S.V.S.P.M.

Vishweshwarayya Polytechnic
Almala.Tq.Ausa,Dist.Latur

Program Code- CO5I

Course code- EST(22447)

Prof. Lokare A.P.

 Chapter 1 - Environment
The Word environment comes from the French
word “environ or environner” means everything
that surrounds us.

Environment: It can be defined as the surrounding

of an organism in which organism lives.

Non-living things(Abiotic)- Air ,Water, Soil.

Living things(Biotic)-plant, animal, bird, insect
and even a microbe.
Need of environmental studies
1. Multidisciplinary Science: Environment is
not a single subject but the mixture of
biology, chemistry, physics, geography,
resource management, economics and
population issues. We needs to understand all
above subjects.
2. Dependence on Natural Landscape: The
different natural landscapes of an Earth’s like
forest, rivers, mountains valleys etc. Thus we
are dependent up on natural landscapes, such
as food, water, fodder and fish.
3.Life support system: we depends upon the community
of living plants, animals and water for our day to day
activities. Every thing comes from the environment.

4.Protection of nature: we cannot live without

protecting the surroundings i.e. Earths natural resources.

5.Degradation of environment: Our rapid economic

growth such as Industries, Irrigation, cities, towns etc. has
degraded the environment with the harmful effects.
6.Depletion of resources:
Industrial and agricultural developments uses the resources
such as water, minerals, petroleum products, woods and so
on. Conventional energy sources will be exhausted if we
continue to extract those without thought for
future generation.
To overcome all aforesaid issues we
have to understand the environment and
subjects related to it.
 Segments of Environment:

1)Atmosphere
2)Hydrosphere
3)Lithosphere
4)Biosphere

1)Atmosphere:

 Defn: ”the thin envelope of gases surrounding

the earth” is called atmosphere.
 Absorb cosmic rays from outer space and major portion of
(EMR) Electromagnetic radiation (UV radiation and Infrared
radiation) from sun.
Compositions of
Earth’s atmosphere:

Nitrogen- 78%
Oxygen- 20.95%
Argon- 0.9%
CO2- 0.037%
Layers of
Atmosphere:

1)Troposphere
2)Stratosphere
3)Mesosphere
4)Thermosphere
5)Exosphere
1)Troposphere
• It is Lowest & wettest layer of Atmospheric layer
• It is closest to the Earth’s surface, contains most
of the mass (about 75-80%) of the atmosphere,
including water vapor.
• Most weather, thunderstorms, air pollution takes
place in the troposphere.
• The temperature, air pressure and the density of
the air also decrease with altitude.
• The upper limit of this layer is called
tropopause.
• Air is warmest at
the bottom of
the troposphere
near ground level.
Air gets colder as
one rises through
the troposphere.
That's why the
peaks of tall
mountains can be
snow-covered
even in the
summertime.
2)Stratosphere
• It is the second layer of atmosphere
• The top of the stratosphere occurs at an altitude of 50
km
• The lower boundary of the stratosphere is called the
tropopause; the upper boundary is called the stratopause.
• Ozone, an unusual type of oxygen molecule that is
relatively abundant in the stratosphere.
• As it absorbs energy from incoming ultraviolet radiation
from the Sun. Temperatures rise as one moves upward
through the stratosphere.
• The stratosphere is very dry
• Air is roughly a thousand times thinner at the top of the
stratosphere than it is at sea level. Because of this, jet
aircraft and weather balloons reach their maximum
operational altitudes within the stratosphere.
Reasons of ozone deplation:-
• CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)
• Large volcanic eruptions
• Rocket launches inject exhaust gases,
 3)Mesosphere:
1)The mesosphere is directly above
the stratosphere.
2) It extends from about 50 to 85
km.
3)The upper limit of this layer is
called called the mesopause.
3)This is where meteors and
comets are destroyed
4)It is coldest layer in atmosphere
as the air is much thinner (less
dense) in the mesosphere than in
the stratosphere below. Carbon
dioxide in the mesosphere also
helps make this layer cold..
 5)Thermosphere:
1)The thermosphere is
directly above
the mesosphere.
2) “Thermo” means heat,
and the temperature in this
layer can reach up to 4,500
degrees Fahrenheit.
3)It is also known as
Ionosphere as ionization
takes place.
4)The name ionosphere
comes from the fact that
gases in these layers are
excited by solar radiation to
form ions, which have an
electrical charge.
5)Exosphere
1) Exo means outside,
external
2) It is a uppermost layer
of atmosphere above to
the thermosphere
3) The air is very thin, and
is made up mostly of
helium, and hydrogen.
4) Artificial satellites that
carry out constant
studies of the earth and
outer space.
5) It also acts as a transit
zone towards outer
space.
2)Hydrosphere:
Def:
Hydrosphere is made up of all the water and watery layers of the Earth.
 The hydrosphere includes all forms of water in the Earth’s
environment.
 Plant and animal organisms rely on the hydrosphere for their survival
as water is essential.
 71% of the earth’s surface is covered with water & 29% covered with
land.
 In surface water 97% water is saline water & 3% fresh water.
Example:oceans, lakes, seas,rivers, snow,glaciers,clouds, ponds, streams,
water underneath the earth’s surface and even the water vapor. F
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48KuPTBuYmE
The following help us understand the mean of the four spheres :

