Hydrocarbon Pollution

The bulk of newly discovered petroleum reserves and the best prospects for future discoveries, lie not on land, but under water. Hence, the oil and gas industry began to move offshore. They first moved into shallow water and eventually into deepwater, where technological advances have opened up vast new reserves of oil and gas in remote areas. Drilling in deepwater brings new risks because the drilling rigs are potentially dangerous machineries and the deepwater environment is cold, dark, distant, and under high. (Graham, et al., 2011)

One of the catastrophic oil spills is the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Deepwater Horizon (oil rig) was drilling the Macondo well under 5,000 feet of Gulf of Mexico, and then over 13,000 feet under the sea floor to the hydrocarbon reservoir below. (Graham, et al., 2011) On the evening of 20 April 2010, a gas release and subsequent explosion occurred on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig working on the Macondo exploration well for BP in the Gulf of Mexico. (Deepwater Horizon accident and response) The estimated oil spill is approximately 206 million gallons. (Ramseur & Hagerty, 2014)

Figure 1 Explosion of Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico

Source: (THOMPSON, 2013)

Methods for cleaning up the oil spill:

Chemical:

Dispersants are chemical formulations composed of solvents, surfactants and other additives that disrupt the solid surface of an oil slick by reducing the surface tension between oil and water. Composed of molecules with a water-compatible (hydrophilic) end and an oil-compatible (lipophilic) end, dispersant link an oil droplet to nearby water molecules and allow the natural agitation caused by waves and wind to pull the droplets apart into increasingly smaller droplets. (Graham P. , 2010)

Figure 2 Applying of dispersant by aircraft

Source: (Help NOAA Research Chemical Dispersants and Oil Spills, 2014)

Boom:

Booms are floating, physical barriers to oil, made of plastic, metal, or other materials, which slow the spread of oil and keep it contained. (Spill Containment Methods, 2014)

Boom may be towed behind boats to collect oil. Oil collected can either be skimmed from the water surface, or towed away from the main slick to a location where it is safe to burn it. There are different types of boom: (1) Hard boom is typically made of PVC or similar durable material that consists of an inflated chamber that rides above the water, and an attached skirt that hangs down into the water. (2) Fire boom is similar in design to hard boom, but is made of material that can withstand the heat generated by burning oil. (3) Sorbent boom is constructed of a long fabric sock enclosing material that attracts oil but repels water. It does not have an attached skirt and once saturated with oil, sorbent boom must be removed and properly disposed of. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2010)

In situ burning:

In situ burning of an oil slick, or part of a slick, before it reaches the coast. Responders will corral some of the oil from the slick in a fire-proof boom, and then ignite it. (Office of Response and Restoration, 2014)

Burning of collected oil difficult or unachievable beyond the first 12 – 24 hours after it is spilled, because the oil may also emulsify and evaporation may remove most of the burnable components. Slick thickness is so important for on-water burning because very thin slicks are rapidly cooled by loss of heat to the underlying water and unable to form oil vapour for burning. (MICHEL, SCHOLZ, WARREN JR., & WALKER, 2005)

Figure 3 Fire containment boom and in-situ burning

Source: (Summit Contracting, 2011)

Skimmers:

Skimmers are slow yet very effective machines used for surface removal in calm or sheltered waters and along shorelines. They work by taking advantage of the adhesive nature of the oil. Using rotation, suction, gravity or other forces to drive motion, these machines: 1. provide a never-ending surface for the spilled petroleum to cling to, 2. clean the surface, and 3. repeat that process continuously. (Graham P. , 2010)

Figure 4 Example of skimmer

Source: (Philips, 2010)

Bioremediation:

Bioremediation is the use of microorganisms, plants or fungi to correct a contaminated or altered environment. Many scientists agree that naturally occurring bacteria capable of degrading oil are already present in marine environments but the limited availability of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus prevent the oil-eaters from performing to their full potential. (Graham P. , 2010)

There are two main approaches: (1) Bioaugmentation, in which oil degrading bacteria are added to supplement the existing microbial population and (2) biostimulation, in which nutrients or other growth limiting co-substrates (e.g. nitrogen and phosphorus) are added to stimulate the growth of indigenous oil degraders. (Venosa)

