KABALE UNIVERSITY

P. O. Box 317 Tel: +256-392-84355/04864-26463

Kabale-Uganda Mob: +256-782-860259
Email: [email protected] Fax: +256-4964-22903
[email protected] Website: www.kab.ac.ug
Email: [email protected]

Faculty of Engineering, Technology, Applied Design & Fine Art

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES

Jan 2018
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 ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES

1.0 The Seven Kinds of Environmental Pollution

Pollution is the process of making land, water, air or other parts of the environment dirty and unsafe
or unsuitable to use. This can be done through the introduction of a contaminant into a natural
environment, but the contaminant doesn't need to be tangible. Things as simple as light, sound and
temperature can be considered pollutants when introduced artificially into an environment.
Toxic pollution affects more than 200 million people worldwide, according to Pure Earth, a non-profit
environmental organization. In some of the world’s worst polluted places, babies are born with birth
defects, children have lost 30 to 40 IQ points, and life expectancy may be as low as 45 years because
of cancers and other diseases.
There are actually SEVEN different kinds of environmental pollution. Most people can name air,
water and land.do you know the other four? Or examples of what constitutes actual pollution in
each category?
Listed below are each kind and examples to help you understand just how we can affect the
environment and each other.
1.1 Air Pollution
The air we breathe has a very exact chemical composition; 99 percent of it is made up of nitrogen,
oxygen, water vapor and inert gases. Air pollution occurs when things that aren’t normally there are
added to the air. A common type of air pollution happens when people release particles into the air
from burning fuels. This pollution looks like soot, containing millions of tiny particles, floating in the
air.
Another common type of air pollution is dangerous gases, such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide,
nitrogen oxides and chemical vapors. These can take part in further chemical reactions once they
are in the atmosphere, creating acid rain and smog. Other sources of air pollution can come from
within buildings, such as secondhand smoke.
Finally, air pollution can take the form of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide,
which are warming the planet through the greenhouse effect. According to the EPA, the greenhouse
effect is when gases absorb the infrared radiation that is released from the Earth, preventing the heat
from escaping. This is a natural process that keeps our atmosphere warm. If too many gasses are
introduced into the atmosphere, though, more heat is trapped and this can make the planet artificially
warm.

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Air pollution kills more than 2 million people each year, according to a study published in the journal
Environmental Research Letters. The effects of air pollution on human health can vary widely
depending on the pollutant.
If the pollutant is highly toxic the effects on health can be widespread and severe. For example, the
release of methyl isocyanate gas at Union Carbide plant in Bhopal in 1984 killed over 2,000 people,
and over 200,000 suffered respiratory problems. An irritant (e.g. particulates less than 10
micrometers) may cause respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease and increases in asthma. The
very young, the old and those with vulnerable immune systems are most at risk from air pollution.
The air pollutant may be carcinogenic (e.g. some volatile organic compounds) or biologically active
(e.g. some viruses) or radioactive (e.g. radon). Other air pollutants like carbon dioxide have an
indirect impact on human health through climate change," Sealy told Live Science.

According to the dictionary, air pollution is the contamination of air by smoke and harmful gases,
mainly oxides of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen. (And maybe by that smelly uncle.)
Some examples of air pollution include:
 Exhaust fumes from vehicles
 The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, or gas
 Harmful off-gasing from things such as paint, plastic production, and so on
 Radiation spills or nuclear accidents
Air pollution is linked to asthma, allergies and other respiratory illnesses. You can more about how
the environment affects human health here.
Some of air pollutants
 Sulfur dioxide.
 Nitrogen oxides.
 Ammonia.
 Carbon monoxide.

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 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
 Ozone.
 Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
 Airborne particles.
Some of the Air pollution Effects
 Reduced lung functioning
 Irritation of eyes, nose, mouth and throat
 Asthma attacks
 Respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing
 Increased respiratory disease such as bronchitis
 Reduced energy levels
 Headaches and dizziness
 Disruption of endocrine, reproductive and immune systems
 Neurobehavioral disorders
 Cardiovascular problems
 Cancer
 Premature death
AIR POLLUTION
SOURCES PREVENTION
 Vehicle emissions  Carpool
 Tobacco smoke  Walk/bike more and drive less
 Coal combustions  Don’t smoke
 Power plants  Keep car maintenance up-to-date
 Manufacturing  Don’t buy products that come in aerosol spray cans
facilities  Avoid using lighter fluid when barbecuing outside
 Aerosol sprays  Always replace your car’s air filter when necessary
 Don’t use harsh chemical cleaners that can emit fumes
 Inspect your gas appliances and heater regularly
According to the EPA; every shilling spent to reduce pollution benefits the citizens of Uganda by
returning between 10,800/= and 32,400/=

