CHEMISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT

What is Solid Waste?

- Non-liquid, non-soluble materials ranging from municipal garbage to industrial
waste that contain complex and sometimes hazardous substances.

Environmental Chemistry (Concept Map)

 Environmental Chemistry- Misconceptions
Concept/Idea Common Misconception Scientific Response
• Large molecules of different
Decomposition It disappears substances are broken down into
much smaller molecules and can
involve chemical change
Anything can be diffused • Only small molecules (water, carbon
Any nutrients can move dioxide ,and oxygen can move freely
Diffusion through cell membranes in and out of cells, energy is required
Osmosis for other substances and the
process is active transport
Landfill Waste in landfills is safe • Landfills can produce leachates and
toxic vapors that can be harmful
• Plants actually use inorganic
Nutrients Plants get their food from molecules (Carbon dioxide and
the soil water) to make organic molecules
(6-carbon sugars) as food
• The continued vast resources of the
oceans are affected by the elements
They are an infinite supply in the environment and how they can
Oceans of water and resources change the composition of the
oceans and interfere with those
organisms that live or rely on the
ocean for survival
• Anything can be a pollutant that
Pollution Anything natural is not a does harm to a living organism. This
pollutant includes natural events, such as
volcanoes and forest fires.
• Plants in all environments (aquatic
Producers Only land plants are or terrestrial) can be producers and
producers some animals can be producers as
well

Only animals need oxygen • Plants need oxygen as well and use
Respiration Only animal cells use the the process of cellular respiration to
process of cellular gain energy
respiration
 Environmental Chemicals- Types
• All living things are made of chemicals and depend on chemicals to survive.
Without carbon dioxide and water, green plants could not produce sugar for food.
Without oxygen, plants and animals could not carry out cellular respiration.

• Forest fires and volcanoes release large quantities of carbon dioxide (volcanoes
alone release 130 million tons of carbon dioxide each year), sulfur dioxide, and ash,
which can be harmful to living things. Some chemicals that we use can cause
harm.

• Some chemicals are also used as medicine, such as Willow bark, which contains
salicylic acid. A synthetic version of salicylic acid- acetylsalicylic acid - was
developed by the Bayer company in 1898 and Aspirin was born.

• Hippocrates - now known as the 'Father of Medicine' - as early as 400B.C. -

recommended willow bark be used to treat pain and fever. First Nations people
used willow bark tea as a medicinal drink. Another medicine derived from plants
found in the environment is Echinacea Purposa – an extract from the purple
cornflower to help stimulate the immune system.

Environmental Chemicals -Cycles

• The Nitrogen Cycle- Nitrogen (N2) occurs naturally in the atmosphere as a gas. In
order for living organisms to be able to use this nitrogen, the two atoms must be
separated (fixed), so they can easily combine with other elements to form usable
compounds.

• Nitrogen Fixation is the process by which nitrogen gas is fixed in the atmosphere
by lightning and fixed in the soil by certain types of bacteria (found in root nodules
of beans, clover, and alfalfa).

• After nitrogen fixation has occurred, plants can use the nitrogen-containing
compounds, and animals then eat the plants and make larger compounds called
proteins, which decomposers can then break down into simpler compounds, to be
used over again.

• Eventually, nitrogen is released back into the atmosphere to begin the cycle all
over.
 Environmental Chemicals – Activities
Processes/Activities Affecting Environmental Chemicals

• The chemicals in the air and food, that are used by living organisms, are changed
by the processes of cellular respiration and metabolism.

• Human activities can cause pollution (any change in the environment that
produces a condition that is harmful living organisms) it can include too much of
a harmless substance, or toxic materials not occurring naturally.

• Phosphates: nutrients that enhance the growth of plants (excess phosphates

stimulate the growth of algae and weeds).

• Dioxins: chemicals found in certain pesticides and industrial wastes can cause
severe illness and possibly birth defects.

• Noise Pollution: can cause hearing loss and other damage to living organisms.

• Thermal Pollution: can eliminate species unable to tolerate the increase in

temperature

Environmental Chemicals- Human Activities

Many chemicals are released into the air, water, and soil every day.

Activities may include:

• Sanitation
• Agriculture
• Manufacturing
• Transportation
• Industrial Processes
• Water and Waste Treatment

Environmental Chemicals- Issues/Viewpoints

Issues

• An issue is a matter about which people have different opinions or viewpoints.

