Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi

Viswa Maha Vidyalaya

Enathur, Kanchipuram - 631561

Department of Chemistry

B.E I Year

Study Material - II Semester

2014-2015

Subject: Environmental Science and Engineering

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 Index
CONTENTS PAGE NO
UNIT -I INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 4-14
1.1 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 4

1.2 COMPONENTS: 5
1.3 NATURE OF ENVIRONMENT: 5
1.4 REASONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS 5
1.5 ANTHROPOCENTRISM 6
1.6 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES - MULTIDISCIPLINARY SUBJECT 7
1.7 SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE: 8
1.8 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: 9
1.9 RRR CONCEPT 11
1.10 INDIAN ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENTS 12
1.11 ENVIRONMENTAL CALENDAR 13
UNIT – I EVALUATIVE QUESTIONS 14

UNIT –II ECO SYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY 15-33

2.1 ECOSYSTEM 15
2.2 STRUCTURE 15
2.3 FUNCTIONS OF AN ECOSYSTEM 17
2.4 ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS 19
2.5 ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION 19
2.6 BIO-GEOCHEMICAL 21
2.7 PHOSPHOROUS CYCLE 22
2.8 CARBON CYCLE 23
2.9 OXYGEN CYCLE 24
2.10 SULPHUR CYCLE 26

2.11 BIODIVERSITY 27
2.12 CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY 29

2.13 ENDEMISM 29
2.14 HOT-SPOT 30
2.15 IUCN 32
UNIT – II EVALUATIVE QUESTIONS 33

UNIT – III NATURAL RESOURCES 34-48

3.1 NATURAL RESOURCES 34
3.2 FOREST 35
3.3 DEFORESTATION 36
3.4 WATER RESOURCES 36
3.5 FOOD RESOURCES 38
3.6 ENERGY RESOURCES 40
3.7 SOLAR ENERGY 40
3.8 WIND ENERGY 42
3.9 OCEAN ENERGY 42

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3.10 BIOMASS ENERGY 43
3.11 NUCLEAR ENERGY 45
3.12 WORLD SCENARIO 45
3.13 POPULATION AND ENVIRONMENT 45
UNIT – III EVALUATIVE QUESTIONS 48

UNIT - IV: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 49-57

4.1 POLLUTION 49
4.2 CONTROL MEASURES OF WATER POLLUTION 50
4.3 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT 54
4.4 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AND LAWS –IMPORTANT PROTECTION ACTS 55
UNIT – IV EVALUATIVE QUESTIONS 57

UNIT –V: SOCIAL ISSUES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS 58-68

5.1 PRESENT ENVIRONMENT SCENARIO 58
5.2 GREEN HOUSE EFFECT 59
5.3 ACID RAIN 59
5.4 OZONE LAYER DEPLETION 60
5.5 DISASTER MANAGEMENT HAZARD 62
5.6 CYCLONE MANAGEMENT 64
5.7 EARTH QUAKES 65
5.8 TSUNAMI 66
UNIT –V EVALUATIVE QUESTIONS 68

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UNIT -I
Introduction to Environment and Environment studies

1.1 Introduction to environment and environmental studies

OBJECTIVES:
To make the students aware of the meaning of environment and its relationship with society.
To familiarize the students with basic concepts of environment.
To understand their role and responsibility in this environment.

MATERIAL:
What is an environment?
Everything that surrounds and affects living organisms is environment.

Definition
It is defined as “the sum total of water, air and land and the inter-relationships that exist among
them and with the human beings, other living organisms and materials”. (Odum)

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1.2 COMPONENTS:
There are two components in the environment. They are
1. Biotic or living components- These includes flora & fauna.
2. Abiotic or non-living components- These includes light, water, temperature etc.

1.3 NATURE OF ENVIRONMENT:

The environment is of two categories

1. Natural Environment: The component of this environment are air ,water,land,forest,soil,
wild life,flora etc.

2. Man made environment: These includes having industries, agricultural implements, dams,
hydro, thermal and nuclear energy etc.
This environment is further classified as
a) Social environment

b) Organizational environment
The Environment is of four segments
1. Atmosphere: is the cover of air that envelopes the earth
2. Hydrosphere: all water on the surface of the earth.
3. Lithosphere: layer of rock that forms outer part of the earth.
4. Biosphere: is the part of the earth’s surface and atmosphere in which plants and animals can
live.

1.4 REASONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

Man has made tremendous progress in various fields of science and technology. Due to the
tremendous developments in the world there is a wide impact on environment. Environmental
problems include the pollution of air and water sources, erosion of soils, increase of world
temperature, and the rise of ocean levels by global warming, as well as the loss of biodiversity.
An increasing world population and its subsequent consumption and waste generation are among
the main causes of these and other environmental damages. According to the Norwegian
University of Life Sciences, land degradation also causes environmental problems.

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Anthropocentric Approach and Ecocentric Approach

Objective:
Finding balance for environmental protection purposes

1.5 Anthropocentrism
It is the belief that human beings are the central or most significant species on the planet (in the
sense that they are considered to have a moral status or value higher than that of other animals),
or the assessment of reality through an exclusively human perspective.

Intrinsic Value Instrumental

Of Of
Human Beings value of Nature

Ecocentrism
Ecocentrism institutes a ’nature-centered’ environmental ethic, where humankind is not placed
above or beyond the environment, but is embedded within it. We need to acknowledge and
appreciate our internal relatedness with the nonhuman world, and how our actions affect
ecosystems and the biosphere’s functioning. Ecocentrism cares less about individual animals or
organisms, and more about the health and balance of ecological communities and ecosystems.

Intrinsic Value Instrumental

Of Of
Human Beings value of Nature

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 1.6 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES - MULTIDISCIPLINARY SUBJECT
Provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental
Objective:
systems and to find solutions to various environmental problems.

Material:
Environmental science is a multidisciplinary academic field that integrates physical, biological
and information sciences (including but not limited to ecology, physics, chemistry, zoology,
mineralogy, oceanology, limnology, soil science, geology, atmospheric science, geography and
geodesy) to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems.
In order to study EVS, one should have the knowledge about various disciplines of science,
Social Science, law and engineering are included in environmental studies.

Life Sciences Basic & Applied Sciences Physical Sciences

(Biology,Biochemi (Phy,Che,Earth.Sci,
stry,Microbiology, Geography,Geology)
Biotic Abiotic
Biotech.etc)
components

Maths, Statistics,
Modelling Cleaner Engineering
Comp.Science EVS
etc (Civil,mech,nano,
Technology Technology
chem. etc)
Mgnt
&

Awarness

Economics, Law, Education,

Mgnt, Mass communication,
Sociology.

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Life Sciences:
To know about biotic organisms and their interactions.

Physical Sciences:
To know about abiotic organisms and their interactions.

Maths, Statistics& Comp.Science:

Involves in environmental modeling.

Engineering Technology:
Steps to control pollution through various technological developments.

Economics, Law, Education, Mgnt, Mass communication, Sociology:

Helps to create awareness and to manage the ecosystem.

1.7 SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE:

Due to its complex and multi-disciplinary nature environmental studies as a subject has a wide
scope.
In the recent years several carrier options have emerged in this field.

Research & Development in environment:

Skilled environmental scientists have an important role to play in examining various
environmental problems in a scientific manner and carry out R&D activities for developing
cleaner technologies and promoting sustainable development.

Green advocacy:
With increasing emphasis on implementing various Acts and Laws related to environment, need
for environmental lawyers has emerged who should be able to plead the cases related to water
and air pollution, forest, wildlife etc.

Green media:
Environmental awareness can be spread amongst masses through mass media like television,
radio, newspaper, magazines, advertisements etc. for which environmentally educated persons
are required.

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Green marketing:
While ensuring the quality products with ISO mark, now there is an increasing emphasis on
marketing goods that are eco-friendly (ISO-14000).

Environment consultancy:
Many NGOs,industries and government bodies are engaging environmental consultants for
Systematically tackling environmental problems.
Environmental auditors, Environmental managers would be in great demand in the coming years.

1.8 Sustainable Development:

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.(Brundtland Commission 1987)
Elements of sustainable development:
The 3elements of sustainable development are Society, Environment Economy.

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Environment:
Biodiversity
Materials
Energy
Biophysical interactions
Society:
human diversity
equity,(dependence / independence)
quality of life,institutional structures and organization
itical structures.
Economy:
money and capital
employment
technological growth
investment
market forces
Key aspects:
Inter-generational equity& Intra- generational equity are the two key aspects for sustainable
development.
Inter-generational equity:
This emphasizes that we should minimize any adverse impacts on resources and environment for
future generations.
Intra- generational equity:
This emphasizes that the development processes to seek to minimize the wealth gap within and
between nations.

Measures for Sustainable development:

Using appropriate technology
Reduce,Reuse,Recycle approach
Prompting environmental education and awareness
Resource utilization as per carrying capacity
Improving the quality of life including social, cultural, and economic dimensions

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1.9 RRR concept

RRR- Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

Reduce Reuse Recycle is known to the environmentally conscious consumers by the term of 3Rs. In the
3Rs term the first R stands for Reduce and the idea behind it, is that we should buy goods only when we
need them and avoid buying unnecessary ones. The second R stands for Reuse and the idea behind it, is
that we should use the products we buy as much we can before throwing them away. The last R stands for
Recycle and the idea behind it, is that we should encourage the idea of recycling products by putting what
is left in the proper recycling stream bin to be recycled.

