0% found this document useful (0 votes)
46 views47 pages

Chapter 2 - Environmental Science

Uploaded by

duc.bui1142002
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
46 views47 pages

Chapter 2 - Environmental Science

Uploaded by

duc.bui1142002
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Chapter 2:

Environmental
Science
Course: Environment and Human
Instructor: Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh

Department of Manufacturing Engineering


Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
 Outline:

1. Environmental Science: Definition, Scope, and Importance.

2. Atmosphere and Air pollution.


• What is atmosphere, structure, and the importance of the atmosphere
• What is air pollution? History of air pollution.
• Air pollutants
• The effects of air pollution
• Sources of air pollution

• Control measures for air pollution

2 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


1. Environmental Science: Definition, Scope, and
Importance.
Environmental Science: is a multi-disciplinary science because it
comprises various branches of studies like chemistry, physics, medical science,
life science, agriculture, public health, sanitary engineering etc. It is the
science of physical phenomena in the environment. It studies of the
sources, reactions, transport, effect and fate of physical a biological species in
the air, water and soil and the effect of from human activity upon these.

Environment
Studies
Environment
engineering ?
3 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh
1. Environmental Science: Definition, Scope, and
Importance.
Definition of Environment
• Boring: ‘A person’s environment consists of the sum total of the stimulation
which he receives from his conception until his death.’

 environment comprises various types of forces such as physical, intellectual,


economic, political, cultural, social, moral and emotional

• Douglas and Holland: “The term environment is used to describe, in the


aggregate, all the external forces, influences and conditions, which affect the
life, nature, behavior and the growth, development and maturity of living
organisms.’

4 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


1. Environmental Science: Definition, Scope, and
Importance.
Element of Environment:
(1) Physical elements: are as space, landforms, water bodies, climate soils, rocks and
minerals. They determine the variable character of the human habitat, its opportunities as
well as limitations.

(2) Biological elements: such as plants, animals, microorganisms and men constitute the
biosphere.

(3) Cultural elements: such as economic, social and political elements are essentially
manmade features, which make cultural milieu

5 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


1. Environmental Science: Definition, Scope, and
Importance.
The Atmosphere implies the
protective blanket of gases, Scope of Environment
surrounding the earth. It is
composed of nitrogen and oxygen.
Besides, argon, carbon dioxide,
Atmosphere Hydrosphere The Hydrosphere comprises all
types of water resources oceans,
and trace gases. seas, lakes, rivers, streams,
Functions: reservoir, polar icecaps,
(a) It sustains life on the earth. glaciers, and ground water.
(b) It saves us from the hostile (i) Nature 97% of the earth’s
environment of outer space. water supply is in the oceans,
(c) It absorbs most of the cosmic (ii) About 2% of the water
rays from outer space and a major resources is locked in the polar
portion of the electromagnetic
radiation from the sun. Lithosphere Biosphere icecaps and glaciers.
(iii) Only about 1% is available
(d) It transmits only here The outer mantle of the solid The realm of living organisms as fresh surface water-rivers,
ultraviolet, visible, near infrared earth. It consists of minerals and their interactions with lakes streams, and ground water
radiation (300 to 2500 nm) and occurring in the earth’s crusts environment, namely fit to be used for human
radio waves. (0.14 to 40 m) while and the soil e.g. minerals, atmosphere, hydrosphere and consumption and other uses.
filtering out tissue-damaging UV organic matter, air and water lithosphere.
waves below about 300 nm.

6 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


1. Environmental Science: Definition, Scope, and
Importance.
 Importance of Environmental Science:
• To realize that environmental problems are global

• To understand the impacts of development on environment

• To discover sustainable ways of living

• To utilize natural resources efficiently

• To shed light on contemporary concepts such as how to conserve biodiversity

• To learn and create awareness about environmental problems at local, national


and international levels

7 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


2. Atmosphere & Air pollution

Atmosphere definition: implies the protective


blanket of gases, surrounding the earth.

