Environmental Engineering`

A branch of engineering that is concerned with:

 Protecting the environment from deleterious
effects of human activity.
 Protecting human populations from effects of
adverse environmental factors.
 Improving environmental quality for human
health and well being.
 The Environmental Engineering Division of the
American Society of Civil Engineers has published
the following statement of purpose:

Environmental Engineering is manifest by sound

engineering thought and practice in the solution of
problems of environmental sanitation, notably in the
provision of safe, palatable and ample public water
supplies; the proper disposal of or recycle of wastewater
and solid waste; the adequate drainage of urban and
rural areas for proper sanitation; and the control of
water, soil and atmospheric pollution, and the social and
environmental impact of these solutions.
Furthermore it is concerned with engineering
problems in the field of public health, such as control
of arthropod borne diseases, the elimination of
industrial health hazards and the provision of
adequate sanitation in urban, rural and recreational
areas and the effect of technological advances on the
environment.
 Earth

Atmosphere Biosphere
(Air) (living things)
.
Hydrosphere Lithosphere
(water) (land)

Source of natural Receiver and absorber for

resources the waste produced by
(input for consumption production and
and production processes) consumption activities
 Activities of concern
Land/area development
- agriculture
- housing
- road / highway construction
Urbanization
(the process by which large
numbers of people become
permanently concentrated in
relatively small areas forming
city)
 Activities of concern
• Industrialization • Transportation

• Oil & gas exploration • Logging

 Effects
• Soil erosion/Land slide • Flood / Flash flood

• Sedimentation of silt in rivers

• Water resources depletion
 Effects
• Water pollution • Pollution of
- from raw sewage, agricultural areas
floating debris due to pesticides
and fertilizers

• Air pollution from

industry, vehicle,
smoke/haze from forest
• Noise pollution
/ agricultural fire
 Pollution

 Definition
An undesirable change in the physical,
chemical or biological characteristics of
the air, water or land that can harmfully
affect the health, survival or activities of
humans or other living things
 Pollutants
Material that pollute air, soil or water

Biodegradable Non-biodegradable
Capable of being Not capable of being
decomposed by biological decomposed or
agents esp. bacteria. (e.g. decomposed slowly (e.g.
food waste, animal tissues, aluminum can, plastic etc.)
plants etc.)
 Water pollution
Sources
Land and natural resources
development for mining, tourism,
logging, agriculture, new
township, infrastructure etc.

Wastewater discharge from

1. Factories/industries
- agro based industries e.g. palm oil, rubber.
- manufacturing & chemical based industries
e.g. textile, paint etc.
 Water pollution
 Domestic
 Animal husbandry / feed lot – pig, cattle, sheep
Agriculture area e.g. chemical fertilizer and
pesticide
• Oil spill / oil discharge
 Solid waste
Sources of water pollution
 Water pollutants and
Effects
Main water pollutants
1. Pathogen
- organisms which cause disease e.g. virus,
bacteria, protozoa, worms (helminth)
- e.g. Vibrio bacteria causes cholera
Hepatitis virus causes hepatitis
Flatworm causes schistosomiasis
Water pollutants and
Effects
The worm that
causes
schistosomiasis
infects one in four
people worldwide

Vibrio bacteria

hepatitis virus
 Water pollutants and
Effects
2. Organic matter or oxygen demanding
waste
- Waste that are oxidized (utilized) by
bacteria as food source. Oxygen
demanding waste are usually
biodegradable organic substances
contained in municipal wastewaters or
effluents from industries such as food
processing. As bacteria decompose
these waste, they utilize the dissolved
oxygen in the water, which reduces its
level.
Biodegradable organic – substances that
originate from tissue of living cells (organisms)
or the products of their life processes; contain
carbon, especially hydrocarbons. Capable of
being decomposed by biological agents,
especially bacteria.
 Water pollutants and
Effects
Saturated value of dissolved
oxygen (DO) in water :
8 to 15 mg/L depending on
temperature and salinity.
Minimum recommended DO
level for health fish population
is set at 5 mg/L.
 Water pollutants and
Effects
3. Nutrients
- Chemicals e.g. nitrogen, phosphorous, carbon etc.
that are essential to the growth of living things.
- Considered as pollutants if concentration is high
High concentration of
nutrient (nitrogen &
phosphorous) causes
excessive growth of aquatic
plants especially algae.
 Water pollutants and
Effects

