3676 Assignment 1

M.
Sc SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
Course: Environmental Pollution (3676) Semester: Autumn, 2020
ASSIGNMENT - 1
STUDENT NAME: ADEEL HAIDER RAZI
ROLL NO. CA565459
Q.1 Explain the following terms:

a) Dirty Dozens
b) Persistent Organic Pollutants
c) Environmental Mobility of Pollutants
d) Thermal Pollution
a) Dirty Dozens
The Dirty Dozen refers to twelve crops that feature the highest amounts of pesticide residue.
Because these crops have the highest levels of contamination, the Environmental Working
Group suggests shoppers buy these 12 crops organic when possible.
➢ List of Dirty Dozen Food
I. Strawberries
II. Spinach
III. Nectarines
IV. Apples
V. Grapes
VI. Peaches
VII. Cherries
VIII. Pears
IX. Tomatoes
X. Celery
XI. Potatoes
XII. Sweet Bell Peppers
➢ What makes these so bad?
These twelve crops contain the highest levels of pesticide residue and therefore, should be
bought organic when possible. Strawberries, which top the list as having the highest levels of
residue, can contain 22 different types of pesticide residues on just one sample. One-third of
all non-organic strawberries contain 10 or more pesticide residues.
Spinach also makes the top of the list, coming in at the second spot. The pesticide report found
that 97 percent of conventional spinach samples contain pesticide residues. In addition to
pesticides, many spinach samples contained high concentrations of permethrin, a neurotoxin
and insecticide that can cause transient burning, itching, skin swelling, redness, rash, and
numbness or tingling of the skin. Neurotoxins famously affect the nervous system, as they are
destructive to nerve tissue. Other foods that contain neurotoxins include grilled meat, canned
tomato sauce, butter-flavored microwave popcorn, tuna, and peanut butter.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 1

M.Sc SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
Figure 1: List of Dirty Dozen Food Items
➢ What is the Clean Fifteen?
The Clean Fifteen refers to fifteen crops that have the lowest levels of pesticide contamination.
Therefore, these fifteen crops do not need to be purchased organic, at the EWG’s
recommendation.
➢ List of Clean Fifteen foods
I. Avocados
II. Sweet corn
III. Pineapples
IV. Cabbages
V. Onions
VI. Sweet peas
VII. Papayas
VIII. Asparagus
IX. Mangoes
X. Eggplants
XI. Honeydews
XII. Kiwis
XIII. Cantaloupes
XIV. Cauliflower
XV. Broccoli
Figure 2: List of Clean Fifteen Food Items
b) Persistent Organic Pollutants

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are organic chemical substances, that is, they are
carbon-based. They possess a particular combination of physical and chemical properties such
that, once released into the environment, they:
• remain intact for exceptionally long periods of time (many years).

• become widely distributed throughout the environment because of natural processes
involving soil, water and, most notably, air.
• accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms including humans and are found at
higher concentrations at higher levels in the food chain.
• toxic to both humans and wildlife.
As a result of releases to the environment over the past several decades due especially to human
activities, POPs are now widely distributed over large regions (including those where POPs

have never been used) and, in some cases, they are found around the globe. This extensive
contamination of environmental media and living organisms includes many foodstuffs and has
resulted in the sustained exposure of many species, including humans, for periods of time that
span generations, resulting in both acute and chronic toxic effects.
In addition, POPs concentrate in living organisms through another process called

bioaccumulation. Though not soluble in water, POPs are readily absorbed in fatty tissue, where
concentrations can become magnified by up to 70,000 times the background levels. Fish,
predatory birds, mammals, and humans are high up the food chain and so absorb the greatest
concentrations. When they travel, the POPs travel with them. As a result of these two processes,
POPs can be found in people and animals living in regions such as the Arctic, thousands of
kilometers from any major POPs source.
Specific effects of POPs can include cancer, allergies and hypersensitivity, damage to the
central and peripheral nervous systems, reproductive disorders, and disruption of the immune
system. Some POPs are also considered to be endocrine disrupters, which, by altering the
hormonal system, can damage the reproductive and immune systems of exposed individuals as
well as their offspring; they can also have developmental and carcinogenic effects.
Figure 3: Persistent Organic Pollutants Cycle
c) Environmental Mobility of Pollutants

A wide range of chemicals such as the ones used in agriculture and by industry may leach into
the surficial aquatic environment and underground water resources. The resulting chemical
pollution can affect aquatic ecosystems by damaging fauna and its habitats, thus reducing
biodiversity. Moreover, pollutants may accumulate in the food chain and harm living
organisms. Humans can also be exposed to chemical pollutants by eating contaminated fish or
seafood, drinking polluted water or through recreational activities.

Currently, little knowledge exists regarding the mobility and biodegradability of pollutants in
soil, sediments and water and their transport throughout the environmental compartments such
as soil, groundwater, sediments and surface waters. In the context of the EU-funded project
AquaTerra1, a team of European researchers has investigated the load and concentration as
well as the degradation of selected pollutants in these compartments, in order to improve
understanding of their behavior and fate.
To date, they collected more than 1,700 samples of soil, sediments and water in 5 EU river
basins (Ebro, Elbe, Danube, Meuse and Brévilles) over three years and measured the content
of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Results show that:
o Deposition rates of atmospheric polyaromatic hydrocarbons range from 50 to 600 ng/m2
per day (excluding the winter period), and vary between the river basins studied.
o Despite being banned for agricultural use for 5 years, pesticides, such as atrazine, are still
found in spring and groundwaters at quantities between 0.9% and 2.8% of the annually
applied amount before the ban.
o Hotspots showed concentrations of β-hexachlorocyclohexane (βHCH) that are 1,000 times
higher when compared to upper catchment sediments. Nevertheless, these high
concentrations are diluted when mixing with sediments further downstream.
o Selected herbicides contained in the collected samples are partially degraded by micro-
organisms during laboratory experiments.
The authors concluded that variations in deposition rates of atmospheric pollutants

