Current Topics in Environmental Science

Current Topics in Environmental Sciences : Current Topics in Environmental Sciences For the Academic Staff College Calicut University

Current Topics in Environmental Sciences : Current Topics in Environmental Sciences By Babu Appat

Definition of Environmental Science : Definition of Environmental Science Environmental science is the scientific study of the ways in which biological, physical and chemical components of the environment interact and the relations between them.

Environmental Science : Environmental Science Is often used as a substitute of the term ECOLOGY

Ecology : Ecology Ecology is the study of the interactions of living organisms with their environments, including relationship with other organisms.

Environmental Technology : Environmental Technology Environmental technology is the application of environmental science and sustainable development for the purpose of environmental conservation by curbing negative impacts of human-environment interaction and protecting the natural environment

Topics Discussed : Topics Discussed Acid Rain Air Pollution Asbestosis

Acid Rain : Acid Rain Any form of precipitation which is acidic in nature is called acid rain. Acid rain is the result of excessive emissions of sulfur and nitrogen caused by human activity, which reacts with other compounds to form acids.

Acid Rain : Acid Rain Detrimental effects on Plants, animals and on infrastructure

Rain Water : Rain Water In its purest form is like Distilled water No CO2 Neutral pH

Acid Rain : Acid Rain When water fall through the atmosphere particles gets dissolved in it Dust, pollen grains and carbon dioxide (CO2). Lightning and Volcanic Eruptions decreases the pH

Rain Water : Rain Water CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). H2O(l) + CO2(g) = H2CO3(aq)

Rain Water : Rain Water Carbonic acid ionizes in water to form low concentrations of carbonate and hydronium ions. 2H2O(l) + H2CO3(aq) = CO32-(aq) + 2H30+(aq)

Rain Water : Rain Water Carbonic acid is a week acid pH 6-5.2 -not dangerous Reversible Reaction

Rain Water : Rain Water The problem – Combines with Gaseous oxides of sulfur, nitrogen or with phosphoric or Hydrochloric acid mists Automobile exhaust industries and electric power plants the main source sulfur, Phosphoric and hydrochloric acid mists

Atmospheric Composition : Atmospheric Composition Nitrogen major part These substances lowers the pH to dangerous levels 5.6-3.5 even to 2

Acid Rain : Acid Rain The phenomenon of acidic rain water precipitation is Acid Rain Rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain, hail, fog and dew are other forms of precipitation.

Chemistry of Acid Rain : Chemistry of Acid Rain Sulfuric and Nitric are the main acids present in acid rain

Formation of Sulfuric Acid Picture : Formation of Sulfuric Acid Picture Sulfur released into the atmosphere combines with atmospheric oxygen to form sulfur dioxide (SO2) Sulfur dioxide reacts with atmospheric water to form sulfurous acid - SO2(g) + H20(l) = H2SO3(aq) Sulfurous acid is also present in acid rain. Sulfur dioxide gradually oxidizes to form sulfur trioxide (SO3) - 2SO2(g) + O2(g) = 2SO3(g) Sulfur trioxide reacts with water to form Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) - SO3(g) + H20(l) = H2SO4(aq)

Formation of Nitric Acid : Formation of Nitric Acid Nitrogen combines with atmospheric oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Nitrogen dioxide reacts with water to form nitrous acid (HNO2) and nitric acid (HNO3) – 2NO2(l) + H2O(l) = HNO2(aq) + HNO3(aq) Picture

Adverse Effects : Adverse Effects Acid rain causes severe damage to buildings and marble statues

How? : How? Acid rain reacts with the calcium carbonate (CaCo3) to form soluble calcium hydrogen carbonate or calcium bicarbonate, Ca(HCO3)2 - CaCO3 + Acid rain = Ca(HCO3)2(aq)

Eroded Many Monuments Picture : Eroded Many Monuments Picture Taj Mahal St. Paul’s Cathedral, London Statue of Liberty, New York

Acid Rain Destroys : Acid Rain Destroys Glass Window panes It forms a crust on Glass surfaces Corrodes Steel Bridges and Railway track

Acid Rain Destroys : Acid Rain Destroys It corrodes metals Weakens Leather Ruins painted exteriors

On Trees and Plants : On Trees and Plants Washes away important minerals from leaves and soil Blocks the micro pores on leaves’ surface through which they take in Carbon dioxide

On Trees and Plants : On Trees and Plants Improper functioning of leaves Growth retardation Damaged bark More prone to Fungal, Bacterial and insect attacks

On Trees and Plants : On Trees and Plants Eventually immature destruction of the trees

On Soil : On Soil Aluminium, Mercury, Lead Cannot be absorbed normally Acid helps form water soluble compounds Entire food chain get affected