- Excessive nitrogen and phosphorous

in water body especially lakes,
ponds causes “algal bloom “.
- This affect the quality and the uses
of water body for recreational uses,
water supply and habitat for other
living things. This process of
nutrient enrichment is called
eutrophication.
 Eutrophication

A process whereby
water bodies (lakes,
estuaries, or slow-
moving streams),
receive excess nutrients
that stimulate excessive
plant growth (algal
bloom).
 Eutrophication

The plants eventually settle

to the bottom of the lake and
decompose, consuming
oxygen. The loss of oxygen
can lead to fish kills.
 Eutrophication

Sources of nutrients:
- Agricultural run-off
from fertilizers and
manure
- Discharge of partially
treated or untreated
sewage
 Health effects of nitrate

Nitrate poisoning - Methemoglobinemia

(“Blue baby syndrome”)
Certain bacteria in baby’s digestive system during
the first few months of life change nitrate into toxic
nitrite (NO2). NO2 reacts with hemoglobin (which
carries oxygen to all parts of the body) to form
methemoglobin, which does not carry oxygen. The
level of oxygen decreases, the baby suffocates.
 NITRIFICATION
Excretions & dead organisms
contain organic nitrogen.
Microorganism breakdown
these into ammonia
 Water pollutants and
Effects
4. Salts
– Water naturally accumulates a variety of dissolved
solids or salts as it passes through soils / rocks.
-These salts typically include cations such as
sodium (Na 2+) , calcium (Ca 2+), magnesium (Mg 2+),
& potassium and anions such as chloride (Cl-), sulfate
(SO42-) and bicarbonate (HCO3-)
- Drinking water – Dissolved solids : 500 mg/L
 Water pollutants and
Effects
5. Heavy metal
- Metals with specific gravity greater than 4.0.
- In terms of environmental impacts, the most
important heavy metals are mercury (Hg), lead
(Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As)
- These metals are toxic even at very low
concentration.
 Maximum Contaminant Levels For Certain Inorganic
Chemicals
.,
Maximum
Contaminant Principal Health Effects
, Contaminant Levels
(mg/L)

Arsenic Dermal and nervous system toxicity effects 0.05

Barium Circulatory system effects 1.0

Cadmium Kidney effects 0.010

0.05
Chromium Liver/kidney effects

Skeletal damage 1.8 (at 20 C)

Fluoride
Lead Central and peripheral nervous 0.05
system damage; kidney effects;
highly toxic to infants and
pregnant woman
 Maximum Contaminant Levels For Certain Inorganic
Chemicals
.,
Maximum
Contaminant Principal Health Effects
, Contaminant Levels
(mg/L)

Mercury Central nervous system disorders; 0.002

kidney effects
Nitrate Methemoglobinemia (blue baby Syndrome) 10.0 (as N)
and nitrite

Selenium Gastrointestinal effects 0.01

Silver Skin discoloration (argyria) 0.05
 Water pollutants and
Effects
6. Pesticides
- A range of chemicals that kill organism that
humans consider undesirable e.g .insecticides,
fungicides, herbicides.
- Health effects.
 Common Contaminant Causing NonInfectious Disease

Contaminant Major Source Primary Health Effects

DDT Application of pesticide Nervous disorders

Dioxin Used in various biocides Possibly carcinogenic

Mirex Insecticide spray on Toxic,

crops Bioaccumulates in
food chain
 Water pollutants and
Effects
7. Suspended solids
- Causes siltation
of river, pollution
of river for water
supply &
recreational uses.
Air pollution & Control Technology
 Air pollution

Sources
 Transportation
(mobile sources)
 Fuel combustion
from stationary
sources (power
station, domestic,
industry etc.)
 Air pollution

 Industrial
processes (cement
factory, quarry etc.)

