DBB2204 EVS Merged

DBB2204: Environmental Science Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ)
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Unit 1: Introduction 1
Unit 1
Introduction
Table of Contents
SL Topic Fig No / Table SAQ / Page No
No / Graph Activity
1 Introduction - -
3-4
1.1 Learning Objectives - -
2 Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental - 1
Studies
2.1 Meaning and Definition of Environment - -
5-9
2.2 Definition of Environmental Studies 1 -
2.3 Meaning of natural resources and types of - -

natural resources
3 Scope of Environmental Studies - 2, I 10-12
4 Importance of Environmental Studies - 3 12-13
5 Concept of Sustainability - 4
5.1 Principles of Sustainability-Three pillars 2, 3, 4 -

14-22
5.2 Sustainable Development - -
5.3 Importance of Sustainable Development - -

6 Summary - - 23-24
7 Glossary - - 24
8 Case Study - - 25
9 Terminal Questions - -
26-29
9.1 Answer Keys - -
10 Suggested Books and e-References 29-30
1. INTRODUCTION
The environment consists of the surroundings where we live, and it is the basic necessity of
all living beings. The environment helps an individual to survive and provides natural
resources for livelihood. In this chapter, we will learn about the multidisciplinary nature of
environmental studies, the importance of understanding the concept, and the ways in which
it develops a sustainable environment. In the present times, our environment is facing many
issues such as loss of natural resources, depletion of the ozone layer, global warming, etc.
In the multidisciplinary approach, we study the different disciplines that help understand
the concept in-depth, i.e., we study this topic from various other points of viewer disciplines.
The branches of environmental studies include medicine, agriculture, chemistry, geography,
and so on. Environmental studies help understand various environmental changes and how
to make a clean, safe, and healthy ecosystem for survival.
As we know, our daily lives are directly linked with the surroundings and the environment.
It is our responsibility to take care of the environment and
STUDY NOTE
understand the importance of available resources.
With the help of the
multidisciplinary approach, Environmental study is basic and applied science. It is based
we can understand
environmental studies from not only on scientific principles but also interlinked with
different perspectives or
subject areas, which can help various social sciences concepts.
us in our daily lives and while
making future decisions.
In this chapter, we will study various concepts related to our
daily lives, such as making decisions, with the environment as the pivot of all these activities.
Used resources in the industries and households are disposed into the environment. The
disposal of such items that cannot be reused or recycled in any form will harm the
environment, which further causes many health, physical, and environmental problems.
Therefore, it is important to know that there is a proper procedure for recycling and
decomposing the products that we consume.
Ecology is a widely used word in environmental concepts—the word is derived from the
Greek word "oekologue", which means the study of the surroundings. Ecology is a concept
that studies organisms, animals, plants, and their relationships.
In environmental studies, we study the ecosystem as a whole, including nature's functional

units such as living organisms that interact with the surrounding physical environment and
with each other. The ecosystem is very wide and is spread across a large space. This is
because it includes small ponds as well as large forests. The multidisciplinary approach gives
a broad view of the ecosystem, that is, the role that each and every plant, animal, or any other
living organism plays in the environment.
In environmental studies, the ecosystem's structure works in making a final output using
inputs such as productivity. This also includes the transformation process where energy
transformation takes place, such as in the food chain, nutrient cycling, etc. This ultimately
results in the output, i.e., energy loss and degradation. The whole cycle works in a circular
flow.
1.1 Learning Objectives

After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
❖ Explain the meaning of the Environment

❖ Define Environment Studies
❖ Explain the scope and importance of Environment Studies
❖ Describe the concept of Sustainability
❖ Explain the importance of Sustainable Development
2. MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

The multidisciplinary approach means understanding one concept from different angles or
different points of view to identify factors, causes, solutions, etc., with ease. It is a
combination or mixture of different disciplines to provide relevant information on the
concept. We can study the environment from different perspectives or various disciplines.
We will study the environment and environmental studies through a multidisciplinary

approach. The environment comprises of natural resources that are present in our
surroundings. It helps earn a livelihood for some individuals. We will study natural resources
and their types in more detail in further sections of this unit. Survival of the human race on
this planet is impossible without natural resources.
It is essential to understand the importance of natural resources in the environment and

identify the problems related to the exploitation of natural resources that may arise in the
near future. A multidisciplinary approach is a very wide concept of environmental studies
consisting of living and non-living species. We have to study the ecosystem from various
points of environmental studies. In multidisciplinary nature, we make decisions to protect
our ecosystem from external environmental changes and disturbance.
The ecosystem has a different lifecycle as it works with the help of biogeochemical cycles
and mechanisms of energy transfer. It consists of abiotic features in an ecosystem, which are
known as non-living organisms such as air, climate, water, etc. It also includes biotic features
or living organisms such as plants and animals.
Environmental studies are a multidisciplinary approach which aims at defining the

correlation between the human beings and the nature. The study of physics, chemistry,
geography and geology tells about the functional and structural organization of the
environment. It also reveals the physical characteristics of the environment. The concepts of
statistics and computer application are applied for data simulation and performing
interpretation of data.
Economics help to develop the knowledge about the social background for growth and
development. The policies formulation for the implementation of all the subject knowledge
is done with the help of management studies. Thus, environmental studies can be thought as
a multidisciplinary approach.
2.1 Meaning & Definition of Environment

The environment is the outer or external surroundings, which helps in maintaining the
lifecycles of human beings, animals, and plants. The environment provides us with natural
resources that are further used for production activities. There are various factors that
influence and affect the growth of people, animals, and plants in the environment.
The environment also explains the interrelationships among

STUDY NOTE
different organisms, factors, etc. For example, in the
Environment describes the
environment, man is the geological force that helps maintain external forces that consist of
natural and human resources
balance in the environment, reshapes the landscape, and that affect the life, behavior and
growth of living organisms.
favors some organisms. Humans help protect the natural
resources in the environment necessary for survival and growth on the earth.
2.2 Meaning & Definition of Environmental Studies

Environmental studies deal with the key aspects and issues affecting the natural
environment, different organisms, and human life. Environmental studies incorporate
scientific studies and applied science to seek practical solutions to make everyone's life more
sustainable on earth. The basic necessity for human beings' survival is provided by nature,
i.e., food, shelter, air, and water.
Environmental studies are systematic studies that observe the effect that a human has on the
environment. In simple words, it studies the effect of the decisions or actions that an
individual or organization takes every day with respect to the environment, and how it
affects the surroundings.
Environmental study is a single concept itself, but when we talk about the systematic study,
it means involvement of science, which discusses the relationship between human beings
and the environment. Science also focuses on the multidisciplinary view. It is made from the
different disciplines, and it includes the following fields, as shown below:
• Physics
• Biological science
• Geography
• Philosophy
• Agriculture
• Medicine
• History
• Geology
• Ecology
• Chemistry
Environmental science does not study all concepts. If a researcher or an individual is

interested in studying a certain aspect, he will have to link suitable fields as per the
requirements. For example, if someone wants to study the effect of pollution on
groundwater, he will have to consider the fields of chemistry, biology, geology, etc.
In environmental science, it is known that all organisms have positive or negative effects on
the environment. It is also true that the environment is capable of affecting organisms if
living beings misuse resources. In society, some people recognize themselves as
protectionists or conservationists. These are the people who protect the environment from
any harmful activities and focus on sustainable resource utilization. Environmental science
helps create awareness among the public about the protection of natural resources and
induces effective decision-making with respect to the use of natural or man-made resources.
Sociology
Economics History
ENVIRONMENTAL
STUDIES
Technology Biological
science
Engineering
Fig 1: Branches of Environmental studies
2.3 Meaning of Natural Resources and Types of Natural-Resources

Natural resources are available in the environment and do not involve any human efforts for
production. Natural resources include land, air, water, and minerals, which are very scarce
in our society. We have to protect them from exploitation sit is impossible to survive in an
environment without natural resources, these being the basic necessity for living on the
earth.
STUDY NOTE
The industries that produce goods and services for fulfilling Natural resources consist of
various goods and services
society's requirements are using natural resources at a large provided by the natural
environment for fulfilling
scale, and in the process, are also depleting them. There are two our daily day-to-day needs.
types of pollutants in the environment, i.e., biodegradable and

non-biodegradable pollutants. Bio-degradable pollutants can be easily decomposed in
nature, whereas non-biodegradable are those that cannot be decomposed in nature. The
government of every country takes necessary actions against the individuals and
organizations that participate in the depletion of natural resources. There are two categories
of natural resources, as mentioned below:
A. Renewable natural resources: These are the resources that can be used and
generated with other natural processes.
For example, a forest is a renewable resource, and if trees from the forest are cut down
for the production of goods, we can plant new trees and take measures to conserve the
forest. Another example for the same is solar energy, which can be reproduced with the
help of solar panels, thus saving the cost of electricity. Solar energy is generated with
the help of sun rays on the solar panels.
B. Non-renewable natural resources: These resources cannot be regenerated, and their
absence will affect the environment badly. Thus, it is very
STUDY NOTE
important for society to procure and safeguard non- Recyclable resources can
be collected after use and
renewable resources. recycled like copper,
mercury, etc.
These resources are not available in large quantities as
Non-recyclable resource
they are limited, and we cannot increase their cannot be recycled such as
fossil fuels.
availability. The two types of non-renewable resources
are mentioned below.
A. Recyclable: Example: Aluminum from old cars, Aluminum cans
B. Non-recyclable: Example: Coal, Fossil fuels, Mineral Oil
For example, fossil fuels are available today, but if they get depleted in the future, it will not
be possible to reconstitute them or make them available in the environment again.
Natural resources cannot be developed as they are available naturally under the surface,
above the surface, and on the surface. Under-the-surface, resources like coal, minerals, etc.,
are further used to produce industrial equipment. Several countries have a large number of
natural resources, i.e., they could be rich in any kindof natural resources such as petroleum,
coal, etc.
SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS – 1
1. Which of the following branches does environmental studies not include?

a) Accounts
b) Geography
c) Technology
d) Economics
2. In Recyclable resources we include things which can be recycled such as
Aluminum cans, etc. [True/False]
3. Non-renewable resources are available in huge quantity and can be consumed
at large scale. [True/False]
4. How will you create awareness about the positive measures needed for the
benefit of the environment?
a) By creating social groups in society
b) By spreading information on social media
c) By providing the right guidance to the people
d) All of the above
5. _______________ is the energy that can be converted with the help of sun rays.
6. Pollutants that are easy to manage and decompose in nature are known as
_____________________.
3. SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

The scope of environmental studies encompasses the aspects that are related to
environmental studies or sciences. Scope enables decision-making and helps in finding a
suitable solution against environmental exploitation. We are aware that the resources are
used by the urban, rural population and by the industries. However, most of the resources in
huge quantities are consumed by the urban population, who are also the least producers of
food. Urban people generate a large amount of waste after the consumption of resources as
compared to rural people. Understanding the scope is equally important for everyone in
society. The study has a wide scope and helps in identifying the cause and effect relationships
in the environment.
• It explains the different types of resources available in the environment, i.e., non-
renewable and renewable resources
• It also identifies alternative solutions to environmental problems
• It applies theoretical knowledge to the practical world and also helps in understanding
multiple uses of the environment
• It creates awareness among people for sustainable utilization of the available resources
• It focuses on developing eco-friendly technologies for the production processes in
companies
• It emphasizes more on research and developmentin the area of resource utilization.
Environmentalists focus on promoting a sustainable culture
• It gives information related to ecology and how to protect the species of animals and
plants from danger
• It also guides and helps citizens who live and use natural resources from their
surroundings to make good choices and appropriate decisions by knowing
environmental facts, rules, regulations, etc., to protect the environment
• It also helps in guiding the people about 3 R's in environmental studies, i.e., reduce,
reuse and recycle. Everyone needs to understand this for a safe and clean environment
There are four segments that we need to focus on, in order to understand the components of
the earth. They are given as follows:
1. Atmosphere: It is composed of oxygen and nitrogen and saves all species, including
humans, from the hostile environment of outer space. The atmosphere helps to sustain
life on the earth. It absorbs the cosmic rays and radiation from the rays of the sun.
2. Hydrosphere: This segment consists of all types of water resources that are naturally
available to the environment, such as rivers, oceans, lakes, glaciers, seas, etc. In the
hydrosphere, 100 percent of the water resources are distributed in the following ways:
a. About97 percent is of the earth's supply of water is in the oceans.
b. Only 2 percent of water is available and locked in the glaciers.
c. 1 percent of water is available as fresh water in the rivers, lakes, etc.
3. Biosphere: It consists of all the living organisms and their interaction with the
surroundings, atmosphere, and other environmental components such as the
hydrosphere and lithosphere.
4. Lithosphere: It consists of the natural resources available under and above the surface,
such as minerals, and it is the outer layer of solid earth. It includes various types of
rocks on the earth.
Activity 1
Think of all the activities that you performed throughout the day yesterday. List all the
natural resources that you used. Also list if you wasted any resource, and if the same
could be reused or conserved.
Repeat the activity tomorrow, and for a week. You’ll now be more conscious of usage.
Prepare a log of how you avoided wastage of resources. You may want to share it with
your friends and family and create awareness in them too, about conserving resources.
7. Which of the following combinations is the best fit for the 3 R's that are
concerned with the environment?
a) Reduce, reuse, recycle
b) Recall, register, read
c) Reuse, recall, rate
d) Restrict, recycle, read
8. Which of the element includes interaction between surroundings and other
environmental components?
a. Lithosphere
b. Biosphere
c. Hydrosphere
d. Atmosphere
9. ________ Segment or Sphere of Earth is composed of nitrogen and oxygen.
4. IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

As the environment is very dynamic in nature, we should understand the importance of the
environmental study based on the comprehensive view related to the environment system.
The understanding helps make citizens to independently take decisions to protect the
environment.The citizens who live in the present environment are responsible for positively
and negatively impacting the environment. Listed below is the importance of environmental
studies.
• As we know, the population is increasing day by day, so we need to control the
utilization of resources
• In today's time, resources are exploited to the fullest, and it is important to take action
to reserves resources for the future needs
• It is essential to provide education and create awareness about the environment,
biodiversity, and ecology. There is a rise in pollution and other harmful activities in the
environment, affecting the life of a human being
• The environmental study helps in maintaining the ecological balance between the
environment and the organisms, as it makes people aware of our surroundings
• The environmental study also allows the solving of real-time problems by applying
methodologies, techniques, and ethical practices in the businesses and by doing CSR
activities
• As we know, pollution is a result of the decomposition of waste from various industries,
which affects the rivers, air quality, etc. It is important to consider the economic
activities or the activities to operate the business and earnings for survival. However,
it is important to understand the environmental studies approach to take necessary
actions for controlling pollution and preserving the environment from side effects
• This multidisciplinary approach in environmental studies includes management and
awareness that tries to identify how society can make profits without exploiting the
environment. As the natural resources get exploited to a large extent for the growth of
society's can balance our environmental condition only by using minimum natural
resources and by avoiding methods or practices that lead to environmental pollution.
So the concepts of geology, economics, and ecology are consideredimportant in the
study of the environment
• The environment provides the natural resources required by man for producing goods
and services. These resources include land, air, water, food, timber, etc. We have
studied that some resources are renewable, and some are non-renewable. Hence, it is
important to preserve these resources and save them for future needs. Everyone is
aware that most natural resources are scarce. Hence it becomes essential to adopt
optimumutilization of resources
10. It is very important to create awareness among people, about the scarcity of
resources and for better utilization of resources so that we can preserve resources
for fulfilling future needs. [True/False]
11. To understand the concept of Environmental Studies, Geology, Ecology and
Economics are not required. [True/False]
5. CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY
Have you ever considered what if all the resources available today will get depleted and not
available for use in the future? What if the coming generations would not be able to use these
available resources? How will they survive and live their lives without these resources that
are the necessities of life?
The population of the world is growing at a constantly increasing rate. The availability of
resources is limited. How will upcoming generations be able to use these resources? To
resolve this problem, here comes the concept of sustainability. The word sustainability has
been derived from the Latin word 'sustinere,' which means to hold or support. The basic
meaning of the word sustainability is something that can be kept continued.
The concept of sustainability depicts that the available resources should be used in the most
efficient ways to be saved to the maximum limit for future use. The existence of humankind
cannot be possible without the sustainability concept. All the civilizations that existed in
history have made use of sustainability and had spread awareness during their time so that
the natural resources could be saved for the future to fulfill the upcoming civilizations' needs.
Every civilization is responsible for giving rise to another civilization in the form of human
life that cannot survive without having the necessities of the life-like water, food, land,
forests, etc. But such natural resources are limited and take a longer time to renew. They
may soon get depleted too if not used judiciously. To preserve these resources that are
normally an essential part of the people's daily lives for billions of years, these resources
need to be taken care of, properly.
STUDY NOTE
To sustain the environment, the environment's ecological
Sustainability can be defined
balance should not be disturbed so that the resources can take as making the available
resources to meet the people's
their natural processes to get renewed over a specific time. present requirement without
sacrificing future needs of the
This can be explained best through the example - If the rate of people.
deforestation keeps on increasing at an alarming rate, there
are more possibilities that there will be less rain or no rain in the upcoming years, that in
turn will ruin the soil fertility, stop plant growth, dry up natural water bodies, drop the
availability of the water on land, make the air drier and polluted, and increase the
temperature. Infertile land will not grow crops well.
Evaporated water bodies, will confine the accessible amount of water downpour which
assists with absorbing the destructive particles in the air. The temperature will increase due
to the unavailability of rain that can increase the effect of scorching heat. Such problems will
give rise to many disasters like famine, floods, drought, earthquakes, etc., that can be a reason
to end human life to a larger extent. This is why we need to study the concept of
sustainability, as it helps in utilizing the available resources as per the individual's
requirement and sustaining them for future requirements.
5.1 Principles of Sustainability

