UNIT 3

Environmental pollution
Objectives:
In this topic we are going to deal about different types of pollution and due to this
types of pollution how our environment is facing disasters and calamities.
Introduction:
Environmental pollution can be defined as the unfavorable alteration of our
surroundings
Types of pollutants:
1. Bio degradable pollutants - decompose rapidly by natural processes.
2. on- degradable pollutants- do not decompose or slowly decompose in the
environment.
!ollution are of different "inds
1. #ir pollution
2. water pollution
$. soil pollution
%. marine pollution
&. noise pollution
'. thermal pollution and
(. uclear ha)ards
Air pollution:
It may be defined as the presence of one or more contaminants li"e dust* smo"e*
mist and odour in the atmosphere which are in+urious to human beings * plants and
animals
Sources of air pollution:
a, atural pollution - volcanic eruptions* forest fires* biological decay* etc.
b, -an . made activities . /hermal power plants* agricultural activities etc.
lassification:
1. !rimary pollutant . these are those emitted directly in the atmosphere in harmful
form li"e 01* 1 etc
2. 2econdary pollutant . these may react with one another or with the basic
components of air to form new pollutants.
ontrol !easures:
"# Source control:
1
a, 3se only unleaded petrol
b, 3se petroleum products and other fuels that have low sulphur and ash
content
c, !lant trees along busy streets because they remove particulates and
carbon mono4ide and absorb noise.
d, Industries and waste disposal sites should be situated outside the city
centre .
e, 3se catalytic converters to help control the emissions of carbon
mono4ide and hydrocarbons.
2. ontrol measures in Industrial centers 5
a, Emission rates should be restricted to permissible levels
b, Incorporation of air pollution control e6uipments in the design of the
plant lay out .
$ater pollution:
It may be defined as the alteration in physical* chemical and biological
characteristics of water which may cause harmful effects on human and a6uatic life.
Types% effects and sources of &ater pollution:
1. Infectious agents5 - Bacteria* viruses* proto)oa and parasitic worms.
2ources 5- 7uman and animal wastes.
Effects 5 8ariety of diseases.
2. 14ygen demanding wastes5- #nimal manure and plant debris that can be
decomposed by aerobic bacteria.
2ources 5 - 2ewage * paper mills* and food processing facilities
Effects5 9astes can degrade 6uality by depleting water of dissolved
o4ygen.
$. In organic 0hemicals 5 - 9ater soluble inorganic chemicals.
1. #cids
2. 0ompounds of to4ic metals such as lead * arsenic and selenium
$. 2alts such as acl in ocean water .
Effects 5 :enetic mutations* birth defects and certain cancers.
T'ermal pollution ()eat*:
E4ample 5 E4cessive heat.
7uman source 5 9ater cooling of electric power plants and some types of
industrial plants . #lmost all of all water withdrawn in 3nited states for cooling electric
power plants.
Effects5
1. ;owers dissolved o4ygen levels and ma"es a6uatic organisms more
vulnerable to disease and to4ic chemicals
2
2. 9hen a power plant first opens or shuts down for repair* fish and other
organisms adapted to a particular temperature range can be "illed b the
abrupt change in water temperature "nown as thermal shoc"
ontrol measures of &ater pollution:
1. /he administration of water pollution should be in the hands of state or
central government.
2. Industrial plants should be based on recycling operations* because it will not
only stop the discharge of industrial wastes into natural water sources but by
products can be e4tracted from the wastes.
$. !lants* trees and forests control pollution and they acts as natural air
conditioners.
%. 7ighly 6ualified and e4perienced persons should be consulted from time to
time for effective control of water pollution.
&. Basic and applied research in pubic health engineering should be encouraged.
Soil +ollution:
It may be defined as the contamination of soul by human and natural
activities which may cause harmful effects on living beings.
