Pollution: Land, Air and Water Introduction

Pollution is the introduction of a contaminant into the environment. It is created mostly by human actions, but can also be a result of natural disasters. Pollution has a detrimental effect on any living organism in an environment, making it virtually impossible to sustain life. The different types of pollution Pollution harms the Earths environment and its inhabitants in many ways. The three main types of pollution are: Land Pollution Land pollution is pollution of the Earths natural land surface by industrial, commercial, domestic and agricultural activities. Air Pollution Air pollution is the accumulation of hazardous substances into the atmosphere that danger human life and other living matter. Water Pollution Water pollution is the introduction of chemical, biological and physical matter into large bodies of water that degrade the quality of life that lives in it and consumes it. Pollution can also be the consequence of a natural disaster. For example, hurricanes often involve water contamination from sewage, and petrochemical spills from ruptured boats or automobiles. Larger scale and environmental damage is not uncommon when coastal oil rigs or refineries are involved. Some sources of pollution, such as nuclear power plants or oil tankers, can produce widespread and potentially hazardous releases when accidents occur. The best way for you to get involved with pollution prevention is to practice efforts on our own or join a project or program.

Pollution: Land, Air and Water Land Pollution

Land pollution is the degradation of the Earth's land surface through misuse of the soil by poor agricultural practices, mineral exploitation, industrial waste dumping, and improper disposal of urban wastes. It includes visible waste and litter as well as pollution of the soil itself. As a result of such activities the land becomes contaminated. The main types of land pollution to be discussed in this report are land pollution from: land degradation, soil contamination, and dumping of solid wastes. Land degradation occurs when the land becomes unstable. Land degradation can occur as a loss of vegetative cover, an undesirable change to the soil (such as a sharp increase or decrease in salinity), or as soil erosion. The following activities also contribute to land degradation: deforestation, agricultural depletion of soil nutrients through poor farming practices, overgrazing (when plants are exposed to intensive grazing by livestock for an extensive period of time) and over-drafting (extracting groundwater beyond the considered safe yield), inappropriate irrigation practices, urbanization, quarrying of minerals and ore, and monoculture. Land degradation is given a lot of importance in todays world because of the effects it has on agronomic productivity, the environment, food security, and the quality of life. In places where soil erosion occurs, for example on river banks, the degradation in land quality leads to decreased productivity. Agronomists and soil scientists consider land as a non-renewable resource and believe that some harmful effects on land quality are irreversible (Eswaran, Lal & Reich, 2001). In their report, Eswaran, Lal, and Reich (2001) have also mentioned that the productivity of some lands has declined by 50% due to soil erosion and desertification. According to Ian Sample (2007), it is estimated that about 40 percent of the worlds agricultural land is seriously degraded. Furthermore, soil acidification from fertilizers containing nitrogen compounds results in barren soil. Soil alkalinisation and increase in soil salinity due to improper irrigation practices lead to reduced crop yields.

Pollution: Land, Air and Water

Fig. 1-The effects of overuse of chemical fertilizers

Some harmful effects of land degradation as put forth in Eswaran, Lal, and Reichs (2001) report are given below: Africa has had a mean loss of 8.2 percent in soil yield In South Asia, annual loss in productivity is estimated at 36 million tons of cereal equivalent valued at US$5,400 million by water erosion, and US$1,800 million due to wind erosion. It is estimated that the total annual cost of erosion from agriculture in the USA is about US$44 billion per year, i.e. about US$247 per hectare of cropland and pasture. On a global scale the annual loss of 75 billion tons of soil costs the world about US$400 billion per year, or approximately US$70 per person per year.

Major causes of land/soil pollution in Bangladesh

Severe land degradation affects a significant portion of the Earth's arable lands, decreasing the wealth and economic development of nations. As the land resource base becomes less productive, food security is compromised, and competition for dwindling resources increases the likelihood of famine and potential conflict. Before moving on to soil pollution, a brief definition of soil is relevant. Soil is the thin layer of organic and inorganic materials that covers the Earth's rocky surface. The organic portion, which is derived from the decayed remains of plants and animals, is concentrated in the dark

