UNIT III

A). Environmental Pollution

• Air pollution
• Water pollution
• Soil pollution
• Noise pollution
• Nuclear pollution
• E-waste
• Municipal Solid Waste
• Biomedical Waste
 UNIT III
B). Environmental Issues
• Bhopal Gas Tragedy
• Climate Change
• Earth Summit
• Kyoto Protocol
• Paris Agreement
• NAPCC (National Action Plan on Climate
Change)
• Ozone Layer Depletion-Montreal Protocol
 Environmental Pollution
• Increase in the concentration of
pollutants/contaminants in the natural
environment that disrupt the quality of
environment/ changes the properties of
environment and affect the living
organisms.
 Air Pollution
• Increase in the concentration of
pollutants/contaminants in the
atmosphere that disrupt the quality of
air/ changes the properties of
atmosphere and affect the living
organisms as well as their property.
 Air Pollutants
Substances (solid/liquid/gases) whose
concentration when increased in the air leads to
pollution are termed as Air Pollutants.

Two Types:
1. Primary Air Pollutants: Directly released from
their identifiable sources
2. Secondary Air Pollutants: Primary air pollutants
react with the atmosphere or between
themselves forming secondary air pollutants.
 Sources of Primary Pollutants
Anthropogenic Sources:
• Combustion Processes

• Chemical processes

• Nuclear processes

• Roasting, Heating, Refining processes

• Mining, quarrying, Construction, Farming

processes…
 Sources of Primary Pollutants
Natural Sources:
• Volcanoes
• Pollen grains, spores
• Aromatic
compounds
• Fire
Enhanced due to human
• Blowing Dust activities
• Bacteria, Viruses etc.
 Primary Air Pollutants

• Carbon Monoxide
• Nitrogen Oxides
• Sulphur Oxides
• Volatile Organics(Hydrocarbons)
• Particulate Matter(Particulates)
• Lead…
 Primary Pollutants are directly
released from the sources.
Sector wise release of Primary Air
Pollutants:
• Transportation ---- 46.2%
• Stationary Source
Fuel Combustion-- 27.3%
• Industrial Processes – 15%
• Solid Waste Disposal – 2.5%
• Miscellaneous ---- 9%
 Primary Air Pollutants:
• Carbon monoxide (CO): Colourless, odourless,
tasteless gas
• At normal concentration levels (10 ppm) no
effect but serious affect at higher
concentrations
• Transport sector contributes to 75%
• Also Volcanoes, natural gas emissions, seed
germination contribute to CO
• Residential wood burning 10%
• Industrial processes 15%
 Effects:
• High affinity for haemoglobin, so it replaces
oxygen from blood and forms
Carboxyhaemoglobin
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Cardiovascular problems
• Unconsciousness
• Coma
• Death
 Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx):
• NOx group consists of NO, NO2, N2O

Major Sources:
 Fossil Fuel combustion in automobiles and
industrial processes
 Forest fires
Lightening
Natural Ionizing radiations
Effects:
 Reduce blood carrying capacity
 Causes damage to the respiratory tract
 Enhance the severity of respiratory infections
and asthma
 Rarely chronic lung diseases
 Forms smog and acid rains which are
secondary air pollutants
 Oxides of Sulphur:
Generally this includes SO2, SO3

 Lion share of its generation is due Volcanic

eruptions and other natural processes like
forest fires ..

 Major Anthropogenic activities include

combustion of fossil fuels, transportation
(automobiles), industrial activities, forest fires,
stubble burning…
 Effects:
 Respiratory problems
 Increases respiratory tract infections, asthma
and chronic bronchitis
 Emphysema
 Irritate eyes
 Cough
 Effects photosynthetic activity of plants and
also lead to loss of water
 Effect the paper, clothes, leather, marbles …
 Plays role in climate change, Classical smog
and acid rain
 Hydrocarbons(HC):
This groups includes methane, ethylene,
acetylene, terpenes etc.

