Class Notes 3 Pollution and Types of Pollution with Brain churners

only for Part 1 and Part 2

Part 1- AIR POLLUTION
The vast expanse of air which envelopes the Earth is called atmosphere. Pure dry air on an
average constitutes mainly of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%) making thus 99% of the air by
volume and the remaining 1% accounts for gases like argon (0.93%), carbon dioxide (0.03%),
hydrogen, helium and ozone.

According to WHO, air pollution is defined as “....Phenomenon in which substances put into air
by the activity of mankind into concentration sufficient to cause harmful effect to his health,
vegetables, property or interfere with the enjoyment of his property.....”

CO, CO2, SO2, H2S and hydrocarbons are most common air pollutants which are discharged into
air from industrial chimneys and power houses.

Various fluorine compounds (HF, F2, SiF4, H2SiF6 etc.) are emitted from phosphate fertilizer
manufacturing plants (since large amounts of fluorine are present in phosphate rock), aluminium
extraction (where cryolite i.e., Na3AlF6 is used to lower the melting point of the mixture of
CaF2, Al2O3 and Na3AlF6), ceramic firing, steel making and some chemical processing.

The gas is produced when calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is heated to produce the calcium oxide
(CaO, also called quicklime), which is the main ingredient for cement (CaSiO3) production.

Benzene, toluene and xylene are the three volatile organic compounds (VOC) present in urban
atmosphere mainly due to use of petrol and diesel in automobiles. Out of these three organic
compounds, the concentrations of benzene in air showed strong correlations with the incidence
of cancer. The limit value of benzene in air for health safety should not exceed 10µg/m3.

Fossil fuels are the sources of energy for cooking, heating, lightening our houses, washing
clothes through washing machine, or for running TV etc. Coal and a variety of hydrocarbons
including methane and soot, ashes and SO2 are also the products of coal burning.

Aircrafts are responsible for about 2.5% of the CO emissions and about 1% of the hydrocarbon
emissions, but only negligible amounts of the other major air pollutants. The smoke emitted from
jet aircraft is composed largely of fine particles approximately 0.5µm in diameter, which are
completely burnt. As these particles scatter light quiet well, they often reduce visibility.
Burning of forest areas, grasslands etc. for pastures and croplands produces about 60 to 65% of
CO2. About 40% of methane is produced from paddy fields, guts of livestocks and also from
burning of biomass.

Ionizing radiation like alpha and beta particles are produced during nuclear explosions, scientific
experiments where radio-isotopes are used and atomic weapon testing. Radiations are also
caused by naturally occurring radioactive substances.

Cosmic rays are high energy charged particles (mostly protons) of extra terrestrial origin, which
are important source of natural radiations.

SPM is a major air pollutant. Dust is generated from sources such as coal dust (from oil
refineries, power plants etc.) cement dust, silica dust (from stone crushing).

RSPMs are more dangerous to health because they are much smaller than Suspended Particulate
Matter (SPM), an umbrella term for all such substances with deleterious consequences that are
less than 100 micrometers in diameter.

The RSPM concentration in Delhi is about 120 micrograms per cubic metre, which is twice the
prescribed National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 60 micrograms per cubic metre, the study
points out.

Some of the aerosols as H2SO4 mist, (NH4)2SO4 mist and water vapour influence the vertical
temperature profile in the atmosphere. It affects the thermal mixing and also leads to green house
effects and depletion of ozone layer.

An increased heating of earth may result in melting of the polar ice caps and finally cause a rise
in the sea level. This phenomenon is termed as green house effect. Many workers have predicted
that there is a high probability of increment of the global temperature by 1.5 to 4.5°C by the year
2050.

Secondary pollutants like formaldehyde, aldehydes and peroxyacetyl nitrate or PAN (C 2H3O5N)
collectively form photochemical smog.

