UNIT-8

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Q) Define the term Environment.

The word environment is derived from the French word ‘environer’ which means to surround
or something that surrounds.

Environment refers to an area in which something exists or lives. The environment consists
of two components
(i) Biotic component (living)
(ii) Abiotic component (non-living/physical)

1 Q) Explain the scope and importance of environmental studies?

Ans:
The importance of environmental studies is
 Environment has a great role in the sustained development of any society.
 Natural resources such as forests, soil, water and minerals etc. should be
managed both rationally and effectively.
 Hence it is important to have proper knowledge of the environment, which is
possible through environmental studies.
 It is concerned with day-to-day interaction with the surroundings with which human
being is closely associated.
 It is important for proper utilization of the environment and for protection and
conservation of the environment.

2 Q) Define Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and Biosphere.

Ans:
A) Lithosphere: The soil and the rocky material on the earth crust is called Lithosphere.
It contains valuable natural resources like minerals, coal, petroleum etc.
B) Hydrosphere: The water component of environment is called hydrosphere. It is a
natural environment for number of aquatic animals and plants.
C) Atmosphere: The air component of environment that surrounds the earth surface is
called atmosphere. The different layers of atmosphere are troposphere, stratosphere,
mesosphere, ionosphere and exosphere.
D) It can be broadly divided into four major regions. They are :
E) Troposphere: 0-11 km (Height above the earth’s Surface)
F) Stratosphere: 11-50 km
G) Mesosphere: 50-85 km
H) Thermosphere: 85-500 km
D) Biosphere: The part of the environment where life exist is called biosphere. It includes
lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.

3 Q) Define the following terms

(a) Pollutant (b) Pollution (c) Contaminant
 (d) Receptor (e) Sink (f) Particulates (g) DO (h) TLV (i) BOD (j) COD.
Ans:
1) Pollutant: A substance released into environment due to natural or human activity and
causes bad effects on environment is called pollutant.
Ex: CO2, SO2, SO3, NO2, CO and Ozone.

2) Pollution: The Excessive concentration of unwanted substances present in

environment and adversely effects human beings, plants, animals and other materials is called
pollution.
Pollution could of varies types
i. Noise pollution
ii. Water pollution
iii. Soil pollution
3) Contaminant: A substance which is not originally present in nature but released into
environment by human activity or natural activity and causes pollution is called Contaminant.

Ex: (i) MIC (methyl isocyanate) gas is poisonous gas in Bhopal gas tragedy.
(ii) Radioactive rays released into environment.
4) Receptor: The part of the body which is affected by pollution is called
Receptor. Ex: 1. Eyes are receptors for smoke
2. Hemoglobin is a receptor for carbon monoxide (CO).
5) Sink: The medium which reacts with pollutants is called
Sink. Ex: 1. Sea water is sink for CO2.
2. Dead body is Sink for Microorganisms.
6) Particulates: Small fine solid particles and liquid droplets are collectively called as
particulates. These are present in air in excess and cause serious air pollution. These are also
called as Aerosols. These are Carcinogenic in nature.
Ex: Dust, Smoke, Fog, Mist etc.
7) Dissolved Oxygen (DO): The amount of oxygen present in water in dissolved state is
called dissolved oxygen. Dissolved oxygen is essential for the survival of aquatic life.
For healthy growth of plants and animals the DO value is 4-6 mg/liter.
Low DO value indicates high amounts of organic matter which indicates highly polluted
water.
8) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): The minimum concentration of a pollutant which
effects a healthy worker exposed to atmosphere for 8 hours per day is called Threshold Limit
Value (TLV).
Ex: TLV of Carbon monoxide (CO) is 9 ppm.
TLV of oxides of Nitrogen is 10 ppm.
TLV of fluorides in drinking water is 1.5 ppm.
9) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): The amount of oxygen used by micro-
organisms present in water during five days at 200C is called Biochemical Oxygen Demand.
 BOD test is a valuable test in the analysis of sewage and industrial effluents.
 It is expressed in ppm or mg/liter.
 High BOD value indicates high pollution.
 Low BOD value indicates low pollution.

