Chapter: 06

Dr. Md. Khabir Uddin

Professor Course No.: ENV 107
Department of Environmental Sciences
Jahangirnagar University,
Faculty ID:kbu
Savar, Dhaka-1342
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Email: khabir88@yahoo.com
khabir88@juniv.edu
Water pollution

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 Water pollution
“Water pollution is any chemical, physical or
biological change in the quality of water that has a
harmful effect on any living thing that drinks or
uses or lives (in) it.”

 WHO has defined water pollution as,

“Any foreign material either from natural or

other sources that may contaminate the water
supply and makes it harmful to life, cause for their
toxicity, leads to reduction of normal oxygen level
of water, causes aesthetically unpalatable effects
and spread of epidemic diseases”.
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 Categories of Water
Pollution
 Sources of surface water pollution are generally
grouped into two categories based on their origin

1.“Point source” — occurs when harmful substances are

emitted directly into a body of water. Factories, sewage
treatment plants, underground mines, oil wells, oil tankers
and agriculture are the example.

2.“Nonpoint source” — delivers pollutants indirectly

through transport or environmental change. Acid
deposition from the air, traffic, pollutants that are
spread through rivers and pollutants that enter the water
through groundwater are the example.
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 Point and Nonpoint
Sources
Nonpoint Sources

Rural homes

Cropland
Urban streets
Point
Animal feedlot Factory
Sources
Suburban
developm
ent

Wastewate
r
treatment
plant

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 Sources/causes of water pollution

Water Pollution:
The adding to water of any substance, or the changing of water's physical and chemical and
biological characteristics.

Anthropogenic sources Natural sources

• Domestic Water Pollution
• Natural Disaster
• Industrial Water Pollution
• Agricultural Water Pollution • Siltation
• Ship-breaking Operation
• Radioactive Waste • Rainfall
• Thermal Pollution
• Global Warming
• Oil Pollution
• Global Warming
Oil Pollution

Ocean water is polluted by Oil during extraction

A Bangladeshi oil-tanker lies half-submerged after it was hit by a
cargo vessel on the Shela River in the Sundarbans in Mongla.
Oil Pollution

Oil pollution impacts

 Water quality
parameters
– Physical
• Suspended solid (SS), color, taste, smell, temperature
– Chemical
• Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) & Chemical Oxygen Demand
(COD)
• pH
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
– Biological
• Bacteria, virus, protozoa, helminthes

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 Dissolved
Oxygen

What is Dissolved Oxygen?

Dissolved oxygen refers to the level of free, non-
compound oxygen present in water or other liquids. It is
an important parameter in assessing water quality
because of its influence on the organisms living within a
body of water.

Dissolved oxygen concentrations decrease as

temperature increases Dissolved oxygen is important to many
forms of aquatic life.
 Dissolved
Oxygen

Dissolved oxygen concentrations are constantly affected by:

•diffusion
•aeration
•photosynthesis
•respiration
•temperature
•decomposition

Dissolved oxygen concentrations can fluctuate daily and seasonally.

Low Dissolved Oxygen Leads to…

Fish Kills

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 Dissolved
Oxygen

Measuring Dissolved
Oxygen

Three methods available for measuring dissolved oxygen concentrations

Management of dissolved
oxygen in ponds
Aeration

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 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
• BOD: a measure of the quantity of oxygen that bacteria will consume
while decomposing organic matter under aerobic conditions (presence
of oxygen)
• Bacteria decompose organic materials using dissolved oxygen, thus
reducing DO present for fish
• Treatment plants reduce BOD before discharging Wastewater
• BOD5 is the 5 day biochemical oxygen demand.

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Figure: Relationship between BOD and Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
 pH of Water

pH stands for the “power of hydrogen”.

The numerical value of pH is determined by the molar concentration of

hydrogen ions (H+) ³. This is done by taking the negative logarithm of the H+
concentration (-log(H+)). For example, if a solution has a H+ concentration of
10-3 M, the pH of the solution will be -log(10-3), which equals 3.
 pH of Water

Why is pH Important?

Aquatic pH levels. The optimum pH levels for fish are from

6.5 to 8.0. Outside of optimum ranges, organisms can
become stressed or die. Recommended
minimum pH levels for
aquatic life.
 pH of Water

Ocean Acidification

As atmospheric CO2 increases, dissolved CO2 will increase and the pH of

water will decrease (data: NOAA/ESRL and University of Hawaii)
 pH of Water

Measuring pH
• Electrical Conductivity (EC): The ability of a substance to conduct
electricity
• Conductivity of water depends on the concentration of dissolved
ions. So, it can serve as an indicator of water quality problems
• Unit: µS/cm

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• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): It refers to any minerals, salts,
metals, cations or anions dissolved in water.
• TDS comprise inorganic salts (principally calcium, magnesium,
potassium, sodium, bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates) and
some small amounts of organic matter that are dissolved in
water.
• All natural waters contain some dissolved solids due to the
dissolution and weathering of rock and soil
• Waters with high TDS are unpalatable (not pleasant to taste) and
potentially unhealthy
• Unit: ppm

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Relationship between TDS and EC
•The TDS and the electrical conductivity are in a
close connection. The more salts are dissolved in the water, the
higher is the value of the electric conductivity.