Lithosphere - litho referring to rocks and minerals

Hydrosphere - hydro referring to water
Biosphere - bio referring to life
Atmosphere - atmo referring to steam and vapor
3)Lithosphere: Lithosphere is the solid crust or the hard top
layer of the earth.
a)It is made up of rocks and minerals.
b)It is an irregular surface with various landforms such as
mountains, plateaus, desert, plains, valleys, etc.
c)The lithosphere extends from the surface of Earth to a depth
of about 70–100 km.
d) The lithosphere is constantly changing due to forces and
pressures such as the sun, wind, ice, water and chemical changes.
The earth’s surface is composed into two types of lithospheres.
1)Oceanic 2)Continental lithospheres.
1)Oceanic:
The oceanic lithosphere includes the uppermost layers of mantle which
is topped with a thin yet heavy oceanic crust. This is where the
hydrosphere and lithosphere meet.
It is Composed of silica and magnesium(Sima).
This layer consist of Basalt rock.

2)Continental:
The continental lithosphere include the uppermost layers of mantle
which is topped with a thick yet light continental crust. This is where
the atmosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere meet the lithosphere.
It is Composed of silica and Aluminium(Sial).
This layer consist of Granite rock.
Video-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmgR4PiGp1E
 Biosphere:
The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where
life exists

1)The biosphere is composed of all living organisms, including

plants and animals.
2)All life exists in biosphere.
3) It is also known as ecosphere
4) An example of the biosphere is where live occurs on, above
and below the surface of Earth.
5) There are multiple factors harmful for biosphere. one of
them is pollution. it can be water pollution, air pollution, soil
pollution.
 The burning of fossil fuels and the growth of animal
agriculture has caused large amounts of greenhouse gases
(such as carbon dioxide and methane) in the atmosphere.
Higher concentrations of greenhouse gases trap more heat in
the biosphere and result in global warming.
1.3 Environmental issues:
Green House Effect: The greenhouse effect is a natural
process that warms the Earth's surface.
1)Greenhouse gas, any gas that has the property of
absorbing infrared radiation (net heat energy) emitted from
Earth’s surface and reradiating it back to Earth’s surface, thus
contributing to the greenhouse effect.
2)Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated
gases are the most important greenhouse gases.
3)Green house gas causes greenhouse effect.
4) Green house gases radiate energy in all directions.
5) Greenhouse gases are those that absorb and emit infrared
radiation.
Non-greenhouse gases:
O2(Oxygen),N2(Nitrogen),Ar(Argon)
 Climate Change:
It includes major changes in temperature, precipitation, or
wind patterns, among other effects, that occur over several
decades or longer.
• Much of the world is covered with ocean which heats up.
When the ocean heats up, more water evaporates into
clouds.
• Where storms like hurricanes and typhoons are forming
• Changes such as sea-level rise, Polar ice cap loss in
Greenland, Antarctica, the Arctic and mountain glaciers
worldwide
• Greenhouse gases, fossil fuels are responsible to
https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=SX7WyyMIqAs
 Global warming:
Global warming is caused by increasing concentrations
of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and other human-
caused emissions.
within the atmosphere that absorb and emit heat
radiation.
 Greenhouse gases like water vapor, carbon
dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone are the
gases.
 Global warming is gauged by the increase in the
average global temperature of the Earth.
Effect of Global Warming:
 Acid Rain: Acid rain is caused by emission sulfur
dioxide(SO2) and nitrogen oxides(Nox) from power
plants,cars,factories.

 These substances mixed and react with water, oxygen, and

other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known
as acid rain.
 Robert Angus Smith which calls him the "father of acid
rain."
 Acid rain also known as acid deposition
 Acid rain was first identified in North America at
Hubbard Brook in the mid-1960s
 Precipitation is considered acidic when its pH level is
about 5.2 or below. The normal pH of rain is around 5.6.
 acid deposition can reduce the pH of surface waters and
lower biodiversity.
1)Acid Rain Harms Forests:
 Acid rain that seeps into the ground can dissolve nutrients,
such as magnesium and calcium, that trees need to be
healthy.
 Acid rain also causes aluminum to be released into the soil,
which makes it difficult for trees to take up water.
 This loss of nutrients makes it easier for infections, insects, and
cold weather to damage trees and forests.
2)Acid Rain Damages Lakes and Streams
Without pollution or acid rain, most lakes and streams would have
a pH level near 6.5.
In addition, aluminum that is released into the soil eventually
ends up in lakes and streams. Unfortunately, this increase in
acidity and aluminum levels can be deadly to aquatic wildlife,