Types:
1.Industrial wastes
2ources and effects5- pulp and paper mills* chemical industries* oil refineries * sugar
factories etc.* /hese pollutants affect and alter the chemical and biological properties of
soil. #s a result * ha)ardous chemicals can enter into human food chain from the soil*
disturb the bio chemical process an d finally lead to serious effects.
2.3rban wastes
2ources and effects5- !lastcs* :lasses* metallic cans* fibers* papers * rubbers * street
sweepings* and other discarded manufactured products. /hese are also dangerous.
$.#gricultural practices
2ources and effects5- 7uge 6uantities of fertili)ers* pesticides* herbicides * weedicides are
added to increase the crop yield. #part from these farm wastes* manure* slurry * are
reported to cause soil pollution.
%.<adioactive pollutants
2ources and effects5 /hese are resulting from e4plosions of nuclear dust and radio active
wastes penetrate the soil and accumulate there by creating land pollution.
&.Biological agents.
2ources and effects5 2oil gets large 6uantities of human* animal and birds e4creta which
constitute the ma+or source of land pollution by biological agents.
ontrol measures of soil pollution
/he pressure on intensification of farm activities increases for two reasons
$
1. population growth
2. =ecrease of the available farm land due to urbani)ation
/he soil pollution can be controlled by
1. forestry an d farm practices
2. !roper dumping of unwanted materials
$. !roduction of natural fertili)ers
%. !roper 7ygienic condition
&. !ublic awareness
'. <ecycling and <euse of wastes
(. Ban on /o4ic chemicals.
!arine pollution:
It may be defined as the discharge of waste substances
into the sea resulting in harm to living resources ha)ards to human health* hindrance to
fishery and impairment of 6uality for use of sea water.
2ource of marine pollution5
/he coastal )ones contains rich heritage * coral reefs* wetlands* and seagrass beds.
Effects of marine pollutants5
1. /he presence of heavy metals and organic pollutants cause
more damage in birds as thinning of eggshell and tissue
damage of egg.
2. 1il spilling causes abnormally low body temperature in birds
resulting in hypothermia.
$. 1il films are able to retard significantly the rate of o4ygen
upta"e by water.
ontrol measures of marine pollution
1. !lants for conserving marine biodiversity must be ta"en into account of
human needs.
2. !eople should be educated about marine ecosystems and the benefits offered
by them.
$. ;ocal communities must be involved in protecting and managing their coastal
resources
%. 2ocial and economic incentives must be offered for conserving and
sustainable use of marine resources.
&. :overnments must manage their own water while e4tending cooperation to
the neighboring states.
Noise pollution:
It may be defined as the unwanted* unpleasant or disagreeable sound that causes
discomfort for all living beings
%
Types of noise:
1. Industrial noise
2. /ransport noise
$. eighborhood noise
Effects of Noise pollution
1. /his affects human health* comfort and efficiency.
2. It causes muscles to contract leading to nervous brea"down* tension
$. It affects health efficiency and behavior.
%. In addition to serious loss of hearing due to e4cessive noise* impulsive noise also
causes psychological and pathological disorders.
&. Brain is also adversely affected by loud and sudden noise as that of +et and aero plane
noise etc.
ontrol and preventin, measures
1. 2ource control . acoustic treatment to machine surface * design changes * limiting
the operational timings
2. /ransmission path intervention- the source inside a sound insulating enclosure*
construction of a noise barrier or provision of sound absorbing materials
$. 1iling . !roper oiling will reduce the noise from the machines.
T'ermal pollution :
It may be defined as the addition of e4cess of undesirable heat to water that
ma"es it harmful to man* animal or a6uatic life or otherwise causes significant
departures from the normal activities of a6uatic communities in water
Sources of t'ermal pollution
1. uclear power plants
2. 0oal fired power plants
$. Industrial effluents
%. =omestic sewage
&. 7ydro . electric power.