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 Drinking water Standards

CONTAMINANT MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (MG/L)

Arsenic 0.05

Cadmium 0.01

Lead 0.015

Mercury 0.002
Endrin
0.0002
Lindane 0.004
Fecal coliform bacteria 1 cell/100 ml
Sources of Water Pollution
 Factories
 Refineries
 Waste treatment facilities
 Mining
 Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers
 Human sewage
 Oil spills
 Failing septic systems
 Soap from washing your car
 Oil and antifreeze leaking from cars
 Household chemicals
 Animal waste

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 Major Water Pollutants
Current water pollution issues can be divided into the
following categories :
 Sewage and other oxygen-demanding wastes
 Infectious or disease causing agents
 Plant nutrients
 Synthetic organic chemicals
 Inorganic minerals and chemical compounds
 Suspended solids or sediments
 Radioactive substances
 Thermal discharges
 Oil
 Detergents
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 Pollutants Sources and Effects
Pollutant Source/ Effects
Cause
Sewage (domestic Sewerage of Oxygen depletion Spread of diseases/ epidemics
wastes, hospital rural and
wastes, excreta) urban areas.
Metals-Mercury Industrial Minamata disease causes numbness of limbs,
wastes lips and tongue, blurred vision, deafness and
mental derangement.

Lead Industrial Absorbed into blood and affects PBCs, liver,

wastes kidney, bone, brain and nervous system.

Cadmium Cadmium Deposited in organs like the kidney, pancreas,

industries, liver, intestinal mucosa, etc. Cadmium poisoning
fertilizers causes headache, vomiting, bronchial
pneumonia, kidney etc.

Arsenic Fertilizers Arsenic poisoning causes renal failure band

death, also cause nerve disorder, kidney and
liver disorders, muscular atrophy, etc. 28
 Causes of Water Pollution
• Industrial effluent • Marine dumping
• Underground water • Farming
leakage • Business
• Eutrophication • Atmospheric
• Biomagnification deposition
• Bioaccumulation • Pathogens
• Epidemics • Chemical and other
• Acid Rain contaminants
• Global warming • Pesticides
• Beaches

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 Groundwater Pollution
 Groundwater pollution, sometimes referred to as
groundwater contamination, is not as easily classified
as surface water pollution.

 By its very nature, groundwater aquifers are

susceptible to contamination from sources that may
not directly affect surface water bodies, and the
distinction of point vs. non-point source may be
irrelevant.

 A spill or ongoing releases of chemical or radionuclide

contaminants into soil (located away from a surface
water body) may not create point source or non-point
source pollution, but can contaminate the aquifer
below, defined as a toxin plume. 30
Groundwater Pollution

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 Common Sources of
Groundwater Pollution

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 Thermal Pollution
Artificial heating of waters, primarily by hot-water
emission from industrial operations and power plants.

Major sources:
• Hot-water discharge from industrial operations,
• Power plants, abnormal ocean currents

Heated water causes several problems:

•Heated water contains less than cold water
•Leads to adverse changes to the habitats of organisms
•Favors growth rate of undesirable organisms
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 Eutrophication
 Eutrophication is the condition of water pollution when
the environment becomes enriched with nutrients. This
causes phytoplankton to grow and reproduce more
rapidly, resulting in algal blooms.
 This bloom of algae disrupts normal ecosystem functioning
and the bloom of algae may also block sunlight from
photosynthetic marine plants under the water surface.
 Microbe uses huge amount of dissolved oxygen for
degradation of excess algae and finally dissolved oxygen
depletion is occurred. Many aquatic organisms suffer from
lacking of dissolved oxygen.

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 Solutions: Preventing and
Reducing Surface Water
Pollution
Nonpoint Sources Point Sources

 Reduce Runoff  Clean Water Act

 Buffer Zone  Water Quality
Vegetation Act
 Reduce Soil
Erosion

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 Technological Approach: Sewage
Treatment
 Mechanical and Biological Treatment

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Soil Pollution

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 Soil pollution
Soil pollution is defined as,

“The build-up in soils of persistent toxic

compounds, chemicals, salts, radioactive materials, or
disease causing agents, which have adverse effects
on plant growth and animal health.”

 The organic portion, which is derived from the

decayed remains of plants and animals, is
concentrated in the dark uppermost topsoil.

