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Chapter No 3
Chemistry of Pollutants

Pollutants

Can be defined as:

 The presence of any unwanted/undesirable species (thing) in

the environment in such an extent that may interfere and
have negative impact on man and his environment is called
pollutant.

 A substance which is present beyond certain natural

concentration (limit) and consequently cause adverse effect on
an ecosystem functioning.

 Substances causing pollution are pollutants, which can cause

or produce negative or adverse effects (directly or indirectly)
on human and other living and nonliving environment are
considered to be pollutants.

 Pollutants could be any solid, liquid or gaseous substances

present in the environment in such quantity as may be injurious
to human being, all living things and the environment.
 These substances include particulate matter (smoke, dust,
fumes, aerosol) radioactive materials and gases like (sulfur
oxides, oxide of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon etc.
These substances are naturally present in the atmosphere. But
due to anthropogenic (made-made) activities the concentration
of these substances increases to unbearable limit, bring
physical or chemical change and consequently, cause
environmental pollution.
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Chapter No 3
Chemistry of Pollutants

Types of Pollutants are natural or Anthropogenic (mane-made).

Natural pollutants certain pollutants such as CO 2, CO, SO2, Pb, Hg,

and other trace elements are the consequences of life processes being
produced through respiration, feces, urine, and body decomposition with
increase in human population the pollutants are increasing with
alarming rate.

Man-made/Synthetic pollutants A vast spectrum of synthetic

pollutants are increasing continuously with urbanization and industrial
growth. They include pesticides, detergents, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics,
organic acids aerosols and metals etc. Several of these compounds are
extremely stable and persist in the environment for a considerable period
posing serious environmental hazard.

Pollutants may be biodegradable or non-biodegradable.

Non-degradable Pollutants Some materials and poisonous such as

aluminium cans, mercurial salts, long chain phenolic chemicals, DDT
and nuclear wastes are either not degradable or very slow degradable.
These accumulate and combine with other compound in the environment
to produce additional toxins. It becomes difficult to remove these
pollutants, for example lead cannot be removed from the air we breath.
Thus these pollutants act as permanent source of pollution and pollute
the environment.

Bio-degradable Pollutants are those which break down into simpler

substances mainly due to the activity of living organisms and not get
mixed with the soil. Their examples are sewage and agricultural wastes.
These pollutants are source of energy and nutrients such as phosphates,
carbonates, nitrates. For example, those released during de-gradation of
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Chemistry of Pollutants

organic matters by soil microbes. These pollutants do not cause

permanent pollution.

Pollutants may be solid; liquid or gaseous substances present in the

environment. These substances include particulate materials (smoke,
dust, mist, fog, aerosol radioactive elements materials and gases like
oxides Sulphur, nitrogen, and carbon etc.

Pollutant sources most of pollutants are present naturally in

environment in low concentration and by exceeding certain level then it
causes adverse effects on human health and environment. Usually
pollutants can be divided into to two groups: -

* Primary Pollutants are directly emitted from the source,

particulate matters gases like sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide carbon
monoxide and radioactive material etc. Primary air pollutants are
released in large concentration into atmosphere.

Secondary Pollutants are pollutants result from chemical and

photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. The steps and reactions
mechanisms in the process are included by various factors like moisture
content, meteorological forces, topography and concentration of
reactants present in the atmosphere.

Sources of Pollutants refer to the various locations, activities or factors

which are responsible for the releasing of pollutants. These sources can
be classified into two categories: -

 Stationary Source of Pollutants. These are smoke stacks /

chimneys of power plants, manufacturing facilities, municipal
waste incinerators. Power plant is also used to refer to the
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Chemistry of Pollutants

engine because it more accurately describes what plant do,

which is the conversion of other forms of energy like chemical
energy, gravitational potential energy or heat energy into
electrical energy.

 Mobile Sources These are motor vehicles, aircraft etc.

Exhaust gases of automobiles and aircrafts play a very
important role in polluting the atmosphere.

Natural sources These are dust from natural sources, usually

large areas of land with little or no vegetations. Methane emitted
through the digestion of food by animals for example cattle cows
etc. Radioactive decay of radon gas from natural sources can
accumulate in building basements and is the second cause of lung
cancer after cigarette.

Types/kinds of Pollutants Pollutant contaminate air, water, soil and

on this basis pollutants can also be categories as: -

* Air Pollutants: pollutants which cause air pollution are

commonly referred to as air pollutants. They exist in gaseous, liquid,
(aerosol) or solid form. The pollutants can be added to air directly
(primary pollutants) or they can be created in the air (secondary) for
other pollutants under the influence of electro-magnetic radiations from
the sun.

Major air pollutants are: -

Gaseous and particulate pollutants are CO2, CO, SO2, H2S, H2SO4, NO,
NO2, HNO3, O3, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrocarbons (benzene,
benzepyrene etc), metals, (Pb, Ti, Cd, Ni, Be etc), Photochemical products
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Chapter No 3
Chemistry of Pollutants

(like olefins, aldehydes smog etc), particulate maters (fly ash, dust, grit
etc), toxicants.