between river basins may be locally controlled for example by controlling industrial sites.
On flood plains, they found that enhanced sediment transport can lead to a dilution of some
pollutants within the river basin floodplains.
Furthermore, they observed degradation of some pollutants in laboratory experiments,
which indicates that microbial degradation of herbicides also potentially occurs in soils.
However, they also observed some pesticides remain in soils for long time periods and are
not degraded or if so, very slowly.
Overall, this work highlights some important features of the behavior of POPs in the
environment, especially their deposition, mobility and persistence within the environment.
These findings provide enhanced information to help us understand the way river basins
response to pollution and may become useful in the context of river basin management
policies.
d) Thermal Pollution
The term thermal pollution has been used to indicate the detrimental effects of heated
effluent discharge by various power plants. It denotes the impairment of quality and
deterioration of aquatic and terrestrial environment by various industrial plants like
thermal, atomic, nuclear, coal-fired plants, oil field generators, factories, and mills.
➢ Sources of Thermal Pollution
i. Nuclear Power Plant
ii. Coal-fired power Plant
iii. Industrial Effluents
iv. Domestic Sewage
v. Hydro-electric power
vi. Thermal Power Plant
The discharged effluents of these sources have a higher temperature than the intake water
that reduces the concentration of oxygen from the water which causes the deleterious
effects on the marine ecosystem.
➢ What are the harmful Effects of the Thermal Pollution?
The harmful effects of the thermal pollution are discussed below:
o Reduction in dissolved Oxygen – The pollutant from various industrial plants are
heated decreases the concentration of oxygen with an increase in the temperature of
water.
o Change in water properties – The decrease in density, viscosity and solubility of gases
in water increases the setting speed of suspended particles which seriously affect the
food supplies of aquatic organism.
o Increase in toxicity – The concentrated pollutant causes the rise in the temperature of
water which increases the toxicity of the poison present in water. The toxicity in water
will increase the death rate in marine life.
o Disruption of Biological activities – Temperature changes disrupt the entire marine
ecosystem because changes in temperature causes change in physiology, metabolism
and biological process like respiration rate, digestion, excretion and development of an
aquatic organism.
o Damage of biotic organism – Aquatic organisms like juvenile fish, plankton, fish,
eggs, larva, algae and protozoa which pass through screens and condenser cooling
system are extremely sensitive to abrupt temperature changes. They are habitual of
warmer water may suddenly face increase or decrease in temperature of water bodies
and thus die because of sudden changes in the temperature of water.
➢ How can thermal pollution be prevented?
The following measures can be taken to prevent or control high temperature caused by
thermal pollution:
o Heated water from the industries can treated before discharging directly to the water
bodies.
o Heated water from the industries can be treated by the installation of cooling ponds
and cooling towers.
o Industrial treated water can be recycled for domestic use or industrial heating.
o Through artificial lakes: In this lake Industries can discharge their used or heated water
at one end and water for cooling purposes may be withdrawn from the other end. The
heat is eventually dissipated through evaporation.
Hence, we can say any kind of pollution may directly or indirectly affect humans because
the loss of biodiversity causes changes that affect all the aspects of the environment.
Figure 4: Effects of Thermal Pollution

Q.2 What is Photochemical Smog? Why acid rain is a serious environmental problem
among developed countries? Give examples
1. Photochemical Smog
Photochemical smog is a type of smog produced when ultraviolet light from the sun reacts
with nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere. It is visible as a brown haze, and is most prominent
during the morning and afternoon, especially in densely populated, warm cities. Cities that
experience this smog daily include Los Angeles, Sydney, Mexico City, Beijing, and many
more.
Figure 1: Photochemical Smog over city

➢ Formation
Photochemical smog forms from a complex process, however the source of it is quite apparent.
The largest contributor is automobiles, while coal-fired power plants and some other power
plants also produce the necessary pollutants to facilitate its production. Due to its abundance
in areas of warmer temperatures, photochemical smog is most common in the summer.
It forms in the morning when a tremendous number people are driving their vehicles to work.
Nitrogen oxides produced in the car engine are introduced into the atmosphere, which may
combine with water to form nitric acid or react with sunlight to produce singular oxygen atoms,
which then combine with molecular oxygen to produce ozone. The nitric acid may precipitate
to the Earth resulting in acid rain, or remain in the smog. Due to the direct production of it by
vehicles, the smog forms over cities where many people may encounter its adverse health
effects.
Hotter days mean more photochemical smog, especially in the densely populated cities such as
those mentioned above. As more and more urban populations arise around the globe, this
problem is only expected to increase.

Figure 2: Formation of Photochemical Smog
2. Acid Rain and Its Effects

Acid deposition, also called acid rain, is rain or gases that have been polluted by high
amounts of chemicals and acids in the atmosphere. It can result from decaying plants and
animals or natural cataclysms, such as volcanoes, but the major cause of acid rain is the
releasing of chemicals by humans.
The main gases that lead to acid rain are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. When they
meet water and oxygen they turn into acids. Acid Deposition can be in the form of
precipitation, which is called wet deposition, or it could be in the form of gases and
microscopic particles floating the air, which is called dry deposition.
Scientists can measure how much acid is in rain or a body of water by using the pH scale.
There are 14 numbers on it, ranging from 0 through 14. If a lake has a low pH, that tells us
that there is a high amount of acid in the lake. If a lake has a pH 8 or above, it is alkaline,
which means there is not a lot of acid in it. When a body of water has a pH of 7, it is neutral,
since it is in the middle. New York State's rain pH level is between 4 and 4.5. That
is 30 times more acidic than the normal level!
➢ Harmful effects of acid deposition
Acid deposition is very dangerous for trees and forests because it rids the soil of very important
nutrients trees need to survive, like magnesium and calcium. Without these vital nutrients, the
trees are more vulnerable to infections and damage by cold weather and insects. Acid rain also
allows aluminum to seep into the soil, and with too much aluminum in the soil, the trees have
a very hard time collecting water.
Acid rain is even thought to destroy leafs' outer-coat and when it finally wears down, the acid
can make its way into the tree, which prevents photosynthesis from taking place.
Photosynthesis makes food and energy for the plant, and without it, the plant or tree dies.
Not only are plants affected by acid deposition, but humans are too. If we breathe in the
infinitesimal acid particles, we are prone to getting lung and respiratory problems and diseases
such as asthma, chronic bronchitis (long-term), and pneumonia. Just in the United States and
Canada alone, there were 1520 visits to the emergency room because of dry deposition. Yet, if
you swim in a body of water with a high acidity level, nothing will happen to your body.
Acid Rain proposes a very harmful affect on the ecosystems as well. The acidity in the water
can cause many fish and sea life to die, and that can throw off the whole food-chain. A test was

done and the results, which were published in 1990, showed that most of the lakes in the
Adirondack area had low pH levels and that the lakes with these low levels had no fish.
The region of the United States most harmed by acid rain is the East Coast, including the
Appalachian Mountains and the Northeast.
➢ Lakes and Streams
In a study of the nation's lakes and streams that show acidic conditions, the National Surface
Water Survey found that acid rain caused the acidity in 75 percent of the lakes and about 50
percent of the streams. Greatest acidity occurred along the Atlantic coast, where waters have
naturally higher acidity to begin with. The highest rate of stream acidity, over 90 percent,
occurs in the New Jersey Pine Barrens region. Little Echo Pond in Franklin, New York, had
one of the most acidic conditions, according to the study, with a pH of 4.2.
➢ Forests and Soils
Acid rain degrades soils by washing away chemicals such as calcium and magnesium, which
buffer acidity and provide essential nutrients to plants. Acidity also releases potentially toxic
dissolved aluminum into water. Appalachian forests from Maine to Georgia are particularly
affected. Trees usually don't die outright but are weakened and more susceptible to
pathogens, insects, drought or extreme cold. Scientists expect that the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's Acid Rain Program, which reduces sulfur dioxide emissions, will
significantly reduce acidification along the East Coast.

