UNIT III - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND GLOBAL ISSUES

UNIT- III

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND GLOBAL ISSUES

PART – A

1. What is PAN? Give its detrimental effect.

Peroxy Acetyl Nitrates is a secondary pollutant in photochemical smog. It is a powerful
respiratory and eye irritant. It causes extensive damage to vegetation, causing skin cancer.

2. What are point and non-point sources of water pollution?

(i) Point sources are discharged pollutants at specific locations through pipes,
Ditches or sewers into bodies of surface water.
(ii) Non Point sources are usually large land areas or air sheds that pollute water by run off,
subsurface flow or deposition from the atmosphere.

3. Illustrate photochemical smog.

The oxidized hydrocarbon with ozone in the presence of humidity causes photochemical
smog. It is formed by combination of NO, NO2, CO2, H2O, SO2 and unburnt hydrocarbons.

4. Differentiate pollution prevention and pollution control.

S.No. Pollution prevention Pollution control

(i) It is preventing any kind of human It is the management of pollution
activity before the loss is incurred. once it is happened.
(ii) Eg. Use of plastic should be Eg. Management of solid wastes of
avoided the city.

5. Write a note on CFC.

CFC is chlorofluorocarbons which release chlorine which breaks ozone into oxygen. It is
mainly found in refrigerators, aerosol spray cans, etc.

6. What is meant by BOD and COD?

(i) BOD is the amount of oxygen required for the biological decomposition of organic matter
present in the water.
(ii) COD is the amount of oxygen required for chemical oxidation of organic matter using
some oxidizing agent like K2Cr2O7 and KMnO4.

7. What do you mean by disaster management?

That is, to predict and, where possible, prevent disasters, mitigate their impact on
vulnerable populations, and respond to and effectively cope with their consequences.

8. How does earthquake occurs?

The earth’s crust has several tectonic plates of solid rocks. These plates move slowly
along their boundaries. When friction prevents these plates from slipping stress develops and

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UNIT III - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND GLOBAL ISSUES

results in sudden fracture along the fault lines within the plates. This causes earthquakes and a
violent vibration in the earth.

9. What is hydrophobic pollutants?

Hydrophobic pollutants are pollutants that do not mix with water content of the body.
They are insoluble in water. Ex. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, poly brominated
biphenyls.

10. What is hydrophilic pollutants?

Hydrophobic pollutants are pollutants that do mix with water content of the body. They
are soluble in water. Ex. Sugar, sodium hydroxide.

11. Define lipophilic pollutants.

Lipophilic or lipid loving molecules are attracted to lipids which are more soluble in
lipids than water. Ex. Fat soluble vitamins, Cholesterol.

12. illustrate the causes of climate change

i) presence of green house gases in the atmosphere increase the global temperature
ii) Depletion of ozone layer also increase the global temperature
iii) Uneven distribution of rain fall
iv) Seasonal changes

13. How the acid rain occurred?

Presence of SOx, NOx and COx gases in the atmosphere, the water droplets collect those ions
and converted in to H2SO4, HNO3, further lowering the pH of the rain water. It is called acid
rain.

14. Short note on love canal tragedies

Love canal, near the Niagara Falls in New York, in 1942 and 1953 the Hooker
electrochemical company used to abandon to dispose over 21,000 tons of hazardous
chemicals. The drum leaked and contaminated the soil and ground water.

15. How the Miniamatta epidemic marine pollution happened?

A small coastal village in japan, the Chisso Chemical company which produce vinyl polymer
plastics, release the effluent in the sea. The effluent contaminated with mercury and converted
in to methyl mercury which is highly toxic. Finally, the poisonous chemical entered in to
human body through food chain.

16. How the Bhopal gas tragedy occurred?

On 3rd December 1984, the world worst industrial accident was occurred due to the
failure of cooling system who manufactured the carbonate pesticide. The reactor got
exploded, 40 tons of methyl isocyanate gas was leaked in to the atmosphere, people were
affected lungs, eye and skin irritation.

