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Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Water Pollution
Introduction
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Contamination of groundwater pollution of water caused the entry of substances such as chemicals and industrial and municipal discharges, which affect the quality compromising the usual custom.
Main pollutants
Some of the major water pollutants are: waste water containing organic materials that decompose to absorb large amounts of oxygen, parasites and bacteria, fertilizers and all the substances that promote excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants, pesticides and various chemicals organics (industrial waste, surfactants in detergents, by-products of decomposition of organic compounds) and petroleum and its derivatives, metals, minerals and inorganic chemicals, sand and debris washed away from agricultural land, the soil bare of vegetation, from quarries, road locations and construction sites; substances or radioactive waste from the mining of uranium and thorium and processing plants of these metals from nuclear power plants, industries and medical laboratories and research that use radioactive materials.
The heat released into the rivers from industrial plants and power through the cooling water can be considered a pollutant because it causes temperature changes that may affect the ecological balance of aquatic ecosystems and cause the death of the less-resistant organisms, increase the sensitivity of all organisms to toxic substances, reduce the ability to self-water, increase the solubility of toxic substances and encourage the development of parasites.
Effects of water pollution
The contaminants contained in water can cause many damages to human health and balance of ecosystems. The presence of nitrates (salts of nitric acid) in drinking water, for example, causes a pathological condition in children that in some cases can lead to death. Cadmium present in some sewage sludge used as fertilizer can be absorbed by the crops and bring to humans through food networks, and if taken in high doses, can cause severe diarrhea and may damage the liver and kidneys. Among the pollutants most harmful to humans, there are some heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, lead and chromium.
Lake ecosystems are particularly sensitive to pollution. The excessive input of fertilizers leaches from agricultural land can initiate a process of eutrophication, which is excessive growth of aquatic flora. The large amount of algae and aquatic plants which are to form deforms the landscape, but especially when it decomposes, consuming oxygen dissolved in water, makes asphyctic the deeper layers of the lake and produces unpleasant odors. On the bottom of the basin sediments are accumulated from various sources and water chemical reactions occur that alter the balance and composition of the ecosystem (when the waters are much limestone is, for example, the precipitation of calcium carbonate). Another source of water pollution consists of the so-called acid rain, which have already caused the disappearance of all forms of life for many lakes in northern and eastern Europe and North America.
Sources of pollution: problems and solutions
Water pollutants come mainly from municipal and industrial discharges, the processes of leaching from agricultural land and farms.
The urban waste water and industrial represent a major source of water pollution. So far, the primary objective of the disposal of urban waste has been to reduce the concentration of suspended solids, organic materials, dissolved inorganic compounds (especially those containing nitrogen and phosphorus) and harmful bacteria in the slurry placed in treatment plants, for power, then download the treated water into the environment. For some time, however, greater attention is paid to the delicate problem of the treatment and disposal of sludge that is produced in the process of purification.
In the scrubber slurry passes through three distinct phases of treatment. The first, called primary treatment, consists of a series of physical or mechanical removal of larger debris, sedimentation of suspended particles and separation of oily substances. In the second stage, called secondary treatment, it oxidizes the organic matter dispersed in the slurry by means of activated sludge and biological filters. The third stage, the tertiary treatment, is to remove the nutrients through chemical and physical processes such as adsorption on activated carbon. At each stage are produced significant amounts of sludge, the treatment and disposal accounts for 25-50% of the cost of installation and operation of a common sewage treatment plant.
Industrial discharges contain a wide variety of pollutants and their composition varies depending on the type of production process. Their impact on the environment is complex, often toxic substances contained in these discharges reinforce each other's harmful effects and thus the total damage is higher than the sum of individual effects. The concentration of pollutants can be reduced by restricting the production origin, subjecting the material to preventive treatment before downloading into the drainage system or purifying fully discharges at the same factory, catching, perhaps, the substances that can be reintroduced in the production processes .
The chemical fertilizers used in agriculture and sewage produced by the farms are rich in organic matter (containing mainly nitrogen and phosphorus) that dilavate rain, they poured into groundwater or surface water bodies. These substances are often more or less debris coarse that settle on the bottom of the basins. Often contains pathogens, the sewage of animal origin are sometimes dumped directly on the ground and from there are transported by rain into rivers, lakes and groundwater. In this case, to limit the impact of the pollutants can take simple solutions, such as the use of ponds or tanks for the purification of sewage.
Marine Pollution
The pollution of the sea due to accidental or intentional releases of oil and fuel oil, the contribution of pollutants carried by rivers and discharges to the coastal settlements. The latter, in particular, contain all sorts of contaminants (heavy metals, toxic chemicals, radioactive materials, pathogens) and often are the cause of epidemics of typhus, cholera, salmonellosis and other infectious diseases. The pollutants are carried by currents along the coasts and on the high seas, and medium and long distance. Obviously, contamination of the seas beyond the borders of the territorial waters of individual states and is the subject of international treaties that seek to limit its extent.
Oil pollution
The oil and fuel oil spilled into the sea forming on the surface of the oily film that prevents the absorption of oxygen in air, causing death of marine organisms. In oil, in addition, there are also aromatic hydrocarbons that can pose a serious threat to human health, which come through the marine food chain. The source of pollution, in this case, is given by spills of large quantities of crude oil from tankers involved in accidents, from the deliberate release of small quantities of oil by vessels of various types and loss of oil that occur during Drilling operations at the marine oil platforms. It is estimated that for every million tons of oil transported by sea, one ton is dispersed as a result of spills of various kinds, although the greatest danger is from accidents that often involve the super.
