Ch 1 introduction to environment and environmental studies
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This document provides an overview of environmental studies as an interdisciplinary field. It defines key terms like environment, biotic and abiotic factors. It describes the four spheres of the environment - atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. It discusses the interaction between living organisms and their surrounding environment. It also outlines the positive and negative impacts of human activities and technology on the environment. The document emphasizes that environmental studies considers both scientific and social aspects to develop a holistic understanding of environmental issues.
Ch 1 introduction to environment and environmental studies
- 1. PREPARED BY:- Karm Balar ASST. Prof. S.S.A.S.I.T. S.S.A.S.I.T G.T.U SHREE SWAMI ATMANAND SARASWATI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, SURAT INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENT & ITS STUDIES Environmental studies
- 2. Definition….. o The environment “is the sum of the total of the elements, factors and conditions in the surroundings which may have an impact on the development, 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”
- 3. Environment consist BIOTIC FACTORS • living components in an environment ABIOTIC FACTORS • non-living components
- 4. 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.
- 8. Atmosphere: It is the mixture of various gases, water vapour and subatomic particles that entirely covers the earth extending outward several thousand kilometers.
- 10. 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.
- 11. 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.
- 12. Mesosphere: It is layer above stratosphere and extends up to 80 km. Temperature decreases slowly with altitude but then sharply to about - 75oC.
- 13. 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.
- 14. 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 (≥ 12000C)
- 16. • 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.
- 17. 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.
- 18. 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 interact with each other and also with non-living (abiotic) components.
- 19. 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.
- 21. Interaction between different components of environment
- 23. 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 CO2 due to burning of forest, grass, crop waste are example of early cause of pollution.
- 24. Positive Impact Negative Impact Direct Impact & Indirect Impact Positive Impact Waste treatment plants to reduce the pollution. Electricity generation options Uses of bio-fuels
- 25. 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
- 26. 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
- 27. 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.
- 28. 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.
- 29. Cont….. Environmental degradation arise due to….. Consumption of natural resources by over population of developing countries. Wasteful over consumption of resources by developed countries.
- 30. … is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary field, drawing on many diverse disciplines.
- 31. 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.
- 32. 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
- 33. Objectives of Environmental Education An AWARENESS of the environment and its problems. Basic KNOWLEDGE and understanding of the environment and its inter-relationship with man. Social VALUES and ATTITUDES which are in harmony with environmental quality. SKILLS to solve environmental problems. Sense of responsibility and urgency towards environment so as to ensure appropriate ACTIONS to solve environmental problems. Consider environment in its totality.
- 34. 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