Impact to the environment:

Physical smothering of organisms:

This is caused by oils with a high viscosity, in other words heavy oils. Smothering will affect an organism’s physical ability to continue critical functions such as respiration, feeding and thermoregulation. (Environmental Effects of Oil Spills)

For example, oil coated birds' feathers, causing birds to lose their buoyancy and the ability to regulate body temperature. (How Does the BP Oil Spill Impact Wildlife and Habitat?) Once birds are covered with oil, they have difficulty flying, or are completely unable to fly, making feeding and getting away from predators impossible. When whales, dolphins and porpoises surface to breathe, oily water can cover their blowholes and enter their lungs, making breathing difficult. (Gulf Oil Spill: Effects on Wildlife and Habitats)

Figure 5 Oil coated on bird's feathers

Source: (Frances, 2010)

Chemical toxicity:

This is characteristic of lighter chemical components which are more bio-available, ie absorbed into organs, tissues and cells, and can have sub-lethal or lethal toxic effects. (Environmental Effects of Oil Spills)

Some of the most toxic components of oil include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Dispersant also poses threat due to their complex mixture.

The use of dispersants is also likely increased the bioavailability of the oil (its ability to be taken up or acted upon by organisms) and increased the potential exposure of sensitive organisms. It also increases the exposure of organisms below the surface in the water column and at the seafloor to oil, dispersants, and oil-dispersant mixture (The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill) because the smaller droplets eventually become heavier than water and sink into the water column, or the vertical expanse of water extending from the sea surface to bottom sediments. (Graham P. , 2010)

Ecological changes:

There might be a loss of key organisms with a specific function in an ecological community. (Environmental Effects of Oil Spills)

Oil will likely reduce the amount and health of all prey species, reducing the food available for marine mammals, seabirds and sea turtles. For example, plankton is the foundation for nearly all life in the Gulf of Mexico (and the ocean), and they will most likely be affected. Contaminants from the spill and the dispersants are likely to concentrate in the upper food chain due to bioaccumulation. (Gulf Oil Spill: Effects on Wildlife and Habitats)

The oil’s toxicity may have hit egg and larval organisms immediately, diminishing or even wiping out those age classes. Without these generations, population dips and cascading food web effects may become evident in the years ahead. (How Does the BP Oil Spill Impact Wildlife and Habitat?)

Contamination/ destruction of habitat:

The Gulf of Mexico contains nearly half of the coastal wetlands in the United States. Marshes, estuaries and bayous provide critical nursery and feeding grounds for hundreds of marine species. A large percentage of marine species that live in the open ocean as adults spend one critical life stage in coastal wetlands. Earlier oil spill studies in a comparable ecosystem showed extensive mortality in mangroves, sea grasses, coral reefs and algae from the spill. (Gulf Oil Spill: Effects on Wildlife and Habitats)

Figure 6 Oil spill responders trying to recover oil from a marsh oiled during the Mendicant Island, LA incident

Source: (Nomack, 2010)

Besides the ecological impacts, oil pollution also affects the economy (e.g. fisheries, industries depend on clean water, tourism, clean up cost), real estate (e.g. decline in property value) and loss of natural resources (large amount of crude oil to be considered useless). People's health could be also adversely affected by oils either when inhaling or touching oil products, or when eating contaminated sea food. (Effect of marine oil pollution on economy and human health)

Works Cited

Deepwater Horizon accident and response. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2014, from BP: http://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/gulf-of-mexico-restoration/deepwater-horizon-accident-and-response.html

Effect of marine oil pollution on economy and human health. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2014, from Global Marine Oil Pollution Information Gateway: http://oils.gpa.unep.org/facts/economy-health.htm

Environmental Effects of Oil Spills. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2014, from International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF): http://www.itopf.com/knowledge-resources/documents-guides/environmental-effects/

Frances. (2010, June 2). Toxic Gulf Oil Spill Cleanup – Bird Washing Machine. Retrieved October 3, 2014, from the alternative consumer: http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2010/06/02/toxic-gulf-oil-spill-cleanup-bird-washing-machine/

Graham, B., Reilly, W. K., Beinecke, F., Boesch, D. F., Garcia, T. D., Murray, C. A., et al. (2011). Deep Water The Gulf Oil Disaster and the Future of Offshore Drilling. United States: Oil Spill Commission.

