CC604 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL

Assignment Topic: ASSIGNMENT 1

Module Code: CC604 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL

Name and Matrix Number:

MOHD HELMI CHUA BIN MAHADY 07DKA10F1013
MOHD KHAIRUL ANWAR BIN AB SAMID 07DKA10F1014

Class: DKA 5A

Lecturer’s Name: PUAN BABBY FRESKAYANI@IZYANI BINTI KALIWON

Due Date: 11.08.2012 Marks:

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CC604 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL

Water Pollution. ( Point Source )

A point source of pollution is a single identifiable source of air, water, thermal, noise or light
pollution. A point source has negligible extent, distinguishing it from other pollution source
geometries. The sources are called point sources because in mathematical modeling, they can
be approximated as a mathematical point to simplify analysis. Pollution point sources are
identical to other physics, engineering, optics and chemistry point sources and include:

 Water pollution from an oil refinery wastewater discharge outlet

 Noise pollution from a jet engine

 Disruptive seismic vibration from a localized seismic study

 Light pollution from an intrusive street light

 Thermal pollution from an industrial process outfall

 Radio emissions from an interference-producing electrical device

Types of air pollution sources which have finite extent are line sources, area sources and
volume sources. Air pollution sources are also often categorized as either stationary or mobile.

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Water Pollution. (Nonpoint source pollution)

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution refers to both water and air pollution from diffuse sources.
Nonpoint source water pollution affects a water body from sources such as polluted runoff
from agricultural areas draining into a river, or wind-borne debris blowing out to sea. Nonpoint
source air pollution affects air quality from sources such as smokestacks or car tailpipes.
Although these pollutants have originated from a point source, the long-range transport ability
and multiple sources of the pollutant make it a nonpoint source of pollution. Nonpoint source
pollution can be contrasted with point source pollution, where discharges occur to a body of
water or into the atmosphere at a single location.

NPS may derive from many different sources with no specific solution to rectify the problem,
making it difficult to regulate. It is the leading cause of water pollution in the United States
today, with polluted runoff from agriculture the primary cause. Other significant sources of
runoff include hydrological and habitat modification, and silviculture (forestry).

Contaminated stormwater washed off parking lots, roads and highways, and lawns (often
containing fertilizers and pesticides) is called urban runoff. This runoff is often classified as a
type of NPS pollution. Some people may also consider it a point source because many times it is
channeled into municipal storm drain systems and discharged through pipes to nearby surface
waters. However, not all urban runoff flows through storm drain systems before entering
waterbodies. Some may flow directly into waterbodies, especially in developing and suburban
areas. Also, unlike other types of point sources, such as industrial discharge, wastewater plants
and other operations, pollution in urban runoff cannot be attributed to one activity or even
group of activities. Therefore, because it is not caused by an easily identified and regulated
activity, urban runoff pollution sources are also often treated as true nonpoint sources as
municipalities work to abate them.

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Type of water pollutant.

There are various types of water pollution based on the various causes of water pollution.
Various classifications can be made, based on various water pollution causes:

1. The type of the water pollutants – based on this classification criteria, water pollution
can be:
I) Chemical – when various chemicals are the water pollution causes. The following
chemicals are the most common water pollutants:
 Crude oil and various petroleum products (including gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene,
motor and lubricating oils, jet fuel). These compounds are lighter than water and thus
always sit on top of water forming sheens of “free product”. However, part of these
compounds dissolve in water and, even in small amounts may be harmful and at the
same time may remain unnoticeable by the eye.
 Fertilizers (including nitrates and phosphates) – while small amounts are useful to life,
higher amounts of nitrates and phosphates in water are only benefic to algae and
harmful microorganisms and are poisonous to human and aquatic life. These
contaminants cannot be seen themselves in water (as they do not form sheens or color
the water), but their effects can. The typical effect of water pollution by fertilizers
(usually through agricultural runoff) is the fast and abundant water growth.
 Chlorinated solvents (including TCE, PCE, 1,1,1-TCA, carbon tetrachloride, Freons) which
sink in water (are denser than water) and are quite persistent and toxic. These
compounds thus, cannot be seen by the eye, in contrast with petroleum products that
are easily seen as sheens on top of water surface.
 Petroleum solvents (including benzene, toluene, xylenes, ethylbenzene)
 Other organic solvents and chemicals (such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, alcohols
such as ethanol, isopropanol; or oxygenate compounds such as MTBE).

