Introduction to Sustainability Development

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Lecture 4- Pollution: Cause, consequences and different

technologies for treatment of water, waste and air pollution

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 1

Learning objectives
• Definition of pollution
• Types of pollution.
• Air pollution: Causes, consequences and solutions to reduce it;
• Water pollution: Causes, consequences and solutions to reduce it;
• Noise pollution: Causes, consequences and solutions to reduce it;
• Land pollution: Causes, consequences and solutions to reduce it;

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 2

 What is pollution?

Pollution is contamination by a chemical or other agent that

renders part of the environment unfit for intended or desired
use. These uses also and very importantly include all wildlife
and ecological requirements to sustain life in all its natural
forms

Environmental pollution can be defined as an undesirable

change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of
the air, water or land that can affect human health

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 3

Pollutant
■ In general, substance or energy introduced into the environment that has undesired
effects, or adversely affects the usefulness of a resource.

Contaminant
■ A contaminant is any potentially undesirable substance (physical, chemical or
biological). It usually refers to the introduction of harmful human-made substances.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 4

 Types of pollution
There are five types of pollution

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 5

 Air pollution
• It occurs when the air contains gases, dust, fumes or odor in harmful amounts
• It is when concentrated gases exceed safe limits
• Do you know about carbon tax??

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 6

 Types of air pollution
OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION

• Smog
• Particulates
• Acid rain
• Greenhouse gases
What are they??

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

• Smoking
• Stove
• Cosmetics
• Cleaning material
• Insecticide
10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 7
 Causes
Natural sources Human sources

Forest fires Volcanic eruption Deforestation Emission from vehicles

Pollen grains of flowers Rapid industrialization Wars

Very important!!
10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 8
 Sources of Emissions of Air pollutants

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 9

 Sources and types of air pollutants
Air pollutants are categorized in
two broad categories
- Primary
 Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
 Carbon Monoxide (CO)
 Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
 Nitrogen Monoxide (NO)

- Secondary
Primary pollutants are converted
into other compounds in the
atmosphere due to chemical
reaction with each other or
Photochemical.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 10

Effects of Air Pollution on humans

Prolonged smoking or exposure to air pollutants

can overloaded or break down the natural defenses
such as hair in our nose, sticky mucus in the lining
of the upper respiratory tract causing disease like
lung cancer, asthma, chronic bronchitis etc.,

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 11

Effects of Air Pollution on environment
Acid Rain

Global warming and Greenhouse gases

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 12

Ozone layer depletion

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 13

 Smog
Ozone and other compounds found in smog
can cause your eyes to water and sting
Wildlife
Toxic chemicals in the air can force wildlife to
move to new place and change their habitat

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 14

 How to avoid or reduce Air Pollution?
Save energy
When you save energy, whether it is at home, at
work, or while you are traveling, you will be
reducing air polluting particulates as well as
carbon emissions that pollute the air.
10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development
Planning trees
- Emissions of volatile organic compounds by trees can
contribute to the formation of ozone and carbon
monoxide.
- Trees reduce building energy use by lowering temperatures
and shading buildings during the summer, and blocking
winds in winter.
- Trees take up a variety of air pollutants.
15
Rely more on Renewable energy Walk, bike or use public transport instead of driving car

Renewable energy is clean energy and renewable

and it does not require burning to take place which
means that less carbon is emitted into the air.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 16

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3Rs)

• Save energy
• Save resources: reduces land needed for manufacturing and
• cutting trees (deforestation)
• By recycling, we send less materials to landfills so we save land
used for landfills

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 17

Articles

■ http://www.arabnews.com/node/384608

■ http://www.arabnews.com/perfumes-and-fragrances-potential-health-hazard

■ http://www.arabnews.com/node/364616
■ http://www.arabnews.com/node/400234

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 18

 Water pollution
What is Water?

Water is a transparent fluid which form the world’s streams, lakes, oceans and rain, and is the major constituent
of the fluid of organisms.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 19

Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface. It is vital for all known
forms of life. On Earth,
• 96.5% of the planet's crust water is found in seas and
• oceans,
• 1.7% in groundwater,
• 1.7% in glaciers and the ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland,
• A small fraction in other large water bodies, and 0.001% in the
air as vapor, clouds (formed of ice and liquid water suspended
in air), and precipitation.

Only 2.5% of this water is freshwater, and 98.8% of that water is in

ice (excepting ice in clouds) and groundwater. Less than 0.3% of all
freshwater is in rivers.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 20

 What is Water Pollution?

