Unit 4

Environmental pollution

Lecture 16
(Cause, effect and control of water, soil
and noise pollution. Major soil pollutants
and their impacts on human health. Basic
concept of Eutrophication and
biomagnification. Ill effects of
fireworks)
1
 Learning outcomes

After completing this lecture, you will be able

to understand the following:
•Student get knowledge about different type of
pollutions, their effect and solutions.
•Student understand the basics about ill effect
of fireworks.

2
 Water Pollution
The addition of various organic and inorganic substances that
change the physical and chemical properties of water thereby
leading to detrimental effects on living organisms and
reducing water usability is termed as water pollution.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=KqZihghcMJA 3
 Causes of Water Pollution
Natural Causes-
•Soil erosion due to rain, floods, high speed wind.
•Deposition of dead and decaying remains of plants and animals.
Man-made Causes-
•Sewage and other wastes- Includes papers, cloth, soap, detergents,
waste.
•Industrial waste- effluents such as oil, grease, plastic, metals, acids
and other toxic chemicals.
•Agricultural waste – fertilizers, pesticides.
•Human activities – bathing, clothing, washing.
•Customs and traditions- disposal of dead bodies, immersion of idols
of gods.
•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85I7oPWUuak

4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLbDbmmV6Qc1
1.Which of the following salts is the main
cause of permanent hardness of water?
• (a) Magnesium sulphate
• (b) Magnesium bicarbonate
• (c) Magnesium carbonate
• (d) None of the above
 Sources of water pollutants

• Point sources-Pollutants enter the water at a single point--

sewage treatment plant and factories. These can be regulated
through law.
• Non point source- pollutants enter the water over large
areas--Surface run off, mining wastes, municipal wastes, acid
rain and soil erosion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQRiLE09tuc

5
 Water Pollutants and its effects

• Sediments: Excessive amounts of soil particles carried by

flowing water, when there is severe soil erosion. Sediments
cloud the water and reduces photosynthesis, destroys feeding
ground of fishes, clogs reservoirs and channels.

• Oxygen-demanding wastes: Organic waste such as animal

manure and plant debris that are decomposed by bacteria, from
sewage, animal feedlots, paper mills, and food processing
facilities. These bacteria deplete the oxygen and causes death
of fish.

6
 Water Pollutants (contd.)

• Infectious microorganisms: Parasitic worms, viruses and

bacteria from infected organisms as well as human and
animal wastes. They are responsible for water borne
diseases.

• Organic compounds: Synthetic chemicals containing

carbon from industrial effluents, surface runoff, and
cleaning agents. These chemicals causes health problems
for humans and harm fishes.

7
1.Which of the following is mainly
responsible for the causes of water
pollution?
• (a) Afforestation
• (b) Oil refineries
• (c) Paper factories
• (d) Both b and c
 Water Pollutants (contd.)

• Inorganic nutrients: Substances like nitrogen and phosphorus

from animal waste, plant residues, and fertilizer runoff. These
nutrients causes eutrophication.

• Inorganic chemicals: Acids, salts, and heavy metals like lead

and mercury from industrial effluents, surface runoff, and
household cleaning agents. They make water unfit for use and
harms aquatic life.

8
• Radioactive substances: Wastes from nuclear power plants,
nuclear weapons production, mining and refining uranium and
other ores. Such substances causes cancer and birth defects.

• Thermal pollution: Hot water from industrial processes. Heat

lowers oxygen demand and makes aquatic life more
vulnerable to diseases, parasites. Thermal shock in aquatic
organisms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUsuQHXWnq0

9
 Effects of Water Pollution
Effect on human health-
Various diseases of CNS, damage to liver, brain and kidney.
Diseases caused by contaminated drinking water- Leads to
various waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera,
infectious hepatitis, jaundice, etc., in human beings
Bacteria–
1)Typhoid—Diarrhea, severe vomiting, enlarged spleen,
inflamed intestine.
2) Cholera—Diarrhea, severe vomiting.
3) Bacterial dysentery– Diarrhea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iFcQkYzthk
10
Viruses-
•Infectious hepatitis– Fever, severe headache, loss of appetite,
abdominal pain, jaundice, enlarged liver.
Parasitic protozoa-
•Amoebic dysentery– Severe diarrhea, headache, abdominal
pain, fever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-CDcXUACos

11
What is the health effects of excess
fluoride in drinking water?
•(a) Fluorosis
•(b) Toothaches
•(c) Lung disease
•(d) Intestinal infection
Effects on animals-
Harmful chemicals and pollutants in water effect survival of
aquatic organisms-- Loss of aquatic biodiversity

Effects on plants-
•Nitrate and phosphate fertilizer used to increase nitrogen and
phosphate content of soil goes in water and increases the growth
of certain plants on surface of water body--Eutrophication of
water bodies
•Polluted water contains high concentration of heavy metals
becomes toxic for plants.

