Industrial Pollution and Degradation of Environment

Pollution

Reason — Pollution is an undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of our air, land and water that may harmfully affect human lives or other species, living conditions and cultural assets. It includes any addition to air, water, soil or food that is harmful to human beings and other living organisms.

industrial revolution

Reason — Widespread industrial pollution accelerated rapidly in the year 1800 with the start of the Industrial Revolution. It was a mechanised means of production, allowing for a much greater volume of production and generating a corresponding increase in pollution.

both I and II are correct

Reason — Statement I is correct because the solid and liquid wastes of industries (such as scrap, effluents, sludge, flyash and radioactive wastes) are dumped over the surface of soil, causing soil pollution. Statement II is also correct because the major cause of air pollution is the smoke produced by the burning of coal and mineral oil, which liberates SO₂, CO₂, CO, smoke and soot.

Burning garbage

Reason — Burning of garbage causes air pollution due to the smoke and poisonous gases coming out of it. Hence this practice is strictly prohibited to prevent air pollution.

Radioactive pollution

Reason — Radioactive pollution is a special form of physical pollution of air, water and soil due to the presence of radioactive materials. For example, X-ray radiations cause radioactive pollution.

Aerobic Respiration

Reason — In aerobic treatment, purification is carried out by aerobes in the presence of molecular oxygen. In contrast, anaerobic treatment achieves purification by anaerobes in complete absence of molecular oxygen.

True

Reason — Chemical treatment is used to remove solids from water and includes coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation. Treatment through sand and pressure filters, iron removal and defluorination are examples of chemical treatment. Hence the statement is True.

Sulfur dioxide

Reason — The burning of coal liberates sulphur dioxide (SO₂) along with CO₂, CO, smoke and soot. Among the given options, sulphur dioxide is the most harmful pollutant released by coal-burning industries.

Catalytic converters

Reason — The use of three-way catalytic converters is a catalytic reduction technique used to control motor vehicle pollution. It is the most effective technique to reduce vehicle emissions.

Installing noise barriers

Reason — The factory is causing noise pollution due to its heavy machinery. Installing noise barriers is the most appropriate and practical measure to reduce noise pollution affecting the residential areas. Reducing water usage and catalytic converters address water and air pollution respectively, while shutting down the factory is not a feasible pollution-control measure.

True

Reason — Pesticides are used in agriculture for killing weeds and insects, but they can be toxic to a host of other organisms including beneficial insects, non-target plants, fish and birds. They can also contaminate water, soil, turf and other vegetation. Hence the statement is True.

Use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Reason — Ozone depletion occurs when the natural balance between the production and destruction of stratospheric ozone is disturbed in favour of destruction. The use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) is the key cause of this depletion, as they break down stratospheric ozone that normally blocks the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.

Fertilizer runoff

Reason — Chemical fertilisers are often washed out of the soil by rain and drain into streams and ponds, where they nourish the algae as effectively as they nourish crops. After heavy rainfall, this fertilizer runoff causes excessive algae growth (eutrophication) in the water body.

False

Reason — Global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect, in which greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide) trap heat radiating from the earth's surface, increasing the average temperature of the earth. Ozone layer depletion and global warming are two separate phenomena, so the statement is False.

Yellow

Reason — As per the colour-coded segregation of biomedical waste, infectious waste, bandages, cotton, body parts and placenta are disposed of in yellow-coded bags. Hence the hospital's infectious waste should have been disposed of in a yellow bag.

Pollution is an undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of air, water or land that harms human beings, other living organisms and the environment.

Industrial Pollution is pollution directly caused by industries. It occurs when factories release harmful gases, chemicals, smoke, waste water or solid wastes into the environment, causing damage to air, water, land and human health.

Water pollution can be controlled by treating polluted water before it is discharged. The main treatment methods are:

1. Chemical Treatment — Chemicals are used to remove impurities and suspended solids from water. It includes coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, iron removal and defluorination.

2. Biological Treatment — In this method, bacteria and other microorganisms break down organic wastes present in water. It may be:

   • Aerobic treatment — carried out in the presence of oxygen.
   • Anaerobic treatment — carried out in the absence of oxygen.

3. Industrial Waste Treatment — Industrial effluents are treated before disposal. Methods such as colour removal, recovery of useful materials and biological treatment help reduce harmful substances and BOD load.

