Dr.

Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology, Pollachi-3

Department of Information Technology
16CET73-ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

UNIT 1 – Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies

TWO MARKS
1. What is environment?
Environment is defined as the sum of total of all the living and non-living
things around us influencing one another.
2. Define environmental science.
Environmental science is the study of the environment, its biotic (biological)
and abiotic (non-biological) components and their interrelationship.

3. What are the important components of environment?

a. Abiotic or Non-living component
b. Biotic or Living component
c. Energy component
4. State the significance and scope of environmental education.
Significance
1. Environmental studies inform the people about their effective role in
protecting the environment by demanding changes in laws and enforcement
system.
2. Environmental studies have a direct relation to the quality of life we live.
3. Environmental studies develop a concern and respect for the environment.

5. Distinguish Renewable and Non-renewable energy sources.

6. Write the effects of timber extraction on forest & tribal people.

 Large scale timber extraction causes deforestation.
 It also leads to loss of tribal culture and extinction of tribal people.  Timber
extraction reduces thickness of the forest.
7. Mention the major environmental impacts of mining?
 Mining reduces the shape and size of the forest areas.
 Pollution of surface and ground water resources due to the discharge of waste
minerals in water.
8. Explain overgrazing.
Overgrazing-A process of eating away of forests without giving it a chance to
regenerate.
9. State the reasons of over exploitation of forests.
1. Shifting of Cultivation – 300 million people – 5 lakh hectares of forest for slash
and burn culture.
2. Fuel requirement

3. Raw materials for industrial use

4. Developmental projects

5. Growing food needs

6. Overgrazing

7. Forest fires
10. Write the ways of drought management.
 Selecting appropriate crop or plantation depending upon the climate, soil
type.
 Afforestation
11. Mention the major environmental impacts of Mining.

Impacts of Mining are: Soil erosion, Contamination of soil, Loss of biodiversity,

Formation of sinkholes.

12. What are the changes caused due to overgrazing?

Overgrazing leads to loss of biodiversity, loss of minerals, Soil erosion, leads to
desertification.
13. What are the harmful effects of land degradation?
 Harmful effects of land degradation. – Soil structure and texture are deteriorated,
loss of soil fertility due to loss of valuable nutrients, increase in water logging,
salinity, alkalinity, acidity problems.
14. What are Mineral Resources? Give its types.
Mineral resources are natural occurring substances having definite chemical
composition and physical properties.
Types: Identified resources, undiscovered resources, reserves.
15. What is eutrophication?
A large proportion of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers used in crop fields is
washed off by the runoff water and reaches the water bodies causing over
nourishment of the lakes. The process of accumulation of nutrients in the water
bodies is known as eutrophication.
16. Define Water logging. Write its consequences?
Water logging is the land where water stand for most of the year. During water-
logged conditions, pore-voids in the soil get filled with water and the soil air gets
depleted. In such a condition the roots of the plants do not get adequate air for
respiration. So mechanical strength of the soil decreases and crop yield falls.
17. What is land degradation? What are the causes of land degradation?
Land degradation is the process of deterioration of soil or loss of fertility of the soil.
Causes: Increase in population, fertilizers& water logging.
18. What is desertification? Give any two reasons for it?
Desertification is a progressive destruction or degradation of arid or semiarid
lands to desert. Desertification is characterized by DE vegetation, depletion of
ground water, salination and soil erosion.
19. What is the role of an individual in conservation of natural resources?
Role of individual in the conservation of natural resources. – duty of every
individual to conserve natural resource in such a way that it is available for future
generations also. Due to advancement I technology and population growth, the
present world is facing lot of problems on degradation of natural resource.
20. What is environmental biochemistry?
Environmental biochemistry involves approaches to treat polluted air, waste water
and solid waste using metabolic activities of micro- organisms.
Detail Answers

1. Discuss about natural resources. Give a detailed account of uses & over
exploitation of forest resources
Natural resources
• Our environment provides a variety of goods and services necessary for
our day to day lives - Natural resources
Natural resources – two types
Renewable resources
In exhaustive and can be regenerated within a given span of time.
e.g. forests, wildlife, wind energy, biomass energy, tidal energy, hydropower
etc.

Non-renewable resources
Cannot be regenerated.
e.g. Fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, minerals etc.
Air, water, soil, minerals & solar energy - non-living or ‘abiotic’ part of nature
Plants and animals, including microbes – living or ‘biotic’ parts of nature
Forest Resources
•Forests are one of the most important natural resources on this earth
•Covering the earth like a green blanket
•About 1/3rd of the world’s land area is forested which includes closed as
well as open forests.
Functions of Forests
•Watershed protection
•Atmospheric regulation
•Erosion control
•Land bank
•Local use
•Market use
Uses of Forests
•Commercial uses
•Ecological uses
Uses of Forests -Commercial uses
•Provide us a large number of commercial goods which include timber,
firewood, pulpwood, food items, gum, resins, non-edible oils, rubber, fibers,
lac, bamboo canes, fodder, medicine, drugs and many more items, the total
worth of which is estimated to be more than $ 300 billion per year.

•Half of the timber cut each year is used as fuel for heating and cooking.
 •One third of the wood harvest is used for building materials as lumber,
plywood and hardwood, particle board and chipboard.

