Unit-4

1. State the Air Quality Standards adopted by EPA.

The ambient air quality objectives/standards are pre-requisite for developing
programme for effective management of ambient air quality and to reduce the
damaging effects of air pollution.
The objectives of air quality standards are:
• To indicate the levels of air quality necessary with an adequate margin of
safety to Protect the public health, vegetation and property;
• To assist in establishing priorities for abatement and control of pollutant level;
• To provide uniform yardstick for assessing air quality at national level; and
• To indicate the need and extent of monitoring programme.

1(b). Explain the procedure of monitoring of SPM and list air quality
standards.
The air quality monitoring network in India can be classified as (i) online and
(ii) manual. The pollutant parameters, frequency of measurement and
monitoring methodologies for two networks are very different. The AQI system
for these networks could be at variance, especially for reporting and
completeness in terms of parameters.
(i) Online Monitoring network: These are automated air quality monitoring
stations which record continuous hourly, monthly or annually averaged data. In
India, ~ 40 automatic monitoring stations are operated (e.g. Figure 3.2:
continuous stations in Delhi), where parameters like PM10, PM2.5, NO2 , SO2 ,
CO, O3 , etc. are monitored continuously. Data from these stations are available
almost in real-time. Thus such networks are most suitable for computation of
AQI sub-indices, as information on AQI can be 80 generated in real time. For
AQI to be more useful and effective, there is a need to set up more online
monitoring stations for continuous and easy availability of air quality data for
computation of AQI for more Indian cities.
Manual: The manual stations involve mostly intermittent air quality data
collection, thus such stations are not suitable for AQI calculation particularly for
its quick dissemination. In India, air quality is being monitored manually at 573
locations under National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP). In most of these
manually operated stations, only three criteria pollutants viz. PM10, sulphur
dioxide (SO2 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) are measured, at some stations
PM2.5 and Pb are also measured. The monitoring frequency is twice a week.
Such manual networks are not suitable for computing AQI, as availability of
monitored data could have a lag of 1-3 days and sometimes not available at all.
However, some efforts are required to use the information in some productive
manner. Historical AQIs on weekly basis can be calculated and used for data
interpretation and ranking of cities or towns for further prioritization of actions
on air pollution control.
2(a). Explain The Principles of Sampling The Gaseous Air Pollutant.
Air sampling techinuques for gaseous air pollutants
Absorption sampling
Adsorption sampling
Condensation sampling
1.Absorption sampling
 Gaseous pollutants are absorbed in a solvent when both the pollutant and
absorbent are in close contact
 Liquid react with the gaseous pollutant to form a non gaseous pollutant
ALKALINE FOR ACIDIC GASES GASES
ACIDIC SOLUTION FOR ALKALINE
OILS FOR HYDROCARBONS
2.Adsorption sampling
 Gaseous pollutants are adsorbed on the solid surface of activated carbon,
silica gel, activated alumina and molecular sieve
 As the surface area increases the adsorption increases
3.Condensation sampling
 The conversion of a vapour or gas to a liquid Method used to collect the
radioactive gases, hydrocarbons and non reactive vapors
 Air pollutant can be trapped by condensation reaction
 As the gaseous pollutant pass through the different temperature range of
condensers where the temperature is below the boiling point the gaseous
pollutant will trap in the liquid
4.Bubble Sampling
 Air drawn into the impinger is forced through a nozzle. which is covered
by a liquid such as high purity water.
 The pollutant dissolves in the liquid and is subsequently analysed,
usually by colorimetric techniques.

5.Sorbent Sampling
 Sorbents are normally contained in a small glass tube with
 sealed ends.
 Air is drawn through the sorbent, which captures molecules of the gas or
vapour to be sampled.
 The trapped contaminants are released using solvent washing or heat to a
gas chromatograph (GC) for analysis. One of the best known
sorbents is charcoal.
2(b). Give Step By Step Flow Chat For The Analysis Of Sox And NOx.
3(a). Write Notes on i) Emission Standards ii) Control of NOx and SO2
emissions.
1.Emission Standards
Emissions standards refer to legislated limits on the concentrations of a number
of compounds that can be released into the air.
Emissions standards are primarily concerned with compounds that are
associated with respiratory difficulties from breathing polluted air, and
greenhouse gases—compounds that increase the retention of heat by the
atmosphere and which are the main factor in the warming of Earth’s atmosphere
There are limits on the emission of specific gaseous, vapor, and
particulate pollutants from any process and on their emission from specific
processes.
2. Control of NOx and SO2 emissions
The indicators presented here refer to total emissions from human activities of
sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), given as quantities of SO2
and NO2. They show changes in emissions over time, as well as emission
intensities per unit of GDP and per capita. It should be kept in mind that SOx
and NOx emissions provide only a partial view of air pollution problems. They
should be supplemented with information on the acidity of rain and snow in
selected regions, and the excedance of critical loads in soil and water, which
reflect the actual acidification of the environment.
3(b). Explain the general method of control of SOx emission.
Strategies for SO2 control are based on either prevention of SO2 pollution
(firing clean fuel), or end-of-pipe treatment of flue gases. Since small-scale flue
gas cleaning is often impractical, substitution of sulfur-containing fuels by clean
fuel is desirable.
Prevention of SO2 pollution involves switching to low-sulfur fuels, or else a
reduction of fuel-sulfur before its firing. Since SO2 emissions are directly
proportional to the sulfur content of fuel, and also to the amount fired, a
reduction in emissions can be achieved by switching to low-sulfur fuels and to
higher quality ones.
But low-sulfur fuels are not always available—low-sulfur fuel reserves are
decreasing and are becoming unavailable in many areas—and cost more than
less desirable high-sulfur qualities.
Almost all fuels can be converted into a gaseous or liquid form, while
eliminating sulfur. Technically feasible technologies are available, but their
application generally stumbles over cost factors. Moreover, each process
typically brings losses in energy content of the order of 15 to 40 %. These
factors hamper the introduction of new technologies, as long as cheap natural
gas and oil remain in ample supply.
4(a). Explain procedure for stack monitoring for flue gases.

