UNIT 3

Lesson 15
Environmental Pollution
Environmental pollution

Environmental pollution can be defined as any undesirable

change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics
of any component of the environment (air, water, soil), which
can cause harmful effects on various forms of life or
property.

Environmental pollution could be of various types:

1. Air pollution
2. Water pollution
3. Soil Pollution
4. Noise pollution
 Air pollution
• Presence of certain substances in air in high concentrations and for
long duration to cause undesirable effects.

• These substances include

1. Gaseous pollutants-oxides of sulphur (mostly SO2, SO3) oxides of
nitrogen (mostly NO and NO2 or NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile
organic compounds (mostly hydr ocarbons) etc.

2. Particulate matter- Particulate pollutants include smoke, dust, soot

(black powder), fumes, aerosols, liquid droplets, pollen grains etc.

3. Radioactive substances- radon-222, iodine-131, strontium-90,

plutonium-239 etc.
 Particulate Matter
• Aerosols Solid or liquid particles with sizes from 0.005 – 100 μm

• Dust originates from grinding or crushing

• Fumes are solid particles formed when vapors condense

• Smoke describes particles released in combustion processes

• Smog used to describe air pollution particles –Smoke + Fog

 Sources of Air Pollution
Natural Sources:
1. volcanic eruptions,
2. forest fires,
3 biological decay,
4. pollen grains of flowers and spores
5. Radioactive minerals present in the earth crust are the sources of
radioactivity in the atmosphere.
 Man made sources:
1. thermal power plants,
2. industrial units,
3. vehicular emissions,
4. fossil fuel burning,
5. agricultural activities etc.
• Thermal power plants have become the major sources for generating
electricity in India as the nuclear power plants couldn’t be installed as planned.
• The main pollutants emitted are fly ash and SO2.
• Metallurgical plants also consume coal and produce similar pollutants.
• Fertilizer plants, smelters, textile mills, tanneries, refineries, chemical
industries, paper and pulp mills are other sources of air pollution.
Pollutant National ambient air Quality Standards for
India (µg/m3)

Air Pollutant/Area Industrial Residential Sensitive area

area rural & other
areas
Sulphur dioxide 120 80 30

Nitrogen dioxide 120 80 30

Total SPM 500 200 100

 Standard & Case Study- Delhi

• SPM Standard is 200 microgram/m3 (24 h avg)

• RSPM or PM10 is 100 microgram/m3 (24 h avg)

• The highest SPM level of 4,772 microgram per cubic meter was recorded at Meera
Bagh while the lowest of 1,068 microgram per cubic meter at Defence Colony. The
prescribed limit is 200.

• The highest RSPM level was 2,292 microgram per cubic meter at Meera bagh and
minimum was 586 in Rajpur Road, near the Delhi University. The prescribed limit is 100.

• Police claimed to have fined around 500 people for bursting crackers after 1000 IST.
The maximum punishment is imprisonment up to five years and fine up to Rs 100,000.
Suspended particulates (SPM) – damages lung tissues and cause diseases like
asthma, bronchitis and cancer.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) - causes bronchitis and in the presence of suspended

particulates, can form acid sulphate particles, which can go deep into the lungs and
affect them severely.

Oxides of nitrogen - especially NO2 can irritate the lungs and cause chronic
bronchitis and emphysema.

Carbon monoxide (CO) - causes suffocation. Long exposure to CO cause dizziness,

unconsciousness and even death.

Many other air pollutants like benzene (from unleaded petrol), and dioxins (from
burning of polythene) causes mutations, reproductive problems and even
cancer.
Control measures of Air Pollution: Air pollution can be minimized by the
following methods:
▪ Siting of industries after proper Environmental Impact Assessment
studies.
▪ Using low sulphur coal in industries
▪ Removing sulphur from coal (by washing or with the help of bacteria)
▪ Removing particulate from Industrisal exhaust gases by employing
different type of filters.
▪ Vehicular pollution can be checked by
1. regular tune-up of engines
2. replacement of more polluting old vehicles
3. installing catalytic converters ; by engine modification to have fuel
efficient (lean) mixtures to reduce CO and hydrocarbon emissions
4. slow and cooler burning of fuels to reduce NOx emission (Honda
Technology).
Control measures of Air Pollution……

– Using mass transport system, bicycles etc.

