ENVIRONMETAL

CHEMISTRY
Environment is the surrounding in
which we live.
 What is environmental
chemistry?

Environmental chemistry is a science that deals with

the chemical constitution and composition of the
environment, the inter and intra interactions between
different species in the environment and the cause
and effect of changes in the environment on the life
cycle of the species.
Humans have been greedy,
overusing and harming nature to
maintain their comfort. This has
disrupted the balance of the
environment. The rapid growth of
population and industries are the
main causes of pollution. Human
activities now cause far more
pollution than natural events like
volcanic eruptions or forest fires.
Industrialized countries
contribute the most to this
problem.
Automobiles, which burn fossil
fuels, are major sources of
pollution, acting like moving
pollution stations. Studying
environmental pollution involves
many fields, including
chemistry, physics, biology,
medicine, engineering, and
agriculture.
Vertical section of air may be divided
into three layers:

01 Troposphere which extends up to 18 km

02 Stratosphere extending from 18 to 150 km

03 Ionosphere—above 150 km
Air pollutants concern mainly
with troposphere. The
densest part of air is
troposphere and it contains
approximately 78.09 percent
N2, 20.94 percent oxygen,
0.93 percent noble gases,
CO2, CH4, NO, CO, ozone,
water vapour and dust as
minor components
 CAUSES OF POLLUTION

1. Rapid growth in population

2. Rapid industrialization involving pollution of earth,
water and air
3. Rapid urbanization
4. Misuse of natural resources
5. Natural phenomena like volcanic eruption
6. All transportation mechanisms that use fossil fuels
 AIR
POLLUTION
Air pollution can be defined as the extensive discharge of
undesirable foreign substances into air that adversely affect living
conditions of human beings, animals and plants and also cause
damages to property.

Air pollution is an atmospheric phenomenon that has no natural

cause. The largest sources of pollution are found in the industrialized
countries, because the polluting substances can spread themselves
easily in the atmosphere.
Air pollution is an indication of disturbances to the composition of
compounds in the atmosphere and it may be summarized as follows:

Excess emission of gases/vapours into the atmosphere

Saturation of chemical compounds/particulates
Emergence of new chemical reactions of reactive
and nonbiodegradable compounds
Global warming, acid rain, smog and ozone
depletion are some effects of air pollution
 Air pollution may be personal, occupational or community pollution.

Personal Pollution
due to individuals exposing themselves to pollution, e.g. cigarette
smoking
Occupational Pollution
due to the pollution in the work place, e.g. coal dust and cement dust in
cement factories accumulates as polluted cloud
Community Pollution
involves a variety of pollutants from the chimney exhausts from factory
gases, effluents from automobile exhausts, etc
The major sources to air pollution are due to
the following categories:
Motor vehicle exhaust Volcanic eruption
Heat and power generation facilities Fuel production
Industrial processes Roadway construction
Auto manufacturing Electrical components
Fertilizer plants manufacturing
Building demolition Solvent evaporation
Solid waste disposal
Forest fire
Air pollution is the accumulation in the atmosphere of substances that,
in sufficient concentrations, endanger human health or produce other
measured effects on living matter and other materials.

The six major common types of pollutants are carbon monoxide,

hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulates, sulphur dioxide, and
photochemical oxidants.

Among the major sources of pollution are power and heat generation,
the burning of solid wastes, industrial processes, and, especially,
transportation, etc.
Air pollution caused by air pollutants has bad consequences on the
health and the environment. Some polluting substances having similar
functioning (NO2 and SO2) contributes to acidification.

