Unit-1
Multi disciplinary nature of EVS definition
Definition-environment literally means wrong in which we labour which we perform a
day-to-day functions known as environment, environment. Environment includes all
the living and nonliving organism interacting with each other in an ecosystem is
known as environment.
Components of environment,
atmosphere,
biosphere,
hydrosphere,
lithosphere
Atmosphere-it referred to the ozone layer of the Earth surface, which protect us
from harmful radiations from sun as well as harmful UV rays of space, which can
affect environment of planet Earth.
Biosphere- referred to all the living and nonliving organism, interacting with each
other in an ecosystem is known as biosphere
Hydrosphere-it referred to all the water resources like ocean, sea,
lakes ,groundwater, canals, waterfalls, rivers, ponds, lakes are all the part of
hydrosphere.
Lithosphere-it is the outer mental of the Earth, surface, contain all the rocky
substances and essential minerals within it.
Scope of environmental science
1. Conservation of natural resources
2. Awareness about the harmful effect of population and pollution on environment
3. Protecting biodiversity
4. Sustainable development practises
Importance of environmental science
1. Provide information about the changing climate
2. Harmful fact of pollution and population in global warming
3. Provide alternative solutions
4. Helps in making strategies planning which leads sustainable development.
Need for public awareness
1. Harmful factor of increasing population
2. Awareness about the rapid changing in climate
3. Loss of biodiversity and nature
4. Public support
5. Making strict laws
Unit-2
Ecosystem
Ecosystem referred to the function of nature, where are living organism and each
other, and with their physical environment is known as ecosystem.
Types of ecosystem
Natural ecosystem-natural ecosystem is further divided into two parts, aquatic
ecosystem and Terrestrial ecosystem
Man made and artificial ecosystem
Natural ecosystem is the type of ecosystem, which is made and governed by nature
without any major interference of humans. It is related to grassland Forest,
desert, Ocean sea lake,rivers ponds.
Structure of ecosystem
Biotic components
A biotic components
Functions of an ecosystem
1 Production function- it is further divided into two parts, primary primary
production, and secondary reproduction
In primary production plants, the primary producers which better photosynthesis it
is divided into GPP and NPP
G PP referred to grass, primary productivity, and NPP referred to to primary
productivity
NPP equal to GPP minus respiration
Secondary productivity referred to the rate at which consumer (animals) convert the
energy obtained from food into their own biomass
Energy flow function
energy flows is has that sustain the tropic structure of ecosystem
Key points
Sun is primary source of energy
Producer absorb convert into chemical energy
Energy transferred to primary secondary tertiary consumers at each level, only 10%
of an transferred known as the 10% of Linman
Food chain and food web
It shows the flow of energy from producer to consumer and show who eat whom. In
this process, plants are the primary producers which prepare their own food from
solar energy and convert it into chemical energy with the help of photosynthesis
process after that secondary consumers like rabbit, cow zebra(herbivorous animals)
consume plants and then third level of consumers, which is also known as
carnivorous animals, lion Tiger cheetah Jaguar is Harbour animals and at last stage
is decomposers. Decomposer are those microorganisms which decompose dead bodies of
animals, plants and extract nutrient from them and sent it back to the Earth. This
is continuous process.
Ecological pyramids
Characteristic feature, structure, function of forest ecosystem and aquatic
ecosystem
Unit3
Natural resources, natural resources are material substances, and nature which can
be used for economic gain and to meet human needs
Renewable resources are those resources that are replenish over short period of
time.
Examples
1. Solar energy
2. Wind energy
3. Forest
4. Water
Characteristics
sustainable
Environment friendly
Infinite properly managed
Nonrenewable sources
Examples
1. Coal
2. petroleum
3. Natural gas
Characteristics
Exhaustible
Cause environmental pollution
Limited supply
Forest sources
Definition-forests are large area, tree and undergrowth, providing habitat
ecological service and raw material.
