Module 3

ENVIRONMENTAL
POLLUTION

Dr. Anupama C
Assistant Professor
Dept of Chemical
Engineering, S.I.T
 Environmental pollution
The word “pollution” is from Latin word pollutionem (make dirty).

Pollution is an undesirable change in the physical, chemical and

biological characteristics of water, air and land (soil)
Pollution may cause potential health hazard of any
living being or species or loss of cultural and
natural assets.
Speedy exploitation of natural resources by man disturbed the
sensitive ecological balance between living and non-living
component of biosphere.
Pollution of the environment directly leads to the ecological
imbalance of the world.
Progress in science and technology is leading to the pollution of
environment. In the long run it may leads to the disaster of mankind
and other living organisms.
Now a days it is becoming common to find warning boards in public places,
stating

“Water unfit for drinking”,

Do not eat fish caught here”,

Water is unfit for recreation”,

“Air unfit for breathing”, and so on.

The rapid progress in Industry, Agriculture,
Transportation etc, are taken as the general
criterion to measure the development of any
nation.

All these activities has created adverse effect on

the biosphere in one or the other way.
Rapid industrialization and urbanization leads to

1. Depleted natural resource,

[Link] soil,

[Link] air (atmosphere) and

[Link] the forest resources (animals, plant etc).

Deplete the forest resources (animals, plant etc).
depleted natural resource,
contaminated air (atmosphere)
contaminated soil,
Pollutant:

• Pollutant is a substance that causes pollution.

• Pollution is caused by the addition of substances by human

activity to the environment.

• When these substances are not removed, assimilated or

decomposed by the nature (physical or biological process), the
accumulation of these pollutants causes pollution.
A pollutant may include any activity

[Link]
[Link], geochemical (dust), substances,
[Link] component or product,
[Link] factor (light, heat) etc.

that is released into the environment in such a

concentration that may have harmful or unpleasant
effects.
Pollutant is also defined as

“Any liquid, solid or gaseous substance present in such concentration

as may be or tend to be injurious to the environment”.

Pollutants are the remaining as of the things we make use and throw.
Sources of pollution:

The sources of pollution is broadly classified into two

groups: 1. Natural 2. Man made or anthropogenic

1. Natural sources:

(a)volcanic eruptions (releases gases and ash),

(b)earthquake,
(c) forest fire,
(d)dust storm (deserts),
(e) cyst and pollens,
(f) spores
(g) decay of organic matter etc.
(a) volcanic eruptions (releases gases and ash),
(a)earthquake,
forest fire,
(a) dust storm (deserts),
cyst and pollens,
decay of organic matter etc.
(b) Man made (artificial) or Anthropogenic sources:

The pollution originate due to the activities of man.

Anthropogenic sources cover a wide range of sources.

Since man has aggravated the problem of pollution due to multiple activities
for his comfort and enjoyment.

The sources are

[Link],
2. industrialization
[Link]
[Link] explosions
[Link] population
6. quarrying and mining
[Link] activities
8. wars
[Link] (fertilizers and pesticides) etc.
Deforestation
contaminated surface (rivers) and ground water,
Nuclear explosions
over population,
 Classification of pollutants
Pollutants are classified as follows

(a) Based on the form they exist

(i) Primary pollutants:

These persist in the form in which they are added to the environment.
DDT, Plastic.

(ii) Secondary pollutants:

These are formed by interaction among the primary pollutants.

For example - peroxy acetyl nitrate (PAN)

it is formed by the reaction of two primary pollutants, namely nitrogen oxides

and hydrocarbons released from the motor vehicles in presence of sunlight.
b) Based on biological degradability

(i) Biodegradable (Degradable) pollutants:

1. They are actually waste products, which are slowly degradable by

microbial action.

2. They cause pollution when their production exceeds the capacity of the
environment to degrade them Ex. sewage.

ii) Non degradable (non-biodegradable) pollutants:

They are waste products, which are not decomposed or are decomposed very
slowly.

They include wastes like

(eg. plastics, glass, plastic bottles, polythene bags, used soft drink cans etc) or
poisons (eg. pesticides like DDT, salts of heavy metals, radio active
substances etc).

The non-biodegradable pollutants are difficult to manage and in most cases

there is no treatment process to handle the anthropogenic input of such
materials in the eco system.
© Based on their existence:

(i) Quantitative pollutants:

These are the substances, which occur in nature

but become pollutant when their concentration
reaches beyond a threshold value in the
environment. [Link] dioxide, nitrogen oxide.

