Chapter-1

INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

 Definitions
The term environment is derived from a French word environner
which means ‘surrounding’. It refers to an aggregate of all conditions
that affect the existence, growth, and welfare of an organism or a
group of organisms.

Environment is the sum total of all social, economical, biological,

physical, and chemical factors which constitute the surroundings of
humans, who are both creators and moulders of the environment.

Environment is the sum total of influences which modify and

determine the development of life and its associated characteristics .

The
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 Components of Environment

The components of environment are broadly classified as abiotic and

biotic components.

Abiotic or non-living components of environment include all the

physical and chemical factors that influence living organisms.
Examples of abiotic components are air, water, soil, rocks, etc.

Biotic or living components are the living components of

environment and include microbes, plants, animals, and human
beings.
Biotic Components
Abiotic Components
 Types of Environment

Natural Environment

Man-Made Environment
 Planet Earth: Segments of Environment

•Lithosphere:
Crust: < 1% (Thin)
Everest: 8.85 km
Mantle, Cores

•Hydrosphere:
(oceans, sea, rivers)
•Atmosphere:
~1%:
30 km (99% of air)
extends to 120 km

•Biosphere: All life

 Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies refers to the study of the environment. It is

not restricted to the point of view of one particular discipline but
involves all disciplines that may affect the environment in any
possible way.

It involves the study and understanding of the fact that even a single
phenomenon can affect the environment in a variety of ways with
varying degrees of complexity, and each of these effects can be
understood from different perspectives rooted in different
disciplines.
 Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies requires skills that encompass a range of

disciplines including chemistry, biology, earth sciences, atmospheric
science, statistics, mathematics, and geography.
 Importance of Environmental Studies
 Environmental Studies is useful in checking environmental pollution and
related solutions.

 It helps in maintaining ecological balance.

 It helps to gain skills to assess the environmental impact of human

activities. Environmental study will help to protect biodiversity.
 It gives us basic knowledge of environment and associated problems.

 It helps to achieve sustainable development .

 It helps to educate people regarding their duties towards the protection

of environment.

 The knowledge of environmental science will be applied to the study of

agriculture.
 Need for Public Awareness

 Earth’s resources are dwindling and our environment is being

increasingly degraded by human activities and hence
something needs to be done.

 Government alone cannot perform all the clean-up functions.

 Individual/group efforts in their own every possible way has to

be made to protect our environment.

 Mass public awareness: newspapers, radio, television strongly

influences public opinion on conserving our environment.
 Methods for Public Awareness

 Environmental education
 Through media
 Through organizing seminars & conferences
 Entertainment
 Science centers
 Involvement of youth
 Through print, broadcast and internet
ECOLOGY

How does “Environment” differ from “Ecology”

Ecology

(Greek word: Okologie; meaning: “place to live”)

“Physical, biological and socio cultural adaptations”

Branch of science that deals with the scientific study of the

interrelationships between living organisms with respect to
each other and to their surroundings.
 Sustainable Development

The term sustainable development refers

to the development that meets the needs
of the present without compromising the
ability of the future generations to meet
their own needs.

The concept of sustainable development can be interpreted in many different

ways, but at its core is an approach to development that looks to balance
different, and often competing, needs against an awareness of the
environmental, social and economic limitations we face as a society.

All too often, development is driven by one particular need, without fully
considering the wider or future impacts. We are already seeing the damage this
kind of approach can cause, from large-scale financial crises caused by
irresponsible banking, to changes in global climate resulting from our
dependence on fossil fuel-based energy sources.
 Measures for Sustainable Development

Effective planning for population control

Reducing per capita demand of natural resources

Using efficient technological devices

Following the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycling) approach

Promoting environmental awareness through education

Effective planning for regeneration of natural resources

Sustainable Building Materials: Approach
 Green buildings
Green building (also known as eco buildings or sustainable
building) refers to a structure and using process that is
environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a
building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction,
operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.

