HIGHER SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES OF ORAN

Department of Second Cycle

Enzyme Engineering Speciality

Bioremediation
Chapter 1: Pollution
and pollutants

Teacher: Dr Slimane CHOUBANE

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Date : 01-03-2023 18:25:35
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• Environmental pollution is one of the most
serious problems facing humanity and our
planet today.
• It takes place when the environment cannot
process and neutralize harmful by-products
of human activities in due course without
any structural or functional damage to its
system.
Definition
Environmental pollution is the
contamination of the physical and biological
components of the earth/atmosphere
system to such an extent that normal
environmental processes are adversely
affected
More detailed
definition
Environmental pollution is the addition of any undesirable
substance or any form of energy ( heat, sound,
radioactivity) to the natural environment at a much faster
rate than the environment that can tolerate it; by various
processes through dispersion, breakdown, recycling and
storage into harmless form for living organisms
 Types of pollution

Air

Light Soil
Types of
pollution

Noise Water
 Air pollution
• Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful
substances in the air that can have negative impacts on
human health and the environment.

• These substances can be either natural or man-made,

• Can include gases (such as carbon monoxide, sulfur

dioxide, and nitrogen oxides), particulate matter (such
as dust, ash, and smoke), and various toxic chemicals
(such as lead, mercury, and benzene).
Soil pollution
Soil pollution, also known as land pollution,
refers to the presence of harmful substances in
the soil that can have negative impacts on the
environment, human health, and the
ecosystem.
 Water pollution
Water pollution is defined as the presence of
harmful substances or contaminants in water
bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and
groundwater, making it unsuitable for use or
threatening the health of living organisms and
the ecosystem.
 Noise pollution
• The World Health Organization (WHO) defines noise above 65
decibels (dB) as noise pollution.

• Noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 decibels (dB) and is

painful above 120 dB.

• Huge impact on humans and wildlife

• Noise is responsible for 16,600 premature deaths and more

than 72,000 hospitalisations every year in Europe

• Effects: physical, psychological, sleep and behaviour disorder,

memory and concentration
 Light pollution
• Light pollution is the presence of unwanted, inappropriate, or
excessive artificial lighting.

• Anthropogenic artificial light in otherwise dark conditions.

• Light pollution disrupts wildlife in many ways: migratory patterns;

Interferes with mating and reproductive behaviour; Confuses
predator-prey relationships…

• Humans: sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety.

• Studies reported a connection between reduced melatonin levels and

cancer

• there is a direct connection between light pollution and air pollution

 Bioremediation and pollution
• Environmental remediation and bioremediation technologies are applied
on air; soil and water pollution

• Sources; effects and major pollutants of each type

Air pollution
• Sources

• Impact on humans

• Impact on environment

• Major pollutants
 Air pollution sources
➢ Industrial activities: Large factories, power plants, and other industrial processes
can release harmful chemicals into the air, including gases and particulate
matter.
 Air pollution sources
➢ Transportation: Vehicles (cars, trucks, trains, and airplanes) release pollutants
such as gases and particulate matter into the air.
 Air pollution sources
➢ Agriculture: activities, such as livestock farming and pesticide use, can contribute
to air pollution by harmful gases
 Air pollution sources
➢ Natural events: Wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and dust storms can release large
amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants into the air.
 Naturally occuring pollutants
Substances or materials that are present in the environment naturally, but which can cause harm
to the ecosystem or to human health if their levels increase beyond a certain limit.