 10) Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD): The amount of oxygen required for the
chemical oxidation of organic matter present in polluted water is called Chemical Oxygen
Demand.

 COD test is a valuable test is a measure of the amount of chemicals in water that
can be oxidized by oxygen.
 It is an important parameter for determining the quality of water.
 It is expressed in ppm or mg/liter.
 High COD value indicates high pollution.
 Low COD value indicates low pollution.
4 Q) Define the terms Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers with examples.
(or)
Explain the Concept of Eco-system.
Ans:
Eco-system: The inter-relationship between living organisms and non-living things in
environment is called eco-system.
An Eco-system has two main components
1) Abiotic components (Non-living environment).
2) Biotic component (Living component).
(1). Abiotic component: The non-living environment of an ecosystem is known as Abiotic
component.
(a)
Inorganic components: CO2, Water, Nitrogen, Calcium, Sulphur, phosphorus etc.
(b)
Organic Components: Proteins, Carbohydrates, Lipids and Amino acids.
(c)
Climate factors: Temperature, Humidity, Wind etc.

(2). Biotic component: The living organisms of an ecosystem is known as Biotic component.
Biotic component can be divided into three types. They are

(a) Producers: Living organisms which can synthesize their own food are called as
Producers. All the green plants are producers. They can produce their food by photosynthesis
process. These are also called as “autotropic” organisms.
Ex: All green plants.
(b) Consumers: The organisms which can use plants (or) animals (or) both as their
food are called Consumers. So, they depend on plants and animals for their food. Hence,
they are called “heterotrophic” organisms.
The consumers are divided into three types based on their feeding habits.
(i) Primary consumers (Herbivores): The plant eaters are called as
Herbivores. Ex: Cow, Rabbit, Deer etc.
(ii) Secondary consumers (Carnivores): The animal eaters are called as
Carnivores. Ex: Cat, Lion etc.
(iii) Tertiary consumers (Omnivores): The organisms which can eat both plants and
animals are called “Omnivores”.
Ex: Human beings, Bear, Lizard etc.
(c) Decomposers: The organisms which can decompose larger organic compounds into
simpler compounds are called Decomposers.
 Ex: Bacteria, Fungi etc.
5 Q) State the Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy sources with Examples.
Ans:
Energy sources can be classified into two types.
(i) Renewable energy sources.
(ii) Non-Renewable energy sources.
(i). Renewable energy sources: The sources of energy which are produced continuously in
nature and are not exhausted are called Renewable energy sources.
These are also known as non-conventional energy sources.
Ex: Solar energy, Tidal power, Geo thermal energy, Wind energy, Bio-gas and wood etc.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES:

1. Solar energy:
Solar energy is the most important renewable energy source.
It is derived from the Sun.
Solar energy is converted into Thermal energy (heat energy) and used for power
generation, cooking,
heating of water.
Solar cells are used in solar lights, rural electrification, and artificial satellites.
2. Wind energy:
It is a cheap and pollution free energy source.
Wind energy is in the form of Kinetic energy associated with the movement of air.
Wind energy is converted into mechanical energy by using wind turbines and converts it
into useful
electric power.
3. Tidal energy:
The raise and fall of tides can be used to drive turbines for generating pollution free
energy.
This is a valuable source of energy in all the coastal areas of the world.