Main pollutants
Some of the major water pollutants are: waste water containing organic materials that decompose to absorb large amounts of oxygen, parasites and bacteria, fertilizers and all the substances that promote excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants, pesticides and various chemicals organics (industrial waste, surfactants in detergents, by-products of decomposition of organic compounds) and petroleum and its derivatives, metals, minerals and inorganic chemicals, sand and debris washed away from agricultural land, the soil bare of vegetation, from quarries, road locations and construction sites; substances or radioactive waste from the mining of uranium and thorium and processing plants of these metals from nuclear power plants, industries and medical laboratories and research that use radioactive materials.
The heat released into the rivers from industrial plants and power through the cooling water can be considered a pollutant because it causes temperature changes that may affect the ecological balance of aquatic ecosystems and cause the death of the less-resistant organisms, increase the sensitivity of all organisms to toxic substances, reduce the ability to self-water, increase the solubility of toxic substances and encourage the development of parasites.
Effects of water pollution
The contaminants contained in water can cause many damages to human health and balance of ecosystems. The presence of nitrates (salts of nitric acid) in drinking water, for example, causes a pathological condition in children that in some cases can lead to death. Cadmium present in some sewage sludge used as fertilizer can be absorbed by the crops and bring to humans through food networks, and if taken in high doses, can cause severe diarrhea and may damage the liver and kidneys. Among the pollutants most harmful to humans, there are some heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, lead and chromium.
Lake ecosystems are particularly sensitive to pollution. The excessive input of fertilizers leaches from agricultural land can initiate a process of eutrophication, which is excessive growth of aquatic flora. The large amount of algae and aquatic plants which are to form deforms the landscape, but especially when it decomposes, consuming oxygen dissolved in water, makes asphyctic the deeper layers of the lake and produces unpleasant odors. On the bottom of the basin sediments are accumulated from various sources and water chemical reactions occur that alter the balance and composition of the ecosystem (when the waters are much limestone is, for example, the precipitation of calcium carbonate). Another source of water pollution consists of the so-called acid rain, which have already caused the disappearance of all forms of life for many lakes in northern and eastern Europe and North America.
Sources of pollution: problems and solutions
Water pollutants come mainly from municipal and industrial discharges, the processes of leaching from agricultural land and farms.
The urban waste water and industrial represent a major source of water pollution. So far, the primary objective of the disposal of urban waste has been to reduce the concentration of suspended solids, organic materials, dissolved inorganic compounds (especially those containing nitrogen and phosphorus) and harmful bacteria in the slurry placed in treatment plants, for power, then download the treated water into the environment. For some time, however, greater attention is paid to the delicate problem of the treatment and disposal of sludge that is produced in the process of purification.
In the scrubber slurry passes through three distinct phases of treatment. The first, called primary treatment, consists of a series of physical or mechanical removal of larger debris, sedimentation of suspended particles and separation of oily substances. In the second stage, called secondary treatment, it oxidizes the organic matter dispersed in the slurry by means of activated sludge and biological filters. The third stage, the tertiary treatment, is to remove the nutrients through chemical and physical processes such as adsorption on activated carbon. At each stage are produced significant amounts of sludge, the treatment and disposal accounts for 25-50% of the cost of installation and operation of a common sewage treatment plant.
Industrial discharges contain a wide variety of pollutants and their composition varies depending on the type of production process. Their impact on the environment is complex, often toxic substances contained in these discharges reinforce each other's harmful effects and thus the total damage is higher than the sum of individual effects. The concentration of pollutants can be reduced by restricting the production origin, subjecting the material to preventive treatment before downloading into the drainage system or purifying fully discharges at the same factory, catching, perhaps, the substances that can be reintroduced in the production processes .
The chemical fertilizers used in agriculture and sewage produced by the farms are rich in organic matter (containing mainly nitrogen and phosphorus) that dilavate rain, they poured into groundwater or surface water bodies. These substances are often more or less debris coarse that settle on the bottom of the basins. Often contains pathogens, the sewage of animal origin are sometimes dumped directly on the ground and from there are transported by rain into rivers, lakes and groundwater. In this case, to limit the impact of the pollutants can take simple solutions, such as the use of ponds or tanks for the purification of sewage.
Marine Pollution
The pollution of the sea due to accidental or intentional releases of oil and fuel oil, the contribution of pollutants carried by rivers and discharges to the coastal settlements. The latter, in particular, contain all sorts of contaminants (heavy metals, toxic chemicals, radioactive materials, pathogens) and often are the cause of epidemics of typhus, cholera, salmonellosis and other infectious diseases. The pollutants are carried by currents along the coasts and on the high seas, and medium and long distance. Obviously, contamination of the seas beyond the borders of the territorial waters of individual states and is the subject of international treaties that seek to limit its extent.
Oil pollution
The oil and fuel oil spilled into the sea forming on the surface of the oily film that prevents the absorption of oxygen in air, causing death of marine organisms. In oil, in addition, there are also aromatic hydrocarbons that can pose a serious threat to human health, which come through the marine food chain. The source of pollution, in this case, is given by spills of large quantities of crude oil from tankers involved in accidents, from the deliberate release of small quantities of oil by vessels of various types and loss of oil that occur during Drilling operations at the marine oil platforms. It is estimated that for every million tons of oil transported by sea, one ton is dispersed as a result of spills of various kinds, although the greatest danger is from accidents that often involve the super.
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Pollution
Introduction
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Pollution is called the transmission and spread of toxic fumes or gases through such means as air and water, as well as the presence of microbial pathogens and dust from the debris of human activity.
At present, the result of development and technological progress has led to various forms of pollution, which alter the physical and mental balance of human beings. Because of this, the current pollution problem becomes more critical than in the past. Here are some types of pollution:
The atmosphere (air)
Water, Rivers and Lakes.
Sea
Oceans
Air Pollution
In large cities, air pollution is a result of leakage of gas ignition engines to household heating, industry, which is released into the atmosphere, either as gases, vapors or solid particles can remain suspended, with values higher than normal, harm life and health of both humans and animals and plants.