REDUCE
The best way to manage waste is to not produce it. This can be done by shopping carefully and
being aware of a few guidelines:

 Avoid over-packaged goods, especially ones packed with several materials such as foil,
paper, and plastic. They are difficult to recycle, plus you pay more for the package.
 Avoid disposable goods, such as paper plates, cups, napkins, razors, and lighters.
 Throwaways contribute to the problem, and cost more because they must be replaced
again and again.
 Buy durable goods - ones that are well-built or that carry good warranties. They will last
longer, save money in the long run and save landfill space.
 At work, make two-sided copies whenever possible.
 Maintain central files rather than using several files for individuals.
 Use electronic mail or main bulletin board.
 Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.
 Use a dish cloth instead of paper towels.

RECYCLE

Recycling is a series of steps that takes a used material and processes, remanufactures, and
sells it as a new product. Begin recycling at home and at work:
 Buy products made from recycled
material.
 Look for the recycling symbol or ask store managers or salesmen. The recycling
symbol means one of two things - either the product is made of recycled material, or
the item can be recycled.
 Buy products made from material that is collected for recycling in your
community.Use recycled paper for letterhead, copier paper and newsletters.

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Response of world community

 Problem identification and definition

 Information clearinghouse
 Awareness raising
 Rule making/Norm setting
 Policy formulation
 Collaborative actions facilitation
 Financing and support
 Technology clearinghouse
 Management systems development

1.10 INDIAN ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENTS

1. CHIPKO MOVEMENT:

It was started in 1973 is the Chamoli district of Uttranchal, Chipko movement was against
deforestation. Sunderlal Bahueguna , Gauri devi & Chandi Prasad Bhatt were prominent leaders
of this movement.

2. SILENT VALLEY MOVEMENT:

It was a movement against a hydro-electric project on the river Kuthipuzha, atributory at

Preiyar River. In fact, the project site is covered by evergreen forest which is a home of many
rare species of plants & fauna which many be destroyed by submergence.

3. NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN:

It is a movement against building multi-purpose dam over Narmada river which will
ultimately result in flood & water logging in large area covered by about 1,00,000 people. The
movement is led by Medha Potekar, Baba Amte & Arundhati Roy.

4. BALIYAPAL MOVEMENT:
It is a movement against testing of missiles on the land of Baliyal villagers which may lead to
interfertility of soil.

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1.11 Environmental calendar

S.No Date Event

1. 2 February World Wetlands Day
2. 17 - 23 March National Water Week
3. 22 March World Water Day
4. 23 March World Meteorological Day
5. 22 April Earth Day
6. 5 June World Environment Day
7. 8 June World Oceans Day
8. 17 June World Desertification Day
9. 1 - 7 September National Arbor Week
10. 16 September World Ozone Day
11. 27 September World Tourism Day
12. 6 October World Habitat Day
13. 20 - 26 October National Marine Week

Expected learning outcome:

After studying this unit, the learner will be able to
 Understand the meaning of the term environment
 Recognize the national and international commitment to the protection of
Environment.
 The field and interdisciplinary nature of environmental science
 Some pressures on the global environment
 Concepts of sustainability and sustainable development
 Identify various factors causing environmental degradation
 Recognize the growing awareness about Environmental degradation
 Know about Reduce, Reuse, Recycle concept.
 Various environmental movements in India

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Evaluative questions

Part – A
1. Define environment.
2. What are the components of environment?
3. What is the aim of environmental study?
4. What are the needs for environmental study?
5. When is world environmental day celebrated?
6. Define sustainable development.
7. RRR-
8. What is the motto of chipko movement?
9. List the elements of sustainable development.
10. What is anthropocentrism

Part – B
11. Write short notes on the importance, scope and aim of environmental studies.
12. Define the term environment. What are the components of the environment? Why we
have to study about it?
13. Explain the RRR concept.
14. Write short notes on Ecoentric and Anthropocentric view towards environmental
problems.
15. Environmental science is multi-disciplinary in nature-justify.
16. List the various Indian environmental movements.
17. What are the elements of sustainable development? How sustainability can be
measured.

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UNIT -II
Ecosystem and Biodiversity

OBJECTIVES:
 To make the students understand about the basic concepts of habitat.
 To know about the Biodiversity of the world and India
 To understand their role and responsibility in conservation

MATERIAL:
2.1 Ecosystem:
The term ecosystem was coined by A.G.Tansley.

Definition:
An ecosystem is the basic fundamental unit of ecology which includes both biotic & abiotic
environment each influencing the properties of other and each is necessary for the maintenance
of life.

Organism species population community ecosystem

2.2 Structure

Eco System

Abiotic Components Biotic Components

Producers Consumers Decomposers

Pri.cons Sec.cons Ter.Cons

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Abiotic components:
It refers to the non living components of an ecosystem which helps the biotic components to
survive. It includes both basic inorganic elements and compounds such as soil, water, oxygen,
calcium, phosphates and variety of organic compounds & physical factors such as moisture,
wind current and solar radiation. In any of the ecosystem the biotic factors depend on abiotic
factors for their survival.

Biotic components:
The living components of an ecosystem are called biotic components. The biotic components can
be classified into three categories based on their functions. They are
1. Producers
2. Consumers
3. Decomposers

Producers:
The organisms which synthesize their own food are called producers. Generally all green plants
are producers. It can be otherwise called as autotrophs.

Consumers:
The organisms which consumes the food synthesis by the producers. They are called as
heterotrophs. They are divided into 3 types.
1. Primary consumers 2.Secondary Consumers 3.Tertiary consumers

Primary consumers
The organisms which directly depend on producers are called Primary consumers.They are
otherwise called as herbivores. These animals are referred as “Key industry animals”. e.g//
rabbit,deer, etc.

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Secondary Consumers
The organism which depends on primary consumers for their survival are secondary consumers.
These are called as primary carnivore because they are the first carnivore in the food chain.
e.g.fox,wolves,dog,etc.

Tertiary consumers
The organism which depends on primary,secondary consumers for their survival are called
tertiary consumers. They can be called as secondary carnivore. e.g.lion,tiger,etc.

Decomposers:
These are living organisms that breakup the dead and decayed materials.They decompose larger
particles into simpler particles.They are otherwise called as reducers. eg. micro organisms.

2.3 Functions of an ecosystem

The two main functions of an ecosystem are
Food chain&Food web
Energy flow

Food chain
The sequence of eaters being eaten is called food chain.
Food chain can have maximum of 4 trophic levels.

The various stages of a food chain are called trophic levels.

It is very rare in an ecosystem.

Producers Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers

Dead&decay

The food chains are of two types

Grazing food chain
Detritus food chain

Grazing food chain

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If the food chain begins with green plants goes through herbivores and ends in carnivores.

Detritus food chain

If the food chain begins with dead & decayed materials and ends in organic compounds.
The 2 main food chains cannot operate independently. They are interconnected at various levels.
E.g

Grass Rabbit Snake Hawk

Dead &decay Decomposer

Food web
The inter locking of many food chains is called food web.
Food web Predominates

They can have more than 5 trophic levels.

Eg.
Mouse Snake

Grass Rabbit Hawk

Grass hopper Lizard

Energy flow:
The transfer of energy from one trophic level to another trophic level is called energy
flow.
It is unidirectional ie it flows from the producer level to the consumer level never in the
reverse direction.
The amount of energy decreases from one trophic level to another.

If the food chain is short the final consumers may get more energy,and if the food chain
is long the final consumer may get lesser energy.

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 2.4 Ecological pyramids:
The graphical representation of number,biomass and energy can be represented in the form of
pyramids. This is given by Elton,so called eltonian pyramids.
Three different pyramids are
1. Pyramid of number
2. Pyramid of biomass

3. Pyramid of energy

Ter

Secondary
consumers

Primary consumers

Producers

2.5 Ecological Succession

An orderly and progressive replacement of one community by another community till the
development of stable community is called ecological succession.

Elements of Succession
There are three elements of succession.

1. Pioneer
2. Sere

3. Climax

Pioneer
sere sere Climax

Pioneer
The first formed community of an ecosystem is referred as pioneers.

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Sere
The intermediate stages are considered as seres. There can be N number of seres are possible in
an ecosystem.

Climax
The final stable community of an ecosystem is called Climax community.

Types of Succession
There are two types of succession. They are
1. Primary succession
2. Secondary succession

Primary succession
If the succession begins in a new place without replacing any previous community.
e.g- newly formed rock ecosystem.

Secondary succession
If succession occurs by replacing any previous community.

e-g- Conversion of pond ecosystem into forest ecosystem.

Process of succession:
The process of succession is compared with embryogenesis. It involves with the following steps.

1. Nudation:
The formation of a barren land is called nudation. It occurs due to natural or manmade disasters.

2. Invasion:
Establishment of species on a barren area. Migration and dispersal are the ways of invasion.
Invasion leads to the formation of the pioneers.

3. Competition &Co action:

As no. of individuals grows there is a competition for basic needs, the competition may be either
interspecific or intraspecific. This leads to various seral stages.

4. Reaction:
When organisms grow, environment plays a major role. Organisms need to adjust and survive
with the environmental changes. This leads to various seral stages.

5. Stabilization:
It leads to the final stable community, which is equilibrium with the environment.

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2.6 Bio-geochemical
cycles: Hydrologic cycle
*The continuous movement of water on, above & below the surface of the earth is called water
cycle.
*It involves the exchange of heat which leads to temperature changes.

