ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

1. What is the sequence of strata of atmosphere and on what factors does it

depends?
The atmosphere is divided into the following layers:

 Troposphere: The bottom most layer of atmosphere where we live is

troposphere. Its distance from surface of earth is 0 – 10 Km.
 Stratosphere: The layer where airplanes fly is stratosphere. Its distance from
surface of earth is 12 -50 Km
 Mesosphere: The layer of ions is Mesosphere. Its distance from surface of
earth is 50-80 Km.
 Thermosphere: The topmost layer of strata of atmosphere is thermosphere.
Its distance from earth’s surface is 80-320 Km
 Exosphere: The pseudo or false atmosphere above 500 km is exosphere. It
is 10, 000 km from earth’s surface.

The atmosphere is divided into the above layers based on factors:

1. Temperature and Altitude of the layer

  Temperature and Altitude

As the height from Earth increases, the temperature starts decreasing. In

Troposphere
the troposphere, temperature drops by 6.5 Celsius degrees per kilometre.

Since the layer absorbs the ultraviolet rays from the sun, the temperature
Stratosphere
of the layer increases.

The temperature again decreases with increasing height. This is the

Mesosphere
coldest part of the atmosphere.

Thermospher The presence of ultraviolet rays and ions (excited atoms) increase the
e temperature of the layer.

1. Gravity and Pressure in the layer

Another factor that affects the sequence of strata is pressure and gravity. Gravity
pulls the molecules in the air towards the earth exerting pressure on molecules. The
pressure causes molecules to behave in a specific way.
  Chemical Composition of the layer

The chemical composition of the layer is also another major factor, which in some
ways is affected by the gravity, temperature, and pressure in the respective layers

2. Describe water cycle and briefly explain the major processes involved in
water cycle?
The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, describes the way water is
exchanged through Earth’s Oceans, lakes, and atmosphere. It is a continuous cycle
that preserves the availability of water on earth. Moreover, the water cycle is
powered by solar energy and gravity. The cycle consists of major processes:
evaporation, condensation, a, runoff.

1. Evaporation: The process in which water is converted into gaseous water

vapors is called evaporation. Therefore, during the water cycle, water from
earthly water bodies like seas, oceans, rivers, streams, and lakes in the form
of water vapors go into the atmosphere through the process of evaporation.
The statistics show that 90% of water vapors in the atmosphere are formed by
evaporation.
2. Evapotranspiration: The evaporation of water in form of water vapors and
moisture from the bodies of living organisms, like animals and plants, is called
evapotranspiration. From plants, water is released in the process called
transpiration, and from animals it is released in the process of sweating. The
statistics show that 10% of water vapors in the atmosphere are formed by
evapotranspiration.
3. Condensation: The process in which gaseous vapors are converted into
liquid or solid is called evaporation. In the water cycle, as water vapors start
moving towards the height, they start to condense in form of clouds, dew, fog,
and frost. They are called the product of condensation.
4. Precipitation: When the product of condensation, such as clouds, fall
towards ground in large bulk, the process is called precipitation. During the
water cycle, since clouds have been formed, they fall to the ground in the form
of rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
5. Surface Run off: The water from rain, snow, and hail start moving from
greater heights towards the lower areas. The passages of water from higher
to lower levels and finally into oceans are called surface run off. For example,
rivers, streams, seas, lakes, etc.
6. Infiltration: During surface run off, some of water is absorbed by the surface
making underground water reservoirs. This process is called infiltration in the
water cycle. The result of infiltration is water tables and aquifers.
7. Re-absorption of water: Plants and animals absorb the underground water
that again goes into the atmosphere through evapotranspiration.
3. What is the Difference between asthenosphere and lithosphere? Explain
various components of lithosphere?

Lithosphere Asthenosphere

The lithosphere consists of the earth’s crust The layer of earth where the magma in liquid form
and the uppermost solid layer of the mantle. is present is called Aesthonosphere.

Continental crust lies above the lithosphere. The lithosphere lies above the aesthenosphere.

It has a depth of 100 km with a 70 km upper

It has a depth of 600 km.
mantle and 30 km crust.