Major Sources:
• Coal fields,
• Forest fires,
• Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels,
• Natural fires,
• Agricultural burning
• Solid waste dumps
 Effects:
• Carcinogenic

• Climate change, deplete the ozone, forms PCS

(Photochemical Smog)
• Respiratory disorders in humans

• Coma, irregular heart rhythms

• Damage to the kidneys or liver

• Reduce photosynthetic ability of plants

 Particulate Matter (Particulates):
• These are particles of different sizes and
substances suspended in the atmosphere.
• Forms- solid and liquid droplets

• Types are aerosols, dust, smoke, fumes, mist,

fog, fly ash, soot…
• Major concern with PM2.5 compared to

PM 10.
Particulate matter sources:
 Automobiles(diesel trucks & buses)
 Construction activities
 Coal based thermal power plants
 Woodstoves
 Forest fires
 Street cleaning
 Agricultural activities

In some cases chemical reactions in the

atmosphere can transform gases into fine
particulates.
 Effects of PM:
• Increase the problem of asthma

• Acute respiratory problems

• Chronic bronchitis

• Premature death

• Shortness in breath (reduce the capacity of lungs)

• Severe risk to elderly people, children and adults

with pre-existing problems related to heart and
lungs.
 Lead: Poisonous heavy metal

Sources:
• Automobiles with leaded petrol

• Lead Mining

• Battery recycling

• Construction & home renovation

• Printing
 Effects:
• Serious damage to central Nervous System

• Effect the formation of Red blood cells

• Anaemia

• Weakness

• Damage Kidneys

• Unconsciousness and death

 Factors that play crucial role in affecting
the health of individuals:
• Concentration of the pollutants released into
the atmosphere
• Nature/type of the pollutants
• Age group of the receptor
• Health condition of the receptor
• Duration of exposure of the receptor to the
pollutants
• Existing atmospheric conditions
 Secondary Air Pollutants
• Primary Air Pollutants react with atmosphere
or between themselves forming secondary air
pollutants.

Eg: Ozone,
Smog,
Photochemical smog,
Acid rains
Ozone: Ozone is a colourless/pale blue gas with
pungent odour.
• Present in the stratosphere layer of atmosphere
filter the dangerous ultraviolet radiations in the
sun light and protect the life on earth.
• Present in the troposphere layer of atmosphere
dangerous to life.

Formation: It is formed in the troposphere when

sun light interacts/falls on the hydrocarbons and
Nitrogen Oxides which are emitted by automobiles
and industries.
 Effects of Ozone:
• Damage the lungs
• Aggravate the problems like asthma
• Decrease the ability to fight respiratory
infections
• Chest pain, shortness of breath
• Throat infections, cough
• Enhance the problem of global warming
• Reduce the life span of plants by damaging
the internal tissues and reducing intake of
carbon di-oxide for photosynthesis.
 Smog:
Smog is a mixture of smoke(primary air
pollutant) and fog(atmospheric
component).

Classical smog/London Smog/Sulfurous

Smog occurs in cool humid climate. It is a
mixture of smoke, fog and sulphur dioxide.
Chemically it is a reducing mixture and so it
is also called as reducing smog.
 Classical Smog Effects:
• Respiratory problems
• Emphysema
• Aggravate asthma
• Death

Photochemical Smog :
• It is formed during sunny conditions due to
photochemical reaction of unsaturated
hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.
• Photochemical Smog contains Ozone, Nitric
oxide, Formaldehyde, Peroxy acetyl
nitrate(PAN).
• Chemically it is a oxidizing mixture

Effects:
Eye irritations
Nose and throat irritations
Respiratory problems
Cough, wheezing
 Difference b/w Classical Smog and Photochemical smog
Classical Smog Photochemical Smog
 Requires cool humid  Requires hot sunlight
conditions and generally conditions and generally
occur during the months of occur during the months of
winter. summer afternoon.
 Fog in the atmosphere  Nitrogen oxides and
combines with smoke and hydrocarbons react in the
sulphur oxides. presence of sunlight.
 It possess reducing  It possess oxidizing
character character
 Severe problems related to  Irritation problems on the
lungs body
 Acid Rain:
• Rainfall usually acidic due to environmental
pollution with severe impact on plants, aquatic
organisms , infrastructure, soil fertility..
Reasons: Release of oxides of sulphur and
nitrogen into atmosphere where they react with
atmospheric moisture.

Reactions:
• SOx + H2 O H2SO4
• NOx + H2 O HNO3
 Sources:
Natural:
• Volcanic eruptions,
• Lightning

Anthropogenic:
• Industrial activities,
• Transport sector,
• agriculture
 Effects of Acid rain:
• Alter the pH of surface and ground water
bodies and kill the aquatic organisms
• Decrease the soil pH and kill the sensitive
microbes, dissolve the nutrients and reduce
soil fertility
• Seriously, affect the vegetation and reduce
agricultural productivity
• Damage to the buildings, monuments,
vehicles etc..
• Enhance the process of Oceanic Acidification
• Respiratory and skin problems in humans
 Control of Air Pollution
To be literal in saying – Air pollution cannot be
prevented completely but to substantial extent it
can be brought down which we call it as
controlling.