This layer (the atmosphere) absorbs the greatest amount of solar radiation and this is due to the leakage of ultraviolet rays.
Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to burning coal and oil, leading to a warming of the air and seas, which produces a chemical imbalance in the biosphere, producing a high quantity of carbon carbon, highly toxic to living beings.
The air pollution comes mainly minds of industrial pollution by combustion, and the main causes are the generation of electricity and cars. There are also other toxic substances that pollute the atmosphere such as lead and mercury. It is important that residents of large cities are aware of the ecological environment is a primary need. It should legislate on substances that can go into the atmosphere and the concentration that should not be exceeded.
Polluted air affects us in our daily life, manifesting itself in different ways in our bodies, such as eye irritation and disorders in the conjunctival membranes, respiratory tract irritation, exacerbation of lung diseases bronco, etc..
There are several ways to avoid air pollution, namely:
* Use proper fuel for domestic heating and industrial use.
* Use filters or chimneys runs in a position to fulfill their duties.
* Maintain motor vehicles in good condition.
* Do not burn leaves or trash, etc..
Ecologists in Action
Definition:
Ecology is a science that studies the relationships between living beings and the environment in which they find
The unit of study is ecosystem ecology is made up of individuals of different species and the surrounding environment. The goal of ecology is the study of the structure and functioning of nature.
Techniques have been applied to solve environmental problems relating to the structures of communities and ecosystems through the use of simulated models, which can be descriptive or preacher. A branch of ecology is called the "ecology of the system."
Environmentalism emerged in the 60s the movement for environmental protection. At the international level is highlighted Greenpeace was born in 1972, after a meeting held in Vancouver (Canada) in 1971. They realize that the divide is between man and nature because of industrial civilization.
Industries hopelessly destroyed a portion of non-renewable resources, accumulated pollution and endanger the survival of species. In contrast ecologists seeking balanced forms of development with nature, which only use non-polluting renewable energy.
Insights into development and policy for healthy growth
In developing countries, the supply of sufficient food, it is sometimes disappointing. Traditional agriculture can not bear the burden of a growing population on a limited land. Fertility is achieved by letting the land rest, that they regenerate their own nutrients, but population growth makes it very difficult. Therefore the fertility decline, the soil begins to wear, to erode, its consistency becomes similar to the baked clay. At worst, it becomes desert.
It is suggested, therefore, made on the governmental level, an inventory of resources (soil, vegetation, fauna, rivers), a rational combination of technology, decentralization of industry and urban areas to other less populated.
All this will be easy to achieve if governments exercise real control over resources.
Another serious problem facing developing countries is lack of capital. There are some industries that use modern, put an end to most of the pollutants. But undoubtedly, this implies larger capital investments.
The American Council on Environmental Quality estimates that the industry must invest four to five billion dollars annually in new technology for "no pollution" and a smaller amount, but it would lead to an increase of between 5 and 10% of costs, to eliminate existing pollution and maintain the cleanliness in the future.
Of a conference on development and environment
The Earth Summit, or ECO'92 Rio summit meeting began from June 3, 1992, in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), organized by the UN. This meeting was held in remembrance of 20 years ago in Stockholm. She participated in nearly 15,000 environmentalists, 100 heads of state, delegations from 170 countries and 50 international teams and representatives of manufacturers of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and others. It is clear that the environment is not dependent on a nation or group of nations in particular, it is a duty for all developed and developing countries.
The man has realized that the planet's resources are not renewable in the short term and that each act takes place on Earth, however slight it is or appears to impact on all of it.
In principle there are two different positions, that of developing countries and developed countries. In the first, environmental concerns must consider two aspects: the basic conditions for a dignified life and a healthy quality of life. While in developed countries, where they managed to meet the basic conditions for living, can now argue about the quality of life.
The "greenhouse effect" is the fundamental problem worldwide, causing an increase in average temperature. This would lead to melting of the poles. Some developed countries are on track to solve its environmental problems, but at the cost of installing their industries and toxic waste in poorer countries.
Since the meeting took place twenty years ago have worsened problems such as acid rain. There have been serious accidents at nuclear power plants (Chernobyl), in industry (Seveso, Bhopal, Guadalajara), and have burned a large number of oil wells during the Gulf War.
In principle, it is expected to sign two treaties that would fund: one refers to emission of gases into the atmosphere, although this does not include dates or amounts due to exigencies of the United States and Argentina supports. The other would deal with the protection of genetic resources, it would benefit the developed countries, allowing them to use wildlife in developing countries.
It is also expected to implement the protocol signed in Montreal in 1987, which provided for the reduction in the use of chlorofluorocarbons in half by the end of the century, to protect the ozone layer and control the pollution of the oceans. These interest to developed countries while the developing countries care about the problem of poverty, cleanliness of water and the development of clean industries.
These problems will be taken into account in what was dubbed the "Earth Charter", but for which there would be, in principle, support.
Water Pollution
Natural sources of water available are: rainwater, rivers, lakes, seas and groundwater. It is found in many rocks and stones and also in the harsh atmosphere as clouds or fog.
Since man has always dump their waste into the waters. Under normal conditions the car can be purified rivers: water wash waste into the oceans, the bacteria use the oxygen dissolved in water and degrade organic compounds, which in turn are eaten by fish and aquatic plants from the back oxygen and carbon into the biosphere.
But as mankind progressed, it becomes increasingly difficult. Concentrated industries thousands of people around them (as we see in the area of Greater Buenos Aires. Many times systems are choked with debris and dumped products industries that can not be degraded by bacteria. All this makes the oxygen content decreases dramatically, and that the river no longer has the capacity to support life there, becoming a sewer of several kilometers. The danger increases if it moves slowly (this is the case of the Riachuelo).