There are three aspects of sustainability, such as social aspects, environmental aspects, and
economic aspects. These are also called pillars of sustainability, which depict that the process
of sustainability cannot be implemented without satisfying these three principles. These
three principles are interrelated to each other such that if any one of these aspects is not
satisfied, the process of sustainability cannot be completed. Let us understand how these
pillars affect sustainability.
1. Social aspect: The social parameter of sustainability depicts society and its adapted
cultures and practices. It emphasizesspreading awareness in society to conserve
natural resources and adopt practices that will encourage others to conserve the
environment and be attentive towards the efficient use of resources.
Many laws and legislation are being formulated and implemented to support these
conservative practices, non-compliance, which can be considered a severely punishable
offence.
This can be explained with an example. Water is required for performing some
household chores like dishwashing. In order to conserve water, people are informed to
practice water-saving techniques to complete household chores. People are
recommended to use practices such as rainwater harvesting, installing hand pumps,
etc., and in some countries, people are instructed by law to pay water tax for using
water resources. The revenue from such tax collection is used to install water-saving
techniques in the country.
2. Economic aspect: More often, business firms have access to natural resources for
using them in business operations. Business firms make profits by establishing their
operations by using these resources. So, to preserve the resources from being exploited
by the businesses, certain eco-friendly operations are to be implemented. Businesses
are directed to pay the cost so as to use these resources in the form of doing something
for environmental conservation. For example, manufacturing businesses are instructed
to treat the chemicals that are used in the production of their products before dumping
them into the water bodies. Business firms are also directed to pay all the required
taxes to use natural resources for commercial purposes in order to comply with all the
established laws and legislation.
3. Environmental aspect: This aspect depicts the concept of reuse and recycle. The social
and economic aspects consist of the environmental concept. Every entity, whether an
individual person or a business firm, is formalized to take up eco-friendly practices that
will not disturb the ecological balance. Every entity that is deriving any kind of benefit
from the environment should contribute to the environment. This, in turn, will add
balance to the environment and maintain the same for the longest period. People and
business entities are required to use bio-degradable products that will not harm the
biological elements such as wildlife and plants on the earth. People using banana leaves
as a plate for consuming food in the Indian state of Kerala can be considered as one of
the best eco-friendly practices.
Social
Economic
Environmental
Fig 2: Three Pillars of Sustainability
You must now know how social aspect, economic aspect, and environmental aspects are
interrelated to each other. Let's take another example to clearly understand the relationship
between these three pillars and how they are interdependent on each other.
Farmers in Rajasthan are in the habit of practicing rainwater harvesting to conserve water
in the rainy season so that it can be used for the entire year as Rajasthan receives less rainfall
and often encounters a shortage of the water level in the state. So, farmers build multiple
cement tanks in their farmyards or keep big drums in their houses that can be filled by
rainwater in the rainy season. After the rainy season ends, these tanks and drums are
covered for using the stored water over a period of one year. The water is used for household
and irrigation purposes. The tanks and drums are fitted with pipelines to provide irrigation
facilities to the crop fields for the whole year. Various farmers pool money to construct the
tanks as it is costly, and when the cycle revives, they construct more tanks together with the
money they receive after selling their crops.
Similarly, hand pumps are fitted in every house to use conserved groundwater in desert
areas. Also, the groundwater conservation facilities are fitted with pipelines to use
groundwater for irrigation purposes rather than household purposes.
A few more sustainability practices are mentioned below
Use of cow Use of solar

dung as biogas enery for
to cook food. electricity.
Construction
Use of
of artificial
paperbags
lakes to
instead of
conserve
plastic bags.
water.
Fig 3: Sustainability in Practice in the Real World
You have studied how resources can be preserved through various traditional and eco-
friendly practices rather than modern technology-oriented practices. You must have noted
that there were many traditional practices in history, which were successful in using natural
resources without any wastage.
The alarming rate of depletion of resources has made some countries strict and aware of
environmental resources. Many countries have passed the laws and implemented them
strictly to follow the sustainability concept mandatorily. Some of the laws are stated below.
❖ Environment Protection Act, 1986, India
❖ Environmental Impact Assessment Act, China
❖ Environmental Impact Assessment Act, 2000, Austria
❖ Air Pollution Control Law, Japan
❖ Water(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, India
❖ The Forests Act, Kenya
❖ Chemical Act of 2008, Ireland
These laws are meant to protect the various bio-diversities in the environment, non-
compliance of which can be considered a severe offense and can attract heavy punishments
and penalties. Multinational companies are specially administered to follow these laws and
regulations on a mandatory basis. They are supposed to pay various taxes and complete legal
procedures to use environmental and societal resources. These taxes and legal procedures
assure that any activity done for the purpose of business would not harm the environment
and society. In fact, companies are often told to execute some welfare programs for the
environment and society to exchange the resources used for business purpose.
5.2 Sustainable Development

You must have often watched around you the construction of certain heavy infrastructure
such as dams, installation of windmills, construction of water tanks at height, the
establishment of artificial lakes, installation of solar panels, etc. These infrastructures are
built to preserve natural resources and use them for various personal or commercial
purposes such as producing electricity and energy, providing irrigation facilities, and many
more.
Thus, we can say that infrastructure is developed to assist the sustenance of natural
resources. This is called sustainable development. Sustainable development refers to
meeting the present human needs by keeping in mind the needs of future generation.
Sustainable development ensures that the future generation needs will not be compromised
for meeting the present needs. Let us now discuss some of the techniques of sustainable
development to understand the concept more clearly.
1. Use of wind energy: Wind is considered as a renewable source of energy and is
available permanently. The wind is used to produce electricity and power using
windmills and wind turbines. These are the heavy pillars installed in the large open
grounds where the flow of wind is uninterrupted.
2. Use of solar energy: Sun is an unlimited source of energy, and so, solar panels are
installed to produce electricity and thermal energy to make it useful for various
commercial and personal purposes.
3. Crop rotation: It is the practice of planting different crops in the same field to enhance
or increase soil fertility for a longer period. Some of the crops are planted as they are
good for improving the soil's quality so that other crops planted subsequently can
receive the required nutrients and minerals.
4. Green Space: Green spaces are created or left for the wildlife and the plants to grow
and prosper. There are green fields that are specially created for the flora and fauna so
that they can grow and develop without any hindrances.
5. Rainwater harvesting: Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting and storing
rainwater in cemented tanks or in an artificial reservoir so that it can be used later for
various purposes. It is very important to implement rainwater harvesting practices as
we know there is a shortage of water due to dried lakes, rivers, etc.
6. Use of CNG gas: Nowadays, motor vehicles are fitted with compressed natural gas
rather than tanks of petrol and other fuels. CNG is also an environment-friendly gas that
does not produce pollution, thus reducing air pollution.
7. Use of biogas: Earlier, rural areas used biogas for cooking with the help of cow dung
and food waste, but now urban areas have also adopted the same practice, reducing the
use of liquefied petroleum gas. The biogas is made using the natural waste of the
environment and is eco-friendly in nature. Today, many households in urban areas are
fitted with biogas pipelines.
5.3 Importance of Sustainable Development

Let us now understand the importance of sustainable development:
1. Eco- friendly: The techniques used for sustainable development and conservation of
nature are eco-friendly and do not introduce any harmful emissions and waste material
into the environment.
2. Limited use of scarce resources: The concept of sustainable development makes it
possible to use scarce natural resources in a limited and restricted form. This promotes
the idea of using such resources in the most efficient ways.
3. Promotion of efficient living: Sustainable development focuses on implementing the
techniques that will make the living standard of urban and rural people efficient
enough. It mainly focuses on practicing the lifestyle that is based on saving up the
resources and hence, satisfying all the basic needs of the people.
4. Promotion of a healthy lifestyle: Sustainable
STUDY NOTE
development lays emphasis on using renewable
Sustainable development can be
sources of energy for daily life activities. This prevents referred to as the development
that is executed and
every person from getting exposed to harmful implemented with the purpose
of sustaining the environment
emissions and production of waste from man-made and its various elements
without compromising the
sources of energy that pollute the environment and needs of such natural elements
for the future generation.
hence, saving the people from suffering due to severe
diseases.
5. Maintaining ecological balance: The use of eco-friendly practices and renewable
sources of energy does not hamper the growth and balance of the environment and
prevents the occurrence of any disaster. The environment and its elements can take
their own natural time to prosper and renew.
6. Depletion of limited or natural resources: If we know that the natural resources are
available in limited quantity in the environment, it can be substituted by unlimited
resources such as human-made resources. Only those resources can be replaced that is
possible to do. This will help to reduce the rate of depletion of natural resources. As
well as, nature can preserve them for a more extended period.
7. Up gradation of living standards: As discussed above, sustainable development lays
focus on efficient living and so, it allows human beings to develop through these
efficient ways. It establishes the techniques to develop a standard of living and increase
the quality of life.
8. Clean energy and clean water: The concept of sustainability provides us with clean
energy to use, which will not harm us and the planet earth in any way. The methods of
sustainability make it possible for us to use clean water that is preserved and purified.
12. What refers to the development done for making the natural resources to
sustain?
a) Sustainable development
b) Sustaining development
c) Infrastructure development
d) None of the above
13. What is called the space created for the growth of flora and fauna?
a) Wide space
b) Green space
c) White space
14. What do you mean by sustainable development?
a) Eco-friendly in nature
b) Helpful in attaining healthy lifestyle
c) Helpful in conserving the natural resources
d) All of the above
15. _________________ is the process of cutting down of forests.
16. The _________________ aspects of Principle of Sustainability talks about using
eco-friendly business operations for manufacturing of goods and services
and for earning profits in business.
17. Environmental Impact Assessment Act, China is considered as the law to
protect biodiversities from exploitation. [True/False]
18. The process of collecting and storing rainwater in cemented tanks or in an
artificial reservoir is known as Rainwater harvesting. [True/False]
Introduction to
Environmental
Science
Importance
of
Multidisciplinary environment
nature of al studies
environmental studies
Scope of
environmental
Meaning and studies
Meaning of
types of
environment
natural
resources
Definition of Concept of
environmental sustainability Importance
studies of
sustainable
developme
nt
Principles of
sustainability Sustainable
Meaning and developmen
description of t
environmental
studies
Fig 4: Conceptual Map
6. SUMMARY
• The environment consists of living and non-living things that are important for
economic growth. Each and every species, human being, plants have a major role in
economic growth
• Various elements are present in the environment,contributing to the ecosystem and
playing a vital role in economic development
• There are two types of resources, renewable and non-renewable, provided to us by
nature. Renewable resources such as timber can replenish with natural regrowth, but
non-renewable resources cannot replenish and are thus available in a limited quantity
• Various problems, such as over-exploitation, and scarcity of resources,
industrialization, pollution, deforestation, etc., affect our environment
• There is a need to create public awareness to stop unethical, illegal, and hazardous
activities that damage our environment
• The multidisciplinary approach involves the study of environmental science from the
aspect of physics, sociology, geology, history, law, and chemistry
• In a multidisciplinary approach, there are three economic development concepts:
environmental pollution and conservation of resources
• The scope of environmental studies focuses on how we can use technology for the
purpose of environmental safety
• Sustainability is the process of using the available resources to meet the requirement
of the present generation such that it does not compromise the needs of the future
generation
• There are three pillars of sustainability—social, economic, and environmental.
• The governments of different countries have implemented various laws that help
citizens comply with sustainability
• Multinational companies are specially instructed to follow the laws for the use of
natural resources for business purposes
• Sustainable development involves such infrastructure development that the natural
resources remain conserved for future use
• Sustainable development can be implemented in various ways, such as the use of wind
and solar energy, rainwater harvesting, crop rotation, use of CNG and biogas
• The concept of sustainable development is important in various aspects such as social,

economic and environmental
❖ Social aspects talks about creating awareness among people for conserving natural
resources, better living standards, etc.
❖ Economic aspects talks about the generation of income, profits for livelihood. It
includes activities related to employment, economic growth, research and
development.
❖ The environmental aspect talks about the scarcity of resources how we can preserve
natural resources for fulfilling future needs. It includes resource management,
policies related to the prevention of resources, etc.
7. GLOSSARY
Biogas: The gas generated from the anaerobic decomposition of biodegradable material like
municipal waste or green waste.
Depletion of natural resources: It refers to the process of exhaustion of natural resources
due totheiroveruse.
Environment: It is the sum total of all the elements that comprise the ecosystem of the earth,
such as flora and fauna, micro-organisms, humans, water bodies, etc.
Initiative: It refers to the steps or measures taken to prevent something harmful from
happening.
Non-renewable sources of energy: They are also called limited sources of energy as they
are not permanent and take time to renew. They are available in a limited quantityon the
earth.
Renewable sources of energy: Renewable sources of energy are permanent and can renew
with time. They are available in an unlimited quantity on the earth.
Resource utilization: It Isa process which tells us that how much percentage of resources
we have used or utilized and effective resources are. Resource utilization is important to
understand because we have a scarcity of non-renewable resources. Everyone utilizes
resources for a specific need, and it should be successfully utilized for best results.
8. CASE STUDY
COCA-COLA, INDIA
In 2009, Coca Cola faced severe criticism for exploiting the ground water and natural
resources for its plant operations at various remote locations in India. The company
allegedly overused the ground water and other natural resources for operating its plants and
dumped the wastewater in the agricultural fields. It also dumped toxic wastes near its
bottling facilities. All this affected the lives of the poor farmers and the local people by
polluting the natural resources and preventing them from using those resources. The
depletion of ground water caused water scarcity in the area which led to severe criticism.
To redress these criticisms and allegations, Coca-Cola took many initiatives for
implementing sustainability development at the location of its plants. It undertook many
practices such as rainwater harvesting and groundwater restoration. It adopted water-
neutral methods to minimize the use of water in its operations.
Coca Cola also took initiatives such as recycling and reusing its bottles to prevent the
excessive use of natural resources and conserve them. It also started many welfare
programmes for the benefit of the local communities near its plants. Coca Cola took these
initiatives on the global level to encourage green and eco-friendly strategies.
Source: Article from times of India newspaper, 27 November 2017
Discussion Questions:
1. Discuss all the concerns hampering the environment in the case of Coca Cola.
2. In reference to the Coca Cola case, explain why is it the need of the hour to change the
industrial development strategy globally and focus on sustainable socio-economic
development?
3. Discuss few other ways by which industries or businesses can be made more
responsible for sustainable development of the environment.
9. TERMINAL QUESTIONS
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Q1.List some natural resources?
Q2. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources.
Q3.What is meant by multidisciplinary nature?
Q4.What is sustainable development?
Q5. What are the three principles of Sustainability?
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
Q1.Explain the scope and importance of environmental studies.
Q2.List three elements of Sustainability and explain them.
Q3.Explain the three pillars of Sustainability in your own words.
9.1 Answers
SELF ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
1. A. Accounts
2. True
3. False
4. D. All of the above
5. Solar energy
6. Biodegradable pollutants
7. A. Reduce, reuse, recycle
8. B. Biosphere
9. Atmosphere
10. True
11. False
12. A. Sustainable development
13. B. Greenspace
15. Deforestation
16. Economic
17. True
18. True
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
Answer 1: Natural resources are generated from the environment, i.e., resources that are
naturally and freely available such as air, sunlight, minerals, etc. Human beings cannot
generate natural resources as we have only one source for natural resources, i.e., the
environment. Natural resources are of two types, renewable resources, and non-renewable
resources.
Answer 2: Renewable resources can be renewed over time from available resources. Ex:
Electricity can be generated from solar panels. Renewable resources can be generated if they
are not present in the environment with natural process help such as solar energy, wind
energy, wood, etc. At the same time, non-renewable resources cannot be renewed over time
due to the scarcity of resources such as natural gas, oil, and coal. They cannot be generated
with natural processes.
Answer 3: Multidisciplinary nature helps understand environmental studies from different

perspectives such as philosophy, physics, geography, history, etc. With this help, we can
understand the problems and solutions related to environmental problems from various
aspects and make decisions accordingly.
Answer 4: Sustainable development is recognized as an organizing principle related to the

economic growth that is continuously involved in maintaining the ecosystem and natural
resources. It is considered as a development that focuses on current requirements without
compromising on future needs.
Answer 5: There are three principles of sustainability, which are as follows:

1. Social aspect: The social aspect of sustainability encourages society's people to
conserve natural resources. It includes environmental safety and health, use of
marketing communication for creating awareness related to natural resources, etc.
2. Economic aspect: The economic aspect depicts how the business uses eco-friendly
resources to operate its business to earn revenues. Economic elements talk about the
financial position of the economy. Businesses should prevent our resources by utilizing
them in a better way so that they will not cause any harm to society. In this, it includes
giving better product and services to society, Employment opportunity, etc.
3. Environmental aspect: The environmental aspect helps use eco-friendly products for
business operations, that can be easily recycled and reused. It includes green initiatives,
resource management, etc.

Answer 1: The scope and importance of environmental studies are very important to
understand, as listed below:
• It helps in creating public awareness among citizens and industries
• As we know, resources are scarce in nature, and their preservation is very important
• It is important to develop eco-friendly products and technologies for safety purposes.
• As the population is increasing, the utilization of resources is also increasing, and we
should use resources as per our requirement only and do not waste them.
Answer 2: Sustainability is described as an ability to endure continually. It concentrates on

the needs or requirements of the present generation without disturbing the future
generation's needs. The three elements of sustainability are:
• Environmental: the environmental element is also informally recognized as the
planet. The environmental element introduces the concept of recycling and reuse. It
assists businesses or individuals to utilize the eco-friendly practices that later recycle
and reuse.
• Social: The social element is also recognized as people. It involves spreading
information in society regarding how to preserve natural resources.
• Economic: Economic element of sustainability is also known as profit. It emphasizes
the business to use eco-friendly procedures and resources which help in protecting the
environment. It also helps cut-off extra expenses and keeps nature happy.
Answer 3: The three pillars of sustainability are social, economic, and environmental
1. Social Pillar: Social pillar of sustainability involves spreading awareness among the
society and culture to prevent natural resources. It also encourages people to use the
natural resources attentively that do not harm the environment or surrounding. To
protect the environment, many laws, rules, and regulations are imposed by the
government.
2. Economic Pillar: Many companies or businesses utilize natural resources in their
production and operations in today's era. The economic pillar suggests that the
industries use eco-friendly resources, so they are later recycled or reused, reducing
production costs and protecting the environment.
3. Environmental Pillar: The environmental pillar introduces the theory of recycling and
reuse. Environmental pillars highlight the use of eco-friendly resources to reduce the
expense and emphasizes other people to adopt eco-friendly practices.
10. SUGGESTED BOOKS AND E-REFERENCES

BOOKS:
• Agarwal, K.C. (2001) Environmental Biology, Nidi Publ. Ltd. Bikaner.
• BharuchaErach, The Biodiversity of India, Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad –
380 013, India,
• Dr. B.S. Chauhan, (2008) Environmental Studies, Laxmi publications Pvt. Ltd. Delhi.
• Dr. Y.K. Singh, Environmental Science, New age international private publishers, Delhi.
• Sharma, P.D., (1997), Ecology and Environment, Rastogi Publications, Meerut
E-REFERENCES:
• Environmental Studies for undergraduate courses, viewed on 14 February 2021,
<https://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/modelcurriculum/env.pdf>
• Environmental Studies, viewed on 14 February 2021,
<https://books.google.co.in/books?id=Pw6WiYiHPhIC&printsec=frontcover&source=
gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false>
• Sustainability-What is it? Definition, Principles and Examples, viewed on 15 February
2021, <https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-sustainability-definition-
examples-principles/>
• Sustainable Development, viewed on 15 February 2021,
<https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/what-is-sustainable-development-and-
its-goals.php>
• Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental Studies, viewed on 14 February 2021,
<https://aits-tpt.edu.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Environmental-Studies-
Lecture-notes.doc-I_Betech_-ECE-CSE-EEE-CEME_III-Sem_BR.pdf>
• Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental Studies, viewed on 14 February 2021,
<http://assets.cambridge.org/97811075/36173/excerpt/9781107536173_excerpt.p
df>
ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 1

Unit 2
Components and Processes of the Earth
Table of Contents
SL Topic Fig No / SAQ / Page No
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction - -
3-4
2 Meaning and concept of components and - -
processes of the Earth
1 1 5-8
2.1 Defining the Earth System
2.2 Process of the Earth System 2 -
3 Spheres of Earth 3, 4 2 9-11
4 Atmosphere - 3 12-13
5 Hydrosphere - 4, I 14-15
6 Lithosphere 5, 6 5 16-19
7 Biosphere - - 20-21
8 Anthrophosphere 7, 8 6 21-23
9 Summary - - 24
10 Glossary - - 25
26-28
11.1 Answer Keys - -
12 Suggested Books and E-References - - 29

1. INTRODUCTION
In previous chapter, we have learnt the meaning of environmental science, key terms and
ideas associated with Environment science and its management. There are different
disciplines that help us in understanding the environmental science, such as geology, biology,
mathematics, technology, etc., and in every discipline, it is very important to go in-depth.
There are different types of natural resources i.e., renewable resources and non-renewable
resources that help in the survival of living beings. . In the previous chapter, we have also
talked about different aspects that exist in the multidisciplinary nature of environmental
studies, i.e., social aspects, economic aspects, and environmental aspects, and are important
for human beings to understand.
With these, we will try to understand, the Earth's components and how these components
interact with each other in our ecosystem.
Our entire global system is called the Earth system. Similar to other
STUDY NOTE
systems, the earth system comprises of various components and
The term “Earth system"
flows associated with the system. In further sections of this refers to Earth´s
interacting physical,
chapter, we will study about the earth system in detail chemical, and biological
processes.
As we have already studied in the previous chapter, there are
different types of activities associated with industries andhuman beings in an environment
that affects our planet or surroundings. The changes in nature or environment take place due
to pollution, excessive depletion of resources, etc. To protect the environment from getting
damaged, the awareness regarding climate changes and other environmental crises began in
the 1970s. Sahelian Droughts and chemical disasters like Chernobyl were unprecedented
disasters in their magnitude and severity.
Our global ecosystem is threatened by imbalances created due to a growing population and
further economic and technological developments. Growing concerns are visible in the form
of global warming, acidification of surface water, depletion of resources, and extinction of
resources. The planet we call our home, the Earth, is made up of four major spheres—
atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. We will be discussing them in detail

and taking a new study on the Anthroposphere, which is a recently undertaken part of the
earth system's spheres.
It is very important to understand the term environment as it helps us to understand further

topics. As we know, the environment consists of living and non-living organisms, species,
plants, etc. We have discussed this in the detailed description in the previous chapter. This
unit will help you identify the main components of the earth system and how we can take
actions to secure our surroundings for a better future.
We all experience different types of weather conditions, atmosphere, and surroundings

every time and it is not the same every day because the Earth's processes change as per the
natural environment conditions. If there is an increase in pollution on Earth, our planet and
other planets will get affected by it and vice-versa. We should always take care of available
resources and not exploit the resources available on Earth. With the help of emerging
technology in the environment, the latest technology available with us to formulate a
strategy that can help create a pollution free environment.
The helps check and monitor the environmental changes on a regular basis and take actions
accordingly. Unfortunately, some damages have already been done since we were not
equipped with techniques to measure environmental change and prevent the same.
We should take measures to protect our Earth and other planets, which are important for
survival. We all are familiar that the environment is very dynamic in nature, and changes
take place every second, which can be positive or negative. But to protect the environment
from exploitation is our main responsibility. Otherwise, we will not be able to survive on this
planet.

❖ Describe the Earth as a system

❖ Explain the process of the Earth System
❖ Describe the spheres of Earth and their properties
❖ Explain how biospheres were formed and the purpose behind the formation.

2. MEANING AND CONCEPT OF THE EARTH SYSTEM

Before understanding the earth system first, we have to understand the meaning of the
system. The system consists of various components that work together in a streamlined
motion to perform a certain function. For instance, we are considering the river as a system
with various components like deltas and tributaries coming out of it. These components are
helping rivers with the transport of water with sediments and nutrients from one
geographical region to another..
This transfer of materials happens through a series of events through flows, cycles and
transformations. Earth system is made from two different words, i.e., "Earth" and the
"System," both of which have different meanings. Earth system comprises of the chemical,
physical and biological interactions, among the different components of Earth.
The example we discussed above in this section is a very small part of our giant earth system.
Now we will explain how components work together to perform a function. For instance, in
the case of a river system, water, sediments, nutrients, pollutants and energy, are all part of
the system. A system's components can be considered as stores where the energy and
materials are in a store and further in the process of system, undergo modification or a
complete transformation.
2.1 Defining the Earth System

After understanding the meaning of the word "Earth system" and "System," we will now
further move to the earth system's definition. We start perceiving Earth as a system when
we start feeling the environment around us, the warmth, sunshine, or the rain. The process
surrounding the global environment are connected with each other. Various global crises
took place during earlier times, which caused many environmental problems.
With the availability of resources and techniques, scientists are encouraged to learn how
these connections function together – to understand the Earth as a whole in a better way so
that they can take actions to protect and create awareness among people.
According to some researches, it is revealed that few scientists are exploring the connections
of the Earth system, and also they understand the changes in climate which causes
disturbance in the overall earth system. There are trace gases in our earth system, which

means the gases present in the atmosphere other than Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Argon. They
make up less than 1 % by volume of a planet's atmosphere.
These gases are linked to physical, chemical and biological processes. They are also affected
by the circulation of oceans and the atmosphere. The detailed fabric of the flows, components
and processes of the system helps decode the science behind climate change.
GEOSPHERE
EARTH BIOSPHERE
SYSTEM
ATMOSPHERE
HYDROSPHERE
LITHOSPHERE ANTHROPHOSPHERE
Fig 1: Earth System Components
The earth system is considered an integrated system, and it is sub-divided into the other four
major components that are also known as spheres. The spheres are the geosphere,
atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. One more sphere has been added to
the list i.e., Anthrophosphere. All components are tightly interconnected with each other and
play a vital role in the environment.
❖ Lithosphere: It includes rocks, minerals and it also shapes the

STUDY NOTE
Earth's surface. The lithosphere also affects the atmosphere,
The Earth system now
water cycle, biogeochemical cycles and oceans. includes human
society. Our social and
❖ Geosphere: It includes the solid parts of earth’s surrounding economic systems are
now embedded within
that are used to form the surface of the core, and the crust of the Earth system.
the earth. Geosphere is one of the four components of the

earth's surface, along with the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
❖ Anthrophosphere: It refers to the part of the earth that is made by human beings as it
includes man-made materials or surfaces such as urban areas, rural areas, and so on.
❖ Atmosphere: The gaseous part of the Earth present in our surroundings and which
receives the radiation from solar rays, which makes the surface of earth warm.
❖ Hydrosphere: It constitutes various parts of the Earth that contain water such as seas,
lakes, and rivers.

❖ Biosphere: It is a combination of all living organisms, and in this, all spheres are
required for survival.
2.2 Processes of Earth System

The term process here describes any transformation that occurs in our ecological system.
This change or transformation can be in different forms – physical, chemical, or biological.
The environmental system study focuses on these processes and flows to understand the
subject in a clear way. It may be appropriate to state that the core study of environmental
science is process and response-centric.
Thus, both the relevant processes and their consequences are thoroughly discussed in this
chapter's upcoming sections. In the environment, energy can be perceived in different forms
from radiation (solar or infrared), thermal, kinetic, potential, and chemical energy. Scientists
are trying to predict the model and amount of energy in each form and their capacity in every
system component.
Source-Britannica.Hydrocycle
Fig 2: Hydrological Cycle (Water Cycle)
Scientists are also trying to understand how various energies are exchanged between
components of the Earth's system. The energy cycle is directly linked to the hydrologic cycle
as sunlight reaches the Earth, leading to evaporation from the surface and soils. The resultant
water condenses into clouds releasing the latent energy. Further precipitation occurs, the
water can stay frozen on the surface to melt later or evaporate into the environment again.
This water further seeps into the ground soil and then is run off through land erosion.

Ultimately it becomes part of the surface water. In a nutshell, we can observe that energy,
water, and chemical elements are stored in different places on Earth and can be transformed
by various processes and cycles.
1. Process is defined as any such transformation that occurs in our environment

system. [True/ False]
2. ______________ includes rocks, minerals and is considered as part of the planet earth
and it develops the layer of soil.
3. ____________ is a combination of all living organisms, and in this, all spheres are
required for survival.
4. The __________ in the earth’s atmosphere makes it more difficult for heat to escape
from Earth’s surfaces.

3. SPHERES OF EARTH
Earth system is a combination of four sub-systems, i.e., land, air, water, and living things.
These sub-systems have now fallen under four major categories, and scientists have given
them new names lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Let's now
understand the components of the earth system in detail.
As humans, we are interacting with our Earth's sphere daily and it is our duty to utilize them
to the fullest without any wastage of resources. Hydrosphere helps in providing water to the
living organisms. Similarly, the atmosphere gives us fresh air which helps in survival on
Earth. The lithosphere includes land on which we all live and earn our livelihood by utilizing
nature's resources and man-made resources. The natural resources like coal and minerals
are part of the geosphere. All the components which are part of the Earth's system are
connected with the help of various flows of materials and energy.
Source - Globe 2014, Earth System Science

Fig 3: Sphere of Earth

As we can see in above Figure 3, there are overlapping spheres of the earth system. This
diagram shows that each sphere is very wide, and when all spheres combine together, it
makes Earth as a planet. This diagram shows us how the spheres are tightly interconnected
with the system. Let's now discuss all spheres in brief in this section, and later on will study
more about each sphere separately.
Source – Socratic. Com

Fig 4:Different Spheres Categories
A. HYDROSPHERE:
It contains all water bodies present in our surroundings and on Earth as we can see in Figure
4. The hydrosphere is extended at a large level and downward in the Earth's surface. It
includes covers various oceans, rivers, lakes, sea, and glaciers. As we know, water is a basic
necessity and an essential part of everyone's life and required for survival.
B. ATMOSPHERE:
It consists of various gases that are present in the environment. Different weather conditions
directly affect the atmosphere. If there is very hot temperature, sun will absorb the water
present on the earth's surface with the evaporation cycle process's help. As when water is
collected on Earth, the sun's rays absorb that water and form clouds in the sky, which
converts them into the form of rain on the Earth. This is the cycle is known as the evaporation
cycle. We can see the evaporation cycle in Figure no. 2.

