Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa Institute of Technology
School of Chemical and Bio- Engineering
Basic Environmental Engineering ChEg5134
Lecture 1: Introduction
October 10, 2023
1
Outline
Environment and components of
environment
Environmental engineering and the
role of environmental engineers
Pollution and history of
environmental pollution
Source and effect of environmental
pollutions
What is Environment?
The environment encompasses
the whole of life on the earth
and the complex interactions
that link the living world with
the physical world.
Components of environment
Environment can be divided in to the following components
Biotic
Living components
Environment
Abiotic
Non-living components
Biotic: It include all the living organisms.
e.g. plants, animals, birds etc.
Abiotic: All the non living things are included in this category.
e.g. climate conditions, soil, minerals etc.
Cont’d
Environment can also be classified in to various physical
components
Environment
Atmosphere Hydrosphere Lithosphere Biosphere
Cont’d
Atmosphere: The region surrounding the earth is known as
atmosphere.
It is generally a mixture of gases surrounding the earth.
Hydrosphere: all the water bodies on the earth surface are
included in hydrosphere.
It includes oceans, rivers, glaciers, lakes, ponds, etc.
Lithosphere: The uppermost part of the earth crust is known as
lithosphere.
It includes, soil and its particles, rocks, metal, etc.
Biosphere: the life support mantle of the earth extending from
few kilometer into the atmosphere to the deep ocean.
It is the region of the earth where life exist.
What is Environmental engineering?
Environmental engineering is the
application of science and engineering
principles to protect and utilize natural
resources, control environmental
pollution and improve environmental
quality to enable healthy ecosystem
and comfortable habitation for human
and other organisms.
Environmental engineering activities
Water supply Environmental sustainability
Waste water management Public health issue
Solid waste management Environmental impact
Air pollution control assessment
Noise pollution control Treatment of contaminated
Radiation control land
Hazard prevention and
mitigation
Climate change adaptation
etc…
Role of environmental engineer
Environmental engineers are technocrats who are committed
to protect human beings from harmful effects of
environmental degradation caused by the pollution in the
environment due to population growth, rapid
industrialization and urbanization.
Environmental engineer generally acts to build a bridge
between engineering, technology and biology.
Role of environmental engineer
The following are duties of an environmental engineers
Make environmental strategies like evaluation of
environmental quality, steps for improvement of quality of
water, air and food as well as suggestions regarding the
proper collection and disposal of solid and liquid wastes from
the city.
Do the design, construction and operation of treatment
facilities for water, air and solid waste.
Design the different processes to handle large volumes of
pollutant with the principle of optimization, socio-economic
effects and rapid treatment to convert any objectionable
material to a less objectionable material.
Role of environmental engineer
Protect natural resources from the effect of disposal of
hazardous waste, toxic chemicals and radioactive waste.
Has a special role of having good coordination with other
technocrats and engineers to make rapid advancement in
cleaning up the environment with the eco friendly techniques.
Make public aware about the environment degradation and
also to impart training in such a way, so that people
participate in the program of keeping the environment clean.
Pollution
Pollution (Environmental pollution):
is the addition of any substance (solid,
liquid or gas) or any form of energy
(such as heat, sound, or radioactive) to
the environment at a rate faster than it
can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed,
recycled, or stored in some harmless
form.
Anything (solid, liquid or gas)
that can cause pollution is called
pollutant. Eg. Lead, sulphuric
acid, carbon monoxide etc…
Although environmental
pollution can be caused by
natural events such as forest fires
and active volcanoes, use of the
word pollution generally implies
that the contaminants have an
anthropogenic source—that is, a
source created by human
activities.
History of Environmental pollution
Pollution has accompanied humankind ever since groups of people
first congregated and remained for a long time in any one place. it
was not a serious problem as long as there was enough space
available for each individual or group.
However, with the establishment of permanent settlements by great
numbers of people, pollution became a problem, and it has
remained one ever since.