3)Acid Rain Damages Buildings and Objects:

 Acid rain can also have a damaging effect on many objects,
including buildings, statues, monuments, and cars.
 The chemicals found in acid rain can cause paint to peel
and stone statues to begin to appear old and worn down,
which reduces their value and beauty.
Which gas is responsible for turning Taj
Mahal yellow?
Ozone layer depletion:
• Ozone is a gas made up of three oxygen atoms (O3)
• It occurs naturally in stratosphere.
• Ozone protects life on Earth from the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV)
radiation
• 90% of the ozone in the atmosphere sits in the stratosphere,
the layer of atmosphere between about 10 and 50 kilometers
altitude.
• Ozone is destroyed when it reacts with molecules containing
nitrogen, hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine
• The peak concentration of ozone occurs at an altitude of
roughly 32 kilometers (20 miles) above the surface of the
Earth.
• The total mass of ozone in the atmosphere is about 0.00006
percent of the atmosphere
Ozone layer depletion:
• Ozone screens all of the most energetic, UV-c, radiation, and most of
the UV-b radiation. Ozone only screens about half of the UV-a
radiation. Excessive UV-b and UV-a radiation can cause sunburn and
can lead to skin cancer and eye damage.
• CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) have led to increased rates of ozone
destruction.
• The average amount of ozone in the atmosphere is roughly 300
Dobson Units
What scientists call the Antarctic Ozone “Hole” is an area where the
ozone concentration drops to an average of about 100 Dobson Units.
One hundred Dobson Units of ozone would form a layer only 1
millimeter thick if it were compressed into a single layer, about the height
of a dime.
• Ozone hole average 100 Dobson=1mm
Nuclear Accidents: An event that has led to
significant consequences to people, the environment or
the facility".
Nuclear energy originates from the splitting of uranium atoms
– a process called fission. This generates heat to produce
steam, which is used by a turbine generator to generate
electricity. Because nuclear power plants do not burn fuel,
they do not produce greenhouse gas emissions
Nuclear energy has no place in a safe, clean, sustainable
future. Nuclear energy is both expensive and dangerous,
and just because nuclear pollution is invisible doesn't mean
it's clean. Renewable energy is better for the environment,
the economy, and doesn't come with the risk of
a nuclear meltdown
Nuclear energy comes from splitting atoms in a reactor to heat
water into steam, turn a turbine and generate electricity. The
benefits of nuclear energy extend far beyond carbon-free
electricity too. Nuclear powers space exploration, sterilizes
medical equipment, provides potable water through desalination,
supplies radioisotopes for cancer treatment and much more.
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, Tamil Nadu- 2,000MW
Tarapur Nuclear Reactor, Maharashtra-1400MW
Rajstan Atomic Power plant- 1180MW
Kaiga Atomic Power plant,Karnataka- 880MW
Kalapakkam Nuclear Power Plant, Tamil Nadu-600MW
Narora Nuclear Reactor, Uttar Pradesh- 440MW
Kakarapar Atomic power plant,Gujrat- 440MW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtSmx7k4Zgc
Concept of 4R(Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,
Recover)
1)Reduce:-We should reduce the use of non-biodegradable
compounds that are harmful to us. We should use paper
bags instead of polythene bags. This includes buying
products with less packaging
2)Reuse:-We should reuse the materials instead of dumping.
We should reuse things like plastic bags can be used to
make decorative things. (eg. Glass jar for food or plastic
bags for bin liners.)
3)Recycle:-means the product goes through a mechanical
process to change its form. This is only recommended when
reducing and reusing are not possible. We should give waste
things (which cannot be decomposed) for recycling like
4)Recover:-If there is still waste left over after we have
reduced, reused and recycled as much as we can, we can use
it to make energy at our energy-from-waste (EfW) facility. This
process is known as Recovery.
RECOVER is to convert waste into resources (such as
electricity, heat, compost and fuel) through thermal and
biological means.
Polyamides (PA) or (nylons) – fibers, toothbrush bristles, tubing, fishing
line and low-strength machine parts such as engine parts or gun frames
Polycarbonate (PC) – compact discs, eyeglasses, riot shields, security
windows, traffic lights and lenses
Polyester (PES) – fibers and textiles
Polyethylene (PE) – a wide range of inexpensive uses including supermarket
bags and plastic bottles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9plbNGhILs
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) – detergent bottles, milk jugs
and molded plastic cases
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) – outdoor furniture, siding, floor
tiles, shower curtains and clamshell packaging
Public awareness about environment:-
Environment is an integration of both living and non-living
organisms. Water, air, soil, minerals, wild life, grass lands,
forests, oceans, agriculture are all life supporting systems. Since
these natural resources are limited, and human activities are the
causative factors for environmental degradation, each one of us
need to feel responsible to protect the environment.

1.Environmental sensitivity in our country can only grow

through a major public awareness campaign.

2.The electronic media, The press,

3.School and college education

Any Questions