Natural pollutant Sources

VOCs trees; animal waste
CH4 metabolic activity; decaying vegetation
SO2 volcanoes, sea spray, decaying vegetation
H2S geysers, hot springs, decay in bogs
Ash volcanoes, forest fires,
Dust Dust storms
CO forest fires
CO2 respiration
N2O microbial soil denitrification
NOx decaying organic matter
 Air pollution sources
➢ Waste management: Landfills and waste incineration can release harmful gases
into the air.
 Air pollution sources
➢ Residential activities: Heating and cooking, use of products such as cleaning
supplies and personal care products, can release pollutants into the air and
contribute to indoor air pollution.
 Impact of air pollution on humans
• Headaches, and dizziness
• Irritation of eyes, nose, mouth, and throat
• Respiratory diseases asthma , bronchitis
• Cardiovascular problems
• Disruption of endocrine
• Reproductive disorders
• Immune systems disorders
• Neurobehavioral disorders
 Impact on the environment
• Acid rain destroys fish life in lakes and streams.
• Acid rain can kill trees, destroy the leaves of plants, and can infiltrate soil by
making it unsuitable for purposes of nutrition and habitation
• Excessive ultraviolet radiation from the sun through the ozone layer in the upper
atmosphere, which is eroded by some air pollutants, may cause skin cancer and
damage to trees and plants.
• Ozone in the lower atmosphere may damage lung tissues of animals
• Ozone in the lower atmosphere can prevent plant respiration and negatively
affecting plants’ photosynthesis rates and and can also decay plant cells directly
by entering stomata
 Major air pollutants

1. Sulfur dioxide SO2,

2. Nitrogen dioxide NO2,
3. Carbon monoxide CO,
4. Ozone O3,
5. Volatile organic compouds VOCs,
6. particulate matter PM
 Major air pollutants
1. Sulfur dioxide SO2,
Pollutant
SO2 is the component of
greatest concern and is
used as the indicator for the
larger group of gaseous
sulfur oxides (SOx).
Sources Effects
• Burning of fossil fuels in • Respiratory problems
power plants and • lead to the formation of
industrial facilities other sulfur oxides
• Metal extraction, (SOx)
volcanic activity, and the • Can form fine particles
burning of high sulfur that reduce visibility
fuel • can stain and damage
stone and other
materials
 Major air pollutants

2. Nitrogen dioxide NO2,

Pollutant Sources Effects
• contribute to particle forms when fossil fuels such • inflammation of the
pollution and to the as coal, oil, gas or diesel are airways
chemical reactions that burned at high • cough and wheezing;
make ozone. temperatures • Reduced lung function;
• Increased asthma
attacks
 Major air pollutants

3. Carbon monoxide CO
Pollutant Sources Effects
• a colorless, odorless • fossil fuel–powered • reduced oxygen
gas formed by the engines, including motor delivery.
incomplete reaction of vehicles and non-road • chest pain
air with fuel engines and vehicles • cardiovascular effects.
• Industrial processes • vision problems
• At very high levels, CO
is poisonous and can
cause death
 Major air pollutants
4. Ozone O3:
Pollutant Sources
• Called tropospheric ozone • forms as a result of chemical
(ground level) reactions between nitrogen
• a harmful air pollutant, and it oxides (NOx) and volatile
is the main ingredient in organic compounds (VOC)
“smog” when exposed to sunlight
• Industries, power plants,
refineries...
Effects
• coughing and sore or
scratchy throat.
• difficult to breathe deeply
• Inflame and damage the
airways.
• Make the lungs more
susceptible to infection.
• Aggravate lung diseases
such as asthma,.
• Increase the frequency of
asthma attacks
 Major air pollutants

5. Volatile organic compounds VOCs:

Pollutant Sources Effects
• Group of chemicals • paints , lacquers, glues • Eye, nose & throat
• products we use on a daily and adhesives, irritation Headaches
basis • air fresheners, cleaning • Nausea/vomiting
• Ex: benzene, ethylene products, • Worsening of asthma
glycol, formaldehyde, • pesticides, symptoms
methylene, • building materials, • Liver & kidney damage
tetrachloroethylene, • office equipment such as • Central nervous system
toluene, xylene copiers and printers and damage
permanent markers… • Cancers
 Major air pollutants
6. Particulate matter PM
Pollutant
• Airborne liquid and solid
particles.
• The size varies from 0.1 to
10 microns.
Sources Effects
• Power plants, vehicle • cardiovascular diseases
traffic, construction sites, • asthma and bronchitis,
and indoor stoves and • emphysema.
heaters
• Or it is formed as a result
of chemical and physical
reactions with various
compounds
Soil pollution
• Sources

