An Introduction to Pollution Science

by Harrison, Roy M.

• ISBN13: 9780854048298
• ISBN10: 0854048294
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-09-30
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Summary

Understanding pollution, its behaviour and impact is becoming increasingly important, as new technologies and legislation continually lower the tolerable levels of pollutants released into the environment. Introduction to Pollution Science draws upon sections of the authors' previous text Understanding our Environment and reflects the growing trend of a more sophisticated approach to teaching environmental science at university. This new revised book discusses the basics of environmental pollution drawing upon chemistry, physics and biological sciences. Written by leading experts in the field, Introduction to Pollution Science covers topics including pollution in the atmosphere, the world's waters and soil and land contamination. Subsequent sections discuss methods of investigating the environment, the impact of pollution on human health and ecological systems, and institutional mechanisms for pollution management. Each section includes worked examples and questions and is aimed at undergraduates studying environmental science, but will also be useful for others seeking knowledge of the field.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(7)
Roy M. Harrison
What is Pollution Science?	1	(1)
The Chemicals of Interest	2	(3)
Units of Concentration	5	(3)
Worked Example	6	(1)
References	7	(1)
The Atmosphere	8	(69)
J.A. Salmond
A.G. Clarke
A.S. Tomlin
The Global Atmosphere	8	(21)
The Structure of the Atmosphere	8	(4)
Greenhouse Gases and the Global Climate	12	(9)
Depletion of Stratospheric Ozone	21	(8)
Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion of Pollutants	29	(10)
Wind Speed and Direction	29	(1)
Atmospheric Stability	30	(4)
Dispersion from Chimneys	34	(1)
Mathematical Modelling of Dispersion	35	(4)
Emissions to Atmosphere and Air Quality	39	(16)
Natural Emissions	39	(2)
Emissions of Primary Pollutants	41	(6)
Air Quality	47	(8)
Gas Phase Reactions and Photochemical Ozone	55	(5)
Gas Phase Chemistry in the Troposphere	55	(5)
Particles and Acid Deposition	60	(17)
Particle Formation and Properties	60	(3)
Droplets and Aqueous Phase Chemistry	63	(1)
Deposition Mechanisms	64	(4)
Acid Rain	68	(3)
References	71	(6)
The World's Waters: A Chemical Contaminant Perspective	77	(45)
James W. Readman
Introduction	77	(1)
Strategies to Assess and Regulate Pollution	78	(1)
Regulations and Legislation	79	(3)
Challenges and Industrial Implications	82	(3)
Selection of Contaminants to Investigate	85	(1)
The Role of Analytical Chemistry	85	(3)
Gas Chromatography---Mass Spectrometry	86	(1)
High Performance (Pressure) Liquid Chromatography--Mass Spectrometry	87	(1)
Contaminants of Concern	88	(20)
Heavy Metals	88	(1)
Crude Oils and Pertroleum Products	89	(2)
Fuel Oxygenates	91	(2)
Persistent Organic Pollutants	93	(1)
Carcinogens	94	(1)
Pesticides	95	(2)
Antifouling Agents	97	(3)
Flame-Retardants	100	(1)
Perfluorinated Compounds	101	(1)
Endocrine Disruptors	102	(2)
Pharmaceuticals	104	(1)
Personal Care Products	105	(1)
Surfactants	106	(1)
Sewage Outfalls	107	(1)
Landfill Leachates	108	(1)
Rapid and Combined Assessments of Pollution	108	(5)
Bioavailability	113	(1)
Causality of Effects	113	(3)
Conclusions	116	(6)
References	116	(6)
Soils and Land Contamination	122	(32)
S.J.T. Pollard
M.G. Kibblewhite
Introduction	122	(3)
Soil as a Living System	122	(1)
The Soil Habitat	122	(1)
Soil Functions	123	(1)
Soil Protection	124	(1)
Soil Resources	125	(3)
Soil Formation	125	(1)
Types of Soil	126	(1)
Spatial Variation	127	(1)
Soil Constituents	128	(4)
The Mineral Fraction	128	(3)
Organic Matter	131	(1)
