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defined as ‘an addition or excessive addition of certain materials to the physical Environment (water, air and lands), making it less fit or unfit for life’.
Pollutants are the materials or factors, which cause adverse effect on the natural quality of any component of the environment.
Classifications
- According to the form in which they persist after release into the environment.
- Primary pollutants: These persist in the form in which they are added to the environment e.g. DDT, plastic.
- Secondary Pollutants: These are formed by interaction among the primary pollutants. For example, peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) is formed by the interaction of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.
- According to their existence in nature.
- Quantitative Pollutants: These occur in nature and become pollutant when their concentration reaches beyond a threshold level. E.g. carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide.
- Qualitative Pollutants: These do not occur in nature and are man-made. E.g. fungicides, herbicides, DDT etc.
- According to their nature of disposal.
- Biodegradable Pollutants: Waste products, which are degraded by microbial action. E.g. sewage.
- Non-biodegradable Pollutants: Pollutants, which are not decomposed by microbial action. E.g. plastics, glass, DDT, salts of heavy metals, radioactive substances etc
- According to origin
- Natural
- Anthropogenic
aggravated because of four developments:
Increasing traffic, growing cities, rapid Economic Development, and industrialization
contamination of air by the discharge of harmful substances
Major air pollutants and their sources
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- It is a colourless, odourless gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of carbon – based fuels including petrol, diesel, and wood.
- It is also produced from the combustion of natural and synthetic products such as cigarettes.
- It lowers the amount of Oxygen that enters our blood. It can slow our reflexes and make us confused and sleepy.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
principle greenhouse gas
- Chloroflorocarbons (CFC)
- gases that are released mainly fromair-conditioning systems and refrigeration.
- When released into the air, CFCs rise to the Stratosphere, where they come in contact with few other gases, which lead to a reduction of the ozone layer that protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
- Lead
present in petrol, diesel, lead batteries, paints, hair dye products, etc.
affects children in particular. cause nervous system damage and digestive problems and, in some cases, cause cancer.
- Ozone
- occurs naturally in the upper layers of the Atmosphere.
- at-the ground level, it is a pollutant with highly toxic effects.
- Vehicles and industries are the major source of ground-level ozone emissions.
- Ozone makes our eyes itch, burn, and water. It lowers our resistance to cold and pneumonia.
- Nitrogen oxide (Nox)
- causes smog and Acid Rain. It is produced from burning fuels including petrol, diesel, and coal.
- Nitrogen oxide can make children susceptible to respiratory diseases in winters.
- Suspended particulate matter (SPM)
- consists of solids in the air in the form of smoke, dust, and vapour that can remain suspended for extended periods
- The finer of these particles when breathed in can lodge in our lungs and cause lung damage and respiratory problems.
- Sulphur dioxide (S02)
- a gas produced from burning coal, mainly in thermal power Plants.
- Some industrial processes, such as production of paper and smelting of metals, produce sulphur dioxide.
- a major contributor to smog and acid rain.
- Sulphur dioxide can lead to lung diseases
- Smog
- a combination of the words fog and smoke. Smog is a condition of fog that had soot or smoke in it.
- interaction of sunlight with certain chemicals in the atmosphere.
- primary components of photochemical smog is ozone.
- Ozone is formed through a complex reaction involving hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and sunlight. It is formed when pollutants released from gasoline, diesel- powered vehicles and oil-based solvents react with heat and sunlight from biofuels, the four most serious pollutants are particulates, carbon monoxide, polycyclic organic matter, and formaldehyde
Pollutants
- i) Volatile organic compounds
The main indoor sources are perfumes, hair sprays, furniture polish, glues, air
fresheners, moth repellents, wood preservatives, and other products.
- ii) Biological pollutants
It includes pollen from plants, mite, and hair from pets, Fungi, parasites, and some bacteria.
iii) Formaldehyde
Mainly from carpets, particle boards, and insulation foam. It causes irritation to the eyes and nose and allergies.
- iv) Radon
It is a gas that is emitted naturally by the Soil. Due to modern houses having poor ventilation, it is confined inside the house and causes lung cancers.
Fly Ash
Ash is produced whenever combustion of solid material takes place.
