Air-, water- and soil pollution. Csaba Berta

Transcription

1 Air-, water- and soil pollution Csaba Berta

2 Air pollution

3 The concept of air pollution Air quality changes caused by gases, solid particulars and aerosols Changes in the natural composition Contaminants above the limit Adverse effects on humans and on the environment

4 Grouping of air pollutants 1. Based on their origin Natural Volcanic eruption Lightning Dust (cosmic, desert, from ground) Aerosols of marine origin Forest fires Artifical Industry Agriculture Transport Population

5 2. Based on formation mechanism Primer air pollutants Directly get to the air, no chemical change (ash, smoke, SO2, etc.) Secunder air pollutants Forming from the the primary pollutants and the normal components of the atmosphere ( oxidation, reduction, ionization, photo-chemical reaction, dissolution)

6 Sources of air pollution Point source o the amount of pollutants entering the environment is clearly defined (eg. chimneys) Surface source o The emitting surface area is determined, but the amount of material released into the environment can be inferred by indirect measurements and calculations only (eg. open technologies) Line source o The release is ordered to a line (eg. highway, railway)

7 Process of the air pollution Emission: emitted pollutant of time per unit from different sources unit of measure: mass flow rate kg/h concentration: mg/m3 specific value: mg/pcs, mg/kg (eg.: car: g CO2/100 km) Transmission: the spread of pollutants, changes (thinning, conversion) in the atmosphere atmospheric physical and chemical, meteorological and topographical effects Imission: contamination status of air or ambient air quality Unit: mg/m3, ppm, ppb

8 Self purification of air The concentration of pollutants are reducing by dilution The contaminants removed from the atmosphere The pollutant converting into other, possibly inert materials

9 Avoidance of air pollutants From the atmosphere to the ground, transport to the surface water Types: A. Dry: adhering to aerosols, dust B. Wet: rain, sleet, snow, fog etc.

10 Smog formation Smoke + fog smog Conditions of its formation: high levels of air pollutant emissions unfavorable meteorological conditions (no wind and inversion) unfavorable topography (narrow valleys)

11 London-type smog Occurs in winter as a result of inversion, usually at dawn-evening Air temp.: C Reducing nature Humidity > 80% Main components: SO2, CO, soot

12 The London smog disaster 5-9. December ~ 100% relative humidity SO2 concentration: 4mg/m3 Tens of thousands of sickness, ~4000 peolpe died In 1956 a law was passed to protect the air quality

13 Los Angeles-type smog Foming in summer, generally at noon (strong UV, C) Inversion <70% humidity Oxidative nature Main components: ozone, NOx, PAH compounds (eg.: Pyrene, Benzopyrene)

14 Acid rain Altered ph precipitation CO2 not harmful (ph 5,6) SO2 NOx Resulting ph below 5 (harmful)

15 Effects of acid rain To the soil: Minerals leaching (Ca, Mg), fertility decreasing Release of toxic materials (Al) To surface waters: Decreasing ph, below 5,5 very dangerous Mortality of plankton and fish Leaching of heavy metals

16 Effects on the built environment Corrosion of metals Faster weathering of materials Works of art damaging faster

17 Water pollution Any human activity or material, which harmfully changes the physical, chemical and biological properties of water

18 Results of water pollution: Water for drinking use is partly or fully unsuitable Natural process of aquatic life suffering harm

19 Worldwide emerging water quality issues Eutrophication Nitrification Enrichment in micro-pollutants Emergency events (eg. Oil spill)

20 Eutrophication Biological response for enrichmening in nutrients (N, P) Natural Artificial Planktonic Benthonic Reasons for artificial eutrophication: Industrial and municipal wastewater Agriculture (fertilizer, manure)

21 Planktonic eutrophication

22 Direct effects of eutrophication Anoxia (dawn!, after mass algal destruction huge fish mortality Appearance of algal toxins: Inhibition of different water uses (taste- and odor problems, influance in water purification technology, deterioration of aesthetic value)

23 Benthonic eutrophication

24 Nitrification Nitrification is the biological oxidation of ammonia or ammonium to nitrite followed by the oxidation of the nitrite to nitrate. In Hungary the limit of nitrate in drinking water is 40 mg/l.

25 The detrimental effect of nitrate on the human body Methemoglobinemia (blue disease, blue baby)

26 Micropollutants Inorganic micro-contaminants (eg. toxic heavy metals) Itai-itai disease: Cd contamination caused osteomalacia, renal damage (loss of protein and minerals) Minamata disease: Hg contaminated fishes, damage of the central nervous system, teratogenetic effects

27 Organic micro-contaminants (eg. pesticides) xenobiotics DDT=dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane Effects: teratogenic, carcinogenic, damaging of the immune system

28 Oil pollution Form a film on the water surface Inhibiting the gas exchange Oil components are toxic, persistent and accumulating Damaging and destructing the aquatic organisms

29 Soil pollution

30 Soil pollution Result of human activities, which are significantly and adversely changing the soil physical, chemical and biological properties Result: the ecological functions of the soil are damaging

31 Land degradation Any process which reducing the fertility of the soil, worsen the quality or reducing the function of it Forms: Erosion, deflation Salinization, soil acidification Deteriorating soil structure Turn to boggy, desertification Biological degradation

32 Industrial pollutants Minerals BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, xylenes) Dioxins Surfactant materials Agricultural pollution Ferilization Organic ferilization Soil conditioners Pesticides Transport exhaust gases, salting

33 Thank you for your attention!