SHRI K.J.

POLYTECHNIC, BHARUCH
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
ENGINEERING
ACEDMIC YEAR
(2023-24)

Environmental Monitoring
(4361302)
Micro Project Report On
Measure light pollution levels in residential
areas during different times of the night.
Evaluate the impact on the environment and
suggest strategies for reducing light pollution.

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 SUBMITTED BY GROUP: 02

Enrolment No Name
216450313004 Prajapati Akshat P.
216450313005 Prajapati Heer
216450313006 Parmar Riya
216450313009 Modi Drashti B.
216450313010 Parmar Himani

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 Contents
1. Introduction
2. Sources of light pollution
-Methodology
- Equipment Used
3. Impact on the Environment
- Effects on Wildlife
- Human Health Implications
4. Strategies for Reducing Light Pollution
- Implementation of Lighting Ordinances
- Public Awareness and Education Campaigns
5. Conclusion
6. References

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1. Introduction:

Light pollution, the excessive or misdirected artificial light in the environment, is a growing
concern worldwide. This report aims to measure light pollution levels in residential areas
during various times of the night, evaluate its impact on the environment, and propose
strategies for reducing light pollution.

The last decade has seen a rapid increase in research into artificial light in the nighttime
environment. This increased attention can be attributed to several factors, including:
recognition of the impacts of artificial light on ecology and health, increasing amounts of
artificial light in the environment, improved quality of imagery from space, the current global
change in lighting technology, and increasing quality, ease, instruments, and methods for
measuring light at starlight intensities.

While the increase in possible ways to measure artificial light is a positive development, it
likely presents a barrier to newcomers to the field of light measurement. Furthermore, both
the various terms and units used in standard and astronomical photometry and the typical
amounts of light experienced in the environment are not familiar to most scientists. This
presents a challenge for interdisciplinary researchers, such as biologists who wish to measure
the light exposure during a field experiment (see the discussion in and examples of such
studies.

This paper aims to introduce measurements of night sky brightness at visible wavelengths to
readers with no background in the field. While the focus is the night sky, we expect this
overview will be useful for readers interested in characterization of field sites for biological
studies.1 We first provide a background on natural and artificial night sky brightness (Section
2). We then discuss different techniques for measuring sky brightness, starting with the
visibility of stars and traditional naked-eye observations (Section 3), followed by
measurements with single channel instruments (Section 4), imaging instruments (Section 5),
and spectrometers (Section 6). The classic technique of astronomical photometry is discussed
in the Appendix A, as it is unlikely to be used by researchers outside of the field of
astronomy. Unless otherwise stated, the paper assumes that direct sources of light are not
present in the field of view of the instrument.

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It is important to note that in many cases we convert values into SI units for the sake of
facilitating understanding, but in most cases this conversion is only approximate.

2. Sources of light pollution

1. Outdoor lighting (e.g., streetlights, floodlights)

2. Architectural lighting (e.g., building illumination)

3. Vehicle lighting (e.g., headlights, brake lights)

4. Industrial lighting (e.g., factory lights)

5. Residential lighting (e.g., porch lights, garden lights)

6. Advertising signs (e.g., neon signs, billboards)

7. Sports facilities lighting (e.g., stadium lights)

8. Decorative lighting (e.g., holiday lights)

9. Miscellaneous sources (e.g., poorly shielded fixtures)

- Methodology:
1. Equipment Selection:

Choosing appropriate tools such as light meters or spectrophotometers to measure light

intensity and spectral characteristics.

2. Site Selection:

Identifying study locations representing different levels of urbanization and land use patterns.

3. Data Collection:

Conducting measurements of ambient light levels at various times of the night to capture
fluctuations in illumination.

4. Data Analysis:

Processing collected data to quantify light pollution levels, often by comparing

measurements to established standards or models.

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5. Interpretation:

Analysing the results to understand patterns of light pollution distribution and its potential
impacts on the environment and human health.

6. Validation:

Ensuring the reliability and accuracy of collected data through calibration and quality control
measures.

7. Reporting:

Presenting findings in reports or scientific publications, often including detailed descriptions

of the methodology employed for transparency and reproducibility.

- Equipment Used

1. Sky Quality Meters (SQMs)

2. Radiometers/Spectroradiometers

3. Photometers

4. Drones and Satellite Imagery

5. Dark-Sky Surveys

6. Light Pollution Maps

7. Data Loggers

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3. Impact on the Environment:
- Disruption of Ecosystems

- Altered Circadian Rhythms

- Threats to Biodiversity

- Harm to Marine Life

- Ecological Imbalances

- Energy Waste and Carbon Emissions

- Astronomical Impact

- Effects on Wildlife

1. Disrupted Nocturnal Behaviour: Artificial light at night confuses nocturnal animals,

disrupting their natural behaviours such as hunting, foraging, and mating.

