SCIL CLLU1ICN

Def|n|t|on
Soll polluLlon ls deflned as Lhe bulldup ln solls of perslsLenL Loxlc compounds chemlcals salLs
radloacLlve maLerlals or dlsease causlng agenLs whlch have adverse effecLs on planL growLh and anlmal
healLh
Soll ls Lhe Lhln layer of organlc and lnorganlc maLerlals LhaL covers Lhe LarLhs rocky surface
1he organlc porLlon whlch ls derlved from Lhe decayed remalns of planLs and anlmals ls concenLraLed
ln Lhe dark uppermosL Lopsoll 1he lnorganlc porLlon made up of rock fragmenLs was formed over
Lhousands of years by physlcal and chemlcal weaLherlng of bedrock roducLlve solls are necessary for
agrlculLure Lo supply Lhe world wlLh sufflclenL food
1here are many d|fferent ways that so|| can become po||uted such as
- Seepage from a landflll
- ulscharge of lndusLrlal wasLe lnLo Lhe soll
- ercolaLlon of conLamlnaLed waLer lnLo Lhe soll
- 8upLure of underground sLorage Lanks
- Lxcess appllcaLlon of pesLlcldes herblcldes or ferLlllzer
- Solld wasLe seepage
1he most common chem|ca|s |nvo|ved |n caus|ng so|| po||ut|on are
- eLroleum hydrocarbons
- Peavy meLals
- esLlcldes
- SolvenLs
1ypes of So|| o||ut|on
- AgrlculLural Soll olluLlon
l) olluLlon of surface soll
ll) olluLlon of underground soll
- Soll polluLlon by lndusLrlal effluenLs and solld wasLes
l) olluLlon of surface soll
ll) ulsLurbances ln soll proflle
- olluLlon due Lo urban acLlvlLles
l) olluLlon of surface soll
ll) olluLlon of underground soll
Causes of Soll olluLlon
Soll polluLlon ls caused by Lhe presence of manmade chemlcals or oLher alLeraLlon ln Lhe naLural soll
envlronmenL 1hls Lype of conLamlnaLlon Lyplcally arlses from Lhe rupLure of underground sLorage llnks
appllcaLlon of pesLlcldes and percolaLlon of conLamlnaLed surface waLer Lo subsurface sLraLa oll and
fuel dumplng leachlng of wasLes from landfllls or dlrecL dlscharge of lndusLrlal wasLes Lo Lhe soll 1he
mosL common chemlcals lnvolved are peLroleum hydrocarbons solvenLs pesLlcldes lead and oLher
heavy meLals 1hls occurrence of Lhls phenomenon ls correlaLed wlLh Lhe degree of lndusLrlallzaLlon and
lnLenslLles of chemlcal usage
A soll polluLanL ls any facLor whlch deLerloraLes Lhe quallLy LexLure and mlneral conLenL of Lhe soll or
whlch dlsLurbs Lhe blologlcal balance of Lhe organlsms ln Lhe soll olluLlon ln soll has adverse effecL on
planL growLh
o||ut|on |n so|| |s assoc|ated w|th
- lndlscrlmlnaLe use of ferLlllzers
- lndlscrlmlnaLe use of pesLlcldes lnsecLlcldes and herblcldes
- uumplng of large quanLlLles of solld wasLe
- ueforesLaLlon and soll eroslon
lndlscrlmlnaLe use of ferLlllzers
Soll nuLrlenLs are lmporLanL for planL growLh and developmenL lanLs obLaln carbon hydrogen and
oxygen from alr and waLer 8uL oLher necessary nuLrlenLs llke nlLrogen phosphorus poLasslum calclum
magneslum sulfur and more musL be obLalned from Lhe soll larmers generally use ferLlllzers Lo correcL
soll deflclencles lerLlllzers conLamlnaLe Lhe soll wlLh lmpurlLles whlch come from Lhe raw maLerlals
used for Lhelr manufacLure Mlxed ferLlllzers ofLen conLaln ammonlum nlLraLe (nP4)nC3 phosphorus as
2C3 and poLasslum as k2C lor lnsLance As b and Cd presenL ln Lraces ln rock phosphaLe mlneral geL
Lransferred Lo super phosphaLe ferLlllzer Slnce Lhe meLals are noL degradable Lhelr accumulaLlon ln Lhe
soll above Lhelr Loxlc levels due Lo excesslve use of phosphaLe ferLlllzers becomes an lndesLrucLlble
polson for crops
1he over use of nk ferLlllzers reduce quanLlLy of vegeLables and crops grown on soll over Lhe years lL
also reduces Lhe proLeln conLenL of wheaL malze grams eLc grown on LhaL soll 1he carbohydraLe
quallLy of such crops also geLs degraded Lxcess poLasslum conLenL ln soll decreases vlLamln C and
caroLene conLenL ln vegeLables and frulLs 1he vegeLables and frulLs grown on overferLlllzed soll are
more prone Lo aLLacks by lnsecLs and dlsease lndlscrlmlnaLe use of pesLlcldes lnsecLlcldes and
herblcldes lanLs on whlch we depend for food are under aLLack from lnsecLs fungl bacLerla vlruses
