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It is extremely hazardous to us and our environment when industrial waste is generated.
A few of the ramifications are listed below:
The amount of liquid industrial waste that is dumped into the water has reached an unacceptably high level, posing a serious threat to marine ecosystems.
Many toxic gases, such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants, are released by industries, contributing to air pollution.
Nitrates and phosphates are present in industrial effluent, and they are frequently responsible for eutrophication.
Generally speaking, the air near industries is highly polluted, resulting in ailments of the skin, eyes, throat, nose, and lungs.
In addition to using significant amounts of water, industries also discharge a substantial amount of wastewater, which contains a variety of toxic compounds and heavy metals.
This effluent pollutes natural water sources, which in turn pollutes our health and the ecosystem as a result. It is considered to be one of the primary causes of global warming.
Industrial wastewater kills beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms that are already present in the soil.
Some industries are also responsible for noise pollution.
Industrial wastes and industries are ruining the natural habitats of many animals, and they are directly responsible for the extinction of many species on the planet.
The only way to avoid the negative impacts of industrial waste is to dispose of it properly and treat it properly.
Environmental Impact of Industrial Waste
The disposal of trash has significant environmental consequences and can result in catastrophic problems.
Landfill sites, which are holes in the earth, sometimes disused quarries, sometimes specially built pits, are where much of the waste is buried in the United Kingdom.
Some garbage will ultimately decay, but not all of it, and during the process it may emit a foul odour or produce methane gas, which is explosive and contributes to global warming by warming the atmosphere.
The leachate created as waste decomposes has the potential to pollute the environment.
Landfills that are not properly maintained may attract pests and produce litter.
When garbage is incinerated, it creates further issues because plastics have a tendency to release harmful compounds such as dioxins when they are burned.
When waste is incinerated, gases released into the atmosphere can pollute the air and contribute to acid rain, and the ash produced might potentially include heavy metals and other contaminants.
There are active campaigns against rubbish incineration as a result of these issues.
Impact of Waste Management On The Environment
Poor waste management contributes to climate change and air pollution, and it has a direct impact on a wide range of ecosystems and animals, including humans.
Methane is released from landfills, which are regarded to be the last resort in the waste hierarchy.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that has been connected to climate change.
Food waste, paper trash, and garden waste all decompose into methane, which is produced by microorganisms found in landfills, as well as biodegradable waste such as food waste, paper waste, and garden waste.
Landfills have the potential to contaminate soil and water, depending on how they are constructed.
Waste is collected, transported, and treated after it has been collected.
CO2 is released into the atmosphere throughout the transportation process, making it the most prominent greenhouse gas.
Other air pollutants, including particulate matter, are also released during the transportation process.
It is possible that some of the garbage will be burnt or recycled.
Energy derived from garbage can be used to generate heat or electricity, which can then be used to replace the energy derived from coal or other fossil fuels.
As a result, waste energy recovery can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Recycling has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution even further.
In the event that recycled materials are used in place of newly mined or manufactured materials, less new materials are required in the first place.
Inadequate Waste Management and Climate Change
It has become increasingly evident that climate change is occurring.
It is predicted that the Earth’s surface temperature would rise by around 2°C by the end of this century, with severe consequences for our ecosystems, flora, fauna, and humanity.
Furthermore, the chemical makeup of the atmosphere has undergone major changes as a result of a rise in greenhouse gas emissions, which are mostly composed of methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide.
Nature is already in a delicate state, and our careless attitude is killing a vast world of living organisms, as well as our very own home, at an unprecedented rate.
Our energy production, product consumption, and irresponsible waste management all contribute directly to climate change by increasing the amount of carbon-based particles in the atmosphere, which are formed through the combustion of petroleum-based fuels.
As a result, the air becomes warmer, contributing to the devastating greenhouse effect.
Conclusion
The environmental consequences of the selected wastewater treatment plant were assessed using a life cycle assessment approach based on the framework established by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 14040 series framework.
When evaluating the environmental impact of the selected industrial wastewater treatment plant, the ReCiPe life cycle impact assessment approach, which is integrated with the GaBi 4 software, was utilised.
When compared to the physical and biological treatment processes, the results show that the existing chemical treatment process had the greatest environmental impact in terms of climate change, emitting 1552.89 kg of CO2 and causing terrestrial acidification, emitting 5.79 kg SO2 equivalent, respectively.
Two alternative scenarios, one utilising chitosan and the other employing the wet air oxidation (WAO) method, were developed in order to lessen the environmental implications of the standard chemical wastewater treatment process.
Chitosan was found to be the most effective of the two scenarios. Both the chitosan and WAO scenarios were shown to have less than 110 kg CO2-equivalent emissions when compared to the current chemical method, indicating that they have less influence on climate change.
