Chapter 1
Biosphere
1. The Biosphere is the Earth's regions where life exists, including soil, air, water, and land.
2. The term was coined by Geologist Edward Suess to describe places where life is found.
3. It encompasses all living matter, extending from the polar ice caps to the equator, with
each region supporting life according to its conditions.
Components of environments
Four components of environment: lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere represent
rocks, water, air, life.
Lithosphere:
1. The lithosphere, derived from the Greek word "lithos" meaning rock, is Earth's solid
outer layer.
2. It consists of the crust and the upper part of the mantle.
3. Stretching from the surface to a depth of 44-62 mi (70-100 km), the lithosphere is mainly
composed of tectonic plates.
Hydrosphere
1. The hydrosphere encompasses all water bodies on Earth, including oceans, seas, rivers,
lakes, ponds, streams, and groundwater resources.
2. It covers 71% of the Earth's surface.
3. 97% of this water is in the form of saltwater in the oceans, while only 3% is freshwater.
4. 30.8% is groundwater,
5. 68.9% is frozen in glaciers,
6. And 0.3% is easily accessible in rivers, reservoirs, and lakes.
Atmosphere
1. The Earth's atmosphere is a gaseous layer surrounding the planet, sustaining life with its
abundance of oxygen.
2. Composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen, it also contains small amounts of argon,
carbon dioxide, and trace gases.
3. Water vapor levels vary from 0 to 3%.
4. The atmosphere is divided into specific layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere,
thermosphere, and exosphere.
5. The troposphere, starting at ground level and extending up to 11 km, is the lowest layer.
6. Above is the stratosphere, housing the ozone layer that absorbs UV light.
7. Next, the mesosphere reaches a height of 85 km and is where most meteors burn up.
8. Beyond is the thermosphere, absorbing solar radiation and raising temperatures to
hundreds or thousands of degrees.
9. Finally, at the top of the thermosphere, temperatures can range from 500°C to 2,000°C or
higher.
Biosphere
1. The Biosphere is the Earth's regions where life exists, including soil, air, water, and land.
2. The term was coined by Geologist Edward Suess to describe places where life is found.
3. It encompasses all living matter, extending from the polar ice caps to the equator, with
each region supporting life according to its conditions.
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Structure of Biosphere
Biosphere includes all living organisms and their surroundings on Earth, divided into abiotic and
biotic components, along with energy.
Abiotic Components: Non-living elements crucial for all organisms' survival are found in
lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere, providing minerals, gases, and water.
Biotic Components:
1.Plants, animals, and humans form the biotic components of the environment.
2.This system comprises three sub-systems.
3.Plants are primary producers, producing food through photosynthesis and are called
autotrophs.
4. Animals, known as heterotrophs, consume plant produce and convert it into energy for
growth.
5. Micro-organisms decompose dead plants and animals.
Energy: Biosphere vital for life reproduction and generation.
Composition of Biosphere
1. Ecological System refers to the interactions between organisms and their environment,
leading to energy flows and material cycles in land, water, and air.
2. Ecology is the study of these interactions, derived from the Greek words 'oikos' meaning
house, and 'logy' meaning science. It was first used by Ernst Haeckel in 1869.
3. Habitat encompasses all the physical and chemical factors that make up the general
environment.
4. An ecosystem comprises interconnected biotic and abiotic components, with energy
flowing between them.
5. Ecological adaptation refers to how plant and animal species evolve to suit different
environmental conditions.
The Hydrological Cycle
1. The hydrological cycle is a natural process that involves the exchange of water between
various components, such as the atmosphere, land, sea, plants, and animals.
2. Approximately one-third of the solar energy absorbed by the Earth drives this cycle,
leading to evaporation from the oceans, cloud formation, and precipitation, which
ultimately provide us with our fresh water supply.
3. Precipitation in the form of rain, hail, or snow occurs on both land and water surfaces.
4. On land, water seeps into the soil and forms ground water, which is sustained by
underlying clay and rock layers.
5. Ground water is not stationary and moves in different directions, also moving above the
water table by capillary action, ensuring a continuous supply of water to the surface soil.
6. Aquifers, underground lakes or reservoirs, are another important source of underground
water that can be extracted through wells or pumps.
