BCC. XII.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISUES 2022

POLLUTION – Undesirable change in physical, chemical & biological characteristics of air land and water that
may/ will be harmful to human life.

POLLUTANTS - Agents that bring about such an undesirable change are called as pollutants

Govt. of India – Environment protection Act, 1986

Prevention and control of air pollution – 1981 and was amended in 1987 to include noise as an noise
pollutant.

The WATER (prevention and control of water pollution) ACT – 1974 to safe guard water resources

Q. NATURAL SOURCES OF POLLUTANTS- – SPM in air, Pollen, smoke spread during volcanic eruption etc.

Anthropogenic (manmade) SOURCES OF POLLUTANTS – smoke form chimneys of thermal power stations,
fuel consumption, vehicular exhaust, domestic sewage etc.

OTHER SOURCES – Petroleum refineries & fertilizer industries – SO2 & NO2. other sources are -smelting
factories, Paper mills, Sugar factories, Cotton & rubber factories, Stone quarries, Cement & asbestos industries

CPCB (central pollution control Board) - Particles having the size of 2.5μm OR less in diameter are responsible
for causing greater harm to human health and may damage lungs and cause premature death.

Q. NOTE ON CONTROL OF INDUSTRIAL AIR POLLUTION

SCRUBBERS - are used to eliminate SO2. a fine spray of water or lime on the exhaust would remove soluble
gaseous pollutants.

ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS – It has electrode wires that are maintained at several thousand volts, which
produce a CORONA that releases electrons. These electrons attach to dust particles giving them –ve charge.
The velocity of air between the plates must be low enough to allow the dust to fall. 99% of particulate matter
present in the smoke and exhaust of thermal power plants can be removed.
Q. Catalytic converters – made of expensive metals namely Platinum-palladium And Rhodium As The
Catalysts, are fitted into automobiles for reducing emission of poisonous gases. As the exhaust passes through
the catalytic converter converts

 unburnt hydrocarbons ‘CO2’

 ‘H2O’, & ‘CO’
 ‘NOX’  ‘CO2’ and ‘N’ gas.
The only precaution required is not to use gasoline having lead as lead inactivates the catalysts of the
converter

Q. NOISE POLLUTION AND ITS CONTROL:-UNWANTED & UNPLEASANT SOUND. Intensity of noise is measured
in deci Bel (dB). high intensity of sound is generally 150db. Sound travels in pressure waves and effects our
ear drums & cause permanent damage to hearing. Even chronic exposure to relatively low noise level of
cities may permanently damage hearing ability of humans.

CONTROL OF NOISE POLLUITON – USE OF Sound proof machines; Green Muffler Scheme reduces noise
pollution; Installing machines in sound proof halls; Plugging ears by cotton wool; Establishing industries away
from residential area; Ban on blowing horn, in normal condition.

Q. What initiatives were taken for reducing vehicular air pollution in Delhi? Has air quality improved in
Delhi?
(I) Introduction of CNG
(ii) Enforcement of pollution control law
(iii) Introduction of green zones
(iv) Use of unleaded fuels
(v) Replacement of old vehicle with new one. The result is that the air quality of Delhi has improved
considerably with a substantial fall in pollutant gases.
(vi)Use of catalytic converters in vehicles.
(vii) Application of Euro III norms for vehicle

Q. Water pollutants are - Domestic effluents, Industrial effluents, city sewage, chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT
& BHC). A mere 0.1% impurities make domestic sewage unfit for human use

Q. What are the various constituents of domestic sewage?

(i) Suspended solids: They are soil particles such as sand and silt.
(ii) Colloidal particles: They are inorganic and organic materials such as faecal matter, bacteria, paper and
cloth.
(iii) Dissolved solids: They are nitrates, phosphates, ammonia, sodium, calcium and other nutrients.
(iv) Pathogens: Domestic sewage has pathogens of various diseases such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery,
diarrhoea, etc.

Q. Discuss the effects of sewage discharge on a river.

(I)Eutrophication.
(ii) Growth of pathogenic bacteria.
(iii) Ageing of river where slit and decaying matters start accumulating and Filling River.
(iv) Increase in BOD.
(v) Destruction of flora and fauna of that river.

