System Check
• 5+ Years Experience
• M.Sc. Chemistry (IIT Delhi)
• IIT-JAM (AIR 56), CSIR NET
(AIR 80)
“
Believe In Yourself “
Chapter Introduction
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY
JEE • Grade 12 • Chemistry • Session No. 1
Environment
Atmosphere (Air)
Hydrosphere (Oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, ground water etc.)
Lithosphere (Solid surface of earth consisting minerals and salt
Biosphere (all living species of earth humans, animals etc.)
Environmental Pollution
It is the effect of undesirable changes caused by pollutants in our
surroundings that have harmful effects on plants, animals and human
beings.
Pollutant
A substance, which is present in excess than its natural abundance due
to human activities or natural happenings causes pollution, is known as
pollutant.
Pollutants can be solid, liquid or gaseous substances.
Biodegradable
Pollutant which rapidly breakdown by natural processes.
1. Paper bags 2. Vegetable waste
Non-Biodegradable
Pollutant which are slowly degradable, remain in the environment in an
unchanged form for many decades.
1. Glass waste 3. Metal waste
2. e - waste 4. Plastic waste
Atmosphere of earth
EXOSPHERE
500 km
THERMOSPHERE
85 km
MESOSPHERE
50 km
STRATOSPHERE
OZONE LAYER
10 km
TROPOSPHERE
SEA LEVEL
Atmospheric
pollution
Tropospheric Stratospheric
pollution Pollution
Tropospheric Pollution
Tropospheric pollution occurs due to the presence of undesirable solid or
gaseous particles in the air.
Tropospheric pollution
Gaseous Air Pollutants Particulate Pollutants
❑ Of sulphur o Dust
o Oxides ❑ Of nitrogen o Mist
❑ Of carbon
o Smoke
o Hydrocarbon o Fumes
o Ozone o Smog
o Etc. o Etc.
Gaseous air pollutants
(a) Oxides of Sulphur
These are produced when Sulphur containing fossil fuel is burnt.
Uncatalyzed oxidation of Sulphur dioxide is slow. However, the presence
of particulate matter in polluted air catalyzes the oxidation of Sulphur
dioxide to Sulphur trioxide.
2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⎯→ 2SO3(g)
The reaction can also be promoted by ozone and hydrogen peroxide.
SO2 (g) + O3 (g) ⎯→ SO3(g) + O2 (g)
SO2(g) + H2O2(l) ⎯→ H2SO4(aq)
Adverse effect of Sulphur dioxide
Sulphur dioxide is a gas that is poisonous to both animals and plants.
High concentration of SO2 leads to stiffness of flower buds which
eventually fall off from plants.
Even low concertation of SO2 causes respiratory diseases in human
beings.
I. Asthma
II. Bronchitis
III. Emphysema
It cases irritation to the eyes resulting in tears and redness.
(b) Oxides of Nitrogen
Dinitrogen and dioxygen do not react with each other at a normal
temperature. At high altitudes when lightning strikes, they combine
to form oxides of nitrogen.
NO2 is oxidised to nitrate ion, NO−
3 which is washed into soil, where
it serves as a fertilizer.
N N O O
NO NO2 NO2
N N O O
NO
In an automobile engine, (at high temperature) when fossil fuel is burnt,
N2 and O2 combine to yield significant quantities of nitric oxide (NO) and
nitrogen dioxide (NO2) as given below:
When fossil fuel is burnt in an automobile engine (at high temperature),
NO and NO2 are formed
1483k
N2 (g) + O2 (g) 2NO(g)
NO reacts instantly with oxygen to give NO2
2NO (g) + O2 (g) ⎯→ 2NO2 (g)
Rate of production of NO2 is faster when nitric oxide reacts with ozone in
the stratosphere.
NO (g) + O3 (g) ⎯→ NO2 (g) + O2 (g)
Adverse effect of NO2
It is also a lung irritant and causes respiratory diseases in children.
The irritant red haze in the traffic and congested places is due to oxides
of nitrogen.
Higher concentrations of NO2 damage the leaves of plants and retard the
rate of photosynthesis.
It is toxic to living tissues and harmful to various textile fibers and metals.
(c) Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are composed of hydrogen and carbon only and are formed
by incomplete combustion of fuel used in automobiles.
Adverse effect of Hydrocarbon
Hydrocarbons are carcinogenic i.e., they cause cancer.
They harm plants by causing ageing, breakdown of tissues and shedding
of leaves, flowers etc.
(d) Oxide of Carbon
Carbon monoxide
One of the most serious air pollutants.
Produced by
• Automobiles (mainly)
• Incomplete combustion of coal, petrol, firewood etc.