7. In the event of sufficient rainfall, some water does not seep into the soil and instead
becomes surface water, flowing into streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
8. Evaporation from land and water surfaces is an ongoing process driven by solar energy.
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9. The evaporation from the oceans is greater than the precipitation into the seas by about
10%, and this excess water vapor moves over the land, thereby maintaining a balance in
the hydrological cycle.
10. Plants absorb ground water through their roots and release excess water through
transpiration, aiding in the circulation of water and mineral salts within the plant.
11. Overall, the hydrological cycle consists of evaporation, transpiration, precipitation,
surface run-off, and ground water movements.
12. This cycle is crucial in providing the global water supply.
The Oxygen Cycle
1. Oxygen is crucial for all living organisms, as it is required for aerobic respiration and the
metabolism of organic food for growth.
2. It is absorbed during respiration and released during photosynthesis, establishing a stable
oxygen cycle.
3. The atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere all exchange oxygen, playing a
vital role in atmospheric chemistry, geochemical transformations, and life processes.
4. Additionally, oxygen contributes to combustion reactions, such as the burning of fossil
fuels (C2CH).
5. Overall, oxygen is a major component of life on Earth and essential for sustaining life in
the biosphere.
C+O → CO,
CH4 (in natural gas) + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O
6. Oxygen is consumed by some oxidative weathering processes of minerals:
4 FeO + O2→2 Fe2O3
7. Green plants return O, to the atmosphere through the process of photo- synthesis:
CO2 + H2O + hv→ [CH2O] + O2
8. The process creates and maintains the oxygen in our atmosphere.
9. Despite the significant consumption of oxygen by fossil fuel combustion and volcanic
emissions, the oxygen cycle keeps the overall oxygen stock stable.
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The Nitrogen Cycle
1. Nitrogen is crucial for life processes in the biosphere, and it circulates through ecosystems
in a continuous cycle.
2. Plants and animals produce proteins that contain nitrogen, while plants absorb nitrates from
the soil.
3. When plants and animals die or excrete waste, the organic residues with protein content
contribute to the soil.
4. Soil microorganisms use these nitrogenous residues for their metabolism, leading to the
production of ammonia, nitrites, and ultimately nitrates.
5. Plants then absorb these nitrates, restarting the nitrogen cycle.
6. Some microorganisms convert nitrate to nitrogen gas through denitrification, while others
convert nitrogen into soluble compounds.
7. Approximately 4-7 tons of nitrogen are added to the soil per hectare annually, but some is
lost through leaching into water bodies.
8. This natural cycle is disrupted by modern agriculture, which introduces around 40 million
tons of nitrogenous fertilizers to cultivated lands each year.
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The Phosphate Cycle
1. Phosphates play a crucial role in the growth and maintenance of animal bones and teeth, as
well as in cell division and DNA/RNA production.
2. Plants and animals obtain phosphates through ATP-dependent metabolic pathways.
3. Phosphates are found in both soluble and insoluble forms in rocks and soil.
4. Terrestrial plants absorb inorganic phosphate salts from the soil and convert them into
organic phosphate, while animals acquire phosphates by consuming plants.
5. After death and decay, plants and animals return phosphates to the soil, which are further
transformed into humus by soil micro-organisms.
6. However, pollution, particularly from agricultural run-off and domestic sewage, disrupts
the natural phosphate cycle.
7. This pollution leads to algal blooms and eutrophication, causing a decrease in dissolved
oxygen and disrupting the food chains in rivers and lakes.
Chapter 2
Photochemical Smog
1. Hydrocarbon pollution does not directly cause harm, but rather the byproducts of
photochemical reactions involving hydrocarbons are responsible for negative effects.
2. When hydrocarbons react with other substances in the presence of sunlight, photochemical
oxidants form in atmospheres filled with automobile exhaust and exposed to stagnant air
masses.
3. This leads to the creation of photochemical smog, observed in places like Los Angeles and
Denver.
4. Initially, "smog" referred to a combination of smoke and fog in London, which was
chemically reducing.
5. However, photochemical smog is an oxidizing smog with high concentrations of oxidants.
6. It is characterized by brown, hazy fumes that irritate the eyes, lungs, and harm plant life.
7. Photochemical smog exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day.
8. During morning traffic rush hours, hydrocarbon levels peak before gradually decreasing
throughout the rest of the day due to their consumption in smog-formation reactions.
9. Meanwhile, nitric oxide concentration also peaks initially but subsequently declines as NO
concentration rises.
10. This is followed by an increase in oxidant concentration, including aldehyde and PAN,
which are responsible for the irritating ingredients in smog.
