Environmental Pollution and Control -4

8/2/2019 Environmental Pollution and Control -4

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SNIST/Biotech/Ravindra/ES/4 1

Environmental PollutionEnvironmental Pollution

Unit - 4

P. Ravindra Babu, Asst. Professor,

Dept. of Biotechnology,Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology


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Definition-Pollution

POLLUTION :It is defined as an excessive addition of

certain materials to the physicalenvironment (air, water, and land ) making itless fit or unfit for life.


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A ir Pollution


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W hat is air pollution?

A ir pollution may be definedas the presence of impurities

in excess quantity(concentrations) andduration in the atmosphereto cause adverse effects on

plants, animals ,humanbeings and materials


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M ajor Nitrogen (N 2), Oxygen (0 2) M inor A rgon ( A r) Carbondioxide (Co 2)

Trace Neon(Ne), Helium, M ethane, Krypton,

Hydrogen, Xenon etc.Density of air is 1.54 gm/cc;

A ir pollution levels can be expressed either asPP M or g/m 3

Compos iti o n of Air:


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S ources of A ir Pollution

y NATURAL SOURCES:V olcanic eruptions, forest fires,sand storms, Hydrogen sulphide,

and methane from anaerobicdecomposition of organic matter,etc.,

y ANTHROPOGENIC:B urning of fossil fuels,agricultural activities, industrialgrowth, automobile exhausts,domestic wastes, warfares etc.


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Types of A ir Pollutants

A ir pollutants are generally grouped into thefollowing two types:

1) Particulate pollutants2) Gaseous pollutants


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Particulate pollutantsThe term particulate refers to all

atmospheric substances which are notgases.

They can be suspended droplets or solidparticles or mixture of the two.

Particulates can be composed of materialsranging in size smaller than 1 micron. Eg.Dust, smoke, fog, Mist, are the


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CL A SS IFIC A TION OF A IR POLLUT A NTS

On the basis of origin, air pollutants canbe divided into Primary air pollutants and

secondary air pollutants.

PRIMARY AIR POLLUTANTS:

There are directly emitted to theatmosphere, and are found there in theform in which they are emitted.


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CARBON COMPOUNDS:

Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxideSULPHUR COMPOUNDS:Carbonyl S ulphide (CO S ), Carbon

disulphide (C S 2) Dimethyl sulphide [CH 3S ),Hydrogen sulphide (H 2S ). S ulphur dioxide(S O 2), and sulphate ( S 02-4)

HYDROCARBONS :B enzene, M ethane ( M arsh gas)


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OXIDES OF NITROGEN (NO X):NO,NO

2,N

20

METALS:Z

inc, Cadmium, Lead,M

ercury.

TOXIC SUBSTANCES:

A rsenic, A sbestos, Carbon tetra chloride,B erylium, Chromium, Copper, Nickel,Polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons(P A H3)


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ORGANIC COMPOUNDS: A

ldehydes, Ketones, Carboxylic acids,Organic sulphur compounds etc.Finer Particles (Less than 100 indiameter.)Coarse Particles (Greater than 100 indiameter).Radioactive compounds :Radium- 222, Uranium-232, strontium 90,

Plutonium -239.


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y There are produced in air by interactionamong two or more primary pollutants or byreaction with normal atmospheric constituents(Chemical or Photochemical reactions)

y

Ozone formaldehyde P A

N (PeroxyA

cetylNitrate).

y Photochemical smog (coal induced, H202organic peroxides)

y Formation of A cid mist (H 2S O4 )due toreaction of sulphur dioxide and dissolvedoxygen, when water droplets are present inthe atmosphere.

SE COND ARY AIR P OLLUTANTS


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S ECOND A RY A IR POLLUT A NTS


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Sources Pollutants

Power PlantsThermal Power Plants S moke, CO, CO2, S O x, dust.Nuclear Power Plants A rgon S r 90, C S -137, C-14 etcHydro Power Plants M ethane from water logged areaDiesel generators HC, CO, NOx Noise.