The permissible level or CO in atmosphere is 9 ppm
Above 250 ppm it can cause death.
Adverse effect of carbon monoxide
Highly poisonous to living being because of its ability to block the
delivery of oxygen to the organs and tissues.
It binds to haemoglobin to form carboxyhaemoglobin, which is about
300 times more stable than the oxygen-haemoglobin complex.
In blood, when the concentration of carboxyhaemoglobin reaches about
3–4 percent, the oxygen carrying capacity of blood is greatly reduced.
And this deficiency leads to headache, weak eye site, nervousness and
cardio-vascular disorders.
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide gas is confined to troposphere only. Normally it forms about
0.03 percent by volume of the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere by
➢ Respiration
➢ Burning of fossil fuels for energy
➢ Volcanic eruption
➢ Decomposition of limestone during the manufacturing of Cement
CaCO3 (s) ⎯→ CaO (s) + CO2 (g)
(Limestone)
Excess of CO2 in the air is removed by green plants, plants require CO2
for photosynthesis and they, in turn, emit oxygen, thus maintaining the
balance.
deforestation and burning of fossil fuel increases the CO2 level and
disturb the balance in the atmosphere.
The increased amount of CO2 in the air is mainly responsible for global
warming.
Example
Match Column-I and Column-II and choose the correct option from the
codes given below.
Column-I Column-II
(a) SO2 (1) Binds to hemoglobin
(b) NO2 (2) Leads to stiffness of flower buds
(c) CO (3) Irritant red haze in the traffic
Codes
A B C
(A) 1 2 3
(B) 3 2 1
(C) 2 3 1
(D) 1 3 2
Solution Ans. (C)
Global Warming
It is the progressive heating up of the Earth’s surface.
About 75 % of the solar energy reaching the earth is absorbed by the
earth’s surface, which increases its temperature.
The rest of the heat radiates back to the atmosphere.
Some of the heat is trapped by gases such as carbon dioxide, methane,
ozone, chlorofluorocarbon compounds (CFCs) and water vapour in the
atmosphere. Thus, they add to the heating of the atmosphere. This
causes global warming.
CO2 is the major contributor to global warming.
Greenhouse Effect
The atmosphere has kept the temperature on earth constant.
As the glass in a greenhouse at cold places holds the Sun's warmth inside to
grow flowers and vegetable, likewise atmosphere traps the sun's heat near
the Earth's surface and keeps it warm. This is called natural greenhouse
effect.
It maintains the temperature and makes the earth perfect for life
Factors responsible for Global Warming
o Burning of Fossil Fuels
o Deforestation
o Industrial Activities
o Aerosols and Soot
o Agriculture
o Waste Management
o Changes in Land Use
o Etc.
Acid Rain
Normally Rainwater has a pH of 5.6 due to the presence of H+ ions
formed by the reaction of Rainwater with carbon dioxide present in
the atmosphere.
H2O (l) + CO2 (g) ⎯→ H2CO3(aq)
H2CO3 (aq) ⎯→ H+ (aq) + HCO3– (aq)
When the pH of the rainwater drops below 5.6, it is called acid rain.
Burning of fossil fuels (which contain Sulphur and nitrogenous matter)
such as coal and oil in power stations and furnaces or petrol and diesel
in motor engines produce Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. SO2 and
NO2 after oxidation and reaction with water are major contributors to
acid rain.
2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) + 2H2O (l) ⎯→ 2H2SO4 (aq)
4NO2 (g) + O2 (g)+ 2H2O (l) ⎯→ 4HNO3 (aq)
Adverse effect of Acid Rain
Acid Rain is harmful for agriculture, trees and plants as it dissolves and
washes away nutrients needed for their growth.
Yellowing of plant leaves is also because of acid rain.
❑ Changes pH of the soil and effects fertility of soil
❑ Corrodes water pipes resulting addition of heavy metals like zinc, copper
and lead into drinking water.
❑ It damages buildings and other structures made of stone or metal.
❑ Effects plants and animal life in aquatic ecosystem.
Taj Trapezium
The Taj Mahal in India has been affected by acid rain.
To prevent Taj Mahal, govt. made ‘Taj trapezium’ plain.
Taj trapezium is the area includes the towns of Agra, Firozabad, Mathura
and Bharatpur.
Ban of low-quality coal firewood, kerosene for industrial fuel, only natural
goes or L.P.G. can be used in industries which are contributing to pollution,
in “Taj Trapezium”.
Example
Match the Column-I and Column-II and choose the correct option from the
codes given below.