Q.3 Enumerate groundwater pollution. What are its health effects in human? Give
examples in context of Pakistan.
1. Groundwater Pollution
Water pollution occurs when unwanted materials enter into water, changes the quality of water
and harmful to environment and human health. Water is an important natural resource used for
drinking and other developmental purposes in our lives. Safe drinking water is necessary for
human health all over the world. Being a universal solvent, water is a major source of infection.
According to world health organization (WHO) 80% diseases are water borne. Drinking water
in various countries does not meet WHO standards. 3.1% deaths occur due to the unhygienic
and poor quality of water.
Discharge of domestic and industrial effluent wastes, leakage from water tanks, marine dumping,
radioactive waste, and atmospheric deposition are major causes of water pollution. Heavy metals
that disposed off and industrial waste can accumulate in lakes and river, proving harmful to
humans and animals. Toxins in industrial waste are the major cause of immune suppression,
reproductive failure, and acute poisoning. Infectious diseases, like cholera, typhoid fever and
other diseases gastroenteritis, diarrhea, vomiting, skin, and kidney problem are spreading
through polluted water.
Human health is affected by the direct damage of plants and animal nutrition. Water pollutants
are killing sea weeds, molluscs, marine birds, fishes, crustaceans, and other sea organisms that
serve as food for human. Insecticides like DDT concentration is increasing along the food chain.
These insecticides are harmful for humans.
Major sources of water pollution
➢ Domestic sewage
➢ Industrialization
➢ Population growth
➢ Pesticides and fertilizers
➢ Plastics and polythene bags
➢ Urbanization
➢ Weak management system
Figure 1: Different forms of Water Pollution

It is reported that 75 to 80% water pollution is caused by the domestic sewage. Waste from the
industries like, sugar, textile, electroplating, pesticides, pulp, and paper are polluting the water.
Polluted river has intolerable smell and contains less flora and fauna. 80% of the world’s
population is facing threats to water security.
Large amount of domestic sewage is drained into river and most of the sewage is untreated.
Domestic sewage contains toxicants, solid waste, plastic litters and bacterial contaminants and
these toxic materials causes water pollution. Different industrial effluent that is drained into
river without treatment is the major cause of water pollution.
Hazardous material discharged from the industries is responsible for surface water and ground
water contamination. Contaminant depends upon the nature of industries. Toxic metals enter
water and reduced the quality of water. 25% pollution is caused by the industries and is more
harmful.
Increasing population is creating many issues but it also plays negative role in polluting the
water. Increasing population leads to increase in solid waste generation. Solid and liquid waste
is discharged into rivers. Water is also contaminated by human excreta. In contaminated water,
many bacteria are also found which is harmful for human health. Government is incapable to
supply essential needs to citizens because of increasing number of
populations. Sanitation facilities are more in urban areas than rural areas. Polythene bag and
plastic waste is a major source of pollution.
Waste is thrown away by putting it in to plastic bags. It is estimated that three core people of
urban areas defecate in open. 77% people are using flush latrines and 8% are using pit latrines.
Urbanization can cause many infectious diseases. Overcrowding, unhygienic conditions,
unsafe drinking water are major health issues in urban areas. One quarter of urban population
is susceptible to disease.
Pesticides are used to kill bacteria, pest, and different germs. Chemical containing pesticides
are directly polluting the water and affect the quality of water. If pesticides are excess in amount
or poorly managed, then it would be hazardous for agriculture ecosystem. Only 60% fertilizers
are used in the soil other chemicals leached into soils polluting the water, cyanobacteria are
rich in polluted water and excess phosphate run off leads to eutrophication. Residues of
chemicals mix with river water due to flooding, heavy rainfall, excess irrigation and enter in
the food chain.
These chemicals are lethal for living organisms and many vegetables and fruits are
contaminated with these chemicals. Trace amounts of pharmaceutical in water also causes
water pollution and it is dangerous to human health.
2. Effects of water pollution on human health
There is a greater association between pollution and health problem. Disease causing
microorganisms are known as pathogens and these pathogens are spreading disease directly
among humans. Some pathogens are worldwide some are found in well-defined area. Many
waters borne diseases are spreading man to man.
Heavy rainfall and floods are related to extreme weather and creating different diseases for
developed and developing countries. 10% of the population depends on food and vegetables
that are grown in contaminated water. Many waterborne infectious diseases are linked with
faecal pollution of water sources and results in faecal-oral route of infection. Health risk
associated with polluted water includes different diseases such as respiratory disease, cancer,
diarrheal disease, neurological disorder, and cardiovascular disease.

Figure 2: View of water pollution in Karachi
Nitrogenous chemicals are responsible for cancer and blue baby syndrome. Mortality rate due
to cancer is higher in rural areas than urban areas because urban inhabitants use treated water
for drinking while rural people don’t have facility of treated water and use unprocessed water.
Poor people are at greater risk of disease due to improper sanitation, hygiene, and water supply.
Contaminated water has large negative effects in those women who are exposed to chemicals
during pregnancy; it leads to the increased rate of low birth weight as a result fatal health is
affected.
Poor quality water destroys the crop production and infects our food which is hazardous for
aquatic life and human life. Pollutants disturb the food chain and heavy metals, especially iron
affects the respiratory system of fishes. An iron clog into fish gills and it is lethal to fishes,
when these fishes are eaten by human leads to the major health issue. Metal contaminated water
leads to hair loss, liver cirrhosis, renal failure and neural disorder.
2.1. Bacterial diseases
Untreated drinking water and fecal contamination of water is the major cause of
diarrhea. Campylobacter jejuni spread diarrhea 4% to 15% worldwide. Fever, abdominal pain,
nausea, headache are major symptoms of diarrhea. Good hygienic practices and use of
antibiotics can prevent this disease. Disease cholera is caused by the contaminated
water. Vibrio Cholerae is responsible for this disease. This bacterium produces toxins in
digestive tracts. The symptoms of this disease are watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and
watery diarrhea leads to dehydration and renal failure. Anti- microbial treatment is used to get
rid of this disease.