Graham, P. (2010, August). Deep Sea Oil Spill Cleanup Techniques:Applicability, Trade-offs and Advantages. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from ProQuest: http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/oil/review.pdf

Gulf Oil Spill: Effects on Wildlife and Habitats. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2014, from New England Aquarium: http://www.neaq.org/conservation_and_research/oil_spill/effects_on_wildlife_and_habitats.php

Help NOAA Research Chemical Dispersants and Oil Spills. (2014, October 2). Retrieved October 3, 2014, from Office of Response and Restoration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/about/media/help-noaa-research-chemical-dispersants-and-oil-spills.html

How Does the BP Oil Spill Impact Wildlife and Habitat? (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2014, from NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION: https://www.nwf.org/What-We-Do/Protect-Habitat/Gulf-Restoration/Oil-Spill/Effects-on-Wildlife.aspx

MICHEL, J., SCHOLZ, D., WARREN JR., S. R., & WALKER, A. H. (2005, April). IN-SITU BURNING A DECISION-MAKER’S GUIDE TO IN-SITU BURNING. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from American Petroleum Institute: http://www.api.org/environment-health-and-safety/clean-water/oil-spill-prevention-and-response/~/media/4BDBD6AABD534BF1B88EB203C6D8B8F4.ashx

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2010, May 18). NOAA’s Oil Spill Response Using Boom in Response to Oil Spills. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://www.noaa.gov/factsheets/new%20version/boom.pdf

Nomack, M. (2010, September 25). Environmental impacts of oil spills. Retrieved October 3, 2014, from The Encyclopedia OF EARTH: http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/158443/

Office of Response and Restoration. (2014, September 26). Spill Containment Methods. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Response and Restoration: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills/spill-containment-methods.html

Offshore. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2014, from BP: http://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/gulf-of-mexico-restoration/deepwater-horizon-accident-and-response/completing-the-response/offshore.html

Philips, R. H. (2010, June 5). More skimmer boats deployed to fight oil spill; many more on standby. Retrieved October 3, 2014, from Alabama Media Group: http://blog.al.com/live/2010/06/more_skimmer_boats_deployed_to.html

Ramseur, J. L., & Hagerty, C. L. (2014). Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Recent Activities and Ongoing Developments. United States: Congressional Research Service.

Summit Contracting. (2011, June 22). U.S. Coast Guard Cites Importance of In-Situ Burning During Deepwater Horizon Clean up. Retrieved October 3, 2014, from WordPress: http://summitcontracting.wordpress.com/tag/in-situ-burns/

The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2014, from Society of Toxicology: https://www.toxicology.org/pm/Deepwater_oil_spill.pdf

THOMPSON, P. (2013, October 4). BP could be saved hundreds of millions of pounds over Gulf of Mexico oil spill after U.S. court stops bogus or inflated payments. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2442576/BP-wins-Gulf-Mexico-oil-spill-compensation-court-battle.html

Venosa, A. D. (n.d.). NRT FACT SHEET: BIOREMEDIATION IN OIL SPILL RESPONSE. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from US Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/oem/docs/oil/edu/biofact.pdf

It "blings" my eyes.

Light is very important for human vision. To deal with the limitation of eyes to see in the dark, artificial light is invented.  The lighting improves our physiological performance of vision to detect, perceive and distinguish the existence, size, shape, colour, texture, moving, distance, changes in the brightness or colours, etc. of the objects to be seen. Consequently, the efficiency of the human activities will be increased with the improvement of visual performance.(NARISADA & SCHREUDER, 2004)

What if there is too much lighting than we need?

