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Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry
It is effect of undesirable changes in our surroundings that have harmful effects on plants,
animals and human beings.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
Stratospheric pollution is due to the depletion of protective ozone layer. C FCs combine with ozone and
damage ozone layer.
UV
CF2Cl2(g) → Cl(g) + CF2Cl(g)
Cl(g) + O3(g) → ClO(g) + O2(g)
ClO(g) + O(g) → Cl(g) + O2(g)
CO2 molecules trap heat as they are CO2 is the major contributor to
transparent to sunlight but not to global warming.
the heat radiation.
ACID RAIN
When the pH of rain water drops below 5.6, it is called acid rain.
Oxide of S, N and C causes acid rain.
The Taj Mahal is being slowly disfigured and marble is getting discoloured and lustreless due to
acid rain. The acid rain reacts with marble, CaCO3 of Taj Mahal.
CaCO3 + H2SO4 → CaSO4 + H2O + CO2
WATER POLLUTION
IPathogens: Bacteria and other organisms that enter water from domestic sewage and
animal excreta. Human excreta contain bacteria such as Escherichia coli and streptococcus
faecalis which cause gastrointestinal diseases.
Organic waste: Leaves, Grass, Trash, Excessive phytoplankton growth etc.
If the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) in water is below 6 ppm, the growth of
fish gets inhibited.
The amount of oxygen required by bacteria to break down the organic matter present
in a certain volume of a sample of water is called Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).
The amount of BOD in the water is a measure of the
amount of organic material in the water.
Clean water would have BOD value of less than 5 ppm whereas highly polluted water
could have a BOD value of 17 ppm or more.
Chemical Pollutants:
Water soluble inorganic chemicals such as Cd, Hg, Ni etc. These metals can damage
kidneys, central nervous system, liver etc.
NaCl and CaCl2 are used to melt snow and ice in the colder climates.
Petroleum products pollute many sources of water e.g. major oil spills in oceans.
Pesticides that drift down from sprays or runoff from lands.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) which are used as cleansing solvent, detergents
and fertilizers. PCBs are suspected to be carcinogenic.
Fertilizers contain phosphates. The addition of phosphates in water enhances algae
growth, which reduces oxygen concentration in water.
The process in which nutrient enriched water bodies support a dense plant population,
which kills animal life by depriving it of oxygen and results in subsequent loss of
biodiversity is known as Eutrophication.
Fluoride: Its deficiency causes tooth decay. It makes enamel on tooth much harder
3
Sulphate: Excessive sulphate (>500 ppm) in drinking
4 50 ppm.
Other metals:
5 Metal
Maximum Concentration (ppm)
Fe
0.2
Mn
0.05
Al
0.2
Cu
3.0
Zn
5.0
Cd
0.005
INDUSTRIAL WASTE
Biodegradable waste: It is generated by cotton mills, paper
mills and textile factories.
Non-Biodegradable waste: It is generated by thermal power
plants, iron and steel plants etc.
Now a days, fly ash and slag from steel industry are utilised by the cement industry.
Fuel obtained from plastic waste has high octane rating.
It contains no lead and is known as “green fuel”.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
The improper disposal of wastes is one of the major causes of environmental degradation. Therefore
the management of wastes is of utmost importance.
Two programmes are being implemented Swatchh Bharat Mission - Urban (SBM - U) Swatchh Bharat
Mission - Gramin (SBM - G)
Catalyst
CH2 = CH2 + O
Pd(II)/Cu(II)(in water)
→ CH3 CHO (90%)
Kernel of tamarind seeds has been found to be effective to make waste water clean.
Green chemistry is a cost effective approach which involves reduction in material, energy
consumption and waste generation.