Higher benzene soluble organic matter (BSOM) in city air means that the air is more polluted
and usually automobiles and coal burning are responsible for higher BSOM value. In BSOM,
there lie a group of compounds known as Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) and many
of them are suspected carcinogens (like benzapyrene). Evidences from epidemiological studies
suggest an increase of one benzapyrene unit corresponds to an increase of 5% in the lung cancer
death rate.
The stone in Parthenon in Athens has deteriorated in the past 50 years for air pollution. Similarly
statue of Liberty is corroded from SO2 and NO2 and Taj Mahal from SO2 emitted from Mathura
refineries.

Control of Air pollution:

1) Sulphur free and lead free fuel should be used for motor vehicles.
2) The height of the chimneys of factory should be tall enough to reduce
the rate of pollution at the ground level.
3) To remove the particulate matter in the smoke, it should be filtered before
releasing into the air.
4) Air pollution can be reduced by careful planning and locating industries after
conducting EIA, designing better equipment, better operation of the
equipment, fuel selection and utilization and site selection cum- zoning.
5) Use of clean and non-combustive means of generating energy like solar
power, tidal power, geothermal power can reduce air pollution to a great
extent
6) Plants like Ficus variegata, Phaseolus vulgaris, Coleus bulmeri can reduce
air pollution at local scale by carbon sequestration depending on their
biomass. Some other plants like Pinus sp., Juniperus sp., Quercus sp., Vitis
sp. can use oxides of nitrogen. To reduce the effects of automobile pollution,
the free space of the city area may be given a vegetation cover on the basis of
the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of trees.

Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981, Amended in 1987 already exists in the
legal frame of Indian sub-continent.

Brain churners

1. Phosphate fertilizer manufacturing plants produce

a) SiF4 & CO
b) SiF4 & O2
c) SiF4 & H2SiF6
d) None of the above

2. The melting point of the mixture of CaF2L2O3 and Na3AlF6 is lowered by

 a) N2
b) Dry ice
c) CO2
d) Na3AlF6

3. The main ingredient of cement production is

a) CaO
b) SO2
c) Cu
d) CaF2

4. Benzene and toluene are

a) Metallic compounds
b) Volatile organic compounds
c) Inorganic compounds
d) None of the above

5. Chlorinated hydrocarbons are emitted into the air by

a) Automobiles
b) Crop spraying and dusting for pest control
c) Livestock
d) Burning of coal

6. Ionisation radiations like alpha and beta particles are produced during
a) Nuclear explosions
b) Metallurgical process
c) Burning of leaf litter
d) None of the above

7. Cosmic rays are high energy charged particles mainly composed of

a) Electrons
b) Neutrons
c) Protons
d) None of the above

8. Silica dust is generated in the atmosphere by

a) Metallurgical process
b) Agricultural activities
c) Aquacultural farms
d) Stone crushing
9. The vertical temperature profile in the atmosphere is influenced by
a) H2SO4, (NH4)2 SO4, mist and water vapour
b) CO & H2
c) CO & S2
d) Water vapour & CO2

10. Higher Benzene Soluble Organic matter (BSOM) in the city air is caused by
a) Industrial activities
b) Cooking process
c) Automobiles & Coal Burning
d) None of the above

11. Benzene pyrene is

a) The cause of skin problem
b) Carcinogenic
c) The cause of gastric problem
d) None of the above

12. Statue of liberty is corroded by

a) CO2 & H2
b) CO2 & O2
c) SiO2 & CO2
d) SiO2 & NO2

13. Air pollution can be reduced by using

a) Four-stroke engine
b) Two-stroke engine
c) Petrol with lead
d) All of the above

14. Air pollution can be reduced by using

a) Solar power
b) Tidal power
c) Geothermal power
d) All of the above

15. Air Pollution Prevention & Control Act of 1981 has been amended in
a) 1990
b) 1987
 c) 2000
d) 2018

16. The State Government in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board can declare
any area within the State as air pollution control area by using
a) Section 20
b) Section 19
c) Section 37
d) Section 38