•One sixth of the wood harvest is converted into pulp and used for paper
industry.
•Many forest lands are used for mining, agriculture, grazing, and recreation
and for development of dams.
Uses of Forests - Ecological uses
• Production of oxygen
• Reducing global warming
• Wild life habitat
• Regulation of hydrological Cycle
• Soil Conservation
• Pollution Moderators
Over Exploitation of Forest
• Humans depend heavily on forests for food, medicine, shelter, wood and
fuel.
• With growing civilization the demands for raw material like timber,
pulp, minerals, fuel wood etc. shooted up resulting in large scale logging,
mining, road-building and clearing of forests.
• Our forests contribute substantially to the national economy - International
timber trade alone is worth over US $ 40 billion per year.
• Excessive use of fuel wood and charcoal, expansion of urban,
agricultural and industrial areas and overgrazing have together led to
over-exploitation of our forests leading to their rapid degradation.
Deforestation
• The total forest area of the world in 1900 was estimated to be 7,000 million
hectares which was reduced to 2890 million ha in 1975 and fell down to just
2,300 million ha by 2000.
• Deforestation rate is relatively less in temperate countries, but it is very
alarming in tropical countries where it is as high as 40-50 percent and at the
present rate it is estimated that in the next 60 years we would lose more than
90 percent of our tropical forests.
Major Consequences of Deforestation
• It threatens the existence of many wild life species due to destruction of
their natural habitat
• Biodiversity is lost and along with that genetic diversity is eroded.
• Hydrological cycle gets affected, thereby influencing rainfall.
• Problems of soil erosion and loss of soil fertility increase.
 • In hilly areas it often leads to landslides.
Major Causes of Deforestation
• Shifting cultivation
• Fuel requirements
• Raw materials for industrial use
• Development projects
• Growing food needs
• Overgrazing
Other Aspects:
• Major Causes of Deforestation
• Major Consequences of Deforestation
• Major Activities in Forests
Major Activities in Forests
• Timber Extraction
• Mining -surface mining, sub-surface mining
Dams and their Effects on Forest and people
• Big dams and river valley projects have multi-purpose uses and have been
referred to as Temples of modern India.
• Dams are also responsible for the destruction of vast areas of forests.
• India has more than 1550 large dams, the maximum being in the state of
Maharashtra (more then 600), followed by Gujarat (more then 250) and
Madhya Pradesh (130).
• The highest one is Tehri dam, on river Bhagirathi in Uttaranchal and the
largest in terms of capacity is Bhakra dam on river Satluj in H.P.
• For building big dams, large scale devastation of forests takes place which
breaks the natural ecological balance of the region.
• Floods, droughts and landslides become more prevalent in such areas.
• Forests are the repositories of invaluable gifts of nature in the form of
biodiversity and by destroying them (particularly, the tropical rain forests) we
are going to lose these species even before knowing them.
• These species could be having marvelous economic or medicinal value and
deforestation results in loss of this storehouse of species which have evolved
over millions of years in a single stroke

2. Discuss in detail about water resources and its associated problem.

Water Resources
• Water is an indispensable natural resource on this earth on which all life
depends.
 • About 97% of the earth’s surface is covered by water and most of the animals
and plants have 60- 65%water in their body
• Global distribution of water resources is quite uneven depending upon
several geographic factors.
• Tropical rain forest areas receive maximum rainfall while the major world
deserts occur in zones of dry, descending air (20-40° N and S) and receive
very little rainfall.

Water - unique features

• It exists as a liquid over a wide range of temperature i.e. from 0° to100°C
• It has the highest specific heat
• It has a high latent heat of vaporization
• It is an excellent solvent for several nutrients
• Due to high surface tension and cohesion it can easily rise through great
heights
• It has an anomalous expansion behavior.

Water Use and Over Exploitation

• Water is absolutely essential for life.
• Most of the life processes take place in water contained in the body.
• Uptake of nutrients, their distribution in the body, regulation of temperature,
and removal of wastes are all mediated through water.
• Water use by humans is of two types:
• Water withdrawal: taking water from groundwater or surface water
resource
• Water consumption: the water which is taken up but not returned for reuse.
• Globally, only about 60 percent of the water withdrawn is consumed due to
loss through evaporation.

Water: A Precious Natural Resource

• Out of the total water reserves of the world, about 97% is salty water
(marine) and only 3%is fresh water.
• Even this small fraction of fresh water is not available to us as most of it is
locked up in polar ice caps and just 0.003% is readily available to us in the
form of groundwater and surface water.
 • Overuse of groundwater for drinking, irrigation and domestic purposes
has resulted in rapid depletion of groundwater in various regions leading to
lowering of water table and drying of wells.
• Pollution of many of the groundwater aquifers has made many of these wells
unfit for consumption.
• Rivers and streams have long been used for discharging the wastes.

Groundwater

• About 9.86% of the total fresh water resources is in the form of

groundwater and it is about 35-50 times that of surface water supplies.
• Now groundwater aquifers have been found to be contaminated.
• A layer of sediment or rock that is highly permeable and contains water is
called an aquifer.
• Layers of sand and gravel are good aquifers while clay and crystalline rocks
are not since they have low permeability.

Aquifers - Two types:

• Unconfined aquifers
• overlaid by permeable earth materials and they are recharged by water
seeping down from above in the form of rainfall and snow melt.
• Confined aquifers
• Sandwitched between two impermeable layers of rock or sediments
and are recharged only in those areas where the aquifer intersects the
land surface.

Surface Water
• The water coming through precipitation (rainfall, snow) when does not
percolate down into the ground or does not return to the atmosphere as
evaporation or transpiration loss, assumes the form of streams, lakes, ponds,
wetlands or artificial reservoirs known as surface water.
• The surface water is largely used for irrigation, industrial use, public
water supply, navigation etc. A country’s economy is largely dependent
upon its rivers.

Water rich vs. Water poor countries

 The top ten water rich countries are Iceland, Surinam, Guyana, Papua
New Guinea, Gabon, Solomon Islands, Canada, Norway, Panama, and
Brazil lying in the far north and have low evaporation losses.
  The water poor countries include Kuwait, Egypt, United Arab
Emirates, Malta,Jordon, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Maldovia, Israel and
Oman, lying in the desert belt at about 15° to 25° Latitude and some of
them like Malta and Singapore are densely populated areas resulting in
low per capita water.
Global Climate Change
• Changes in climate at a global level caused by increasing air pollution have
now begun to affect our climate.
• In some regions global warming and the El Nino winds have created
unprecedented storms. In other areas, they lead to long droughts.
• Everywhere the ‘greenhouse effect’ due to atmospheric pollution is leading
to increasingly erratic and unpredictable climatic effects.
• This has seriously affected regional hydrological conditions.

Floods

• In some countries like India and Bangladesh rainfall does not occur
throughout the year, rather, 90% of it is concentrated into a few months (June-
September).
• Heavy rainfall often causes floods in the low-lying coastal areas.
• Prolonged downpour can also cause the over-flowing of lakes and rivers
resulting into floods.
• Deforestation, overgrazing, mining, rapid industrialization, global
warming etc. have also contributed largely to a sharp rise in the incidence of
floods, which otherwise is a natural disaster.
• Floods have been regular features of some parts of India and Bangladesh
causing huge economic loss as well as loss of life.
• People of Bangladesh are accustomed to moderate flooding during monsoon
and they utilize the flood water for raising paddy.