Cities of ancient times were often noxious places, fouled by human
wastes and debris.
Cont’d
Beginning about 1000 CE, the use of coal for fuel
caused considerable air pollution, and the
conversion of coal to coke for iron smelting
beginning in the 17th century aggravated the
problem.
In Europe, from the Middle ages well into the early
modern era, unsanitary urban conditions favored
the outbreak of population-decimating epidemics of
disease, from plague to cholera and typhoid fever.
Through the 19th century, water and air pollution
and the accumulation of solid wastes were largely
problems of congested urban areas.
Cont’d
But, with the rapid spread of industrialization and the growth of the
human population to unprecedented levels, pollution became a
universal problem.
By the middle of the 20th century, an awareness of the need to
protect air, water, and land environments from pollution had
developed among the general public.
In particular, the publication in 1962 of Rachel Carson’s book
Silent Spring focused attention on environmental damage caused
by misuse of chemicals.
In response, major pieces of environmental legislation, such as the
Clean Air Act (1970) and the Clean Water Act (1972; United States),
were passed in many countries to control and mitigate
environmental pollution.
Source and Effect of Environmental Pollution
There are many sources of pollution and each one has its
own effect on the environment and living organisms.
The causes of pollution are not just limited to fossil fuels
and carbons emissions.
There are many other types of pollution including
chemical pollution into bodies of water and soil through
improper disposal practices and agricultural activities,
and noise and light pollution created by cities and
urbanization as a result of population growth.
Air Pollution
There are two types of air pollutants, primary and secondary.
Primary pollutants are emitted directly from their source,
while secondary pollutants are formed when primary
pollutants react in the atmosphere.
Sources
The burning of fossil fuels for transportation and
electricity
The fumes from car exhausts contain dangerous gases
and particulates including hydrocarbons, nitrogen
oxides, and carbon monoxide.
Heavy use of fertilizer for agriculture is a major
contributor of fine-particulate air pollution.
Other agricultural air pollutants include pesticides,
herbicides, and fungicides.
Effect of air pollution
High levels of air pollution can cause an increased risk of
heart attack, wheezing, coughing, and breathing problems,
and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Air pollution can
also cause worsening of existing heart problems, asthma,
and other lung complications.
Like humans, animals can suffer from a number of health
problems due to air pollution, including birth defects,
reproductive failure, and diseases.
Acid rain contains high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids
that are created by oxides and sulfur oxides released into the
air by the burning of fossil fuels. Acid rain damages trees
and acidifies soils and water bodies, making the water too
acidic for fish and other aquatic life.
Cont’d
Nitrogen oxides released into the air by the burning
of fossil fuels also contribute to the nitrogen
responsible for toxic algae blooms.
The release of man-made compounds including
hydro chlorofluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons,
and halons formerly used as coolants, foaming
agents, pesticides, solvents, aerosol propellants,
and fire-extinguishers are depleting the ozone. The
ozone layer in the stratosphere forms a protective
layer that reflects harmful ultraviolet rays back into
space that would otherwise destroy animal and
plant life.
Water Pollution
Sources
Nutrient pollution is caused by wastewater, sewage, and
fertilizers. The high levels of nutrients in these sources end up
in bodies of water and promote algae and weed growth, which
can make the water undrinkable and depleted oxygen causing
aquatic organisms to die.
Pesticides and herbicides applied to crops and residential areas
concentrate in the soil and are carried to the groundwater by
rainwater and runoff. For these reasons anytime someone
drills a well for water it must be checked for pollutants.
Industrial waste is one of the main causes of water pollution,
by creating primary and secondary pollutants including
sulphur, lead and mercury, nitrates and phosphates, and oil
spills.
Effects of water pollution
The effects of water pollution depend on which chemicals are
being dumped where. Bodies of water that are near urbanized
areas tend to be heavily polluted by dumbing of garbage and
chemicals, both legally and illegally, by industrial plants, health
centers, and individuals.