17. The difference between Section 38 and Section 39 in context to Air Pollution Prevention
& Control Act is
a) An addition fine of INR 1 lakh/day may be used for continued contravention
b) An addition fine of INR 50,000/day may be used for continued contravention
c) An addition fine of INR 5 lakhs/day may be used for continued contravention
d) An addition fine of INR 5,000/day may be used for continued contravention

18. Taj Mahal has lost its beauty due to

a) Emission of NO2
b) Emission of CO2 from coal burning
c) Emission of SO2 from Mathura refineries
d) None of the above

19. SO2 causes

a) Chest constriction, headache, vomiting and respiratory ailments
b) Gastric problem and diarrhea
c) Cholera
d) Influenza

20. Phosgene (carbonyl chloride) may cause

a) Gastric problem
b) Vision problem
c) Pulmonary edoema
d) None of the above

Answer sheet
S. No. a B c D
1.
2.
 3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

PART -2 WATER POLLUTION

The domestic wastes are usually contaminated with nitrates and phosphates and are often
responsible for eutrophication - a phenomenon of rise of algal density due to enrichment of
nutrient in the ambient water.

Industries are major sources of water pollution.

The ballast water inevitably become contaminated with this remaining oil and is responsible for
the deterioration of water quality.

Radioactive wastes are classified according to their activity level and the radioactive half-life of
the radionuclides they contain. The activity level determines the degree of protection to be
provided. Wastes are therefore divided into categories, namely very low-, low-, intermediate and
high-level waste. Radioactive waste is said to be “short lived” if it merely contains radionuclides
with a half-life of less than 31 years. It is said to be “long-lived “if it contains a significant
quantity of radionuclides with a half-life of over 31 years.

Other major sources of radioactive pollutants in the marine and estuarine compartments originate
from weapon testing and leaching of radioactive material from soil or sediment which adds to the
amount of radiation of the sea.
The left over artificial feed supplied for the shrimp growth also generates H2S in the pond bed
through microbial action. The uses of antibiotics like oxytetracycline to prevent the prawn
diseases also pollute the water bodies to a great extent.

Plant nutrients and aquaculture wastes contribute NO3, PO4 and NH3 in the aquatic phase, which
trigger the growth of algae leading to eutrophication. Nitrates in drinking water can cause
methemoglobinaemia in babies (blue babies), as in an infant’s stomach, the nitrate is transformed
into nitrite, which acts on the blood haemoglobin to form methemoglobin.

Oil pollution in coastal zone or estuarine area, often affects light penetration and oxygen level in
the column water by creating a film on the surface water. This affects the biotic community
structure in the oil spilled area.

Conservative wastes are non-biodegradable in nature. Conservative wastes like heavy metals
bioaccumulate within the body tissues of organisms depending on the ambient hydrological
parameters like concentrations of dissolved heavy metals, pH of the ambient water etc.

The herbivores of aquatic ecosystem, mostly grazing zooplankton, are unable to consume the
bulk of algae in the eutrophic water body.

Partially decomposed bottom sediments build up at the bottom and sulphate reducing bacteria
release hydrogen sulphide that poses a negative stress on the benthic community of the aquatic
ecosystem.

The various methods for minimizing and controlling water pollution are discussed here.

I. The existing sewage treatment methods (like primary, secondary and tertiary treatment)
are very effective in removing selective pollutants from contaminated water.

Primary treatment is a mechanical process which simply removes solids. The relatively larger
solid particles are separated by means of metal screens; sands and small stones settle in grit
chamber from which the water passes to the sedimentation tank, where the velocity of water is
drastically reduced and the small particles settle as sludge. Scum is removed from the upper most
layers.
Secondary treatment is essentially biological process which has the efficiency to remove most of
the organic matter. In the activated sludge process of secondary treatment, the incoming sewage
is mixed with decomposer bacteria and air or oxygen. Thus the complex organic matter through
this treatment is broken down into simpler forms. One important drawback of this method is that
if any toxic, industrial chemicals enter the sewage, then the decomposer bacteria may be killed
and the entire operation may be inhibited.

