Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Project report
On
Environmental pollution
(Water pollution & Industry pollution in Nashik)
Submitted by
Gupta Nitesh
SY.B.com Div: C Roll no.: 234
Chapter 1. Introduction
3.1 Findings
3.2 Suggestions
3.3 Conclusion
Annexure
Chapter 1: Introduction
Definition:
Environment can be defined as a sum total of all the living and non-living
elements and their effects that influence human life. While all living or biotic
elements are animals, plants, forests, fisheries, and birds, non-living or abiotic
elements include water, land, sunlight, rocks, and air.
Meaning of Environment:
The term environment has been derived from a French word “Environia” means
to surround. It refers to both Abiotic (physical or non-living) and Biotic (living)
environment. The word environment means surroundings, in which organisms
live. Environment and the organisms are two organised and complex component
of nature. Environment controls the life of the organisms including human
beings. Human beings interact with the environment more vigorously than other
living beings. Ordinarily environment refers to the materials and forces that
surround the living organism.
Environment can be defined as the surroundings or conditions in which a
person, animal, or plant lives or operates. The term “environment” refers to all
elements of the physical and biological world, as well as the interactions
between them. Environment plays pre-eminent role in the life cycle of human
being as human life is highly dependent on environment. Environment has
Productive value, Aesthetic/Recreational value; which has been explained later
on under the paragraph of “What Environment does for us”.
Environment is the grand total of conditions that surrounds us at a given point
of time and space. It is comprised of the interacting systems of physical,
biological and cultural elements which are interlinked both individually and
collectively. Environment is the sum total of conditions in which an organism
has to survive or maintain its life process. It influences the growth and
development of living organism.
In other words environment refers to those surroundings that surrounds living
beings from all sides and affect their lives in toto. It consists of atmosphere,
hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. It’s chief components are soil, water,
air, organisms and solar energy. It has provided us all the resources for leading a
comfortable life.
Thus, environment refers to anything that is immediately surrounding an object
and exerting a direct influence on it. Our environment refers to those things or
agencies which though distinct from us, affect our daily life or activity. The
environment by which man is surrounded and affected by factors which may be
natural, artificial, social, biological and psychological.
Components of Environment:
Environment mainly consists of atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and
biosphere. But it can be roughly divided into two types such as (a) Micro
environment and (b) Macro environment. It can also be divided into two other
types such as (c) Physical and (d) Biotic environment.
Micro environment means the immediate local surrounding of the organism.
(b) Macro environment means all the physical and biotic conditions that
surround the organism externally.
(c) Physical environment refers to all abiotic factors or conditions like
temperature, light, rainfall, soil, minerals etc. It comprises of atmosphere,
lithosphere and hydrosphere.
(d) Biotic environment includes all biotic factors or living forms like plants,
animals, Micro-organisms.
What Environment does for us?
• Productive value of nature: Raw materials that are used for
I. developing new medicines
II. industrial products and
III. Are storehouses from which to develop thousands of new products in the
future?
Aesthetic/Recreational value of nature: The aesthetic and recreational
values that nature possesses enliven our existence on earth. A true wilderness
experience has
I. Recreational value
II. Incredible learning experience.
III. It brings about an understanding of the oneness of nature and the fact that
we are entirely dependent upon the intricate functioning of ecosystems.
• The option values of nature: If we use up all our resources, kill off and let
species of plants and animals become extinct on earth, pollute our air and water,
degrade land, and create enormous quantities of waste, we as a generation will
leave nothing for future generations. Our present generation has developed its
economies and lifestyles on unsustainable patterns of life. However, nature
provides us with various options on how we utilize its goods and services. This
is its option value. The option value allows us to use its resources sustainably
and preserve its goods and services for the future.
Types of Environments
The environment differs from one perspective to another. Let’s take a look at
the following ways to group or classify environments.
Internal and external
In physiology, the environment may be internal or external. An internal
environment would be the internal milieu of a multicellular organism.
Maintaining the internal environment of an organism through homeostasis is
crucial to the organism’s survival. An external environment refers to the
environment outside of the organism. The next sections focus on the external
environment.
Natural and Built
Environments may be natural or built. A natural environment is a type of
environment found in nature. It includes all naturally occurring things, both
living and nonliving. It, therefore, involves the complex relationships of
weather, climate, living species, and natural resources.
