Chapter 5. PollutionChapter 5. Pollution

-Jyoti Jadhav-Jyoti Jadhav

DefinitionDefinition

Pollution is the effect of undesirable changes Pollution is the effect of undesirable changes in our surroundings that have harmful effects in our surroundings that have harmful effects on plants, animals and human beingson plants, animals and human beings

Pollutants are Pollutants are solid, liquid or gaseoussolid, liquid or gaseous substances present in substances present in greater than natural greater than natural abundanceabundance, produced due to , produced due to human activityhuman activity, , which have detrimental effect on our which have detrimental effect on our environment.environment.

Pollutants are classified as:

1. Degradable or non-persistent pollutants: Those which are rapidly broken down by natural Those which are rapidly broken down by natural processes processes e.g. domestic sewage, discarded vegetables, etc.

2. Slowly-degradable or persistent pollutants: These remain in the environment for many years in an These remain in the environment for many years in an

unchanged condition and take decades or longer to unchanged condition and take decades or longer to degrade degrade e.g. DDT and most plasticse.g. DDT and most plastics

3. Non-degradable pollutants: These cannot be degraded by natural processes. They are

difficult to eradicate and continue to accumulate. e.g. toxic elements like lead or mercury and nuclear wastes

Air Pollution King Edward IKing Edward I made the first anti-pollution law made the first anti-pollution law

in 1273in 1273 Main causes are Main causes are transportation systemstransportation systems and and

industriesindustries Air pollution ActAir pollution Act was passed in 1981 in India was passed in 1981 in India Bhopal Gas TragedyBhopal Gas Tragedy on Dec. 2 on Dec. 2ndnd, 1984, 1984 Air pollution occurs due to the presence of

undesirable solid or gaseous particles in the air, in quantities that are harmful to human health and the environment

Pollutants that are emitted from natural events and human activities are called primary pollutants e.g. dust storms

Primary pollutants are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds and suspended particulate matter

The pollutants that are produced in the The pollutants that are produced in the atmosphere when certain chemical reactions take atmosphere when certain chemical reactions take place among the primary pollutants are called place among the primary pollutants are called secondary pollutants secondary pollutants e.g. sulfuric acid, nitric acid, carbonic acid, etc. e.g. sulfuric acid, nitric acid, carbonic acid, etc.

Particulates are small pieces of solid material Particulates are small pieces of solid material dispersed into the atmospheredispersed into the atmosphere e.g. smoke particles e.g. smoke particles from fires, bits of asbestos and ashfrom fires, bits of asbestos and ash

Types of particulates areTypes of particulates are::

1.1. AerosolAerosol

2.2. MistMist

3.3. DustDust

4.4. SmokeSmoke

5.5. FumeFume

6.6. PlumePlume

7.7. FogFog

8.8. SmogSmog

Effects of Air PollutionEffects of Air Pollution

Effect on Effect on human healthhuman health Effect on Effect on vegetationvegetation Effect on Effect on animalsanimals Effect on Effect on non-livingsnon-livings Effect on Effect on climateclimate

Measures to control Air pollutionMeasures to control Air pollution

Controlling pollution at the Controlling pollution at the sourcesource Construction of Construction of tall chimneystall chimneys Development of Development of green beltgreen belt around around

industrial areasindustrial areas Use of Use of better quality fuelbetter quality fuel and use and use

of of catalytic converterscatalytic converters Sprinkling waterSprinkling water in mining areas in mining areas

to reduce the dust particlesto reduce the dust particles Air quality monitoringAir quality monitoring

Water PollutionWater Pollution

It can be defined as It can be defined as “ “ the presence of impurities and foreign substance in water in such a quantity that lowers its quality and makes it unfit for consumption and becomes a health hazard”

Dissolved material should not be more than 150 ppm150 ppm and pH should be between 7 and 8.57 and 8.5