Trickling filters are conventional aerobic biological wastewater treatment units, such as active
sludge systems or rotating biological contactors. The advantage of all these systems is that they
are compact (i.e. applicable in densely populated urban settings) and that they efficiently reduce
organic matter (Jenssen et al. 2004). However, they are high-tech and generally require skilled
staff for construction as well as for operation.

Trickling filters are a secondary treatment after a primary settling process.

Tertiary treatment is able to remove virtually all the remaining contaminants. Water leaving
conventional secondary treatment still has most of the original phosphates and nitrates, many
persistent insecticides and herbicides, disease causing bacteria and viruses, and perhaps a number
of industrial, organic compounds. Waste water that is not subjected to tertiary treatment contains
the nutrients on which algae thrive.

I. Contaminated water is also treated by adsorption, electrodialysis, ion exchange and

reverse-osmosis

Of the various techniques, the reverse-osmosis technique is based on the removal of salts and
other substances from water by forcing the later through a semi-permeable membrane under a
pressure that exceeds the osmotic pressure so that the flow is in the reverse direction to the
normal osmosis flow. In practice, this involves a porous membrane whose chemical nature has
been such that it has a preferential attraction for solvent while repulsion for the solute. Reverse-
osmosis is commonly used to desalinate brackish water and also finds suitable, effective and
economical method for the purification of water polluted by sewage effluents.

Electrodialysis is one of the membrane processes developed commercially for desalting saline
water to get potable water. This technique can be applied for treatment of wash effluents,
especially in electroplating industries (Mayr et al. 1992). The method is used to separate and
recover the valuable metals in the form of ions in solution also enable low ion concentration to
be brought up to higher level, which can be reused in the process.

Mercury discharge from chlor-alkali plants can be removed and recovered by mercury selective
ion exchange resin. Phenolics in waste water produced from industries such as pulp and paper
mills, petroleum refineries, tanning industries and resin manufacturing units are removed by the
use of polymeric adsorbents.

The polluted water can also be treated biologically by reusing it for fish culture, oyster culture,
algal culture and for plant growth.

In order to control the water pollution, strict implementation of the laws like water (Prevention
and Control of Water Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 are
extremely important in the Indian sub-continent.

1.4. Brain Churners

21. Shrimp culture produces

a) Organic wastes
b) Heavy metals
c) Arsenic
d) None of the above

22. Antifouling paints used for condition fishing vessels and trawlers contain
a) Volatile organic compounds
b) Chlorine
c) Heavy metals
d) Antibiotics

23. Copper is a heavy metal which is used as

a) Antibiotics
b) Pesticide & algaecide
c) As water purifier
d) None of the above

24. Lead is produced from

 a) Printing industry
b) Tannery
c) Dental care units
d) Shrimp culture farms

25. Conservative wastes are

a) Biodegradable in nature
b) Volatile in nature
c) Non-biodegradable in nature
d) None of the above

26. Agricultural wastes may lead to

a) Oil pollution
b) Increase of temperature
c) Skin disease
d) Eutrophication

27. A ship uses ballast to move safely which is

a) 50% to 60% of the total capacity of the tanker
b) 10% to 20% of the total capacity of the tanker
c) 25% to 30% of the total capacity of the tanker
d) 70% to 80% of the total capacity of the tanker

28. Carbon-14 has a half life of

a) 5730 years
b) 6000 years
c) 30 years
d) 435 years

29. Radioactive waste is generated from

a) Painting factory
b) Nuclear power plant
c) Tourism units
d) Nuclear power plants and hospitals

30. Oyster is a
a) Shell fish
b) Fin fish
c) Cartilaginous fish
d) None of the above
31. Oxytetracyclene is a pesticide
a) Pesticide
b) Antibiotics
c) Fungicide
d) Radioactive compound

32. Estuaries adjacent to shrimp culture farms are polluted by

a) Nitrate
b) Phosphate
c) Ammonia
d) All of the above

33. In eutrophic ponds the dissolved oxygen becomes

a) High during the day time
b) Low during the day time
c) Same during the day and night time
d) High during the night time

