AIR AND WATER POLLUTION

SYLLABUS: Air pollution, air pollutant, gaseous and particulate air pollutant, sources of air pollution, effects of air pollution,
natural and manmade sources of air pollution, effects of air pollution, respiratory disease, carbon monoxide poisoning,
chlorofluorocarbons, acid rain, green house effect, global warming, consequence of global warming, steps that could be taken to
reduce and Air pollution and global warming, water, water pollution, sources of water, biodegradable pollutants, non-
biodegradable, effects of water pollution, prevention from water pollution, process of purification, purification of water at home,.
Potable, water, importance of river Yamuna.

INTRODUCTION
Air and water are natural resources without which living organisms cannot survive. It’s strange
that we know the importance of air and water but still we are the one who is responsible for
the contamination of these natural resources.

Composition of air -Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Trace gases (1%)

The composition of the atmosphere has been gradually changing over the past few years.

1. AIR POLLUTION
The presence of any substances in the atmosphere in quantities which are harmful or injurious
to human health, animal or plant life and the environment is known as air pollution.
Or the contamination of air by the addition of unwanted and harmful substances is air
pollution.

2. AIR POLLUTANT
Substances which contaminate the air are called air pollutants.

Types of Air Pollutant – It can be of two types

a. Gaseous Air Pollutant–

Pollutants which are in the gaseous form at normal temperature and pressure are called
gaseous pollutants.
Eg-Sulphur dioxide, Carbon monoxide, Excess carbon dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, methane etc.

b. Particulate Air Pollutant–

Pollutants which are in the form of tiny particles are called particulate air pollutant.
Eg- smoke, sand, cement dust, dust particles, fly ash (coal dust), smog etc.

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3. SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION

Natural sources of pollution –

1. Particulate matter and a variety of different gases from volcanoes, forest fires, soil erosion
and decaying organic materials in oceans and swamps enter the earth’s atmosphere at irregular
intervals.

Man made sources of pollution –

1. Deforestation is the biggest reason for the increase in pollution. In absence of plants the level
of carbon dioxide increases which results in greater problems.
2. The combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas in industries, homes and for
generation of electricity.
3. The burning of biomass such as firewood, agricultural wastes and animal wastes in rural.
4. Nuclear power plant pollutes air by releasing radioactive radiations.
5. Mining of coal and stone releases coal dust and stone dust which pollutes the environment.
6. Smoking pollutes the air by emitting CO and nicotine.
7. Use of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) pollutes air by depleting ozone.

4. EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

1. Respiratory Diseases - Pollution may give rise to Respiratory Diseases like Bronchitis,
Asthma, Lung cancer, Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, Chest Pain and allergies.

2. Carbon monoxide poisoning -It is a poisonous gas. It is a gas produced by burning any
type of fuel-gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal or it is released in nature due to incomplete
combustion of carbon.
Carbon monoxide poisoning happens when one breathe too much of carbon monoxide, it
replaces the oxygen in our blood.

In normal conditions Hemoglobin combines with oxygen and forms oxyhaemoglobin.And thus oxygen
reaches in different parts of the body. But Hemoglobin has greater affinity towards CO than oxygen and
thusHb combines with CO to form a stable compound called carboxyhaemoglobin.

Due to formation of this new compound Hb is unable to carry oxygen to various part of the
body. This leads to respiratory problems. It causes suffocation and may lead to death.

3. Chlorofluorocarbons –
CFCs are harmful chemicals and are used in industries. While using, it escapes into the
atmosphere and destroys ozone. Ozone gas is present in stratosphere and absorbs harmful
radiations of sun and protects plants and animals on the earth.
The ultraviolet radiations cause skin cancer, cataract and damage immune system of our body.
Destruction of ozone layer gives rise to ozone hole.

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4. Acid Rain-
When fossil fuels are burnt it produces different oxides, like CO2, SO2 and various oxides of
nitrogen etc. These gases are soluble in water and get dissolve in rain water and form acid. Thus
the natural water becomes acidic and is very harmful for plants, animals, aquatic lives,
monuments and even soil.

