Lecture 8

Environmental Pollution

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 1

The introduction of impurities to the
environment by human activities or
natural processes that interrupts
ecological balance

The introduction of contaminants into

the environment that cause harm or
What is
discomfort to humans or other living
organisms, or that damage the
Environmental
environment Pollution?

The contamination of the physical and

biological (biotic/abiotic) components of
the earth/atmosphere system to such an
extent that normal environmental
processes are adversely affected

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 2

 General Characteristics of
Environmental Pollutants
➢ Pollutants don't recognize boundaries,
i.e. they are transboundary;
➢ Many of them can't be degraded by
living organisms and therefore stay in
the environment for many years
➢ They destroy living organisms and habitat.

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 3

Categories of Pollutants

(a) Biodegradable pollutants - Broken down by the activity of micro-

organisms and enter into the biogeochemical cycles. Examples of
such pollutants are domestic waste products, urine and fecal matter,
sewage, agricultural residue, paper, wood and cloth etc.

(b) Non- Biodegradable pollutants - With stronger chemical

bondage and do not break down into simpler and harmless products.
These include various insecticides and other pesticides, mercury,
lead, arsenic, aluminum, plastics, radioactive waste etc.

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 4

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 5
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 6
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 7
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 8
Why pollution occurs?

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 9

Drivers, Causes and Sources

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 10

Primary and Secondary Causes

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 11

Sources

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 12

Sources

13
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Sources

14
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Sources

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 15

Sources

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 16

Sources

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 17

Sources

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 18

Major Types of Pollution

• Air pollution
• Water pollution
• Soil/land pollution
• Noise pollution

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 19

Air Pollution

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 20

Air Pollution

▪contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment

by any chemical, physical or biological agent that
modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere
(WHO)

▪introduction into the atmosphere of chemicals,

particulates, or biological materials that cause
discomfort, disease, or death to humans, damage other
living organisms or damage the natural environment or
built environment.

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 21

Air Composition

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 22

Air composition

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 23

Air Pollution

Air
pollutants

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 24

Sources of Air Pollution
Anthropogenic Natural
Stationary sources (power plants, Volcanic activity (sulfur, chlorine, ash
incinerators, factories) particulates)

Mobile sources (vehicles, vessels, Food digestion (methane)

aircraft)
Agriculture and forestry mgt Radioactive decay (radon)
(chemicals)
Fumes (paint, hair spray, varnish) Forest fires (smoke, carbon monoxide)

Dump sites/landfills (methane) Dry land (Dust)

Military (nuclear weapon, rocketry, Vegetation (VOCs)
toxic gases)

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 25

Air pollutants

Criteria pollutants with health/environmental effects

- Fine particulates (PM 10, PM 2.5)
-Carbon monoxide (CO)
-Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
-Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
-Ozone (O3)
-Lead (Pb)

26
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Criteria air pollutants and sources

Air pollutants Sources

Fine particulates Industry, wood stoves, dust, construction, street sand
application, open burning
CO Industrial combustion sources., mobile sources (autos, trucks,
buses), wood stoves, open burning
SO2 Fossil fuel power plants, non-ferrous smelters, pulp production

NO2 Industry, fossil fuel power, mobile sources, explosives

manufacturing, fertilizer manufacturing.
O3 Motor vehicles, electric utilities, factories, landfills, industrial
solvents, and miscellaneous small sources such as gas stations,
lawn equipment, etc.
Pb Leaded gasoline, smelting, battery manufacturing and recycling

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 27

 Air Pollution is a major risk to health
Scientific evidence showing that particles smaller than
2.5um in diameter penetrate deep into the lungs and effect
the body more systematically leading to diseases like stroke,
heart disease, in addition to the cancers, COPD and
pneumonia.