– Shifting to less polluting fuels (hydrogen gas).

– Using non-conventional sources of energy.

– Using biological filters and bio-scrubbers.

– Planting more trees.

Water Pollution: Causes, Effects & Solutions
Lesson 16 SOIL & NOISE POLLUTION
Noise Pollution: Causes, Effects & Solutions
 Lesson 17
Solid Waste Management
Type Example
Municipal food wastes, rubbish, ashes and
residues, demolition and construction treatment plants
wastes, special wastes, treatment
plant wastes
Industrial rubbish, ashes, demolition and
construction wastes,
Hazardous wastes that are ignitable, corrosive,
react with other materials, or are
toxic
Source
residential, commercial, open areas,
metal finishing shop, photo laboratory,
electroplating shop, paint shop,
automobile manufacturing plant, etc
hospitals and biological research
facilities, nuclear power plants, etc.
Biodegradable and Non biodegradable waste
The urban solid waste materials that can be degraded by micro-
organisms are called biodegradable wastes. Examples vegetable wastes,
stale food, tea leaves, egg shells, peanut shells, dry leaves etc.
Non-biodegradable wastes
Wastes that cannot be degraded by micro- organisms are called non-
biodegradable wastes. For example, polyethylene bags, scrap metal, glass
bottles etc.
Effects of Solid Wastes
• Improper disposal of municipal solid waste produces foul smell and breeds various types
of insects and infectious organisms besides spoiling the aesthetics of the site.
• Industrial solid wastes are sources of toxic metals which may spread on land and can
cause changes in physico- chemical and biological characteristics thereby of soils.
– Toxic substances may leach or percolate to contaminate the ground water.

• Burning of hazardous materials produce dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls, which

have the potential to cause various types of ailments including cancer.
Management of Solid Waste:
For waste management we stress on ‘three R’s’-Reduce, Reuse and Recycle before
destruction.
1.Reduction in use of raw materials: Reduction in the use of raw materials will
correspondingly decrease the production of waste.
2.Reuse of waste materials: The refillable containers which are discarded after use can
be reused. Villagers make casseroles and silos from waste paper and other waste materials.
3.Recycling of materials: Recycling is the reprocessing of discarded materials into new
useful products.
7 R’s
 Solid waste disposal methods

For discarding wastes the following methods can be adopted:

• Sanitary landfill: In a sanitary landfill, garbage is spread out in thin
layers, compacted and covered with clay or plastic foam.
• Composting: Due to shortage of space for landfill in bigger cities, the
biodegradable yard waste (kept separate from the municipal waste) is
allowed to degrade or decompose in an oxygen rich medium.
• Incineration: Incinerators are burning plants capable of burning a
large amount of materials at high temperature.
 Lesson 18

Case study on Air pollution, water pollution

(Refer class notes we discussed)
 Lesson 19, 20 & 21

Green house gases, global warming and climate change

Ozone Depletion
Mitigations to Global Warming
 Green House Effect
• Troposphere, the lowermost layer of the atmosphere, traps heat by a
natural process due to the presence of certain gases called Green
House Effect.
• Green House Effect is similar to the warming effect observed in the
horticultural green house made of glass.
• The amount of heat trapped in the atmosphere depends mostly on the
– concentrations of heat trapping green house gases and
– the length of time they stay in the atmosphere.
• The average global temperature is 15 °C. In the absence of green house
gases this temperature would have been –18°C.

• Therefore, Green House Effect contributes a temperature rise to the tune of

33°C

• Heat trapped by green house gases in the atmosphere keeps the planet warm
enough to allow us and other species to exist.

• The two predominant green house gases are water vapour, which is
controlled by hydrological cycle, and carbon dioxide, which is controlled by
the global carbon cycle.
 CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate is the average weather of an area.

It is the average of weather conditions, seasonal variations and extremes of weather in a region
over a long period- at least 30 years is called climate.

– The increased global warming decreases the energy available to the heat engine that
drives the global weather machine.

– This will disturb the global pattern of winds and ocean currents as well as the timing and
distribution of rainfall.

• Shifting of ocean currents may change the climate of subpolar and polar regions.

• By a temperature increase of 1.5 to 4.5 C the global hydrological cycle is expected

to intensify by 5 to 10%.