IndustriesNon-Ferrous M etallurgical.. S ulphuroxides, smoke, Cox,fluorides,

(Rotating , smelting , refiring).. H2 S ,Organic V apors.Non- M etallic M inerals . M ineral and Organic Particulates.

(CeramicM

anufacture, glass)


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Transportation: HC S , and Co, lead, olefin

A utomobiles (bike, cars, trucks, paraffin etc.trains, aircrafts.)Pulp and paper (Kraft Process) Particulate M atter, H 2S ,

mercaptans, methylmercaptans, dimethylsulphide S O 2

AgricultureS praying Pesticides, Organic phosphates

chlorinated hydrocarbonfungicides organic lead.


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Effects of A ir PollutantsACID RAIN:

A cid rain is a seriousenvironmental problem that affectslarge parts of the world. A cid rainis particularly damaging to lakes,streams, forests and the plantsand animals that live in theseecosystems.

In addition, acid rain acceleratesthe decay of building materials

and paints, including irreplaceablebuildings, statues, and sculpturesthat are part of our nation'scultural heritage .


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Effect on Vegetation :Necrosis : Killing of tissues.Pigmented lesions : dark brown, black,purple, red spots on leavesEpinasty: Rapid growth of upper side of the leavesChlorosis : Loss of green plant pigmentchlorophyll (Yellow leaves)Abscission : Dropping of leaves.


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Necrosis Epinasty

Chlorosis Ab sc iss io n


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Corrosion of metals,

eroding of buildingsurfaces,fading of dyedmaterials,rubber cracking.

E ffec t o n M a t e ri als


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N ATI ON AL AMBI E NT AIR QUA LITY S TAND AR DS*

Poll ut a nt

Time We ight ed

Av e ra g e

Co n ce ntr a ti o n in A m bi e nt Air

In d u s tri al Ar ea

Res ide nti al,

Rur al a n d o th e r

S e n s itiv e Ar ea

Sulphur Dioxide(SO2)

Annual24 hours

80 g/m 3120 g/m 3

60 g/m 380 g/m 3

15 g/m 330 g/m 3

Oxides of Nitrogen (NO 2)

Annual24 hours

80 g/m 3120 g/m 3

60 g/m 380 g/m 3

15 g/m 330 g/m 3

SuspendedParticulateMatter (SPM)

Annual24 hours

360 g/m 3500 g/m 3

140 g/m 3200 g/m 3

70 g/m 3100 g/m 3

Respirable **Particulate

Matter (RPM)

Annual24 hours

120 g/m 3150 g/m 3

60 g/m 3100 g/m 3

50 g/m 375 g/m 3

Lead (pb) Annual24 hours1.0 g/m 31.5 g/m 3

0.75 g/m 31.00 g/m 3

0.50 g/m 30.75 g/m 3

CarbonMonoxide(CO)

8 hours1 hour

5.0 g/m 310.0 g/m 3

2.0 g/m 34.0 g/m 3

1.0 g/m 32.0 g/m 3

*Mini s try of

Envir o n me nt a n d Fo res t s, Go ve rn me nt of In d ia n o ti fica ti o n ,199 4** Pa rti cle s ize less th a n 10 m


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Control of A ir PollutantsAtmospheric self-clearing Processes:The atmosphere, like a stream or river, hasnatural built in self clearing processes.Dispersion:W

ind decreases the concentration of Pollutants at any place.Gravitational Settling:Particles larger than 20m in size settle down.Flocculation : Larges particles act asreceptor for smaller ones to form a unit, theprocess is repeated until a small floc isformed, that is enough to settle under gravity.


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Devices used to Control A ir Pollutants:

(i) Setttling Chamber : - To collect solidparticles(ii) Cyclone precipitator : Centrifugalforces tend to drive the suspended

particles to the wall of the cyclone body.(iii) Filters: Cloth fabric, or fibrousmedium, like mats of wool, cellulose maybe used as separators.