Processes:

1. Precipitation
Condensed water vapour falls to the earth’s surface (eg. rain, snow melt)

2. Runoff
The variety of ways by which water moves across the land. The runoff includes both the
surface runoff and channel runoff.

3. Infilteration
The flow of water from the ground surface in to the ground.

4. Subsurface flow
The flow of water underground in aquifers.

5. Evaporation
The transformation of water from liquid to gas phase from ground into atmosphere.
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Sublimation:
Transformation of solid water (snow/ice) to water vapour.

6. Deposition
Refers to change of water directly to ice.

7. Advection
The movement of water in solid, liquid or vapour states through the atmosphere.

8. Condensation
The transformation of water vapour in to liquid.

9. Transpiration
The release of water vapour from plants to the air.

10. Precipitation
Water flows vertically through the soil and rocks.

2.7 Phosphorous cycle

The only cycle that does not have a gaseous state
Inorganic phosphate PO43- is released from rocks and sediments through the action of
erosion.
Soil PO 43- is absorbed by plants and incorporated into nucleic acids, phospholipids and
ATP.
Animals obtain most of their PO43- by consumption of other animals and from water.
PO43- is released to the soil again by decomposers.
Dissolved PO43- gets absorbed by algae and aquatic plants
Decomposers break down waste and returns PO43- to sediments on the seabed.
Some returns to terrestrial environment through geologic processes and via seabirds.
Guano

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Parental Rock

Soluble PO43- in soil. Bacteria

Insoluble phosphate
(orthophosphates)

Plants (Roots)

Animals Death

Bacterial
Bone/ Teeth

Decomposition Decomposition

PHOSPHOROUS CYCLE

2.8 Carbon cycle

Carbon enters plants, etc., as CO2
Bacteria process carbon in a fashion that allows it to be recycled.
Obtain energy from the molecules, and convert carbohydrates to carbon dioxide
as a result of respiration.

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 Photosynthesis removes carbon from the abiotic environment (fixes carbon into organic
molecules)
Carbon moves through food chain through consumption of one organisms by another
Cellular respiration, combustion, and erosion of limestone return carbon to the
atmosphere, water and abiotic environment.

RESPIRATION

AIR CO2 PLANTS

DEATH FOOD WOOD FOSSIL FUEL

RESPIRATION ANIMAL

BURNING

COMBUSTION

Carbon Cycle

The source of atmospheric carbon dioxide is variable but only plants can utilize atmospheric
carbon directly.

2.9 Oxygen cycle

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It refers to the movement of oxygen within and between its three main reservoirs: The
atmosphere, the biosphere, and the lithosphere (the crust and the uppermost layer of the mantle).
The main driving factor of the oxygen cycle is photosynthesis, which is responsible for the
modern Earth's atmosphere and life as it is today. If all photosynthesis were to cease, the Earth's
atmosphere would be devoid of all but trace amounts of oxygen within 5000 years. The oxygen
cycle would no longer exist.

Reservoirs and fluxes

The vast amount of molecular oxygen is contained in rocks and minerals within the Earth (99.5
percent). Only a small fraction has been released as free oxygen to the biosphere (0.01 percent)
and atmosphere (0.49 percent). The main source of oxygen within the biosphere and atmosphere
is photosynthesis, which breaks down carbon dioxide and water to create sugars and oxygen:

CO2 + H2O + energy → CH2O + O2. An additional source of atmospheric oxygen comes from
photolysis, whereby high energy ultraviolet radiation breaks down atmospheric water and nitrite
into component molecules. The free H and N atoms escape into space leaving O2 in the
atmosphere: 2H2O + energy → 4H + O2.

The main way oxygen is lost from the atmosphere is via respiration and decay mechanisms in
which animal life consumes oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. Because lithospheric minerals
are reduced in oxygen, surface weathering of exposed rocks also consumes oxygen. An example
of surface weathering chemistry is formation of iron-oxides (rust), such as those found in the red
sands of Australia:

4FeO + 3O2 → 2Fe2O3. Oxygen is also cycled between the biosphere and lithosphere. Marine
organisms in the biosphere create carbonate shell material (CaCO3) that is rich in molecular
oxygen. When the organism dies, its shell is deposited on the shallow sea floor and buried over
time to create limestone rock. Weathering processes initiated by organisms can also free oxygen
from the land mass. Plants and animals extract nutrient minerals from rocks and release oxygen
in the process.

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2.10 Sulphur cycle
Sulphur is one of the constituents of many proteins, vitamins, and hormones. It recycles like
other biogeochemical cycles.
The essential steps of the sulfur cycle are:
Mineralization of organic sulfur to the inorganic form, hydrogen sulfide: (H2S).
Oxidation of sulphide and elemental sulfur (S) and related compounds to sulphate, (SO42-).
Reduction of sulphate to sulphide.

Microbial immobilization of the sulphur compounds and subsequent incorporation into the
organic form of sulfur
These are often termed as follows:
Assimilative sulphate reduction, in which sulphate (SO42-) is reduced to organic sulfhydryl
groups (R-SH) by plants, fungi, and various prokaryotes. The oxidation states of sulfur are +6 in
sulphate and -2 in R-SH.

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Desulfuration, in which organic molecules containing sulfur can be desulfurated, producing
hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S), oxidation state = -2.
Oxidation of hydrogen sulfide, produces elemental sulfur (So), oxidation state = 0. This reaction
is done by the photosynthetic green and purple sulfur bacteria and some chemolithotrophs
(organisms using inorganic compounds for ATP production).
Further oxidation of elemental sulfur by sulfur oxidizers produces sulphate.
Dissimilative sulphur reduction, in which elemental sulfur can be reduced to hydrogen sulfide.
Dissimilative sulphate reduction, in which sulphate reducers generate hydrogen sulphide from
sulphate.
Human impact on the sulfur cycle is primarily in the production of sulphur dioxide (SO2) from
industry (such as burning coal) and the internal combustion engine. Sulfur dioxide can
precipitate onto surfaces where it can be oxidized to sulphate in the soil (it is also toxic to some
plants), reduced to sulfide in the atmosphere, or oxidized to sulphate in the atmosphere as
sulfuric acid, a principal component of acid rain.

2.11 BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity is the variety and variability among all living organisms from all sources, including
terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are
a part.
It refers to “Life on earth”.

Levels of Biodiversity

The three levels of biodiversity are

1) Genetic diversity
2) Species diversity
3) Ecosystem diversity

Genetic diversity:
Diversification of living organisms based on their genes within a species.
Species diversity:
Diversification of living organisms based on their species within a population.

Ecosystem diversity

Diversification of living organisms based on their habitat.

Values of Biodiversity

According to McNeely et al (1990) the multiple values of biodiversity are classified as follows

1.Consumptive value – direct value(e.g.,food,medicine etc)

2.Productive value- through which one can earn money.(sericultyre,apiculture etc)
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3.Social value-based on tradition & custom(sacred grooves)
4.Ethical value-Existence value(tulsi,neem)
5.Aesthetic value-pleasure(eco tourism)
6.optional value-useful in near future(zebra)
7.Ecosystem service value-render services to environment.(nitrogen fixation)

Threats to biodiversity

o Extinction is a natural event and, from a geological perspective, routine.

o In last century, human impact has been so severe that thousands of species and
varieties are becoming extinct annually.
o Some of the main causes are:
o Habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation.
o Habitat loss & degradation are major causes of species extinction, affecting 89%
of all threatened birds, 83% of mammals & 91% of all threatened plants assessed
globally (IUCN, 2000)
o The main causes of habitat loss are agriculture activities, Mining, development of
human settlement, industry etc.
o According to ICUN, UNEP report, more than 50% of wildlife habitat has been
destroyed in 49 out of 61 old world tropical countries.
o Hunting
o Poaching
o Man-Wildlife conflicts

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2.12 Conservation of biodiversity

Conservation is defined as “ the management of human use of the biosphere so that it may yield
the greatest sustainable benefit to the present generation while maintaining its potential to meet
the needs and aspirations of the future generations”

The two basic approaches to wildlife conservation are

Conservation

Insitu conservation Exsitu conservation

(within their habitat) (outside their habitat)

National park Zoo

Sanctuary Botanical garden
Biospher reserve Seed bank
Protected area genebank
Reserve forest

2.13 Endemism

Species that are restricted to particular area.62%amphibians and 50%lizards are endemic
in india.

Westernghats are the maximum site of endemism.

Hot- spots of biodiversity

Areas which exhibit high species richness and high species endemism are termed as hot-
spots of biodiversity.

An area is designated as a hot spot when it contains at least 0.5% of plant species as
endemic.

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 There are 34 such hot spots of biodiversity on a global level, out of which two are present
in India.
These are: The western Ghats & The Eastern Himalayas

India-a megadiversity nation

Every country is characterized by its own biodiversity depending mainly on its climate.
India has a rich biological diversity of flora & fauna.

Overall 6% of the global species are found in India. It ranks 10th among the plant rich countries
of the world and 4th among Asian countries.
11th in terms of number of endemic species of higher vertebrates.
6th among centres of diversity and origin of agricultural crops.
10th in terms of mammals.
The Ministry of Environment &Forests, Govt.of India records 47,000sp of plants and 81,000sp
of animals which is about 11%&6.5% respectively of global flora and fauna.

