UNIT-I

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE INTRODUCTION AND

NATURAL RESOURCES
1.1 INTRODUCTION
 The word Environment is derived from the French word “Environ” which means
“surrounding”.
 Our surrounding includes biotic factors like human beings, Plants, animals, microbes, etc and abiotic
factors such as light, air, water, soil, etc.
 Environment is a complex of many variables, which surrounds man as well as the living organisms.
 Environment includes water, air and land and the interrelationships which exist among and between
water, air and land and human beings and other living creatures such as plants, animals and micro
organisms.
 Environment consists of an inseparable whole system constituted by physical, chemical, biological,
social and cultural elements, which are interlinked individually and collectively in various ways.
 The natural environment consist of four interlinking systems namely, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere,
the lithosphere and the biosphere.
 These four systems are in constant change and such changes are affected by human activities and vice
versa.
Components of Environment
Environment has been classified into four major components:
1. Hydrosphere,
2. Lithosphere,
3. Atmosphere,
4. Biosphere.
Hydrosphere includes all water bodies such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and ocean etc. Hydrosphere
functions in a cyclic nature, which is termed as hydrological cycle or water cycle. Lithosphere
means the mantle of rocks constituting the earth’s crust. The earth is a cold spherical
solid planet of the solar system, which spins in its axis and revolves around the sun at a certain constant
distance.
Lithosphere mainly, contains soil, earth rocks, mountain etc. Lithosphere is divided into three layers-
crusts, mantle and core (outer and inner). Atmosphere The cover of the air, that envelope the earth is
known as the atmosphere.
Atmosphere is a thin layer which contains gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide etc. and which protects the
solid earth and human beings from the harmful radiations of the sun. There are five concentric layers
within the atmosphere, which can be differentiated on the basis of temperature and each layer has its
own characteristics. These include the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere
and the exosphere.
Biosphere it is otherwise known as the life layer, it refers to all organisms on the
earth’s surface and their interaction with water and air. It consists of plants, animals and
micro-organisms, ranging from the tiniest microscopic organism to the largest whales in the sea.
Biology is concerned with how millions of species of animals, plants and other organisms grow,
feed, move, reproduce and evolve over long periods of time in different environments. Its subject
matter is useful to other sciences and professions that deal with life, such as agriculture, forestry
and medicine. The richness of biosphere depends upon a number of factors like rainfall,
temperature, geographical reference etc. Apart from the physical environmental factors, the man
made environment includes human groups, the material infrastructures built by man, the
production relationships and institutional systems that he has devised. The social environment
shows the way in which human societies have organized themselves and how they function in
order to satisfy their needs.
 1.1.1 MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences,
(including but not limited to Ecology, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Soil Science, Geology, Atmospheric Science
and Geography) to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems.
Environmental science provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of
environmental systems. Related areas of study include environmental studies and environmental
engineering.
Environmental studies incorporate more of the social sciences for understanding human relationships,
perceptions and policies towards the environment.
Environmental engineering focuses on design and technology for improving environmental quality.
Environmental scientists work on subjects like the understanding of earth processes, evaluating alternative
energy systems, pollution control and mitigation, natural resource management, and the effects of global
climate change. Environmental issues almost always include an interaction of physical, chemical, and
biological processes.
1.1.2 SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Because of environmental studies has been seen to be multidisciplinary in nature so it is considered to
be a subject with great scope. Environment is not limited to issues of sanitation and health but it is
now concerned with pollution control, biodiversity conservation, waste management and
conservation of natural resources. This requires expert eyes and hence is creating new job
opportunities. The opportunities in this field are immense not only for scientists but also for
engineers, biologists. There is a good chance of opportunity to find a job in this field as environmental
journalists. Environmental science can be applied in the following spheres:
Ecosystem Structure and Function
The study of ecosystems mainly consists of the study of the processes that link the leaving organism or
in other words biotic component to the non-living organism or abiotic component.
So for the study of environment we should aware with biotic and abiotic components.
Natural Resource Conservation
For managing and maintenance of forests which are natural resources and for the maintenance of wildlife forms
task under natural resource conservation. It is also a scope of environmental studies.
Environmental Pollution Control
With the knowledge of environmental science everybody can control the pollution. He/she can handle the
waste management and also look for ways to control pollution on the aspect of pollution control.
Environmental management
There are several independent environmental consultants who are working with Central and State pollution
control Board. They offer advice to solve the problems of environment the optimum solution for the upcoming
problems. They give direction for controlling pollution due to industrial development. There are several current
consultants who are working with government pollution control boards, involved in policy making, pollution
control and maintenance of ecological balance.
The scope of environmental studies in industry
Environmental scientist’s work towards maintenance of ecological balance, they also work towards
conservation of biodiversity and regulation of natural resources as well as on preservation of natural
resources. Most of the industries have a separate environmental research and development section.
