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Types of Environment

Environmental science is the interdisciplinary study of the natural world and human impacts. It analyzes the physical, chemical, and biotic factors that influence living things, ecosystems, and human communities. The hydrosphere describes Earth's waters, which continuously cycle between oceans, atmosphere, and land via evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Unsustainable water use and pollution threaten this process and can cause problems like groundwater depletion and saltwater intrusion. Conservation aims to ensure sustainable water resources for the future.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
44 views13 pages

Types of Environment

Environmental science is the interdisciplinary study of the natural world and human impacts. It analyzes the physical, chemical, and biotic factors that influence living things, ecosystems, and human communities. The hydrosphere describes Earth's waters, which continuously cycle between oceans, atmosphere, and land via evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Unsustainable water use and pollution threaten this process and can cause problems like groundwater depletion and saltwater intrusion. Conservation aims to ensure sustainable water resources for the future.

Uploaded by

Nayeema khan
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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LECTURE 1

Environment:
• The complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors (such as climate, soil, and living
things) that act upon an organism or an ecological community and ultimately determine
its form and survival
• Environment is the aggregate of social and cultural conditions that influence the life of
an individual or community
• Environment: from the French word ‘environner ‘- to encircle or surround
• Whatever is around us constitutes our Environment
• The circumstances and conditions that surround an organism or group of organisms.
types of Environment :

- Natural environment: all living and nonliving things that occur naturally on Earth.

- Built environment: constructed surroundings that provide the setting for human activity, ranging from
the large-scale civic surroundings to the personal places.

- Social environment: the culture that an individual lives in, and the people and institutions with whom
they interact.

▪Environmental science is the systematic study of our environment

▪ Environmental science is the science of the relationship between man and the natural world in which he
lives.

▪It is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences (including physics,
chemistry, biology, geology, soil science and geography) and social sciences (economics, demography,
political science and humanities).

▪ Environmental science provides an integrated, quantitative and interdisciplinary approach to the study of
the environment.
Current Environmental Conditions

► Widespread decline in the ability of the ecosystem to produce goods and services

► Land conversion have shrunk the world’s forest as much as half

► Soil degradation has affected two-thirds of the world’s agricultural land

► Marine fish stocks are over harvested


Causes of Environmental degradation

About 85 million people are added every year causing stress on resources and services

► More land needed for housing and food production

► More urbanization causes air pollution, hazardous waste generation

► Extraction of groundwater, fossil fuel and resources increase.

► Surface and groundwater pollution threatens natural water habitats

Environmentalism’ is a social movement dedicated to protect the earth’s life support systems for us and
other species.

Environmentalism is a broad philosophy and social movement centered on a concern for the conservation
and improvement of the natural environment, both for its own sake as well as its importance to civilization.

Sustainability:

‘Sustainability’ is the ability to meet the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of the
future generation to meet their own needs.

It is the ability of the earth’s various systems, including human culture and economics, to survive and
adapt to the changing environmental conditions.

Environmental Management is the process by which environmental health is regulated.

Environmental Management System (EMS) refers to the management of an organization's


environmental programs in a comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented manner.

▪ It includes the organizational structure, planning and resources for developing, implementing and
maintaining policy for environmental protection.

▪ An EMS:

▪ Serves as a tool to improve environmental performance

▪ Provides a systematic way of managing an organization’s environmental affairs

▪ Is the aspect of the organization’s overall management structure that addresses immediate
and long-term impacts of its products, services and processes on the environment

▪ Gives order and consistency for organizations to address environmental concerns through
the allocation of resources, assignment of responsibility and ongoing evaluation of practices,
procedures and processes

LECTURE 2
⮚The hydrosphere describes the waters of the earth.
⮚ About 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water.

⮚Water of the hydrosphere exists in three states: liquid, solid and gaseous (water vapor).

⮚ Water occurs in two general chemical conditions, fresh and salty.

⮚ It also occurs as standing water (in oceans and lakes) and running water (in rivers and
streams).

⮚ It consists of water in the oceans; lakes, streams, rivers, swamps on the surface of the
land & under the ground (ground water).