Another danger is thermal pollution. Large power stations use water as coolant, it makes the rivers to raise its temperature, causing changes in biological processes and, therefore, destroys the life in them.
Water is a vital element for food, thus requiring greater hygiene. There are requirements that are becoming less satisfied, for their pollution, which reduces the quantity and quality of water available, as well as their sources.
Drinking water, so it can be used for food must be completely clean, to be tasteless, odorless and colorless and have a temperature about 15 ° C should not contain bacteria, viruses, parasites or other pathogens that cause diseases. To achieve the quality of drinking water are a necessary amount of purification processes
Pure water is a renewable resource, but could be so polluted by human activities, that is no longer useful, but rather harmful.
What pollutes the water?
* .- Pathogens Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasites entering the water from organic waste.
* Waste requiring oxygen .- Organic wastes can be decomposed by bacteria that use oxygen to biodegrade. If there are large populations of these bacteria can deplete oxygen in the water and killing aquatic life forms.
* Inorganic Chemicals .- acids, compounds of toxic metals (mercury, lead) poisoning the water.
* The plant nutrients can cause excessive growth of aquatic plants which then die and decompose, depleting oxygen in the water and thus cause the death of marine species (dead zone).
* .- Oil Organic Chemicals, plastics, pesticides, detergents life-threatening.
* Sediment and suspended matter .- insoluble soil particles that cloud the water and are the largest source of pollution.
* Radioactive substances that can cause birth defects and cancer.
* Heat .- Income hot decreasing the oxygen content and makes a very vulnerable aquatic organisms.
Point sources and nonpoint
* Point sources discharge pollutants at specific locations through pipes and culverts. Eg factories, plants, sewage treatment, mining, oil wells, etc..
* The non-point sources are large areas of land that discharge pollutants into the water on an extensive region. Example: Dumping of chemicals, agricultural lands, lots for grazing livestock, buildings, septic tanks.
Pollution of rivers and lakes
The river flows due to flow quickly recover from excessive heat and debris degradable. This works until there is overloading of contaminants, or their flow is not reduced by drought, dams, etc.
Organic pollution .- In lakes, overflow, estuaries and seas, the dilution is often less effective than in the streams because they have little influence, which makes lakes more vulnerable to pollution by plant nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) ( eutrophication).
Control of eutrophication by crop
Prevention methods:
* Use an advanced treatment of waste to remove phosphates from industrial plants and processing before they reach a lake.
* Prohibit or set limits for low-phosphate detergents.
* A farmer may be asked to plant trees between their fields and surface waters.
Cleaning method:
* Drag the sediment to remove excess nutrients.
* Remove or eliminate excess weeds.
* Check the growth of noxious plants with herbicides and pesticides.
* Pump air to oxygenate and lakes overflow.
As with other forms of pollution prevention methods are most effective and cheaper in the long term.
Thermal pollution of rivers and Lakes
The most common method for cooling thermoelectric plants, steam is throwing cold water from a nearby body of surface water, pass through the condensers of the heated floor and return to the same body of water. High temperatures reduce the oxygen dissolved in water. Fish adapted to a particular temperature can be killed by heat shock (drastic change in water temperature).
The contribution of thermal pollution is enrichment heat, ie, use hot water to produce stations longest commercial fishing, and reduction of ice cover in cold areas, heating buildings, etc..
Reduction of Thermal Water Pollution
* Use less electricity and waste.
* Limiting the number of power plants which discharge hot water at the same body of water.
* Provide hot water at a point distant from the beach area ecologically vulnerable.
* Use cooling towers for heat transfer from water to the atmosphere.
* Download the hot water in ponds to cool and be reused.
Oil pollution
Accidents involving tanker leaks at sea (oil leaking from a hole drilled into the seabed), and petroleum waste dumped on land that ends in rivers that flow into the sea.
Effects of oil pollution
Depends on several factors, types of oil (crude or refined), the quantity released, release site distance from the beach season, water temperature, climate and ocean currents. The oil reaching the sea or evaporates slowly degraded by bacteria. Volatile organic hydrocarbons from oil immediately kill several animals, especially in their larval forms.
Other chemicals remain on the surface and form bubbles floating feathers that cover the birds dive, which destroys the natural insulation and causes it to collapse and die. The components of the oil that is heavy on the bottom of the sea can kill animals that inhabit the depths like crabs, oysters, etc.., Or make them unfit for human consumption.
Control of marine pollution by oil
Prevention methods:
* Use less oil and waste.
* Collect used oil in cars and reprocessed for reuse.
* Prohibit drilling and transporting oil in environmentally sensitive areas and near them.
* To increase greatly the financial responsibility of oil companies to clean up oil spills.
* Require oil companies to test routinely to their employees.
* Regulate the safety procedures and operation of refineries and plants.
Cleaning method:
* Dealing with the oil spill dispersant chemicals sprayed from aircraft.
* Use helicopter laser to burn the volatile components of oil.
* Use mechanical barriers to prevent oil reaching the beach.
* Pumping oil mixture - water to small boats called "skimmers", where special equipment separates oil from water and pumped to the first storage tanks.
* Increase the government investigation into oil companies on methods to contain and clean up oil spills.
Groundwater pollution and its control
The ground water or groundwater is a vital source of water for drinking and agricultural irrigation. However, it is easy to exhaust because it is renewed very slowly. When the water reaches groundwater contamination can not purify itself as the surface water tends to do so, because the groundwater flow is slow. There are few bacteria degrading, because there is not much oxygen.
Because the groundwater is not visible there is little awareness of it.
Sources of groundwater contamination
* Escapes or chemicals from leaking underground storage tanks.
