Environmental Problems PDF

Environmental Problems Rochelle R. Paa [email protected]  Content Pollution Causes Associated Risk Land Pollution Anthropogenic Sea Level Rise Water Pollution Natural Typhoon Air Pollution...

Environmental Problems Rochelle R. Paa [email protected]  Content Pollution Causes Associated Risk Land Pollution Anthropogenic Sea Level Rise Water Pollution Natural Typhoon Air Pollution Storm Surge Other Types of Climate Pollution Change  Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials (pollutants) into the environment. Pollutants can be natural (e.g., Definition volcanic ash) or created by human activity (e.g., such as trash or runoff produced by factories). Pollutants damage the quality of air, water, and land.  Many things that are useful to people produce pollution. Cars spew pollutants from their exhaust pipes. Burning coal to create electricity pollutes the air. Industries and homes generate garbage and sewage that can pollute the land and water. Pesticides—chemical poisons used to kill weeds and insects— seep into waterways and harm wildlife.  Pollution is a global problem. A huge collection of microscopic Pesticides and other chemicals plastic particles forms what is have been found in the known as the Great Pacific Garbage Antarctic ice sheet. Patch in Northern Pacific Ocean. Researchers recently found pesticides and A mass of plastic waste has accumulated in the industrial compounds deposited in snow atop sub-tropical ocean vortex of the Pacific Ocean four high-elevation glacier sites on the holding around 80,000 tons of debris. An Norwegian archipelago Svalbard, often considered a “pristine” environment. The long artificial island made up of trillions of pieces of journey of these compounds — likely plastic is growing year after year. originating in the United States and Eurasia — shows the far-reaching impacts of industrial pollution.  Air pollution Three major Water pollution types of pollution Land pollution Air Pollution Some causes that contribute to air pollution are: Burning fossil fuels Mining operations Exhaust gases from industries and factories Wind can move air pollutants short or very long distances before they cause harmful impacts.  Anthropogenic air pollution originates from large stationary sources; small stationary sources; and mobile sources. Sources of Air Pollution Category Natural biological and geological phenomena which generate air emissions are regarded as non- anthropogenic or natural sources. Originated from vegetation, plants, trees, soil, volcanoes, geothermal activities, wind erosion and wildfire  Biogenic sources are plants, soils, and other typically widespread contributors of air emissions Natural associated with living organisms. Sources of Air Pollution Geogenic air emissions relate directly or indirectly to geological activity.  Biogenic sources of Air Pollution Soils: Microbial Vegetation: Plants emit decomposition results in Biological Particles: CO2 and other emissions. VOCs including some air Pollens, spores, bacteria, The chemical process of toxins such as and viruses are another nitrification and formaldehyde and denitrification in soils type of natural air methanol. generate nitrogen oxides emissions. (NOx).  Geogenic sources of Air Pollution Volcanoes: Dust: Wind-blown dust comes Sea Salt: Volcanoes produce from eroded rocks and soil. particles and gases Sea salt or marine Saharan and other dust including CO2, SO2, H2S, storms can distribute aerosol from breaking CO, and hydrogen particles over long waves. halides distances.  Other Natural Sources of Air Polution WILDFIRES, including forest LIGHTNING contributes to the production of nitrogen oxides fires not intentionally set (NOx), which combine with other by humans. chemicals in the atmosphere to form ozone. Human-Caused Sources of Air Pollution: Anthropogenic  contribute to global air pollution, such as a large volcanic eruption. Scope of Air distributed across several states, such as emissions Pollution From from a power plant a Source emissions from a dry- cleaning establishment  Stationary Sources Mobile Sources Types of Anthropogenic Sources Certain Burning Practices Indoor Sources  Point sources are generally larger stationary sources with a specific, fixed location. Point sources can consist of a collection of emissions-generating operations at Stationary a facility or a specific emissions-generating operation at a facility. Sources: located in specific places Nonpoint sources are smaller stationary sources that may contribute a significant amount of air pollution collectively.  