Raheme MatthieTeacher: Miss WilliamsSubject: Human and Social BiologyDate Submitted: February , 2013

CONTENT

1# DEFINITION OF THE TERM POLLUTION

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause harm or

adverse change to human health, or other living organisms and the environment. Pollution can

take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light. Pollutants, the

components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or naturally occurring

contaminants such as litter, chemicals, fumes, pesticides or organic wastes. Pollution is often

classed as point source or nonpoint source pollution.

#2 WHAT IS A POLLUTANT?

A pollutant is a substance or energy introduced into the environment that has undesired or

harmful effects.

It can also be described as any substance, as certain chemicals or waste products, which renders

the air, soil, water, or other natural resource harmful or unsuitable for a specific purpose. A

pollutant may cause long- or short-term damage by changing the growth rate of plant or animal

species, or by interfering with human amenities, comfort, health, or property values. Some

pollutants are biodegradable and therefore will not persist in the environment in the long term.

However the degradation products of some pollutants are themselves polluting such as the

products DDE and DDD produced from degradation of DDT. Pollutants can be artificial

substances, such as pesticides and PCBs, or naturally occurring substances, such as oil or carbon

dioxide, that occur in harmful concentrations in a given environment. Heat transmitted to natural

waterways through warm-water discharge from power plants and uncontained radioactivity from

nuclear wastes is also considered pollutants.

3# THE EFFECTS OF POLLUTANTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

There are various types of pollution for example air, water, and land pollution. It affects

everything in the world and is everywhere; it even affects remote places like the Arctic. There is

nowhere on the planet that is not polluted.

Air pollution is the contamination of air by the discharge of harmful substance. Air pollution

comes from burning of fossils fuels to produce electricity, from vehicle exhaust fumes and

factory chimneys and from refrigeration systems, which release harmful chemicals (CFCs). Air

pollution harms humans. It causes health problems such as burning eyes and nose. There are also

more serious health problems that it can cause, some chemicals can cause cancer, birth defects,

brain, and nerve damage. When we breathe in, dust and pollutants in the air get into out lungs.

Respiratory diseases like bronchitis, cancer and emphysema are more common in areas where air

is highly polluted. Air pollution damages the ozone layer that protects us from the harmful

ultraviolet rays from the sun. Air pollution also affects plants; it interferes with photosynthesis so

the plants cannot properly make their own food. It affects the fruits the plants grow and make

them smaller and less nutritious.

Water pollution is the addition of harmful materials to a body of water in concentrations that

affect its quality. Water pollution kills life that lives in water. Water pollution also affects the

food chain when smaller organisms eat it and are than eaten by larger ones eventually humans

come into the food chain too. People can get hepatitis by eating poisoned seafood. Plants are also

affected by water pollution. As people dump chemicals into the water the plants there are

affected by it. The chemicals work as a fertilizer by making the plants grow as they grow they

need more and more oxygen that they used to share with other organisms that lived there. As the

plants die from their lack of water they have to decompose which uses even more oxygen, which

the fish and other organisms need to survive. This causes the whole ecosystem to be unbalanced.

Land pollution is the addition of undesirable matter to the land that may damage organisms.

Mainly herbicides and pesticides pollute soil.

Land can also become contaminated by activities such as mining and improper waste disposal.

Air pollution also affects Land pollution, acid rain caused by air pollution comes down and soaks

into the ground and pollutes all the ground water. Because all water leads to the ocean even the

polluted ground water will get to the ocean and pollute it too.

The Earth has very fragile ecosystems and pollution takes away the balance of all of them.

Humans should learn proper ways of disposing their waste.

#4 THE METHOD OF CONTROLLING POLLUTION

Pollution is caused by mainly human activities on the environment. Burning fossil fuels and

exhaust from motor vehicles are some of the leading causes of air pollution. Sewage from

domestic users and Oil spilled from tankers are the biggest sources of water pollution. In order

for us to improve the quality of our air and water we have to established and implement ways of

preventing and controlling pollution. All over the world, environmental organizations and

individuals are working towards reducing the effects of human damage on the environment; as a

result different methods have been assembled as to help resolve these problems.