We can classify the control of air pollution into two

ways for our convenience
1. Control at the source
2. Control by the application of equipment and
other measures
1. Control at the source level:
 Modifications in the industrial processes in
novel ways

 Selection/application of fuels which can bring

down the emissions into the atmosphere

 Establishment of industrial units and allied in

the areas or zones away

 Usage/application of novel machinery

 Other control measures:
In cases where the control of pollution at the
source level is not possible then we can opt for
 Destroying the pollutants by the application of
thermal or catalytic combustion
 Use of equipment to collect the pollutants
 Release of pollutants into the atmosphere by
using taller chimneys which is helpful for the
more and more dispersal of pollutants thereby
reducing their concentrations in the vicinity
 Transforming the pollutants into inert or even
less toxic forms
 Air Pollution Control Equipment
A. Gravitational Settling Chamber:

 Used to remove particles with size greater than

50 µm
 Velocity of the flue gas passing through the
large chamber should be less to give ample
time
 Particulates present in the flue gas gets settled
at the bottom due to gravitational force
 Advantages:
• Feasible design
• Initial investment is low
• Also low maintenance cost
• Pressure required is low
• Incessant removal of solid particulates
Disadvantages:
• Large equipment, so requires more space
• It can only remove large sized particulates
• Efficiency of collection is less and far less for
smaller particulates
 B. Cyclone Separator:
Principle: Based on the centrifugal force and
difference in specific gravity of particulates and the
carrier gas.

• Contaminated air with particulate matter is forced

into the cyclone in a helical flow pattern set in the
chamber.
• Centrifugal force generated make the particulates
to move outside and fall down to the bottom of
the cyclone by gravity
• Clean air moves to the centre and reaches top of
the cyclone
Cyclone Separator
Advantages:
• Low initial establishment cost
• Can collect and remove dry particulates
• Can be operatable even at high temperatures
• No moving parts so low maintenance cost
Disadvantages:
• Viscous/liquid material cannot be removed
• Requires more pressures more accuracy
• More operational cost
 C. Fabric filters:
Principle: Separation of particulates from the
gas by filtration/adsorption

• Flue gas with particulates is allowed to pass

through the woven fabric
• Fabric filters the particulate matter while the
gas can pass through it
• Efficiency of removal is 99%
• Can remove particulates of size up to 1 µm
 Fabric Filter
Advantages:
• Consumption of power is within the limits and
budget
• Commendable in terms of higher collection
efficiency as it can filter even the particulate
matter with sizes less than 10 µm
• Any deviations or decrease in the
performance of the equipment become visible
in the form of pre-warning making way to
align.
 Fabric Filter
Disadvantages:
• Equipment being larger requires more space
to install
• At times the fabric material is prone to
chemical attack
• Only normal temperature gases can be filtered
while high temperature gases need to be
cooled to normal before filtering
• High maintenance cost as the replacement of
fabric is costlier
 D. Electrostatic Precipitators:
Principle: Based on charging of particulate matter
(-ve) and removing/collecting particulates on a +ve
Charged surface.
• Electrodes at high voltage create a corona effect
(ionized atmosphere) surrounding them,
negatively charging the passing particulates.
• Charged(-ve) particulates re passed towards the
positive charged plates where they get adhere
• Plates are periodically “rapped” (vibrated) to
make the collected particles fall down into a
receiver basket in the bottom of the apparatus
 ESP
Advantages:
• Collection efficiency of the apparatus is very
high – 99.9%
• Dry as well as wet particulate matter can be
collected
• Moving parts are few
• Can be operated even at very high
temperatures (300-400 C)
• Maintenance cost is with in the budget
• Smaller particulates can be filtered- 0.1 – 1 µm
 ESP
Disadvantages:
• Initial investment of the equipment is costlier
• Very high voltage of electricity is required for the
operation
• Efficiency of collection reduces with time progress
• More space is required
• Possible explosion during collection of
combustible gases or particulate matter
• Failure to operate on particulates with high
electric resistivity
E. Scrubbers:
Principle: Adsorption and Absorption of particulate
matter and contaminated gases by liquid
• Contaminated gas stream with particulate matter
is made to push up against the liquid droplets
falling down.
• Particulates in the gas are incorporated into liquid
and removed.
• Types of scrubbers
Spray Tower
Venturi Scrubber
Cyclone Scrubber
 Advantages:
• At a time both particulate matter and gaseous pollutants
can be removed
• Also corrosive gases can be removed and neutralized
• Even hot gases can be cooled at the time of removing

Disadvantages:
• At the time of usage of corrosive materials to be removed
high maintenance cost arises
• More concentrations of waste water is generated
• In cool countries chances of freezing problem generally
arises
Type of Control Types of Pollutants Examples of
Equipment Removed Pollutants
Scrubbers - -

Dry Scrubbers Gaseous compounds •Acid gases

•Hydrocarbon
compounds
•Heavy metals
•E.g., sulphur dioxide,
PAHs, hydrofluoric acid,
hydrochloric acid, etc.