Objective of green buildings

Designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment

on human health and the natural environment

Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources

Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity
Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation.
Why Build Green? merits of green building

Potential benefits of green building

Environmental benefits
Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems
Improve air and water quality
Reduce waste streams
Conserve and restore natural resources
Economic benefits
Reduce operating costs
Create, expand, and shape markets for green product and services
Improve occupant productivity
Optimize life-cycle economic performance
Social benefits
Enhance occupant comfort and health
Heighten aesthetic qualities
Minimize strain on local infrastructure
Improve overall quality of life
 Classification of Natural Resources

Renewable Resources

Resources whose continual harvest is possible with proper planning

and management, such as plants, animals, solar energy, wind energy,
etc., are known as renewable resources. (They can renew
themselves, provided they are not over harvested).

Non-renewable Resources

Those resources which once gone have very little chance of recovery
or resynthesis are called non-renewable resources. Examples of non-
renewable resources are coal, minerals, and petroleum. (Total stock is
limited).
 Our natural resources

 water
 forest
 energy
 land
 food
 minerals
The rainforest in Fatu-Hiva, in Marquesas Islands is an example of
an undisturbed natural resource. Forest provides timber for
humans; food and shelter for flora and the fauna. The nutrient
cycle between organisms form food chains and biodiversity of
species.
 The Carson Fall in
Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia is
an example of undisturbed
natural resource. Waterfalls
provide spring water for
humans, animals and plants
for survival and also habitat
for marine organisms. The
water current can be used to
turn turbines or
hydroelectric generation.
The ocean is an example of a natural resource. Ocean waves can
be used to generate wave power which is a renewable energy.
Ocean water is important for salt production and providing
habitat for deep water fishes. There are biodiversity of marine
species in the sea where nutrient cycles are common.
Wind is a natural resource that
can be used to generate
electricity, as with these 5MW
wind turbines in
Thorntonbank Wind Farm
28 km (17 mile) off the coast of
Belgium
Natural Resources Uses
Air (Wind) Required for all living things for breathing, Use to
produce wind energy.
Animals / Plants Provide food, cloth, shelter, medicine. Used as mode
of transport. Animal dung can be used as
fuel/fertilizer.

Soil Used as the primary nutrient source for plants. It is

the habitat of many organisms.

Solar Light Provide light, energy and help to plants for making
their foods
Wood / Tree Used as construction material. Used to make
utensils, furniture and sporting equipments.
Water Used in household, agriculture and transportation.
Examples of Renewable Resources
solar energy
Hybrid Of Wind And Solar energy
Biomass Energy
 Examples of Non-renewable Resources
 COAL
 OIL
 NATURAL GAS
 OIL SHALE AND TAR SANDS
 NUCLEAR POWER

Over 85% of the energy used in the world is from non-

renewable supplies

Most developed nations are dependent on non-renewable

energy sources such as fossil fuels (coal and oil) and nuclear
power.

Industrialized societies depend on non-renewable energy

sources.
 Land Resources

The Importance of Land

 The human civilization has thrived on land.

 Land is used for agriculture.

 Land contains huge amount of mineral deposits.

 It also contains water in the form of underground water.

 Most of the animals find their habitat on land.

 Land directly or indirectly provides all the resources required to

fulfil the basic needs of humans: food, cloth, and shelter.
 Soil profile

 Soil profile is a vertical cross section from surface down to the

parent materials. A well- developed soil profile shows distinct
horizons.