12
 Eutrophication

• Enrichment of a standing water body by nutrients, such as

phosphorus and nitrogen.
• Increased photosynthetic activity.
• Excessive algae die, they fall to the bottom and gets
decomposed. This process requires dissolved oxygen, some
fish species die.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYcKQ2noekk

13
Which of the following is a waterborne
disease?
•(a) Typhoid
•(b) Cholera
•(c) Diarrhoea
•(d) All of the above
 Biomagnification

Biomagnification is the increase in concentration of a substance,

such as the pesticide, that occurs in a food chain. The pollutant
enters the first organism in a food chain. When the second
organism in the chain consumes the first one, the pollutant too
moves into the second organism.

As we go up the levels of the ecological pyramid, there is energy

loss. Hence, at each succeeding level, the predator consumes
more of the prey. As a result, the organisms at higher levels
have greater concentrations of the pollutant.

14
 Measuring Water Quality
• Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD): This parameter measures the degree of
water pollution from oxygen-demanding wastes and plant nutrients. BOD is
amount of dissolved oxygen needed by decomposers to break down the
organic material. Measured in ppm.
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): This is a measure of the combined content of all
inorganic and organic substances contained in a liquid. TDS is measured for
freshwater. Used as an overall indicator of presence of chemical contaminants.
• Presence of disease-causing organisms: The number of colonies of coliform
bacteria present in a 100 millilitre (ml) sample of water is one measure. There
should be no coliform colonies in drinking water.
• Chemical analysis: The presence of chemicals like pesticides can be measured
by analysis.

15
The main sources of Arsenic in water are
________.
•(a) Floods
•(b) Fertilizers
•(c) Industrial waste
•(d) Both b and c
16
 Methods of Purifying Water
• RO method-water is forced through a semi permeable
membrane which filters unwanted substances. RO uses no
chemicals.
• The UV method- UV radiation is effective in killing bacteria,
viruses, certain harmful organisms.
• Distillation method- water is boiled to create steam, it
condenses to water droplets, which is deposited in a container.
The residual water is discarded.
• Planted filter method- used to purify sewage water.

17
Which of the following techniques is
used for reducing the total dissolved
solids (TDS) in the water?
•(a) Osmosis
•(b) Ion exchange
•(c) Distillation
•(d) Both b and c
Control of Water Pollution

•Treatment of domestic and industrial waste in order to reduce

toxicity.
•Control on excess use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture
•Human activities such as bathing, washing ; throwing dead
bodies; immersion of idols should be stopped.
•Non- biodegradable waste material such as plastic should not
be disposed in water bodies.

•Strict enforcement of rules

•Public awareness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYghEiGojk4
18
 Land pollution

Land pollution is the degradation of the Earth's land surface

through misuse of the soil by poor agricultural practices, mineral
exploitation, industrial waste dumping, and indiscriminate
disposal of urban wastes .
Examples of Land pollution :
Soil Pollution
Waste Disposal

19
 Soil Pollution
Any change in the physical, chemical, and biological properties
of soil due to natural or anthropogenic activities is known as soil
pollution.

Major Soil Pollutants and their effects

1) Heavy Metal
2) Dioxins
3) Pesticides, fertilizers n other agricultural products
4) Lead, Cadmium

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Hnfdq2htoKU
20
Causes of Soil Pollution
•Industrial waste – toxic, flammable and non-biodegradable
substances that persist in soil and change composition of soil.

•Urbanization- Process in which large area of forest n

agricultural land are utilized for residential, commercial and
industrial purposes. This makes the land unfit for agriculture
contributing to soil pollution.

•Mining – Process by which valuable minerals are extracted

from earth. Mining leads to change in structure and composition
of soil and causes soil pollution.

21
Which of the following causes soil
pollution?
A. Industrial waste
B.Mining
C. agricultural waste
D.All of above
•Agricultural waste- Excess use of fertilizers and pesticides degrades
soil quality.

