Environmental

Science
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
•We only have one EARTH.
•Should we protect it?
•You decide.
Learning objectives.

By the end of this chapter, the students will be able to:

 Understand E.S course contents.
 Define environment, environmental science, and Ecology.
 Explain parts of environment.
 Describe domains of an earth.
 Describe main courses of environmental pollution.
 Understand of Importance of Environment.
 Explain Relationship Between Environment and Human Health.
Environmental Science course contents.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Environmental Science.

Chapter 2: Environmental Pollution and Control.
Chapter 2: Ecosystems and Human Health.
Chapter 3: Natural Resources and Sustainability.
Chapter 4: Natural Disasters and Public Health.
Chapter 5: Climate Change and Its Health Implications.
Chapter 6: Waste Management.
Chapter 7: Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation.
Chapter 8: Environmental Toxicology and Hazardous Waste.
Cont..
Chapter 9: Occupational and Indoor Environmental Health.
Chapter 10: Environmental Risk Assessment.
Chapter 11: Sustainable Development and Public Health.
Chapter 12: Environmental Toxicology and Human Health.
Chapter 13: Environmental Policies and Regulations.
Chapter 14: Emerging Environmental Issues (e.g.,
Urbanization, Plastic Pollution).
•
Why Study Environmental
Science?
• To understand the impact of human activities on the environment.
• To develop solutions for environmental problems like pollution,
climate change, and resource depletion.
• To promote public health by addressing environmental hazards.
• To ensure sustainable development for future generations.
• To Learn how nature works.
• To Learn how the environment affects us.
Environment
Introduction

Definition: The Term Environment is derived from French word “

Environer” that means to encircle, or enclose or surround.
The environment can also be defined as external surroundings and
conditions which directly or indirectly affects the living organisms.
It can also be defined as: Environment is sum total of water, air, land,
interrelationship among themselves and also with human beings, other
living organisms and property.
The Environment is everything around us. It includes all the living and
none living things we interact with.
Main function of environment provides supply of resources, sustains life,
assimilates waste and enhance quality of life.
 What is Environmental Science?

Environmental science is the study of the interaction of humans with the

natural environment.
Environmental science study of earth, air water, living organism and man with
his impact on environment It involves multidisciplinary interacting disciplines.
Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field that studies the interactions
between humans and the environment. It combines knowledge from various
disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and public health, to
address environmental issues and promote sustainability.
Environmental Science is the study of the natural environment and the effects
of human activities on it. It involves analyzing environmental processes,
assessing risks, and developing strategies to protect human health and
ecosystems(is an area that includes all the living (biotic) and non-living
(abiotic) sharing an environment).
Cont.

Environmental science and the issues that it studies are complex and
interdisciplinary.
• Includes concepts and ideas from multiple fields of study.
• Decisions have impacts in all these fields of study.
A community decides to use coal for electricity, as
it is the cheapest source available. (Economics)
The coal must be mined from under the soil.
(Geology)
The coal must be transported to the population
center by road or rail. (Engineering)
When it is burned at a power plant, air pollution is
released. Some of that pollution is converted to
acid in the atmosphere. (Chemistry)
This falls as acid rain somewhere downwind.
(Meteorology)
The acid stresses plants by affecting their nutrient
absorption. (Ecology)
Laws are passed requiring the plant to install
pollution scrubbers. (Politics)
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 Cont.….
Ecology: The Term Ecology is derived from two words “ oikos” meaning house,
habitation or place of living and “ logos” means to study.
Definition: It is the study of the interrelationship between living organisms and their
physical and biological environment.
Physical environment: light or heat, solar radiation, wind, oxygen in soil, water and
atmosphere.
Biological environment: organisms of all kind , plants, animals
Ecosystem: made up of two words “ eco” means environment and “ system” means
interacting and interdependent complex.
Definition: The organisms of any community besides interacting among themselves,
always have functional relationship with the environment. This structural and
functional system of communities and environment is called ecosystem
HIERARCHY OF ECOLOGY (LEVELS)
Difference between EGO and ECO which creates unbalanced ecosystem
which leads to Environmental pollutions and ultimately it will harmful
to all living things and non living things that is whole ecosystem.
Types of Environment

There are two different types of environment:

1. Geographical Environment
2. Man-made Environment
Geographical Environment

It consists of all components provided by nature and hence can be

called as the natural environment. It is also referred to as the physical
environment as it pertains to the physical requirements of life. These
physical or geographic conditions are not dependent on the existence
of humans. Sometimes, humans have no control over the physical
conditions of the environment.
It includes natural resources, the earth’s surface, mountains, plains,
land, water, deserts, storms, cyclones, volcanoes, oceans, climatic
factors, and so on. It is also used to refer to biological situations such as
complexities associated with plants and animals.
Man-Made Environment

This environment is used to refer to the one created by man in order to

regulate and monitor certain environmental conditions.
This is the environment created artificially by man to regulate the
environmental conditions. It includes the social environment that exists
as long as the society exists. It includes, buildings, traditions,
regulations, institutions and organizations.
Parts of environment (division).