 Solid waste (open

burning of domestic &
commercial waste)
Open burning of domestic & commercial waste
 Air pollution

• Main pollutants
 Particles e.g. smoke, dust, mist, lead (Pb)

 Gases e.g. hydrocarbon (HC), carbon

monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen

(NOx), oxides of sulfur (SOX) and ozone
(O3)
 Pollutants Sources Effects

Carbon Monoxide Motor vehicle Headaches,

(CO) exhaust, indoor reduced mental
sources include alertness, heart
Colorless,
kerosene or attack,
odorless gas
wood burning cardiovascular
stoves. diseases, impaired
fetal
development,
death.
 Pollutants Sources Effects

.
Sulfur Dioxide Coal-fired power Eye irritation,
(SO2) plants, petroleum wheezing, chest
refineries, tightness,
Colorless gas manufacture of shortness of
that dissolves in sulfuric acid and breath, lung
water vapor to smelting of ores damage.
form acid containing sulfur. Contribute to the
formation of acid
rain
 Pollutants Sources Effects

Irritation of the lung

Nitrogen Dioxide Motor vehicles, and respiratory
electric utilities,
(NO2) symptoms (e.g., cough,
and other
Reddish brown, industrial, chest pain, difficulty
highly reactive commercial, and breathing). Contribute
gas.. residential to the formation of
sources that burn smog, acid rain, global
.
fuels. warming, and visibility
impairment
 Pollutants Sources Effects

Ozone (O3) Vehicle exhaust Eye and throat

and certain other irritation, coughing,
Gaseous fumes. Formed respiratory tract
pollutant when it from other air problems, asthma,
is formed in the pollutants in the lung damage. Plant
troposphere. presence of and ecosystem
sunlight damage.
 Pollutants Sources Effects

Metal refineries, Anemia, high blood

Lead (Pb) pressure, brain and
lead smelters,
(Metallic battery kidney damage,
element) manufacturers, neurological disorders,
iron and steel cancer, lowered IQ.
producers. Affects animals and
plants, affects aquatic
ecosystems
 Pollutants Sources Effects

Particulate Diesel engines, Eye irritation, asthma,

Matter (PM) power plants, bronchitis, lung
Very small industries, damage, cancer,
particles of soot, windblown dust, heavy metal
dust, or other wood stoves poisoning,
matter, cardiovascular effects.
including tiny Visibility impairment,
droplets of atmospheric
liquids. deposition, aesthetic
damage
 Effects of Air Pollution

 Health
 Vegetation/plants

 Building/material

Normal lung Lung tissue from a

tissue person who suffered
emphysema due to
cigarette smoking &
heavy pollution
 Effects of Air Pollution

Climate
 Local/regional scale
- Reduced Visibility
- Altered Precipitation (air contaminants
can result in increased precipitation)
- Urban Heat Island – metropolitan
area which is significantly warmer
than its surrounding
- Acid Rain
Many of the activities that occur in the city
generate heat as a waste by product e.g. vehicles,
 Acid Rain
Effects
- Acidification of lakes
and streams
- Damage of trees at
high elevations and
many sensitive forest
soils.
- Accelerates the decay
of building materials and SO2 + H2O H2SO3
paints, including SO3 + H2O H2SO4
irreplaceable buildings,
statues & sculptures 2NO2 + H2O 2H NO3 + NO
 Effects of Acid Rain

The corrosive Lime (an alkaline

effects of acids Effects on substance) is pumped
from air forest into damaged lakes to
pollution increase its alkalinity
 Effects of Air Pollution

Global scale
- Green House Effect
which leads to global
warming
- Depletion of Ozone
layer Green House
 Green House Effect

The phenomenon whereby the

earth's atmosphere traps solar
radiation, caused by the presence
of gases in the atmosphere that
allow incoming sunlight to pass
through but absorb heat radiated
back from the earth's surface.
This lead to warming of the
Earth's surface.
Green House gases
Carbon dioxide (CO2) , Methane
(CH4), Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFC), Nitrous oxides (N2O)
Figure 1-6 Annual mean global surface atmospheric temperatures.
 Depletion of Ozone layer

Ozone (O3) is formed

when intensive ultra-
violet radiation from the
Sun breaks down O2
into two oxygen
atoms. These highly
. reactive oxygen atoms
can then react with
more O2 to form O3.
 Depletion of Ozone layer

The ozone layer absorbs a portion of the UV radiation

from the sun, preventing it from reaching the planet's
surface. UV radiation has been linked to skin cancer,
and harmful to some crops, certain materials, and some
forms of marine life.
CFC – used as refrigerants, solvents, aerosol propellants.
 Air pollution control