Figure 3: Water pollution due to different wastes
Shigellosis is a bacterial disease caused by Shigella bacteria. It affects the digestive tract of
humans and damages the intestinal lining. Watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps,
vomiting and nausea are symptoms and it can be cured with antibiotics and good hygienic
practice. Salmonellosis infects the intestinal tract. Salmonella bacteria are found in
contaminated water and it results in inflammation of intestine and often death occurs.
Antibiotics are prescribed for this disease.
2.2. Viral diseases
Hepatitis is a viral disease caused by contaminated water and infects the liver. Jaundice, loss
of appetite, fatigue, discomfort, and high fever are symptoms of hepatitis. If it persists for a
long time it may be fatal and results in death. Vaccine is available for hepatitis and by adopting
good hygienic practice; one can get rid of this disease.
Encephalitis is inflammatory disease spread by bite of infected mosquitoes. Culex mosquito
lays their eggs in contaminated water. Most people don’t show any symptoms, but some
symptoms are headache, high fever, muscle stiffness, convulsions however in severe cases
coma and paralysis results. No vaccine is available for this disease.
Poliomyelitis virus is responsible for poliomyelitis. Sore throat, fever, nausea, constipation,
and diarrhea and sometimes paralysis are symptoms of poliomyelitis. Vaccine is available for
this disease. Gastroenteritis is caused by different viruses including rotaviruses, adenoviruses,
caliciviruses and Norwalk virus. Symptoms of gastroenteritis are vomiting, headache and fever.
Symptoms appear 1 to 2 days after infecting. Sickness can be dangerous among infants, young
children, and disabled person.
2.3. Parasitic diseases
Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the cryptosporidium parvum. It is worldwide
disease and symptoms are diarrhea, loose or watery bowls, stomach cramps and upset
stomach. Cryptosporidium is resistant to disinfection and affects immune system and it is the
cause of diarrhoea and vomiting in humans. Galloping amoeba is caused by the Entamoeba
histolytica and affects stomach lining.
This parasite undergoes cyst and non-cyst form. Infection occurs when cyst found in
contaminated water and it is swallowed. Symptoms are fever, chills, and watery diarrhea.
According to WHO, diarrheal cases are about 4 billion and results in 2.2 million deaths.
Giardiasis is caused by Giardia lamblia. Cells of intestinal lining may become injure.

Giardia is resistant to wintry temperature and disinfectant. Sometimes it is known as travellers’

disease. People suffering from giardiasis have symptoms bloating, excess gas, watery diarrhea,
and weight loss.
3. Conclusion and recommendations
Water pollution is a global issue and world community is facing worst results of polluted water.
Major sources of water pollution are discharge of domestic and agriculture wastes, population
growth, excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers and urbanization. Bacterial, viral, and
parasitic diseases are spreading through polluted water and affecting human health. It is
recommended that there should be proper waste disposal system and waste should be treated
before entering river. Educational and awareness programs should be organized to control the
pollution.

Q.4 Explain in detail the effects of air pollution? What are the sources of indoor air
pollution? How it affects to the occupants?
1. Air Pollution
Air pollution can be defined as the presence of toxic chemicals or compounds (including those
of biological origin) in the air, at levels that pose a health risk. In an even broader sense, air
pollution means the presence of chemicals or compounds in the air which are usually not
present and which lower the quality of the air or cause detrimental changes to the quality of
life (such as the damaging of the ozone layer or causing global warming).
Air pollution is the human introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials
that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living things. Air pollution can also cause
damages to the natural environment and to the atmosphere.
Figure 1: Main causes of Air Pollution
2. Air Pollution Effects

Air pollution affects every field of life in different ways. Some major effects are as under;
2.1. Effects of Air Pollutants on Human Health
Acute exposure of NO2 in man causes bronchiolitis fibrosa obliterans, emphysema, lung
cancer, pneumonia, and silo filter’s disease. NO2 is also known to be transformed into
methemoglobin in blood. SO2, a severe allergenic agent, may cause watery nasal discharge,
sneezing, dyspnea, desquamation, and bronchial spasms.
CO, when inhaled, passes through the lungs, and diffuses directly into blood stream where it
combines with haemoglobin to form carboxy haemoglobin. CO has affinity for haemoglobin,
210 times more than O2. Haemoglobin is thus unable to transport O2 to body tissues causing
asphyxiation (lack of O2). Its long exposure may cause dizziness, unconsciousness and even
death. Particulates with SO2 cause silicosis, bronchitis, and increased absenteeism among older
workers.

Figure 2: Air Pollution Effects on Health
2.2. Effects of Air Pollutants on Plants

o NO2 results in necrosis (dead areas on a leaf), chlorosis (reduction of chlorophyll),
epinasty (downward curvature of leaf) and abscission (dropping of leaves).
o SO2 causes bleached spots, chlorosis and affects photosynthesis along with ozone and
PAN.
o CO at higher levels (100 to 1000 ppm) causes leaf curling, leaf drop, reduced leaf size
and interference with cellular respiration.
o PAN results in silvering of lower surface of leaf, damage to sensitive leaves and suppressed
growth.
2.3. Effects of Air Pollutants on Materials:
o NO2 fades away dyes in clothes like cotton, rayon, causes cracks in rubber and produces
photochemical smog with O3 and PAN.
o CO2 damages fabric, leather, paint, paper, and historic monuments. H2SO4 attacks marble
causing stone leprosy. The CaSO4, so formed on the surface of masonry is twice as bulky
as CaCO3 which looks leprous. Hydrocarbons induce chemical alterations in textile, paper,
rubber, and polymers making them more brittle and fragile.
2.4. Effects of Air Pollutants on Animals:
o Air-borne contaminants accumulate in forage and poison the animals when they graze it.
o Live stocks near smelters suffer arsenic poisoning with symptoms like salivation, thirst
and liver necrosis.