5. Greenhouse Effect-
It is a natural process that permits the Earth to retain some of the heat from the sun. The Earth
is wrapped in a blanket of air called the ‘atmosphere’, which is made up of several layers of
gases.
The rays of the sun warm the Earth, and heat from the Earth then travels back into the
atmosphere.
The gases in the atmosphere stop some of the heat from escaping into space.
These gases are called greenhouse gases and the natural process between the sun, the
atmosphere and the Earth is called the ‘Greenhouse Effect’.
Eg of Greenhouse gases are
1. Water vapor- occurs naturally in the atmosphere.
2. Carbon dioxide- when people and animals breathe. Plants and trees absorb carbon dioxide to
live. Volcanoes also produce this gas.
3. Methane - comes from cattle as they digest their food. The gas also comes from paddy fields.
4. Sulphur dioxide – Released due to burning of fossil fuels, when gasoline is extracted from oil,
or when metals are extracted from ore.

6. Global Warming
Some of the activities of man also produce greenhouse gases. Like -
1. Burning fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas – releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
2. Cutting down and burning trees also produces a lot of carbon dioxide.
3. Chlorofluorocarbons, - CFCs have been used in aerosols, such as hairspray cans, fridges and in
making foam plastics. They are found in small amounts in the atmosphere. They are dangerous
greenhouse gases because small amounts can trap large amounts of heat.
All these greenhouse gases traps more heat in the atmosphere and causing global temperature
to rise.
Global warming refers to an average increase in the Earth’s temperature.

5. CONSEQUENCES OF GLOBAL WARMING

(i) More drought and more floods
(ii) Melting of ice and snow
(iii) More extreme weather conditions
(iv) Rise in sea level
(v) Changes in climate
(vi)Change in rainfall patterns
(vii) Wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans

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6. FOLLOWING STEPS COULD BE TAKEN TO REDUCE EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION AND GLOBAL
WARMING.
1. Reduction in the amount of fossil fuels that are burnt (e.g. burning less coal, wood, oil etc.)
2. Control of vehicular emissions from road transport system.
3. Unleaded petrol should be used, cars should be fitted with catalytic convertors,car pool or
public transport should be used.
4.Conserve energy because the power plant that generates electricity burns fossil fuelso switch
off the lights and fans when not required.
5. Do not burn leaves in the garden put them in a compost pit, never use open fires todispose
wastes.
6. Fumes released from industries should be freed from Sulphur before being emitted fromthe
chimneys.
7. More trees could be planted so that they can absorb the excess carbon dioxide.
8. The government should regulate the total amount of air pollutants emitted frompower
plants.
9. An environmental awareness fair may be organized.
10. Conserve raw materials and energy by recycling or reusing items. Examples include recycling
aluminum soda cans and donating or selling old clothing to second-hand stores.

7. WATER
Water, comprising over 70% of the earth’s surface is the most precious resource that exists on
our planet.
There is no life possible without water.
97% of the total water is present in oceans and seas which is not suitable for consumption.
The remaining 3% is fresh water.
Major portion of the fresh water is frozen in glaciers and ice caps (79%), while 20% is
underground.
Only 1% left is found in lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands.
This is the surface water we all depend on for most of our needs drinking, cooking food,
bathing, washing clothes, for industrial purposes etc.
With so little water available, we still do not care to preserve or conserve it.
Man has been polluting water with his activities.

8. WATER POLLUTION
The contamination of water with inorganic, organic or other harmful substances, which alter
the quality of water and it becomes harmful to man and other organisms, is termed as water
pollution.
Water pollution is measured in terms of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD).
BOD is the amount of oxygen needed by microorganisms to decompose the organic waste
present in the sewage. The higher the amount of BOD, the more polluted the water is. The
higher the amount of organic material in the sewage, the higher is BOD.

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9. SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION
1. Domestic Sources–
It includes not only the human waste but also organic and inorganic matter. Organic materials
are food and vegetable waste whereas inorganic materials come from soaps, detergents and
other household products like floor cleaner, shampoo, lotion, hair dye, bleach etc.
Untreated sewage is a carrier of disease causing micro organisms like bacteria, fungi, virus etc.
It also contains tapeworms, hookworms etc.