Endemism:
Species that are restricted to particular area.62%amphibians and 50%lizards are endemic in
India. Westernghats are the maximum site of endemism.

Centre of origin:
A large no.of sp are known to have originated in India. 5000sp of flowering plants have their
origin in India.166sp of crop plants &320sp of wild varieties of cultivated crops have their centre
of origin.

2.14 Hot-spot:
Areas which exhibit high species richness and high species endemism are termed as hot-spots of
biodiversity. An area is designated as a hot spot when it contains at least 0.5% of plant species as
endemic. There are 34 such hot spots of biodiversity on a global level, out of which two are
present in India and are The western Ghats & The Eastern Himalayas.

Centers of diversity:
Agasthiamalai Hills &Silent valley are considered as the Centers of diversity.

Marine diversity:

A long coastline of our country is rich in mangroves, corals,mollusks,etc.12% of worlds

mangrove is in India .4 areas are considered as coral rich area, they are
1. Gulf of Mannar
2. Gulf of kutch
3. Lakshadweep
4. Andaman&Nicobar

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World heritage sites:

1. Kaziranga National Park

2. Keoladeo Ghana National Park
3. Manas wildlife sanctuary
4. Nandadevi National Park
5. Sundarban National Park

Realms:

1. Palaearctic
2. Indomalayan

Major biomes:

1. Tropical humid
2. Tropical dry/deciduous
3. Warm /semi- desert

10- Zones; 26-provinces

16- Biosphere reserves
96- National parks
647- Protected areas
551- Animal sanctuaries
28- Tiger reserves
2500-Wetlands
275- Zoos
33- Botanical Gardens.

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2.15 IUCN
IUCN-International Union of Conservation of Nature&Natural Resources

Red Data Book

List of endangered species of plants and animals of a country.

Blue Data Book

List of endangered species of the world.

Green Data Book

List of plants growing in a protected region of the world.

Expected learning outcome

After studying this unit, the learner will be able to

Able to relate each organism to each other in the environment regardless of

characteristics.
Able to understand the principles of operation of natural systems and to predict
their responses to change.
Therefore, if we'll have knowledge on it, we'll know each other's needs, we'll meet
each other's demands, and we'll learn how to preserve life, for example, of the
endangered animals then ecosystem stability can be maintained

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 Evaluative questions
Part – A
1. Define an ecosystem
2. Draw the general structure of an ecosystem.
3. Write short notes on ecological succession.
4. Define food chain.
5. What are the different types of food chain?
6. Define food web.
7. Define endemic species.
8. Define endangered and extinct species.
9. Give examples for endemic species of India.
10. Name the biodiversity hot spots in India.

Part – B
1. With a neat diagram explain the structure and basic functions of an ecosystem.
2. Write short notes on ecological pyramids and their types.
3. Explain the values of biodiversity.
4. ‘India a mega diversity nation’ – Justify.
5. What are the threats to biodiversity?
6. Write short notes on conservation of biodiversity.
7. Explain Hydrologic cycle with a neat sketch.
8. Explain Phosphorus cycle with a neat sketch.
9. Explain Sulphur cycle with a neat sketch.
10. Explain Oygencycle with a neat sketch.

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UNIT -III
Natural Resources

Unit - III: Natural resources

OBJECTIVES:

To make the students know about the existence of naturally

available resources.
To understand the consequences of overexploitation of
resources.
To understand their role and responsibility in conservation

3.1 Natural resources

Natural resources occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by
mankind, in a natural form.

Classification
1. General classification

In general the resources can be of three types

Natural resources

Cont. Renewable Renewable Non-Renewable

Continuous Renewable:
Some resources will regenerate even if we over exploit.
Eg.Solar,wind,tidal

Renewable
Resources that can be regenerated only to a particular extent,if we overexploit it becomes non-
renewable.
Eg.Forest,water,etc

Non- Renewable
Resources that can’t be regenerated.

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Eg.Fossil fuel, mineral,etc.

2. Depending upon their chemical composition

Natural resources

Organic Inorganic Mixture

(Includes plants, animals etc) (Includes air, water etc) (Soil)

3. Basis of their presence in different countries

Natural resources

National Multi- National International

Confined to national boundaries shared by one or more country all inhabitants
(Eg.Minerals, land) (rivers, mountain) (sun)

3.2 FOREST RESOURCES

Commercial uses
 Man depends heavily on a larger number of plant and animal products from forests for
his daily needs.
 The chief product that forests supply is wood, which is used as fuel, raw material for
various industries as pulp, paper, newsprint, board, timber for furniture items, other uses as
in packing articles, matches, sports goods etc.
 Indian forests also supply minor products like gums, resins, dyes, tannins, fibers,etc.
 Many of the plants are utilized in preparing medicines and drugs; Total worth of
which is estimated to be more than $300 billion per year.
 Many forests lands are used for mining, agriculture, grazing, and recreation and
for development of dams.
Ecological uses

Production of Oxygen: The main green house gas carbon dioxide is absorbed by the forests as a
raw material for photo synthesis. Thus forest canopy acts as a sink for carbon dioxide thereby
reducing the problem of global warming caused by green house gas CO2
Wild life habitat: Forests are the homes of millions of wild animals and plants.About 7 million
species are found in the tropical forests alone.
Regulation of hydrological Cycle: Forested watersheds act like giant sponges, absorbing the
rainfall, slowing down the runoff. They control climate through transpiration of water and seed

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clouding.
Soil Conservation: Forests bind the soil particles tightly in their roots and prevent soil erosion.
They also act as wind breakers.
Pollution moderators: Forests can absorb many toxic gases and can help in keeping the air pure
and in preventing noise pollution.

3.3 Deforestation
1. Deforestation means destruction of forests.
2. The total forests area of the world in 1900 was estimated to be 7,000 million hectares
which was reduced to 2,300 million ha by 2000.
3. During 2000-2005, the tropical deforestation rate increased by 8.5% as compared to
1990s.
4. Deforestation rate is relatively less in temperature countries, but it is very alarming in
tropical countries.
5. Deforestation is a continuous process in India where about 1.3 hectares of forest land has
been lost.
6. The per capita availability of forest in India is 0.08 hectares per person which is much
lower than the world average of 0.8 hectares.
7. The presence of waste land is a sign of deforestation in India.
Causes of Deforestation
 Major causes of deforestation are
 Shifting cultivation
 Mining
 Fuel requirements cutting and burning
 Developmental projects
 Growing food needs.
Effects of deforestation
1. Global warming2. Less rainfall
3. Hot climate.
4. Effect on biodiversity Loss
of medicinal plants. Loss of
timber, fuel wood.
5. Effect on resources
Loss of land resource
Loss of soil fertility
Soil erosion
Drastic changes in biogeochemical cycles
6. Effect on economy
Increase in medicinal values
Demand of industrial products.
7. Effect on food
Loss of fruit production
Loss of root based foods.
3.4 WATER RESOURCES
“Not all people own land, but every human uses water.”
Water is an important component of all living beings. Nearly 80% of earth’s surface is covered
by water. About 97.4% of water is saline, 2.6% is fresh water out of this only 0.6% is readily
usable form, rest is locked up in polar ice caps.

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Uses of Water
Due to its unique properties, water is of multiple uses for all living organisms.
 Water is absolutely essential for life.
 Most of the life processes take place in water contained in the body.
 Uptake of nutrients, their distribution in the body, regulation of temperature, and removal
of wastes are all mediated through water.
 Human beings depend on water for almost every developmental activity.
 Water is used for drinking, irrigation, and transportation, washing and waste disposal
for industries and used as a coolant for thermal power plants.
 Water shaped the earth's surface and regulates our climate.

Dams its benefits and problems

Big dams and river valley projects have multi-purpose uses and have been referred to as
“Temples of modern India”. India has more than 1550 large dams, the maximum being in the
state of Maharashtra (more than 600) followed by Gujarat (more than 250) and Madhya Pradesh
(130). The highest one is Tehri dam, on river Bhagirathi in Uttaranchal and the largest in terms of
capacity is Bhakra dam on river Sutlej.
Benefits
Dams are built across the river in order to store water for drinking, agricultural, industrial
purpose. Now days they are mainly used for the hydropower production.
River valley projects with big dams play a key role in the development process due to
their multiple uses.
These dams aim at providing employment for tribal people and raising the standard and
quality of life.
Dams can help in checking floods and generate electricity and reduce water and power
shortage, provide irrigation water to lower areas, provide drinking water in remote areas
and promote navigation, fishery.
Problems
The impacts of big dams can be upstream as well as downstream levels. include the following:
The upstream problems are
Displacement of tribal people
Loss of forests, flora and fauna
Changes in fisheries
Saltation and sedimentation of reservoirs
Loss of non-forest land
Stagnation and water logging near reservoir
Breeding vectors and spread of vector –borne diseases
Reservoir induces seismicity causing earthquakes
Microclimatic changes
Growth of aquatic weeds

The downstream problems are

 Water logging and salinity due to over irrigation
 Microclimatic changes
 Reduced water flow and slit deposition in river
 Flash foods
 Salt water intrusion at river mouth
 Loss of land fertility
 Outbreak of vector-borne diseases like malaria.
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Effects on Tribal people
 The greatest social cost of big dam is the widespread displacement of local people.
 It is estimated that the number of people affected directly or indirectly by all big
irrigation projects in India over the past 50 years can be as high as 20 millions.
 The Hirakud dam, one of the largest dams executed in fifties, has displaced more than
o 20,000 people residing in 250
villages.
Effects on forests
Thousands of hectares of forests have been cleared for executing river valley projects which
breaks the natural ecological balance of the region. Floods, landslides become more prevalent
in such areas. Eg:The Narmada sagar project alone has submerged 3.5 lakh hectares of best
forest comprising of rich teak and bamboo forests.The Tehri dam submerged 1000 hectares

of forest affecting about 430 species of plants according to the survey carried out by the
botanical survey of India.

