PH 175

Summer 2013-2014

The Environment
Hilario S. Taberna Jr.
Department of Chemistry
College of Arts and Sciences
University of the Philippines Visayas
Miagao, Iloilo

The Environment
the

sum total of all factors

Physical
Chemical
Biological
in an organisms surroundings in which it
interacts.

 To

understand how the environments influence

the form and function of the organism in a
particular environment, we need to learn and
understand a very broad range of subjects
(chemistry, earth science, physics, biology and
mathematics)

Environmental

Science

Environmental Chemistry
the

study of interaction of chemicals in the

environment and their effects on the ecosystem

concerns

with the interaction between the

components
(ecosystems,
communities,
population, individual organism) of the natural
environment and the contaminant (foreign or
accumulated
chemicals)
leading
to
the
impairment of the functions or integrity of that
component

Environmental health
addresses

all the physical, chemical, and

biological factors external to a person,
and all the related factors impacting
behaviors

encompasses

the assessment and control

of those environmental factors that can
potentially affect health

targeted

towards preventing disease and

creating health-supportive environments

Reasons for Concern

The natural processes are being disrupted by

man to such an extent that the quality of life, or
even life itself, is being threatened.

The world is at crisis point. There is a rapid

growth in the worlds population and at the same
time in energy consumption derived from natural
resources.

The Earths resources are depleting.

Environmental damage has been done. Increase
in waste produced and in pollution of the earth.

Pollution
Pollution

means the introduction by man, directly

or indirectly, of substances or energy into the
environment resulting in deleterious effects of
such a nature as to endanger human health, harm
living resources or interfere with amenities or
other legitimate use of the environment.
(Organization of Economic Cooperation and
Development).

Different Kinds of Pollution

Chemical pollution

Noise (physical) pollution

Thermal pollution

Biological pollution

problems occur by the release of substances into the

environment, which are naturally present

problem arising simply from an increase in concentration

above natural levels

Examples:
CO2 Global warming fuel combustion
N2O contributes to the greenhouse effect and is a potential
ozone depleter
NH3 highly poisonous in water to fish, particularly in its
protonated form
NO2- highly poisonous in water to animals
NO3- contributes to eutrophication (excessive plant growth) in
watercourses and is associated with blue-baby syndrome in
infants

Pollution could be a global problem (e.g. ozone depletion)

or a local issue (e.g. waste dumping).

If a pollutant is discharged into the environment,

what causes the effect on individual living organisms?

the

total amount discharged?

its concentration in the environment?

 Criteria based solely on data and scientific

judgments on pollutant concentrations and

environmental or human health effects

Standards recommended or compulsory

policy specifications designed to regulate

human, generally business, effects on the
environment, the surroundings in which an
organization operates

The Necessity of Analysis

If

the objective is pollution monitoring, a

detailed analysis of pollution levels is
necessary.

If

the objective were a complete pollution

control program, look in detail at what stages
chemical analysis would be necessary.

Stages of a Complete Pollution Control Program

1. Recognition of a Problem
2. Monitoring to Determine the Extent of the Problem
Determination of natural levels
Determination of the increase in concentration of a compound above the natural level.

3. Determination of Control Procedures

Technological methods
Use of flue gas desulphurization processes to control sulphur oxide emissions from power stations.

Socially oriented methods

Promotion of the use of public rather than private transport to reduce vehicle emissions.

Determination of the most appropriate method should involve testing the

options with suitable analytical monitoring.
4. Legislation to Ensure the Control Procedures are Implemented
Few pollution control methods are taken up without the backing of national or
international legislation.
5. Monitoring to Ensure the Problem has been Controlled
Provides information for possible further improvements in legislation.