Key Environmental Acts and Water Quality Parameters
Environmental Acts and Water Quality Parameters
Water Act, 1974
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 aims to prevent and control water pollution. It establishes the Central and State Pollution Control Boards (CPCB and SPCBs) to monitor and regulate water pollution and ensure the cleanliness of water bodies.
Air Act, 1981
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 is designed to control and reduce air pollution. It empowers pollution control boards to set air quality standards, regulate emissions from industries and vehicles, and take action against polluters.
Forest Act, 1927
The Indian Forest Act, 1927 provides guidelines for the conservation and management of forests. It classifies forests into Reserved, Protected, and Village forests and regulates activities like logging and hunting to prevent deforestation.
Environment Protection Act, 1986
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 is a comprehensive law that enables the central government to take measures for environmental protection. It provides guidelines for pollution control, hazardous waste management, and environmental impact assessment.
ISO Standards
Definition: ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organization that develops and publishes global standards for various industries.
Purpose: It ensures quality, safety, efficiency, and interoperability in products, services, and systems across different sectors.
Examples of Standards:
- ISO 9001 (Quality Management System)
- ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System)
- ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System)
Benefits: Enhances credibility, improves efficiency, ensures customer satisfaction, and facilitates international trade.
Water Quality Parameters
BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand)
- BOD measures the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water.
- It indicates the level of organic pollution in water bodies.
- Higher BOD means more pollution and lower water quality.
COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)
- COD measures the total amount of oxygen required to chemically oxidize both organic and inorganic pollutants in water.
- It provides a quick estimate of water pollution levels.
- Higher COD indicates higher pollution and contamination.
DO (Dissolved Oxygen)
- DO refers to the amount of oxygen dissolved in water, essential for aquatic life.
- High DO levels indicate good water quality, while low DO can cause fish kills.
- It is affected by pollution, temperature, and water flow.
TOC (Total Organic Carbon)
- TOC measures the total amount of carbon present in organic compounds in water.
- It helps assess organic pollution and water treatment efficiency.
High TOC levels indicate potential contamination from industrial or natural sources.
Deoxygenation
- It is the process where dissolved oxygen in water is consumed by microorganisms during the breakdown of organic matter. Higher pollution levels increase deoxygenation, leading to low oxygen levels, which can harm aquatic life.
Reoxygenation
- It is the process of replenishing dissolved oxygen in water through natural means like atmospheric diffusion, photosynthesis by aquatic plants, and turbulence.
- Reoxygenation helps maintain aquatic ecosystem balance and improves water quality.