By far the biggest consequence of water pollution is the death of
aquatic creatures, which can disrupt the entire food chain.
Pollutants such as cadmium, mercury, and lead are eaten by tiny
aquatic organisms that are then eaten by fish and shell fish,
becoming more concentrated with each step up the food chain and
causing serious problems in humans and wildlife.
Nutrient pollution can cause toxic algal blooms in drinking water
sources that create toxins that kill fish and other aquatic animals.
Direct exposure to this toxic alga causes serious health problems in
humans including neurological effects, respiratory problems,
stomach and liver illness, and rashes.
A consequential problem is created when disinfectants used to treat
drinking water reach water polluted with toxic algae, they react
creating dioxins. Dioxins are extremely harmful chemical
compounds that have been linked with reproductive and
development problems, and even cancer.
Nitrates, caused by fertilizers, also contaminate drinking water and
according to the Environmental Protection Agency, babies who
consume water that is high in nitrates can become seriously ill with
blue-baby syndrome, which causes shortness of breath and blue-
tinted skin, and can lead to death if not treated early.
Land & Soil Pollution
Source
Land pollution is the destruction of land as a result of
human’s activities and the misuse of land resources. This
occurs when humans apply chemicals such as pesticides
and herbicides to the soil, dispose of waste improperly,
and irresponsibly exploit minerals through mining.
Soil is also polluted through leaking underground septic
tanks, sewage systems, the leaching of harmful
substances from landfill, and direct discharge of waste
water by industrial plants into rivers and oceans.
Rain and flooding can bring pollutants from other already
polluted lands to soil at other locations.
Cont’d
Over-farming and over-grazing by
agricultural activities causes the soil to lose
its nutrient value and structure causing soil
degradation, another type of soil pollution.
Landfills can leach harmful substances into
the soil and water ways and create very
bad smells, and breeding grounds for
rodents that transmit diseases.
Effect of land and pollution
Land and soil pollution has substantial
consequences for humans, animals, microorganisms
and aquatic life. Contaminated land and soil can
cause various problems on the skin, respiratory
problems, and even different kinds of cancers.
These toxic substances come into contact with the
human body directly through eating fruits and
vegetables that have been grown in polluted soils,
being consumed through drinking water that has
been contaminated, direct contact with the skin, and
breathing in air polluted with particles and dust.
Cont’d
Deforestation is the biggest concern when it comes
to land degradation and soil erosion. Clear cutting of
vegetation and tree cover creates harsh conditions
that destroy ecosystems and habitats.
Deforestation also creates an imbalance in
atmospheric conditions, reducing the amount of
carbon that is naturally taken out of the atmosphere.
This is a serious problem considering that most
pollution created by people is carbon based.
Noise & Light Pollution
Source
Noise is considered an environmental pollutant
caused by household sources, social events,
commercial and industrial activities, and
transportation.
Light pollution is caused by the prolonged and
excessive use of artificial lights at night that can
cause health problems in humans and disrupt
natural cycles, including wildlife activities. Sources
of light pollution include electronic billboards,
night sports grounds, street and car lights, city
parks, public places, airports, and residential areas.
Effect of Noise & Light Pollution
Noise pollution can cause stress, anxiety, headaches,
irritability, hearing loss, and sleep loss resulting in
decreased productivity.
Oil drills, submarines, and other vessels on and in the
ocean can cause excessive noise that has resulted in the
injury or death of marine animals, especially whales.
Too much light causes eye strain and stress, harming our
eyes and decreasing our quality of life. Light pollution
also causes a decrease in the hormone melatonin that
helps us to fall asleep, resulting in restlessness and
fatigue.
Cont’d
Many mammals, insects, birds, and reptiles
are photoperiodic meaning their movement,
mating, growth and development, and eating
cycles are regulated by natural light patterns.
Light pollution can interfere with these natural
behaviors and cycles, causing a decrease in
wildlife populations.
THANK YOU!
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