The book Environmental Pollution, is the outcome of intensive efforts made by the author for more than seven years in collection of materials, their recasting to suit own scheme of requirement and also incorporating new research findings from reputed researchers on environmental pollution in the book. The book has been styled to cover the requirements of University syllabus for the graduate (Honours) and postgraduate students of various universities.
The book covers major aspects of environment: air pollution, water pollution, soil and land pollution, and pollution by physical agents (causing radioactive pollution, thermal pollution, sound pollution). Under the umbrella of these four major aspects a lot of valuable information has been given on many topics including particulate pollutants, problems of aerosol accumulation, role of aerosol in photochemical pollution, phenomenon of acid rain and its effects, problem of ozone depletion, uses and destructive role of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), causes of global warming, and role of some air-borne organisms as biopollutants. These items represent main segments of atmospheric pollution.
Likewise, matters on industrial pollution, particularly sewage and some other biodegradable wastes, role of infectious agents in water to spread diseases, production of excess of plant nutrients in water, organic chemicals of exotic sources (including insecticides, herbicides, surfactant chemicals in detergents), inorganic chemicals in water, agricultural solid wastes, sediments, coastal pollution/oil pollution, etc., represent main instances of water pollution.
Four Chapters on (i) Pollution due to Deforestations (ii) Mining Operation (iii) Radioactive Isotopes as Pollutants, and (iv) Genetic Disorders in Organisms by Pollutants are of rare importance, liable to give some starting knowledge to common readers of this book and provide awareness of how unsafe they are in this universe. The informations on effect of pollutants, on human health, animal health, plants, materials and properties are of general public interest and introduction of legal steps for controlling pollution carry additional significance.
Dr. S.M. Shafi is a well-known figure among Zoologists/Fishery Scientists of India for his outstanding research contributions and wide experience gained by evaluation works of M.Phil. and Ph.D. Theses as well as P.G. examination works in several Universities of India. His participation in seminars (National and International) held at various places, deliberation of lectures in the sectional meetings and also in the Annual Meet of the Section of Science and Society at Jaipur and Culcutta in 1994 and 1995 sessions of the Indian Science Congress are like chandelier towards reputation he has gained. Uptill now he has supervised 12 Ph.D. theses and contributed 116 research articles to various academic societies of India and abroad. He has to his credit two books: Modern Ichthyology, published in the millennium year and growing in popularity; and the recently published Applied Fishery Science.
Dr. Shafi acted as referee for several research publications, continues to be a member in the Editorial Board of some Academic Societies of India, acted as an Expert Member in the Research Board/Syllabi Revision Committees and Questions Moderation Board of several Indian Universities.
In 1991 Dr. S.M. Shafi was given responsibility of serving as an Expert Member of Fishery Section, I.C.A.R., Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi for evaluation of research projects which he availed of for full term. His own research contributions in earlier years were on histophysiological studies of some vital organs of the inland water fishes but later works were related to such studies on effects of some agricultural chemicals (biocides) and industrial effluents.
Dr. S.M. Shafi’s research pursuit paid matching dividend as the American Biographical Institute awarded him International Diploma of Honour in 1995 and Guard of Honour in 1998.
