Chapter 1INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENT

AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

By: yash patel

Definition…..o The environment “is the sum of the total

of the elements, factors and conditions in the surroundings which may have an impact on the development, action or survival of an organism or group of organisms, such as, we human beings.”

OR

o It can also be defined as “ external surroundings and conditions which directly or indirectly affects the living organism”

The Environment

Environment consist of:

• BIOTIC FACTORS = living components in an environment

• ABIOTIC FACTORS = non-living components in an environment

• Biotic factors and Abiotic factors that surround us and with which we interact.

• These biotic and abiotic components are in dynamic state; they constantly affect each other and cannot be isolated from each other.

Biotic Factors

All living organisms

Plants

Animals

Microorganisms

COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT

• Environment can be divided into four components:

• Atmosphere• Hydrosphere• Lithosphere• Biosphere

Atmosphere:It is the mixture of various gases, water vapour and subatomic particles that entirely covers the earth extending outward several thousand kilometers.

Structure of atmosphere

Troposphere:•Lower portion of the atmosphere•Extends up to 8 km at the poles and 16 km at equator, on an average extend up to 10-11 km from the earth surface.•Temperature decrease at the rate of 5-7oC/km.•Strong vertical air movement responsible for rapid and complete mixing.

Stratosphere:• It is above

troposphere and extends up to50-55 km.

• Up to about 20 km temp. remains constant then increase with increase in height.

• Ozone layer is in this layer.

Mesosphere:• It is layer above

stratosphere and extends up to 80 km.

• Temperature decreases slowly with altitude but then sharply to about -75oC.

Thermosphere:• Temperature

increases rapidly with increase in height.

• Heating of this layer is due to absorption of the solar energy.

• Within the thermosphere there is a layer of charged particles known as ionosphere.

Exosphere:• It exist above the

ionosphere and extend up to 2000 km above the earth.

• This layer is almost airless and empty.

• Contains hydrogen gas in ionized state.

• Very high temperature(≥ 1200oC)

Hydrosphere:• About 70% of earth is covered by water.• Water is available in seas, oceans, lakes, river,

glaciers etc.• 97% is in the oceans and seas, 2% in glaciers &

ice caps, 1% is fresh water available for human consumption.

Lithosphere:• Outer soil crust of the earth is lithosphere• Living organisms, plant vegetation are

supported by the lithosphere.• It contains resources like minerals, organic and

inorganic matter, some extent air and water.• Role of lithosphere:

- Produces food for human beings and animals. - Soil is the site of decomposition of organic wastes.

Biosphere:• Thin outer crust of the earth which includes all

the living organisms and their environment.• It extends from the lowest sea bed level to about

24 km of the atmosphere.• Life supporting resources are available from the

biosphere.• It is that part of earth where living(biotic)

organism exist and interact with each other and also with non-living (abiotic) components.

Activities in biosphere…….• The living organisms interacting with each

other in biosphere and sustain their life.• The waste products in gaseous, liquid and

solid form are discharged in biosphere.• The sustaining and assimilative capacity of the

biosphere is tremendous but not infinite.• The system is in operation for millions of years

but now showing stress due to impact of human on environment.

Interaction between different components of environment

Man and Environment relationship

• Man is the only living organism capable of modifying environment according to the need.

• Man has started hunting animals and cutting trees for his basic needs.

• To increase his comforts he started distributing each and every components of environment.

• Large scale deforestation, increasing in quantity of CO2 due to burning of forest, grass, crop waste are example of early cause of pollution.

How Does Technology Address HumanNeeds and Wants?

Impact of Technology on Environment

• Positive Impact• Negative Impact– Direct Impact & Indirect Impact

Positive Impact Waste treatment plants to reduce the pollution. Electricity generation options Uses of bio-fuels

Impact of Technology on Environment (Cont…)

• Negative Impacts: Negative effects are further divided into direct and indirect effects.– Direct effect: • Accidents in various industries • Nuclear pollution

– Indirect effect • Uses of fossil fuels causes air pollution • Green house effects• Acid rain• Global warming

Positive Effect

• Water treatment plants help us to reuse of dirty water.