Pollution: Land, Air and Water

uppermost topsoil. The inorganic portion made up of rock fragments, was formed over thousands of years ago by physical and chemical weathering of bedrock. Productive soils are necessary for agriculture to supply the world with sufficient food. Soil pollution generally refers to the presence of toxic chemicals (pollutants or contaminants) in soil in high enough concentrations to be of risk to human health and/or the ecosystem. Additionally, even when the levels of contaminants in soil are not risky, soil pollution may still occur simply due to the fact that the levels of the contaminants in the soil exceed the levels that are naturally present in the soil. Though, not common in Bangladesh but radioactive materials and disease-causing agents in the soil are also considered as soil pollutants. Soil pollution has adverse effects on plant growth and animal health. Soil pollution is caused by the presence of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals or other changes in the natural soil environment. It is typically caused by excess application of pesticides, herbicides or fertilizer, industrial activity (discharge of industrial waste into the soil), seepage from landfills, seepage of contaminated water into the soil, rupture of underground storage tanks, and agricultural chemicals. The most common chemicals contributing to soil pollution are petroleum hydrocarbons, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (such as naphthalene), solvents, pesticides, lead, and other heavy metals. A lot of developing countries have relatively lax laws regarding soil pollution. Bangladeshi farmers use fertilizers. The overuse of NPK fertilizers reduce quantity of vegetables and crops grown on soil over the years. It also reduces the protein content of wheat, maize, grams, etc., grown on that soil. The carbohydrate quality of such crops also gets degraded. Excess potassium content in soil decreases Vitamin C and carotene content in vegetables and fruits. The vegetables and fruits grown on over-fertilized soil are more prone to attacks by insects and disease. Contaminated or polluted soil directly affects human health through direct contact with soil or via inhalation of soil contaminants which have vaporized; potentially greater threats are posed by the infiltration of soil contamination into groundwater aquifers used for human consumption, sometimes in areas apparently far removed from any apparent source of above ground contamination. Health consequences from exposure to soil contamination vary greatly depending on the type of pollutants, pathway of attack and vulnerability of the exposed population. Chronic exposure to chromium, lead and other metals, petroleum, solvents, and many pesticide and herbicide formulations can be carcinogenic (producing or tending to
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Pollution: Land, Air and Water

produce cancer), can cause congenital disorders (disorders existing at birth, sometimes before birth, or even during the first month of life), or can cause other chronic health conditions. Chronic exposure to benzene at sufficient concentrations is known to be associated with higher incidence of the disease leukemia. Mercury is known to induce higher incidences of kidney damage, some of which is irreversible. Organophosphates and carbonates can induce a chain of responses leading to neuromuscular blockage. Many chlorinated solvents induce depression of the central nervous system. There is an entire spectrum of further health effects such as headache, nausea, fatigue, eye irritation and skin rash for the above cited and other chemicals. At sufficient dosages a large number of soil contaminants can cause death by exposure via direct contact, or via inhalation or ingestion of contaminants in groundwater contaminated through soil. Next we see the effects of dumping wastes and littering, which are very common in Bangladesh. In general, solid waste includes garbage, domestic refuse and discarded solid materials such as those from commercial, industrial and agricultural operations. They contain paper, cardboards, plastics, glass, old construction material, packaging material and toxic or otherwise hazardous substances. Since a significant amount of urban solid waste tends to be paper and food waste, the majority is recyclable or biodegradable in landfills. Similarly, most agricultural waste is recycled and mining waste is left on site.

Fig. 2- Land Pollution

Pollution: Land, Air and Water

The portion of solid waste that is hazardous, such as oils, battery metals, heavy metals from smelting industries and organic solvents are the ones that need to be paid attention to. These can in the long run, get deposited to the soils of the surrounding area and pollute them by altering their chemical and biological properties. They also contaminate drinking water aquifer sources. More than 90 percent of hazardous waste is produced by chemical, petroleum and metal-related industries; small businesses such as dry cleaners and gas stations contribute to this as well. Solid waste disposal gained huge public attention due to the notorious Love Canal case in the USA in 1978, where toxic chemicals leached from oozing storage drums into the soil underneath peoples homes, causing an unusually large number of birth defects, cancers and respiratory, nervous and kidney diseases. To minimize the harmful effects of waste disposal, proper methods should be adopted for the management of waste disposal. Industrial wastes can be treated physically, chemically and biologically until they are less hazardous. Acidic and alkaline wastes should be first neutralized; the insoluble material if biodegradable should be allowed to degrade under controlled conditions before being disposed. If these options are not feasible, the waste can be buried in locations situated away from residential areas this is the simplest and most widely used technique of solid waste management. Environmental and aesthetic considerations must be taken into consideration before selecting the dumping sites. Some people or firms may burn the solid wastes, but that contributes to air pollution.