Droughts

• There are about 80 countries in the world, lying in the arid and semi- arid
regions that experience frequent spells of droughts.
• When annual rainfall is below normal and less than evaporation, drought
conditions are created.
• Most of the drought- hit areas are often having a high population growth
which leads to poor land use and makes the situation worse.

Conflicts over water

 • A few conflicts are listed below
• Water Conflict in middle east
• The Indus water Treaty
• The Cauvery water dispute
• The Satluj – Yamuna link canal dispute

Big Dams – Benefits

• River valley projects with big dams play a key role in the development
process due to their multiple uses.
• India has the distinction of having the largest number of river-valley
projects.
• These dams are often regarded as a symbol of national development.
• The tribals living in the area pin big hopes on these projects as they aim at
providing employment and raising the standard and quality of life.
• The dams have tremendous potential for economic upliftment and growth.
• They can help in checking floods and famines, generate electricity and
reduce water and power shortage, provide irrigation water to lower
areas, provide drinking water in remote areas and promote navigation,
fishery etc.

Water for Agriculture and Power Generation:

• India’s increasing demand for water for intensive irrigated agriculture, for
generating electricity, and for consumption in urban and industrial centers,
has been met by creating large dams.
• Irrigated areas increased from 40 million ha. in 1900 to 100 million ha. in
1950 and to 271 million ha. by 1998. Dams support 30 to 40% of this area.
• Dams ensure a year round supply of water for domestic use, provide extra
water for agriculture, industry, hydropower generation, they have several
serious environmental problems.
• They alter river flows, change nature’s flood control mechanisms such
as wetlands and flood plains, and destroy the lives of local people and the
habitats of wild plant and animal species.
• Irrigation to support cash crops like sugarcane produces an unequal
distribution of water.
3. Describe in detail about the types of mining and its harmful effects.

Mining:
• Mining is done to extract minerals (or fossil fuels) from deep deposits in soil
by using sub-surface mining or from shallow deposits by surface mining.
• The former method is more destructive, dangerous and expensive including
risks of occupational hazards and accidents.

Surface mining can make use of any of the following three types:

(a) Open-pit mining in which machines dig holes and remove the ores (e.g.
copper, iron, gravel, limestone, sandstone, marble, granite).
(b) Dredging in which chained buckets and draglines are used which scrap
up the minerals from under-water mineral deposits.
(c) Strip mining in which the ore is stripped off by using bulldozers, power
shovels and stripping wheels (e.g. phosphate rocks).

Environmental damage caused by mining activities

(i) Devegetation and defacing of landscape

(ii) Subsidence of land
(iii) Groundwater contamination
(iv) Surface water pollution
(v) Air pollution
(vi) Occupational Health Hazards

Remedial measures

• Statistical data show that, on an average, there are 30 non-fatal but

disabling accidents per ton of mineral produced and one death per 2.5 tons
of mineral produced.
• In order to minimize the adverse impacts of mining it is desirable to adopt
ecofriendly mining technology.
• The low-grade ores can be better utilized by using microbial-leaching
technique.
• Using biological method for extracting minerals is helpful from
economic as well as environmental point of view.
• Restoration of mined areas by re-vegetating them with appropriate plant
species, stabilization of the mined lands, gradual restoration of flora,
prevention of toxic drainage discharge and conforming to the standards
of air emissions are essential for minimizing environmental impacts of
mining.
4. Describe in detail about causes and effects of deforestation.

Major Causes of Deforestation

• Shifting cultivation
• Fuel requirements
• Raw materials for industrial use
• Development projects
• Growing food needs
• Overgrazing
Other Aspects:
• Major Causes of Deforestation
• Major Consequences of Deforestation
• Major Activities in Forests
Major Activities in Forests
• Timber Extraction
• Mining -surface mining, sub-surface mining
Dams and their Effects on Forest and people
• Big dams and river valley projects have multi-purpose uses and have been
referred to as Temples of modern India.
• Dams are also responsible for the destruction of vast areas of forests.
• India has more than 1550 large dams, the maximum being in the state of
Maharashtra (more then 600), followed by Gujarat (more then 250) and
Madhya Pradesh (130).
• The highest one is Tehri dam, on river Bhagirathi in Uttaranchal and the
largest in terms of capacity is Bhakra dam on river Satluj in H.P.
• For building big dams, large scale devastation of forests takes place which
breaks the natural ecological balance of the region.
• Floods, droughts and landslides become more prevalent in such areas.
• Forests are the repositories of invaluable gifts of nature in the form of
biodiversity and by destroying them (particularly, the tropical rain forests) we
are going to lose these species even before knowing them.
• These species could be having marvelous economic or medicinal value and
deforestation results in loss of this storehouse of species which have evolved
over millions of years in a single stroke.

5. Discuss in detail about the energy resource and its associated problems.

 Energy is defined as the capacity to do work.

 With the demands of growing population the world is facing further energy
deficit.
 The fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas which at present are supplying
95% of the commercial energy of the world resources.

Renewable Resources Non renewable Resources

 Generated continuously in  Accumulated in nature over

nature and are inexhaustible a long span of time
 non-conventional sources  Cannot be quickly
of energy replenished when exhausted
 Used in an  Types:
endless manner. coal,
 Types: petroleum,
Solar energy, natural gas
wind energy, nuclear energy
hydropower,
tidal energy,
ocean thermal energy,
geo-thermal energy
biomass energy,
bio-gas
bio-fuels,
hydrogen.
 Dr. Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology, Pollachi-3
Department of Information Technology
16CET73-ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

UNIT 2 – Ecosystems and Biodiversity

TWO MARKS

1. What is ecology?
Ecology is the study of interaction among organisms or group of organisms with
their environment. The environment consists of both biotic and non-biotic
components.
2. Explain the concept of an ecosystem
A group of organism interacting among them and with the environment is
known as the concept of ecosystem. An ecosystem may be natural like a pond, a
lake, a river, an ocean, or a forest or it may be man-made like an aquarium.
3. What are the components of ecosystem?
a. Abiotic or Non-living component
b. Biotic or Living component
4. How are biotic components grouped?
The members of biotic components of an ecosystem are grouped into three
groups based on how they get their food.
a. Producers
b. Consumer
c. Decomposers
5. What are autotrophic and heterotrophic components of an ecosystem? Give
examples
1. Autotrophic components
The members of autotrophic components are producers, which are autotrophs (self-
nourishing organisms). They derive energy from sunlight and make organic
compounds from inorganic substances.
Examples: Green plants, algae, bacteria, etc.
2. Heterotrophic components
The members of heterotrophic components are consumers and decomposers, which
are heterotrophs (dependent on others for food). They consume the autotrophs
(Producers)
The heterotrops are
(a) Macro consumers: They are herbivores, carnivores (or) omnivores.
(b) Saprotrops: They are decomposers (bacteria, fungi, etc.)
6. Define the terms producers and consumers.
(i) Producers synthesize their food themselves through photosynthesis.
(ii) Consumers are organisms which cannot prepare their own food and depends
directly or indirectly on the producers.
7. Define primary production and secondary production.
Primary production of an ecosystem is defined as the conversion of radiant
energy into organic substances by photosynthesis by the primary producers (Plants)
Secondary production of an ecosystem is defined as distribution of energy in the
form of food to the consumer (or) the energy stored by the consumer.

