Environment Preservation

It is established fact that man and nature are interdependent for their survival, and man through his action has brought about serious changes / distortions in the relationship. Inter-linkages between ecosystems and natural and human interactions create the matrix which needs to be delineated for evolving strategies for developing future human settlements, not only for human beings but for all living organisms. Environment - includes water, air and land and the interrelationships that exists amongst them and human beings and micro organisms and property. It is nothing but the sum total of physical, chemical and biological characteristics which affect the living organisms. The natural resources should be preserved for the future through the Sustainable development, which is nothing but the development for the present without encroachment of the future resources. It is the process in which the exploitation of resources and direction of investments are made consistent with future as well as the present needs i.e. development which does not lead to the exhaustion of resources. The population of the world has tripled in this century alone. Even greater is the increase in scale and intensity of human activity. All these developments have damaged and deteriorated the ecological systems and natural resources. There is an urgent need to provide a healthy environment for the future generations and for that extremely necessary is to abate pollution. The developments have created many environmental problems. The effects of pollution cannot be understood at this stage. Seven vital areas covered under environment are:1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7)

Air quality, Water resources, Soil resources, Solid waste management, Energy, Forest resources, & Bio-diversity.

The composition of clean and dry air at or near sea is as follows: Constituents volume(Approx.) Nitrogen Oxygen Argon Hydrogen Carbon dioxide Methane Other gases quantity. 78.084 20.948 0.934 0.00005 0.0314 0.0002 minute % by

Pollution is the presence in the environment, of any environmental pollutant, that directly or indirectly affects the quality of environment, thus affecting the quality of life. Environmental pollutant means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such concentration as may be or tends to be injurious to the environment. Types of pollution are: Air pollution, Water pollution, Land/ soil pollution, & Noise pollution. Air pollution is defined as the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more contaminants or combinations thereof in such concentrations / quantities and for such duration as may be or tend to be injurious to human, plant, animal life or property or which unreasonably interferes with the comforts of life or conduct of business. In short it is the existence of any unwanted physical, chemical, biological or radio-active material in the ambient air and changes the normal composition of the air. The various types of air pollutants are: Particulate matter - Suspended particulate matter, Respirable particulate matter, dust fall, etc. Sulphur containing compounds like SO2, H2S, SO3, H2SO4, etc., Organic compounds, Carbon monoxide, Nitrogen compounds like NO, NO2, NO3, HNO3, etc., Halogen compounds, Radio active compounds, Biological material - air borne bacteria and viruses. The possible effects of air pollutants are stated below:Pollutants * * Particulate matter Sulphur dioxide Effects Respiratory diseases, soiling effect, erosion of property, reduced photosynthesis. Suffocation, irritation of throat and eyes, respiratory diseases, destruction of sensitive crops & yield reduction , and corrosion of property. irritation, bronchitis, oedema of lungs. Reduced oxygen carrying capacity of blood.