Thus, proper treatment of waste water helps reduce water pollution and protects human health and the environment.

The main technological strategies to reduce air pollution are:

1. Control Technology — Pollution can be reduced by improving fuel quality, changing combustion methods or removing pollutants from fuel gases.

2. Catalytic Reduction — Catalytic converters are used in vehicles to reduce harmful exhaust gases.

3. New Manufacturing Processes — Cleaner processes, such as low-temperature techniques, help reduce emissions like sulphur dioxide.

4. Control of Gaseous Contaminants — Gaseous pollutants can be removed by combustion, absorption and adsorption.

Thus, technology helps reduce air pollution by controlling harmful emissions at the source.

Radioactive pollution is a special form of pollution of air, water and soil caused by the presence of radioactive materials.

Its main causes are:

1. X-rays — X-ray radiations can cause radioactive pollution if used carelessly or in excess.

2. Radioactive Fallout — Atomic blasts produce local ionising radiations and radioisotopes. These enter the atmosphere and gradually fall over large areas as nuclear or radioactive fallout.

Thus, radioactive pollution is dangerous because radioactive materials remain harmful for a long time.

Eco-friendly industrial development is one of the ways in which industrial ecology contributes to the integration of economic growth and environmental protection. It allows industries to grow while protecting the environment.

Some examples of eco-industrial development are:

• Recycling clusters
• Green companies clusters
• Redevelopment of industrial parks
• Development of eco-friendly industrial parks
• Eco-friendly resource exchange networks

Environmental degradation means the deterioration of the environment due to harmful changes in air, water and soil caused by pollution. Industrial pollution causes such harmful changes, leading to environmental and health problems.

The main forms of environmental degradation due to industrial pollution are:

1. Water Pollution — Industries discharge harmful wastes and chemicals into rivers, lakes and ponds. Sometimes waste leaks into groundwater. This poisons water bodies and creates a serious threat to aquatic plants, animals and human health.

2. Air Pollution — Industries release smoke, soot and harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide by burning coal and mineral oil. These pollutants contaminate the air and cause breathing problems and other health issues.

3. Soil Pollution — Industrial solid and liquid wastes such as scrap, sludge, fly ash, effluents and radioactive wastes are dumped on land. These add toxic chemicals to the soil and reduce its fertility.

4. Noise Pollution — Heavy machines used in industries produce loud and unwanted sounds. This disturbs communication, work, rest and relaxation, and may also cause hearing problems.

Industrial pollution also contributes to wider environmental problems such as enhanced greenhouse effect, global warming and ozone layer depletion.

Thus, industrial pollution causes environmental degradation by polluting water, air and soil and by disturbing the natural balance of the environment.

The sources of pollution are broadly classified into two categories — those caused by human activities (such as automobile exhaust, heat and power generation, industrial processes, auto manufacturing, chemical fertiliser plants, fuel production, solid waste disposal, mining, pesticides, thermal pollution, brick kilns, and demolition and constructions) and those caused by natural means (such as forest fires, volcanic eruptions and dust storms).

Three important sources of air pollution explained:

1. Air pollution due to motor vehicles — Most air pollution comes from vehicles of various types. These vehicles pump out huge quantities of smoke and other harmful substances into the air.

2. Burning garbage — Garbage includes paper, rags, hair, house-dust waste, etc. Burning of garbage causes air pollution due to the smoke and poisonous gases coming out. This practice is strictly prohibited to prevent air pollution.

3. Brick kilns — Brick kilns release black carbon into the air and degrade the soil as workers dig it up to make clay for bricks. This practice is a major contributor to air pollution and environmental degradation.

Air pollution can be abated (controlled) through the following measures:

1. Control Technology — Modifying the fuel or combustion technique, or removing pollutants from the fuel gases.

2. Catalytic Reduction — Using three-way catalytic converters to control motor vehicle pollution.

3. New Manufacturing Processes — Using low-temperature hydrometallurgical techniques which reduce the sulphur dioxide emissions associated with traditional metal smelting methods.

4. Control of Gaseous Contaminants — Removing gaseous pollutants through combustion, absorption and adsorption.

Main strategy involved — Air pollution abatement strategies rely on local, national and regional authorities setting air quality and emission standards. The government can encourage industries to develop new and better technologies. Thus, the main strategy involved is the setting and enforcing of air quality and emission standards by the authorities, supported by the adoption of improved control technologies by industries.