⮚ It also consists of water frozen as ice and snow-icebergs, glaciers, polar ice, on mountains
and in the frozen layers of soil and as water vapor in the atmosphere.

Oceans and seas - 96.5 % of water


Freshwater – 3.5 % of water

Structure of Hydrosphere
Freshwater distribution:

Ice: 1.762%
Groundwater: 1.7%
Surface Fresh Water: 0.014%
Atmosphere and Soil: 0.002%
Icebergs: a large piece of freshwater ice floating in open waters.
Glaciers: any large mass of ice that moves slowly over land.
Permafrost: ground that is permanently frozen.
Significance of the hydrologic cycle

⮚Water moves from one store to another by various processes and

⮚ these movements take place between the atmosphere, lithosphere and biosphere and

⮚ in this way the water cycle integrates most of the other important environmental systems.
⮚ Earth is not the only planet to contain water but conditions on Earth are particularly suitable for
the continuous cycling of water, which in turn drives many other important systems.
⮚The hydrologic cycle involves the continuous recycling of water between the atmosphere, land
and oceans.

⮚ It is the transfer of water from the oceans to the atmosphere, from the atmosphere to the land
and back to the oceans. The processes involve evaporation of water from the oceans;
precipitation on land; evaporation from land ; runoff from streams, river and subsurface
groundwater.

⮚The hydrological cycle is driven by solar energy, which evaporates water from oceans, fresh
water bodies, soils and vegetation.
Different processes of the hydrologic cycle

Evaporation
It takes place due to heat. Water from oceans, seas and water surfaces on land, such as rivers,
lakes etc. is changed from water droplets to water vapor in the atmosphere, which is known as
evaporation.

Transpiration
Water lost from vegetation - trees and plants, mainly from their leaves is known as transpiration.

Evapo-transpiration
Evapo-transpiration (ET) is a term used to describe the sum of evaporation and plant
transpiration from the Earth's land surface to the atmosphere.

Condensation
Air temperature decreases with height. As water vapor is carried upwards by air it is
cooled, leading to condensation. This is the process by which water vapor (gas) is
turned to liquid or solid.

. Precipitation
~ is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor
that falls under gravity. Rain is the most common type but snow
and hail are included as well
Interception
When precipitation occurs, some are prevented from falling directly on the ground by tree
and plants which are known as interception.

Run-off
Water flows over the ground surface, finding its way into rivers and streams, known as
run-off.

Infiltration
Water that seeps into the ground. It depends on soil characteristics, land cover type, slope of
the ground.

Groundwater flow
Storage of water underground. After precipitation a certain portion of it seeps into ground.

In general, the term groundwater or subsurface water refers to the water that occurs below
the surface of the earth. The main source of groundwater is infiltration.

⮚ Withdrawing large amounts of water from streams, lakes and underground sources.

Effects:

Groundwater depletion:

-land subsidence

Salt water intrusion:

- Water become unusable for domestic purpose

- Corrosion of industrial process

- Crop damage

- Ecosystem loss

⮚Deforestation

Clearing vegetation and urbanization.

• Increases in runoff

• Soil erosion
• Sedimentation in river: flooding

Part 2


Water is used in many different ways, including:


Domestic use: for showering, washing clothes, watering lawns and gardens etc.


Agricultural use: includes water used in irrigation.
Industrial use: water used for processing, washing and cooling in facilities that manufacture


products.
In-stream uses: hydroelectric power generation, navigation, recreation, fish and wildlife
habitats (ecosystems).
Worldwide,
⮚ irrigation agriculture consumes over 70% of all the water used by people
⮚ industry accounts for a further 20 % and
⮚ domestic & municipal uses account for most of the remainder (10%).


The amount used, and what it is used for, varies a great deal from country to country.
Water is the most basic and most important of all natural resources.

⚫ We require regular supplies of water but it must be fresh water.


⚫ Most comes from rivers, lakes and underground aquifers.
⚫ Sea water can be used but the salts dissolved in it must first be removed (by desalination)
before it is suitable for people to drink or use directly.
⚫ Demand for water has increased markedly in recent centuries.
⚫ During the twentieth century world water use increased seven times.