Structure of atmosphere
• 79% N; 20% O; 1% (CO2, H2O (vaporized), He, Ne,
Xe, CH4, Kr, H2..)
• 7 Layers:
• Troposphere (tầng đối lưu): the innermost layer. It extends
17 kilometers above sea level at the equator and about 8
kilometers over the poles. It contains about 75 percent of
the mass of the earth’s air. The fragility of this layer is
obvious from the fact that if the earth were an apple this
particular layer would be no thicker than an apple’s skin.
Temperature declines with altitude in the troposphere. At the
top of the troposphere temperatures abruptly begin to rise.
This boundary where this temperature reversal occurs is
called the tropopause.

8 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


2. Atmosphere & Air pollution
• The tropopause marks the end of the troposphere and the
beginning of the stratosphere (tầng bình lưu), the second layer
of the atmosphere. The stratosphere extends from 17 to 48
kilometers above the earth’s surface.
• While the composition of the stratosphere is similar to that of the
troposphere it has two major differences. The volume of water
vapor here is about 1000 times less while the volume of ozone is
about 1000 times greater.
• The presence of ozone in the stratosphere prevents about 99
percent of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the
earth’s surface thus protecting humans from cancer and damage to
the immune system.
• This layer does not have clouds and hence airplanes fly in this
layer as it creates less turbulence. Temperature rises with altitude
in the stratosphere until there is another reversal. This point is
called the stratopause and it marks the end of the stratosphere and
the beginning of the atmosphere’s next layer, the mesosphere
(tầng trung lưu)
9 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh
2. Atmosphere & Air pollution

• Mesosphere: the temperature decreases with altitude falling up


to –110 oC at the top. Above this is a layer where ionization of the
gases is a major phenomenon, thus increasing the temperature.
This layer is called the thermosphere. Only the lower troposphere
is routinely involved in our weather and hence air pollution. The
other layers are not significant in determining the level of air
pollution.

 Importance of atmosphere:
• It sustains life on the earth.
• It saves it from the hostile environment of outer space.
• It absorbs most of the cosmic rays from outer space and a
major portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the sun.
• It transmits only here ultraviolet, visible, near infrared
radiation (300 to 2500 nm) and radio waves (0.14 to 40 m)
while filtering out tissue-damaging ultraviolet waves below
about 300 nm.
10 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh
2. Atmosphere & Air pollution

11 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


2. Atmosphere & Air pollution

 History of air pollution


• The origin of air pollution on the earth can be
traced from the times when man started using
firewood as a means of cooking and heating.
• Hippocrates has mentioned air pollution in 400
BC.
• With the discovery and increasing use of coal,
air pollution became more pronounced
especially in urban areas.
• It was recognized as a problem 700 years ago
in London in the form of smoke pollution, which
prompted King Edward I to make the first
antipollution law to restrict people from using
coal for domestic heating in the year 1273.

12 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


1. Atmosphere & Air pollution
 Air pollution: as the presence of materials in the air in such concentration
which are harmful to man and his environment (WHO’s definition)