- cause of the problem
 - the seriousness of the problem

- how to solve it

Viewpoints

• Health-related - physical and mental well-being

• Recreational - useable for leisure activities
• Political - affects a govt. party or politician
• Scientific - knowledge gained by observation & experimentation
• Technological – problem-solving/application
• Ecological - concern for the protection of ecosystems
• Economic - concerned with money & jobs
• Educational - acquiring & sharing knowledge
• Egocentric - concern for self
• Ethical/Moral - right or wrong

Environmental Chemicals- Treatment

Solid Waste Sanitary Landfill

1 – Waste Control
2 – Landfill Area
3 – Septic System
4 – Gas Recovery (Methane)
5 – Remediation and Reclamation of land (soil)

Environmental Chemicals- Treatment

Solid Wastes

• Solid waste includes garbage from households, industries, commercial retailers,

institutions, and construction or demolition sites. Some of this waste can be
recycled or reused, but most of it is placed in landfills. A small amount is
incinerated (burned).

Hazards that occur when solid waste, is not properly disposed of include:

• air pollution (controlled emissions - scrubbers)

• leaching (prevented by plastic liners and compacted clay foundation at the landfill
site)
 • contamination (bacteria removes dissolved nitrates, phosphates, and undissolved
solids from effluent – which also includes dissolved and undissolved materials
from your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry)

Environmental Chemicals- Treatment

Waste Treatment Plant (Urban Areas)

A facility treating sewage in three levels or steps.

• Primary - Physical - filtering, sieving, and settling - wastewater can be further treated
with chlorine and returned to the environment as effluent. Waste material, called
sludge, can be recycled as fertilizer or landfill.

• Secondary - Biological - bacteria and microorganisms decompose most of the

remaining biodegradable waste.

• Tertiary - Chemical - UV radiation to kill all remaining bacteria and harmful organisms
before returning the effluent to the water system.
 Environmental Chemicals- Treatment
Septic System (Rural Areas)

A septic system mimics the way decomposers normally recycle biodegradable wastes
and consists of:
 • A Septic tank (that traps grease and large solids which are decomposed by
bacteria and later removed, along with the lighter scum, by a professional septic
tank pumper). (primary treatment)
• A Distribution box (for liquid waste)
• A Drain field, all connected by pipes with holes at the bottom of each line,
allowing the wastewater to drain into gravel trenches for temporary storage.
These pipes (conveyance lines) lead into a drainage area containing gravel.
Bacteria and other micro-organisms in the gravel and soil break down the
organic waste and use it as a source of food.

The effluent then slowly seeps into the subsurface soil where it is further treated and
purified (secondary treatment). A properly functioning septic system does not pollute
the groundwater.
 CHEMISTRY SAFETY
Categories of Hazardous Chemicals
1. Corrosive
2. Flammable
3. Toxic
4. Reactive
5. Biological (Infectious)
6. Carcinogen (Cancer-causing)
7. Radioactive

Physical States of Hazardous Materials

1. Liquid
2. Solid
3. Gas
4. Vapor

How to Handle Chemicals Property

1. Use cautions
2. Always follow procedures
3. Read all labels
4. Keep yourself and the work area clean
5. Plan ahead

Routes of Exposure
1. Inhalation
2. Ingestion
3. Absorption
4. Injection

Symptoms of Possible Overexposure

1. Eye discomfort
2. Breathing difficulty
3. Dizziness
4. Headache
5. Nausea
6. Vomiting
7. Skin irritation

Incompatible Chemicals
1. Flammables and Oxidizers
2. Flammables and any ignition source
3. Acids and cyanides
4. Strong acids and strong alkaline
5. Concentrated acids and water
6. Organic solvents and corrosives
7. Corrosives and other reactive materials

Agencies that Regulate Hazardous Chemical Storage

1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
2. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
4. Department of Transportation (DOT)

Handling Flammable Chemicals

1. Keep containers closed when not in use
2. Keep away from ignition sources
3. Avoid contact with incompatible materials
4. Only transfer to approved containers
5. Bond all receiving containers
6. Clean up spills and dispose of waste properly

Proper Storage of Flammable Chemicals

1. Ensure that storage areas meet regulatory requirements
2. Replace all bung caps with drum vents after receiving containers
3. Ground all drums properly
4. Store quantities in approved storage rooms and cabinets
5. Store only in small quantities
 General Safety Tips
1. Never eat, drink, or smoke while using hazardous chemicals
2. Use personal protective equipment as required
3. Make sure all chemical containers are properly labeled
4. Always wash up after using chemicals
5. Never smell or taste a chemical to identify it
6. Know all emergency procedures and equipment
7. Always read labels’ MSDSs prior to use
8. Store all hazardous chemicals properly
9. Always use hazardous chemicals as intended

Primary Container Labels

1. Identity of the hazardous chemical
2. Appropriate hazard warnings
3. Name and address of the manufacturer or importer
4. Target organ effects