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1.2 Land Pollution
1.2.1 What is land pollution?
It’s the introduction into the environment of substances that don't normally belong there, which, in
great enough concentrations, can have harmful effects on plants, animals, and humans. We can
define land pollution either narrowly or broadly. Narrowly defined, it's another term for soil
contamination (for example, by factory chemicals or sewage and other wastewater). In this article,
we'll define it more widely to include garbage and industrial waste, agricultural pesticides and
fertilizers, impacts from mining and other forms of industry, the unwanted consequences of
urbanization, and the systematic destruction of soil through over-intensive agriculture; we'll take land
pollution to mean any kind of long-term land damage, destruction, degradation, or loss.
Land can become polluted by household garbage and by industrial waste. In 2010, Americans
produced about 250 million tons (226.8 million kilograms) of garbage, consisting of product
packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint
and batteries. That's about 4.3 pounds (1.95 kg) of waste per person per day, according to the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A little over half of the waste — 54 percent — is gathered
in landfills. Only about 34 percent is recycled, which is about double the amount recycled in 1980.
Food is a big contributor to landfill waste.
Commercial or industrial waste is a significant portion of solid waste. Much of it is classified as non-
hazardous, such as construction material (wood, concrete, bricks, glass, etc.) and medical waste
(bandages, surgical gloves, surgical instruments, discarded needles, etc.).
Hazardous waste is any liquid, solid or sludge waste that contain properties that are dangerous of
potentially harmful to human health or the environment. Industries generate hazardous waste from
mining, petroleum refining, and pesticide manufacturing and other chemical production. Households
generate hazardous waste as well, including paints and solvents, motor oil, fluorescent lights, aerosol
cans, and ammunition.

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 Land pollution is the degradation of the Earth's surface caused by a misuse of resources and
improper disposal of waste.
1.2.2 Some examples of land pollution include:
 Litter found on the side of the road
 Illegal dumping in natural habitats
 Oil spills that happen inland
 The use of pesticides and other farming chemicals
 Damage and debris caused from unsustainable mining and logging practices
 Radiation spills or nuclear accidents
Land pollution is responsible for damage done to natural habitat of animals, deforestation and
damage done to natural resources, and the general ugly-ing up of our communities.
1.2.3 Soil Pollutants (Contaminants)
 Hydrocarbons
 Solvents
 Pesticides
 Lead and other heavy metals
1.2.4 Soil Pollution Effects
 Causes cancers including leukemia
 Lead in soil is especially hazardous for young children causing developmental damage to
the brain
 Mercury can increase the risk of kidney damage; cyclodienes can lead to liver toxicity
 Causes neuromuscular blockage as well as depression of the central nervous system
 Also causes headaches, nausea, fatigue, eye irritation and skin rash.
1.2.5 Other notes:
 Contact with contaminated soil may be direct (from using parks, schools etc.) or indirect
(by inhaling soil contaminants which have vaporized)
 Soil pollution may also result from secondary contamination of water supplies and from
deposition of air contaminants (for example, via acid rain)
 Contamination of crops grown in polluted soil brings up problems with food security
 Since it is closely linked to water pollution, many effects of soil contamination appear to be
similar to the ones caused by water contamination.

