Unit 3

Pollution and their Effects

Pollution and their Effects; Public Health
Aspects of Environmental;
• Water Pollution, Air Pollution, Soil Pollution,
Noise Pollution, Solid waste management.
 Environmental Pollution
Environmental pollution is defined as “the contamination of the
physical and biological components of the earth/atmosphere system
to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely
affected.

Pollutants

Decomposition Source of
Nature
of nature origin

Non- Point Line Area

Degradable Physical Chemical Biological
degradable source source source
pollutants pollutants pollutants pollutants
pollutants pollutants pollutants pollutants
 Water Pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water sources by substances which make the water
unusable for drinking, cooking, cleaning, swimming, and other activities. Pollutants include
chemicals, trash, bacteria, and parasites. All forms of pollution eventually make their way to
water.
Categorisation of Water Pollutants
 WATER POLLUTANTS AND THEIR
EFFECTS
• Nutrients:
– Source: Agricultural runoff, sewage, and industrial discharges.
– Effects:
• Excessive nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can lead to
eutrophication, causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
• Oxygen depletion can harm aquatic life, leading to fish kills and the
formation of "dead zones" in water bodies.
• Pathogens:
– Source: Human and animal waste, inadequately treated sewage.
– Effects:
• Spread of waterborne diseases, including cholera, dysentery, and
gastroenteritis.
• Contaminated water poses a risk to human health and can lead to
outbreaks of waterborne illnesses.
 WATER POLLUTANTS AND THEIR
EFFECTS
• Sediments:
– Source: Erosion from construction sites, agriculture, deforestation,
and mining.
– Effects:
• Increased turbidity, reducing light penetration and hindering photosynthesis
for aquatic plants.
• Sedimentation can smother habitats, affecting benthic organisms and
disrupting the natural balance of ecosystems.
• Toxic Chemicals:
– Source: Industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, improper disposal of
household chemicals.
– Effects:
• Toxic chemicals such as heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial pollutants can
harm aquatic organisms and disrupt food chains.
• Bioaccumulation of toxins in aquatic organisms can pose risks to human health
through the consumption of contaminated seafood.
 WATER POLLUTANTS AND THEIR
EFFECTS
• Thermal Pollution:
– Source: Discharges of heated water from industrial processes and
power plants.
– Effects:
• Elevated water temperatures can reduce dissolved oxygen levels, negatively
impacting aquatic organisms.
• Changes in temperature can alter the distribution and behavior of aquatic
species, leading to habitat loss.
• Oil and Petroleum Products:
– Source: Oil spills from transportation (ships and pipelines), industrial
discharges.
– Effects:
• Coats the surface of water bodies, affecting oxygen exchange and hindering
the movement of aquatic organisms.
• Toxic effects on marine life, including fish, birds, and marine mammals.
 WATER POLLUTANTS AND THEIR
EFFECTS
• Plastics:
– Source: Improper disposal, littering, and industrial processes.
– Effects:
• Accumulation of plastic debris in water bodies, harming marine life
through ingestion and entanglement.
• Microplastics can enter the food chain, potentially impacting human
health.
• Radioactive Substances:
– Source: Nuclear power plants, mining, and industrial processes.
– Effects:
• Radioactive pollutants can contaminate water, posing risks to human
health and aquatic ecosystems.
• Long-term exposure can lead to genetic mutations, cancer, and other
health problems.
OTHER WATER POLLUTANTS AND
THEIR EFFECTS
CASE STUDY: Mina-Mata Disease
 HOW TO MITIGATE WATER POLLUTION?
• Implement and enforce strict wastewater treatment standards for industrial, agricultural,
and municipal discharges.
• Upgrade and maintain sewage treatment plants to ensure effective removal of pollutants
before discharging into water bodies.
• Promote and enforce BMPs for agriculture, construction, and urban development to
minimize runoff and erosion.
• Implement effective stormwater management practices, such as green infrastructure (rain
gardens, permeable pavements), to reduce surface runoff and filter pollutants.
• Promote proper disposal of household and industrial waste to prevent pollutants from
entering water bodies.
• Manage and reduce nutrient inputs, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from agricultural
runoff and wastewater discharges.
• Raise public awareness about the importance of water conservation and pollution
prevention.
• Invest in research and development of innovative technologies for pollution prevention and
remediation.
• Involve local communities in water protection initiatives, empowering them to participate in
monitoring and stewardship programs.
Wastewater Treatment
Air Pollution
Air Pollutants
Air Pollutants
Particulate Matter
Hydrocarbon
Effects of Air Pollution on Environment
Air Pollution Control
Air Pollution Control

Wet
scrubber
 Air Pollution Control

Gravitational settling
Bag filter
Air Pollution Control
Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Noise Pollution
 Sound Power Level
Sound power or acoustic power is the rate at which sound energy is emitted,
reflected, transmitted or received, per unit time. Sound power is the total
airborne sound energy radiated by a sound source per unit of time.
 Sound Pressure Level
Sound pressure is the amount of air pressure fluctuation a noise source
creates.
Sources of Noise Pollution
Effects of Noise Pollution
Control of Noise Pollution
Soil Pollution
Sources of Soil Pollution
Effects of Soil Pollution
Effects of Soil Pollution
Control of Soil Pollution
Control of Soil Pollution
Solid Waste Management
Effects of Solid Waste
Management of Solid Waste
Control Measures for Solid Waste
Management
Collection of Waste
Open Dumps
Landfills
Sanitary Landfills
Incineration
Composting
Pyrolysis
Land Farming