* *

Nitrogen oxides Carbon monoxide

Water pollution is the waste water generated due to industrial and domestic activity, which does not have any apparent value. Types of water pollutants are: 1. Organic pollutants, 2. Inorganic pollutants, 3. Suspended solids, 4. Physical pollutants like heat, etc.
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Soil / land pollution - occurs due to dumping of waste water or hazardous substances or garbage due to industrial / mining / domestic activity on soil, or due to excessive use of pesticides in agriculture. Due to this the characteristics of soil is changed, which is harmful to the plants and microorganisms. Hazardous substance - means any substance or preparation, which by reason of its chemical or physicochemical properties or handling, is liable to cause harm to human beings, other living creatures, plant, micro-organisms, property or the environment. Noise pollution is the unwanted / undesirable sound which occurs due to Industrial / construction / transportation activities / movement of heavy machineries. It is generally not a pollution, but a nuisance if above 80 dB(A). Social and psychological hazards due to noise are community annoyance, sleep interference, reduced working efficiency, impairment of mental and creative performance, etc. Health hazards due to noise are continual ringing in ears called tinnitus, for which there is no cure, dizziness, sleeplessness, stress and strain, headache tiredness, high blood pressure, muscle tension, etc. The evidence for environmental effects of various types of pollutions include: Loss of biodiversity (species depletion and extinction) Atmospheric effects (global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, acid rain and poor air quality), Water pollution (Acid rain, sewage, chemical or other waste contamination of rivers, lakes, groundwater and the oceans), Land contamination (land-filling, illegal dumping of toxic industrial waste, industrial spillage), etc. The general control measures include avoid / prevent pollution at source, reduce waste, Apply best available control technology to control pollution, explore recycling the wastes, reusing the waste as raw material / resource, etc. Legislative measures for Environmental protection: Ever since the pre-independence period, both at State and Central government levels, to prevent and control different components of environment, there have been several legislative measures. However, real awareness about environmental protection at global level was recognized at the U.N. Conference on Human Environment held at Stockholm (Sweden) on 5th June 1972. In this conference, the participants took keen interest and initiative to take appropriate steps for protection and improvement of human environment. Government has also initiated the measures like involving public in decision making through the process of Public hearing, and apply the Polluter pay principle (3P), Fiscal incentives, Education program, Information campaign and many others. The major acts and rules for environmental protection in India are: 1. The Water ( Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act- 1974 and Rules1975,
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2. The Water ( Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act- 1977 and Rules- 1978, 3. The Air ( Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act - 1981 and Rules - 1982, 4. The Environment ( Protection ) Act- 1986 and Rules - 1986, 5. Manufacture, Storage & Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules 1989, 6. The Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness & Response) Rules 1996, 7. Bio-medical waste (Management and Handling) Rules 1998, 8. Fly Ash Notification - 1999, 9. Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000, 10. Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000, 11. The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules 2000, 12. The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules 2001, 13. Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification - 2006, 14. The Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary movement) Rules- 2008, 15. The Plastic waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011, 16. The Public Liability Insurance Act - 1991 and Rules - 1991, 17. The Environment Tribunal Act 1995, 18. The National Green Tribunal Act 2010, etc. Statutory requirements of MoEF / GPCB for industry : 1. Environment Clearance (EC): The industry has to obtain Environment clearance certificate from State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) / Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) depending upon the category as per EIA Notification 2006. 2. No Objection Certificate (NOC) / Consent to Establish (CTE): The industry has to obtain the NOC / CTE from G.P.C.B. after getting the EC. After getting that industry can proceed for construction and other works. 3. Consolidated Consent and Authorization (CCA) under Water Act, Air Act and Hazardous Waste Rules: Industry has to apply for the CCA from G.P.C.B. They may require installing effluent treatment plant to achieve the prescribed standards of effluent discharge for that industry. They may also require installing the air pollution control equipments to achieve the emission standards prescribed for that industry. They may also require handling the Hazardous wastes as per prescribed norms. G.P.C.B. may inspect and collect samples. Based on that, they may refuse or grant the CCA. 4. Water Cess: The industry has to submit the returns of water consumption under various categories according to the type of water consumption and has to pay the Water cess as per the rates specified. 5. Environment Auditing : Every industry has to get the Environment Audit done by the Schedule I / II auditor depending upon the type of industry and has to submit the report to GPCB every year.
