Environment & Ecology

UNIT - 2

Environmental Protection
As per New
Syllabus 2022-23
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 Unit 2 Syllabus

Natural Resources: Introduction, Classification.

Water Resources; Availability, sources and Quality Aspects, Water Borne and
Water Induced Diseases, Fluoride and arsenic Problems in Drinking Water.
Mineral Resources; Material Cycles; Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulfur cycles.
Energy Resources; Conventional and Non conventional Sources of Energy.
Forest Resources; Availability, Depletion of Forests, Environment impact of
forest depletion on society.

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 Natural resources

❖ Natural resources are materials or substances that exist naturally in the

environment and are considered valuable to humans.
❖ These resources are used to meet various human needs and support
economic activities. Natural resources can be categorized into different
types, such as air, water, minerals, forests, land, and energy sources.
❖ These natural resources are essential for human survival, economic
development, and the overall functioning of ecosystems. Sustainable
management and conservation of natural resources are crucial to
ensure their availability for future generations.

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 Reasons (depletion of natural resources)

❖ Over exploitation: Excessive use of natural resources beyond their regenerative

capacity, leading to depletion. This is particularly common in the case of non-
renewable resources like fossil fuels and minerals.
❖ Deforestation: The clearing of forests for agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure
development results in loss of biodiversity, and reduced forest resources.
❖ Pollution and Contamination: Pollution of air, water, and soil due to industrial
activities, improper waste management, degrade natural resources.
❖ Climate Change: The alteration of global climate patterns due to human activities,
contributes to the depletion of natural resources.
❖ Urbanization and Land Conversion:

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 Water Resources

➢ Water Resources: Water resources refer to the available sources of water that can be
used for various purposes such as drinking, irrigation, industry, and environmental
needs. These resources include both surface water and groundwater.
➢ Rivers receive water from rainfall, snowmelt, and tributaries. Account for about
50% of global water resources.
➢ Lakes are large bodies of water formed by geological processes. Contribute to
around 20% of global water resources.
➢ Reservoirs are artificial water bodies created by dams. Store water for various
purposes. Account for about 5% of global water resources.
➢ Groundwater: Underground rock formations that store and transmit water. Essential
source for drinking, agriculture, and industry. Make up approximately 30% of global
water resources.

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 Water Quality Aspect

The quality of water resources is a critical aspect to consider. It refers to the chemical,
physical, and biological characteristics of water that determine its suitability for uses.
1. Potability: Water quality for drinking purposes should meet specific standards and be
free from harmful contaminants and microorganisms that can pose health risks.
2. Chemical Composition: Water quality is influenced by the presence of substances such
as dissolved minerals, organic compounds, and pollutants.
3. Biological Contaminants: Water quality is assessed for the presence of bacteria,
viruses, and other microorganisms that can cause waterborne diseases.
4. Ecosystem Health: Water quality affects the health and biodiversity of aquatic
ecosystems. It is important to maintain the quality of water bodies to support aquatic life
and preserve ecological balance.

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 Waterborne Diseases

➢ Waterborne diseases are illnesses caused by the consumption or exposure to

contaminated water. These diseases are typically caused by pathogenic
microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that contaminate the water
supply. When contaminated water is ingested or comes into contact with the body,
these microorganisms can enter the digestive system, leading to various health
problems.
➢ Some common examples of waterborne diseases include: Cholera, Typhoid fever,
Diarrheal, Hepatitis A
➢ Preventing waterborne diseases involves ensuring access to clean and safe drinking
water, proper sanitation practices, and effective water treatment methods.

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 Water-induced Diseases

➢ Water-induced diseases refer to health conditions that are caused by excessive

exposure to water, often due to environmental factors or poor sanitation practices.
These diseases are not directly transmitted through water ingestion but are
influenced by water-related activities or conditions.
➢ Some examples of water-induced diseases include: Skin infections, Respiratory
illnesses, Vector-borne diseases, Water-related injuries.
➢ Preventing water-induced diseases involves addressing the underlying causes
such as improving sanitation practices, maintaining proper indoor ventilation,
controlling mosquito breeding sites, promoting water safety measures, and
ensuring safe water environments for recreational activities.

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 Fluoride and Arsenic

➢ Fluoride and arsenic are two contaminants that can be present in drinking water and
pose health risks.
➢ Excessive fluoride levels in drinking water can cause dental fluorosis and skeletal
fluorosis. Dental fluorosis leads to tooth discoloration and damage, while skeletal
fluorosis affects bones and joints. Acceptable fluoride levels in drinking water vary but
typically range from 0.5 to 1.5 ppm.
➢ Arsenic occurs naturally in rocks, soil, and groundwater. Drinking water with high
arsenic levels can lead to skin lesions, cardiovascular issues, and an increased cancer
risk. The recommended guideline value for arsenic in drinking water is 10 µg/L or ppb.
➢ Remediation and Prevention: Treatment methods like coagulation, filtration, and
adsorption can remove fluoride and arsenic from water sources.
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 Nalgonda Process

➢ The Nalgonda Process is a water treatment method used to remove excess fluoride
from groundwater.
➢ It involves pre-treatment, adsorption, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and
disinfection steps.
➢ The process uses locally available adsorbents to remove fluoride ions, and coagulating
agents are added to facilitate particle removal. The treated water is then filtered and
disinfected.
➢ The Nalgonda Process has been successful in reducing fluoride levels, providing safe
drinking water, and addressing health issues associated with fluoride contamination,
such as dental and skeletal fluorosis.

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 Mineral Resources

➢ Mineral resources are naturally occurring substances found in the Earth's crust that have
economic value. They are extracted through mining and are used in various industries,
including construction, manufacturing, and energy production. Examples of mineral
resources include coal, iron ore, copper, gold, and uranium.