Mechanism of Smog forming reaction (এইটা একটু শিট দেইখা পড়তে হতে। স্যাতেে শিতটে শিখা
শকছু েুশি নাই, োই এইটায় শিখা শকছুটা উিটাপািটা আতছ)
Reactive hydrocarbons from auto exhaust react with O3 and RCH2 to form free radicals.
1. The radicals then react with O2 to generate more free radicals RCH2O2
2. This process continues as a chain reaction, resulting in the production of NO, aldehydes,
and the regeneration of free radicals.
3. This accumulation of smog products occurs rapidly.
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4. Additionally, the aldehydes can react with HO radicals to form acyl radicals, peroxyacyl
radicals, and eventually peroxyacyl nitrate (PAN), which is a highly irritating compound
found in smog.
The Greenhouse Effect
1. Carbon dioxide (CO2), while considered a non-pollutant, is a significant environmental
concern due to its potential to cause massive irreversible damage.
2. CO2 and water vapor are the only atmospheric constituents that strongly absorb infrared
radiation, blocking a large portion of the Earth's emitted radiation.
3. This leads to the greenhouse effect, causing the Earth's surface to heat up.
4. Deforestation and increased fossil fuel combustion contribute to the rising CO2 levels.
5. Although fossil fuel combustion has little impact on the oxygen stock in the atmosphere,
it significantly affects the CO2 content, which is currently at 356 ppm.
6. The ocean and biomass act as major sinks, absorbing CO2.
7. The temperature effects of CO2 and water vapor have a long-range impact on global
climate, with a projected 3°C rise in surface temperature for a doubling of concentration
by 2050.
8. Even a slight increase in surface temperature can adversely affect food production,
shifting wheat-growing zones and reducing the productivity of oceans.
9. Rising temperatures also lead to a rise in sea levels, endangering coastal countries and
cities such as the Maldives, Bangladesh, Chennai, and Goa.
10. Climate models predict arid conditions in fertile belts of North America and the
Mediterranean, and an increase in violent cyclones and floods in the eastern coast of
India.
11. While CO2 makes up only a small fraction (0.03%) of atmospheric gases, it plays a
crucial role in regulating global temperature and sustaining life.
12. However, excessive CO2 quantities can lead to a temperature increase similar to Venus,
where surface temperatures reach 450°C.
13. Therefore, controlling CO2 emissions is critical for mitigating the impacts of climate
change.
The Acid Rain
1. NO and SO pollutants in the atmosphere transform into HNO3 and H2SO4 as explained in
the previous sections.
2. Detailed photochemical reactions are then summarized.
3. Hydrocarbons and NO accelerate the reaction rate.
4. Mn(II), Fe(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) ions catalyze the reaction in water droplets.
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5. Soot particles also play a significant role in catalyzing the oxidation of SO2, HNO3, and
H2SO4.
6. Acidic precipitation, or acid rain, is a prominent problem caused by the combination of
HNO3, H2SO4, and HCl emissions.
7. Rain dissolves sulphates from marble, limestone, and mortar, leading to pitting and
weakening of building materials.
Chapter 3
Biological effect of As
1. Arsenic is commonly found in insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides, with its most toxic
compounds being As(III).
2. The toxic effects of As(III) stem from its ability to inhibit enzyme action by attacking SH
groups.
3. This inhibitory action specifically affects the enzymes involved in the citric acid cycle,
disrupting the generation of cellular energy.
4. Arsenic interferes with biochemical processes involving phosphorus, particularly in the
generation of ATP.
5. It disrupts the enzymatic synthesis of 1,3-diphosphoglycerate, replacing it with 1-areseno-
3-phosphoglycerate through arsenolysis.
6. Arsenic (III) also coagulates proteins by attacking the sulphur bonds that maintain their
structure.
7. Chemicals with-SH groups, like 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL), can act as antidotes for
arsenic poisoning.
Biological effect of Pb
Lead is a common metal found in nature and is more abundant in the atmosphere compared to
other heavy metals.
1. The main source of airborne lead is the combustion of leaded petrol.
2. Lead is added to petrol in the form of tetraalkyl lead and is removed from the atmosphere
through wet and dry deposition processes.
3. This leads to an accumulation of lead in street dust and roadside soils.
4. The majority of lead intake for city dwellers comes from diet, air, and water.
5. The main effect of lead is its interference with heme synthesis, which results in damage to
the blood.