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1.2.6 The Two type of Pollution on Land
Nonetheless, regardless of the type of human activities that bring about land pollution, in general,
there are two main type of pollution on land. Based on the definition of land pollution, i.e. The
degradation of land, land can be degraded when the:
(i) soil is contaminated with harmful substances,
(ii) soil loses the constituents that gives it its life-supporting capacity.
These two type of pollution on land often take place together. Below is an elaboration on these two
type of pollution on land, and their effects.
1.2.6.1 Land pollution type 1: Soil Contamination
The contamination of soil – a form of soil degradation – is one type of pollution on land. This type of
pollution on land refers to the introduction of foreign and harmful substances into soil, rendering it
potentially harmful to the various forms of life that grow in it or come into contact with it.
Some examples of human activities that contaminate soil include the following:
 dumping of household, industrial or sewage waste at landfills, where the waste leeches
harmful substances (e.g. engine oil, heavy metals) into the soil and contaminate it.
 excessive application of synthetic fertilizers and/or pesticides in agriculture, where
toxic chemicals (e.g. dioxin, DDT) from these farming products leech into the soil and
contaminate it.
 mining activities, where heavy metals, sulfuric acid and other toxic chemicals used in the
mining process leeches from mining waste into the soil, contaminating it
 leakage of untreated sewage from underground sewage pipes into the surrounding soil
 the emission of acid-rain forming air pollutants (e.g. sulfur dioxide), as well as the
extensive use of acid-forming nitrogen fertilizers, which increase the acid content of the
contaminated soil
 improper irrigation practices that lead to soil salination (i.e. accumulation of free salts in
soil that lead to soil degradation)
When there is contamination of soil with foreign (and often toxic) substances, substantial changes
occur in the chemistry of the soil. These changes in turn affect the well-being of plants and animal
life living in the soil, as well as the ecosystems that the soil supports.
In cases of serious soil contamination, entire populations of organisms (eg. plants, earthworms and
other animals usually lower down in the food chains) that come into direct contact with the soil could
be destroyed. This could in turn affect the animals higher up food chains. For example, the
destruction of all the soil organisms and plants in a toxin-contaminated land area could mean that

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 birds living in that ecosystem no longer have food. These birds would either have to search for new
sources of food elsewhere, or risk starving to death.
In cases of less severe soil contamination, the organisms lower down the food chains (e.g. plants,
earthworms, etc) may bio-accumulate the toxic substances in their bodies, and the effects of the
toxins may bio-magnify in the higher order animals as you go higher up the food chains. For example,
the effects of toxicity in birds that feed on the contaminated earthworms might be seen in the
weakening of their egg shells, lowering of their productivity rates, etc.
1.2.6.2 Land pollution type 2: Loss of Original Constituents
The second type of pollution on land occurs when soil loses the original constituents that gives it its
life-supporting capacity – a form of soil degradation. Some of the processes that bring about this type
of pollution on land include soil erosion and desertification.
With soil erosion, topsoil is often removed (by actions of wind, water, ice, or simply gravity) at a rate
faster than soil-forming processes are able to replace the soil. Although some degree of erosion is
necessary in nature for healthy ecosystems, excessive erosion (often a result of human activities) is
problematic. Erosion often leads to the loss of organic matter and nutrients from the soil, causing the
land to lose its original soil structure and ability to support plant life. Crop yields from that piece of
land may be substantially reduced. In other words, the quality of the soil has degraded.
In turn, desertification is the degradation of dry lands – arid soil is rendered barren and becomes
incapable of supporting plant life. Human factors like intense population growth in already fragile dry
lands can create immense pressures to produce sufficient food for the growing population in the
area, as such exacerbating problems of overgrazing or over cultivation. Overgrazing and over
cultivation then deplete the dry land of nutrients faster than they can be replenished – the dry land is
stripped of its already limited nutrients. The loss of vegetation cover then increases the rate of soil
erosion, which leads to further soil degradation in that dry land.
LAND POLLUTION
SOURCES PREVENTION
 Chemical and nuclear plants  Recycle
 Industrial factories  Reuse any item you can
 Oil refineries  Buy biodegradable products
 Human sewage  Store all liquid chemicals and waste in spill-proof
 Mining containers
 Littering  Eat organic foods that are grown without
 Landfill waste pesticides

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  Construction debris  Don’t use pesticides
 Use a drip tray to collect engine oil
 Buy products that have little packaging
 Don’t dump motor oil on the ground
According to the EPA; every shilling spent to reduce pollution benefits the citizens of Uganda by
returning between 10,800/= and 32,400/=
1.3 Light Pollution
Light pollution is the brightening of the night sky inhibiting the visibility of stars and planets by the
use of improper lighting of communities.
1.3.1 Some examples of what causes light pollution:
 Street lamps that shine light in all directions, instead of with a hood to point light
downward toward the street.
 Extra, unnecessary lights around the home
 Cities that run lights all night long
Light pollution uses more energy (by shining more light up instead of down, meaning you need
brighter bulbs for the same amount of light), may affect human health and our sleep cycles, and
most importantly, corrupts our kids telescopes and their curiosity. (I grew up in a city. My first no-
light night in the country blew my mind. Let's not make that such a rare occasion!)