C. LITHOSPHERE:
The lithosphere consists of all planets’ crust made up of solid and rigid material and covers
the Earth's outer shell. The rocks which are present in the lithosphere are considered as
elastic. In the lithosphere, we have two categories, i.e., continental and oceanic lithosphere.
Oceanic Lithosphere is more concerned with the Oceanic crust, and it is also denser than the
continental lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere is only 50-100 km thick, whereas the
Continental lithosphere is thicker approx 1500 km. Continental lithosphere is also known
from different name i.e., continental crust, which consista of means the layer constitute of
sedimentary and igneous rocks that helps in forming continent.
D. BIOSPHERE:
The biosphere is the mixture of all the above-mentioned spheres, which helps in the survival
of human beings on Earth and provides us with various resources necessary for survival. As
we can see in Figure 4 the biosphere is made up of all spheres.
5. Which of the Earth’s spheres includes land on which we all live and earn our
livelihood by utilizing nature's resources and man-made resources?
a) Atmosphere
b) Lithosphere
c) Geosphere
d) Anthroposphere
6. Which sphere of earth do resources like coal and minerals belong to?
a) Biosphere
b) Lithosphere
c) Atmosphere
d) Geosphere
7. In the Lithosphere, ________ and _______ rocks helps in forming a continent
8. ____________ Sphere contains all water bodies present in our surroundings and on
earth.

4. ATMOSPHERE
Earth is the only planet in our universe with a blanket of the atmosphere with the ability to
sustain life. This gaseous layer surrounding the Earth and is held to the surface due to
gravitational force. This blanket of gases not only provides us with the air to breathe but also
protects mankind from the harmful rays and radiations emancipating from the sun. The
upper portion of the atmosphere is responsible for protecting the organisms of the
biosphere. The atmosphere receives solar radiation from the sun, which is then remitted
back to our surface, thus, warming the planet in the day and cooling it at night.
The atmosphere also absorbs water from the Earth's surface via the evaporation process.
Then the water is further redistributed through heat and moisture across the Earth's surface.
When the temperature around the lower portion of the earth changes, weather change
occurs. As the air around the lower portion of the atmosphere heats or cools, it leads to the
breeze or in a complex situation.TheEarth's atmosphere is about 480 kilometers thick, while
most of it is within 16 km from the surface. The air pressure decreases with altitude. Around
the sea level, air pressure is around 1 Kg per square centimeter.
The atmosphere of Earth is divided into five layers known as the exosphere, the
thermosphere, the mesosphere, the stratosphere and the troposphere. Karman line is the
altitude where space begins. There is no distinct boundary that separates the boundary from
outer space, and the Karman line is about 100 kilometers from the Earth's surface.
❖ Troposphere – It is one of the closest layers to the Earth's surface and it includes half
of the Earth's atmosphere. The layer is around 7 to 10 km and is home to all the vapour
and dust leading to clouds' formation.
❖ Stratosphere – It is the second layer from the Earth's surface, and it ends about 50 kms
from the Earth. This is the layer where the ozone concentration is the most and absorbs
the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. The air around this layer is thousand times
thinner than at the sea level. This is the major reason which helps aircraft and weather
balloons fly easily.
❖ Mesosphere - This layer extends fromabout50 km to 85 km of the Earth's surface. This
layer's top is mesopause, and scientists claim that this part of the coldest layer is thus
hard to study. Additionally, the meteors burn up in this layer.

❖ Thermosphere – The fourth layer of the atmosphere begins at 80 km from the sea level
to between 500 and 1,000 km. Although this layer is considered part of the atmosphere,
the air density is so low that most of the layer is part of outer space. The auroras occur
around this layer. When the charged particles collide with atoms and molecules of the
atmosphere, exciting them into higher states of energy, the excited atoms release excess
energy, which we see as the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis.
❖ Exosphere – It is the highest layer that emerges around into the outer space and is
thinner compared to the other layers. The exosphere is composed of dispersed particles
of hydrogen and helium together.
9. The part of the Earth that is made up of all the gases in Earth's air is called:
a) Biosphere
b) Atmosphere
c) Hydrosphere
d) Geosphere
10. _____________ layer starts at 50 km from the earth's surface and extends to 85 km
high.
11. ____________ is the altitude where space begins.

5. HYDROSPHERE
The hydrosphere is the component of the Earth that is composed
STUDY NOTE
of all the liquid water found on the planet. It consists of water
97.5% of the Earth’s
storage areas such as oceans, lakes, ponds, streams to ice sheets, hydrosphere is saltwater
sea ice, and glaciers. The hydrosphere is inclusive of both and 2.5% is freshwater.
Only 0.3% of the
saltwater and freshwater. Further, it also includes any moisture freshwater in the Earth’s
hydrosphere is easily
present in soil and within the core of the different rocks. accessible by humans. The
rest is in the form of ice
❖ Oceans – The major source of saltwater on the planet earth (glaciers, snow and
permafrost) and
is the ocean. groundwater.
❖ Freshwater – There are two major sources of freshwater,

i.e., groundwater and surface water. The sources of surface water include lakes, rivers,
and streams, whereas groundwater sources are majorly found beneath the ground.
Water is one of the most critical elements for the survival of living organisms on Earth. The
hydrosphere is primarily composed of water, but some impurities and additions in the water
have diverse elements present. While some of these are polluted, others are necessary for
the ecosystems.
The hydrosphere comprises a very large part of the earth system, with almost 71% covering
the Earth's surface. The hydrosphere is divided into two different categories-fluid water
systems and the cryosphere. The exchange and transfer of water is the important motion of
the atmosphere and is also the basis of the hydrologic cycle. This regular exchange causes
currents and moves the warm water from the tropics to the poles. Further, it helps in the
regulation of the temperature of the Earth. Any storage area of the Earth that stores liquid
water is part of the hydrosphere.

Activity 1
After understanding the concept of Hydrosphere , conduct a research analysis, where
you have to identify the reasons of Algae formation on water, and how we can
overcome with this problem. Also, as a citizen of country,suggest few points how we
can conserve or protect water from getting polluted so that it will reduce Algae
presence on water.
12. __________ is an example of salt water.

a) Groundwater
b) Polar ice caps
c) Glaciers
d) Oceans
13. What do you mean by Earth’s water?
a) Most of Earth’s water is salt water. The little bit of fresh water on Earth is
mostly frozen.
b) Most of Earth’s water is fresh water. The little bit of salt water on Earth is
mostly frozen.
c) Most of Earth’s water is salt water. The little bit of fresh water on Earth is
not frozen.
d) Most of Earth’s water is fresh water. Most of the salt water is frozen.
14. The earth is about 70 % water. [True/False]
15. The world is made of more freshwater than salt water. [True/False]

6. THE LITHOSPHERE
The lithosphere is a very solid and rigid part that presents on the outer layer of the Earth
where known life takes place. The lithosphere's major part constitutes the brittle upper
portion of the mantle and the crust and the structure's outermost layers. The lithosphere's
outer layer is very thin if we compare it to any other planet. Lithosphere represents the 1.56
percent earth's radius. If we compare, the present Earth's layer is very different, which is
covered with chemicals completely from the layer that was 3.8 billion years ago. Here we
have shown the outer lithosphere layer in Figure 7.
Source – nationalgeographic.org
Fig 5:Schematic Diagram of Lithosphere
This diagram's main purpose is to emphasize the lithosphere elements and how they relate
to each other. The lithosphere is divided in three different layers, i.e., the Central layer, a core
layer, and the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer is also known as the mantle,
whereas the layer presented on the outer surface is known as the crust. The structure is
surrounded by the atmosphere and asthenosphere. The rocks comprising the lithosphere
are mostly elastic but not vicious.
The asthenosphere is vicious, and the Lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) is the

place where scientists studied the flow of matter and measured ductility. The Lithosphere
includes aluminum, oxygen, iron, calcium, potassium, and few other elements. The crust of

the Earth is not a homogeneous substance but includes a variety of layers from sedimentary
rocks to metamorphic rocks and Baltic rocks at the bottom of this layer.
The tectonic plates, which consist of the lithosphere, keep on moving continuously at an
average rate of 10 cm. One instance that proves the lithosphere's movement is that the
Atlantic Ocean was not part of the same continent around 200 million years ago. The Atlantic
Ocean came into being due to the tectonic plates' drifting nature across Eurasian and North
American Plates.
Lithosphere is of two types as discussed below:

• Oceanic Lithosphere
• Continental Lithosphere
The oceanic lithosphere is denser than the continental and is also associated with the oceanic
crust. The oceanic lithosphere is 50-100 km thick, whereas the continental lithosphere is
thicker, about 150 km.
Tectonic activity is one of the common interactions along the earth’s lithosphere. The
lithosphere is distributed along with the tectonic plates, including the North American,
Caribbean, South American, Scotia, Antarctic, Eurasian, Arabian, African, Indian, Philippine,
Australian, Pacific, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, and Nazca Plates. The majority of the activity occurs
at the boundaries of these plates, where they collide or slide against each other. The tectonic
plate's movement happens due to the impact of thermal energy from the mantle part of the
lithosphere. Tectonic plate activity is responsible for some of the most dramatic geological
events, including earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building. Tectonic activity is in itself
responsible for shaping lithosphere itself.
Humans interact with the geosphere on a regular basis with excavations and agricultural
activities. But these have a minor impact on the functions of the geosphere. Thus, we can see
that humans are at the mercy of powerful geological forces. The 2010 Haiti Earthquake is
one of the main examples of the impact of the tectonic plate forces. Although for mankind, it
is not possible to stop these activities, studying their mechanics helps us understand their
dynamics and reduce the risks.

The geosphere process also initiates the rock cycle from the different stages of
metamorphism, melting to solidification, deposition, and burial. This constant recycling of
rocks took place between sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic states. The constant
formation of rocks can be understood through the rock cycle flow diagram that is shown in
Figure 8.
Source:Geologyglasgow.org.uk
Fig 6:The Rock Cycle
The diagram helps in understanding the processes of rock formation and the processes
which they undergo for their formation.
• Sedimentary rocks are formed through weathering and transportation of existing rocks
and additional deposits, cementing, and compaction
• Igneous rocks are formed due to the cooling and crystallization of molten rock
• Metamorphic rocks are formed when the right amount of heat, temperature, and
pressure is applied to other rocks

16. Which among the following is an example of types of lithosphere?

a) Oceanic and continental
b) Oceanic and pedosphere
c) Mesosphere and stratosphere
d) Continental and stratosphere
17. Scientists know that Earth's continents have changed position throughout
history. This means that the shape of the continents' shores has changed as
well. This is an example of which two Earth's systems interacting?
a) Biosphere and geosphere
b) Biosphere and atmosphere
c) Geosphere and atmosphere
d) Lithosphere and asthenosphere
18. The part of the earth that is made up of rock and soil includes:
a) Geosphere
b) Pedosphere
c) Biosphere
d) Hydrosphere
19. What do you mean by Geosphere?
a) Frozen water on our planet
b) Earth’s entire solid parts
c) 100 km thick layer of gases
d) All liquid water on earth
20. Tectonic plate activity is responsible for some of the most dramatic
geological events like volcanoes, earthquakes. [True/False]

7. THE BIOSPHERE
The biosphere consists of all spheres, i.e., lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. The
biosphere is part of the earth where life exists and is extended from trees, dark environment
of the ocean to high mountaintops. Life forms are part of all the spheres that are part of all
the spheres on the ground, in air, and in the water, and biosphere overlaps all these spheres.
The biosphere extends to around 20 kms but almost all life forms exist around about 500
meters below the ocean's surface to about 6 kms above sea level.
The origin of the biosphere goes back to 3.5 billion years ago. The earliest forms of life are
called the prokaryotes, which survived without oxygen. These include single-celled
organisms such as bacteria or archaea. Prokaryotes function through a unique chemical
process and use sunlight to process sugar and oxygen out of water and carbon dioxide. The
photosynthetic materials are present in plenty of amount for making changes in the
biosphere. Over the next couple of decades, the atmosphere will develop various new gases
that help with the sustenance of life.
The biosphere is part of one large ecosystem consisting of a complex community of living
and non-living organisms functioning as a single unit. Human beings are essential
contributors to maintain the flow of energy in the biosphere. There are three components in
the biosphere:
A. Biotic components
B. Abiotic components
C. Energy components
Biotic Components: These include living organisms such as plants, animals and human
beings. It also includes the microorganism. Plants are the primary producers and they
involved in the production of their own food. They recycle the organic matters and various
nutrients. Thus, plants are the primary source of food and energy for all the living organisms.
Animals are the consumers and they feed on the plants. They consume the food produced by
plants, convert it into energy and use that energy for their development. Micro-organisms
are the decomposers and they decompose the dead plants and animals. These decomposed
complex organic matter into simpler form are recycled by the plants.

Abiotic components include physical and inorganic components. It consists of the non-living
elements present in the environment, such as water, mineral nutrients and gases which are
required for the survival of human beings and living organisms.
Energy components include everything without which life is not possible on Earth or this
planet. Sun is a very important and main energy source.
8. ANTHROPOSPHERE
The Anthroposphere includes the presence of entire mankind across the earth system from
culture, technology, environment, and other activities that are part of our daily activities. The
Anthroposphere came into existence in Anthropocene. Scientists mark this age with the
beginning of agriculture, while others associate it with the industrial revolution.
The geologist's community started recognizing Anthropocene as a new geological era, and it
started around the 1950s. We can also define Anthropocene as the earth system component,
which comprises the towns, cities, villages, and every transportation network to every other
establishment that marks civilization. We can also describe Anthropocene as that
component of the Earth that is modified by humans due to human activities and habitats.
Earlier human life was not good compared to today's human life as now there is the
availability of resources, technology, etc., but with the growth in numbers, we started
diversifying from the common path. We stepped into the industrial revolution phase from
harnessing fire, manufacturing tools for own protection to the advent of agriculture and
settlements in groups. During the 18th century, we saw a series of inventions that became
the biggest climate change, drivers. Additionally, we also altered our environment's natural
cycles, thus affecting the ultraviolet radiation and ozone in the stratosphere. The footprint
of our chemical activities can be followed in all the spheres of the Earth. The below figure 9
shows how drastically humans have spread over a few centuries.

Source: NASA.Goddard Space Flight Centre

Fig 7: Satellite Image of Earth
With this Figure, number 9, we can see how humans are distributed throughout most of the
land. The contrast between the continents' luminous and dark regions reveals disparities in
human developmentt throughout the globe.
Change in the Anthroposphere:

With the rapid increase in our population, the changes in our natural spheres are rapidly
taking place and increasing at a very fast pace. To add to the growing billions, the
Anthroposphere has expanded at a large scale to accommodate more agricultural land and
human settlements. Newer technologies have also enabled humans to extract resources that
help developed numerous gadgets for a comfortable life.
21. When was the anthroposphere started being recognized in the geologist
community?
a) 1930
b) 1970
c) 1950
d) 1960
22. The ___________ includes the mankind presence across the earth system from
technology, environment, culture and other activities that are part of our daily
activities.

