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Notes: Environmental Science

UNIT-II
Land Pollution
Introduction:
Land Pollution refers to the deterioration of the earth’s land surfaces. Furthermore, it occurs mainly
due to the indirect and direct effects of human activities. Similarly, when we misuse the land
resources, land pollution happens.
It is a global issue that needs to be fixed immediately. The unnecessary materials contaminate the
quality of our land. For instance, even the garbage on the streets is a kind of land pollution only.
Causes of Land Pollution
There are various causes which contribute to this pollution. The various substances that spill on the
land cause land pollution. Similarly, these substances have different sources of origin. The most
common ones are:
 Garbage
 Factories
 Farming
 Mining
Garbage
This is one of the most common causes of land pollution. You will find garbage in every household.
Tonnes of garbage are produced by common households annually. When such massive amount gets
generated, the ways to dispose of it falls short.
Therefore, all this garbage gets dumped onto land. This land of disposal is referred to as a landfill. It
is basically wastage of free land which also gives birth to new problems. For instance, these landfills
release toxic gases that harm living beings as well as the ozone layer.
Factories
Factories contribute largely to land pollution. They produce toxic waste products and chemical
which prove very damaging to land.
Furthermore, these factories dump off their waste in lands and water bodies. While some countries
have stringent laws against this, some do not. This increases land pollution.
Farming
We know farming is very important for every person. They fulfill our food demands. However,
irresponsible farming becomes very harmful sometimes.
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Clearing of forests for land area in order to farm makes way for land pollution. Moreover, the
insecticides and fertilizers sprayed on crops also damage the land.
Mining
It is yet another activity that contributes to land pollution. In order to obtain coal and minerals, we
dig holes into the land. This results in land erosion.
Similarly, it also produces harmful gases and toxins which results in contaminated land as well as
the air.
Prevention of Land Pollution
There are many ways which can be taken on a bigger level as well as a small one. It can help in
preventing land pollution. In order to execute it, the government and citizens must come together to
do so. We can begin with:
Reducing the usage of chemicals and pesticides
Reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can help in preventing land pollution. In
addition to contaminating the soil, they also do no good to the crops.
Therefore, farmers must use natural ingredients instead of these harmful toxins. They can switch to
manure and bio-fertilizers. This will help in minimizing land pollution.
Reforestation
As we know that forests and grassland bind the soil. We must practice reforestation to protect the
land from pollution. It will further prevent floods and soil erosion. Moreover, it will make the land
more fertile and enhance biodiversity.
Recovering and Recycling Material
We must recycle waste material to stop it from polluting the land. We must properly dispose of
organic and inorganic waste separately. It will help in lessening the burden of landfills. Moreover, it
will save more natural resources.
Effects of Land Pollution
1. Soil pollution
Soil pollution is another form of land pollution, where the upper layer of the soil is damaged.
This is caused by the overuse of chemical fertilizers, soil erosion caused by running water and
other pest control measures; this leads to loss of fertile land for agriculture, forest cover, fodder
patches for grazing, etc.
2. Change in climate patterns
The effects of land pollution are very hazardous and can lead to the loss of ecosystems. When
land is polluted, it directly or indirectly affects the climate patterns.
3. Environmental impact
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When deforestation is committed, the tree cover is compromised. This leads to a steep imbalance
in the rain cycle. A disturbed rain cycle affects a lot of factors. To begin with, the green cover is
reduced. Trees and plants help balance the atmosphere, without them we are subjected to various
concerns like Global warming, the greenhouse effect, irregular rainfall and flash floods among
other imbalances.
4. Effect on human health
The land when contaminated with toxic chemicals and pesticides lead to the problem of skin
cancer and the human respiratory system. The toxic chemicals can reach our body through foods
and vegetables that we eat as they are grown in polluted soil.
5. Causes air pollution
Landfills across the city keep on growing due to an increase in waste and are later burned
which leads to air pollution. They become home for rodents, mice, etc which in turn transmit
diseases.
6. Distraction for tourists
The city loses its attraction as a tourist destination as landfills do not look good when you move
around the city. It leads to a loss of revenue for the state government.
7. Effect on wildlife
The animal kingdom has suffered most in the past decades. They face a serious threat with
regards to the loss of habitat and natural environment. The constant human activity on land is
leaving it polluted; forcing these species to move further away and adapt to new regions or die
trying to adjust. Several species are pushed to the verge of extinction, due to no homeland.
Other issues that we face include increased temperature, unseasonal weather activity, acid rains,
etc.
The discharge of chemicals on land makes it dangerous for the ecosystem too. These chemicals
are consumed by the animals and plants and thereby make their way in the ecosystem. This
process is called biomagnifications and is a serious threat to the ecology.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Introduction:
Solid waste management is a term that is used to refer to the process of collecting and treating
solid wastes. It also offers solutions for recycling items that do not belong to garbage or trash. As
long as people have been living in settlements and residential areas, garbage or solid waste has
been an issue.
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Waste management is all about how solid waste can be changed and used as a valuable resource.
Solid waste management should be embraced by each and every household including the
business owners across the world. Industrialization has brought a lot of good things and bad
things as well.
One of the negative effects of industrialization is the creation of solid waste.
1. Waste generation: This encompasses any activities involved in identifying materials that are
no longer usable and are either gathered for systematic disposal or thrown away.
2. Onsite handling, storage, and processing: This relates to activities at the point of waste
generation, which facilitate easier collection. For example, waste bins are placed at sites that
generate sufficient waste.
3. Waste collection: A crucial phase of waste management, this includes activities such as
placing waste collection bins, collecting waste from those bins, and accumulating trash in the
location where the collection vehicles are emptied. Although the collection phase involves
transportation, this is typically not the main stage of waste transportation.
4. Waste transfer and transport: These are the activities involved in moving waste from the
local waste collection locations to the regional waste disposal site in large waste transport
vehicles.
5. Waste processing and recovery: This refers to the facilities, equipment, and techniques
employed to recover reusable or recyclable materials from the waste stream and to improve
the effectiveness of other functional elements of waste management.
6. Disposal: The final stage of waste management. It involves the activities aimed at the
systematic disposal of waste materials in locations such as landfills or waste-to-energy
facilities.
There are different methods of solid waste management. The following are some of the
recognized methods:

Sanitary Landfill-
This is the most popular solid waste disposal method used today. Garbage is basically spread out
in thin layers, compressed and covered with soil or plastic foam. Modern landfills are designed
in such a way that the bottom of the landfill is covered with an impervious liner which is usually
made of several layers of thick plastic and sand. This liner protects the ground water from being
contaminated because of leaching or percolation. When the landfill is full, it is covered with
layers of sand, clay, top soil and gravel to prevent seepage of water. Fig.1
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Fig.1 Sanitary Landfill

Incineration-
This method involves burning of solid wastes at high temperatures until the wastes are turned
into ashes. Incinerators are made in such a way that they do not give off extreme amounts of heat
when burning solid wastes. This method of solid waste management can be done by individuals,
municipalities and even institutions. The good thing about this method is the fact that it reduces
the volume of waste up to 20 or 30% of the original volume. Fig.2

Fig.2 Incinerator

Recovery and Recycling-

Recycling or recovery of resources is the process of taking useful but discarded items for next
use. Traditionally, these items are processed and cleaned before they are recycled. The process
aims at reducing energy loss, consumption of new material and reduction of landfills.
Composting-
Due to lack of adequate space for landfills, biodegradable yard waste is allowed to decompose in
a medium designed for the purpose. Only biodegradable waste materials are used in composting.
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Good quality environmentally friendly manure is formed from the compost and can be used for
agricultural purposes.
Pyrolysis-
This is method of solid waste management whereby solid wastes are chemically decomposed by
heat without presence of oxygen. This usually occurs under pressure and at temperatures of up to
430 degrees Celsius. The solid wastes are changed into gasses, solid residue and small quantities
of liquid.
RECYCLING AND REUSE OF SOLID WASTE
The waste hierarchy consists of 3 R’s as follows:
 Reduce
 Reuse
 Recycle
Called the “three R’s” of waste management, this waste hierarchy is the guidance suggested for
creating a sustainable life. You might be wondering as to how you can incorporate these
principles in your daily life. They are not hard to implement. All you need is to bring a small
change in your daily lifestyle to reduce waste so that less amount of it goes to the landfill that
can reduce your carbon footprint.
The concept of reducing what is produced and what is consumed is essential to the waste
hierarchy. The logic behind it is simple to understand – if there is less waste, then there is less
to recycle or reuse. The process of reducing begins with an examination of what you are using,
and what it is used for. Here are some of things you can do to reduce the waste:
1. Print on both sides of the paper to reduce paper wastage.
2. Use electronic mail to reach out to people instead of sending paper mail.
3. Remove your name from the mailing lists that you no longer want to receive.
4. Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.
5. Avoid using disposable plates, spoons, glass, cups and napkins. They add to the problem and
result in large amount of waste.
The Second ‘R’ – Reuse
You may have a box of things you keep that are broken or that you don’t have a use for that you
hang on to in-case you find another use for them; or you may find bargains on old furniture or go
trash picking and get things that you can refinish – in either case you are working towards
reusing the item. Learning to reuse items, or re-purpose them for a use different then what they
are intended for is essential in waste hierarchy.
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One of the best examples for how this is being done today is the modular construction of homes
and office buildings that is being created out of discarded shipping containers. These large, semi-
truck sized metal containers represent a huge waste problem. Repurposing them as homes and
offices saves them from the landfills and doesn’t require the additional expenditure of nature
resources to melt down and reconfigure the metals used to create them.
You may either reuse those items for your own use or donate so that others can use them. You
can reuse below items like:
1. Old jars and pots: Old jars and pots can be used to store items in kitchen. They can also be
used to store loose items together such as computer wires.
2. Tyres: Old types can either be sent to recycling station or can be used to make tyre-swing.
3. Used wood: Used wood can be used as firewood or can be used woodcrafts.
4. Newspaper: Old newspapers can be used to pack items when you’re planning to move to
another home or store old items.
5. Envelopes: Old and waste envelopes can be used by children to make short notes.
6. Waste paper: Waste paper can be used to make notes and sketches and can be sending to