(iv) electrostatic precipitators: Theyutilize electric energy to assist inremoval of particulate matter.


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S ettling Chamber S ettling Chamber


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Cyclone Precipitator


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E lec tr os t a ti c p rec ip it a t o r s :E lec tr os t a ti c p rec ip it a t o r s :


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Water PollutionWater Pollution

Definition :

The presence of foreign substances or impurities (Organic, inorganic, radiologicalor biological) in water making it unsuitableor unfit for use and cause health hazard. .


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M ajor pollutants and their sources

BIOLOGICAL IMPURITIES:Bacteria, Virus, and ParasitesINORGANIC IMPURITIES:Dirt and Sediment or TurbidityTotal Dissolved Solids -Nitrates, S odium,S ulfates, B arium, Copper, and Fluoride.

Toxic Metals or Heavy MetalsAsbestosRadioactivity


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ORGANIC IMPURITIES:Tastes and Odors

Pesticides and HerbicidesToxic Organic ChemicalsChlorine -- Trihalomethanes (TH M 's)


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Causes of Water PollutionCauses of Water Pollution

Two major causes:Two major causes: Point sources and Nonpoint (diffused )sources.

Point sources:Point sources:Those sources which can be identified at a

single location.Industrial Effluents, S ewerage systems, Power Plants, under ground mines, offshore oil wells.


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NonNon pointpoint sourcessources: :

They are the sources of generalized dischargeof waste water whose location cannot be easilyidentified.Eg: Run off into surface water,subsurface flow, soil erosion, acid raindeposition from the atmosphere.

Leachate from municipal, industrial landfill sitesand agricultural lands.


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SubstanceSubstance DesirableDesirable limitlimit PermissiblePermissible limitlimit(Requirement)(Requirement) Mg/lMg/l (mg/l)(mg/l)

Ca 75 200Mg 30 100SO 4 200 400NO3 45 100Chlorides 250 1000Fluoride 1.0 1.5CaCO3 300 600

Int e rn a ti o n al S t a n da rds of m in e rals in W a t e rInt e rn a ti o n al S t a n da rds of m in e rals in W a t e r


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EffectsEffects of Water Pollutionof Water Pollution

Physical Effects color, temp,pHOxidation Effects B OD, CODToxic Chemical Effects- FluorideChemical Nutrient Effects -Eutrophication

M icro Organism Effects -Radio Nuclide Effects


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B OD Level (inppm) W ater Quality

1 - 2 Very Good3 - 5 M oderate

6 - 9 Fairly Polluted10+ Very Polluted


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Control of Water PollutionInput Control:

Pollutants should be prevented from beinggenerated in the first place.

Output Control:To control the pollutant and /or its effect

after it has been produced.

Developing of proper sewage andindustrial effluent systems can reduceincoming point source of pollution


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Domestic and industrial waste waters

should be disposed of after treatment tothe required level.

A forestation.


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W aste water treatment methods

Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP)S ewage Treatment plants ( S TP)

Common and combined treatment Plants(CETP)


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Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP)

It is designed to treatIndustrial waste water toa standard acceptable

To remove high amountsof contaminants likeorganics, debris, toxicand non toxic materials ,polymers etc.


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Effluent treatment plant is basedon the aerobic respiration method;

It consists of three stages namely: primary treatment, secondary bio-treatment, and tertiary treatment.

The effluent water is passedthrough various processes suchas chemical dosing, aeration, andsettling.

The final treatment filtration cumabsorption takes place by filters.

Finally, the processed water goesfor advance treatment and we getusable water which can be usedfurther for irrigation and other purposes


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S ewage Treatment Plants ( S TP)

Primary Treatment Primary sedimentationstage, sewage flowsthrough large tanks,commonly called "primaryclarifiers" or "primarysedimentation tanks."