 The three major horizons are A, B, and C horizons. Horizons are

sometimes also called zones.
 The soil profile is important tool for nutrient management and soil
fertility.
 Decomposition of weathers and organic matter, profile of the soil
changes.
 The soil profile is made of distinct layers , known as horizons.
 Five most common horizons are collectively known as master
horizons.
 Study of soil profile is essential for proposed the soil structure and
for technical descriptions.
Horizons in Soil profile
 Functions of Soil

 Role in nutrient cycles

 In agriculture
 Regulate the water
 Regulate the emissions of gases
 Degrade pollutants and filter ground water
 Producing clay
 Provide the structural material as brick, cement etc.
 Sequester carbon as organic matter.
 Land Degradation

The fertility of land supports the growth and productivity

of natural vegetation and agricultural crops. A number of
natural and man-made factors lower the quality of land.
This is commonly referred to as land degradation.
 Causes of land degradation

Natural factors
Heavy rains
High speed wind and storms
Natural disasters like earthquakes ,floods, prolonged
drought, etc.

Anthropogenic factors
Mining.
Urbanization
The indiscriminate and uncontrolled removal of trees
Excess use of fertilizers
Industrial discharges
Overgrazing, soil erosion, etc..
Soil Erosion

Soil erosion is removal of top soil from its resting place by various
physical agencies like wind and water. It can be defined as “the
detachment and transport of the fertile layer of soil by water or air.”
It is also known as the creeping death of land.

The detachment and transportation

of the fertile layer of soil by water or
air.
 Causes of Soil Erosion

 Large-scale deforestation for meeting commercial as

well as day-to-day needs

 Heavy floods in rivers

 Overgrazing by cattle

 Dry violent winds

 Improper agricultural techniques

Effects of Soil Erosion
 Desertification of land

 Decrease in productivity of land

 Reduction in the agricultural land at the banks of rivers

 Deposition of soil in river beds and canals causing diversion of

their natural flow and hence leading to disasters
 Tillage
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 Methods of Controlling Soil Erosion
 Reduced tillage

 Contour cultivation

 Strip cropping

 Terracing

 A forestation on barren land

 Control of overgrazing

 Construction of small check dams

 Promotion of equitable use of water resources

 Prevention of excavation of rocks

 Methods to control Soil Erosion

Strip cropping Contour banding

Construction of small check dams

Afforestation Terracing
 Desertification

Conversion of fertile land into an infertile desert land is

called desertification.
Causes of Desertification

Natural Factors Anthropogenic Factors

Very low rainfall Overgrazing

High salinity of soils Over irrigation
Excessive evaporation Excessive ploughing
Vast difference in diurnal temperature Excessive use of fertilizers
extremes Continuous cutting of trees
 Effects of Desertification

 Poor soil quality

 Rapid soil erosion

 Unfavorable climate

 Huge economic losses

 Low water table, salty and hard water

 Control of Desertification

 Promoting large-scale plantation of trees

 Changing agricultural practices and promoting dry land farming

 Development of pasture lands (suitable for Grazing) and control of

overgrazing

 Promoting equitable use of water resources

 Development of water catchment areas

The desertification is increasing significantly in Bhuj in northern

Gujarat due to over usages of ground water for last 20 years.
Water tables going down by 3m/year.
Forest Resources

A forest is a biotic community with a

predominance of trees; it is an
important renewable resource.

Forests restore oxygen in our

atmosphere through photosynthesis and
also provide solvents, medicines, fuels,
and many other products that are
important for our health and comfort.

India is rich in forest resources with a

great diversity of flora and fauna.
 The effect of desertification in Northern Gujarat

 The desertification is increasing significantly in Bhuj in northern

Gujarat due to over usages of ground water for last 20 years.

 Water tables going down by 3 m/ year

 According to the Experts, it is spreading to nearby villages

 Parameters such as groundwater level, vegetation, soil and rain

are showing an alarming decline and rapid degradation

 Every ecological and political bodies are warned to people about

this degradation.
 Importance of Forests

Direct Benefits

 Forests provide timber for construction of buildings and furniture.

 They provide raw material for a number of large- and small-scale

industries. (bee keeping, Furniture, beedi, sal seed oil, bamboo
sticks)

 They provide a variety of edible products for human beings and

animals.

 They provide natural habitat to tribal people.