8. What is ecological succession?

The progressive replacement of one community by another till the
development of stable community in a particular area is called ecological
succession.

9. What is food chain?

The sequence of eating and being eaten in an ecosystem is known as food chain.

10. What is Ecological pyramids?

Graphical representation of structures and function of tropic levels of an ecosystem,
staring with producers at the bottom and each successive tropic levels forming the
apex is known as an ecological pyramids.

11. What is Ecological pyramids?

Graphical representation of structures and function of tropic levels of an ecosystem,
staring with producers at the bottom and each successive tropic levels forming the
apex is known as an ecological pyramids.

12. What are the characteristics of desert ecosystem?

1. The desert air is dry and the climate is hot.
2. Annual rainfall is less that 25cm.
3. The soil is very poor in nutrients and organic matter.
4. Vegetation is poor.

13. India as Mega diversity nation – Account.

India is one among the 12mega-diversity countries in the world. It has 89,450
animal species accounting for 7.31% of the global faunal species and 47,000 plant
species which accounts for 10.8% of the world floral species. The loss of
biodiversity is about 33%.
14. Differentiate food chain and food web with suitable examples.
Food Chain: A food chain is a picture or model that shows the flow of energy
from Autotrophs to a series of organisms in an environment. A food chain only
follows just one path as animals find food.eg: A hawk eats a snake, which has eaten
a frog, which has eaten a grasshopper, which has eaten grass.
Food web: A food web is several food chains connected together. A food web
shows the many different paths plants and animals are connected. eg: A hawk might
also eat a mouse, a squirrel, a frog or some other animal. The snake may eat a beetle,
a caterpillar, or some other animal. And so on for all the other animals in the food
chain.
15. What are the threats to the Indian biodiversity?
Threats to Indian biodiversity- deforestation, destruction of wetlands, habitat
fragmentation, raw material, production of drugs, illegal trade and developmental
activities.

16. What do you understand by endangered species and endemic species?

Endangered and endemic species – Endemic - species which are found only in a
particular region. Species is said to be threatened or endangered when its number
has been reduced to a critical level. Unless it is protected and conserved it is in
immediate danger of extinction.

15 MARKS
1. Explain in detail about conservation of biodiversity.

CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY

The convention on Biological Diversity held in June, 1992 stressed the need of
the conservation of Biodiversity for sustainable development and perpetuation of
human beings on earth.


Conservation is defined as “ the management of human use of the biosphere so
that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to the present generation
while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of the future
generations”.

The two basic approaches to wildlife conservation in protected habitats are:
1) In- situ conservation 2) Ex- situ conservation.
In- situ conservation
 It simply means conservation of species in its natural ecosystem or even
in manmade ecosystems.
 This strategy emphasizes protection of total ecosystem through a
network of “protected area”.
 Protected Areas: an area of land and/or sea specially dedicated to the
protection and maintenance of biological diversity and managed
through legal effective means.
 There are different categories of protected areas which are managed
with different objectives. These include; Biosphere reserves, National
parks, Wild Life Sanctuaries etc.
 At present we have 11 major biosphere reserves, 80 National parks, 420
wildlife sanctuaries in our country covering 4% of the geographic area.
 The JIM CORBETT National Park was 1st national park established in
India.
Ex- situ conservation

It is defined as “the conservation of component of biological diversity (Sample of
genetic diversity, particularly of endangered species) outside their natural habitats”.

It involves maintenance and breeding of endangered plant and animal species
under partially or wholly controlled conditions. E.g. Zoos, Botanical Gardens,
Aquaria, Nurseries, DNA bank, Seed bank, Gene bank etc.

There are more than 1500 Botanical gardens in the world containing more than
80,000 species.

There are more than 800 zoos around the world with about 3,000 species of
mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

2. Explain in detail about ecological pyramid and its types with the sketch.
 Ecological pyramids are graphical representations of the
tropic structure ecosystem.
 Tropic levels are the feeding positions in a food chain such as primary
producers, herbivores, primary carnivore etc.

Types of Ecological Pyramid

 Three types of ecological pyramids can usually be distinguished namely:

 Pyramid of numbers
 Pyramid of biomass
 Pyramid of productivity

Pyramid of Numbers

It is the graphic representation of number of individuals per unit area of

various tropic levels.
 Large number of producers tend to form the base.
 Lower numbers of top carnivores occupy the tip
Pyramid of biomass

It is the graphical representation of biomass present per unit area at different
tropic levels, with producers at the base and carnivores at the top.
 Biomass is calculated as mass of each individual X no. of individual at
tropic levels.
Pyramid of productivity

1. Pyramid of productivity is a graphical representation of the flow of energy

through each tropic level of a food chain over a fixed time period.
2. The input of solar energy may be indicated by adding an extra to the base.
3. Discuss in detail about food chain with neat a sketch, types and
characteristics with an example.

Flow of energy in an ecosystem is one way process. The sequence of organism

through which the energy flows, is known as food chain.
Important facts

 In a food chain each organism obtains energy from the one at the level below.
 Plants are called producers because they create their own food
through photosynthesis
 Animals are consumers because they cannot create their own food, they must
eat plants or other animals to get the energy that they need.
Tropic levels in a food chain
 Producers
 Consumers
 Primary consumers
 Secondary consume
 Tertiary consumers
 Quaternary consum
 Decomposers
Types of Food Chain
i) Grazing Food Chain
 The consumers utilizing plants as their food, constitute grazing food chain.
 This food chain begins from green plants and the primary consumer is
herbivore.
 Most of the ecosystem in nature follows this type of food chain.