The tanks are used tosettle sludge while greaseand oils rise to thesurface and are skimmedoff


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Secondary treatment

It is designed to degrade the biologicalcontent of the sewage which are derivedfrom human waste, food waste, soaps anddetergent.

The bacteria and protozoa consumebiodegradable soluble organiccontaminants (e.g. sugars, fats, organicshort-chain carbon molecules, etc.)


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Tertiary treatment - Filtration

S and filtration removes much of theresidual suspended matter.

Filtration over activated carbon, also calledc arbon adsorption, removes residualtoxins.


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S oil Pollution

Definition :

Contamination of the soil by considerablequantities of chemical or other substances,resulting in the reduction of its fertility (or productivity) with respect to the Qualitative andQuantitative yield of the crops.


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Sources of soil pollutionIndustrial Wastes:

Pulp and paper mills, ChemicalIndustries, Oil refineries, sugar factories,tanneries, textile mills, steel industry, coal,mining ,cement, distilleries.

Industrial waste mainly consists of organiccompounds along with inorganiccomplexes and non biodegradable

materials.


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Radioactive pollutants:- Explosion of

nuclear devices, Radium, Thorium,Uranium, Carbon (C-14).

Some plants such as lichen and mushroomcan accumulate Cs-137 and other radio

nuclides which concentrate in grazinganimals.


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Agricultural Practices: A wide range of agrochemicals are currently

used by farmers to sustain food production

Fertilizers:

Nitrogen Urea, A mmonium Chloride, A mmonium,S ulphate, A mmonium nitrate.Phosphorus Potassium phosphate, A mmoniumphosphate.

Potassium Potassium nitrate,S

ulphate of Potash.Pesticides : Chlorinated hydrocarbon Pesticide endosulfan, M etoxychlor.Organochlorine Pesticide DDT


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Biological agents :

Pathogenic M icroorganism present in thesoil decrease soil fertility, Physical textureof soil.

B acteria M ycobacterium, S almonellatyphosa, Leptospira.

V iruses A denoviruses, Enteroviruses.


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Effect of soil pollutionS oil a c idifi c ation is the accumulation of acidin the soil.It is a natural process which, in naturalecosystems, operates over manythousands of years.However, under agricultural management,acidification can accelerate with the rate of change being detectable over decades.


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Increasing the organic matter content of

the soil can acidify soil.

S oil organic matter contains acidic groups.

A cidity is measured by determining the pH of a soil.


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Usually the rate of acidification is expressed asthe amount of lime needed to neutralise the a c id load generated ea c h year (kg lime/ha/yr).

M ost farming systems acidify the soil at a rate of

100-200 kg lime/ha/yr although crops aregenerally more acidifying than pastures.


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Salinization:S oil salinization is the accumulation of free salts to suchan extent that it leads to degradation of soils andvegetation.

high levels of salt in the soils

landscape features that allow salts to become mobile(movement of water table)climatic trends that favor accumulation

The ions responsible for salination are: Na +, K+, Ca 2+ ,M g2+ and Cl -


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M arine Pollution

T he sea, whi c h c overs around 70 per c ent of the earth's surfa c e, is home to millions of fish,mammals, mi c roorganisms, and plants.

It is a vital sour c e of food for both animals and people .

T housands of birds rely on the sea for their daily food supplies.

Fishermen throughout the world c at c h over 90 million tonnes of fish every year.


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Definition: Degradation of the marine environment as aresult of contamination of some sort by chemicals, biological

agents, sediment and radiation.


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Point source: A ny pollution from a confined and discrete

conveyance, such as pipe, ditch, channel,

tunnel, well.

It is clearly discernable in terms of origin

(municipal sewage outfall, oil tanker spills,offshore oil well blowouts)

S ources of marine pollution


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Non-point-sourcepollution:

It is ill-defined or

diffused sources,runoff (harbors)agriculture, forestry,urban runoff,marine debris, airpollution.


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It is believed that everything that is carried away by riversultimately ends up in seas.