As it is rigid and brittle, this is the layer that As it is a weak and easily deformed layer, it acts as
consists of the tectonic plates. a lubricant for the plate tectonics to slide over

It consists of different elements and Since it is molten lava and magma, it contains only
minerals. iron-magnesium silicate.
Components of lithosphere

The lithosphere is composed of two parts:

1. The upper most mantle

1.This part of lithosphere is 70 km thick. The magma in its solidified form is

present in Lithosphere.

2. Crust

1.Lithosphere contains some part of crust called oceanic crust. It is 30 km

thick.

4. Briefly describe the various segments of atmosphere. How these segments

are maintaining the Earth Radiation Balance?
The envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet, It is a mixture of
gases that is held by gravity, is called the atmosphere.
Gases in atmosphere

Without our atmosphere, there would be no life on earth. Two gases make up the
bulk of the earth’s atmosphere: nitrogen (78%), and oxygen (21%). Argon, carbon
dioxide and various trace gases make up the remainder like 0.93% argon, 0.04%
carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases. Air also contains a variable
amount of water vapour, on average around 1% at sea level and 0.4% over the
entire atmosphere.

Layers of Atmosphere

The atmosphere of earth, broadly speaking, consists of five major layers unlisted as:

1. Troposphere
2. Stratosphere
3. Mesosphere
4. Thermosphere
5. Exosphere

1. Troposphere

The troposphere is the first layer above the surface and contains half of the Earth’s
atmosphere. Weather occurs in this layer. Known as the lower atmosphere, almost
all weather occurs in this region. The troposphere begins at the Earth’s surface and
extends from 4 to 12 miles (6 to 20 km) high. The height of the troposphere varies
from the equator to the poles. It is around 11-12 miles (18-20 km) high at the
equator, at 50°Nand 50°S, 51⁄2 miles and the poles just under four miles high. As the
density of the gases in this layer decrease with height, the air becomes thinner.
Therefore, the temperature in the troposphere also decreases with height in
response. As one climbs higher, the temperature drops from an average around
(17°C) to (-50°C) at the

Tropopause: It is the region that has mixing characteristics of both Stratosphere and
mesosphere, it exists where one layer end and the other starts.

2. Stratosphere

Many jet aircraft fly in the stratosphere because it is very stable. Also, the ozone
layer absorbs harmful rays from the Sun. The Stratosphere extends around 31 miles
(50 km) down to anywhere from 4 to 12 miles (6 to 20 km) above the Earth’s surface.
This layer holds 19 percent of the atmosphere’s gases but very little water vapour in
this region; the temperature increases with height. Heat is produced in the process of
the formation of Ozone and this heat is responsible for temperature increases from
an average (-50°C) at Tropopause to a maximum of about (-15°C) at the top of the
stratosphere. This increase in temperature with height means warmer air is located
above more relaxed air. This prevents “convection” as there is no upward vertical
movement of the gases. The ‘anvil-shaped tops readily see the location of the
bottom of this layer of cumulonimbus clouds.

Stratopause: The transition boundary which separates the mesosphere from the

stratosphere is called the stratopause.

3. Mesosphere

Meteors or rock fragments burn up in the mesosphere. This layer extends from
around 31 miles (50 km) above the Earth’s surface to 53 miles (85 km). The gases,
including the oxygen molecules, continue to become denser as one descends. As
such, temperatures increase as one descends, rising to about 5°F (-15°C) near the
bottom of this layer. The gases in the mesosphere are now thick enough to slow
down meteors hurtling into the atmosphere, where they burn up, leaving fiery trails in
the night sky. Both the stratosphere (next layer down) and the mesosphere are
considered the middle atmosphere.

Mesopause: The transition boundary which separates the thermosphere from the

mesosphere is called the stratopause.

4. Thermosphere
The thermosphere is a layer with auroras. It is also where the space shuttle orbits.
Between about (80 km) and (500-1000 km) lies the thermosphere. This layer is
known as the upper atmosphere. While still extremely thin, the gases of the
thermosphere become increasingly denser as one descends toward the earth. As
such, incoming high energy ultraviolet and x-ray radiation from the sun begins to be
absorbed by the molecules in this layer and causes a large temperature increase.
Because of this absorption, the temperature increases with height. From as low as (-
120°C) at the bottom of this layer, temperatures can reach as high as (2,000°C) near
the top. However, despite the high temperature, this layer of the atmosphere would
still feel very cold to our skin due to the very thin atmosphere. The high temperature
indicates the amount of energy absorbed by the molecules but with so few in this
layer, the total number of molecules is not enough to heat our skin.