rodenLs and oLher anlmals and musL compeLe wlLh weeds for nuLrlenLs 1o klll unwanLed populaLlons
llvlng ln or on Lhelr crops farmers use pesLlcldes 1he flrsL wldespread lnsecLlclde use began aL Lhe end
of World War ll and lncluded uu1 (dlchlorodlphenylLrlchloroeLhane) and gammaxene lnsecLs soon
became reslsLanL Lo uu1 and as Lhe chemlcal dld noL decompose readlly lL perslsLed ln Lhe
envlronmenL Slnce lL was soluble ln faL raLher Lhan waLer lL blomagnlfled up Lhe food chaln and
dlsrupLed calclum meLabollsm ln blrds causlng eggshells Lo be Lhln and fraglle As a resulL large blrds of
prey such as Lhe brown pellcan ospreys falcons and eagles became endangered uu1 has been now
been banned ln mosL wesLern counLrles lronlcally many of Lhem lncludlng uSA sLlll produce uu1 for
exporL Lo oLher developlng naLlons whose needs ouLwelgh Lhe problems caused by lL
1he mosL lmporLanL pesLlcldes are uu1 8PC chlorlnaLed hydrocarbons organophosphaLes aldrln
malaLhlon dleldrln furodan eLc 1he remnanLs of such pesLlcldes used on pesLs may geL adsorbed by
Lhe soll parLlcles whlch Lhen conLamlnaLe rooL crops grown ln LhaL soll 1he consumpLlon of such crops
causes Lhe pesLlcldes remnanLs Lo enLer human blologlcal sysLems affecLlng Lhem adversely
An lnfamous herblclde used as a defollanL ln Lhe vleLnam War called AgenL Crange (dloxln)was
evenLually banned Soldlers cancer cases skln condlLlons and lnferLlllLy have been llnked Lo exposure Lo
AgenL Crange
esLlcldes noL only brlng Loxlc effecL on human and anlmals buL also decrease Lhe ferLlllLy of Lhe soll
Some of Lhe pesLlcldes are qulLe sLable and Lhelr blo degradaLlon may Lake weeks and even monLhs
esLlclde problems such as reslsLance resurgence and heaLh effecLs have caused sclenLlsLs Lo seek
alLernaLlves heromones and hormones Lo aLLracL or repel lnsecLs and uslng naLural enemles or
sLerlllzaLlon by radlaLlon have been suggesLed
Dump|ng of so||d wastes
ln general solld wasLe lncludes garbage domesLlc refuse and dlscarded solld maLerlals such as Lhose
from commerclal lndusLrlal and agrlculLural operaLlons 1hey conLaln lncreaslng amounLs of paper
cardboards plasLlcs glass old consLrucLlon maLerlal packaglng maLerlal and Loxlc or oLherwlse
hazardous subsLances Slnce a slgnlflcanL amounL of urban solld wasLe Lends Lo be paper and food
wasLe Lhe ma[orlLy ls recyclable or blodegradable ln landfllls Slmllarly mosL agrlculLural wasLe ls
recycled and mlnlng wasLe ls lefL on slLe
1he porLlon of solld wasLe LhaL ls hazardous such as olls baLLery meLals heavy meLals from smelLlng
lndusLrles and organlc solvenLs are Lhe ones we have Lo pay parLlcular aLLenLlon Lo 1hese can ln Lhe
long run geL deposlLed Lo Lhe solls of Lhe surroundlng area and polluLe Lhem by alLerlng Lhelr chemlcal
and blologlcal properLles 1hey also conLamlnaLe drlnklng waLer aqulfer sources More Lhan
90 of hazardous wasLe ls produced by chemlcal peLroleum and meLalrelaLed lndusLrles and small
buslnesses such as dry cleaners and gas sLaLlons conLrlbuLe as well
Solld WasLe dlsposal was broughL Lo Lhe forefronL of publlc aLLenLlon by Lhe noLorlous Love Canal case ln
uSA ln 1978 1oxlc chemlcals leached from oozlng sLorage drums lnLo Lhe soll underneaLh homes
causlng an unusually large number of blrLh defecLs cancers and resplraLory nervous and kldney
dlseases
Deforestat|on
Soll Lroslon occurs when Lhe weaLhered soll parLlcles are dlslodged and carrled away by wlnd or waLer
ueforesLaLlon agrlculLural developmenL LemperaLure exLremes preclplLaLlon lncludlng acld raln and
human acLlvlLles conLrlbuLe Lo Lhls eroslon Pumans speed up Lhls process by consLrucLlon mlnlng
cuLLlng of Llmber over cropplng and overgrazlng lL resulLs ln floods and cause soll eroslon
loresLs and grasslands are an excellenL blndlng maLerlal LhaL keeps Lhe soll lnLacL and healLhy 1hey
supporL many hablLaLs and ecosysLems whlch provlde lnnumerable feedlng paLhways or food chalns Lo
all specles 1helr loss would LhreaLen food chalns and Lhe survlval of many specles uurlng Lhe pasL few
