Environmental Science & Engineering: Topics Environment, Ecology and Pollution

Environmental Science & Engineering
Credit: 3.0
Topics
Environment, Ecology and Pollution

• Introduction, components of environment, factors affecting environment. Types
and sources of pollution; acid rain & greenhouse effect; Types and effects of
different pollutants and pollution control.
Chemistry and characteristics of environmental parameters

• Total Solids, Total Dissolved Solids, Volatile Matters, Fixed Solids, BOD5,
COD, ThOD, TOD, Ammonia, Nitrogen, Protein content, TOC, Chlorides,
Alkalinity, pH, Sulphides, Dissolved Oxygen, Total Coliform Count, Metal
content.
Reuse, Recycling and disposal of solid wastes

• Waste generation from leather, footwear and leather goods industries;
Utilization of leather wastes; Disposal of solid wastes.
Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Environment, Ecology and Pollution
Environment
 Environment is the sum of all social, economical,
biological, physical or chemical factors which constitute
the surroundings of man, who is both creator and moulder
of his environment.
OR
 Environment is the representative of physical components

of the earth where in man is the important factor
influencing the environment
Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst.

Professor
Environment
It consist of air, water, food and sunlight, which are
the basic needs of all living beings and plant life, to
carry on their life functions. It also includes
temperature, wind, radiation etc. Two main aspects
of the environment are therefore, considered-
• Abiotic environment
• Biotic environment

Professor
Abiotic Environment
All those physical and nonliving chemical factor
that exert an influence on living organisms.
ex: temperature, soil, light, moisture, air currents)
Biotic Environment
Consist of living organisms, which both interact
with each other and are inseparably interrelated
with their abiotic environment.

Professor
ecology
All living organism, whether plant or
animal or human being is surrounded by
the environment, on which it derive its
needs for its survival.
Each living component interacts with non

–living components for their basic
requirements form different ecosystem.

Definition
Ecology is the study of interactions among
organism or group of organisms with their
environment. The environment consists of both biotic
components (living organisms) and abiotic components
(non – living organisms).
or
Ecology is the study of ecosystems.

Ecosystem is the basic functional unit of ecology.
The term ecosystem is coined form a Greek word
meaning study of home.
Definition
A group of organisms interacting among themselves and
with environment is known as ecosystem. Thus an ecosystem is a
community of different species interacting with one another and
with their non living environment and one another and with their
non- living environment exchanging energy and matter.
Example
Animals cannot synthesis their food directly
but depend on the plants either directly or indirectly.
Types of ecosystem
• Natural ------Artificial/man engineered

Terrestial ------Aquatic
Marine ------Fresh water
Lotic----lentic

TYPES OF ECOSYSTEM
Natural ecosystem
Natural ecosystems operate themselves under natural conditions.
Based on habitat types, it can be further classified into three types.
1. Terrestrial ecosystem
This ecosystem is related to land.
Example
Grassland ecosystem, forest ecosystem, desert ecosystem, etc.,
2. Aquatic ecosystem
This ecosystem is related to water. It is further sub
classified into two types based on salt content.
(i) Fresh water ecosystem
(a) Running water ecosystems.
Examples
Rivers, Streams
(b) Standing water ecosystems

Examples
Pond, lake
(ii) Marine ecosystem
Example :
Seas and sea shores
3.2.2 Man – made (or) Artificial ecosystems

Artificial ecosystem is operated (or) maintained by man himself.
Example
Croplands, gardens

Habitat and Niches
The “place” where an organism lives is called Habitat.
Habitat can be considered with respect to
• Individual organism
• Population of similar organism
• Community of different populations
At the level of organism
• It is only the individual organism that take things e.g.,
nutrients, energy, from its chemical and physical habitat
and returns things, e.g., waste to that habitats.

• If suitable nutrients and / or energies are not present, or if
its waste are not removed or suitably transformed within
that habitat, the organism must move to another or perish.
At the level of the population

• A number of similar organisms both take and contribute
things from and to the population`s habitat.
• The organism within the population are similar, so they
have similar needs; they may therefore compete and/ or
cooperate for individual habitat. As with the individual
organism, conditions may inimical to the population.

