Transportation and its effect on environment

The PPT delas with the effect of Transportaion on the environment.

1. Environment & Ecology Unit 1 Effect of Transportation on Environment

2. Introduction Transportation is a means to carry our goods from a place to other. In urban areas automobiles form a significant source of a number of air pollutants, namely, particulates, NOx , hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and lead. These pollutants are produced when fuel is burnt under less than ideal conditions. Non-uniform oxygen supply within the combustion chamber and lower flame temperature leads to incomplete combustion releasing CO, HC and un-burnt particles in the exhaust. Tetraethyl lead viz. (C 2 H 5 ) 4 Pb is added to petrol as an anti-knock additive. Where such petrol is used lead is emitted in the exhaust fumes as inorganic particulates.

3. Its effect on Environment: The issue of transportation and the environment is paradoxical in nature since transportation conveys substantial socioeconomic benefits, but at the same time transportation is impacting environmental systems. From one side, transportation activities support increasing mobility demands for passengers and freight, while on the other, transport activities are associated with growing levels of environmental externalities. This has reached a point where transportation is a dominant source of emission of most pollutants and their multiple impacts on the enviornment . These impacts fall within three categories: Direct impacts. The immediate consequence of transport activities on the environment where the cause and effect relationship is generally clear and well understood. Indirect impacts. The secondary (or tertiary) effects of transport activities on environmental systems. They are often of higher consequence than direct impacts, but the involved relationships are often misunderstood and difficult to establish. Cumulative impacts. The additive, multiplicative or synergetic consequences of transport activities. They take into account of the varied effects of direct and indirect impacts on an ecosystem, which are often unpredicted.

4. Effects: Transportation infrastructural requirements like parking places, roadways, airports etc. need space for which we cut trees on a large scale, shrink our agricultural fields or even cover our water bodies. Air-conditioning systems constitute CFCs caused ozone layer depletion. Habitat fragmentation is also responsible for endangering our bio-resources. Transportation of hazardous substances increases a risk of spillage for ex. Oil spilling. Transport allows urban expansion which consumes valuable agricultural lands. Noise and vibrations cause mental disability, irritation and lack of concentration. Transport can increase bio-security risks . Transportation produces solid wastes in bulk through the maintenance of old parts or when vehicles become old. Besides, regular change of oil etc. also leads to water and soil pollution Energy crisis as energy is the most worrisome resource.