Ex: grass => grasshopper => birds => falcon

ii) Detritus food chain
 This type of food chain starts from dead organic matter of decaying animals
and plant bodies to the micro-organisms and then to detritus feeding organism and
to other predators.
 The food chain depends mainly on the influx of organic matter produced
in another system.
 The organism of the food chain includes algae, bacteria, fungi, protozoa,
insects, nematodes etc.

Significance of Food Chain

  The knowledge of food chain helps in understanding the feeding relationship
as well as the interaction between organism and ecosystem.
 It also help in understanding the mechanism of energy flow and circulation of
matter in ecosystem.
 It also helps to understand the movement of toxic substance and the problem
associated with biological magnification in the ecosystem.

4. Describe the structural components of an ecosystem.

 The ecosystem is the structural and functional unit of ecology where the living
organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment.
 In other words, an ecosystem is a chain of interaction between organisms and
their environment.
Types of Ecosystem

An ecosystem can be as small as an oasis in a desert, or as big as an ocean, spanning

thousands of miles. There are two types of ecosystem:

Terrestrial Ecosystem

Aquatic Ecosystem
Structure of the Ecosystem

 The structure of an ecosystem is characterised by the organisation of both

biotic and abiotic components.
 This includes the distribution of energy in our environment.
 It also includes the climatic conditions prevailing in that particular
environment.
 The structure of an ecosystem can be split into two main components,
namely:
 Biotic Components
 Abiotic Components
 The biotic and abiotic components are interrelated in an ecosystem. It is an
open system where the energy and components can flow throughout the
boundaries.
Biotic Structure
 The plants, animals and microorganisms present in an ecosystem form the
biotic component.
 These organisms have different nutritional behaviour and status in the
ecosystems and are accordingly known as Producers or Consumers, based on
how they get their food.
Producers
 They are mainly the green plants.
 It can synthesize their food themselves by making use of carbon dioxide
present in the air and water in the presence of sunlight by involving
chlorophyll,
 The green pigment present in the leaves, through the process of
photosynthesis.
 They are also known as photo autotrophs (auto=self; troph=food,
photo=light).
 There are some microorganisms also which can produce organic matter to
some extent through oxidation of certain chemicals in the absence of
sunlight.
 They are known as chemosynthetic organisms or chemo-autotrophs.
 For instance in the ocean depths, where there is no sunlight,
chemoautotrophic sulphur bacteria make use of the heat generated by the
decay of radioactive elements present in the earth’s core and released in
ocean’s depths.
 They use this heat to convert dissolved hydrogen sulphide and carbon
dioxide into organic compounds.
Consumers
 All organisms which get their organic food by feeding upon other
organisms are called consumers, which are of the following types:
Herbivores (plant eaters): They feed directly on producers and
hence also known as primary consumers. e.g. Rabbit, insect, man.
Carnivores (meat eaters): They feed on other consumers. If they feed on
herbivores they are called secondary consumers (e.g. frog) and if they feed
on other carnivores (snake, big fish etc.) they are known as tertiary
carnivores /consumers.
Omnivores: They feed on both plants and animals. e.g. humans, rat, fox,
many birds.
Detritivores (Detritus feeders or Saprotrophs): They feed on the parts of
dead organisms, wastes of living organisms, their castoffs and partially
decomposed matter e.g. beetles, termites, ants, crabs, earthworms etc.
Decomposers
 They derive their nutrition by breaking down the complex organic molecules
to simpler organic compounds and ultimately into inorganic nutrients.
 Various bacteria and fungi are decomposers.

Abiotic Structure

 The physical and chemical components of an ecosystem constitute its abiotic

structure.
 It includes climatic factors, edaphic (soil) factors, geographical factors,
energy, nutrients and toxic substances.
Physical factors
Some of the important physical features which have a strong influence on the
ecosystem are,
 Sunlight and shade
 Intensity of solar flux
 Duration of sun hours
 Average temperature
 Maximum-minimum temperature
 Annual rainfall
 Wind
 Latitude and altitude
 Soil type
 Water availability
 Water currents

Chemical factors
 Availability of major essential nutrients like,

Carbon

Nitrogen

Phosphorus

Potassium

Hydrogen

Oxygen

Sulphur

Level of toxic substances

Salts

Causing salinity and various organic substances present in the soil or

water largely influence the functioning of the ecosystem.

5. Explain the types, characteristic features, structure and functions of any

three ecosystems

GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM
Grasslands are dominated by grass species but sometimes also allow the growth of
a few trees and shrubs. Rainfall is average but erratic.
Limited grazing helps to improve the net primary production of the grasslands but
overgrazing leads to degradation of these grasslands resulting in desertification.
Types
Three types of grasslands are found to occur in different climatic regions:
 Tropical grasslands
 Temperate grasslands
 Polar grasslands

Tropical grasslands
  They occur near the borders of tropical rain forests in regions of high average
temperature and low to moderate rainfall.
 In Africa, these are typically known as Savannas, which have tall grasses with
scattered shrubs and stunted trees.
 The Savannas have a wide diversity of animals including zebras, giraffes,
gazelle, antelopes etc.
 During dry season, fires are quite common.
 Termite mounds are very common here.
TEMPERATE GRASSLAND
 Usually found on flat, gentle sloped hills, winters are very cold but
summers are hot and dry.

 Intense grazing and summer fires do not allow shrubs or trees to grow.

 In United States and Canada these grasslands are known as prairies,

in South America as Pampas, in Africa as Velds and in central Europe and
Asia they are known as Steppes.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SAVANNA AND TEMPERATE
GRASSLAND
 Savanna gets more rainfall(20-50inches) than a temperate grassland(20-
35inches) annually.

 The grass grows better on Savanna Grassland than in the Temperate

Grassland

 Temperate Grassland rich in Nutrient and is suitable for cultivation where

as in Savanna, Soils are frequently nutrient poor and dry but contain many
valuable minerals than Temperate Grassland

Polar grasslands (Arctic Tundra)

 They are found in arctic polar region where severe cold and strong, frigid
winds along with ice and snow create too harsh a climate for trees to grow.

 In summers the sun-shines almost round the clock and hence several small
annual plants grow in the summer.

 The animals include arctic wolf, weasel, arctic fox, reindeer etc.
Importance
  Grasslands are of vital importance for raising livestock for human
consumption and for milk

 Grasslands provided home to many hunted and domesticated

 They are used as grazing area for cattle

 They Maintain Biodiversity

 Protects restored habitat for many plants and animals including.