2. Industrial Sources –
The discharge of toxic industrial waste contains toxic chemicals such as cyanide, cadmium,
mercury, lead, arsenic, chromium which are highly harmful.
They make river water unfit for the use of man and aquatic plants and animals. Heated water
discharged from hydropower or thermal power stations leads to pollution in water bodies.
Many aquatic animals are not able to tolerate the sudden change in temperature and may die.

3. Agricultural sources –
Fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals are used by farmers for increasing the agricultural
productivity. These are washed away by rainwater into the various water sources.
Pesticides can poison fishes, as well as the animals (including humans) that eat them.
Some fungicides and insecticides like DDT are non biodegradable and thus pollute water.

4. Oil Spills –
The oil tankers and offshore petroleum refineries cause oil leakage into the water bodies.
Oil floats on the water surface and prevents the atmospheric oxygen from mixing in water. This
reduces the oxygen content of water, thus endangering the marine life.

5. Other sources-

Plastics: Plastics are non biodegradable materials which when dumped into water bodies cause
pollution.
Fishes and other aquatic animals die because of these materials.

10. BIODEGRADABLE POLLUTANTS

The waste materials which are generally of organic origin and can be broken down or decayed
into simpler substances due to action of bacteria and other microbes in due course of time are
called biodegradable wastes.
Eg- Dead plants and animals, animal excreta, cow dung, paper, wood, grains, cloth, plant fibers,
newspaper, wool, food and vegetable wastes etc.

These wastes do not disturb the ecological balance. Instead of throwing it away, biodegradable
waste can be composted, either by individuals or by communities. Such waste can be easily
converted to rich manure that can be used in farms, community and kitchen gardens.

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Serious problems arise only when these wastes start accumulating as a result of more
deposition and slow decomposition i.e. when the input into the environment exceeds the
decomposition.

11. NON BIODEGRADABLE POLLUTANTS

Non-biodegradable material is inorganic or man-made matter that does not decompose, decay
or breakdown into simpler forms of matter by bacteria.
This means that when disposed off, nature cannot reuse these materials to fuel the cycle of life
and it will remain as pollution in the environment.
Few non-biodegradable wastes are Aluminum cans, foils, Plastics, DDT (pesticide), radioactive
wastes, rubber, polythene bags, computer floppies, chemicals etc.
These wastes cause serious pollution in nature.

The fall in the population of Pelican birds in North America is due to the use of DDT many
decades back.
The use of DDT has been banned now.

12. EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION

1. Many diseases like cholera, dysentery, measles, typhoid etc. are caused due to polluted water.
2. The polluted water enhances the growth of algae which reduces the supply of oxygen and
sunlight to the aquatic flora and fauna resulting in adverse effect on their growth. This is called
Eutrophication.
3. Compounds of Mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, chromium etc. are highly poisonous and
cause serious disorders. They may even cause death.
4. Fluorides in water cause fluorosis which affects teeth and bones.
5. Soil becomes infertile due to deposition of harmful chemicals discharged by industries.
6. Deposition of sediments on the river beds due to floods and rains causes choking of lakes and
rivers resulting in the death of organisms.
7. Oil spills from pipelines and tankers at the sea are the most dangerous form of pollution. Oil
spreads fast on the surface of water and leads to the cut off in the supply of oxygen to the
organisms living in the sea causing their death.
8. Minamata disease in Japan is caused due to mercury poisoning. It was found that the local
people were eating fish from the sea where mercury wastes were dumped. The mercury had
gone into the bodies of the local people through the fish they ate. (It is known as bio
magnification)
8. Pollution of water causes death of aquatic life.