Nonpoint Sources Point Sources Residential wood burning devices, such as fireplaces, wood stoves, and wood burning furnaces Electric power plants Light industrial and commercial sources, like Oil refineries small surface coating operations Industrial facilities/factories Waste management, such as certain landfills and Boilers open burning of yard waste Steel mills Commercial combustion, including commercial Paper mills kitchens Chemical processing plants Equipment for storing and transporting Large turbine engines used to chemicals, such as the transmission of oil and natural power equipment or vehicles gas Municipal incinerators Gas stations Petroleum storage tanks at Commercial and consumer solvent use, like bulk storage terminals painting operations and dry-cleaning establishments Agricultural sources such as tillage of agricultural lands, fertilizer application, and livestock feedlots  On Road Sources: on-highway mobile sources are vehicles used on roads for the transportation Mobile of people or freight. They typically use gasoline, diesel, or other fuels. Sources: can move to different locations Non Road Sources: or off-highway mobile sources include vehicles, engines, and equipment that are not primarily used on roads, and that typically use gasoline, diesel or other fuels. These sources are used for construction, agriculture, transportation, recreation, and other purposes.  On Road Sources: cars buses Mobile trucks motorcycles Sources: can move to different Non Road Sources: locations aircraft and airport ground support equipment commercial marine vessels construction and agricultural equipment recreational vehicles lawn and garden vehicles, engines and equipment  Fires create air pollutants such as particulates (soot) and other compounds. Some fire-related air emissions are generated by natural sources of air pollution, like wildfires. Certain Burning Other fires are intentionally set by humans Practices and are considered to be anthropogenic sources of air pollution. These include agricultural/crop burning and prescribed fires (prescribed fires are intentionally set and can reduce the risk of uncontrolled emissions from wildfires). Indoor Sources Indoor sources of air pollution include emissions from building materials and furnishings, heating devices, and substances used inside structures such as paints and cleaning fluids.  Ozone Particulate Matter Criteria Nitrogen Oxides Pollutants Sulfur Oxides Lead Carbon Monoxide  not emitted directly from a source; instead formed in the atmosphere by chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight Ozone Emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, chemical plants, refineries, and other sources. Tropospheric ozone, also called ground-level ozone, is most common in urban areas and is often measured at high levels in the summer and during the warmest times of the day.  Particulate Matter (PM) directly emitted from a Particulate matter is classified source, like smokestacks, by size: residential wood burning, PM10 is coarse particles with a prescribed fires, and diameter of 2.5 to 10 construction sites. micrometers, such as dust, is also formed in the dirt, pollen, and mold. atmosphere from reactions between PM2.5 is fine particles with a airborne chemicals diameter of 2.5 micrometers or emitted from sources such less, such as soot, smoke, as power plants, cars, and organic compounds, industries. and metals.  Vehicle exhaust is the largest source of nitrogen oxide pollution in the atmosphere, but Nitrogen Oxide it is also formed by factories and power plants, and naturally by lightning strikes, volcanoes, and during the decomposition of organic matter.  Almost all sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere is the result of human activity, though volcanoes are also a natural source. Coal, oil, and gas often contain sulfur, as do Sulfur Oxides some mineral ores. The burning of any of these sulfur-containing materials, during industrial processing or the generation of electricity, releases toxic sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide, together called sulfur oxides, into the atmosphere.  Lead is a heavy metal found naturally underground. It enters the air through ore and metals processing, and through the burning of leaded fuel for aircraft and vehicles. Lead Stationary sources that produce lead emissions include lead smelters, waste incinerators, power plants, and lead- acid battery manufacturers. Lead emissions are also generated by some types of aircraft.  Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is created when carbon is burned. Most of the carbon monoxide pollution comes from burning fossil fuels in vehicles, factories, and power Carbon plants, but another major source is Monoxide from burning wood or crop waste. Carbon monoxide is released from volcanoes and forest fires as well. Secondary pollutants like ozone and carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, come from carbon monoxide.  