Research Report

Research Report: Identify Industrial Wastes as Main Pollutants Source to Ocean

Submitted by Division C:

Ken Wong

Date: 15th July 2009

 INTRODUCTION

Statement of the problem

This study is to identify whether the industrial waste the main source of the pollutant

to ocean.

Significance of the study

Industrial waste and pollutant are the essential problem that the global environment

facing. It does not only affect the habitats of the marine organisms but also the health

of human beings as the pollutants enter the food chain. This effect has significantly

influences the global economy. Hence, many countries have currently imposed laws

that control the industrial sewages discharged the harmful contaminate substances into

the rivers or oceans in order to minimize the pollution.

In order to let global businesses to concern about the effect of the industrial waste in

the oceans, it is necessary for them to recognize the seriousness of the problem and

impose new policies to control the disposal of industrial sewage into the ocean.

Researchable Questions

1) Identify if the following substances are found in the ocean and the coastline

Cadmium, Copper, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), Mercury (HG), Lead (PB), Zinc

(Zn) and Chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHL HCS);

2) Identify the amount of industrial sewage without treatment directly drained down
 from the drainages to the rivers and ocean

3) Identify the major industrial categories within the major river and coast area

Hypothesis

Categories and number of the aquatic life decrease in the major rivers and coast areas

especially in the developing countries.

Compare the categories and number of the aquatic life between the developing and

developed countries in the major river and coast area

Compare the land use of area near the major rivers and coastline in developing and

developed countries.

Compared the number of the polluted substances found in the developing and

developed countries in the river and coast area.

Variables

The polluted source of from the industrial sewage can vary from the type of industrial

development, nature off industrial discharge to municipal sewage treatment systems,

the relative amounts of urban and agriculture runoff, the extent of combined sewer

overflow, relative contamination of sediments by discharge and runoff and the extent

of port maintenance. Point source (from the sewage drainage) and non-point sources

(runoff for rural and urban surface).

Definition of terms

1.) Industrial waste - is a type of waste produced by industrial activity, such as that of

factories, mills and mines. It has existed since the outset of the industrial

revolution. Much industrial waste is neither hazardous nor toxic.

2.) Industrial Sewage - sewage water produced by manufacturing and production in

which it excluded the sewage water from domestic production. Also known as

wastewater flows; sewage is the used water supply of the community and a

complex matrix, with many distinctive chemical characteristics. These include

high concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, phosphorus, high conductivity (due to

high dissolved solids), high alkalinity, with pH typically ranging between 7 and 8.

3.) Agricultural runoff - the polluted water which contained fertilizer and pesticide

running out from the agricultural production.

4.) Marine organism - all kind of fish, micro-organism, water plant and mammals

5.) Sewage treatment - is the process of removing the contaminants from sewage to

produce liquid and solid (sludge) suitable for discharge to the environment or for

reuse.

Assumption:

1.) Geographical different in pollution is not significant;

2.) No seasonal factor such typhoon, rainfall and tidal effect is considered; and
3.) No disaster such as oil leakage is considered.

Delimitations

1) This study may not be able to find out all the possible substances that cause

marine pollution is all industrial wastes.

2) Many of the businesses or manufacturing plants may not return the questionnaires

back because they do not have sewage treatment system yet or do not currently

have their own environmental protection policies to control the industrial sewages

to be discharged into the stream or ocean via licensed pipeline.

3) There are different kinds of water pollution hazard to the natural habitat such as

domestic sewage water or oil leakage. However, the most common and serious

water pollution is from industrial water pollution. In order to have a details

analysis on the water pollution, we concentrate our analysis on how seriousness of

the industrial affects the natural environment and also to human being.

LITERATURE REVIEWS

Heavy Metals Pollution in Water

Many of the common industrial pollutants are toxic compounds and heavy metals.

These pollutants are:-

Pollutant Industrial Source

Lead Leaded gasoline, tie wear, lubricating oil and grease, bearing

wear
Zinc Tire wear, motor oil, grease, break emissions, corrosion of
 galvanized parts
Iron Auto body rust, engine parts
Mercury Galvanization parts, internal engine combustion
Copper Bearing wear, engine parts, brake emissions
Cadmium Tire wear, fuel buming, batteries
Chromium Air conditioning coolants, engine parts, brake emissions
Nickel Diesel fuel and gasoline, lubricating oil, brake emissions
Aluminum Auto body corrosions

Those of these pollutants cannot be degraded or destroyed under the natural

environment. Small amounts of these substances will enter our bodies via food chains

which can maintain the metabolism of the human life vice versus will poisoning our

organs malfunction under bioaccumulation. Heavy metals will enter into the drinking

water or aquatic life during polluted by industrial sewage without adequate treatment.