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13. PREVENTION OF WATER POLLUTION
1. The toxic industrial wastes, hospital waste should be treated before releasing.
2. Sewage should not be dumped into rivers.
3. Excessive fertilizers and pesticides should be avoided.
4. Use of synthetic detergents should be reduced.
5. Waste should be recycled or should be used to make compost.
6. Awareness camps should be organized.
7. Trees and shrubs should be planted more and more.
“One person alone cannot save the planet’s biodiversity, but each individual’s effort to
encourage nature’s wealth must not be underestimated.

14. PROCESS OF WATER PURIFICATION

1. Sedimentation:
Water pumped from the source (river, lake or dam) is allowed to stand in large tanks, called
settling tanks, for a few hours. Mud, sand and other suspended particles settle down.
The addition of a small quantity of potash alum (K2SO4 .A12(SO4)3 . 24H2O) helps the suspended
particles to settle down quickly.
The solid that settles at the bottom of the tank is called sediment. That is why these tanks are
also called sedimentation tanks.
The water over the sediment layer is more or less clean.

2. Filtration:
The water from the sedimentation tank is filtered through layers of sand and gravel.
Filtration is also done through activated charcoal, which affords better-quality water.
Activated charcoal is a special type of charcoal made by heating ordinary charcoal in vacuum.
This charcoal holds the impurities strongly.

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3. Chlorination:
The filtered water is then treated with chlorine which kills the germs.
The purified and pure water is then supplied for human use through network of pipes.

15. PURIFICATION OF WATER AT HOME

It is advisable that water meant for drinking be purified at home also.

This is done by the following processes.

1. Boiling and filtering:

Water is boiled (preferably for 20 minutes) to kill the microorganisms and allowed to stand for
some time. Some solid may also settle down. The clear water is decanted off and filtered
through ceramic candles. Ceramic candles have fine pores which allow only the water to pass
through, but not the suspended particles.

2. Radiating water with ultraviolet rays:

Ultraviolet lamps radiate high-energy rays which kill germs. Nowadays, domestic water purifiers
are available, which purify water in three stages. Water from the tap enters the purifier, where
it gets filtered first through a candle and then through activated charcoal (carbon). The filtered
water is finally irradiated by ultraviolet radiation to render it free from germs. This water is safe
to drink.

3. Using bleaching powder:

In rural and backward areas, water is lifted in buckets from wells. Well water gets
contaminated, especially during the rains, and is generally disinfected by mixing some bleaching
powder, which kills the germs.

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16. POTABLE WATER
Water that is fit for drinking is called potable water.

Features of potable water

1. It is colorless, odorless and transparent.
2. Is free from harmful salts such as nitrates, cyanide, urea etc.
3. Is free from harmful germs and suspended impurities.
4. Contains sufficient amount of dissolved oxygen.

17. IMPORTANCE OF RIVER YAMUNA

• It serves as the lifeline to lakhs of people living on its banks.
• It provides drinking water and is also used for irrigating vast agricultural lands.
• The cities and towns on the bank extract large quantities of water for industrial use.
• The river is home to thousands of resident and migratory birds.
• The banks of the river are one of the last refuges for the dwindling populations of blackbucks,
chital, nilgais etc.
In 1909 the waters of the Yamuna were distinguishable as “clear blue”, as compared to the silt-
laden yellow of the Ganges. However, due to high density population growth and rapid
industrialization today Yamuna is one of the mostpolluted rivers in the world, especially around
New Delhi, the capital of India, which dumps about 58% of its waste into the river.

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OBJECTIVE
1. What is the percentage of nitrogen in the atmosphere?
a. 78% b. 21% c. 75% d. 25%

2. Among the following mark the particulate air pollutant.

a. Sulphur dioxide b. Carbon monoxide
c. Excess carbon dioxide d. Smoke

3. Nuclear power plant pollutes air by releasing

a. Carbon di oxide b. Carbon monoxide
c. Radioactive radiations. d. Sulphur

4. Which of the following leads to depletion of ozone layer?

a. Sulphur b. Chlorofluorocarbons
c. Carbon Monoxide d. Nitrogen Di Oxide

5. When we inhale carbon monoxide, it combines with hemoglobin and form

a. Oxyhemoglobin b. Carboxyhaemoglobin
c. It does not react with hemoglobin d. None of these