* Infiltration of organic chemicals and toxic compounds from landfills, abandoned dumps and hazardous waste from lagoons for storage of industrial wastes located above or near aquifers.
* Accidental infiltration into the aquifers from injection wells used for much of the hazardous waste deep underground.
Prevention methods:
* Prohibit the disposal of hazardous waste in landfills by injection into deep wells.
* Monitor the aquifers.
* Have tighter controls on the application of pesticides and fertilizers.
* Require people using private wells for drinking water to this liquid to be examined once a year.
Pollution Control Surface Water
Nonpoint source pollution.
The primary nonpoint sources of water pollution in agriculture. Farmers can reduce the dumping of fertilizer in surface water and infiltration into the aquifers, not using excessive amounts of fertilizer. In addition to reducing pesticide use.
Point sources pollution: Treatment of wastewater
PSD and in many parts of the PD, sewage and industrial wastes are not treated. Instead, they are discharged into the nearest waterway or waste lagoons where the air, sunlight and microorganisms degrade wastes. Water remains one of those gaps for 30 days. Then it is treated with chlorine and pumps for use in town or on farms. In PD, most point sources of debris are cleaned to varying degrees. In rural and suburban sewage from each house are usually discharged into a septic tank.
In urban areas of the PD, the majority of waste transported by water from homes, businesses, factories and runoff from rainfall, flow through a network of sewer pipes and treatment plants are water waste. Some cities have separate systems for stormwater drainage, but in others the conduits for these two systems are combined, as this is cheaper. When heavy rains cause combined sewer systems spilled, this discharge untreated sewage directly into surface waters.
When arriving at a wastewater treatment plant can have up to three levels of purification. The primary treatment of wastewater is a process to separate waste as sticks, stones and rags.
The secondary treatment of sewage is a biological process using aerobic bacteria.
The advanced wastewater treatment is a series of specialized physical and chemical processes, which reduces the amount of pollutants that remain after primary treatment and secondary.
Before the water is discharged from a treatment plant, wastewater is disinfected. The usual method of chlorination. Other disinfectants include ozone, hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet light. The common treatment of sewage has helped to reduce pollution of surface water, but environmentalists say it is an imperfect and limited output, which is eventually overtaken by more people produce more waste.
Land disposal of effluent and sewage Sediments
The treatment of sewage sludge produces a viscous, toxic, or have to be recycled as fertilizer for the field. Before the sludge application should be heated to kill harmful bacteria.
Protection of coastal waters
Prevention methods:
* Eliminate the discharge of toxic pollutants to coastal waters.
* Use separate systems for the disposal and management of rainwater and sewage.
* Use less water and waste water.
* Prohibit the throw to the sea sediment of the sewage and hazardous materials from dredging.
* Protecting coastal areas that are already clean.
* Reduce dependence on oil.
* Use the methods to avoid contamination by oil.
* Prohibit throwing plastic garbage from ships and shipping.
Cleaning method:
* Improve capabilities greatly to clean oil spills.
Improve all plants of coastal wastewater treatment.
POLLUTION
Marine pollution is defined as:
"Introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine sector to produce adverse effects such as harm to living resources, hazard to human health, hindrance to marine activities, damage to the quality of seawater for use, and reduction in tourism. "
The key to this definition is in the "Introduction by man." Part of this contribution is discussed in the waters of the oceans, while others come to him indirectly, through rivers.
To gather water from the rivers to the seas they suffer the consequences of pollution of rivers, causing the poisoning of fish, leading to a decline in fisheries production in coastal areas, by high mortality in them.
The sea is polluted, moreover, when the vessels that carry crude oil and these accidents are highly polluting materials falling into the ocean.
Hydrocarbons, since they are immiscible with water, float in the shape of a layer of variable thickness, which moves to the rhythm of ocean currents. A part of this material is dissolved and the rest ends up contaminating beaches.
The man has been dedicated since ancient times to maritime activities and fishing, but we must not forget that the operation should not be excessive, to avoid the extinction of living things living there.
The man used the sea for commerce, fisheries, recreational purposes, to extract some chemicals and to deposit increasing amounts of different types of waste. An example of this are the oil tankers are cleaned at sea to avoid delays at the ports, thus polluting the sea surface and then the effect of currents, coastlines. This resulted in the death of penguins and whales off the coast of Argentina.
Ocean Pollution
The ocean is now the "dustbin of the world," which will bring adverse effects in the future.
Most of the coastal areas of the world are polluted mainly due to discharges of sewage, chemicals, trash, radioactive waste, oil and sediment. The seas are most polluted in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines.
Dolphins, sea lions and sea turtles die when they ingest or get trapped by cups, bags, ropes and other plastic garbage thrown into the sea.
Conclusion
The human population grows according to a geometric progression, so there is increasing demand for food and basic necessities for human life. This implies an increase in energy and raw materials, end products and waste, of which there are often many toxic substances. This development has caused major disruptions in the Earth: in the entire regions of the tropics have become deserts, animal species have disappeared forever and vegetables, and others are endangered.
The man uses natural raw materials as if they were inexhaustible, and the final products and waste materials are dumped to land, water and recently-in the open ocean, as if they could assimilate without any change .
Another problem are the large cities, developing countries and those already developed, those who approach the issues from different points of view according to their convenience, and network changes that will level and cultural landscapes.
All these changes also affect the psyche of the man who needed green space to relax.
The good quality of life requires that the balance of nature is not changed. Man must learn that the environment
is not something that can handle at will, but it must be integrated for a better life.
An important step to improve the habitat would make the man change his attitude towards internal environment respecting their values and rights.
At present, the result of development and technological progress has led to various forms of pollution, which alter the physical and mental balance of human beings. Because of this, the current pollution problem becomes more critical than in the past. Here are some types of pollution:
The atmosphere (air)
Water, Rivers and Lakes.
