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ENVIRONMENTALSCIENCE ANDENGINEERING

(As per latest Anna University and UGCSyllabus)

Dr. J. Abbas Mohaideen

Dr. S. Ramachandran

Prof. K. Pandian

AIR WALK PUBLICATIONS(Near All India Radio)

80, Karneeshwarar Koil Street,Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.Ph.: 2466 1909, 94440 81904

Email: [email protected]

First Edition: Sep., 2005Second Edition: June 2014Third and Revised Edition: July 2015

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This book or part thereof should not be reproduced inany form without the written permission of the publisher.

ISBN: 978-93-84893-06-4

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PREFACE

The purposeful and meaningful introduction of“Environmental Science and Engineering” for all thebranches of engineering, Arts and Science students is awelcome trend in the academic curriculum of AnnaUniversity and UGC, in view of alarming deterioration inthe environmental quality. An overall consciousness haseventually developed among all sections of administrativeand scientific communities about the urgent need ofpreserving the natural and balanced environmental systemthat is degraded by the adverse climatic changes. Despitethe stringent amendments and legislations, theenvironmental deterioration due to both natural andman-made activities, is on the multiple increase in anuncontrolled manner in all developing countries like India.

If this deplorable trend is not checked in right time,the environmental imbalance in association with depletionof natural resources would delay the onset of sustainedeconomical growth, which inturn, would be highlydetrimental to the human welfare. These complexenvironmental problems have necessitated both the Centraland State governmental authorities to formulate the basicideals and objectives of environmental science forpropagating and also educating the common public andstudents about the harmful impacts of environmentaldegradation which is mainly contributed by pollution.

Each and every chapter of this book is neatlydesigned and elucidated in a simple way in completeaccordance with the academic curriculum. Well

experienced authors of this book have promptly taken acareful approach to present the appropriate illustrationsabout all the technical concepts that are implied in thesyllabus. The authors feel convinced and justified that thisbook is designed in such way that it would provide betterguidances to the students community, who aspire to mouldthemselves into competent professionals with sufficientawareness on the various implications of the environmentalscience with the utmost commitment of serving for thebetterment of the community and our nation.

The learned faculty members of engineeringinstitutions on the whole, share a equal responsibility withaccountability to take up the arduous task of propagatingthe basic concepts and objectives of this book in truespirit to all their students through their competent modeof teaching.

It is the moral obligation of the authors to accept thetotal responsibility for any error or mistake in this book.Any healthy comments and suggestions for the improvedquality of this book are honestly welcome.

– Authors

SYLLABUS

Environmental Science and Engineering(R-13)

UNIT I Environment, Ecosystems and Biodiversity (12)Definition, scope and importance of Risk and hazards; Chemical

hazards, Physical hazards, Biological hazards in the environment – conceptof an ecosystem – structure and function of an ecosystem – producers,consumers and decomposers-Oxygen cycle and Nitrogen cycle – energyflow in the ecosystem – ecological succession processes – Introduction,types, characteristic features, structure and function of the (a) forestecosystem (b) grassland ecosystem (c) desert ecosystem (d) aquaticecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries) – Introductionto biodiversity definition: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity –biogeographical classification of India – value of biodiversity: consumptiveuse, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values – Biodiversityat global, national and local levels – India as a mega-diversity nation –hot-spots of biodiversity – threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching ofwildlife, man-wildlife conflicts – endangered and endemic species of India –conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and ex-situ conservation of biodiversity.Field study of common plants, insects, birds. Field study of simpleecosystems – pond, river, hill slopes, etc.

UNIT II Environmental Pollution (10)Definition – causes, effects and control measures of: (a) Air pollution

(Atmospheric chemistry- Chemical composition of the atmosphere; Chemicaland photochemical reactions in the atmosphere - formation of smog, PAN,acid rain, oxygen and ozone chemistry;- Mitigation procedures- Control ofparticulate and gaseous emission, Control of SO2, NOX, CO and HC)(b) Water pollution : Physical and chemical properties of terrestrial andmarine water and their environmental significance; Water quality parameters– physical, chemical and biological; absorption of heavy metals - Water

treatment processes. (c) Soil pollution - soil waste management: causes,effects and control measures of municipal solid wastes – (d) Marine pollution(e) Noise pollution (f) Thermal pollution (g) Nuclear hazards–role of anindividual in prevention of pollution – pollution case studies – Field study oflocal polluted site – Urban / Rural / Industrial / Agricultural.

UNIT III Natural Resources (10)Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation, deforestation, case

studies- timber extraction, mining, dams and their effects on forests andtribal people – Water resources: Use and overutilization of surface andground water, dams-benefits and problems – Mineral resources: Use andexploitation, environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources,case studies – Food resources: World food problems, changes caused byagriculture and overgrazing, effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticideproblems, water logging, salinity, case studies – Energy resources: Growingenergy needs, renewable and non renewable energy sources, use ofalternate energy sources. Energy Conversion processes – Biogas –production and uses, anaerobic digestion; case studies – Land resources:Land as a resource, land degradation, man induced landslides, soil erosionand desertification – role of an individual in conservation of natural resources– Equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles. Introduction toEnvironmental Biochemistry: Proteins –Biochemical degradation of pollutants,Bioconversion of pollutants. Field study of local area to documentenvironmental assets – river / forest / grassland / hill / mountain.

UNIT IV Social Issues and the Environment (7)From unsustainable to sustainable development – urban problems

related to energy – water conservation, rain water harvesting, watershedmanagement – resettlement and rehabilitation of people; its problems andconcerns, case studies – role of non-governmental organizationenvironmentalethics: Issues and possible solutions – 12 Principles of green chemistry-nuclear accidents and holocaust, case studies. – wasteland reclamation –consumerism and waste products – environment production act – Air act –

Water act – Wildlife protection act – Forest conservation act – TheBiomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules; 1998 andamendments- scheme of labeling of environmentally friendly products(Ecomark). enforcement machinery involved in environmental legislation-central and state pollution control boards- disaster management: floods,earthquake, cyclone and landslides. Public awareness.

UNIT V Human Population and the Environment (6)Population growth, variation among nations – population explosion –

family welfare programme – environment and human health – human rights– value education – HIV / AIDS – women and child welfare –Environmentalimpact analysis (EIA)- -GIS-remote sensing-role of information technology inenvironment and human health – Case studies.

