POLLUTIO

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DEFINITION DEFINITION Pollution is the effect of undesirable Pollution is the effect of undesirable

changes in our surroundings that have harmful changes in our surroundings that have harmful effects on plants animals and human beings.effects on plants animals and human beings.

(Pollutants –solid, liquid or gaseous (Pollutants –solid, liquid or gaseous substances).substances).

CLASSIFICATION OF POLLUTANTSCLASSIFICATION OF POLLUTANTSDegradable or non persistent pollutants Degradable or non persistent pollutants (Eg.food waste vegelables etc.(Eg.food waste vegelables etc.Slowly –degradable or persistent pollutants Slowly –degradable or persistent pollutants (Eg. Plastics)(Eg. Plastics)Non –degradable pollutants (Eg.nuclear waste)Non –degradable pollutants (Eg.nuclear waste)

CAUSES, EFFECTS AND CONTROL MEASURES OF POLLUTION

1. AIR POLLUTION WHAT IS AIR POLLUTION?

Air pollution occurs due to the presence of undesirable solid or gaseous particles in the air, in quantities that are harmful to human health and the environment.

TYPES OF POLLUTANTS

Primary pollutants Secondary pollutants

EFFECTS ON HUMAN BEINGSEFFECTS ON HUMAN BEINGS

Lung cancer, asthma, chronic bronchitis and Lung cancer, asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema emphysema

Exposure to air containing 0.001% of co lead to Exposure to air containing 0.001% of co lead to collapse come and death collapse come and death

Oxygen carrying capacity of blood Oxygen carrying capacity of blood Impairs perception and thinking, head ache etcImpairs perception and thinking, head ache etc Sulphur, nitrogen oxides irritates respiratory system Sulphur, nitrogen oxides irritates respiratory system Suspended particles aggravates RTISuspended particles aggravates RTI Many volatile organic compounds (eg. formaldehyde) Many volatile organic compounds (eg. formaldehyde)

and toxic particulates (eg. lead) can cause mutations, and toxic particulates (eg. lead) can cause mutations, reproductive problems or cancer.reproductive problems or cancer.

EFFECTS ON PLANTS EFFECTS ON PLANTS • Damage trees from diseases, pests, drought, frost Damage trees from diseases, pests, drought, frost EFFECTS ON MATERIALS EFFECTS ON MATERIALS • Break down the exterior paint Break down the exterior paint • Discolor irreplaceable monuments, statues, beauty sites etc Discolor irreplaceable monuments, statues, beauty sites etc

(finance loss)(finance loss) EFFECTS ON THE STRATOSPHERE EFFECTS ON THE STRATOSPHERE • Destruction of the ozone layer (ozone hole) Destruction of the ozone layer (ozone hole) IMPLICATIONS FOR MANKINDIMPLICATIONS FOR MANKIND • Effects on human healthEffects on human health• Food production Food production • Plant and animal planktons damage Plant and animal planktons damage • Effect on materialsEffect on materials• Effect on climate Effect on climate

CONTROL MEASURESCONTROL MEASURES Natural measures (Rain, wind) Natural measures (Rain, wind) Engineering measures (Substitutics, Engineering measures (Substitutics,

dispension higher smoke-stacks dispension higher smoke-stacks Educational measures (legal, inter-Educational measures (legal, inter-

national measures)national measures)

2. WATER POLLUTION2. WATER POLLUTIONCAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION Surface water pollution Surface water pollution Disease causing agents Disease causing agents Oxygen –depleting wastesOxygen –depleting wastes Inorganic plant nutrients (eg. water soluble nitrates Inorganic plant nutrients (eg. water soluble nitrates

and phosphates)and phosphates) Water soluble inorganic chemicals Water soluble inorganic chemicals Variety of organic chemicals Variety of organic chemicals Sediment of suspended matter Sediment of suspended matter Water soluble radio active isotopes Water soluble radio active isotopes Hot water released by power plants and industries Hot water released by power plants and industries Oil pollution Oil pollution

GROUND WATER POLLUTIONGROUND WATER POLLUTION Urban run-off of untreated or poorly treated waste Urban run-off of untreated or poorly treated waste

water and garbage water and garbage Industrial wastes Industrial wastes Agricultural practices Agricultural practices Leaks from underground storage pipes and tanks Leaks from underground storage pipes and tanks Leachate from land fills Leachate from land fills Poorly-designed and inadequately maintained septic Poorly-designed and inadequately maintained septic

tanks tanks Mining wastesMining wastes EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTIONEFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION Water borne diseases Water borne diseases Chemical poisoningChemical poisoning CONTROL MEASURES CONTROL MEASURES Setting up treatment plants Setting up treatment plants Root zone processRoot zone process