4. Geothermal energy:
The energy coming out of the molten interior of the earth towards the surface is called
geothermal
energy.
Water pumping down deep into the earth is turned into steam and this can be supplied
to home for
heating purposes and generating electricity.Non-Renewable energy sources: The energy
sources which are exhaustible and cannot be replaced by natural process, once they are used are called Non-
Renewable energy sources. These are also known as Conventional energy sources.
Ex: Fossil fuels- Coal, Petroleum, Natural gas.
Nuclear Fuels- Energy released by radioactive elements due to nuclear fission and fusion.
6 Q). Define Air pollution and write the classification of Air pollutants.
Ans:
Pollution: The presence of unwanted substances present in air and adversely effects human
beings, plants, animals and other materials is called air pollution.
Air pollutant: A substance released into the environment due to natural or human activity
and effects adversely the environment is known as Air pollutant.
Ex: CO2, SO2, SO3, NO2, CO and Ozone etc.
Classification of Air pollutants:
The air pollutants may be classified into different ways based on the following ways.
According to Origin:
(a) Primary Pollutants: These are the substance emitted directly from identifiable source.
These are present in the atmosphere in the form in which they are emitted.
Ex: CO, CO2, SOx, NOx, particulates, radioactive pollutants, CFC’s and NH3.
(b) Secondary Pollutants: These are the substances derived by the interaction of
primary pollutants.
Ex: Acid rain (H2SO4, HNO3, H2CO3).
PAN (Peroxy Acetyl Nitrate) formed from NOx and volatile organic
Compounds. Photo chemical smog (Smoke+ fog).
According to States of matter:
(a) Gaseous Pollutants: These Pollutants are gaseous in nature at normal
temperature and pressure. These include inorganic and organic compounds.
Ex: CO, CO2, SOx, NOx, lower hydrocarbons and NH3.
(b) Particulate Pollutants: These pollutants are finely divided solids or liquids along
with air. Ex: Dust, Smoke, Fumes, Mist, and Fly ash etc.

7 Q) Define Air pollution. Explain the causes, effects of Air pollution on Human
beings, plants and animals and control methods of air pollution.
Ans:
Air pollution: The presence of unwanted substances present in air and adversely effects
human beings, plants, animals and other materials is called air pollution.
1. Causes of Air pollution:
There are mainly two types of causes for air pollution.
Natural Causes:
1) The entering of various pollutants from volcano eruption.
2) The entering of CO, NOx, hydro carbons and smoke etc. from forest firing.
2. Man-made Causes (or) Artificial Causes:
1)
Nearly 75% of air pollution is caused by emission of harmful gases (CO, CO 2,
SOx, NOx) from vehicles.
2)
Rapid growth of population increases pollution by increasing industrialization,
transportation etc.
3)
On burning the fossil fuels releases oxides of C, S, N and causes air pollution.
4)
Indiscriminate cutting of trees increases pollution by increasing CO2 in atmosphere.
5)
Use of pesticides, fertilizers and insecticides in agriculture also increases pollution.
3. Effects of Air pollution:
Effects of Air pollution on Human beings:

1.
SO2 and SO3 causes respiratory diseases like chronic asthma and lung cancer.
2.
Carbon monoxide causes head ache, heart attack, loss of vision and abdominal pain etc.
3.
O3 causes burning nose, watery eyes, coughing and throat irritation.
 4.
Effects of Air pollution on
Plants:

1. Nitrogen oxides cause stunted growth (growth reduction).

2. Ozone decreases photo synthetic ability of plants.
3. Ozone prevents respiration by blocking stomata.
4. Acid rains effects the rate of photo synthesis.
5. Effects of Air pollution on Animals:
1. Ammonia causes swelling of throat and lung fibrosis.
2. Ozone causes lung damage of animals.
3. Fluorine causes loss in weight.
4. Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb) causes appetite and leads to death.
3.Control methods of Air pollution:
1. Air pollution can be minimized by sitting of industries after proper Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) studies.
2. Air pollution can be controlled by using non-conventional sources of Energy.
3. Air pollution can be minimized by using biological filters and bio scrubbers.
4. The concentration of pollutants can be diluted by plantation between industrial
area and residential area.
5. Control of SO2 from fuels may be done by use of chemical scrubbers.
6. Control of particulate matter can be done by using electrostatic precipitators.