FOREST ECOSYSTEM
 These are the ecosystems having a predominance of trees.
 It are interspersed with a large number of species of herbs,
shrubs, climbers, lichens, algae and a wide variety of wild animals
and birds.
 As discussed above forests are found in undisturbed areas
receiving moderate to high rainfall and usually occur as stable
climax communities
Types
Depending upon the prevailing climatic conditions forests can be
of various types,
 Tropical Rain Forests
 Tropical deciduous forests
 Tropical scrub forests
 Temperate rain forests
 Temperate deciduous forests
 Evergreen coniferous forests (Boreal Forests)
Tropical Rain Forests
 They are evergreen broad leaf forests found near the equator.
 They are characterized by high temperature, high humidity and
high rainfall, all of which favour the growth of trees.
 All through the year the climate remains more or less uniform.
 They are the richest in biodiversity.
  Different forms of life occupy specialized areas (niches)within
different layers and spaces of the ecosystem depending upon
their needs for food, sunlight, water, nutrient etc.
We come across different types and layers of plants and animals in the
tropical rain forests.

Emergent layer is the topmost layer of the tallest broad-leaf evergreen

trees.

Below which lies the canopy where top branches of shorter trees form an
umbrella like cover.

Below this is present the understory of still smaller trees.

On the tree trunks some woody climbers are found to grow which are
known as Lianas.

There are some other plants like Orchids which are epiphytes

Tropical deciduous forests

 They are found a little away from the equator and are
characterized by a warm climate the year round.
 Rain occurs only during monsoon.
 A large part of the year remains dry and therefore different types
of deciduous trees are found here, which lose their leaves during
dry season.

Tropical scrub forests

 They are found in areas where the dry season is even longer.

 Here there are small deciduous trees and shrubs.

Temperate rain forests
 They are found in temperate areas with adequate rainfall.
  These are dominated by coniferous trees like pines, firs, redwoods
etc.
 They also consist of some evergreen broadleaf trees.
Temperate deciduous forests

 They are found in areas with moderate temperatures.

 There is a marked seasonality with long summers, cold but not too
severe winter and abundant rainfall throughout the year.
 The major trees include broad leaf deciduous trees like oak,
hickory, popular etc.

Evergreen coniferous forests (Boreal Forests)

 They are found just south of arctic tundra.

 Here winters are long, cold and dry.
 Sunlight is available for a few hours only.
 In summer the temperature is mild, sun-shines for long hours but
the season is quite short.
 The major trees include pines, spruce, fir, cedar etc. which have
tiny, needle- shaped leaves having a waxy coating so that they can
withstand severe cold and drought.
 Dr. Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology, Pollachi-3
Department of Information Technology
16CET73-ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

UNIT 3 – Environmental Pollution

2 Marks
1. Define pollution.
Pollution is generally defined as the addition of the constituents to water, air or
land which adversely alter the natural quality of environment.
2. Name any four air pollutants and their sources and effects.
S.No. Name of the Sources Effects
Pollutant
1 Carbon Cigarette Coma, brain cell
monoxide smoking, damage
incomplete
burning of fossil
fuels
2 Nitrogen dioxide burning of fossil Acid rain, lung
fuels damage
3 Sulphur Coal burning Breathing
problem, acid
rain
4 Lead Paint, smelter, Mental
leaded petrol retardations,
harm to wild life

3. Give examples for primary and secondary air pollutants.

Differentiate between primary and secondary air pollutions with examples
Primary pollutants are those emitted directly in the atmosphere in harmful form.
Example: CO, NO, SO2 etc
Some of the primary pollutants may react with one another or with the basic
components of air to form new pollutants. They are called as secondary pollutants.
4. Classify air pollutants with suitable examples.
1. Primary pollutants: (CO, NO, SO2)
2. Secondary pollutants :( HNO3, H2SO4)
5. What are the causes of air pollution?
(i) Incomplete burning of fossil fuels, liberate CO, NO2, etc.
(ii) Coal burning in power plants, liberate SO2
(iii) Paint, smelters, lead manufacture, liberate Pb.
(iv) Agriculture, decay of plants, liberate hydrocarbons.
6. Define photochemical smog.
The brownish smoke like appearance that frequently forms on clear, sunny days
over large Cities with significant amounts of automobile traffic. It is mainly due to
chemical reactions among nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbon by sunlight.
7. What are point and non-point sources of water pollution?
Point sources are discharged pollutants at specific location through pipes, ditches
or sewers into bodies of surface water.
Non-point sources: They cannot be traced at any single site of discharge. They are
usually large land areas or air sheds that pollute water by runoff, subsurface flow
or deposition from the atmosphere.
8. Write any four major water pollutants.
a. Pesticides and biocides
b. Heavy metals, mercury, crude oil, plastics
c. Industrial and agricultural wastes
d. Thermal pollution.
9. What is meant by BOD and COD?
BOD is the amount of oxygen required for the biological decomposition of organic
matter present in the water.
COD is the amount of oxygen required for chemical oxidation of organic matter
using some oxidizing agent like K2Cr2O7 and KMnO4.
10. Define soil pollution.
The contamination of soil by human and natural activities which may cause
harmful effects on living beings.
11. Write any two causes of soil pollution.
Industrial wastes, urban wastes, agricultural practices, radioactive pollutants,
Biological agents.
12. What is marine pollution?
The discharge of waste substances into the sea resulting in harm to living
resources, hazards to human health, hindrance to fishery and impairment of quality
for use of sea water.
13. Name the sources and effects of marine pollution.
S.No. Sources Effects
1 Dumping the wastes Marine birds ingest
plastic which causes
gastro-intestinal disorders