TOTAL : 45 PERIODS

Contents

1. ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY

1.1 Introduction. ................................................................. 1.1

1.2 Definitions ... ................................................................. 1.2

1.2.1 Environmental Engineering ........................ 1.3

1.2.2 Types of Environment.................................. 1.3

1.3 Scope of Environmental Science ................................ 1.4

1.4 Importance of Environmental Science ...................... 1.5

1.5 Need For Public Awareness ....................................... 1.7

1.6 Components of Environment ...................................... 1.10

1.6.1 Introduction:.................................................. 1.10

1.6.2 Interrelationship between components-Subcomponents ....................................................... 1.11

1.7 Risk And Hazards in Environment .......................... 1.17

2. ECOSYSTEM

2.1 Introduciton. ................................................................. 2.1

2.2 Concept of An Ecosystem ........................................... 2.1

2.3 Structure And Function of An Ecosystem: .............. 2.2

2.4 Dynamics of An Ecosystem ........................................ 2.6

2.4.1 Food Chains................................................. 2.6

2.4.2 Food Web...................................................... 2.9

2.4.3 Trophic levels............................................... 2.11

2.4.4 Ecological Pyramids.................................... 2.12

2.4.5. Energy flow in living things: .................... 2.15

C.1 Environmental Science and Engineering

2.5. Energy Flow in The Ecosystem................................ 2.16

2.6. Material Cycling in Ecosystem (Biogeochemical Cycle)................................................. 2.18

2.6.1 Water cycle (or) Hydrological cycle............ 2.20

2.6.2 Oxygen cycle.................................................. 2.21

2.6.3 Nitrogen cycle ............................................... 2.22

2.6.4 Carbon cycle.................................................. 2.23

2.6.5 Phosphorus cycle .......................................... 2.25

2.6.6 Sulphur cycle ................................................ 2.26

2.7 Ecological Succession ................................................... 2.27

2.8 Various Ecosystems ..................................................... 2.29

2.8.1 Introduction................................................... 2.29

2.8.2 Types of ecosystems:..................................... 2.29

2.8.3 Terrestrial Ecosystems ................................. 2.30

2.9. Forest Ecosystem ....................................................... 2.31

2.10 Grassland Ecosystem................................................. 2.34

2.11. Desert Ecosystem ...................................................... 2.37

2.12 Aquatic Ecosystems ................................................... 2.40

2.12.1 Freshwater Ecosystem................................ 2.40

2.12.2 Types of freshwater ecosystems: ............... 2.40

2.12.3 The characteristics of freshwaterhabitat: .. ................................................................. 2.40

2.13 Pond Ecosystem.. ....................................................... 2.43

2.13.1 Abiotic component of pond ecosystem...... 2.44

2.13.2 Biotic Components of pond ecosystem. .... 2.45

2.14 Marine Ecosystem...................................................... 2.46

2.14.1 Characteristics of marine ecosystem: ....... 2.47

Contents C.2

2.15 Estuary Ecosystem..................................................... 2.49

2.15.1 Characteristics of an Estuary:.................. 2.49

3. BIODIVERSITY

3.1 Introduction. ................................................................. 3.1

3.2 Definition..... ................................................................. 3.1

3.3 Characteristic Features of Biodiversity .................... 3.2

3.3.1. Levels of biodiversity: ................................. 3.2

3.4 Bio Geographical Classification of India .................. 3.5

3.5 Values of Biodiversity ................................................. 3.9

3.5.1 Consumptive uses ......................................... 3.9

3.5.2 Productive uses ............................................. 3.11

3.5.3 Social values ................................................. 3.11

3.5.4 Ethical values ............................................... 3.12

3.5.5 Aesthetic values ............................................ 3.13

3.5.6 Option values................................................ 3.14

3.6 Biodiversity At Global, National And Local Levels 3.14

3.6.1 Biodiversity at Global Level ....................... 3.14

3.6.2. Biodiversity at national and local levels: 3.16

3.7 India As A Mega Diversity Nation........................... 3.17

3.8 Hot Spots of Biodiversity............................................ 3.19

3.8.1 Hot spots in India: ...................................... 3.19

3.9 Threats To Biodiversity .............................................. 3.20

3.9.1 Habitat loss................................................... 3.20

3.9.2 Poaching of wild life ................................... 3.21

3.10 Man-wild Life Conflicts............................................. 3.23

3.11 Endangered And Endemic Species of India........... 3.25


3.12 Conservation of Biodiversity..................................... 3.26

3.12.1 in situ conservation ................................... 3.27

3.12.2 Ex situ conservation .................................. 3.31

4. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

4.1 Air Pollution ................................................................. 4.1

4.1.1 Definition....................................................... 4.2

4.1.2 Physical and chemical characteristics ofair pollutants-particulate matter.......................... 4.2

4.2 Major Sources of Air Pollution (Causes of AirPollution) ............ ................................................................. 4.4

4.2.1. Types of pollutants:..................................... 4.5

4.3 Effects of Air Pollution ............................................... 4.7

4.4 Control of Air Pollution .............................................. 4.18

4.4.1 Source correction methods........................... 4.19

4.4.2 Pollution control equipment: ....................... 4.19

4.4.2.1 Explaination of various methods ........... 4.21

4.4.3 Diffusion of pollutants in air: .................... 4.25

4.4.4 Vegetation ...................................................... 4.26

4.4.5 Zoning ........................................................... 4.26

4.4.6 Air quality standards .................................. 4.26

4.5 Atmosphere (Air) .. ....................................................... 4.28

4.5.1 Turbulence..................................................... 4.30

4.5.2 Chemical Reaction occurring in air dueto sunlight... ........................................................... 4.31

4.5.3 Reactions in Troposphere (20 km fromearth) ..... ................................................................. 4.32

4.5.4 Reaction of air in stratosphere .................. 4.33

Contents C.4

4.6 Chemical And Photochemical Reactions inAtmosphere ........ ................................................................. 4.33