 Productive soils are necessary for agriculture to

supply the world with sufficient food.
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 There are many different ways that
soil can become polluted, such as:
• Seepage from a landfill
• Discharge of industrial waste into the soil
• Percolation of contaminated water into the soil
• Rupture of underground storage tanks
• Excess application of pesticides, herbicides or
fertilizer
• Solid waste seepage
The most common chemicals involved in causing
soil pollution are:
• Petroleum hydrocarbons
• Heavy metals
• Pesticides 39
 Types of Soil Pollution

 Agricultural Soil Pollution

1. pollution of surface soil
2. pollution of underground soil
 Pollution by industrial effluents and solid wastes
1. pollution of surface soil
2. disturbances in soil profile
 Pollution due to urban activities
1. pollution of surface soil
2. pollution of underground soil
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 Causes of Soil Pollution
 Soil pollution is caused by the presence of man-made
chemicals or other alteration in the soil environment.

 This type of contamination typically arises from the

application of pesticides, oil and fuel dumping,
leaching of wastes from landfills or direct discharge of
industrial wastes to the soil.

 The most common chemicals involved are petroleum

hydrocarbons, pesticides, lead and other heavy metals.

 This occurrence of this phenomenon is correlated with

the degree of industrialization and intensities of
chemical usage.
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 Pollution in soil is
associated with:
1. Indiscriminate use of fertilizers
2. Indiscriminate use of pesticides, insecticides
and herbicides
3. Dumping of large quantities of solid waste
4. Deforestation and soil erosion
5. Pollution due to Urbanization
a) Pollution of surface soils
b) Pollution of Underground Soil

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 Causes in Brief
 Polluted water discharged from factories
 Runoff from pollutants (paint, chemicals, rotting organic
material) leaching out of landfill
 Oil and petroleum leaks from vehicles washed off the road
by the rain into the surrounding habitat
 Chemical fertilizer runoff from farms and crops
 Acid rain (fumes from factories mixing with rain)
 Sewage discharged into rivers instead of being treated
properly
 Interconnections between aquifers during drilling (poor
technique)
 Septic tank seepage , Lagoon seepage .
 Sanitary/hazardous landfill seepage
 Scrap yards (waste oil and chemical drainage)
 Leaks from sanitary sewers
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 Effects of Soil Pollution
Agricultural Industrial Urban

Reduced soil Chemicals entering Clogging of

fertility and underground water drains and
nitrogen fixation Ecological imbalance inundation of
Larger loss of soil Release of pollutant areas
nutrients gases and radioactive Public health
Reduced crop rays causing health problems
yield problem Pollution of
Imbalance in soil Increased salinity drinking water
fauna and flora Reduced vegetation sources
Foul smell
Waste
management
problems 44
 Effects of Soil Pollution
in brief
 Pollution runs off into rivers and kills the fish, plants and other
aquatic life

 Crops grown on polluted soil may pass the pollutants on to the

consumers

 Soil structure is damaged

 Corrosion of foundations and pipelines

 May release vapors and hydrocarbon into buildings

 May create toxic dusts

 May poison children playing in the area

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 Control of Soil Pollution

 Reducing chemical fertilizer and pesticide

use
 Reusing of materials
 Recycling and recovery of materials
 Reforesting
 Solid waste treatment

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Noise Pollution

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 Lecture: 08

What is Noise Pollution?

“Sound that is unwanted or disrupts one’s
quality of life is called as noise. When there is lot of
noise in the environment, it is termed as noise
pollution.”

 Sound becomes undesirable when it disturbs the

normal activities such as working, sleeping, and
during conversations.

 It is an underrated environmental problem because of

the fact that we can’t see, smell, or taste it.

 World Health Organization stated that “Noise must be

recognized as a major threat to human well-being”
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 Health Effects of Noise
Pollution
 Noise pollution can damage physiological and
psychological health.

 High blood pressure, stress related illness, sleep

disruption, hearing loss, and productivity loss are
the problems related to noise pollution.

 It can also cause memory loss, severe depression,

and panic attacks.

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 Sources of Noise Pollution
 Transportation systems are the main source of noise
pollution in urban areas.

 Construction of buildings, highways, and streets

cause a lot of noise, due to the usage of air
compressors, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks, and
pavement breakers.

 Industrial noise also adds to the already unfavorable

state of noise pollution.

 Loud speakers, boilers, generators, air conditioners,

fans, and vacuum cleaners add to the existing noise
pollution.
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 Solutions for Noise
Pollution
 Planting bushes and trees in and around sound
generating sources is an effective solution for noise
pollution.

 Regular servicing and tuning of automobiles can

effectively reduce the noise pollution.

 Buildings can be designed with suitable noise

absorbing material for the walls, windows, and
ceilings.

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 (Contd……)

 Ssoundproof doors and windows can be installed to

block unwanted noise from outside.

 Rregulations should be imposed to restrict the usage

of play loudspeakers in crowded areas and public
places.

 Ffactories and industries should be located far from

the residential areas.

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 (Contd……)
 Community development or urban management
should be done with long-term planning, along with
an aim to reduce noise pollution.

 Social awareness programs should be taken up to

educate the public about the causes and effects of
noise pollution.

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