Environmental Chemistry

Air pollution

The source of air is our atmosphere. The air of atmosphere is being increasingly
polluted as a consequence of the disturbance

of natural equilibrium caused by man, his technology and natural activities.

Air forms nearly 80% of man's daily intake by weight. An average human being
breathes about 22,000 times a day inhaling about 16 kg of oxygen in a day. Fresh
air contains about 78% Nitrogen, 21%Oxygen 0.93% Argon and 0.03% CO2 and
other gases. Thus, air pollution may be defined as the imbalance in the quality of
air due to some natural processes or human activity so as to cause adverse effect
on living organism existing on the earth.

The polluted air is undesirable for breathing, for the condition of buildings and
monuments exposed to air and for animal and plant life.

Air Pollutants

The substances or factors which cause air pollution are known as air pollutants.
There are four notorious air pollutants. They are oxides of sulfurs, oxides of
nitrogen , oxides of carbon and dust soot known as Suspended Particulate Matter
(SPM).

Air Pollution

Primary Secondary Organic Inorganic Gaseous Particulate

Emitted directly Derived From Ketone, Benzene Fly ashes CO2 , NOx SOx Dust, Smoke
to atmosphere primary pollutants
& remain there after due to chemical or
e.g. CO, NOx SOx Photochemcal rxn
e.g. PAN, O3, Smog
(i) oxides of Sulfur (SOx)
Oxides of sulphur combine with water molecules to form sulphuric acid as:
2SO2 + O2 2SO3
SO3 + H2O H2SO4

Formation of acid in atmosphere causes acid rain. Due to SO2, margin of leaf and
portion of lamina dries up. So, oxides of sulphur are considered as air pollutant.

(ii) Oxides of Nitrogen(NOx)

Oxides of nitrogen causes acid rain by forming nitric acid in the atmosphere as

N2 + O2 2NO

NO+ O3 NO2 + O2

2NO2 + O N2O5

N2O5 + H2O 2HNO3

The presence of oxides of nitrogen in atmosphere cause irritation of eyes, problem

in respiratory tract, vomiting, forms smog.

(iii) Oxides of Carbon(CO &CO2 )

CO causes headache, dizziness, nausea, impaired brain function and causes death
when its level is 1% in air.

CO2 causes rapid breathing, laziness, headache and increases heat of the
environment.

(iv) Ozone:- It is toxic causing irritation, headache, and coughing.

(v) Hydrocarbon:- These are toxic and carcinogenic.

(vi) Particulate, Dust, Smoke, Flyash:- Small solid particles and liquid droplets
suspended in air are collectively called as particulates.

Presence of particulates in air causes diseases like lung cancer, bronchial asthma

chronic bronchitis, commonly known as pneumoconiosis.

Polluted air has adverse effect on human health. Polluted air can cause headache,
nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, epigastric pain, irritation of eyes,
conjunctivitis, and even death of human being.

Possible Remedies

If persons are affected by CO poisoning, they should be taken out in fresh air and
should be kept in a high pressure chamber containing oxygen at2 to 2.5
atmospheric pressure.

Acid Rain

The term was first of all coined by Robert Angus in 1872. It is defined as any
precipitation such as rain, fog, mist or snow which is more acidic than normal rain
water.

Generally, rain water has pH approximately 5.6.When the acid content becomes
high and pH falls down to 5.4 or even up to 2, then it is called acid rain.

Acid rain is caused by oxides of sulphur and nitrogen.

(i) From Oxides of Nitrogen

Oxides of nitrogen causes acid rain by forming nitric acid in the atmosphere as

N2 + O2 2NO

NO+ O3 NO2 + O2

2NO2 + O N2O5

N2O5 + H2O 2HNO3 (nitric acid)

(ii) From Oxides of Sulphur

Oxides of sulphur combine with water molecules to form sulphuric acid as:
2SO2 + O2 2SO3
SO3 + H2O H2SO4 (sulphuric acid)
Effects of Acid Rain

(i) Acid rain damages building, monuments, statue, bridges.