Composition
- Aluminium silicate (in.large amounts)
- silicon dioxide (Si02) and
- Calcium oxide (Ca0).
Fly ash particles are oxide rich and consist of silica, alumina, oxides of iron, calcium, and magnesium and toxic heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cobalt, and coppers
Policy measures of MoEF:
- The Ministry of Environment and Forests vide its notification in 2009, has made it mandatory to use Fly Ash based products in all construction projects, road embankment works and low lying land filling works within 100 kms radius of Thermal Power Station.
- To use Fly Ash in mine filling activities within 50 kms radius of Thermal Power Stations.
- Arresters: These are used to separate particulate matters from contaminated air.
- Scrubbers: These are used to clean air for both dusts and gases by passing it through a dry or wet packing material.
Government Initiatives
(1) National Air Quality Monitoring Programme
In India, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been executing a nationwide programme of ambient air quality monitoring known as National Air Quality Monitoring
Programme (NAMP).
The National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) is undertaken in India
(i) to determine status and trends of ambient air quality;
(ii) to ascertain the compliance of NAAQS;
(iii) to identify non-attainment cities;
(iv) to understand the natural process of cleaning in the atmosphere; and
(v) to undertake preventive and corrective measures.
Annual Average concentration of SOx levels are within the prescribed National Ambient
Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) were notified in the year 1982, duly revised in 1994 based on Health criteria and land uses .
The NAAQS have been revisited and revised in November 2009 for 12 pollutants, which include. sulphur dioxide (S02), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter having size less than 10 micron
(PM10),particulate matter having size less than 2.5micron (PM2.5), ozone, lead, carbon monoxide (CO), arsenic, nickel, benzene, ammonia, and. Benzopyrene.
Addition of certain substances to the water such as organic, inorganic,
biological, radiological, heat, which degrades the quality of water so that it
becomes unfit for use.
Putrescibility is the process of decomposition of organic matter present in water by Microorganisms using oxygen.
Water having DO (dissolved oxygen) content below 8.0 mg/L may be
considered as contaminated. Water having DO content below. 4.0 mg/L is
considered to be highly polluted.
Water pollution by organic wastes is measured in terms of Biochemical Oxygen Demand-(BOD). BOD is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by bacteria in decomposing the organic wastes present in water.
Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is a slightly better mode used to measure pollution load in water. It is the measure of oxygen equivalent of the requirement of oxidation of total organic matter (i.e. biodegradable and non- biodegradable) present in water.
A cripling deformity called Minamata disease due to consumption of fish captured from mercury contaminated Minamata Bay.
Water contaminated with cadmium can cause itai itai disease also called ouch-ouch disease (a painful disease of bones and joints) and cancer of lungs and liver.
The compounds of lead cause anaemia, headache, loss of muscle power and bluish line around the gum
Excess nitrate in drinking water reacts with hemoglobin to form non -functional met haemoglobin, and impairs oxygen transport. This condition is called methaemoglobinemia or Blue baby syndrome.
Over exploitation of ground water may lead to leaching of arsenic from soil and rock sources and contaminate ground water. Chronic exposure to arsenic causes black foot disease. It also causes diarrhoea,-peripheral neuritis, hyperkerotosis and also lung and skin cancer.
Industrial waste includes chemicals such as mercury, lead, copper, zinc, cadmium, cynides, thiocynates, chromates, acids, alkalies, organic substances etc
Four R’s: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Sound is measured in decibels (dB). An increase of about 10 dB is approximately double the increase in loudness.
A person’s hearing can be damaged if exposed to noise levels over 75 dB over a prolonged period of time.
The World Health Organization recommends that the sound level indoors should be less than 30 dB.
Ambient Noise Level Monitoring – Noise Pollution (Control and Regulation) Rules, 2000 define ambient noise levels for various areas as follows-
- Industrial Area—75DB to 70Db (Day time-6am to 10pm and night time 10pm to 6am ..75 is day time and 70 is night time)
- Commercial Area–65 to 55
- Residential Area–55 to 45
- Silence Zone– 50 to 40
- The Government of India on Mar 2011 launched a Real time Ambient Noise Monitoring Network.