Causes of water pollutionCauses of water pollution Caused through Caused through sewage and

other wastes Caused through Caused through industrial industrial

dischargesdischarges Caused through Caused through agricultural agricultural

dischargesdischarges Caused through Caused through solid waste of solid waste of

industriesindustries

Effects of Water PollutionEffects of Water Pollution

Effects caused due to:Effects caused due to: Industrial effluentsIndustrial effluents Fertilizers and detergentsFertilizers and detergents Domestic and commercial effluentsDomestic and commercial effluents Non-biodegradable pesticidesNon-biodegradable pesticides Oil-pollutantsOil-pollutants Radio-active pollutantsRadio-active pollutants FluoridesFluorides

Measure to control water pollutionMeasure to control water pollution Disinfection of waterDisinfection of water SedimentationSedimentation FiltrationFiltration Softening of waterSoftening of water

Soil PollutionSoil Pollution

It is the contamination caused by It is the contamination caused by chemicals and other subsistences chemicals and other subsistences resulting in the loss of the fertility resulting in the loss of the fertility of the production of soil.of the production of soil.

Causes of Soil DegradationCauses of Soil Degradation

HumansHumans InsecticidesInsecticides Industrial wastesIndustrial wastes Radioactive wasteRadioactive waste NitrificationNitrification

Effects of soil pollutionEffects of soil pollution Kill’s microorganisms and the soil fertility is Kill’s microorganisms and the soil fertility is

affectedaffected Chronic diseasesChronic diseases Human health is affected due to pesticidesHuman health is affected due to pesticides FluorosisFluorosis

Methods of controlling the soil degradation

Measures to control quantitative losses of soilMeasures to control quantitative losses of soil::

1.1. By making By making vegetation covervegetation cover

2.2. By By terrace or contour bondingterrace or contour bonding

3.3. By controlling the By controlling the grazinggrazing

4.4. By applying By applying water infiltrationwater infiltration measures for measures for soil and soil and moisture conservationmoisture conservation

Measures to control qualitative losses of soil::

1.1. Soil waste Soil waste sourcessources must be minimized must be minimized

2.2. By using proper methods of By using proper methods of disposaldisposal of of waste materialwaste material

3. Heavy metals and and toxic materialtoxic material must be must be treatedtreated

4.4. Faulty sanitationFaulty sanitation methods must be improved methods must be improved

5.5. Formulate and implement Formulate and implement pollution control pollution control actsacts

Noise PollutionNoise Pollution A sound of unpleasant and annoying natureA sound of unpleasant and annoying nature• Greater than 140 dBGreater than 140 dB causes noise pollution causes noise pollution• Normal talk 40 dB shouting is 60 dBNormal talk 40 dB shouting is 60 dB• Big auto machines 90 dBBig auto machines 90 dB• Traffic 70 dBTraffic 70 dB• Lightening 120 dBLightening 120 dB• Airplanes 150 dBAirplanes 150 dB• Rocket engines 190 dBRocket engines 190 dB

Sources of Noise PollutionSources of Noise Pollution Industrial ActivitiesIndustrial Activities Transport ActivitiesTransport Activities Domestic ActivitiesDomestic Activities Cultural ActivitiesCultural Activities Agricultural ActivitiesAgricultural Activities Defense ActivitiesDefense Activities Mining ActivitiesMining Activities

Effects of Noise PollutionEffects of Noise Pollution

A. Physical effectsA. Physical effects:: Temporary EffectsTemporary Effects Permanent EffectsPermanent Effects Damage to tympanic membraneDamage to tympanic membraneB. Physiological effectsB. Physiological effects:: HeadacheHeadache Heart troubleHeart trouble Reduced visionReduced vision High Blood pressureHigh Blood pressure Loss of memoryLoss of memory

C. Psychological effectsC. Psychological effects:: DepressionDepression FatigueFatigue Emotional disturbanceEmotional disturbance FrustrationFrustration IrritationIrritation

Measures to control Noise PollutionMeasures to control Noise Pollution

Ear plugs, ear muffs, noise helmets & head Ear plugs, ear muffs, noise helmets & head phonesphones

Reduction at the sourceReduction at the source Blowing of horns and esp. pressure horns Blowing of horns and esp. pressure horns

should be reducedshould be reduced Green belt should be developedGreen belt should be developed Laws need to be implemented Laws need to be implemented Public awarenessPublic awareness