17. Short note on Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

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On April 26, 1986, the melt down of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in Russia has leaked
out the radioactive rays and radioactive materials. Nearly 2000 people were killed by the
accident and many people were affected illness such as degeneration of the cell, severe
bleeding, anemia and skin cancer.
PART – B

1. Briefly describe the sources, effects and prevention of soil pollution.

Definition
The contamination of soil by human and natural activity which may cause harmful effects
on living being.
Sources and effects
i. Industrial wastes: Pulp and paper mills, chemical industries, oil refineries, sugar factories.
These pollutants affect and alter the chemical and biological properties of soil. As a result,
hazardous chemicals can enter into human food chain from the soil; disturb the bio
chemical process and finally lead to serious effects.
ii. Urban wastes: Plastics, glasses, metallic cans, fibers, papers, rubbers, street sweepings, and
other discarded manufactured products. These are also dangerous.
iii. Agricultural practices: Huge quantities of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and weedicides
are added to increase the crop yield. Apart from these farm wastes, manure, slurry, are
reported to cause soil pollution.
iv. Radioactive pollutants: These are resulting from explosions of nuclear dust and radioactive
wastes penetrate the soil and accumulate there by creating land pollution.
v. Biological agents: Soil gets large quantities of human, animal and birds excreta which
constitute the major source of land pollution by biological agents.

Control measures
i. Proper soil conservation measures to minimize the loss of top soil
ii. Use bio-pesticides and integrated environment friendly agriculture to reduce pesticides or
fertilizers.
iii. Appropriate water management practices in agriculture
iv. Keeping the soil surface covered with crop residues or crop cover
v. Planting trees as a part of afforestation/ shelter belts/wind breakers
vi. Cleaning up of polluted soil.

2. Enumerate the sources and control measures of air pollution.

Definition
The presence of one or more contamination like dust smoke mist and odour in the atmosphere
which are injurious to human being, animals and plants
Sources

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i. Natural sources: Examples: volcanic eruptions, forest fires, biological decay, radioactive
materials etc.,
ii. Man-made activities: Examples: thermal power plants, agricultural activities etc.,
iii. Primary air pollutants: it emitted directly in the atmosphere. Examples: CO, NO, SO2 etc.,
iv. Indoor air pollutants: the most important indoor air pollutant is radon gas. Examples:
Radon gas is emitted from bricks, concrete, tiles. It is also present in natural gas and ground
water. Burning fuels in the kitchen, cigarette smoke (CO2, SO2, HCHO etc.,)
v. Secondary air pollutants: primary pollutants react with basic component from new
components.

Control measures
i. Effective means of controlling air pollution is to have proper equipment in place. This
includes devices for removal of pollutants form fuel gases through scrubbers, closed fuel
collection recovery systems.
ii. Using unleaded petrol for vehicles is another way of control. Industries should be carefully
located so as to minimize the effect of pollution after considering topography and wind
directions.
iii. Mechanical devices such as scrubbers, cyclone separator, bag houses & electro-static
precipitators, reducing particulate pollutants.

3. Enumerate major sources, effects and control measures of water pollution.

Major sources and effects

i. Infectious agents: bacteria, virus etc., Sources: human and animal wastes. Effect: diseases
ii. Dissolved oxygen (DO): animal manures. Sources: sewage, paper mills etc.,
iii. Effects: degradation of water quality, fish and other forms of oxygen-consuming aquatic
life.
iv. Inorganic chemicals: acids, toxic metals (Hg, As, Cr, Pb, etc.,) Sources: industrial effluents
and household cleaners Effects: Make fresh water unusable, Skin cancer, neck damage,
nervous system etc., Low crop yields, Corrosion of metals.
v. Organic chemicals: (oil, gasoline, detergents etc.,) Sources: industrial effluents, household
cleaners. Effects: cancer, nervous system damage, harms fish and wildlife.
vi. Plant nutrients: nitrate, phosphate and ammonium ions. Sources: sewage, manure and
fertilizers. Effects: Growth of algae and aquatic plants-kill the fish, drinking water-nitrate
level high-low oxygen carrying capacity of food-kill children and infants. Disturb aquatic
food web
vii. Sediment: soil, slit etc., Sources: land erosion. Effects: Reduce photosynthesis, Disturb
aquatic food web
viii. Pesticides, bacteria and harmful substance radioactive materials: (radioactive isotope of
uranium, thorium, cesium and radon. Sources: nuclear power plants, mining, production of
nuclear weapons. Effects: genetic mutation, cancer, birth defects

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ix. Heat (thermal pollution): (excessive heat) Sources: industrial plants, cooling of electric
power plants etc., Effects: lower do. Power plant open then shuts down, fish-adopt the
temperature.