Built environments, unlike natural environments, are made by humans, such as
agricultural conversions or urban settings. With the current breadth of human
interventions and conversions, many natural environments have acquired some
degree or level of being “built”.
It is clear that man is a part of the environment; however, the intervention of a
man produces a built environment. Humans have developed advanced tools to
change components of the environment to meet their needs. Some animal
species are also capable of using tools such as raw material to build nests,
mounds, dams, and dwellings. However, their tools are relatively primitive and
often the impact is not as extensive as that of human tools and technology.
Human technology became widely distributed all over the world affecting all
aspects of the environment either directly or indirectly.
Aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric
Based on the components, the environment may also be classified into
(1) aquatic environment (marine, such as oceans and seas, and freshwaters, such
as lakes and rivers), (2) terrestrial environment (land), and (3) atmospheric
environment (air).
Marine environments are the largest known environments, they are
characterized by the presence of water with great salt content. On the other
hand, freshwater environments have less salt content. Marine environments
represent about 97% of the water on Earth. Organisms within marine
environments communicate with each other and with their physical surrounding.
These environments are of great importance to humans because it is an
important source of nutrition and resources. Marine pollution, acidification, and
warming are threats to the marine environment as a result of human activities.
Terrestrial environments are environments found on land only. It represents the
land of islands and continents and organisms living on them. Unlike aquatic or
marine environments, terrestrial environments are not abundant in water;
therefore, the presence of water in terrestrial environments is important. Due to
the relatively lower availability of water, the temperature of terrestrial
environments fluctuates daily and seasonally. There are six terrestrial
ecosystems: taiga, rainforests, temperate forests, tundra, deserts, and grassland.
The atmospheric environment refers to the atmospheric component of an
environment. The atmosphere (air) is a part of the Earth that has a huge impact
on the thriving and survival of many organisms. Solar radiation, air
components, climate, and air pollution are just some of the physicochemical
attributes that can define an environment.
Living organisms have adapted to living in a particular environment with its
specific conditions, such as humidity, temperature, light, and so on. All these
factors affect the species in the environment. Therefore, living organisms have
to adapt and modify through time to survive and tolerate different
environmental conditions. Nevertheless, the environment itself also ‘evolves’.
For example, oxygen eventually became incorporated into the Earth’s
atmosphere after being released by photosynthetic organisms (such as algae)
when producing sugar as food. Oxygen, eventually, became indispensable to the
thriving of aerobic organisms, such as animals, including humans.
1.2 Meaning, definition of Pollution and Types of Pollution
Meaning-
contaminants into the natural environment, such as air, water, or soil, that can
cause negative impacts on living organisms and the ecosystem. The sources of
consequences on the health of living beings, the quality of the environment, and
the climate.
waste products, or other materials that can have a detrimental impact on the
health and well-being of the environment and its inhabitants. Pollution can
Pollution can take many forms, including air pollution, water pollution, soil
eruptions and wildfires. Pollution can have serious negative impacts on the
change. It can also have adverse effects on human health, leading to respiratory
and other health problems, and can cause economic and social harm, respiratory
Types of pollution-
Air pollution: The presence of harmful substances or particles in the air, such
matter.
Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful substances or particles in the air
that can harm human health, animal life, and the environment. Air pollution can
generation.
Particulate matter (PM): Tiny particles of dust, dirt, and other materials in the
air that can be inhaled into the lungs and cause respiratory problems.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx): Gases produced by the burning of fossil fuels, which
can react with other compounds to form smog and acid rain.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2): A gas produced by the burning of fossil fuels that can
fuels that can be toxic and cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
Ozone (O3): A gas formed by the reaction of NOx and volatile organic
smog.
Air pollution can have serious negative impacts on human health, including
respiratory problems, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. It can also harm crops,
forests, and other vegetation, and contribute to climate change. To reduce air
urban planning.
such as rivers, lakes, and oceans, which can harm aquatic life and contaminate
drinking water
bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater, which can harm
aquatic life, contaminate drinking water, and affect human health. Water
agricultural runoff, sewage and wastewater discharge, and oil spills, as well as
Water pollution can have serious negative impacts on the environment and
and the emergence of harmful algal blooms. Water pollution can also cause
properly treat sewage and wastewater, prevent oil spills, and reduce the use of
Soil pollution: The presence of toxic substances or pollutants in the soil, which
can affect soil fertility and the health of plants, animals, and humans
soil that can affect soil fertility and the health of plants, animals, and humans.