6. Lead inhibits key enzymes involved in heme synthesis, disrupting the production of
hemoglobin and other respiratory pigments.
7. Lead also prevents the utilization of oxygen and glucose for energy production.
8. High levels of lead in the blood can lead to anemia, kidney dysfunction, and brain damage.
9. Lead can accumulate in bones and may be released along with phosphates, causing toxicity
in soft tissues.
10. Lead poisoning can be treated with chelating agents that bind strongly to lead and facilitate
its excretion in urine.
Biological effect of Hg
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1. Mercury is a toxic metal that gained attention following the Minamata Disease outbreak in
Japan from 1953 to 1960.
2. Over 100 people died and many others were permanently paralyzed after consuming
mercury-contaminated fish from Minamata Bay.
3. In one village near the bay, 15% of the population was either killed or crippled by the
disease.
4. Additionally, 50 babies born to mothers who ate the contaminated fish showed genetic
defects.
5. The contamination of the sea fish in Minamata Bay was caused by methyl mercury, with
levels ranging from 27 to 102 parts per million.
6. The mercury originated from the discharge of effluents by Minamata Chemical Company,
a vinyl chloride plant.
7. Hg is a trace element found in minerals, rocks, and fossil fuels.
8. It is most commonly found in the mineral Cinnabar and is present in soil at a concentration
of 0.1 parts per million.
9. Hg is widely used in various industries, with the chlor-alkali industry being the largest
consumer, followed by the production of electrical apparatus and the agricultural industry's
use of fungicides for seed dressings.
10. The application of seed dressings leads to the dispersal of Hg compounds over large areas,
affecting the food chain as Hg can be translocated in plants and animals.
11. Additionally, human activities are the main source of Hg in the environment, with sewage
effluent containing high levels of Hg compared to natural water.
12. Once absorbed in water bodies, Hg is slowly released, leading to chronic pollution.
13. The natural and human-induced addition of Hg to the oceans amounts to approximately
10,000 tonnes per annum.
Heavy metal source and effect
Toxic trace elements in natural water and wastewater can originate from various sources, including
natural geological formations, industrial activities, agricultural runoff, and urban pollution. Here
are some common toxic trace elements, their sources, and effects:
Lead (Pb):
Source: Lead can leach into water from old lead pipes, solder used in plumbing, industrial
discharge, and atmospheric deposition from leaded gasoline.
Effect: Lead exposure can cause neurological damage, developmental delays in children,
cardiovascular issues, and reproductive problems.
Arsenic (As):
Source: Arsenic occurs naturally in some geological formations and can contaminate water sources
used for drinking or irrigation. Industrial processes like mining and smelting can also release
arsenic into water.
Effect: Arsenic exposure can lead to skin lesions, cancer (skin, bladder, lung), cardiovascular
diseases, and neurological issues.
Mercury (Hg):
Source: Mercury is released into water bodies through industrial discharge, coal combustion, and
artisanal gold mining. It can also occur naturally in some environments.
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Effect: Mercury exposure can cause neurological damage, developmental issues in fetuses and
children, kidney damage, and cardiovascular problems.
Cadmium (Cd):
Source: Cadmium enters waterways through industrial discharge, mining, and improper disposal
of cadmium-containing products.
Effect: Cadmium exposure can lead to kidney damage, bone diseases (osteoporosis), lung damage,
and reproductive issues.
Chromium (Cr):
Source: Chromium contamination can arise from industrial processes like electroplating, leather
tanning, and stainless steel production.
Effect: Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is carcinogenic and can cause lung cancer, skin irritation,
and gastrointestinal issues.
Chapter 4
The large number of water pollutants may be broadly classified under the following categories.
1. Organic pollutants
2. Inorganic pollutants
3. Sediments
4. Radioactive materials
5. Thermal pollutants
Organic pollutants
1. This group of pollutants includes oxygen-demanding wastes, disease-causing agents,
plant nutrients, sewage, synthetic organic compounds, and oil.
2. Dissolved oxygen (DO) is crucial for aquatic life, and The optimum D.O. in natural
water is 4-6 ppm.
3. indicates pollution, mainly from organic matter like sewage and industrial waste.
4. Water can carry pathogenic microorganisms that cause diseases such as typhoid, cholera,
and dysentery.