 They make manure (organic matter used as organic fertilizer in
agriculture) and fuel wood available to humans.

 They are an important source of national income.

 They provide various medicinal plants.

 They increase the beauty of landscape and attract tourists.

 They are extremely helpful in generating employment

opportunities.
 Indirect Benefits

 Forests help in minimizing natural hazards.

 They help in reducing soil erosion and siltation of downstream

water bodies.

 They help in reducing desertification and land degradation.

 They help in maintaining biodiversity by providing habitat to wild

animals.

 They help in regulating hydrological cycle.

 They help in regulating the gases in atmosphere.

 A conifer forest in the Swiss Mixed deciduous forest in Serbia
Alps

Temperate rainforest in Tasmania's Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

 Indian top five states with largest area under forest
cover
According to India's 2013 forest survey report, thus obtained and
published by the Government of India suggests the top five states
with largest area under forest cover:
Madhya Pradesh: 7.75 million hectares

Arunachal Pradesh: 6.73 million hectares

Chhattisgarh: 5.6 million hectares

Maharashtra: 5.06 million hectares

Odisha: 5.03 million hectares

The seven north-eastern States of India have nearly 1/4th of the

country’s forest cover.
 Deforestation
The term deforestation refers to the removal or reduction of
forest cover.
Causes of Deforestation
 Encroachment of forest land for agricultural use to meet the
growing demands of foods.

 Expansion of cities to accommodate the growing population

 Construction of dams, canals, and highways

 Establishment of industrial areas

 Demand for firewood

 Mining
 Causes of Deforestation
Population explosion: Population
explosion is the root cause of all the
environmental problems, vast area of
forests are cleared for human
settlement

Shifting Cultivation: It is a traditional

agroforestry system in which felling
and burning of forests followed by
cultivation of crop for few years and
abandon of cultivation allow forests for
re-growth cause extreme damage to
forest.
Growing food demand: To meet the food
demand of rapidly growing population
more and more forests are cleared off for
agricultural purpose.

Fire wood: Increasing demand of wood

for fuel increases pressure on forests.

Raw material for wood based industry:

Increasing demand of wood for making
furniture, plywood, paper, match box etc
results into tremendous pressure on
forests.
Infrastructure development:
Massive destruction of forest occurs
for various infrastructure
development like, big dams,
highways projects etc.

Forest fires: Forest fires may be

natural or man made cause a huge
loss of forest.

Over grazing: Overgrazing of land

by cattle result into soil erosion,
desertification.

Natural forces: Floods, storms,

heavy winds, snow, lightening are
some of the natural forces
Human activities have a very adverse
impact on forests
 Even
deserts are
affected by
human
activities
 Mountain
ecosystems
provide vital
ecosystem
services, but
they are facing
severe
degradation due
to climate
changing.
 Effects of Deforestation

 Loss of natural habitat of wild animals and plants

 Increased intensity and frequency of floods
 Land degradation
 Loss of forest products
 Change in climatic conditions
 Siltation of rivers and lakes
 Loss of revenue
 Change in hydrological cycle and reduced rainfall
 Increased socio-economic problem in the long run
Cherrapunji was famous because it received the largest volume of
rainfall in the world It still does but ironically, experiences acute water
shortages. This is mainly the result of extensive deforestation (no trees to
hold the water and the water run off to rivers. Because proper methods of
conserving rainwater are not used. There has been extensive soil
erosion.

Only rain water harvesting can sort out the problems of the world's

wettest town. Scientists point out the example of Jaisalmer, one of the
driest towns in India in Rajasthan, with rainfall levels as little as 100 mm
of water per year, where it was found that if you harvest water on just
one hectare of land, you have captured as much as one million litres of
water --enough to meet drinking and cooking water needs of 182 people
at 15 litres per day for one year.
 Control of Deforestation

 Mining activities should be prohibited in areas declared as

protected forests.

 Cutting of trees should be followed by massive plantation.