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 Material cycles

➢ Material cycles refer to the movement and transformation of elements and

compounds through different environmental compartments, including the
atmosphere, land, water bodies, and living organisms.
➢ Three important material cycles are the carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, and sulfur
cycle:
➢ The carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, and sulfur cycle are vital for ecological balance,,
and supporting biological processes.
➢ They regulate the distribution and availability of essential elements, control climate
by managing greenhouse gas concentrations, and guide sustainable resource
management.

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 Carbon cycles

➢ The carbon cycle is a natural process that involves the movement and recycling of
carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms.
➢ It begins with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which is absorbed by plants through
photosynthesis. Plants use this CO2 to produce glucose and release oxygen.
➢ When animals consume plants or other animals, they obtain carbon compounds and
release carbon dioxide through respiration. Decomposers break down dead organisms,
releasing carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
➢ Over millions of years, some carbon is buried and transformed into fossil fuels. When
these fuels are burned, carbon dioxide is released.
➢ The oceans also absorb and store carbon dioxide.
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 Carbon cycles

➢ The carbon cycle

helps regulate
Earth's climate, but
human activities,
such as burning
fossil fuels, have
disrupted the cycle
and contributed to
global warming.

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 Nitrogen cycles

➢ The nitrogen cycle is a natural process that involves the conversion and movement of
nitrogen in various forms within the Earth's atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.
➢ It begins with nitrogen gas (N2) in the atmosphere, which is converted into usable
forms through nitrogen fixation by specific bacteria.
➢ These forms, such as ammonia and nitrate, are taken up by plants and incorporated
into their tissues. When plants or animals die, decomposers break down organic
nitrogen into ammonia through ammonification.
➢ Nitrification occurs when bacteria convert ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate.
Denitrification is the process by which certain bacteria convert nitrate back into
nitrogen gas, returning it to the atmosphere.

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 Nitrogen cycles

➢ Human activities,
such as the use of
fertilizers and
industrial processes,
have disrupted the
nitrogen cycle and
can lead to
environmental issues
such as water
pollution and air
pollution.

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 Energy Resourses

➢ Conventional Energy Resources: are traditional sources of energy that have

been widely used for a long time. They are typically non-renewable and include
fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as nuclear energy. These
resources are finite and will eventually be depleted. They have significant
environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
➢ Non-Conventional Energy Resources: are also known as alternative energy
resources, offer alternatives to conventional sources. They can be renewable or
non-renewable, depending on the specific resource. They include a wide range of
technologies and sources that are not as widely used or established as
conventional resources. impacts.

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 Energy Resourses

➢ Renewable Energy Resources: are derived from sources that are naturally
replenished and can be sustained over long periods. They include solar energy, wind
energy, hydropower, biomass energy, and geothermal energy. These resources are
considered sustainable and have minimal environmental impact. They offer a cleaner
and more sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources.
➢ Non-Renewable Energy Resources: Non-renewable energy resources are finite and
cannot be replenished within a human lifespan. They include fossil fuels (coal, oil,
natural gas) and nuclear energy. These resources take millions of years to form and
cannot be easily replaced once depleted. Non-renewable resources contribute to
environmental degradation and climate change.

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 Energy Resources

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 Solar Energy

➢ Solar Energy: Solar energy is a renewable energy resource that is obtained from the
sun's radiation. It is a clean and abundant source of energy that can be harnessed and
converted into usable forms such as electricity or heat. Solar energy is captured using
various technologies, including solar panels (photovoltaic cells) and solar thermal
systems.
➢ Photovoltaic Cell: A solar cell is a device that converts sunlight directly into electricity
through the photovoltaic effect. The photovoltaic effect is the phenomenon where
certain materials (semiconductor) generate an electric current when exposed to light.
➢ When sunlight hits the surface of the cell, the semiconductor material within absorbs
photons, causing the release of electrons and the creation of electron-hole pairs.

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 PV cell

➢ Due to the internal electric field created by the p-n junction, electric current generate.

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 Solar Air Heater

➢ A solar air heater is a device that utilizes

solar energy to heat air. It consists of a
collector, which is a box-like structure with
a transparent cover to allow sunlight in and
trap the heat inside. Inside the collector,
there is an absorber plate made of a dark-
colored material that absorbs solar
radiation and converts it into heat. As air
flows through the system, it passes over
the hot absorber plate, where it absorbs
the heat.

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 Deforestation

➢ Deforestation refers to the widespread removal of trees and vegetation from forests
and wooded areas. It is primarily driven by human activities such as agriculture,
urbanization, and infrastructure development. Deforestation has significant
environmental, social, and economic impacts.
➢ Environmental Impact: Deforestation results in the loss of forest ecosystems,
leading to the destruction of habitats and the extinction of plant and animal species. It
disrupts the balance of ecosystems and contributes to the loss of biodiversity.
➢ Climate Change: Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere through photosynthesis. When forests are cleared, the stored carbon is
released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, contributing to greenhouse gas
emissions and global warming.
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 Deforestation

➢ Soil Erosion and Degradation: Trees and vegetation play a crucial role in preventing
soil erosion. Their removal exposes the soil to the impact of rainfall, leading to erosion
and the loss of fertile topsoil. It degrades the quality of soil, affecting agricultural
productivity and water quality.
➢ Socio-economic Impacts: Deforestation can have adverse socio-economic effects,
particularly on local communities and indigenous peoples who depend on forests for
their livelihoods. It can lead to the loss of traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, and
economic opportunities tied to forest resources.
To tackle deforestation, we need sustainable land management, conservation,
reforestation, and responsible forestry practices. Protecting and preserving forests is
crucial for the health of our planet, biodiversity conservation, and the well-being of human.

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