Sea
Oceans
Air Pollution
In large cities, air pollution is a result of leakage of gas ignition engines to household heating, industry, which is released into the atmosphere, either as gases, vapors or solid particles can remain suspended, with values higher than normal, harm life and health of both humans and animals and plants.
This layer (the atmosphere) absorbs the greatest amount of solar radiation and this is due to the leakage of ultraviolet rays.
Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to burning coal and oil, leading to a warming of the air and seas, which produces a chemical imbalance in the biosphere, producing a high quantity of carbon carbon, highly toxic to living beings.
The air pollution comes mainly minds of industrial pollution by combustion, and the main causes are the generation of electricity and cars. There are also other toxic substances that pollute the atmosphere such as lead and mercury. It is important that residents of large cities are aware of the ecological environment is a primary need. It should legislate on substances that can go into the atmosphere and the concentration that should not be exceeded.
Polluted air affects us in our daily life, manifesting itself in different ways in our bodies, such as eye irritation and disorders in the conjunctival membranes, respiratory tract irritation, exacerbation of lung diseases bronco, etc..
There are several ways to avoid air pollution, namely:
* Use proper fuel for domestic heating and industrial use.
* Use filters or chimneys runs in a position to fulfill their duties.
* Maintain motor vehicles in good condition.
* Do not burn leaves or trash, etc..
Ecologists in Action
Definition:
Ecology is a science that studies the relationships between living beings and the environment in which they find
The unit of study is ecosystem ecology is made up of individuals of different species and the surrounding environment. The goal of ecology is the study of the structure and functioning of nature.
Techniques have been applied to solve environmental problems relating to the structures of communities and ecosystems through the use of simulated models, which can be descriptive or preacher. A branch of ecology is called the "ecology of the system."
Environmentalism emerged in the 60s the movement for environmental protection. At the international level is highlighted Greenpeace was born in 1972, after a meeting held in Vancouver (Canada) in 1971. They realize that the divide is between man and nature because of industrial civilization.
Industries hopelessly destroyed a portion of non-renewable resources, accumulated pollution and endanger the survival of species. In contrast ecologists seeking balanced forms of development with nature, which only use non-polluting renewable energy.
Insights into development and policy for healthy growth
In developing countries, the supply of sufficient food, it is sometimes disappointing. Traditional agriculture can not bear the burden of a growing population on a limited land. Fertility is achieved by letting the land rest, that they regenerate their own nutrients, but population growth makes it very difficult. Therefore the fertility decline, the soil begins to wear, to erode, its consistency becomes similar to the baked clay. At worst, it becomes desert.
It is suggested, therefore, made on the governmental level, an inventory of resources (soil, vegetation, fauna, rivers), a rational combination of technology, decentralization of industry and urban areas to other less populated.
All this will be easy to achieve if governments exercise real control over resources.
Another serious problem facing developing countries is lack of capital. There are some industries that use modern, put an end to most of the pollutants. But undoubtedly, this implies larger capital investments.
The American Council on Environmental Quality estimates that the industry must invest four to five billion dollars annually in new technology for "no pollution" and a smaller amount, but it would lead to an increase of between 5 and 10% of costs, to eliminate existing pollution and maintain the cleanliness in the future.
Of a conference on development and environment
The Earth Summit, or ECO'92 Rio summit meeting began from June 3, 1992, in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), organized by the UN. This meeting was held in remembrance of 20 years ago in Stockholm. She participated in nearly 15,000 environmentalists, 100 heads of state, delegations from 170 countries and 50 international teams and representatives of manufacturers of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and others. It is clear that the environment is not dependent on a nation or group of nations in particular, it is a duty for all developed and developing countries.
The man has realized that the planet's resources are not renewable in the short term and that each act takes place on Earth, however slight it is or appears to impact on all of it.
In principle there are two different positions, that of developing countries and developed countries. In the first, environmental concerns must consider two aspects: the basic conditions for a dignified life and a healthy quality of life. While in developed countries, where they managed to meet the basic conditions for living, can now argue about the quality of life.
The "greenhouse effect" is the fundamental problem worldwide, causing an increase in average temperature. This would lead to melting of the poles. Some developed countries are on track to solve its environmental problems, but at the cost of installing their industries and toxic waste in poorer countries.
Since the meeting took place twenty years ago have worsened problems such as acid rain. There have been serious accidents at nuclear power plants (Chernobyl), in industry (Seveso, Bhopal, Guadalajara), and have burned a large number of oil wells during the Gulf War.
In principle, it is expected to sign two treaties that would fund: one refers to emission of gases into the atmosphere, although this does not include dates or amounts due to exigencies of the United States and Argentina supports. The other would deal with the protection of genetic resources, it would benefit the developed countries, allowing them to use wildlife in developing countries.
It is also expected to implement the protocol signed in Montreal in 1987, which provided for the reduction in the use of chlorofluorocarbons in half by the end of the century, to protect the ozone layer and control the pollution of the oceans. These interest to developed countries while the developing countries care about the problem of poverty, cleanliness of water and the development of clean industries.
These problems will be taken into account in what was dubbed the "Earth Charter", but for which there would be, in principle, support.
Water Pollution
Natural sources of water available are: rainwater, rivers, lakes, seas and groundwater. It is found in many rocks and stones and also in the harsh atmosphere as clouds or fog.
Since man has always dump their waste into the waters. Under normal conditions the car can be purified rivers: water wash waste into the oceans, the bacteria use the oxygen dissolved in water and degrade organic compounds, which in turn are eaten by fish and aquatic plants from the back oxygen and carbon into the biosphere.