Most people can't imagine living without the modern convenience of electric lights. For the natural
world, though, lights have changed the way that days and nights work. Some consequences of light
pollution are:
 Some birds sing at unnatural hours in the presence of artificial light.
 Scientists have determined that long artificial days can affect migration schedules, as they
allow for longer feeding times.
 Streetlights can confuse newly hatched sea turtles that rely on starlight reflecting off the
waves to guide them from the beach to the ocean. They often head in the wrong direction.
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  Light pollution, called sky glow, also makes it difficult for astronomers, both professional and
amateur, to properly see the stars.
 Plant's flowering and developmental patterns can be entirely disrupted by artificial light.
 According to a study carried out, light pollution could also be making smog worse by
destroying nitrate radicals that helps the dispersion of smog.
Turning on so many lights may not be necessary. Research published by International Journal of
Science and Research estimates that over-illumination wastes about 2 million barrels of oil per day
and lighting is responsible for one-fourth of all energy consumption worldwide.
1.3.2 Environmental Pollution by refrigeration and air conditioning sector.
The refrigeration and air conditioning sector is one of the polluting refrigerant and Oils used in cooling
and heating systems which contain certain elements that are not ozone layer friendly if safety
regulations are not observed during repair, servicing, maintenance, installation, and de-mounting,
consumable storage and during transportation.
POLLUTANTS CAUSES REMEDY
Hydro bromofluorocarbons HBFCs Ozone depletion Phase out ODSs
Hydro chlorofluorocarbons HCFCs Global warming Apply Carbon foot print directive
Methyl bromide (CH3Br)
Methyl chloroform (CH3CCl3)
Carbon Tetrachloride
Peroxyacetylnitrate
Bromotrifluoromethane (BCM)
Hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) Acidic rains Apply water foot print directive
Hydrocarbons (HC) Flammability Observe safety regulations
Oil and Gas production activities Land degradation Dispose of solid waste properly
Put liquid effluent in containment
Reclaim the land using clean
technologies
Air pollution Apply gas emissions technologies
Oil spills on water Design oil intercepting facilities
bodies
Wild life displacement Restore disturbed sites to original status
by planting same grass
Hibernation of animals Control noise and vibration levels