■ Water pollution is the pollution of bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers , seas, the oceans, as well
as groundwater. It occurs when pollutants reach these bodies of water, without treatment. Waste from
homes, factories and other buildings get into the water bodies.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 21

 Major sources of Water Pollution

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 22

 Non-Point Sources Point Sources

Runoff agricultural waste water Trash dumped in the ocean

Boat Explosion Wastewater discharge pipe

Source – Department of Agriculture
10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 23
 Types of water pollution

• Sewage
• Disease-causing agents
• Sediment pollution
• Inorganic plant and algal nutrient
• Organic compounds
• Inorganic chemicals
• Thermal pollution

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 24

 Causes of Water Pollution
 Industrial activity causes huge water pollution. Wastes from factories
are let off into freshwater to carry waste from plants into rivers. This
contaminates water with pollutants like lead, mercury, asbestos and
petrochemicals.
 Sewage let off from domestic households, factories, commercial
building are untreated in water treatment plants yet are disposed
into the sea. Sewage containing flush chemicals and pharmaceuticals
causes greater problems.
 Solid waste dumping and littering of cardboard, plastics, glass,
Styrofoam, aluminum tins, etc., in water bodies.
 Oil spills from tankers and ship travel causes oil pollution. Oil does
not dissolve in water and forms a thick layer on the water surface.
 Burning of fossil fuels and emissions from industries and motor
vehicles causes formation of acidic particles in the atmosphere.
These particles fuse with water vapor resulting in acid rain. Acid rain
harms aquatic life.
 Increase in water temperature is a result of global warming and
thermal plants use water as cooling agents for mechanical
equipment .

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 25

 Effects of Water pollution
Water pollution extensively affects health in humans and aquatic ecosystems.
• Groundwater contamination causes reproductive and fertility disorders in wildlife ecosystems.
• Sewage, fertilizer and agricultural run-off has nutrients, organic substances which lead to increase of algal bloom
causing oxygen depletion. The lower oxygen levels affect the natural ecological balance of rivers and lake
ecosystem.
• Consumption and swimming in contaminated water causes skin diseases, cancer, reproductive problems,
stomach ailments in humans.
• Industrial effluents and agricultural pesticides accumulate in aquatic environments causing harm to aquatic
animals and lead to bio magnifications. Heavy metals like mercury, lead are poisonous to small
children and women. These chemicals interfere in the development of nervous system in fetuses and young
children.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 26

• Rising water temperatures destroy aquatic ecosystem.
• Littering by humans like plastic bags, clog and suffocate aquatic animals.
• Water pollution causes soil erosion in streams, rivers and flooding due to accumulation.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 27

 How to reduce Water Pollution?

Use of low phosphate-level detergents

• Dispose of wastes(like tissue paper or odd trash) by putting them in
• trash bins rather than flushing them down into drain.
• Use of native plants instead of hybrid ones. Because they require
• less amount pesticides.
• Use organic fertilizers & pesticides.
• Conserve as much water as possible.
• Less use of plastics.
• Prevent oil erosion from occurring.
• Sewage treatment
• Industrial waste water treatment
• Agricultural waste water treatment
• Sediment & Erosion control from construction sites
• Control of urban runoff

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 28

 Waste Water Treatment

 Water treatment is the process of removing contaminants from waste water and household water
 It includes physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove physical, chemical and biological
contaminants
 Its objective it to produce an environmentally safe fluid waste stream and a solid waste suitable for disposal
or reuse

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 29

Watch video

■ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqZihghcMJA

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 30

 Methods of disinfection
What is disinfection?
Disinfection is the process of removing harmful
bacteria.
• The substances or materials which are to be used
for disinfection are called the disinfectants.
• When water leaves the filter plant, it is till found
to contain some of the impurities.

These impurities can be grouped as:

-Bacteria,
-dissolved inorganic salts,
-color, odor and taste,
-iron and manganese.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 31

SODIS
■ Solar Disinfection is a water treatment known as SODIS. It requires an
initial expenses and running cost as low as 1 $ per annum and is
invaluable to the population vulnerable to water borne disease.
■ SODIS is performed under direct sunlight/solar heating/UV rays to kill
the waterborne pathogens in apparently clear but microbial
contaminated water. The technique is recognized by the WHO and
simply requires Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles. PET bottles
filled with clear water are left in the sunlight on a light reflecting
surface (corrugated iron sheets) for 6 hours to deactivate the
microorganisms. A range of microbiological studies have tested that
the SODIS method is effective against a number of germs including
bacteria (typhus, cholera, dysentery, etc.), viruses (polio, causes of
hepatitis, diarrhea etc.) and parasites (diarrhea, fever, stomach
cramps etc.).

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 32

 Soils Pollution
What is soils?

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 33

What is Soil Pollution?

Soil pollution is defined as the build-up in soils of determined toxic compounds, chemicals, salts, radioactive
materials, or disease causing agents, which have adverse effects on plant growth and animal health.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 34

Causes of Soil Pollution

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 35

Soil Pollution can be caused by the following
• Accidental Spills
• Acid rain
• Industrial Accidents
• Deforestation: Deforestation also loosens the soil and hence leads to soil erosion ,
Land that is once converted into a dry or barren land, can never be made fertile again
• Genetically modified plants
• Nuclear wastes
• Intensive farming
• Landfill and illegal dumping
• Mining and other industries: Huge
holes are dug in mining, and these holes form can pose a hazardous as they form deep mining
pools. Metals like cadmium and lead will be deposited, which are toxic, contaminating the
soil. This will leave the mining land barren and unable to use again .
• Oil and fuel dumping
• Buried wastes
• Disposal of coal ash
• Electronic waste
• Disposal of ammunitions and agents of war.
• Agricultural practices, such as application of pesticides, herbicides
and fertilizers
• Drainage of contaminated surface water into the soil
10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 36
10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 37
Effects of soil pollution

1- Soil erosion: soil erosion leads to loss of top cover of the

soil and hence leads to loss of fertile land for agriculture,
forest cover, fodder patches for grazing etc.