Figure 3: Pollution effects on vegetation
3. Indoor Air Pollution

THE air you breathe in your home or office may be hazardous to your health - more dangerous,
in fact, than the outdoor air in the most polluted of cities. This is especially so during the cold
months, when windows and doors are kept tightly shut and homes, schools and office buildings
are made as airtight as possible to conserve energy.
Many people don't realize that their ''perpetual cold'' or other nagging symptoms may be caused
by the very air they breathe in their own homes, at school or on the job. Some have been
plagued for years and have visited doctor after doctor in a vain attempt to uncover the cause of
their problem.
Once the real culprit is suspected or identified, many sources of indoor pollution can be greatly
reduced and perhaps prevented entirely, sometimes with little loss of costly heat to the great
outdoors.
Indoor air pollution has been linked to a wide variety of adverse health effects, including
headaches, respiratory problems, frequent colds and sore throats, chronic cough, skin rashes,
eye irritation, lethargy, dizziness, and memory lapses.
➢ Sources of Air Pollution
Most air pollution, harmful gases and particles in the air, affecting national parks is created
outside park boundaries.
• Types of Sources
There are four main types of air pollution sources:
o mobile sources – such as cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains
o stationary sources – such as power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and
factories
o area sources – such as agricultural areas, cities, and wood burning fireplaces
o natural sources – such as wind-blown dust, wildfires, and volcanoes

Figure 4: Mobile, stationary, area, and natural sources all emit pollution into the air.
Mobile sources account for more than half of all the air pollution in the United States and the
primary mobile source of air pollution is the automobile, according to the Environmental
Protection Agency. Stationary sources, like power plants, emit large amounts of pollution from
a single location, these are also known as point sources of pollution.
Area sources are made up of lots of smaller pollution sources that aren't a big deal by
themselves but when considered as a group can be. Natural sources can sometimes be
significant but do not usually create ongoing air pollution problems like the other source types
can.
o Pollution On The Move
Pollution from human-generated and natural sources is often created in one place and
transported through the air. Sometimes chemical reactions in the atmosphere change pollutants
before they are deposited. Pollutants in the air can create haze, making it harder to see, and
pollutant deposition can have biological effects. NPS areas experience these effects just like
other places. Location and even the time of year can determine which pollution sources are
most important to each park.

Figure 5: Wind can move air pollutants short or very long distances before they cause harmful impacts.
Parks downwind of power plants that lack modern pollution controls can have increased smog.
Tailpipe emissions from cars and trucks, as well as industrial processes such as oil and gas
development, give rise to elevated ozone concentrations. Summertime wildfires can also reduce
visibility in NPS areas.
There are even examples of pollutants that originated from other countries and were transported
thousands of miles arriving at parks. The effects of this pollution can be seen as haze and
through negative biological effects. Learn more about effects of air pollution
on nature and visibility, and human health.
➢ Effects of Air Pollution
“While we’ve made progress over the last 40-plus years improving air quality in the U.S. thanks
to the Clean Air Act, climate change will make it harder in the future to meet pollution
standards, which are designed to protect health,” says Kim Knowlton, senior scientist and
deputy director of the NRDC Science Center.
o Smog and soot
These two are the most prevalent types of air pollution. Smog, or “ground-level ozone,” as it
is more wonkily called, occurs when emissions from combusting fossil fuels react with
sunlight. Soot, or “particulate matter,” is made up of tiny particles of chemicals, soil, smoke,
dust, or allergens, in the form of gas or solids, that are carried in the air. The EPA’s “Plain
English Guide to the Clean Air Act” states, “In many parts of the United States, pollution has
reduced the distance and clarity of what we see by 70 percent.” The sources of smog and soot
are similar.
“Both come from cars and trucks, factories, power plants, incinerators, engines—anything that
combusts fossil fuels such as coal, gas, or natural gas,” Walke says. The tiniest airborne
particles in soot—whether they’re in the form of gas or solids—are especially dangerous
because they can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream and worsen bronchitis, lead to heart
attacks, and even hasten death.
Smog can irritate the eyes and throat and also damage the lungs—especially of people who
work or exercise outside, children, and senior citizens. It’s even worse for people who have
asthma or allergies—these extra pollutants only intensify their symptoms and can trigger
asthma attacks.

o Hazardous air pollutants

These are either deadly or have severe health risks even in small amounts. Almost 200 are
regulated by law; some of the most common are mercury, lead, dioxins, and benzene. “These
are also most often emitted during gas or coal combustion, incinerating, or in the case of
benzene, found in gasoline,” Walke says.
Benzene, classified as a carcinogen by the EPA, can cause eye, skin, and lung irritation in the
short term and blood disorders in the long term. Dioxins, more typically found in food but also
present in small amounts in the air, can affect the liver in the short term and harm the immune,
nervous, and endocrine systems, as well as reproductive functions.
Lead in large amounts can damage children’s brains and kidneys, and even in small amounts it
can affect children’s IQ and ability to learn. Mercury affects the central nervous system.
o Greenhouse gases
By trapping the earth’s heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases lead to warmer temperatures
and all the hallmarks of climate change: rising sea levels, more extreme weather, heat-related
deaths, and increasing transmission of infectious diseases like Lyme.
According to a 2014 EPA study, carbon dioxide was responsible for 81 percent of the country’s
total greenhouse gas emissions, and methane made up 11 percent. “Carbon dioxide comes from
combusting fossil fuels, and methane comes from natural and industrial sources, including the
large amounts that are released during oil and gas drilling,” Walke says. “We emit far larger
amounts of carbon dioxide, but methane is significantly more potent, so it’s also very
destructive.”
Another class of greenhouse gases, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are thousands of times more
powerful than carbon dioxide in their ability to trap heat. In October 2016, more than 140
countries reached an agreement to reduce the use of these chemicals—which are used in air
conditioners and refrigerators—and find greener alternatives over time. David Doniger, senior
strategic director of NRDC’s Climate and Clean Energy program, writes, “NRDC estimates
that the agreed HFC phase-down will avoid the equivalent of more than 80 billion tons of
CO2 over the next 35 years.”
o Pollen and mold
Mold and allergens from trees, weeds, and grass are also carried in the air, are exacerbated by
climate change, and can be hazardous to health. They are not regulated by the government and
are less directly connected to human actions, but they can be considered air pollution. “When
homes, schools, or businesses get water damage, mold can grow and can produce allergenic
airborne pollutants,” Knowlton says.
“Mold exposure can precipitate asthma attacks or an allergic response, and some molds can
even produce toxins that would be dangerous for anyone to inhale.”
Pollen allergies are worsening because of climate change. “Lab and field studies are showing
that the more carbon dioxide pollen-producing plants—especially ragweed—are grown in, the
bigger they grow and the more pollen they produce,” Knowlton says.
“Climate change also extends the pollen production season, and some studies are beginning to
suggest that ragweed pollen itself might be becoming a more potent allergen.” That means
more people will suffer runny noses, fevers, itchy eyes, and other symptoms.