Reducing emissions – Emissions are substances discharged into the environment,

particular carbon containing pollutants, from industry and vehicles. Industries can put measures

in place to prevent and control emissions and pollutants. Motor car manufacturers can help to

prevent pollution. Most modern cars have catalytic converters in the exhaust systems. The

catalyst oxidizes poisonous carbon monoxide into less harmful carbon dioxide. Lead free petrol

help to reduce lead levels in the atmosphere and modern diesels for cars are designed to be much

lower in sulphur.

Individual persons can also help to control pollution by the following methods

Use renewable energy sources – find out whether your area offers electricity generated

by windmills, solar panels or other clean technology. Support these sources of energy, as

they will help to improve the level of pollution in the environment.

Recycle and use recycled products – less power is used making products from recycled

materials than is used making them from new materials. Recycle paper reduces

deforestation, thus saving trees that can remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Plant more trees – trees use CO₂ form the atmosphere to produce oxygen. A tree can

remove between 300 and 3000kg of carbon from the atmosphere during its lifespan. A

tree that shades your home can help to reduce the cost of running an air-conditioner.

Without trees we humans and other life forms would not be able to support life.

Therefore is very important that more trees are planted than cut down.

Turn off heating devices, coolers and appliances– hot water cylinders and air-

conditioners use a lot of energy. Many public buildings use air-conditioners in their

buildings. I best advice that these buildings use these power consuming devices lees or if

possible not at all. The use of devices can be regulated as timer can be installed so that

you only use them for short periods during the day. Kitchen appliances, televisions,

computers, phone chargers and all other appliances all use power, even when they are

plugged in and switched off.

Use less fossil fuel – cars and other vehicles are part of our everyday uses as a medium

for transport. The effects of exhaust from these motor vehicles can be reduced

significantly in your town or city, by using public transport, car pools and shared rides. If

business people sue the telephone and video conference technology instead of flying to

meetings, they save time, money and more importantly reduce the level of carbon

emissions released from the airplanes. If you walk or ride a bicycle instead of travelling

in a vehicle powered by fossil fuels, you can minimize the level of pollution caused

within your region.

Use energy –efficient products/appliances -

#5 THE CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION

In some un-developed countries, the sewage is not treated, but quickly dumped into the sea or

water bodies. This is VERY dangerous because they contaminate the environment and water

bodies and bring many deadly diseases to us. The causes of water pollution are as explained

below:

Septic Tanks

Every domestic (home) toilet is connected to septic tank usually located outside the house. Each

time excretory products are flushed down the toilet, it goes into this tank, where the solid part is

separated from the liquid part. Biological processes are used to break down the solids and the

liquid is usually drained out into a land drainage system. From this stage, it can escape into the

soil and nearby water bodies.

Ocean and marine dumping

think of the rubbish we all make each day. Paper waste,

food waste, plastic, rubber, metallic and aluminum waste.

In some countries, there are deposited into the sea. All

these waste types take time to decompose. Example, it is

known that paper takes about 600 years, aluminum takes

about 200 years and glass takes even more. When these end up in the sea, they remain there for

many years, as a result they harm sea

animals and cause a lot of deaths.

Industrial waste

Industries also cause huge water pollution with their activities. These come from:

Asbestos – This pollutant cancer-causing properties. When inhaled, it can cause illnesses such as

asbestosis and many types of cancer.

Lead and Mercury – These are metallic elements and can cause environmental and health

problems for humans and animals. It is even more poisonous. It is usually very hard to clean it up

from the environment once it get into it because it in non-biodegradable.

Nitrates & Phosphates– These are found in fertilizers are often washed from the soils to nearby

water bodies. They can cause eutrophication, which can be very problematic to marine

environments.

Sulphur – This is a non-metallic substance that is harmful for marine life.

Oils – Oils forms a thick layer on the water surface because they do not dissolve in water. This

can stop marine plants receiving enough light for photosynthesis. It is also harmful for fish and

marine birds. A classic example is the BP oil spill in 2012 with killed thousands of animal

species.

Oil Pollution

Routine shipping, run-offs and dumping of oils on the ocean surfaces happen every day. Oil

spills make up about 12% of the oil that enters the ocean. Oil spills cause major problems, and

can be extremely harmful to local marine wildlife such as fish, birds and sea otters and other

aquatic life. Because oil does not dissolve, it stays on the water surface and suffocates fish. Oil

also gets caught in the feathers of sea birds stopping them from flying. Some animals die as a

result.

Underground storage and tube leakages.

Many liquid products (petroleum products) are stored in metal and steel tubes underground.