Q. BOD – the amount of oxygen required by bacteria to decompose organic pollutants in an aquatic body.
Microbes involved in biodegradation of organic matter consume a lot of O2, resulting into sharp decline in
dissolved oxygen (DO) in water body. Thus the amount of DO decreases, BOD increases.

Q. BIOLOGICAL MAGNIFICATION – Accumulation of Mercury; DDT; STRONTIUM & some toxic (NON
BIODEGRADABLE) substances in various trophic levels of a food chain. Toxins can not be metabolized or
excreted and thus passed on to the next higher trophic level. DDT sprinkled in water to destroy mosquitoes –
plants – herbivores – carnivores. It concentrated in fatty tissues and causes Lethal effects on higher level of
carnivores. High concentrations of DDT disturb Ca++ metabolism in birds, which causes thinning of eggshell and
their premature breaking, eventually causing decline in bird populations.

Q. EUTROPHICATION – Presence of large amounts of nutrients in waters also causes excessive Growth of
planktonic (free-floating) algae, called an algal bloom which imparts a distinct color to the water bodies.
Decomposition of planktons also consume O2. Algal blooms depletes DISSOLVED OXYGEN cause deterioration
of the water quality and fish mortality.

Some bloom-forming algae are extremely toxic to humans and animals. Cause death fish and other aquatic
animals. Process of nutrient enrichment of water and consequent loss of species diversity–EUTROPHICATION.

Effluents from industries and home can accelerate the aging process OF LAKES. This is CALLED cultural or
accelerated Eutrophication.

EICHHORNIA CRASSIPES – Terror of Bengal. World’s Most Problematic Weed

Q. THERMAL POLLUTION - Heated (thermal) wastewaters flowing out of electricity-generating units, e.g.,
thermal power plants, constitute another important category of pollutants. Thermal wastewater eliminates or
reduces the number of organisms sensitive to high temperature, may enhance the growth of plants and fish
in extremely cold areas but, only after causing damage to the indigenous flora and fauna.

Q. WASTE WATER TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT:

1. EcoSan – toilets – A composting method - human excreta can be recycled into a resource (as natural
fertilizer), which reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. There are working ‘EcoSan’ toilets in many areas of
Kerala and Sri Lanka.

2. SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT / EFFLUENT TREATMENT PLANT – PRIMARY (Physical): large suspended
substances are filtered out and made harmless. It can be now used as manure. SECONDARY / BIOLOGICAL:
microbes oxidize organic waste with help of airflow. Water is now chlorinated. TERTIARY / PHYSICO-
CHEMICAL: nitrates and phosphates are removed from water and pure water is obtained. Finally discharged as
NATURAL WATER OR FOR IRRIGATION.
Q. TYPES OF SOLID WASTE (GARBAGE) / MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTES:

• Biodegradable waste – food and kitchen waste, green waste, paper

• Recyclable material – paper, glass, bottles, cans, metals certain plastics

• Inert waste – construction and demolition waste, dirt, rocks, debris.

• Composite waste: clothing, tetra packs, plastic toys

• Hospital waste, disinfectants, harmful chemicals, paints, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, sprays cans,
fertilizer and pesticide containers, batteries and shoe polish

• E – Waste – 50% by developed countries – exported to China, India, Pakistan. From ‘e’ waste metals
like – Cu, Fe, Si, Ni, Au are removed manually thus workers are exposed to toxic substances present in
‘e’ waste.

Q. CASE STUDY - POLYBLEND BY AHMED KHAN: Use of plastic waste in construction of Flexible pavements
Steps: Plastic waste (bags, cups, thermacol) is shredded to small pieces (passing through 4.35mm sieve). The
aggregate (granite) = 170ºC – mini hot mix plant. To it plastic waste is added. Aggregate is coated
.Immediately Hot Bitumen (160ºC) is added & mixed well. Polymer and bitumen are in the molten state the
get mixed and the blend is transferred to the road and the road is laid. This technique is extended to central
mixing plant too. ADVANTAGES – Road strength is twice stronger than normal. Resistance towards water
stagnation – no pot holes formed. Less melting during summer. Burning of plastics could be avoided. No extra
machinery involved. No extra cost in road construction. Reduce the consumption of bituminous mix vis-a-vis
cost.