• Impact on humans

• Impact on environment

• Major pollutants
 Soil pollution sources
• Industrial activities:
such as chemical spills, leaking underground storage tanks, and improper disposal
of hazardous waste.
 Soil pollution sources
• Agricultural practices:
including the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste
 Soil pollution sources
• Leakage from landfills and waste disposal sites
 Soil pollution sources
• Mining operations:
which can release heavy metals and other toxic substances into the soil.
 Soil pollution sources
• Natural sources:
such as volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and wind-borne deposition of contaminated
dust
 Soil pollution sources
• Human activities:
such as sewage disposal and release of pollutants from urban runoff
 Soil pollution sources
• Accidental spills
such as oil spills, which can contaminate the soil and groundwater
 Impact of soil pollution on humans

• Endocrine disruptor
• Genotoxicity and mutagenicity
• Teratogenicity
• Neurotoxicity
• Carcinogenicity
 Impact of soil pollution on environment
• Toxicity to microbial species , altering the functionality of the microbial
community and therefore the ecosystem
• Toxicity to plants and animals: harmful chemicals and heavy metals taken up by
plants and animals, lead to toxicity and potentially affecting the entire food
chain
• Reduced soil fertility: loss of nutrients and organic matter, which can reduce
soil fertility and limit plant growth.
• Contamination of water resources: through leaching into groundwater,
streams, and rivers, leading to contamination of drinking water sources and
harm to aquatic ecosystems.
• Air pollution: Some soil pollutants can become airborne, leading to air pollution
 Major soil pollutants

1. Heavy metals
2. Hydrocarbons
3. Pesticides and herbicices
4. Industrial wastes
5. Sewage sludge
 Major soil pollutants

1. Heavy metals
Pollutant Sources Effects
• Mainly arsenic (As), • Industries • interfere with normal
cadmium (Cd), • Household products cellular and metabolic
chromium (Cr), mercury • Fuel combustion processes (Cell,
(Hg), lead (Pb), copper • Pesticides macromolecules,
(Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel • Landfills wastes DNA)
(Ni). • Natural: erosion and • interfere with the
• biologically toxic, widely volcanic activity. normal functioning of
distributed, and persists the nervous system
long-term in soil • cause damage to the
environment brain, heart, liver,
kidneys
 Major soil pollutants

2. Hydrocarbons
Pollutant Sources Effects
• Organic compounds • Direct: Spills and leaks • Skin irritation
• Commonly found in fossil • Atmospheric deposition • Some are carcinogenic
fuels • Runoff (ex: Benzene; PAHs)
• Persist in the environment • Accumulation in food • Nervous system effects
for a long time chains (toluene and xylene)
• Reproductive health
 Major soil pollutants

3. Pesticides and herbicides

Pollutant Sources Effects
• Chemicals used to protect • Agricultural activities • Allergic reaction
crops from pests and weeds • Household insect sprays • Acute/chronic toxicity
• Ex: Organophosphates and • Gardening activities • Endocrine disruption
carbamates • Reducing biodiversity;
(Acetylcholonesterase accumulation in the food
inhibitors) chainss ; development of
resistance in pests and
weeds
 Major soil pollutants
4. Industrial wastes
Pollutant Sources
that contain chemicals and • Direct disposal on land
heavy metals • Accidental spills
• Atmospheric deposition
• Leaching and runoff
• Groundwater contamination
• Sewage sludge
Effects
• Respiratory
• Skin irritation
• Nervous system
• Kidney and liver
• Cancer
• Environmental
contamination
 Major soil pollutants

5. Sewage sludge
Pollutant Sources Effects
• Used as a fertilizer • Byproduct of wastewater • Microbial infections
❑ Heavy metals treatment • Respiratory
❑ Pathogenic microorganisms • Skin irritation
❑ Organic pollutants PCBs • Nervous system
(Poly-Chloro-Biphényle) and • Kidney and liver
PAHs • Cancer
❑ Nutrient overload • Environmental
contamination
• Soil Eutrophication
Water pollution
• Sources

• Impact on humans

• Impact on environment

• Major pollutants
 Water pollution types
• Water pollution can be divided into two
categories:
A. Surface water pollution: Surface water
pollution is a type of pollution that occurs
above ground, such as in oceans, streams,
lakes and rivers
B. Ground water pollution: Groundwater
pollution occurs when harmful substances
(pollutants) enter the groundwater
 Water pollution sources