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Antibiotics and other pharmaceutical products;

 Perchlorate – perchlorate salts are used in rocket fuels, as well as many other
applications such as fireworks, explosives, road flares, inflation bags, etc. This
contaminant is usually associated with military bases, construction sites (when
explosives are used). However, natural formation in arid areas may account for
perchlorate in water, too (e.g., in Chile, Texas or California where natural formation of
perchlorate has been observed)
 Trihalometanes – these are usually byproducts of water chlorination and may pollute
groundwater and surface water via leaking sewer lines and discharges. Examples of such
compounds are: chloroform, bromoform, dichlorobromomethane;
 Metals and their compounds – of higher health risk are the organo-metal compounds
which may form when metals from water react with organic compounds from water.
Common examples include Hg, As, and Cr poisoning of water. Thus, if water is polluted
with both metals and organic compounds the health risk is higher. And so is the effect of
water pollution on aquatic life.
 Pesticides/insecticides/herbicides – comprise a large number of individual chemicals
that get into water due to agricultural activities directly (by spraying over large areas) or
indirectly with agriculture runoff. The insecticide DDT is a typical example of such type
of water pollutant.
 PCBs – in spite of their recent ban, their ubiquitous environmental presence makes
these contaminants usually associated with urban runoffs.
II) Radiological – when radioactive materials are the water pollutant causes.
III) Biological – when various microorganisms (e.g., bacterial species and viruses),
worms, and/or algae occurring in a large number are the water pollution causes.
This type of pollution is caused by decaying organic material in water, animal wastes,
as well as improper disposal of human wastes.

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CC604 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL

Sources of Water Pollution

There are many causes for water pollution but two general categories exist: direct and indirect
contaminant sources. Direct sources include effluent outfalls from factories, refineries, waste
treatment plants etc.. that emit fluids of varying quality directly into urban water supplies. In
the United States and other countries, these practices are regulated, although this doesn't
mean that pollutants can't be found in these waters. Indirect sources include contaminants
that enter the water supply from soils/groundwater systems and from the atmosphere via rain
water. Soils and groundwaters contain the residue of human agricultural practices (fertilizers,
pesticides, etc..) and improperly disposed of industrial wastes. Atmospheric contaminants are
also derived from human practices (such as gaseous emissions from automobiles, factories and
even bakeries). Contaminants can be broadly classified into organic, inorganic, radioactive and
acid/base.

Effects of Aquatic Life

For centuries the oceans have been treated like sewage dumps. Polluting the oceans is a
horrible act and the result can be devastating to all living things. Many people don't think about
that when they go and pollute the beaches. Now it's time that all people take a stand and help
cleanup this tragic mess we have made over millions of years. Two- thirds of marine life is
endangered now. There are three main reasons why they are all endangered. One reason is
that with all the trash and chemicals in the ocean water it becomes difficult for the marine life
to breathe. That will kill them really quick. Next, is that many animals like turtles, choke on
garbage because they think its food. The last main reason is when toxic waste harms one
organism; it will end up harming a whole food chain of marine life.

There is a long list of pollutants in the ocean including garbage, toxic waste, vehicle and boating
pollution, waste water, oils, farming, and agriculture. The top two major pollutants are toxic
waste and chemicals. There are ways to stop some of these polluting habits but they won't
completely stop it for good. Think of how you can help in your own little way.

It affects it because all the animals will die because of all the pollution also because of what we
humans like litter or oil gets thrown into the ocean and kills the fish and other animals in the
ocean.