(ii) It increases the soil acidity affecting land flora and fauna.

(iii) It may cause respiratory and skin diseases.

(iv) It affects the drinking water storage sources.

Green House Effect

The atmosphere contains a number of gases that act like the glass in a green house.

They are transparent to visible light from the sun and allow it to pass through to the
earth below, but they absorb and trap IR light radiated outward from the earth and
convert it into heat. The principal green house gases are CFC, Methane, and most
important of all is carbon dioxide.

Prevention

(i) Deforestation should be banned.

(ii) Uses of CFC in fridge should be reduced.

(iii) Principle of Green Chemistry i.e. Reduce, Recycle and Reuse should be
applied.

Ozone Layer Depletion

Ozone layer in atmosphere has a very important function because it protect living
being & earth from harmful effect of UV radiation of sun, although it is important
in atmosphere. Ozone is concentrated in stratosphere at various heights from 16 to
40 km at different altitudes known as ozonosphere.

Formation of ozone layer

Ozone is formed naturally in stratosphere by the action of UV radiation on oxygen.

hγ
O2 O+O
 O2 + O + M O3 + M

Where M is the third species( O2 or N2 ) which absorbs the excess energy liberated
and stabilize the ozone molecules.

Advantage of ozone layer

The ozone layer acts as a protective shield for earth surface as it absorbs UV
radiation, responsible for DNA mutation and skin cancer.

O3 + hγ O2 + O

O + O3 O2 + O2

and also ozone is formed in the presence of UV light

O2 O+O

O2 + O O3

Depletion of ozone layer

(i)Ozone is depleted by Nitric Oxide as

O3 + NO NO2 + O2

NO2 + O O2 + NO (regenerated)

(ii) CFC under the influence of UV radiation, forms chloride radical.

CF3-Cl ˙CF3 + ˙Cl

˙Cl + O3 ˙ClO + O2

˙ClO + O O2 + ˙Cl (regenerated)

The chloride free radical is regenerated highly unstable and one chloride free
radical can break one lakh molecules of ozone. Thus CFC is the main culprit
behind the depletion of ozone layer.
Effects of ozone layer depletion

(i) It causes skin cancer, leukemia, premature ageing, burning sensation.

(ii) It causes about 20 to 50% chlorophyll reduction in plants.

Prevention of Ozone Layer Depletion

(i) Complete ban on CFC use

(ii) Phase wise elimination of existing CFC from the atmosphere.

(iii) The use of plastic foam has to be reduced.

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Water Pollution

Any change in the physical, chemical or biological properties of water by human

activities that impairs its use for different purposes is known as water pollution.
Fresh water present on earth's surface is used for various purposes. It is used for
drinking, domestic and municipal uses, agricultural irrigation, industries etc.

The used water becomes contaminated and is called waste water which contains
residuals of the activities of human being.

Pollutants

(i) Organic pollutant :- Sewage and agricultural runoff, synthetic organic

compounds, oils.

(ii) Inorganic pollutants :- Inorganic salts, mineralacids, finely dividedmetals ,

acids, alkalis , lime.

(iii) Sediments :- Sediments containing Mo, Ni, Cu, Cr.

(iv) Faecal matter :- Direct disposal of faecal matter into the source of water can
cause water pollution.
Point Source water pollution :-

Point source water pollution involves pollutants that are discharged from any
identifiable, singular source, such as a pipe, ditch, drain, channel, tunnel, well,
container, or vessel.

Non Point Water Pollution:-

Nonpoint source water pollution is caused by broadly distributed and disconnected

sources of pollution, such as rain and snowmelt runoff, spills, leaks, and sediment
erosion.

Adverse Effect

(i) Water borne diseases spread out.

(ii) Presence of nitrates in water , cut off the intake of oxygen by aquatic animals
and which causes sickle cell anaemia in human being.

(iii) Radioactive substances in water can cause cancer in human being.