Wet Scrubbers Gaseous compounds; •Water-soluble

PM compounds
•Acid and alkaline gas
•VOCs
•Vapour
•Odorous compounds
•Dust
Type of Control Types of Pollutants Examples of
Equipment Removed Pollutants
Air Filters - -

HEPA Filters PM ≥ 0.3 μm •Bio-contaminants

•Fungi
•Pollen
•Smoke
•Dust

Fabric Filters PM •Dust

(Baghouses) •Fine powders
•Abrasives
•Metals

Cartridge Dust PM •Dust

Collectors •Smoke
•Fumes
Type of Control Types of Pollutants Examples of
Equipment Removed Pollutants
Cyclones PM ≥ 10–20 μm •Dust
•Ash
•Fragments of
material

Electrostatic PM •Dust
Precipitators 0.1 microns •Smoke
•Fumes (for wet
ESPs)
Type of Control Types of Pollutants Examples of
Equipment Removed Pollutants
Incinerators - -

Thermal Oxidizers Gaseous •VOCs

compounds; PM •Hydrocarbon
compounds
•Fumes
•Odorous and
organic compounds
•Solid wastes
•Soot
Catalytic Oxidizers Gaseous •VOCs
compounds; PM •Hydrocarbon
compounds
•Soot
 Water Pollution
• Sources
• Impacts
• Control Measures
• Waste Water Treatment
Sources:
Point Source:
Refers to the pollutants/contaminants that
enter a waterway/water body from a single and
identifiable source.
Examples: discharge of water from sewage
treatment plant,
discharge of waste water from a factory,
discharge of water from a city storm drain
sources:
Non-Point Source:
Refers to the pollutants/contaminants that
enter a waterway/water body from multiple
sources hence not able to identify.

Example: Contaminated water after heavy rains

that has travelled through several/multiple
regions in which the places of contamination are
not able to identify.
Pollutants leading to Water Pollution:
1. Sewage and domestic waste
2. Industrial effluents
3. Detergents and fertilizers
4. Siltation
5. Insecticides and pesticides
6. Thermal pollution
7. Radioactive materials
 Sewage and Domestic wastes
 It accounts for more than 2/3rd of total water
pollution
 It consists of ~ 99 % water and of the
remaining 1%, 0.9% is organic matter
remaining followed by inorganic matter.
 Decomposition of organic matter requires
oxygen (BOD) by the microbes which consume
the Dissolved Oxygen present in the water.
 So as the Biological Oxygen Demand
(Biochemical Oxygen demand) increases the
• Let D.O = 20 mg/L
• BOD = 5 mg/L
• Net D.O=20-5=15 mg/L
• As BOD increases D.O decreASESZ
 Sewage and Domestic wastes
 dissolved oxygen in the water decreases as it
is absorbed by the microbes resulting in lack of
oxygen availability for the aquatic organisms.
 BOD is the oxygen consumed by the microbes
for the decomposition of organic matter
present in the water
 Water with DO content below 8 mg/L is
considered as polluted water
 Water with DO content below 4.0 mg/L is
considered as highly polluted water and kills
the aquatic organisms.
 Industrial Wastes and Effluents
 The industrial wastes and their effluents
include hazardous materials like
acids, salts, bases, cyanides, insecticides,
phenols and other materials which turns
water toxic, alter the water pH and make it
deoxygenated which eventually resulting in
the conditions that do not support the
perpetuation of aquatic life.
 Industrial Wastes and Effluents
 Mercury – Minamata Disease ( first
identified in Japan)
 Arsenic- Black foot Disease
 Cadmium- Itai Itai Disease
 Asbestos- Asbestosis
 Beryllium- Berylliosis
 Oils – forms a layer over water and reduce
the sunlight into water reducing
photosynthesis and also DO in water and
affecting the aquatic organisms.
 Insecticides and Pesticides

 They turn the water poisonous and kill the

aquatic organisms.
 They also undergo the process of
Biomagnification/Bioamplication in organisms
from lower level to higher level in the food
chain.
 At times also lead to Bioaccumulation
 Insecticides and Pesticides

Biomagnification: Increase in the

concentration of pollutants/toxicants in the
tolerant organisms from lower level to higher
levels in a food chain.