4.6.1 Smog formation ............................................ 4.33

4.6.2 Oxygen and Ozone Chemistry .................... 4.34

4.7 Mitigation Procedures ................................................ 4.36

4.7.1 Control of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) ............. 4.36

4.7.2 Control of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) ............. 4.37

4.7.3 Control of Carbon Monoxide (CO)............. 4.38

4.7.4 Control of Hydrocarbon (HC) ..................... 4.39

4.8 Water Pollution ........................................................... 4.39

4.8.1 Definition....................................................... 4.39

4.8.2. Causes of water pollution: ......................... 4.40

4.8.3 Effect of water pollution ............................. 4.41

4.8.4 Biological effects: .......................................... 4.44

4.9 Control Measures of Water Pollution ....................... 4.45

4.10 Management of Municipal Sewage.......................... 4.46

4.10.1 Important terms in MSW ......................... 4.46

4.10.2 Strength of Sewage .................................... 4.47

4.10.3 Purpose of sewage treatment: ................... 4.49

4.10.4 Methods of sewage treatment: .................. 4.49

4.10.5 System of Sewage....................................... 4.50

4.10.6 Sewage Disposal ......................................... 4.53

4.10.7 Natural process:.......................................... 4.53

4.10.8 Artificial disposal of sewage:.................... 4.56

4.10.9 Methods of sewage disposal:..................... 4.57

4.10.10. Other preventive measures ..................... 4.61

4.11 Case Study ................................................................. 4.62

4.12 Physics, Chemistry And Biology of Water, Land . 4.63


4.12.1 Physical Properties of Water .................... 4.63

4.12.2 Chemical Properties of water ................... 4.67

4.12.3 Terrestrial Water (Surface Water) ........... 4.73

4.12.4 Physical and Chemical Properties ofterrestial water ....................................................... 4.73

4.12.5 Marine Water (or) Sea Water................... 4.74

4.12.6 Physical and Chemical Characteristicsof the Marine Water .............................................. 4.75

4.13 Absorption of Heavy Metals..................................... 4.77

4.14 Water Quality Parameters........................................ 4.79

4.15 Water Treatment Process ......................................... 4.88

4.15.1 Terrestrial water treatment....................... 4.89

4.15.2 Water Treatment - Potable WaterPurification . ........................................................... 4.91

4.15.3 Reverse Osmosis (RO)................................ 4.94

4.15.4 Drinking water purification...................... 4.95

4.15.5 Waste Water treatment: ............................. 4.97

4.15.5.1. Primary Treatment (or) MechanicalTreatment .............................................................. 4.97

4.15.5.2. Secondary Treatment (or) BiologicalTreatment .............................................................. 4.99

4.15.5.3. Tertiary Treatment of wastewater(Advanced wastewater treatment). ..................... 4.106

4.16 Soil Pollution .. ........................................................... 4.108

4.16.1 Causes of Soil Pollution............................ 4.108

4.16.2 Effects of Soil Pollution ............................ 4.112

4.16.3 Control of Soil pollution ........................... 4.115

4.17 Solid Waste Management ......................................... 4.119

4.17.1 Collection of municipal solid wastes ....... 4.120

Contents C.6

4.17.2 Disposal of municipal solid wastes: ........ 4.120

4.17.2.1 Salvage or Manual ComponentSeparation .............................................................. 4.121

4.17.2.2 Compaction or Mechanical VolumeReduction . .............................................................. 4.121

4.17.2.3 Incineration or Thermal VolumeReduction . .............................................................. 4.122

4.17.2.4 Open Dumping........................................ 4.122

4.17.2.5 Sanitary landfilling or ControlledTipping .. ................................................................. 4.123

4.17.2.6 Pyrolysis or Destructive Distillation ... 4.123

4.17.2.7 Landfarming ............................................ 4.124

4.17.2.8 Composting or Biodegradation ............. 4.124

4.17.3 Waste utilization......................................... 4.125

4.18 Management of Hazardous Waste........................... 4.125

4.19 Management of Biomedical Waste ......................... 4.128

4.20 Marine Pollution ....................................................... 4.131

4.20.1 Causes of Marine Pollution ...................... 4.131

4.20.2 Effects of Marine pollution ....................... 4.132

4.20.3 Control of Marine Pollution ..................... 4.133

4.21 Noise Pollution ........................................................... 4.138

4.21.1 Causes of Noise Pollution ......................... 4.139

4.21.2 Effects of Noise Pollution.......................... 4.142

4.21.3 Prevention and control of NoisePollution: ................................................................. 4.144

4.22 Thermal Pollution ...................................................... 4.148

4.22.1 Causes of Thermal Pollution.................... 4.148

4.22.2 Harmful effects of thermal pollution....... 4.150

4.22.3 Control of Thermal Pollution: .................. 4.155


4.23 Nuclear Hazards ....................................................... 4.157

4.23.1 Sources and causes of Nuclear Hazard.. 4.157

4.23.2 Effects of Nuclear Pollution...................... 4.161

4.23.3 Control of Nuclear Radiation................... 4.163

4.24 Role of An in Individual in Prevention ofPollution ............. ................................................................. 4.168

4.25 Pollution Case Studies .............................................. 4.173

4.26 Disaster Management................................................ 4.180

4.26.1 Earthquakes: ............................................... 4.182

4.26.2 Cyclone. ....................................................... 4.185

4.26.3 Landslides ................................................... 4.186

5. NATURAL RESOURCES

5.1 Introduction. ................................................................. 5.1

5.1.1 Natural Impacts ........................................... 5.2

5.1.2 Man - made Impacts: .................................. 5.3

5.2 Forest Resources .. ....................................................... 5.4

5.2.1 Uses of Forest Resources............................. 5.5

5.2.2 Over-exploitation of forests:......................... 5.7

5.2.3 Deforestation.................................................. 5.8

5.2.4 Causes of Deforestation ............................... 5.8

5.2.5 Effects of deforestation: ............................... 5.10

5.3 Water Resources........................................................... 5.15

5.3.1 Introduction................................................... 5.15

5.3.2 Water Cycle: .................................................. 5.16

5.3.3 Sources of water:.......................................... 5.17

5.3.4 Uses of surface and ground water: ........... 5.19

Contents C.8

5.3.5 Over-utilization of surface and groundwater: ..... ................................................................. 5.20

5.3.6 Problems related to water........................... 5.20

5.4 Conflicts Over Water, Dams - Benefits AndProblems............. ................................................................. 5.25

5.4.1 Benefits of dam ............................................ 5.26

5.4.2 Problems created by dams:......................... 5.27

5.4.3 River water disputes .................................... 5.29

5.5 Mineral Resources:....................................................... 5.30

5.5.1. Distribution of Mineral Resources inIndia: ..... ................................................................. 5.31

