Natural and human made pollution

1
Natural and human made pollution
2
What is pollution?

• In groups of 4 6 discuss what pollution is.
• Identify different types of pollution, both
  natural and human made, and how they affect the
  planet, i.e. the atmosphere, hydrosphere, the
  lithosphere and humankind

3
Environmental impacts of urbanisation
4
Population

• Atmosphere increasing release of carbon
  dioxide, decreased oxygen production, as plant
  colonies are destroyed by spreading urban areas
• Hydrosphere greater demands and pressures on
  water resources (both surface and groundwater)
• Lithosphere Increased transformation of
  uninhabited, agricultural or unutilised land to
  urban users
• Human impacts Psychological impacts of high
  density living

5
Land use

• Atmosphere increased average temperatures for
  most urbanised areas
• Hydrosphere increased use of hydrological
  resources leading to increased pollution load
• Lithosphere complex changes due to
  construction, landscaping etc.
• Human impacts Psychological impacts

6
Transportation

• Atmosphere Air pollution from combustion of
  fuels. Creation of photochemical smog. Emission
  of lead from some engines
• Hydrosphere Rain, surface waters polluted with
  lead, other metals and hydrocarbons. Drainage
  patterns altered by infrastructure
• Lithosphere Disruption or disfigurement of
  landscape
• Human impacts Increased noise levels. Health
  effects of noise and air pollution

7
Services

• Atmosphere Particulate, noxious fumes from
  incinerators, land fills, sewage treatment works
  etc.
• Hydrosphere Leaching of pollutants from
  landfills. Discharges from sewage outfalls and
  contaminated surfaces. Pollution from boats
• Lithosphere Sanitary landfill of urban wastes
  and installation/repairs of services disturb
  landscape
• Human impacts Denial

8
Environmental impacts of selected industries
9
Petrochemical

• Atmosphere - Emissions to atmosphere from
  refining, processing plant. (noxious, toxic)
• Hydrosphere Plant emissions to receiving water
  bodies. Accidental spills during transport,
  storage
• Lithosphere Disposal of waste solids, sludges
  to landfill. Accidental spills during transport,
  storage
• Human impacts Some product wastes toxic to many
  life forms. Disruption of life style from
  emissions to all three spheres

10
Metals

• Atmosphere particulate, gas emissions during
  forging, metal working, fabrication
• Hydrosphere Discharge of mill pickling liquors.
  Other waste disposal to water bodies. Heavy metal
  releases (intentional, unintentional)
• Lithosphere Disposal of slag, waste products
  from processes
• Human impacts Health effects of released toxics
  in air, water

11
Food/beverage

• Atmosphere Noxious fumes from food processing
• Hydrosphere Wastes often have a high organic
  content

12
Mining

• Atmosphere Particulate matter from surface
  mining, transportation. Noxious, toxic fumes from
  smelting
• Hydrosphere Runoff from mine tailings.
  Processing waste disposed of directly into water
  bodies. Ochre in water bodies
• Lithosphere Tipping of mine tailings,
  processing wastes. Disruption of agriculture,
  forestry, recreation by open pit mines
• Human impacts Health hazard to mine workers
  (mercury, asbestos, coalmining)

13
Agriculture

• Atmosphere Drift of agricultural sprays. Dust,
  pollen escape due to field operations
• Hydrosphere Runoff to surface and percolation
  to sub surface waters of pesticides, fertilisers.
  Runoff of sludges. Silting of water bodies due to
  poor farming practices
• Lithosphere Erosion of land surface. Depletion
  of organic material, necessary soil
  micro-organisms, etc
• Human impacts Health effects of biocides,
  polluted water etc.

14
Pulp and paper

• Atmosphere Release of noxious fumes during
  processing)
• Hydrosphere Contaminated factory wastes
  (mercury, organics). Silt from deforested slopes.
  Loss of wildlife habitat
• Lithosphere Breakdown of ecosystem in clear cut
  areas. Erosion of unprotected land.

15
What is pollution?

• EU 1996 IPPC Directive
• ..shall mean the direct or indirect introduction
  as a result of human activity, of substances,
  vibration, heat or noise into the air, water or
  land which may be harmful to human health or the
  quality of the environment, result in damage to
  material or property, or impair or interfere with
  amenities and other legitimate uses of the
  environment.
• Generally pollutants have a threshold for damage

16
Natural risks, which are pollutants?

• Climatic and meteorolgical
• Snow and ice
• Droughts
• Fog
• Frost
• Hail
• Heat waves
• Tropical cyclones
• Dust storms
• Lightning and fire
• Tornadoes

17
Natural risks, which are pollutants?

• Geologic and geomorphic
• Avalanches
• Earthquakes
• Erosion (including soil erosion and shore and
  beach erosion)
• Landslides
• Shifting sand
• Tsunamis
• Volcanic eruptions

18
Natural risks, which are pollutants?

• Floral
• Fungal diseases (for example, athletes foot,
  Dutch elm disease, wheat stem disease)
• Infestations (for example weeds, water hyascinth)
• Hay fever
• Poisonous plants

19
Natural risks, which are pollutants?

• Faunal
• Bacterial and viral diseases (for example
  influenza, smallpox, malaria, smallpox, rabies,
  cholera, typhoid.
• Infestations (for example, rabbits, rodents,
  termites)
• Venomous animal bites

20
Extreme events and environmental change

• Volcanoes
• Mount Tomboro Indonesia 1815 caused two
  successive years of cold, wet growing seasons
  throughout the world. 1816 was the year without a
  summer
• Cameroon August 1986, 1,700 people killed and
  10,000 otherwise affected by toxic emissions
• Smog
• London - December 1952, 4,000 excess deaths

21
Extreme events and environmental change

• Impacts from space
• Destruction of dinosaurs
• Human impacts
• Contribution to global warming

22
Climate change impacts