At the level of community
• Indicates a collection of population.
• Some populations e.g., predators, may enhance selective
forces already acting on other populations e.g., prey.
• In addition to antagonistic interactions between two or
more populations in a community, there are also
mutualistic relationships that enhance the habitat i.e.,
reduce its stress.

Niches
• Niche is the organism`s “profession” i.e., what it does in
its habitat. Basic niches in ecosystem include-
Primary production
Consumption
Decomposition

STRUCTURE (or) COMPONENTS OF AN ECOSYSTEM
The term structure refers to the various components.

So the structure of an ecosystem explains the relationship
between the abiotic (non –living) and the biotic (living)
components.
An ecosystem has two major components
 Biotic (living) components
 Abiotic (non living) components
Biotic components
 The living organisms (or) living members in an
ecosystem collectively form its community called biotic
components (or) biotic community.
Examples
Plants (producers), animals (consumers), and
microorganisms (decomposers).
Classification biotic components
 Producer (plants)
 Consumer (Animals)
 Decomposers (Micro-organisms)
I. Producers (Autotrophs)
Producers synthesize their food themselves through
photosynthesis.
Example :
All green plants, trees.
Photosynthesis
The green pigments called chlorophyll, present in
the leaves of plants, converts CO2 and H2O in the
presence of sunlight into carbohydrates.
6CO2 + 12H2O ----------------------> C6H12O6 + 6O2+6H2O

This process is called photosynthesis
2. Consumers (heterotrophs)
Consumers are those organisms that cannot transform
sunlight energy into chemical energies of organic molecules.
They consume produced organic materials and transform
these into living substances of their own bodies.
Examples
Plant eating species
Insects, rabbit, goat, deer, cow, etc.,
Classification of consumers
Consumers are further classified as
(i) Primary consumers (Herbivores)
Primary consumers are also called herbivores,
they directly depend on the plants for their food. So they
are called plant eaters.
Examples :
Insects, rat, goat, deer, cow, horse, etc.,
(II) Secondary consumers (carnivores) (meat eater)
Secondary consumers are carnivores, they feed on
primary consumers. They directly depend on the herbivores for
their food. They transform the chemical energy of other animal
tissue into the chemical energy of their own.
Example
Frog, cat, snakes, foxes, etc.
(iii) Tertiary consumers (Omnivores)

Tertiary consumers are secondary carnivores or
omnivores. Omnivores transform the chemical energy of both
plant and animal tissue into the chemical energy of their own.
They feed on secondary consumers. They depend on the
primary carnivores for their food.
Examples
Tigers, lions, man etc.,
3. Decomposers
Decomposers attack the dead bodies of producers and
consumers and decompose them into simpler compounds.
During the decomposition inorganic nutrients are released.
The inorganic nutrients together with other organic
substances are then utilized by the producers for the
synthesis of their own food.
Examples
Microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.

Abiotic (non-living) components
The non-living components (physical and chemical)
of ecosystem collectively form a community called abiotic
components (or) abiotic community.
Examples
Climate, soil, water, air, energy, nutrients, etc.,
1. Physical components
They include the energy, climate, raw materials and
living space that the biological community needs. They are
useful for the growth and maintenance of its member.
Example
Air, water, soil, sunlight, etc.,

2. Chemical Components
They are the sources of essential nutrients
Examples
•Organic substances : Protein, lipids, carbohydrates, etc.,
•Inorganic substances: All micro (Al, Co, Zu, Cu) and macro
elements (C,H, O, P, N, P, K) and few other elements.
FUNCTION OF AN ECOSYSTEM
To understand clearly the nature of ecosystem its
functioning should be thoroughly understood. The function of
an ecosystem is to allow flow of energy and cycling of
nutrients.

Types of Functions
Functions of an ecosystem are of three
types.
1. Primary function
The primary function of all ecosystem is
manufacture of starch (photosynthesis).
2. Secondary function The secondary function

of all ecosystem is distribution energy in the form
of food to all consumers.

