Understanding Environmental Impact: Contamination, Audits, and Pollution

Posted on Mar 27, 2025 in Geology

Environmental Contamination

Contamination is the introduction of pollutants into an environment through contact with another contaminated source.

Environmental Audits

An environmental audit is a diagnosis and study of the environmental situation of an installation or activity. To conduct this examination, it’s necessary to certify and verify the proper operation of systems and management, considering current regulations and available technologies.

Contents of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

An EIA includes the following:

  1. Project Description: Location, type of works, materials, and waste generated.
  2. Environmental Inventory: Description of the human and natural environment before project completion.
  3. Identification and Assessment of Impacts: Evaluation of the construction and operation effects on the environment.
  4. Proposed Protective and Corrective Measures: Solutions to counteract negative impacts.
  5. Surveillance Program: Monitoring process to ensure compliance with measures.
  6. Potential Alternatives: Study of alternative projects with minor environmental impacts.

Phases of an EIA Study

  1. The project promoter presents a summary of the project to the administration, describing actions and works.
  2. The administration initiates consultations with related organizations and institutions.
  3. The administration collects citizen contributions and transmits them to the promoter.
  4. The promoter makes appropriate modifications.
  5. The administration notifies the developer whether to modify or extend the EIA.
  6. The administration produces an Impact Statement, explaining the environmental suitability of the project.

Identification Methods of Environmental Impacts

Approaches include ad hoc methods, matrix methods, the Leopold matrix, models, and the CM Harger method.

Sources of Air Contamination

  • Natural Sources: Volcano eruptions, forest fires, natural sand particles.
  • Anthropogenic Sources: Transportation, industrial processes, heating.

Photochemical Smog

Forms when hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides react with oxygen under ultraviolet radiation. Products include oxidizing substances like ozone. Occurs in cities with sunlight. Factors determining occurrence: solar radiation, temperature inversion, relief, and traffic intensity.

Adverse Effects of Smog

Irritation of airways and mucous membranes, fatigue, corrosion, and cracking of metals and rubber.

Measures to Reduce Smog

Public transportation, use of clean fuel vehicles, or purification of gases.

Acid Rain

Primary pollutants react with moisture to form sulfuric and nitric acids. Air condenses, forming clouds containing acidic drops, leading to acid rain. Main sources: power plants releasing sulfur oxides.

Minimizing Acid Rain

Use clean coal, sulfur removal, and filtering chimney emissions with calcium carbonate powder.

Noise Pollution

Traffic is the main culprit in cities. Noise is any acoustic phenomenon that produces a disagreeable sensation.

Physiological Disorders Caused by Noise

Increased sensitivity, hearing loss, increased breathing frequency, increased heart rate and blood pressure, decreased stomach juice secretion, altered glands, increased adrenaline, anxiety, irritability, emotional tension, neurosis, and stress.

Sources of Noise Pollution

Transport, construction, industrial activities, and recreational activities.

Measurements to Reduce Noise

Locate disturbing events far from residential areas and hospitals.

Reduction of the Ozone Layer

The ozone layer is part of the stratosphere with a higher concentration of ozone. Contaminants include chlorine and nitrogen oxides.