Soil pollution can have serious negative impacts on the environment and human
health. It can lead to the degradation of soil quality, loss of soil fertility, and the
death of soil organisms. Soil pollution can also contaminate crops and livestock,
leading to health problems for humans and animals. To reduce soil pollution, it
Noise pollution: The excessive or disturbing noise that can harm human health,
Noise pollution refers to the excessive or disturbing noise that can negatively
affect human health, cause stress, and interfere with communication. Noise
Transportation: Noise from cars, trucks, trains, and airplanes can be a major
Noise pollution can have serious negative impacts on human health. It can cause
hearing damage, high blood pressure, sleep disturbance, and stress, and can also
industrial areas.
Light pollution refers to the excessive or misdirected artificial light that can
negatively affect the environment, wildlife, and human health. Light pollution
can be caused by human activities such as outdoor lighting, street lighting, and
advertising, as well as natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions and forest
fires.
Skyglow: The brightening of the night sky caused by the scattering of artificial
light in the atmosphere, which can interfere with astronomical observations and
Glare: Excessive or misdirected lighting that can cause discomfort and reduce
visibility.
Light trespass: The intrusion of light onto neighboring properties, which can
Light pollution can have serious negative impacts on the environment and
human health. It can disrupt the natural behavior of wildlife, such as birds and
sea turtles, and affect their ability to navigate and reproduce. Light pollution can
also interfere with human sleep patterns and cause health problems such as
headaches and eye strain. To reduce light pollution, it is essential to use outdoor
lighting fixtures that direct light downward, limit the use of unnecessary
lighting, and promote dark sky initiatives that protect the natural night sky.
Thermal pollution: The release of heated water or air into bodies of water or
ecosystems.
body of water, such as a river or lake, increases due to human activities. The
increase in temperature can have negative impacts on the environment and the
Power generation: The use of cooling water in power plants can increase the
Industrial processes: The discharge of hot water from industrial processes, such
can increase the temperature of nearby water bodies by reducing natural cooling
effects.
Thermal pollution can have serious negative impacts on the environment and
aquatic organisms. It can decrease the oxygen levels in the water, leading to the
death of fish and other aquatic life. It can also disrupt the reproductive cycles of
and industrial processes, reduce the use of impervious surfaces in urban areas,
and promote the use of natural cooling strategies such as vegetation and green
roofs.
environment, which can cause radiation sickness, cancer, and other health
problems.
plutonium, and cesium that can be released into the environment during nuclear
Radioactive gases: These are gases such as radon that can be released from the
Radioactive pollution can have serious negative impacts on human health and
the environment. Exposure to high levels of radiation can cause cancer, genetic
contaminate soil, water, and air, leading to the death of plants and animals and
affecting entire ecosystems. To reduce radioactive pollution, it is essential to
properly store and dispose of nuclear waste, monitor and regulate nuclear power
generation and testing, and promote the use of renewable energy sources that do
environment that can have negative impacts on the ecosystem, wildlife, and
Microplastics: These are small plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size
that are found in the environment and can be ingested by aquatic organisms and
wildlife.
Single-use plastics: These are plastic products such as straws, bottles, and bags
that are designed to be used once and then discarded, contributing to the
Plastic debris: These are larger plastic items such as fishing nets and plastic
bottles that accumulate in the environment and can pose a threat to wildlife.
Plastic pollution can have serious negative impacts on the environment and
human health. It can harm wildlife through ingestion and entanglement and
affect the food chain, as plastic particles can accumulate in the bodies of
animals and be consumed by humans. Plastic pollution can also affect water
These types of pollution are interconnected and can have cumulative and long-
The environment people live in is affecting them, including health and lifestyle,
and the nature around them, like plants, animals, water bodies, and the
and treating nature with no respect have resulted in some negative changes. One
affects all the crucial elements for sustaining human life: water, air, and soil.
The causes and effects of pollution are multiple and varied, and they should be
well as the chemicals produced as the result of the burning of fossil fuels. This
happens because of different factories’ activity and their waste, which is being
discharged into water, soil, and the atmosphere. Other than big manufacturing
caused by cars, using much energy for different activities, and producing
enormous amounts of waste, especially the types that are not decomposable or
The first side of the environment impacted by pollution is the atmosphere. Air
accumulate in the air in unsafe quantities. The worsening air quality can result
in multiple health issues, including “heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic
and acute respiratory diseases” (“Ambient (outdoor) air pollution,” 2018, para.
