Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION TO
ENVIRONMENT
AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
By: yash patel
The Environment
Definition..
o The environment is the sum of the total
of the elements, factors and conditions in
the
surroundings
which
may
have
animpacton thedevelopment, action or
survival of an organism or group of
organisms, such as, we human beings.
OR
o It can also be defined as external
surroundings and conditions which directly
or indirectly affects the living organism
Environment consist of:
BIOTIC FACTORS = living
components in an
environment
ABIOTIC FACTORS = nonliving components in an
environment
Biotic factors and Abiotic factors
that surround us and with which we
interact.
These biotic and abiotic components
are in dynamic state; they constantly
affect each other and cannot be
isolated from each other.
COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT
Environment can be divided into
four components:
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
Biosphere
Atmosphere:
It is the mixture of various gases, water
vapour and subatomic particles that entirely
covers the earth extending outward several
thousand kilometers.
Structure of atmosphere
Troposphere:
Lower portion of the
atmosphere
Extends up to 8 km at the
poles and 16 km at equator,
on an average extend up to
10-11 km from the earth
surface.
Temperature decrease at
the rate of 5-7oC/km.
Strong vertical air
movement responsible for
rapid and complete mixing.
Stratosphere:
It is above
troposphere and
extends up
to50-55 km.
Up to about 20
km temp.
remains
constant then
increase with
increase in
height.
Ozone layer is
in this layer.
Mesosphere:
It is layer above
stratosphere
and extends up
to 80 km.
Temperature
decreases
slowly with
altitude but
then sharply to
about -75oC.
Thermosphere:
Temperature
increases rapidly
with increase in
height.
Heating of this
layer is due to
absorption of the
solar energy.
Within the
thermosphere
there is a layer of
charged particles
known as
ionosphere.
Exosphere:
It exist above the
ionosphere and
extend up to 2000
km above the
earth.
This layer is almost
airless and empty.
Contains hydrogen
gas in ionized
state.
Very high
temperature(
1200oC)
Hydrosphere:
About 70% of earth is covered by
water.
Water is available in seas, oceans,
lakes, river, glaciers etc.
97% is in the oceans and seas, 2% in
glaciers & ice caps, 1% is fresh water
available for human consumption.
Lithosphere:
Outer soil crust of the earth is lithosphere
Living organisms, plant vegetation are
supported by the lithosphere.
It contains resources like minerals, organic
and inorganic matter, some extent air and
water.
Role of lithosphere:
- Produces food for human beings and
animals.
- Soil is the site of decomposition of
organic
wastes.
Biosphere:
Thin outer crust of the earth which
includes all the living organisms and
their environment.
It extends from the lowest sea bed
level to about 24 km of the
atmosphere.
Life supporting resources are available
from the biosphere.
It is that part of earth where
living(biotic)
organism
exist
and
Activities in biosphere.
The living organisms interacting with each
other in biosphere and sustain their life.
The waste products in gaseous, liquid and
solid form are discharged in biosphere.
The sustaining and assimilative capacity of
the biosphere is tremendous but not
infinite.
The system is in operation for millions of
years but now showing stress due to
impact of human on environment.
Interaction between different
components of environment
Man and Environment relationship
Man is the only living organism
capable of modifying environment
according to the need.
Man has started hunting animals
and cutting trees for his basic
needs.
To increase his comforts he started
distributing
each
and
every
components of environment.
Large
scale
deforestation,
increasing in quantity of CO 2 due to
burning of forest, grass, crop waste
are example of early cause of
pollution.
How Does Technology Address Human
Needs and Wants?
Impact of Technology on Environment
Positive Impact
Negative Impact
Direct Impact & Indirect Impact
Positive Impact
Waste treatment plants to reduce the
pollution.
Electricity generation options
Uses of bio-fuels
Impact of Technology on
Environment (Cont)
Negative Impacts: Negative effects are
further divided into direct and indirect
effects.
Direct effect:
Accidents in various industries
Nuclear pollution
Indirect effect
Uses of fossil fuels causes air pollution
Green house effects
Acid rain
Global warming
Positive Effect
Water treatment plants help us to reuse of dirty
water.
Wind turbines help to reduce the needs for coal,
electric and other natural resources.