Other sewage systems run in underground tubes. Overtime, they rust and begin to leak. If that

happens, they contaminate the soils and the liquids in them end up in many nearby water bodies.

Atmospheric

Atmospheric deposition is the pollution of water bodies caused by air pollution. Each time the air

is polluted with sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, they mix with water particles in the air and

form a toxic substance. This falls as acid rain to the ground, and gets washed into water bodies.

The result is that, water bodies also get contaminated and this affects animals and water

organisms.

Agricultural pollutants

These can be described as fertilizer and pesticide run off. Rain washes fertilizers and pesticides

from farmlands into rivers and lakes. Once fertilizers get into the water sources they can increase

the level of ammonia which pollutes the water. Very few aquatic organisms can survive high

levels of ammonia. The result of this is the death of different species when they are exposed.

Nutrients in manure can stimulate the growth of algae. Algae grows very rapidly ‘nutrient

bloom’, which depletes the oxygen available to other organisms in the water and also blocks out

light. Manure also harbors dangerous bacteria, such as giardia and cryptosporidium. These

pathogens are a hazard for seafood eaters, sea organisms and swimmers.

Mud from construction sites and road building can also flow into rivers and dams and

affect plant and animal life.

#6 THE PROCESS OF LARGE SCALE WATER PURIFICATION

Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants,

suspended solids and gases from contaminated water. The goal is to produce water fit for a

specific purpose. Most water is purified for human consumption (drinking water), but water

purification may also be designed for a variety of other purposes, including meeting the

requirements of medical, pharmacological, chemical and industrial applications. In general the

methods used include physical processes such as filtration, sedimentation, and distillation,

biological processes such as slow sand filters or biologically active carbon, chemical processes

such as flocculation and chlorination and the use of electromagnetic radiation such as ultraviolet

light.

The purification process of water may reduce the concentration of particulate matter including

suspended particles, parasites, bacteria, algae, viruses, fungi; and a range of dissolved and

particulate material derived from the surfaces that water may have made contact with after

falling as rain.

Simple procedures such as boiling or the use of a household activated carbon filter are not

sufficient for treating all the possible contaminants that may be present in water from an

unknown source. Even natural spring water – considered safe for all practical purposes in the

19th century – must now be tested before determining what kind of treatment, if any, is needed.

Chemical and microbiological analysis, while expensive, are the only way to obtain the

information necessary for deciding on the appropriate method of purification. Simple techniques

for treating water at home, such as chlorination, filters, and solar disinfection, and storing it in

safe containers could save a huge number of lives each year. Reducing deaths from waterborne

diseases is a major public health goal in developing countries.

Large-scale or municipal water treatment is not common in rural communities but you may find

it in larger towns and cities where there is a network of pipes and pumps to distribute water from

the treatment works. There are several steps in municipal water treatment; intended to remove

solids, kill pathogenic organisms and make water safe to drink. The main stages are usually

aeration, sedimentation, coagulation, filtration and disinfection.

Aeration simply means to mix air with the water. It is used to remove volatile (easily

evaporated) substances from drinking water. Air and water are put into contact with each other,

i.e. air is bubbled through the water, so that the volatile substances are evaporated into the

airstream and removed from the water. Aeration can be carried out in towers or aeration basins to

provide the necessary contact time between air and water.

Sedimentation is the settling out of comparatively heavy suspended material (suspended solids)

in water because of gravity. The settling takes place in a quiet pond or a specially constructed

tank. A minimum 24-hour retention time is necessary to have a significant reduction in

suspended matter. (Retention time means the length of time the water is kept (retained) in the

tank.) Sedimentation can be used alone or in combination with coagulation.

#7 THE WATER CYCLE

The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle or the H2O cycle, is a natural cycle which

depends on the energy of the sun, it describes the continuous movement of water on, above and

below the surface of the Earth. The water moves from one reservoir to another, such as a river to

ocean, or from the ocean to the atmosphere, by the physical processes of evaporation,

condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and subsurface flow. In so doing, the water goes

through different phases: liquid, solid (ice), and gas (vapor).

Water vapor rises in the atmosphere and cools down to form clouds. As the cloud rise,

they cool further and the water vapor changes back to liquid drops of water I the process of

condensation. When the water droplets get too heavy in the clouds they fall back to the Earth in

the form of rain or snow. Rain and snow are forms of precipitation.