This leads to pollution by sewage, garbage, agriculturalwaste, fungicides, pesticides, and heavy metals; bydischarge of oils and petroleum products, and by dumpingof radioactive waste into sea.

Dumping of plastic packing material into the sea.


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The following are the lengths of time it takes

several forms of litter to biodegrade:

MaterialsMaterials Time to degrade Time to degrade MaterialsMaterials Time to degrade Time to degrade

Tin cans Tin cans 50 years50 years Wool Wool 1 year1 yearPainted woodPainted wood 13 years13 years Plastic six pack Plastic six pack

ringsrings400+ years400+ years

NewspaperNewspaper 6 weeks6 weeks Plastic bottlesPlastic bottles 450 years450 years

Paper towelsPaper towels 22--4 weeks4 weeks Aluminium cans Aluminium cans 200 years200 years

DisposableDisposablediapersdiapers

450 years450 years CottonCotton 11--5 months5 months

Polystyrene foamPolystyrene foam Indefinite!Indefinite!


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Effects of M arine pollution

Two basic ways by which chemicalcontaminants can affect living marineresources:1. B y dire c tly affe c ting the exposed organisms own health and survival.2. B y c ontaminating those fisheriesresour c es that other spe c ies, in c luding humans, may c onsume.


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Control of Marine Pollution

The oil can be collected off the water surface byspecialized oil skimming barges, surface pumps, floatingabsorbents such as straw and saw dust, and manualmopping.Chemical Control: S inking agents such as chalk,dispersants, emulsion breakers, and preventors(demoussifiers), poly isobutylene based recovery aidsthat convert oil into more easily handled visco elastic

substance.Bioremediation : It is a process by which thedegradation of organic chemical contaminants occurs asa result of biochemical activity of micro organisms.


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NOISE POLLUTION


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A ny loud sound which is unpleasant andunwanted is commonly referred to as noise.

It depends upon its loudness, duration, rhythmand the mood of the person.

Noise is a physical form of pollution and is notdirectly harmful to the life supporting systems,namely air ,water and soil.

It annoys and hurts people both psychologicallyand physiologically.


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Units of Measurements

Two properties of sound are important, namely the pitchor frequency and Intensity or pressure or energy(loudness).

Pitch or frequency refers to the rate of vibrations of thesound and is measured in Hertz (H z).

The unit for measurement of intensity is Decible.

One Decibel is the smallest change of sound intensitywhich an average healthy human ear can perceive.


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S tationary sources:Industrial sources : Textile, printing press, M etal works,

engineering works etc.Use of loudspeakers on various occasions like festivals,elections, worships in temples, M osque etc.During advertisements: Household gagadgets:V accum cleaners, T V , radio, stereo, grinder,etc.

A gricultural M achines: Tractors, Harverters, tillers


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Sources of Noise

Mobile Sources:Ro ad traffic

Air traffic R ailwaysNavigation

M otor Cycle 94(d B )(2-Cylinder 4 stroke)

S cooter (1Cylinder 2 stroke) 80 db


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Effects of Noise pollution

It effects on hearing ability.

Human ears have sensory cells in inner ear for hearing.

If these cells are subjected to repeated sounds

of high intensity they can be permanentlydamaged leading to impairment of hearing.


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Middleear

Inner ear

Outer ear

Auditory canal

Eustachian tubePinna


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Effect of Sound Waves


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Physiological effects:Headache by dilating blood vessels of thebrain.Lowering of concentration and effect onmemory.Psycological effects:DepressionInsomnia as a result of lack of undisturbedsleep straining of senses.Emotional disturbance


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Noise Pollution levels and its Harmful effects:

Db EffectsUpto 23 No disturbance30 60 stress, tension60 90 Psychological effects

70 120 Damages health,high blood pressure.Otological (ear effects)


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Noise pollution control

The source path receiver concept


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At the s o urce

Lubrication of machines generally reducesthe noise produced.

Tightening the loose nuts.

Reducing the eccentricity generallyreduces vibration and noise.