Secondary Container Labels

1. Identity of the hazardous chemical
2. Hazard warning information

Handling Chemical Emergencies

1. Know emergency phone numbers
2. Know how to control the spill
3. Know the proper equipment shutdown procedure
4. Know proper evacuation routes and assembly areas

What Emergency Personnel Should Know

1. Emergency cleanup and disposal measures
2. Required protective equipment
3. Use of cleanup equipment
4. Firefighting and other emergency measures (i.e., first aid)
5. Use of other emergency equipment
 First Aid for Chemicals in the Eyes
1. Don’t rub the eyes
2. Hold eyelids open and flush with water for 15 minutes
3. Be careful not to contaminate the other eye
4. Seek additional medical attention

First Aid for Chemicals on the Skin

1. Flush the area with lukewarm water for 15 minutes
2. Remove clothing and jewelry from the burn area
3. Seek additional medical attention

Laboratory Safety Rules

1. Wear protective clothing
2. Laboratory personnel should not wear sandals
3. Avoid touching objects
4. Pencils, labels, or any other materials should never be placed in your mouth.
5. Caution must be taken when using gas burners. Be sure gas burners are turned
off when finished.
6. Long hair must be tied back or covered to minimize fire hazards or contamination
of experiments.
7. Do not eat food or drink water in the lab.
8. Protect your hands and safety
9. Electrical safety
10. Chemical Safety
11. Do not take any cultures out of the lab for any reason.
12. Do not engage in practical jokes or horseplay in the lab.
13. Keep non-essential books and clothing far away from your work area.
14. Wipe the bench tops down with disinfectant both before you begin your work and
after you have completed your work.
15. Dispose of waste products according to instructions.
16. Report all accidents, no matter how minor, to your supervisor.

Laboratory Safety Equipment

1. Safety shower
2. Eyewash
3. Fire blanket
4. Fire extinguisher

Laboratory Safety Symbols

 RESEARCH FAIR
Ozone Layer
What is an Ozone Layer?
• A region of high ozone concentration in the stratosphere. Ozone is a molecule
made up of three oxygen atoms.
• 15 to 35 kilometers above Earth’s surface.

Function
• Acts as an invisible shield and protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation from
the sun.

How is it formed?
• When UV-C light reaches the stratosphere, it is completely absorbed by oxygen
molecules and never reaches the Earth’s surface. UV-C splits oxygen molecules
into oxygen atoms. These single atoms then react with other oxygen molecules to
produce ozone.

THE PROBLEM: OZONE DEPLETION

What is it?
• Gradual thinning of Earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused by the
release of chemical compounds containing gaseous chlorine or bromine from
industry and other human activities.
• The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica.
The Cause
• Manmade chemicals containing halogens and these chemicals are collectively
known as ozone-depleting substances

Fossil Fuel
Fossil Fuel
• any class of hydrocarbon-containing materials of biological origin occurring
within Earth’s crust that can be used as a source of energy. All fossil fuels can be
burned in the air or with oxygen derived from the air to provide heat. This heat may
be employed directly, as in the case of home furnaces, or used to produce steam
to drive generators that can supply electricity.

Types
1. Coal- a solid fossil fuel created over millions of years by the decay of land plants
 2. Oil/Petroleum- a liquid fossil fuel created from the remains of marine
microorganisms accumulated on the seafloor.
3. Natural Gas- is a gaseous fossil fuel that is abundant, versatile, and comparatively
cleaner than oil and coal.

Facts about Fossil Fuel

1. Fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal) account for nearly 85% of the world’s energy
consumption.
2. Abolition of fossil fuels would ruin our quality of life.
3. Fossil fuels fuel the global economy
4. Ending fossil fuels will harm developing countries.
5. Materials derived from fossil fuels and petrochemicals are critical to the production
of solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries.

E-Wastes
DISCUSSION
• Less than 3 percent of the world’s annual municipal solid waste of 2.12 billion tons
of waste is e-wastes, accounting for roughly 50 million tons of electronic waste
being ineffectively thrown annually. With the advancements in technology in
modern times, E-waste becomes significantly prominent; where in 2019 alone, the
world generated 53.6 million tons of e-waste which is projected to grow to 74.7
million tons by the end of 2030. 45.2 percent of the latter waste or roughly 22.6
million tons of e-waste are generated annually in Asia alone. In the Philippines, the
DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) also considers e-waste as
one of the fastest-growing waste streams - where it generated 32,665 metric tons
of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) annually, marking the
country’s necessity for an active e-waste management plan.