CONCEPTUAL MAP
Spheres of Earth
Atmosphere Hydrosphere Lithosphere Biosphere Anthroposphere Geosphere
Biotic
Troposphere
components
Abiotic
Stratosphere
components
Energy
Mesosphere
components
Thermosphere
Exosphere

9. SUMMARY
• A system is a group of components that come together to perform a similar function as
the earth system.
• The Earth is an integrated system which is divided into 4 main components, sub-
components, or spheres. These components are Lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere
and biosphere.
• Earth is the only planet in our universe with a blanket of the atmosphere with the ability
to sustain life.
• The Earth's atmosphere is about 480 kilometers thick, while most of it is within 16 kms
from the surface.
• The hydrosphere is that component of the Earth that is composed of all the liquid water
found on the planet. The hydrosphere includes rivers, lakes, seas, ocean and all water
bodies.
• The lithosphere is the very rigid part that is present on the outer surface of the Earth,
and it is made up of solid rocks. The tectonic plates' movement takes place due to the
impact of thermal energy from the mantle part of the lithosphere.
• The origin of biosphere goes back to 3.5 billion years ago. The earliest forms of life are
called the prokaryotes and they can easily survive without oxygen.
• Biosphere has three different components, i.e. Abiotic components, biotic components
and energy components.
• Biotic components are organically formed, such as plants, animals, and human beings,
whereas Abiotic are the non-living being necessary for the survival of living organisms.
Energy components are a basic necessity of one's life such as sun.
• As per UNESCO, Biosphere reserves are the areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems
promoting solutions to reconcile with nature to conserve biodiversity and its
sustainable use.
• The geologists’ community started recognizing Anthropocene as a new geological era.
This new era of the Anthroposphere started around the 1950s.
• The Anthroposphere includes the presence of entire mankind across the earth system
from culture, technology, our environment and other activities as part of our daily
activities.

10. GLOSSARY
Abiotic: They are the non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect
how the living organism's function.
Atmosphere: An atmosphere is a layer or a set of layers of gases surrounding a planet or

other material body that is held in place by the gravity of that body.
Biodiversity: It is the variability of life on Earth at the genetic, species and ecosystem level.
Biosphere: It is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems and is termed as the zone of life on
Earth.
Biosphere Reserves: Man-made creation of an ecological system to reconcile with nature.
Ecosystem: An ecosystem is a geographical area where plants, animals, and other organisms
as well as weather and landscape work together to form a bubble of life.
Hydrosphere: Those parts of the earth system that are composed of water in its liquid,
gaseous and solid phases.
Process: Any physical, chemical, or biological transformation that occurs in an environment.
Single-celled organisms: These are the organisms with a single cell and are one of the
important forms of life.


Q1.Describe the significance of Earth system.
Q2. What are prokaryotes, and where do they fit in the Earth's spheres?
Q3.Whatare the Earth's four major systems?
Q1.Explain the tectonic plate activity and its interaction with the lithosphere.
Q2.Which is the Earth's largest system? Explain.
Q3.What are the different sources of stored water in the hydrosphere? Explain.
11.1 Answers
1. True
2. Geosphere
3. Biosphere
4. Trace Gases
5. B. Lithosphere
6. D. Geosphere
7. Sedimentary and Igneous
8. Hydrosphere
9. Atmosphere
10. Mesosphere
11. Karman line
12. Oceans
13. Most of the Earth's water is saltwater. The little bit of fresh water on Earth is mostly
frozen.
14. True
15. False
16. Oceanic and continental
17. Biosphere and Atmosphere
18. Pedosphere

19. Earth's entire solid parts

20. True
21. 1950
22. Anthroposphere
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
SHORT QUESTION ANSWERS
Answer 1: The process surrounding the global environment are connected. Majority of the
global crisis issues has pushed the scientists to learn how these connection functions
together – to better understand Earth as a whole. Scientists are yet to explore and unravel
all the connections of the Earth system. Scientists studying climate change are more focused
on understanding these connections of the earth system's components.
Answer 2: The earliest forms of life are called the prokaryotes, which survived without
oxygen. They are part of the biosphere, which came into existence millions of years ago.
These include single-celled organisms such as bacteria or archaea. They function through a
unique chemical process and use sunlight to process sugar and oxygen out of water and
carbon dioxide, called the photosynthesis process.
Answer 3: The Earth is an integrated system but it can be divided into 4 main components,
sub-components or spheres. These components are geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere
and biosphere. The components are also in their own systems and are tightly interconnected
through the system.
LONG QUESTION ANSWERS

Answer 1: The tectonic activity is one of the common interactions along the Earth's
lithosphere. The lithosphere is distributed along with the tectonic plates, including the North
American, Caribbean, South American, Scotia, Antarctic, Eurasian, Arabian, African, Indian,
Philippine, Australian, Pacific, Juan de Fuca, Cocos and Nazca Plates. The majority of the
activity takes place at the boundaries of these plates, where they collide or slide against each
other. The tectonic plates' movement happens due to the impact of thermal energy from the
mantle part of the lithosphere.

Tectonic plate activity is responsible for some of the most dramatic geological events,
including which includes earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain building. Tectonic activity
is in itself responsible for the shaping of the lithosphere itself.
Answer 2: Geosphere is one of the largest systems on Earth. The geosphere is part of the
system that is composed of rocks and minerals. This is inclusive of the molten rock, and
heavy metals present inside the core of the Earth to the mountains' sands and peaks. At
certain places, the geosphere has a layer of soil that makes it sustainable for living organisms'
survival. This system thus provides an important ecological habit and the basis of diverse
forms of life. The geosphere is also responsible for abiotic organisms and skeletons of
organisms that fossilize over a geologic time.
Answer 3: Hydrosphere is the component of the Earth that is composed of all the liquid
water found on the planet. It consists of water storage areas such as oceans, lakes, ponds,
streams to ice sheets, sea ice, and glaciers. Any storage area of the earth that stores liquid
water is part of the hydrosphere. It includes:
• Oceans – The major source of saltwater on the planet earth is the ocean.
• Freshwater – There are 2 major sources of freshwater- groundwater & surface water.
The sources of surface water include lakes, rivers, and streams, while groundwater is
majorly found beneath the ground.

12. SUGGESTED BOOKS AND REFERENCES

BOOKS:
• Park C (2001) Environment in crisis. In: The Environment: Principles and Applications,
2nd edn. Routledge, London.
• Smithson P, Addison K, Atkinson K (2008) Energy and Earth in Fundamentals of the
Physical Environment, 4th edn. Routledge, London.
• Agarwal, K.C. 2001 Environmental Biology, Nidi Publ. Ltd. Bikaner.
• BharuchaErach, The Biodiversity of India, Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd., De A.K.,
Environmental Chemistry, Wiley Eastern Ltd.
REFERENCES:
• https://www.skb.se/publikation/2182658/R-10-37.pdf
• http://samples.jbpub.com/9781284108293/9781284457162_CH03_SECURE.pdf
• https://www.cgd.ucar.edu/staff/trenbert/books/EarthProc.pdf
• https://www.soas.ac.uk/cedep-demos/000_P500_ESM_K3736-
Demo/module/pdfs/p500_unit_01.pdf

ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 3: Elemental Cycling 1

Unit 3
Elemental Cycling
Table of Contents
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction - -
3-5
2 Water Cycle 1 1, I
6-9
2.1 How Water Cycle Affects Ecology and - -
Society
3 Carbon Cycle 2 2
3.1 Biological Carbon Cycle - - 10-12
3.2 Geological Carbon Cycle - -
4 Nitrogen Cycle - 3
4.1 Marine Ecosystem’s Nitrogen Cycle - - 13-15
4.2 How Human Activities Affect Nitrogen - -
Cycle
5 Phosphorus Cycle - 4 16-18
6 Sulfur Cycle - 5 19-20
7 Oxygen Cycle 3, 4 6
7.1 Processes that Produce Oxygen - - 10-23
7.2 Processes that Use Oxygen - -

8 Summary - - 24-25
9 Glossary - - 26-27
10 Case Study - - 27-28
28-32
12 Suggested Books and e-References - - 33

1. INTRODUCTION
Each element on planet earth, like water, carbon, nitrogen, etc., has a specific role to play in
our ecosystem and is powerful and important by itself. But the power of these elements is
magnified and lies in how they interact with each other to keep our world in perfect balance.
Elemental cycling is a biogeochemical cycle that circulates the essential elements of living
matter through natural pathways. It has three aspects:
• Biological
• Chemical
• Geological
As the name suggests, the nutrients are constantly being circulated through Bio (life) and
through geo (Earth) in a cycle (repeatedly). There is a back and forth flow of the elements
within a biogeochemical from abiotic (non-living) components of the biosphere to the biotic
(living) components in various forms. The energy flowing in the ecosystem gets dissipated
as heat but the chemical elements get recycled. In a large ecosystem like a lake or a forest, all
the chemical elements of a living cell must be recycled constantly in order for the living
components of the ecosystem to survive.
Energy enters the Earth’s ecosystem in the form of sunlight (for prototroph) or inorganic
molecules (for chemoautotroph) and leaves it in the form of heat. But the chemical
components which are part of living organisms get recycled. This means even the atoms in
your body are not brand new. The most common components of an organic molecule are
carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, hydrogen, and sulfur.
They take a variety of different chemical forms. Many geological processes like water
drainage, the seduction of continental plates, weathering
STUDY NOTE of rocks, erosion, etc., contribute to recycling materials.
Our bodies (and all living bodies
on Earth) are made up of atoms To describe the elemental or biogeochemical cycle in
that have come from dying stars
billions of years ago. Atoms in our simple steps, we could say:
bodies have been cycling through
the biosphere over the years and • The producers of an ecosystem (organisms that can
were part of a huge number of
living and nonliving organisms in produce energy through photosynthesis) consume basic
this course of time.
inorganic materials from non-living organisms.

• These materials that the producers take in get converted into biomass (animal or plant
material used as a fuel for producing heat or electricity) of the producer.
• The consumer population of the ecosystem (that depends on producers for their
survival) utilizes this biomass.
• The decomposers or reducers of the ecosystem finally return this material back to the
environment.
The importance of biogeochemical cycling of nutrients can be understood by looking into the
following factors:
• The matter gets transformed from one form to another: Different organisms
require the same matter in different and specific forms for properly utilizing them. As
an example, despite the abundance of nitrogen in the air, plants can use them only in
two forms within soil, namely nitrate and ammonium. So, unless the nutrient cycle
transforms this nitrogen in the atmosphere into these two forms, the growth of plants
would be limited. So elemental cycling of nutrients provides elements to different
organisms in a usable form.
• Transferring elements from one location to another: Taking the same example of
nitrogen in the air, the high concentration of nitrogen in the air is not usable by all
organisms. So, moving this element from air to the soil by nutrient cycling is made more
accessible.
• Ecosystems functioning and balance: The ecosystem needs a state of equilibrium for
its proper functioning and the nutrient cycle restores that state. Humans can survive
only when the ecosystem is in balance.
• Storing elements: The nutrient cycle carries the elements and stores them in their
natural reservoirs. These nutrients are then released to organisms in small amounts
from the reservoir, which is consumable. For instance, even if there is a huge amount
of nitrogen in the air, plants can use them in small amounts present in the soil.
• Provide the link between organisms (living as well as non-living): Living
organisms are linked to other living organisms through elemental cycling. The linkage
also exists between living to non-living and non-living to non-living organisms. This
linkage happens due to the flow of nutrients engineered by the nutrient cycle. This is

an essential process as all living and nonliving organisms are interdependent for their
food.
• Regulating the flow of substances: The nutrient cycle passes through all the layers,
i.e., atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere, and each sphere has its own
medium. This medium of each sphere determines the rate of flow of elements
depending on the viscosity and density of the medium. Because of this, the elements
flow at different rates in each sphere, thereby properly regulating the flow of elements.

❖ Explain the meaning of elemental cycling.

❖ Define benefits of elemental cycling.
❖ Explain the different types of elemental cycling and their role in the ecosystem
❖ Explain how human activities can adversely affect the elemental cycle

2. WATER CYCLE
Water (made up of hydrogen and oxygen) is the most essential element for living organisms.
That is why it is the most important cycle in elemental cycles. The hydrosphere is a large and
diverse space and is present on the earth’s surface as well as underneath the ground. In the
polar ice caps and glaciers, water is present as ice. The atmosphere has the presence of water
in the form of vapor. Water makes up for more than half of our body constituents.
Water is found in the vast majority as saltwater (97.5%) in oceans.

STUDYNOTE
From the remaining water, 99% is underground water which is
More than 70% of our
cells are made up of found in between soil particles and called groundwater or it can be
water.
present in the cracks of rocks. Only a tiny amount (1%) of water is
available as freshwater for human needs. The groundwater reservoirs which are often
tapped by wells are called aquifers. These aquifers are usually used for irrigation or are a
source of drinking water and drawn through wells.
The water cycle is also referred to as the hydrologic cycle and is a complex process that
involves:
• State changes in water
• The physical movement of water between and through various ecosystems
A large portion of the water does not recycle, i.e., it does not move from one place to another.
Especially water in oceans, in the form of ice or underground water, has a long residence
time and they cycle extremely slowly. The surface water is the only water that cycles rapidly.
Sun is the driving energy behind the water cycle and the process can be described as below:
• Sun warms the surface water (ocean and other surfaces), which causes evaporation of
liquid water and ice water sublimes, i.e., turns directly from solid to gas.
• Water then starts moving in the atmosphere as water vapor.
• With the passage of time, the water vapor condenses into clouds and finally falls down
as rain, snow, or precipitation.
• The precipitation which reaches the earth's surface may undergo either of the three
processes, which are:

o It can evaporate again.

o Flow over the surface.
o Percolate i.e. sink down into the earth.
Source: Shutterstock.com
Fig 1: Water Cycle
In a terrestrial ecosystem (land-based), water usually hits the leaves of plants before
reaching the soil and evaporates quickly from there. Water would move along the surface as
runoff in the following situations:
• If the soil is saturated with water,
• If rain is falling too hard on the surface.
• If the surface cannot absorb much water like a non-absorbent surface (rock, asphalt,
cement, etc.)
The plant roots take up water in the upper layers of soil. When this
STUDY NOTE
water goes into the plant tissues, it can move from there to the bodies
Some groundwater
can be lying in the of animals that eat up the plants. Most of the water entering a plant
bedrocks for
millennia. system gets back into the atmosphere in the form of transpiration.
The water cycle has a major effect on Earth’s ecosystems and plays
an important role in cycling of other elements like carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

2.1 How the Water Cycle Affects Ecology and Society

The climatic changes, their variability, and their intensity are all influenced by the water
cycle in nature. The abundance and timely delivery of water is needed for society and
ecosystem needs. A lack of this could cause extreme conditions like drought or floods.
With a change in climate, the water reserves also get affected, posing various challenges to
humans. Our economy, health, energy production, agriculture, transportation, and
recreation are all heavily dependent on water and its cycling through the ecosystems.
Activity 1
You can create your own mini water cycle model by following the below
instructions.
Firstly, collect the following items- a mixing plastic bowl, a mug, cling film, string,
water. You should create the water cycle in a sunny place. Place the mug at the
bottom of the bowl. Now start adding water so that it comes till 2/3rd height of the
mug (You could draw a mark on the mug to represent its 2/3rd height).
Now put the cling film tightly on top of the bowl and fasten the string around to fix
it. Wait for a while to watch what happens. You should be able to observe the
following activities happening inside the bowl: Condensation of water droplets on
the cling film. Reduction of water level in the bowl, which proves water, was
evaporating due to the sun's heat.
Precipitation can be observed by noticing water drops inside the mug since the
condensed droplet would drip back down and some of them would fall in the mug.