Pollution: Land, Air and Water Air Pollution

Atmosphere is a complex gaseous system that is essential to support life on earth. There are a number of layers in the atmosphere, namely the Stratosphere, Mesosphere, thermosphere and Exosphere. The pollution and degradation or depletion of the atmosphere is known as Air Pollution. Air pollution is best defined as the introduction of chemicals and biological materials into the atmosphere. This introduction of such elements causes discomfort to human beings and all sorts of life on earth, causes diseases, damages food crops, natural environment and also may lead to death of human beings and other living organisms. The two major concerns of Air pollution is the Indoor air pollution (within a house or a relatively small closed area) and urban air pollution. Pollutants Pollutants are particular substances which causes pollution to occur. These are the responsible elements that create damage to the atmosphere and hence the life on earth. Below are the names of those pollutants which are mainly responsible for air pollution. Sulphur Oxides: especially sulphur dioxide (SO2), which is produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. SO2 can also be emitted from combustion of coal and petroleum. Nitrogen Oxides: Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is the most significant air pollutant. It is emitted from high temperature combustion, or naturally during thunderstorms. It is reddish-brown in color and has a sharp odour. Carbon Monoxide: is a colorless, odourless, non-irritating but very poisonous gas. It is a product by incomplete combustion of fuel. Exhaust fumes from motor cars is a major source of carbon monoxide. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)- is a colorless, odourless, non-toxic greenhouse gas, emitted combustion, cement production, and respiration. Ozone: Is a major part of smog and can be found in two places; near the ground (troposphere) and in the lower atmosphere. It should not be confused with the other Ozone present in the upper atmosphere. Particulate matter: are solid or liquid matters that are introduced to the air. They remain in the air mainly because of their size, which is between 0.0005mm to 0.1mm
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Pollution: Land, Air and Water

Lead: a blue-gray metal which is known to be very toxic. Chloroflorocarbons (CFC): are gases that are released mainly from air-conditioning systems and refrigeration. They assist in the depleting of ozone layer which protects the earth from ultraviolet rays. The effects of air pollution on humans Different groups of individuals are affected by air pollution in different ways. Some individuals are much more sensitive to pollutants than are others. Young children and elderly people often suffer more from the effects of air pollution. Short Term effects: includes irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Other symptoms can include headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions. Short-term air pollution can worsen medical conditions of people with asthma and emphysema. In the great "Smog Disaster" in London in 1952, four thousand people died in a few days due to the high concentrations of pollution.

Fig 3: A photo of the smog disaster in London in 1952 Source: www.eoearth.com

Long term effects: includes chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Continual exposure to air pollution affects the lungs of growing children and may negatively affect or complicate medical conditions in the elderly.

Pollution: Land, Air and Water

The effects of air pollution on nature and environment Acid rain: is rain containing harmful amounts of nitric and sulphuric acids. These acids fall to the Earth either as wet precipitation (rain, snow, or fog) or dry precipitation (gas and particulates). Acid rain damages trees and causes soils and water bodies to acidify, It also speeds the decay of buildings, statues, and sculptures. Haze is caused when sunlight encounters tiny pollution particles in the air. Haze obscures the clarity, color, texture, and form of what we see. These are emitted to the atmosphere by sources such as power plants, industrial facilities, trucks and automobiles, and construction activities Ozone depletion: At ground level, ozone can harm human health. In the stratosphere, however, ozone forms a layer that protects life on earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. But this "good" ozone is gradually being destroyed by man-made chemicals including chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and halons. These are used in coolants, foaming agents, fire extinguishers, solvents, pesticides, and aerosol propellants. Crop and forest damage: Ground-level ozone can lead to reductions in agricultural crop and commercial forest yields, reduced growth and survivability of tree seedlings, and increased plant susceptibility to disease, pests and other environmental stresses (such as harsh weather). Global climate change: Humans have disturbed this natural balance by producing large amounts of some of greenhouse gases. As a result, the Earth's atmosphere appears to be trapping more of the sun's heat, causing the Earth's average temperature to rise - a phenomenon known as global warming. Effects on wildlife: Studies show that air toxics are contributing to birth defects, reproductive failure, and disease in animals. Persistent toxic air pollutants (those that break down slowly in the environment) are of particular concern in aquatic ecosystems.