Thermal PollutionThermal Pollution

Waste water generated by thermal power Waste water generated by thermal power plants, nuclear plants has higher temperature plants, nuclear plants has higher temperature than the normal temperature of the surface than the normal temperature of the surface water (More than 8 to 10 degree C). This water (More than 8 to 10 degree C). This causes thermal pollutioncauses thermal pollution

Effects of thermal pollutionEffects of thermal pollution

Aqua ecosystems get affectedAqua ecosystems get affected Animals die or migrate Animals die or migrate Quantity of dissolved oxygen declinesQuantity of dissolved oxygen declines

Measures to control Thermal Measures to control Thermal pollutionpollution

Constructing cooling towersConstructing cooling towers Developing cooling pondsDeveloping cooling ponds Creating artificial pondsCreating artificial ponds

Marine PollutionMarine Pollution

It is the result of human activities, industrial It is the result of human activities, industrial wastes, transport, municipal waste, domestic wastes, transport, municipal waste, domestic waste, etc. which are allowed directly to flow waste, etc. which are allowed directly to flow into the sea or estuaries, to make the oceanic into the sea or estuaries, to make the oceanic water pollutewater pollute

CausesCauses EffectsEffectsSea, Wage (Pathogens)Sea, Wage (Pathogens) Diseases like typhoid, gastro ,etc. Diseases like typhoid, gastro ,etc.

Fuel oil from ships, cars, Fuel oil from ships, cars, trucks , oil tankerstrucks , oil tankers

Marine life of plant and animals Marine life of plant and animals comes in dangercomes in danger

Industrial effluents, Industrial effluents, pesticides from pesticides from

agricultural farmsagricultural farms

Contamination of sea food. Fat-Contamination of sea food. Fat-soluble toxic elements bio-magnify soluble toxic elements bio-magnify

to create danger to lifeto create danger to life

Fishing nets, cargo, Fishing nets, cargo, plastic wasteplastic waste

Non-degradable material causes Non-degradable material causes danger to aquatic life.danger to aquatic life.

Radio active, nuclear Radio active, nuclear wastewaste

Enters into the food chain. Alters Enters into the food chain. Alters the chromosomes in the DNA.the chromosomes in the DNA.

Control of Marine PollutionControl of Marine Pollution To control, first identify the load (amount) and To control, first identify the load (amount) and

the type of pollutants i.e. the sourcesthe type of pollutants i.e. the sources Public awarenessPublic awareness Develop the technology to treat the effluentsDevelop the technology to treat the effluents Form the acts (laws) to protect the marine Form the acts (laws) to protect the marine

environmentenvironment

Nuclear PollutionNuclear Pollution

Nuclear fusion and Nuclear fissionNuclear fusion and Nuclear fission Advantages:Advantages:1.1. Production cost per unit of power is lessProduction cost per unit of power is less2.2. Area required for mining of nuclear fuel is Area required for mining of nuclear fuel is

lessless3.3. By using the correct technology, air and By using the correct technology, air and

water pollution can be kept under controlwater pollution can be kept under control4.4. Heat generated is higher than any other Heat generated is higher than any other

thermal power plantthermal power plant

LimitationsLimitations High technology to generate nuclear power is High technology to generate nuclear power is

not available in all the countriesnot available in all the countries Fuel required is not available in all the Fuel required is not available in all the

countriescountries Nuclear waste is large and radioactive, Nuclear waste is large and radioactive,

disposal is to be done very cautiouslydisposal is to be done very cautiously Risky process of nuclear energy generationRisky process of nuclear energy generation Danger of misuse of nuclear fuel Danger of misuse of nuclear fuel Risk of accidentsRisk of accidents

Solid waste managementSolid waste management

It is a method of collection, It is a method of collection, processing , resource processing , resource recovery and disposal of the recovery and disposal of the solid wastesolid waste

Contents are:Contents are:• Industrial wasteIndustrial waste• Hospital wasteHospital waste• Domestic wasteDomestic waste• Atomic wasteAtomic waste

Disaster ManagementDisaster Management If there is a sudden action with different If there is a sudden action with different

intensity and different frequency it is called a intensity and different frequency it is called a disaster.disaster.

