UNIT 1

Environmental Science
The study of the interaction of air, water and land amongst themselves and their
interaction with the humans, other living creatures and materials.

Scope
Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, Biosphere

Ecosystems
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals and microbes) in
conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (things like air,
water and mineral soil), interacting as a system.

Structure of Ecosystem
Biotic
Producers, Primary Consumers (herbivores), Secondary Consumers (carnivores),
Tertiary Consumers, Omnivores, Decomposers
Abiotic
Physical factors: Soil, temperature, pH, climate, rain, precipitation, etc.

Ecosystem Restoration
The process of assisting with the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded,
damaged or destroyed by re-establishing its structural characteristics, species
composition and ecological processes.
1. Restoring Biodiversity
2. Restoring Function
3. Restoring Connectivity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of different types of life found on earth. It is a measure of
the variety of organisms present in different ecosystems. This can refer to genetic

variation, ecosystem variation, or species variation (number of species) within an

area, biome, or planet.

Biomass
Stored energy in organic matter
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel that can be manufactured from
vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease for use in diesel vehicles.
Biodiesel's physical properties are similar to those of petroleum diesel, but it is a
cleaner-burning alternative. Using biodiesel in place of petroleum diesel, especially
in older vehicles, can reduce emissions.

UNIT - 3
Environmental Pollution
Any undesirable and unwanted change in the physical, chemical and biological
characteristic of any component of environment, i.e. air, water or land which causes
negative impact on plants, animals, or materials.
Water Pollution
One or more substances have built up in water to such an extent that they cause
problems for animals or people.
Types?
1.
2.
3.
4.

Surface Water Pollution

Groundwater Pollution
Point source Pollution
Nonpoint source Pollution

Detection?
1. Chemical Indicators: Quantity of chemicals in water sample
2. Biological Indicators: Quantity of chemicals in marine species.
Causes?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Fertilizers
Factory Smoke (through rain)
Sewage
Nutrients (excess causes Algal Bloom)
Waste Water

6. Highway runoff (oil spill, brake fluid)

7. Chemical Waste Detergents, PCBs(electronic circuit boards), heavy
metals(Pb from gasoline, Cd, Hg from batteries), paints
8. Radioactive Waste
9. Oil Spillage
10.Plastics
11.Thermal Pollution

Air Pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of particulates, biological molecules, or other
harmful materials into the Earth's atmosphere, causing disease, death to
humans, damage to other living organisms such as food crops, or the natural or
built environment.

Pollutants
SOx (from volcano causes Acid Rain), NOx (from thunderstorm causes acid rain),
CO (from incomplete combustion), volatile organic compounds, particulates,
toxic metals, CFCs, radioactive pollutants.
Sources
Power plants, factories, waste incinerators, furnaces, vehicles, aircraft, weapons,
dust, methane from cattle dung, Radon, volcanic activity
Effects
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Mortality rate
Cardiovascular disease
Lung disease
Cancer
Necrosis (on stomata, deadening of leaf)
Chlorosis (on chlorophyll, yellowing of leaf)
Epinasty (change in shape)
Abscission (unseasonal falling of leaves)
Stone Leprosy (dismantling of marble due to acid rain)

Control?
1. Dust Cyclone
2. Particulate Scrubbers
3. Catalytic Converter

Soil Pollution
Causes?
1. Industrial Activity

2.
3.
4.
5.

Agricultural Activity
Waste Disposal
Oil Spills
Acid Rain

Effects?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Human health (biological magnification)

Growth of Plants (change in chemical structure of soil)
Soil Fertility
Toxic Dust
Changes in soil structure

Noise Pollution
Causes?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Industries
Poor Urban Planning
Social Events
Transportation
Construction Activities
Household Chores

Effects?
1. Hearing Problems
2. Health Issues aggressive behavior, disturbance of sleep, constant stress,
fatigue, hypertension
3. Sleeping disorders
4. Cardiovascular Issues
5. Trouble Communicating
6. Effect on Wildlife

Thermal Pollution
An increase in the optimum water temperature by industrial process (steel factories, electric power houses and atomic power plants) may be called as
Thermal Pollution.
Causes?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Water as Cooling Agent in Power, Manufacturing and Industrial plants

Soil Erosion (causes water bodies to rise thereby exposing them to sunlight)
Deforestation (exposure to sunlight)
Runoff from paved surfaces
Natural Causes (volcano, geothermal activity)

Effects?
1. Decrease in DO

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Increase in Toxins
Loss of biodiversity
Ecological Impact
Affects Reproductive Systems
Increases Metabolic Rate
Migration