Water Bodies : Water Bodies Aluminium, Mercury, lead salts flows to rivers Water Pollution Depletion of Oxygen Fish can’t respire properly

On Land Animals : On Land Animals Birds eat fish Accumulation of harmful chemical in their body Harmful chemicals gets introduced to each trophic level

Biomagnification : Biomagnification Harmful chemicals gets introduced to each trophic level All levels of the Food chain get effected And concentration becomes higher and higher as it goes to higher levels of the food chain

Human Health : Human Health Causes Lead poisoning, Mercurous Poisoning and Aluminium poisoning Acid Vapour inhalation Corrosive and malignant

Magnitude of the Hazard : Magnitude of the Hazard Potent enough to destroy life on earth Damage everything that comes into contact Rivers, other water bodies, soil, infrastructure Health of living beings

Solutions to this Menace : Solutions to this Menace Reduction in Fossil Fuel usage Walk whenever you can Car Pools, Share Caravans, Conveyance Clubs Maximise usage of Public transportation

Solutions to this Menace : Solutions to this Menace Resort to alternative sources of Energy Geothermals, Water, Wind, Solar Hybrid Cars

Solutions to this Menace : Solutions to this Menace At Individual levels Flu Gas Desulfurizer Wet Scrubbers etc

Solutions to this Menace : Solutions to this Menace Resort to alternative sources of Energy Geothermals, Water, Wind, Solar Hybrid Cars

Air POLLUTION : Air POLLUTION

Air POLLUTION : Air POLLUTION Dust, Dirt and harmful gases Deterioration Quality of Air Harmful to Life

Air POLLUTION : Air POLLUTION A Global Phenomenon More so in Asia Industrial emissions, Burning of fossil fuels Forest fires and combustion of biomass also

Air POLLUTION : Air POLLUTION if current trends continue, by 2025 three times as many people in Asia will suffer poor health due to air pollution as did in 1990.

Industrial POLLUTION : Industrial POLLUTION Rapid industrialisation and related human activities

Fossil Fuel Combustion : Fossil Fuel Combustion Coal, Petroleum, Natural gas Is the main cause of Air Pollution Sulfur, Carbon Monoxide, dioxide, Tiny Particulates of partially burned fuel

Fossil Fuel Combustion : Fossil Fuel Combustion Even the Cleanest Fossil Fuel emits Carbon Dioxide Fossil Fuel consumption has risen 20 times in 50 years in Asia

AirPOLLUTION : AirPOLLUTION Was an urbane phenomenon Beijing, Chongqing, some other Chinese cities highest sulfur dioxide concentration Jakarta, Manila and Seoul high levels of particulate matter

Predisposing Factors : Predisposing Factors Rapid Industrialisation Population Growth Increased human activities

PollutionProduces : PollutionProduces Bronchitis Bronchial Asthma Pulmonary Malignancy Increased Infant Mortality

Damages the Environment : Damages the Environment Gulin in China is an excellent example Scenic beauty of the Mountainous locale destroyed Natural Limestone formation got eroded

Japan Model : Japan Model Some forms of vegetation is particularly sensitive to acidification Japan, Southern China, mountainous areas of Southeast Asia, Southwestern India

Green house Gases : Green house Gases Carbon dioxide Traps heat inside the atmosphere Rise in temperature, rise in sea level, severe weather

Biomass combustion Forest Fires : Biomass combustion Forest Fires Dangerous gases from home cooking Tar, carbon, ash Women of Indian Villages the poor sufferers RTI, Lung cancer, ophthalmic disturbances

Smoke from Home Cooking : Smoke from Home Cooking The cause of half of India’s tuberculosis may be due to cooking smoke

Forest Fires : Forest Fires Huge amounts of Carbon is released into the atmosphere Depletion of natural wealth Spread of diseases

CombatingAir Pollution : CombatingAir Pollution Reduced use of fuels Use cleaner fuels More efficient use of fuels

Biogas Digestors : Biogas Digestors Biomass fuel processing to convert it to cleaner burning fuels Use of briquettes, natural gas , electricity

Selective use of Fuels : Selective use of Fuels Low sulfur coals Hydro electric power Laymen education

Global Cooperation : Global Cooperation Globe as one country Up gradation of thought platform Doing away with Feuds and wars Estimation of the Must be preserveds of the world

Globe as ONE COUNTRY : Globe as ONE COUNTRY Total globe management Industrial plates Dwelling plates New concepts in individual dwelling arrangements

ASBESTOSIS : ASBESTOSIS a chronic inflammatory lung disease Caused by Asbestos Exposure

ASBESTOSIS : ASBESTOSIS Inhaled Asbestos particles gets stuck to the alveolar walls Causes dyspnea, and even lung cancer