Under the long term exposure, heavy metals will cause acute or chronic and non-

reversible damage to the nervous system, renal dysfunction, respiratory systems,

anemia, liver, kidney, stomach and intestinal damage. Especially, the Mercury can

cause non-convertible damage to the brain, central nervous system and development

obstruction of young children.

Statues and Programs Relating to Marine Waste Disposal

In order to control the and manage the marine waste disposal in the origin, in the past

three decades many of the relative legislative and regulation had been declare and

enforce to minimize or prevent the illegal discharge of industrial wastes. Like the

United States, industrial wastes main control by the Marine Protection, Research, and
Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) and Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly

referred to as the Clean Water Act or CWA). These two major statutes control waste

disposal in marine environments. The MPRSA and CWA establish the procedures to

administer regular, permit programs but the regulatory approaches are basically

differences in their approach. MPRSA are balancing of all relevant factors such like

the socioeconomic factors, land-based alternative, etc. The CWA is primarily relies on

technological considerations especially for attention the economic feasibility.

MPRSA authorizes to issue permits, following notice and opportunity for public

hearing the necessary for dumping. Application should demonstrate it will not

unreasonably degrade or endanger human health, welfare, amenities, marine

environment, ecological systems or economic potentialities.

The Federal Water Pollution Act or CWA has played a role in abatement of water

pollution and establishes standards for industries and municipalities. It set the

ambitious goal to eliminate the discharge of water pollutants to restore and maintain

the chemical, physical and biological integrity of water resources. To accomplish this,

CWA consist two major parts: help municipalities build sewage treatment plants and

consist of regulatory requirements (concentration of pollutants) for industrial and

municipal dischargers. All industrial or municipal dischargers should obtain the

discharge permit prior discharge to any water bodies. The pollutants content in the
discharge water after treatment should comply with the standards under the CWA.

Waste Disposal Activities and Pollutant Inputs

To understanding the potential for waste that affect marine resources and ecosystems

and to evaluate management options for reducing adverse impacts. We should

understand the amount of different pollutants entering the marine waters from

different sources such like municipal and industrial effluents, sewage sludge and

dredged material. In according to the difference pollutant sources, information collect

from all sources is often less complete and reliable as analyzed by different

methodologies and assumptions. Since the available information only focus on

regulated pollutants (only concern a few numbers) but many of unregulated pollutants

are pathogens or harmful to human health which are little information of these

unregulated pollutants presence in marine environments. Because these unregulated

pollutants can contaminate water and aquatic life. It will cause economic and

recreational losses and directly risks to human health. From the coastal populations

and development increase, many of the regulated and unregulated pollutants trend

increase to enter marine environment.

RESEARCH METHOD

Objective

A designed research was implemented to factories, companies, environmental

departments and environmental protection organization in target countries, assessing

the amount of industrial sewages that have been directly discharged into the major

river and ocean.

Population

The research aims at industrial sectors from target countries, national environmental

departments and environmental protection organizations.

Sample

The above three groups will be solicited for participation. A minimum of 30 industries

/ manufacturing plants from target countries will be solicited from each group. The

first group will represent the businesses and manufacturing plants in all target

countries. The second group will represent the national environmental departments in

all target countries. The third group will represent the environmental protection

organizations. A total of 38 parties are participated in this study.

Target countries include: China, Canada, United States of America, United Kingdom

and India.

Data Collection

Three sets of questionnaires are designed to pass to the sample parties (See appendix).

The questions in the three surveys relate to the researchable factors. Participants need

to answer the questions that are related to the current situation of the industrial
sewages discharged from them and the manufacturing plants are located in their areas

and also their investigated areas.

QUESTIONNAIRE TO COLLECT DATA AND OPINIONS FROM

INDUSTRIAL SECTORS

1) To industrial sectors

Survey of industrial parties on the amount of industrial sewages that have been

discharged

Purpose: This research study is intended to develop and validate a survey that

assesses industrial sectors on whether they recognize the industrial sewages is

affecting the global environment and the amount of the industrial sewage discharged

from them related to the contamination of the ocean near their industrial plants. This

research paper is required by our company that we need the information for plan for

our environmental consultation to the industrial sectors. The data collected is for own

research paper writing only. Respondents’ information will not be disclosed to third

party without getting their prior consent.

Instructions:

1) This questionnaires only takes a while to complete

2) Please check the appropriate box for each question listed

3) Please provide written comment for the last question.

4) Please send the questionnaire back to me or via reply mail

(environmental@abc.com) on or before 23 June, 2009 (Tuesday)

Name of respondent: _______________________________________________

Job Title: _________________________________________________________

Name of company / organization: _____________________________________

Country: _________________________________________________________

Year Established: __________________________________________________

Questions

1. Do you know the locations of industrial plants close to any nearby river or coast

area?

2. Do you know any effluent will be generated from your industrial plants?

3. How many volume of industrial sewage will be generated under normal

operation?