To improve life style & safety of human life, as
well as improve the environment of this planet for
the future.
The science of sewage treatment is probably the
greatest environmental achievement of mankind
Negative Effect
a) Direct Effect:
It includes accidents , release of pollutants affecting
human health, exhaustion of resources and changes
in landscapes.
b) Indirect Effects:
These effects interfere with the vital services
supplied to humanity by natural ecological
systems.
CONT.
Depletion of ozone layer , which protects the life on
earth from damaging UV-B radiations is caused
primarily by CFC emissions.
Excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers is
decreasing the inherent fertility of soils.
The sea level rise due to melting of ice-caps in
Antarctic region due to global warming , is frequently
disturbing the coastal areas.
Exploitation of resources leading to exhaustion.
Testing of atomic bombs may cause volcanoes and
earth quakes
Environmental Degradation
Definition: The overall lowering of
environmental qualities due to the
damages caused by both natural events
and human activities in the basic
structure of the environment at local,
regional and global levels adversely
affecting all living organisms including
man.
Cont..
Environmental degradation arise due
to..
Consumption of natural resources by
over population of developing
countries.
Wasteful over consumption of
resources by developed countries.
Cont..
To explain the impact (I) the proposed
three factor model in a given area
comprises of:
1. The population size(P)
2. Per capita consumption of
resources(A)
3. Degradational pollution caused by per
unit of resources used(T)
Hence I=PAT
In developing countries three Ps or P3 i.e.
population, poverty and pollution are
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable development (SD) is a pattern of resources
use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the
environment so that these needs can be met not only in the
present, but also for future generations.
Every generation should leave air, water and soil as pure
and unpolluted as possible. Sustainability mean to sustain
human institutions and ecological systems in a healthy and
functional state
Concepts
for
sustainable
development:
Control of pollution.
Reduction of excessive use of resources
and conserving resources.
Recycling and reuse of material for waste
minimization.
Using cleaner fuel and technologies.
Development of good mass transportation
facilities to reduce air pollution.
By
using
effective
environmental
management tools.(EIA, EMS)
Environmental Science
is an
interdisciplinary and
multidisciplinary
field, drawing on many
diverse disciplines.
Multidisciplinary nature of the Environment studies
Environmental studies is the scientific study
of our environment and our place in it.
Definition: Environmental studies is the
study of environmental issues.
It has broader coverage than environmental
science and includes social aspects of
environment also.
It deals with science where necessary and
also
include the study
of physical and
biological environment and also cultural and
social
factors
and
their
impact
on
environment.
Scope of Environmental Studies
Natural resources- their conservation
and management
Ecology and biodiversity
Environmental pollution and control
Social issues in relation to development
and environment
Human population and environment
Importance of Environmental Education
in present day education system
Environmental Education is recognized
as the process that would help
individuals to acquire essential
knowledge and skills to take positive
action towards a batter environment.
Objectives of Environmental Education
1. An AWARENESS of the environment and its
problems.
2. Basic KNOWLEDGE and understanding of the
environment and its inter-relationship with man.
3. Social VALUES and ATTITUDES which are in
harmony with environmental quality.
4. SKILLS to solve environmental problems.
5. Sense of responsibility and urgency towards
environment so as to ensure appropriate
ACTIONS to solve environmental problems.
6. Consider environment in its totality.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering is based on the design and
manipulation of environmental processes to obtain a
desired outcome.
Environmental engineers apply their knowledge of
the natural sciences (chemistry, biology and
microbiology) with their expertise in engineering to
solve, prevent or correct environmental problems
Cont
Design or manage systems for water distribution and
collection, water treatment solid waste handling and
processing facilities , landfills and air treatment plants.
Work with regulatory agencies to review proposals for
environmental equipment.
Collecting data and assisting in product design.
Developing improved air quality models and pollution
control measures.
Working with an environmental health and safety board
on various policies and procedures.
Developing mitigation measures to ensure safety
Some of the activities handled by
Environmental Engineer
Waste Management,
Toxic Material Control,
Water Supply,
Storm Water Management,
Solid Waste Disposal,
Land Management,
Public Health & safety,
Radiation Protection,
Industrial Hygiene,
Air Quality Control
Thank You
