STUDIES + The Environment studies is a multi- disciplinary science because it comprises various branches of studies like chemistry, physics, medical science, life science, agriculture, public health, sanitary engineering etc. = * It is the science of physical phenomena in the environment. It studies about the sources, reactions, transport, effect and fate of physical and biological species in the air, water, soil and the effect of from human activity upon these. * As the environment is complex and actually made up of many different environments like natural, constructed and cultural environments, environmental studies is inter disciplinary in nature including the study of biology, geology, politics, policy studies, law, religion engineering, chemistry and economics to understand the humanity’s effects on the natural world. This subject educates the students to appreciate the complexity of environmental issues and citizens and experts in many fields. By studying environmental science, students may develop a breadth of the interdisciplinary and methodological knowledge in the environmental fields that enables them to facilitate the definition and solution of environmental problems.NATURAL RESOURCES 7 INTRODUCTION + Natural resources can be defined as ‘variety of goods and services provided by nature which are necessary for our day-to-day lives + Eg:Plants, animals and microbes (living or biotic part), Air, water, soil, ‘minerals, climate and solar energy (non-living or abiotic part). * They are of two types of resources namely 1, Renewable 2, Non-Renewable Resources. 1, RENEWABLE RESOURCES * The resources that can be replenished through rapi are known as renewable resource. + These resources are able to increase their abundance through reproduction and utilization of simple substances. * Ex: Plants, (crops and forests) and animals. 6d oS cen or z an The resources that cannot be replenished through natural processes are known as non-renewable resources. + Theseare available in limited amounts, which cannot be increased. + These resources include fossil fuels (petrol, coal ete), metals (iron, copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc etc), minerals and salts (carbonates, phosphates, nitratesetc) * Once anon-renewable resource is consumed, itis gone forever. natural cyclesIndividuals can play a significant role in conserving natural resources by taking steps oe Reducing water usage: Turn off the tap when brushing teeth or washing dishes, and fill washing machines only with the amount of water needed. ¢ Conserving energy: Turn off lights when leaving a room, and unplug appliances when notinuse. @ Reducing air pollution: Use public transportation, walk, or cycle for short distances to reduce the amount of fuel used by vehicles. 2 Using eco-friendly products: Avoid plastic bags, which can choke drainage systems and cause flooding. Instead, use cloth or jute lo} lo Recycling: Recycle products whenever possible. ¢ Using kitchen waste: Use kitchen waste as manure instead of fertilizers. ¢ Planting trees: Plant trees or take care of the plants around you. 2 Promoting sustainable agriculture: Promote sustainable agriculture. 2Energy Ttlow in an Ecosystem * Biological activities requires energy which ultimately comes from the sun. Solar energy is transformed into chemical energy by a process of photosynthesis this energy is stored in plant tissue and then transformed into heat energy during metabolic activities. * Thus in biological world the energy flows from the sun to plants and then to all heterotrophic organisms the flow of energy is unidirectional and non-cyclic. This one way flow of energy is governed by laws of thermodynamics which states that: (a) Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed but may be transformed from one form to another. (b) During the energy transfer there is degradation of energy from a concentrated form (mechanical, chemical, or electrical etc.) to a dispersed form (heat). + No energy transformation is 100 % efficient, it is always accompanied by some dispersion or loss of energy in the form heat. Therefore, biological systems. Heat Heat . v _ [consumers J Sun }—t Produce Ineraanic om ' : Nutrient I~ Decomposis ] Pool . sa HeatAir pollution is a combination of solid and liquid particles and gases suspended in the air. The main difference between natural and human-made air pollution is the source: ¢ Natural Caused by nature, such as forest fires, dust storms, pollen, volcanic eruptions, and grass fires. Natural pollutants include ash, soot, sulfur dioxide, salt spray, and volcanic and combustion gases. Human-made Caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels in industries, vehicles, and thermoelectric plants. Other human-made sources include gaseous emissions from industries, mining, processing, and stone crushing. Air pollution is a major threat to health and climate. It can cause: 2 RS) iKe) TXPESOF SOUL POLLUTION ‘+ Agricalere soil pollution 42 caused due t0 the excessive use of + Soll Polktion by industrial discharges of ehemeas fom mining and ‘manufacturingot goods + Solid waste wi pollution) Poor management ori vane + Sil Poltion du to a > CAUSES OF SOIL POLLUTION + INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION + The dscharge of indstral waste mo [= #85. seilcan real in so polaton “HE + Intndio8 mining and manufacturing . actives are increasing reply. soil degradations also increasing. +The extraction of minerals from the earth iret soll eri sible for affecting 2 sctuqurunas cums ‘urea nd pees prtaen pests tobecome resistant to it a ad WASTE DISPOSAL + Disposal of plastics and other el waste 4 serious issue that couses sol pollution, Asposal of lectrical items such ar buteries causes an adverse etfect on the foil due to the presence of harmful lumicals Eg ium present in camcause the leach ACIDRAIN + eis cnzed who pollutants present inthe air mi wih he rain and fll bak onthe round 1+ The polluted water could dasive away ame ofthe essential nutrients found in sail and change the structure of he oi thus als ‘® HEAVY METALS 1 The presence of heavy metas (such ae Need and mercury) in very ih concentrations present in soit can cause them to become highly toxic