Northern Lights

The bright dancing lights of the aurora are collisions between electrically charged
particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere. The lights are seen above
the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres. Thus, they are known
as ‘Aurora Borealis’ in the north and ‘Aurora australis in the south.. The lights of the
Aurora generally extend from 80 kilometres (50 miles) to as high as 640 kilometres
(400 miles) above the earth’s surface.

Thermopause: The transition boundary which separates the exosphere from the
thermosphere
is called stratopause.

5. Exosphere (Upper atmosphere)

The atmosphere merges into space in the extremely thin exosphere. This is the
upper limit of our atmosphere. This is the outermost layer of the atmosphere. It
extends from the top of the thermosphere to (10,000 km) above the earth. In this
layer, atoms and molecules escape into space and satellites orbit the earth. At the
bottom of the exosphere is the thermopause located around (600 km) above the
earth.

The Edge of Outer Space

While there’s really no clear boundary between where Earth’s atmosphere ends and
outer space begins, most scientists use a delineation known as the Karman line,
located 100 kilometres (62 miles) above Earth’s surface, to denote the transition
point, since 99.99997 per cent of Earth’s atmosphere lies beneath this point. A
February 2019 study using data from the NASA/European Space Agency Solar and
Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft suggests, however, that the farthest
reaches of Earth’s atmosphere — a cloud of hydrogen atoms called the geocorona
— may actually extend nearly 391,000 miles (629,300 kilometres) into space, far
beyond the orbit of the Moon.

HOW ARE THESE LAYERS MAINTAINING THE EARTH’S

RADIATION BALANCE?

The Earth-Radiation balance is the balance between incoming energy from the sun
and outgoing from the Earth. The energy released from the Sun is emitted as
shortwave light and ultraviolet radiation. When it reaches the Earth, some are
reflected back to space, some are absorbed in the cloud, and some are absorbed in
Earth’s surface.

However, since the Earth is much cooler than the Sun, its radiation is much weaker
(long wavelength) than infrared radiation. We can indirectly see this energy radiate
into the atmosphere as heat, rising from a hot road, creating skimmers and hot
sunny days.

Moreover, the earth-atmosphere energy is achieved as the energy received from the
sun balances the energy lost by the Earth back into space. In this way, the Earth
maintains a stable average temperature and, therefore a stable climate. Using 100
units of energy from the sun as a baseline, the energy balance is as:

The absorption of infrared radiation trying to escape from the earth back to space is
particularly important to the global energy balance. Energy absorption by the
atmosphere stores more energy near its surface than it would if there was no
atmosphere. The average surface temperature of the moon, which has no
atmosphere, is 0°F (-18°C). By contrast, the average surface temperature of the
Earth is 59°F (15°C). This heating effect is called the greenhouse effect.

5. How the organic particulate matter enters in the atmosphere. Also describe
the sources?
PM stands for particulate matter (also called particle pollution): the term for a
mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles, such
as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large or dark enough to be seen with the naked
eye. Others are so small they can only be detected using an electron microscope.

Particle pollution includes:

 PM10 : inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10

micrometers and smaller; and

 PM2.5 : fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5

micrometers and smaller.
 o How small is 2.5 micrometers? Think about a single hair from your
head. The average human hair is about 70 micrometers in
diameter – making it 30 times larger than the largest fine particle.

6. Why the excessive use of chemical fertilizers should be avoided?

7. What does Ozone depletion mean and how can we protect the ozone layer?
Ozone depletion occurs when the natural balance between the production and
destruction of stratospheric ozone is tipped in favour of destruction. Although natural
phenomena can cause temporary ozone loss, chlorine and bromine released from man-
made compounds such as CFCs are now accepted as the main cause of this depletion.

It was first suggested by Drs. M. Molina and S. Rowland in 1974 that a man-made group
of compounds known as the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were likely to be the main
source of ozone depletion. However, this idea was not taken seriously until the discovery
of the ozone hole over Antarctica in 1985 by the British Antarctic Survey.