These sections govern the impact that their industry has on the environment. Our environment is
being degraded by the rapid industrialization. To combat this menace there is a growing trend
towards manufacture of "green" goods and products. So we can say that there is a good scope in
the field of industry from environmental studies.
Research and development
Research and development have tremendous scope due to increment in public awareness regarding the
environment. Various universities and governmental organizations offer a scope for such research. These
universities conduct research studies in order to develop the methods toward monitoring and controlling the
source of environmental pollution. Due to an increasing threat from global warming, many steps are being
undertaken for the reduction of greenhouse gases and the adoption of renewable energy resources. They
generate awareness now regarding the use of solar energy for variety of purposes. This provides scope of
environmental history in the field of research and development.
Social Development
NGO (Nongovernmental organizations) help in creating awareness regarding the protection of the environment
and making the masses aware of various environmental issues . They also generate a public opinion in this field.
They work towards disseminating information and in bringing about changes in political policies that are
personally effect the environment. The social dimension of this profession includes controlling population
explosion through organizing advisory awareness camps.
1.1.3 IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE
The environment studies enlighten us, about the importance of protection and conservation of our
indiscriminate release of pollution into the environment. Environment science has become significant for
the following reasons:
1.Environment Issues Being of International Importance
It has been well recognized that environment issues like global warming and ozone depletion, acid rain,
marine pollution and biodiversity are not merely national issues but are global issues and hence must be
tackled with international efforts and cooperation.
2. Problems Cropped in the Wake of Development
Development, in its wake gave birth to Urbanization, Industrial Growth, and Transportation Systems,
Agriculture and Housing etc. However, it has become phased out in the developed World. The North,
to cleanse their own environment has fact fully, managed to move ‘dirty’ Factories of South. When
the West developed, it did so perhaps in ignorance of the Environmental impact of its activities.
Evidently such a path is neither practicable nor desirable, even if developing world follows that.
3. Explosively Increase in Population
World census reflects that one in every seven persons in this planted lives in India. Evidently with 16 per
cent of the world's population and only 2.4 per cent of its land area, there is a heavy pressure on the
natural resources including land. Agricultural experts have recognized soils health problems like
deficiency of micronutrients and organic matter, soil salinity and damage of soil structure.
4. Need to Save Humanity from Extinction
It is incumbent upon us to save the humanity from extinction. Consequent to our activities Constricting
the environment and depleting the biosphere, in the name of development.
5. Need for Wise Planning of Development
Our survival and sustenance depend. Resources withdraw, processing and use of the product have all to
by synchronized with the ecological cycles in any plan of development our actions should be planned
ecologically for the sustenance of the environment and development.
1.1.4 NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS
It is essential to make the public aware of the formidable consequences of the Environmental
Degradation, if not retorted and reformative measures undertaken would result in the extinction of
life. We are facing various environmental challenges. It is essential to get the country acquainted with
these challenges so that their acts may be eco-friendly. Some of these challenges are as under:
1.Growing Population
A population of over thousands of millions is growing at 2.11 per cent every year. Over 17 million
people are added each year. It puts considerable pressure on its natural resources and reduces the
gains of development. Hence, the greatest challenge before us is to limit the population growth.
Although population control does automatically lead to development, yet the development leads to a
decrease in population growth rates. For this development of the women is essential.
2. Poverty
India has often been described a rich land with poor people. The poverty and environmental degradation
have a nexus between them. The vast majority of our people are directly dependent on the nature
resources of the country for their basic needs of food, fuel shelter and fodder. About 40% of our people
are still below the poverty line. Environment degradation has adversely affected the poor who depend
upon the resources of their immediate surroundings. Thus, the challenge of poverty and the challenge
environment degradation are two facets of the same challenge. The population growth is essentially a
function of poverty. Because, to the very poor, every child is an earner and helper and global concerns
have little relevance for him.
3. Agricultural Growth
The people must be acquainted with the methods to sustain and increase agricultural growth with damaging
the environment. High yielding varieties have caused soil salinity and damage to physical structure of soil.
4. Need to Ground water
It is essential of rationalizing the use of groundwater. Factors like community wastes, industrial effluents and
chemical fertilizers and pesticides have polluted our surface water and affected quality of the groundwater. It
is essential to restore the water quality of our rivers and other water bodies as lakes are an important
challenge. It so finding our suitable strategies for consecration of water, provision of safe drinking water and
keeping water bodies clean which are difficult challenges is essential.
5. Development and Forests
Forests serve catchments for the rivers. With increasing demand of water, plan to harness the mighty river
through large irrigation projects were made. Certainly, these would submerge forests; displace local people,
damage flora and fauna. As such, the dams on the river Narmada, Bhagirathi and elsewhere have become
areas of political and scientific Debate.