Pollution: Land, Air and Water Human contribution to air pollution (causes of Air Pollution)
Statistics (Nitrous oxide emissions)
Sector Road Power Generation NOx Emissions, Gg NO2 28,471 24,792

Deforestation & Savannah Fires

21,450

Industry (excl. refineries) Shipping Other

9,630 9,574 32,692

Total:

126,610

As we can already study in the table those motor vehicles are the main sources of the emission of nitrous oxide. Motor vehicles use petroleum (fossil fuel) burning which emits a lot of harmful substances and which in turn causes air pollution. Ranked second is Power generation which also uses fossil fuels and result in harmful emissions of the possible pollutants that accounts for Air pollution Forest Fires release a significant amount of pollutant which gets mixed up in the air and hence causes polluted air. Other sources accounts for Railway, Shipping, also minor factors like Smoking. Other reasons also include uncontrolled emission, dust, industrial waste product, construction dust, garbage, brick kilns, cooking stoves, burning of wood, coal and responsible. bio-mass are mainly

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Pollution: Land, Air and Water

Statistics of Bangladesh: In case of Bangladesh a major pollutant source is motor vehicles. Below are some statistics related to Bangladeshs Air pollution. Population in 2007: 12.3million with 4.23% growth Number of Registered Vehicles 140,000 in 1995 422,000 in 2007 Vehicular Pollution Statistics Total particulate pollution from vehicles: 36 48% The major problem was created by the Two-stroke auto-rickshaws and other engines which emitted excessive amounts of air pollution (about as much as 30 cars). It had been replaced by Natural gas operated auto-rickshaws by early 2000

. Fig 4: 2stroke engine auto-rickshaws Source: www.newsimg.bbc.co.uk Fig 5: CNG driven Auto-rickshaw Source: www.clpmag.org

Bangladesh is in economic terms blessed by a huge number of garment factories which is a curse for the environment. Too much emission is causing Air pollution to rise day by day. Also Bangladesh is filled with brick fields and these are emitting uncontrollable amounts of pollutants. These practices cannot be reduced by even strict enforcement

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Pollution: Land, Air and Water

. Fig 6: Brick Field emissions-Bangladesh Source: www. por-img.cimcontent.net Fig7: Facory emissions Bangladesh Source: www.static.guim.co.uk

Water Pollution
Water pollution is the introduction into fresh or ocean waters of chemical, physical, or biological material that degrades the quality of the water and affects the organisms living in it. This process ranges from simple addition of dissolved or suspended solids to discharge of the most insidious and persistent toxic pollutants (such as pesticides, heavy metals, and nondegradable, bio-accumulative, chemical compounds). Examples of Water Pollution

Industrial affluent Water is discharged from after having been used in production processes. This waste water may contain acids, alkalis, salts, poisons, oils and in some cases harmful bacteria.

Mining and Agricultural Wastes Mines, especially gold and coal mines are responsible for large quantities of acid water. Agricultural pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides may wash into rivers and stagnant water bodies.

Sewage Disposal and Domestic Wastes Sewage as well as domestic and farm wastes were often allowed to pollute rivers.

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Pollution: Land, Air and Water Water Pollution in Bangladesh

The water pollution situation from Bangladesh could be the largest poisoning in history and the irony is that this situation could be the result of all the efforts in cleaning the water for some of the poorest nations of the world. A British study, shows that about 80 million people from Bangladesh, South Asia, are exposed to a high level of toxicity from the water contaminated with arsenic. An international team of researchers from Chicago, New York and Bangladesh has been monitoring, in the last decade, the water intake of arsenic contaminated wells and the impact of 12,000 people. The conclusions showed that the death of five people was directly linked to the elevated levels of arsenic in the bodies of the victims of the Bangladesh water. The result is not just a novelty, it is a problem known for some years now and, over time, and residents were advised to dig deeper wells to avoid them.

Dhaka is the capital and the largest city from Bangladesh and the biggest problem that the city has is the arsenic in the water, which lately has become a menace and a source of panic for inhabitants. The infected water sources are highly contaminated with arsenic that develops illnesses and incurable diseases. The population of the city faces everyday problems of hygiene, nutrition and disease all this added to the short breathable air that surrounds the city.

Arsenic is a deadly poison which, historically, has been used in cases of intrigue and murder. There are theories that support the hypothesis of the death of Napoleon Bonaparte as a result of his poisoning with this substance, when he was exiled to St. Helena. Unfortunately, there is plenty of dust and soil and the main pollution of Bangladesh is on the water. Some studies indicate that 20 years are needed for the morbid effects of arsenic poisoning to disappear.

Water Pollution in Dhaka

The extent and gravity of the environmental degradation of the water resources in Dhaka due to untreated industrial waste is not fully recognized in international discourse. Pollution levels affect vast numbers, but the poor and the vulnerable are the worst affected. For example, rice productivity, the mainstay of poor farmers, in the Dhaka watershed has declined by 40% over a period of ten years. The study found significant correlations between water pollution and diseases such as jaundice, diarrhea and skin problems. It was reported
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that the cost of treatment of one episode of skin disease could be as high as 29% of the weekly earnings of some of the poorest households.