Control measures
Dilution of air
pollutants in the
upper part of the
atmosphere using
stack pipe
(not effective)
Stack pipe > 150 m (500 ft)
 Air pollution control

Control at source
-Alternative
power resources:
hydraulic, solar,
geothermal,
wind, biomass
 Air pollution control

Proper operation /
maintenance of
machineries / equipment

Install device for

controlling emission of
pollutants: particles & gas

Laws / Regulations to curb

emission
Air pollution from mobile source (DOE photo library)
Devices to control Particulate Emission

- Gravitational
force is used to
remove particles.
-Simple in
operation &
design
- Not practical
for particles < 50
m

Gravity Settling Chambers

 Centrifugal Collector

- Centrifugal force
is used to separate
particles from gas
stream.
- Solid particles are
thrown to the walls
of cyclone as the
gas spirals upward Cyclones
at the inside of the
cone. Can handle 5 – 25 m particle
 Wet collector – Spray Tower

- Particle is
removed
from gas
stream when
it is in
contact with
liquid
droplets
Spray tower scrubber
 Fabric filters (Baghouse filter)

- Gas stream is
passed through a
woven fabric
that filters
particles.
- Filter media
are made of
glass, polymer,
or ceramic
fibers. Filter media
 Devices to control gaseous emission

Adsorption
A process where the gas is
passed through a porous material
(adsorbent)
The surfaces of of the porous
solid material attract and hold
the gas.
e.g. of adsorbent material:
activated carbon, bauxite
Multiple fixed bed adsorber Activated carbon has large internal
surface area (10 5 to 106 m2/kg)
 Absorption towers

Absorption
-Removal of a gaseous
contaminant from air by
contacting it with a liquid.
e.g. water and limestone
(liquid absorbent) is used to
remove sulfur dioxide.
Water + limestone  Ca (OH)2
Ca (OH)2 reacts with SO2 to form
calcium sulfate salt.
Spray towers
 Laws / Regulations

The Kyoto Protocol – an International agreement among

the developed nations to curb greenhouse emission.
Forged in December 1997.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete

the Ozone Layer is an international treaty to protect
the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a
number of substances believed to be responsible for
ozone depletion.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CONTROL

- LAWS & REGULATIONS

 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CONTROL

- It is the policy of the government to balance

the goals of socio-economic development with
the
- protection of the environment.

- These goals are achieved by adopting a

strategy based on pollution control and
prevention.
 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CONTROL
The Department of Environment (DOE) under the
Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment.
has adopted a three-pronged strategy in managing
the environment:

-Short term measures

-Medium term measures
-Long term measures
 Short term measures

Through the implementation of the existing

legislation to control discharges and emissions
from existing sources.
- e.g through the enforcement of
Environmental Quality Act, 1974
 Medium term measures

Incorporation of environmental component /

guidelines in the planning of projects by various
development agencies at the Federal, State and
Local Government levels. e.g.
- Guidelines for Siting and Zoning of Industries
- Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Soil
Erosion and Siltation
- Guidelines for air Pollution Control Measures in
Palm Oil
 Long term measures

The long-term strategy ensures that all development

contain both physical environment and quality of
life aspects in their planning.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is to be
carried out on major development projects. Potential
problems are identified and necessary mitigating
measures are incorporated into planning prior to
project approval and implementation.
 Environmental Quality Act, 1974

Main objective: To prevent, abate and control

pollution, and further enhance the quality of
the environment.

Administer by the Department of

Environment (DOE) under the Ministry of
Natural Resources & Environment.
 Control of Agro based Water
pollution

Environmental Quality (Prescribed Premises):

(Crude Palm Oil) Order 1977
Environmental Quality (Prescribed Premises):
(Raw Natural Rubber) Regulations 1978
 Control of Municipal and
Industrial Wastewater pollution

Environmental Quality (Sewage and Industrial

Effluents) Regulations 1979
Environment Quality (Prohibition on the used of
control Substance in soap, synthetic detergent
and other cleaning agent): Order 1995
 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL
EFFLUENTS) REGULATIONS, 1979

[Regulation 8(1), 8(2), 8(3)]