5.5.2 Uses of minerals .......................................... 5.33

5.5.3. Exploitation: ................................................. 5.36

5.5.4 Environmental effects of extracting andusing mineral resources: ....................................... 5.38

5.6 Food Resources . ........................................................... 5.41

5.6.1 World food problems.................................... 5.41

5.6.2 Changes caused by agriculture andovergrazing.. ........................................................... 5.43

5.6.3 Effects of Modern agriculture ................... 5.44

5.6.4 Fertilizer - Pesticide problems:................... 5.45

5.6.5 Water logging and salinity: ........................ 5.47

5.7 Energy Resources . ....................................................... 5.48

5.7.1. Introduction:................................................. 5.48

5.7.2 Growing energy needs.................................. 5.51

5.7.3 Use of alternate energy sources:................. 5.51

5.8 Types of Energy Resources: ....................................... 5.53

5.8.1 Non-Renewable energy sources. .................. 5.53


5.8.2 Renewable energy sources ........................... 5.54

5.9 Bio-Gas ........ ................................................................. 5.61

5.9.1 Biogas - Anaerobic digestion ...................... 5.62

5.9.2 Biogas - Production ..................................... 5.64

5.9.3 Biogas - Uses................................................ 5.66

5.10. Land Resources . ....................................................... 5.72

5.10.1 Land as a resource: ................................... 5.73

5.10.2 Land Degradation: ..................................... 5.74

5.10.3 Causes of land degradation...................... 5.75

5.10.4 Control of Land Degradation ................... 5.79

5.11 Man Induced Landslides:.......................................... 5.80

5.12. Desertification: ........................................................... 5.82

5.12.1 Causes for desertification: ....................... 5.82

5.12.2 Sustainable Development:.......................... 5.83

5.13 Role of Individual in Conservation of NaturalResources............ ................................................................. 5.85

5.14 Equitable Use of Resources For SustainableLife-styles ........... ................................................................. 5.87

5.15 Introduction To Environment Biochemistry ........... 5.89

5.15.1 Proteins ....................................................... 5.91

5.16 Biochemical Degradation of Pollutants ................... 5.92

5.17 Bio Conversion of Pollutants.................................... 5.95

6. SOCIAL ISSUES AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL

6.1. Introduction ................................................................. 6.1

6.2 From Unsustainable To Sustainable Development . 6.2

6.2.1 Major issues of sustainable development.. 6.4

Contents C.10

6.2.2 Suggested measures for sustainabledevelopment: ........................................................... 6.5

6.3 Urban Problems Related To Energy......................... 6.6

6.3.1. Energy problems of Urban population..... 6.8

6.3.2 Measures to over come our energyproblem.. ................................................................. 6.8

6.4 Water Conservation ..................................................... 6.8

6.5 Rain Water Harvesting ............................................... 6.11

6.5.1 Benefits of Rain Water harvesting ............ 6.13

6.6 Watershed Management.............................................. 6.13

6.6.1 Water Quality Management ........................ 6.15

6.7 Resettlement And Rehabilitation of People ............. 6.16

6.7.1 Its problems and Concerns ......................... 6.16

6.7.2 Case Study .................................................... 6.17

6.7.3 Rehabilitation Policy.................................... 6.18

6.8 Role of Non Governmental Organisation ................. 6.20

6.9 Environmental Ethics .................................................. 6.22

6.9.1 Ethical Problems and Solution. ................. 6.24

6.9.2 Possible solutions. ........................................ 6.27

6.10 Green Chemistry ....................................................... 6.28

6.10.1 12 Principles of green chemistry.............. 6.28

6.11 Climate Changes ....................................................... 6.30

6.11.1 Global Warming ......................................... 6.30

6.11.2 Ozone Layer Depletion............................... 6.32

6.11.3 Acid Rain .................................................... 6.33

6.12 Nuclear Accidents And Holocaust ........................... 6.33

6.13 Holocaust ... ................................................................. 6.37


6.14 Wasteland Reclamation ............................................. 6.39

6.14.1 Wasteland Reclamation Practices............. 6.40

6.15 Consumerism And Waste Products ......................... 6.42

6.15.1 Effects of consumerism .............................. 6.42

6.15.2 Examples of waste products utilization. . 6.44

6.15.3 Control of consumerism wastes: ............... 6.45

6.16 Environmental Legislation ........................................ 6.45

6.16.1 The water (Prevention and Control ofPollution) Act, 1974............................................... 6.46

6.16.1.1 Powers of the State Governmentand SPCB .............................................................. 6.47

6.16.1.2 Penalties for Violation of theProvisions of the Act ............................................ 6.48

6.16.2 The Air (Prevention and Control ofPollution) Act 1981................................................ 6.49

6.16.2.1 Constitution of Air Pollution ControlBoard ..... ................................................................. 6.50

6.16.2.2 Powers of the Board .............................. 6.50

6.16.3 Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.................... 6.52

6.16.3.1 Wild Life Advisory Board ..................... 6.53

6.16.3.2 Duties of the Wild Life AdvisoryBoard ..... ................................................................. 6.54

6.16.3.3 Prohibition of Hunting and Dealingin Animal Articles without Licence ................... 6.54

6.16.3.4 Protection of Specified Plants .............. 6.56

6.16.3.5 Declaration of Sanctuary andRestriction on Entry in Sanctuary ..................... 6.56

6.16.3.6 Declaration of National Parks andClosed Areas........................................................... 6.57

6.16.3.7 Powers of the Chief WildlifeWarden and Authorised Officers ........................ 6.57

Contents C.12

6.16.3.8 Penalties for Violation of theProvisions in this Act........................................... 6.58

6.16.4 The Indian Forest Act, 1980 .................... 6.58

6.16.4.1 Definitions of important Terms Usedin this Act .............................................................. 6.59

6.16.4.2 Notification of Reserve forests ............. 6.59

6.16.4.3 Powers of the Forest Officer ................ 6.60

6.16.4.4 Penalties for Violations of theprovisions in this act............................................ 6.62

6.16.4.5 Issues involved in Enforcement ofEnvironmental legislation ................................... 6.63

6.16.5 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 6.64

6.16.5.1 Definition of important terms usedin this Act .............................................................. 6.64

6.16.5.2 General powers of the CentralGovernment ............................................................ 6.65

6.16.5.3 Provisions in this Act, for thePrevention, Control and Abatement ofEnvironmental Pollution....................................... 6.66