Control Measures
Water pollution is contributed due to industrial effluents and sewage. Effluent treatment systems have to be incorporated in industry. Industries, where it is already in existence, need to operate their plants regularly without looking for savings.

New techniques that need no water are highly beneficial. Some of the wet processes have to be replaced by the dry processes. Like, metal pickling once carried out by acids has to be replaced by sand blasting in which no liquid effluent is generated.

To minimize the volume of effluents, the waste water that is less polluted may be used in rinsing. In the mercerizing of yarn, the final rinse water containing little alkali is used for the first and second rinsing of yarn containing excess alkali.

Concentrated wastes, low in volume, are mingled with diluted waste for treatment or disposal. It can be segregated from other streams of diluted wastes, for reduction in pollution load and the diluted wastes after minor treatment is utilized for irrigation.

Small industries cannot afford treatment plants as they frequently discharge their effluents, near agricultural lands and on roads. It can be avoided by setting up a common effluent treatment plant where industries are located.

Waste can be converted into wealth. For instance, in our country distilleries can set up bio-gas plants which are fed by their effluents resulting in reduction in fuel costs and decrease in effluents strength.

The sludge obtained is a problem. The sludge from pulp and paper industry may be used for manufacturing boards used in packing or in preparation of artificial wooden panels and from the electroplating industry may form waterproofing compounds.

Recovery of chemicals and metals is practiced in most industries. The reclaimed waste water can be reused for industrial processes such as boiler, feeding, cooling, which will help cut down the fresh water needs. And paper mills, sugar industries and distilleries that let out more effluents can be used for irrigation or as fertilizers after proper treatment, without affecting ground water.

By research and legislation the pollution of water bodies, even though not entirely prevented, must be effectively controlled.
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Pollution: Land, Air and Water Conclusion

The science is constantly in search for new technologies that would help reduce pollution, but brains involved in these researches are not nearly fast enough as our level of polluting our planet is. Even when science finds some technology that would account for less pollution in the world, very little positive happens because of the long period before this technology becomes implemented into our industry, and society in general. It is always somebody's interests, and only then can we mention everything else. Our society is yet to find the right pollution abatement strategy.

The more we wait the bigger the toll pollution takes. The task that lies ahead is truly great because science not only needs to find effective and feasible technologies to reduce pollution, that's only half of the story, the other half refers to political feasibility on global scale, and this is where the real problem lies. We should all still contribute our own bits to improve our environment and to present our future generation with a better Earth.

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Pollution: Land, Air and Water Appendix

References Fig1: www.eoearth.com Link: http://www.eoearth.org/images/204867/500x0/scale/Smog_London1952.jpg

Air pollution affecting human health: Link: http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/Frames/pollution-health-effects-f.html

Health effects: www.uk-air.defra.gov.uk Link: http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/air-pollution/effects

Major Pollutants: www.factmonster.com Link: http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0004695.html

CFC gas: www.edugreen.teri.res.in Link: http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/air/major.htm

Major air pollutants: www.epa.gov Link: http://www.epa.gov/air/urbanair/

Layers of atmosphere: www.about.com Link: http://geography.about.com/od/physicalgeography/p/layeratmosphere.htm

Air pollution-introduction: www.wikipedia.com Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution

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The effects of air pollution on nature and environment: www.mass.gov Link: http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/aq/env_effects.htm

Nitrous Oxide statistics: www. Tropical-rainforest-animals.com Link: http://www.tropical-rainforest-animals.com/air-pollution-causes.html

Fig 4: www.bbc.co.uk Link: http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38644000/jpg/_38644675_rank300.jpg

Fig 5: Link: http://clpmag.org/admin/rdb/untitled_image_579.jpg

Fig 6: www. por-img.cimcontent.net

Link:http://porimg.cimcontent.net/api/assets/bin200912/21e6fea641a18758192675480742c206.jpg

Fig 7: www.static.guim.co.uk Link:http://static.guim.co.uk/sysimages/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/3/17/1237297243210/factory-smoke-pollution-g001.jpg

http://vro.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/lwm_land_deg http://soils.usda.gov/use/worldsoils/papers/land-degradation-overview.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/aug/31/climatechange.food http://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/soil/ http://nsdl.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/990/1/Soil_Pollution.pdf http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Land_Pollution

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