6. Ozone layer is present in

a. Troposphere b. Stratosphere
c. Mesosphere d. Thermosphere

7. Which of the following is known as green house gas?

a. Carbon Dioxide b. Methane
c. Sulphur Dioxide d. All of the above

8. Which of the following is not the consequences of global warming?

a. Rise in sea level b. Change in climate
c. Ozone Layer Depletion d. More extreme weather conditions

9. Uses of catalytic converters in cars

a. Reduce air pollution b. Cause Air Pollution
c. Is of no use d. None of the above

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10. Fresh water comprises of only ___ % of total water present in the earth?
a. 1 b. 3 c. 2 d. 10

11. We all depend on the surface water for most of our needs drinking, cooking food, bathing,
washing clothes, for industrial purposes etc. what is the percentage of surface water found in
lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands.
a. 1 b. 3 c. 2 d. 10

12. BOD stands for

a. Biological oxygen demand b. Biological order demand
c. Biological oxygen diversity d. Biological oxygen depletion

13. Oil spills reduces the _______ content of water, thus endangering the marine life.
a. Nitrogen b. Nutrition’s
c. Minerals d. Oxygen

14. Which of the following is not the example of biodegradable waste?

a. Dead plants and animals b. Animal excreta
c. Plastics d. Cow Dung

15. The polluted water enhances the growth of _____ which reduces the supply of oxygen and
sunlight to the aquatic flora and fauna resulting in adverse effect on their growth. This is called
eutrophication.
a. Bacteria b. Algae
c. Germs d. Toxic Waste

16. Fluorides in water cause fluorosis which affects

a. Liver b. Heart c. Teeth and Bones d. Skin

17. Minamata disease in Japan is caused due to

a. Food Poisoning b.Lead Poisoning
c. Water Pollution d. Mercury Poisoning

18. Which of the following measures can be taken to prevent water pollution?
a. Sewage should not be dumped into rivers.
b. Excessive fertilizers and pesticides should be avoided.
c. Use of synthetic detergents should be reduced.
d. All of these

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19. In the process of sedimentation the addition of a small quantity of potash alum
(K2SO4 .Al2(SO4)3 . 24H2O) helps the suspended particles to
a. Mix with the water uniformly b. Settle down quickly
c. To make a colloidal solution d. None of these

20. Activated charcoal is a special type of charcoal made by heating ordinary charcoal in
a. Presence of oxygen b. Presence of carbon dioxide
c. Vacuum. d. Presence of carbon monoxide

21. In rural and backward areas, water lifted in buckets from wells is generally disinfected by
mixing
a. Useful Minerals b. Potash Alum
c. Bleaching Powder d. None of these

ANSWERS
1. a 2. d 3. c 4. b 5. b 6. b 7. d
8. c 9. a 10. b 11. a 12. a 13. d 14. c
15. b 16. c 17. d 18. d 19. b 20. c 21. c

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SUBJECTIVE
1. What are different types of air pollutant?
2. Why is deforestation a major cause of air pollution?
3. What are the man-made sources of air pollution?
4. How smoking causes air pollution?
5. Explain carbon monoxide poisoning?
6. Why depletion of ozone layer is harmful for us?
7. What is meant by green house effect?
8. What is meant by global warming?
9. How can we reduce air pollution by conserving electrical energy?
10. Despite of water comprising 70% of earth surface, why do we face scarcity of water?
11. What is meant by BOD?
12. What are the industrial sources of water pollution?
13. What is meant by biodegradable waste?
14. What is meant by eutrophication?
15. Why Japan was hit by the disease called minamata?
16. What measures should be taken to prevent the water pollution?
17. What is meant by activated charcoal?
18. How can be the process of water purification at home done?

NCERT EXERSICE
Q.1.What are the different ways in which water gets contaminated?
Ans. Water gets contaminated by the following ways:
(i) Many industries discharge harmful chemicals to rivers and streams.
(ii) Water gets contaminated when sewage is disposed off in rivers.
(iii) Pesticides, weedicides and other chemicals also dissolve in water and get contaminated.
(iv)Breeding of microorganisms makes water polluted.