Water conservation is the careful use and the protection of water resources. It involves both
the quantity of water used and its quality. Conservation is an important component of
sustainable water use.
Steps that can be followed for water conservation:
⮚ Use improved agricultural irrigation system
⮚ Use computer monitoring and schedule release of water for maximum efficiency
⮚ Integrate the use of surface water and groundwater to more effectively use the
total resources
⮚ Turn off water when absolutely not needed for washing, brushing and so on
⮚ Take a long bath rather than a long shower
⮚ Don’t wash sidewalks and driveways with water rather sweep them
⮚ Industries might curb water usage by increasing in-plant treatment and recycling of
water or by developing new equipment and processes that require less water.
Water is essential for life. It is also necessary for maintaining ecological systems necessary for
the survival of humans. As a result water plays important roles in
⮚ ecosystem support
⮚ economic development
⮚ community well-being
From water supply use and management perspective, sustainable water use can be defined as
use of water resources by people in a way that allows society to develop and flourish into
an indefinite future without degrading the various components of the hydrologic cycle or
ecological systems that depend on it.

⚫LECTURE 3
The atmosphere is
- the vast gaseous envelope of air
- that surrounds the Earth.
⚫ Its boundaries are not easily defined.
⚫ The atmosphere contains a complex system of gases and suspended particles.
⚫ It reaches over 560 km (348 miles) from the surface of the Earth, so we are only able to see
what occurs fairly close to the ground.
⚫ 99% of atmospheric gases, including water vapor, extend only 30 kilometer (km) above
earth's surface.
⚫ Most of our weather, however, occurs within the first 10 to 15 km.
⚫ Nearly 150 million kilometers separate the sun and earth, yet solar radiation drives earth's

⚫ weather.
Nitrogen - 78%
⚫ Oxygen - 21%
⚫ Water Vapor – 0 to 4%
⚫ Carbon Dioxide - 0 .037%
⚫ Other gases make up the rest

Lapse Rate
⚫ The rate at which air temperature decreases with height.
⚫ The standard (average) lapse rate in the lower atmosphere is about 6.5°C per 1 km or
3.6°F per 1000 ft.

• Five distinct layers have been identified using


• thermal characteristics (temperature changes),
• chemical composition,
• movement &
• density.

• The Earth's atmosphere extends from ground surface to the edge of interplanetary space.
There are basically 5 (five) atmospheric layers.
• Troposphere
• Stratosphere
• Mesosphere
• Thermosphere
• Exosphere

Troposphere:
The troposphere starts at the Earth's surface and extends 8 to 14.5 kilometers high (5 to 9
miles). This part of the atmosphere is the most dense. As you climb higher in this layer, the
temperature drops from about 17 to -52 degrees Celsius. Almost all weather is in this region.
The boundary that divides the troposphere from the stratosphere is called the "tropopause",
located at an altitude of around 5 miles in the winter, to around 8 miles high in the summer, and
as high as 11 or 12 miles in the tropics. The tropopause and the troposphere are known as the
lower atmosphere.
Stratosphere:
The stratosphere starts just above the troposphere and extends to 50 kilometers (31 miles)
high. Compared to the troposphere, this part of the atmosphere is dry and less dense. The
temperature in this region increases gradually to -3 degrees Celsius, due to the absorbtion of
ultraviolet radiation. The ozone layer, which absorbs and scatters the solar ultraviolet radiation,
is in this layer. Ninety-nine percent of "air" is located in the troposphere and stratosphere. The
stratopause separates the stratosphere from the next layer.

Mesosphere:
The mesosphere starts just above the stratosphere and extends to 85 kilometers (53 miles)
high. In this region, the temperature again falls as low as -93 degrees Celsius as you increase in


altitude. The mesopause separates the mesosphere from the thermosphere.
Thermosphere:
The thermosphere starts just above the mesosphere and extends to 600 kilometers (372
miles) high. The temperatures go up as you increase in altitude due to the Sun's energy.
Radiation absorbing gas are present which absorb energy from solar radiation warming the
air. Temperatures in this region can go as high as 1,727 degrees Celsius. Chemical
reactions occur much faster here than on the surface of the Earth. This layer is known as
the upper atmosphere.