Light pollution is an unwanted consequence of outdoor lighting and includes such effects as sky glow, light trespass, and glare. (What is light pollution?, 2007)

Figure 1 Useful light vs. light pollution

Source: (What is light pollution?, 2007)

Sky glow:

Sky glow is the result of light that is projected upwards, and then scattered and scattered backby aerosols in the atmosphere to the surface of the Earth. colouring the night sky and reducing the visibility ofastronomical objects.(Mizon, 2002)

Part of the stray light is projected directly upwards due to poorly designed lighting or the light is aimed upwards on purpose. Another major contribution to the stray light is the light that is well-directed to objects, but reflected by them. For example, road surfaces, grass, and buildings reflect a fair amount of the incident light, and the reflected light usually goes upwards.(NARISADA & SCHREUDER, 2004)

Figure 2 Sky glow in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Source: (Morris, 2011)

Light trespass:

Light trespass occurs when spill light is cast where it is not wanted. Light trespass is somewhat subjective because it is difficult to define when, where, and how much light is unwanted. An example of light trespass is when spill light from a streetlight or floodlight enters a window and illuminates an indoor area.(What is light pollution?, 2007)

Figure 3 Light trespass

Source: (LIGHT POLLUTION)

Figure 4 Spill light illuminates the bedroom through window

Source: (The City Dark, 2011)

Glare:

Glare is a visual the sensation produced by luminance within the visual field that is sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted to. It is subjective, and sensitivity to glare can vary widely. Older people are usually more sensitive to glare due to the aging characteristics of the eye. Disability glare is the reduction in visibility caused by intense light sources in the field of view, while discomfort glare is the sensation of annoyance or even pain induced by overly bright sources. (What is light pollution?, 2007)

Figure 5 Glare

Source: (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2007)

Effects of light pollution:

Health:

Light pollution is a form of annoyance. According to the World Health Organization, annoyance is described as a feeling of displeasure associated with any agent or condition believed to affect adversely an individual or a group". Annoyance can lead to stress. It depends on the stress level whether the health will be influenced.(NARISADA & SCHREUDER, 2004)

Light pollution is also investigated as a interfering, aggravating factor that suppresses natural melatonin levels in humans at night. This suppression simply pulls out the stops to cancer cell growth. The hormone melatonin normally impedes cancer cell growth and can even cause cancer cell death. (How Light Pollution Affects Human Health)

Animal:

Studies have shown that many animals, like insects and birds, suffer from light at night. Insects are attracted by light. The many insects may attract predators and, in their tum, secondary predators. "Street lighting is on the one hand favorable for predators. Lighting may, however, cause unnatural death"(NARISADA & SCHREUDER, 2004)

Bright lights nearby the beach discourage females from coming ashore to nest. But more important, hatchlings can become disoriented by manmade lighting and fail to find their way quickly to the relative safety of the open sea. The newly hatched sea turtles developed instincts to frenetically crawl toward the lightest horizon, because the ocean breakers would reflect starlight. In the past 100 years, the lighting situation has changed dramatically. Instead of heading directly into the sea, hatchlings go toward the brighter light. Those that wander in circles on the sand have a much higher risk of dying of dehydration, exhaustion or predation. (Hutchinson)

Figure 6 Newly hatched sea turtles wander on the beach

Source: (Hutchinson)

Energy usage, air pollution:

Artificial lighting consumes electricity. We need to burn fossil fuel for the production of electricity, and the by-product of electricity is pollutants. The pollutants include greenhouse gases and toxic chemical that leads to environmental problems such as global warming and they threaten human health. Why do we need to spend money on excess lighting to bring harm to the environment and ourselves?

Safety:

Light can cause confusion or visual distraction that threatens road safety. High levels of glare can also decrease visibility for the road user and increase the risk of road accident.Some of the households over lit their homes to be “safer”. However, overly bright lighting creates a sharp contrast between light and darkness, making the places outside the area of illumination nearly invisible. Bad lighting can even attract criminals by creating deep shadows that offer concealment. (Design Out Crime, 2010)

Figure 7 Security lighting which creates deep contrast. Can you spot the person in the left picture?

Source: (Smit)

Colourful lighting may create beautiful night view. What about the plumes emit from chimney during energy production?