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In the path

Keeping the noisy machine covered in anenclosure so that the sound does not escapeand reach the receiver.

Construction of noise barriers on roadsides for the benefit of the nearby residentialcommunities.

S ound-proof the building: Use heavy curtainson the windows, acoustical tile on the ceilingand walls, rugs on the floors. S eal all air leaksto reduce the noise coming in from outside .


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R eceiver

provide earplugs


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General measures to reduce noise pollution

Don't use horns except in an emergency.Keep auto and truck engines, air conditioners,and appliances in good condition.

Purchase the least noisy air conditioner or vacuum cleaner Create a demand for quieter appliances

Respect your neighbor's right to quietTell your friends about the hazards of noise


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General measures to reduce noise pollution

Get OrganizedB ecome KnowledgeableB

e Persistent: You Can Reduce TheNoise!Keep conversation and rest areas in thehome away from sources of noise.Turn down the volume of stereos,especially those with headphones.


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Nuclear Power plants

Nuclear Power plants use water as acooling agent.

A fter the water is used, its it put back intoa water supply at 9 - 20C

Emissions form nuclear reactor increasesthe temperature of water bodies


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Coal fired power Plants

Coal is utilized as a fuel

condenser coils are cooled with water fromnearby lake or river

The heated effluents decrease the DO of water

Damages the marine organisms


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Industrial Effluents

Discharged water from steam - electricpower industry using turbo generators willhave a temperature ranging from 6- 9 C

than the receiving water

In modern station, producing 100 MW ,nearly one million gallons are dischargedin an hour with increase in temperature of the cooling water passing by 8- 10 C


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Domestic sewage

S ewage is commonly discharged into lakes, canals or streams

Municipal sewage normally has a higher temperaturethan the receiving water

Increase in temperature of the receiving water decreasesthe DO of water.

The foul smelling gases increased in water resulting indeath of marine organisms


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Thermal comfort

Human thermal comfort is defined by A S HR A Eas the state of mind that expresses satisfactionwith the surrounding environment ( A S HR A ES tandard 55). ( American Society of Heating,Refrigerating and Air ConditioningEngineers)

M aintaining thermal comfort for occupants of buildings or other enclosures is one of theimportant goals of H V A C design engineers("Heating, V entilating, and A ir Conditioning)


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Thermal comfort is affected by heatconduction, convection, radiation, andevaporative heat loss.

Thermal comfort is maintained when theheat generated by human metabolism isallowed to dissipate, thus maintainingthermal equilibrium with the surroundings.

A ny heat gain or loss beyond thisgenerates a sensation of discomfort


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Importance of thermal comfort

It can affect the distraction levels of theworkers, and in turn affect their performance and productivity of their work. A lso, thermal discomfort has been knownto lead to S ick B uilding S yndromesymptoms.


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Radioactive (nuclear) pollution is a special form of physical pollution related to all major life-supportingsystemsair, water and soil.

Radioactivity is the phenomenon of emission of energyfrom radioactive isotopes (i.e. unstable isotopes), suchas Carbon-14, Uranium-235, Uranium-238, Uranium-239, Radium-226 , etc.

The emission of energy from radioactive substances inthe environment is oftenly called as 'RadioactivePollution'.

Nuclear Pollution


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UraniumUranium is in limited supply, so nuclear energy is considerednonrenewable.

The reason uranium is chosen is because it is radioactive.

Radioactive isotopes, or radioisotopes, emit subatomic particles andhigh radiation as they decay into lighter radioisotopes, until theybecome stable.

The isotope uranium 235 decays into a series of daughter isotopes.

The rate at which each radioisotope decays is determined by theisotopes half life, the amount of time it takes for one half of half theatoms to give off radiation and decay.


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Uranium


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M easuring Nuclear RadiationOne way measure radiation is to count the number of nuclear transformations or explosions which occur in a given unit of radioactive substance per second.