recycling center when you don’t need them anymore.
The Third ‘R’ – Recycling-
The last stage of the waste hierarchy is to recycle. To recycle something means that it will be
transformed again into a raw material that can be shaped into a new item. There are very few
materials on the earth that cannot be recycled.
One of the issues facing communities that want to become more involved with a recycling effort
is that while the relying collection and sorting process may be affordable to implement, there still
has to be a facility to receive and transform the discarded waste into a raw material. More
progress is being made toward uniting recycling plants with industries that can process the waste
material through agreements and incentive credits.
One needs to learn as to what products can be recycled and what not. By carefully choosing the
products that can be recycled, can be a first step towards efficient recycling.
1. Buy products from market that are made up of recycled materials i.e. the product should
be environment friendly.
2. Buy products that can be recycled such as glass jars.
3. Invent new ways to recycle different items.
4. Avoid buying hazardous materials that could pose difficulty for you to recycle. Buy non-toxic
products, whenever possible.
5. Buy products that have been made from recycled material.
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6. Use recycled paper for printing or making paper handicrafts.

NOISE POLLUTION

Introduction:
Noise is the unpleasant and undesirable sound which leads to discomfort to human beings. The
intensity of sound is measured in decibels (dB). The faintest sound which can be heard by
Human ear is 1 Db. Due to increasing noise around the civilizations; noise pollution has become
a matter of concern. Some of its major causes are vehicles, aircraft, industrial machines,
loudspeakers, crackers etc. Some other appliances also contribute to noise pollution like
television, transistor, radio, etc. when used at high volume.
Sources of Noise pollution:
Household sources:
Gadgets like food mixer, grinder, vacuum cleaner, washing machine and dryer, cooler, air
conditioners can be very noisy and injurious to health. Others include loud speakers of sound
systems and TVs, iPods and ear phones. Another example may be your neighbor’s dog barking
all night everyday at every shadow it sees, disturbing everyone else in the apartment.
Social events:
Places of worship, discos and gigs, parties and other social events also create a lot of noise for
the people living in that area. In many market areas, people sell with loud speakers; others shout
out offers and try to get customers to buy their goods. It is important to note that whey these
events are not often, they can be called 'Nuisance' rather than noise pollution.
Commercial and industrial activities:
Printing presses, manufacturing industries, construction sites, contribute to noise pollutions in
large cities. In many industries, it is a requirement that people always wear earplugs to minimize
their exposure to heavy noise. People who work with lawn mowers, tractors and noisy equipment
are also required to wear noise-proof gadgets.
Transportation:
Think of aero planes flying over houses close to busy airports, over ground and underground
trains, vehicles on road—these are constantly making a lot of noise and people always struggle to
cope with them.
Effect of Noise Pollution:
1. On human health:
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Hypertension is, in this case, a direct result of noise pollution caused elevated blood levels for a
longer period of time. Hearing loss can be directly caused by noise pollution, whether listening
to loud music in your headphones or being exposed to loud drilling noises at work, heavy air or
land traffic, or separate incidents in which noise levels reach dangerous intervals, such as
around140 dB for adult or 120 dB for children.
Sleep disturbances are usually caused by constant air or land traffic at night, and they are a
serious condition in that they can affect everyday performance and leads to serious
diseases.Children appear to be more sensitive to noise pollution, and a number of noise-
pollution-related diseases and dysfunctions are known to affect children, from hearing
impairment to psychological and physical effects.
2. On Wildlife and marine life:
Our oceans are no longer quiet. Thousands of oil drills, sonar’s, seismic survey devices, coastal
recreational watercraft and shipping vessels are now populating our waters, and that is a serious
cause of noise pollution for marine life. Whales are among the most affected, as their hearing
helps them orient themselves, feed and communicate.
Noise pollution thus interferes with cetaceans’ (whales and dolphins) feeding habits,
reproductive patterns and migration routes, and can even cause hemorrhage and death. Other
than marine life, land animals are also affected by noise pollution in the form of traffic,
firecrackers etc., and birds are especially affected by the increased air traffic. See Table 10.3