Sources of water pollution are either:

A. Point sources: have one identifiable cause, such as a wastewater
treatment plant or an oil spill.
B. Non-point sources: are more diffuse, such as agricultural runoff.
 Water pollution sources
1. Industrial activities:
• Industrial facilities use freshwater to carry away waste
from the plant and into rivers, lakes and oceans
• The types of industrial waste generated include : dirt
and gravel, masonry and concrete, scrap metals, trash,
oil, solvents, chemicals, weed grass and trees, wood
and similar wastes.
• Industrial waste may be toxic, ignitable, corrosive or
reactive.
 Water pollution sources
2. Sewage:
• Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic
influence
• Sewage is the part of wastewater that is contaminated with feces or urine
➢ Nutrients (Nitrogen And Phosphorus)
➢ Solids (Including Organic Matter)
➢ Pathogens (Including Bacteria, Viruses , Protozoa; Helminthes);
➢ Oils And Greases;
➢ Heavy Metals
➢ Toxic Chemicals Including: PCBs, PAHs , Phenols...
 Water pollution sources
3. Agricultural activities:
• Use of fertilizers and pesticides
• Animal waste: Livestock farms generate large amounts of animal waste, which
contain high levels of nutrients, bacteria, and other contaminants.
• Soil erosion: The eroded soil can then be carried by runoff into nearby water
bodies, causing sedimentation and reducing water quality
• Use of heavy machinery: can cause soil compaction, which can reduce infiltration
and increase surface runoff,
 Water pollution sources
4. Urban runoff:
1. Transporting pollutants: Urban runoff can pick up pollutants from the impervious
surfaces
2. Increasing nutrient levels
3. Contributing to sedimentation: Urban runoff can carry sediment from
construction sites, eroding banks, and other sources.
4. Causing flooding: Urban runoff can overwhelm drainage systems and cause
flooding, which can result in an increase the risk of contamination from sewage
 Impact of water pollution on humans

• Waterborne diseases: such as cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, and

gastroenteritis.
• Chronic health effects in humans, including cancer, neurological
disorders, and reproductive problems
• Skin and respiratory problems, due to exposure to contaminated water
• Death: particularly in vulnerable populations such as infants, children,
and elderly
 Impact of water pollution on the
environment

• Habitat destruction: Water pollution can also damage or destroy aquatic habitats,
including wetlands, estuaries, and coral reefs
• Loss of aquatic biodiversity: can harm aquatic plants and animals
• Water Eutrophication: Water pollution can lead to excess nutrients in water
bodies,.
• Soil contamination: as contaminated water can seep into soil and affect plant
growth and soil fertility
 Major water pollutants
1. Chemicals
Pollutant Sources Effects
• Heavy metals: Lead, mercury, arsenic, • Industries • Respiratory
copper, cadmium, chromium... • Sewage • Skin irritation
• Pesticides • runoff • Nervous system
• Chlorine, DBPs • Kidney and liver
• PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) • Cancer
• Pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics and • Reproductive disorder
hormones • Environmental
• VOCs are chemicals that can evaporate into contamination
the air and can also dissolve in water.
• Nitrate and nitrite : contaminants that can be
found in agricultural and urban runoff,
 Major water pollutants

2. Bacteria and viruses

Pollutant Sources Effects
• Coliformes, Entérobactéries • Sewage • Gastrointestinal illnesses
• E. coli, Salmonella, Serratia, • Animal wastes • Cholera
Shiegella, Vibrio, • Typhoid
Pseudomonas • Hepatisis A
• Hepatitis, Rotavirus,
Adenovirus
 Major water pollutants

3. Physical
Pollutant Sources Effects
• Sediment • Erosion • impact the physical
• Organic material suspended in the water • Wastes appearance
(branches, leaves, plastic) • industries • physical properties of
• Turbidity: cloudiness of water caused by water (clarity, light, T°)
the presence of suspended particles such • Sediments Fill
as clay, silt, or microscopic organisms wetlands
• Temperature: Heated water sources, such • Disturbe aquatic
as wastewater from industrial processes or ecosystems
power plants