Chlorofluorocarbons are not "washed" back to Earth by rain or destroyed in reactions

with other chemicals. They simply do not break down in the lower atmosphere and they
can remain in the atmosphere from 20 to 120 years or more. As a consequence of their
relative stability, CFCs are instead transported into the stratosphere where they are
eventually broken down by ultraviolet (UV) rays from the Sun, releasing free chlorine.
The chlorine becomes actively involved in the process of destruction of ozone. The net
result is that two molecules of ozone are replaced by three of molecular oxygen, leaving
the chlorine free to repeat the process:

Cl + O3 ® ClO + O2

ClO + O ® Cl + O2

Ozone is converted to oxygen, leaving the chlorine atom free to repeat the process up to
100,000 times, resulting in a reduced level of ozone. Bromine compounds, or halons, can
also destroy stratospheric ozone. Compounds containing chlorine and bromine from
man-made compounds are known as industrial halocarbons.

Emissions of CFCs have accounted for roughly 80% of total stratospheric ozone
depletion. Thankfully, the developed world has phased out the use of CFCs in response
to international agreements to protect the ozone layer. However, because CFCs remain
in the atmosphere so long, the ozone layer will not fully repair itself until at least the
middle of the 21st century. Naturally occurring chlorine has the same effect on the ozone
layer, but has a shorter life span in the atmosphere.

8. What is ‘Acid Rain’.Describe its causes and how it can be prevented?

9. What is ‘Water Pollution’. Discuss its causes and measurement methods.
Name the countries with the highest and lowest percentage of it?
10.Write a comprehensive note on ‘Smog.
11.What are the factors responsible for environmental pollution?
Environmental pollution is any discharge of material or energy into water, land, or air
that causes or may cause acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) detriment to the
Earth's ecological balance or that lowers the quality of life in the environment.

OR

Environmental pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a habitat that causes

harm, instability, disorder or discomfort to the living organisms in the habitat.

Pollutants:

Pollutants can be classified as primary or secondary.

Primary pollutants are substances that are directly emitted into the atmosphere from
sources. The main primary pollutants known to cause harm in high enough
concentrations are the following:
• Carbon compounds, such as CO, CO2, CH4,
• Nitrogen compounds, such as NO, N2O, and NH3
• Sulfur compounds, such as H2S and SO2
Halogen compounds, such as chlorides, fluorides, and bromides
• Particulate Matter either in solid or liquid form.
Secondary pollutants are not directly emitted from sources, but instead form in the
atmosphere from primary pollutants (also called “precursors”). The main secondary
pollutants known to cause harm in high enough concentrations are the following:
• NO2 and HNO3 formed from NO
• Ozone (O3) formed from photochemical reactions of nitrogen oxides
• Sulfuric acid droplets formed from SO2, and nitric acid droplets formed from NO2
• Sulfates and nitrates aerosols

Types of Pollution:

There are three main classes of the Environmental pollution:

(1) Air pollution :
The condition in which air contains harmful substances (chemicals, particulate matter or
biological), gases, dust, fumes or odour in harmful amounts and causes discomfort to
living beings and environment is called Air pollution.
Factors responsible for air pollution refer to the various activities or sources which are
responsible for the releasing of pollutants into the atmosphere.

These sources can be classified into two major categories which are:

(a). Natural Factors/Sources:

The natural factors responsible for air pollution refer to the various activities or sources
which occur naturally and are responsible for the releasing of pollutants into the
atmosphere.

1. Volcanic Eruption:
On global scale most of the Suphurdioxide is produced by Volcanoes which is about 67%.
These volcanic eruptions are also responsible for Carbon Monoxide emission.

2. Bacterial Action:

Various bacterial actions produce Nitrogen Oxides, of which main is Nitrogen Monoxide.
Anaerobic decomposition of organic matter by bacteria in water sediments and in soils is
the natural source of methene and methane.

3. Trees and Plants:

Large quantities of hydrocarbons are emitted by different trees and plants in the
atmosphere. This methane can remain in atmosphere upto average 3-7 years.

(b). Anthropogenic Factors/sources:

The factors which contribute to air pollution due to human activity are called
anthropogenic sources. Following are some factors:

1. Burning of different kinds of fuels:

Air pollution is cause by the injurious smoke emitted by automobiles, stacks of power
plants, furnaces and incinerators and factories namely sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide
and nitrogen oxides. The emissions from vehicles are estimated to be responsible for
approximately 60% of all air pollution alone The smoke from burning wood, dung and
cigarettes is also harmful to the environment causing a lot of damage to man and the
atmosphere.