4. Do you know some pollutants will be generated under the operation of industrial

plant?

5. Any sewage treatment facilities had provide for handling the industrial sewage

prior discharge?

6. Any local discharge standards are required to comply?

7. Any additional international discharge standard will adopt?

8. Any internal policy or mechanism to control or monitor the discharge water

quality?

9. Does the discharge water quality comply with the standard (local or international)

after treatment?

10. How many times for checking the sewage treatment plant performance on average

month?

11. How many discharge water quality exceed the discharge standard on average

month?

12. If any exceedances were recorded, how many days will rectify the condition?

13. Should any experiment sharing with other companies, government department or

other environmental protection organization?

TO NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENTS

Survey of National Environmental Departments on the amount of industrial

sewages that have been discharged in their areas

Purpose: This research study is intended to develop and validate a survey that

assesses National Environmental Departments on whether they impose any

environmental protection policy to the industrial sectors and addition to get more

information about what the industrial wastes discharged into the water in their
countries. With the information, we will know if the sewages the industrial sewages is

affecting the global environment and the amount of the industrial sewage discharged

from them related to the contamination of the ocean near their industrial plants. This

research paper is required by our company that we need the information for plan for

our environmental consultation to the industrial sectors in target countries. The data

collected is for own research paper writing only. Respondents’ information will not be

disclosed to third party without getting their prior consent.

Instructions:

1) This questionnaires only takes a while to complete

2) Please check the appropriate box for each question listed

3) Please provide written comment for the last question.

4) Please send the questionnaire back to me or via reply mail

(environmental@abc.com) on or before 23 June, 2009 (Tuesday)

Name of respondent: _______________________________________________

Job Title: _________________________________________________________

Name of company / organization: _____________________________________

Country: _________________________________________________________
1) What are the three main manufacturing sectors in your country?

________________________________________________________________

2) How many manufacturing plants in your country?

________________________________________________________________

3) What are the first three main locations of the manufacturing plants in your

country?

4) What are the main pollutants that you have found in the ocean or river around the

main locations of the manufacturing plants in your country?

________________________________________________________________

5) Have you promoted any environmental protection program to the manufacturing

plants in your country? Explain.

________________________________________________________________

6) How many of the manufacturing plants in your country have their own facilities to

minimize the pollutant to be discharged into the streams or coastline?

7) From the monitoring data of industrial plant sewage treatment facilities, how

many exceedances are recorded on average month?

TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ORGANIZATIONS

Survey of Environmental Protection Organizations on the marine pollution in

their investigated areas that are caused by industrial sewages discharged and the

current situation of marine pollution

Purpose: This research study is intended to develop and validate a survey that

assesses Environmental Protection Organizations on the current situation of marine

pollution in their investigated areas that are caused by industrial sewages discharged

and more information on whether they provide any advice to manufacturing plants on

minimizing the industrial sewages discharged. Moreover, we would like to know the

number and information of manufacturing plants or companies that are currently

using environmental protection facilities. With the information, we will know if the

businesses aware of the industrial sewages discharged into the streams and ocean that

threaten the global marine ecosystem and therefore affect the global economy as well.

This research paper is required by our company that we need the information for plan

for our environmental consultation to the industrial sectors in target countries. The

data collected is for own research paper writing only. Respondents’ information will

not be disclosed to third party without getting their prior consent.

Instructions:

1) This questionnaire only takes a while to complete

2) Please check the appropriate box for each question listed

3) Please provide written comment for the last question.

4) Please send the questionnaire back to me or via reply mail

(environmental@abc.com) on or before 23 June, 2009 (Tuesday)

Name of respondent: _______________________________________________

Job Title: _________________________________________________________

Name of company / organization: _____________________________________

Country investigated: _______________________________________________

1) Are there any businesses or manufacturing plants take the your organization

advise to install the facilities for minimizing industrial sewages discharged?

YES/NO

2) If the answer for Question 1 is YES, please provide the number of businesses that

are currently adopt to use sewage treatment plant?

3) Have you obtained any data or information showing that the marine water quality

trend to worst condition? YES/NO

4) If the answer for Question 3 is YES, please provide which nations with no

significant improvement on the marine water quality?

5) Following to the Question 4, which nation have obvious improvement and

 maintain the marine water quality satisfactory?

REFERENCE:

1. January 2000, Wiley-Blackwell, Sewage and Industrial Effluent Treatment, 2nd

Edition, Development in wastewater treatment, case histories, 181-202

2. Ontario Water Resources Act (1999) Guide for Applying for Approval of

Industrial Sewage Works (http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/gp/3070e01.pdf)

3. Herman, Stewart T., Pfeiffer, James B., Sewald Sr., Richard T., Sterner, Charles J.

(1984) Treatment of industrial wastewaters, method for treating acidic wastewater

which contains a quantity of dissolved heavy metals

(http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4465597.html)