Effects of t'ermal pollution
a, <eduction in dissolved o4ygen
b, Increase in /o4icity
c, Interference wwith biological activities
d, Interference with reproduction
e, =irect mortality
f, >ood storage for fish
&
ontrol measures of t'ermal pollution:
a, 0ooling towers5 - /his is used as a coolant
1, wet cooling tower
2, =ry cooling tower
b, 0ooling ponds
c, 2pray ponds
d, #rtificial la"es . /he heated effluents can be discharged into the la"e at one end and
the water for cooling purposes from the other end.
Nuclear )a-ards:
/he radiation ha)ard in the environment comes from ultraviolet* visible* cosmic
rays and micro wave radiation which produces genetic mutation in man.
2ources of uclear 7a)ards5
1. atural 2ources . which is in space which emit cosmic rays
2. -an made sources ? #nthropogenic sources, /hese are nuclear power plants* @-
rays * nuclear accidents* nuclear bombs* diagnostic "its etc
Effects of Nuclear )a-ards:
1. E4posure of the brain and central nervous system ot high doses of radiation causes
delirium* convulsions and death within hours or days.
2. /he use of eye is vulnerable to radiation. #s its cell die* they become opa6ue forming
cataracts that impair sight.
$. #cute radiation sic"ness ios mar"ed by vomiting * bleeding of gums and in severe
cases mouth ulcers.
%. ausea and vomiting often begin a few hours after the gastrointestinal tract is
e4posed . Infection of the intestinal wall can "ill wee"s afterwards.
&. 3nborn children are vulnerable to brain damage or mental retardation * especially if
irradiation occurs during formation of the central nervous system in early
pregnancy.
ontrol measures:
1. uclear devices should never be e4ploded in air.
2. In nuclear reactors* closed cycle coolant system with gaseous coolant may be used to
prevent e4traneous activitation products.
$. 0ontainments may also be employed to decrease the radio active emissions.
%. E4treme care should be e4ercis$ed in the disposal of industrial wastes contaminated
with radio nuclides.
'
&. 3se of high chimneys and ventilations at the wor"ing place where radioactive
contamination is high. It seems to be an effective way for dispersing pollutants.
Solid $aste !ana,ement:
-anagement of solid waste is very important in order to minimi)e the adverse effects of
solid wastes.
/ypes of solid wastes5
1. 3rban wastes
2ources . a, =omestic wastes . >ood waste* 0loth* 9aste paper etc
B, 0ommercial wastes . !ac"ing material* cans* bottles * polythene etc.
0, 0onstruction 9astes . 9ood* concrete debris etc.
=, Bio medical wastes . #natomical wastes * infectious wastes etc.*
2. Industrial wastes
2ources . a, uclear power plants . generates radioactive wastes
B /hermal power plants . produces fly ash in large 6uantities
$. 0hemical industries
!roduces large 6uantities of ha)ardous and to4ic materials
Steps involved in solid &aste mana,ement :
1. <educe * <euse and <ecycle of materials . raw materials re usage should be
reduced * reuse of waste materials should be reduced and recycling of the
discarded materials into new useful products should also be reduced.
2. =iscarding wastes
a, ;and fill 5 2olid wastes are placed in sanitary landfill system in alternate
layers of AB cm thic" refuse* covered with selected earth fill of 2Bcm
thic"ness
b, Incineration5 It is a hygienic way of disposing the solid waste. It is a thermal
process and is very effective for deto4ification of all combustible pathogens
c, 0omposting5 It is another popular method practiced in many cities in our
country. In this method * bul" organic waste is converted into a fertili)ing
manure by biological action.
.ole of an individual in prevention of pollution:
1. !lant more trees
2. 7elp more in pollution prevention than pollution control
$. 3se water* energy and other resoucrces efficiently
%. !urchase recyclable* recycled and environmentally safe products
&. reduce deforestation
'. <emove 1 from motar vehicular e4haust
(. 3se of eco friendly products.
ase studies:
1. Effluents treatment at -<; * 0hennai
2. /he Bhopal gas tragedy
(
$. #rsenic pollution in ground water
%. 2oft drin" bottling unit
&. -ercury wastes
'. !alar river pollution
(. /he miniamatta epidemic ? marine pollution,
/isaster mana,ement
)a-ard
It is a perceived natural event which threatens both life and property
/isaster
# disaster is the reali)ation of this ha)ard
It is defined as the geological process and it is an event concentrated in time and space in
which a society or subdivision of a society undergoes severe danger and causes loss of its
members and physical property.
