CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT

1) What is the impact of pollution to lives on earth?

Pollution is the introduction of harmful contaminants into air, water or soil. These
contaminants can have dire effects on entire ecosystems, making life more difficult
for humans, plants and animals. Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible
to the health effects from these toxins. In many cases, exposure to pollution has a
cumulative effect on the body

Example of pollution to lives on earth is

Air Pollution = Air pollution consists of solid particles and gases. Many pollutants
are carcinogens. People who breathe in these poisons are at a higher risk for asthma
and reproductive-system damage.

Water Pollution = Water is a necessity of life. People and animals need clean
drinking water. Farmers need water to irrigate crops. People enjoy using lakes and
rivers for recreation.

Soil Contamination = Soil contamination consists of either liquid or solid particles

mixed with soil. The contaminants may be physically attached to the soil particles or
they may be in the spaces between the soil particles.

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/pollution-affect-living-things-79218.html

2) What are the challenges we are facing in overcoming pollution related issue

a) Air pollution and climate change.

Problem: Overloading of the atmosphere and of ocean waters with carbon.

Atmospheric CO2 absorbs and re-emits infrared-wavelength radiation, leading to

warmer air, soils, and ocean surface waters which are good. The planet would be

frozen solid without this.

 b) Deforestation.

Problem: Species-rich wild forests are being destroyed, especially in the tropics,
often to make way for cattle ranching, soybean or palm oil plantations, or other
agricultural monoculture.

c) Species extinction.

Problem: On land, wild animals are being hunted to extinction for bush meat,
ivory, or "medicinal" products. At sea, huge industrial fishing boats equipped with
bottom-trawling or purse-seine nets clean out entire fish populations. The loss
and destruction of habitat are also major factors

d) Soil degradation.

Problem: Overgrazing, monoculture planting, erosion, soil compaction,

overexposure to pollutants, land-use conversion - there's a long list of ways that
soils are being damaged. About 12 million hectares of farmland a year get
seriously degraded, according to UN estimates.

e) Overpopulation.

Problem: Human population continues to grow rapidly worldwide. Humanity

entered the 20th century with 1.6 billion people; right now, we're about 7.5 billion.
Estimates put us at nearly 10 billion by 2050. Growing global populations,
combined with growing affluence, is putting ever greater pressure on essential
natural resources, like water.

http://www.dw.com/en/five-of-the-worlds-biggest-environmental-problems/a-35915705

3) What can do minimize pollution?

 a) Use public mode of transportation: Encourage people to use more and
more public modes of transportation to reduce pollution. Also, try to make use of
carpooling. If you and your colleagues come from the same locality and have
same timings you can explore this option to save energy and money

b) Use energy efficient devices: CFL lights consume less electricity as against
their counterparts. They live longer, consume less electricity, lower electricity bills
and also help you to reduce pollution by consuming less energy.

c) Emphasis on clean energy resources: Clean energy technologies

like solar, wind and geothermal are on high these days. Governments of various
countries have been providing grants to consumers who are interested in
installing solar panels for their home. This will go a long way to curb air pollution.

d) Understand the concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Do not throw away
items that are of no use to you. In-fact reuses them for some other purpose. For
e.g. you can use old jars to store cereals or pulses.

e) Conserve energy: Switch off fans and lights when you are going out. Large
amount of fossil fuels are burnt to produce electricity. You can save the
environment from degradation by reducing the amount of fossil fuels to be burned

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-
air-pollution.php

CHAPTER 2: WATER QUALITY

 COD BOD

COD or Chemical Oxygen Demand is the BOD is a measure of, the amount of
total measurement of all chemicals oxygen that requires for the bacteria to
(organics & in-organics) in the water / degrade the organic components present in
waste water water / waste water.

1) What is the relationship between COD and BOD?

2) How does temperature affects chemical and biological water quality

parameter?
The ratio of BOD/COD is about; COD is higher than that of BOD maximum of up to 4 times
in medium scale industries raw materials used but it varies based on the industrial
Water quality testing is an important
process part
andofnature
environmental
of the. monitoring. When water quality
is poor, it affects not only aquatic life but the surrounding ecosystem as well. Chemical
characteristics involve parameters such as pH and dissolved oxygen. Biological
indicators of water quality include algae and phytoplankton. These parameters are
relevant not only to surface water studies of the ocean, lakes and rivers, but to
groundwater and industrial processes as well. Water quality monitoring can help
researchers predict and learn from natural processes in the environment and determine
human impacts on an ecosystem.

https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_relationship_between_the_COD_and_BO
D_values_in_Waste_water [accessed May 31, 2017].

http://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-quality/

CHAPTER 3: DRINKING WATER TREATMENT

1) What are the problems usually faced by water treatment plants?

a) Energy Consumption
Its one of the largest expenses in operating wastewater treatment plants. Wastewater
treatment is estimated to consume 2 - 3% of a developed nations electrical power.
What is the solution?
Use of fine screens in primary treatment; membrane technology for the aeration process;
and direct treatment of high concentration return streams.

b) Staf
Operators of wastewater treatment facilities must be adequately trained and certified
individuals. They are on call 24 hours a day and are responsible for overseeing everything
from pipe leaks and valves to electrical and instrumentation equipment. This work becomes
especially demanding during changes in influent and seasonal changes.
What is the solution?
Emerging technologies driven by utilizing the benefits of automation which reduces the
requirement of operator engagement.

c) Sludge Production
A major environmental challenge for wastewater treatment is the disposal of excess sludge
produced during the process.
What is the solution?
Reduce the burden of sludge by lowering its production.

d) Land cost
Activated sludge plants are costly to construct and occupy substantial land areas. Primary
and Secondary processes rely upon vast tracts of land for large and costly settling tanks and
aeration basins.
What is the solution?
Reducing land cost. Smaller land means cost savings, but it also means reducing
(Concrete, steel, and equipment).

e) Water loss
Non-revenue water could play a more important role as it relates to operational and capital
funding challenges.

2) Compare between chlorine disinfection, UV disinfection and ozonation.

a) Chlorine
Its one of the most commonly used disinfectants for water disinfection. It can be applied
for the deactivation of most microorganisms and it is relatively cheap. Chlorine readily
combines with chemicals dissolved in water, microorganisms, small animals, plant
material, tastes, and colours. These components "use up" chlorine and comprise the
chlorine demand of the treatment system. It is important to add sufficient chlorine to the
water to meet the chlorine demand and provide residual disinfection

b) UV Disinfection
Unlike chemical approaches to water disinfection, UV provides rapid, effective
inactivation of microorganisms through a physical process. When bacteria, viruses and
protozoa are exposed to the germicidal wavelengths of UV light, they are rendered
incapable of reproducing and infecting.
 c) Ozonation
The raw water is then passed through a venture throat which creates a vacuum and pulls
the ozone gas into the water or the air is then bubbled up through the water being
treated. Since the ozone will react with metals to create insoluble metal oxides, post
filtration is required.

http://www.water-research.net/index.php/water-treatment