(ii) Qualitative pollutants:

These are the substances that do not occur in the

environment but are passed into it through human
activity. Ex. Fungicides, herbicides, DDT etc.
(d) Based on their origin:

(i)Natural pollutnts: Volcanic eruptions add tons of toxic

gases and particulate matter n the environment.

(ii) Man made or Anthropogenic pollutants:

It is a man made pollutants such as industrial pollutants,

agricultural pollutants, etc

Principle pollutants: Various pollutants that cause

environmental pollution are
Deposited Dust, smoke, soot, grit, tar
matter
Gases Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide,
Ozone, ammonia, halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine).
Chemical Hydrogen fluoride, aldehydes, detergents, etc.
compounds
Acid droplets Nitric acid, sulphuric acid, etc
Metals Iron, zinc, nickel, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, etc.
Agrochemicals Pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, etc
(poisons)
Organic Acetic acid, benzene, ether, toluene, benzopyrenes, etc
substances
Photochemical Photochemical smog, peroxy acetyl nitrate (PAN),nitrogen oxides,
oxidants etc.
Fertilizers Nitrogen, phosphorous, potash, etc
Sewage waste, noise and heat, radioactive waste (iodine-131, cobalt-60, argon-41)
etc.
Types of Environmental pollution:
Pollution can be classified according to the medium in which it is
added or occur.

The major types of pollution are

Air pollution (atmosphere pollution)

Water pollution

Land/soil pollution

Noise pollution
 Air pollution
Composition of Air:
Various gases are present in the atmosphere as shown in the table.
Percent
Gases (by volume)
Nitrogen 78.084 The nitrogen gas is biologically inert but some
bacteria and plants utilize it.
Oxygen 20.9476 The oxygen is essential for all living beings.

Argon 0.934

Carbon dioxide 0.0314 Carbon dioxide is utilized in photosynthetic

process of plants
Methane 0.0002
Hydrogen 0.00005 Trace gases (helium, neon, krypton, xenon, etc.)
Other gases Minute have little or no role with the living organisms

Atmospheric pollution is the addition of harmful gases by human activities.

 Types of air pollutants
On the basis of physical state, air pollutants are of two types-gaseous and
particulate.

(1)Gaseous pollutants:

These pollutants are in gaseous state at normal temperature and pressure.

(2) Particulate pollutants:

These pollutants occur as solid and liquid particles.

They are of two types-

1)Settleable and

2) Suspended.
Types of air pollutants
(1)Gaseous pollutants:
2.0 Particulate pollutants:
Settleable:

The particles larger than 10 m in diameter such as water drops, sand etc which
settle down rapidly in still air, are called settleable pollutants.

Suspended:

The smaller particles such as dust, smoke, etc. which remain suspended for long
periods in the air are called suspended pollutants.

These include soot, asbestos fibers, pesticides, some metals (including Hg, Pb, Cu
and Fe) and also biological agents like tiny dust, mites and pollen.

The larger suspended particles with more than 1m in diameter are often called
dust (solid) and mist (liquid).

Aerosols, smokes and fumes are also suspended particles with a diameter less
than 1m.
Sources of air pollution:

The sources that contribute pollutants to the air are as follows

[Link] combustion sources:

•Burning of fuels in industries,
•residential establishments,
•hotels,
•bakeries,
•thermal plants
• brick kilns
•contribute most of the gaseous and particulate pollutants in the air.

•Coal and wood are largely made of carbon mixed with some incombustible
minerals, sulphur and nitrogen.

•Therefore, when fossil fuels are burnt they produce a mixture of oxides of
carbon, nitrogen and sulphur and water vapor.

•Burning of coal also produce mineral ash, some of which is discharged as fly
ash.
(II) Mobile combustion sources:
These include
[Link],
[Link],
[Link], etc.

With the rapid increase in vehicular traffic, automobiles have become the
largest source of air pollution in cities.

(III) Industrial processing and other sources:

[Link] industrial processes involve

[Link] processing,
[Link],
[Link],
[Link] of chemicals, etc.

These processes release several gaseous and particulate pollutants into

the air.
Gaseous pollutants of different types are released from the industries that
process organic chemicals at high temperatures.
Major air pollutants and their effects:

Air quality surrounding human has a direct impact on health and property.