1). As air quality is measured around the world, many deficiencies are detected,
the population inhabited places with unsatisfactory air quality (as cited in
not only those living in big urban areas but is also spreading around the whole
planet.
Water covers the majority of the planet, so water pollution is also a crucial
problem. Wastewater and emission of fertilizers into water bodies cause water
pollution, which can make water harmful to human consumption. Other than
creatures and plants, as well as transfer to crops, making them just as dangerous.
The United Nations World Water Development Report stated that over 80
appropriately treated (2017). Thus, not only do the major water bodies become
As a significant part of the food for humans and domestic animals is grown,
polluted soil can also cause complications. Soil pollution occurs when certain
toxic chemicals are gathered in large amounts. Soil can be affected by harmful
harming people and other living creatures. It can manifest in different forms, but
its impact is hugely detrimental. Seeking solutions for this problem is now one
of the main agendas for the whole of humankind, which can only be done with
actions. Only by being aware of this situation and taking measures for
improvement will people be able to protect their health and create better
If the processing of waste is a cost prohibitive one, then the industrialist throws
the waste into the environment in the form of gas, liquid or solid. The gases are
usually released into the atmosphere, the liquids are discharged into aquatic
bodies like canals, rivers or sea and solid wastes are either dumped on the land
or in aquatic bodies. In all the cases, either the air or water or land is polluted
due to dumping of wastes.
Till now, there are about 17 industries which are declared to be most polluting.
These include the caustic soda, cement, distillery, dyes and dye intermediaries,
fertilisers, iron and steel, oil refineries, paper and pulp, pesticides and
pharmaceuticals, sugar, textiles, thermal power plants, tanneries and so on. The
table 6.5 enlists few of the industries, their wastes (important) and the type of
pollution these induce in the environment.
The wide variety of pollutants as shown above enter the environment and
disturb the natural eco-system affecting the biota. Due to industrial activities, a
variety of poisonous gases like NO, SO2, NO2, SO3, Cl2, CO, CO2, H2SO4
etc.- volatile chemicals, dusts etc., are liberated into the atmosphere causing
acute pollution problem. Besides, the accidental leakage of poisonous gases can
cause havoc.
For example, Methyl Isocyanate gas leakage from Union Carbide factory at
Bhopal caused mass killing which is known as Bhopal gas tragedy. In addition
to accidents, many of the above poisonous gases induce depletion of ozone
layer, creation of ozone hole. Green House effect, Global warming. Acid rain,
destruction of monument and killing of living organisms disturbing the natural
eco-systems.
The organic process wastes are liberated from food processing units, distilleries,
breweries, paper and pulp industry, sugar mills etc. The inorganic process
wastes may be the effluents of chemical industries; caustic soda industry, paint
industry, petroleum industry, pesticide industry etc. Both organic and inorganic
process wastes are toxic to living organisms.
Since different industries use different raw materials, the quality and quantity of
solid wastes differ from industry to industry. Industries releasing the solid
wastes in the form of fly ash is dumped on the ground which leads to soil
pollution.
Some amount of fly ash also contaminate atmospheric tract causing respiratory
tract disorders. Metallic industries produce a lot of solid metallic waste and
large quantities of slag. In addition to the release of hazardous chemical
pollutants, the industries may also cause thermal pollution and noise pollution.
The thermal pollution is due to release of hot water from industries into aquatic
bodies. The noise pollution is due to running of heavy machinery producing a
lot of noise.
(iv) Chronic pulmonary diseases like bronchitis and asthma are aggravated by
high concentration of SO2, NO2, particulate matter and photo-chemical smog.
(v) Certain heavy metals like lead may enter the body through lungs and cause
poisoning.
2. On animal health:
In case of animals, the pollutants enter in two steps.
(i) Accumulation of the airborne contaminants in the vegetation forage and prey
animals.
(ii) Subsequent poisoning of the animals when they eat the contaminated food.
In case of animals, three pollutants namely fluorine, arsenic and lead are
responsible for most livestock damage.
3. On plants:
Industrial pollution have been shown to have serious adverse effects on plants.