Tertiary Function
All living systems died at a particular stage. These dead
systems are decomposed to initiate third function of
ecosystems namely “cycling”.
The functioning of an ecosystems may be understood

studying the following terms.
•Energy and material flow.
•Food chains
•Food webs
•Food pyramids

ENERGY FLOW IN THE ECOSYSTEMS
Energy is the most essential requirement for all living
organism. Solary energy is the only source to our planet
earth. Solar energy is transformed to chemical energy in
photosynthesis by the plants (called as primary producers). Though a
lot of sunlight falls on the green plants, only 1% of it is utilized for
photosynthesis. This is the most essential step to provide energy
for all other living organisms in the ecosystem.
Some amount of chemical energy is used by the plants for their growth
and the remaining is transferred to consumers by the process of
eating.
Thus the energy enters the ecosystems through
photosynthesis and passes through the different tropic levels or
feeding levels.

FOOD CHAINS
“There sequence of eating and being
eaten in an ecosystem is known as food
chain”
(or)
“Transfer of food energy from the plants
through a series of organisms is known
as food chain”
When the organisms die, they are all

decomposed by microorganism (bacteria
and fungi) into nutrients that can again be
used by the plants. At each and every
transfer, nearly 80-90% of the potential
energy gets lost as heat.

Types of food chain
Food chains are classified into two main types
1. Grazing food chain
2. Detritus food chain
1. Grazing food chain

Found in Grassland ecosystems and pond ecosystems. Grazing
food chain starts with green plants (primary producer) and goes to
decomposer food chain or detritus food chain through herbivores and
carnivores.
2. Detritus food chain

Found in Grassland ecosystems and forest ecosystems. Detritus
food chain starts with dead organic matter (plants and animals) and
goes to decomposer food chain through herbivores and carnivores.

Tropic Levels or Feeding levels
The various steps through which food energy passes in an ecosystem is

called as tropic levels.
The tropic levels are arranged in the following way as

Where ,
The green plants or producers represent first tropic level T1,
The herbiovores or primary consumers represent second tropic level T2.
The carnivores or secondary consumers represent third tropic level T3.
The tertiary consumers are fourth tropic level T4.
Finally decomposers represent last tropic level T5

FOOD WEB
The interlocking pattern of various food
chains in an ecosystem is known as
food web.
In a food web many food chains are
interconnected, where different types of
organisms are connected at different
trophic levels, so that there is a number
of opportunities of eating and being
eaten at each trophic level.
Example
Grass may be eaten by insects,
rats, deers, etc., these may be eaten by
carnivores (snake, tiger).Thus there is a
interlocking of various food chains
called food webs

Difference between food chains and food web
In a linear food chains if one species gets affected (or) becomes extinct, then
the species in the subsequent tropic levels are also affected.
But, in a food web, if one species gets affected, it doest not affect
other tropic levels so seriously.
There are number of options available at each tropic level.
Significance of food chains and food webs

1. Food chains and food webs play a very important role in the ecosystem.
Energy flow and nutrient cycling takes place through them.
2. They maintain and regulate the population size of different tropic levels,
and thus help in maintaining ecological balance.
3. They have the property of biomagnification. The non – biodegradable
materials keep on passing from one tropic level to another. At each
successive tropic level, the concentration keep on increasing. This process is
known as biomagnification.

ECLOGICAL PYRAMIDS
“Graphical representation of structure

and function of tropic levels of an
ecosystem, starting with producers at
the bottom and each successive
tropic levels forming the apex is
known as an ecological pyramids.”
In food chain starting from

the producers to the consumers,
there is a regular decrease in the
properties (ie., energy, biomass and
number of the organisms). Since
some energy is lost as heat in each
tropic levels, it becomes
progressively smaller near the top.

Types of Ecological, pyramids
Ecological pyramids are of three types.
1. Pyramid of numbers.
2. Pyramid of energy.
3. Pyramid of biomass.
I. Pyramids of numbers
It represents the number of individual organisms present at each tropic

levels.
2. Pyramids of energy
It represents the amount of energy present in each tropic levels. The
rate of energy flow and the productivity at each successive tropic level
At every successive tropic level, there is a heavy l of energy (about

90%) in the form of heat. Thus at each next higher tropic level only
10% of the energy is transferred Hence, there is a sharp decrease in
energy at each and every successive tropic level as we move from
producers to top levels. Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor
Pyramids of Biomass
It represents the total amount of biomass (mass o weight iological
material or organism) present in each tropic levels.
A forest ecosystem The above figure shows that there is a decrease in

the biomass from the lower tropic level to the higher tropic level.
This because the trees (producers) are maximum in the forest, which
contribute a huge biomass. The next tropic
levels are herbivores (insects, birds) and carnivores (snakes, foxes).
top of the tropic level contains few tertiary
consumers S and tigers), the biomass of which is very low.