Q.5 Define noise pollution. How traffic noise effect on the health of inhabitants of any
area? Give examples from your regional context.
1. Noise Pollution
Noise pollution, unwanted or excessive sound that can have deleterious effects on human
health, wildlife, and environmental quality. Noise pollution is commonly generated inside
many industrial facilities and some other workplaces, but it also comes from highway, railway,
and airplane traffic and from outdoor construction activities.
Noise is a physical form of pollution and is not directly harmful to the life supporting systems
namely air, soil, and water. Its effects are more directly on the receiver i.e. man. Noise pollution
is the result of modern industrialized urban life and congestion due to over population.
The importance of noise pollution as environmental problem is being recognised as the ill
effects of noise on human health and environment are becoming evident with each passing
day.
Figure 1: Breaking up pavement with a pneumatic jackhammer.
The rate at which sound energy is transmitted, called sound intensity, is proportional to the
square of the SPL. Because of the logarithmic nature of the decibel scale, an increase of 10 dB
represents a 10-fold increase in sound intensity, an increase of 20 dB represents a 100-fold
increase in intensity, a 30-dB increase represents a 1,000-fold increase in intensity, and so on.
When sound intensity is doubled, on the other hand, the SPL increases by only 3 dB. For
example, if a construction drill causes a noise level of about 90 dB, then two identical drills
operating side by side will cause a noise level of 93 dB. On the other hand, when two sounds
that differ by more than 15 dB in SPL are combined, the weaker sound is masked (or drowned
out) by the louder sound. For example, if an 80-dB drill is operating next to a 95-dB dozer at a
construction site, the combined SPL of those two sources will be measured as 95 dB; the less
intense sound from the compressor will not be noticeable
2. Traffic Noise
Noise pollution is a major problem especially in urban areas, and moreover traffic noise is the
most significant source of noise in cities. Many cars and other road vehicles that have internal
combustion engines are making road traffic noise a leading noise pollution source.
Electric and hybrid cars, which are nowadays slowly replacing them, give rise to lower noise
level in urban areas as their engines are generally silent.

However, the mere absence of internal combustion engines cannot be the only measure for
lowering noise levels in urban areas. The goal of this chapter is to define and describe traffic
noise, the reasons for its occurrence, and all existing ways of reducing traffic noise.
2.1. Traffic noise sources
Road traffic noise depends on the following three factors:
• Type of road vehicles.
• Friction between the vehicle wheels and the road surface.
• Driving style and driver behaviour.
3. Effects of Noise Pollution on Health
Every year, at least 200-500 Danes die prematurely due to traffic noise. Nevertheless, there has
been insufficient political attention or means to ensure fewer nuisances due to traffic noise.
Therefore, new methods must be applied to create an understanding of the adverse effects of
noise on human health.
1. Traffic noise is a slow killer
When exposed to noise, you experience noise nuisances that may give rise to stress.
The extent of noise nuisances depends on several factors, including the time of day, what the
person is doing, and the person's noise sensitivity. On average, noise nuisances increase with
noise levels, and with prolonged exposure to noise, stress symptoms can develop into diseases
and ultimately result in premature death.
Road noise is the absolute biggest source of noise nuisance. But, unlike road fatalities, it is not
possible to name those who die from traffic noise. Thus, noise is a slow killer, causing an
increased risk of disease and death just as certain cancers and lifestyle diseases.
The scale of the problem is large. Figures from 2012 show that approximately 724,000 Danish
dwellings, the equivalent of about 1.4 million people are exposed to noise that exceeds the
Danish Environmental Agency's guiding noise limits.
2. Traffic noise impacts the wellbeing and health
Many studies have investigated the correlation between prolonged noise exposure from traffic
and reduced quality of life. The figures below show a clear correlation between the level of
road noise exposed to at home and serious illnesses.
One study shows that a 10 decibels higher noise level at home means that the risk of high blood
pressure increases by 6% and the risk of a blood clot in the heart increases by 6-8%.
There are additional indications that the risk of a stroke increases by 11%, the risk of
developing diabetes increases by 11%, and the risk of heart flickering by 6%.
Nevertheless, neither the political attention nor the necessary research and construction
resources have been sufficient to launch a radical showdown against traffic noise.

Q.6 Explain different sources of solid waste. What measures can you take as designer
which improves public health?
1. Solid Waste
Solid waste means any garbage, refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply
treatment plant, or air pollution control facility and other discarded materials including solid,
liquid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous material.
In Simple Words - Solid wastes are any discarded or abandoned materials. Solid wastes can be
solid, liquid, semi-solid or containerized gaseous material.
Figure 1: Solid Waste Disposal Methods
2. Various Sources of Solid Waste

Everyday, tonnes of solid waste are disposed off at various landfill sites. This waste comes
from homes, offices, industries, and various other agricultural related activities. These landfill
sites produce foul smell if waste is not stored and treated properly. It can pollute the
surrounding air and can seriously affect the health of humans, wildlife and our environment.
The following are major sources of solid waste:
2.1. Residential
Residences and homes where people live are some of the major sources of solid waste. Garbage
from these places include food wastes, plastics, paper, glass, leather, cardboard, metals, yard
wastes, ashes, and special wastes like bulky household items like electronics, tires, batteries,
old mattresses and used oil. Most homes have garbage bins where they can throw away their
solid wastes in and later the bin is emptied by a garbage collecting firm or person for treatment.
2.2. Industrial
Industries are known to be one of the biggest contributors of solid waste. They include light
and heavy manufacturing industries, construction sites, fabrication plants, canning plants,
power, and chemical plants. These industries produce solid waste in form of housekeeping

wastes, food wastes, packaging wastes, ashes, construction and demolition materials, special
wastes, medical wastes as well as other hazardous wastes.
2.3. Commercial
Commercial facilities and buildings are yet another source of solid waste today. Commercial
buildings and facilities in this case refer to hotels, markets, restaurants, go downs, stores and
office buildings. Some of the solid wastes generated from these places include plastics, food
wastes, metals, paper, glass, wood, cardboard materials, special wastes and other hazardous
wastes.
2.4. Institutional
The institutional centres like schools, colleges, prisons, military barracks and other government
centres also produce solid waste. Some of the common solid wastes obtained from these places
include glass, rubber waste, plastics, food wastes, wood, paper, metals, cardboard materials,
electronics as well as various hazardous wastes.
2.5. Construction and Demolition Areas
Construction sites and demolition sites also contribute to the solid waste problem. Construction
sites include new construction sites for buildings and roads, road repair sites, building
renovation sites and building demolition sites. Some of the solid wastes produced in these
places include steel materials, concrete, wood, plastics, rubber, copper wires, dirt, and glass.
2.6. Municipal services
The urban centres also contribute immensely to the solid waste crisis in most countries today.
Some of the solid waste brought about by the municipal services include, street cleaning,
wastes from parks and beaches, wastewater treatment plants, landscaping wastes and wastes
from recreational areas including sludge.
2.7. Treatment Plants and Sites
Heavy and light manufacturing plants also produce solid waste. They include refineries, power
plants, processing plants, mineral extraction plants and chemicals plants. Among the wastes
produced by these plants include, industrial process wastes, unwanted specification products,
plastics, metal parts just to mention but a few.
2.8. Agriculture
Crop farms, orchards, dairies, vineyards, and feedlots are also sources of solid wastes. Among
the wastes they produce include agricultural wastes, spoiled food, pesticide containers and
other hazardous materials.
2.9. Biomedical
This refers to hospitals and biomedical equipment and chemical manufacturing firms. In
hospitals there are different types of solid wastes produced. Some of these solid wastes include
syringes, bandages, used gloves, drugs, paper, plastics, food wastes and chemicals. All these
require proper disposal or else they will cause a huge problem to the environment and the
people in these facilities.
3. Design Considerations
Solid waste storage ponds and structures must be designed correctly to ensure desired
performance and safety. Considerations include materials selection, control of runoff and
seepage, necessary storage capacity, and proper design of structural components, such as
sidewalls, floors, and roofs.
The primary materials used in constructing timber structures for solids storage are pressure-
treated or rot-resistant wood and reinforced concrete. These materials are suitable for long-
term exposure to animal waste without rapid deterioration. Structural grade steel is also used,
but it corrodes and must be protected against corrosion or be periodically replaced. Similarly,
high quality and protected metal fasteners must be used with timber structures to reduce
corrosion problems.