2- Effect on human health: The soil when contaminated

with toxic chemicals and pesticides lead to problem of Skin
cancer and human respiratory system. The toxic chemicals can
reach our body through foods and vegetables that we eat as
they are grown in polluted soil

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 38

3-Change in climate patterns: The effects of soil
pollution are very hazardous and can lead to the loss of
ecosystems. When land is polluted, it directly or
indirectly affects the climate patterns.

4- Contamination of underground and surface drinking water.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 39

5- Cause Air pollution: Landfills across the city keep on growing due to 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- Effect on wildlife: The animal kingdom has suffered

mostly in the past decades. They face a serious threat
with regards to 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.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 40

7- Global Warming: soil pollution also leads to global warming as the one of the main cause of soil erosion
is deforestation and due that there is a imbalance in the ratio of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Hence there is
a rise in temperature leading to Global Warming.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 41

8- Biomagnification: 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 bio magnification and is a serious threat to the ecology.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 42

 How to avoid Soil Pollution?

• Make people aware about the concept of • Reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agricultural
Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. activities.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 43

• Use biofertilizers and natural pesticides. • People should be encouraged to go for afforestation.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 44

• Proper treatment of liquid wastes from industries and mines must be done.

• As plastics are non-degradable so, We should stop using plastic bags and switch over to cloth bags.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 45

 • Create dumping ground away from residential areas.
• Ensure that you do not litter on the ground
and do proper disposal of garbage.

• Faulty sanitation practices must be improved

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 46

• Polluted soil can be treated by bioremediation. It uses microorganisms (yeast, fungi or bacteria) to breakdown,
or degrades hazardous substances into less toxic or nontoxic substances (such as CO2 and H2O).

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 47

 Noise Pollution
What is Noise?
Sound that which unwanted and disrupts
one’s quality life, is know as Noise.
It is measured in dB units.
Normal sound becomes undesirable when it
disturbs our normal activities, such as
working, sleeping and during conversation.
World Health Organization stated that
“Noise must be recognized as a major threat
to human well-being ”

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 48

 What is Noise Pollution?

Noise pollution refers to a type of energy pollution in which

distracting, irritating or damaging sounds are freely
audible.

In this type of pollution contaminants are not physical

particles, but waves which interfere with the naturally
occurring waves of a similar type in the same environment.

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 49

Sources of Noise Pollution

Household Sources Transportation

Social Events Commercial and Industrial Activities

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 50
Causes of Noise Pollution

• Poor Urban Planning

• Sounds from Motor Vehicles
• Sounds from Musical Instruments
• Car Alarms
• Office Equipment
• Factory Machinery
• Construction Work
• Barking Animals
• Appliances
• Audio Instruments
• Loud Speakers
• Noise Created by People

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 51

Effects of Noise Pollution
1- On Human Diseases Caused by Noise
• Hearing Impairment Pollution
• Interference with Spoken
• Communication • High Blood Pressure
• Decrease in Efficiency • Heart Attack
• Lack of Concentration • Cancer
• Fatigue • Asthma
• Sleep Disturbances • Coughing, wheezing
• Cardiovascular Disturbances • Deafness
• Disturbance in Mental Health • Annoyance
• Impaired Task Performance • Stress
• Negative Social Behavior and • Anxiety
• Annoyance reactions • Reduced lung development
• Abortion • Bronchitis
• Abnormal Fetus • Insomnia
• Temporary or Permanent Deafness

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 52

 2- On Animal

• Damages Nervous system

• Altering Prey/predator detection
• Creates problems in Navigation
• They become Dangerous and Attacking
• Raise Metabolism
• Reduction of useable Habitat
• Death of Certain Species
• Genetic and Evolutionary Problems
• Hormone imbalance
• Chronic Stress
• Panic and Escape Behavior
• Abandonment of Offspring
• Injury
• Loudness of Interspecies Communication

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 53

3- On environment

• Breakage of Earth Barrier

• Poor Quality of Crops
• Damages Buildings, bridges and Monuments
• Weakens the Edifice of Building

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 54

 How to avoid Noise Pollution?

Turn off Appliances at Home and offices when not in use

Go Green by planning trees

Use Earplugs
Use Noise absorbents in noisy machineries

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 55

Control Noise level near sensitive areas Stay away from Noisy area

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 56

10/16/2018 Introduction to Sustainability Development 57