Biotic (Living things) Abiotic (non living things)

Biotic Environment is made up of all living organisms (plants, animals and
microorganisms)including their reactions, interactions and interrelated actions.
Abiotic Environment (Physical Environment): it is composed of external physical
factors like temperature, humidity, water, soil gases, minerals etc.
Domains of the Earth or Components of Environment
Earth is the planet in our solar system that has the capability to provide
life. The surface of the earth is a zone where three main components of
the environment meet, overlap as well as interact.
The four major domains of the earth interact with each other as well as
affect each other in some way or the other.
1. Atmosphere
2. Hydrosphere
3. Lithosphere and
4. Biosphere.
1) Atmosphere
The cover of the air, that envelopes 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.
Major gases Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Argon (0.9-1.0%) and
Carbon dioxide.
2) Hydrosphere
Hydrosphere Called as Water Environment. 70% of earth covered by
water Available in seas, oceans, rivers glaciers etc. Hydrosphere
contains 1360 million cubic km of water (97% in oceans and seas, 2&
glaciers) Only 1% available as fresh water for human consumption.
3) Lithosphere (Outer soil)
Crust of the earth known as lithosphere Living organisms, plant and
vegetation supported by it. It contains resources like minerals organic
as well as inorganic matter. Plays an important role for food production.
Decomposition of organic waste carried out by microorganisms of soil.
4) Biosphere
Biosphere Thin outer crust of the earth includes all living organisms
and their environment. Extends from the lowest sea bed level to about
24 km of the atmosphere. Consist of all three spheres Life supporting
resources available here. All waste products discharge here. Biosphere
suffering from stress due to disturbances in the environment.
Importance of Environment
Environment is not a single subject. It is an integration of
several subjects that includes both science and social science.
To understand all the different aspects of our environment we
need to understand biology, chemistry, physics, geography,
resources management, economics and population issue.
itself the scope of environmental studies is extremely wide and
covers some aspects of nearly every major discipline.
We will in a world in which natural resources are limited.
Water, air, soil, minerals, oils, the product we get from the
forests, grasslands, oceans, and from agriculture and from
livestock are all the part of our life support system. Without
them life it self will be impossible.
Importance of Environment
• As we keep on increasing in number the quantity of resources
each of us uses also increases. The earth cannot be expected to
sustain this expanding level of utilization of resources. Added to this
is misuse of resources. We waste or pollute large amount of natures
clean water; we create more and more amount of plastic that we
discard after the single use. We waste large amount of food, which is
discarded as garbage.
• Air pollution leads to respiratory diseases. Water pollution leads to
gastrointestinal (GIT) disorder. And many pollutants are known to
cause cancer.
• Improving this situation will only happen if each of use begins to
take actions in our daily lives that will help preserve our
environmental resources. We cannot expect government alone to
manage the safe guarding of our environment nor can we expect other
people to prevent environmental damage. We need to do it
ourselves.
Scope of Environmental Science:
Environmental Science covers various fields, including:
• Ecology: Study of ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Environmental Chemistry: Study of pollutants and their effects.
• Geology: Study of the Earth's structure and natural resources.
• Climatology: Study of climate change and atmospheric processes.
• Environmental Health: Study of how environmental factors affect
human health.
Environmental Health
Environmental health is broader than hygiene and sanitation; it
encompasses hygiene, sanitation and many other aspects of the
environment. It also involves studying the environmental factors that
affect health. The World Health Organization’s definition is as follows:
Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, and
biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors
impacting behaviours. It encompasses the assessment and control of
those environmental factors that can potentially affect health. Key
phrases in this definition are environmental factors and potentially
affect health.
Relationship Between Environment and Human Health
• The environment plays a crucial role in public health. Environmental
hazards can lead to various health issues:
• Environmental Factors Affecting Human Health:
• Air Pollution: Leads to respiratory diseases like asthma and lung cancer.
• Water Pollution: Causes waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid.
• Soil Pollution: Affects food safety and can cause heavy metal poisoning.
• Climate Change: Increases vector-borne diseases and heat-related
illnesses.
• Deforestation & Habitat Destruction: Contributes to emerging infectious
diseases.
Role of Public Health in Environmental Protection:

• Monitoring environmental risks.

• Implementing pollution control measures.
• Educating communities on hygiene and sanitation.
• Promoting sustainable living practices.
 Relationship Between Environmental Science and Public Health
The environment plays a crucial role in shaping public health outcomes. Environmental hazards can lead to
diseases and health conditions that affect communities worldwide.
Major Environmental Factors Affecting Public Health:

Environmental Issue Public Health Impact

Air Pollution Respiratory diseases (asthma, lung cancer)
Water Pollution Waterborne diseases (cholera, typhoid)
Climate Change Heat stress, vector-borne diseases (malaria, dengue)
Soil Contamination Heavy metal poisoning, food contamination
Deforestation & Habitat Loss Emerging infectious diseases (zoonotic diseases like COVID-19)
Radiation Exposure Cancer, genetic mutations
Noise Pollution Stress, hearing loss, sleep disorders
2.1. Review questions

1. Define environment, environmental science, ecosystem and

ecology?
2. Explain parts of an environment
3. list and explain domains of earth?
4. Explain Scope of Environmental Science?
5. Compare ECO and EGO?
6. Discuss importance of environment?