2. Use of Paints and enamel:

The use of paint, varnish, aerosol sprays and other solvents has been common practice
nowadays. This also causes generation of harmful off-gasing and unwanted fumes from
things such as paint and plastic production which pollute natural air causing irritation.

3. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC):

It is released from refrigerators, air-conditioners, deodorants and insect repellents and

cause severe damage to the Earth’s environment. This gas has slowly damaged the
atmosphere and depleted the ozone layer leading to global warming.

4. Waste deposition in landfills:

This process generates methane. Although methane is not much toxic; however, it is
highly flammable and may form explosive mixtures with air. Methane is also an
asphyxiant and may displace oxygen in an enclosed space which may result in
suffocation if the oxygen concentration is reduced to below 19.5% by displacement.
5. Military/DefenceMilitary Practices:

Various military weapons and instruments like nuclear weapons, missiles, rockets, toxic
gases, germ warfare etc used for defence and strategic purpose have also contributed to
air pollution.

12.What do you mean by Ozone depletion and how we can prevent its
depletion?
13.What is an Acid Rain and how it is produced. Briefly describe the dangers
associated with it?
14.What were the main objectives of Clean Development Mechanism? Also
explain the reasons for the criticism on Koyoto Protocol by the developed
countries.
 CDM was defined in the article no: 12 of the kyoto protocol (2007)
Objectives
1. To assist the contries not included in annex-i in their sustainable development and
contributing in achieving the objective of united nations framework convention on
climate change (unfccc) which is to reduce global warming.
2. To assist those parties that were included in annex-i in achieving their compliance and
commitments for reduction of emmisions under kyoto protocol.
Annex-i are those industrilized and non annex were developing countries.

Reasons for criticism of kyoto protocol.

 James hansen the director of NASA’S Goddard institute for space studies and eminent
climate scienctist regarded it as a conteract of progress and he suggested carbon tax.
 Rising Tide North America (groups tin north america who are concerned to climate
change root cause) claims: "Emission limits do not include emissions by international
aviation and shipping.
 Developing countries such as (india and china) exempted it.
 Very less reduction has very less effect on reduction.
 Kyoto protocol does not address for long term reduction.
 Climate change is unique matter so kyoto protocol should mainly deal with that issue
rather than many other treaties.
 Kyoto protocol only addresses on carbon emmision reduction and does not focus on
other environmental pollutants such as nitogen oxides and so2 etc

15.Differentiate between Sanitary and Industrial Landfills, also describe the

land selection criteria for Landfills.
Landfills are the landplaces where waste and rubish is thrown and burried
There are 4 types of landfills
1. Sanitary landfills: these are the landfills where rubbish is thrown and separated from
environment by the layer of clay and again rubbish is thrown and layered.(maintained by
government)
2. Muncipul solid waste landfills: where house hold rubbish is burried.(maintained by
government)
3. Construction and demolition ladfills: the material debris from buildings and
contructions is stored here, plastics, bricks,and a lot of these things.
4. Industrial landfills: non hazardous material from industries .
Difference b/w Sanitary and Industrial landfills.
Sanitary landfill for common rubbish from houses or roads etc while industrial landfill
particularly for indutrial wastes.
In sanitary landfill particular layers of clay are used to separate it from environmet while
in industrial it is not done so.
In sanitary landfills particular pipeline connections are used to extract landfill gases while
in idustrial it is not.
Their areas are different according to their need and suspectibilty of hazards.

Criteria for landfills

Land area and volume should be sufficient enough to provide landfill capacity so that the
projected need can be fulfilled for several years. In this way the cost coming on all that
procedure can be justified.
The landfill area having steep gradient (where stability of slope could be problematic)
should not be selected.
Public & private irrigation water supply wells should be well away from the boundaries of
landfill site because these supply wells will be at risk of contamination
Landfill area should not be very close to significant water bodies (water courses or
dams). There will be the risk of contamination of water bodies, which can be hazardous
for aquatic life.
No major power transmission or other infrastructure like sewers, water supply lines
should be crossing through landfill developmental area.
No residential development should be near the boundaries of landfill site. The waste
disposal site must be very away from residential or commercial areas and water
resources.
Unstable areas that have significant seismic risk which could cause destruction of berms
are not recommended for landfill site.
There should not be fault lines and significantly fractured geological structure. These
fault lines can allow the unpredictable movement of gas within 500 meters of perimeter
of proposed landfill development.
Selection of landfill site should be based upon the examination of environmental issues
The landfill site should be near the wastes recycling facility otherwise, the waste
recycling facility should be planned as integral part of landfill site