Carbon Dioxide Methane Greenhouse Gases Nitrous Oxide Flourinated Gases  generated when fossil fuels like coal, natural gas and oil are burned, and when other materials are burned, like solid waste, trees Carbon Dioxide and other biological materials. produced by chemical reactions (CO2) during certain industrial processes that do not involve combustion. These include cement manufacturing and the production of chemicals and metals such as iron and steel.  Methane (CH4) emissions come from livestock and agricultural practices. Methane is also emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil, and as a product of the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills.  Nitrous oxide (N2O) emitted during soil management and other agricultural practices. It is also produced during certain industrial activities, the combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste, and during the treatment of wastewater.  Fluorinated Gases do not occur naturally but are synthesized by humans as the result of a variety of industrial processes. These gases are used as substitutes for stratospheric ozone-depleting substances such as refrigerants. They are also used in the manufacture of semiconductors and the transmission of electricity.  Increased risk of respiratory illness Increased risk of May increase the Global warming and cardiovascular skin diseases risk of cancer problems Hazards to Acid rain Ozone depletion wildlife Effects of Air Pollution  What is the Philippines doing about air pollution? Metro Manila’s TSP rating 2004 : ~ 171 ug/Ncm (micrograms per normal cubic meter ) 2009: 129 ug/NCM 2010: 150 ug/Ncm Six air quality monitoring stations across Metro Manila recording PM 2.5 pollutants measured 93 ug/Ncm in the first few hours of 2021 Prediction: Downward trend due to LGU and National Programs such as (1) anti-smoke belching campaigns, (2) the establishment of bike lanes, and (3) modernization of jeepneys Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) is a metric used to gauge air quality based on the amount of PM 2.5 and PM 10 particles in the air. Air pollution in the Philippines PM2.5 concentration (WHO recommend: 10 μg/m3) SEA : the average : 21 μg/m3 annually, over twice the recommended value. The Philippines’ : 18.4 μg/m3 (~ 80% higher than the safe levels) Baguio City recorded the highest at 44 μg/m3 in 2013 — quadruple the recommended safe level. Cebu (annual mean of 28 μg/m3) Dagupan (27 μg/m3) Manila’s 22 μg/m3 Davao’s 11 μg/m3 PM10 (10 microns in size) Baguio ranked highest (84 μg/m3), four times the recommended level. Cebu (54 μg/m3) Dagupan (51 μg/m3) Manila (55 μg/m3) Davao (21 μg/m3) Water Pollution Causes of water pollution: Dumping solid wastes in water bodies Disposing untreated industrial sewage into water bodies Human and animal wastes Agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilizers  Polluted water is unsafe for drinking and swimming. Some people who drink polluted water are exposed to hazardous chemicals that may make them sick years later. Consumed bacteria and other tiny aquatic organisms that cause disease. The United Nations estimates that 4,000 children die every day from drinking dirty water.  Sewage and Wastewater Marine Dumping Industrial Waste Sources of Radioactive Waste Water Pollution Oil Underground Storage Agriculture Landfill Leakage  produced from domestic households, industrial practices as well as agricultural practices results in pollution of many of Sewage and our lakes and rivers Sewage disposal has been a Wastewater major problem in developing countries and many people within these countries have no access to clean water or sanitary conditions.  Litter that is being dumped into the sea Litters get caught around limbs of marine animals and many times causes serious health issues and death of animals is Marine becoming commonplace at Dumping sea. It takes plastic packaging about 400 years to completely degrade. Aluminum takes 200 years to completely degrade, making this another of the sources of water pollution.  produces pollutants that are very harmful to not just the Industrial environment, but also to people. Several industrial facilities will Waste use fresh water to carry away wastewater from the plant into the rivers, lakes and oceans.  Asbestos – asbestos fibers are carcinogenic and a serious health hazard Lead – can cause environmental and health problems for animals and humans Industrial Mercury – illness through mercury poisoning has caused adverse effects to humans and animals Waste Nitrates and Phosphates – fertilizers have nitrates that are being washed from the soil into water sources and causing eutrophication Sulfur – it is very harmful to marine life if found in large quantities Oil – it does not dissolve in water and stops marine plants from receiving enough light for photosynthesis. Marine animals and birds are also extremely harmed by oil.  