But as mankind progressed, it becomes increasingly difficult. Concentrated industries thousands of people around them (as we see in the area of Greater Buenos Aires. Many times systems are choked with debris and dumped products industries that can not be degraded by bacteria. All this makes the oxygen content decreases dramatically, and that the river no longer has the capacity to support life there, becoming a sewer of several kilometers. The danger increases if it moves slowly (this is the case of the Riachuelo).
Another danger is thermal pollution. Large power stations use water as coolant, it makes the rivers to raise its temperature, causing changes in biological processes and, therefore, destroys the life in them.
Water is a vital element for food, thus requiring greater hygiene. There are requirements that are becoming less satisfied, for their pollution, which reduces the quantity and quality of water available, as well as their sources.
Drinking water, so it can be used for food must be completely clean, to be tasteless, odorless and colorless and have a temperature about 15 ° C should not contain bacteria, viruses, parasites or other pathogens that cause diseases. To achieve the quality of drinking water are a necessary amount of purification processes
Pure water is a renewable resource, but could be so polluted by human activities, that is no longer useful, but rather harmful.
What pollutes the water?
* .- Pathogens Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasites entering the water from organic waste.
* Waste requiring oxygen .- Organic wastes can be decomposed by bacteria that use oxygen to biodegrade. If there are large populations of these bacteria can deplete oxygen in the water and killing aquatic life forms.
* Inorganic Chemicals .- acids, compounds of toxic metals (mercury, lead) poisoning the water.
* The plant nutrients can cause excessive growth of aquatic plants which then die and decompose, depleting oxygen in the water and thus cause the death of marine species (dead zone).
* .- Oil Organic Chemicals, plastics, pesticides, detergents life-threatening.
* Sediment and suspended matter .- insoluble soil particles that cloud the water and are the largest source of pollution.
* Radioactive substances that can cause birth defects and cancer.
* Heat .- Income hot decreasing the oxygen content and makes a very vulnerable aquatic organisms.
Point sources and nonpoint
* Point sources discharge pollutants at specific locations through pipes and culverts. Eg factories, plants, sewage treatment, mining, oil wells, etc..
* The non-point sources are large areas of land that discharge pollutants into the water on an extensive region. Example: Dumping of chemicals, agricultural lands, lots for grazing livestock, buildings, septic tanks.
Pollution of rivers and lakes
The river flows due to flow quickly recover from excessive heat and debris degradable. This works until there is overloading of contaminants, or their flow is not reduced by drought, dams, etc.
Organic pollution .- In lakes, overflow, estuaries and seas, the dilution is often less effective than in the streams because they have little influence, which makes lakes more vulnerable to pollution by plant nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) ( eutrophication).
Control of eutrophication by crop
Prevention methods:
* Use an advanced treatment of waste to remove phosphates from industrial plants and processing before they reach a lake.
* Prohibit or set limits for low-phosphate detergents.
* A farmer may be asked to plant trees between their fields and surface waters.
Cleaning method:
* Drag the sediment to remove excess nutrients.
* Remove or eliminate excess weeds.
* Check the growth of noxious plants with herbicides and pesticides.
* Pump air to oxygenate and lakes overflow.
As with other forms of pollution prevention methods are most effective and cheaper in the long term.
Thermal pollution of rivers and Lakes
The most common method for cooling thermoelectric plants, steam is throwing cold water from a nearby body of surface water, pass through the condensers of the heated floor and return to the same body of water. High temperatures reduce the oxygen dissolved in water. Fish adapted to a particular temperature can be killed by heat shock (drastic change in water temperature).
The contribution of thermal pollution is enrichment heat, ie, use hot water to produce stations longest commercial fishing, and reduction of ice cover in cold areas, heating buildings, etc..
Reduction of Thermal Water Pollution
* Use less electricity and waste.
* Limiting the number of power plants which discharge hot water at the same body of water.
* Provide hot water at a point distant from the beach area ecologically vulnerable.
* Use cooling towers for heat transfer from water to the atmosphere.
* Download the hot water in ponds to cool and be reused.
Oil pollution
Accidents involving tanker leaks at sea (oil leaking from a hole drilled into the seabed), and petroleum waste dumped on land that ends in rivers that flow into the sea.
Effects of oil pollution
Depends on several factors, types of oil (crude or refined), the quantity released, release site distance from the beach season, water temperature, climate and ocean currents. The oil reaching the sea or evaporates slowly degraded by bacteria. Volatile organic hydrocarbons from oil immediately kill several animals, especially in their larval forms.
Other chemicals remain on the surface and form bubbles floating feathers that cover the birds dive, which destroys the natural insulation and causes it to collapse and die. The components of the oil that is heavy on the bottom of the sea can kill animals that inhabit the depths like crabs, oysters, etc.., Or make them unfit for human consumption.
Control of marine pollution by oil
Prevention methods:
* Use less oil and waste.
* Collect used oil in cars and reprocessed for reuse.
* Prohibit drilling and transporting oil in environmentally sensitive areas and near them.
* To increase greatly the financial responsibility of oil companies to clean up oil spills.
* Require oil companies to test routinely to their employees.
* Regulate the safety procedures and operation of refineries and plants.
Cleaning method:
* Dealing with the oil spill dispersant chemicals sprayed from aircraft.
* Use helicopter laser to burn the volatile components of oil.
* Use mechanical barriers to prevent oil reaching the beach.
* Pumping oil mixture - water to small boats called "skimmers", where special equipment separates oil from water and pumped to the first storage tanks.
* Increase the government investigation into oil companies on methods to contain and clean up oil spills.
Groundwater pollution and its control
The ground water or groundwater is a vital source of water for drinking and agricultural irrigation. However, it is easy to exhaust because it is renewed very slowly. When the water reaches groundwater contamination can not purify itself as the surface water tends to do so, because the groundwater flow is slow. There are few bacteria degrading, because there is not much oxygen.
