 What are the causes of thermal pollution? K2 CO2
The causes of thermal pollution are,
(i) Nuclear power plants.
(ii) Coal-fired power plants.
(iii) Industrial effluents.
(iv)Domestic sewage.
(v) Hydroelectric power.
27 Enumerate the effects of thermal pollution. K1 CO2
• The temperature changes totally disrupt the entire
ecosystem.
• Reduction in dissolved oxygen.
28 Define soil pollution. K1 CO2
Soil pollution is defined as the contamination of soil by
human and natural activities which may cause harmful
effects on living beings.
29 List the sources and effects of soil pollution. K1 CO2
1. Industrial wastes - Alters the chemical and
biological properties of soil
2. Urban wastes - Cannot be easily degraded
3. Agricultural wastes - Pollutes the soil to a large
extent
4. Radioactive wastes - Affects the cell in the body
and function of glands and organs
5. Biological agents - Causes serious damage to
plants.

95
S.No. PART-A K CO
Q&A level
30 Define Nuclear hazard. K1 CO2
Risk or danger to human health or the environment
exposed by the radiation emanating from the atomic nuclei
is called as Nuclear hazard.
31 Write the effects due to nuclear hazard. K1 CO2
(i)Exposure of the brain and central nervous system to
high doses of radiation causes delirium, convulsions and
death within hours or days.
(ii)The exposure of eye is vulnerable to radiation.
(iii) Acute radiation sickness is marked by vomiting,
bleeding of the gums and in severe cases, mouth ulcers.
32 Define nuclear holocaust. K2 CO2
The possibility of complete life destruction on earth due to
nuclear equipments and nuclear bombs is known as
nuclear holocaust.
33 Define Nuclear winter. K1 CO2
A period of abnormal cold and darkness predicted to follow
a nuclear war, caused by a layer of smoke and dust in the
atmosphere blocking the sun's rays.

34 Why nuclear hazards are so dangerous? K4 CO2

Radioactive radiation liberated by nuclear hazards affects
the cells in the body and the function of glands and
organs. It causes genetic disorders even in the subsequent
generations.
35 What are solid wastes? K1 CO2
The wastes generated and discarded from human and
animal activities that are normally solid are called as solid
wastes.

96
S.No. PART-A K CO
Q&A level
36 What is disaster? K1 CO2
Disaster is a geological process in which a society
undergoes severe danger which causes loss of human
lives and physical property.
37 Define floods. K1 CO2
Flood is defined as “Whenever the magnitude of water
flow exceeds the carrying capacity of the channel within
its banks, the excess of water overflows on the
surroundings”.
38 Mention any four causes of floods. K2 CO2
The causes of flood are due to,
i)Heavy rainfall during cyclone causes flood.
ii)Sudden snow melt also rises the quantity of water.
iii)Deforestation.
iv)Sudden and excess release of water from dams.
39 Define the term tsunami. K1 CO2
A tsunami is a large wave that is generated in a water
body when the seafloor is deformed by seismic activity.
40 What are landslides? K1 CO2
The movements of earthly materials like mud, soil and
debris from higher altitude to lower altitude is called
landslides.

97
 Part-B Questions

S.No. PART-B QUESTIONS K CO

level
1 Give the classification of air pollutants and sources of K2 CO2
air pollution.
2 Explain the adverse effects and control measures for K2 CO2
air pollution.
3 Enumerate with example the major sources of water K2 CO2
pollution.
4 Suggest the methods to control water pollution K3 CO2

5 Describe the methods of wastewater treatment. K1 CO2

6 Briefly describe the sources, effects and prevention of K1 CO2

soil pollution.
7 Explain the causes, effects and control measures of K1 CO2
marine pollution
8 List the sources, effects and control measures of noise K1 CO2
pollution.
9 What are the sources of thermal pollution? Explain its K2 CO2
effects and control measures of thermal pollution.
10 Examine the characteristics of hazardous and non- K3 CO2
hazardous waste and explain their ill effects.
11 Find the ways by which the radioactive wastes can be K3 CO2
managed by listing its effects.
12 Explain the steps involved in solid waste management. K2 CO2

13 Discuss the various disposal methods of solid waste K2 CO2

management.
14 Write a note on disaster management. K2 CO2

98
 Part-B Questions

S.No. PART-B QUESTIONS K CO

level
15 Analyze the ill effects of air and water pollution with the K2 CO2
help of case study for each.
16 Analyze the ill effects of marine pollution with the help K2 CO2
of case study for each.
17 Explain the control and preventive measure of municipal K2 CO2
solid wastes.
18 Write briefly about Chernobyl nuclear disaster. K1 CO2

19 How can you, as an individual, prevent environmental K3 CO2

pollution? Why such an effort at individual level is
important?

99
 Supportive online certification courses

S.No. Title of the Course Link

1 Air Pollution – a Global https://www.classcentral.com/cour

Threat to our Health. se/air-pollution-health-threat-9829

2 Climate Change https://www.coursera.org/learn/cli

Mitigation in mate-change-mitigation
Developing Countries.
3 Understanding https://www.udemy.com/course/un
Environmental derstanding-environmental-
Pollution. pollution/

4 Indoor Air Pollution: https://www.udemy.com/course/in

Ways to improve indoor door-plants-a-natural-way-to-
air quality. improve-indoor-air-quality/

100
Real time Applications in day to day life and to Industry

S.No. Title Link

1 Waste management https://www.predictiveanalyticstod

software ay.com/top-waste-management-
software/
2 Catalytic convertor https://youtu.be/lJiznlz5buc

3 Automatic waste
segregation https://youtu.be/sABdZtFYXBM
machine.
(It can pick out the
organic, plastic, metal,
brick, stone and so on
from the piles of
garbage. After sorting,
useful waste can be
reprocessed into
treasure.)

101
 Content beyond the syllabus

S.No. Topic

1 Worst Oil Spills in History.

https://youtu.be/yz-iVTk54kw

2 Environmental auditing- Objectives and

planning of audit.
3 Disposal methods of COVID-19 PP kits.

102
PRESCRIBED TEXT BOOKS & REFERENCE BOOKS

Textbooks

 Anubha Kaushik and C. P. Kaushik, “Perspectives in

environmental studies”, New Age International, 6th edition,
2018.
 Benny Joseph, “Environmental Science and Engineering”,
Tata McGraw-Hill, New Delhi, 2017.
 Gilbert M. Masters, Wendell P. Ela “Introduction to
Environmental Engineering and Science”, 3rd edition,
Pearson Education, 2015.

References

 William P. Cunningham and Mary Ann Cunningham,

“Environmental Science: A Global Concern”, McGraw Hill,
14th edition, 2017.
 G. Tyler Miller and Scott E. Spoolman, “Environmental
Science”, Cengage Learning India Pvt. Ltd., Delhi, 14th
edition, 2014.
 Erach Bharucha, “Textbook of Environmental Studies”,
Universities Press Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, 2nd edition, 2015.

103
 Mini project suggestions

S.No. Topic

1 Waste water purification by suitable bio

adsorbents.
2 Waste water purification and power generation by
microbial fuel cell.

104
 Thank you

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105