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 Land conflicts Compensate land owner adequately
Oil wells leaks Tight seal oil wells
Key:
(i) The Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) can be mitigated by enforcing the Phasing out of Ozone
Depleting Substances (ODSs), replacement by Ozone friendly refrigerants, retrofitting of
systems, etc.
(ii) The Halogen Global Warming Potential (HGWP) can be mitigated by enforcing of Carbon Foot
Print as regulating policy for manufacturers limiting them on Carbon dioxide emissions and buoy
courting their products purchase.
(iii) The Acidic rain (AR) occurrences can be mitigated by enforcing Water Foot Print as regulating
policy for manufacturers limiting them on Carbon dioxide emissions and buoy courting their
products purchase.
How is acid rain produced?
Acid rain is the by-product of a chemical reaction that starts when nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide gases
are released into the atmosphere, where they react with oxygen, water and other chemicals to form acidic
pollutants. The reactions may take hours or days, during which the polluted air can move several miles;
therefore, acid rain can fall far from the source of pollution
Acid rain is sometimes referred to as acid deposition, a term that also encompasses other forms of acidic
precipitation such as snow. It can occur as a result of both human and natural activities. Most of gases
that lead to acid rain are typically by-products of burning fossil fuels and electric power generation.
Erupting volcanoes also release chemicals that lead to acid deposition.
Acid rain leads to the acidification of streams and lakes, which directly endangers aquatic life. It also leads
to the destruction of trees and sensitive forest soils. Acid deposition has negative impacts on architecture
because it fastens the decay of paints and building materials. When the acid rain falls on a building, it
begins to slowly react with the minerals in the stones, causing them to gradually disintegrate and
eventually wash away. There are multiple ways to curb acid deposition, ranging from individual action to
societal changes
How does acid rain occur?
Acid rain occurs when compounds such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air,
causing a chemical reaction. These compounds mix and react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to
form acidic pollutants. The compounds mix easily with water, and the wind can carry them great distances
Traveling sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides become part of rain, snow, sleet or fog. Although rain is
always slightly acidic because it mixes with naturally-occurring oxides in the air, acid rain can have a pH
value of four, and some acid rain has been recorded with a pH of two. Acid rain contributes to the damage
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 of high-elevation trees, such as red spruce, and it causes acidification of lakes and streams. Acid rain
contributes to degradation of buildings, and it poses harm to public health when the sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
oxides and particulate matter fall to the earth.
Acid rain is a result of air pollution, such as the smoke produced by fires or the fumes that emanate from
car exhaust. Power stations and factories that burn fuel produce polluting gases that contribute to the
formation of acid rain. Approximately two-thirds of sulfur dioxide and one-quarter of nitrogen oxides in the
United States come from electric power generation where fossil fuels, such as coal, are burned
What causes rain water to become acidic?
Rain becomes acidic when it reacts with chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that have
been released into the atmosphere. The major reason for the increase in the occurrence of acid rain is
human activity, although environmental reactions also sometimes cause acid rain
Certain compounds can reach the higher layers of the atmosphere where they react with water, oxygen
and other chemicals, leading to the creation of acidic pollutants called acid rain. Because sulfur dioxide
and nitrogen oxides quickly dissolve in water and are brought to distant places by the wind, these
substances reach faraway areas where they mix with precipitation, such as rain, sleet or snow. Power
plants release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels to generate electricity. They
are considered the major culprits of pollution. Vehicles, such as cars and buses, also contribute to the
release of the pollutants.
Some rain is naturally acidic, with a pH level of around 5. Acidic rain is neutralized by the reaction between
normal precipitation and non-acidic materials, or alkaline chemicals that exist in the atmosphere, soils,
bedrocks, lakes and streams. These natural environmental reactions help reduce the impact of acid rain
but may not be sufficient to counteract the human contribution
1.4 Noise Pollution
Even though humans can’t see or smell noise pollution, it still affects the environment. Noise pollution
happens when the sound coming from planes, industry or other sources reaches harmful levels.
Research has shown direct links between noise and health, including stress-related illnesses, high
blood pressure, and speech interference and hearing loss. For example, a study by the WHO Noise
Environmental Burden on Disease working group found that noise pollution may contribute to
hundreds of thousands of deaths per year by increasing the rates of coronary heart disease. Under
the Clean Air Act, the EPA can regulate machine and plane noise.
Underwater noise pollution coming from ships has been shown to upset whales’ navigation systems
and kill other species that depend on the natural underwater world. Noise also makes wild species
communicate louder, which can shorten their lifespan.

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 Noise pollution is any loud sounds that are either harmful or annoying to humans and animals.
Some examples of noise pollution:
 Airplanes, helicopters, and motor vehicles
 Construction or demolition noise
 Human activities such as sporting events or concerts
Noise pollution can be disruptive to humans' stress levels, may be harmful to unborn babies, and
drives animals away by causing nervousness and decreasing their ability to hear prey or predators.
1.4.1 Comparative Examples Of Noise Levels
Activity Decibel level Maximum Safe exposure without hearing
protection (Each Day)
Normal Conversation 60 Decibels Max. Time Of Exposure: More Than A Day
Driving A Vehicle 70 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: More Than A Day
Standing By A Busy Road 80 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 24 Hours
Operating Forklift Trucks 84 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 8 Hours
Air Compressors 85 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 8 Hours
Operating A Welder 85 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 8 Hours
Operating A Lawnmower 91 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 2 Hours
Operating A Hand Held Power Tool 94 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 1 Hour
Belt Sander 95 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 30 Mins
Jigsaw 95 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 30 Mins
Masonry Drill (Timber Then Concrete) 96 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 15 Mins
Bench Rip Saw 96 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 15 Mins
Operating A Grinder 97 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 30 Mins
Operating A Circular Saw 99 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 18 Mins
Operating A Bench Grinder 99 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 18 Mins
Operating A Crane 102 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 10 Mins
Operating A Jackhammer 105 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 5 Mins
Operating A Bulldozer 107 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 3 Mins
Using Explosive Power Tools (Nailgun Etc) 120 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 10 Seconds
Earth Drilling/Moving Equipment 120 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: 5 Secs