Air pollution cause following major concerns: -

 Photochemical smog it contains two air pollutants the NO and

a hydrocarbon. They react in presence of sun light produces
O3 and PAN (peroxyacetyle nitrate). Another gas pollutant CO
that comes from burning of fossil fuel result in the formation
of ozone. Breathing ozone affects the respiratory and nervous
disorders.

 Acid deposition NOx and SOx released from various natural

and synthetic sources are converted in presence of moist,
solar radiation and ozone into HNO 3 and H2SO4 and taken by
rain water. These acids are strong and cause serious fatal
changes in physical and chemical composition of all material
which comes in contact with it. The deposition may be in dry
or may be in wet form.

 Greenhouse effect Various greenhouse gases (CO 2, CH4, NOx)

etc traps and cause (blanketing effect) of solar energy and
cause an average increase of global temperature which cause
un expected changes in environment.

 Ozone depletion Ozone is allotropic form of oxygen. It is a

pollutant on earth surface while it is a natural part of
atmosphere (ozone shield) which prevents energetic rays to
reach to the earth. CFCs and halons deplete ozone. CFCs and
hanons are released from refrigerators, fire extinguishers etc.
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Chapter No 3
Chemistry of Pollutants

These compounds form free radicals and deplete ozone into

oxygen and baring earth to harmful rays of sun.

A single chlorine free radical can destroy about 100,000 molecules

of ozone.

Water Pollutants and their effects are as follows: -

* Eutrophication of aquatic ecosystem Eutrophication is

overloading of water with inorganic nutrient salts, mainly nitrates and
phosphorus. These substances added to aquatic ecosystem indirectly in
the form of phosphorus and nitrate containing organic matters or can be
added as pollutant directly e.g. many detergents and fertilizers contain
nitrates and phosphorus which find their way to water. These nutrients
support algal growth that cut out light to other plants, reduce oxygen
level and may be toxic to fish and other vertebrates.

* Oxygen Depletion Addition of organic matter provides energy

and nutrients to the decomposers which then use oxygen as they oxidize
organic matters causing oxygen depletion.

* Metal Toxicity Inorganic toxic chemicals such as arsenic

(which comes from insecticides), cadmium (from electroplating), cyanides
and mercury poison the water. Also industrial wastes contain heavy
metals.

* Heat also disrupt and changes the chemistry of the abiotic

environment, heat increase the solubility of certain chemicals while
generally decreases the solubility of gases. Therefore, at higher
temperatures oxygen solubility decreases also at higher temperature
metabolic activities increases
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Chapter No 3
Chemistry of Pollutants

Soil Pollutants Undesirable physical, chemical or biological change in

nature of soil is called soil pollution. Agents that pollute soil are: -

* Herbicides used to destroy weeds contain poisonous

compounds like sodium chlorate and arsenic compounds that remain in
the soil for long time and pollute it these compounds are harmful to
beneficial organisms of the soil and dangerous to wild life and man.

* Insecticides DDT, BHC, aldrin, dialdrin used for protection

of plants and crops against insect, pets are washed into the soil and
pollute the soil. These take very long time to be degraded and affect the
beneficial organisms like earth worm and beneficial bacteria.

* Halogens constitute the largest group of soil pollutants.

These have been manufactured primarily as solvents and pesticides.

* Fungicides sprayed on plants contain Sulphur, organo

mercury compounds which get incorporated into the soil first and then
into the food chain and create serious problems for fish, birds and
mammals.

* Polymers such as nylon, plastics and rubber have

contributed much to soil pollution.

Control Strategies of Pollutants following measures may be helpful in

controlling the environmental pollution if enforced according to the law
and spirit: -

Water Pollutant Control Strategy

* Disposal of Sewage wastes The liquid sewage wastes may

be passed through the coarse screens or sieves to separate the solid
objects and then passed into the settling tanks. The suspended material
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settles down in the tanks in the form of sludge. The effluent is filtered
through a bed or rocks and chlorinated to kill the germs. The remaining
effluent is passed through the charcoal to separate pollutants like
detergents, metal ions, nitrates and pesticides. This water now may be
released into or to grown algae and aquatic plants used in biogas plants.
Similarly, anaerobic septic tanks can be used for individual houses or
small communities.

The solid organic sewage wastes including the feces should be converted
into compost manure at the place away from the cities and human
dwellings as the feces contain bacteria and viruses of various diseases.

* BOD shows direct measure of pollutants in water. Detergents

are source of about 40% phosphates present in water as pollutants,
therefore the detergents low in phosphorus should be used or washing
sod may be used instead.

* Disposal of degradable wastes The combustible degradable

solid wastes should be burnt in incinerators carefully and in controlled
way because the solid wastes are converted into gaseous wastes upon
burning so that they may not pollute the air. The non combustible solid
wastes like ash, rubbish, tins, glass pieces may be dumped in low-lying
areas by landfill method. The recyclable wastes such as waste papers,
cups, and plates must be recycled. The plastic bottles used for packing
shampoos, lotions, etc may be banned because apart from being a
pollutant, plastic causes cancers as well.