- Under this network, in phase- I, five Remote Noise Monitoring Terminals each have been installed in different noise zones in seven metros (Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Lucknow).
In Phase II another 35 monitoring stations will be installed in the same seven cities.
Phase III will cover installing 90 stations in 18 other cities.
Phase-III cities are Kanpur, Pune, Surat, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Jaipur, Indore,
Bhopal, Ludhiana, Guwahati, Dehradun, Thiruvananthpuram, Bhubaneswar,
Patna, Gandhinagar, Ranchi, Amritsar and Raipur.
Silence Zone is an area comprising not less than 100 metres around hospitals, educational institutions, courts, religious places or any other t area declared as such by a competent authority.
RADIO ACTIVE POLLUTION
Non-ionising radiations affect only those components which absorb them and have low penetrability. They include short-wave radiations such as ultraviolet rays, which forms a part of solar radiation. Sunburns is due to these radiation Ionising radiations have high penetration power & cause breakage of macro Molecules
They include X-rays, cosmic rays and atomic radiations -(radiations emitted by radioactive Elements
Alpha particles, can be blocked by a piece of paper and human skin.
Beta particles can penetrate through skin, while can be blocked by some pieces of glass and Metal.
Gamma rays can penetrate easily to human skin and damage cells on its way through, reaching far, and can only be blocked by a very thick, strong, massive piece of concrete radium-224, uranium-238, thorium-232, potassium-40, carbon-14, etc.
The nuclear arms use uranium-235 and plutonium-239 for fission and hydrogen or lithium as fusion material
The radio nuclides with long half-time are the chief source of environmental radioactive pollution.,
Environmental pollution is the contamination of the physical and biological components of the Earth/atmosphere system to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or Light. Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or naturally occurring contaminants. Pollution is often classed as point source or nonpoint source pollution. Air pollution, water pollution, soil contamination, noise pollution and light pollution are some of the different types of environmental pollution.
Air pollution is the contamination of the air by harmful substances. These substances can come from natural sources, such as Volcanoes-2/”>Volcanoes, or from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels. Air pollution can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer.
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies, such as lakes, rivers, and Oceans. This contamination can come from a variety of sources, including sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff. Water pollution can cause fish kills, algae blooms, and other problems.
Land pollution is the contamination of the land by harmful substances. These substances can come from a variety of sources, including industrial waste, mining, and agriculture. Land pollution can cause soil erosion, water pollution, and other problems.
Noise pollution is the excessive noise that can cause hearing damage, Stress, and other problems. Noise pollution can come from a variety of sources, including traffic, construction, and airplanes.
Light pollution is the excessive use of artificial light that can interfere with astronomical observations and disrupt wildlife. Light pollution can come from a variety of sources, including streetlights, billboards, and parking lots.
Thermal pollution is the release of heated water into the environment, which can harm fish and other aquatic life. Thermal pollution can come from a variety of sources, including power plants, factories, and air conditioners.
Chemical pollution is the contamination of the environment by harmful chemicals. These chemicals can come from a variety of sources, including industrial waste, agriculture, and mining. Chemical pollution can cause cancer, birth defects, and other problems.
Nuclear pollution is the contamination of the environment by radioactive materials. These materials can come from a variety of sources, including nuclear power plants, nuclear weapons, and medical waste. Nuclear pollution can cause cancer, birth defects, and other problems.
Plastic pollution is the contamination of the environment by plastic waste. This waste can come from a variety of sources, including packaging, bottles, and bags. Plastic pollution can harm marine life and other animals.
Marine pollution is the contamination of the ocean by harmful substances. These substances can come from a variety of sources, including oil spills, sewage, and industrial waste. Marine pollution can cause fish kills, algae blooms, and other problems.
Soil pollution is the contamination of the soil by harmful substances. These substances can come from a variety of sources, including industrial waste, agriculture, and mining. Soil pollution can cause crop damage, water pollution, and other problems.
Environmental pollution is a serious problem that can have a significant impact on human health and the environment. It is important to take steps to reduce pollution and protect our planet.