•Domestic waste and garbage- biodegradable waste such as kitchen

and food waste, paper, cloth and non-biodegradable waste such as
glass, plastic, metal cans etc . Hazardous domestic waste such as
batteries, paints, medicines etc.

•Radioactive wastes- Nuclear power plants, nuclear testing and

explosions add variable amount of radioactive material to soil.

22
Effects of Soil Pollution
•Reduces the fertility of the soil

•Causes an increase in the number of mosquitoes and flies, which are

vectors of several deadly diseases

•Reduces the aesthetic value of land

•Radioactive elements present in polluted soil enter human body and

cause a number of adverse health effects such as cancer, deformities
in bones, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njx7KUZhPrQ

23
Which of the following is an effect of soil
pollution?
A.Reduces soil fertility
B.reduces aesthetic value of land
C.spread of dieseases
D. All of above
 Control of Soil Pollution

• Treatment of industrial waste before being disposed to reduce soil

pollution.
• Garbage from urban waste should be segregated into biodegradable
and non-biodegradable waste products. Biodegradable waste can be
used for production of manures and biogas, non-biodegradable
waste can be recycled and reused.
• Planting of trees must be encouraged.
• Reduction in the amount of radioactive materials released in the soil
• Reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
• Solid waste can be used for electricity generation.

24
• Which of the following is a control mechanism of soil pollution?

A. Treatment of solid waste

B. Planting more treees

C. Reduction of fertilizer use

D. All of above
 Noise Pollution

Refers to loud sound created by humans or machines that

disrupts the environment and normal living of organism in it.

The unwanted noise dumped into the atmosphere that leads to

discomfort and health hazards is known as noise pollution.

26
Sources of Noise Pollution

•Natural phenomena such as violent volcanic eruptions, thunder,

fierce storms, etc.
•Domestic appliances such as mixers, washing machines, etc.
• Industries such mills and factories
• Automobiles –music system n constant honking by drivers.
•Noise by Trains, ships, and aircrafts
•Bursting of crackers and playing loud music during social
gatherings and festivals.
• Entertainment devices such as radio, television, etc.

27
 Measurement of Sound
 Intensity and frequency are the two important properties of
sound. The unit of measurement of intensity is decibel (dB)
 If we consider frequency, the human ear is known to be sensitive
in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. However, human
ear is more sensitive to sounds of middle frequencies, i.e. 100 Hz.
 So, sound level meters used for measuring noise pollution are
provided with certain weighting network, are mostly expressed in
dB-A rather than dB.

28
 Table : Typical average decibel levels (dbA) of some common
sounds
(Where necessary, the distance of the source in metres is specified.)

29
Effects of Noise Pollution

Auditory effect- Exposure to high intensity sound lead to

temporary deafness.

Non Auditory Effects-

Physiological disorders like anxiety, insomnia, high blood
pressure, increased heart beat etc.

Psychological effect- Depression, Emotional disturbance

•Loss of working efficiency- poor concentration and reduces
ability to think.
•Decline in the number of migratory birds at noisy places

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmxECiGNjZs
30
 Control of Noise Pollution

• Workers in factories should be provided with ear plugs and ear

muffs.
• Vehicular noise can be reduced by keeping the engine clean.
• Industrial noise can be reduced by keeping the machines well
serviced.
• Noisy machines should be placed in special glass or wooden
cabins.
• Special silencing devices should be designed for aircraft
engines.
• More number of trees should be planted since they are
effective sound absorbers.
• Public awareness should be created.

31
 Acoustic Zoning

Increased distance between the source and receiver by zoning of

noisy industrial areas, bus terminals and Railway stations away
from the residential areas would go a long way in minimizing
noise pollution

32
 Legislative measures

Strict legislative measures need to be enforced to curb

The menace of noise pollution. Some of them could be:
i) Minimum use of loudspeakers and amplifiers, specially near
silence zones.
ii) Banning pressure horns in automobiles
iii) Framing a separate Noise Pollution Act.

33
ILL EFFECTS OF FIREWORKS
Not only on Diwali but there are several other occasions like
marriages, election victory, Wining Cricket Match, that we burn
crackers and express our joy. Little do we realise that there is an
environmental price of playing fireworks. The red glare during a
fireworks show creates patriotism and awe into the atmosphere but
also fills the same atmosphere with particulates and aluminium.

Fireworks get their splendour from a variety of chemicals, many of

which are toxic to humans. They often contain carcinogenic or
hormone-disrupting substances. They can lead to considerable air
pollution problems due to the release of lot of smoke from
potassium and aluminium compounds, which are used to propel
fireworks into the air. In order to achieve desirable visual and audio
effects fireworks contain a number of harmful chemicals.