⚫ Exosphere:
The exosphere starts at the top of the thermosphere and continues until it merges with
interplanetary gaps, or space. In this region of the atmosphere, Hydrogen and Helium are
⚫ the prime components and are only present at extremely low densities.
Weather is an area’s short term temperature, precipitation, wind speed, cloud cover and
other physical conditions of the lower atmosphere over a short period of time.


Weather is comprised of the elements of:


a) air temperature


b) air pressure


c) humidity


d) clouds


e) precipitation


f) visibility
g) wind

⚫ Climate represents long-term (e.g. 30 yr) averages of weather. Average temperature and
average precipitation are the two main factors determining climate.

⚫Factors responsible for global and local climate


Solar radiation reaching the area.
⚫ Earth’s daily rotation at his own axis
⚫ Annual rotation at his orbit (around the sun)
⚫ Air circulation over the surface
⚫ Global distribution of landmasses and water
⚫ Circulation of ocean currents
⚫ Elevation of the landmasses (altitude)
LECTURE 4

•The Earth has a surface area of 510 million km2


•It is an oblate spheroid
•The study of the shape of the earth is called Geodesy
•Modern geodesic survey is greatly assisted by developments in remote sensing
Earth’s internal zones:

•Core
- Inner core
- Outer core
•Mantle
•Crust
- Oceanic crust
- Continental crust

•Core
-The inner most part of the earth
-Temperature of the centre of the core is between 40000C & 50000C.
-This part is composed of iron, nickel & cobalt & known as Nife.
-Density is very high
-It has two layers
⮚ a liquid exterior-outer core- 2250 km (thickness)-made of liquid Fe, Ni
⮚ a solid interior-inner core-1200 km (thickness)-made of solid Fe, Ni

•Mantle
- layer between the core & the crust
-a thick layer (2900 km) of mostly molten rock
Lithosphere: The outer part of the mantle is rigid and behaves as a solid and this layer
mostly merges with the crust. Lithosphere consist of the crust and part of upper mantle,
which is about 100 km thick. The lithosphere is the earth’s solid crust and upper mantle.
Lithosphere contains non-renewable fossil fuels and minerals we use as well as
renewable soil chemicals that organisms need to live, grow and reproduce.
Asthenosphere: The layer just beneath the lithosphere is known as asthenosphere. Its
materials behave more like flowing plastic than solid rock and is about 200 km thick.
•Crust
-the outer shell of the earth which varies in thickness from 5-50 km.
-It is solid & generally consists of low density materials
-May be divided into two parts
⮚ upper crust/continental crust- up to 100 km thick under the mountains
⮚ lower crust/oceanic crust- only 5 km thick under the oceans
-The upper crust is also known as ‘sial’ as rocks of this part is composed mainly of silica &
aluminium.
-The lower crust is called ‘sima’ as silica & magnesium are the most common minerals here.
Composition of Earth’s Crust
▪Only 8 elements make up 99% of the weight of Earth’s crust. These are, in order of abundance,
•Oxygen 47%
•Silicon 28%
•Aluminum 8%
•Iron 5%
•Calcium 4%
•Sodium 3%
•Potassium 2%
•Magnesium 2%
▪All other elements make up only 1% of the weight of Earth’s crust.
▪Plates: Various-sized areas of Earth’s lithosphere that moves slowly around on the mantle’s
flowing asthenosphere
▪Earthquakes and volcanoes occur around the boundaries of these plates
▪Plate tectonics: Theory of geophysical processes that explains the movements of Earth’s plates
and the processes that occur at their boundaries


Lithospheric plates have 3 types of boundaries:
•Divergent
•Convergent
•Transform
BIOSPHERE
▪Zone of the Earth where life is found
▪The biosphere consists of all living things, plant and animal
▪Cycling of matter in this sphere involves not only metabolic reactions in organisms, but also
many abiotic chemical reactions
▪Also called Ecosphere
Biosphere extends from less than 11 km below sea level to the tropopause, which is less than
17km above sea level.
Human Impacts on Biosphere
•Environmental pollution
•Habitat removal or damage
•Changing the structure and distribution of vegetation and soils
•Over exploitation of renewable resources
•Introducing exotic organism
•Inappropriate disposal of waste
•Disturbing the equilibrium of important environmental system

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