years qulLe a loL of vasL green land has been converLed lnLo deserLs 1he preclous raln foresL hablLaLs of
SouLh Amerlca Lroplcal Asla and Afrlca are comlng under pressure of populaLlon growLh and
developmenL (especlally Llmber consLrucLlon and agrlculLure) Many sclenLlsLs belleve LhaL a wealLh of
medlclnal subsLances lncludlng a cure for cancer and alds lle ln Lhese foresLs ueforesLaLlon ls slowly
desLroylng Lhe mosL producLlve flora and fauna areas ln Lhe world whlch also form vasL LracLs of a very
valuable slnk for CC2
o||ut|on Due to Urban|zat|on o||ut|on of surface so||s
urban acLlvlLles generaLe large quanLlLles of clLy wasLes lncludlng several 8lodegradable maLerlals (llke
vegeLables anlmal wasLes papers wooden pleces carcasses planL Lwlgs leaves cloLh wasLes as well as
sweeplngs) and many nonblodegradable maLerlals (such as plasLlc bags plasLlc boLLles plasLlc wasLes
glass boLLles glass pleces sLone / cemenL pleces) Cn a rough esLlmaLe lndlan clLles are produclng solld
clLy wasLes Lo Lhe Lune of 30000 80000 meLrlc Lons every day lf lefL uncollecLed and decomposed
Lhey are a cause of several problems such as
- Clogglng of dralns Causlng serlous dralnage problems lncludlng Lhe bursL / leakage of dralnage llnes
leadlng Lo healLh problems
- 8arrler Lo movemenL of waLer Solld wasLes have serlously damaged Lhe normal movemenL of waLer
Lhus creaLlng problem of lnundaLlon damage Lo foundaLlon of bulldlngs as well as publlc healLh hazards
- loul smell CeneraLed by dumplng Lhe wasLes aL a place
- lncreased mlcroblal acLlvlLles Mlcroblal decomposlLlon of organlc wasLes generaLe large quanLlLles of
meLhane besldes many chemlcals Lo polluLe Lhe soll and waLer flowlng on lLs surface
- When such solld wasLes are hosplLal wasLes Lhey creaLe many healLh problems As Lhey may have
dangerous paLhogen wlLhln Lhem besldes dangerous medlclnes ln[ecLlons
o||ut|on of Underground So|| Underground so|| |n c|t|es |s ||ke|y to be po||uted by
- Chemlcals released by lndusLrlal wasLes and lndusLrlal wasLes
- uecomposed and parLlally decomposed maLerlals of sanlLary wasLes
Many dangerous chemlcals llke cadmlum chromlum lead arsenlc selenlum producLs are llkely Lo be
deposlLed ln underground soll Slmllarly underground soll polluLed by sanlLary wasLes generaLes many
harmful chemlcals 1hese can damage Lhe normal acLlvlLles and ecologlcal balance ln Lhe underground
soll
Causes ln brlef
- olluLed waLer dlscharged from facLorles
- 8unoff from polluLanLs (palnL chemlcals roLLlng organlc maLerlal) leachlng ouL of landflll
- Cll and peLroleum leaks from vehlcles washed off Lhe road by Lhe raln lnLo Lhe surroundlng hablLaL
- Chemlcal ferLlllzer runoff from farms and crops
- Acld raln (fumes from facLorles mlxlng wlLh raln)
- Sewage dlscharged lnLo rlvers lnsLead of belng LreaLed properly
- Cver appllcaLlon of pesLlcldes and ferLlllzers
- urposeful ln[ecLlon lnLo groundwaLer as a dlsposal meLhod
- lnLerconnecLlons beLween aqulfers durlng drllllng (poor Lechnlque)
- SepLlc Lank seepage
- Lagoon seepage
- SanlLary/hazardous landflll seepage
- CemeLerles
- Scrap yards (wasLe oll and chemlcal dralnage)
- Leaks from sanlLary sewers
ffects of So|| o||ut|on
Agr|cu|tura|
- 8educed soll ferLlllLy
- 8educed nlLrogen flxaLlon
- lncreased erodlblllLy
- Larger loss of soll and nuLrlenLs
- ueposlLlon of sllL ln Lanks and reservolrs
- 8educed crop yleld
- lmbalance ln soll fauna and flora
Industr|a|
- uangerous chemlcals enLerlng underground waLer
- Lcologlcal lmbalance
- 8elease of polluLanL gases
- 8elease of radloacLlve rays causlng healLh problems
- lncreased sallnlLy
- 8educed vegeLaLlon
Urban
- Clogglng of dralns
- lnundaLlon of areas
- ubllc healLh problems
- olluLlon of drlnklng waLer sources
- loul smell and release of gases
- WasLe managemenL problems LnvlronmenLal Long 1erm LffecLs of Soll olluLlon
When lL comes Lo Lhe envlronmenL lLself Lhe Loll of conLamlnaLed soll ls even more dlre Soll LhaL has
been conLamlnaLed should no longer be used Lo grow food because Lhe chemlcals can leech lnLo Lhe