Uses function value of forest
Ecological resources
1. Produce oxygen
2. Maintain biodiversity
3. Regulate temperature and rainfall
4. Prevents
Economic uses
1. Sources of timber, firewood, and gum
2. Forest based industries
3. Medicinal plants
Biodiversity conservation
For a star habitat for over 80% of terrestrial species
Climate change
1. Absorb CO2
2. Reduce global warming
Threats to forest resources
Over exploitation Excessive logging firewood collection
Deforestation Forest clear for agriculture Road industries
Timber extraction Commercial felling of tree for wood
Agriculture pressure Use of pesticides fertilisers, and harmful chemicals
Water resources
Water services referred to the resources of water are useful for human drinking,
agriculture, and industrial
Uses of water
Sector Usage
Agriculture Irrigation of crops
Domestic Drinking cooking cleaning
Industrial Cooling manufacturing processing
Functions of water
Support all form of life
Maintain ecological balance
Facilitated nutrition cycle, weather regulation
Required for hydro power and transport
Over exploitation and pollution
groundwater depletion due to excessive borewell and tube wells use
Surface water pollution
Polluted by sewage industrial waste and pesticides
Case study of Punjab
Over use of tube, wells, falling, groundwater level
High fertiliser and pesticides include the water
Malabar region affected by water, borne diseases like cancer
Water conservation method
1. Efficient irrigation system
2. Recycling waste water
3. Awareness camp
Rainwater harvesting
Definition- collection and storage of rainfall for future use
Methods
Rooftop are wasting
Recharge well
Benefits
Recharge of groundwater
Reduce urban flooding
In ensure water availability, in dry season
Land resources
Land is the solid surface of the Earth used for agriculture settlement, industry,
forest, and other purposes
Land degradation
Decline in land productivity due to overview
Caused by deforestation, mining, and industrial waste
Soil Erosion
Loss of top soil due to wind water farming, results, and loss of fertility
Deforestation land returns into desert due to unsustainable land. Use major issue
is added areas like Rajasthan.
Conservation measures
Aforestation
Use organic fertiliser
Control of overgrazing
Energy resources
Definition energy resources are sources used to generate power for domestic
industrial and transportation needs
Renewable energy resources
Resource Description
Solar Use of sunlight via solar panel
Wind Wind turbine generate electricity
Hydro Water used in dance to generate power
Nuclear Nuclear power reacts to generate electricity
Nonrenewable energy sources
Coal Fossil fuel used for electric
Petroleum Fuel for vehicle and industry
Natural gas Cleaner fossil fuel
Nuclear energy Energy from uranium by risk
Urban problems related to energy
High demand of electricity
Fossil fuel based transportation
Energy due to inefficient appliances
Rising greenhouse gas emission
Solution
Promote public transport
Use LED and efficient devices
Develop urban solar rooftop schemes
Unit 5
1. Air Pollution
🔷 Definition:
Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances (gases, particulates, or
biological molecules) in the atmosphere that pose health and environmental risks.
🔸 Types:
Primary pollutants: Emitted directly (CO, SO₂, NOx).
Secondary pollutants: Formed by chemical reactions (Ozone, Smog).
🔸 Causes:
Vehicular emissions
Industrial smoke
Burning of fossil fuels
Agricultural stubble burning
Mining and construction dust
🔸 Effects:
Respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis)
Acid rain formation
Global warming
Ozone layer depletion
Smog formation
🔸 Control Measures:
Use of public transport
Pollution control equipment (electrostatic precipitators, scrubbers)
Use of cleaner fuels (CNG, LPG)
Plantation of trees
Enforcement of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
💧 2. Water Pollution
🔷 Definition:
Water pollution is contamination of water bodies due to discharge of harmful
substances, making water unfit for use.
