CE 488

DISASTER
MANAGEMENT
MODULE 5
SYLLABUS:

• Types of Anthropogenic Disasters I– Fundamental concepts of water

and atmospheric pollution.
ANTHROPOGENIC DISASTER:
• Anthropogenic disasters may be defined as any disaster caused by
human action, negligence or error.
• Disasters can be man made where the cause is intentional or
unintentional.
• All kind of man made disasters lead to human suffering, loss of life,
and damage to nations economy.
Types of man made disasters:
1. Nuclear accidents
2. Biological disaster
3. Chemical disaster
4. Fire accidents
5. Travel accidents
6. Air and water pollution
etc.
Water pollution
• Water is essential for all forms of life.
• 71% of earth surface is covered with water.
Water pollution
• Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a
result of human activities. Water bodies include for eg, lakes, rivers,
oceans, aquifers and groundwater. Water pollution results when
contaminants are introduced into the natural environment.
• Increasing population, urbanization and industrialization has lead to
the decreased availability of water.
• The quality of water used is also being deteriorated as it is getting
more and more polluted.
Water resources on earth
• The fresh water, which we can use, comes from two sources:
• 1. surface water
• 2. ground water
1. Surface water
• Rain and snow are good natural resources of fresh water
• It is estimated that of all precipitation ( rain water and snow), that falls on
earth,
• One third – absorbed by plants
• On third – seeps down into soil
• On third – runs off the surface into streams and rivers.
• Part of precipitation, which runs off to form streams, rivers and lakes, and is
called the surface water.
• The small fraction of usable surface water is continuously replenished by
means of hydrological cycle.
• Surface water has a natural tendency to clean itself as it contains certain
organisms that break down pollutants into harmless substances.
Different forms of precipitation:
Pollution in water bodies:
Yamuna river River Ganga
2. Ground Water
• The part of precipitation that seeps into ground as a result of gravity and
fills the pores between soil particles and rocks under it is called ground
water.
• The water bearing layers of soil and rocks are called aquifers.
• Ground water is very important for agricultural and industrial purposes.
• Ground water in the form of wells and springs is often the only source of
water supply especially in villages and small towns.
• There is a need to optimize use of water and also conserve surface
runoff water by means of rainwater harvesting, groundwater
conservation, making use of recycling methods etc.
Hydrological Cycle:
 Water pollution - parameters
Physical parameters Chemical parameters Biological parameters
Good indicators of Total dissolved solids formed Indirect indication of the
contamination are by following chemicals amount of pollution in water
1. Colour present in water given by following biological
2. Odour 1. Carbonates parameters
3. Turbidity 2. Sulphates 1. Algae
4. Taste 3. Chlorides 2. Fungi
5. Temperature 4. Nitrates 3. Viruses
6. Electrical conductivity 5. Metal ions 4. Protozoa
5. Bacterias
Water pollution - Sources
Surface water pollution
• When pollutants enter a stream, river or lake these gives rise to
surface water pollution.
• The surface water pollution has a number of sources. They are
categorized as:
1. Point and Non-Point sources
2. Natural and Anthropogenic sources
Water Pollution - Classification
1. Point and Non-Point sources
a) Point sources are the well defined sources that emits pollutants or effluents
directly into different water bodies of fresh water.
• Eg: domestic and industrial wastes
• The point sources of pollution can be effectively checked.
b) Non – Point sources of water pollution are scattered or spread over large areas.
• This type of sources deliver pollutants indirectly through environmental changes
and account for majority of the contaminants in streams and lakes.
• Eg: contaminated water that runs off from agricultural farms, construction sites,
abandoned mines, enters streams and lakes.
• It is quite difficult to control non point sources.
2. Natural and Anthropogenic Sources
a) Natural sources: increase in the contamination of naturally occurring
substances is also termed pollution. The sources of such increase are
called Natural sources.
• Eg: siltation ( which includes soil, sand and mineral particles)
• It is common natural phenomenon, which occurs in most water bodies.
b) Anthropogenic or Manmade sources: are the ones causes by human
activities that result into pollution of water.
• Eg: Domestic( sewage and waste water)
• Industrial and agricultural wastes that goes into the rivers, lakes, streams and
seas are anthropogenic sources
• Certain material that are leached from the land by run off water and enter the
various water bodies a;so belong to this category.
Ground Water Pollution
• When the polluted water seeps into the ground and enters an aquifer it
results in ground water pollution.
• Ground water is the only source of drinking water for most of our villages
and towns.
• Ground water gets polluted by:
• Dumping of raw sewage on soil, seepage pits and septic tanks cause pollution of
ground water.
• The porous layers of soil hold back solid particles while the liquid is allowed to
pass through.
• The soluble pollutants are able to mix with ground water.
• Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers and unchecked release of toxic wastes and
even carcinogenic substances by industrial units may result in slow trickling down
through the earths surface and mixing with groundwater.
• This problem is very serious especially in areas where water table is
high( i.e., where water is available near surface of earth)
Water pollution – types/pollutants
• Sources can be broadly classified as,