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 28

 Composition of PM 2.5

• Residual matter
• Ammoniated
sulfate
• Crustal materials
• Equivalent black
carbon
• Water
• Ammonium nitrate
• Sea salt
• Trace element
oxides

Source: Snider, et al, 2016. Variation in global chemical composition of PM2.5: emerging results
from Surface Particulate Matter Network (SPARTAN)

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 29

Effects on Health

Air pollutants Effects on Health

Fine particulates Aggravates ailments such as bronchitis and emphysema; especially bad for
those with chronic heart and lung disease, as well as the very young and old,
and pregnant women.
CO Deprives the body of oxygen by reducing the blood’s capacity to carry
oxygen; causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, listlessness and in high doses,
may cause death
SO2 Increases symptoms in asthmatic patients; irritates respiratory system.
NO2 Harmful to lungs, irritates bronchial and respiratory systems; increases
symptoms in asthmatic patients
O3 Irritates eyes, nose, throat and respiratory system; especially bad for those
with chronic heart and lung disease, as well as the very young and old, and
pregnant women.
Pb Affects motor function and reflexes and learning; causes damage to the
central nervous system, kidneys and brain. Children are affected more than
adults.

30
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Effects on the Environment
Air pollutants Effects on the Environment
Fine particulates Corrosion, soiling, damage to vegetation and reduced visibility.

CO Affects the concentrations of methane (a greenhouse gas) and

ozone in the atmosphere.

SO2 Forms acid aerosols and sulfuric acid, which are associated with
acidification of lakes and streams, accelerated corrosion of
buildings and monuments, and reduced visibility
NO2 Can adversely affect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems through
regional transport and deposition.

O3 Can reduce yield of agricultural crops and damages forests and

other vegetation
Pb Can harm wildlife through deposition onto leaves which are a food
source for grazing animals.

31
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Greenhouse gases

Secondary impact on health and major impact on the environment by the ff

GHG:
• carbon dioxide (CO2)
• methane (CH4)
• nitrous oxide (N2O)
• flourinated gases
-hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
- perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
- sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
-water vapor

32
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
 Effects on health

❑ Higher temperatures and more frequent and severe extreme

weather events may increase the risk of deaths from dehydration
and heat stroke, and of injuries from intense local weather changes.
❑ There may be a greater risk of respiratory and cardiovascular
problems and certain types of cancers, as temperatures rise and
exacerbate air pollution.
❑ The risk of water-, food-, vector- and rodent-borne diseases may
increase

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 33

 Effects on the environment

❑Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and

fluorinated gases all help trap heat in the Earth's
atmosphere as part of the greenhouse effect
❑Main effect of increased greenhouse gas emissions is
global warming and climate change leading to:
➢ Desertification
➢ Increased melting of snow and ice
➢ Sea level rise and flooding low level/coastal
areas
➢ Stronger storms and extreme events
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 34
 Effects on the environment

❑Ocean acidification due to increased CO2 in the

atmosphere
❑Changes to plant growth and nutrition levels (other
plant nutrients are not increasing to match increased
CO2 uptake of plants)
❑Ozone layer depletion due to NO, NO2 (not CFC only)

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 35

Soil Pollution

❑ The build-up in soils of persistent toxic compounds, chemicals,

salts, radioactive materials, or disease causing agents, which have
adverse effects on plant growth and animal/human health

36
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
What is soil?

❑ The physical material that covers most of the earth’s land surface
❑ Generally composed of sand, silt and clay particles, organic matter,
water and air spaces

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 37

 Functions of Soil

Healthy soil gives us clean air and water, bountiful

crops and forests, productive rangeland, diverse
wildlife, and beautiful landscapes. Soil does all this by
performing five essential functions:
➢ Regulating water
➢ Sustaining plant and animal life
➢ Filtering potential pollutants
➢ Cycling nutrients
➢ Supporting buildings and other structures

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 38

Soil composition

39
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Soil Pollution

Pollutants
• Pesticides
• Oils
• Heavy metals
• Radioactive materials
• Disease causing agents

Sources
-Oil industry
-Agriculture
-Health care
-Manufacturing
-Commercial establishments
-Landfill leachate

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 40

Sources of Soil/Land Pollution

❖ Hazardous waste/sewage oil spills

❖ Improper disposal of solid wastes
❖ Transfer of air pollutants to land
❖ Transfer of water pollutants to land

❖ Soil contamination can lead to poor growth and reduced crop

yields, loss of wildlife habitat, water and visual pollution, soil erosion,
and desertification.