The small number of polluted substances are carbon dioxide (CO2),

nitrous-oxide (N2O), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2),
methane (CH4), volatile organic compounds (VOC), hydrogen disulphide
(H2S) and ammonia (NH3).
Ozone - is produced when other
pollutant chemicals combine. It is
the basic element of smog. It
causes many different kinds of
health issues dealing with the
lungs. It can damage plants and
limit sight. It can also cause a lot
of property damage.
VOCs (volatile organic
compounds, smog
formers) - VOCs are let
into the air when fuel is
burned. This chemical can
cause cancer. It can also
harm plants.
Nitrogen Dioxide - This chemical forms
smog. It is also formed by burning
sources of energy, such as gas, coal
and oil, and by cars. This chemical
causes problems in the respiratory
system (including the lungs). It causes
acid rain, and it can damage trees.
This chemical can eat away buildings
and statues.
Carbon Monoxide - The
source of this chemical is
burning sources of
energy. It causes blood
vessel problems and
respiratory failures.
PM-10 (particulate matter) - The source of this
chemical is ploughing and burning down of
fields. It can cause death and lung damage. It
can make it hard for people to breathe. The
smoke, soot, ash and dust formed by this
chemical can make many cities dirty.
Sulphur Dioxide - This
chemical is produced by
making paper and metals.
This chemical can cause
permanent lung damage. It
can cause acid rain which
kills trees and damages
building and statues.
Lead - This chemical is in
paint, leaded gasoline,
smelters and in lead
storage batteries. It can
cause many brain and
nerve damages and
digestive problems.
NATURE OF
POLLUTION
SOURCES
A. Stationary and Area Sources
- utilities, chemical, and manufacturing industries
B. Mobile Sources
- on-road and off-road transportation
C. Agricultural Sources
D. Natural Sources
Pollutions are due to atmospheric deposition
of nitrogen (NO2) and other chemical
contaminants.

The effects of nitrogen can be seen in the

following:
A. Acid Rain
Nitrogen oxide (NO2) is one of the key air pollutants which causes acid
deposition, and results in adverse effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

B. Smog
It is a collection of pollutants. It is formed by NO2, particulate matter and
humidity, all mixed together.

C. Eutrophication
Reduced levels of dissolved oxygen in water due to increased mineral and organic
nutrient deposits produce algae and other water plants that choke other forms of
life in the oxygen competition. Soil erosion, phosphorous and direct runoff from
feedlot operations and intensive agriculture are the main cause.
D. Bioaccumulation
Chemical contaminants increase with concentration as it moves through the food
chain.
Example: an invertebrate eats contaminated algae, a small fish eats many
contaminated invertebrates, a large fish eats many small fish, and humans eat the
big fish which is now loaded with the chemical

E. Accumulation
Nitrogen compounds percolate through soil and reach drinking water sources,
and these nitrate contaminants pollute the water.
Air pollutants are classified into two types according to their origin.

Primary pollutants - which are directly injected into air, e.g.

SO2, CO, oxides of nitrogen, dust particles, etc.

Secondary pollutants - which are not directly introduced into

air but are found in the atmosphere by chemical or
photochemical reactions among the constituent of air, e.g.
ozone, PAN, etc.
Another method of classification of air pollutants is based on their
physical state.

Gases - e.g. CO, NO, hydrocarbon vapours, SO2, etc.

Aerosol particulates - which involve solids such as smoke and

dust and liquids like fog, sprays, etc.
A third type of classification is based on the chemical composition
of the pollutant.

Inorganic pollutants: Oxides of N2, CO, SO2, H2S, etc.

Organic pollutants: Hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, etc.

 Sulfur Dioxide
Carbon
Ozone
Monoxide
PRIMARY
POLLUTANTS
Particulate Oxides of
Matter Nitrogen
Volatile Organic
Vapours
Control of Particulate Matter

Various methods for the control of particulate matter in air

are available depending on the size of particles, their
physical nature and the economy involved.
Fabric Filter
Dust particles from dry gases can be removed using
fabric filters. It consists of fibrous materials with fine
pores suspended in a chamber. The gas is allowed to
pass through the filters when particulate matter is filtered
at the bags. When the mechanical shaker is operated the
collected dust particles fall down. Blowing air in the
opposite direction can also be done to remove dust
particles from the bags.
Fabric Filter
Gravity Separation