16.Comment, Green House Effect is a blessing. Also discuss Enhanced Green

House Effect and its relation with global warming.
if there were no atmosphere or the green house gase blanket then the temperature
of the eath would be -18*C and due to the green house effect we have the average
temp
of 15*C . scientists say that the temperature has been increased about 0.6*C since
the last cenury
and they also predict that the temperature will increase about 1.4 to 5.8*C by 2100.
these rising temperatures can cause about 1m rise in sea level.
the green house gase layer reaches 100 kms high from the earth's surface.
the sun light contains visible light , xrays, gamma rays, uv rays, ir rays.
 about 29% of the solar spectrum is reflected back into the clouds, and about 23% is
absorbed
by the atmosphere likewise uv by ozone and x-rays and gamma rays by gas
molecules.
and about 48% comes to earth from this 85% is absorbed and rest is reflected and
the absorbed
one becomes infrared heat (long wave) which is then diffused in the atmosphere and
trapped by
green house gases.then ozone layer absorbs it and then radiates in all directions,
hence some reaches
to the earth.
17.What do you understand by NPK Fertilizers?
18. Fertilizers are inorganic materials with high analytical value and definite composition
which can supply nutrients and trace elements, usually applied to the soil to
encourage the growth of crops.
Examples:
• Nitrogenous fertilizers (urea, ammonium sulfate);

• Phosphate fertilizers (single/triple super phosphate);

• Potassic fertilizers (muriate of potash); and

• Macronutrients (Ca, Mg, O, C) and micronutrients (Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Mo, S, etc.).

Classification of fertilizers:

1. Straight fertilizers: Straight fertilizers only supply one primary plant nutrient,
namely nitrogen or phosphorus or potassium. For example: urea, ammonium sulfate,
potassium sulfate, and potassium chloride.

2. Complex fertilizers: Complex fertilizers contain two to three primary plant

nutrients of which two primary nutrients are in chemical combination. These
fertilizers are usually produced in granular form. For example: DAP, nitro phosphate,
and ammonium phosphate.

3. Mixed fertilizers: These are physical mixtures of straight fertilizers. They contain
more than two primary plant nutrients. These are prepared through systematic
manual mixing of ingredients.

NPK Fertilizers:
Most compound fertilizers will contain three elements essential for growth, NPK which
stands for Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K).

These elements help plants grow in different ways. An understanding of this will help
you when choosing the correct fertilizer for a plant or for a stage in the development
of a plant.
When you buy a packaged commercial fertilizer you will see an analysis of the NPK
content.
An equally balanced fertilizer may be described as 5:5:5 – 5% Nitrogen, 5%
Phosphorus and 5% Potassium. You may also see Potassium described as Potash.

Nitrogen the N in NPK

Nitrogen is used by the plant to produce leafy growth and formation of stems and
branches. Plants most in need of nitrogen include grasses and leafy vegetables such
as cabbage and spinach. Basically, the more leaf a plant produces, the higher its
 nitrogen requirement.

Phosphorus the P in NPK

Phosphorus is essential for seed germination and root development. It is needed
particularly by young plants forming their root systems and by fruit and seed crops.
Root vegetables such as carrots, swedes and turnips obviously need plentiful
phosphorus to develop well.

Potassium the K in NPK

Potassium has the chemical symbol K from its Latin name kalium. It promotes flower
and fruit production and is vital for maintaining growth and helping plants resist
disease.
It’s used in the process of building starches and sugars so is needed in vegetables
and fruits. Carrots, parsnips, potatoes, tomatoes and apples all need plenty of
potassium to crop well.

19.Write short NOTES on the following: (a)

Environmental effects of Fertilizer use (b) Global Warming.
20.Differentiate between: Smog and Smoke.
21.What is global warming? Is there a sunny side to global warming? If yes,
explain.
22.Write a note on Water pollution.
1. Difference between Haze and Smog.
2. Write a note on Aurora.