Column-I Column-II
(a) Normal rain (1) H2CO3
(b) Acid rain (2) HNO3 and H2SO4
Greenhouse
(c) (3) CO2 ,CH4 ,CFCs and O3
gases
(d) Global warming (4) CO2
Codes
A B C D
(A) 4 3 2 1
(B) 1 2 4 3
(C) 1 2 3 4
Ans. (C)
(D) 1 3 4 2
Solution
Particulate Pollutants
Particulate pollutants are the minute solid particles or liquid droplets in air.
Particulate
Pollutants
Viable Non-viable
Viable
The viable particulates e.g. bacteria, fungi, moulds, algae etc. Human
beings are allergic to some of the fungi found in air. They can also cause
plant diseases.
Non-viable
Non-viable particulates may be classified according to their nature and
size as follows :
Cigarette smoke, smoke from burning of fossil fuel, garbage
(a) Smoke and dry leaves, oil smoke etc.
Fine solid particles (over, 1 m in diameter), Sand from sand
(b) Dust blasting, saw dust from wood works, pulverized coal, cement
and fly ash from factories, dust storms etc..
(c) Mists Sulphuric acid mist, herbicides and insecticides
(d) Fumes Vapors of organic solvents, metals, and metallic oxides
Smog
The word smog is derived from smoke and fog. Most common air pollution
in many cities throughout the world
Smog
Classical smog Photochemical smog
➢ Mixture of smoke + fog + SO2 ➢ Photochemical smog result from the
action of sunlight on unsaturated
➢ Due to SO2, it act as a hydrocarbon & nitrogen oxides
reducing agent, so it is also hv
called as reducing smog or NO2(g) NO(g) + O
London smog.
O + O2(g) O3(g)
➢ Present in cool humid climate
NO
NO2(g) + O2 (g)
Ozone is a toxic gas and both NO2 and O3 are strong oxidising agents and can
react with the unburnt hydrocarbons in the polluted air to produce chemicals
such as formaldehyde, acrolein and
peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN).
3CH4 + 2O3 ⎯→ 3H2C O + 3H2O
Formaldehyde
H2C CH—CH O H3C—C—O—O—NO2
Acrolein O
Peroxyacetyl nitrate [PAN]
Effect of photochemical smog
Both ozone and PAN (peroxyacetyl nitrate) act as powerful eye irritants.
Ozone and nitric oxide irritate the nose and throat.
High concentration ozone and nitric oxide causes headache, chest pain,
dryness of the throat, cough and difficulty in breathing.
Photochemical smog cracking causes corrosion of metals, stones, building
materials, cracking of rubber painted surfaces and damage to plant life.
How can photochemical smog be controlled :
Catalytic converters
Catalytic converters (are used in the automobiles, which prevent
the release of nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons to the atmosphere.
Plants consuming nitrogen oxide
Certain plants e.g. Pinus, Juniparus, Quercus, Pyrus and Vitis can
consume nitrogen oxide.
Stratospheric Pollution
❑ Ozone layer blocks upto 99.5% of uv radiation ( 255 nm) coming from sun.
❑ These radiations cause skin cancer (melanoma) in humans.
Formation of Ozone
Ozone in the stratosphere is a product of UV radiations acting on
dioxygen (O2) molecules. uv
O2 (g) O (g) + O (g)
O (g) + O2 (g) ⇋ O3 (g)
Chlorofluorocarbon
Compounds (CFCs), also known as freons are released majorly from
ACs, refrigerators, industries etc.
These compounds are nonreactive, non-flammable, non-toxic organic
molecules.
Ozone layer depletion or ozone hole
CFCs released in the atmosphere broken down by powerful UV
radiations, releasing chlorine free radical.
Scientists working in Antarctica (south pole) reported about depletion
of ozone layer caused by unique sets of conditions.
hv
.Cl + CF. Cl
CF2 Cl2(g) Sunlight passed
through ozone hole
O3(g)
.ClO + O
2
.
CFC gas from AC,
2
refrigerators
O3(g)
Cl(g) + 2O2(g)
Chain reaction continues &
ozone layer depletes
Effects of depletion of Ozone Hole
(i) Ageing of skin
(ii) Cataract (eye disease)
(iii) Sunburn
(iv) Skin cancer
(v) Killing of many phytoplanktons and damage the fish productivity.
Ozone layer depletion or ozone hole
In summer season
ClOሶ + NO2(g) ClONO2(g)
(Chlorine nitrate) Chlorine sinks are formed,
preventing much ozone
Clሶ + CH4(g) ሶ 3(g) + HCl(g)
CH depletion
In Winter
ClONO2(g) + H2O(g) HOCl(g) + HNO3 (g)
ClONO2(g) + HCl(g) Cl2(g) + HNO3 (g)
In spring
hv
HOCl(g) ሶ
OH(g) ሶ
+ Cl(g)
hv
Cl2(g) ሶ
2 Cl(g)
Water Pollution
Water gets polluted in several ways by human activities, Municipal and
industrial discharge.