3.5 FOOD RESOURCES

During the last 50 years world grain production has increased almost three times. The per capita
production is increased by about 50%. At the same time population growth increased at such a
rate in less developed countries. Every 40 million people die of undernourishment and
malnutrition. This means that every year our food problem is killing as many people as were
killed by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima during World War II.This statistics emphasize
the need to increase our food production, and also to control population growth. It is estimated
that 300 millions are still undernourished.

Modern Agriculture and its impacts

 It makes use of hybrid seeds of selected and single crop variety.
 High-tech equipments, lots of energy subsidies in the form of fertilizers
and, pesticides
 Irrigation water
Impacts
1.High yielding verities (HYV)
The uses of HYVs encourage monoculture i.e. the same genotype is grown over vast areas. In
case of an attack by some pathogen, there is total devastation of the crop by the disease due to
exactly uniform conditions, which help in rapid spread of the disease.
2.Fertilizer related problems
Micronutrient imbalance : Chemical fertilizers have nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P
and K) which are essential macronutrients. Excessive use of fertilizers cause micronutrient
imbalance. For example, excessive fertilizer use in Punjab and Haryana has caused deficiency of
the micronutrient Zinc in the soils, which is affecting productivity of the soil.

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Nitrate Pollution : Nitrogenous fertilizers applied in the fields often leach deep into the soil and
ultimately contaminate the ground water. The nitrates get concentrated in the water and when
their concentration exceeds 25 mg/L, they become the cause of a serious health hazard called
"Blue Baby Syndrome" or methaemoglobinemia. This disease affects the infants to the
maximum extent causing even death.
Eutrophication: A large proportion of nitrogen and phosphorus used in crop fields is washed off
along with runoff water and reach the water bodies causing over nourishment of the lakes, a
process known as Eutrophication. (Eu=more, tropic=nutrition). Due to Eutrophication the lakes
get invaded by algal blooms.These algal species grow very fast by rapidly using up the nutrients.
The algal species quickly complete their life cycle and die thereby adding a lot of dead matter.
The fishes are also killed and there is lot of dead matter that starts getting decomposed. Oxygen
is consumed in the process of decomposition and very soon the water gets depleted of dissolved
oxygen. This further affects aquatic fauna and ultimately anaerobic conditions are created where
only pathogenic anaerobic bacteria can survive. Thus, due to excessive use of fertilizers in the
agricultural fields the lake ecosystem gets degraded.
3. Pesticide related problems
Thousands of types of pesticides are used in agriculture. The first generation pesticides include
chemicals like sulphur, arsenic, lead or mercury to kill the pests. They have number of side
effects as discussedbelow:
Creating resistance in pests and producing new pests: About 20 species of pests are now
known which have become immune to all types of pesticides and are known as "Super pests".
Death of non-target organisms: Many insecticides not only kill the target species but also
several non-target species that are useful to us.
Biological magnification: Many of the pesticides are non-biodegradable and keep on
accumulating in the food chain, a process called biological magnification. This is very harmful.
4. Water Logging
Over irrigation of croplands by farmers for good growth of their crop usually leads to water
logging. Inadequate drainage caused excess water to accumulate underground and gradually
forms a continuous column with the water table. Under water-logged conditions, pore-spaces in
the soil get fully drenched with water and the soil- air gets depleted. The water table rises while
the roots of plants do not get adequate air for respiration, Mechanical strength of the soil
declines, the crop plants get lodged and crop yield falls. In Punjab and Haryana, extensive areas
have become water-logged due to adequate canal water supply or tube-well water. Preventing
excessive irrigation, sub-surface drainage technology and bio-drainage with trees like Eucalyptus
are some of the remedial measures to prevent water-logging.
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5. Salinization
At present one third of the total cultivable land area of the world is affected by salts. Saline soils
are characterized by the accumulation of soluble salts like sodium chloride, sodium sulphate,
calcium chloride, magnesium chloride etc. in the soil profile. Their electrical conductivity is
more than 4 ds/m. So dic soils have carbonates and bicarbonates of sodium, the pH usually
exceed 8.0 and the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) is more than 15%.

3.6 ENERGY RESOURCES

Energy is defined as, “the capacity to do work. Energy is essential to all human societies.
All industrial process like, mining, transport, living, heating and cooling in buildings, all require
energy. With the demands of growing population, the world is facing further energy deficit, Our
life style is also changing from al simple way of life to luxurious life style. At present 95% of the
commercial energy is available only from the fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas, and are
not going to last for many years. It would be really ironic if fuel becomes more expensive than
food.
The two forms of energy are
1. Renewable energy resources (or) non-conventional energy resources

2. Non- Renewable energy resources (or) Conventional energy resources

Non- Renewable energy resources

Natural resources which cannot be regenerated once they are exhausted. They cannot
be used again. Example: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear fuels.
Renewable energy resources
The resources which can be regenerate even after use.Even our renewable resources can become
non-renewable if we exploit them to such extent their rate of consumption exceeds their rate of
regeneration.
Wood is renewable resources but not coal-why?
Wood is renewable resources because we can get new wood by growing sapling into a tree
within 15-20 years. But the formation of coal from trees has taken million of years and cannot be
regenerated in our life time.

3.7 SOLAR ENERGY

 The energy that we get directly from the sun is called solar
energy.

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  The nuclear fusion reactions occurring inside the sun release enormous amount of energy
in the form of heat and light.
 The solar energy received by the near earth space is approximately1.4 kJ/s/m2 known as
solar constant.
Methods of Harvesting Solar Energy
1. Solar cells (or) photovoltaic cells (or) PV cells
 Solar cells consist of a p-type semiconductor (such as Si doped with B) and n-type semi-
conductor (Si doped with P).
 They are in close contact with each other.
 When the solar rays fall on the top layer of p-type semi-conductor, the electrons from the
valence band get promoted to the conduction band and cross the p-n junction into n-type
semi-conductor.
 There by potential difference between two layers is created, which causes flow of
electrons (ie.,an electric current)
 Used in calculators, electronic watches. Street lights, water pumps to run radios and TVs.

2. Solar heat collectors

 Solar heat collectors consists of natural materials like stones, bricks, (or) materials like
 glass, which can absorb heat during the day time and release it slowly at night.
 Used in cold places, where houses are kept in hot condition using solar heat collectors.
3. Solar water heater
It consists of an insulated box inside of which is painted with black paint. Provided with a
glass lid to receive and store solar heat. Inside the box it has black painted copper coil,
through which cold water is allowed to flow in, which gets heated up and flows out into a
storage tank. From the storage tank water is then supplied through pipes.

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3.8 WIND ENERGY
 Moving air is called wind.
 Energy recovered from the force of the wind is called wind energy.
 The energy possessed by wind is because of its high speed.
 The wind energy is harnessed by making use of wind mills.

Harvesting of wind energy

1. Wind Mills
The strike of blowing wind on the blades of the wind mill makes it rotating
continuously. The rotational motion of the blade drives a number of machines like water pump,
flour mills and electric generators. The minimum speed required for satisfactory working of a
wind generator is 15
km/hr.

2. Wind farms
When a large number of wind mills are installed and joined together in a definite
pattern it forms a wind farm.The wind farms produce a large amount of electricity.

Advantages
It does not cause any air pollution
It is very cheap.

3.9 OCEAN ENERGY

It can be generated by following ways.
1. Tidal energy (or) Tidal power
Ocean tides, produced by gravitational forces of sun and moon, contain enormous amount of
energy.The “high tide” and “low tide” refer to the rise and fall of water in the oceans. The tidal
energy can be harnessed by constructing a tidal barrage. During high tide, the sea-water is
allowed to flow into the reservoir of the barrage and rotates the turbine, which intern produces
electricity by rotating the generators. During low tide, when the sea level is low, the sea water
stored in the barrage reservoir is allowed to flow into the sea and again rotates the turbine.
2. Ocean thermal energy (OTE)
There is often large temperature difference between the surface level and deeper

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level of the tropical oceans.This temperature difference can be utilized to generate electricity.
The energy available due to the difference in temperature of water is called ocean thermal
energy. The temperature difference should be of 200C or more is required between surface
water and deeper water.