3.11 FOREST ECOSYSTEM
3.11.1 Introduction
A forest ecosystem is the one in which a tall and trees grow that support many animals and birds.
The forest are found in undisturbed areas receiving moderate to hi rainfall. The forest occupies nearly 40%
of the world’s land area. In India it occupies only 19% of its total land area.
3.11.2 Types of forest ecosystem
Depending upon the climate conditions, forests can be classified into the following types.
1. Tropical Rain forests.
2. Tropical deciduous forests.
3. Tropical scrub forests.
4. Temperate rain forests.
5. Temperate deciduous forests.
1.3 Features of different. types of Forests
1. Tropical Rain forests
They are foi.ind near the equator. They are characterized by high temperature. They have broad leaf trees
like teak and 1. and the animals like lion, tiger and monkey.

2. Tropical deciduous forests
They are found little away from the equator. They are characterized by a warm climate and rain
is only during monsoon. They have different types of deciduous trees like maple, oak and hickary
and animals like deer, fox, rabbit and rat.
3. Tropical Scrub forests
These are characterized by a dry climate for longer time. They small deciduous trees and shrubs
and animals like maple, oak and hickory and animals like deer, fox, etc.,
4. Temperate Rain Forests
They are found in temperate areas with adequate rainfall. They are characterized by coniferous trees
like pines, firs, red wood etc., and animals like, squirrels, fox, cats, bear etc.,

5. Temperate deciduous forests
They are found in areas with moderate temperatures. have major trees including broad
leaf deciduous trees like oak, hickory and animals like deer, fox, bear, etc.,
3.11.4 Characteristics of forest ecosystems
1. Forests are characterized by warm temperature and adequate rainfall, which make the
2. generation of number of ponds, lakes etc.,
2.The forest maintains climate and rainfall.
3. The forest support many wild animals and protect biodiversity.
4. The soil is rich in organic matter and nutrients which support the growth of trees.
5. Since penetration of light is so poor, the conversion of organic matter into nutrients is very fast.

3.11.5 Structure and Function of forest ecosystem
I. Abiotic components
Climatic factors (temperature, light, rainfall) and minerals
The abiotic components are inorganic and inorganic and organic substances found in
the soil and atmosphere. In addition minerals, the occurrence of litter is characteristic features, majority of forests.
II. Biotic components
1. Producers
Trees, shrubs and ground vegetation.
The plants absorb sunlight and produce photosynthesis.
2. Consumers
(a) Primary consumers (herbivores)
Example :
Ants, flies, insects, mice, deer, squirrels.
They directly depend on the plants for their food.
b. Secondary consumers (primary carnivores)
Examples
Snakes, birds, fox.
They directly depend On the herbivores for their food.
C. Tertiary consumers
Examples :
Animals, like tiger, lion, etc.,
They depend on the primary carnivores for their food

4. Decomposers
Bacteria and fungi.
They decompose the dad plant and animal matter., of decomposition in tropical
and subtropical forests is in rapid than in the temperate forests.

3.12 GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM.
3.12.1 Introduction
Grassland occupies about 20% of earth’s surface addition to grass species, some trees and
shrubs are/also pre in grasslands. Limited grazing helps to improve the net primary production
of the grasslands. But, overgrazing leads degradation of these grasslands resulting in desertification
3.12.2 Types of grassland ecosystem
Depending upon the climate conditions grassland cal classified into three types
1. Tropical grasslands.
2. Temperate grasslands.
3. Polar grasslands.