Air is allowed to flow through dust-settling

tanks slowly in one direction. The suspended
heavier particles settle down and collect at
the conical portions of the tank. Purified air
flows out .
Gravity Separation
 Cyclone Separator (Centrifugal Separator)
A cyclone separator consists of a cylindrical centrifugal
chamber, inner tube, conical base and dust collector. The
impure air containing dust particles is admitted into the
chamber tangent to the surface. It is made to move in a
spherical manner down the chamber and pass up in
smaller spirals through the inner tube. Under the influence
of the centrifugal force dust particles get separated and
collect in the conical base. Purified air leaves the chamber
through the top of the inner tube.
Cyclone Separator (Centrifugal Separator)
Wet Scrubber
Impure air is allowed to ascend a tower and water is
sprayed from the top. Descending water wets the dust
particles and settles the particle at the bottom of the
chamber as sludge. Scrubber also removes water-soluble
gaseous impurities. This method is also simple and removes
both dust particles and water-soluble gases. It is highly
efficient. But disposal of sludge becomes costly, large
quantities of water is required and air pollution now
becomes water pollution.
Wet Scrubber
Electrostatic Precipitator
They are connected to the exhaust outlets of chimneys. The
exhaust gas stream of industrial plant is allowed to pass
between metal electrodes maintained at a high potential of
50,000 volts. The pointed electrodes develop high intensity
current and produce coronas in which the gas molecules get
ionized releasing electrons from the gases. The electrons so
generated collide with the suspended particles present in the
gas and the particles become negatively charged. These
negative particles are attracted by the collection electrode.
Electrostatic Precipitator
 Acid Rain

Acid rain happens because of air pollution. When

fuels are burned, they release many harmful gases
into the air, like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
These gases mix with water droplets in clouds and
form acids, which fall to the ground as acid rain.
 Acid Rain
Rainwater is slightly acidic since it dissolves varying amounts of CO2 from air.
The lowest pH of rainwater is 5.6.

Two main sources of acidity in rain are sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen.
When sulphur containing fossil fuels are burnt they produce SO2 which in
presence of rainwater and air forms H2SO4.
 Acid Rain
Acid rain makes lakes and streams
acidic, which harms plants and
animals living in the water. Fish
can die, have trouble reproducing,
and green algae struggle to grow.
Useful bacteria are also killed,
slowing the breakdown of dead
plants and animals, which makes
the water unhealthy. Acid rain also
dissolves metals like aluminum
and lead, increasing their levels in
water, further harming aquatic life.
 Acid Rain
With decrease in pH, the
nutrients like potassium,
iron, magnesium, etc., are
washed away from the soil.
This affects the growth of
plants. The nitrifying
bacteria present in the roots
of leguminous plants are
destroyed causing decrease
in fertility of the soil.
 Acid Rain
Acid rain causes extensive damage and destruction to buildings as it
leaches away the reinforcement.

Acid rain damages building materials made of marble,

limestone, slate, metals, etc. The action of acid on marble or
lime-stone makes the surfaces look pitted. This is called stone
leprosy. The reaction is:
Ozone Depletion
Ozone is a gas that occurs
both in the earth’s upper
atmosphere and at
ground level. Ozone can
be ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for your
health and the
environment, depending
on its location in the
atmosphere. Ozone
occurs in two layers of
the atmosphere.
Ozone Depletion
The troposphere is the
layer closest to Earth's
surface. In this layer,
ground-level or "bad"
ozone is a harmful air
pollutant. It is dangerous
to breathe and damages
plants, trees, and crops.
It is also a key part of
urban smog.
Ozone Depletion
The stratosphere or
‘good’ ozone layer
extends upwards from
about 6 to 30 miles and
protects life on Earth
from the sun’s harmful
ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Ozone Depletion
In the stratosphere, ozone is formed from oxygen by photochemical
means. Oxygen molecule absorbs UV Rdlight and dissociates to form
oxygen atoms which combine with O2 molecules to form ozone.

Ozone in turn absorbs short wave UV and decomposes to O2 and O.

Ozone Depletion
Ozone is produced naturally in the stratosphere. But this ‘good’ ozone is
gradually being destroyed by man-made chemicals referred to as ozone-
depleting substances (ODS),

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) Hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC)

Ozone Depletion
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are chemicals used in products like refrigerators, fire
extinguishers, and cleaning solvents. They are stable and harmless in the lower
atmosphere. However, they don't dissolve in rain and slowly rise to the stratosphere
over several years.

Once in the stratosphere, strong UV light breaks them apart, releasing chlorine atoms.
These chlorine atoms destroy thousands of ozone molecules, which protect the Earth
from harmful UV rays. Chlorine acts as a catalyst, meaning it keeps destroying ozone
without being used up quickly. Bromine, from chemicals like methyl bromide used in
farming, is even more harmful to ozone than chlorine.
Ozone Depletion
The regenerated chlorine atom causes further dissociation of ozone. Thus,
ozone depletion (ozone hole) isproduced in the stratosphere.
Causes of Ozone Depletion
Manmade chemicals called ozone-depleting
substances (ODS), such as:

1. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in

refrigerators and foam production.
2. Halons used in fire extinguishers.
3. Methyl bromide used in farming.
Chemicals like CFCs
escape into the air
and reach the
stratosphere,
damaging the
protective ozone
layer.
A thinner ozone layer
allows more harmful
ultraviolet B (UVB)
rays from the sun to
reach Earth.
 Effects of Ozone Layer Damage
Health impacts - increased risk of cataracts and skin
cancer.