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 41

Soil/land Pollution

❖ Spills deposit pollutants to soil

❖ Solid wastes not properly disposed make
the soil/land unsuitable for its intended
use
❖ Air pollutants emitted in the atmosphere
will eventually be deposited in the soil
❖ Water pollutants traversing land areas
have the tendency to be absorbed by soil

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 42

Effects on Health

❑ Thru direct contact, inhalation or

ingestion of contaminants
❑ Chronic exposure to chemicals, e.g .
chromium, lead, solvents, pesticides
❑ Cancer, congenital disorders,
neurological problems, tissue damage
and irritation

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 43

Effects on the Environment

❖ Toxic substances may cause the deaths

of helpful microorganisms that are useful
for natural processes
❖ Some pollutants will favor the increase
of harmful organisms
❖ Salinization and heavy metals affect
plant growth

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 44

Water Pollution

❖ Any chemical, physical or

biological change in the quality of
water that has a harmful effect on
any living thing that uses or lives in
it and make it unsuitable for the
desired use

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 45

Estimate of Global Water Volume

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 46

Composition of Global Water

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 47

Composition of Pure Water

Natural Water

Universal
Solvent

Polluted Water

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD

48
Water pollution

* Natural water may contain other chemicals within

tolerable limits depending on its intended use.
Pollutants
• Acids
• Alkalies
• Toxic heavy metals and
chemicals
Polluted • Oil
Water • Grease
• Pesticides
• Radioactive materials
• Pathogenic microbes

* Intended use: Drinking, cooking, hygiene, washing,

recreation, fishing, agriculture, industry

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 49

 Sources of Water Pollution

➢Factories, power plants, coal mines and oil

wells situated either close to water source or
away from sources by discharging solid and
liquid pollutants directly or indirectly into the
water sources like river, lakes, water streams,
etc
➢Untreated sewage disposed to bodies of water
indiscriminately
➢Improper disposal of solid wastes from
households to bodies of water
➢Uncollected solid wastes carried by floods

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 50

Causes of Water Pollution

• Factors that contribute to water

pollution can be categorized into
two different groups
• Point sources
• Non-point sources
▪ Point sources are the easiest to
identify and control
▪ Non-point sources are ambiguously
defined and harder to control

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 51

Point Sources

• Some point sources of water pollution

include
• Waste products from factories
• Waste from sewage system
• Waste from power plants
• Waste from underground coalmines
• Waste from oil wells
• They are called point sources because
they are direct sources of water
pollution and can be reduced and
monitored

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 52

Non-point Sources

• The term non-point source

encompasses a large range of
sources such as:
• when rain or snow moves through
the ground and picks up pollutants as
it moves towards a major body of
water
• the runoff of fertilizers from farm
animals and crop land
• air pollutants getting washed or
deposited to earth
• storm water drainage from lawns,
parking lots, and streets

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 53

 Effects on Health

Thru direct contact, ingestion or inhalation

❑ Waterborne diseases
❑ Birth defects
❑ Cancer
❑ Immune suppression
❑ Reproductive failure
❑ Acute poisoning

54
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Effects on the Environment

❑ Deaths of fish
❑ Destruction of crops
❑ Destruction of potential food that
is being grown;
❑ Destruction of trees and plants
that are planted in the area.

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 55

What is Noise

• Unwanted sound

Healthy level
-below 85 dB for duration of a
maximum of eight hours

56
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Sources of Noise

➢ Traffic
➢ Airports
➢ Railroads
➢ Manufacturing plants
➢ Construction or demolition
➢ Concerts/entertainment

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 57

Health Effects of Noise

❑ sleep disturbance
❑ cardiovascular effects
❑ damage to work and school
performance
❑ hearing impairment including
tinnitus.

