Impact of Science and Technology

on Environment

Direct or Intentional Impacts

Indirect or unintentional Impacts

Direct or Intentional ImpactsApplication of Chemical Fertilizers,

Pesticides and Insecticides

High yield

Economic Development

Change in Soil Chemistry

Soil Degradation

Indirect or unintentional Impacts

• Experienced after long time when they become cumulative• Not reversible• Related to pollution and

environmental degradation

• Use of chemicals such as DDT, BHC, etc.,• Excessive use of pesticides, fertilizers

and a number of other chemicals • Example: toxic materials are transported

across the placenta and reach the developing foetus of women and cause abortions and delivery of premature child

Industrial Growth and its Environmental Impacts

• Industrial expansion – release of enormous quantities of pollutants – ions of chlorine, sodium sulphate, magnesium phosphate etc• Coal consumption in thermal plants

– flyash, smoke, sulphur oxide and other gases

• Burning of hydrocarbon fuels – Increased concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere• Increase in global temperature• CO2 + H2O H2CO3• Carbonic acid changes the soil

chemistry

O2 + Haemoglobin

Oxyhaemoglobin

Supply of O2 throughout our body

Normal Reaction

Carbon mono-oxide +Haemoglobin

Prevention of Oxyhaemoglobin

Supply of Carbon mono-oxide

Abnormal Reaction

Nitrates in food and

water

Nitrites by bacteria in

digestive system

Nitrites enter blood

vascular system

Combines with

Haemoglobin

Trigger a lot of

metabolic disorders

• Industrial wastes – chemicals, metals, solid wastes and garbage• Release of CFC (Chloroflurocarbon) –

Depletion of Ozone• Sulphur dioxide reacts quickly with

Atmospheric moisture – Suphuric acid – Respiratory diseases and Acid Rain