food and harm people who eaL lL
lf conLamlnaLed soll ls used Lo grow food Lhe land wlll usually produce lower ylelds Lhan lL would lf lL
were noL conLamlnaLed 1hls ln Lurn can cause even more harm because a lack of planLs on Lhe soll wlll
cause more eroslon spreadlng Lhe conLamlnanLs onLo land LhaL mlghL noL have been LalnLed before
ln addlLlon Lhe polluLanLs wlll change Lhe makeup of Lhe soll and Lhe Lypes of mlcroorganlsms LhaL wlll
llve ln lL lf cerLaln organlsms dle off ln Lhe area Lhe larger predaLor anlmals wlll also have Lo move away
or dle because Lheyve losL Lhelr food supply 1hus lLs posslble for soll polluLlon Lo change whole
ecosysLems
LffecLs of soll polluLlon ln brlef
- olluLlon runs off lnLo rlvers and kllls Lhe flsh planLs and oLher aquaLlc llfe
- Crops and fodder grown on polluLed soll may pass Lhe polluLanLs on Lo Lhe consumers
- olluLed soll may no longer grow crops and fodder
- Soll sLrucLure ls damaged (clay lonlc sLrucLure lmpalred)
- Corroslon of foundaLlons and plpellnes
- lmpalrs soll sLablllLy
- may release vapours and hydrocarbon lnLo bulldlngs and cellars
- may creaLe Loxlc dusLs
- may polson chlldren playlng ln Lhe area
ontro| of so|| po||ut|on
1he followlng sLeps have been suggesLed Lo conLrol soll polluLlon 1o help prevenL soll eroslon we can
llmlL consLrucLlon ln senslLlve area ln general we would need less ferLlllzer and fewer pesLlcldes lf we
could all adopL Lhe Lhree 8s 8educe 8euse and 8ecycle 1hls would glve us less solld wasLe
O educ|ng chem|ca| fert|||zer and pest|c|de use
Applylng bloferLlllzers and manures can reduce chemlcal ferLlllzer and pesLlclde use
8lologlcal meLhods of pesL conLrol can also reduce Lhe use of pesLlcldes and Lhereby mlnlmlze soll
polluLlon
O eus|ng of mater|a|s
MaLerlals such as glass conLalners plasLlc bags paper cloLh eLc can be reused aL domesLlc levels raLher
Lhan belng dlsposed reduclng solld wasLe polluLlon
O ecyc||ng and recovery of mater|a|s
1hls ls a reasonable soluLlon for reduclng soll polluLlon MaLerlals such as paper some klnds of plasLlcs
and glass can and are belng recycled 1hls decreases Lhe volume of refuse and helps ln Lhe conservaLlon
of naLural resources lor example recovery of one Lone of paper can save 17 Lrees
O eforest|ng
ConLrol of land loss and soll eroslon can be aLLempLed Lhrough resLorlng foresL and grass cover Lo check
wasLelands soll eroslon and floods Crop roLaLlon or mlxed cropplng can lmprove Lhe ferLlllLy of Lhe
land
O So||d waste treatment
roper meLhods should be adopLed for managemenL of solld wasLe dlsposal lndusLrlal wasLes can be
LreaLed physlcally chemlcally and blologlcally unLll Lhey are less hazardous Acldlc and alkallne wasLes
should be flrsL neuLrallzed Lhe lnsoluble maLerlal lf blodegradable should be allowed Lo degrade under
conLrolled condlLlons before belng dlsposed As a lasL resorL new areas for sLorage of hazardous wasLe
should be lnvesLlgaLed such as deep well ln[ecLlon and more secure landfllls 8urylng Lhe wasLe ln
locaLlons slLuaLed away from resldenLlal areas ls Lhe slmplesL and mosL wldely used Lechnlque of solld
wasLe managemenL LnvlronmenLal and aesLheLlc conslderaLlons musL be Laken lnLo conslderaLlon
before selecLlng Lhe dumplng slLes
lnclneraLlon of oLher wasLes ls expenslve and leaves a huge resldue and adds Lo alr polluLlon yrolysls ls
a process of combusLlon ln absence of oxygen or Lhe maLerlal burnL under conLrolled aLmosphere of
oxygen lL ls an alLernaLlve Lo lnclneraLlon 1he gas and llquld Lhus obLalned can be used as fuels
yrolysls of carbonaceous wasLes llke flrewood coconuL palm wasLe corn combs cashew shell rlce
husk paddy sLraw and saw dusL ylelds charcoal along wlLh producLs llke Lar meLhyl alcohol aceLlc acld
aceLone and a fuel gas
Anaeroblc/aeroblc decomposlLlon of blodegradable munlclpal and domesLlc wasLe ls also belng done
and glves organlc manure Cow dung whlch releases meLhane lnLo Lhe aLmosphere should be processed
furLher ln gobar gas planLs Lo produce gobar gas and good manure