Seepage and runoff, which frequently occur from manure stacks must be controlled to prevent
access into surface and ground water. One method of control is to channel any seepage into a
storage pond. At the same time uncontaminated runoff, such as that from the roof and outside
the animal housing and lot area, should be diverted around the site.
Figure 2: Landfill Design Consideration
Concrete ramps are used to gain access to solid manure storage areas. Ramps and floors of
solid manure storage structures need to be designed so that handling equipment can be safely
operated. Ramp slopes of 8 to 1 (horizontal to vertical) or flatter are considered safe. Slopes
steeper than this are difficult to negotiate. Concrete pavement for ramps and storage units
should be rough finished to aid in traction. Ramps need to be wide enough that equipment can
be safely backed and maneuvered.

Figure 3: Solid Waste Management Plan

Q.7 How many ways soil can be polluted? Describe major routes of soil contamination.
1. Soil Pollution
Soil pollution refers to the contamination of soil with anomalous concentrations of toxic
substances. It is a serious environmental concern since it harbours many health hazards. For
example, exposure to soil containing high concentrations of benzene increases the risk of
contracting leukaemia. An image detailing the discolouration of soil due to soil pollution is
provided below.
Figure 1: Soil Pollution

It is important to understand that all soils contain compounds that are harmful/toxic to human
beings and other living organisms. However, the concentration of such substances in
unpolluted soil is low enough that they do not pose any threat to the surrounding ecosystem.
When the concentration of one or more such toxic substances is high enough to cause damage
to living organisms, the soil is said to be contaminated.
The root cause of soil pollution is often one of the following:
• Agriculture (excessive/improper use of pesticides)

• Excessive industrial activity
• Poor management or inefficient disposal of waste
The challenges faced in soil remediation (decontamination of soil) are closely related to the
extent of soil pollution. The greater the contamination, the greater the requirement of resources
for remediation.
➢ What are the Pollutants that Contaminate Soil?
Some of the most hazardous soil pollutants are xenobiotics – substances that are not naturally
found in nature and are synthesized by human beings. The term ‘xenobiotic’ has Greek roots –
‘Xenos’ (foreigner), and ‘Bios’ (life). Several xenobiotics are known to be carcinogens. An
illustration detailing major soil pollutants is provided below.

Figure 2: Pollutants which contaminate soil
The different types of pollutants that are found in contaminated soil are listed in this subsection.
o Heavy Metals
The presence of heavy metals (such as lead and mercury, in abnormally high concentrations)
in soils can cause it to become highly toxic to human beings. Some metals that can be classified
as soil pollutants are tabulated below.
Toxic Metals that Cause Soil Pollution

Arsenic Mercury Lead
Antimony Zinc Nickel
Cadmium Selenium Beryllium
Thallium Chromium Copper
These metals can originate from several sources such as mining activities, agricultural
activities, electronic waste (e-waste), and medical waste.
o Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (often abbreviated to PAHs) are organic compounds that:
a. Contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
b. Contain more than one aromatic ring in their chemical structures.
Common examples of PAHs include naphthalene, anthracene, and phenalene. Exposure to
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been linked to several forms of cancer. These organic
compounds can also cause cardiovascular diseases in humans.
Soil pollution due to PAHs can be sourced to coke (coal) processing, vehicle emissions,
cigarette smoke, and the extraction of shale oil.
o Industrial Waste
The discharge of industrial waste into soils can result in soil pollution. Some common soil
pollutants that can be sourced to industrial waste are listed below.
a. Chlorinated industrial solvents
b. Dioxins produced from the manufacture of pesticides and the incineration of waste.
c. Plasticizers/dispersants
d. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
The petroleum industry creates many petroleum hydrocarbon waste products. Some of these
wastes, such as benzene and methylbenzene, are known to be carcinogenic in nature.

o Pesticides
Pesticides are substances (or mixtures of substances) that are used to kill or inhibit the growth
of pests. Common types of pesticides used in agriculture include:
a. Herbicides – used to kill/control weeds and other unwanted plants.
b. Insecticides – used to kill insects.
c. Fungicides – used to kill parasitic fungi or inhibit their growth.
However, the unintentional diffusion of pesticides into the environment (commonly known as
‘pesticide drift’) poses a variety of environmental concerns such as water pollution and soil
pollution. Some important soil contaminants found in pesticides are listed below.
❖ Herbicides
• Triazines
• Carbamates
• Amides
• Phenoxyalkyl acids
• Aliphatic acids
❖ Insecticides
• Organophosphates
• Chlorinated hydrocarbons
• Arsenic-containing compounds
• Pyrethrum
❖ Fungicides
• Mercury-containing compounds
• Thiocarbamates
• Copper sulfate
These chemicals pose several health risks to humans. Examples of health hazards related to
pesticides include diseases of the central nervous system, immune system diseases, cancer, and
birth defects.
➢ What are the Processes that Cause Soil Pollution?
Soil pollution can be broadly classified into two categories –
a. Naturally caused soil pollution
b. Anthropogenic soil pollution (caused by human activity)
a. Natural Pollution of Soil
In some extremely rare processes, some pollutants are naturally accumulated in soils. This can
occur due to the differential deposition of soil by the atmosphere. Another manner in which
this type of soil pollution can occur is via the transportation of soil pollutants with precipitation
water.
An example of natural soil pollution is the accumulation of compounds containing the
perchlorate anion (ClO4–) in some dry, arid ecosystems. It is important to note that some
contaminants can be naturally produced in the soil under the effect of certain environmental
conditions. For example, perchlorates can be formed in soils containing chlorine and certain
metals during a thunderstorm.
Anthropogenic Soil Pollution