The health effects of air pollutants are classified as

[Link]-term effects and
[Link]-term effects.

Elderly people and children often suffer more from the air pollution.

The harmful effects of air pollution depend on the concentration of pollutants

and duration of exposure.
Effect of air pollution on human health:

[Link] irritation

[Link] and throat irritation

[Link] of respiratory tract

[Link] like H2S, NH3 and mercaptans cause odour nuisance even at low
concentrations.

[Link] in mortality rate and morbidity rate.

6.A variety of particulates particularly pollens initiates asthmatic attacks.

[Link] pulmonary diseases like

bronchitis and Asthma are aggravated by a high concentration of SO2,
NO2, particulate matter and photochemical smog.
Carbon monoxide combines with the hemoglobin in the blood and
consequently increases stress on those suffering from cardio vascular and
pulmonary diseases.

Hydrogen fluoride causes dieses of bone (fluorisis) and mottling of teeth.

Carcinogenic agents cause cancer.

Dust particles cause respiratory diseases diseases like silicosis, asbestosis

etc, result from specific dusts.

Certain heavy metals like lead may enter the body through the lungs and
cause poisoning.
 Water pollution
Potable water: Water that is free from apparent turbidity, colour,
and odour and free from any objectionable taste so that it
consumed in any desired amount without concern for adverse
effects on health is known as potable water.
Polluted water: Water containing any foreign matter (solid, liquid or
gaseous) that is infectious or non-infectious and toxic or non-toxic that
affects its beneficial usage is known as polluted water.
Contaminated water: Water that contains infectious agents or
toxic matter that affects the health of the community and
make the water unfit for its beneficial usage is known as
contaminated water.
Wholesome water: Water that does not contain harmful
impurities and does contain other salts and minerals that are
useful to health is known wholesome water.
[Link]. Industry Water quality
Boiler feed water Soft, nosalts,P <6.5,calcium & magnesium chloride should be
H
1
absent.
Paper industry Free from colour, hardness, iron and manganese.
2
Textile industry Free from colour, hardness, iron and manganese. Dissolved solids
3
should be less.
Cement concrete Free from excess of sulphates and chlorides.
4
products
Dyeing industry Free from Iron, colour turbidity and salts.
5
Manufacture of ice Free from colour, suspended matter, iron, manganese and bacteria
6
Dairies and Beverage Free from bacteria and salts.
7
industries
Tanning industries Free from iron and calcium salts
8
Laundries Clear, soft and free from iron
9
Photographic film Free from colour, suspended matter, iron, manganese and zinc
10
making industries
Less chlorides content
11 Steel rolling mills
Common impurities in water

They are classified into the following three categories

[Link]
2. chemical
3. Biological impurities
Physical impurities
• Colour is due to presence of natural metallic ions (iron and
manganese), peat (decayed vegetable matter),
• Weeds,
• Humus,
• Plankton
• Industrial wastes.
Taste may be bitter, salty, sour sweet.

Taste and odor are closely related and these may be imparted
to water by the presence of dissolved gases such as H 2S, CH4,
CO2, O2 etc, combined with organic matter.

Mineral substances like NaCl, iron compounds, carbonates

and sulphates of other elements, phenol and other tarry or
oily matter.
Odour may be
unpleasant,
earthy,
fishy,
grassy,
muddy,
Peaty
sweetish.
 Chemical impurities

Total solids ,dissolved solids and suspended solids present in

water,
pH value,
hardness,
chloride content,
nitrogen content, etc.
 Turbidity

Turbidity in water is caused by

suspended matter, such as clay, silt,
finely divided organic and inorganic
matter, soluble coloured organic
compounds Plankton and microscopic
organism.
 Total solids

Total solids comprises of

Suspended Dissolved Fixed solids Volatile solids Settable solids
solids solids
Clay, algae, inorganic Residue left Organic in nature
fungi, mineral salts, after burning
matter, organic small at the temp of
& inorganic 550 C Grits, sand, soil etc
amounts
matter
Of organic
compounds
gases
 pH is defined as the logarithm of the reciprocal of hydrogen ion (H+ ions)
concentration.
pH=log1/H+

=(-)log (H+)
The pH value of water is a measure of acidity and
alkalinity of water.

The acidity in water is caused by the presence of mineral acids, free

carbon dioxide, sulphates of iron, aluminium etc.