This measure is usually standardized to radium, the first radioactivesubstance to be discovered and widely used.

One gram of radium undergoes 3. 7 x 10 10 nuclear transformationsor disintegrations per second.

The activity of 1 gram of radium is called 1 curie (Ci), named for M adame M arie Curie. In recent radiation protection guides, the curieis being replaced by the becquerel, which indicates one atomicevent per second.

One gram of radium would equal 1 curie of radium or 3.7 x 10 10becquerels of radium.

Sources


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SourcesThe sources of radioactivity are both natural and man-made.

The natural sources include:

(i)Cosmic rays from outer space: The quantity dependson altitude and latitude, it is more at higher latitudes andhigh altitudes.

(ii) Emissions from radioactive materials from the Earth'scrust.

People have been exposed to low levels of radiationfrom these natural sources for several millenia.

M an-made sources


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an made sourcesB ut it is the man-made sources which are posing a threatto mankind.Nuclear wastes (i.e. waste material that containsradioactive nuclei) produced during the:

M ining and processing of radioactive ores;use of radioactive material in nuclear power plants ;use of radioactive isotopes in medical, industrial andresearch applications; anduse of radioactive materials in nuclear weapons.The greatest exposure to human beings comes from thediagnostic use of X-rays, radioactive isotopes used astracers and treatment of cancer and other ailments.

Effects


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EffectsThe effects of radioactive pollutants depends upon half-life, energyreleasing capacity, rate of diffusion and rate of deposition of thecontaminant.

V arious atmospheric conditions and climatic conditions such aswind, temperature and rainfall also determine their effects.

A ll organisms are affected from radiation pollution, and the effectsare extremely dangerous.

The effects may be somatic (individual exposed is affected) or genetic (future generations) damage.

The effects are cancer, shortening of life span and genetic effects or mutations.


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EffectsThe result of cell exposure to radiation causes cell death or cell alteration.

The change or alteration can be temporary or permanent. It can leave thecell unable to reproduce itself.

Radiation damage can cause the cell to produce a slightly different hormone

or enzyme than it was originally designed to produce still produce, leaving itable to reproduce other cells capable of generating this same alteredhormone or enzyme.

Eventually there may be millions of such altered cells.

If the radiation damage occurs in germ cells, the sperm or ovum, it cancause defective offspring. The defective offspring will in turn producedefective sperm or ova, and the genetic `mistake' will be passed on tosucceeding generations, reducing their quality of life until the family lineterminates in sterilization and/or death.


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Some of the possible effects are :


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Some of the possible effects are :(i) Radiations may break chemical bonds, such as DN A in cells. This affectsthe genetic make-up and control mechanisms.

(ii) Exposure at low doses of radiations (100-250 rads), men do not die butbegin to suffer from fatigue, nausea, vomiting and loss of hair. B ut recoveryis possible.

(iii) Exposure at higher doses (400-500 rads), the bone marrow is affected,blood cells are reduced, natural resistance and fighting capacity againstgerms is reduced, blood fails to clot, and the irradiated person soon dies of infection and bleeding.

(iv) Higher irradiation doses (10,000 rads) kill the organisms by damagingthe tissues of heart, brain etc.

(v) W orkers handling radioactive wastes get slow but continuous irradiation

and in course of time develop cancer of different types.

(vi) Through food chain also, radioactivity effects are experienced by man.

Control measures


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Control measuresThere is no cure for radiation damage.Thus the only option against nuclear hazards is to checkand prevent radioactive pollution.

For this:

leakages from nuclear reactors, careless handling,transport and use of radioactive fuels, fission productsand radioactive isotopes have to be totally stopped;

safety measures should be enforced strictly;

waste disposal must be careful, efficient and effective;


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there should be regular monitoring and

quantitative analysis through frequentsampling in the risk areas;preventive measures should be followedso that background radiation levels do notexceed the permissible limits;appropriate steps should be taken againstoccupational exposure; andsafety measures should be strengthenedagainst nuclear accidents.