 Common air pollutants


• Carbon dioxide • Hydrocarbons

• Carbon monoxide • Particulate matter

• Oxides of Nitrogen • Aerosols

• Oxides of Sulphur • Radioactive substances

• Photochemical oxidants • Fluorides

13 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


Mụi tro, tàn
tro

14 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


1. Atmosphere & Air pollution
CO2 content of air has increased by 20% during the last Oxide of Sulphur (SO2 and SO3): are produced
century. CO2 causes nausea and headache. It’s by burning of coal and petroleum and are harmful
increase in the air may cause green house effect, rise in to buildings, clothing, plants and animals. High
the atmospheric temperature. This may melt the polar ice concentration of SO2 causes chlorosis (yellowing
resulting in rise in level of oceans and flooding of coastal of leaves), plasmolysis, damage to mucous
regions. membrane and metabolic inhibition. SO2 and SO3
react with water to form Sulphuric and sulphurous
Carbon monoxide is a very poisonous gas and is acids. These may precipitate as rain or snow
produced by incomplete combustion of fuel. If inhaled it producing acid rain or acid precipitation.
combines with hemoglobin and reduces its oxygen-
carrying capacity. This leads to laziness, reduced vision Radioactive Substances: These are released by
and death. nuclear explosions and explosives. These are
extremely harmful for health. Exposure to large
Oxides of Nitrogen include NO and NO2, which are amounts of radioactivity can cause nausea,
released by automobiles and chemical industries as vomiting, hair loss, diarrhea, hemorrhage,
waste gases and also by burning of materials. These are destruction of the intestinal lining, central nervous
harmful and lower the oxygen carrying capacity of blood system damage, and death.
15 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh
1. Atmosphere & Air pollution
Photochemical Oxidants: Formed by the Hydrocarbons: These are unburnt discharges from incomplete
photochemical reactions between primary combustion of fuel in automobiles. These form PAN with nitrogen oxides,
pollutants, viz. oxides of nitrogen and which is highly toxic.
hydrocarbons. Nitrogen oxides in the
presence of sunlight react with unburnt
Aerosols: are chemicals released in the air in vapour form. These include
hydrocarbons to form peroxyacyl nitrate
fluorocarbon (carbon compound having fluorine) present in emissions from
(PAN), Ozone, aldehydes and some other
the Jet aeroplanes. Aerosols deplete the ozone layer. Thinning of ozone
complex organic compounds in the air. Both
layer results in more harmful ultraviolet rays reaching the earth, which are
PAN and ozone are eye irritants, while nitric
harmful to skin, and can lead to skin cancer also.
oxide (formed from NO2) causes nose and
throat irritation. At higher concentrations,
photochemical smog causes chest pain, Fluorides: Rocks, soils and. minerals containing fluorides release an
headaches, throat dryness, and various extremely toxic gas called hydrogen fluoride on heating. This gas is highly
respiratory ailments. injurious to livestock and cattle.

Particulate Matter: Industries and automobiles release fine solid and liquid particles into the air. Fly ash and soot from
burning of coal, metal dust containing lead, chromium, nickel, cadmium, zinc and mercury from metallurgical processes;
cotton dust from textile mills; and pesticides sprayed on crops are examples of particulate pollutants in the air. These are
injurious to respiratory tract.

16 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


2. Atmosphere & Air pollution
Effects of air pollution
• On plants:.
• On Human and Animals
• Change in climate
• Aesthetic Loss:
• Dust and smoke spoils the beauty of
nature. Especially the mountain
environments, which serve as a great
attraction for tourists. Foul odours
emitted by industries, automobiles,
dirty drains and garbage heaps in
cities are a great nuisance.

17 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


2. Atmosphere & Air pollution

Effects of air pollution: On plants


• SO2 causes chlorosis and also results in the death of cells and tissues.

• Fluorides and PAN damage leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach.

• Oxides of nitrogen and fluorides reduce crop yield.

• Smog bleaches and blaze foliage of important leafy plants.

• Hydrocarbons cause premature yellowing, fall of leave and flower buds, discoloration and curling of
sepals and petals.

• Smoke and dust cover the leaf surface and reduce photosynthetic capacity of plants.

• Ozone damages cereals, fruits, and cotton crop.

18 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


2. Atmosphere & Air pollution

Effects of air pollution: On Human and animals


• Ozone causes dryness of mucous membranes, changes eye vision, causes
headache, pulmonary congestion and oedema.
• Ozone has been reported to produce chromosomal aberrations.
• SO2 causes drying of mouth, scratchy throat, smarting eyes and disorders of
• respiratory tract.
• SO3, CO and NO2 diffuse into blood stream and reduce oxygen transport. CO
damages cardiovascular system. Hydrocarbons and other pollutants act, as
carcinogens and lead to different cancers.
• Cotton dust leads to respiratory disorders e.g.bronchitis and asthma.
• Smoking of tobacco causes cancerous growth in lungs..