The alkalinity in water is caused by the presence of bicarbonates of

calcium and magnesium presence of carbonates or hydroxides of
sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Fig: pH Scale Maximum acidity
(power of hydrogen) 0 Caused by the presence

1 Mineral acids

2 Free CO2
pH=log1/H+ 3
Sulphates of Fe & Al etc
4
=(-)log (H+) 5 Effects; Tuberculation
corrosion

For pure 6
7 Neutral water
water pH=7
8 Caused by the presence
9 HCO3 & CO3 of Ca, Mg
10
Hydroxides of Na, Ca, Mg
11
Effects; Incrustation of pipes
12 Sediment deposit
13 Physiological effects on humans

14
Maximum alkalinity
Hardness:
Hardness is that characteristic of water that prevents the formation of sufficient
lather or foam with soap.

The hardness of water is usually expressed in mg/l.

Temporary hardness Permanent hardness

(Also known as carbonate hardness) (Also known as non-carbonate hardness)
Duet the presence of bicarbonates of Duet the presence of
calcium and magnesium cause the hardness of sulphates,
water. chlorides
and nitrates
Hardness can be removed by of calcium an magnesium cause the hardness of
boiling the water or by adding lime to the water water.

it cannot be removed by simply boiling. It

requires special treatment of water softening.
Rusting/ corrosion
Fluorides: Fluoride is known to contaminate ground water reserve
globally.
High fluoride content in ground water has been reported from
India,
china,
Sri Lanka,
West Indies,
Spain,
Holland,
Italy,
Mexico
and North and South American countries.

In India fluoride occurs in many places of

Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh,
Tamil Nadu,
Gujarat,
Rajasthan,
Punjab,
Haryana,
Bihar
Kerala.
It is reported that fluorides present in ground water is in the range of
1.5 to 6 mg/l in general
But in some places the concentration is as high as 25 mg/l.

The major sources of fluoride in nature are fluorspars in sedimentary

rocks (like lime stone, sand stone), rock phosphates (fluorapetite)
phosphorities (cryolite in igneous rock).

The fluoride content in ground water of Indian aquifer varies from less
than 1 mg/l up to 25 mg/l.

Fluoride is a mineral cation that is beneficial and as well as harmful to

human.

Desired concentration of fluorides in drinking water is 1 to 1.5 mg/l.

Consumption of excessive fluorides for long periods causes
crippling of bones, a disease called ‘skeletal fluorisis’. Hence
fluoride is called as doubled edged weapon.
Nitrogen content: The presence of nitrogen and its compounds in water is
an indication of the presence of organic matter in water and the extent to
which the organic matter has undergone decomposition resulting in the
pollution of water .
The nitrogen is present in water in the following four forms.

(1) Free Ammonia

(2) Albuminoid
nitrogen
(3) Nitrites

(4) Nitrates
The amount of nitrates in drinking water should not exceed 45 mg/l.
The presence of excess amount of nitrates in drinking water may adversely
affect the health of infants, causing a disease called ‘methemoglobinemia’
(commonly known as ‘blue baby disease’) which may result in the death of the
child in extreme cases.
Metals and other chemical
substances:

Water may contain several metals and

other chemical substances such as
iron,
manganese,
copper,
lead,
barium,
cadmium,
arsenic,
selenium,
sulphates, etc.

In drinking water the amount of the

various metals and other chemical
substances should not exceed the
permissible values because their
presence in excess of the prescribed
limits may be harmful.
Chloride content: Chlorides are
usually present in water in the
form of sodium chloride (common
salt).
These impart a salty taste to
water.

The chlorides may be added to

water due
dissolving salts from topsoils as
well as from underground
formations,

intrusion of seawater into fresh

water in the coastal regions,
Disposal of industrial and domestic wastes human excreta into
streams or rivers, etc.

The presence of large quantity of chlorides in water indicates its

pollution due to sewage, minerals, etc.
The excess concentration of iron and manganese in water may
cause
discoloration of clothes washed in such waters.

incrustations in water mains due to deposition of ferric

hydroxide and manganese oxide.

The presence of copper in excess amount is likely to affect

human lungs and other respiratory organs.

A high concentration of sulphates may produce laxative effect

on human system.