58
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
 Effects of Noise on Animals
• Animals rely on sounds for communication, especially in relation to reproduction,
hunting and navigation. High sound levels will interfere with their communication and
can induces fear, which can force species to abandon their habitat. In loud places,
studies have found that:
• High intensity sound induces fear, forcing animals to abandon their habitat.
• Some birds must sing at higher frequencies because of higher environmental sounds.
Birds that make sound at lower frequencies for communication bear maximum impact
of the higher sound levels. The high noise levels camouflage their sound, making male
birds difficult to draw attention of female birds. Some male birds tend to sing at a
higher pitch during higher sound levels. This change in vocalization is far from
melodious and seldom successfully attracts a receptive mate.
• Bats and owls can have trouble finding prey in high sound levels.
• Insectivores lose habitat by avoiding areas with high noise.
• Frogs can struggle to find mates
• Various species experiencing hearing loss.
• High sounds levels can decrease a cow's capacity of milk production. These animals
require a calm and relaxed environment to provide a better milk yield.
• In high sound levels chicken egg production drops. High sound levels can also result in
stunted growth

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 59

Effects of Noise on Plants
• The effect of high sound levels on animals has far reaching ripple
effects on long-lived plants and trees that can last for decades even
after the sources of noise subside.
• Many plants and trees rely on birds and other animals to deliver
pollen from one flower or tree to the next, or to disperse their seeds,
but many animals are adapting to the noise by changing their
behavior or moving to quieter locales.
• Consequently, noise pollution is altering the landscape of plants and
trees, which depend on noise-affected animals to pollinate them and
spread their seeds.

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 60

Interrelationship of pollutants

Air pollutant

Water Soil Pollutant

Pollutant

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 61

Effects of Pollution on Health

❑ Adverse air quality can kill many

organisms including humans.
Ozone pollution can cause
respiratory disease, cardiovascular
disease, throat inflammation,
chest pain, and congestion
❑ Water pollution causes
approximately 14,000 deaths per
day, mostly due to contamination
of drinking water by untreated
sewage in developing countries

62
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Effects of Pollution on Health

• Oil spills can cause skin irritations

and rashes
• Noise pollution induces hearing
loss, high blood pressure, stress,
and sleep disturbance
• Soil pollution can generate
chemicals and microbes that can
lead to diseases such as chemical
poisoning or intestinal parasitism

63
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Effects of Pollution on the
Environment
-Melting of ice caps
Excessive -Sea level rise
Global
Greenhouse -Flooding
warming
gases -Climate change

Unfiltered solar rays

Excessive Ozone layer affecting humans
CFCs depletion and
and NO2 other organisms

-Melting of structures
Oxides of -Stunted growth of
Acid
sulfur and plants
rain
nitrogen -Effects on the skin of
humans and animals
64
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
 Effects of Pollution on the
Environment
Excessive
nutrients in Eutrophication Death of lakes
lakes

Taken by
Heavy metals Bio- organisms on top
magnification of the food chain

Excessive
Soil conta- -Death of helpful
fertilizers &
mination microorganisms
pesticides

65
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
 Other types of pollution

• Thermal pollution
- the degradation of water quality by any process
that changes ambient water temperature
- a common cause of thermal pollution is the use
of water as a coolant by power plants and
industrial manufacturers
- Elevated temperature typically decreases the
level of dissolved oxygen which can harm aquatic
animals such as fish, amphibians and other
aquatic organisms.
- may also increase the metabolic rate of aquatic
animals, as enzyme activity, resulting in these
organisms consuming more food in a shorter
time than if their environment were not changed
66
Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
 Other types of pollution

• Radiological Pollution
-occurs when there is presence or
depositions of radioactive materials in the
atmosphere or environment
-causes include nuclear power plant
disasters, use of nuclear weapons, spillage of
radioactive chemicals, use of radio isotopes,
radioactive tests in hospitals, cosmic rays
-effects include genetic mutation, diseases
(e.g. cancer), cell destruction, destruction of
nutrients in soil, burns

Engr Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 67