• Wind turbines help to reduce the needs for coal, electric and other natural resources.

• To improve life style & safety of human life, as well as improve the environment of this planet for the future.

• The science of sewage treatment is probably the greatest environmental achievement of mankind

Negative Effect

a) Direct Effect:

It includes accidents , release of pollutants affecting human health, exhaustion of resources and changes in landscapes.

b) Indirect Effects:

These effects interfere with the vital services supplied to humanity by natural ecological systems.

CONT….• Depletion of ozone layer , which protects the life on

earth from damaging UV-B radiations is caused primarily by CFC emissions.

• Excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers is decreasing the inherent fertility of soils.

• The sea level rise due to melting of ice-caps in Antarctic region due to global warming , is frequently disturbing the coastal areas.

• Exploitation of resources leading to exhaustion.• Testing of atomic bombs may cause volcanoes and

earth quakes

Environmental Degradation

• Definition: The overall lowering of environmental qualities due to the damages caused by both natural events and human activities in the basic structure of the environment at local, regional and global levels adversely affecting all living organisms including man.

Cont…..

Environmental degradation arise due to…..• Consumption of natural resources by over

population of developing countries.• Wasteful over consumption of resources by

developed countries.

Cont…..• To explain the impact (I) the proposed three

factor model in a given area comprises of:1. The population size(P)2. Per capita consumption of resources(A)3. Degradational pollution caused by per unit of

resources used(T) Hence I=P×A×TIn developing countries three Ps or P3 i.e.

population, poverty and pollution are key factor for rapid environmental degradation.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

• Sustainable development (SD) is a pattern of resources use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for future generations.

• Every generation should leave air, water and soil as pure and unpolluted as possible. Sustainability mean to sustain human institutions and ecological systems in a healthy and functional state

• Concepts for sustainable development:• Control of pollution.• Reduction of excessive use of resources and

conserving resources.• Recycling and reuse of material for waste

minimization.• Using cleaner fuel and technologies.• Development of good mass transportation

facilities to reduce air pollution.• By using effective environmental management

tools.(EIA, EMS)

Environmental Science

• … is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary field, drawing on many diverse disciplines.

Multidisciplinary nature of the Environment studies

• “Environmental studies” is the scientific study of our environment and our place in it.

• Definition: “Environmental studies” is the study of environmental issues.

• It has broader coverage than environmental science and includes social aspects of environment also.

• It deals with science where necessary and also include the study of physical and biological environment and also cultural and social factors and their impact on environment.

Scope of Environmental Studies

• Natural resources- their conservation and management

• Ecology and biodiversity• Environmental pollution and control• Social issues in relation to development and

environment• Human population and environment

Importance of Environmental Education in present day education system

• Environmental Education is recognized as the process that would help individuals to acquire essential knowledge and skills to take positive action towards a batter environment.

Objectives of Environmental Education

1. An AWARENESS of the environment and its problems.2. Basic KNOWLEDGE and understanding of the

environment and its inter-relationship with man.3. Social VALUES and ATTITUDES which are in harmony

with environmental quality.4. SKILLS to solve environmental problems.5. Sense of responsibility and urgency towards

environment so as to ensure appropriate ACTIONS to solve environmental problems.

6. Consider environment in its totality.

Environmental Engineering

• Environmental engineering is based on the design and

manipulation of environmental processes to obtain a

desired outcome.

• Environmental engineers apply their knowledge of the natural sciences (chemistry, biology and microbiology) with their expertise in engineering to solve, prevent or correct environmental problems

Cont……• Design or manage systems for water distribution and

collection, water treatment solid waste handling and processing facilities , landfills and air treatment plants.

• Work with regulatory agencies to review proposals for environmental equipment.

• Collecting data and assisting in product design.• Developing improved air quality models and pollution

control measures.• Working with an environmental health and safety board

on various policies and procedures.• Developing mitigation measures to ensure safety

Some of the activities handled by Environmental Engineer

• Waste Management, • Toxic Material Control, • Water Supply, • Storm Water Management, • Solid Waste Disposal, • Land Management, • Public Health & safety, • Radiation Protection, • Industrial Hygiene, • Air Quality Control

Thank You