PROBLEMS REVOLVING AROUND E-WASTE:

• Detrimental impacts on air (release of toxic materials to air contributing to CO2
levels), water (leakage of heavy metals to groundwater, mainly causing
groundwater acidification and toxification), and ground (heavy metal
contamination on croplands, thus harming wildlife relying on crops for food)-lead
to environmental poisoning.
• Unmanaged waste sites for electronic waste, leading to environmental pollution.
• People’s lack of participation/interest in recycling old/unwanted electronic items
• Lack of TSD facilities worldwide to assess unwanted electronic waste
 • The mass public’s lack of awareness regarding the importance of e-waste
disposal.
• Detrimental impacts on people under the informal sector assessing the disposal
of e-waste.

• E-waste contains a laundry list of chemicals that are harmful to people and the
environment, like mercury, lead, beryllium, brominated flame retardants,
cadmium, barium, and lithium. When electronics are mishandled during disposal,
these chemicals end up in our soil, water, and air - and in a worst-case scenario,
it may affect public health - for these heavy metals have negative effects on the
brain, heart, liver, kidney, and skeletal system. In terms of the public sector affected,
e-waste dismantlers are greatly affected, specifically, the occupational exposure
of women, men, and young children in the informal recycling sector who are
greatly exposed to dreaded neurological, developmental, and reproductive
toxicants from heavy metals in e-waste sites.

Banana Peels
Introduction
• One of the major issues facing both humans and other living things on our planet
today is environmental degradation. Environmental contamination is a
widespread issue in wealthy and developing nations alike. A variety of industries,
including packaging, construction, etc., employ plastic, a type of polymer material,
which is produced by one of the most significant industries.

• Solid waste management remains a major challenge in the Philippines, especially

in urban areas like Metro Manila. Improper waste disposal, inefficient waste
collection, and lack of disposal facilities are among the dominant concerns in the
country’s solid waste management. If they aren't addressed, the waste produced
by various sources will continue to pose a threat to public health and have a
negative influence on the environment, including floods, air pollution, the
contamination of ground and surface waters, and the spread of disease

• Plastics are the main threat to the environment as they are non-biodegradable.
Based upon the above view, there is a need for sustainable material at the same
time biodegradable. Plastics made from renewable biomass sources, such as
vegetable fats and oils, maize starch, straw, wood chips, food scraps, agricultural
byproducts, as well as recycled plastic bottles and other containers, are known as
bioplastics. Bioplastic is translucent, adaptable, strong, excellent as a barrier, and
 heat resistant. Three categories of bioplastics exist 1. bioplastics made of starch, 2.
Bioplastics based on cellulose and 3. Protein-based bioplastics. Disposable items
like packaging, crockery, cutlery, pots, bowls, and straws are made of bioplastics.

Banana Peel
• Banana peels were used for the synthesis of bioplastics because they are very
rich in starch, which consists of two different types of polymer chains called
amylose and amylopectin, made up of adjoined glucose molecules that are
bonded together to form bioplastic.
• Bananas weigh 18.14 kg in total, with 7.25 kg of peel produced from their 60% pulp
and 40% peel composition. The shell, however, is made up of carbon-rich organic
substances as such cellulose (7.6–9.6%), hemicellulose (6.4–9.4%), pectin (10–
21%), lignin (6–12%), colors made of chlorophyll, and a few other low molecular
weight substances. These pollutants produce unpleasant odors from their natural
breakdown and gasses that aid in the greenhouse effect if improperly handled.
• Yellow banana peels, as opposed to green and red banana peels, are the types
of banana peels that are best suited for usage as bioplastics. Nevertheless, there
wasn't much of a difference between the three. However, due to their higher
starch content, green bananas have a transparent appearance and are simpler
to produce.

Bioplastic
• Bioplastics, which are composed of polymers produced from biological sources,
are known as biodegradable polymers. By bacteria and water in compost piles,
these polymers can be ecologically destroyed. Bioplastics can be divided into
three types: bioplastics from mixed sources (bio-petroleum), bioplastics based on
petroleum (fossil-based), and renewable resource-based polymers (derived
naturally from plants and animals).
• The usage of bioplastic has a huge number of benefits for the environment,
including the potential reduction of carbon emissions and GHGs, lower
manufacturing energy costs, less permanent litter, and safer environmental
conditions. In terms of the material's properties, bioplastics are also preferable to
normal plastic since they are more permeable to water vapor, feel less greasy,
print well, and are softer and more tactile

Advantages and Challenges

• The primary benefit of using bioplastics over traditional plastic is that they break
down into the environment without polluting it. Due to its flexibility and durability,
plastic made from banana peels can be used to create plastic bags and tubes.
 Bioplastics were long overlooked due to their high manufacturing costs and the
accessibility of cheaper polymers made from petrochemicals.

Mangroves
Overview

Acid Rain

Heavy Metal Contamination