2. Altered Migration Patterns: Light pollution can interfere with natural light cues used by
migratory species for navigation, leading to disorientation and potentially impacting
migration routes.

3. Impaired Reproduction: Artificial light can disrupt the reproductive cycles of wildlife,
affecting breeding, nesting, and hatching behaviours, which can lead to decreased
reproductive success.

4. Changed Predator-Prey Dynamics: Light pollution can alter predator-prey interactions by

making it easier for predators to locate prey and potentially harder for prey to detect and
evade predators in brightly lit environments.

5. Habitat Use Shifts: Some species may avoid well-lit areas or exploit artificial light sources,
leading to changes in habitat use patterns and potentially impacting ecosystem dynamics.

6. Disrupted Bioluminescent Communication: Light pollution interferes with bioluminescent

signals used by some marine organisms for communication and mating, impacting their
ability to find mates and reproduce.

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7. Decreased Survival Rates: the disruptions caused by light pollution can lead to decreased
survival rates and population declines in wildlife species, with potential cascading effects on
ecosystems.

- Human Health Implications

1. Disrupted Circadian Rhythms: Artificial light at night can disrupt the body's natural
circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disturbances, insomnia, and fatigue.

2. Impact on Melatonin Production: Exposure to artificial light, especially blue light emitted
by electronic devices, suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-
wake cycles.

3. Increased Risk of Sleep Disorders: Light pollution can contribute to the development of
sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep pane, and restless leg syndrome.

4. Elevated Stress Levels: Exposure to artificial light at night can increase stress levels and
contribute to feelings of anxiety and tension.

5. Disruption of Hormonal Regulation: Light pollution can disrupt the body's hormonal
balance by altering the secretion of hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and insulin.

6. Impact on Mental Health: Light pollution has been linked to an increased risk of mood
disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.

7. Potential Cancer Risk: Some studies suggest that exposure to artificial light at night may
increase the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast cancer and prostate cancer.

8. Eye Health Concerns: Prolonged exposure to artificial light, especially blue light from
electronic devices, can strain the eyes and contribute to digital eye strain, dry eyes, and other
vision problems.

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4. Strategies for Reduction:
1. Shielded Fixtures: Use fixtures that direct light downward to minimize glare and light
spillage.

2. Timers and Sensors: Employ motion sensors and timers to activate lights only when
needed.

3. Energy-Efficient Lighting: Switch to energy-efficient LEDs to reduce both energy

consumption and light pollution.

4. Low-Intensity Lighting: Utilize low-intensity lighting where sufficient brightness is not

necessary.

5. Smart Design Practices: Implement zoning and dimming to ensure judicious use of outdoor
lighting.

6. Regulations: Enact and enforce lighting ordinances to control excessive outdoor lighting.

7. Education: Raise awareness about light pollution's impacts and encourage responsible
lighting practices.

8. Preservation Efforts: Designate and protect dark sky areas to preserve natural nightscapes
and stargazing opportunities.

- Implementation of Lighting Ordinances

The implementation of lighting ordinances by municipalities involves the development and

enforcement of regulations to address outdoor lighting and mitigate light pollution. These
ordinances specify requirements for lighting design, fixture types, brightness levels, and light
trespass limits. They often include zoning regulations and permitting processes, mandate the
use of shielded fixtures, and may incorporate lighting curfews. Public education and outreach
efforts raise awareness about the ordinances, while enforcement mechanisms ensure
compliance. Periodic review and updates reflect advancements in lighting technology and
community needs, and collaboration with stakeholders ensures effective implementation.
Overall, lighting ordinances are essential for reducing light pollution, protecting the nighttime
environment, and promoting sustainable outdoor lighting practices.

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- Public Awareness and Education Campaigns

- Inform about light pollution sources and impacts

- Emphasize harm to wildlife, human health, and environment

- Promote energy-efficient lighting technologies

- Advocate for responsible lighting practices (e.g., shielding fixtures)

- Engage communities through workshops and partnerships

- Provide online resources for accessibility

- Empower individuals to take action

- Support policy measures to mitigate light pollution

- Continuously evaluate and refine strategies

- Share information through community events, social media, and educational programs.

- Encourage individuals to make informed choices about their outdoor lighting.

- Foster a sense of responsibility toward preserving natural darkness.

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Conclusion:
Light pollution presents substantial challenges related to the environment, health, and energy
consumption in residential areas. However, by adopting specific measures—such as using
appropriate lighting fixtures, enforcing light curfews, and raising public awareness—
communities can actively contribute to reducing light pollution and fostering a more
sustainable and health-conscious environment for everyone.

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References:

[1]: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/light-pollution/ ""

[2]:https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/new-report-global-light-pollution-consequences-
solutions

[3]: https://eprints.iisc.ac.in/83421/ ""

[4]: https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/effects/ ""

[5]: https://www.livescience.com/light-pollution ""

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