Environmental impacts - harm to crops and ocean

plant life.
 Clean Air Act
Promotes "ozone-friendly"
substitutes for harmful chemicals.

Refrigerators and other products

no longer use CFCs.
Global Warming
Global warming refers to the
increase in Earth's average
temperature due to the
greenhouse effect. This effect
occurs when greenhouse gases
like carbon dioxide, water vapor,
methane, and nitrous oxide trap
heat from the sun in the
atmosphere, causing the planet
to heat up.
 Global Warming
Greenhouse Effect
The Earth absorbs sunlight and
reflects some of it back as heat
(infrared radiation).
Greenhouse gases absorb this heat
and send it back to Earth, warming
the surface.
This natural process keeps Earth’s
average temperature at +15°C;
without it, Earth would be a frozen
-15°C.
Causes of Global Warming
Increased CO2 from
activities like burning
fossil fuels (in power
plants, cars, etc.).
Deforestation reduces
trees, which absorb
CO2, worsening the
problem.
 Impacts of Global Warming

Rising temperatures
harm people, animals,
and plants, leading to
deaths and extinctions.
Earth’s balance of
absorbed and reflected
heat is disturbed,
making the planet
hotter.
 Global Warming

CO2 levels keep increasing, and Earth's

temperature is rising by about 0.4%
each year.
Human activities, like cutting down
forests and burning fuels, are making
the problem worse.
 Greenhouse Gases
1. Carbon Dioxide
- burning fossil fuels like oil, coal, and methane, as well as
vegetation, releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Fossil fuels store carbon from ancient times, and burning
them releases it back into the air, strengthening the
greenhouse effect. Oceans absorb a lot of carbon dioxide, but
as temperatures rise due to global warming, their ability to
hold the gas decreases, releasing more carbon dioxide into
the atmosphere and further speeding up the greenhouse
effect.
 Greenhouse Gases
2. Methane
- Methane is a greenhouse gas
released during coal mining,
oil exploration, and land
clearing by burning
vegetation. However, most
methane comes from
agriculture, especially
wetlands like rice fields and
animals like cows.
 Greenhouse Gases
2. Methane

As the global population grows, farming increases,

leading to more methane emissions.

Methane levels in the atmosphere have been rising by

1% per year since the 1960s, which is twice as fast as the
increase in carbon dioxide.
 Greenhouse Gases
3. Nitrous Oxide
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) is released by
both natural and human activities.
About 45% of it comes from human
sources like burning fossil fuels in
power plants, using nitrogen fertilizers,
burning rainforests, and waste from
people and animals. Currently, N2O
causes about 6% of the greenhouse
effect.
 Greenhouse Gases
4. Chlorofluorocarbons
- CFCs, found in fridges, air conditioners, and aerosols, are
powerful greenhouse gases. Even though there are fewer
CFCs in the atmosphere than CO2, they trap much more
heat—about 10,000 times more than CO2. Methane is about
30 times more effective than CO2. While methane stays in
the atmosphere for 10 years, CFCs last for 110 years, which
is why people want to ban them completely.
 Control Measures
Legislation is the most effective way to control air pollution,
alongside individual efforts.
Common control measures include smokeless zones and
regulation of fuel use in vehicles, airplanes, and power stations.
The best solution is to prevent air pollutants from being
produced by using cleaner fuels or changing production
processes.
Air pollutants should be removed before they enter the
environment.
 Control Measures
Reduce fossil fuel use, eliminate CFCs, and slow
deforestation.
1. Energy conservation and better use of public transport.
2. Use cleaner, more efficient cars.
3. Increase energy efficiency by using gas (which produces
less CO2 than coal and oil).
4. Use pollution-free renewable energy sources like solar,
wind, and wave energy.
5. Stop deforestation and promote replanting trees
(afforestation) to absorb CO2.
Thank
you!
Do you have any questions?
Members:
Juego, Michael John A.
Bumaat, Albert B.
Patillas, Ma. Donna Claire