• Disturbed rainfall will result in some areas becoming wetter and the others drier.
Enhanced green house effect
Due to anthropogenic activities, there is an increase
in the concentration of the greenhouse gases in the
air

GHGs absorb infra-red light containing heat and

results in the re-radiation of thermal infra-red
energy.

Thereby increasing the average surface

temperature beyond 15°C. The phenomenon is
referred to as the enhanced green house effect

Increasing global ideal temperature due to green

house effect is called as global warming
In order, the most abundant greenhouse gases in Earth's
atmosphere are:
• Water vapor (H. 2O)
• Carbon dioxide (CO. ...
• Methane (CH. ...
• Nitrous oxide (N. 2O)
• Ozone (O. ...
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• Hydrofluorocarbons (incl. HCFCs and HFCs)
 Major green house gases

• Carbon dioxide,
• ozone,
• methane,
• nitrous oxide,
• chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• Sulfur hexafluoride and
• water vapour.
GHGs Source Present conc. Increasing Persistent Contribution
rate time towards GW (%)
Carbon fossil fuel burning (67%) 400ppm 1.5ppm/Yr 500Yrs 52
dioxide land clearing and burning
(33%)
Chlorofluoroc air conditioners and 0.00225 ppm 0.5% per Yr 10-15Yrs 24
arbons refrigerators, evaporation
(CFCs) of industrial solvents,
production of plastic
foams, aerosols,
propellants
Methane swamps, natural 1.675ppm 1% per Yr 7-10Yrs 18
(CH4) wetlands, paddy fields,
landfills and digestive
tracts of cattle, sheep and
termites.
Nitrous Oxide burning of biomass and 0.3ppm 0.2% per Yr 140-190Yrs 6
(N2O) nitrogen rich fuels
Impacts of Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

1. Global temperature increase: It is estimated that the earth’s mean temperature will rise
between 1.5 to 5.5°C by 2050.

2. Rise in Sea Level: With the increase in global temperature sea water will expand. Heating will melt
the polar ice sheets and glaciers resulting in further rise in sea level, which results inundation of
coastal cities.

3. Effects on Human Health: The global warming will lead to changes in the rainfall pattern in many
areas, thereby affecting the distribution of vector-borne diseases like malaria, filariasis,
elephantiasis etc.

4. Effects on Agriculture: Soil moisture will decrease and evapotranspiration will increase, which
may drastically affect wheat and maize production. Increase in temperature and humidity will
increase pest growth l Pests will adapt to such changes better than the crops.
Measures to Check Global Warming

(i) Cut down the current rate of use of CFCs and fossil fuel.
(ii) Use energy more efficiently.
(iii) Shift to renewable energy resources.
(iv) Increase Nuclear Power Plants for electricity production.
(v ) Shift from coal to natural gas.
(vi) Trap and use methane as a fuel.
(vii) Reduce beef production.
(viii) Adopt sustainable agriculture.
(ix) Stabilize population growth.
(x) Efficiently remove CO2 from smoke stacks.
(xi) Plant more trees.
(xii) Remove atmospheric CO2 by utilizing photosynthetic algae.
 Ozone Depletion

• Natural sunscreen at the height of 16 to 24km in the stratosphere of around 10 ppm

concentration called as ozone layer.

• This layer filters out harmful ultraviolet radiations from the sunlight and thus
protects various life forms on the earth.

• Formation of Ozone:

• O2 + hν → O● + O● [Ozone is formed by photochemical reaction]

• O● + O2 + M → O3 + M [atomic oxygen reacts with molecular oxygen to form

ozone, M = third body like Nitrogen]
Ozone hole
• Decreasing ozone concentration by reactive atoms of chlorine, bromine etc.,
resulting thinning of ozone layer generally called ozone hole.
• Ozone depleting chemicals
• Chloro Fluro carbon (CFC) [Used in refrigerators, propellent, spray
cans, blowing agent, foam agent],
• Hydro chloro fluoro carbon (HCFC), [Used in refrigerants, blowing
agents]
• Bromo fluoroCarbon (BFC) [Used in fire extinguisher].
• Nitrous oxide N2O [emissions of supersonic aircrafts,
combustion of fossil fuel and use of nitrogen fertilizers]
• Mechanism of Ozone layer depletion: • In 1970 it was found that ozone layer was
• CF2Cl2 + hν → Cl + CF2Cl attacked by CFCs
• CF2Cl + O2 → CF2O + ClO • Each Chlorine atom attack ozone
• Cl + O3 → ClO + O2 molecule.
• ClO + O● → Cl + O2 • Loss in ozone increases the UV radiation
reaching the earth surface.
• Effects of ozone depletion

– On human health – Skin cancer, Non melanine skin

cancer, slow blindness called keratitis,cataracts, Allergies,
reduces human resistivity, infectious diseases etc.