Q.2.At an individual level, how can you help reduce air pollution?
Ans. By this process we reduce air pollution:
(i) We can plant trees to reduce the level of carbon dioxide and air pollution.
(ii) By using CNG and unleaded petrol in our vehicle.
(iii) By using public transport as far as possible.
(iv)By giving general awareness about air pollution to our family and friends.

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Q.3.Clear, transparent water is always fit for drinking. Comment.
Ans. Clear, transparent water is always fit for drinking. This is not true, because many
microorganisms ace present in it. So we clean it by boiling.

Q.4.You are a member of the municipal body of your town. Make a list of measures that would
help your town to ensure the supply of clean water to all its residents.
Ans. A list of measures that would help our town to ensure the supply of clean water to all its
residents
(i) Proper cleaning of water tank.
(ii) Chlorine tablets should be made available.
(iii) To get clean water in every household, it is necessary that water reaching the houses
should be treated.

Q.5.Explain the differences between pure air and polluted air.

Ans. Pure air is free from germs and harmful gases. It contains 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and
small amount of other gases and dust particles.
Polluted air contains harmful gases and unwanted substances.

Q.6.Explain circumstances leading to acid rain. How does acid rain affect us?
Ans. Some pollutants like Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide react with the water vapor
present in the atmosphere to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid. The acid drops down with rain,
making the rain acidic. This is called acid rain. Acid rain affects us in many ways.
(i) Acid rain corrodes the marble of the monument.
(ii) Acid rain damages building and sculptural materials.
(iii) Acid rain damages fresh water also.
(iv) Acid rain also damages our crops and also makes it poisonous.
(v) Acid rain damages the leaves of plants.

Q.7. Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas?

(a) Carbon dioxide (b) Sulphur dioxide
(c) Methane (d) Nitrogen.
Ans. Nitrogen.

Q.8. Describe the `Greenhouse Effect' in your words:

Ans. Greenhouse Effect means warming the Environment. When the sun rays reach on earth, a
part of the radiation that falls on the earth is absorbed by it and a part is reflected back into
space. A part of the reflected radiation is trapped by the atmosphere. This trapped radiation

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further warms the earth. This is called Carbon House effect. CO2 is one of the gases responsible
for this effect.

Q.9. Prepare a brief speech on global warming. You have to deliver the speech in your class.
Ans. Continuous increase in temperature of the earth is called global warming. There are many
reasons for it. One of them is increase in population. Increase in the number of vehicles is also
one of the causes. Pollution of air has also increased the global warming. Cutting trees, grazing
the plants by animals increase the global warming.

Q.10. Describe the threat to the beauty of the TajMahal.

Ans. Over the past 2 decades, India's most famous tourist attraction TajMahal located at Agra,
has become a matter of concern. Experts have warned that air pollution is discoloring its white
marble.
So it is not only living organisms that get affected by polluted air but are also the non-living
things like buildings, monuments and statues.
The industries located in and around Agra like rubber processing, automobiles, chemicals and
especially, the Mathura Oil Refinery have been responsible for producing pollutants like Sulphur
dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. These gases react with the water vapor present in the
atmosphere to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid. These come down with the rain, making the
rain acidic. This is called acid rain. Acid rain has resulted in corrosion of the marble of the
monument. The phenomenon is also called �Marble cancer�. Suspended particulate
matter, such as the soot particles emitted by the Mathura Oil Refinery, have contributed to the
yellowing of the marble.
The Supreme Court has taken steps to save the Taj. It has ordered the industries to switch to
cleaner fuels like CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). Moreover,
the automobiles should switch over to unleaded petrol in the Taj zone.

Q.11. Why does the increased level of nutrients in the water affect survival of aquatic
organisms?
Ans. Excessive quantities of chemicals get washed away from the fields. These act as nutrients
for algae to flourish. Once these algae die, they serve as food for decomposers like bacteria. A
lot of oxygen in water body gets used up. This results in the decrease in the oxygen level which
may kill aquatic organisms.

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