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 Hammering Nails Into Timber 131 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: Zero
Paslode Nail 138 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: Zero
Powder-Actuated Tool Into Timber 143 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: Zero
Powder-Actuated Tool Into Masonry 147 Decibels Max. Time of Exposure: Zero
Conversation in restaurant, office, background 60 Decibels Half as loud as 70 dB. Fairly quiet
music, Air conditioning unit at 100 feet.
Quiet suburb, conversation at home. Large 50 Decibels One-fourth as loud as 70 dB.
electrical transformers at 100 feet
Library, bird calls (44 dB); lowest limit of urban 40 Decibels One-eighth as loud as 70 dB.
ambient sound
Quiet rural area 30 Decibels One-sixteenth as loud as 70 dB. Very Quiet
Whisper, rustling leave 20 Decibels
Breathing 10 Decibels Barely audible

Building site acceptability based on maximum noise levels without ANEF charts
Building Site Aircraft noise level expected at building site, dB(A)
20 or fewer flights per day More than 20 flights per day
Acceptable Conditionally Unacceptable Acceptable Conditionally Unacceptable
acceptable acceptable
House, home unit, flat, <80 80 to 90 >90 <75 75 to 85 >85
caravan park
Hotel, motel, hostel <85 85 to 95 >95 <80 80 to 90 >90
School, university <80 80 to 90 >90 <75 75 to 85 >85
Hospital, nursing homes <80 80 to 90 >95 <75 75 to 85 >85
Public building <85 85 to 95 >95 <80 80 to 90 >90
Commercial building <95 90 to 100 >100 <80 80 to 90 >90
Light industrial <95 95 to 105 >105 <90 90 to 100 >100
Heavy industrial No limit
NOTE: Each night-time flight between 7 pm and 7 am is to count as four operations.
1.5 Thermal Pollution

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 Thermal pollution is the increase of temperature caused by human activity. A few examples of this
include:
 Warmer lake water from nearby manufacturing (using cool water to cool the plant and
then pump it back into the lake)
 Included in thermal pollution should also be the increase in temperatures in areas with
lots of concrete or vehicles, generally in cities
These kinds of environmental pollution can cause aquatic life to suffer or die due to the increased
temperature, can cause discomfort to communities dealing with higher temperatures, and will
affect plant-life in and around the area.
1.6 Visual Pollution
Visual pollution is what you would call anything unattractive or visualing damaging to the nearby
landscape. This tends to be a highly subjective topic. Some examples of visual pollution:
 Skyscrapers that blocks a natural view
 Graffiti or carving on trees, rocks, or other natural landscapes
 Billboards, litter, abandoned homes, and junkyards could also be considered among
three kinds of environmental pollution

Mostly, visual kinds of environmental pollution are annoying and ugly, although some may say they
are also depressing, and they of course affect the surrounding landscape with the changes they
cause.
When a man throws an empty cigarette package from an automobile, he is liable to a fine of $50.
When a man throws a billboard across a view, he is richly rewarded. - Pat Brown
1.7 Water Pollution
Water pollution happens when chemicals or dangerous foreign substances are introduced to water,
including chemicals, sewage, pesticides and fertilizers from agricultural runoff, or metals like lead or
mercury. According to the EPA, 44 percent of assessed stream miles, 64 percent of lakes and 30
percent of bay and estuarine areas are not clean enough for fishing and swimming. The EPA also

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states that the most common contaminants in the United States are bacteria, mercury, phosphorus
and nitrogen. These come from the most common sources of contaminants, which include
agricultural runoff, air deposition, water diversions and channelization of streams.
Water pollution isn't just a problem for the United States. According to the United Nations, 783 million
people do not have access to clean water and around 2.5 billion do not have access to adequate
sanitation. Adequate sanitation helps to keep sewage and other contaminants from entering the
water supply.
According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 80 percent of the pollution
in marine environments comes from the land through sources such as runoff. Water pollution can
severely affect marine life. For example, sewage causes pathogens to grow, while organic and
inorganic compounds in water can change the composition of the precious resource. According to
the EPA, low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water are also considered a pollutant. Dissolved
oxygen is caused by the decomposition of organic materials, such as sewage introduced into the
water.
Warming water can also be harmful. The artificial warming of water is called thermal pollution. It can
happen when a factory or power plant that is using water to cool its operations ends up discharging
hot water. This makes the water hold less oxygen, which can kill fish and wildlife. The sudden change
of temperature in the body of water can also kill fish. It is estimated that around half of the water
withdrawn from water systems, each year is used for cooling electric power plants.
"In nearly all cases, 90 percent of this water is returned to its source, where it can raise the water
temperature in an area immediately surrounding the water discharge pipe. Depending on water flow,
the water temperature quickly returns to ambient temperatures that do not harm fish
Nutrient pollution, also called eutrophication, is another type of water pollution. It is when nutrients,
such as nitrogen, are added into bodies of water. The nutrient works like fertilizer and makes algae
grow at excessive rates, according to NOAA. The algae blocks light from other plants. The plants die
and their decomposition leads to less oxygen in the water. Less oxygen in the water kills aquatic
animals. Water pollution is the contamination of any body of water (lakes, groundwater, oceans, etc).