– On aquatic systems- Affects phyto plankton which absorb

more CO2, affects fish, larval crabs

– On materials- Degradation of paints, plastics, & other

polymeric material result in economic loss.

– On climate – increasing the average temperature of the

earth surface & cause global warming.
Solutions to Ozone Layer Depletion

Avoid Using ODS

Reduce the use of ozone depleting substances. E.g. avoid the use of CFCs
in refrigerators and air conditioners, replacing the halon based fire
extinguishers, etc.
Minimise the Use of Vehicles
The vehicles emit a large amount of greenhouse gases that lead to global
warming as well as ozone depletion. Therefore, the use of vehicles should
be minimised as much as possible.
Use Eco-friendly Cleaning Products
Most of the cleaning products have chlorine and bromine releasing
chemicals that find a way into the atmosphere and affect the ozone layer.
These should be substituted with natural products to protect the
environment.
Use of Nitrous Oxide should be Prohibited
The government should take actions and prohibit the use of harmful nitrous
oxide that is adversely affecting the ozone layer. People should be made
aware of the harmful effects of nitrous oxide and the products emitting the
gas so that its use is minimised at the individual level as well.
 Lesson 22
Environmental Movements

• An environmental movement can be defined as a social

or political movement, for the conservation
of environment or for the improvement of the state of
the environment.
• The terms ‘green movement’ or ‘conservation movement’
are alternatively used to denote the same.
• The environmental movements favour the sustainable
management of natural resources. The movements often
stress the protection of the environment via changes in
public policy. Many movements are centred on ecology,
health and human rights.
 Environmental Movements- Bishnoi Movement
• Bishnoi (also known as Vishnoi) is a Hindu religious sect found in
the Western Thar Desert and northern states of India.
• They follow a set of 29 principles/commandments given by Guru
Jambheshwar.
• The commandments include a ban on killing animals and felling green
trees, and providing protection to all life forms.
• In 1700, The maharajah of Jodhpur, Abhay Singh, requiring wood for the
construction of a new palace, sent soldiers to cut trees in the village.
• Amrita Devi one of the villagers along with Bishnoi villagers in Khejarli
and surrounding villages saved sacred trees from being cut down by the
king’s soldiers.
• 363 Bishnoi villagers were killed in this movement.
• The king who came to know about these events rushed to the village and
apologized, ordering the soldiers to cease logging operations.
• Soon afterwards, the maharajah designated the Bishnoi state as a
protected area, forbidding harm to trees and animals.
• This legislation still exists today in the region.
Environmental Movements- Bishnoi
Movement
 Environmental Movements- Chipko Movement
• The Chipko movement, or Chipko Andolan, was a
forest conservation movement in India.
• It began in 1970s in Uttarakhand, then a part of Uttar Pradesh(at the foothills of
Himalayas) and went on to become a rallying point for many future environmental
movements all over the world.
• It created a precedent for starting non-violent protest in India.
• Mr. Bahuguna enlightened the villagers by conveying the importance of trees in the
environment which checks the erosion of soil, cause rains and provides pure air.
• The women of Advani village of Tehri-Garhwal tied the sacred thread around
trunks of trees and they hugged the trees, hence it was called ‘Chipko Movement’
or ‘hug the tree movement’.
• The main demand of the people in these protests was that the benefits of the
forests (especially the right to fodder) should go to local people.
• The Chipko movement gathered momentum in 1978 when the women faced police
firings and other tortures.
• The then state Chief Minister, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna set up a committee to
look into the matter, which eventually ruled in favor of the villagers. This became a
turning point in the history of eco-development struggles in the region and around
the world.
Environmental Movements- Chipko
Movement
Environmental Movements- Silent
Valley Movement
 Environmental Movements- Silent Valley Movement