Figure 3: Natural Pollution of Soil
Almost all cases of soil pollution are anthropogenic in nature. A variety of human activities
can lead to the contamination of soil. Some such processes are listed below.
• The demolition of old buildings can involve the contamination of nearby soil with
asbestos.
• Usage of lead-based paint during construction activities can also pollute the soil with
hazardous concentrations of lead.
• Spillage of petrol and diesel during transportation can contaminate soils with the
hydrocarbons found in petroleum.
• Activities associated with metal casting factories (foundries) often cause the dispersion
of metallic contaminants into the nearby soils.
• Underground mining activities can cause the contamination of land with heavy metals.
• Improper disposal of highly toxic industrial/chemical waste can severely pollute the
soil. For example, the storage of toxic wastes in landfills can result in the seepage of
the waste into the soil. This waste can go on to pollute groundwater as well.
• Chemical pesticides contain several hazardous substances. Excessive and inefficient
use of chemical pesticides can result in severe soil pollution.
• Sewage produced in urbanized areas can also contaminate soil (if not disposed of
correctly). These wastes may also contain several carcinogenic substances.
Other forms of waste that can pollute soil include nuclear waste, e-waste, and coal ash.
➢ What are the Negative Consequences of Soil Pollution?
Soil pollution harbours a broad spectrum of negative consequences that affect plants, animals,
humans, and the ecosystem. Since children are more susceptible to diseases, polluted soil poses
a greater threat to them. Some important effects of soil pollution are detailed in this subsection.
Effects on Human Beings
Soil contaminants can exist in all three phases (solid, liquid, and gaseous). Therefore, these
contaminants can find their way into the human body via several channels such as direct contact
with the skin or through the inhalation of contaminated soil dust.
The short-term effects of human exposure to polluted soil include:
• Headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
• Coughing, pain in the chest, and wheezing.
• Irritation of the skin and the eyes.

• Fatigue and weakness.

A variety of long-term ailments have been linked to soil pollution. Some such diseases are
listed below.
• Exposure to high levels of lead can result in permanent damage to the nervous system.
Children are particularly vulnerable to lead.
• Depression of the CNS (Central Nervous System).
• Damage to vital organs such as the kidney and the liver.
• Higher risk of developing cancer.
It can be noted that many soil pollutants such as petroleum hydrocarbons and industrial solvents
have been linked to congenital disorders in humans. Thus, soil pollution can have several
negative effects on human health.
Effects on Plants and Animals
Since soil pollution is often accompanied by a decrease in the availability of nutrients, plant
life ceases to thrive in such soils. Soils contaminated with inorganic aluminium can prove toxic
to plants. Also, this type of pollution often increases the salinity of the soil, making it
inhospitable for the growth of plant life.
Plants that are grown in polluted soil may accumulate high concentrations of soil pollutants
through a process known as bioaccumulation. When these plants are consumed by herbivores,
all the accumulated pollutants are passed up the food chain. This can result in the loss/extinction
of many desirable animal species. Also, these pollutants can eventually make their way to the
top of the food chain and manifest as diseases in human beings.
Effects on the Ecosystem
• Since the volatile contaminants in the soil can be carried away into the atmosphere by
winds or can seep into underground water reserves, soil pollution can be a direct
contributor to air and water pollution.
• It can also contribute towards acid rain (by releasing huge quantities of ammonia into
the atmosphere).
• Acidic soils are inhospitable to several microorganisms that improve soil texture and
help in the decomposition of organic matter. Thus, the negative effects of soil pollution
also impact soil quality and texture.
• Crop yield is greatly affected by this form of pollution. In China, over 12 million tons
of grain (worth approximately 2.6 billion USD) is found to be unfit for human
consumption due to contamination with heavy metals (as per studies conducted by the
China Dialogue).
➢ How can Soil Pollution be Controlled?
Several technologies have been developed to tackle soil remediation. Some important strategies
followed for the decontamination of polluted soil are listed below.
• Excavation and subsequent transportation of polluted soils to remote, uninhabited
locations.
• Extraction of pollutants via thermal remediation – the temperature is raised in order to
force the contaminants into the vapor phase, after which they can be collected through
vapor extraction.
• Bioremediation or phytoremediation involves the use of microorganisms and plants for
the decontamination of soil.
• Microembolization involves the use of fungi for the accumulation of heavy metal
contaminants.

3676 Assignment 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

3676 Assignment 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

M.

Course: Environmental Pollution (3676) Semester: Autumn, 2020

Q.1 Explain the following terms:

➢ What makes these so bad?

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 1

Figure 1: List of Dirty Dozen Food Items

➢ What is the Clean Fifteen?

Figure 2: List of Clean Fifteen Food Items

b) Persistent Organic Pollutants

• remain intact for exceptionally long periods of time (many years).

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 3

In addition, POPs concentrate in living organisms through another process called

Figure 3: Persistent Organic Pollutants Cycle

c) Environmental Mobility of Pollutants

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 4

The authors concluded that variations in deposition rates of atmospheric pollutants

Figure 4: Effects of Thermal Pollution

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 6

Figure 1: Photochemical Smog over city

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 7

Figure 2: Formation of Photochemical Smog

2. Acid Rain and Its Effects

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 8

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 9

Figure 1: Different forms of Water Pollution

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 10

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 11

Figure 2: View of water pollution in Karachi

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 12

Figure 3: Water pollution due to different wastes

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 13

Giardia is resistant to wintry temperature and disinfectant. Sometimes it is known as travellers’

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 14

Figure 1: Main causes of Air Pollution

2. Air Pollution Effects

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 15

Figure 2: Air Pollution Effects on Health

2.2. Effects of Air Pollutants on Plants

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 16

Figure 3: Pollution effects on vegetation

3. Indoor Air Pollution

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 17

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 18

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 19

o Hazardous air pollutants

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 20

Figure 1: Breaking up pavement with a pneumatic jackhammer.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 21

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 22

Figure 1: Solid Waste Disposal Methods

2. Various Sources of Solid Waste

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 23

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 24

Figure 2: Landfill Design Consideration

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 25

Figure 3: Solid Waste Management Plan

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 26

Figure 1: Soil Pollution

• Agriculture (excessive/improper use of pesticides)

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 27

Figure 2: Pollutants which contaminate soil

Toxic Metals that Cause Soil Pollution

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - 3676 28