Figure 8 Emission from energy production

Source: (Jones, 2014)

Works Cited

Design Out Crime. (2010, December). Retrieved September 20, 2014, from International Dark-Sky Association: http://www.darksky.org/assets/documents/ida_safety_brochure-bw.pdf

How Light Pollution Affects Human Health. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2014, from Department of Physics, Florida Atlantic University: http://physics.fau.edu/observatory/lightpol-health.html

Hutchinson, L. I. (n.d.). TURNING NIGHT INTO DAY: LIGHT POLLUTION’S IMPACTS ON WILDLIFE. Retrieved September 20, 2014, from Lighting.com: http://lighting.com/light-pollution-wildlife/

Jones, B. (2014, March 13). Energy, Climate Change and Security in the Context of Ukraine: A Discussion with Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard. Retrieved September 20, 2014, from BROOKINGS: http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/planetpolicy/posts/2014/05/13-lidegaard-europe-energy-ukraine

LIGHT POLLUTION. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2014, from Starlight Theatre: http://www.starlight-theatre.ca/LT-POLLUTION.HTM

Mizon, B. (2002). Light pollution: responses and remedies. London: Springer.

Morris, E. (2011, February 21). Light Pollution in the World. Retrieved September 20, 2014, from Light Pollution and Dark Skies: http://lightpollutionanddarkskies.blogspot.sg/

NARISADA , K., & SCHREUDER, D. (2004). LIGHT POLLUTION HANDBOOK. Netherlands: Springer.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. (2007, February). What is glare? Retrieved September 27, 2014, from Lighting Research Center: http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightinganswers/lightpollution/glare.asp

Smit, J. (n.d.). Light Pollution—the dark side of light. Retrieved September 20, 2014, from PRETORIA CENTRE OF THE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA: http://www.pretoria-astronomy.co.za/light_pollution.htm

The City Dark. (2011, August 17). Retrieved September 20, 2014, from Urban Omnibus: http://urbanomnibus.net/2011/08/the-city-dark/

The Woman’s Guide to Buying Flattering Eyewear: When should I Buy New Glasses? (2014, February 13). Retrieved September 20, 2014, from Avoce Eyewear Blog: http://avoceeyewear.com/wp/?p=375

What is light pollution? (2007, February). Retrieved September 20, 2014, from Lighting Research Center: http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightinganswers/lightpollution/lightPollution.asp

Keep quiet, please!

Noise pollution has not received as much attention as other types of pollution, such as air pollution, or water pollution. This is because the fact that we can’t see, taste or smell it; however, the air around us is constantly filled with sounds. (Noise Pollution, 2012)

Noise is “unwanted or disturbing sound”.  Sound becomes unwanted when it either interferes with normal activities such as sleeping, conversation, or disrupts or diminishes one’s quality of life.  The persistent and escalating sources of sound can often be considered an annoyance. This “annoyance” can have major consequences, primarily to one’s overall health. (Noise Pollution, 2012)

The inner part of the ear contains tiny hair cells. The hair cells change sound into electric signals. Then nerves carry these signals to the brain, which recognizes sound. These tiny hair cells are easily damaged by loud sounds and too much use and it may become damaged. (Vorvick, 2012). The risk of damage to hearing depends on volume which is measured in decibels (dB), duration of exposure (Stony Brook Surgery, 2012) and family history of hearing loss. (Vorvick, 2012)

Figure 1 How sound is transmitted

Source: (Macrae, 2010)

Noise pollution not only causes hearing problems. Nonauditory effects of noise exposure are those effects that don’t cause hearing loss but still can be measured, such as elevated blood pressure, loss of sleep, increased heart rate, cardiovascular constriction, labored breathing, and changes in brain chemistry. According to the WHO Guidelines for Community Noise, “these health effects, in turn, can lead to social handicap, reduced productivity, decreased performance in learning, absenteeism in the workplace and school, increased drug use, and accidents.” (Chepesiuk, 2005)

Noise pollution also affects the ecosystem. It has been found that noise can have a number of impacts on wildlife such as changing patterns of behaviour and effects on breeding patterns. (An Economic Valuation of Noise Pollution – developing a tool for policy appraisal, 2008) For example, increased mortality was observed in fish eggs and embryos located in environments with ambient noise levels that were only 15 dB higher than those observed in nature. (Banner & Hyatt, 1973)

Figure 2 Black-chinned hummingbirds appear drawn to noise, perhaps because their predators, scrub jays, leave noisy sites

Source: (Parry, 2012)

In Singapore’s context, the noise pollution is a common problem from construction sites and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). Can you imagine the life of residents who have to withstand the noise from MRT trains whizzing by their homes?