Bioaccumulation: Bioaccumulation occurs

within an organism, where the concentration of
a substance builds up in the tissues and is
absorbed faster than it is removed.
Insecticides and Pesticides


 Detergents and Fertilizers

Detergents- normally used as cleaning agents,

can lead to lowering of surface tension of water,
reduces oxygen in the water,
increases the turbidity of water,
affect the respiration in fishes,
turn to be carcinogenic and also
lead to eutrophication(Nitrates &
phosphates) of water bodies
 Detergents and fertilizers
Fertilizers like nitrates and phosphates which are
intended to enhance the soil fertility and there by the
crop yield, when end up in the water bodies like ponds,
lakes, rivers etc. through irrigation of agricultural lands,
rainfall and drainage etc. will result in Eutrophication of
waters.
Eutrophication: Otherwise called as Hypertrophication
is increase in the population of algae and other aquatic
plants due to the absorption of nitrates and phosphates
in the water(enriched water) covering the total water
body.
Nitrares (>45 mg/L) in drinking water leads to
Methaemglobinemia in children
 Detergents and fertilizers
Effects of Eutrophication:
 Algae may release toxic chemicals that affect/kill the
aquatic organisms
 Blocks the sunlight and atmospheric oxygen into the
water
 Reduces the process of photosynthesis and also
Dissolved Oxygen in water
 After the death of algae, they are decomposed by
microbes which require oxygen –BOD that reduces the
availability of dissolved oxygen in water
 Results in hypoxic conditions and threaten the aquatic
life also called as dead zones.
Effects of Eutrophication:
 Thermal Pollution
• Thermal is also called as heat pollution
Sources are- Thermal power plants, Nuclear
power plants, Industries ….
Effects:
• Increase the temperature of water bodies
• Aquatic organisms under Thermal Shock
• Increase the respiration of fishes
• Enhance the activity of toxic chemicals in water
• Reduce the dissolved oxygen of water leading
to asphyxiation of organisms.
 Radioactive Materials
Sources:
Nuclear Reactors
Nuclear power plants
Nuclear test, Hospitals etc..
Effects:
• Leads to mutations in aquatic organisms
• Genetic disorders
• Death of aquatic organisms
• Undergo the process of biomagnification
 waste water Treatment
A conventional sewage treatment(STP) process can
classified as
1. Preliminary --- Removal of Organic Matter and
Treatment other debris
2. Primary ---- Removal of Suspended Solids
Treatment
3. Secondary
Treatment --- Removal of Organic Matter
4. Tertiary/Advanced
Treatment ---- Removal of Nutrients and
Pathogens
 waste water Treatment
Preliminary Treatment : The purpose of preliminary
treatment is to protect the operation of
the wastewater treatment plant.
Screens: Device to remove objects such as rags,
paper, plastics, and metals to prevent damage and
clogging of downstream equipment, piping, and
appurtenances
Shredder: It is a special device that cut and retain
floating material
Grit Chamber: It is used for the removal of heavy
organic material based up on the principle of
sedimentation
 Waste Water Treatment-Preliminary
• Screens • Grit Chamber
 Secondary Treatment:
Meant for the removal of dissolved and colloidal
organic matter in the sewage water. This process
involves the application of microorganisms like
bacteria for the decomposition of organic matter
which is unstable into stable inorganic forms.
• As microbes are applied, this treatment is also
called as Biological treatment.
• Helps in the reduction of BoD by >95%,
TDS by >90%
• After the secondary treatment water can be
released into nearby water bodies.
Secondary treatment can be done in different ways
based on the feasibility of economics and time.
Types:
1. Aerobic :
a. Activated Sludge
b. Aerated Lagoons
c. Trickling Filters
d. Packed Bed Reactors
2. Anaerobic:
e. Suspended (Anaerobic digestion)
f. Attached (Anaerobic Filter Process)
3. Pond Process:
a. Aerobic Pond Process
b. Anaerobic Pond Process
c. Facultative Pond Process
Treatment Methods Capable of Removing

Filtration Suspended Solids and Dissolved Ammonia

Air/Steam Stripping Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs)

Adsorption Dissolved Organics like VOCs, Colouring and

Odoriferous compounds
Biological Process Nitrogenous & Phosphorous compounds

Membrane Processes
Micro Filtration,
Ultra Filtration, Dissolved Organic & Inorganic Substances
Nano Filtration,
Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange Process Dissolved anions & cations

Precipitation Heavy metal ions and other ionic substances

Oxidation Reduction Organics and some Inorganics

Disinfection Microbes including Viruses