Control measures of water pollution

i. Government (central and state)
ii. Scientific techniques
iii. Planting of trees and forest
iv. Reduce the amount of pollutants
v. Recycling operations
vi. Public awareness
vii. Domestic sewage for irritation,
viii. Reuse/ Recycle of industrial effluents.

4. Enumerate the causes, effects and control measures of cyclone and earthquake

Cyclone

i. Cyclone is meteorological phenomena intense depressions forming over the open oceans
and moving towards the land.
ii. Effects– Damage to human life crops roads, transport, and communication could be very
heavy.
iii. Control measures- (a) Planting more trees on hostel areas, (b) Construction of dams, (c)
Radar system is used to detect cyclone.

Earthquake

i. Definition - Earthquake is the motion of the ground surface caused by wavemotion starting
from a focal point
ii. Causes– (a) Underground nuclear testing, (b) Pressure of manmade dams, reservoir and
lakes,(c) Movements of plates of earth.
iii. Effects – (a) Cause Tsunami, (b) Deformation of ground surface, (c) In hilly and mountain
areas may cause landslides which damage the settlement and transport system, (d)
Depending on the severity of the quake collapses house and people died in 1000 eg.
Earthquake in Bhuj town.
iv. Control measures–(a) Government can inform the earthquake prone zone and caution
residence, (b) Building should be designed to withstand tremors.

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5. Explain the effect and causes of climate change

Definition
Climate is the average weather of an area. It is the general weather conditions and seasonal
variations of a region. The average of such conditions over a long period is called climate.
Causes of climate change
1. The presence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases the global temperature.
2. Depletion of the ozone layer also increases the global temperature.
3. Uneven distribution of rainfall.
4. Rotation of the earth on its axis
5. Seasonal changes

Effect of climate change

1. Even small changes in climatic conditions may disturb agriculture which would lead to
the migration of animals including humans.
2. Climate change may upset the hydrological cycle, resulting in floods and droughts in
different regions of the world.
3. Global pattern of winds and ocean currents also gets disturbed by climate.

6. Explain the mechanism of global warming and its preventive measures.

Global warming
The increased inputs of CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere from human
activities will enhance the earth's natural greenhouse effect by raising the global
temperature of the atmosphere near the earth's surface. This enhanced greenhouse effect is
called global warming.
Effect on Global Warming
1. Effect on sea level: As a result of glacial melting and thermal expansion of the ocean, a
20 cm rise is expected in sea level by 2030.
2. Effect on agriculture and forestry: High CO2 levels in the atmosphere have long-term
negative effects on crop production and forest growth. More grain belts would become less
productive. As climatic patterns shift, rainfall is reduced and soils are dried out resulting in
a major drought.
3. Effect on water resources: Global rainfall patterns will change and the water
management strategies of different regions will need to adapt to these changes. Drought
and floods will become more common while the rising temperature
will increase domestic water demand.
4. Effect on terrestrial ecosystems: Many plant and animal species will have problems
adapting, influencing the mix of species at different locations. Many will be at risk of
extinction, whereas more tolerant varieties will thrive.
5. Effect on human health: As the earth becomes warmer, floods and droughts become
more frequent. There would be an increase in waterborne diseases, infectious diseases

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carried by mosquitoes, and other disease vectors. Climate change might cause some
ecosystems to exceed critical thresholds and result in irreversible decline.

Preventive Measures
1.CO2 emission can be cut by reducing the use of fossil fuels.
2. Implement energy conservation measures.
3. Utilize renewable resources such as wind, solar and hydropower.
4. Plant more trees.
5. Shift from coal to natural gas.
6. Adopt sustainable agriculture.
7. Stabilize population growth.
8. Efficiently remove CO2 from smokestacks.
9. Remove atmospheric CO2 by utilizing art photosynthetic algae.