 The environmental laws and legal provisions should be strictly

enforced.

 Public awareness should be created regarding medicinal and other

economic and environmental significance of forests.
 The story of Wangari
. Maathai

Nobel Prize for noble

work

First woman in Africa to

get a Ph.D.

Green Belt Movement

(GBM) in 1977.

Empower the people

Participation of locals in forest conservation
The story of Chipko: The local women who saved the trees
Afforestation
 Functions of Forests

The functions of forest may broadly classified into following

categories

•Protective Function
•Productive Function
•Regulative Function
•Accessory Function
 Protective Functions
 Forest Provide protection against
• Soil erosion
• Droughts
• Floods
• Noise
• Radiations
Droughts

Soil erosion Soil erosion Floods

 Productive Functions
Forest Provide various products like, gum resins, medicines, honey,
pulp, bamboo, timber, Vegetables and fruits.
 Regulative Functions

 The Forest regulates the

level of Oxygen and carbon
dioxide in atmosphere.

 The forests also help in

regulating temperature
conditions
 Accessory Function
Forest provides aesthetics, habitat to various flora and fauna besides
that it also has an recreational value.
 Ecological Importance of Forests

Regulation of global climate and temperature

Forest play a crucial role in regulation of global climate and

temperature as forest cover absorb the solar radiations that would
otherwise be reflected back into the atmosphere by bare surface of the
earth.

Transpiration of plants increases the atmosphere humidity which

affects the rainfall, cools the atmosphere and thus regulate the
hydrological cycle
 Reduction of Global Warming

The main green house gas co2 is used by forests for

photosynthesis process the forest act as a sink for co2 there
by reducing the green house effect due to co2.
 Production of Oxygen
During Photosynthesis process forest releases oxygen a very
important gas for human survival thereby forests are called as
lungs of earth.
 Conservation of Soil

They prevent soil erosion by

binding the soil particles tightly in their roots.
reducing the velocity of wind and rain which are chief
agents causing erosion
 Improvement in fertility of Soil
The fertility of soil increases due to humus formed by the decay
of forest litter (leaves, branches, stems roots etc.)
 Control of water flow
The forest act as a giant sponge they slow down runoff,
absorbing and holding water that recharges springs, streams,
and ground water.
 Habitat to wild life
They provide the habitat for high wild life species
 Absorption of Noise
Forest cover absorbs the noise and helps in preventing noise
pollution
 Absorption of air pollutants
Forest absorbs many toxic gasses and air pollutants and can help
in keeping air pure.
Economical Importance of Forest

Timber: Wood used for commercial

purposes like for making furniture and
other items like boats, bridges and other
day to day uses.

Fuel Wood: The wood is used as fuel for

cooking and other purposes by poor
people.

Raw material for wood based

industries: forest provide raw material
for various wood based industries like
paper and pulp, sports goods, furniture,
match boxes etc.
Food: Fruits, roots, leaves of plants and trees along with the
meat of forest animals provide the food to the tribal people.

Miscellaneous Products: Miscellaneous products like, resin,

gums, oils, medicines, honey are provided by forests
 Water Resources

Importance of Water

 Water is the basic component of every living cell.

 It is the basic input required for agriculture.

 Hydel power can be used for generating hydroelectricity.

 It provides habitat to aquatic flora and fauna.

 Common salt can be obtained from water.

Earth: “Blue Planet”
 Sources of Water
Ground Water
Water that is hidden underground in spaces between soil and rock particles
is known as ground water. This ground water is the source of water for
wells, springs, and even to rivers. Rainwater seeps into the ground, some
are clings to particle or to the root of the plants. This moisture is provided
to the plants for their growth. Most water moves deeper into ground. Most
usable water is at depth of 750 m.