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 Polluted water body
1.7.1 Some examples of water pollution:
 Raw sewage running into lake or streams
 Industrial waste spills contaminating groundwater
 Radiation spills or nuclear accidents
 Illegal dumping of substances or items within bodies of water
 Biological contamination, such as bacteria growth
 Farm runoff into nearby bodies of water
These kinds of environmental pollution are linked to health issues in humans, animals and plant-life.
You can read more about how the environment is affecting our health here.
1.7.2 Organic water pollutants:
 Insecticides and herbicides, a range of organ halide
 Bacteria from livestock operations
 Food processing waste incl. pathogens
 Tree debris from logging operations
 VOCs including solvents and hydrocarbons
 Dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) such as chlorinated solvents
 Detergents and chemical compounds found in cosmetics products
1.7.3 Inorganic water pollutants:
 Heavy metals
 Acidity caused by industrial discharges such as sulfur dioxide by power plants
 Chemical waste
 Fertilizers from agricultural use
 Silt from construction sites, logging, slash and burn operation
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1.7.4 Waterborne diseases caused by polluted drinking water:
 Typhoid
 Amoebiasis
 Giardiasis
 Ascariasis
 Hookworm
1.7.5 Waterborne diseases caused by polluted beach water:
 Rashes, ear ache, pink eye
 Respiratory infections
 Hepatitis, encephalitis, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach aches
Conditions related to water polluted by chemicals (such as pesticides, hydrocarbons, persistent
organic pollutants, heavy metals etc):
 Cancer, incl. prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
 Hormonal problems that can disrupt reproductive and developmental processes
 Damage to the nervous system
 Liver and kidney damage
 Damage to the DNA
1.7.6 Exposure to mercury (heavy metal):
 In the womb: may cause neurological problems including slower reflexes, learning
deficits, delayed or incomplete mental development, autism and brain damage
 In adults: Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease,
and even death
1.7.7 Other notes:
 Water pollution may also result from interactions between water and contaminated soil,
as well as from deposition of air contaminants (such as acid rain)
 Damage to people may be caused by fish foods coming from polluted water (a well-
known example is high mercury levels in fish)
 Damage to people may be caused by vegetable crops grown / washed with polluted
water.
WATER POLLUTION
SOURCES PREVENTION
 Factories  Dispose off chemicals properly
 Refineries  Don’t throw trash, chemicals, or solvents into sewer
 Waste treatment facilities drains
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  Mining  Inspect your septic system every 3-5years
 Pesticides  Avoid using pesticides and fertilizers that can run off
 Fertilizers into water systems
 Sewage  Use non-toxic cleaning materials
 Oil spills  Clean up oil and other liquid spills with kitty litter and
sweep them up
 Don’t wash paint brushes in the sink
According to the EPA; every shilling spent to reduce pollution benefits the citizens of Uganda by
returning between 10,800/= and 32,400/=
1.7.8 Other pollution facts:
 Americans generate 30 billion foam cups, 220 million tires, and 1.8 billion disposable diapers
every year, according to the Green Schools Alliance.
 According to the WHO, ambient air pollution contributes to 6.7 percent of all deaths
worldwide.
 About 7 million premature deaths annually are linked to air pollution, according to WHO.
That is one in eight deaths worldwide.
 About 56 percent of the trash worldwide is put in landfills. Half of landfill space consists of
paper. Recycling just 1 ton (907.18 kg) of paper can save 3 cubic feet (0.08 cubic meter) of
space, according to the EPA.
1.8 Pollution Effects on Animals, Trees, Plants and Wider Environment
1.8.1 Effects of Pollution on Animals - Air Pollution
 Acid rain (formed in the air) destroys fish life in lakes and streams
 Excessive ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun through the ozone layer in the upper
atmosphere which is eroded by some air pollutants, may cause skin cancer in wildlife
 Ozone in the lower atmosphere may damage lung tissues of animals
1.8.2 Effects of Pollution on Animals - Water Pollution
 Nutrient pollution (nitrogen, phosphates etc.) causes overgrowth of toxic algae eaten by
other aquatic animals, and may cause death; nutrient pollution can also cause outbreaks
of fish diseases