ASBESTOSIS : ASBESTOSIS Breathing microscopic asbestos fibers over a period of time lodge these fibers firmly into the lungs, leading to lung scarring and a drastic reduction in breathing capacity

ASBESTOSIS : ASBESTOSIS Signs comes years after inhalation Can turn to be fatal

What isASBESTOS : What isASBESTOS Naturally occurring mineral in fiber form Two types- Amphibole and Chrysotile

Amphibole : Amphibole Straight needle like fibers Consists of actinolite, anthophylite, amosite, crocidolite and tremolite

Chrysotile : Chrysotile The widely used variety

Properties of Chrysotile : Properties of Chrysotile Excellent heat resistant Excellent fire resistant Excellent Chemical resistant Excellent non conductor

Uses of Chrysotile : Uses of Chrysotile Mined since 1800s Since 1940 through 1980 Ban came in 1980

Uses of Chrysotile : Uses of Chrysotile Used in floor Tiles, roofing, insulation material, pop ceilings, switch boards, paints, insulation for ship boilers and hot water pipes, in clutch and brake-liners of all vehicles, and host of other applications

Asbestos Related Diseases : Asbestos Related Diseases Dangers involved was known to man The Ban came during the 80’s Due an increase in asbestos related problems

Asbestos Related Diseases : Asbestos Related Diseases The main condition precipitated by asbestos exposure is called ASBESTOSIS

Who runs Risk the Most : Who runs Risk the Most Mine workers Nearby dwellers Workers of Asbestos manufactories Workers of Shipyard, Construction, Automobile, mechanics or any one who frequently handle asbestos products

Who runs Risk the Most : Who runs Risk the Most Today asbestos is banned in almost all products and handling of old asbestos is regulated. Even with all precautions taken, persons even today are at risk while renovating their homes that contain asbestos in the flooring, roofing, and insulation

Signs and Symptoms : Signs and Symptoms Long gestation period 20-40 years Symptoms akin to Asthma and Bronchitis

Symptom Complex include : Symptom Complex include Difficulty breathing, with the condition getting worse over a period of time  Constant dry, crackling sound while breathing  Getting tired after doing very little physical work  Constant mild to severe pain in the chest

Other Complications : Other Complications Late detection of the disease Affects other parts of the body

Other Complications : Other Complications Lung cancer  Increased blood-pressure within the lungs  Cardiac complications  Mesothelioma

LungCancer : LungCancer Smokers more prone

HypertensionWithin the Lungs : HypertensionWithin the Lungs The Scars caused by asbestosis compresses the blood vessels

Cardiac Complications : Cardiac Complications This increased BP or Hypertension cause heart problems

Mesothelioma : Mesothelioma Asbestos fibers gets into the inner lining of the pleura and cause unwanted cell growth

Treatment : Treatment Vaccination  Medication Cessation of smoking

Vaccination : Vaccination Lungs in a bad condition already Even a flu, common cold may get exacerbated Vaccination against secondary or superimposed conditions

Medication : Medication Pulmonary hypertension is treated with Vasodialators, Blood thinners (Platelet activation Inhibitors)

Smoking Cessation : Smoking Cessation If the patient is a smoker

Please Don’t Stop Smoking : Please Don’t Stop Smoking For a grave reason like Asbestosis QUIT IT FOR SOME SIMPLER REASONS FOR THE PLEASURE THAT’S LIFE GIVE UP SMOKING FOR OTHERS AROUND YOU

So : So Swallow the venom Preserve the Globe

Food For THOUGHT : Food For THOUGHT Which is the most suitable Funeral Modality? Why?

Food For THOUGHT : Food For THOUGHT Construction of Roads is a denial of the right to live

Food For THOUGHT : Food For THOUGHT The Overhead Electricity lines is an ecological problem?

For Further Information : For Further Information Harwell, Emily E. (2000) "Remote Sensibilities: Discourses of Technology and the Making of Indonesia's Natural Disaster."Development and Change 31, 1: 307–340. Hughes, G. (1997) Can the Environment Wait? Priority Issues for East Asia. Washington, DC: The World Bank. Marland, G., T. A. Boden, and R. J. Andres. (2000) "Global, Regional, and National CO2 Emissions." Retrieved 21 September 2001 from: http://cdiac.esd.ornl.gov/ndps/ndp030.h tml. Smith, Kirk R. (1987) Biofuels, Air Pollution, and Health. New York: Plenum Press www.wikipedia.org www.buzzle.com www.britanica.com www.sience.org www.nature.org

THANK YOUVery Much babuappat@gmail.com, 9349101071 www.appadan.blogspot.com : THANK YOUVery Much babuappat@gmail.com, 9349101071 www.appadan.blogspot.com