19 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


2. Atmosphere & Air pollution

Effects of air pollution: Change in climate


CO2 content of air is increasing due to deforestation and combustion of fuel. This
increase is affecting the composition and balance of gases in the atmosphere.
Increase in CO2 concentration may increase the atmospheric temperature,
producing green house effect. A rise of global temperature by more than 2-3
degrees may melt glaciers and polar ice. This would lead to a rise in ocean level
and consequent flooding and submergence of coastal areas. Rainfall pattern may
also change, affecting agricultural output in various regions of’ the world. Aerosols
deplete the ozone layer in the stratosphere. Thinning of ozone layer would permit
more of the harmful ultraviolet rays to reach the earth. This may cause, sunburn,
blindness and inactivation of proteins, RNA, DNA and plant pigments

20 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


2. Atmosphere & Air pollution
Source of air pollution
• Burning Fossil Fuels:
 CO2, SO2, etc. Petroleum consists mainly of hydrocarbons, Sulphur and nitrogen.
• Emissions from Automobiles
 CO, unburnt hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide.
• Industries
 harmful gases: CO, SO3, NO, Hydrocarbons etc.
• Agricultural Activities
 Spraying of insecticides and weedicides
• Wars
 poisonous gases, radioactive rays
• Natural Causes
 gases

21 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


2. Atmosphere & Air pollution
 Control of air pollution

• Some gases, which are more soluble in a extracting Sulphur from the fuel before
particular liquid than air, for example, use.
ammonia in water, can be separated by
• Pollution control laws should be enforced
dissolving in it
strictly.
• Particles larger than 50 mm are
• Trees should be planted on the roadside,
separated in gravity settling tanks. Using
riverbanks, parks and’ open places as
cyclone collectors or electrostatic
they keep the environment fresh.
precipitators separates fine particles.
• Population growth, which is the main
• The height of chimneys (ống khói) should
cause of pollution should be checked.
.be increased to the highest possible level
to reduce pollution at the ground level. • Nuclear explosions should be restricted.
• SO2 pollution can be controlled by

22 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


Thank you for your attention,
and see you next week !!!

23 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


24 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh
Chapter 2: (Cont.)

Environmental
Science
Course: Environment and Human
Instructor: Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh
Department of Manufacturing Engineering
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
 Outline:

Hydrosphere:
• Basic concepts
• Water cycle

• Water pollution

Lithosphere:
• Basic concepts
• Land resources

• Mineral resources.

• Soil pollution

26 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Hydrosphere: Basic Concepts

• The Hydrosphere comprises all types of water resources oceans, seas,


lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar icecaps, glaciers, and ground water.

• Nature 97% of the earth’s water supply is in the oceans


• About 2% of the water resources is locked in the polar
icecaps and glaciers.
• Only about 1% is available as fresh surface water-rivers,
lakes streams, and ground water fit to be used for human
consumption and other uses.

27 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Hydrosphere: Basic Concepts

The Water Cycle

28 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Hydrosphere: Water Pollution

Definition of Water Pollution :

• Water is extremely essential for life, this common fact is known to all. It is
required to meet our basic needs in day to day life viz., cooking, drinking,
bathing, disposal of sewage, irrigation, generating electricity in power plants,
cooling and manufacturing different products in industries and the disposal of
industrial wastes. During all these processes the undesirable substances are
added to the water resources to a great extent. This alters the basic chemistry
of water in rivers and streams

“When the quality or composition of water changes directly or


indirectly as a result of man’s activities such that it becomes
unfit for any purpose it is said to be polluted.”