7. Explain the important, causes, effects and control measures of ozone layer depletion.

Ozone layer depletion (ozone hole)

Introduction
Ozone is a gas (O3) found throughout the atmosphere, but most highly concentrated in the
stratosphere between 10 and 50 km above sea level, where it is known as the 'ozone layer'.

Importance of ozone layer

Without the ozone layer, life on the earth's surface would not be possible. It protects us
from the damaging ultraviolet radiation of the sun. In particular it filters out UV-B
radiation.
Recent evidence has shown that certain parts of the ozone layer are becoming thinner and
ozone 'holes' have developed. The consequence of anythinning of the ozone layer is that
more UV-B radiation reaches the earth's surface UV-B radiation affects DNA molecules,
causing damage to the outer surface of plants and animals. In humans it causes skin cancer,
and eye disease.
Formation of ozone
Ozone is formed in the stratosphere by photochemical reaction, viz.,
O2 + hv ---> O* + O*
The atomic oxygen rapidly reacts with molecular oxygen to form ozone.
O* + O2 + M ---> O3 + M where, M= third body such as nitrogen.
Ozone thus formed distributes itself in the stratosphere absorbs harmful UV radiations.

Mechanism of Ozone layer depletion (or) Formation (or) Causes of ozone hole

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In 1970, it was found that the ozone layer was attacked by Chlorofluoro carbons (CFCs)
which are released into the atmosphere by refrigeration units, air conditioning systems,
aerosol sprays and cleaning solvents. Chlorofluoro carbons release chlorine which breaks
ozone into oxygen.
The following reactions will then occur
CF2Cl2 + hv ---> Cl + CF2Cl
CF2Cl + O2---> CF2O + ClO
Cl + O3---> ClO + O2
ClO + O* ---> Cl + O2
Each chlorine atom is capable of attacking several ozone molecules. So that a long chain
process is involved. A 1% loss of ozone results in a 2% increase in UV rays reaching the
earth's surface.
Ozone Depleting Substances
The ozone depleting substances essentially consists of chlorine or bromine atoms which are
extremely reactive while they are in the free state. The following gases are accumulated in
the atmosphere and are found to be instruments in ozone depletion.
1. Chloro Fluoro Carbon (CFC) Sources
Refrigerants (freon) in refrigerators, propellent in aerosol spray cans, blowing agent, foam
plastic blowing agent
2. Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbon (HCFC) Sources
Refrigerants, blowing agents
3. Bromo Fluoro Carbons (BFC) Sources
Fire extinguishers
4. Other Chemicals
1. Certain halogen compounds are potential ozone destroyers up to ten times more
powerful than CFCs.
2. Sometimes the atmospheric Sulphur Dioxide is converted into sulphuric acid which
greatly increases the rate of ozone depletion.

Effect (or) Environmental impact (or) consequences of Ozone Layer Depletion

As the ozone layer gets deteriorated the harmful UV rays will reach the ground and cause
various adverse effects.
I. Effect on human health
(i) The UV-rays damage genetic material in the skin cells which cause skin cancer.
(ii) For the fair skinned people, life long exposure to the high level radiation of UV rays
increases the risk of non melanine skin cancer.
(iii) Prolonged human exposure to UV-rays may lead to slow blindness called actinic
keratitis. Enhanced level of UV-ray could lead to more people suffering from cataracts.

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(iv) Human exposure to UV-rays can suppress the immune responses in humans and
animals. It also reduces human resistivity leading to a number of diseases such as cancer,
allergies and some other infectious diseases.
II. Effect on Aquatic Systems
(i) UV rays directly affect the aquatic forms such as phytoplankton, fish, larval crabs. (ii)
The phytoplankton consumes large amount of CO2.
Decrease in population of phytoplankton could have more amount of CO 2 in the
atmosphere which contributes to the global warming.
III. Effect on Materials
Degradation of paints, plastics and other polymeric material will result in economic loss
due to effects of UV radiation.
IV. Effect on Climate
The ozone depleting chemicals can contribute to the global warming i.e., increasing the
average temperature of the earth's surface.
Control Measures
1. Replacing CFCs by other materials which are less damaging.
2. Use of gases such as methyl bromide which is a crop fumigant also to be controlled.
3. Manufacturing and using of ozone depleting chemicals should be stopped.