3. Geo-thermal Energy

Temperature of the earth increases at a rate of 20-750C per km, when we move down the earth
surface. High temperature and high pressure steam fields exists below the earth’s surface in
many places. The energy harnessed from the high temperature present inside the earth is
called geothermal energy.
1. Natural geysers
In some places, the hot water (or) steam comes out of the ground through cracks naturally in the
form.
2. Artificial geysers
In some places, we can artificially drill a hole up to the hot region and by sending a pipe in it, we
can make the hot water or steam to rush out through the pipe with very high pressure. Thus, the
hot water (or) steam coming out from the natural (or) artificial geysers is allowed to rotate the
turbine of a generator to produce electricity.
3.10 BIOMASS ENERGY
Biomass is the organic matter, produced by plants or animals, used as sources of energy. Most of
the biomass is burned directly for heating, cooling and industrial purposes. Eg: Wood, crop
residues, seeds, cattle dung, sewage, agricultural wastes.
1. Biogas
Mixture of methane, carbondioxide, hydrogen sulphide, ete.
It contains about 65% of methane gas as a major constituent.
Biogas is obtained by the anaerobic fermentation of animal dung or plant wastes in the
presence of water.
2. Bio fuels
Biofuels are the fuels, obtained by the fermentation of biomass.
Eg: Ethanol, Methanol,Gasohol.
(a)Ethanol
Ethanol can be easily produced from the sugarcane. Its calorific value is less
when compared to petrol, and produces much less heat than petrol.
(b)Methanol

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Methanol can be easily obtained from ethanol or sugar-containing plants.
Its calorific value is also too low when compared to gasoline and diesel.
(c)Gasohol
Gasohol is a mixture of ethanol+gasoline.
In India trial is being carried out to use Gasohol in cars and buses.
Gasohol is common fuel in Brazil and Zimbabwe for running cars and buses.
Methanol is very useful since it burns at a lower temperature than gasoline or diesel.
Due to its high calorific value, hydrogen can serve as an excellent fuel.
Moreover it is non-polluting and can be easily produced.
Presently H2 is used in the form of liquid hydrogen as a fuel in spaceships.
Hydrogen Fuel
Hydrogen can be produced by thermal dissociation or photolysis or electrolysis of water.
It possesses high calorific value. It is non polluting, because the combustion product is water.

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 2H2+O2---->2H2O+150KJ
Disadvantages of hydrogen fuel
1. Hydrogen is highly inflammable and explosive in nature
2. Safe handling is required
3. It is difficult to store and transport.

3.11 NUCLEAR ENERGY

India has 10 nuclear reactors, which produce 2% of India’s electricity.

Nuclear Fission
Heavier nucleus is split into lighter nuclei, on bombardment by fast moving neutrons, and
a large
amount of energy is released. Eg:Fission of U235 .
Nuclear fusion:
Lighter nucleuses are combined together at extremely high temperatures to form heavier
nucleus
and a large amount of energy is released. Eg: Fusion of H2 1.

3.12 World Scenario

U.S.A and Canada 5% of the world’s population- consume 25% of the available world’s
energy
resources. It has been observed, that in U.S.A and Canada an average person consumes
300 GJ (Giga Joules; equal to 60 barrels of oil) per year. But in poor countries like
Bhutan, Nepal and Ethiopia, an average person consumes less than 1 GJ per year. So a
person in a developed country consumes almost as much energy in a single day as one
person consumes in a whole year in a poor country. From the above scenario it is clear
that our life style and standard of living are closely related to energy needs.

3.13 Population and environment

Population density
Number of individuals of the population per unit area or per unit volume
Parameters affecting population size

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  Birth rate
 Death rate or Mortality
 Immigration
 Emigration.
Causes of rapid population growth
 The rapid population growth is due to decrease in death rate and increase in birth
rate.
 Availability of antibiotics, immunization, increased food production, clean water
and air decreases the famine-related deaths.
 In agricultural based countries, children are required to help parents in the field
that is why population increases in the developing countries.
Variation of population based on age structure
1. Pyramid shaped – India, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia.
2. Bell shaped – France, USA, and UK.
3. Urn shaped - Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Role of an individual in conservation of natural resources -

Different natural resources like forests, water, soil, food, mineral and energy
resources play a vital role in the development of a nation. While conservation
efforts are underway at National as well as International level, the individual
efforts for conservation of natural resources can go a long way.
I. Conserve Water
 Don't keep water taps running while brushing, shaving, washing or bathing.
 Check for water leaks in pipes and toilets and repair them promptly. A small
pinhole sized leak will lead to the wastage of 640 liters of water in a month.
 Use drip irrigation and sprinkling irrigation to improve irrigation efficiency
and reduce evaporation.
 Install a small system to capture rain water and collect normally wasted used
water from sinks, cloth-washers, bathtubs etc. which can be used for watering the
plants
 Build rain water harvesting system in your house. Even the President of India is
doing this.
II. Conserve energy
 Turn off lights, fans and other appliances when not in use.

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  Obtain as much heat as possible from natural sources. Dry the clothes in sun
instead of drier if it is a sunny day.
 Use solar cooker for cooking your food on sunny days which will be more
nutritious and will cut down on your LPG expenses.
 Grow deciduous trees and climbers at proper places outside your home to cut off
intense heat of summers and get a cool breeze and shade. This will cut off your
electricity charges on coolers and air-conditioners.
 Try riding bicycle or just walk down small distances instead of
using your car or scooter.
III. Protect the soil
 While constructing your house don't uproot the trees as far as possible. Plant
the disturbed areas with a fast growing native ground cover.
 Make compost from your kitchen waste and use it for your kitchen-garden or
flower-pots.
 Do not irrigate the plants using a strong flow of water, as it would wash off the soil.
 If you own agricultural fields, do not over-irrigate your fields without proper
drainage to prevent water logging and salinisation.
 Use mixed cropping so that some specific soil nutrients do not get depleted.
IV. Promote Sustainable Agriculture
 Do not waste food. Take as much as you can eat
 Reduce the use of pesticides.
 Fertilize your crop primarily with organic fertilizers.
 Eat local and seasonal vegetables. This saves lot of energy on transport,
storage and preservation.
 Control pests by a combination of cultivation and biological control methods.

Expected learning outcome

After studying this unit, the learner will be able to

Able to understand the availability of our natural resources.

Able to understand the principles of operation of natural systems
and to predict their responses to change.
Make them understand their responsibility in concern with the utilization
of resources.
Controls overexploitation of resources.

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Evaluative questions

Part – A
1. Define natural resource. Give two examples.
2. What are the different types of resources?
3. List the different values of forests.
4. What are the two types of water consumption?
5. How an individual can conserve water?
6. What are the different types of energy resources?
7. What is OTE
8. Define population explosion.
9. What are the different types of population variation
10. List the parameters that affect population size.
Part-B
1. List out the uses of forests.
2. Explain the merits and demerits of dams.
3. Write about the causes &effects of deforestation
4. Write short notes on the modern agricultural methods and the impact of them
on the environment.
5. What are the conditions to be satisfied by a resource to act as an energy source?
6. Write short notes on i) Biomass energy ii)Wind energy
7. Define population explosion. What are the effects of it?
8. Explain the role of an individual in conservation of natural resources.
9. Solar energy is an alternative energy resource-justify.

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UNIT -IV
Environment pollution

Unit - IV: Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution can be defined as “the unfavorable alteration of our surroundings”

4.1 Pollution
Types of pollutants
1. Bio degradable pollutants - decompose rapidly by natural processes.

2. Non- degradable pollutants - do not decompose or slowly decompose in the environment.

AIR POLLUTION
The presence of one or more contaminants like dust, smoke, mist and odor in the atmosphere
which are injurious to human beings, plants and animals.
Sources of air pollution
Natural pollution - volcanic eruptions, forest fires, biological decay.

Man – made activities – Thermal power plants, agricultural activities.

Classification
Primary pollutant – these are those emitted directly in the atmosphere in harmful form like CO,
NO.

Secondary pollutant – these may react with one another or with the basic components of air to
form new pollutants.

Control Measures

Source control
Use only unleaded petrol
Use petroleum products and other fuels that have low sulphur and ash content
Plant trees along busy streets because they remove particulates and carbon monoxide and
absorb noise.
Industries and waste disposal sites should be situated outside the city centre.
Use catalytic converters to help control the emissions of carbon monoxide and
hydrocarbons.

Control measures in Industrial centers

Emission rates should be restricted to permissible levels

Incorporation of air pollution control equipments in the design of the plant lay out.
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WATER POLLUTION

It may be defined as “the alteration in physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water
which may cause harmful effects on human and aquatic life.

Types

1. Point source pollution

2. Non-point source pollution
Infectious agents: Bacteria, viruses, protozoa and parasitic worms.

Sources: Human and animal wastes.

Effects: Variety of diseases.

Oxygen demanding wastes: Animal manure and plant debris that can be decomposed by aerobic
bacteria.

Sources: Sewage, paper mills, and food processing facilities.

Effects: Wastes can degrade quality by depleting water of dissolved oxygen.

In organic Chemicals: Water soluble inorganic chemicals. Compounds of toxic metals such as
lead, arsenic and selenium. Salts such as Nacl in ocean water.

Effects: Genetic mutations, birth defects and certain cancers.

Thermal pollution (Heat)

Example: Excessive heat.

Human source

Water cooling of electric power plants and some types of industrial plants. Almost all of all
water withdrawn in United States for cooling electric power plants.

Effects
Lowers dissolved oxygen levels and makes aquatic organisms more vulnerable to disease and
toxic chemicals.

When a power plant first opens or shuts down for repair, fish and other organisms adapted to a
particular temperature range can be killed b the abrupt change in water temperature known as
thermal shock.

4.2 Control measures of water pollution

The administration of water pollution should be in the hands of state or central
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 government.
Industrial plants should be based on recycling operations, because it will not only stop the
discharge of industrial wastes into natural water sources but by products can be extracted
from the wastes.
Plants, trees and forests control pollution and they acts as natural air conditioners.
ghly qualified and experienced persons should be consulted from time to time for
effective control of water pollution.
Basic and applied research in pubic health engineering should be encouraged.