1. Sewage Pollutants ( Domestic and Municipal Waste)

2. Industrial pollutants
3. Agricultural Pollutants
4. Radioactive and Thermal Pollutants
Domestic and Municipal Pollutants:
• The sewage contains garbage, soaps, detergents, waste food and human
excreta and is the single largest source of water pollution.
• Pathogenic microorganisms( bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae) enter
water system through sewage making it infected.
• Typhoid, cholera, gastroenteritis and dysentery are commonly caused by
infected drinking water.
• Water polluted by sewage may carry certain other bacteria and viruses
cannot grow by themselves, but reproduce in the cell of host organisms.
• They cause a number of diseases such as polio, viral hepatitis and may
be cancer.
• They are responsible for de-oxigenation of water bodies which is
harmful for aquatic life.
• Other ingredients which enter the various water bodies are plant
nutrients, i.e, nitrates and phosphates.
• They support growth of algae, commonly called algal bloom ( blue-
green species)
• This process is called Eutrophication.
Industrial pollutants
• Many industries are located near rivers or fresh water streams.
• Industries discharge their untreated effluents into rivers.
• Effluents like highly toxic heavy metals such as chromium, arsenic,
mercury etc, along with hazardous organic and inorganic wastes.
• Eg: river ganga receives wastes from textile, sugar, paper, and pulp
mills, tanneries, rubber and pesticide industries.
• Most of these pollutants resist to breakdown by microorganisms
( non- biodegradable), therefore damage the growth of crops and the
polluted water is unsafe for drinking purposes.
• Factories manufacturing plastic, caustic soda and some fungicides and
pesticides release mercury ( a heavy metal) along with other effluebts
in nearby water body.
• Mercury enters food chain through bacteria, algae, fish and finally
into human body.
• Eg: Minamata Bay tragedy in Japan due to Toxicity of mercury.
• The milder symptoms of mercury poisoning are depression and
irritability but acute toxic effects can cause paralysis, blindness, birth
defects and even death.
Agricultural pollutants
1. Crop waste ( paddy wate, sugarcane buggase) – from agriculture
2. Animal waste ( animal excreta, animal carcasses) – from slaughterhouse,
poultry farms
3. Processing waste( packaging materials)- from agro industries
4. Hazardous waste( pesticides, insecticides) – from manure, fertilizers