The rainwater that is absorbed into the ground is filtered by rocks and soil. This filtration

removes solid particles from the water, and allows the liquid to soak through to reach the water

table which is a saturated layer of water at a particular depth below the soil.

The water cycle involves the exchange of heat, which leads to temperature changes. For

instance, when water evaporates, it takes up energy from its surroundings and cools the

environment. When it condenses, it releases energy and warms the environment. These heat

exchanges influence climate. By transferring water from one reservoir to another, the water cycle

purifies water, replenishes the land with freshwater, and transports minerals to different parts of

the globe. It is also involved in reshaping the geological features of the Earth, through such

processes as erosion and sedimentation. The whole cycle is repeated continually it figures

significantly in the maintenance of life and ecosystems on Earth.

#8 THE STAGES OF WATER PURIFICATION

#9 SIMPLE WAYS OF PURIFYING WATER,

WITHIN THE HOME

Water that we use daily contains algae, bacteria, protozoa or virus; all these can make you very

ill if you drink it. Chemicals in water can affect its taste and quality and can also cause stomach

upsets. It is best advised to purify water before drinking it. There are several methods that you

can utilize to do this, these methods are described here.

Boiling

Boiling is one of the simplest and most effective methods of purifying water. This is done by

using a clean container placed over a heat source until it bubbles ( comes to a rolling boil). With

the heat reduced allow it to boil for 5 – 10 minutes. The heat will kill pathogens and make the

water safe to drink. Once it has boiled, cover the water and let cool. Store in a clean, sealed

container.

Adding Chemicals

You can use small amounts of plain household chlorine bleach, dilute iodine or potassium

permanganate to purify water.

Bleach – pour water into a clean container. A dropper can be used to add bleach at a rate

of 1 - 2 droppings per litre of water. If he water is cloudy at first, then double the amount.

Sir the water for even distribution of the bleach and let stand for half an hour before

drinking. Don’t add more than 5 drops per litre.

Dilute Iodine – use a 2% solution of iodine. Put the water in a clean container and add 5

drops per litre to the water. Double this amount if the water is cloudy to start with. Stir

the mixture and allow it to stand for half an hour before drinking.

Potassium permanganate - Pour water into a clean container. Add three or four

crystals per litre and allow it to dissolve. Stir the water and let it stand for half an hour

before using.

Once you have purified the water, you need to store in a sealed container to prevent new

microorganisms from contaminating it. A pinch of salt can be added as to enhance the

taste of the water.

Water that is muddy and contains solid particles, can be filtered to get rid of the

solids before purifying it.

#10 HOW CAN WATER BE TESTED FOR BACTERIA?

How do I collect a sample of water for bacteria testing?

A proper container must be used to collect the sample.

1. To collect all samples, a sterile microbiological sample container, which contains 1-sodium thiosulphate pill (to neutralize chlorine), should be used.

2. Sample containers should be kept clean and free from contamination before and after collecting the sample. They should not be opened prior to collecting the sample.

3. At locations where the sample must be collected from a tap, inspect the outside of the faucet. If water leaks around the outside of the faucet, select a different sampling site. Remove any aerators, strainers, hose attachments, mixing type faucets, and purification devices from the tap.Run the cold water for at least three minutes before sample collection.

4. Reduce the tap flow rate before taking the sample. The flow rate should be low enough to ensure that no splashing occurs as the container is filled. At sampling points where water runs continuously, do not adjust flow rate.

5. Identify all containers and complete the corresponding requisition. All raw water samples are to be identified.

6. While holding the sample container at the base, carefully flip the top cover up, (there will be some resistence), using the tab, hold the flip lid back from the water source. Be careful not to touch the edge, the underneath of the flip lid or the top and/or inside of the sample container. If the sample container is cracked or appears dirty or if you suspect there are any other conditions which places the quality of the container in doubt, it is to be rejected and replaced with another sample container. Care is to be exercised to prevent breathing directly on the inside of the flip lid and also the container.

7. The sample container is to be filled over the "100 mL fill line", not under which leaves enough air space in the container to allow for mixing by shaking in the lab. The flip lid is carefully replaced and the security string is inserted, this will secure the tab and flip lid in place.

8. Samples shall be transported to the laboratory within 24 hours. It is recommended that samples be kept at <10oC (in a refrigerator or cooler with ice packs) until delivered to the lab.