Lead, arsenic, cadmium, selenium etc are the toxic materials

and only human body can tolerate a very low concentration of
these.
Dissolved gases: The water contains various gases which are
dissolved in it due to its contact with atmosphere and ground
surface. The gases which may usually be present in water are

nitrogen, ---not desirable

methane, ----explosive
hydrogen sulphide, ----- bad smell
carbon dioxide ----taste
Oxygen. ----desirable (richness, freshness)

The contents of these dissolved gases in water may be

determined so as to get an idea of the extent of contamination
of water.
•Bacteriological impurities

water contains pathogenic and Bacteria—they are

classified according to
non-pathogenic bacteria
1) Their shapes
2) Oxygen requirement
3) Effect on human health
Types of bacteria

Cocci—(round shaped)

Bacilli—(rod shaped)

Spiralla– (Spiral shaped)

Flagellates—(hair like
structure)
Aerobic bacteria--- survive & thrive in the presence of
oxygen

Anaerobic bacteria-- survive & thrive in the absence of

oxygen

Facultative bacteria-- survive & thrive in the presence &

absence of oxygen

Pathogens—Disease causing bacteria

Non -pathogens—Non harmful bacteria

Jaundice
Gastroenteritis
Water borne diseases
 Common Water borne diseases

The pathogenic bacteria are the real foes of mankind,

may cause serious water borne diseases such as

Typhoid Bacteria
Para typhoid Bacteria
Cholera Bacteria
Bacillary dysentery Bacteria

Diarrhoea Bacteria
Jaundice (Hepatitis ) Virus

Gastroenteritis Virus

Poliomyelitis Virus
Amebiasis Protozoa
Giardiasis Protozoa
Cholera diarrhea Protozoa
Generally non-pathogenic and pathogenic bacteria occur
together, and hence the presence of large amount of non-
pathogenic bacteria in a water sample indicates the possibility of
the pathogenic bacteria being also present in the water sample.
Soil pollution:
Soil: Soil is one of the most significant ecological factors. It is an aggregation of
unconsolidated mineral and organic particles produced by physical and biological
process. It is a medium that supports the growth of plants, water, mineral supply and
[Link] is also defined, as a highly generalized structure of the shallow upper
layers of land surface of the earth, which by weathering of underlying rocks, intimate
association with organic matter and with living organisms, has become a suitable
habitat for the living beings.
Sources of soil pollution:
(a) Solid wastes
(b) Industrial wastes
(c) Agricultural practices
(d) Radioactive wastes
(e) Biological pollutants
Effects of soil pollution:
(i) Industrial wastes consist of chemicals that are extremely toxic and hazardous to
living beings. Industries such as steel, fertilizers, pesticides, pulp and paper, refineries
etc, discharge suspended solids, oil and greases, solvents, heavy metal, organic and
inorganic pollutants, hazardous wastes and nondegradable compounds into soil. The
toxicants are transferred to organisms present in soil and enter food chain, which leads
to undesirable effects.
(ii) Discharge of metallic compounds (Hg, Zn, Cd, Cr, Na, K, Cu, As etc) effects the
beneficial microorganisms, worms and bacteria in the soil. Accumulation of these in
the soil for long period may kill the living organisms and contaminate water.
(iii) Utilization of sewage, septic tank effluent, sludge of municipal wastewater
treatment for irrigation and manure for longer period will decrease the agricultural
production and effects soil fertility.
(iv) Radiation from radionuclides affects the soil fertility. This intense radiation affects
the plant growth, production etc.
(v) Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers for agriculture leads to accumulation of
the soil for long period may kill the living organisms and contaminate water.
(iii) Utilization of sewage, septic tank effluent, sludge of municipal wastewater
treatment for irrigation and manure for longer period will decrease the agricultural
production and effects soil fertility.
(iv) Radiation from radionuclides affects the soil fertility. This intense radiation affects
the plant growth, production etc.
(v) Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers for agriculture leads to accumulation of
nitrate in the soil and later percolates into the ground water and becomes toxic (>45
mg/l). This nitrates leads to blue baby diseases in newborn babies.
(vi) Excess use of pesticides and insecticides leads to accumulation in soil, which
concentrates in vegetables, fruits, crops etc and make them unfit for use.
Control of soil pollution:

1. Use of pesticides should be minimized.

2. Use of fertilizers should be judicious.
3. Cropping techniques should be improved to prevent growth of weeds.
4. Special pits should be selected for dumping wastes.

5. Controlled grazing and forest management.

6. Wind breaks and wind shield in areas exposed to wind erosin
7. Planning of soil binding grasses along banks and slopes prone to rapid erosin.
8. Afforestation and reforestation.
THANK
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