1. What are the three basic components of elemental cycling?

a) Biological, Chemical, and Geological
b) Hydrosphere, atmosphere, stratosphere
c) Biological, geographical, and physical
d) Geological, ecological, and hydro
2. The entering mode of energy in the earth’s ecosystem is through by which of
the following mode?
a) Sunlight
b) Moonlight
c) Rain
d) Snow
3. Only ___________ % of the water in the ecosystem is freshwater and apt for
human needs.
4. More than 70% of our bodies are made up of water. [True/False]
5. Water in the upper layers of soil is taken up by:
a) Plant roots
b) Plant leaves
c) Plant stems
d) Plant seeds
6. The transfer of water from the surface of the Earth to the atmosphere is
called
a) Evaporation
b) Transpiration
c) Precipitation
d) Rainfall

3. CARBON CYCLE
One of the essential elements in living bodies is carbon. Carbon also has a lot of economical
value since it produces fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, etc.) from algae and plants, which
existed a long time back. Our body is made up of 18% of carbon atoms. In short, all organic
compounds are made up of carbon. In our ecosystem, the carbon cycle happens in two ways:
• The rapid exchange of carbon between living organisms
STUDY NOTE
is the biological carbon cycle.
The plasma membrane of
• Long-term carbon cycling takes place through slow your cells would not be there
without the presence of
processes such as the formation of sedimentary rocks or carbon in it. Our DNA which
has instructions to build and
fossil fuels. This is the geological carbon cycle. run our bodies depends on
carbon.
Both these cycles are interlinked and we will look into the
details of both these processes below. The carbon cycle, in brief, can be summarized as
below:
• Carbon mostly exists as CO2 or carbon dioxide gas which
STUDY NOTE
forms bicarbonates (HCO3) by dissolving and reacting
Through the biological
with water. This CO2 is mostly created through pathway, approximately
1,000 to 100,000 million
photosynthesis or released into the atmosphere by metric tons of carbon move
through various spheres
burning fossil fuels. every year.
• The carbon dioxide is then converted into organic

molecules through photosynthesis.
• This CO2 which is released by photosynthetic organisms into the atmosphere is then
taken in by organic molecules. It then travels through food chains. Cellular respiration
finally processes this organic carbon back to carbon dioxide gas.

Source: Dreamstime.com
Fig 2: Carbon Cycle
3.1 Biological Carbon Cycle

Carbon enters all food webs, both aquatic and terrestrial (through autotrophy which is self-
feeders) by capturing the carbon dioxide from air or water, the autotrophs make organic
compounds, for example, glucose.
• Heterotrophs (other-feeders like humans) consume these organic molecules. The
carbon in these molecules is then passed through food webs and chains.
• Carbon-containing molecules (like sugar) are then broken down by heterotrophs and
autotrophs by the cellular respiration process. The respiration process releases carbon
into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
• Decomposers also break down waste and dead organisms and release carbon dioxide.
The biological pathway very quickly releases carbon in the atmosphere, especially in
aquatic ecosystems.
3.2 Geological Carbon Cycle

𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝐶𝑂2 H2 𝐶𝑂3 H + + 𝐻𝐶𝑂3− 2H + + 𝐶𝑂32−
The geological pathway is a much longer pathway than the biological one. The carbon
geological pathways are of the order of millions of years. Carbon could be stored for long
periods of time in many water bodies like oceans, rocks, and interiors of earth. These
reservoirs of carbon affect the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and vice versa. The
following reaction explains the interaction of carbon dioxide with water molecules:

• The carbonate (CO32-) which is released in the above process makes calcium carbonate
(CaCO3) after combining with Ca2+ ions. This calcium carbonate is a major component
of the shells found on marine organisms.
• When marine organisms die, they sink and sediment on the ocean floor. With the
passage of geological time, these sediments convert into limestone, the largest carbon
reservoir on Earth.
• Carbon exists in two forms, organic (by decomposition of living organisms) or inorganic
(weathering of minerals and terrestrial rocks), within soils on land ecosystems. Fossil
fuels lie deeper within the ground in the form of coal, oil, and natural gases. These are
plant remains that decompose in anaerobic conditions.
• The eruption of volcanoes also lets carbon enter the atmosphere. The seduction process
brings carbon-containing sediments in the ocean floor deep into the earth’s surface. In
this process, one tectonic plate moves over another forming carbon dioxide which is
released into the atmosphere through a volcanic eruption or hydrothermal vents.
7. Carbon has great economical value because they create fossil fuels. [True/False]
8. Carbon is converted into _________ through photosynthesis.
9. Which are the two modes of the carbon cycle?
a) Geographical and terrestrial
b) Biological and geological
c) Aquatic and terrestrial
d) Biological and terrestrial
10. Which amongst the following breaks down dead organisms to release carbon
dioxide?
a) Decomposers
b) Producers
c) Consumers
d) Autotrophs

4. NITROGEN CYCLE
As it exists in its elemental form in the atmosphere, nitrogen is not usable by living
organisms. Nitrogen requires fixing which means mixing it with other elements like carbon,
hydrogen, or oxygen so that green plants can use it. This process is called nitrogen-fixation.
Bacteria have an essential role in letting nitrogen enter the living world. Single-celled
organisms which play an important role in the nitrogen cycle are Prokaryotes as they
transform nitrogen into many different forms for their use. These nitrogen-fixing bacteria
live in soil, water, or inside plants.
The fixing of atmospheric nitrogen in terrestrial ecosystem happens in three stages:

• Ammonification - Certain types of bacteria and fungi capture the atmospheric
nitrogen by converting it into NH3 (ammonia).
• Nitrification - Some nitrifying soil bacteria (like members of the Nitrosomonas genus)
convert the ammonia through the oxidation process first into nitrite (NO2) and then to
nitrate (NO3).
• Denitrification - In the denitrification process, soil bacteria (like those belonging to
genres Clostridium and Pseudomonas) use nitrates for anaerobic respiration which
converts it back to nitrogen gas, and it reenters the atmosphere.
4.1 Marine Ecosystems’ Nitrogen Cycle

In the marine ecosystem, a similar process as that of the terrestrial ecosystem happens
during nitrogen fixation. However, the archaea and marine bacteria are taking part in
ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification processes.
• Some compounds containing nitrogen fall into the ocean floor
as sediments. STUDY NOTE
• After a long period of time, these sediments get compressed What we think of as “air”
is 78% nitrogen which is
to form sedimentary rocks. much more in quantity
than oxygen.
• A geological uplift can move these sedimentary rocks to land.
• As these nitrogen-rich rocks weather away, they release nitrogen to the plants.

4.2 How Human Activities Affect the Nitrogen Cycle

Humans are fixing nitrogen industrially. A chemical method called the Haber-Bosch process
makes about 450 million metric tons of fixed nitrogen each year. In this process, N2 is made
to react with H2 at a very high temperature. A large portion of this fixed nitrogen generated
through this process goes in as fertilizers to be used in agriculture, lawns, and gardens.
The two main means of the release of nitrogen by human activity are:
• By combusting fossil fuels
• Use of fertilizers in agriculture that contain nitrogen
Through the above two processes, there is an increase in the levels of compounds containing
nitrogen in the atmosphere. A high level of nitrogen other than N2 can have harmful effects.
For example, it can cause acid rain (nitric acid HNO3) and the greenhouse effect (by nitrous
oxide N2O). The other harmful effect of excess nitrogen in the atmosphere is eutrophication.
Eutrophication happens when excess fertilizers that contain nitrogen get washed into rivers,
lakes, and streams.
This causes algae bloom and the overgrowth of other organisms in STUDY NOTE
the water systems. This can cause a reduction of available oxygen On average, the oceanic
residence time of
in the water, especially during the night, since algae and other phosphate ions is 20,000
to 100,000 years.
organisms use large amounts of oxygen for cellular respiration.
This can cause other organisms living in the water, like fishes and shrimp, to die due to lack
of oxygen. It finally leads to dead zones, which are a term related to species-depleted areas.

11. Nitrogen in the atmosphere can be directly used by living organisms.

[True/False]
12. Which of the following is not a process of nitrogen-fixation?
a) Ammonification
b) Eutrophication
c) Nitrification
d) denitrification
13. A process that creates fixed nitrogen by reacting N2 with H2 at high
temperatures is called __________________.
14. Nitrogen fixation is the process in which:
a) Nitrogen is mixed with other elements like carbon, sulfur, and phosphorus
to make it usable for living organisms
b) The nitrogen-containing compounds fall into the ocean floor
c) Combustion of fossil fuels
d) Excess fertilizers containing nitrogen get washed away in lakes, rivers, and
streams

5. PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
Humans need phosphorus since it is an essential part of many nucleic acids like our DNAs.
Our cell membranes are made up of phospholipids which have phosphorus in them.
Mammalian bones are made up of calcium phosphate; hence phosphorus is a component of
our bone health as well.
Phosphorus is present as a limiting nutrient in our environment. A limiting nutrient is a

nutrient that is not abundant in nature and its deficit puts a limit on growth. Phosphorus
exists in nature mostly in the form of PO43- (phosphate ions).
The phosphorus cycle is quite a slow process as compared to other elemental cycling
processes like water, nitrogen, and carbon. Phosphorus is present in the sedimentary rocks
and when the rock weathers away with time, the phosphorus contained in them leaches
away into soil and water. Other significant phosphorus sources are aerosols, volcanic ash,
and mineral dust. Unlike other elements like nitrogen, sulfur, carbon, phosphorus does not
have any real gas phase. The phosphorus cycle is represented below:
• The main source of phosphorus is sedimentary rocks. So, the
process of phosphorus extraction starts from weathering of STUDY NOTE
rocks over long periods of time. Certain weather events like The double helix in DNA
is joined together by a
rain, erosions, etc., wash away this phosphorus into soils. phosphate ester bond.
• The plants and other organisms absorb this phosphorus from

the soil to grow. Phosphorus also gets washed into local water systems from where
plants can directly absorb it.
• Animals get phosphorus by drinking water and eating these plants.
• When these plants and animals die, their decomposition gives back phosphorus to
water and soil.
5.1 Impact of Humans on Phosphorus Cycle

Different human activities like artificial eutrophication, fertilizer use, distribution of food
products, etc. have a significant impact on the phosphorus cycle.
• Fertilizers that have phosphorus in it can increase the phosphorus level of soils. When
this soil gets washed away into the local water system, it can have a detrimental effect.

• Natural eutrophication happens when phosphorus is added to water through natural

processes. This phosphorus increases the ecosystem’s productivity by providing
nutrients to the water. But when the food item is shipped directly from the farms to
cities for selling and consumption purposes, the phosphorus present in it gets drained
into the water system. Artificial eutrophication is also known as cultural
eutrophication, which is part of the normal aging cycle of many water bodies like lakes
and ponds. Artificial eutrophication is the process that takes
STUDY NOTE
place due to humans. There is a difference between
Without Sulfur, our bodies
eutrophication and artificial eutrophication. Natural cannot make Methionine
which would not let your
eutrophication occurs when lakes, ponds naturally become cells start new translations
and your body cannot make
more productive, whereas artificial eutrophication occurs new proteins.
when human introduces some activities for speeding up the

growth of plants..
This increases phosphorus levels to an overbalanced state in water and gives rise to an algae
bloom. The algae bloom causes oxygen depletion in the aquatic ecosystem since they take in
huge amounts of oxygen for their cellular respiration. Due to this, other aquatic animals die
off slowly. These algae, when they die, also prove to be toxic to plants and animals of the
ecosystem.

15. Phosphorus is present in nature mostly in the form of

a) Phosphate powder
b) Phosphate ion
c) Calcium phosphate
d) Phosphate gas
16. The Phosphorus cycle is much faster than the carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur
cycle. [True/False]
17. The most significant source of phosphorus in nature is:
a) Sedimentary rocks
b) Soil
c) Water
d) Air
18. Why is artificial eutrophication detrimental to the ecosystem?
a) Because it causes a decrease in levels of phosphorus in the water.
b) Because it forms algae blooms that are toxic to plants and animals of the
ecosystem.
c) Because it causes respiratory problems in humans.
d) Because it affects other elemental cycles.

6. SULFUR CYCLE
The macromolecules of living organisms depend on sulfur. Sulfur occurs as a component of
certain amino acids in all living organisms. It is found abundantly in the soil as protein and
also ends up as sulfates (which plants can use) through a sequence of microbial
transformations. Some of the major sources of sulfur production are:
• Sedimentary rocks, as they release H2S (hydrogen sulfide) gas.
• Human activities like the combustion of fossil fuels and smelters release sulfur dioxide
gas into the air.
Many groups of organisms are responsible for carrying out the

STUDY NOTE
different processes which are part of the sulfur cycle. The groups
A lot of oxygen is stored in
of bacteria which help in the sulfur cycle are chemoautotrophic the Earth’s crust in the form
of oxide minerals but it is
archaea bacteria and oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria. They not available for humans to
breathe.
help in the stratification of hydrogen sulfide in soil and the level
of sulfur increases with depth and is found more at anaerobic depths. The steps in the sulfur
cycle process are outlined below:
• Sedimentary rocks release sulfur in their weathering process.
• A variety of soil organisms work on proteins that contain sulfur and degrade them into
their constituent amino acids.
• Another series of soil microbe convert these sulfurs in amino acids to hydrogen sulfide.
• H2S gets converted to sulfur in the presence of oxygen.
• Sulfur bacteria then convert this sulfur to sulfate.
• Finally, this sulfate becomes sulfites by ATP and then transforms to hydrogen sulfide.
This process is carried out by Desulfovibrio disulfuric that are anaerobic organisms.

19. Sulfur occurs as a component of ________________ in all living organisms.

20. In the presence of which element does hydrogen sulfide get converted into
sulfur?
a) Nitrogen
b) Carbon
c) Oxygen
d) Water
21. Which of the following human activities can generate sulfur?
a) Artificial Eutrophication
b) Combustion of fossil fuels
c) Weathering of sedimentary rocks
d) Agricultural activities
7. OXYGEN CYCLE
Oxygen is the most common element in the human body, making up about 65% of the human
body mass. Oxygen in our bodies is mostly in the form of water (H2O). Oxygen also makes up
20% of the atmosphere and 30% of the Earth’s crust. Oxygen enters the bodies of plants and
animals through respiration directly from the surrounding air or water.
At the end of the oxygen cycle, it returns to the environment in the form of either carbon
dioxide or water. Terrestrial plants and algae then absorb this carbon dioxide and convert it
to carbohydrates through the photosynthesis process.
Oxygen is second to nitrogen in terms of abundance in the atmosphere.
The topmost generators of oxygen in the biosphere are the waters of the world. Algae in the
water replace 90% of all the oxygen that is used. The agricultural advances which have
happened worldwide have been able to keep atmospheric oxygen at a stable level despite a
reduction in natural vegetation and combustion of fossil fuels.
You can find a synopsis of the oxygen cycle below:

• Plants use sunlight to perform photosynthesis which creates oxygen as a by-product
and releases it into the atmosphere.

• Plants and animals use this oxygen for respiration.