Natura| |and po||ut|on
Land polluLlon occurs masslvely durlng earLh quakes land slldes hurrlcanes and floods All cause hard Lo
clean mess whlch ls expenslve Lo clean and may someLlmes Lake years Lo resLore Lhe affecLed area
1hese klnds of naLural dlsasLers are noL only a problem ln LhaL Lhey cause polluLlon buL also because
Lhey leave many vlcLlms homeless




Water Pollution
water pollution occurs when a body oI water is adversely aIIected due to the addition
oI large amounts oI materials to the water. The sources oI water pollution are
categorized as being a point source or a non-source point oI pollution. Point sources
oI pollution occur when the polluting substance is emitted directly into the waterway.
A pipe spewing toxic chemicals directly into a river is an example. A non-point
source occurs when there is runoII oI pollutants into a waterway, Ior instance when
Iertilizer Irom a Iield is carried into a stream by surIace runoII.

Types of Water Pollution
Toxic Substance -- A toxic substance is a chemical pollutant that is not a naturally
occurring substance in aquatic ecosystems. The greatest contributors to toxic pollution
are herbicides, pesticides and industrial compounds.
Organic Substance -- Organic pollution occurs when an excess oI organic matter,
such as manure or sewage, enters the water. When organic matter increases in a pond,
the number oI decomposers will increase. These decomposers grow rapidly and use a
great deal oI oxygen during their growth. This leads to a depletion oI oxygen as the
decomposition process occurs. A lack oI oxygen can kill aquatic organisms. As the
aquatic organisms die, they are broken down by decomposers which leads to Iurther
depletion oI the oxygen levels.
A type oI organic pollution can occur when inorganic pollutants such as nitrogen and
phosphates accumulate in aquatic ecosystems. High levels oI these nutrients cause an
overgrowth oI plants and algae. As the plants and algae die, they become organic
material in the water. The enormous decay oI this plant matter, in turn, lowers the
oxygen level. The process oI rapid plant growth Iollowed by increased activity by
decomposers and a depletion oI the oxygen level is called eutrophication.
Thermal Pollution -- Thermal pollution can occur when water is used as a coolant
near a power or industrial plant and then is returned to the aquatic environment at a
higher temperature than it was originally. Thermal pollution can lead to a decrease in
the dissolved oxygen level in the water while also increasing the biological demand oI
aquatic organisms Ior oxygen.
Ecological Pollution -- Ecological pollution takes place when chemical pollution,
organic pollution or thermal pollution are caused by nature rather than by human
activity. An example oI ecological pollution would be an increased rate oI siltation oI
a waterway aIter a landslide which would increase the amount oI sediments in runoII
water. Another example would be when a large animal, such as a deer, drowns in a
Ilood and a large amount oI organic material is added to the water as a result. Major
geological events such as a volcano eruption might also be sources oI ecological
pollution.
Specific Sources of Water Pollution
Farming:
O arms oIten use large amounts oI herbicides and pesticides, both oI which are
toxic pollutants. These substances are particularly dangerous to liIe in rivers,
streams and lakes, where toxic substances can build up over a period oI time.
O arms also Irequently use large amounts oI chemical Iertilizers that are washed
into the waterways and damage the water supply and the liIe within it.
ertilizers can increase the amounts oI nitrates and phosphates in the water,
which can lead to the process oI eutrophication.
O Allowing livestock to graze near water sources oIten results in organic waste
products being washed into the waterways. This sudden introduction oI organic
material increaces the amount oI nitrogen in the water, and can also lead to
eutrophication.