for human beings. © OILSPILLS + olleaksean happen dung the storage or transport of chemicals, the chemicals recent inthe uel deteriorates the quay of soil and make them unsuitable for suitable for agricaltare further cukivalon, chemicals can also entorinto the groundwater through the so sahoneend ndeseniiilalalls,The term environment is derived from French word ‘ENVIRON’ which means encircle. So in other words everything that affects living organism is called as environment. Environmental science is called as Multidisciplinary as it brings about an interaction between our natural world (air, water, soil, and material) and living organism. Environmental study is an interdisciplinary study that utilizes information from physical science and social science. * Conservation of nature and natural resources. * Conservation/ protection of biological diversity. * Control of environmental and human pollution. * Social issues in relation to development and environment. * Development of non- polluting renewable energy system and provide new diamension to nature's security. » IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES * The importance of environmental studies is that, the current trend of environmental degradation can be reversed if people of educated communities are organized, empowered and experts are involved in sustainable development. + Environmental factors greatly influence every organism and their activities. * At present a great number of environmental issues, have grown in size and complexity day by day, threatening the survival of mankind on earth. These issues are studied besides giving effective suggestions in the environment studies. * The environment studies enlighten us, about the importance of protection and conservation of our natural resources, indiscriminate release of pollution into the environment etc.ENERGY RESOURCES 7 tnertydiatibation inthe world {Ona coor Bho Sk and Canada "hee consumed by apenas adem! unr rw ine dy eta 9 coe amend by = se penn Wo 4 poe nie por conn dene omega a “TYPESOF EMEHGY MESOUNCES E-nontenenabie ener rescues or] coneterleery maces [WATER RESOURCES 7 Weer daiasobeananporss rire 1 She, wre tate oped it ge uses cottuaal a covmmmena aatane teat at ff + hpi ranma pce nee went amr oh drape tk nelelnam seat Lee aca “ HIDHOLOGICAL CYCLE 1 Water fo es rte aes raped yma ener Er Inte the atmongbere wm duds allen on aren ‘> DISTRIBUTION OF WATER RESOURCES Fresh WATER RESOURCES 1 7 surface water Underground water + stanaing water boates ae 7 ey ag Re ee it so sme ne et a. ein Ipestpuaae.emerant tapes Ina peer epee repr etchant newman. 1 se concern ae carbobcraen, eesor soon sureiy 2emange lands: Frofaces 17% of wets {crane heres mofo ‘TRESOEAUTRITION S-NUTRINOUS NUTRITION: Te mami seed neabh an diese revbtaoce Weare ge anes carob retin asd 2. ONDER MUTRTIOS Pp whe cnet enh ed toment 0) ste win tty lone et der uae Set[STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF AN ECOSYSTEM | + Teams of neopets eee eee) CURE co ican eier acerca? ete Pie ued EE saa nT Tee ie Re Seu et neal Cee Ee ict fee ea eee tacky Been eet a as mead primary consumers, and Te ee eee ee ree Te etree eee feel Seu eae se ered ooo ic ee) eon gt etc SU acd layer is less than the energy avallabie in the lower the total Cee] ead Corel or Rone ce ea+ Water pollution can be defined as the contamination of water bodies. + Water pollution is caused when water bodies such as rivers, lakes, oceans, groundwater and aquifers get contaminated with industrial and agricultural effluents. * When water gets polluted, it adversely affects all lifeforms that directly or indirectly depend on this source. SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION * The key causative of water pollution in India are: ¥ Urbanization ¥ Deforestation ¥ Industrial effluents ¥ Social and Religious Practices i ~ CONTROL MEASURES OF WATER POLLUTION + Water pollution, to a larger extent, can be controlled by a variety of methods. * Rather than releasing sewage waste into water bodies, it is better to treat them before discharge. * Practising this can reduce the initial toxicity and the remaining substances can be degraded and rendered harmless by the water body itself. * Ifthe secondary treatment of water has been carried out, then this can be reused in sanitary systems and agricultural fields. * Avery special plant, the Water Hyacinth can absorb dissolved toxic chemicals such as cadmium and other such elements. * Establishing these in regions prone to such kinds of pollutants will reduce the adverse effects toa large extent.INTRODUCTION) | SIRUCTUREAND FUNCTIONOF AN EcOsTSTE] FORESTECOSYSTEM|Food Chain & Food Web by the trger one, A those oxpansr, 20 main tropic levels:- Producer ofthe food chain will be affected, Detritus food Chain organisms feeding on detritus and the Parasite Food Chain This type of food chain Importance of Food Chains: 1. Energy Transfer: Food chains illustrate how energy is transferred from one organism to another, demonstrating the flow of energy through an ecosystem. Merely =f) Lea NY OMT balance in ecosystems. Each level of the food chain plays a crucial role in controlling populations and ensuring biodiversity. . Nutrient Cycling: Food chains contribute to nutrient cycling, as decomposers break down organic matter, returning essential nutrients to the soil. . Understanding Ecosystems: Studying food chains helps ecologists understand the dynamics of ecosystems, including predator-prey relationships and the impact of environmental changes. . Conservation Efforts: Knowledge of food chains is vital for conservation efforts, as it helps identify critical species and their roles in maintaining ecosystem health.Food Web + Under natu Aquatic food webs: Depict energy flow in an aquatic environment ¢ Terrestrial food webs: Depict energy flow on land ¢ Human food webs: Represent the food web for humans ¢ Agricultural food webs: Represent the food web for agricultural systems ¢ Detrital food webs: Represent a type of food web ¢ Marine food webs: Represent a type of food web ¢ Soil food webs: Represent a type of food web ¢ Arctic (or polar) food webs: Represent a type of food web ¢ Microbial food webs: Represent a type of food web