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When people dump waste or spray chemical sprays anywhere, when there is rain, they get
washed to the rivers then straight to the waterfalls then go to the oceans polluting marine life
that kills corals, aquatic mammals, fishes, sea birds (that eat fish), sea snakes, crustaceans,
amphibians, and reptiles (that eats fish and other sea creatures) Other animals that eat fish will
become poisoned because if fish gets poisoned, it won’t die it will just keep growing and will
become a mutant and, when something eats the mutant, it will get poisoned too and, when a
mother eats a mutant (or something else that ate the mutant) will be worse as if she will pass
her poison to newborn babies drinking her milk. Pollution is a bad thing that should be stopped.
We are killing all marine life.

Heat Pollution
Heat pollution (atmospheric) is a term used to describe the release of heat into the
environment by human activities. By contrast, global warming is thought to be the result of the
increase in greenhouse gases (CO2 emissions). Experts on the climate have debated the broader
subject of global warming as well as its potential constituents. These include heat pollution, the
greenhouse effect, and solar variation.

Urban heat island

Developed environments like concrete and black roads absorb and store heat more readily than
natural land cover because of their heat capacity. The urban heat island phenomenon traps
heat in thermal mass and is ultimately emitted back into the urban air especially at night. This
hot city phenomenon has far-reaching environmental sustainability and human livability
implications, ranging from the aggravation of health problems such as hyperthermia, increasing
the intensity of urban air pollution, and contributing to extreme heat waves.Excess heat also
adds to the ever-increasing use of air conditioners, with higher demands on the energy supply,
potentially resulting in brownouts and higher greenhouse gas emissions.

Some causes of urban heat islands are the displacement of trees and vegetation to make way
for development and even prevailing weather conditions. Heat from vehicles, manufacturing
plants, and thermal power stations also contribute to excess heat in urban areas. Land use is a
key attribute for the development of locally significant heat islands.

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CC604 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL

Soil Pollution
In a general sense, soil pollution definition is the presence of toxic chemicals (pollutants or
contaminants) in soil in high enough concentrations to be of risk to human health and/or
ecosystem. Additionally, even when the levels of contaminants in soil are not of risk, soil
pollution may occur simply due to the fact that the levels of the contaminants in soil exceed the
levels that are naturally present in soil (in the case of contaminants which occur naturally in
soil).

Soil pollutants include a large variety of contaminants or chemicals (organic and inorganic),
which could be both naturally-occurring in soil and man-made. In both cases, the main soil
pollution causes are the human activities (i.e., the accumulation of those chemicals in soil at
levels of health risk is due to human activities such as accidental leaks and spills, dumping,
manufacturing processes, etc.). Accumulation due to natural processes is also possible, but it
has only been recorded in few cases (such as the accumulation of higher levels of perchlorate in
soil from Atacama Desert in Chile which is purely due to natural processes in arid
environments). Natural processes, however, may have an influence of the human released toxic
chemicals (pollutants) in the soil, overall decreasing or increasing the pollutant toxicity and/or
the level of contaminated soil. This is possible due to the complex soil environment involving
the presence of other chemicals and natural conditions which may interact with the released
pollutants.

Soil Pollution and Its Effects

Soil pollution may affect all of us as well as plants and animals. However, children are usually
more susceptible. This is because kids are more sensitive to various pollutants and they may
come in close contact with soil by regularly playing in the ground for example. Thus, soil
pollution for kids always involves higher risks than for adults. While anyone is susceptible to soil
pollution, soil pollution effects may vary based on age, general health status and other factors.
A more detailed explanation of various processes contributing to soil pollution, along with
concrete examples of the most common soil pollutants generating soil poisoning issues are
given below. Additionally, soil poisoning prevention, a summary of the main health issues
associated with contaminated or polluted soils (also referred to as soil poisoning) is also
included.