6.16.5.4 Powers of the Central GovernmentUnder this act ....................................................... 6.67

6.16.6 Community participation inenvironmental management works:...................... 6.69

6.16.7 International Conventions andProtocols (Agreements) ........................................... 6.71

6.17 Bio Medical Waste (Management And HandlingRules 1998 And Amendments) ......................................... 6.75

6.18 Ecomark..... ................................................................. 6.78

6.18.1 Objective of the Scheme ............................ 6.78

6.18.2 Criteria for Ecomark ................................. 6.79

6.18.3 Ecomark products ...................................... 6.79


6.19 Issues Involved in Enforcement ofenvironmental Legislation.................................................. 6.80

6.19.1 Central Pollution Control Board[CPCB]... ................................................................. 6.82

6.19.2 Functions of Central Pollution ControlBoard (CPCB). ....................................................... 6.83

6.19.3 State Pollution Control Board: (SPCB) .. 6.84

6.19.4 Functions of State Pollution ControlBoard (SPCB). ....................................................... 6.86

6.20 Disaster Management................................................ 6.89

6.20.1 Floods... ....................................................... 6.91

6.20.1.1 Causes of floods...................................... 6.92

6.20.1.2 Effects of floods ...................................... 6.92

6.20.1.3 Flood management: Preventivemeasurers. .............................................................. 6.93

6.20.2 Cyclone. ....................................................... 6.94

6.20.2.1 Occurrence ............................................... 6.94

6.20.2.2 Effects of Cyclone................................... 6.95

6.20.3 Land Slides................................................. 6.96

6.20.3.1 Causes of landslides............................... 6.97

6.20.3.2 Effects of landslides ............................... 6.97

6.20.3.4 Landslides Management ........................ 6.97

6.20.4 Earthquakes ................................................ 6.98

6.20.4.1 Causes of earthquakes........................... 6.98

6.20.4.2 Effects of earthquake............................. 6.99

6.20.4.3 Earthquake management ...................... 6.99

6.21 Public Awareness ....................................................... 6.101

Contents C.14

7. HUMAN POPULATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT

7.1 Introduction. ................................................................. 7.1

7.2 Population Growth ....................................................... 7.1

7.3. Population Explosion .................................................. 7.2

7.3.1 Impact of population explosion .................. 7.3

7.3.2 Control measures to prevent populationexplosion: ................................................................. 7.3

7.4 Variations Among Nations in Birth Rates AndDeath Rates ....... ................................................................. 7.4

7.5 Population Explosion in India.................................... 7.5

7.6 Family Welfare Programme ....................................... 7.7

7.6.1 Government Policy and PopulationControl ... ................................................................. 7.7

7.6.2 Control of Births .......................................... 7.9

7.8.3 Family Planning Programme ..................... 7.9

7.7 Environment And Human Health ............................. 7.11

7.8 Human Rights .. ........................................................... 7.15

7.9 Value Education ........................................................... 7.21

7.9.1. Role of Value Education ............................ 7.22

7.9.2 Difference between Formal and Valueeducation ................................................................. 7.23

7.10 HIV/AIDS .. ................................................................. 7.24

7.10.1 Measures to prevent HIV/AIDS............... 7.26

7.11 Women And Child Welfare....................................... 7.26

7.11.1 Women Welfare ........................................... 7.26

7.11.2 Child Welfare.............................................. 7.30


7.11.3 Programmes for child welfare: ................. 7.31

7.12 Environmental Impact Assessment ......................... 7.32

7.13 GIS And Remote Sensing ......................................... 7.47

7.13.1 Remote Sensing .......................................... 7.47

7.13.2 Application of GIS ..................................... 7.48

7.14 Role of Information Technology in EnvironmentAnd Human Health ........................................................... 7.48

7.14.1 Problems and Solutions for the use ofit tools in environmental management. .............. 7.49

7.14.2 Need for Information Technology inEnvironmental Management ................................. 7.50

7.14.3 Role of Information Technology inHuman Health ....................................................... 7.51

7.14.4 Bringing Health Care Online................... 7.51

Contents C.16

Chapter 1

ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEMS

AND BIODIVERSITY

Definition, scope and importance of Risk and hazards;Chemical hazards, Physical hazards, Biological hazards in theenvironment – concept of an ecosystem – structure and functionof an ecosystem – producers, consumers and decomposers-Oxygen cycle and Nitrogen cycle – energy flow in the ecosystem– ecological succession processes – Introduction, types,characteristic features, structure and function of the (a) forestecosystem (b) grassland ecosystem (c) desert ecosystem (d)aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans,estuaries) – Introduction to biodiversity definition: genetic,species and ecosystem diversity – biogeographical classificationof India – value of biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use,social, ethical, aesthetic and option values – Biodiversity atglobal, national and local levels – India as a mega-diversitynation – hot-spots of biodiversity – threats to biodiversity:habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts –endangered and endemic species of India – conservation ofbiodiversity: In-situ and ex-situ conservation of biodiversity.Field study of common plants, insects, birds, Field study ofsimple ecosystems – pond, river, hill slopes, etc.

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Environment consists of living things and nonlivings things like air, water, food, sunlight, temperature,electricity etc which are the basic needs of all livingthings. In other words, environment consists of bothbiotic and abiotic substances. Biotic means livingcomponent and abiotic means non-living components.

Environment is the sum of all social, economical,biological, physical (or) chemical factors which constitutethe surroundings of man, who is both the creator andmoulder of his environment. Environment is therepresentative of physical components of earth whereinman is the important living thing influencing hisenvironment.

Environmental science is the study of how variousliving things interact with one another and the non-livingenvironment. It is a physical and social science byintegrating wide knowledge from multidisciplinesincluding physics, chemistry, biology (particularlyecology), geology, geography, resource technology andengineering, resource conservation and management,demography (population dynamics), economics, politics,sociology, psychology, law and ethics.

1.2 DEFINITIONS

The term environment literally means the totalmass of surrounding medium in which living organismsexist. In otherwords, the surrounding physical andbiological factors with which organisms closely interactand remain adapted is known as environment.Environment is the total of the things around anorganism including human. Environment is includedunder an important discipline called ecology. Ecologyhighlights mainly on the interactions between anorganism and its environment.

Environmental science is a interdisciplinarystudy dealing with the functioning of nature and also

1.2 Environmental Science and Engineering

interconnections between various things in nature.Environmental science strongly focus on the variousenvironmental problems, issues and solutions.Environmental science is the single and most importanteducational course by which several aspects such asworking of the universe, serious alterations of lifesupportive systems by man-made activities and controlmeasures of environmental impact, could be properlyunderstood and assessed. It is the application of scientificmethods and principles to the study of environmentalissues.

1.2.1 Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineering is the implementation ofscience and engineering principles to improve the naturalenvironment, to provide healthy water, air and land forbiotic habitation.

1.2.2 Types of Environment

The various types of Environment are:

(i) Natural Environment

It is not a man made environment and naturalenvironment includes water, ground, flora and fauna.