Agricultural run off (from farms, animals and crop-lands), acid rain,
storm-water drainage (from streets, parking lots and lawns).
Causes of water pollution
(1) Pathogens
Pathogens includes bacteria & other organisms that enters water from
domestic sewage & animal excreta
(2) Organic Matter
Excessive phytoplankton's growth within water is also a cause of water
pollution
The large population of bacteria decomposes organic matter present in
water. They consume oxygen dissolved in water.
This amount of oxygen required by bacteria is called Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (BOD).
Clean water would have BOD value of less than 5 ppm whereas highly
polluted water could have a BOD value of 17 ppm or more.
The amount of oxygen that water can hold in the solution is limited.
In cold water, dissolved oxygen (DO) can reach up to 10 ppm (parts per
million), whereas oxygen in air is about 200,000 ppm.
That’s why even a moderately low amount of organic matter when
decomposes in water can deplete the dissolved oxygen in water.
Eutrophication
The process in which nutrient enriched water bodies support a dense plant
population, which kills animal life by depriving it of oxygen and results in
subsequent loss of biodiversity is known as Eutrophication.
Bacteria fed on
biodegradable
Detergents Killing of aquatic
(Bacteria rapidly grow) life
Fertilizers
containing Phosphate
Phosphate as enhance algae Reduction in
additive which growth which concentration of
runoff from lands covers the water oxygen in water
to water bodies surface
International standards for drinking water
above 2 ppm Causes brown mottling on teeth
⊝
F
above 10 ppm Harmful for teeth and bones
Lead (Pb) above 50 ppm Can damage kidney, liver, reproductive system
Sulphate above 500 ppm Laxative effect
Nitrate above 50 ppm Methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome)
Maximum concentration
Metal
(ppm or mg/dm3)
Fe 0.2
Mn 0.05
Al 0.2
Cu 3.0
Zn 5.0
Cd 0.005
Soil Pollution
Degradation of land by the → Addition of xenobiotic (human-made)
chemicals or other changes in natural soil environment is called soil
pollution.
Such pollutants are pesticides(Ex. Aldrin, dieldrin, DDT etc.), insecticides,
herbicides etc.
Industrial Waste
Industrial waste
Bio-degradable Non-Biodegradable
Cotton mills Thermal power plants (fly ash)
Food processing units Iron & steel plant (slag)
Paper mills Other manufacturing
units.
Textile factories etc
STRATEGIES TO CONTROL ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Waste Management
Solid waste is not the only waste, which you see in your household garbage
box.
Homes Offices
Sources
Schools Hospitals
Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM–U)
The SBM–U primarily aims at
▪ Making Urban India free from open defecation.
▪ Achieving 100% scientific management of solid waste in the country.
Swachh Bharat Mission–Gramin (SBM–G)
The SBM–G targets to
▪ Bring about an improvement in the general quality of life in rural areas
by promoting cleanliness and hygiene.
▪ Eliminating open defecation.
Collection and Disposal of domestic waste
Domestic Waste Small Bins Disposable Site
Biodegradable waste Non-Biodegradable waste
Deposited in Land fills Recycle
Compost
Green Chemistry
Green chemistry is a way to reduce the adverse impact on environment.
Green chemistry is a production process that would minimum pollution
to the environment.
It is a cost-effective approach which involves reduction in material,
energy consumption and waste generation.
Green Chemistry in day-to-day Life
(i) Dry Cleaning of Clothes
Tetrachloroethene (Cl2C = CCl2) was earlier used as solvent for dry
cleaning. The compound contaminates the ground water and is also a
suspected carcinogen. Replacement of halogenated solvent by liquid CO2
will result in less harm to ground water.
(ii) Bleaching of Paper
Chlorine gas was used earlier for bleaching paper. These days, hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2) with suitable catalyst which promotes the bleaching
action of hydrogen peroxide, is used.
Green Chemistry in day-to-day Life
(iii) Synthesis of Chemicals
Ethanal (CH3CHO) is now commercially prepared by one step oxidation of
ethene in the presence of ionic catalyst in aqueous medium with a yield of
90%. catalyst
CH2 = CH2 + O2 CH3CHO (90%)
(iv) Green Solution to Clean Turbid Water
Powder of kernel of “Tamarind Seeds” has been found to be an effective
material to make municipal and industrial waste-water clean. It is non-
toxic, biodegradable and cost-effective material. This powder is usually
discarded as agricultural waste.
