Environmental Studies

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES Module -1 Environmental Studies Environment The word 'environment' is derived from the French word 'environ’ which 'means ‘ 'to encircle’ or ‘surround’. Environment is the surroundings in which an organism lives. It consists of living (Biotic) and non-living(Abiotic) organisms. Environment literally means Surrounding in which we are living. Environment includes all those things on which we are directly or indirectly dependent for our survival, whether it is living component like animals, plants or non - living component like soil, air water. Ecological factor Ecological factor is any factor, that influences living organisms. It directly or indirectly affects the growth and development of living organisms. The living organisms are influenced by a large number of environmental factors. These environmental factors are known as ecological factors or eco- factors.These factors may be biotic (living) or abiotic (non-living). All the environmental factors bring marked distributional, structural and functional changes in living organisms. Components of environment Environment is made up of four segments atmosphere,hydrosphere,biosphere and lithosphere. 1

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES Atmosphere The word atmosphere is derived from a Greek word ‘Atmos’, which means vapour sphere.It is a layer of gases that surrounds the earth.The presence of life on earth is due to the presence of atmosphere.The main gases present in atmosphere are Nitrogen,Oxygen,Carbon dioxide etc. Structure of Atmosphere Atmosphere extends several kilometers in space.Ecological factors such as temperature,pressure,moisture etc changes as we move up the atmosphere.The atmosphere is divided into five layers(Zones) namely,Troposphere,Stratosphere,Mesosphere,Thermosphere and Exosphere. Troposphere:-Troposphere is the lowest layer of atmosphere.It extends upto 15 Kilometers above the surface of the earth’s surface of the earth.All the weather changes takes place in this layer.Clouds are formed and carried by winds in this layer. Stratosphere:-Troposphere lies above the troposphere.In this layer the temperature increases with increasing altitude.Compared to Troposphere stratosphere is less dense.It extends upto 35 Kilometers.The ozone layer lies in this layer.Jet planes usually fly in this layer. Mesosphere:-The mesosphere, which means middle sphere, is the third layer of Earth'satmosphere, between the stratosphere, and the 2

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES thermosphere. Mesosphere is also known as cold layer.In the mesosphere temperature decreases as the altitude increases. Thermosphere:-Thermosphere is called hot layer.The radio signals transmitted from earth are reflected back to the earth by this layer.This layer is also called ionosphere. Exosphere:-This is the outerlayer of atmosphere.It lies above the thermosphere.Beyond the exosphere is the vast space. Significance of Atmosphere(Functions of Atmosphere) • The atmosphere helps to sustain life by providing oxygen for breathing. • The atmosphere absorbs excessive heat from sun. • The ozone layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. • The atmosphere helps to recycle water through water cycle. • The atmosphere helps to maintain an optimum temperature on the Earth. Hydrosphere The hydrosphere is the liquid water component of the Earth.All types of water resources are collectively called hydrosphere. It includes the oceans, seas, lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. The hydrosphere covers about 70% of the surface of the Earth and is the home for many plants and animals. ➢ Three fourth of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. Biosphere The word biosphere is derived from two words ‘bio’ and ‘sphere’,bio means life and sphere means layer. The biosphere also known as the Ecosphere.It is the part of the earth where life exists.The biosphere is formed of biotic components. 3

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES Lithosphere Lithosphere is the solid component of earth.The lithosphere is made up of three layers crust,mantle and core. ➢ The crust is the outer most solid layer of earth. ➢ The mantle is the middle layer and is in molten state. ➢ The core is the inner most layer.It is in a solid or molten state. The lithosphere can be compared to as a hen’s egg. Environmental studies Environmental studies the science which studies the interaction between man and the environment.. It deals with issues that affect a living organism. OR Environmental study is the scientific study of environmental problems. Objectives of Environmental studies The objectives of environmental studies are: (a) Creating the awareness about environmental problems among people. (b) Imparting basic knowledge about the environment and its allied problems. (c) Developing an attitude of concern for the environment. 4