PARAMETER LIMITS OF EFFLUENT OF STANDARDS A AND B

Standard
■"'::- :- ;- -:• >; ■
'_ -:*;- ::; ; -:• •' :

Parameter
A B
(i) Temperature c 40 40
m
(ii) pH Value 6.0-9.0 5.5-9.0
(iii) BOD5 at 20 degrees C mg/l 20 50
(iv) COD mg/l 50 100
(v) Suspended Solids mg/l 50 100
(vi) Mercury mg/l 0.005 0.05
(vii) Cadmium mg/l 0.01 0.02
(viii) Chromium, Hexavalent mg/l 0.05 0.05
(ix) Arsenic mg/l 0.05 0.10
(x) Cyanide mg/l 0.05 0.10
(xi) Lead mg/l. 0.10 0.5
(xii) Chromium, Trivalent mg/l 0.20 1.0
(xiii) Copper mg/l 0,20 1.0
(xiv) Manganese mg/l 0.20 1.0
(xv) Nickel mg/l 0.20 1.0
(xvi) Tin mg/l 0.02 1.0
 Parameter Standard

A B
(xvi) Tin mg/l 0.02 1.0
(xvii) Zinc mg/l 1.0 1.0

(xvili) Boron mg/li 1.0 4.0

(xix| Iron mg/l 0.5 5.0
(xx> Phenol mg/l 0.001 1-0
(xxi) Free Chlorine mg/l 1.0 2.0

(xxii) Sulphide mg/l 0.50 0.5

(xxiii) Oil and Grease mg/l Not Detectable 10.0

Standard A – applicable to catchment areas referred to in this regulation

shall be the areas upstream of surface or above subsurface water supply
intakes, for the purpose of human consumption including drinking.
 Control of Industrial Emissions
Substance Sources of Standards
Emitted Emission
Oxides of Manufacture of nitric acid Equivalent of: Standard A: 4.60
nitrogen Standard B : 4.60 Standard C:
1.7 gram of S03 /Nm3 and
Environment effluent gas substantially
colourless
Quality Equivalent of: Standard A: 3.0
(Clean Air): Any source other than Standard B : 2.5 Standard C :
Oxides of combustion process and 2.0 gram of S03 /Nm3
Regulation nitrogen manufacture of nitric acid
Dust and solid particles Std. A Std. B Std. C
1978 g/Nm
/Nm 3
3 g/Nm 3 g
PORTLAND CEMENT
PLANT Kiln
Clinker, cooler finish, 0.4 0.4 0.2
grinding and other
0.4 0.2 0.1
 Control of Motor Vehicle Emissions

 Environment Quality (Control of lead concentration in motor

gasoline) Regulations 1985
 Environmental Quality (Motor vehicle Noise): Regulation 1987
 Environmental Quality (Control of emission for diesel engine):
Regulations 1996
 Environmental Quality (Control of emission for petrol engine):
Regulation 1996
 Control of Toxic and Hazardous
Wastes

Environmental Quality (Schedule wastes): Regulation

1989
Environmental Quality (Prescribed Premises) (Schedule
waste treatment and disposal facilities): Order 1989
Environmental Quality (Prescribed Premises) (Schedule
waste treatment and disposal facilities): Regulation 1989
 Control of Substances That
Deplete the Ozone Layer

Environmental Quality (Prohibition on the use of

Chlorofluorocarbons and other gas propellants
and blowing agents): Order 1993
 Integration of Environment and
Development

Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities)

(Environmental Impact Assessment): Order 1987
 What is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) ?

EIA is a study carried out to identify, predict, evaluates and

communicates information concerning the adverse and beneficial
impacts of a proposed project on the environment. The report also
specifies any mitigation measures that are required to alleviate
significant environmental impacts prior to project approval and
implementation.

The report is reviewed by DOE panel and recommendations

arising out of the review are transmitted to relevant project
approving authorities for consideration in making a decision on the
project.

EIA is essentially a planning tool for preventing environmental

problems due to an action.
 Activities which require EIA reports

Agriculture, air port, drainage, land reclamation,

fishing, forestry, housing, industry, infrastructure,
ports, mining, petroleum, power generation and
transmission, quarries, railways, transportation,
resort and recreational development, waste
treatment and disposal and water supply.