O our hundred million tons oI soil are carried by the Mississippi River to the
GulI oI Mexico each year. A great deal oI this siltation is due to runoII Irom the
exposed soil oI agricultural Iields. Excessive amounts oI sediment in
waterways can block sunlight, preventing aquatic plants Irom
photosynthesizing, and can suIIocate Iish by clogging their gills.


usiness:
O learing oI land can lead to erosion oI soil into the river.
O Waste and sewage generated by industry can get into the water supply,
introducing large organic pollutants into the ecosystem.
O Many industrial and power plants use rivers, streams and lakes to dispose oI
waste heat. The resulting hot water can cause thermal pollution. Thermal
pollution can have a disastrous eIIect on liIe in an aquatic ecosystem as
temperature increases, decreases the amount oI oxygen in the water, thereby
reducing the number oI animals that can survive there.
O Water can become contaminated with toxic or radioactive materials Irom
industry, mine sites and abandoned hazardous waste sites.
O Acid precipitation is caused when the burning oI Iossil Iuels emits sulIur
dioxide into the atmosphere. The sulIur dioxide reacts with the water in the
atmosphere, creating rainIall which contains sulIuric acid. As acid precipitation
Ialls into lakes, streams and ponds it can lower the overall pH oI the waterway,
killing vital plant liIe, thereby aIIecting the whole Iood chain. It can also leach
heavy metals Irom the soil into the water, killing Iish and other aquatic
organisms. Because oI this, air pollution is potentially one oI the most
threatening Iorms oI pollution to aquatic ecosystems.
omes:
O $ewage generated by houses or runoII Irom septic tanks into nearby waterways,
introduce organic pollutants that can cause eutrophication.
O ertilizers, herbicides and pesticides used Ior lawn care can runoII and
contaminate the waterway. As with agricultural Iertilizers, home Iertilizers can
lead to the eutrophication oI lakes and rivers.
O Improper disposal oI hazardous chemicals down the drain introduce toxic
materials into to the ecosystem, contaminating the water supplies in a way that
can harm aquatic organisms.
O eaks oI oil and antiIreeze Irom a car on a driveway can be washed oII by the
rain into nearby waterways, polluting it.








Ir Pn!!utInn Causcs and Effccts
by Tom Socha


HI$TORY:
umans probably Iirst experienced harm Irom air pollution when they built Iires in
poorly ventilated caves. $ince then we have gone on to pollute more oI the earth's
surIace. Until recently, environmental pollution problems have been local and minor
because oI the Earth's own ability to absorb and puriIy minor quantities oI pollutants.
The industrialization oI society, the introduction oI motorized vehicles, and the
explosion oI the population, are Iactors contributing toward the growing air pollution
problem. At this time it is urgent that we Iind methods to clean up the air.
The primary air pollutants Iound in most urban areas are carbon monoxide, nitrogen
oxides, sulIur oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter (both solid and liquid).
These pollutants are dispersed throughout the world's atmosphere in concentrations
high enough to gradually cause serious health problems. $erious health problems can
occur quickly when air pollutants are concentrated, such as when massive injections
oI sulIur dioxide and suspended particulate matter are emitted by a large volcanic
eruption.
Aii IoIIulion in lho Hono
You cannot escape air pollution, not even in your own home. "In 1985 the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that toxic chemicals Iound in the
air oI almost every American home are three times more likely to cause some type oI
cancer than outdoor air pollutants". (Miller 488) The health problems in these
buildings are called "sick building syndrome". "An estimated one-IiIth to one-third oI
all U.$. buildings are now considered "sick". (Miller 489) The EPA has Iound that the
air in some oIIice buildings is 100 times more polluted than the air outside. Poor
ventilation causes about halI oI the indoor air pollution problems. The rest come Irom
speciIic sources such as copying machines, electrical and telephone cables, mold and
microbe-harboring air conditioning systems and ducts, cleaning Iluids, cigarette
smoke, carpet, latex caulk and paint, vinyl molding, linoleum tile, and building
materials and Iurniture that emit air pollutants such as Iormaldehyde. A major indoor
air pollutant is radon-222, a colorless, odorless, tasteless, naturally occurring
radioactive gas produced by the radioactive decay oI uranium-238. "According to
studies by the EPA and the National Research ouncil, exposure to radon is second
only to smoking as a cause oI lung cancer". (Miller 489) Radon enters through pores
and cracks in concrete when indoor air pressure is less than the pressure oI gasses in
the soil. Indoor air will be healthier than outdoor air iI you use an energy recovery
ventilator to provide a consistent supply oI Iresh Iiltered air and then seal air leaks in
the shell oI your home .