Types
1. atural disasters . refers to those disasters that are generated by natural
phenomena
2. -an made disasters . refers to the disasters resulting from man made ha)ards.
0loods
9henever the magnitude of water flow e4ceeds the carrying capacity of the
channel within its ban"s the e4cess of water overflows on the surroundings causes floods.
0auses of floods
1. 7eavy rain* rainfall during cyclone causes floods
2. sudden snow melt also raises the 6uantity of water in streams and
causes flood
$. sudden and e4cess release of impounded water behind dams
%. clearing of forests for agriculture has also increased severity of
floods.
0lood mana,ement
1. Encroachment of flood ways should be banned
2. Building walls prevent spilling out the flood water over flood plains
$. =iverting e4cess water through channels or canals to areas li"e la"e* rivers
etc.* where water is not sufficient*
%. 1ptical and microwave data from I<2 is also used for flood management
&. >lood forecasts and flood warning are also given by the central water
commission
yclones:
A
It is a meterological process* intense depressions forming over the open oceans and
moving towards the land.
Effect:
1. /he damage depends on the intensity of cyclone the damage to human life* crops*
roads* transport* could be heavy
2. 0yclone occurance slow down the developmental activities of the area
yclone mana,ement:
1. 2atellite images are used by meterological departments for forecasting the weather
conditions which reveal the strength and intensity of the storm.
2. <adar system is used to detect the cyclone and is beign used for cyclone warning
ase studies
0yclone in orissa . 1CCC
1and slides:
/he movement of earthy materials li"e coherent roc"* mud* soil and debris from higher
to lower region to gravitational pull is called land sliedes
auses:
1. -ovement of heavy vehicles on the unstable sloppy regions create landslides
2. Earth6ua"e* shoc"s* vibrations and cyclone create landslide
Eart' 2ua3es:
#n earth6ua"e is an sudden vibration caused on earth surface with the sudden
release of tremendous energy stored in roc"s under the earthDs crust.
auses:
1.=ise6uilibrium in any part of the earth crust
2. 3nderground uclear testing
$. =ecrease of underground water level.
Effect:
=amage the settlements and transport systems
0ollapses houses and their structures
=eformation of ground surface
/sunami
Eart'2ua3e mana,ement:
0onstructing earth6ua"e resistant building
9ooden houses are preferred
2eismic ha)ard map should give the information about the magnitude of intensity
of anticipated earth6ua"es.
C
Tsunami:
# tsunami is a large wave that is generated in a water body when the seafloor is
deformed by seismic activity. /his activity displaces the overlying water in the ocean.
auses of tsunami
1. 2eismic activities li"e earth6ua"es* landslides* volcanic eruptions* e4plosions*
can generate tsunami.
2. =eformation of the sea floor due to the movement of plates.
oncept of Tsunami
# tsunami is not a single wave but a series of waves li"e the ordinary waves
which we see on a ses.
Effects on Tsunami
1. /sunami attac"s mostly the coastlines* causing devastating property* damage
and loss of life
2. /sunami can "ill lot of human beings* livestoc"Ds* etc
$. /sunami may also spread lot of water borne diseases.
Tsunami !ana,ement
Earth6ua"es under the water are monitored by sensors on the floor of the sea.
/he sensors send the information of floating buoys on the surface* whenever they
detect any changes in pressure of the sea
/he information is then relayed to satellites* which passes it on to the earth
stations.
>inally the country ma"e the people alert through the media to ta"e all necessary
precautions.
ase studies:
/sunami in India
0ield study of local polluted site
/irupur in /amilnadu
!allavaram in chennai
1B