MARINE POLLUTION
It may be defined as “the discharge of waste substances into the sea resulting in harm to
living resources hazards to human health, hindrance to fishery and impairment of quality for use
of sea water”.

Effects of marine pollutants

The presence of heavy metals and organic pollutants cause more damage in birds as thinning of
eggshell and tissue damage of egg.

Oil spilling causes abnormally low body temperature in birds resulting in hypothermia.

Oil films are able to retard significantly the rate of oxygen uptake by water.

Control measures of marine pollution

Plants for conserving marine biodiversity must be taken into account of human needs.

People should be educated about marine ecosystems and the benefits offered by them.

Local communities must be involved in protecting and managing their coastal resources. Social
and economic incentives must be offered for conserving and sustainable use of marine resources.

Governments must manage their own water while extending cooperation to the neighboring
states.

SOIL POLLUTION

It may be defined as “the contamination of soul by human and natural activities which may cause
harmful effects on living beings”.
Types
1. Industrial wastes

Sources and effects: Pulp and paper mills, chemical industries, oil refineries, sugar factories.
These pollutants affect and alter the chemical and biological properties of soil. As a result,
hazardous chemicals can enter into human food chain from the soil; disturb the bio chemical
process and finally lead to serious effects.
2. Urban wastes

Sources and effects: Plastics, Glasses, metallic cans, fibers, papers, rubbers, street sweepings,
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 and other discarded manufactured products. These are also dangerous.

3. Agricultural practices

Sources and effects: Huge quantities of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and weedicides are
added to increase the crop yield. Apart from these farm wastes, manure, slurry, are reported to
cause soil pollution.

4. Radioactive pollutants

Sources and effects: These are resulting from explosions of nuclear dust and radio active wastes
penetrate the soil and accumulate there by creating land pollution.

5. Biological agents

Sources and effects: Soil gets large quantities of human, animal and birds excreta which
constitute the major source of land pollution by biological agents.

Control measures of soil pollution

Population growth
Decrease of the available farm land due to urbanization
Forestry and farm practices
Proper dumping of unwanted materials
Production of natural fertilizers
Proper Hygienic condition
Public awareness
Recycling and Reuse of wastes
Ban on Toxic chemicals.

NOISE POLLUTION
It may be defined as “the unwanted,unpleasant or disagreeable sound that causes discomfort
for all living beings”

 Types of noise
o Industrial
noise
Transport
noise
Neighborhood
noise

 Effects of Noise pollution

 This affects human health, comfort and efficiency.
 It causes muscles to contract leading to nervous breakdown, tension.
 It affects health efficiency and behavior.
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  In addition to serious loss of hearing due to excessive noise, impulsive noise also
causes psychological and pathological disorders.
 Brain is also adversely affected by loud and sudden noise as that of jet and aero plane
noise.
 Control and preventing measures
 Source control – acoustic treatment to machine surface, design changes, limiting the
operational timings.
 Transmission path intervention- the source inside a sound insulating enclosure,
construction of a noise barrier or provision of sound absorbing materials.
 Oiling – Proper oiling will reduce the noise from the machines.

THERMAL POLLUTION
It may be defined as the “addition of excess of undesirable heat to water that

makes it harmful to man, animal or aquatic life or otherwise causes significant departures

from the normal activities of aquatic communities in water”

Sources of thermal pollution

 Nuclear power plants

 Coal fired power plants

 Industrial effluents

 Domestic sewage

 Hydro – electric power.

Effects of thermal pollution

 Reduction in dissolved oxygen

 Increase in Toxicity

 Interference with biological activities

 Interference with reproduction

 Direct mortality

 Food storage for fish.

Control measures of thermal pollution

 Cooling towers - This is used as a coolant wet cooling tower, dry cooling tower.

 Cooling ponds and spray ponds.

 Artificial lakes – The heated effluents can be discharged into the lake at one

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 end and the water for cooling purposes from the other end.

NUCLEAR Pollution
The radiation hazard in the environment comes from ultraviolet, visible, cosmic rays and micro
wave radiation which produces genetic mutation in man.

Sources of Nuclear Hazards

Natural Sources – This is in space which emits cosmic rays.

Man made Sources – (Anthropogenic sources) these are nuclear power plants, X-rays, nuclear
accidents, nuclear bombs, diagnostic kits.

Effects of Nuclear Hazards

Exposure of the brain and central nervous system to high doses of radiation causes delirium,
convulsions and death within hours or days.

The use of eye is vulnerable to radiation. As its cell die, they become opaque forming
cataracts that impair sight.

Acute radiation sickness is marked by vomiting; bleeding of gums and in severe cases
mouth ulcers.

Nausea and vomiting often begin a few hours after the gastrointestinal tract is exposed.
Infection of the intestinal wall can kill weeks afterwards.

Unborn children are vulnerable to brain damage or mental retardation, especially if

irradiation occurs during formation of the central nervous system in early pregnancy.

Control measures

 Nuclear devices should never be exploded in air.

 In nuclear reactors, closed cycle coolant system with gaseous coolant may be used to
prevent extraneous activation products.
 Containments may also be employed to decrease the radioactive emissions.
 Extreme care should be exercised in the disposal of industrial wastes contaminated with
radio nuclides.
 Use of high chimneys and ventilations at the working place where radioactive
contamination is high. It seems to be an effective way for dispersing pollutants.

4.3 SOLIDWASTE MANAGEMENT

Management of solid waste is very important in order to minimize the adverse effects of solid
wastes.

Types of solid wastes

1. Urban wastes

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Sources

Domestic wastes – Food waste, Cloth, Waste paper.

Commercial wastes – Packing material, cans, bottles, polythene.

Construction Wastes – Wood, concrete debris.

Bio medical wastes – Anatomical wastes, infectious wastes.

2. Industrial wastes
Sources

Nuclear power plants – generates radioactive wastes

Thermal power plants – produces fly ash in large quantities

3. Chemical industries

Produces large quantities of hazardous and toxic materials

Steps involved in solid waste management

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle of materials – raw materials re usage should be reduced, reuse of
waste materials should be reduced and recycling of the discarded materials into new useful
products should also be reduced.
Discarding wastes

Land fill: Solid wastes are placed in sanitary landfill system in alternate layers of

80 cm thick refuse, covered with selected earth fill of 20cm thickness

Incineration: It is a hygienic way of disposing the solid waste. It is a thermal

process and is very effective for detoxification of all combustible pathogens

Composting: It is another popular method practiced in many cities in our country.

In this method, bulk organic waste is converted into fertilizing manure by biological action.
4.4 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AND LAWS – IMPORTANT
PROTECTION ACTS

Water Act 1974, 1978- An Act to provide for the levy and collection of water consumed by
persons carrying on certain industries and by local authorities, with a view to augment the
resources of the Central Board and the State Boards for the prevention and control of water
pollution constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Water amendment Act 1987- As a result, some of the basic principles of water law applicable
today in India derive from irrigation acts. The early Northern India Canal and Drainage Act,

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1873 sought, for instance, to regulate irrigation, navigation and drainage in Northern India.

One of the long-term implications of this act was the introduction of the right of the Government
to ‘use and control for public purposes the water of all rivers and streams flowing in natural
channels, and of all lakes. The 1873 act refrained from asserting state ownership over surface
waters. Nevertheless, this act is a milestone since it asserted the right of the Government to
control water use for the benefit of the broader public. This was progressively strengthened.
Thus, the Madhya Pradesh Irrigation Act,1931 went much further and asserted direct state
control over water: ‘All rights in the water of any river, natural stream or natural
drainage channel, natural lake or other natural collection of water shall vest in the Government.

Air Act 1981- An Act to provide for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution, for
the establishment, with a view to carrying out the aforesaid purposes, of Boards, for conferring

on and assigning to such Boards powers and functions relating thereto and for matters connected
therewith. Whereas decisions were taken at the United Nations Conference on the Hum an
Environment held in Stockholm in June, 1972, in which India participated, to take appropriate
steps for the preservation of the natural resources of the earth which, among other things, include
the preservation of the quality of air and control of air pollution; and whereas it is considered
necessary to implement the decisions aforesaid in so far as they relate to the preservation of the
quality of air and control of air pollution; Be it enacted by Parliament in the Thirty-second Year
of the Republic of India

Wild life Act 1972-It refers to a sweeping package of legislation enacted in 1972 by the
Government of India. Before 1972, India only had five designated national parks. Among other
reforms, the Act established schedules of protected plant and animal species; hunting or
harvesting these species was largely outlawed. The Act provides for the protection of wild
animals, birds and plants; and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto.
Formalization of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves and community
reserves. Protection to habitat and wildlife within premises of such protected areas.Development
of National Board for Wildlife and State Boards for Wildlife for identification of future protected
areas. Up to April 2010 there have been 16 convictions under this act relating to the death of
tigers.

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Forest Act 1980 and Environment Act 1972- Environment protection act 1986 (23 May 1986)
it is a legislation which signifies the central government determination to take effective steps to
protect the environment. Stating that: No State Government or other authority shall make any
order directing-

(i) that any reserved forest shall cease to be reserved;

(ii) that any forest land or any portion thereof may be used for any non-forest purpose;

(iii) that any forest land or any portion thereof may be assigned by way of lease or otherwise to
any private person or to any authority, corporation, agency or any other organization not owned,
managed or controlled by Government;

(iv) that any forest land or any portion thereof may be cleared of trees which have
grown naturally in that land or portion, for the purpose of using it for reafforestat.