Control?
1. Cooling Ponds
2. Cooling Towers
3. Artificial Lakes
Water-borne Diseases
Waterborne diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms that most
commonly are transmitted in contaminated fresh water.
The term "waterborne disease" is reserved largely for infections that
predominantly are transmitted through contact with or consumption of infected
water.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Amoebiasis Entamoeba histolytica (protozoa)

Cholera Vibrio cholera (bacteria)
E. coli Escherichia coli (bacteria)
Salmonellosis Salmonella (bacteria)
Typhoid fever Salmonella typhi (bacteria)
Hepatitis A Hepatitis A virus
Polio (Poliomyelitis) Poliovirus

Air-borne Diseases
An airborne disease is any disease that is caused by pathogens and transmitted
through the air.
1. Pulmonary Tuberculosis Mycobacterium tuberculosis (bacteria)
2. H1N1 Flu H1N1 influenza virus

Fluorides Fluorosis (0.6 to 1.5 mg/L)

Arsenide Arsenicosis (skin problem, change in color of skin, hard patches on
palms and foots, skin cancer, cancer of bladder, kidney and lungs, high blood
pressure, reproductive disorders, gangrene (hard foot disease)

Toxic Wastes
Chemical waste material capable of causing death or injury to life. Waste is
considered toxic if it is poisonous, radioactive, explosive, carcinogenic (causing
cancer), mutagenic (causing damage to chromosomes), teratogenic (causing

birth defects), or bio-accumulative (that is, increasing in concentration at the

higher ends of food chains). Waste containing dangerous pathogens, such as
used syringes, is sometimes considered to be toxic waste. Poisoning occurs when
toxic waste is ingested, inhaled, or absorbed by the skin.

Nuclear Hazards
Sr-90, Cs-137, I-131

UNIT 4
Bio-indicators
A bio-indicator is a living organism that gives us an idea of the health of an
ecosystem. Some organisms are very sensitive to pollution in their environment,
so if pollutants are present, the organism may change its morphology,
physiology or behavior, or it could even die.
Lichens show change in air quality, Algae Blooms show increase in concentration
of nitrates and phosphates, worms show soil quality, frogs show toxin quantity.

Disaster Management
Disaster is the serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society.
Disasters involve widespread human, material, economic or environmental
impacts, which exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope
using its own resources.
Disaster Management is the organization and management of resources and
responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in
particular preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of
disasters.
Disaster prevention, preparedness, relief and recovery.

Impact Assessment
Inventorying: Current condition of ecosystem
Monitoring: Change in ecosystem

Conventions and Treaties

1. Agenda 21 (Rio Declaration on environment and development) - 1992
Comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally.
2. Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)
3. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) 2002
4. Prior Informed Consent (PIC), Rotterdam Convention (2005)
Enables the world to monitor and control the trade in certain hazardous
chemicals.
5. Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (1997)
Decide on stronger and more detailed commitments for industrialized
countries.
6. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES) (1973)
Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and
plants does not threaten their survival.
7. Helsinki Protocol to LRTAP on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or
their Trans-boundary Fluxes by at least 30 percent
8. Sofia Protocol to LRTAP concerning the Control of Emissions of
Nitrogen Oxides or their Trans-boundary Fluxes (NOx Protocol)
9. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
(1987)
10.
United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development
(WSSD) 2002
Implementing Agenda 21
11.
Convention on Wetlands 1971 (Ramsar Convention)
Provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for
the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
12.
United Nations Conference on the Environment and
Development (UNCED) 1992
Address urgent problems of environmental protection and socio-economic
development. The assembled leaders signed the Convention on Biological
Diversity 1992 and adopted Agenda 21, a plan for achieving sustainable
development in the 21st century.

Environment Protection Act, 1986

Environment Protection Act, 1986 is an Act of the Parliament of India. In the wake of
the Bhopal Tragedy, the Government of India enacted the Environment Protection
Act of 1986 under Article 253 of the Constitution. The purpose of the Act is to
implement the decisions of the United Nations Conference on the Human
Environments, they relate to the protection and improvement of the human
environment and the prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures,
plants and property. The Act is an umbrella legislation designed to provide a
framework for central government coordination of the activities of various central
and state authorities established under previous laws, such as the Water Act and
the Air Act.

Forest Conservation Act, 1980

Forest Conservation Act is an act to provide for the conservation of forests and for
matters connected with protection of trees from illegal felling and destruction.
The salient features of this acts are:
1. Restrictions on the use of forest land
2. Constitution of Forest Advisory Committee
3. Offences by Government Departments and Authorities
Environmental Education
The components of environmental education are:
Awareness and sensitivity to the environment and environmental challenges
Knowledge and understanding of the environment and environmental
challenges
Attitudes of concern for the environment and motivation to improve or
maintain environmental quality
Skills to identify and help resolve environmental challenges
Participation in activities that lead to the resolution of environmental
challenges