Q. CASE STUDY – ORGANIC FARMING - Relies on Crop rotation, green manure, compost & biological pest
control to maintain crop productivity and control pest on farm.Ramesh Chandra Dagar – farmer Sonipet,
Haryana. Haryana Kisan Welfare Club with a 5000 members. Bee-keeping, Dairy management, water
harvesting, composting, & agriculture in a chain of processes. Cattle waste – fertilizer – crop waste – compost
– either as fertilizer or biogas generation.

Q. RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION: Natural or manmade radiations. Natural (Background) radiations are not a
health hazard. Manmade radioactive substances by products of nuclear power generation and other
applications of nuclear fission or nuclear technology. Initial thought was – non-pollutant. Later emerged as
very serious problem In two ways

1. Accidental leakage – Chernobyl, three Mile Isalnd;

2. Disposal of radioactive waste.

RADIOACTIVE WASTE Causes Mutation, cancer. Recommended that storage of radioactive waste after
pretreatment should be done in suitably shielded containers buried within the rocks, about 500mt deep below
the earth's surface.
Q. GREEN HOUSE EFFECT & GLOBAL WARMING: Greenhouse gases – methane, CO2, nitrous oxide, HFC, CFC.
MAINTIANS EARTH’S Average temperature: 15OC

Global warming: Since industrial revolution & its progress from 1750, the amount of CO2 in atmosphere is on
an increase.
RELATIVE CONTRIBUTION OF GREEN HOUSE GASES TO GLOBAL WARMING –
CO2 – 60%; METHANE – 20%; CFC – 14%; N2O – 6%.
DELETERIOUS EFFECTS- Increases by about 0.6OC. Melting of polar caps & Rise in sea level

Q. GLOBAL WARMING - CONTROL:

 Drastic & immediate reduction in consumption of fossil fuels.
 Reduction in deforestation. Promote and encourage plantation (reforestation).
 Encourage Use of natural gas and alternative energy resources.
 Encourage use of solar energy, geothermal energy, atomic energy.

Q. OZONE DEPLETION: Ozone layer absorbs harmful UV (UVB) radiation from the sunlight and prevents it from
reaching the earth. Due to continuous addition of Cl- (Chlorofluorocarbons) in the atmosphere, the balance is
getting disturbed leading to depletion of ozone layer. One Cl- can decompose 1 lac molecules of O3. After
many years it can return to earth as Cl-. CFC (Freon used in refrigerator and AC) -source of Cl- . Ozone depletion
is marked over Antarctic region.

Montreal Protocol, was signed at Montreal (Canada) in 1987 (effective in 1989) to control the emission of
ozone depleting substances

Q. Why ozone hole forms over Antarctica? How will enhanced ultraviolet radiation affect us?

Environmental conditions prevailing in Antarctica during winter months; there is no sunlight in Antarctica and
extremely low temperature (– 85°C) facilitates the formation of ice clouds. During winter, natural circulation of
wind (polar vertex) completely isolates Antarctic air from the rest of the world.
The ice clouds provide the catalytic surface for the reaction of chlorine atoms and then ozone. But this
degradation of ozone occurs with the return of solar radiations to Antarctica during spring (September and
October). This results in the thinning of ozone layer every year over most of Antarctica. This hole disappears in
summer due to warming up of air and the mixing up of Antarctic air with that of the rest of the world.

UV-B damages DNA and mutation may occur. High dose of UV B – aging of skin, damage to skin cells and
various types of skin cancer. a high dose of UV-B causes inflammation of cornea, called snow-blindness
cataract, etc. Such exposure may permanently damage the cornea.

Q. Soil erosion & desertification: Loss Of Fertile Top – Soil. over-cultivation, unrestricted grazing,
deforestation and poor irrigation practices, resulting in arid patches of land. When large barren patches
extend and meet over time, a desert is created. Internationally, it has been recognized that desertification is a
major problem nowadays, particularly due to increased urbanization.
Q. WATER LOGGING AND SOIL SALINITY – Irrigation without proper drainage of water leads to waterlogging
in the soil. Besides affecting the crops, waterlogging draws salt to the surface of the soil. The salt then is
deposited as a thin crust on the land surface or starts collecting at the roots of the plants. This increased salt
content is HARMFUL to the growth of crops and is extremely damaging to agriculture.