One of the operators of MRT train, install noise barrier as mitigation measure. SMRT Trains Ltd (SMRT), have completed installing noise barriers at the new MRT viaduct at Jurong East Station and near Bishan Station. It expects that some 20km of noise barriers may be needed in all to reduce noise pollution from its train network and the installation should be completed by 2020. (Land Transport Master Plan 2013, 2013) The noise barriers will help to reduce noise levels from passing trains by about five to 10 decibels. (REDUCING RAILWAY NOISE, 2013) The current noise guideline adopted to guide developments in the vicinity of MRT tracks is 67 dBA (equivalent continuous noise level over 1 hour) at the facade of building.

Figure 3 Noise barrier installed by SMRT

Source: (Land Transport Master Plan 2013, 2013)

Is the noise level of 67dBA (continuous exposure for 1 hour) safe that it does not cause any health impact?

If a sound reaches 85 dB or stronger, it can cause permanent damage to your hearing. The amount of time you listen to a sound affects how much damage it will cause. The quieter the sound, the longer you can listen to it safely. If the sound is very quiet, it will not cause damage even if you listen to it for a very long time; however, exposure to some common sounds can cause permanent damage. With extended exposure, noises that reach a decibel level of 85 can cause permanent damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, leading to hearing loss. (Decibel Exposure Time Guidelines)

Figure 4 Permissible exposure time for different sound levels

Source: (Decibel Exposure Time Guidelines)

It seems that noise level of MRT is less likely to cause hearing impairment, but it is possible to cause annoyance. The same noise could be annoying to some people but acceptable to others. There is no definite relationship between the degree of annoyance or unpleasantness of noise and the risk of adverse health effects. (Noise - Non-Auditory Effects, 2007)

Maybe for some of the people, the noise produced by MRT is the alarm clock?

Works Cited

Noise - Non-Auditory Effects. (2007, February 16). Retrieved September 19, 2014, from Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/non_auditory.html

(2008). An Economic Valuation of Noise Pollution – developing a tool for policy appraisal. United Kingdom: Department for Environmental Food and Rural Affairs.

Noise Pollution. (2012, July 16). Retrieved September 12, 2014, from U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY: http://www.epa.gov/air/noise.html

(2013). Land Transport Master Plan 2013. Singapore: Land Transport Authority.

REDUCING RAILWAY NOISE. (2013, May 17). Retrieved September 13, 2014, from Land Transport Authority: http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltaweb/en/public-transport/mrt-and-lrt-trains/reducing-railway-noise.html

Banner, A., & Hyatt, M. (1973). Effects of Noise on Eggs and Larvae of Two Estuarine Fishes. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 102,134-136.

Chepesiuk, R. (2005, January). Decibel Hell: The Effects of Living in a Noisy World. Retrieved September 13, 2014, from National Center for Biotechnology Information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1253729/

Decibel Exposure Time Guidelines. (n.d.). Retrieved September 14, 2014, from Dangerous Decibels: http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/education/information-center/decibel-exposure-time-guidelines/

Macrae, F. (2010, May 14). Deafness cure breakthrough as scientists create tiny ear hairs from stem cells. Retrieved September 14, 2014, from Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1278160/Deafness-cure-breakthrough-scientists-create-tiny-ear-hairs-stem-cells.html

Parry, W. (2012, March 20). Human Racket Affects Plants, Too. Retrieved September 13, 2014, from livescience: http://www.livescience.com/19189-noise-pollution-indirect-effects-plants.html

Stony Brook Surgery. (2012, August 23). Headphones & Earphones Can Cause Permanent Hearing Loss: What You Need to Know. Retrieved September 13, 2014, from Stony Brook School of Medicine: http://medicine.stonybrookmedicine.edu/surgery/blog/headphones-and-earphones-can-cause-permanent-hearing-loss-what-you-need-to-know

Vorvick, L. J. (2012, May 13). Hearing loss and music. Retrieved September 13, 2014, from MedlinePlus: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000495.htm

You are causing “pollution” because you look ugly?