5. Disinfection techniques have been used to prevent waterborne diseases.
6. Sewage and agricultural runoff contribute to eutrophication, resulting in excessive
plant growth and loss of dissolved oxygen, which leads to water becoming stagnant.
7. Synthetic organic chemicals, including fuels, plastics, paints, and insecticides, are
produced in large quantities and can contaminate water, causing fish and aquatic plants
to have objectionable tastes, odors, and colors.
8. Oil pollution in the seas has increased due to the use of oil-based technology, primarily
from oil spills and losses during offshore exploration.
9. Oil pollution, caused by activities such as offshore drilling, oil production, and
pipeline leakage, has a detrimental impact on marine life and the human food chain.
10. It diminishes light transmission through surface water, hampers photosynthesis by
marine plants, decreases oxygen levels, and causes harm to water birds, coastal plants,
and animals.
11. In the past, humans realized the harm caused by pests to crops and the transmission of
diseases to both humans and animals.
12. "Pesticide" is a general term for substances such as insecticides, acaricides,
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rodenticides, molluscicides, herbicides, fungicides, and other active compounds.
13. They are broadly classified according to their general chemical nature into several
principal types:
Insecticides - Organophosphorus group, Organochlorine group, carbamate
group designed to kill insects in crops.
Herbicides - Chlorophenoxy acid group meant for killing weeds or undesirable
vegetation.
Fungicides – Dithiocarbamate group, Organometallic group toxic to moulds
(fungi) and check plant disease.
14. The use of pesticides has helped eradicate diseases like malaria and typhus, as well as
boost crop production.
15. Eliminating harmful insects is crucial for food production and public health.
16. Similarly, herbicides are extensively used in agriculture for weed control.
Detergents:
1. Detergents are cleaning agents that contain petrochemical or synthetic
surfactants, builders, and other ingredients to enhance performance.
2. Surfactants are substances that lower the surface tension of liquids and form stable
emulsions or suspensions with soil particles.
3. Builders, found in detergents, react with water to create an alkaline solution,
enhancing the surfactant's effectiveness.
4. Sodium polyphosphate is a popular builder.
5. However, both surfactants and builders contribute to water pollution.
6. In the past, detergents caused problems like stabilizing small particles in water,
interfering with waste treatment processes, and generating foam.
7. To combat this, surfactant structures were modified to be more biodegradable.
8. Today, LAS surfactants are used to alleviate these environmental issues.
Radioactive Materials
Four human activities are responsible for radioactive pollution:
1. Mining and processing of ores to produce usable radioactive substances.
2. Use of radioactive materials in nuclear weapons
3. Use of radioactive materials in nuclear power plants
4. Use of radioactive isotopes in medical, industrial and research applications.
1. Uranium ore contains high amounts of U2O, resulting in the generation of uranium
tailings which cause radioactive pollution.
2. Radioactive fallout from activities like nuclear weapons testing and underground
detonations have significant environmental and human impact.
3. Sr, a component of fallout, behaves like calcium and accumulates in soil, plants, animals,
and humans, leading to disorders in blood-cell formation and causing anemia.
4. Nuclear power plants produce various pollutants including low level radioactive liquid
wastes, liquid and gaseous wastes from fuel, fission products, and heat, which can pose
long-term problems when discharged into air and sewer systems.
5. Water can also contain radionuclides like Ra-226 and K-40 from mineral leaching, and
Sr-90, I-131, Cs-137, Ba-140, Cs-141, Kr-85, Co-60, Mn-54, Fe-55, and Pu-239 from
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reactors and uranium testing.
6. The permissible levels of radionuclides in water are measured in picocuries.
Inorganic Pollutants
1. This group includes inorganic salts, mineral acids, finely divided metals or metal
compounds, trace elements, complexes of metals with organic compounds in natural
water, and organometallic compounds.
2. Metal-organic interactions in water involve both pollutant species (such as EDTA)
and naturally occurring species
3. These interactions play a role in redox equilibria, colloid formation, acid-base
reactions, and microorganism- mediated reactions in water.
4. They affect the toxicity of metals in aquatic ecosystems and the growth of algae.
5. Phosphates from detergents, which are a major source of phosphate in water, are
concerning as algal nutrients and water pollutants.
6. However, efficient sewage treatment plants can remove phosphates from sewage
containing organic waste and detergents.
7. Acid mine drainage is a common and damaging problem in aquatic environments,
similar to acid rain.
8. Abandoned coal mines release substantial quantities of H2SO and Fe(OH) into local
streams through seepage, resulting from the oxidation of pyrite in underground coal
seams.