• The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) proposed a

hydroelectric dam across the Kunthipuzha River that runs
through Silent Valley.
• In February 1973, the Planning Commission approved the
project at a cost of about Rs 25 crores.
• Many feared that the project would submerge 8.3 sq km of
untouched moist evergreen forest.
• In January 1981, bowing to unrelenting public pressure, Indira
Gandhi declared that Silent Valley will be protected.
• In June 1983 the Center re-examined the issue through a
commission chaired by Prof. M.G.K. Menon.
• In November 1983 the Silent Valley Hydroelectric Project was
called off. In 1985, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi formally
inaugurated the Silent Valley National Park.
 UNIT 3
Lesson 23 & 24
Environmental protection and preservation
acts in India

• India is the first country in the world to have made provisions for the
protection and conservation of environment in its constitution.

• On 5th June, 1972, environment was first discussed as an element of

international agenda in the U.N. Conference on Human Environment in
Stockholm.

• Thereafter 5th June is celebrated all over the world as World

Environment Day.
• After the Stockholm Conference our country took substantive
legislative steps for environmental protection and below acts were
came into exist

1. The air act,

2. The water act,
3. The environment act
4. The wild life act and
5. Forest conservation act
WATER ACT 1974:

– This act provides for maintaining & restoring of all water sources and
preventing & controlling water pollution.

– Objectives

• To protect water from all kinds of water pollutents

• To preserve the quality of water

• Establishment of Central & State Boards for preventing water pollution

• Restrain any person for discharging sewage/effluent into any water body

• Any contravention of the standards leads to prison for 3 to 6 months

• Requires permission to set up an industry which discharges effluent.

Salient features

Duties of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):

• It advises the central govt. in matters related to prevention and control of water
pollution.

• Coordinates the activities of State Pollution Control Boards and provides them
technical assistance and guidance.

• Prepares manuals for treatment and disposal of sewage and trade effluents.

• Lays down standards for water quality parameters.

• Establishes and recognizes laboratories for analysis of water, sewage or trade

effluent sample.
AIR ACT 1981:
Deals with problems related to air pollution, quality of air etc.

• Objectives :
• To prevent, control & abatement of air pollution
• To maintain the quality of air
Salient features

– The Central Board settle disputes between state boards, provide technical
assistance & guidance to State board.

– The State Board verify the emissions of air pollutants from industrial /
automobile units

– SB examine the standards of manufacturing process & control equipment

– SB can advise State Government to declare the heavily polluted areas & advice
to avoid burning of waste products.

– Operation of industrial unit is prohibited in a heavily polluted areas

– Violation of law is punishable with imprisonment & Fine

Environment Act 1986:

– It is a general legislation law to rectify the gaps & laps in above acts.

– This act empowers the Central Govt. to fix the standard of quality of air, water, soil &
noise.

– Objectives:

– To protect & improvement of the environment

– To prevent hazards to all living creatures & property

– To maintain peaceful relationship between humans & their environment

Important Features of Environment Act:

– Empowers safeguard measures to Prevent accidents which cause pollution.

Gives remedial measures if accident occurs.

– The Govt. has authority to close or prohibit or regulate any industry & its
operation One who violates the act will be punishable with fine upto one lakh

– If the violation continues, an additional fine of Rs. 5000/- per day is imposed

– The act empowers the officers of Central Governtment to inspect the site /
plant / machinery for preventing pollution.

– Collects samples of air, water, soil or other material from any factory / its
premises for testing.
 FOREST ACT 1980:
– Provides conservation of forests & related aspects.
– Arrest deforestation
Objectives:
– To protect & conserve the forest
– To ensure judicious use of forest products

Important Features of Forest Act:

– Forests are not diverted without the prior permission of the Central Government
– Land registered for forest may not be used for non-forest purposes
– Any illegal activity in a forest area can be stopped immediately
– Clearance of forest land for re-afforestation is forbidden
– One who violates the forest law is punishable.
Wildlife Act 1972:
– Aimed to protect & preserve wildlife. It is declining due to human actions for wildlife’s
skins, furs, feathers, ivory etc.

– Objectives:

– To maintain ecological process & life supporting system To preserve biodiversity

– To ensure a continuous use of species.

Important Features:

– Covers the right & non-rights of forest dwellers

– Provides restricted grazing in sactuaries & prohibits in national parks

– Prohibits the collection of non-timber forest.