3.3. SOIL POLLUTION SOIL POLLUTION

SOIL PROFILESOIL PROFILEo Top layer or the surface litter layer called O-horizon Top layer or the surface litter layer called O-horizon o The uppermost layer, the A –horizon The uppermost layer, the A –horizon o The subsoil layer, the B –horizon The subsoil layer, the B –horizon o Below the subsoil, the C –horizonBelow the subsoil, the C –horizon

CAUSES OF SOIL DEGRADATIONCAUSES OF SOIL DEGRADATION o Erosion Erosion o Excess use of fertilizersExcess use of fertilizerso Excess salts and water Excess salts and water

EFFECTS EFFECTS Less fertile Less fertile Water holding capacity Water holding capacity Turbidity leading to the loss of aquatic life Turbidity leading to the loss of aquatic life Effect of half life Effect of half life Salination and water logging Salination and water logging CONTROL MEASURESCONTROL MEASURES To prevent soil erosion To prevent soil erosion Area treatment Area treatment Drainage –line treatment Drainage –line treatment Adopting sustainable forming practices Adopting sustainable forming practices

4. MARINE POLLUTION4. MARINE POLLUTION

DEFINITIONDEFINITION • Marine pollution can be defined as the introduction Marine pollution can be defined as the introduction

of substances to the marine environment directly or of substances to the marine environment directly or indirectly by man resulting in adverse effect. indirectly by man resulting in adverse effect.

CAUSES CAUSES • Discharging wastes into the seaDischarging wastes into the sea• Washed off pesticides and fertilizers from the land Washed off pesticides and fertilizers from the land • Petroleum and oils washed off from the roads Petroleum and oils washed off from the roads • Ship accidents and accidental spillages at sea Ship accidents and accidental spillages at sea • Off share oil exploration and extraction Off share oil exploration and extraction

CONTROL MEASURESCONTROL MEASURES Sewage treatment plant Sewage treatment plant

Primary treatment Primary treatment Secondary treatment Secondary treatment Advanced sewage treatment Advanced sewage treatment

For oil pollution –use of chemical dispersants For oil pollution –use of chemical dispersants EFFECTS EFFECTS Development of red tides Development of red tides Oil slicks damage marine life, affect fish, Oil slicks damage marine life, affect fish,

shall fish production shall fish production Reduces the market value of sea food.Reduces the market value of sea food.

5. NOISE POLLUTION5. NOISE POLLUTIONSOURCES OR NOISE POLLUTIONSOURCES OR NOISE POLLUTION • Indoor noise pollution Indoor noise pollution • Outdoor noise pollutionOutdoor noise pollution EFFECTS EFFECTS • Temporary or permanent hearing lossTemporary or permanent hearing loss• Emotional or psychological effects Emotional or psychological effects • Increased rate of accidentsIncreased rate of accidents CONTROL MEASURESCONTROL MEASURES • Reduce noise at the source Reduce noise at the source • Block the path of noise Block the path of noise • Increase the path-length Increase the path-length • Protect the recipient Protect the recipient

6.THERMAL POLLUTION6.THERMAL POLLUTION

DEFINITION DEFINITION • Definition –Discharge of warm water into a river is Definition –Discharge of warm water into a river is

usually called thermal pollution usually called thermal pollution CAUSES CAUSES • Discharge of heated water by the industriesDischarge of heated water by the industries EFFECTSEFFECTS • Decreases the solubility of oxygen Decreases the solubility of oxygen • Changes the ecological balance of the river Changes the ecological balance of the river • Promote the growth of certain fish and the fish Promote the growth of certain fish and the fish

catch may be high in the vicinity of a power plant catch may be high in the vicinity of a power plant • Change in the diversity of faunaChange in the diversity of fauna

CONTROL MEASURESCONTROL MEASURES Passing the heated water through a cooling pond or Passing the heated water through a cooling pond or

tower tower

7. NUCLEAR HAZARDS7. NUCLEAR HAZARDS

CAUSES CAUSES Leakage from nuclear power unit Leakage from nuclear power unit Explosion of atom bombs Explosion of atom bombs Testing of nuclear product Testing of nuclear product

EFFECTEFFECT Genetic anomalies Genetic anomalies Mutation leading to cancerMutation leading to cancer

8.8. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT –CAUSES SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT –CAUSES EFFECTS AND CONTROL MEASURES OF URBAN EFFECTS AND CONTROL MEASURES OF URBAN

AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE.AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE.

CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION Municipal solid waste Municipal solid waste Hazardous wastes Hazardous wastes

CONTROL MEASURES OF URBAN WASTESCONTROL MEASURES OF URBAN WASTESSource reductionSource reduction Recycling Recycling Disposal Disposal VermicompostingVermicomposting

HAZARDOUS WASTES HAZARDOUS WASTES • Toxic waste Toxic waste • Reactive waste Reactive waste • Ignitable wasteIgnitable waste• Corrosive wastesCorrosive wastes• Infectious wastes Infectious wastes • Radioactive wastes Radioactive wastes

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND HEALTH RISKS ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND HEALTH RISKS • Contamination of ground water Contamination of ground water • Affects aquatic life, birds life and human Affects aquatic life, birds life and human

lifelife

9. ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN THE 9. ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTIONPREVENTION OF POLLUTION

Plant trees wherever you can and Plant trees wherever you can and more importantly take care of them. more importantly take care of them. They reduce air pollution They reduce air pollution

Reduce the use of wood and paper Reduce the use of wood and paper products wherever possible products wherever possible

Reuse as many envelopes as you canReuse as many envelopes as you can Do not buy furniture, doors or window Do not buy furniture, doors or window

frames made from tropical hardwoods frames made from tropical hardwoods

Use pesticides only when absolutely Use pesticides only when absolutely necessary and use them in small necessary and use them in small amounts.amounts.

Advocate organic farming Advocate organic farming Reduce the use of fossil fuels Reduce the use of fossil fuels Buy consumer goods that last.Buy consumer goods that last. Try to avoid asking for plastic carry Try to avoid asking for plastic carry

bags bags

Contd…Contd…

Recycle all newspaper, glass, aluminum Recycle all newspaper, glass, aluminum and other items accepted for recycling and other items accepted for recycling

Set up a compost bin in your garden or Set up a compost bin in your garden or terrace terrace

Start individual or community composting Start individual or community composting or vermicomposting plants or vermicomposting plants

Do not litter the roads and surrounding Do not litter the roads and surrounding You could join any of the several NGOs that You could join any of the several NGOs that

exist in our country or become volunteers.exist in our country or become volunteers.

ContdContd……

Contd…Contd… Learn about the biodiversity of your Learn about the biodiversity of your

own area own area You cannot improve your world by You cannot improve your world by

not voting. not voting. Do not get discouraged at the first Do not get discouraged at the first

sign of troublesign of trouble When talking to elected officials When talking to elected officials

always be courteous and reasonable. always be courteous and reasonable.

10. Disaster management: 10. Disaster management: floods,floods,

earthquakes, cyclones earthquakes, cyclones landslidelandslide

GUIDELINES FOR AN EFFECTIVE MITIGATION PROGRAMGUIDELINES FOR AN EFFECTIVE MITIGATION PROGRAM Pro-disaster mitigation Pro-disaster mitigation Mitigation measures must ensure protection of Mitigation measures must ensure protection of

the natural and cultural assets of the the natural and cultural assets of the community community

Hazard reduction methods Hazard reduction methods Any mitigation program must ensure an Any mitigation program must ensure an

effective partnership between Government effective partnership between Government private sectors, NGOs, scientific and the private sectors, NGOs, scientific and the community community

ELEMENTS OF A MITIGATION STRATEGYELEMENTS OF A MITIGATION STRATEGY

Risk assessment and vulnerability analysisRisk assessment and vulnerability analysis Incentives and resources for mitigation Incentives and resources for mitigation Applied research and technology transfer Applied research and technology transfer Public awareness and training Public awareness and training Institutional mechanisms Institutional mechanisms Land use planning and regulations Land use planning and regulations Hazard resistant design and construction Hazard resistant design and construction Structural and constructional reinforcement Structural and constructional reinforcement

of existing buildings of existing buildings

FLOODS AND MITIGATION MEASURES STRUCTURAL FLOODS AND MITIGATION MEASURES STRUCTURAL MEASURESMEASURES

Reservoirs flow to be regulated Reservoirs flow to be regulated Construction of embankments and floodwalls Construction of embankments and floodwalls Improve flow conditions in the channel and anti-erosion Improve flow conditions in the channel and anti-erosion

measures measures Improved drainage.Improved drainage.

Non-structural measuresNon-structural measures Flood –plain management Flood –plain management Maintaining wetlands Maintaining wetlands Flood forecasting and warning services Flood forecasting and warning services Disaster relief, flood fighting and public health Disaster relief, flood fighting and public health

measures measures Flood insurance Flood insurance

EARTHQUAKES AND MITIGATION MEASURESEARTHQUAKES AND MITIGATION MEASURES Role of NGOsRole of NGOs

CYCLONES AND MITIGATION MEASURES CYCLONES AND MITIGATION MEASURES Installation of early warning systems Installation of early warning systems Developing communication infrastructureDeveloping communication infrastructure Developing shelter belts Developing shelter belts Developing community cyclone shelters Developing community cyclone shelters Construction of permanent houses Construction of permanent houses Training and education Training and education Land use control and settlement planning Land use control and settlement planning

LAND SLIDES AND MITIGATION MEASURESLAND SLIDES AND MITIGATION MEASURES

Developmental programs that involve Developmental programs that involve modification of the topography exploitation modification of the topography exploitation of natural resources of natural resources

preventive measures for further landslides preventive measures for further landslides are drainage measures, erosion –control are drainage measures, erosion –control measures rock fall control measures measures rock fall control measures

preventing deforestation preventing deforestation improving afforestationimproving afforestation