9. These reactions continue even after mining operations cease.
10. Microorganisms, including Metallogenium, thiobacillus thippxidans, and
ferrobacillus ferrooxidans, play a significant role in catalyzing the reactions.
11. Fe3+ further dissolves pyrite, leading to a cycle of pyrite dissolution.
Water Treatment
PRIMARY WASTE TREATMENT
1. Primary treatment of wastewater involves the removal of insoluble matter such as
grit, grease, and scum.
2. Screening is the first step, where trash and large solids are eliminated or reduced in size.
3. The collected solids are then disposed of.
4. Comminuting devices are used to shred and grind solids, allowing them to
be returned to the sewage flow.
5. Grit, consisting of materials like sand and coffee grounds, is removed to prevent
accumulation and reduce clogging in the treatment system.
6. Settlement tanks are used to allow grit to settle before being scraped
from the bottom mechanically.
7. Primary sedimentation removes settleable and floatable solids, with the
addition of chemicals aiding the settling process.
8. Grease, including fatty substances, oils, and waxes, is also removed during
sedimentation.
9. Some grease settles with the sludge, while the rest is skimmed off the surface.
SECONDARY WASTE TREATMENT
1. Biodegradable organic matter in wastewater causes a harmful effect known
as BOD, which involves the demand for dissolved oxygen by microorganisms
during the degradation process.
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2. Secondary wastewater treatment aims to remove BOD by utilizing various
biological processes that would otherwise consume oxygen in the water.
3. These processes involve the action of microorganisms that degrade the
organic material in solution or suspension until the BOD levels are
acceptable.
4. The trickling filter is a simple treatment process where wastewater is sprayed
over rocks or solid support material with microorganisms, allowing contact with
air and promoting organic matter degradation.
5. Another treatment system, rotating biological reactors, consists of plastic
discs immersed in wastewater and exposed to air as they rotate.
6. These systems, known as fixed-film biological processes, have the
advantage of low energy consumption compared to the popular activated
sludge process.
7. Trickling filters have been widely used in wastewater treatment plants.
8. The activated sludge process is a versatile and effective method for wastewater
treatment.
9. Microorganisms in the aeration tank convert organic material in wastewater
into biomass and CO2.
10. Nitrogen is converted to ammonium or nitrate, while phosphorus is converted to
orthophosphate.
11. The microbial cells formed during the degradation process are kept in the
aeration tank until they flocculate and settle as solids.
12. Some of these solids are discarded, while others are recycled as return sludge to the
aeration tank.
13. The combination of a high concentration of active cells in the return sludge and a
rich food source in the influent sewage promotes rapid degradation of organic
matter.
14. In contrast, when degradable waste is put into a stream, it may take several
days for a sufficient population of microorganisms to degrade the waste.
15. The activated sludge process continuously recycles active organisms,
allowing for rapid waste degradation within a few hours.
16. This process provides two pathways for the removal of biochemical oxygen
demand (BOD): oxidation of organic matter to provide energy for
microorganisms and incorporation of organic matter into cell mass.
17. Carbon is removed from the system either as gaseous CO2 or solid biomass.
18. The disposal of waste sludge is a challenge due to its low solids
content and undesired components.
19. Various methods such as drying, filtration, or centrifugation can be used to
remove water from the sludge, and the resulting dewatered sludge can be
incinerated or used as landfill.
20. The use of sludge as fertilizer for soil is a desired method of disposal, but caution
must be taken to avoid applying excessive levels of heavy metals to the soil.
21. Activated sludge wastewater treatment is a common aerobic suspended culture process.
22. Factors such as process modeling, kinetics, microbiology, BOD removal,
phosphorus and nitrogen removal, oxygen transfer, solids separation, and the
effects of industrial chemicals need to be considered.
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23. Nitrification, the conversion of ammonium nitrogen to nitrate, is an
important process in biological waste treatment.
TERTIARY WASTE TREATMENT
1. In Europe, the problem of reusing wastewater from municipal sewage
treatment plants or industrial processes is a growing concern.
2. There is a need to address the presence of harmful organisms and toxic substances in
this water.
3. Tertiary waste treatment, also known as advanced waste treatment, involves
various processes to remove contaminants from the effluent of secondary waste
treatment.
4. These contaminants include suspended solids, dissolved inorganic
materials, and dissolved organic compounds, including algal nutrients.