8 Q) State the uses of Forest Resources.

Ans:
Forest Resource: A biotic community which is composed of trees, shrubs or any vegetation
is known as forest resources.
Uses of Forest Resources:
1. Forest support biodiversity and provide habitat for wild animal.
2. Forests not only give life to other species but also, they help to humans.
3. Forests improve the quality of air and reduce global warming by trapping carbon dioxide.

9 Q) State the Deforestation and write the causes, effects and control methods of
deforestation.
Ans:
Deforestation: Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests and wood lands.
Causes of deforestation:
1. The conversion of forests and wood lands to agriculture land to feed growing
number of people.
2. The construction of dams and hydroelectric projects cause a great damage to the forests.
3. Construction of roads in ecologically vegetative area is another cause of deforestation.
4. Acid rains destroy the forests around the globe.
5. Extreme weather conditions such as storms and fires damage forests.
.

Effects of deforestation:
 1. Deforestation increases soil erosion and decreases soil fertility leading to
formation of deserts.
2. The number of species declines due to deforestation.
3. Desertification is one of the contributing factors for the cause of deforestation.
Control methods of deforestation:
1. New methods are being developed to farm more intensively such as high-yield
crops and gardens.
2. Reforestation and afforestation are increasing the area of forest land.
3. High-yielding forest plantations would be required to meet the worlds demand for wood.

10 Q) Define Water pollution. Write the causes, effects and control methods of
Water pollution.
Ans:
Water pollution: Any change in physical, chemical and biological properties of water by the
excessive addition of unwanted substances making that decreases the utility of it is known as
water pollution.
Causes of water pollution:
1. The sewage water is added directly into water streams through drains without any
treatment causing water pollution.
2. Industrial wastes are added directly into the water streams without any treatment, the
water gets polluted.
3. Water gets polluted when the people bathing of animals and washing clothes in
drinking water lakes, ponds, and revers due to lack of education.
4. Residual pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers are sprayed on crops and fields are
washed down into canals, rivers etc. and pollute them.
5. Oil spilling into sea water during drilling and shipment causes water pollution.
6. Radioactive pollutants enter into water streams and pollute them.
Effects of water pollution:
1. Polluted water due to presence of bacteria results in spreading water borne
diseases like typhoid, cholera, jaundice etc.
2. The presence of toxic metals like lead, mercury, arsenic in water results abdominal
pain, chest pain, damage of liver and kidney and paralysis etc.
Mercury (Hg) -Minamata disease, chest pain., Lead (Pb) - anemia, vomiting Arsenic
(As) - lung cancer, liver damage.,
Cadmium (Cd) - bone deformation, hypertension.
3. The presence of organic wastes in water reduces the dissolved oxygen, due to this
fish and other aquatic animals are die.
4. Radioactive pollutants in water are responsible for various genetic disorders.
5. Industrial wastes kill the plants and aquatic animals in water streams.
6. Water pollution affects the plants metabolism and disturbs the eco system.
7. The use of polluted water for irrigation reduces the soil fertility and affects
agriculture production.
8. The presence of acids in water causes damage materials through corrosive attack.
9. The machinery used in industries are corroded due to the water pollution.
Control methods of water pollution:
1. Various methods should be adopted to reduce the volume of industrial waste.
 2. Recycling and reutilization of waste like coconut wastes into threads, paper, and jute
wastes into hard boards without mixing into water reduces water pollution.
3. Treatment of sewage and industrial wastes before their disposal into water streams
reduces water pollution.
4. Washing cloths and bathing animals in rivers, lakes, and ponds can be
controlled by providing alternative arrangements.
5. People should be educated against water pollution.
6. Non-biodegradable wastes must be dumped underground with utmost care.