There are different types of pollution and visual pollution is one of them, even though it is less known by people. Unlike other types of pollution such as air pollution, water pollution and land pollution which are measurable and quantifiable, how do we define visual pollution since “ugliness” is immeasurable? 

Generally, visual pollution is defined as “any unwanted sight that mentally or physically affects the community or creates any health hazard”. It can be as simple as the ugly scene of huge mountains of waste on the roadside and unpleasant odour that affect your appetite or to a more serious extent which the overload of signboards that distract the road users and causing more road accidents. (Muthukrishnan)

Figure 1 Mountains of rubbish were piling up in the Spanish city of Seville

Source: (Watson, 2013)

Figure 2 Different Forms of Visual Pollution

Source: (Muthukrishnan)

A major conflict between renewable energy and aesthetical value is the wind farm. With the increasing concern of global warming issue, cleaner and more sustainable renewable energy are developed with lesser carbon emission. Wind turbines produce renewable energy by means of transforming wind energy into electricity; the process has no by-product of gaseous emission. (Grimm, 2009) Hence, there is an increase in popularity for wind energy.

World wind energy capacity has been doubling about every three and a half years since 1990.

Figure 3 Comparing Total Wind Energy Generation for 1993 and 2011

Source: (World Energy Resources 2013 Survey, 2013)

Due to the sitting requirements for efficient energy production, wind turbines need to be located in open unobstructed areas where strong winds are prevalent. For economic feasibility, they also need to be located close to a current grid network, reducing huge costs of transmission line connection. Consequently, ideal sitting locations are typically in conspicuous locations within close proximity to the outskirts of residential suburbia. (Grimm, 2009)

Figure 4 Wind Turbines in Natural Landscape

Source: (Terrabotics)

In the form of visual pollution, wind turbines also contribute to shadow flicker. Shadow flicker is defined as alternating changes in light intensity caused by the moving blade casting shadows on the ground and stationary objects, such as window on a dwelling. The major concern for it is the moving visual silhouettes across building windows and possible psychological effects of epilepsy and related health issues. (Grimm, 2009) However, this annoyance can be minimized with careful siting, planting trees or installing window awnings, or curtailing wind turbine operations when certain lighting conditions exist. (Environmental Impacts of Wind Power, 2013)

The video below shows how shadow flicker is caused by wind turbine. Do you think it is annoying?

Source: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbIe0iUtelQ)

Figure 5 A wind turbine is seen near to a gate of the ancient city of Wushu in Diaobingshan, Liaoning province

Source: (Zhu, 2012)

The wind energy is a form of renewable energy which reduces the impact of air pollution; however, it is hardly avoided to cause the visual pollution. Is wind turbine a nice sculpture for you or do you think it spoiled the beautiful scenery? 

Works Cited

(n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2014, from Terrabotics: http://terrabotics.co/

Environmental Impacts of Wind Power. (2013, May 3). Retrieved September 7, 2014, from Union of Concerned Scientists: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-wind-power.html

(2013). World Energy Resources 2013 Survey. London: World Energy Council.

Grimm, B. (2009). Quantifying the Visual Effects of Wind Farms; A Theoritical Process in an Evolving Australian Visual Landscape. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from http://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/63374/2/02main.pdf

Muthukrishnan, N. (n.d.). Visual Pollution - More Dangerous than You Think It Is. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from C.P.R ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTRE: http://cpreec.org/161.htm

Watson, L. (2013, February 7). Striking rubbish collectors cause a stink in Seville by letting 6,000 tons of waste pile up on the city's streets. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from CapitalBay: http://www.capitalbay.com/uk/305832-striking-rubbish-collectors-cause-a-stink-in-seville-by-letting-6-000-tons-of-waste-pile-up-on-the-city-s-streets.html

Zhu, C. (2012, September 10). China pushes wind power, but no quick payoff for producers. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from Reuters France: http://reuters.fr/article/newsOne/idUKBRE8880J720120910