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Unit I Environment, Ecosystems and Biodiversity 12

This document outlines the curriculum for an environmental science course. It covers five units: 1) Environment, ecosystems and biodiversity, including definitions of hazards, ecosystem structures, and biodiversity; 2) Environmental pollution, such as air, water, soil, and noise pollution; 3) Natural resources including forests, water, minerals, food, and energy; 4) Social issues and the environment like urban problems, resettlement, and environmental ethics; and 5) Human population and the environment including population growth, health, and case studies. Field studies are integrated throughout the curriculum.

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59 views

Unit I Environment, Ecosystems and Biodiversity 12

This document outlines the curriculum for an environmental science course. It covers five units: 1) Environment, ecosystems and biodiversity, including definitions of hazards, ecosystem structures, and biodiversity; 2) Environmental pollution, such as air, water, soil, and noise pollution; 3) Natural resources including forests, water, minerals, food, and energy; 4) Social issues and the environment like urban problems, resettlement, and environmental ethics; and 5) Human population and the environment including population growth, health, and case studies. Field studies are integrated throughout the curriculum.

Uploaded by

karthi keyan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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UNIT I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY 12

Definition, scope and importance of Risk and hazards; Chemical hazards, Physical hazards,
Biological hazards in the environment – concept of an ecosystem – structure and function of an
ecosystem – producers, consumers and decomposers-Oxygen cycle and Nitrogen cycle –
energy flow
in the ecosystem – ecological succession processes – Introduction, types, characteristic
features,
structure and function of the (a) forest ecosystem (b) grassland ecosystem (c) desert ecosystem
(d)
aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries) – Introduction to
biodiversity
definition: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity – biogeographical classification of India –
value of
biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values –
Biodiversity at global, national and local levels – India as a mega-diversity nation – hot-spots of
biodiversity – threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts –
endangered and endemic species of India – conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and ex-situ
conservation of biodiversity. Field study of common plants, insects, birds
Field study of simple ecosystems – pond, river, hill slopes, etc.
UNIT II ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 10
Definition – causes, effects and control measures of:

(a) Air pollution (Atmospheric chemistry-


Chemical composition of the atmosphere; Chemical and photochemical reactions in the
atmosphere -formation of smog, PAN, acid rain, oxygen and ozone chemistry;- Mitigation
procedures- Control of particulate and gaseous emission, Control of SO2, NOX, CO and HC)

(b) Water pollution : Physical and chemical properties of terrestrial and marine water and their
environmental significance; Water quality parameters – physical, chemical and biological;
absorption of heavy metals - Water treatment
processes.

(c) Soil pollution - soil waste management: causes, effects and control measures of
municipal solid wastes –
(d) Marine pollution
(e) Noise pollution
(f) Thermal pollution
(g) Nuclear hazards–role of an individual in prevention of pollution – pollution case studies –
Field study of local polluted site – Urban / Rural / Industrial / Agricultural.
UNIT III NATURAL RESOURCES 10
Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation, deforestation, case studies- timber extraction,
mining, dams and their effects on forests and tribal people – Water resources: Use and
overutilization of surface and ground water, dams-benefits and problems – Mineral resources:
Use and exploitation, environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources, case
studies – Food resources: World food problems, changes caused by agriculture and
overgrazing, effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging, salinity,
case studies – Energy resources: Growing energy needs, renewable and non renewable
energy sources, use of alternate energy sources. Energy Conversion processes – Biogas –
production and uses, anaerobic digestion; case studies – Land resources: Land as a resource,
land degradation, man induced landslides, soil erosion and desertification – role of an individual
in conservation of natural resources – Equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles.
Introduction to Environmental Biochemistry: Proteins –Biochemical degradation of pollutants,
Bioconversion of pollutants.
Field study of local area to document environmental assets – river / forest / grassland / hill /
mountain.
UNIT IV SOCIAL ISSUES AND THE ENVIRONMENT 7
From unsustainable to sustainable development – urban problems related to energy – water
conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management – resettlement and rehabilitation of
people; its problems and concerns, case studies – role of non-governmental organization
environmental ethics: Issues and possible solutions – 12 Principles of green chemistry- nuclear
accidents and holocaust, case studies. – wasteland reclamation – consumerism and waste
products –
environment production act – Air act – Water act – Wildlife protection act – Forest conservation
act –
The Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules; 1998 and amendments- scheme of
labeling of environmentally friendly products (Ecomark). enforcement machinery involved in
environmental legislation- central and state pollution control boards- disaster management:
floods,
earthquake, cyclone and landslides.
Public awareness.
UNIT V HUMAN POPULATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT 6
Population growth, variation among nations – population explosion – family welfare programme
–
environment and human health – human rights – value education – HIV / AIDS – women and
child
welfare –Environmental impact analysis (EIA)- -GIS-remote sensing-role of information
technology in
environment and human health – Case studies.

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