8. Write a note on acid rain

ACID RAIN (or) ACID PRECIPITATION

Introduction
Normal rain water is always slightly acidic because of the fact that CO 2 present in the
atmosphere gets dissolved in it. Because of the presence of SO 2 and NO2 gases as
pollutants in the atmosphere, the pH of the rain water is further lowered.

Formation (or) causes of acid rain

the presence of excessive acids in rain water. The thermal power plants, industries and
vehicles release nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide into atmosphere due to burning of coal
and oil. When these gases react with water vapor in the atmosphere, they form acids and
descend on to earth’s “acid rain” through rain water.
SOx+H2O —-------->H2SO4
NOx+H2O —-------->HNO3

Effects (impacts) of Acid Rain

I. Impact of acid rain on human beings
1. Acidic rain has been found to be very dangerous to the living organisms as it can destroy
life. Human nervous system, respiratory system and digestive system are affected by acid
rain.

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2. It also causes the premature death from heart and lung disorders such as asthma and
bronchitis.
II. Impact of acid rain on buildings
1. The Taj Mahal in Agra suffering at present due to SO2 and H2SO4 acid fumes released
from Mathura refinery. Crystals of CuSO4 & MgSO4 are formed as a result of corrosion
caused by acid rain.
2. Acid rain corrodes houses, monuments, statues, bridges and fences. British parliament
building also suffered damage due to H2SO4 rains.
3. Acid rain and dry deposition of acidic particles contribute to the corrosion of metals, and
the deterioration of paint and stone. These effects seriously reduce the value of buildings,
bridges and cultural objects.
4. Dry deposition of acidic compounds can also dirty buildings and other structures, leading
to increased maintenance costs.
III. Impact of acid rain on agriculture
1. The effect of acid precipitation on terrestrial vegetation reduces rate of photosynthesis
and growth and increased sensitivity to drought and disease.
2. Acid rain severely retards the growth of crops such as beans, radish, potato, spinach and
carrots etc.,
3. Acid rain causes a number of complications in ponds, rivers and lakes where it
accumulates as acid snow. It causes a significant reduction in fish population.
4. Black flies, mosquitoes, deer flies and the aquatic worms occur abundantly where fishes
are eliminated due to acid deposition.
5. The activity of the bacteria and other microscopic animals is reduced in acidic water. So
the dead materials and other accumulated substances lying on the bottom of lakes are not
rapidly decomposed. Thus essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus stay locked
up in dead wastages. Biomass production is reduced and fish population declines.

Control measures of Acid Rain

1. Improvement in technologies and switching to clean combustion technologies are highly

essential in order to monitor the air pollution.
2. Emissions of SO2 and NO2 from industries and power plants should be reduced by using
pollution control equipment.
3. Coal with lower sulphur content is desirable to use in thermal plants. Replacement of
coal by natural gas would also reduce the problem.
4. Liming or lakes and soils should be done to correct the adverse effects of acid rain.
5. The real solution is to cut back on the use of fossil fuels by reducing our dependency on
motor vehicles and unnecessary utility of motor articles.

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9. Write a note on Greenhouse effect

Introduction
The sun heats the earth, solar radiation passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed at
the earth's surface. This heat is readily lost, it is emitted from the surface as infrared
radiation. Fortunately, this infrared radiation cannot escape the atmosphere as easily as
solar radiation can enter. Instead, some of it is “trapped” by several gases. Thus heat is
allowed in but cannot get out this effect is called the "Green House Effect".
It is similar to the warming effect observed in the horticultural greenhouse made of glass.
Definition
The greenhouse effect may be defined as, "the progressive warming up of the earth's
surface due to the blanketing effect of man-made CO2 in the atmosphere."

Causes of Green House Effect

Greenhouse gas (GHG) is a gas that both absorbs and emits radiation (heat) in the IR range.
The four major greenhouse gases, which cause adverse effects are
1. CO2.
2. CH4.
3. Nitrous Oxide (N2O).
4. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Among these CO2 is the most common and important green gas. Ozone and SO2 also act as
serious pollutants in causing global warming

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