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6. Periodic reporting and return submission under various Acts and Rules : The industry has to furnish various reports and returns from time to time to GPCB / CPCB / MoEF / Forest & Env. Dept. as required under the various Acts, Rules, EC, NOC (CTE), CCA. Environment pollution contribution of Thermal power station, and its control measures. To generate 210 MW electrical energy, the coal based thermal power station consumes about 3000 Tons/day of coal producing about 1200 Tons /day of ash and other gases. The coal handling also generates the coal dust. The total amount of pollutants from the thermal power plants, if allowed to enter into our atmosphere without any control, would pose a serious threat to ecological balance, climate and environment. The gas based power stations use Natural Gas instead of coal, which leads to lesser environmental pollution as there is no dusting and Sulphur-dioxide problem is almost Nil. In coal / lignite based thermal power plants, Particulate matter (Suspended as well as Respirable), Sulphur dioxide (SO 2), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) are the major emissions resulting from the fuel combustion during the power generation. The other air pollutants include CO, aerosols from the cooling towers and heat releases. The coal dust dispersion in the ambient air from the coal handling process can be controlled by water sprinkling before / during unloading, sprinkling of water during transfer of coal, sprinkling of water at stacked coal and through dust extraction / dust suppression systems. To control the particulate matter emissions into the atmosphere, the following instruments / procedures can be generally used: 1. Grit collector, 2. Cyclone separator, 3. Wet collector, 4. Mechanical dust collector 5. Fabric filter, & 6. Electrostatic Precipitators Advantages of Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs): 1. Used for the particulate matter removal from the gas stream, 2. Capacity to handle large volumes of gas, 3. High collection efficiencies even for sub-micron size particles, 4. Low energy consumption, 5. Ability to operate with relatively high temperature gases, 6. Can collect dust in both dry and wet conditions, 7. Low operating cost, 8. Long life, 9. Can be built into multiple units. Electrostatic precipitation is a physical process by which particles suspended in gas stream are charged electrically and under the influence of the electric field they are separated from the gas stream. Normally in coal / lignite based thermal power stations, ESPs are used to control the particulate matter. In addition to this, low ash coal is also used. Massive tree plantation is also carried out in and around the power station and ash dyke to control the dusting. Tall stacks (Chimneys) are provided for better dispersion / dilution of the gases and pollutants.
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The water pollutants include Boiler blowdown, Cooling tower blowdown, Ash handling plant overflow / leakages, D.M. plants wastes, Floor washings, Maintenance of boilers / other units, Domestic waste, etc. The liquid wastes are collected, treated as per the requirement in the Neutralizing pits and Effluent / Sewage Treatment Plant and reused in the plant or discharged after meeting the GPCB norms. The solid wastes include ash, sludge from the treatment plants, etc. which need to be disposed of in a safe manner without any impact on environment. The ash collected from the various hoppers is either sent for utilization and / or disposed of into the ash dyke. The Hazardous Waste include used oil / residue containing oil, used Ion exchange resin at DM plant, Asbestos containing material, empty containers of hazardous material, etc. These wastes shall be properly stored without any adverse effect on the environment. The hazardous wastes like Used oil and empty containers of hazardous material is given to MOEF / CPCB registered party, waste containing oil and Used Ion exchange resin is disposed off for incineration at approved common waste disposal facility (TSDF) and the asbestos containing waste is disposed of at landfill site of approved common waste disposal facility (TSDF). Noise generation occurs due to use of various high capacity auxiliaries in the plant. However, the noise is controlled through regular maintenance of equipments, providing casings on high noise equipments, providing separate cabins for employees working in high noise areas and also by enforcing the use of PPEs like ear plugs and ear muffs by the employees working in high noise area. General Impacts of power generation on Environment. * * * * * * * * Environmental pollution. Resource depletion. Displacement of population. Health hazards. Drastic change in land use pattern. Loss of forests. Corrosion of structures, buildings, etc. Reduction in the yield of crops. However, the impact of power station on environment depends to a large extent on its location with respect to human settlements, meteorological conditions, ambient air quality, water bodies, agricultural and forests lands. Limits of G.P.C.B. as per C C and A for power stations : Standards for Stack emission: Particulate matter Sulphur Dioxide Oxides of Nitrogen 150 mg / Nm3 100 ppm 50 ppm

Standards for Ambient Air Quality: Suspended Particulate matter Oxides of Sulphur 200 micrograms / m3 80 micrograms / m3
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Oxides of Nitrogen Respirable Particulate matter

80 micrograms / m3 100 micrograms / m3

Standards for Ambient Noise: Noise level during day time Noise level during night time General Standards for effluents: (6.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs) (21.00 hrs to 6.00 hrs) - 75 dB (A) - 70 dB (A)

pH Temperature Colour (Pt. Co. Scale) Suspended Solids Oil and Grease Ammonical Nitrogen Hexavalent Chromium Total Chromium Biochemical Oxygen Demand Chemical Oxygen Demand Chlorides Sulphates Total Dissolved Solids Bio - assay test hours in 100 %

6.5 to 8.5 40 deg. C 100 Units 100 mg/L 10 mg/L 50 mg/L 0.1 mg/L 0.2 mg/L 30 mg/L 100 mg/L 600 mg/L 1000 mg/L 2100 mg/L 90% survival of fish after 96 effluent. 30 mg/L 20 mg/L minimum 0.5

Standards for sewage: Suspended Solids Biochemical Oxygen Demand Residual Chlorine

mg/L