• In the process of respiration, animals exhale carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere
which plants again use up for photosynthesis.
Source: socratic.org
Fig 3: Oxygen Cycle
7.1 Processes that Produce Oxygen

STUDY NOTE
Oxygen is produced by mainly two processes:
The ozone layer has
• Plants - Plants create the majority of the oxygen that we oxygen in it in the form of
an allotrope. This ozone
breathe through the photosynthesis process. The green (O3) is a different type of
oxygen that forms
plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to trioxygen by combining
three oxygen atoms. Ozone
synthesize their food and create energy. Oxygen is exists in the upper layer of
Earth’s atmosphere and
liberated into the atmosphere as a by-product of this filters out harmful UV light
from Sun’s rays to protect
process. Earth.
• Sunlight - When sunlight comes in contact with water

vapor in the atmosphere, it creates oxygen.
7.2 Processes that Use Oxygen

Oxygen is used by 4 main processes:
• Breathing - All living beings (humans, animals, and plants) breathe in oxygen from the
outside environment into their cells and exhale out carbon dioxide. Breathing is called
respiration in scientific terms.
• Decomposing- One of the most important processes of the oxygen cycle is the death of
an organism. The dead organism decays and returns all carbon, oxygen, water, and

different other components to the soil and air. Decomposition is carried out by
invertebrates like fungi, bacteria, and insects. In this process, oxygen is used up and
carbon dioxide is released.
• Combusting- Fire needs three elements i.e., oxygen, heat, and fuel. Combustion uses
oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. Fossil fuels, wood, plastic, etc. need oxygen for
burning them.
• Rusting- Another name for rusting is oxidation. Oxidation requires oxygen and metals
like iron or alloy undergo rusting when exposed to moisture and oxygen for a long
period of time. When oxygen and metal react, they form new compounds of oxides.
22. Which of these is a producer of oxygen?

a) Plants
b) Animals
c) Decomposers
d) Rusting process
23. Oxygen makes up ________________ % of our atmosphere.
24. Decomposition is carried out by _________.
25. Oxygen is a by-product of the photosynthesis process. [True/False]

Water Cycle Sulfur Cycle

Overview of
Elemental
Cycling Phosphorus
How water cycle
Cycle
affects ecology
and society
Oxygen
Impact of
Cycle
Carbon Cycle Humans on
Phosphorus
Cycle
Biological Geological Processes

Carbon Carbon that Produce
Cycle Cycle Oxygen
Processes
Nitrogen that Use
Cycle Oxygen
Marine How Human

Ecosystem’s Activities
Nitrogen Affect
Cycle Nitrogen
Cycle

8. SUMMARY
• The biogeochemical process helps in transforming nutrients into usable forms,
transferring them from one location to another, balancing the ecosystem, and
regulating the flow of substances.
• For the Water cycle, Sun is the driving energy. The water cycle starts with evaporating
liquid water into the atmosphere as water vapor condenses into clouds and finally
comes down as rain or snowfall.
• The water cycle influences climatic changes and their intensity. The timely delivery of
water is crucial for the ecosystem and society.
• The carbon cycle has two parts, i.e., the biological carbon cycle and the geological
carbon cycle. The biological cycle of carbon is a rapid exchange of carbon between living
organisms, while the geological cycle is a slow process that occurs through the
formation of sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels.
• Carbon has immense economical value as it produces fossil fuels. The carbon cycle
happens through photosynthesis or the burning of fossil fuels which releases carbon
dioxide into the air. This carbon dioxide is then consumed by organic molecules and
travels through the food chain.
• Nitrogen which exists in nature is not usable by living organisms. Hence it needs
fixation. Bacteria and fungi do nitrogen fixation in three steps which are:
ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification.
• Humans fix nitrogen industrially through a chemical process called the Haber-Bosch
process where N2 is made to react with H2 at a very high temperature.
• High levels of different forms of nitrogen like nitric acid and nitrous oxide can cause
harmful effects on Earth's ecosystem like acid rains and the greenhouse effect.
• Phosphorus is present in the atmosphere as phosphate ions, and it is a major
component of DNA, cell membranes, bones, and teeth.
• The phosphorus cycle is a much slower process that involves weathering of
sedimentary rocks, which are the major sources of phosphorus.
• The use of phosphorus in fertilizers and artificial eutrophication (which happens when
food is shipped from farms to cities) can cause contamination of the local water system
and algae blooms which are toxic for plants and animals of the aquatic ecosystem.

• Sulfur occurs as a component of certain amino acids in all living organisms.

• Major sources of sulfur in nature are Sedimentary rocks.
• Certain human activities like combusting fossil fuels and smelters can release sulfur in
the atmosphere in the form of sulfur dioxide gas.
• The sulfur cycle starts with the release of sulfur from sedimentary rocks when they
weather. This sulfur is then degraded to constituent amino acids which further get
converted to hydrogen sulfide through different types by soil organisms. H2S then gets
converted to sulfur in the presence of oxygen, then to sulfate through sulfur bacteria.
• The amount of oxygen present in the air is around 20% and a large portion of the
oxygen is inside Earth's crust. The oxygen cycle starts with plants performing
photosynthesis using sunlight and generating oxygen as a by-product. This oxygen is
used for respiration by animals and plants, which release carbon dioxide. This carbon
dioxide goes back to the atmosphere.
• Oxygen-producing processes are photosynthesis and sunlight (in contact with water
vapor.)
• Oxygen-consuming processes are respiration, decomposition of dead plants and
animals, combustion of fossil fuels, and rusting of metals.

9. GLOSSARY
Anaerobic Conditions - A condition where there is a lack of free oxygen is an anaerobic
condition. It may have atomic oxygen in compounds like sulfites (SO3), nitrite (NO2), and
nitrates (NO3).
Chemoautotroph - Chemoautotroph are cells that use inorganic chemicals to create their
biological materials and energy. Few examples of chemoautotroph are nitrogen-fixing
bacteria like cyanobacteria.
Ecosystem - An ecosystem comprises biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) things like
plants, animals, weather, landscape, and all of them work together to create a bubble of life.
Greenhouse effect - The greenhouse effect is warming the earth’s surface by the Sun's
energy. A part of this sun’s energy is reflected back and a part is absorbed and re-radiated
by gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, ozone, water vapor, and a few artificial
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbon). These gases are called greenhouse gases. The absorbed energy
maintains the Earth’s temperature at a level that allows life on earth to exist. Due to certain
human activities like burning fossil fuels, land clearing, agriculture, etc. the concentration of
these gases has increased due to the depletion of the ozone layer.
Hydrosphere - The total amount of water on any planet is referred to as the hydrosphere.
This includes water on the surface, in the air, and in underground water. The hydrosphere
of a planet could be in any form, i.e., liquid, ice, or vapor.
Lithosphere - The rocky outer part of the Earth is called the lithosphere. It is very brittle
and the most rigid and coolest part of the earth.
Prototroph - Organisms that use energy from sunlight and synthesize organic compounds
for nutrition are called phototrophs. Example: green algae, maize plants, trees, etc.
Precipitation - When atmospheric water condenses, the vapor falls on the ground due to
gravitational pull. This is called precipitation and it includes various forms like drizzling rain,
ice pellets, sleet, hail, graupel, etc.
Photosynthesis - Certain organisms and green plants can transform light energy (like
sunlight) into chemical energy. This process is called photosynthesis and in this, the
organisms capture the light energy and transform water, mineral, and carbon dioxide into
many energy-rich compounds and oxygen.

Residence Time of Water - The average time that one water molecule spends inside each
of planet Earth’s main water reservoirs is termed as the residence time of water.
10. CASE STUDY

Water Cycle Management
A case study was done to gauge the water cycle of Prinsen Eiland (Amsterdam) with the goal
of investigating the processes involved in the water cycle and the dependency of these
processes on one another. With a field survey, the characteristics of the area were
determined. This included the measurement of sewage discharges and groundwater levels.
Nearby measuring locations were used to accumulate data on precipitation and evaporation
mechanisms.
Then a conceptual, lumped model was made which simulated the water cycle of this area. The
results of this model were compared against the measurements of underground water and
sewage discharges obtained to validate the results. The model simulated drought and other
climatic changes to gain insight into how these affect the water cycle of the Prinsen Eiland
region. The findings were as followers:
• In a dry year when there is less precipitation, infiltration, evaporation, and surface
runoff fluxes saw a decrease. This caused groundwater levels to go down more than it
usually does in normal conditions.
• The above effects are proportional to how severe the drought is.
• Transpiration was more or less constant as it was dependent on the soil moisture level.
• The climate change in this area depended on the change in prevailing wind patterns.
• With no change in wind pattern, the precipitation and potential evaporation saw an
increase which resulted in large fluxes.
• When there was a wind change, precipitation was concentrated during winters.
• Groundwater levels were higher in winters and lower in summers.
It was concluded that adequate urban water management which deals with managing
storages of drinking water, groundwater, and storm water was necessary for sustaining
pleasant living conditions. The urban managers faced the difficulty of lack of control over
processes like precipitation, evaporation, etc. Also, the area in which water management is
needed has its unique characteristics which make the conditions for fluxes almost fixed.
These conditions cannot be manipulated to meet the short-term water management needs.

Source: Article from Times of India newspaper

1. What were the two parameters used for the survey and how it can be helpful for the
study? Also, state few ways for urban water management other than the ways discussed
in case.
2. Discuss few other ways by which industries or businesses can be made more

SHORT QUESTIONS:
Q1. Define the term "biogeochemical cycle" and mention its types.
Q2. Mention some of the factors which make the elemental cycle important to living beings.
Q3. What happens to the precipitation which reaches the earth's surface?
Q4. What are the two modes of the carbon cycle in our ecosystem?
Q5. What are the two main ways nitrogen is released into the atmosphere by human activity?
LONG QUESTIONS:
Q1. What is nitrogen-fixing? Explain the nitrogen-fixation process.
Q2. Describe the phosphorus cycle.
Q3. What causes algae blooms and how does it adversely affect or ecosystem?
Q4. What are the processes that use and produce oxygen in the oxygen cycle?
Q5. What is the role of water cycle in our ecosystem? Explain it in detail.
11.1 Answers
1. A. Biological, Chemical, and Geological
2. A. Sunlight
3. 1
4. True
5. A. Plant roots
6. A. Evaporation
7. A. True
8. Carbon dioxide

9. Biological and geological

10. A. Decomposers
11. False
12. B. Eutrophication
13. Haber-Bosch
14. A. Nitrogen is mixed with other elements like carbon, sulfur, and phosphorus to make
it usable for living organisms
15. B. Phosphate ion
16. False
17. A. Sedimentary rocks.
18. B. Because it forms algae blooms that are toxic to plants and animals of the ecosystem.
19. Amino acids
20. C. Oxygen
21. B. Combustion of fossil fuels
22. A. Plants
23. 20
24. Invertebrates
25. True
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
SHORT QUESTIONS:
Answer 1: The term biogeochemical cycle denotes the natural pathways using which the
essential elements for living organisms are circulated in different spheres. "Bio" refers to the
biosphere which is the life-supporting stratum of earth, "geo" refers to the geological
components and "chemical" are those elements that move in these elemental cycles. The
major biogeochemical cycles are water, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus.
Answer 2: The elemental or nutrient cycle is very important for the ecosystem because:
1. It transforms matter from one form to another, making it more usable.
2. It transfers nutrients to locations where they can be utilized.
3. It regulates the flow of nutrients through all the layers i.e. Atmosphere, hydrosphere,
biosphere, and lithosphere.

Answer 3: The precipitation which reaches the earth's surface may undergo any of the three
processes which are:
• It can evaporate again.
• Flow over the surface.
• Percolate i.e., sink down into the earth.
Answer 4: In our ecosystem, the carbon cycle happens in two ways:

• The rapid exchange of carbon between living organisms is the biological carbon cycle.
• Long-term carbon cycling takes place through slow geological processes such as the
formation of sedimentary rocks or fossil fuels. This is the geological carbon cycle.
Answer 5: The two main means of the release of nitrogen by human activity are:
• By combusting fossil fuels
• Use of fertilizers in agriculture that contain nitrogen.
LONG QUESTIONS:
Answer 1: Nitrogen, as it exists in its elemental form in the atmosphere, is not usable by
living organisms. Nitrogen requires fixing which means mixing it with other elements like
carbon, hydrogen, or oxygen so it can be used by green plants. This process is called nitrogen-
fixation.
The fixing of atmospheric nitrogen in terrestrial ecosystem happens in three stages:

• Ammonification - Certain types of bacteria and fungi capture the atmospheric
nitrogen by converting it into NH3 (ammonia).
• Nitrification - Some nitrifying soil bacteria (like members of the Nitrosomonas genus)
convert the ammonia through the oxidation process into nitrite (NO2) first then to
nitrate (NO3) .
• Denitrification - In the denitrification process, soil bacteria like those belonging to
genres Clostridium and Pseudomonas use nitrates for anaerobic respiration which
convert it back to nitrogen gas and it reenters the atmosphere.

Answer 2: The phosphorus cycle is represented below:

• The main source of phosphorus is sedimentary rocks. The process of phosphorus
extraction starts from weathering of rocks over long periods of time. Certain weather
events like rain, erosions, etc. wash away this phosphorus into soils.
• The plants and other organisms absorb this phosphorus from soil to grow. Phosphorus
also gets washed into local water systems from where plants can directly absorb it.
• Animals get phosphorus by drinking water and eating these plants.
• When these plants and animals die, their decomposition gives back phosphorus to
water and soil.
Answer 3: Phosphorus gets drained into the water system when food is shipped from farms
to cities. This is called artificial eutrophication. This increases phosphorus levels to an
overbalanced state in water, and gives rise to an algae bloom.
The algae bloom causes oxygen depletion in the aquatic ecosystem since they take in huge
amounts of oxygen for their cellular respiration. Due to this, other aquatic animals die off
slowly. These algae, when they die, also prove to be toxic to plants and animals of the
ecosystem.
Answer 4: Oxygen is produced by mainly two processes:

• Plants - The majority of the oxygen that we breathe is created by plants through the
photosynthesis process. The green plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to
synthesize their food and create energy. Oxygen is liberated into the atmosphere as a
by-product of this process.
• Sunlight - When sunlight comes in contact with water vapor in the atmosphere, it
creates oxygen.
Oxygen is used by four main processes:

• Breathing: All living beings (humans, animals, and plants) breathe in oxygen from the
outside environment into their cells and exhale out carbon dioxide. Breathing is called
respiration in scientific terms.
• Decomposing: One of the most important processes of the oxygen cycle is the death of
an organism. The dead organism decays and returns all carbon, oxygen, water, and
different other components to the soil and air. Decomposition is carried out by

invertebrates like fungi, bacteria, and insects. In this process, oxygen is used up and
carbon dioxide is released.
• Combusting: Fire needs three elements, i.e., oxygen, heat, and fuel. Combustion uses
oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. Fossil fuels, wood, plastic, etc., need oxygen for
burning them.
• Rusting: Another name for rusting is oxidation. Oxidation requires oxygen and metals
like iron or alloy underdog rusting when exposed to moisture and oxygen for a long
period of time. When oxygen and metal react, they form new compounds of oxides.
Answer 5: The water cycle has a major effect on Earth’s ecosystems and also plays an
important role in the cycling of other elements like carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
In a terrestrial ecosystem (land-based), water usually hits the leaves of plants before
reaching the soil and evaporates quickly from there. Water would move along the surface as
runoff in the following situations:
• If the soil is saturated with water
• If rain is falling too hard on the surface
• If the surface is not capable of absorbing much water like a non-absorbent surface
(rock, asphalt, cement, etc.)
The plant roots take up water in the upper layers of soil. When this water goes into the plant
tissues, it can move from there to bodies of animals that eat up the plants. Most of the water
entering a plant system gets back into the atmosphere in the form of transpiration.


BOOKS:
• Rajagopalan, R. (2016), Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure, Oxford University
Press.
• De, A. K. (2007), Environmental Studies, New Age International Publishers, New Delhi.
• Bharucha, E., Text book of Environmental Studies for undergraduate courses, 2ndedn,
Hyderabad: Universities Press
REFERENCES:
• 4 Common Biogeochemical Cycles, viewed on March 1st, 2021,
<https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/environment/ecosystem/4-common-
biogeochemical-cycles-explained-with-diagram/28229>
• Water Cycle, viewed on March 1st, 2021,
<https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/freshwater/water-
cycle#:~:text=The%20water%20cycle%20on%20Earth&text=The%20water%20cycl
e%20shows%20the,form%20of%20rain%20and%20snow.%20cycle%20shows%20t
he,form%20of%20rain%20and%20snow.>
• Phosphorus Cycle, viewed on March 1st, 2021,
<https://biologydictionary.net/phosphorus-cycle/>
• Ecosystem: The oxygen cycle, viewed on March 1st, 2021,
<https://www.ducksters.com/science/ecosystems/oxygen_cycle.php>
• Biogeochemical Cycles, viewed on March 1st, 2021,
<https://courses.lumenlearning.com/microbiology/chapter/biogeochemical-
cycles/>

ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 4: Ecosystems 1
Unit 4
Ecosystems
Table of Contents
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction - -
3–4
2 Ecosystem - 1
2.1 Meaning of Ecosystem - - 5–8
2.2 Definition of Ecosystem 1 -

3 Structure and function of Ecosystem - 2, I
3.1 Structure of Ecosystem - - 9 – 13
3.2 Function of Ecosystem - -
4 Flow of Energy - 3
4.1 Energy 2 -
4.2 First law of thermodynamics - -
14 – 18
4.3 Second law of thermodynamics - -
4.4 Energy flow - -
4.5 Nitrogen cycle 3 -
5 Food chains 4, 5, 6, 8 4
19 – 22
5.1 Types of Food chain 9 -
6 Food webs and ecological succession with 10, 11 5
examples
22 – 26
6.1 Hydosere - -
6.2 Xerosere - -
7 Summary - - 27
8 Glossary - - 28
9 Case Study - - 28 – 29
10 12 -
Terminal Questions 30 – 33
1. INTRODUCTION
In the previous chapter, we studied about the different types of elemental cycles such as the
Water Cycle, Carbon Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, Phosphorus Cycle, Sulphur Cycle etc. The
environment consists of the surroundings where we live, and it is the basic necessity of all
living beings. The environment comprises of many different types of species and organisms
which helps an individual to survive and provide dependence for livelihood. In this chapter,
we will learn about the mutual dependence and significance of each organism in the
ecosystem, the importance of understanding the role of each organism, and the ways in
which it develops a sustainable mutual environment.
In the present times, due to progress, our world is facing various problems such as loss of
natural resources, ozone layer depletion, global warming, etc. In the multidisciplinary
approach, we study the different concepts that help to understand the concept in-depth,
which means we study smaller units under ecosystem from various other points or
disciplines to understand the ecosystem from a broader aspect. Environmental studies help
understand various environmental phenomena that is occurring naturally within the
ecosystem.
As we know, our day-to-day activities are directly associated with the surroundings and the
organism in the ecosystem. It is our responsibility to respect each organism in the ecosystem
and take care of the environment. Environmental study is basic and applied science. It mostly
talks about the social sciences. In this chapter, we will study various concepts related to
structure and functioning of ecosystem, human life process, food chain, etc. There are many
organisms in the environment which interact with each other, which comprises of the
ecosystem. Humans should take the conscious effort to ensure not to disturb the rhythm of
the ecosystem due to our development. Therefore, it is important to know that there should
be proper sustainable development to maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
Ecology is a word that is widely used in environmental concepts; the word is derived from
the Greek word "oekologue", which means the study of the surroundings. Ecology is a
concept that studies organisms, animals, plants, and their relationships.
In environmental studies, we study the ecosystem as a whole including nature's functional

units such as living organisms that interact with the surrounding physical environment and
with each other. The ecosystem is very wide and is spread across a large space. The
multidisciplinary approach gives a broad view of the ecosystem, that is, the role that each
and every plant, animal or any other living organism plays in the environment. This also
includes the flow of energy, such as in the food chain, nutrient cycling, etc. This ultimately
results in the harmony of the energy. The whole cycle works in a circular flow.