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Process of Self Purification in river

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is probably the most important parameter related to water quality and
biological habitat in aquatic environments. In situ DO sensors are some of the most valuable
tools used by scientists and engineers for the evaluation of water quality in aquatic ecosystems.
Presently, we cannot accurately measure DO concentrations under variable temperature and
pressure conditions. Pressure and temperature influence polarographic and optical type DO
sensors compared to the standard Winkler titration method. This study combines laboratory
and field experiments to compare and quantify the accuracy and performance of commercially
available macro and micro Clark-type oxygen sensors as well as optical sensing technology to
the Winkler method under changing pressure and temperature conditions. Field measurements
at various lake depths revealed sensor response time up to 11 min due to changes in water
temperature, pressure, and DO concentration. Investigators should account for transient
response in DO sensors before measurements are collected at a given location. We have
developed an effective model to predict the transient response time for Clark-type oxygen
sensors. The proposed procedure increases the accuracy of DO data collected in situ for
profiling applications.

Today, numerous water areas all around the world are faced with the serious problem of
worsening water quality caused by eutrophication. Furthermore, in the polluted water areas,
due to the internal pollution caused by the disposition of contaminants in the water combined
with external pollution caused by sewage rapidly increases pollution. Originally, nature has the
power of self-purification. Based on the flexible application of this power, the biotechnology is
used in our water purification system aims at zero pollutant discharge.

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CC604 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL

IT is well known that the purifying action of river-water polluted with sewage is very
considerable, as a few miles below the outfall or point of pollution a river may show little or no
sign of pollution at all. Purification is effected by sedimentation of the suspended solids, and
oxidation of the soluble material. The processes of oxidation give rise to deoxygenation of the
river-water, and the extent of deoxygenation depends on the strength of the sewage, the
degree of dilution afforded by admixture with the river-water, and the velocity of the river. If
the concentration of oxidisable material be excessive, the river-water will suffer considerable or
complete deoxygenation, and a nuisance will result owing to the septic condition caused by the
anaerobic decomposition of the organic matter. On the other hand, if there be sufficient
dilution, the organic matter can be oxidised and thus destroyed without depriving the river-
water of oxygen to any appreciable degree. The suspended matter will also be sedimented in
the form of a thin film distributed over a considerable area of river-bed, and no nuisance will
thus result through the formation of foul mud-banks.

Recovery from pollution, or self-purification, as it is termed, thus depends on the conditions

obtaining with the particular river. Ordinarily towns situated on the same river are sufficiently
separated to give time for the river to recover from the effects of the upper pollution before it
is subjected to the next. On the other hand, if towns be close together, a nuisance may result,
and the river may become unfit to receive a further volume of sewage lower down, until a
considerable length of time and dilution from tributaries enable purification to be effected.

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CC604 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL

Eutrophication
Eutrophication or more precisely hypertrophication, is the ecosystem response to the addition of
artificial or natural substances, such as nitrates and phosphates, through fertilizers or sewage, to an
aquatic system. One example is the "bloom" or great increase of phytoplankton in a water body as a
response to increased levels of nutrients. Negative environmental effects include hypoxia, the depletion
of oxygen in the water, which induces reductions in specific fish and other animal populations. Other
species (such as Nomura's jellyfish in Japanese waters) may experience an increase in population that
negatively affects other species.

Ecological effects

Decreased biodiversity

When an ecosystem experiences an increase in nutrients, primary producers reap the benefits first. In
aquatic ecosystems, species such as algae experience a population increase (called an algal bloom). Algal
blooms limit the sunlight available to bottom-dwelling organisms and cause wide swings in the amount
of dissolved oxygen in the water. Oxygen is required by all aerobically respiring plants and animals and it
is replenished in daylight by photosynthesizing plants and algae.As they cannot photosynthesis, the
method of plants produces energy, and oxygen. Under eutrophic conditions, dissolved oxygen greatly
increases during the day, but is greatly reduced after dark by the respiring algae and by microorganisms
that feed on the increasing mass of dead algae. When dissolved oxygen levels decline to hypoxic levels,
fish and other marine animals suffocate. As a result, creatures such as fish, shrimp, and especially
immobile bottom dwellers die off. In extreme cases, anaerobic conditions ensue, promoting growth of
bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum that produces toxins deadly to birds and mammals. Zones where
this occurs are known as dead zones.