$ouicos of IoIIulanls
To enlarge an image, click on it.
The two main sources oI pollutants in urban areas are transportation (predominantly
automobiles) and Iuel combustion in stationary sources, including residential,
commercial, and industrial heating and cooling and coal-burning power plants. Motor
vehicles produce high levels oI carbon monoxides (O) and a major source oI
hydrocarbons (H) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Whereas, Iuel combustion in
stationary sources is the dominant source oI sulIur dioxide ($O2).
Caibon Bioxiue
arbon dioxide (O2) is one oI the major pollutants in the atmosphere. Major sources
oI O2 are Iossil Iuels burning and deIorestation. "The concentrations oI O2 in the
air around 1860 beIore the eIIects oI industrialization were Ielt, is assumed to have
been about 290 parts per million (ppm). In the hundred years and more since then, the
concentration has increased by about 30 to 35 ppm that is by 10 percent". (Breuer 67)
Industrial countries account Ior 65 oI O2 emissions with the United $tates and
$oviet Union responsible Ior 50. ess developed countries (s), with 80 oI the
world's people, are responsible Ior 35 oI O2 emissions but may contribute 50 by
2020. "arbon dioxide emissions are increasing by 4 a year". (Miller 450)
In 1975, 18 thousand million tons oI carbon dioxide (equivalent to 5 thousand million
tons oI carbon) were released into the atmosphere, but the atmosphere showed an
increase oI only 8 billion tons (equivalent to 2.2 billion tons oI carbon". (Breuer 70)
The ocean waters contain about sixty times more O2 than the atmosphere. II the
equilibrium is disturbed by externally increasing the concentration oI O2 in the air,
then the oceans would absorb more and more O2. II the oceans can no longer keep
pace, then more O2 will remain into the atmosphere. As water warms, its ability to
absorb O2 is reduced.
O2 is a good transmitter oI sunlight, but partially restricts inIrared radiation going
back Irom the earth into space. This produces the so-called greenhouse eIIect that
prevents a drastic cooling oI the Earth during the night. Increasing the amount oI O2
in the atmosphere reinIorces this eIIect and is expected to result in a warming oI the
Earth's surIace. urrently carbon dioxide is responsible Ior 57 oI the global
warming trend. Nitrogen oxides contribute most oI the atmospheric contaminants.
- nitiic oxiue ( anu nitiogen uioxiue (
O naLural componenL of Lhe LarLhs aLmosphere
O lmporLanL ln Lhe formaLlon of boLh acld preclplLaLlon and phoLochemlcal smog
(ozone) and causes nlLrogen loadlng
O Comes from Lhe burnlng of blomass and fossll fuels
O 30 Lo 30 mllllon Lons per year from human acLlvlLles and naLural 10 Lo 20
mllllon Lons per year
O Average resldence Llme ln Lhe aLmosphere ls days
O Pas a role ln reduclng sLraLospherlc ozone
- nitious oxiue
O naLural componenL of Lhe LarLhs aLmosphere
O lmporLanL ln Lhe greenhouse effecL and causes nlLrogen loadlng
O Puman lnpuLs 6 mllllon Lons per year and 19 mllllon Lons per year by naLure
O 8esldence Llme ln Lhe aLmosphere abouL 170 years
O 1700 (283 parLs per bllllon) 1990 (310 parLs per bllllon) 2030 (340 parLs per
bllllon)
O Comes from nlLrogen based ferLlllzers deforesLaLlon and blomass burnlng
ulfui anu chloiofluoiocaibons (CFCs
$ulIur dioxide is produced by combustion oI sulIur-containing Iuels, such as coal and
Iuel oils. Also, in the process oI producing sulIuric acid and in metallurgical process
involving ores that contain sulIur. $ulIur oxides can injure man, plants and materials.
At suIIiciently high concentrations, sulIur dioxide irritates the upper respiratory tract
oI human beings because potential eIIect oI sulIur dioxide is to make breathing more
diIIicult by causing the Iiner air tubes oI the lung to constrict. "Power plants and
Iactories emit 90 to 95 oI the sulIur dioxide and 57 oI the nitrogen oxides in the
United $tates. Almost 60 oI the $O2 emissions are released by tall smoke stakes,
enabling the emissions to travel long distances". (Miller 494) As emissions oI sulIur
dioxide and nitric oxide Irom stationary sources are transported long distances by
winds, they Iorm secondary pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, nitric acid vapor, and
droplets containing solutions oI sulIuric acid, sulIate, and nitrate salts. These
chemicals descend to the earth's surIace in wet Iorm as rain or snow and in dry Iorm
as a gases Iog, dew, or solid particles. This is known as acid deposition or acid rain.