(ii) Induced Environment

It is an environment which has been affected byhuman action (i.e) highly polluted air from exhaustemissions of automobiles in heavily polluted cities.

(iii) Controlled Environment

It may be natural or induced environment that hasbeen changed to reduce or eliminate potential

Environment, Ecosystems and Biodiversity 1.3

environmental hazard (eg) Workplace that is cooled toreduce potential hazards associated with heat.

(iv) Artificial Environment

It is the environment fully created to preventparticular hazardous conditions affecting people.

(i.e) Environment within space shuttle.

(v) Closed Environment

It is the environment that is complety closed fromnatural environment.

Ex: Artificial and controlled environment.

(vi) Free Environment

It is the environment that does not interface withthe free movement of air.

1.3 SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Several environmentalists have seriously contendedthat human beings on this universe are leading anunsustainable life by depleting and degrading thenatural resource of our earth at an accelerated rate dueto an exponential increase in human population andlife-sustaining processes. This purpose fully necessitatesthe restoration of environmental sustainability andstability. The environmental stability virtually leads tothe sustainable development. It is defined as theprocess of meeting the needs of the present generationswithout compromising the ability of future generations tomeet their own needs. Thus, the important scope ofenvironmental science could be projected as follows:


1. The various environmental issues and theirconsequent impacts could be effectively discussed inorder to reduce the environmental degradationwhich reflect adverse implications on thelife-supporting systems of earth.

2. Valuable wealth of natural resources and theircontinuous sources of depletion could be properlyevaluated and controlled.

3. The harmful environmental effects on humanpopulation, economic development and poverty couldbe elucidated for an effective management.

4. Effective control measures could be taken for thereduction and prevention of principal types ofpollutants that result in the degradation ofenvironmental quality, which in turn interferes withenvironmental sustainability.

5. The basic causes of current environmentalproblems and their inter-relationships could becategorically evaluated and asserted.

6. The major beneficial and harmful effects of severalenvironmental issues on agricultural societies andindustrialised societies could be discussed for anultimate management or minimisation or prevention.

7. More aspects of environmentally sustainabledevelopment could be clearly discussed for aneffective implementation.

1.4 IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Both the agricultural revolution and industrialrevolution have been effectively achieved and practicallyimplemented only after a very long span of time of about


10,000 years and 300 years respectively. Severalenvironmental analysts strongly believe that we are forcedto achieve and bring about an environmental revolutiononly within short time limit of 50-100 years due to therapidly growing environmental impact. Hence, it ismandatory for each one of us to co-ordinate our efforts withnature to evolve a long-lasting impact within this shortperiod of time to achieve our goal in an unified manner.

We were acting as hunt-gatherers for the past fewthousand years by surviving on edible wild plant parts,hunting, fishing and scavenging meat from animals killedby predators. Hence, both early and advancedhunt-gatherers have made a thorough exploitation of theirenvironment for their continued survival. The importantgoal of the environmental science is to understand as muchas possible about the interaction between the life-supportsystems of earth and the human socio-cultural systems. Theproper identification, minimisation and rectificationof several interconnected environmental and resourceproblems that pose a dramatic influence and impact onenvironmental sustainability are the important featuresand objectives of learning environmental science and itsassociated studies.

To solve the problems related to environment, thefollowing knowledge of environment studies is veryimportant.

World population increase in a alarming rateover developing countries.


The natural resources provided in the earth arelimited, the methods and techniques related tonatural resources should be advanced.

The pollution and degrading environment affectall biotic and abiotic things. Eg. The urban areacoupled with industry is a major source ofpollution.

Education and training are needed to savebiodiversity, species extinction and the studymotivates to get involved in community actionand to participate in various environmental andmanagement projects.

Environmental study is the key to bring changesin knowledge, behaviour and lifestyle requiredto achieve stability within and among countries.

1.5 NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS

Every living things, plants (or) animals influenceenvironment and in turn get influenced by it. Themagnitude of influences by living thing except man isless. Because man can modify his environment to suit hisneeds much more than any other living things. Themagnitude of man’s influence is more.

Man started interfering with the environment. Hedevasted forests by cutting trees for wood and for otherhousehold needs. He killed animals for food and forsafety. He polluted the rivers with chemicals fromfactories, and hence making the water unfit for his basicneeds.


After fast development of science and technology,there has been immense impact of man on hisenvironment. Man has failed to realize that by pollutingthe rivers, water becomes unfit for his needs. He hasfailed to observe that his devastating effort upset thebalance of the ecosystem as a whole.

For example, insecticides are used to reduce thepopulation of pests and increase the yield of crops as animmediate effect. But, these insecticides poison the pestsand kill the birds also who eat that pests. As a result,the next generation of pests grow even faster than beforein the absence of their natural enemies (birds) and hencethe crops yield become less.

Industrialization, faster mode of transportation andurbanization (sprouting up of large crowded cities) are themain outcomes of the modern civilization. The result isenvironmental pollution.

Our India is blessed with verdant forests, waterstocked mountains, grass lands, rich soils and a bountifulriver system with abundant rain. But due to lack ofpublic awareness of environmental science, ourforests have been degraded and our rivers have beenpoisoned by industrial and agricultural effluents. Eventhough two third of the world is covered with water, thefresh water available is only 3%. The survey shows thatthe global demand for water will increase faster than therate of growth of population. People are living indeveloped countries without having safe drinkingwater. The water is contaminated by human waste,agriculture fertilizers, pesticides and the industrial


effluents. These problems are created due to lack ofsanitation services and lack of proper sewage andindustrial waste disposal systems.

Water contamination leads to bacterial diseases likecholera, typhoid and dysentery. Dumping of humanwastes in rivers, estuaries and coastal water leads topollution of water and as a result, the fishes living insuch polluted water are affected by these diseases. Eatingthese fishes spreads diseases to human.

Air pollution from industries and automobiles is aserious threat to the health and welfare of the man. Inurban areas, automobile pollution causes 60% of airpollution. It leads to the serious problems of respiratorydisorders and cancer.

Since most of the environmental problems and issuescould produce adverse and harmful effects, publicawareness plays a crucial role in the proper control andmanagement of environmental issues. Most of theenvironmental issues are directly contributed by theman-made activities. When public becomes conscious andaware of the drastic consequences of environmentalproblems in terms of serious health hazards, they may tendto refrain from indulging in any activity that may causeenvironmental problems. Public awareness has become oneof an effective tool not only in the management ofenvironmental problems, but also in their minimisationtechniques.