34. Red tide is caused by

a) Certain species of Amoeba sp.
b) Zooplankton
c) Certain species of dinoflagellates
d) None of the above

35. Saline water is converted to potable water by

a) Bioremediation
b) Primary treatment
c) Electrodialysis
d) None of the above

36. The Supreme Court of India has banned the

a) Semi-intensive method of shrimp culture
b) Bio-floc system of fish culture
c) Traditional method of shrimp culture
d) All of the above

37. Trickling filters are conventional

a) Aerobic biological waste water treatment units
b) Anaerobic biological waste water treatment units
 c) Primary settling process
d) None of the above

38. Oil and grease are released from

a) Agricultural fields
b) Pharmaceutical industries
c) Paper industries
d) Lubricants and solvents

39. Chromium is released from

a) Printing industry

b) Tannery industry

c) Pesticides
d) Oil sludges

40. Radioactive waste is said to be “short lived” if it has a half life of

a) Less than 31 years
b) More than 31 years
c) 300 years
d) None of the above

Answer sheet
S. No. a b c d
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
 37.
38.
39.
40.

PART 3-NOISE POLLUTION

Noise pollution is generally defined as regular exposure to elevated sound levels that may lead to
adverse effects in humans or other living organisms. According to the World Health
Organization, sound levels less than 70 dB are not damaging to living organisms, regardless of
how long or consistent the exposure is.

Control of Noise Pollution:

Due to the various adverse impacts of noise on human beings and environment, noise should be
controlled. The control of noise pollution depends upon the extent to which noise reduction is
required, nature of equipment used and the economy aspects of the available techniques.

There are four fundamentals ways in which noise can be controlled:

(i) Reduce noise at the source

(ii) Block the path of the noise

(iii) Increase the path length of noise and

(iv) Protect the recipient. In general the best control method is to reduce the noise level at source.

(i) Reducing the Noise level from Domestic Sector:

The domestic noise comes from radios, tape recorders, television sets, mixers, washing
machines, cooking operations. The noise from the television sets, tape recorders & radios can be
controlled if they are played “in low” volume.

The noise from mixers, washing machines & from cooking can be minimised by their selective
and judicious operation for required time. The noise generated from falling of items in house can
be minimised by the use of carpets.

(ii) Automobile Servicing (Fixing of silencers):

Automobiles account to the highest production of noise. Regular servicing and tuning of vehicles
will reduce the noise level.

i. Control over vibrations:

The vibrations of materials may be controlled using proper foundations, rubber padding etc. to
reduce the noise level caused by vibrations.

ii. Low voice speaking:

Speaking at a voice enough for communication reduces the excess noise levels.

iii. Loud speaker prohibition:

By not permitting the usage of loudspeakers in residential zones except for important meetings.
Now-a-days, the urban Administration of the metro cities in India is becoming stringent on usage
of loudspeakers.

iv. Machine quality:

Selection of machinery or equipment’s which generate less noise (sound) due to superior
technology etc. is also an important factor in noise minimisation strategy.

v. Maintenance of machines:

Proper lubrication and maintenance of machines, vehicles etc. will reduce noise level.

vi. White noise machine:

The latest technology for overcoming the effects of noise is using white noise machine. It is a
device which converts unbearable noise into pleasant sound. This machine is placed between the
source of noise and the receptor & it produces soft sound like that of water fall, fan and soft
music.
(iii) Control in the Transmission Path:

The change in the transmission path will increase the distance of travel for the wave and sound
on such a long path will get absorbed/ refracted/radiated in the surrounding environment. The
following techniques can be used for transmission of path.

(iv) Installation of Barriers:

For a barrier to be effective, its width should be more than the height. The X-axis represents the
centre frequencies of the octave band. The barrier should be close to the source i. e., R << D to
increase the traversed length for the sound wave because (when D >> R) the presence of the
barrier becomes less effective because of the possibility of refractive atmospheric effects.