#11 THE IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES

ON WATER SUPPLIES

Humans impact the earth both directly and indirectly.  Our mere presence on this planet or the

state of being “alive” and breathing produces carbon dioxide, a known depletory of the ozone. 

Industrialization, production, agriculture, land-use practices, hydropower generation, fossil fuel

and nuclear power generation, disposal of wastes, and our ever-lasting desire for consumption to

obtain more, whether it be material objects or material items, causing devastating impacts to our

ecosystems and water sources.  We use water for such tasks as bathing to watering our garden,

not to mention that it comprises nearly 70% of our body.  It is for these reasons that we need to

take careful steps to reduce negative impacts.   

There are many things we can do in our daily activities to conserve our water supply.  The

simplest but the most often forgotten is to NOT WASTE WATER!  If you have a leaky faucet or

running toilet, fix it! Brush your teeth with the water off, limit baths taken and shower time, or

purchase a showerhead that regulates water flow from the tap. 

Agriculture plays a considerable role in the quality of water.  We need the agricultural industry,

to sustain our food supply.  However, the practices used have harmful effects on neighboring

watersheds.  Three factors come into play when considering agriculture and human wastes: 

Pesticides, fertilizers and the waste produced by our farm animals, and non-existent sewage

disposal systems.   Fertilizers are excess nutrients and they are applied to aid growth; pesticides

are chemicals to kill or repel pests; and wastes are excess nutrients excreted by farm animals

such as nitrogen and phosphorus. When pesticides or fertilizers are applied to crops, there is

evident probability that there will be runoff.  The excess materials will either run off the land, or

seep into the groundwater, with an eventual ending in bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, or

streams.  Fertilizer, pesticides, and excess nutrient wastes by farm animals, and non-existent

sewage management plans may contaminate freshwater ecosystems and harm plants, animals,

insects, and fish that rely on this freshwater for their habitats.  

We all need nutrients for growth and reproduction.  However, excess nutrients lead to a common

problem known as an “algal bloom.”  This causes an overproduction of algae, which limits

sunlight reaching lower waters, and reduces dissolved oxygen.  Plants cannot live without

sunlight, and as a consequence they will die.  Much aquatic life depends on plants as their food

mainstay, so they too will die off.  The reduction of dissolved oxygen occurs as plants die and

decay at the bottom of the the water.  Bacteria consume oxygen, which leaves limited amounts

for the other present organisms that depend on it, thus killing them off too.  

Another human impact on water quality is the implementation of sewage treatment plants.  Until

just recently, sewage treatment plants were not a widespread practice.  At present, there are still

many townships and municipalities that have no means of disposing of household waste.  Where

does it go?  If you live by a lake or pond, most likely your waste goes into that beautiful body of

water that you swim in, or goes into a septic tank that is possibly out of date or not maintained

properly.  Waste is excess nutrients.  It has the same effect as fertilizers and animal waste. 

However, human waste may contain harmful elements that can cause human disease such as E.

coli and ????. 

The mining industry has also impacted the quality of water.  The mining industry had its start

back in the mid 1700’s.  In these early days there were no measures employed to protect our

environment, so our earth has taken a burden of destruction and bad practices.  The most

prevalent impact on water quality has been the discharges from abandoned mines containing

heavy metals, sulfates, and acid, all entering our waterways.  The resulting problems include

contaminated drinking water, corrosion of road and rail network structures, and disturbed growth

of plants and animals trying to live in the tainted water.  If your waterway is contaminated, it will

most likely have a red, orange, or yellow tinge of the sediment. 

It is recommended that you follow guidelines or get needed assistance when using fertilizers and

pesticides.  There are programs and plans that aid those employed in the agricultural industry to

help protect their watersheds.  These include sewage treatment plants, implementation of nutrient

management plans, planting forest buffers, storm water management ponds, or digging of

manure pits. 

Everything humans do, even our mere existence, affects the quality of the water on earth.  We

should implement practices and policies to preserve the quality of our water, for water is one of

the most valuable natural resources left in the world, and we depend on it greatly. 

WHY CONTAMINATED WATER IS DERIMENTAL

TO HUMAN BEINGS

Water is easily polluted and water pollution is one of the most serious forms of contamination in

an ecosystem. Contaminated water is harmful to human beings because it contains disease-

causing organisms, which can impact seriously on human health. Cleaning agents can cause

water to foam, which makes it undrinkable and toxic.