Chloiofluoiocaibons (CFCs
s are lowering the average concentration oI ozone in the stratosphere. "$ince
1978 the use oI s in aerosol cans has been banned in the United $tates, anada,
and most $candinavian countries. Aerosols are still the largest use, accounting Ior
25 oI global use". (Miller 448) $pray cans, discarded or leaking reIrigeration
and air conditioning equipment, and the burning plastic Ioam products release the
s into the atmosphere. epending on the type, s stay in the atmosphere Irom
22 to 111 years. hloroIluorocarbons move up to the stratosphere gradually over
several decades. Under high energy ultra violet (UV) radiation, they break down and
release chlorine atoms, which speed up the breakdown oI ozone (O3) into oxygen gas
(O2).
hloroIluorocarbons, also known as reons, are greenhouse gases that contribute to
global warming. Photochemical air pollution is commonly reIerred to as "smog".
$mog, a contraction oI the words smoke and Iog, has been caused throughout
recorded history by water condensing on smoke particles, usually Irom burning coal.
With the introduction oI petroleum to replace coal economies in countries,
photochemical smog has become predominant in many cities, which are located in
sunny, warm, and dry climates with many motor vehicles. The worst episodes oI
photochemical smog tend to occur in summer.
$nog
To enlarge the image, click on it.
Photochemical smog is also appearing in regions oI the tropics and subtropics where
savanna grasses are periodically burned. $mog's unpleasant properties result Irom the
irradiation by sunlight oI hydrocarbons caused primarily by unburned gasoline
emitted by automobiles and other combustion sources. The products oI photochemical
reactions includes organic particles, ozone, aldehydes, ketones, peroxyacetyl nitrate,
organic acids, and other oxidants. Ozone is a gas created by nitrogen dioxide or nitric
oxide when exposed to sunlight. Ozone causes eye irritation, impaired lung Iunction,
and damage to trees and crops. Another Iorm oI smog is called industrial smog.
This smog is created by burning coal and heavy oil that contain sulIur impurities in
power plants, industrial plants, etc... The smog consists mostly oI a mixture oI sulIur
dioxide and Iog. $uspended droplets oI sulIuric acid are Iormed Irom some oI the
sulIur dioxide, and a variety oI suspended solid particles. This smog is common
during the winter in cities such as ondon, hicago, Pittsburgh. When these cities
burned large amounts oI coal and heavy oil without control oI the output, large-scale
problems were witnessed. In 1952 ondon, England, 4,000 people died as a result oI
this Iorm oI Iog. Today coal and heavy oil are burned only in large boilers and with
reasonably good control or tall smokestacks so that industrial smog is less oI a
problem. However, some countries such as hina, Poland, zechoslovakia, and some
other eastern European countries, still burn large quantities oI coal without using
adequate controls.
IoIIulion Danago lo IIanls
With the destruction and burning oI the rain Iorests more and more O2 is being
released into the atmosphere. Trees play an important role in producing oxygen Irom
carbon dioxide. "A 115 year old Beech tree exposes about 200,000 leaves with a total
surIace to 1200 square meters. uring the course oI one sunny day such a tree inhales
9,400 liters oI carbon dioxide to produce 12 kilograms oI carbohydrate, thus liberating
9,400 liters oI oxygen. Through this mechanism about 45,000 liters oI air are
regenerated which is suIIicient Ior the respiration oI 2 to 3 people". (Breuer 1) This
process is called photosynthesis which all plants go though but some yield more and
some less oxygen. As long as no more wood is burnt than is reproduced by the Iorests,
no change in atmospheric O2 concentration will result.
Pollutants such as sulIur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone and peroxyacl nitrates
(PANs), cause direct damage to leaves oI crop plants and trees when they enter leaI
pores (stomates). hronic exposure oI leaves and needles to air pollutants can also
break down the waxy coating that helps prevent excessive water loss and damage
Irom diseases, pests, drought and Irost. "In the midwestern United $tates crop losses
oI wheat, corn, soybeans, and peanuts Irom damage by ozone and acid deposition
amount to about $5 billion a year". (Miller 498)
Roducing IoIIulion
You can help to reduce global air pollution and climate change by driving a car that
gets at least 35 miles a gallon, walking, bicycling, and using mass transit when
possible. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact Iluorescent bulbs, make your
home more energy eIIicient, and buy only energy eIIicient appliances. Recycle
newspapers, aluminum, and other materials. Plant trees and avoid purchasing products
such as $tyroIoam that contain s. $upport much stricter clean air laws and
enIorcement oI international treaties to reduce ozone depletion and slow global
warming.
Earth is everybody's home and nobody likes living in a dirty home. Together, we can
make the earth a cleaner, healthier and more pleasant place to live.