Surface Water
After precipitation, the amount of water that does not percolate down into
the ground or does not return to the atmosphere by evaporation or
transpiration and enters the rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, wetland, or
artificial reservoirs constitutes surface water.
Ground water is purer than surface water, the chance of
pollution is less in ground water.
 Water Cycle

Water never leaves the Earth. It is constantly being cycled

through the atmosphere, ocean, and land.
 Effects of Over-utilization of Ground Water
 Reduced flow of surface water

 Lowering of water table

 Water logging
(saturation of the soil by groundwater)

 Subsidence

 Degradation of water quality

 Increased salt content

 Increased power costs

Water Calamities: Floods and
Droughts
Floods

Floods refers to the presence of unusually large amount of water

at any place or more water that can be handled by the drainage
of the area. The various types of floods are
 Flash Floods (due to sudden heavy rain fall, dam failure)

 River floods (when rain over large the catchment area slowly,
melting of snow)

 Coastal Floods (due to cyclonic activity like hurricanes,

tropical cyclones)
Drought

A drought is a condition in which a region suffers from a severe

scarcity in its water availability.
 Various kinds of drought

Meteorological Drought (Actual rainfall is less than

climatological mean of that area)

Hydrological Drought (Running down of surface water

leading to a very low stream flow and drying of lakes, rivers.

Agricultural Drought (In adequate soil moisture result in fall

in agricultural productivity)
 Water Woes: Junagarh

Junagarh in Gujarat, indiscriminate consumption of ground water

has caused an alarming decrease in the water table.

Reasons:

Person that can afford to dig a bore-well, did so without

adhering to any limit regarding its depth.
Motors are used to withdrawn large amount of water.
Reduction of water tables by 20% in every summer.
Women have to move up to 4 km in search of water.
Ingress of sea water is the another problems faced by villagers,
increases the salinity in ground water and soil, health issues are
increased.
Hardness is increased in water.
 Energy Resources
Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable sources of energy or flow sources, rely on natural energy

flows and sources in the environment and thus have the potential of
being continually replenished. These include firewood, animal dung,
solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, tidal energy, etc.

Non-renewable Energy Sources

Non-renewable energy sources are available in limited amount and
develop over a longer period. Because of indiscriminate use they are
likely to be exhausted in the near future. These include coal,
mineral oil, natural gas, nuclear power, etc.
Renewable Sources of Energy

 Solar Energy

 Wind Energy

 Tidal Energy

 Geothermal Energy

 Biomass Based Energy

(natural vegetation, animal
waster)
Non-Renewable Sources of Energy

 Coal

 Natural gas and oil

 Nuclear energy (Controversial,

because use of the radioactive
substance but it does not emit
any green house gas or toxic
gases.
 Use
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plant.
 Limitation of alternative energy sources

 Alternative sources provide a ray of hope.

 High installation costs and require maintenance.

 Short in availability of material which may be used in designing

and manufacturing, like as supply of silicon is short which is
essential for photovoltaic cell.

 Lack of human capital, affect the whole energy industry

worldwide.

 Still, the benefits are driving governments, businesses and

individuals all-over the world to adopt this technology.
 Energy
Energy Recovery
Recovery

 The concept is to get energy by burning the waste

 By this principle the main benefits what we can get…
1. Longer availability of crude oil.
2. Reduction of waste volume by upto 90%.
3. Reduced number of coal fired power plants.
4. Slow climate change.
 Waste to energy plants (which is much advanced today) extract energy from
trash
 This plant reduces the emission of green house gases
 Disadvantages…
1.Proper care must be taken on choosing the trash which is to be burn.
2.Indiscriminate burning may promote air pollution and may release toxic
gases.
3.Combustion of heavy metals are very harmful.
 Urban Problems Related to Energy
The energy requirement in urban areas is many times greater than that in
rural areas because of the following reasons:

 Activities that require large amounts of energy (industries, institutions,

transportation, etc.) are concentrated in urban areas.

 Urban people have a higher standard of living compared to rural people

and hence demand more energy for comfortable living.
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