Air Pollutant Control Strategy

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Chapter No 3
Chemistry of Pollutants

 Automobile emission is perhaps the most abundant source

of air pollutant. The automobile must be either made to
eliminate the use of gasoline and diesel or complete
combustion is obtained in the engine so that noxious
compounds are not emitted. The automobiles must use some
anti-smog devises.

 Industries must use devices like cyclone separators,

scrubbers or electrostatic precipitators to minimize
production of particulate matters.

 Coal based industries should have long chimneys so that

smoke, a pollutant may be carried out by air and dispersed
over a large area. These industries should also remove
Sulphur from the coal to avoid SO2 pollution or they should
shift to a low Sulphur fuel like natural gas. Excessive burning
of vegetation should be stopped so that pollutant produced by
burning of fossil fuel may be minimized.

 Plantation Trees and plants reduces pollutant load from

environment. People must be educated regarding plantation,
and unlawful cutting must be checked.

 Smoking smoking is very nauseous especially in closed

environment (buildings, buses etc) it should be banned.

Soil Pollutant Control Strategy various poisons used to kill weeds

harmful insects and fungi which ruin crops and vegetation has become
necessary with increased agricultural practices. But these poisons
remain in the environment for long times and act as pollutant. Therefore,
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Chapter No 3
Chemistry of Pollutants

excessive use of these poisons must be avoided and if necessary only

those should be used which cause no or less problems.

Pollutant Prevention Strategy

* Legislation Laws and rules must be passed regarding pollution

prevention. Nation wide and international move and awareness is utmost
necessary to prevent or reduce pollution.

* Consciousness in citizens, employees, school children, teacher,

industry related workers and owners is of vital importance to minimize
pollution.

* Exchange of Scientific knowledge scientific knowledge regarding

the pollutants and control of environmental pollutant may be exchanged
internationally so that the developing and underdeveloped countries may
also be able to control the ever-increasing problem of pollution.

The control of air pollution is ultimately and engineering problem

recommended following procedures for the prevention and control of air
pollution:

* Containment it is prevention of toxic substances escape into air. It

can be achieved by enclosure, ventilation, air cleaning and development
or use of arrestors for removal of contaminants.

* Replacement Use of new technology like replacement of fuel based

machinery by electric machinery or solar energy based machinery.

* Dilution is valid so long as it is within the self-clearing capacity of

the environment.
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Chapter No 3
Chemistry of Pollutants

Effects of Pollutant On Flora and Fauna Pollutants affect health of

human beings and animals, plants and material. They also disturb
temperature, alters wind distribution and interferes with comfortable
living.

Serial Pollutants Effect on

Man Plant Material
i O3 Irritation to eye Bleaching of Cracks
and asthma, injury plants, damage to rubber,
to respiratory cells. crops including reduces
lettuce grapes durability and
and corn appearance of
paint cause
fabric due to
fade.
Ii SO2 Increase chronic Bleaching of Damage ilding
respiratory leaves decay and and
diseases, shortness death of tissue, monuments
of breath. cause damage corrode metal
associated with turns leather
acid rain to red-brown
dust damage
paint.
Iii Particulate Increased chronic Depending on its Contributes to
matters (PM and acute chemical and may
2.5 PM to 10) respiratory composition it accelerated
diseases may damages trees, corrosion of
irritate tissue of crops dry metal may
throat, nose longs deposition of contaminate
and eyes SO2, is a form of electrical
acid rain contacts
damage paint
appearance
and
durability,
fades textile
dyes.
iv Pb Children most a May be toxic in
risk brain damage soil changes
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Chapter No 3
Chemistry of Pollutants

behaviour metabolism of
problems nerve plants.
disorder, digestive
problems

Effects of Pollutants on Human Health Destruction of ozone layer will

allow UV light to enter the troposphere. This will result in increased skin
cancer. Inhaling ozone cause respirator and nervous system disturb and
result in headache, exhaustion, respirator diseases. Acid deposition
increases in illness in humans due to lung cancer and colon cancer.
Epidemics of water borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever
have occurred world wide throughout history. Heavy metals interfere
with many essential enzymes in man and other organisms, children most
at risk brain damage, behavior problem, nerve disorders digestive
problems.

Effects of Pollutants on Vegetation O3 is damaging to plants resulting

in leaf mottling and reduced growth. Inorganic nutrients support algal
growth which results in algal blooms that cut out light to other plants,
reduce oxygen level and may be toxic to fish and other vertebrates.
Bleaching of leaves decay and death of tissue younger leaves are more
sensitive than older ones; sensitive crops and trees include alfalfa,
barley, cotton, spinach, beets white pine, if oxidized to sulfuric acid
cause damage associated with acid rain.

Effects of Pollutants on Materials SO2 of oxidized to sulphuric acid

damage building and monuments, corrodes metals. Cause paper to
become brittle, turns leather to red-brown dust, SO 2 fades dyes of fabrics
damages paints. NOx cause fading of textiles of oxidized to nitric acid
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Chapter No 3
Chemistry of Pollutants

damage buildings and monuments. Ozone cause cracks, reduces rubber

durability and appearance of paint.