34
The fireworks can harm the environment and human health in
following ways:

Effect on Environment

Air Pollution - Fireworks lead to air pollution. In the combustion

of fireworks, the main component gunpowder gives rise to the
solid reaction products such as potassium carbonate, potassium
sulphate and potassium sulphide, together with unreacted sulphur.
Burning of fire crackers releases toxic gases and pollutants in the
air like as sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide etc.

36
Soil and Water Pollution- The fireworks reaction products that
are emitted are deposited on the soil, crops and, in standing
waters as well. It therefore leads to soil and water pollution.

Waste Generation- Fireworks release considerable amount of

waste which poses serious problems. The quantity of garbage
released after Diwali is very high. This garbage is hazardous
as it includes sulphur, phosphorous, potassium chlorate, and
burnt paper of the fire crackers.

37
Effect on Human Health
Accidents- Carelessly handling fireworks can lead to minor and
major accidents particularly to children. Accidents can also occur
if fireworks are handled incorrectly during sale and use. Every
year, fireworks causing fires to shops and markets make
headlines. The result is damage to property and man.

Respiratory Diseases -The SPM (suspended particulate matter)

levels rise to a large extent during Diwali. It can cause throat,
nose & eye related problems which can later transform into
adverse health hazards. It has much more severe effects in people
with heart, respiratory or nervous system disorders. It can
aggravate problem for people suffering from cold, allergies or
coughs and can also cause congestion of throat & chest.
Fireworks can cause diseases like chronic bronchitis, common
cold, allergic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, etc.

38
Physiological effects due to noise- Not only dust and smoke,
bursting of firecrackers leads to noise pollution which is equally
harmful and affect the elderly, the sick and children. Too much
noise causes anxiety and corresponding stress reactions. Increase
amount of noise has harmful effects on animals as well as
humans.

Standard decibel level for humans is 60 dB. Increase in the

sound level can lead to restlessness, temporary or permanent
hearing loss, high blood pressure, anger, heart attack, sleep
disturbance, etc. Noise may also lead to hyperactivity in
pregnant women, children & those suffering from respiratory
problems. Animals and birds are also very badly affected during
Diwali by the loud sounds of crackers.

39
• Chronic effects of fireworks displays: The colourful displays
by fireworks have harmful effects. For example, green light
produced in fireworks displays comes from Barium that is
radioactive and poisonous, blue colour produced from copper
compounds comes from dioxins linked to cancer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjSN0vuYBb4

40
Control Measures to Minimise Pollution by Fireworks
 
In order to protect oneself from fireworks pollution and its ill
effects, it is necessary to take some corrective measures and path
breaking steps. We need to ask ourselves whether “Happy Diwali”
is really making our Earth Happy.
 
Creating awareness about the perils of this careless usage of
fireworks seems to be the only way to reduce the pollution.
Environment departments must take initiatives to create awareness
among masses by posters, pamphlets and slogans highlighting the
dangers of fireworks.

41
• Government should organize anti-firecracker campaigns and
discourage people from bursting firecrackers. Parents as well
as children should be educated about the harmful effects of
firecrackers and environmental laws should be implemented
strictly. By observing ‘Right to Sleep’ as a fundamental right,
the bursting of crackers is banned between 10 pm to 6 am.

42
 Along with above, some of the measures that can be taken are:
•Avoid bursting crackers in the building compounds, narrow
lanes and congested areas.

•Persons with respiratory diseases should stay indoors to avoid

inhaling smoke from outside.

•The crackers should not be lit inside the house. Open grounds
must be used to light fireworks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxAYThjB4z8

43
 Important Video and Web Link

https://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/
modelcurriculum/Chapter5.pdf

https://www.geo.lu.lv/fileadmin/
user_upload/lu_portal/projekti/gzzf/zinas/
8.LECTURE-Environmental_pollution.pdf

http://www.ilocis.org/documents/chpt55e.htm

44
Acknowledgment
Some images, animation, and material have been taken
from the following sources:

Text Books: PERSPECTIVE IN ENVIRONMENTAL

STUDIES by ANUBHA KAUSHIK, C P KAUSHIK,
NEW AGE INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHERS

References Book: TEXT BOOK OF

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES by D. DAVE AND S.
S. KATEWA, CENGAGE LEARNING
3 All slides can be used for reading purpose only
45