Medical, scientific and industrial processes that use radioactive material produce nuclear waste are also sources of water pollution. Marine habitats are harmed severely by Radioactive nuclear waste. Nuclear waste comes from several Waste sources including: Mining and refining of uranium and thorium Operations conducted by nuclear power stations Nuclear fuel cycle  Oil spills make up around 12 percent of all the oil that is in the ocean. Oil spills cause localized problems and are many times catastrophic to local marine life including fish, Oil birds and sea otters. Oil can never dissolve in water and will form a thick sludge in the water. This sludge suffocates fish and weighs down the feathers of marine birds as well as blocks photosynthesis of marine plants.  Underground storage tanks are a network of pipes and tanks that have at least 10 percent of its volume underground. Stored substances are harmful to the environment if ever it leak out of the tanks Underground or pipes. Storage Since many of the underground storage tanks were constructed prior to 1980 and are made from steel pipes exposed to the environment. The steel corrodes and causes leakages thus causing contamination.  The wastewater from agricultural lands can flow into our surface water by rainwater run-off or improper management. This chemically polluted water then flows down our rivers and canals, Agriculture creating a harmful environment for all aquatic life. The waste generated from this area includes wastewater that is full of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.  Landfills generally sprawl over large areas. Landfill During rainfall, the wastes from these areas can flow into our freshwater supply. Similarly, these Leakage landfills can also leak into the groundwater supply.  80% comes from land What is the occurs as a result of runoff small sources, like septic tanks, cars, trucks, and boats, biggest plus larger sources, such as farms, ranches, and forest areas. source of Some starts as air pollution pollution in Dirt can be a pollutant. Topsoil or silt from fields or the ocean? construction sites can run off into waterways, harming fish and wildlife habitats. 43% of the country's rivers and 56% of the country's major water bodies are polluted.  The rapid spread of diseases like cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and so on due to polluted water. Disruption in the food chain due to the impact on Effects of smaller aquatic life. Water Inhabitable water sources for aquatic life. Pollution Disruption to the marine ecosystem. Increased susceptibility to cancer and hormone- related issues.  How to Prevent Water Pollution? Find proper disposal Avoid pouring cooking methods for Limit pesticide and Do not throw synthetic fats, oils, and grease household chemicals, herbicide usage and wastes, paper, or directly down the batteries as well as ensure proper clothes. drain. any medications or disposal. drugs. Re-use as much Try to limit dishwasher Try to minimize the automobile oil as and washing machine use of detergents and possible and keep Opt. for more water- usage to full loads bleach to only how your vehicle well efficient appliances only to conserve much is necessary. maintained to limit water. spills. 19 Philippine Philippines: Largest contributing country estimated dumping rivers among more than 356,371 metric tons of plastic waste annually. top 50 ocean Pasig River: The world’s most polluters in the polluting river accounting for 63,000 tons of plastic entering world oceans from rivers per year.  Philippine Pampanga River rivers among Agno River, top 50 ocean Pangasinan polluters in the world Rio Grande de Libmanan River, Mindanao River Bicol  Cleanest Rivers in PH Lamut River in Ifugao Province Calbayos River in Samar Province Manaba River in Bohol Land/Soil Pollution Common Causes Improper industrial waste Mining activities disposal Intensive farming and agrochemicals Oil Spills (like fertilizers and pesticides) Acid rain which is caused by air Industrial accidents pollution  Urbanization Litter/ and Construction Garbage Causes of Agriculture/ Mining Land Farming Pollution Deforestation Factories  Litter/Garbage: improper disposal of waste products almost ¾ of litter found on roadways is from pedestrians and motorists large volume of litter also comes from unsecured items that fall off the back of vehicles or out of trash receptacles causes pollution by releasing chemicals and microparticles as it degrades PH 2020: 16.6 Million Metric Tons of trash (more than 23,000 swimming pools or 99 Philippine Arenas) PH : 3rd in SEA for most trash (0.414 kg/person/day) National Solid Waste Management Status Report [2008-2018] How Long Does It Last? Different materials decompose at different rates. Paper: 2-4 weeks Orange peel: 6 months Milk carton: 5 years Plastic bag: 15 years Tin can: 