Topic 5 – Pollution Management

Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.1 – Nature of Pollution

PollutionThe contamination of the Earth and atmosphere to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected.Can be natural/human causedCan be deliberate/accidental

PollutionCan be matter (solid, liquid, gas) or energy (noise, light, heat)

Major Pollution Sources: Combustion of Fossil

FuelsCarbon DioxideGreenhouse gas

Sulfur DioxideAcid deposition (tree/fish death)

Photochemical SmogRespiratory problems

Carbon MonoxideBinds hemoglobin, can cause death

Major Pollution Sources: Domestic Waste

Organic Waste (food/sewage)

EutrophicationFills landfills

Waste Paper/Plastics/Glass/Metals

Fills landfillsReduces natural resources Energy used to produce causes pollution

Major Pollution Sources: Industrial Waste

Heavy MetalsPoisoning

FluoridesPoisoning

HeatReduces dissolved oxygen

LeadDisabilities in children

AcidsCorrosive

Major Pollution Sources: Agricultural Waste

NitratesEutrophication

Organic WasteEutrophication

PesticidesAccumulate up food chains

Point Source PollutionPollution released from a single, identifiable source.Examples:

A factory smokestack or exhaust pipeA sewage pipeA specific incidentA very bright light

Non-point Source Pollution

Release of pollutants from dispersed originsExamples:

Agricultural runoffVehicle exhaustUrban runoff

Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.2 – Detection and Monitoring of Pollution

Pollution MonitoringBiochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

A measure of the amount of oxygen required by micro-organisms to break down the organic material in water

Source of Pollutant BOD (mg DO)

Unpolluted River 0-5

Treated Sewage 20-60

Raw Sewage 350

Cattle Manure 10,000

Paper Pulp Mill 25,000

Pollution MonitoringIndicator Species

Organisms that show something about the environment by their presence, absence, or abundance.

Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.3 – Approaches to Pollution Management

Pollution Management Srategies

Replace-Regulate-Restore

Pollution Management Strategies

ReplaceDevelop alternate technologiesAdopt alternate lifestyles

Pollution Management Strategies

RegulateSetting and imposing standardsIntroducing measures for extracting the pollutant from waste

Pollution Management Strategies

RestoreExtracting and removing pollutant from ecosystemReplanting and restocking with plant/animal populations

Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.4 - Eutrophication

EutrophicationThe addition of excess nutrients to a water ecosystem, causing algae to bloomUsually nitrates and phosphates

DetergentsFertilizersLivestock drainageSewage

Eutrophication Process1. Fertilizers wash into

lake2. Algae bloom, light to

plants decreases, plants die

3. More algae=more zooplankton=more small fish

4. Algae die and are decomposed by bacteria, oxygen level goes down, everything dies

5. Turbidity increases

Eutrophication Management

ReplaceStop/change fertilizers/wastePlant buffer zones

RegulateLimit pollutants

RestorePump air through lakeDredge lake bottomRemove algae physically or by algicidesReintroduce species

Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.5 – Solid Domestic Waste

Types of Solid Domestic Waste

Garden Waste/Kitchen WasteGlass, wood, metal, plasticsPaperTextilesDiapers

Solutions to WasteLandfill

Compost

Recycle (or Reuse)

Incineration

Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.6 – Depletion of Stratospheric Ozone

Atmosphere StructureMain Components:

Nitrogen (78%)Oxygen (20%)Argon (1%)CO2 (.038%)

Temperature and pressure vary with altitude

Ozone LayerOzone (O3) is more concentrated in the low stratosphere (12-20mi)O3 absorbs UV radiation in a process that converts O2to O3 and back

UV Radiation (UV-B)Causes eye damage, cataracts, sunburn, and skin cancer in humans (and some animals)Can damage plants and phytoplankton

Ozone Depleting Substances

CFCsRefrigerants1987 Montreal Protocol called for a sharp reduction in CFCs and other Ozone Depleting Substances

Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.7 –Urban Air Pollution

Tropospheric OzoneOzone is a pollutant in the troposphere and causes eye/lung problemsPollution from burning fossil fuels can react with sunlight to form ozone (O3)

NOx

HydrocarbonsVOCs

Photochemical SmogVOCs, Hydrocarbons, Nitrogen Oxides react to form ozone and brown gas.Happens primarily in warm dry places, can by compounded by surrounding mountains

Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.8 –Acid Deposition

EmissionsSulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxides are emitted from industry, vehicles, urban areas, livestock, and natural causesThey fall to the ground as dry deposition or wet deposition

Wet Deposition (Acid Rain)

SO2 and Nox form H2SO4 and HNO3 in the atmosphere and fall to the ground as precipitation

Effects of Acid RainAcidified LakesAcidified SoilRelease of heavy metalsTrees and forests

Management of Acid Rain

Prevention/Reduction of pollutionSoil/Water conditioners