29 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Hydrosphere: Water Pollution

Effect of Water Pollutants 5. Presence of dyes and compounds in the


discharged water changes the color of water
1. Compounds of mercury, arsenic and lead are
poisonous and chemically harmful as they 6. Soap, detergents and, alkalis result in foam
even affect water treatment plants e.g. formation.
organic Sulphur compounds interfere with 7. Industrial effluents containing iron, free
nitrification chlorine, phenol, manganese, oils,
2. Mercury when dissolved in water is hydrocarbons, ammonia, algae and
absorbed by aquatic plants and enters the microorganisms impair the taste and odors
food chain. Lead impairs metabolism and of water.
brings about congenital deformities, anaemia 8. The nitrates and phosphates dissolved in
and etc. water accelerate the growth of
3. Cadmium damages kidneys and liver microorganisms, which consume much of
the dissolved oxygen depriving fish and
4. Inorganic nitrates and phosphates promote other aquatic life (Eutrophication).
growth of oxygen-consuming algae, which
result in the death of fishes and other 9. Biomagnifications is the increase of toxic
aquatic animals. materials at each tropic level of a food chain

30 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Hydrosphere: Water Pollution

Sources of Water Pollution


1. Domestic sewage (nước thải sinh hoạt)
2. Industrial effluents
3. Agricultural source
4. Pesticides
5. Thermal pollution
6. Pathogenic organism (sinh vật gây bệnh)
7. Mineral oils
8. Underground water pollution
9. Marine water pollution

31 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Hydrosphere: Water Pollution

Control of Water Pollution


1. Separate ponds and tanks to be used for cattle and animals.
2. Use of pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers should be done
judiciously. Rapid biodegradable substitutes for pesticides
should be employed.
3. In towns where sewage facilities are not available, septic tanks
should be made in the houses.
4. Rivers and lakes should not be used for bathing or washing as it
contaminates water.
5. Domestic sewage and industrial wastes should be treated
before discharging them into drains

32 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Hydrosphere: Water Pollution

Treatment of Waste Water:


• Sewage treatment
• Primary treatment: It involves physical processing of sedimentation, flotation and
filtration where sewage water is passed through screens to remove larger particles
and then through grinding mechanism to reduce the larger particles to smaller size.
The sewage is finally passed through settling tanks to remove suspended impurities.
• Secondary treatment: Sewage obtained after primary treatment is sent to aeration
tank where it is mixed with air and sludge laden with bacteria and algae. The algae
provide oxygen to the bacteria and decompose organic matter into simple compounds.
Chlorination is finally done to remove bacteria.
• Tertiary treatment: In the third and last step water is passed through ion exchangers
to remove dissolved salts.
• Treatment of industrial effluents
Treatment of industrial effluents involves neutralization of acids and bases, removal of
toxic compounds, coagulation of colloidal impurities, precipitation of metallic compounds
and reducing the temperature of effluents to decrease thermal pollution.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvPakzqM3h8
33 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh
 Lithosphere: Basic Concepts
• The lithosphere is the solid, outer part of the Earth. The lithosphere includes
the brittle upper portion of the mantle and the crust (lớp phủ, the outermost layers of
Earth’s structure. It is bounded by the atmosphere above and the asthenosphere (phần
mềm) (another part of the upper mantle) below.
• Soil, the basis for agriculture to provide us with
food.
• Stone, sand and gravel,
Land used for construction.
• Micronutrients in soil, essential for plant growth.
• resources
Microscopic flora, small soil fauna and fungi in
soil, important living organisms of the
lithosphere, which break down plant litter as well
as animal wastes to provide nutrients for plants
• A large number Mineral
of minerals on which our
industries are based
resources
• Oil, coal and gas, extracted from underground
sources. It provides power for vehicles,
agricultural machinery, industry, and for our
homes
34 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh
 Lithosphere: Basic Concepts

Land resources:
• Landforms such as hills, valleys, plains, river basins and wetlands
include different resource generating areas that the people living in
them depend on.
• Man needs land for building homes, cultivating food, maintaining
pastures for domestic animals, developing industries to provide goods,
and supporting the industry by creating towns and cities. Equally
importantly, man needs to protect wilderness area in forests,
grasslands, wetlands, mountains, coasts, etc. to protect our vitally
valuable biodiversity • Land degradation !!!
• Land on earth is as finite as any of our other natural resources. • Soil erosion !!!
• If land is utilized carefully it can be considered a renewable
resource.
• Land is also converted into a non-renewable resource when
highly toxic industrial and nuclear wastes are dumped on it.