Public awareness on environmental issues at globaland country levels should be created through effectivepropagations by news media. At present, government


authorities have initiated collaborative and sustainedefforts to educate public about the importance ofenvironmental stability and the various environmentalissues that pose a serious threat to the living systems.

1.6 COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT

1.6.1 Introduction:

Living organisms are always dependent on eachother. For example, animal eats plants for its survival.The plant requires nourishment form the soil and thisnourishment is provided by nitrogeneous matter excretedby animals (or) by the dead bodies of other plants andanimals.

Thus each living organism interacts with differentnon-living (known as abiotic) components and livingcomponents (known as biotic) of the environment.

The branch of science concerned with plant andanimal relationship with their environment is calledecology or environmental biology. (Ecology is thescience of inter-relation between living organisms andtheir environment)

The plants, animals, and micro organisms togetherwith the environment in which they live, make up anindependent unit, called ecosystem. The ecosystem maybe an ocean, a forest, a mountain (or) even a desert.

The entire zone of land, air and water inhabitatedby living organisms is known as biosphere.

Water, air and land - Environment includes allthe external conditions-ie all the surrounding physicaland biological factors - which have a direct influence on


the activities of the organisms. The externalenvironmental conditions are referred to as the factorsof the environment (or) ecofactor.

The physical environment is also called ecosphere(or) biosphere. Biosphere embraces a part of theatmosphere(air), the hydrosphere(water) and acertain part of lithosphere(earth (or) land).

1.6.2 Interrelationship between components-Subcomponents

1. Atmosphere (air):

The atmosphere refers to the protective blanket ofgases surrounding the earth. Thus, the cover of airenveloping the earth is known as atmosphere.

Actually, the atmosphere does not contain oxygen.The green plants are responsible mainly for the

BiosphereFig:1.1.

Atmosphere

Lithosphere

Photosynthesis

Res

pira

tion

SunAtmosphere

Hydrosphere

SulphurBacteriaDecay


accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere, throughphotosynthesis and decay.

We can not feel the air except when it moves aswind. It is not visble as either land (or) water, but ithas weight and exert pressure. The atmosphere consistsof several gases.

1. Oxygen (O2) = 21%

2. Nitrogen (N2) = 78%

3. Carbon dioxide (CO2) = 0.3%

4. Water vapours (H2O) = 0.1%

Besides these gases, traces of other gases like argon,helium, ammonia, sulphur dioxide, sulphur trioxide,ozone, methane are also present in air, along with dustparticles, smoke, micro organisms, pollen grains etc.

Oxygen is used for burning (or) combustion processand breathing. And no one can live without oxygen.Oxygen is used in respiration by all organisms all thetime. The photosynthesis of green plants gives outoxygen in the atmosphere in the sun light. The oxygenis released through stomata.

6CO2 12H2O Chlorophyll

h C6H12O6 6O2 6H2O

The oxygen is consumed by terrestrial and aquaticanimals for energy production and they release CO2

which is used by the plants in photosynthesis. This cycleof oxygen occurs in nature. The oxygen cycle is shownhere in Fig. 1.2


Some amount of atmospheric oxygen is convertedinto ozone (O3) by photochemical reactions. This ozone

layer covers the earth to prevent the harmful effects ofultraviolet rays of the sun.

The atmospheric air predominantly consists ofnitrogen. This nitrogen dilutes the oxygen and slows downthe process of oxidation. Nitrogen is the primary sourceof nutrients for plants and other biological systems andso it is necessary for the growth of plant life. Theatmospheric nitrogen is not directly taken by animals andplants from the atmosphere. First, the atmosphericnitrogen is converted into suitable form for plants bymicrobiol activity, thunder and also by nitrogen fixation.The nitrogen in the body of dead animals and plants isacted upon by micro organisms. In this way, the nitrogen

Vo lca nicActivity

R esp ira tionC a lc ium

Sedim en t

C a lc iumC arbona te(L im estone)O +O rganic m atter2

(C O +H O )2 2

(C O +H O )2 2O rgan ic

M ateria ls+O 2

O 2

C O 2 C O 2

H O2

O 2

O 3

OO zone Layer

U ltrav iole tR adiation

O 2

H O2H O2

H

O H

O

O 2+2C O

C O

P hotosynthesis(C O +H O )2 2

R esp ira tion

2C O 2

C O 2

Oxygen cycleFig:1.2.


goes back to the atmosphere to complete the atmosphericnitrogen cycle. Nitrogen is an essential constituent ofchlorophyll and is also a part of DNA and RNA whichare important for all living things.

Carbon dioxide is also present in the atmosphere ina small amount of 0.03%. This CO2 is utilized (or)

absorbed by the plants during the photo synthesis. Thisgas CO2 allows sunlight to earth but does not allow the

heat radiated from the earth to space. Hence, it makesthe earth warmer and warmer and CO2 is the reason for

the unwanted global warming (green house effect).

Microorganisms living in soil release CO2 by

respiration and increase the percentage of CO2 of the soil.

Green plants take CO2 from the air and are responsible

By

hydr

atio

n

Com

bus t

ion

By

burn

ing

By

sedi

men

tatio

n

Photosynthesis

Peat petro leumnatural

gas,coal

CaCO(Limestone)

3

COIn Atmosphere

2

Greenplants

Die

s an

dfo

ssilis

es

An imals

Carbon dioxide cycle in nature

Respiratio

n b

urnin

g de

cay

b y fu

ngi&

bac

teria

Res

pira

tion

burn

ing

deca

y by

fung

i & bacteria

A

bsor

bin g

CO

2

Fig:1.3.


for the cycling of CO2. The burning of organic matter also

releases CO2. The carbon dioxide cycle in nature is

shown here in the fig. 1.3.

2. Hydrosphere (water):Hydrosphere includes all types of water resources

such as oceans, seas, rivers, springs, lakes, streams,reservoirs and the water below the earth’s surface (groundwater). Water is essential for all living organism.

There are two forms of water - the salt water andfresh water. Water provides two types of aquaticenvironment. These are marine environment and freshwater environment. These waters differ in theircontents of dissolved salts. The aquatic animals therefore,have to maintain water balance in different ways.

The destruction aspects of water are the floods,erosion of land and submergence of land. Too muchremoval of water by tube wells from the undergroundreservoirs of earth, tends to make the earth unstable,thereby endangering life. The frozen rain i.e., hail stone,sleet and snow may cause damage to vegetation. Sleetand snow may form a destructive glaze on trees, shrubsand grass.