• The water body receiving large quantities of fertilizers( phosphates

and nitrates) or manures become rich in nutrients which leads to
eutrophication and consequent depletion of dissolved oxygen.
• Consumption of water rich in nitrates is bad for human heakth especialyy
for small children.
• Pesticides ( DDT, aldrin, malathion etc) are used to kill insect and rodent
pests. Toxic pesticide residues enter the human body through drinking
water or through food chain( biomagnification).
• These compounds have low solubility in water but are highly soluble in fats.
• Eg: the concentration of DDT in river water may be very low but some fish
over a period of time accumulate so much DDT that they become unfit for
consumption.
• Some of the pesticides are highly toxic and become metabolized by animals
grazing on fields, and therefore have been observed in human food chain.
• The presence of these chemicals even in minute amounts can cause
hormonal imbalance and may lead to cancer.
Radioactive and Thermal Pollutants
• Radioactive wastes: radionuclides found in water are radium and
potassium-40. these isotopes originates from natural sources due to
leaching from minerals. Water bodies are also polluted by accidental
leakage of waste material from uranium and thorium mines, nuclear
power plants and industries, research laboratories and hospitals.
• Radioactive material enter human body through water and food, an d
may be accumulated in blood and certain vital organs. They cause
tumours and cancer.
• Thermal sources: various industries, nuclear power plants and
thermal plants require water for cooling and the resultant hot water is
often discharged into rivers and lakes.
• This results in thermal pollution and leads to the imbalance in the
ecology of the water body. Higher temperature lowers the dissolved
oxygen level( which is very essential for marine life) by decreasing the
solubility of oxygen in water.
• Fish and other aquatic organisms can get affected by a sudden change
in the temperature.
Water Pollution and Biological Effects
Eutrophication:
• Eutrophication is a process by which a water body slowly becomes rich
in plant nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates due to soil erosion
and runoff from the surrounding land.
• Nutrients are released from organic waste by aerobic ( oxygen
requiring) bacteria which start decomposing it.
• Dissolved oxygen is consumed in this process.
• As more and more organic matter enters a water body, more is the de-
oxygenation of the water body and larger is the production of
nutrients.
• These nutrients fertilize an abnormal growth of algae and other large
water plants such as duckweed.
• As more plants grow, some of them die also due to larger oxygen
demand and therefore oxygen deficiency in the water body.
• Such a water body is said to be eutrophied and the process is called
eutrophication.
• The word eutrophication is derived from Greek word which means
well-nourished.
Eutrophication occurs in 4 steps:
1. Excess Nutrients: farmers apply
fertilizers to the soil. Then excess
nutrients run off from the fields into the
water.
2. Algae Bloom: the fertilizer rich in nitrate
and phosphate spark the overgrowth of
algae in water bodies.
3. Oxygen Depletion: When algae forms, it
blocks sunlight from entering water and
uses up oxygen. Eventually water
becomes oxygen depleted.
4. Dead zones: finally, the water that is
completely depleted of oxygen becomes
a dead zone and can no longer support
life.
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
• “The quality of oxygen used up by microorganisms at 270C and in
darkness during days in breaking down organic wastes in a water
body is called its Biological Oxygen Demand(BOD)”.
• The microorganisms present in the water bodies act upon wastes for
their own consumption and growth.
• In the process the metabolic activity requires oxygen which is met by
the dissolved oxygen present in water. It is this amount of oxygen
which is defined as BOD.
• The BOD value of an aquatic system depends upon:
• The type and amount of organic waste
• The organisms acting on it
• Temperature and pH
• This value is a good measure in evaluating the degree of pollution in a
water body.
• The greater the amount of organic waste in the water body, higher is
the BOD value. The less polluted water shows comparatively low
value of BOD.
• Its value is used for managing water pollution of water body. An
evaluation is made by determining oxygen concentration in water
before and after incubation at 200C in dark for 5 days.
Bio magnification:
• Increase in concentration of accumulated toxic chemicals as one goes
higher in the food chain is termed as bio magnification.
• A variety of toxic chemicals move through food chains.
• Toxic pesticides may be sprayed for controlling insect pests, fungi,
herbs, but they concentrate in the food chain and harm to other
organisms.
• For eg; DDT was sprayed to control mosquitoes at a concentration
expected to be harmless to other organisms like fish and birds. It will
accumulate in the marshes and planktons. Planktons are eaten by
fishes and they get high concentration of DDT in its body. Further
when birds or humans eat fish, they accumulate still higher
concentration.
Water Pollution – Control Measures:
• Waste water generated by household activity, industries or garbage
landfills is called sewage which is classified as the municipal water
pollution.
• Sewage contains solid matters in the form of suspended colloidal and
dissolved organic matter, detergent, mineral matter, nutrients and
gases. Sewage is one of the major causes of water borne diseases and
therefore the treatment of sewage is one of the important tasks.
• For a long time treatment of municipal waste in the form of sewage
involved mainly of the removal of suspended solids, oxygen
demanding materials and harmful bacteria.
• Now the disposal of the solid residue from sewage has been improved
by applying municipal treatment processes.
• The treatment of this waste is carried out in the following 3 stages:
1. Primary treatment
2. Secondary treatment
3. Tertiary treatment
Primary treatment:
• When the waste water is to be dumped off into a river or flowing
stream, the treatment is carried out by primary treatment such as
1. Sedimentation
2. Coagulation
3. Filtration
• If the water is required for drinking purposes, it has to undergo
further treatment called secondary treatment and tertiary treatment
• Large percentage of suspended solids and inorganic material is
removed in this process.
Sedimetation
• This step is carried out in large
tanks specially built for this
purpose in sewage treatment
plant.
• The polluted water is allowed to
settle so that the silt, clay and
other matter settle to the bottom
and water is slowly allowed to
move out.
• Fine particle do not settle and are
thus required to be removed in
the next step.
Coagulation:

• Fine particles and colloidal

suspension are combined into
large particles by a process
called coagulation.
• This step is carried out by
addition of special chemicals
called coagulants(flocculants)
such as potash alum.
• The large particles either settle
to the bottom or are moved in
the next step.
Filtration
• Suspended particles, flocculants,
bacteria and other organisms are
filtered by passing the water
through a bed of sand or finely
divided coal or through some
fibrous materials.
• The total impurities collected in
these steps are called sludge.
• It is used as valuable fertilizer.
• On composting( action of anaerobic
bacteria), it releases sludge gas.
• It consists mainly of methane gas
which is used for cooking purposes.
Secondary or Biological treatment:
• The water after primary treatment is not fit for drinking purposes and has
to undergo further treatment. This is done through secondary or
biological treatment.
• A commonly used method is to allow polluted water to spread over a
large bed of stones and gravel so that the growth of different
microorganisms needing nutrients and oxygen is encouraged.
• Over a period of time a fast moving food chain is set up.
• For eg; bacteria consume organic matter from the polluted water,
protozoa live on bacteria.
• Every form of life including algae and fungi help in cleaning up process.
This is called secondary treatment of water.
• Softening:
• By this treatment undesirable cations of calcium and magnesium are
removed from hard water.
• Either water is treated with lime and soda ash to precipitate Ca+ ions
as carbonates or it is passed through cation exchangers. This makes
water soft.
• Aeration:
• In this process, soft water is exposed to air by forcing air through it to
add oxygen to water.
• This encourages bacterial decomposition of organic matter into
harmless products such as carbon dioxide and water.
• The aadition of oxygen reduces carbon dioxide, sulphide etc.
• The water is yet not fit for drinking purposes.
• The pathogenic microorganisms need to be killed.
Tertiary Treatment:
• 99% of solids are removed and various chemical processes are used to
ensure that water is free from infecting materials. The tertiary
treatment is actually disinfecting water.
• Chlorine is the most commonly used disinfectant for killing bacteria.
• Chlorine also rect with traces of organic matter present in water and
forms undesirable chlorinated hydrocarbons( toxic and potentially
carcinogenic).
• It is therefore desirable to reduce the organic matter in water before
passing chlorine gas.
• Other methods of disinfection are ultraviolet radiation, ozone gas
treatment, reverse osmosis etc. these methods are expensive.
Legislative measures for preventing water
pollution:
• The enactment of ‘Prevention And Control Of Water Pollution Act’ in
1974 has helped in the prevention of water pollution.
• The standards have been prescribed for water pollution under
Environment Protection Act 1986. these are as follows:
• General standards for water pollutants for discharge of effluents in water
bodies on land (surface water, public sewers, irrigated land and coastal areas)
• Standards specific for each type of industry.
• Standards defined for the amount of waste water to be discharged for
different industries.
• Standards limiting the amount of a particular pollutant on the basis of
productioni capacity of an industrial unit.