STANDARDS:
The Government has chalked out standard for noise pollution. The ambient noise standards have
been notified for different categories like, industrial, commercial and residential areas and
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silence zones. It is 55 dB (A) Leq during ‘day time’ and 45 dB (A) Leq during ‘night time’ for
residential areas. ‘Day time’ and ‘night time’ mean 6.00 am to 10.00 pm and 10.00 pm to 6.00
am, respectively. dB (A) Leq denotes the time weighted average of the level of sound in decibels
on scale A which is relatable to human hearing.

Control:
Some of the ways to control noise pollution are as follows:
(1) Control at Receiver’s End
(2) Suppression of Noise at Source
(3) Acoustic Zoning
(4) Sound Insulation at Construction Stages
(5) Planting of Trees
(6) Legislative Measures.
From the above discussion, it is evident that noise is not merely a nuisance but is a serious
environmental problem and a health hazard.
Like all other pollutions, noise pollution needs to be controlled by measures which will maintain
the acceptable levels of noise pollution for human beings and buildings as indicated.
Noise pollution can be effectively controlled by taking the following measures:
(1) Control at Receiver’s End:
For people working in noisy installations, ear-protection aids like ear-plugs, ear-muffs, noise
helmets, headphones etc. must be provided to reduce occupational exposure.
(2) Suppression of Noise at Source:
This is possible if working methods are improved by:
(a) Designing, fabricating and using quieter machines to replace the noisy ones.
(b) Proper lubrication and better maintenance of machines.
(c) Installing noisy machines in sound proof chambers.
(d) Covering noise-producing machine parts with sound-absorbing materials to check noise
production.
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(e) Reducing the noise produced from a vibrating machine by vibration damping i.e. making a
layer of damping material (rubber, neoprene, cork or plastic) beneath the machine.
(f) Using silencers to control noise from automobiles, ducts, exhausts etc. and convey systems
with ends opening into the atmosphere.
(g) Using glass wool or mineral wool covered with a sheet of perforated metal for the purpose of
mechanical protection.
(3) Acoustic Zoning:
Increased distance between source and receiver by zoning of noisy industrial areas, bus terminals
and railway stations, aerodromes etc. away from the residential areas would go a long way in
minimizing noise pollution. There should be silence zones near the residential areas, educational
institutions and above all, near hospitals.
(4) Sound Insulation at Construction Stages:
(a) Sound travels through the cracks that get left between the door and the wall. For reducing
noise, this space (jamb frame gap) should be packed with sound absorbing material.
(b) Sound insulation can be done by constructing windows with double or triple panes of glass
and filling the gaps with sound absorbing materials.
(c) Acoustical tiles, hair felt, perforated plywood etc. can be fixed on walls, ceil ings, floors etc.
to reduce noise (especially for sound proof recording rooms etc.)

(5) Planting of Trees:

Planting green trees and shrubs along roads, hospitals, educational institutions etc. help in noise
reduction to a considerable extent.
(6) Legislative Measures:
Strict legislative measures need to be enforced to curb the menace of noise pollution. Some of
these measures could be:
(a) Minimum use of loudspeakers and amplifiers especially near silence zones.
(b) Banning pressure horns in automobiles.
(c) Framing a separate Noise Pollution Act.

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