3. Lithosphere (earth (or) land):The lithosphere is the solid crust of rocks on the

surface of earth. Normally lithosphere refers to theminerals present in the earth crust and to the complexand variable mixture of minerals, organic matter, waterand air making up the soil.


Soil: The soil is the upper part of the surfacelayers of the earth. The soil is the natural habitat ofmicro organisms, plants and animals. Plants get theirfood and water from the soil. The root hairs of plantsadhere to the soil particles and absorb water. The processof breaking up of rock into smaller particles is calledweathering.

The fluctuations of temperature cause contractionand expansion of the rocks as a result of which theybreak. Due to strong wind velocity, these broken rocksfall down and are converted into smaller particles. Therunning water further breaks these particles into soil. Theabove process is known as mechanical weathering.

In chemical weathering, some rock componentssuch as minerals dissolve into their derivatives andbecome soil. The above soil is the result of a number of

Lichens(Plant grow ing on rocks w ith fungus and algae)


chemical reactions including hydrolysis, oxidation,carbonation (or) hydration.

If the mineral particles so obtained remain over theparent rock, the soil is called residual soil and if themineral particles are transported to other places, the soilis called transported soil.

The various transporting media are rivers (or)running water, force of gravity from hills, wind and ice(or) glaciers.

1.7 RISK AND HAZARDS IN ENVIRONMENT

Hazard

A hazard is a situation in the workplace that hasthe potential to harm the health and safety of people orto damage plant (or) equipment.

Risk

Risk is a chance (or) probability that a person willbe harmed or experience on adverse health effect ifexposed to a hazard.

There are three types of hazards namely

(a) Chemical hazards

(b) Physical hazards

(c) Biological hazards

(a) Chemical hazards

The use of chemical has been increased due toeconomic development in various sectors includingindustry, agriculture and transport. The exposure tochemical occurs through the air we breath, water we


drink, etc., They are exposed independently at homes,schools, playgrounds and also during transports. Chemicalhazards have immediate effect, acute effect, chroniceffects resulting from long term exposure. Some examplesof chemicals, Petrol, Solvents, Explosive chemicals,Paints, Acids, Gases, (acetylene, propane andcarbonmonoxide) is given in the table.

S.No Chemical hazard Health effect

1. Lead from paints,automobile emission,mining, burning of coal(Children areparticularly vulnerableto neurotoxic effects oflead)

Causes learningdisabilities, poor schoolperformance, violentbehaviour.

2. SO2, NO2,

CO2üT$ç Cç ÚOç2N2é

and particulate matters.(Which are liberatedfrom the combustion offossil fuels)

Brouchities Asthma andother lungs diseases.

3. Pesticides (Arsenic) andchlorinated pesticides.

Kill or harm organismsother than pest also. Itcauses poorvisualability, memoryloss, etc in humans.


S.No Chemical hazard Health effect

4. Cadmium from welding,electroplating, nuclearfission plants, Cd andNi battery

Retinal dysfunctionlungs disease, lungcancer bone defect,bronchifics etc.,

5. Mercury from batterypaper industry

Tremors, minorpsychological changes,acrodynia leads to pinkhand and feet anddamages nervoussystem

6 Zinc from refineries,brass manufacture,metal plating andplumbing.

Corrosive effect onskin-damages tonervous system.

7. Chromium from minesand mineral sources.

Fatigue, irritability.

8. Copper from mining,chemical industry,metal piping.

Anemia liver andkidney damage,intestinal irritation

(ii) Physical Hazards

Physical hazards are those substance (or)conditions that threaten physical safety such as fires,explosive materials, temperature (either hot or cold),noise, radiation, spills on floor and unguarded machine.

Physical hazard includes ergonomic hazard whichoccurs due to type of work, body position and workingconditions that put strain on our body (i.e) it happens


when our capacity for work is restricted by the type ofwork.

Some examples of physical hazards are given in thetable.

S.No. Physical hazard Health Effect

1. Noise at workplace (i.e)a noisy machine.

Communicationdifficulties, stress,hearing loss.

2. Ultraviolet Radiation(which is present inwelding, certain lamps,sunlight).

Eye damage, Retinaldamage, Skin cancer.

3. Laser Radiations(which are classifiedaccording to their risk)

Injury to eyes (i.e)retinal damage.

4. Microwaves and Radiofrequency from TVradio, antenna, cellphones.

Heating of body, affectcentral nervous system(CNS)

5. Ionizing Radiationssuch as X-ray, handlingradioactive materials,Uranium mining,working in nuclearpower plant.

Radiation sicknesswithin hours (or) daysafter exposure to highlevel radiations. Cancerafter several years fromlow level exposure toradiations.

6. Fires from chemicalreactions, heat, ignition,electric short circuit,friction.

Burns, inhalation oftoxic fumes.


S.No. Physical hazard Health Effect

7. Whole body vibrationdue to working onvibrating platform,driving farm tractors,heavy vehicles on roughterrain.

Back bone disorder,wide range of spinalcord dislocation.

8. Cold environment (i.e)working in cold weatherconditions and in coldstorage.

Hypothemic, frostbite,Trench foot.

9. Hot environment (i.e)working near furnace,outdoor work at peaksummer season.

heat strokes, fainting(heat syncope).

10. Virus (Rotovirus,hepatatis virus, etc)Bacterial, Parasitesfrom soil, contaminatedwater, animal waste,poor hygiene etc.

Affect human health,injection, intoxication &even death, Diarherea,Cholera, worms,typhoid, etc...

(iii) Biological Hazards

Biological hazards are the biological agent thatcauses threat to the health of living organisms. Exampleof bio hazards: Medical waste, Virus, Parasites,Bacteria, Fungus.

There are three ways of entry of microorganisms(virus, bacteria, fungi etc.) in our body.

(i) By Respiratory System


(ii) Contact with body fluids of inflected person (i.e)through blood transmission, physical contact.

(iii) Through contact with contaminated objects.

The main agent of biological hazard is the bacteriawhich is a living organism, considered as most importantagent to cause food from illness. Bacteria grows on food,protein, milk, meat eggs etc.,

QUESTIONS

Part A

1. Mention the selective factors that cause theenvironmental deterioration.

2. Define the term environment.

3. What is environmental science?

4. Mention the important objective of ecology.

5. What are the primary scopes of environmentalscience?

6. What is sustainable development?

Part B

1. Briefly discuss the various aspects of scope andimportance of environmental science.

2. Write a brief note on the need for public awarenesson the importance of environmental science.


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