Q. DEFORESTATION: Deforestation is the conversion of forested areas to non-forested ones. Beginning of 20th
century – 30% forest cover . End of the century – reduced to 19.4%. National forest policy (1988)
recommended 33% of forest cover for the plains and 67% for the hills

Reasons FOR DEFORESTATION: Population explosion; Increased demand in agriculture; Increased

industrialization; urbanization. One of the cause - Slash & burn method of Jhum cultivation in the north
eastern states.

Effects OF DEFORESTATION: Changes in regional and global climate; Rainfall DECREASES; soil erosion
INCREASES; Soil fertility DEPLETES; CAUSES GLOBAL WARMING; Imbalance biogeochemical cycles; Loss of
habitat – SPECIES become endangered.

Q. Discuss the role of women and communities in protection and conservation of forests.

1. Bishnois – Rajasthan (1731). Amrita Devi lead the movement AGAINST DEFORESTATION. 363 lay
dead. Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award has been instituted.
2. CHIPKO MOVMENT BY Sunderlal Bahuguna - Garhwal Himalayas – 1974. Spread to H.P, Karnataka,
Rajashtan, Bihar & Vindhyas.

3. JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT 1980 (JFM)– 1.6 billion out of 7 billion - directly depend on forest for
their livelihood. India – half of the states endorsed – joint forest management (JFM) – community and
forest dept. Idea started from the management of Sal (Shorea robusta) forest in West Bengal.
Recovery from 11% to 20% in Midnapore district alone. Many sq.km of degraded scrub forest -
restored to open forest. Under JFM land remains with the govt. Village committees are the co-
managers and entitled to the benefits from forest products

Q: What measures, as an individual, you would take to reduce environmental pollution?

Measures for preventing Air pollution:

(i) Planting more trees
(ii) Use of clean and renewable energy sources such as CNG and bio-fuels
(iii) Reducing the use of fossil fuels
(iv) Use of catalytic converters in automobiles

Measures for preventing water pollution:-

(i) Optimizing the use of water (ii) Using kitchen waste water in gardening and other household purposes
Measures for controlling Noise pollution:-
(i) Avoid burning crackers on Diwali (ii) Plantation of more trees
Measures for decreasing solid waste generation:-
(i) Segregation of waste
(ii) Recycling and reuse of plastic and paper
(iii) Composting of biodegradable kitchen waste
(iv) Reducing the use of plastics

Q. List all the wastes that you generate at home, school or during your trips to other places. Could you very
easily reduce the generation of these wastes? Which would be difficult or rather impossible to reduce?

Waste materials generated at home: paper, disposable cups, cloth, plates, spoons, plastic envelopes,
discarded food etc.

Waste materials generated at school are : paper, chalks, plastic envelopes etc.

Wastes materials generated during trips are: paper, disposable cups, plates, spoons, plastic envelopes,
discarded food etc.
No, we cannot reduce the generation of these wastes easily, but few can be reduced. The wastes
belong to two categories : biodegradable and non-biodegradable. It is difficult or rather impossible to reduce
discarded food like peel of potato, peel of banana etc. We can do one important thing i.e., to reduce wastage
of food.

Q. Groundwater depletion and ways for its replenishment: Ground water depletion, a term often defined as
long term water level declines caused by sustained ground water pumping, is a key issue associated with
ground water use. Many areas of India experiencing ground water depletion.

The most servere consequence of excessive ground water pumping is that the water table, below which the
ground is saturated – with water, can be lowered. If ground water level declines too far, then the well owner
might have to deepen the well, drill a new well, or at least attempt to lower the pump.

Q. Defunct ships and e-wastes: The dismantling of defunct ship is a technically complex process, which is
potentially harmful to the environment & human health. Defunct i ships contain toxicants like asbestos,
mercury, etc. The workers breaking the ships are not suitably protected and are exposed to toxic chemicals.
The coastal areas in the vicinity of the ship-breaking yard also becomes polluted. At the international level, it is
accepted that there is uncertainty about the relevant controls for the dismantling of such vessels & there is an
urgent need to establish a specific enforceable control framework.
Electronic waste comprised of irrepairable computer and other electronic goods, generated by developed
countries. It is valuable source of secondary raw materials, if treated properly, however if not treated properly
it is the major source of toxins. Eventually recycling is the only solution for the treatment of e-wastes provided
it is carried out in an environment friendly manner.