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (d) Motivating public to participate in environment protection and environment improvement. (e) Acquiring skills to help the concerned individuals in identifying and solving environmental problems. (f) Striving to attain harmony with Nature. Scope of environmental studies Environmental studies cover environmental science,environmental engineering and environmental management. Environmental Science:-It is the scientific study of air,water,soil etc.Environmental science is the branch of biology concerned with the relations between organisms and their environment. Environmental Engineering:-Environmental engineering is the integration of sciences and engineering principles to improve the natural environment.It deals with the study of technical processes involved in the protection of environment from the potentially deleterious effects of human activity and improving the environmental quality for the health and well beings of humans. OR Environmental engineering is the application of engineering principles to the protection and enhancement of the quality of the environment and to the enhancement and protection of public health and welfare. Environment Management:-Environmental Management offers research and opinions on use and conservation of natural resources, protection of habitats and control of hazards, spanning the field of environmental management without regard to traditional disciplinary boundaries. The scope of environmental studies is very wide and it deals with many areas like i) Conservation of natural resources, ii) ecological aspects, iii) pollution of 5

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES the surrounding natural resources, iv) controlling the pollution, v) social issues connected to it, and vi) impacts of human population on the environment. Importance of environmental studies The major goal of environmental study is to raise consciousness about environment.It aims to create environmental ethic.Good environment provides pure air,water,food and good health.It helps us to handle environmental issues such as pollution,def-orestation etc.Social awarness can encourage people to use biogas and solar energy.Economic development and rise in living standards are the main cause of depletion of environment. Methods of Public Awareness The following methods are used to create wareness of environmental conservation among people 1. Through mass media. 2. Short films and Camps. 3. Making environmental study compulsory at schools and colleges. 4. Local camps can be organized. 5. Days of Environmental significance may be celebrated. Changes in values,attitudes and behaviour helps to improve the quality of environment. Importance of Environmental Studies The importance’s of environmental studies are as follows: 1. To get awareness and sensitivity to the total environment and its related problems. 2. To motivate the active participation in environmental protection and improvement 3. To develop skills for identifying and solving environmental problems 4. To know the necessity of conservation of natural resources 5. To evaluate environmental programs in terms of social, economic, ecological and aesthetic factors 6

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES Need for public awareness in environmental protection The overuse of natural resources leads to depletion of natural resources.This can effect the balance of ecosystem.It is not only the duty of government but also the people to take active role for protecting the environment, so protecting our environment is economically more viable than cleaning it up once, it is damaged.The role of mass media such as newspapers, radio, television, etc is also very important to make people aware regarding environment.The following steps are used to for environmental protection 1)Preserve greenary 2)Promote the use of green fuels. 3)Stop cutting of trees. 4)Plant tress. Public participation is useful in law making process and controlling the pollution activities. Environmental chemistry Environmental chemistry is the scientific study of the chemical and biochemical phenomena that occur in natural places.It focuses on the presence and impact of chemicals in soil, surface water, and groundwater. OR Environmental chemistry is the study of chemical processes that occur in water, air and living environments, and the effects of human activity on them. Environmental Engineering The application of engineering principle for the sustainable development of environment is called Environmental Engineering. Note:- Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. 7

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY - 5 June. Previous Questions 1. What is atmosphere ? (1 mark) 2. Define Environment (1 Mark) 3. What do you meant by Environmental Chemistry.(2 Marks) 4. Explain the objectives of Environmental Studies(4 Marks) 5.What is Lithosphere.(1 mark) 6.The author of the book ‘Silent Spring’.(1 Mark) 7.Explain the objectives of Environmental Studies.(2 Marks) 8.What do you meant by Environmental Chemistry ?(1 Mark) 9. Explain the structure of atmosphere.(1 Mark) 10. What is Lithosphere ?(1 Mark) 11. What do you mean by troposphere ?(1 Mark) 12.Explain the scope of environmental studies.(2 Marks) 8