3.12.3 Féatures of different types of grassland
1. Tropical grasslands
They are found near the borders of tropical rain . forests. are characterized by high temperature
and moderate rainfall (40 to .100 cm). It is also known as Savanna type. They ye tall grasses with
scattered shrubs and stunted trees and animals like zebras, giraffes, antelopes, etc.,
2. Temperate grasslands
They are usually found in the centers of continents, oi sloped hills.. They are charactenzed by very
cold winters and hot summers: Intense grazing and summer fires, do not W shrubs or trees to grow.
3. Polar grasslands
They are found in arctic polar regions. They are characterized by severe cold and strong winds along
with ice and snow. In summers several small annual plants grow. They ‘e animals like arctic wolf, weasel, arctic fox, etc.,
3.12.4 Characteristics of Grassland Ecosystems
Grassland ecosystem is a plain land occupied by grasses.
Soil is very rich in nutrients and organic matter.
Since it has tall grass, it is ideal place for grazing animals.
It is characterized by low or uneven rainfall.

3.12.5 Structure and function of the grassland Ecosystems
Nutrients, , H, 0, A, p, s, etc.,
These abiotic components are supplied by C02, H2c nitrate, phosphates and suiphates.
II. Biotic Components
1. Producers
Example
Grasses, forbs and shrubs.
They produce food.
2. Consumers
(a) Primary consumers (herbivores)
Examples
Cows, buffaloes, deer, sheep, etc.,
They depend on grasses for their food.
(b) Secondary consumers (carnivores)
Examples
Snakes, lizards, birds, Jackals, fox, etc.,
They feed on herbivores.
(c) Tertiary consumers
Examples
Hawks, eagle, etc.,
They feed on secondary consumers. Decomposers
Decomposers
Examples
Fungi and bacteria.
They decompose the dead organic matter.

3.13 DESERT. ECOSYSTEMS
3.13.1 Introduction
Desert occupies about 35% of our world’s land area. It is characterized by less than 25 cm rainfall.
The atmosphere is dry and hence it is a poor insulator .
3.13.2 Types of desert ecosystems
Based on the climatic conditions, deserts are classified three types.
1. Tropical deserts.
2. Temperate deserts.
3. Cold deserts.
3.13.3 Features of different types of deserts
1. Tropical deserts - -
Tropical deserts are found in
(i) Africa: Sahara desert.
(u) Rajasthan: Thar desert.
They are characterized by only few species. Wind blow sand dunes are very common.
2. Temperate deserts
They are found in
South California: Majave.
They are characterized by very hot summer and very Winter time.
3. Cold deserts
They are found in -
China: Gobi desert.
They . are characterized by cold winters and was summers.

3.13.4 Characteristics of Forest ecosystem
The desert air is dry and the climate is hot.
Annual rainfall is less than 25 cm.
The soil is very poor in nutrients and organic ma
Vegetation is poor.
3.13.5 Structure and functions of the desert systems ecosystems
1. Abiotic Components
Examples
Temperature, rainfall, sunlight, water, etc.,
The temperature is very high and the rainfall is very low. The nutrient cycling is also very low.

Procedures
Examples
Shrubs, bushes, some grasses and few trees
In deserts mostly Succulent (e.g., cacti) plants are found available.
They have water inside them to stay alive. They have. r on the outside to protect them from the sun.
Consumers
Examples
Squirrels, nice foxes, rabbits, deer and reptiles.
These animals dig holes in the ground to live in. They come out at night to find food. Most of the
animals can extract water from the seeds they eat.
Decomposers
Fungi and bacteria
Desert has poor vegetation with a very low amount of dead organic mater. They are
decomposed by few fungi and bacteria.

3.14 AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
The aquatic ecosystem deals with water bodies. The major types of organism found in aquatic
environments are determined by the water’s salinity.
3.4.2 Types of aquatic life zone
Aquatic life zones are divided into two types.

•Fresh water life zones
Examples
Pounds, streams, lakes, rivers.
(ii) Salt water life zones
Examples
Oceans, estuaries.

