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Environmental Effects
 ~Dr Dilip Ganguly

Evidences of Environmental Effects

Most of the actions that we undertake as a result of living in an industrialized society affects the environment in a number of ways. It is therefore necessary to be aware of the consequences of our actions on the environment that we live in.

1. Commonly Used Definitions In Environmental Effects

1.1 What Is Environment?
Environment is the surrounding, in which an organization operates, including air, water, land, industrial resources and interaction with human beings and other living creatures including plants. It extends from within the house or within the company and spreads over the global system or society. Hence it is up to us to keep a watch on the way in which our different activities lead to different environmental effects whether beneficial or harmful.

Increasing levels of pollutants all around us have led to adverse environmental effects

1.2 What Is Pollution?
The presence of pollutants (that is, solid, liquid and gaseous substances in such concentrations which may prove harmful to the environment) in the environment is known as pollution. Increasing levels of pollutants all around us have led to adverse environmental effects.

2. Evidences of Environmental Effects

2.1 Loss of Biodiversity
It has been estimated that there could be as many as 50 million species of organisms on the earth. It is estimated that within thirty years, a third of this will become extinct if the present trend continues.

2.2 Atmospheric Effects
Global warming stratospheric ozone depletion, acid rain and air quality.

2.3 Water Pollution
Sewage, chemical, air, other wastes, contamination of lakes, rivers etc.

2.4 Land Contamination
Land filling, illegal dumping of toxic waste, industrial spillages and disused land.

3. The Relation of the Environmental Significance and Sources of Emissions
Problem Stratospheric ozone depletion.
Environmental Significance Degradation product of CFCs etc. Destroy stratospheric ozone layer which protects earth from excess UV sunlight).
Main Sources of Emission CFC, Halons, CH3CL, CCL4.

Problem Depletion of resources.
Environmental Significance Consumption of Non renewable resources.
Main Sources of Emission Power generation, manufacture of products like coal, etc.

Problem Acid rain.
Environmental Significance Reaction of acidic ions with water in atmosphere forms acidic precipitation.
Main Sources of Emission SO2, NOX, HCL, HF.

Problem Water Quality.
Environmental Significance Pollution of ground water, rivers, lakes, estuaries and sea affects not only the ecosystems within these waters but ecosystem.
Main Sources of Emission Gross inorganic biological factors, phosphates, nitrates, thermal.

Problem Air quality.
Environmental Significance In addition to the other air problems (photochemical smog, acid rain, green house effect) particulate affect dispersion mechanisms.
Main Sources of Emission Dark smoke, other particulates.

It has now become necessary to reverse the harmful environmental effects caused by pollution. For better understanding of the polluting effects and for monitoring and implementing measures it is essential to go through the concept of the environment, analyze the environmental aspects and impacts and use these for controlling environmental issues by deriving tools like operational control procedures, for both significant and non-significant aspects and continually improving further the significant aspects by setting objective and targets and environment management plans.

[The picture used in this article has been taken from the photo library of stock.xchng.]

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