Expected learning outcome

After studying this unit, the learner will be able to

 They will understand the causes of pollution.

 Remedies to control pollution at the doorstep.
 Understand the importance of legislation for environmental conservation.

Evaluative questions

Part – A

1. Define pollution.
2. What are the different types of air pollutants?
3. Define thermal pollution.
4. How thermal pollution affects the environment?
5. How the noise pollution affects the human health?
6. Write short notes on solid waste management.

Part-B

1.Explain about the sources and effects of gaseous air pollutants.

2.Write short notes on i) Electro static precipitator ii) Bulk samplers.
3.Explain about the sources and effects of water pollution.
4.write short notes on i) Effects of thermal pollution ii) Nuclear pollution
5. Explain how the solid wastes can be properly managed?
6.Write short notes on i) Air act ii) water act.
7.Write short notes on i) Forest act ii) Wild life protection act.
8.What are the obstacles in environmental legislation?

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UNIT - V
Social issues and environmental
ethics

OBJECTIVES:

 It aims in developing and modernizing the technologies without losing

our sound traditional values and practices is essential.
 To know about the various environmental issues and their impact.
 To make them understand the environmental ethics.

CLIMATE
The average weather of an area.
Causes of climate change
Presence of green house gases
Depletion of ozone gases.
Effect of climate change
Migration of animals
Upsetting the hydrological cycles results in floods and droughts
Changes in global pattern of winds.

5.1 Present Environment Scenario

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5.2 Green house effect
The progressive warming of earth surface due to blanketing effect of manmade CO2 in the
atmosphere.
Green house gases- causing global warming are CO2, CH4, N2O, CFCs.

Effect on global warming

 Sea level
 Agriculture and forestry
 Water resources
 Terrestrial ecosystems
 Human health.
Measures
 Reducing CO2 emission
 Utilizing renewable resources
 Plant more trees
 Adopt sustainable agriculture.

5.3 ACID RAIN

The precipitation of CO2, SO2, and NO2 gases as pollutants in water.

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 Effects of acid rain
1. Human beings
 Destroy life – nervous, respiratory and digestive system
 Causes premature death from heart and lung disorders.
2. On Buildings
Corrosion - Taj Mahal, houses, statues, bridges, metals.
3. On terrestrial and Lake Ecosystem
Reduces rate of photosynthesis, growth of crops, Fish population.
And bio mass production.
Control measures
 Clean combustion technologies
 Using pollution control equipments
 Replacement of coal by natural gas
 Liming of lakes and soils.

5.4 OZONE LAYER DEPLETION

Ozone is formed in the stratosphere by photo - chemical reaction.

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Ozone depleting chemicals
Chloro Fluro carbon, Hydro chloro fluoro carbon, Bromo fluoroCarbon.
Effects
 On human health – Skin cancer, cataracts, allergies etc.
 On aquatic systems- phyto plankton, fish
 On materials- paints, plastics
 On climate – increasing the average temperature of the earth surface

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 Control Measures
eplacing CFCs
of methyl bromide – crop fumigant.

The Montreal Protocol

The Montereal protocol was aimed at complete elimination of production and consumption of
ozone depletion substances(ODS) over a set of period of time.

The Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, which commits its Parties by setting internationally binding
emission reduction targets. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December
1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005.

The Carbon Currency

Their plan is that everyone on earth will be given the same number of 'carbon credits' so a person
living in a village in India, who doesn't even own a car, will suddenly has a 1000 carbon credits.
If a family in America wants to have two cars and heat their home in winter they will have to buy
credits from poorer countries. This is just a socialist scheme for global wealth redistribution.

5.5 DISASTER MANAGEMENT Hazard

It is a perceived natural event which threatens both life and property.
Disaster

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  A disaster is the realization of this hazard
 It is defined as the geological process and it is an event concentrated in time and
space in which a society or subdivision of a society undergoes severe danger
and causes loss of its members and physical property.
Types
 Natural disasters – refers to those disasters that are generated by natural
phenomena.
 Manmade disasters – refers to the disasters resulting from manmade hazards.
FLOODS
Whenever the magnitude of water flow exceeds the carrying capacity of the channel
within its
banks the excess of water overflows on the surroundings causes floods.
Causes of floods
Heavy rain, rainfall during cyclone causes floods
Sudden snow melt also raises the quantity of water in streams and causes flood
Sudden and excess release of impounded water behind dams.
Clearing of forests for agriculture has also increased severity of floods.
Flood Management
Encroachment of flood ways should be banned.
Building walls prevent spilling out the flood water over flood plains.
Diverting excess water through channels or canals to areas like lake, rivers where
water is not sufficient.
Optical and microwave data from IRS is also used for flood management.
Flood forecasts and flood warning are also given by the central water commission.
CYCLONES
It is a meteorological process, intense depressions forming over the open
oceans and moving towards the land.
Cyclone is measured by Saffir-Simpson scale.
Effect
The damage depends on the intensity of cyclone the damage to human life, crops,
roads, transport, could be heavy.
Cyclone occurrence slows down the developmental activities of the area.

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5.6 Cyclone management
Satellite images are used by meteorological departments for forecasting the weather
conditions which reveal the strength and intensity of the storm.
Radar system is used to detect the cyclone and is being used for cyclone warning.
LAND SLIDES
The movement of earthy materials like coherent rock, mud, soil and debris from higher to
lower
region to gravitational pull is called landslides.
Causes

Movement of heavy vehicles on the unstable sloppy regions.

Earthquake, shocks, vibrations and cyclone.
Effects of landslides
1. Block roads and diverts the passage.
2. Soil erosion increases.
3. Causes damages to houses, crops and live stock.

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5.7 EARTH QUAKES
An earthquake is a sudden vibration caused on earth surface with the sudden release of
tremendous energy stored in rocks under the earth’s crust.
Causes
1. Disequilibrium in any part of the earth crust
2. Underground nuclear testing
3. Decrease of underground water level.
Severity of an earthquake: Generally it is measured by its magnitude on Richter scale.
Richter scale Severity of earthquake
Less than 4 Insignificant
4- 4.9 Minor
5- 5.9 Damaging
6- 6.9 Destructive
7- 7.9 Major
More than 8 Great
Effect
 Damage the settlements and transport systems
 Collapses houses and their structures
 Deformation of ground surface
 Tsunami
Earthquake Management
 Constructing earthquake resistant building
 Wooden houses are
preferred
 Seismic hazard map should give the information about the magnitude of
intensity of anticipated earthquakes.

5.8 TSUNAMI
A tsunami is a large wave that is generated in a water body when the seafloor is deformed
by
seismic activity. This activity displaces the overlying water in the ocean.
Causes of tsunami
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  Seismic activities like earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, explosions, can
generate
 tsunami.
 Deformation of the sea floor due to the movement of plates.
Formation of Tsunami
Concept of Tsunami
A tsunami is not a single wave but a series of waves like the ordinary waves which we see
on
seas.
Effects on Tsunami
 Tsunami attacks mostly the coastlines, causing devastating property, damage and
loss of life.
 Tsunami can kill lot of human beings, livestock’s.
 Tsunami may also spread lot of water borne diseases.
Tsunami Management
 Earthquakes under the water are monitored by sensors on the floor of the sea.
 The sensors send the information of floating buoys on the surface, whenever
they detect any changes in pressure of the sea.
 The information is then relayed to satellites, which passes it on to the earth stations.
 Finally the country make the people alert through the media to take all
necessary precautions.

5.9 RESETTLEMENT AND REHABILITATION OF PEOPLE

Causes
 Due to Developmental activities
 Due to Disaster
 Due to conservation initiatives.
Rehabilitation issues
 Displacement of tribal’s increases poverty
 Breakup of families
 Communal ownership of property
 Vanishing social and cultural activities
 Loss of identity between the people.

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Case Studies
Sardar Sarovar Dam, the Theri dam Project, Pong Dam.

Environmental ethics
Refers to the issues, principles and guidelines relating to human interactions with their
environment.
Environmental problems
 Deforestation
 Population growth
 Pollution due to effluent and smoke
 Water scarcity
 Land degradation.
Solutions
 Reducing the energy sources
 Recycle and reuse of waste products

 Soil degradation
 Sustainable development
 Protection of Bio – diversity
 Reducing the population.

Expected learning outcome

After studying this unit, the learner will be able to
 Understand the causes of climate change, global warming etc and
steps to reduce it.
 Manage and reduce the impacts of various disasters.
 Make them understand the resettelement&rehabilitation issues in
concern with developmental projects.
 Aware about the need of sustainable ecosystem.

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Evaluative questions

Part – A

1. Define global warming.

2. Define climate change.
3. What are green house gases.
4. What is carbon currency.
5. What are the factors to be considered in a resettlement programme?
6. Define disaster.
7. What are the different types of disasters?
8. What are the reasons for ozone layer depletion?
9. What are the causes of acid rain?

Part – B

1. How acid rain affects the environment?

2. Differentiate mitigation and management of a disaster
3. Write short notes on i) The Montreal protocol ii) The Kyoto protocol.
4. What are the problems related to rehabilitation and resettlement of people?
5. What are the steps involved in developing a disaster management plan?
6. What are the measures to be taken for managing i)Floods ii) Land slides
7. Write short notes on
i)Ozone layer depletion ii) Green house effect
8. Write short notes on
i) Climate change ii) Global warming

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