Soil Properties	132	(6)
Water Retention and Drainage	132	(2)
Soil pH and Redox	134	(1)
Adsorptive Properties	134	(4)
Contamination Threats to Soil	138	(3)
Land Contamination and Regeneration	141	(9)
Risk-Based Land Management	143	(7)
Conclusion -- Managing Soil for Sustainable Communities	150	(4)
Questions	151	(1)
References	151	(3)
Investigating the Environment	154	(58)
C. Nicholas Hewitt
Rob Allott
Monitoring: A Systematic Investigation of the Environment	154	(1)
Types of Monitoring	155	(23)
Source Monitoring	158	(3)
Ambient Environment Monitoring	161	(17)
Sampling Methods	178	(9)
Air Sampling Methods	178	(6)
Water Sampling Methods	184	(2)
Soil and Sediment Sampling Methods	186	(1)
Modelling of Environmental Dispersion	187	(5)
Atmospheric Dispersal	189	(1)
Aquatic Mixing	190	(1)
Variability in Soil and Sediment Pollutant Levels	191	(1)
Duration and Extent of Survey	192	(5)
Duration of Survey and Frequency of Sampling	192	(4)
Methods of Reducing Sampling Frequency	196	(1)
Number of Sampling Sites	197	(1)
Prerequisites for Monitoring	197	(7)
Monitoring Protocol	198	(1)
Meteorological and Hydrological Data	199	(1)
Source Inventory	200	(1)
Suitability of Analytical Techniques	201	(1)
Environmental Quality Standards	202	(2)
Remote Sensing of Pollutants	204	(2)
Analysis and Presentation of Data	206	(6)
Questions	208	(1)
References	209	(3)
Ecological and Health Effects of Chemical Pollution	212	(65)
Steve Smith
Introduction	212	(2)
Historical Perspective	214	(2)
Diversity of Pollutants	216	(1)
Polar and Non-Polar Substances	217	(2)
Toxicity: Exposure--Response Relationships	219	(6)
Toxicity Tests	219	(1)
Environmental Risk Assessment	220	(3)
Direct Toxicity Assessment	223	(1)
Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships	224	(1)
Biodynamics of Chemical Pollutants	225	(8)
Hydrophobic Organic Chemicals -- Bioconcentration, Biomagnification and Food Chain Accumulation	225	(5)
Metal (and Metalloid) Biodynamics	230	(3)
Toxic Mechanisms	233	(4)
Baseline Toxicity or Narcosis	234	(1)
Enzyme and Receptor Binding Effects	235	(1)
Metals	236	(1)
Exposure	237	(3)
Health Effects of Metal Pollution	240	(8)
Mercury	240	(4)
Lead	244	(4)
Health Effects of the Major Air Pollutants	248	(6)
The Current Situation with Respect to Air Quality and Health	251	(1)
Effect of Short- and Long-Term Exposures of Particulate Matter on Health	252	(2)
Effect of Air Pollution on Plants	254	(3)
Ecological Effects of Acid Deposition	257	(6)
Effects of Pollutants on Reproduction and Development: Evidence of Endocrine Disruption?	263	(10)
Case Study 7: Eggshell Thinning; an Example of a Physiological Effect in Bird Populations Associated with Organochlorine Insecticides which had a Major Influence on Recognition of the Importance of Chemical Pollution by Persistent Organic Chemicals	265	(1)
Glemeds	266	(1)
Marine Mammals	267	(2)
Tributyltin and Imposex in Gastropods	269	(2)
Case Study 9: Sexual Disruption in Fish and Amphibians -- Vitellogenesis; a Biomarker Demonstrating Endocrine Disruption	271	(2)
Conclusions	273	(4)
Questions	274	(1)
References	274	(3)
Environmental Management	277	(48)
Jane Kinniburgh
Introduction	277	(7)
Environmental Management Cycle	279	(1)
Organisations Involved in Environmental Management	280	(4)
Evaluating the State of the Environment	284	(4)
Indicators	284	(1)
Environmental Problems in Europe	285	(2)
Eco-Efficiency	287	(1)
Deciding and Planning What To Do	288	(9)
Strategies and Plans	289	(3)
Tools and Techniques	292	(1)
Risks and Values	293	(1)
Attitudes	294	(1)
Involving Interest Groups	295	(2)
Taking Action	297	(25)
Regulation	297	(17)
Fiscal Measures	314	(4)
Voluntary Measures	318	(2)
Coercive Measures	320	(2)
Monitoring and Reviewing	322	(3)
Questions	322	(1)
References	323	(2)
Subject Index	325