• FRESH WATER ECOSYSTEM
3.15 POND ECOSYSTEMS
3.15.1 Introduction
A pond is a fresh water aquatic ecosystems, where water is stagnant. It
receives enough water during rainy season. It contains several types of algae, aquatic plants, insects, fishes and birds.
3.15.2 Characteristics of pond
1. Pond is temporary, only seasonal.
2. It is a stagnant fresh water body.
3. Ponds get polluted easily due to limited amount of water.
3.15.3 Structure and functions of pond ecosystems
Examples
Temperature, light, water and organic and inorganic compounds
• Producers
These include green photosynthetic organism. They are of two types.
• Phytoplankton
These are microscopic aquatic plants, which freely float on the surface of water.
Example
Algae, small floating plants like volvox, pandorina anabaena, consmarium.

• Microphytes
Examples
Large floating plants and submerged plants like hydrilla, Jussiaea, wolfia, demna.
Consumers
• Primary consumers (Zooplanktons)
These are microscopic animals which freely float on the surface of water.
Example
Protozoa, very small fish, ciliates, flagelaltes and protozoans.
Zooplanktons are found along with phytoplankton. They feed on palnts (phytoplankton).
b. Secondary consumers (Carnivores).

Examples
Insects like water beetles and small fish.
They feed on zooplankton
c. Tertiary consumers
Examples
Large fish like game fish.
They feed on smaller fish
3. Decompose
Examples
Fungi, bacteria and flagellates
They decompose the dead plant and animal matter and their nutrients are released and reused by t
he green plants.

3.16 LAKE ECOSYSTEM
Lakes are large natural shallow water bodies. Lakes are used for various purposes.
Lakes are supplied with water from rainfall, melting snow and streams.
3.16.2 Types of lakes
Some important types of lake are
• Oligotrophic lakes
They have low nutrient concentrations

• Eutrophic lakes
They are overnourished by nutrients like N and P
• Dystrophic lakes
They have low pH, high humic and content and brown waters.
• Volcanic lakes
They receive water from magma after volcanic
3.16.3 Zones of Lake
Depending upon their depth and distance from the shore, likes consists of four distinct zones.

a) Liftoai zones
It is the top layer of the Lake.
It has a shallow water.

(b) Lininetic zone
Next to the littoral zone is limnetic zone, where effecti penetration of solar. light takes place.
(c) Préfundal zone
The deep open water, where it is too dark.
(d) Benthic zone
This zone is found, at the bottom of the lake.

3.16.4 Characteristics of lake ecosystem
1. Lake is a shallow fresh water body;
2. It is a permanent water body with large Wa resources.
3. It helps in irrigation and drinking.
3.16.5 Structure and function of lake ecosystem
Temperature, light, proteins and lipids, O2 CO2
II. Biotic Consumers
Producers
They are green plants, may. be submerged, free floating ad amphibious plants.
Phytoplanktons, algae and flagellates.
2. Consumers
(a). Primary Consumers (Zooplanktons)
Cilictes, protozoans, etc.,
They feed on phytopankton.
(b) Secondary consumers (carnivores)
Insects and small fishes.
They feed on zooplankton.
(c) Tertiary consumers
Large fishes like game fish.
They feed on smaller fish ecomposers
3. Decomposers
Bacteria, fingi and aclinonrcetes.
They decompose the dead plants ad animals.

3.17 RIVER (or) STREAM ECOSYSTEM
3.17.1 Introduction
The running water of a stream or a river is usually well oxygenated, because it absorb’s
oxygen from the air. The number of animals are low in river or stream.
3.17.2 Characteristics of River or Stream.
1. It is a fresh water, and free flowing water systems. I
2. Due to mixing of water, dissolved oxygen content is. more.
3. . River deposits large amount of nutrients.

3.17.3 Structure and function of River or Stream Ecosystem
It. Biotic Components .
Examples
1. Producers
Phytoplankton, algae, water grasses, aquatic masses other amphibious plants.
2. Consumers
(i) Primary consumers
Water insects, snails, fishes:
They feed on phytoplankton.
(ii) Secondary consumers
Examples
Birds and ‘nanznzal.s.
They feed on primary consumers. Decomposers
(iii) Decomposers
Examples
Bacteria and fungi.
They decomposes the dead animals and plants.