35 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Lithosphere: Basic Concepts

 Land degradation is a process in which • Farmland is under threat due to more and
more intense utilization. Every year, between
the value of the biophysical environment is 5 to 7 million hectares of land worldwide is
affected by a combination of human-induced added to the existing degraded farmland.
processes acting upon the land. It is viewed When soil is used more intensively by
as any change or disturbance to farming, it is eroded more rapidly by wind and
rain. Over irrigating farmland leads to
the land perceived to be deleterious or salinisation, as evaporation of water brings
undesirable. the salts to the surface of the soil on which
crops cannot grow. Over irrigation also
creates water logging of the topsoil so that
crop roots are affected and the crop
deteriorates. The use of more and more
chemical fertilizers poisons the soil so that
eventually the land becomes unproductive.
• As urban centers grow and industrial
expansion occurs, the agricultural land and
forests shrink. This is a serious loss and has
long term ill effects on human civilization
36 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh
 Lithosphere: Basic Concepts

• Soil is a thin covering over the land consisting of a


mixture of minerals, organic material, living organisms,
air and water that together support the growth of plant
life.
• Several factors contribute to the formation of soil from
the parent material. This includes mechanical
weathering of rocks due to temperature changes and
abrasion, wind, moving water, glaciers, chemical
weathering activities and lichens. Climate and time are
also important in the development of soils. Extremely
dry or cold climates develop soils very slowly while
humid and warm climates develop them more rapidly.
Under ideal climatic conditions soft parent material
may develop into a centimeter of soil within 15 years.
Under poor climatic conditions a hard parent material
may require hundreds of years to develop into soil

37 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Lithosphere: Basic Concepts

Soil erosion can be defined as the movement of surface litter and topsoil
from one place to another. While erosion is a natural process often caused by
wind and flowing water it is greatly accelerated by human activities such as
farming, construction, overgrazing by livestock, burning of grass cover and
deforestation.
• To prevent the loss of millions of tons of valuable soil every year, it is essential to
preserve what remains of our natural forest cover. It is equally important to reforest
denuded areas. The linkage between the existence of forests and the presence of soil
is greater than the forest’s physical soil binding function alone. The soil is enriched by
the leaf litter of the forest. This detritus is broken down by soil micro-organisms, fungi,
worms and insects, which help to recycle nutrients in the system. Further losses of our
soil wealth will impoverish our country and reduce its capacity to grow enough food in
future.

38 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Lithosphere: Basic Concepts

 Control of land degradation:


• Restoration of forests and grass cover can help in prevention of soil erosion and floods.
• By replacing shifting cultivation with crop rotation, mixed cropping or plantation cropping.
Providing adequate drainage to irrigated and flood-prone lands can prevent salinity.
• Desertification can be controlled by spread of appropriate plant species and by raising
trees as wind breaks

39 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Lithosphere: Basic Concepts

Minerals resources:
• A mineral is a naturally occurring substance of definite chemical
composition and identifiable physical properties.
• Iron, aluminum, zinc, manganese and copper are important raw
materials for industrial use.
• Important non-metal resources include coal, salt, clay, cement and
silica.
• Stone used for building material, such as granite, marble, limestone,
constitute another category of minerals.
• Minerals with special properties that humans value for their aesthetic
and ornamental value are gems such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies.
The luster of gold, silver and platinum is used for ornaments.
• Minerals in the form of oil, gas and coal were formed when ancient
plants and animals were converted into underground fossil fuels

40 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Lithosphere:
 Lithosphere: Basic Concepts

Mining process:
• Prospecting
• Exploration
• Development
• Exploitation
Mine safety
Environmental problems
• Mining operations are considered one of the main sources of environmental
degradation. The extraction of all these products from the lithosphere has a variety of
side effects. Depletion of available land due to mining, waste from industries, conversion
of land to industry and pollution of land, water and air by industrial wastes, are
environmental side effects of the use of these non-renewable resources. Public
awareness of this problem is of a global nature and government actions to stem the
damage to the natural environment have led to numerous international agreements and
laws directed toward the prevention of activities and events that may adversely affect
the environment