Stack Emission monitoring procedure includes tasks of Measurement, testing,

sampling and analysis. Onsite determination of physical parameters of flue
gases such as temperature, flow and pressure also involved in Stack emission
monitoring.

Air Quality is a major environmental responsibility for all manufacturing

industries. Those industries can use air quality monitoring or stack monitoring
to measure the degree of pollutants or contaminants present in the current
exhaust air and take the required steps to reduce them.

All industries must have a sampling port built into their stack and a permanent
sampling platform to ease the Stack Emission Monitoring Procedure
for environmental consultants who perform monitoring of stack emission.

The objective of sampling in Stack Emission Monitoring Procedure is to

determine accurate degree of pollutants present in air emitted from stack.
Laminar flow should be present in stack to get accurate readings.

To select representative sample sampling point should be at least eight stack

diameter downstream and two stack diameter upstream from any joint, bend,
expansion and contraction.

4(b). Describe the source correction method of air pollutants.

Source correction methods
Formation of pollutants can be reduced at the source itself. Those methods which
have minimum air pollution potential can be selected for this
 Substitution of raw materials: If the use of a raw material is creating
pollutants, alternative raw materials can be sought. For eg Natural gas can
substitute traditional high contaminant coal.
 Process modifications: Bringing changes in the processes in order to reduce
the pollutant quantity. For eg. If air intake of boiler furnace is adjusted then
excess fly ash emissions at power plants can be reduced.
 Modification of existing equipment: Improvements in the design of
machinery can reduce the quantity of the pollutants released. For eg. If
open hearth furnaces are replaced with controlled basic oxygen furnaces or
electric furnaces, smoke carbon monoxide and fumes can be reduced to a
great extent.
 Maintenance of equipment: much pollution is caused due to the poor
maintenance of the equipment. There can be leakages and these can be
reduced by routine checks of ducts, pipes, valves, pumps, seals and gaskets.
 Pollution control equipment: These are used to filter out particulate and
gaseous matter.
5(a). What are the effects of air pollutants on plants?
The effects of pollution on plants include mottled foliage, “burning” at leaf tips
or margins, twig dieback, stunted growth, premature leaf drop, delayed
maturity, abortion or early drop of blossoms, and reduced yield or quality.
In general, the visible injury to plants is of three types: (1) collapse of leaf tissue
with the development of necrotic patterns, (2) yellowing or other color changes,
and (3) alterations in growth or premature loss of foliage.
Injury from air pollution can be confused with the symptoms caused by fungi,
bacteria, viruses, nematodes, insects, nutritional deficiencies and toxicities, and
the adverse effects of temperature, wind, and water.
Effects of Air Pollution on Plants
There are many harmful effects of Air Pollution on Plants; they can have direct
poisonous impacts, or by implication by changing soil pH followed by
solubilization of toxic salts of metals like aluminum. The particulate issues have
a negative mechanical effect. The effects of Air Pollution on Plants in points by
the major Air pollutants are explained as follows:
 Ozone
Ozone is a significant greenhouse gas and is useful for life on earth – it
prevents ultraviolet beams from going through. Be that as it may, when
ozone is most valuable when it is high up in the climate. On the ground,
ozone can cause a ton of medical problems for people, for example,
breathing issues, clog, throat disturbance and so on. Effects of Air
Pollution on Plants lead to loss of capacity for the plant cell. This is thought
to influence the procedure of photosynthesis.
 Sulphur Dioxide
Plants get presented to sulphur dioxide through the acid downpour. The
quick impacts show themselves as discolouration as an effect of Air
Pollution on leaves. It is likewise known to hinder photosynthesis by
disturbing specific mechanisms required for photosynthesis. Besides,
sulphur dioxide can influence the opening of the stomata, bringing about
excessive loss of water. Be that as it may, the impact of introduction to
sulphur dioxide changes as per the plant species and the degree of
exposure.
 Nitrogen Dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide is framed from the ignition of non-renewable energy
sources and discharges from refining oil. This gas is harmful, which is
considered one of the significant effects of Air Pollution on Plants; in high
amounts, stunts plant development.
Damage To Leaf Structure By Air pollutants Causes
Damage to Leaf structure by Air pollutants can be explained by contaminants, for
example, ground-level ozone truly harms leaves by causing chlorosis, or an
unusual yellowing of the leaves, coming about because of an inadequacy of
chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is crucial for photosynthesis. This molecule energizes
the food-production process by catching vitality from the sun. Damage to Leaf
structure by Air pollutants causes damage to chlorophyll, and without
chlorophyll, a plant can't produce food or energy. In zones with broad groupings
of ozone, portions of the Leaf will bite the dust because of presentation. Other
than damage to Leaf structure by Air pollutants, the additional Air pollutant
causes are delayed flowering, root damage and stomata damage.