Lecture 8 -Environmental Pollution PDF

Lecture 8 Environmental Pollution Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 1  What is Environmental Pollution? The introduction of impurities to the environment by human activities or natural processes that interrupts ecological balance The introduction of contaminants into the enviro...

Lecture 8 Environmental Pollution Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 1  What is Environmental Pollution? The introduction of impurities to the environment by human activities or natural processes that interrupts ecological balance The introduction of contaminants into the environment that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or that damage the environment. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 2 MSc Human activities, Pollution and Development Development Human activities Income, health welfare, security Environmental pollution Air, Water Soil, Sound Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 3 Why pollution occurs? Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 4 MSc Drivers, Causes and Sources Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 5 MSc Primary and Secondary Causes Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 6 MSc  Sources Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 7  Sources Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 8  Sources Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 9  Sources Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 10  Sources Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 11  Sources Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 12  Sources Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 13 MSc What are the major types of pollution? Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 14 MSc  Major Types of Pollution Air pollution Water pollution Soil/land pollution (contamination) Noise pollution Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 15 MSc  Categories of Pollutants (a) Biodegradable pollutants - Broken down by the activity of micro-organisms and enter into the biogeochemical cycles. Examples of such pollutants are domestic waste products, urine and fecal matter, sewage, agricultural residue, paper, wood and cloth etc. (b) Non- Biodegradable pollutants - With stronger chemical bondage and do not break down into simpler and harmless products. These include various insecticides and other pesticides, mercury, lead, arsenic, aluminum, plastics, radioactive waste etc. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 16  Types of Environmental Pollution Air Water Soil Noise Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 17 MSc Air Pollution Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 18 MSc  Air Pollution contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere (WHO). introduction into the atmosphere of chemicals, particulates, or biological materials that cause discomfort, disease, or death to humans, damage other living organisms or damage the natural environment or built environment. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 19 MSc Air Composition Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 20 MSc Air composition Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 21 MSc  Air Pollution Air pollutants Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 22  Sources of Air Pollution Anthropogenic Natural Stationary sources (power Volcanic activity (sulfur, chlorine, plants, incinerators, factories) ash particulates) Mobile sources (vehicles, Food digestion (methane) vessels, aircraft) Agriculture and forestry mgt Radioactive decay (radon) (chemicals) Fumes (paint, hair spray, Forest fires (smoke, carbon varnish) monoxide) Dump sites/landfills (methane) Dry land (Dust) Military (nuclear weapon, Vegetation (VOCs) rocketry, toxic gases) Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 23  Air pollutants Criteria pollutants (with health/environmental effects) - Fine particulates -Carbon monoxide (CO) -Sulfur dioxide (SO2) -Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) -Ozone (O3) -Lead (Pb) Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 24 Criteria air pollutants and sources Air pollutants Sources Fine particulates Industry, wood stoves, dust, construction, street sand application, open burning CO Industrial combustion sources., mobile sources (autos, trucks, buses), wood stoves, open burning SO2 Fossil fuel power plants, non-ferrous smelters, pulp production NO2 Industry, fossil fuel power, mobile sources, explosives manufacturing, fertilizer manufacturing. O3 Motor vehicles, electric utilities, factories, landfills, industrial solvents, and miscellaneous small sources such as gas stations, lawn equipment, etc. Pb Leaded gasoline, smelting, battery manufacturing and recycling. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 25  Effects on Health Air pollutants Effects on Health Fine particulates Aggravates ailments such as bronchitis and emphysema; especially bad for those with chronic heart and lung disease, as well as the very young and old, and pregnant women. CO Deprives the body of oxygen by reducing the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen; causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, listlessness and in high doses, may cause death SO2 Increases symptoms in asthmatic patients; irritates respiratory system. NO2 Harmful to lungs, irritates bronchial and respiratory systems; increases symptoms in asthmatic patients O3 Irritates eyes, nose, throat and respiratory system; especially bad for those with chronic heart and lung disease, as well as the very young and old, and pregnant women. Pb Affects motor function and reflexes and learning; causes damage to the central nervous system, kidneys and brain. Children are affected more than adults. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 26  Effects on the Environment Air pollutants Effects on the Environment Fine particulates Corrosion, soiling, damage to vegetation and reduced visibility. CO Affects the concentrations of methane (a greenhouse gas) and ozone in the atmosphere. SO2 Forms acid aerosols and sulfuric acid, which are associated with acidification of lakes and streams, accelerated corrosion of buildings and monuments, and reduced visibility NO2 Can adversely affect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems through regional transport and deposition. O3 Can reduce yield of agricultural crops and damages forests and other vegetation Pb Can harm wildlife through deposition onto leaves which are a food source for grazing animals. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 27  Greenhouse gases Secondary impact on health and major impact on the environment Carbon dioxide and methane emissions contribute to global warming Global warming leads to melting of ice caps, sea level rise, flooding, and climate change Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 28  Soil Pollution 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/human health Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 29  What is soil? The physical material that covers most of the earth’s land surface Generally composed of sand, silt and clay particles, organic matter, water and air spaces Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 30 MSc  Functions of Soil Healthy soil gives us clean air and water, bountiful crops and forests, productive rangeland, diverse wildlife, and beautiful landscapes. Soil does all this by performing five essential functions: Regulating water. Soil helps control where rain, snowmelt, and irrigation water goes. Water and dissolved solutes flow over the land or into and through the soil. Sustaining plant and animal life. The diversity and productivity of living things depends on soil. Filtering potential pollutants. The minerals and microbes in soil are responsible for filtering, buffering, degrading, immobilizing, and detoxifying organic and inorganic materials, including industrial and municipal by-products and atmospheric deposits. Cycling nutrients. Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and many other nutrients are stored, transformed, and cycled through soil. Supporting structures. Buildings need stable soil for support, and archeological treasures associated with human habitation are protected in soils. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 31 MSc Soil composition Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 32 Soil Pollution Pollutants Pesticides Oils Heavy metals Radioactive materials Disease causing agents Sources -Oil industry -Agriculture -Health care -Manufacturing -Commercial establishments -Landfill leachate 33 Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc  Sources of Soil/Land Pollution Hazardous waste/sewage oil spills Improper disposal of solid wastes Transfer of air pollutants to land Transfer of water pollutants to land Soil contamination can lead to poor growth and reduced crop yields, loss of wildlife habitat, water and visual pollution, soil erosion, and desertification. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 34 MSc  Soil/land Pollution Spills deposit pollutants to soil Solid wastes not properly disposed make the soil/land unsuitable for its intended use Air pollutants emitted in the atmosphere will eventually be deposited in the soil Water pollutants traversing land areas have the tendency to be absorbed by soil Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 35 MSc  Effects on Health Thru direct contact, inhalation or ingestion of contaminants Chronic exposure to chemicals, e.g. chromium, lead, solvents, pesticides - cancer, congenital disorders, neurological problems, tissue damage and irritation Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 36  Effects on the Environment Toxic substances may cause the deaths of helpful microorganisms that are useful for natural processes Some pollutants will favor the increase of harmful organisms Salinization and heavy metals affect plant growth Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 37 MSc  Water Pollution Any chemical, physical or biological change in the quality of water that has a harmful effect on any living thing that uses or lives in it and make it unsuiable for the desired use Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 38 MSc Estimate of Global Water Volume Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 39 MSc Composition of Global Water Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 40 Composition of Pure Water Natural Water Universal Solvent Polluted Water Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 41  Water pollution * Natural water may contain other chemicals within tolerable limits depending on its intended use. Pollutants Acids Alkalies Toxic heavy metals and chemicals Polluted Oil Water Grease Pesticides Radioactive materials Pathogenic microbes * Intended use: Drinking, cooking, hygiene, washing, recreation, fishing, agriculture, industry Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 42  Sources of Water Pollution Factories, power plants, coal mines and oil wells situated either close to water source or away from sources by discharging pollutants directly or indirectly into the water sources like river, lakes, water streams, etc Untreated sewage disposed to bodies of water indiscriminately Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 43 MSc  Causes of Water Pollution Factors that contribute to water pollution can be categorized into two different groups – Point sources – Non-point sources Point sources are the easiest to identify and control Non-point sources are ambiguously defined and harder to control Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 44  Point Sources Some point sources of water pollution include – Waste products from factories – Waste from sewage system – Waste from power plants – Waste from underground coalmines – Waste from oil wells They are called point sources because they are direct sources of water pollution and can be reduced and monitored Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 45 Example of a point source Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 46  Non-point Sources The term non-point source encompasses a large range of sources such as: – when rain or snow moves through the ground and picks up pollutants as it moves towards a major body of water – the runoff of fertilizers from farm animals and crop land – air pollutants getting washed or deposited to earth – storm water drainage from lawns, parking lots, and streets 47 Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc Non-point source: Agricultural runoff Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 48  Effects on Health Thru direct contact, ingestion or inhalation Waterborne diseases Birth defects Cancer Immune suppression Reproductive failure Acute poisoning Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 49  Effects on the Environment Deaths of fish Destruction of crops Destruction of potential food that is being grown; Destruction of trees and plants that are planted in the area. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 50 MSc  What is Noise Unwanted sound Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 51  Sources of Noise Traffic Airports Railroads Manufacturing plants Construction or demolition Concerts/entertainment Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 52 MSc  Health Effects of Noise sleep disturbance cardiovascular effects damage to work and school performance hearing impairment including tinnitus. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 53 Interrelationship of pollutants Air pollutant Water Soil Pollutant Pollutant Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, 54 MSc  Effects of Pollution on Health Adverse air quality can kill many organisms including humans. Ozone pollution can cause respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, throat inflammation, chest pain, and congestion Water pollution causes approximately 14,000 deaths per day, mostly due to contamination of drinking water by untreated sewage in developing countries Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 55  Effects of Pollution on Health Oil spills can cause skin irritations and rashes Noise pollution induces hearing loss, high blood pressure, stress, and sleep disturbance Soil pollution can generate chemicals and microbes that can lead to diseases such as chemical poisoning or intestinal parasitism Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 56  Effects of Pollution on the Environment -Melting of ice caps Excessive -Sea level rise Global Greenhouse -Flooding warming gases -Climate change Unfiltered solar rays Excessive Ozone layer affecting humans CFCs depletion and other organisms -Melting of structures Oxides of -Stunted growth of Acid sulfur and plants rain nitrogen -Effects on the skin of humans and animals 57 Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc  Effects of Pollution on the Environment Excessive nutrients in Eutrophication Death of lakes lakes Bio- Taken by Excessive magnification organisms on top heavy metals of the food chain Excessive Soil conta- fertilizers & -Death of helpful mination pesticides microorganisms Bonifacio B. Magtibay, CE, SE, MSc 58