41 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


42 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh
 Lithosphere: Soil Pollution

Soil pollution: is defined as the presence of toxic chemicals (pollutants or contaminants)


in soil, in high enough concentrations to pose a risk to human health and/or the ecosystem. In
the case of contaminants which occur naturally in soil, even when their levels are not high
enough to pose a risk, soil pollution is still said to occur if the levels of the contaminants in soil
exceed the levels that should naturally be present.
• Any substance that reduces soil productivity is called soil pollutant.
• Natural pollutants, and Man-made pollutants
Types of Soil Pollution
1. Positive soil pollution
Reduction in the productivity of soil due to the addition of undesirable substances like pesticides,
herbicides, fertilizers, etc. is called positive pollution. These pollutants have cumulative effect and
kill the soil organisms.
2. Negative soil pollution
It is caused by the removal 01 useful components from soil by erosion, deforestation and
improper methods of agriculture.

43 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Lithosphere: Soil Pollution

Effect of Soil Pollutants


• Chemicals and pesticides affect the structure and fertility of soil by killing the soil
microorganisms. Pesticides are absorbed by the plants and then transferred to other organism.
Hence, they affected food chains and food webs. Excretory products of livestock and human
beings used as manure pollute the soil besides giving high yield. The faulty sanitation and
unhygienic practices of the people add to the soil pollution. Pathogens present in the wastes
and excreta contaminate the soil and vegetable crops causing diseases in man and
domesticated animals
Diseases caused by Soil Pollution
• Humans can be affected by soil pollution through the inhalation of gases emitted from soils
moving upward, or through the inhalation of matter that is disturbed and transported by the
wind because of the various human activities on the ground. Soil pollution may cause a variety
of health problems, starting with headaches, nausea, fatigue, skin rash, eye irritation and
potentially resulting in more serious conditions like neuromuscular blockage, kidney and liver
damage and various forms of cancer.

44 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Lithosphere
 Lithosphere: Soil Pollution

Lead (Pb) Mercury (Hg) Arsenic (As) Sources of Soil Pollution


• lead paint, mining, foundry • mining, incineration of • mining, coal-fired power
activities, vehicle exhaust, coal, alkali and metal plants, lumber facilities, • Chemicals present in industrial
construction activities, processing, medical waste, electronics industry, waste.
agriculture activities volcanoes and geologic foundry activities,
deposits, accumulation in agriculture, natural
plants & vegetables grown accumulation • Pesticides and insecticides that
on polluted soils are sprayed on crops. .
• Fertilizers and manures that are
Cu Zn HERBICIDES/INS added to the soil to increase the
• mining, foundry activities; ECTICIDES crop yield.
construction activities • mining, foundry activities;
construction activities • agricultural activities

PAHS (POLYAROMATIC
HYDROCARBONS)
• coal burning, vehicle emissions, accumulation
in plants & vegetables grown on polluted
soils; cigarette smoke; wildfires, agricultural
burning; wood burning, constructions

45 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


 Lithosphere
 Lithosphere: Soil Pollution

Control of Soil Pollution


1. Transfer stations for bulk shifting of refuse should be constructed in cities and
big towns.
2. Pneumatic pipes should be laid for collecting and disposing wastes.
3. Materials like paper, glass and plastics can be recycled.
4. Metals should be recovered from scrap and disposed materials.
5. Use of chemical fertilizers should be reduced by the use of bio fertilizers and
manures.
6. Use of pesticides can be reduced by adopting biological control of pests.
7. Use of cattle dung and agricultural wastes in biogas plants should be
encouraged.
8. Deforestation can check soil erosion to a great extent

46 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh


Thank you for your attention,
and see you next week !!!

47 5/3/2024 Environment and Human- Dr. Duong Huyen Lynh

You might also like