5. Advanced wastewater treatment also faces challenges in dealing with low levels
of substances like pharmaceuticals, hormones, and personal care products.
6. Disinfection is necessary to eliminate disease-causing microorganisms found in
secondary sewage effluent, including bacteria causing tuberculosis, dysentery,
cholera, mud fever, and typhoid fever, as well as viruses causing diarrhea and
infectious diseases.
7. Even in developed countries, ingestion of sewage can still lead to disease.
8. It is crucial to implement effective treatment methods to ensure the safe reuse of
wastewater.
Pyro chemical Treatment
1. Pyrochemical treatment methods themselves do not directly cause water pollution, but
certain industries using these methods may release pollutants that can contaminate water if
not properly handled.
2. There are several ways water pollution can indirectly occur due to pyrochemical treatment.
3. Industrial runoff can introduce heavy metals and organic compounds into water bodies if
the wastewater is not treated before disposal.
4. Pollutants emitted during pyrochemical processes can settle onto land and water surfaces
through atmospheric deposition, eventually washing into water bodies.
5. Improper disposal of ash residues from pyrochemical processes can lead to the leaching of
contaminants into groundwater or surface water.
6. Discharging heated cooling water into water bodies can disrupt the temperature balance,
potentially harming aquatic ecosystems.
Chapter 5
ETP
1. ETP is an effective waste water treatment method designed to purify industrial waste water
for reuse.
2. Its purpose is to release safe water to the environment and prevent harm from effluent.
3. Industrial effluents can contain oils, grease, cyanide, and degradable organic pollutants.
4. ETP plants use physical, chemical, biological, and membrane processes to treat waste water
from various sectors like chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.
Benefits of ETP
1. To clean industry effluent and recycle it for further use
2. To reduce the usage of fresh water in industries
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3. To preserve natural environment against pollution
4. To meet the standards for emission of pollutants set by the Government & avoid heavy
penalty
5. To reduce expenditure on water acquisition.
Industrial Effluent Treatment Process:
Biological Treatment
1. Secondary or Biological Treatment is the next step after primary treatment, focusing on
removing suspended solids and residual organics.
2. It utilizes biological and chemical processes.
3. Activated Sludge Process uses air and a bacterial floc to treat industrial wastewater.
4. Aerated Lagoons are treatment ponds with artificial aeration to enhance biological
oxidation of wastewater.
5. Trickling Filters, or sprinkling filters, are widely used for biological treatment of domestic
sewage and industrial wastewater.
6. Rotating Biological Contactor contacts wastewater with a biological medium to eliminate
pollutants before discharge to the environment.
Challenges Facing Wastewater Treatment Plants with solution
There are 4 Major Operational Challenges Facing Wastewater Treatment Plants. They are:
Energy consumption
1. Energy consumption in wastewater treatment plants is a major expense, accounting for
about 2-3% of a developed nation's electricity usage, or approximately 60 tWh per year.
2. Biological treatment processes, which make up 50-60% of a plant's energy usage, offer
opportunities for reducing energy demand.
3. Possible solutions include implementing fine screens in primary treatment, using
membrane technology for aeration, and directly treating high concentration return streams.
Staff
1. Wastewater treatment facilities require trained and certified personnel to manage
operations 24/7, including maintenance of pipes, valves, and equipment.
2. This task becomes more difficult during changes in influent and seasonal variations.
3. To reduce operational costs, emerging technologies are incorporating automation to
minimize the need for constant operator involvement.
4. While physical oversight will always be necessary, this approach can decrease operator
management costs by up to 30% in wastewater treatment plants.
Sludge Production
1. Excessive sludge generated during wastewater treatment poses a significant environmental
problem.
2. The best solution is recycling the sludge for agricultural purposes, as it contains beneficial
organic matter and nutrients.
3. Implementing modern treatment technologies can also minimize sludge production, further
reducing the challenge of disposal for wastewater treatment plants.
Footprint
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1. Activated sludge treatment in wastewater plants is challenged by the significant land area
it requires.
2. Constructing and maintaining large settling tanks and aeration basins is costly and space-
consuming.
3. To address this, advanced technologies like IFAS, MABR, and MBR are being used to
increase biomass per unit volume.
4. This reduces the footprint, resulting in cost savings on land and infrastructure.
5. These innovations offer a solution to expanding municipal wastewater treatment plants'
capabilities as population grows.
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