Because the groundwater is not visible there is little awareness of it.
Sources of groundwater contamination
* Escapes or chemicals from leaking underground storage tanks.
* Infiltration of organic chemicals and toxic compounds from landfills, abandoned dumps and hazardous waste from lagoons for storage of industrial wastes located above or near aquifers.
* Accidental infiltration into the aquifers from injection wells used for much of the hazardous waste deep underground.
Prevention methods:
* Prohibit the disposal of hazardous waste in landfills by injection into deep wells.
* Monitor the aquifers.
* Have tighter controls on the application of pesticides and fertilizers.
* Require people using private wells for drinking water to this liquid to be examined once a year.
Pollution Control Surface Water
Nonpoint source pollution.
The primary nonpoint sources of water pollution in agriculture. Farmers can reduce the dumping of fertilizer in surface water and infiltration into the aquifers, not using excessive amounts of fertilizer. In addition to reducing pesticide use.
Point sources pollution: Treatment of wastewater
PSD and in many parts of the PD, sewage and industrial wastes are not treated. Instead, they are discharged into the nearest waterway or waste lagoons where the air, sunlight and microorganisms degrade wastes. Water remains one of those gaps for 30 days. Then it is treated with chlorine and pumps for use in town or on farms. In PD, most point sources of debris are cleaned to varying degrees. In rural and suburban sewage from each house are usually discharged into a septic tank.
In urban areas of the PD, the majority of waste transported by water from homes, businesses, factories and runoff from rainfall, flow through a network of sewer pipes and treatment plants are water waste. Some cities have separate systems for stormwater drainage, but in others the conduits for these two systems are combined, as this is cheaper. When heavy rains cause combined sewer systems spilled, this discharge untreated sewage directly into surface waters.
When arriving at a wastewater treatment plant can have up to three levels of purification. The primary treatment of wastewater is a process to separate waste as sticks, stones and rags.
The secondary treatment of sewage is a biological process using aerobic bacteria.
The advanced wastewater treatment is a series of specialized physical and chemical processes, which reduces the amount of pollutants that remain after primary treatment and secondary.
Before the water is discharged from a treatment plant, wastewater is disinfected. The usual method of chlorination. Other disinfectants include ozone, hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet light. The common treatment of sewage has helped to reduce pollution of surface water, but environmentalists say it is an imperfect and limited output, which is eventually overtaken by more people produce more waste.
Land disposal of effluent and sewage Sediments
The treatment of sewage sludge produces a viscous, toxic, or have to be recycled as fertilizer for the field. Before the sludge application should be heated to kill harmful bacteria.
Protection of coastal waters
Prevention methods:
* Eliminate the discharge of toxic pollutants to coastal waters.
* Use separate systems for the disposal and management of rainwater and sewage.
* Use less water and waste water.
* Prohibit the throw to the sea sediment of the sewage and hazardous materials from dredging.
* Protecting coastal areas that are already clean.
* Reduce dependence on oil.
* Use the methods to avoid contamination by oil.
* Prohibit throwing plastic garbage from ships and shipping.
Cleaning method:
* Improve capabilities greatly to clean oil spills.
Improve all plants of coastal wastewater treatment.
POLLUTION
Marine pollution is defined as:
"Introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine sector to produce adverse effects such as harm to living resources, hazard to human health, hindrance to marine activities, damage to the quality of seawater for use, and reduction in tourism. "
The key to this definition is in the "Introduction by man." Part of this contribution is discussed in the waters of the oceans, while others come to him indirectly, through rivers.
To gather water from the rivers to the seas they suffer the consequences of pollution of rivers, causing the poisoning of fish, leading to a decline in fisheries production in coastal areas, by high mortality in them.
The sea is polluted, moreover, when the vessels that carry crude oil and these accidents are highly polluting materials falling into the ocean.
Hydrocarbons, since they are immiscible with water, float in the shape of a layer of variable thickness, which moves to the rhythm of ocean currents. A part of this material is dissolved and the rest ends up contaminating beaches.
The man has been dedicated since ancient times to maritime activities and fishing, but we must not forget that the operation should not be excessive, to avoid the extinction of living things living there.
The man used the sea for commerce, fisheries, recreational purposes, to extract some chemicals and to deposit increasing amounts of different types of waste. An example of this are the oil tankers are cleaned at sea to avoid delays at the ports, thus polluting the sea surface and then the effect of currents, coastlines. This resulted in the death of penguins and whales off the coast of Argentina.
Ocean Pollution
The ocean is now the "dustbin of the world," which will bring adverse effects in the future.
Most of the coastal areas of the world are polluted mainly due to discharges of sewage, chemicals, trash, radioactive waste, oil and sediment. The seas are most polluted in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines.
Dolphins, sea lions and sea turtles die when they ingest or get trapped by cups, bags, ropes and other plastic garbage thrown into the sea.
Conclusion
The human population grows according to a geometric progression, so there is increasing demand for food and basic necessities for human life. This implies an increase in energy and raw materials, end products and waste, of which there are often many toxic substances. This development has caused major disruptions in the Earth: in the entire regions of the tropics have become deserts, animal species have disappeared forever and vegetables, and others are endangered.
The man uses natural raw materials as if they were inexhaustible, and the final products and waste materials are dumped to land, water and recently-in the open ocean, as if they could assimilate without any change .
Another problem are the large cities, developing countries and those already developed, those who approach the issues from different points of view according to their convenience, and network changes that will level and cultural landscapes.
All these changes also affect the psyche of the man who needed green space to relax.
The good quality of life requires that the balance of nature is not changed. Man must learn that the environment
is not something that can handle at will, but it must be integrated for a better life.
An important step to improve the habitat would make the man change his attitude towards internal environment respecting their values and rights.
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