UNIT 1 Environment,Ecosystems and Biodiversity

7/28/2019 UNIT 1 Environment,Ecosystems and Biodiversity

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UNIT-1Environmental science and

Engineering


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DEFINITIONS ENVIRONMENT:

Sum of total of all the living and non-living things around usinfluencing one another.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE:

Study of the environment its biotic and abiotic components

and their interrelationship. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING:

Application of engineering principles to the protection andenhancement of the quality of the environment and to theenhancement and protection of public health and welfare.

Environmental Studies (or) Environmental Education: It is the process of educating the people for preserving

quality environment.


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TYPES OF ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENT

Natural EnvironmentMan Made

Environment


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Natural Environment:

It is characterized by natural components.

All biotic and abiotic components are createdthrough a natural process.

E.g. soil, water, air, trees, noise etc.

Man Made Environment: Man is the most powerful environment agent.

He modifies the environment using modern

technologies according to his needs to a great

extent.

E.g. House, Road, Schools, Parks etc.


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COMPONENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENT

ABIOTIC (or)

NON LIVING

COMPONENTS

BIOTIC (or)

LIVING

COMPONENTS

ENERGY

COMPONENTS

Abiotic components: Non living components of the environment are

called abiotic components.

E.g. Air, Water, Soil and Minerals.


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Abiotic Components

Atmosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere

Atmosphere: The cover of air that envelopes the earth is

called atmosphere.

Atmosphere extends up to 500 Kms from the

earth surface.

It comprises 78% nitrogen,21% oxygen and 1%

of other gases.


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ATMOSPHERE

TROPOSPHERE THERMOSPHERE EXOSPHERESTRATOSPHERE MESOSPHERE

Region Altitude in

Km

Temperature

In C

Chemical

Species

Troposphere 0-11 15 to -56 N2,H20,

C02,02

Stratosphere 11-50 -2 to -56 ozone

Mesosphere 50-85 -2 to -95 N0+, O2+

Thermosphere 85-500 -95 to 1200 NO+, O+,

O2+

Exosphere 500-1600 Very high H2, Helium


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FUNCTIONS OF ATMOSPHERE It maintains the heat balance on the earth by absorbing

the IR radiations.

The gaseous constituents play an important role in

sustaining life on earth.

Gaseous Constituent Functions

oxygen Supports life of living

organisms

Carbon dioxide Essential for photosyntheticactivity of plants

Nitrogen Essential Nutrient for plant

growth


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LITHOSPHERE The soil and rock components of the earth is called

lithosphere.

Functions of lithosphere: It is a home for human beings and wildlife.

It is a storehouse of minerals and organic matters.

HYDROSPHERE:

The aqueous envelope of the earth(75% of the earthsurface)

is called hydrosphere.

E.g. oceans, lakes, streams, rivers and water vapour.

Functions of hydrosphere: It is used for drinking purpose and also supports the

aquatic

life.

It is also used for irrigation, power production, industries

and transport


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Biotic components

The living component of the environment are called biotic

components. E.g. Animals, Plants and Micro organisms.

Biosphere:

The biological environment where the living organisms live

and interact with physical environment. Functions of biosphere:

Plants through photosynthesis produce oxygen in theatmosphere.

Animals inhale oxygen during respiration and give outcarbondioxide, which is again utilized by plants duringphotosynthesis.


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Energy components The components of energy flows across biotic and

abiotic components which play an important role tomaintain the life of living organisms.

E.g. solar energy, nuclear energy, geo chemical energy.

Scope of Environmental studies:

To get an awareness and sensitivity to the totalenvironment and its related problems.

To motivate the active participation in environmentalprotection and improvement.

To develop skills for identifying and solvingenvironmental problems.

To know the necessity of conservation of naturalresources.

To evaluate environmental programmes in terms ofsocial, economic, ecological and aesthetic factors.


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Importance (or) significance of Environmental

Studies

By environmental studies, People will understandthe concept of need of development withoutdestruction of environment.

People can gain the knowledge of different types ofenvironment and the effects of different

environmental hazards. It informs the people about their effective role in

protecting the environment by demanding changesin laws and enforcement systems.

Environmental studies have a direct relation to thequality of life we live.

Environmental studies develop a concern andrespect for the environment.


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Need for Public Awareness

Increasing population, urbanization and poverty have

generated pressure on the natural resources and lead to adegradation of the environment.

To protect or prevent the environment from the pollution,supreme court has ordered and initiated the environmentalawareness to the public through government and non

government to take part to protect our environment. Importance of Public or community participation:

Environment pollution cannot be removed by laws alone.

The proper implementation and especially publicparticipation are the important aspects.

Public participation is useful in law making process andcontrolling the pollution activities.

Thus the public participation plays an important role ineffective environmental management.


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Types of Public Participation Public participation is a decision making process.

It can be of various stages,1.Pressure group: The public pressure group may be formed

to influence the government on one hand and the industrieson the other hand.

2. Watch Dog: The public can act as watch dog to protect the

interests of public against environmental hazardousactivities.

3. Advisory council: The public can also act as advisorycouncil and agencies is to keep the environment suitable forliving.

4. Enforcing the environmental laws: The service of publiccan be utilized to enforce the environmental laws. Ifnecessary the member of public should conduct publicinterest litigations.

Thus many countries have accepted the concept of public

participation in environmental management

UNIT 1 Environment,Ecosystems and Biodiversity

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