2 Oil Damage to marine fauna

and flora, retard the rate
of O2 uptake by water

14. Define noise pollution.

Noise pollution is defined as the unwanted, unpleasant or disagreeable sound that
causes discomfort for all living beings.
15. When a sound causes noise pollution?
Noise beyond 120 dB causes noise pollution
16. When does a sound causes noise pollution?
The sound intensity is measured in decibel (dB), which is tenth part of the longest
unit Bel. One dB is equal to the faintest sound, a human ear can hear. If the
intensity of the sound exceeds 1 dB, noise pollution occurs.
17. Give any four methods to control noise pollution.
a. Source Control
This may include source modification such as acoustic treatment to machine
surface, design changes, limiting the operational timings and so on.
b. Transmission Path Intervention
This may include containing the source inside a sound insulating enclosure,
construction of a noise barrier or provision of sound absorbing materials along the
path.
c. Receptor control
This includes protection of the receiver by altering the work schedule or provision
of personal protection devices such as ear plugs for operating noisy machinery.
The measure may include dissipation and deflection methods.
d. Oiling
Proper oiling will reduce the noise from the machines.
18. Define thermal pollution.
Thermal pollution is defined as the addition of excess of undesirable heat to water
that makes it harmful to man, animal or aquatic life or otherwise causes significant
departures from the normal activities of aquatic communities in water.
19. Name some important natural sources for nuclear hazards.
(a) The important natural source is space, which emit cosmic rays.
(b) Soil, rocks, air, water, food, radioactive radan-222 etc., also contain one or
more radioactive substances.
20. Define hazardous wastes.
Wastes like toxic chemicals, radioactive or biological substances which contribute
to an increase in mortality or in serious irreversible illness to human health and
environment are called hazardous wastes.
21. Why nuclear hazards are so dangerous?
Radioactive radiation, liberated by nuclear hazards, affects the cells in the body
and the function of glands and organs. People suffer from blood cancer and bone
cancer if exposed to doses around 100 to 1000 roentgens. Unlike the other
pollution, radioactive pollution can cause genetic disorders even in the subsequent
generations.
22. How nuclear hazards can be disposed safely?
Nuclear hazards are disposed safely by dumping them in a big concrete tank and
throwing it in deep sea.
23. What are the various sources of radioactive pollution?
1. Natural sources.
(a) The very important natural source is space, which emit cosmic rays.
(b) Soil, rocks, air, water, food, radioactive radon-222 etc. also contain one or more
radioactive substances.
2. Man-made sources
Man-made sources are nuclear power plants, X-rays, nuclear accidents, nuclear
bombs, diagnostic kits, etc., where radioactive substances are used.
24. Differentiate between recycling and reuse.
Reuse
a. The refillable containers, which discarded after use can be reused
b. Rubber rings can be made from the discarded cycle tubes, which reduces the
waste generation during manufacturing of rubber bands.
Recycling
Recycling is the reprocessing of the discarded materials into new useful products
Example
a. Old aluminum cans and glass bottles are melted and recast into new cans and
bottles
b. Preparation of cellulose insulation from paper.
25. What is cyclone?
Cyclone is a meterological phenomena, intense depressions forming over the open
oceans and moving towards the land. On reaching the shores, it moves intothe
interior of the land or along the shore lines.
26. What is acid rain (or) what is acid precipitation?
The presence of excessive acids in rain water is known as acid rain.

15 Marks
1. Discuss in detail about air pollution, its types with examples, effects on
various factors and control measures
Environmental pollution can be defined as “the unfavorable alteration of our
surroundings”
Types of pollutants
1. Bio degradable pollutants - decompose rapidly by natural processes.
2. Non- degradable pollutants - do not decompose or slowly decompose in the
environment.
Classification of Pollution

Air pollution

Water pollution

Soil pollution

Marine pollution

Noise pollution

Thermal pollution and

Nuclear hazards
AIR POLLUTION
The presence of one or more contaminants like dust, smoke, mist and odor in
the atmosphere which are injurious to human beings, plants and animals.

Sources of air pollution

Natural pollution - volcanic eruptions, forest fires, biological decay.
Man – made activities – Thermal power plants, agricultural activities.
Classification

Primary pollutant – these are those emitted directly in the atmosphere in harmful
form like CO, NO.

Secondary pollutant – these may react with one another or with the basic
components of air to form new pollutants.
Control Measures
1. Source control

Use only unleaded petrol

Use petroleum products and other fuels that have low sulphur and ash
content

Plant trees along busy streets because they remove particulates and
carbon monoxide and absorb noise.

Industries and waste disposal sites should be situated outside the city
centre.

Use catalytic converters to help control the emissions of carbon
monoxide and hydrocarbons.
2. Control measures in Industrial centers

Emission rates should be restricted to permissible levels

Incorporation of air pollution control equipments in the design of the
plant lay out.


2. Explain in detail about causes of water pollution in surface and subsurface

level
Water pollution may be defined as “the alteration in physical, chemical and
biological characteristics of water which may cause harmful effects on human and
aquatic life.

Types, effects and sources of water pollution

1. Infectious agents: Bacteria, viruses, protozoa and parasitic worms.
Sources: Human and animal wastes.
Effects: Variety of diseases.
2. Oxygen demanding wastes: Animal manure and plant debris that can be
decomposed by aerobic bacteria.
Sources: Sewage, paper mills, and food processing facilities.
Effects: Wastes can degrade quality by depleting water of dissolved oxygen.
3. In organic Chemicals: Water soluble inorganic chemicals. Compounds of toxic
metals such as lead, arsenic and selenium. Salts such as Nacl in ocean water.
Effects: Genetic mutations, birth defects and certain cancers.
4. Thermal pollution (Heat) Example: Excessive heat.
5. Human source
 Water cooling of electric power plants and some types of industrial plants.
Almost all of all water withdrawn in United States for cooling electric power plants.
2 Effects

Lowers dissolved oxygen levels and makes aquatic organisms more vulnerable to
disease and toxic chemicals

When a power plant first opens or shuts down for repair, fish and other organisms
adapted to a particular temperature range can be killed b the abrupt change in water
temperature known as thermal shock.
3 Control measures of water pollution
 The administration of water pollution should be in the hands of state or central
government.
 Industrial plants should be based on recycling operations, because it will not only
stop the discharge of industrial wastes into natural water sources but by products can
be extracted from the wastes.
 Plants, trees and forests control pollution and they acts as natural air conditioners.
 Highly qualified and experienced persons should be consulted from time to time
for effective control of water pollution.
 Basic and applied research in public health engineering should be encouraged.