100 years Plastic bottle: 450 years Glass bottle: 500 years Styrofoam: Never  Agriculture/ Farming occurs when contamination created as a by-product of raising livestock and growing food crops is released into the environment, and the contamination is vast. Farming produces a ton of land pollution in the form of chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides. Animal waste from cows for example also produces insane amounts of toxic gas known as methane which contributes to the global warming pandemic. Factories Waste takes the form of damaging chemicals. Most factories and industries use many chemicals in the manufacturing of their specific product which usually get disposed along with the rest of the regular waste. Chemicals can contaminate the soil and have drastic effects on the surrounding ecosystems. Even when this waste is disposed of properly and gets sent to the local landfill, the decomposition of this waste can release toxic gases that can harm nearby neighborhoods Any chemicals that end up in the soil can run off into the water.  Deforestation lack of forests leads to excess carbon dioxide in our atmosphere Whatever is built on the now free land, will without a doubt create pollutants. Source: https://www.globalforestwatch.org/ Source: https://www.globalforestwatch.org/ Source: https://www.globalforestwatch.org/ Source: https://www.globalforestwatch.org/  Surface mining (sometimes called quarrying or opencast mining) requires the removal of topsoil (the fertile layer of soil and organic matter that is particularly valuable for agriculture) to get at the valuable rocks below. Mining Can directly destroy surrounding land and its ecosystems, producing large holes in the ground which can cause large scale erosion. Mining (especially coal mining) can release toxic chemicals into the air and soil. Source: https://mgb.gov.ph/ Source: https://mgb.gov.ph/ Urbanization and Construction To accommodate this increased population, construction activities also occur, which result in large waste materials, such as metal, plastic, wood, and bricks. When these materials are not properly disposed of, it contributes to the land pollution of that area. Vehicles create a lot of air pollution, but the paving and other development prevents proper drainage and increases runoff. This spreads the pollutants used in construction to nearby water sources and lands. Highlights of the Population Density of the Philippines 2020 Census of Population and Housing Source: https://psa.gov.ph/ Highlights of the Population Density of the Philippines 2020 Census of Population and Housing Source: https://psa.gov.ph/ Water that isn’t safe to drink Effects of Land Pollution Polluted soil endangerment and extinction of species increase in wildfires NOISE POLLUTION constant presence of loud, disruptive noises in an area. Usually caused by construction or nearby transportation facilities, such as airports. Sounds that reach 85 decibels or higher can harm a person’s ears. power lawn mowers (90 decibels) subway trains (90 to 115 decibels) loud rock concerts (110 to 120 decibels).  Noise pollution impacts millions of people daily The most common health problem: Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Exposure to loud noise can lead to: high blood pressure heart disease sleep disturbances stress.  Noise pollution also impacts the health and well-being of wildlife. loud noises cause caterpillars’ hearts to beat faster and bluebirds to have fewer chicks. Animals use sound for a variety of reasons, including to navigate, find food, attract mates, and avoid predators. Noise pollution makes it difficult for them to accomplish these tasks, which affects their ability survive. Light Pollution (Photopollution) anthropogenic and artificial light in the environment, especially during nighttime, exacerbated by excessive, misdirected or obtrusive use of light which fundamentally alters natural conditions. offshoot of industrial civilization. Sources : building exterior lighting, e.g., advertising billboards, car parks, streetlights illuminated sporting venue to interior lighting, e.g., offices, factories, indoor entertainment events and others. Impacts of Light Pollution adverse health effects on plants and animals light pollution poses a serious threat to nocturnal wildlife and negative impacts on plant and animal physiology confuse migratory patterns of birds and animals, alter competitive interactions of wildlife, change predator-prey relations and cause physiological harm. Rhythm of life is orchestrated by the natural cycle patterns of light and dark When humans are exposed to light while sleeping, melatonin production can be suppressed. Can lead to sleep disorders and health problems, medically defined as stress, headaches, increased anxiety, work fatigue and even some forms of obesity