In some cases, it is found that vegetation over 150 Km. away from the source of
pollutants have been found to be affected. The major pollutants affecting plants
are SO2, O3, MO, NO2, NH3, HCN, Ethylene, Herbicides, PAN (Peroxy
Acetyl nitrate) etc. In the presence of pollutants, the healthy plants suffer from
neurosis, chlorosis, abscission, epinasty etc.
1. Control at Source:
It involves suitable alterations in the choice of raw materials and process in
treatment of exhaust gases before finally discharged and increasing stock height
upto 38 metres in order to ensure proper mixing of the discharged pollutants.
4. Plantation:
Intensive plantation in the region, considerably reduces the dust, smoke and
other pollutants.
This leads to an increase in the concentration of the pollutant in the body of the
primary consumer. Again the primary consumer, is consumed by a secondary
consumer and the pollutants from the body of the former are transferred into the
body of latter where these get deposited.
Thus, on moving along the food chain, it is seen that concentration of the
pollutants become more in the tissues of the organisms belonging to higher
trophic level than the organisms belonging to lower trophic level. Hence the
residual retention of the pollutants is the richest at the higher trophic level.
From the above discussion, it is clear that the pollutants get magnified to a
significant level because of the food chain link up- Such type of magnification
of the pollutants in a food chain, mediated by biological agents (members of
different trophic levels) is known as biological magnification or bio-
magnification of pollutant in eco-system. Since man is omnivorous and can
have access to different trophic levels of a food chain, he receives the pollutants
in large amounts which become deposited in the various tissues.
Chapter 3. Findings and Suggestions
3.1 Findings
Industrial pollution and water pollution are two closely related issues. Industrial
activities such as manufacturing, mining, and energy production can lead to the
release of harmful chemicals and pollutants into waterways, which can have
negative impacts on human health, aquatic ecosystems, and the environment.
Studies have shown that industrial pollution is a major contributor to water
pollution worldwide. For example, a report from the United Nations
Environment Programme found that industrial wastewater is responsible for the
release of over 300 million tons of toxic pollutants into waterways every year.
These pollutants can include heavy metals, organic compounds, and other
harmful substances. The effects of industrial pollution on water quality can be
severe. In addition to harming aquatic life, contaminated water can also pose a
threat to human health. Exposure to polluted water can lead to a range of health
problems, including skin irritation, gastrointestinal issues, and even cancer.
Efforts to address industrial pollution and water pollution include regulation and
enforcement of environmental laws, development of pollution prevention
technologies, and promotion of sustainable industrial practices. Many countries
have established regulatory frameworks to limit the discharge of pollutants into
waterways, and many companies have implemented pollution prevention
measures to reduce their environmental impact. Overall, the issue of industrial
pollution and water pollution is a complex and multifaceted one, requiring
collaboration between government, industry, and civil society to effectively
address and mitigate its impact.
3.2 Suggestions
Industrial pollution and water pollution are major environmental problems that
have a significant impact on the health of the planet and all living beings.
Industrial pollution is the release of harmful substances into the environment by
industries, which can cause serious harm to the ecosystem and human health.
On the other hand, water pollution is the contamination of water bodies such as
rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater due to human activities such as
industrial, agricultural, and domestic activities.
The effects of industrial pollution and water pollution can be disastrous for both
the environment and human health. Industrial pollution can lead to air pollution,
soil contamination, water pollution, and noise pollution, among other problems.
These pollutants can cause respiratory diseases, cancer, and other health
problems. They can also have a detrimental effect on wildlife and the natural
environment, leading to the extinction of species and the destruction of habitats.
Both industrial pollution and water pollution are caused by human activities and
can be prevented through various measures. Industries can take steps to reduce
their pollution output by adopting cleaner production techniques, implementing
efficient waste management practices, and using renewable energy sources.
Governments can also regulate industries by setting emission standards and
enforcing penalties for non-compliance.
In conclusion, industrial pollution and water pollution are two of the most
significant environmental problems that the world is facing today. Both have
severe consequences on human health, wildlife, and the environment, and
require immediate action to be taken to prevent further damage. It is essential
that industries, governments, and individuals work together to reduce pollution
output, improve waste management practices, and adopt sustainable practices to
protect our planet for future generations. The key to solving these problems lies
in awareness, education, and collective action.
Annexure