There are a number of things that can be done to reduce pollution. Some of these things include:
- Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels
- Using RENEWABLE ENERGY sources
- Recycling and composting
- Conserving water
- Reducing our consumption of goods and Services
- Supporting businesses that are committed to environmental protection
We can all play a role in reducing pollution and protecting our planet. By making small changes in our daily lives, we can make a big difference.
What is Climate change?
Climate Change is the long-term shifts in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet as a whole. Climate change may cause weather patterns to be less predictable. A region might experience lower or higher than average temperatures. Climate change may cause more frequent and severe weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts.
What are the Causes of Climate Change?
The main cause of climate change is human activity. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which causes the planet to warm. Other human activities that contribute to climate change include deforestation, agriculture and industrial processes.
What are the effects of climate change?
Climate change is already having a significant impact on the planet. The average global temperature has increased by about 1 degree Celsius since the late 19th century. This warming is causing a number of changes, including:
- Rising sea levels: As the Earth’s temperature warms, the ice caps and Glaciers are melting, causing sea levels to rise. This is leading to flooding in coastal areas and erosion of shorelines.
- More extreme weather events: Climate change is making extreme weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts, more frequent and severe. These events can cause widespread damage and loss of life.
- Changes in plant and animal life: Climate change is causing changes in plant and animal life around the world. Some species are moving to new areas in search of cooler temperatures. Others are facing extinction as their habitats are destroyed.
What can we do to prevent climate change?
There are a number of things that we can do to prevent climate change, including:
- Reduce our reliance on fossil fuels: We can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. We can also improve Energy Efficiency by making our homes and businesses more energy-efficient.
- Plant trees: Trees absorb carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. Planting trees can help to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
- Recycle and compost: Recycling and composting can help to reduce the amount of waste that we produce. This can help to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere.
- Eat less meat: Meat production is a major contributor to climate change. Eating less meat can help to reduce our impact on the environment.
- Drive less: Driving a car releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. We can reduce our impact on the environment by walking, biking or taking public transportation instead of driving.
What is the future of climate change?
If we do not take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, climate change will continue to worsen. This could have devastating consequences for the planet and for human Society. We need to take action now to prevent climate change from getting worse.
-
What is the main cause of air pollution?
(A) Cars
(B) Factories
(C) Trees
(D) Volcanoes -
What is the main cause of water pollution?
(A) Sewage
(B) Factories
(C) Oil spills
(D) Agriculture -
What is the main cause of land pollution?
(A) Mining
(B) Factories
(C) Agriculture
(D) Construction -
What is the main cause of noise pollution?
(A) Cars
(B) Factories
(C) Construction
(D) Airplanes -
What is the main cause of light pollution?
(A) Cities
(B) Factories
(C) Construction
(D) Airports -
What are the effects of air pollution?
(A) Respiratory problems
(B) Heart disease
(C) Cancer
(D) All of the above -
What are the effects of water pollution?
(A) Fish kills
(B) Human health problems
(C) Ecosystem damage
(D) All of the above -
What are the effects of land pollution?
(A) Soil contamination
(B) Water contamination
(C) Air contamination
(D) All of the above -
What are the effects of noise pollution?
(A) Hearing loss
(B) Stress
(C) Sleep problems
(D) All of the above -
What are the effects of light pollution?
(A) Disrupts wildlife
(B) Increases energy consumption
(C) Decreases property values
(D) All of the above -
What are some ways to reduce air pollution?
(A) Drive less
(B) Use public transportation
(C) Carpool
(D) All of the above -
What are some ways to reduce water pollution?
(A) Reduce, reuse, and recycle
(B) Don’t pollute waterways
(C) Properly dispose of waste
(D) All of the above -
What are some ways to reduce land pollution?
(A) Reduce, reuse, and recycle
(B) Properly dispose of waste
(C) Use less pesticides and Fertilizers
(D) All of the above -
What are some ways to reduce noise pollution?
(A) Turn down the volume on your TV, radio, and other devices
(B) Avoid using loud power tools
(C) Be respectful of your neighbors
(D) All of the above -
What are some ways to reduce light pollution?
(A) Turn off lights when you leave a room
(B) Use energy-efficient light bulbs
(C) Plant trees around your home
(D) All of the above