Environmental Science: Air and Water Pollutants

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Air and Water Pollutant x s Lesson # 1  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Lesson Objectives enumerate and describe the different examples of air pollutants and water pollutants; cite the sources and harmful effects of each pollutant...

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Air and Water Pollutant x s Lesson # 1  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Lesson Objectives enumerate and describe the different examples of air pollutants and water pollutants; cite the sources and harmful effects of each pollutant to human health and environment; and suggest ways in reducing the accumulation of pollutants in the environment.  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AIR POLLUTANTS  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Air Pollutants The air is polluted when there are presence of unwanted substances or materials which are called pollutants. Air pollutants are substances whose concentrations in air are high enough to be considered hazardous to human health. They may be solids, liquids or gases which are dissolved in air or are dispersed in minute forms. They may come from natural or  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Sources of Air Pollution 1. Natural Sources- such as wind-blown dust, wildfires, and volcanoes 2. Point Sources- (stationary sources) Pollutants that come from the smokestacks of factories, power plants, or any isolated source of pollutants 3. Line Sources- (mobile sources) Moving vehicles are considered nonpoint or line sources. 4. Area Sources- If the streets are close together or the sources of pollutants are close together in an area then, the area is considered a pollutant source and is called an area source. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Classification of Air Pollutants 1. Primary air pollutants are the substances that are released directly into the air by a point and nonpoint sources or identifiable sources. Examples: carbon monoxide (CO)-from factories & vehicles. Sulfur dioxide (SO2)- from volcanic emissions. Other examples are oxides of nitrogen such as nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2); vapor of hydrocarbons and other organic compounds; particulate matter, such as smoke and dust; oxides of lead, cadmium, copper, and iron; toxic substances like  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Classification of Air Pollutants 2. Secondary air pollutants- are products of the chemical reactions among the primary pollutants and other substances powered by solar radiation. They may be more harmful than primary pollutants. For example, sulfuric acid (H2SO4), which is a very corrosive acid, forms from chemical reactions involving sulfur dioxide (SO2). It makes rainwater more acidic. Ozone (O3) may be formed from the breakdown of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by sunlight. Although a very important gas in the stratosphere, O3 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 2 Categories of Air Pollutants 1. Outdoor air pollutants refer to the mixture of different pollutants present in the air producing an adverse effect. 2. Indoor air pollutants pertain to chemical, biological and physical contamination of indoor air such as those within a home, building or an institution or commercial facility. * If the source of pollution is not remove but regularly introduced to the place, indoor air pollution becomes worse than outdoor air pollution.  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Human Impacts on Bodies of Water Water pollution is any contamination of bodies of water like bays, rivers, streams, lakes, underground water, seas and oceans that harmful to living organisms. It can kill aquatic living organisms and other animals. It also affects human’s health and way of living. Causes of Pollution: Throwing garbage into bodies of water use of fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals in  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Controlling Air Pollutants Some ways to reduce the accumulation of air pollutants in the environment: 1. Minimize the use of vehicles to reduce the burning of fossil fuels. Mass transport system is one way of reducing vehicles on the road. 2. Observe proper vehicle maintenance and good driving habits. 3. Report the emission of black smoke from factories and power plants to the authorities. 4. Conduct greening projects. There are plants that are effective absorbers of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide like ipil-ipil, yellow bell, chichirica , molave, San Francisco,  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE WATER POLLUTANTS  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Water Pollution When water becomes unfit for its intended use, it is considered polluted. Water pollution occurs when a body of water is adversely affected due to the addition of large amounts of waste matter known as pollutants.  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 2 Types of Water Pollutants 1. Point sources of pollution occur when harmful, substances are emitted directly into a body of water. The Exxon Valdez oil spill best illustrates point source water pollution. 2. Nonpoint sources delivers pollutants indirectly through environmental changes. An example of this type of water pollution is when fertilizer from a field is carried into a stream by rain in the form of runoff which, in turn, affects aquatic life. Aside from fertilizers, other materials that fall under this type are silt and other suspended solids such as soil, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Removing Water Pollutants The following are some suggested ways in removing the air pollutants and improving the quality of bodies of water: 1. People are advised to stop throwing garbage directly into bodies of water. 2. Act responsibly in disposing household chemicals. 3. Require industries, hospitals and other establishment to put up wastewater treatment plants. 4. Save water. 5. Reduce the use of fertilizers.