11 Q) Explain the causes and effects of Green house effect.

Ans:
Green house effect: The process of heating of earth atmosphere due to presence of green
house gases like CO2, CH4, O3, N2O, CFCs, Water vapour in atmosphere is called Green
house effect.
Causes of Greenhouse effect:
The increase in the concentration of green house gases in the atmosphere causes green house
effect. The concentration of these gases increases in the following ways.
1.
Using of fossil fuels, forest firings increase the concentration of CO2.
2.
Air conditioners, refrigerators, and spray bottle propellants increase the
concentration of CFCs.
3.
Decay of organic matter, mines and animal wastes increase the concentration of CH4.
Effects of Greenhouse effect:
1. Due to green house effect, melting of ice caps in polar region and rise in sea level. This
leads to submerging of low-lying areas like Maldives, Srilanka and some parts of India.
2. It causes climatic changes and effect the eco-system.
3. It reduces surface water and effects agriculture.
4. It causes cyclones, forest firings and increase the temperature of the atmosphere.
Advantages of Greenhouse effect:
1. The presence of carbon dioxide and ither gases in atmosphere produces the green
house effect, which keeps the atmosphere warm.
2. The warm atmosphere is very essential for the survival of life in the biosphere on the earth.
3. The warm atmosphere helps in the growth of vegetation and forests.
4. The warm atmosphere helps in the rapid bio-degradation of dead plants and animals.
Control methods of Green house effect:
1. Green house effect can be controlled by afforestation, control over burning fossil
fuels, limited use of chloro fluoro carbons (CFCs).
2. Alternate sources of energy like solar energy, wind power should be tried instead of
fossil fuels.

12 Q) Explain the causes and effects of Ozone layer depletion.

Ans:
Ozone layer depletion: The decrease in concentration of ozone layer present in stratosphere
due to some chemicals like chloro fluoro carbons (CFCs), nitric oxides (NO), and chlorine gas
(Cl2) is called Ozone layer depletion.
The ozone layer is present in the stratosphere acts like a protection layer for UV light. i.e., it
prevents the entering of UV light into troposphere.
Causes of Ozone layer depletion:
The depletion of ozone layer is due to the chloro fluoro carbons (CFCs), nitric oxides (NO),
and chlorine gas (Cl2).
1. CFCs are liberated from air conditioners, refrigerators, and spray bottle propellants.
2. NO (Nitric oxide) is liberated from Supersonic jet planes.
3. Chlorine gas (Cl2) is liberated due to eruption of lava.
Mechanism of Ozone layer depletion:
Ozone layer is depleted by CFCs due to formation of free radicals.
O3 + CHClF2 → O2 + ClO* (free radical) O3 + ClO*
→ 2O2 + Cl*
Cl* + O3 → ClO* + O2.
Effects of Ozone layer depletion:
1. Skin diseases, eye diseases like cataract formation.
2. Increasing atmospheric temperature.
3. Melanin producing cells will be destroyed.
4. Life of aquatic animal is affected.
5. Decreases photo synthesis in plants.

Control methods of Ozone layer depletion:

1. Ozone layer depletion is prevented by reduction of use of chloro fluoro carbons, Nitic
oxides and Chlorine gas.

13 Q) Explain the causes and effects of Acid rain.

Ans:
Acid rain: The rain water containing more amounts acids like Nitrous acid, Nitric acid,
Sulphurous acid and Sulphuric acid is called Acid rain.
Cause of Acid rain:
1. The nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides dissolve in the rain water and forms
Nitrous acid, Nitric acid, Sulphurous acid and Sulphuric acid.
N2O3 + H2O → 2HNO2 the rain water
may contain these acids in more quantity in
industrial areas.
Effects of Acid rain:
1. The life of buildings and other constructions will be reduced.
2. The glossy nature of Taj mahal is reducing due to acid rains.
3. The life of aquatic animals is affected.
4. The fertility of the soil decreases which results in low agriculture product.
5. The acidity of the drinking water increases which causes acidity in human beings.
Control methods of Acid rain:
1. Reducing the emission of oxides of sulphur and nitrogen from industries by
adopting appropriate preventive and control measures.