🔸 Types:
Surface water pollution (rivers, lakes)
Groundwater pollution
🔸 Causes:
Sewage discharge
Industrial effluents
Agricultural runoff (pesticides, fertilizers)
Oil spills
🔸 Effects:
Waterborne diseases (cholera, typhoid)
Eutrophication (oxygen depletion in water)
Death of aquatic life
Contamination of drinking water
🔸 Control Measures:
Sewage treatment plants
Regulation of industrial discharge
Use of bio-fertilizers and organic farming
Rainwater harvesting and awareness programs
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
3. Soil Pollution
Definition:
Soil pollution refers to the degradation of soil quality due to the presence of
toxic chemicals or waste.
Causes:
Excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers
Dumping of industrial and solid waste
Leakage from landfills
Mining and oil drilling
Effects:
Loss of soil fertility
Crop failure and food insecurity
Contamination of groundwater
Harm to soil organisms
Control Measures:
Reduce chemical use in agriculture
Promote composting and organic farming
Recycle and manage waste properly
Bioremediation (using microbes to clean soil)
4. Noise Pollution
Definition:
Noise pollution is unwanted or excessive sound that can harm human health and
environmental quality.
Sources:
Vehicles, trains, aircraft
Loudspeakers and firecrackers
Industrial machinery
Construction activities
Effects:
Hearing loss
Stress, anxiety, and high blood pressure
Disturbance in sleep and communication
Wildlife habitat disturbance
Control Measures:
Use of silencers and soundproofing
Setting noise limits (as per Noise Pollution Rules, 2000)
Ban on loudspeakers in silent zones
Plantation as noise buffers
5. Nuclear Hazards and Accidents
Definition:
Nuclear hazards refer to harmful radiation exposure from nuclear reactions,
accidents, or waste mismanagement.
Causes:
Nuclear power plant accidents
Leakage of radioactive materials
Improper disposal of nuclear waste
Major Accidents:
Chernobyl (Ukraine, 1986)
Fukushima (Japan, 2011)
Health Risks:
Radiation sickness
Cancer, genetic mutations
Skin burns, organ failure
Contamination of food and water
Control Measures:
Safe reactor designs
Proper nuclear waste storage
Strict government regulation
International monitoring by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)
6. Global Climate Change
Definition:
Climate change refers to long-term changes in global or regional climate patterns,
largely due to human activities.
1. Global Warming:
Caused by excess greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄)
Traps heat in the atmosphere → temperature rise
➤ Effects:
Glacier melting
Heatwaves, droughts
Crop failures
Rising sea levels
2. Ozone Layer Depletion:
Caused by CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) from ACs, refrigerators, aerosols.
Ozone layer protects from harmful UV rays.
➤ Effects:
Skin cancer, cataracts
Affects plant and aquatic life
3. Acid Rain:
Caused by SO₂ and NOx from vehicles and industries.
Mixes with water vapour → forms sulfuric and nitric acid.
➤ Effects:
Damages crops, buildings
Acidifies water bodies
Harms aquatic life
4. Melting of Glaciers & Ice Caps:
Due to rising global temperatures
Causes floods, habitat loss (polar species)
Reduces freshwater availability
5. Rising Sea Levels:
Melting ice + thermal expansion of oceans
Leads to flooding of coastal areas, submergence of islands
7. Environmental Disasters
Definition:
Natural disasters that lead to massive environmental damage and loss of life.
1. Earthquakes:
Caused by tectonic plate movements.
Lead to building collapse, fires, tsunamis.
Control: Earthquake-resistant structures, early warning systems.
2. Floods:
Caused by heavy rainfall, dam failure, river overflow.
Lead to crop loss, waterborne diseases, displacement.
Control: Proper drainage, flood forecasting, afforestation.
3. Cyclones:
Violent storms with high-speed winds, mostly in coastal areas.
Cause infrastructure damage, flooding, communication breakdown.
Control: Cyclone shelters, disaster management plans, satellite tracking.
4. Landslides:
Sudden movement of rock and soil down slopes.
Triggered by heavy rain, earthquakes, deforestation.
Control: Slope stabilization, afforestation, early warnings.