Classification of Disasters:Classification of Disasters:

A.A. Artificial or Man-made Artificial or Man-made

B.B. Natural Natural

A. Artificial or Man-madeA. Artificial or Man-made

The activities of human beings when become The activities of human beings when become serious to cause ill effects to the environment it serious to cause ill effects to the environment it gives rise to gives rise to Artificial or Man-made disastersArtificial or Man-made disasters

E.g. Wars, Riots, Atomic Explosion, E.g. Wars, Riots, Atomic Explosion, Deforestation, Hunting, etc.Deforestation, Hunting, etc.

These disasters can be put under control if not These disasters can be put under control if not totally preventedtotally prevented

B. Natural DisastersB. Natural Disasters

It is an unwanted, unpredictable event, which It is an unwanted, unpredictable event, which neither can be prevented nor can be forecastedneither can be prevented nor can be forecasted

There is no 100% safe and sound system There is no 100% safe and sound system against natural disasters like Earthquakes, against natural disasters like Earthquakes, Floods, Cyclones, Landslides, Snow Floods, Cyclones, Landslides, Snow avalanches, etc.avalanches, etc.

Causes of urban solid wastesCauses of urban solid wastes

Growth in urban populationGrowth in urban population Mass productionMass production Expansion of urban areasExpansion of urban areas TransportationTransportation HospitalsHospitals

Effects of urban solid wastesEffects of urban solid wastes

DiseasesDiseases Choking of pipes in the drainageChoking of pipes in the drainage Decomposition of solidsDecomposition of solids Soil pollutionSoil pollution Affects cropsAffects crops Aesthetic beauty is lostAesthetic beauty is lost

Measure to control urban solid Measure to control urban solid wastewaste

Disposal of solid waste by land fillingDisposal of solid waste by land filling Disposal by compostingDisposal by composting Disposal by incineration (burning of solid Disposal by incineration (burning of solid

wastes in furnace)wastes in furnace) Disposal by pyrolysis (solid waste is heated in Disposal by pyrolysis (solid waste is heated in

specially designed pyrolysis reactor)specially designed pyrolysis reactor) Disposal into seaDisposal into sea

FloodsFloods Factors causing floods:Factors causing floods:1.1. Intensity of rainfallIntensity of rainfall2.2. Duration of rainfallDuration of rainfall3.3. Amount of rainfall on Amount of rainfall on

catchment areascatchment areas4.4. Shape of the catchment Shape of the catchment

areaarea5.5. TopographyTopography6.6. Surface soilSurface soil7.7. Wind directionWind direction8.8. HumidityHumidity9.9. HeatHeat10.10. Ground water tableGround water table

Flood control measures:Flood control measures:1.1. Store excess waterStore excess water2.2. Construct flood protection workConstruct flood protection work3.3. Build flood control wallsBuild flood control walls4.4. Construct damsConstruct dams5.5. Use diversionsUse diversions6.6. Improve land managementImprove land management7.7. Make river bank stabilizedMake river bank stabilized8.8. Tree plantationTree plantation9.9. Deepen the river bedsDeepen the river beds10.10. Create zones like: Prohibitive zone, Create zones like: Prohibitive zone,

Restrictive zone and warning zoneRestrictive zone and warning zone

Land slidesLand slides Causes:Causes:1.1. Chemical or physical weathering of rocksChemical or physical weathering of rocks

2.2. Changes in temperature conditionsChanges in temperature conditions

3.3. Heavy rainfallHeavy rainfall

4.4. Change in course of waterChange in course of water

5.5. Level of underground water changesLevel of underground water changes

6.6. EarthquakesEarthquakes

7.7. MiningMining

8.8. Cutting of forestsCutting of forests

9.9. Construction of roads in hilly regionsConstruction of roads in hilly regions

10.10. Construction of damsConstruction of dams

CyclonesCyclones

Effects of cyclones:1.1. Uprooting of treesUprooting of trees2.2. Dislocation of railsDislocation of rails3.3. Heavy floodsHeavy floods4.4. Dislocation of communication Dislocation of communication

linkages and electric poleslinkages and electric poles5.5. Poor visibilityPoor visibility6.6. SalinationSalination7.7. Damages propertyDamages property

EarthquakesEarthquakes