Control of water pollution

1. Sewage treatments:
The household water should be treated properly so that they become
environmentally safe.
2. Prevent river water to get polluted:
The flowing water of the river cannot be cleaned easily by natural process. Thus,
every effort should be made to prevent the river water to get contaminated. People
should not be allowed to throw wastes into the river water.
3. Treatment of wastes before discharge:
Factories are expected to treat its effluent wastes prior to discharge. Toxic material
must be treated chemically and converted into harmless materials. If possible,
factories should try to recycle the treated water.
4. Strict adherence to water laws:
Laws and legislation relating to pollution should be strictly followed by all.
5. Treatment of drainage water:
It cities, a huge amount of water is put into drains every day. The water that flows
through the city drainage system should be properly treated. Harmful pollutants be
removed, before they are introduced into reservoirs.
6. Treatment plants:
Big cities and towns usually have effluent treatment plants. These plants filter out
undissolved materials. Chemical treatment is also given to separate out unwanted
dissolved chemicals. The treated water is either allowed to go into the water
reservoirs or refused in houses
7. Keep the pond water clean and safe: Washing, bathing of cattle in the pond
that is used by human should not be done. Washing of dirty clothes and bathing of
cattle make the pond water dirty and unsuitable for human use. If these ponds are
continually misuses, then it may lead of severe consequences.
8. Routine cleaning:
Ponds, lakes and wells meant for human use should be routinely cleaned and
treated, so that it remains fit for human use. It is an essential step that should not be
avoided. A system of regular testing of pond and lake water can be introduced to
ensure the safety of the water.
9. Don’t pour insecticides in sinks and toilets:
Never pour household insecticides, medicines, etc. down the sink, drain or toilet.
At homes, people often throw wastes and old medicines into the bathroom toilet.
This practice is discouraged for the reason that the chemical compounds of
medicines, insecticides, etc., when mixed with other chemicals, may result in
formation of harmful substances.
10. Self hygiene:
Self hygiene must be maintained and drinking water must not be polluted.
Drinking water should be kept undercover in a clean place.
11. Sanitation:
Sanitation system must be improved. The benefits of cleanliness on human health
need to be understood. Human contact with hazardous materials should be
prevented. After using the toilet, one should always use the flush and wash their
hands with soap and water.
12. Public Awareness:
Common public should be aware about the effect of water pollution. Voluntary
organization should go door-to-door to educate the people about environmental
problems. They should perform street plays for creating awareness about the
environment.
 Soil (Land) Pollution
Soil is the upper most part of lithosphere containing inorganic matter, organic
matter, living micro organism, water and gases. This soil is polluted by excessive
use of pesticides, herbicides, human excreta, factories run off , agricultural wastes
etc. Thus Soil pollution is defined as the presence of toxic chemicals (pollutants or
contaminants) in soil, in high enough concentrations to pose a risk to human
health and/or the ecosystem. In the case of contaminants which occur naturally in
soil, even when their levels are not high enough to pose a risk, soil pollution is still
said to occur if the levels of the contaminants in soil exceed the levels that should
naturally be present.

Sources of Soil Pollution

(i) Frequently uses of chemical fertilizers, pesticides , insecticides, non-
biodegradable detergents.
(ii) Discharge of waste from industries, hospitals.
(iii) Inadequate drainage system in agricultural field.
(iv) Improperly disposed human and animal excreta, solid , liquid wastes.

Effects of soil pollution

(i) Excessive use of fertilizers renders the soil alkalinity or acidity and hence the
quality of soil is destroyed.
(ii) Use of pesticides contaminates the soil and they are persistent pollutants. They
enter the food chain and cause serious health hazards.
(iii) Metallic contaminants(Hg, Pb, Zn, As) destroy the beneficial microorganism
in the soil.
(iv) Industrial wastes polluted the soil which is extremely toxic to living being.

Control of Soil Pollution

(i) Proper disposable of agricultural and industrial wastes.
(ii)Recycling and recovery of materials.
(iii) Minimize the use and manufacture of chemical fertilizers.
(iv) Reduce the use of pesticides.