New species invasion

Eutrophication may cause competitive release by making abundant a normally limiting nutrient. This
process causes shifts in the species composition of ecosystems. For instance, an increase in nitrogen
might allow new, competitive species to invade and out-compete original inhabitant species. This has
been shown to occur in New England salt marshes.

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CC604 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL

Ground Water Pollution

Groundwater is rain water or water from surface water bodies, like lakes or streams, that soaks
into the soil and bedrock and is stored underground in the tiny spaces between rocks and
particles of soil. Groundwater pollution occurs when hazardous substances come into contact
and dissolve in the water that has soaked into the soil.

Groundwater can become contaminated in many ways. If rain water or surface water comes
into contact with contaminated soil while seeping into the ground, it can become polluted and
can carry the pollution from the soil to the groundwater. Groundwater can also become
contaminated when liquid hazardous substances themselves soak down through the soil or rock
into the groundwater. Some liquid hazardous substances do not mix with the groundwater but
remain pooled within the soil or bedrock. These pooled substances can act as long-term sources
of groundwater contamination as the groundwater flows through the soil or rock and comes
into contact with them.

Effects of Ground Water Pollution

Contaminated groundwater can hurt animals, plants, or humans only if it is first removed from
the ground by manmade or natural processes. In many parts of the world, groundwater is
pumped out of the ground so it can be used as a source of water for drinking, bathing, other
household uses, agriculture, and industry. In addition, groundwater can reach the surface
through natural pathways such as springs. Contaminated groundwater can affect the quality of
drinking and other types of water supplies when it reaches the surface. Contaminated
groundwater can affect the health of animals and humans when they drink or bathe in water
contaminated by the groundwater or when they eat organisms that have themselves been
affected by groundwater contamination.

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Sea/Ocean Pollution
Marine pollution occurs when harmful, or potentially harmful effects, can result from the entry
into the ocean of chemicals, particles, industrial, agricultural and residential waste, noise, or the
spread of invasive organisms. Most sources of marine pollution are land based. The pollution
often comes from nonpoint sources such as agricultural runoff and windblown debris and dust.
Many potentially toxic chemicals adhere to tiny particles which are then taken up by plankton
and benthos animals, most of which are either deposit or filter feeders. In this way, the toxins
are concentrated upward within ocean food chains. Many particles combine chemically in a
manner highly depletive of oxygen, causing estuaries to become anoxic.

When pesticides are incorporated into the marine ecosystem, they quickly become absorbed
into marine food webs. Once in the food webs, these pesticides can cause mutations, as well as
diseases, which can be harmful to humans as well as the entire food web. Toxic metals can also
be introduced into marine food webs. These can cause a change to tissue matter, biochemistry,
behaviour, reproduction, and suppress growth in marine life. Also, many animal feeds have a
high fish meal or fish hydrolysate content. In this way, marine toxins can be transferred to land
animals, and appear later in meat and dairy products.

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References
Book

1. Rios, L.M.; Moore, C. and Jones, P.R. (2007). "Persistent organic pollutants carried by
Synthetic polymers in the ocean environment". Marine Pollution Bulletin 54 (8): 1230–
1237. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.03.022. PMID 17532349
2. Schindler, David W., Vallentyne, John R. 2008. The Algal Bowl : Overfertilization of the
World's Freshwaters and Estuaries. University of Alberta Press. p. x.

Web Page

1. http://www.goodplanet.info/eng/Pollution/Oceans/Sea-pollution
2. http://umn.academia.edu/CoreyMarkfort/Papers/1494813/Dissolved_oxygen_measure
ments_in_aquatic_environments_the_effects_of_changing_temperature_and_pressure
_on_three_sensor_technologies
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1258876/
4. http://www.epa.gov/superfund/students/wastsite/grndwatr.htm
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_source_pollution
6. http://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/soil/
7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutrophication
8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_pollution
9. https://www.soils.org/publications/jeq/abstracts/38/4/1766
10. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_pollution

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