Environment & Ecology

UNIT - 4

Environmental Issues
As per New
Syllabus 2022-23
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 Unit 4 Syllabus

Current Environmental Issues of Importance;

Global Warming, Green House Effects,
Climate Change, Acid Rain,
Ozone Layer Formation and Depletion,
Population Growth and Automobile pollution,
Burning of paddy straw

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 Global Warming

Global Warming:
 It refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface
temperature due to human activities and burning of fossil fuels that
release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
 This increase in temperature can lead to various impacts, such as rising
sea levels, altered weather patterns, and ecosystem disruption.
 Main Causes of Global Warming are Burning of Fossil Fuels,
Deforestation, Industrial Processes, Agricultural Practices.

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 Green House Effect

 Global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect, Sunlight reaches

the Earth's surface and warms it up. The heated Earth emits infrared
radiation (heat) back into the atmosphere.
 Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, present in the
atmosphere absorb and re-emit some of this infrared radiation.
 The re-emitted radiation gets trapped in the atmosphere, preventing it
from escaping into space.
 This trapped heat leads to an increase in the Earth's average surface
temperature, causing global warming.

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 Effects of Global Warming

 Rising temperatures: Heatwaves and altered weather patterns.

 Melting ice and rising sea levels: Coastal flooding.
 Extreme weather events: Hurricanes, droughts, heavy rainfall.
 Ecosystem disruption: Impact on biodiversity, migration patterns, and
species survival.
 Economic and social impacts: Agriculture, infrastructure, and human
health.

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 Climate Change

 Climate change is caused by human activities that release greenhouse

gases into the atmosphere.
 It leads to rising temperatures, melting ice, extreme weather events,
ecosystem disruption, and economic and social impacts.
 Mitigation involves reducing emissions, while adaptation focuses on
managing the effects.
 Addressing climate change requires global cooperation and individual
actions for a sustainable future.

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 Climate Change

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 Acid Rain

 Acid rain is a form of precipitation that has acidic components, primarily

sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3).
 Human activities like burning fossil fuels and industrial processes
generate sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the
atmosphere.
 When (SO2) and (NOx) react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in
the atmosphere, cause the acid rain.

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 Impacts of Acid Rain

 Environmental Effects: Acid rain damages plants, trees, and aquatic

ecosystems by leaching nutrients from soil, harming leaves and needles,
and acidifying lakes and streams, affecting aquatic organisms.
 Infrastructure and Materials: Acid rain corrodes buildings, statues,
metals, and infrastructure made of materials like limestone or marble.
 Human Health: Although direct health effects from acid rain are minimal,
the air pollutants that contribute to acid rain can have adverse effects on
respiratory health.

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 Mitigation of Acid Rain

 Emission Reduction: Implementing stricter regulations and adopting

technologies to reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from
industrial sources and vehicles.
 Alternative Energy Sources: Shifting to cleaner energy sources, like
renewable energy, helps decrease reliance on fossil fuels and reduces
emissions that contribute to acid rain.
 International Cooperation: Collaborating between countries to address
transboundary issues and minimize cross-border transportation of
pollutants.

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 Ozone Layer Formation

 Ozone is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms (O3) that occurs naturally in
the Earth's atmosphere. The ozone layer is a region in the stratosphere where
ozone concentration is relatively high.
 It plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by absorbing most of the sun's
harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
 Certain human-made chemicals, known as ozone-depleting substances,
including CFCs, HCFCs, halons, and bromine-containing compounds, were
widely used in various industries, such as aerosol propellants, refrigeration,
and fire suppression.

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 Ozone Layer Formation

 Ozone is formed in the stratosphere through the interaction of oxygen molecules

(O2) with UV radiation from the sun.
 UV radiation breaks apart oxygen molecules, and the resulting oxygen atoms (O)
can then react with other oxygen molecules to form ozone.

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 Ozone Layer Depletion

Chlorine and bromine atoms act as catalysts in the destruction of ozone. A single
chlorine or bromine atom can destroy thousands of ozone molecules, leading to
ozone depletion.

Ozone Hole: The ozone depletion is

particularly significant over Antarctica,
where a seasonal "ozone hole" forms
during the polar spring, characterized by
a significant decrease in ozone
concentration.

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 Effect of Ozone Layer Depletion

Increased UV Radiation: Higher levels of harmful UV radiation reach the Earth's

surface, leading to increased risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and weakened
immune systems in humans.
Impact on Ecosystems: Marine and terrestrial ecosystems are affected, with
damage to phytoplankton, disruption of food chains, and harm to plant growth and
crop yields.
Environmental Consequences: Ozone depletion can contribute to climate change
and disrupt biogeochemical cycles.

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 Population growth & automobile pollution

Population growth and automobile pollution are interconnected factors that contribute
to environmental challenges.
 Increasing Demand: Rapid population growth results in a higher demand for
transportation, energy, and resources, including automobiles. As the population
expands, more people require personal vehicles for commuting and transportation
purposes.
 Urbanization: Population growth often leads to urbanization, where rural areas
transform into urban centers. This urbanization process concentrates a large
number of people in cities, leading to increased vehicular traffic and the need for
efficient transportation systems.

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 Population growth & automobile pollution

Automobile Pollution:
 Emissions: Vehicles emit pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen
oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
during fuel combustion.
 Air Quality: Automobile pollution contributes significantly to air pollution, leading to
respiratory problems, smog formation, and reduced air quality.
 Climate Change: The release of greenhouse gases from vehicle emissions
contributes to global warming and climate change.

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 Burning of Paddy Straw

 Burning of paddy straw, also known as paddy residue or crop residue burning,
refers to the practice of setting fire to the leftover plant material after
harvesting rice crops.
 Paddy straw burning is a common agricultural practice in some regions where
rice is grown extensively, such as parts of Asia, including India.
 Burning the crop residue is a quick and inexpensive method to clear the fields
for the next planting season.
 Farmers may burn paddy straw to eliminate pests and diseases present in the
leftover plant material.

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 Impact of Burning of Paddy Straw

Burning paddy straw has the following impacts:

 Air Pollution: Releases pollutants, affecting air quality and causing
respiratory issues.
 Soil Degradation: Loss of nutrients and organic matter, reducing soil health
and fertility.
 Climate Change: Contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating
global warming.

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 Alternative Way

 Adopting alternative methods like using machinery to harvest and remove paddy
straw without burning it can help mitigate the negative impacts.
 Implementing practices such as conservation agriculture, crop rotation, and
mulching can help manage paddy straw effectively and improve soil health.
 Governments can play a crucial role in promoting and supporting sustainable
alternatives through incentives, subsidies, and awareness campaigns.
 Efforts to reduce the burning of paddy straw are essential for mitigating air
pollution, preserving soil health, and addressing climate change.

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