3. Explain in detail about causes of Soil pollution.

Soil Pollution may be defined as “the contamination of soul by human and
natural activities which may cause harmful effects on living beings”.
Types
1. Industrial wastes
Sources and effects: Pulp and paper mills, chemical industries, oil refineries, sugar
factories. These pollutants affect and alter the chemical and biological properties of
soil. As a result, hazardous chemicals can enter into human food chain from the soil;
disturb the bio chemical process and finally lead to serious effects.
2. Urban wastes
Sources and effects: Plastics, Glasses, metallic cans, fibers, papers, rubbers, street
sweepings, and other discarded manufactured products. These are also dangerous.
3. Agricultural practices
Sources and effects: Huge quantities of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and
weedicides are added to increase the crop yield. Apart from these farm wastes,
manure, slurry, are reported to cause soil pollution.
4. Radioactive pollutants
Sources and effects: These are resulting from explosions of nuclear dust and radio
active wastes penetrate the soil and accumulate there by creating land pollution.
5. Biological agents
Sources and effects: Soil gets large quantities of human, animal and birds excreta
which constitute the major source of land pollution by biological agents.

Control measures of soil pollution

The pressure on intensification of farm activities increases for two reasons

Population growth

Decrease of the available farm land due to urbanization

Forestry and farm practices

Proper dumping of unwanted material

Production of natural fertilizers

Proper Hygienic condition

Public awareness

Recycling and Reuse of wastes

Ban on Toxic chemicals.

4. Explain in about causes of Marine pollution.

Marine Pollution may be defined as “the discharge of waste substances into
the sea resulting in harm to living resources hazards to human health, hindrance to
fishery and impairment of quality for use of sea water”.
Source of marine pollution
The coastal zones contain rich heritage, coral reefs, wetlands, and sea grass beds.
Effects of marine pollutants

The presence of heavy metals and organic pollutants cause more damage in birds
as thinning of eggshell and tissue damage of egg.

Oil spilling causes abnormally low body temperature in birds resulting in
hypothermia.

Oil films are able to retard significantly the rate of oxygen uptake by water.
Control measures of marine pollution

Plants for conserving marine biodiversity must be taken into account of human
needs.

People should be educated about marine ecosystems and the benefits offered by
them.

Local communities must be involved in protecting and managing their coastal
resources. Social and economic incentives must be offered for conserving and
sustainable use of marine resources.

Governments must manage their own water while extending cooperation to the
neighboring states.

5.Explain in detail about causes of Noise pollution.

Noise Pollution may be defined as “the unwanted, unpleasant or disagreeable
sound that causes discomfort for all living beings”
Types of noise

Industrial noise

Transport noise

Neighborhood noise
Effects of Noise pollution

This affects human health, comfort and efficiency.

It causes muscles to contract leading to nervous breakdown, tension.

It affects health efficiency and behavior.

In addition to serious loss of hearing due to excessive noise, impulsive noise also
causes psychological and pathological disorders.

Brain is also adversely affected by loud and sudden noise as that of jet and aero
plane noise.
Control and preventing measures

Source control – acoustic treatment to machine surface, design changes, limiting
the operational timings.

Transmission path intervention- the source inside a sound insulating enclosure,
construction of a noise barrier or provision of sound absorbing materials.

Oiling – Proper oiling will reduce the noise from the machines.
6. Explain the mitigation measures of floods, earthquake, cyclone and
landslides.
FLOODS
Whenever the magnitude of water flow exceeds the carrying capacity of the channel
within its banks the excess of water overflows on the surroundings causes floods.
Causes of floods

Heavy rain, rainfall during cyclone causes floods

Sudden snow melt also raises the quantity of water in streams and causes flood

Sudden and excess release of impounded water behind dams

Clearing of forests for agriculture has also increased severity of floods.
Flood Management
 Encroachment of flood ways should be banned.
 Building walls prevent spilling out the flood water over flood plains.
 Diverting excess water through channels or canals to areas like lake, rivers where
water is not sufficient.
 Optical and microwave data from IRS is also used for flood management.
 Flood forecasts and flood warning are also given by the central water
commission

CYCLONES
It is a meteorological process, intense depressions forming over the open oceans
and moving towards the land.
Cyclone is measured by Saffir-Simpson scale.
Effect

The damage depends on the intensity of cyclone the damage to human life, crops,
roads, transport, could be heavy.

Cyclone occurrence slows down the developmental activities of the area.
Cyclone management

Satellite images are used by meteorological departments for forecasting the
weather conditions which reveal the strength and intensity of the storm.

Radar system is used to detect the cyclone and is being used for cyclone warning.
Case studies
Cyclone in Orissa – 1999

Two cyclones in Orissa occurred on 18th and 29th October 1999.In the coastal area
of Orissa, a powerful cyclone storm hit with a wind velocity of about 260 km/hr.
Nearly 14-30 districts of Orissa were in severe damage.

It has been reported that nearly 15 millions of people were affected and 90-95% of
the crop yield was affected. About 11,500 local schools have been damaged.

LAND SLIDES
The movement of earthy materials like coherent rock, mud, soil and debris from
higher to lower region to gravitational pull is called land slides.
Causes

Movement of heavy vehicles on the unstable sloppy regions.

Earthquake, shocks, vibrations and cyclone.
Effects of landslides
1. Block roads and diverts the passage.
2. Soil erosion increases.
3. Causes damages to houses, crops and livestock.

EARTH QUAKES
An earthquake is a sudden vibration caused on earth surface with the sudden release
of tremendous energy stored in rocks under the earth’s crust.
Causes
1. Disequilibrium in any part of the earth crust
2. Underground nuclear testing
3. Decrease of underground water level.

Severity of an earthquake:
Generally it is measured by its magnitude on Richter scale.

Effect
 Damage the settlements and transport systems
 Collapses houses and their structures
 Deformation of ground surface
 Tsunami
Earthquake Management

Constructing earthquake resistant building

Wooden houses are preferred

Seismic hazard map should give the information about the magnitude of intensity
of anticipated earthquakes.

TSUNAMI
A tsunami is a large wave that is generated in a water body when the seafloor is
deformed by seismic activity. This activity displaces the overlying water in the
ocean.

Causes of tsunami

Seismic activities like earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, explosions, can
generate tsunami.

Deformation of the sea floor due to the movement of plates.
Concept of Tsunami
A tsunami is not a single wave but a series of waves like the ordinary waves which
we see on seas.
Effects on Tsunami

Tsunami attacks mostly the coastlines, causing devastating property, damage and
loss of life.

Tsunami can kill lot of human beings, livestock’s.

Tsunami may also spread lot of water borne diseases.

Tsunami Management

Earthquakes under the water are monitored by sensors on the floor of the
sea.

The sensors send the information of floating buoys on the surface,
whenever they detect any changes in pressure of the sea.

The information is then relayed to satellites, which passes it on to the
earth stations.

Finally the country make the people alert through the media to take all
necessary precautions.