Radiation Effects


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Radiation Effects

Nuclear Disasters


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Nuclear DisastersIn 1986, an explosion at the Chernobyl plant in Ukrainecaused the most severe nuclear power plant accident inhistory.

Engineers turned off the safety systems to conduct tests.

Human error combined with unsafe reactor designcaused an explosion that destroyed the reactor and sentclouds of radioactive debris into the atmosphere for almost 10 days.

The land for at least 19 miles around the plant is stillcontaminated today.

A tmospheric currents carries radioactive fallout fromChernobyl to the rest of the Northern Hemisphere.


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S lid W t


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S olid W aste

SOLID WASTE


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SOLID WASTE

Definition: S olid wasteRefuse from places of human or animalhabitation.""useless or worthless material;stuff to be thrown away." A resource that is not safely recycledback into the environment or themarketplace."

A ll l d d l d


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A ll solid and semi-solid wastes arisingfrom human activities, are discarded asuseless or unwanted are included in theterm 'S olid- W astes' or 'Refuse'.

The quantity of solid-wastes produceddepends upon the living standards of thepopulation.

It also depends on seasons.

S lid ll ibl d


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Solid waste means all putrescible and non-putrescible wastes, including garbage, rubbish,refuse, ashes, waste paper and cardboard;discarded or abandoned vehicles or partsthereof; sewage sludge, septic tank or other sludges; commercial, industrial, demolition andconstruction waste; discarded home andindustrial appliances; asphalt, broken concreteand bricks; manure, vegetable or animal solidand semi-solid wastes, dead animals, infectiouswaste, petroleum-contaminated soils and other wastes;


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S olid waste


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S olid waste


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M i i l t


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Municipal wastes: M

unicipal wastes are those wastes whicharise from residential - householdactivities, commercial (markets, hotels,garages, institutions, etc.) and open areas(streets, parks, beaches, highways, playgrounds, demolition and constructionwastes, street-sweepings, dead animals)

etc.

Industrial wastes:


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dust a wastes:Industrial wastes are those wastes which arise fromindustrial activities.

Hazardous Wastes:Typical hazardous wastes are radioactive substances,chemicals, biological wastes, flammable wastes, andexplosives.

A re those wastes that pose a substantial danger immediately or over a period of time to human, plant or animal life.

A waste is said to be hazardous if it exhibits any of thefollowing characteristics, viz., ignitability, corrosivity,reactivity or toxicity.

sources of hazardous wastes


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sources of hazardous wastes

Industries,Nuclear plants,Hospitals,Research institutes,Laboratories

Causes of Solid Wastes


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The main causes for the rapid growth in the quantity of

solid wastes are:(i) Over-population.(ii) Urbanization.(iii) Affluence. W ith production or per capitaconsumption, there is a tendency to declare items as

obsolete, resulting in their discard. This leads, to solidwaste pollution.

(iv) Technology. Rapidly growing technologies for mosteconomic goods are leading to returnable packaging to

non-returnable packaging.For example, returnable glass bottles/ containers beingreplaced by non-returnable cans, plastic containers, etc.

Effects of Solid Wastes Pollution


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Causes various health and environmental hazards, such as :

Diseases like bacillary dysentery, diarrhoea and amoebic dysenterymay result in humans from eating contaminated food and water

contamination through flies, which breed on the refuse dump andsolid waste.

Rats depending upon these solid wastes may also cause plague,salmonellosis, trichinosis, endemic typhus like diseases throughdirect bite.

The crops and water supply may also get contaminated and may

result in large scale epidemic of cholera, jaundice, gastrointestinaldiseases, hepatitis etc.

E waste management


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E-waste management

e- W aste for short - or W aste Electrical andElectronic Equipment ( W EEE) - is the termused to describe old, end-of-life or

discarded appliances using electricity.

It includes computers, consumer

electronics, fridges etc which have beendisposed of by their original users

Documents

Environmental Pollution and Control -4