II. SALT WA TER ECOSYSTEMS.
3.18 OCEAN (MARINE) ECOSYSTEMS S
3.18.1 Introduction
Oceans cover more than two thirds of the earth’s surface. ocean environment is
characterized by its high concentration of salts and minerals. It supplies huge variety
of products and drugs. H also provides us iron, magnesium, iron, natural gas.
3.18.2. Zones of Oceans
The oceans have two major life zones.
(a) Coastal zone
It is relatively warm, nutrient rich shallow water. It is ‘e of high primary productivity because
of high nutrients and sunlight.

(b) Open sea
It is the deeper part of the ocean. It is vertically divided into three regions.
(i) Euphotic zone
It receives abundant light and shows high photosynthetic
(ii) Bathyal zone
It receives dim light and is usually geologically active.

(iii) Abyssal zone
It is the dark zone and is very deep (2000 to metres).
3.18.3 Characteristics of Ocean Ecosystem
1. It occupies a large surface area with saline water.
2. Since ship, submarines can sail in ocean, commercial activities may be earned out.
3. It is rich in biodiveristy.
4. It moderates the- temperature

3.18.4 Structure and function Ecosystems
Examples
Temperature, light, NaCl, K, Ca, and Mg Salts alkalinity
II. Biotic components
I. Procedures
Phytoplanktons (diatoms, unicellular algae, etc., ) and marine plants (sea weeds,
chlorophycela, phaeophyceae).
2. Consumers
These are heterotrophic macroconsumers. They depend on producers for their nutrition.
• Primary consumers (herbivores)

Examples
Crustaceans, moiluscs, fish
They feed on procedure
• Secondary consumers (carnivores)
Examples
Herring sahd, mackerel, etc.,
They feed on herbivores
(iii,) Tertiwy Consumers
Examples
Cod, Haddock, -etc.,
They are the top consumers. They feed on small

(C) Decomposers
Example
Bacteria and some fungi.
They decompose the dead organic matter.

3.19 ESTUARINE ECOSYSTEM
3.19.1 Introduction
An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal area at the’ mouth of a river,
where sea water mixes with freshwater. It is strongly affected by tidal action.
Estuaries are generally : abundant of nutrients. Estuaries are useful to human beings due to their
high food potential. It is essential to protect the estuaries from pollution.
3.19.2 Characteristics of Estuarine ecosystem
1. Estuaries are transition zones, which are strongly affected by tides of the sea.
2. Water characteristics are periodically changed.
3. The living organism in estuarine ecosystems have wide tolerance.
4. Salinity remains highest during the summer and lowest during the winter.
fishes.
3.19.3 Structure and function of Estuarine Ecosystem
I. Abiotic Components
Examples
Temperature, pH, sodium and potassium salts and various nutrients.
•Producers
Examples
Marsh grasses, seaweeds , seagrasses and phytoplankton.
•Consumers
Examples
Oysters, crabs, seabirds, small fishes
•Decomposers
Examples
Bacterias, fungi and actenomycetous.


Environmental Science & Engineering: Topics Environment, Ecology and Pollution

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Environmental Science & Engineering: Topics Environment, Ecology and Pollution

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Environmental Science & Engineering

Environment, Ecology and Pollution

Chemistry and characteristics of environmental parameters

Reuse, Recycling and disposal of solid wastes

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

 Environment is the representative of physical components

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst.

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst.

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst.

Each living component interacts with non

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Ecology is the study of ecosystems.

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

• Natural ------Artificial/man engineered

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

(ii) Marine ecosystem

3.2.2 Man – made (or) Artificial ecosystems

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

At the level of the population

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

The term structure refers to the various components.

6CO2 + 12H2O ----------------------> C6H12O6 + 6O2+6H2O

(iii) Tertiary consumers (Omnivores)

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

2. Secondary function The secondary function

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

The functioning of an ecosystems may be understood

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

When the organisms die, they are all

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

1. Grazing food chain

2. Detritus food chain

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

The various steps through which food energy passes in an ecosystem is

The tropic levels are arranged in the following way as

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Significance of food chains and food webs

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

“Graphical representation of structure

In food chain starting from

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

It represents the number of individual organisms present at each tropic

At every successive tropic level, there is a heavy l of energy (about

A forest ecosystem The above figure shows that there is a decrease in

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor

Md. Ariful Islam Juel, Asst. Professor