People are increasingly concerned about the safety of their drinking water. As improvements in

analytical methods allow us to detect impurities at very low concentrations in water, water

supplies once considered pure are found to have contaminants. We cannot expect pure water, but

we want safe water.

The health effects of some contaminants in drinking water are not well understood, but the

presence of contaminants does not mean that your health will be harmed. In North Carolina,

drinking water is generally of high quality and free from significant contamination. Public water

supplies are tested, and regulated to ensure that our water remains free from unsafe levels of

contamination. Small private water supplies, including wells, are not regulated by drinking water

standards, and the owner must take steps to test and treat the water as needed to avoid possible

health risks.

What is in your drinking water? The only way to know is to have it tested.

Drinking water can become contaminated at the original water source, during treatment, or

during distribution to the home.

If your water comes from surface water (river or lake), it can be exposed to acid rain,

storm water runoff, pesticide runoff, and industrial waste. This water is cleansed

somewhat by exposure to sunlight, aeration, and micro-organisms in the water.

If your water comes from groundwater (private wells and some public water

supplies), it generally takes longer to become contaminated but the natural cleansing

process also may take much longer. Groundwater moves slowly and is not exposed to

sunlight, aeration, or aerobic (requiring oxygen) micro-organisms. Groundwater can be

contaminated by disease-producing pathogens, leachate from landfills and septic systems,

careless disposal of hazardous household products, agricultural chemicals, and leaking

underground storage tanks.

SEWAGE

Sewage is a mixture of waste and water. Most sewage consists of water mixed with:

Household waste water from kitchens and bathroom drainage Feaces and urine from toilets Industrial wastes flushed or released into drains Oil or other road debris washed from roads into the sewage systems

Sewage runs into the sewerage systems, which is designed to carry the materials to different treatment plants. At the treatment plant, the sewage is treated and cleaned before it is returned to the environment.

PROPER AND IMPROPER SEWAGE

DISPOSAL PRACTICES

Proper sewage disposal is getting rid sewage in the most environmentally and human friendly

way as possible whilst improper sewage disposal is the opposite. It causes the wide spread of

many diseases and poses as a health problem for human beings. Disease-causing bacteria can

contaminate drinking water supplies and be transported by flies, rodents and dogs. Proper

sewage disposal methods are essential to control disease-causing bacteria, to remove and

stabilize organic material, avoid the contamination of drinking water and reduce unpleasant

odors and unsightly appearance.

Porper idposal: Moden disposal even residential weaste, involves splitting upt he waste so that it

goes to the proper container and ultimately the proper treatment . Recycling, sewage, old food

and general garbage all get treated differently.

Inmproper disposal: means that hazardous material enter the environment and require removal,

clean up-up or neutralization according 5

THE IMPACT OF PROPER SEWAGE

DISPOSAL PRACTICES

THE ROLE OF MICRO ORGANISMS IN THE

TREATMENT OF SEWAGE

Sewage contains large numbers of microorganisms. These organisms help to break down organic

material in the sewage. However, as they do this, they use oxygen from the water and excrete

harmful substances. Hen sewage is dumped in water supplies, this process can reduce the oxygen

content and organisms that live in the water die from lack of oxygen or from exposure to harmful

substances. The only organism s that can survive are – anaerobic bacteria, they don’t need

oxygen – and these continue to decompose the organism wastes causing the water to become

dark green or black and very smelly.

THE TREATMENT OF SEWAGE BY BIOLOGICAL FILTER

AND SLUDGE METHOD

THE PARTS OF A PIT LATRINE AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

Part FunctionPit Collects urine, faeces and allows it to decompose and

to be absorbed into the soil

Lid Seals the opening when not in use, prevents insects and rodents from entering the pit, and contains odors

Latrine House Provides privacy, allows the area to be screened off to keep insects out of the latrine

Pit Lining Provides support for the toilet, prevents the top of the pit from collapsing and keeps the floor dry/easy to

cleanLatrine opening Opening to the pit, allows passage of urine and faeces

as well as cleaning materials such as toilets paper

Sloped roof Allows rainwater to run off and prevents it from entering the latrine or the pit

Vent Pipe Allows air to circulate and removes odors from the pit

Pipe Screen Prevents insects and other pests from entering the pipe

BibliographyJoanna George-Johnson, K. M. (2010). Human and Social Biology for CSEC examination. London: Hodder Education.