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 Oil Coated Duck
 Chemical contamination can cause declines in frog biodiversity and tadpole mass
 Oil pollution (as part of chemical contamination) can negatively affect development of
marine organisms, increase susceptibility to disease and affect reproductive processes;
can also cause gastrointestinal irritation, liver and kidney damage, and damage to the
nervous system
 Mercury in water can cause abnormal behavior, slower growth and development,
reduced reproduction, and death
 Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may cause declines, deformities and death of fish
life
 Too much sodium chloride (ordinary salt) in water may kill animals (Ref. 7)
1.8.3 Other notes:
 We also assume that some higher forms of non-aquatic animals may have similar effects
from water pollution as those experienced by humans, as described above.
1.8.4 Effects of Pollution on Animals - Soil Pollution
 Can alter metabolism of microorganisms and arthropods in a given soil environment; this
may destroy some layers of the primary food chain, and thus have a negative effect on
predator animal species
 Small life forms may consume harmful chemicals which may then be passed up the food
chain to larger animals; this may lead to increased mortality rates and even animal
extinction.

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1.8.5 Environmental Pollution Effects on Trees and Plants
1.8.5.1 Air Pollution

Trees Damaged by Acid Rain

Acid rain can kill trees, destroy the leaves of plants, can infiltrate soil by making it unsuitable for
purposes of nutrition and habitation
 Ozone holes in the upper atmosphere can allow excessive ultraviolet radiation from the sun
to enter the Earth causing damage to trees and plants
 Ozone in the lower atmosphere can prevent plant respiration by blocking stomata (openings
in leaves) and negatively affecting plants’ photosynthesis rates which will stunt plant growth;
ozone can also decay plant cells directly by entering stomata.
1.8.5.2 Water Pollution
 May disrupt photosynthesis in aquatic plants and thus affecting ecosystems that depend on
these plants.
 Terrestrial and aquatic plants may absorb pollutants from water (as their main nutrient
source) and pass them up the food chain to consumer animals and humans
 Plants may be killed by too much sodium chloride (ordinary slat) in water (Ref. 11)
 Plants may be killed by mud from construction sites as well as bits of wood and leaves, clay
and other similar materials
 Plants may be killed by herbicides in water; herbicides are chemicals which are most harmful
to plants.
1.8.5.3 Soil Pollution
 May alter plant metabolism and reduce crop yields.
 Trees and plants may absorb soil contaminants and pass them up the food chain
1.8.6 Environmental Pollution Effects on Wider Environment
Apart from destroying the aquatic life in lakes and streams, acid rain can also corrode metals,
damage surfaces of buildings and monuments, and cause soil acidification.
Pollution of water may cause oxygen depletion in marine environments and severely affect the
health of whole ecosystems.

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 How Does the Environment React?
To Different Pollution Levels?
Miguel A. Santos notes that a very important aspect of the effect of pollution is its dose (or
concentration) required to cause environmental damage.
He defines pollution response as “the change in the effect of a pollutant in response to a change
in its concentration”.
In this respect, he identifies 3 different types of response evoked by the environment to different
pollution concentrations:
 Linear effect
 Greater-than-linear effect
 Threshold effect
In the linear effect, environmental damage increases linearly with pollution concentrations. In
other words, “the total damage or risk is directly proportional to the accumulated exposure”.
This effect occurs with radioactive substances as well as mercury, lead, cadmium and asbestos.
In the greater-than-linear effect, environmental damage increases with an increase in pollution
concentrations but at a decreasing rate. This means that, as pollution concentrations continue to
increase the environmental damage will continue to decrease.
This is the case with thermal pollution.
In the threshold effect, pollution produces no effect until a certain threshold in pollution
concentrations is achieved. In other words, “so long as a given threshold is not exceeded, the
damage from pollution would be completely repaired as quickly as it is produced”.
This effect is found with biodegradable pollutants.
It is also important to mention synergistic effects of pollutants on the environment. While
interacting with each other, pollutants can produce greater impacts than when acting individually.
A good example of that is a synergy between asbestos exposure and smoking in causing lung
cancer.

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