❖ Explain the meaning of the ecosystem.

❖ Explain the structure and function of ecosystem.
❖ Describe the concept of food chains and food webs.
❖ Explain the importance of food chains and food webs in the environment.
2. ECOSYSTEM
We will study the environment and environmental studies through a multidisciplinary
approach. The environment comprises of different organisms that are present in our
surroundings. It helps to establish a relation between many organisms. We will study the
structure and function of the ecosystem and the different interactions occurring within them
in further sections. Survival of any organism is impossible in isolation. It is essential to
understand the importance of interdependence in the environment and identify the
problems that may arise related to the ecosystem's disturbance in the near future. A
multidisciplinary approach is a very wide concept of environmental studies consisting of
living and non-living species.
We have to study the ecosystem in every aspect of environmental studies. When we talk
about the multidisciplinary nature, based on our awareness, we make decisions towards
protecting our ecosystem from external environmental changes and disturbance. The
ecosystem has a different lifecycle as it works with the help of biogeochemical cycles and
mechanisms of energy transfer. It consists of abiotic features in an ecosystem, which includes
non-living organisms such as air, climate, water, etc. It also includes biotic features or living
organisms such as plants and animals.
The term "ecosystem" refers to an individual, corporation, or other institution recognised as

part of a larger structure of which each small component interacts and is interdependent to
survive.
2.1 Meaning & Definition of Ecosystem

The natural process occurring in the environment helps in STUDY NOTE
maintaining the lifecycles of human beings, animals, and plants.
Ecosystem includes
There are various factors that influence and affect the growth of understanding the
organisms and their
people, animals, and plants in the environment. The environment interactions that affect
the environment.
also explains the interrelationships among different organisms,
factors, etc.
For example, in the environment, man is the geological force that helps to maintain balance
in the environment, reshapes the landscape, and favours some organisms. Humans help to
protect the natural species in the environment necessary for survival and growth on the
earth.
A selection of species and their physical space is referred to as an ecosystem. The term
"ecosystem" refers to the different ways in which an organism communicates with and is
affected by its surroundings. The environment combines the "food chain" and "food web"
principles, allowing for a deeper understanding of interdependence and consumption
relationships. Plants, for example, provide animals with not only food but also shelter, shade,
moisture, and other advantages.
While organisms in an ecosystem can compete or prey on one another, the ecosystem
principle emphasises interdependence — one organism's reliance on another or on the
ecosystem as a whole.
Ecosystems have historically been thought of as economic and social structures. Suppliers,
partners, and other users, as well as the market's function and behaviour, infrastructure, and
social background, make up an "ecosystem". Suppliers and other partners are being an
environment that encourages relationship building by forming partnerships with other firms
that may be our rivals, or any other firm existing in the market. Partnership is formed to take
extra advantages in societyin terms of economic interactions, growth and development.
There are a plethora of possible economic relationships, just as there are a plethora of
possible biological ecosystem relationships.
The word "ecosystem" is interchangeable with the term "machine," which refers to social
actions. The term "ecosystem" is used to describe the shared internal dependencies of a
larger structure, particularly when they apply to a specific component. To understand B's
dependency on A in the wider sense, one might claim, "A is part of B's ecosystem." As a result,
"ecosystem" is almost a synonym for "climate," but it emphasises the nature of different
facets of the environment rather than seeing it as a whole.
2.2 Meaning of Ecosystem

Ecosystem is a unit made up of all the species (biological factors) in a given region interacting
with the physical factors in the ecosystem to create a well-defined trophic (nutrient-
requiring) structure, biotic diversity, and material cycles as a result of a flow of energy (i.e.,
exchange of materials between living and non-living sectors).
The abiotic elements of an ecosystem include rocks, vegetation, air, water, sunshine, and all
other non-living elements, while the biotic elements include all of the ecosystem's living
members. Two main factors link these elements: the flow of energy within the ecosystem
and the cycling of nutrients within the ecosystem. The Sun is the source of sunlight in
ecosystems. The sun's energy is passed on to the ecosystem's autotrophic, or self-sustaining
species, which use photosynthesis to generate energy in the form of carbohydrates.
Source- unese.campusquotient.org
Fig 1: Ecosystem
2.3 Definition of Ecosystem

The ecosystem is a functional and structural unit of ecology in which living organisms
interact with one another and with their physical surroundings. To put it another way, an
ecosystem is the product of a series of encounters between the living and non-living
organisms and their surroundings.
A.G. Tansley, an English botanist, was the first to coin the word "ecosystem" in 1935. A
specified physical area made up of two inseparable components is referred to as an
ecosystem.
• Abiotic: A living world that has specific physical properties, such as temperature, wind,
and humidity.
• Biotic: A group of living beings that is constantly in contacts with one another, such as
plants, animals, or even small microorganisms and is, therefore, in a situation of mutual
dependence.
1. Which of the above is not an ecosystem component?

a) Micro-organism
b) Animals
c) Plants
d) None of these
2. The physical environment is referred as biotic component of the ecosystem.
[True/False]
3. A group of living organisms who are independent on each other and interact for
survival in the environment refers to _________________ components.
4. The __________________ component comprises of factors like humidity, light which has
only physical properties.
3. STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF ECOSYSTEM

The organisms that make up an ecosystem communicate with one another as well as the
physical environments in their respective ecosystems. Clarke says, "The animals and
physical characteristics of the landscape shape an ecosystem" (1954).
A.G. Tansley was the first to propose the environment idea (1935). The ecosystem is the most
important ecological entity. It is both structurally and functionally sound. The arrangement
is designed to represent the species' diversity.
According to E.P. Odum, an ecosystem is the fundamental functional unit of an organism and
its environment interacting with one another. The ecosystem's core functions are energy
transfer, decomposition, nitrogen cycling, and major biomes.
3.1 Structure of Ecosystem

The structure of an ecosystem comprises two essential components.
1. Abiotic component
2. Biotic component
1. Abiotic components: These include non-living factors which impact the distribution
of organisms. This consists of the following:
(i) Inorganic substances which occur in the form of compounds dissolved in soil or in a
free state. For example, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, sulphur and
micro-nutrients, etc.
(ii) Organic compounds are the compounds on which all living beings are dependent for
their survival. For examples, lipid, proteins, carbohydrate, nucleic acids, vitamins etc.
(iii) These natural elements, like temperature, light, water, gases, wind, humidity, soil,
etc., are included in the abiotic component. They are all physical properties.
2. Biotic components: Biotic components, or biotic factors, can be categorized as any
living component which has an effect on another organism or shapes the ecosystem.
The animals that consume other organisms present in the ecosystem and the
organism consumed for deriving nutrition are included in this component.
(a) Producers: The organisms which produce their own food are autotrophic. They
consist of chlorophyll which helps them to perform photosynthesis and make
their food. The examples of producers are green plants, fruit, phytoplankton, small
shrubs and algae. There are two categories which are photo-autotrophs and
Chemoautotrophs.
• Photoautotrophs: These are green plants, Euglena, green sulphur bacteria etc.,
These are the organisms which perform photosynthesis and prepare food. They
control the terrestrial ecosystem. They are being used by all animals and human
beings.
• Chemoautotrophs: This includes iron, sulphur bacteria which give out energy
during a chemical reaction and make the organic food by the process, which is
called chemosynthesis. Producers use CO2 and give away 02. Hence, they help in
maintaining CO2—O2 balance in nature. They are also called transducers as they
also convert the radiant energy of the sun into chemical energy.
(b) Consumers: Consumers are the organisms which derive energy by eating other
organisms. They are divided into Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary
organisms. They are heterotrophs and cannot produce food. These are of three
types.
• Primary Consumers: These are also called herbivores and feed on plants and
their products, e.g., cattle, rabbit, rat, grasshopper (terrestrial ecosystem) and
snails, tadpole, tortoise (aquatic ecosystem). etc. Elton is the key term also known
as herbivorous animals which is used for industry animals for primary consumers
as they convert plant material into animal material.
• Secondary Consumers: Consumer is the organism that derives energy by eating
other animal flesh. They are also called carnivores. They mostly eat herbivores.
Foxes, cats are called transducers and are examples of the terrestrial ecosystem.
The aquatic ecosystem includes water bugs, frogs etc.
• Tertiary consumers: They are the animals that eat primary and secondary
animals to obtain nutrients. The example of this type of consumer in the
ecosystem is large fishes like dolphins, jellyfish, sea lions, etc. Tertiary consumers
are also known as apex predators because they are not predated by any other
animals.
• Quaternary: They are the largest carnivores e.g., lions/tigers which exist on land
and whales which exist in water and hence, a part of the aquatic ecosystem. These
are also called top carnivores.
(c) Decomposers (Saprotrophs): They are also called micro consumers (reducers)
due to their small size. They help in adding inorganic materials to the environment
and help in mineralization. They eat the dead bodies and materials of animals and
plants such as animal carcasses, leaf litter, etc. To receive nutrients, it also
degrades complex organic substances into simpler compounds. Decomposers are
important for preserving the ecosystem's complex existence. They break down
bigger items, such as dead animals or trees, into smaller ones.
E.coli, Tapeworm, etc., are called parasites or consumers and get their food from them.
Animals like the frog are herbivore when at a tadpole stage and secondary consumers when
at an adult stage while, man, ants, etc., are omnivores.
Activity 1
Make a team of 5-6 students in which some are ecologists and some are
industrialists. Invite them for a discussion on the climate action project. Let the
discussion revolve around encouraging sustainable development education in the
schools to make the future generations more considerate about environment.
Further, design a speech which will help you to deliver the main agenda behind how
to develop ourself but not at the cost of the environment.
3.2 Function of Ecosystem

The functional and life-sustaining environmental structure, which comprises both abiotic
and biotic elements, is referred to as an ecosystem. We've also looked at the biotic
components, such as living cells, as well as the abiotic components, such as organic matter
and energy. In the ecosystem, there are three functional elements.
1. Inorganic constituents
2. Organisms
3. Energy input
To create an environmental structure, the cell, inorganic constituents, and energy input
interact with one another. The primary producers in our atmosphere use the sun's energy to
turn inorganic constituents into organic components by the process of photosynthesis. The
farmers provide energy to the herbivores, and the herbivores provide energy to the
carnivores. Animals of various kinds accumulate organic matter in their bodies that is used
as food and are referred to as secondary producers. With the aid of bacteria and fungi,
decomposers feed on the decaying organic matter of plants and animals and then complex
molecules are further broken down, releasing inorganic components. In this step, some
energy is released in the form of heat. As a result, we should classify the following functions
as ecosystem functions.
• Production of food by autotrophs, chemoautotrophs
• Utilizing solar energy by green plants
• Recycling minerals
• Ensuring CO2/O2balance ratio in the atmosphere
• Controlling the flow of energy
5. The industry animals who convert plant material into animal material are called
___________.
6. ____________ helps in maintaining the dynamic nature of the ecosystem.
7. The process by which sulfur bacteria makes the organic food is called as
____________.
8. The ________________ type of consumers in the ecosystem eat the dead bodies of
animals and plants.
a) Primary
b) Secondary
c) Quaternary
d) Tertiary
9. In ecosystem, for smooth functioning and life-sustaining envrionment
structure, which factors are included?
a) Abiotic
b) Primary
c) Biotic
d) Both A and C
4. FLOW OF ENERGY
The capacity to do work is called energy. Potential energy is the energy generated while you
are at rest, and kinetic energy is the energy produced when you are moving. Both living
beings need a supply of energy, which is produced by the chemical energy of food. The
chemical energy is obtained from the sun's radiant energy. In a healthy environment, energy
can flow in one direction only. The flow of energy is determined by the law of
thermodynamics. The radiant energy produced from the thermonuclear reactions in the sun
reaches earth through sunlight (and other forms of radiation) and provides energy to all
living organisms.
• Approx 29 percent of the solar energy is available at the topmost or uppermost layer of
the atmosphere, which is reflected back to space due to different particles present in
the atmosphere. This energy is of no use and has no role in changing climatic condition
of Earth’s system.
• Approximately 23 percent of solar energy that reaches the earth’s atmosphere is
absorbed by the dust, water vapor, etc.
• The remaining 48 percent of the solar energy goes through the atmosphere and is
consumed by the surface.
• A very small fraction drives the wind and waves.
However, the total solar energy reaching on earth per year is 1,73,000x 1012 watts. From
this, only 40 x 101 watts is utilised in photosynthesis. It is to be noted that both earth’s
surface and the atmosphere reflect a significant fraction of the solar radiation received from
the sun.
Autotrophs use the energy trapped by the sun for preparing the food through photosynthesis
which is then taken by herbivores, and in turn by carnivores and top carnivores.
A large amount of energy is lost during this transfer at each trophic level. Just 10% of energy
is moved from one trophic stage to the next. Heat or respiration energy cannot be passed to
another organism. Also, the decomposition of dead plants and animals releases chemical
energy. In a shorter food chain, more energy is available than in a long food chain. The energy
always flows unidirectional, i.e., from autotrophs to herbivores and herbivores to carnivores.
Top
Autotrophs Herbivores Carnivores
Carnivores
100% 10% 1%
0.1%
4.1 Water Cycle

When it rains, rainwater runs, sinks, and spills into rivers, or it falls straight into the sea. Any
rainwater that falls on land and is collected by the ground, where it is processed for the rest
of the year. The roots of the plants suck up the water from the ground along with the
nutrients from the soil. This water is evaporated from the leaves and added to the
atmosphere as water vapour. Water vapour rises and forms clouds when the air gets light,
and when the clouds rise higher, the condensation occurs, the water changes into droplets,
which results in rainfall back to the land. However, pollution created by humans is altering
rainfall patterns is impacting this endless cycle. Long-term droughts in countries like Africa,
on the other hand, will cause flooding in countries like the United States.
Source- encounteredu.com
Fig 2: Water Cycle
4.2 Carbon Cycle

Both the biotic and abiotic aspects of the world contain carbon, which is contained in organic
compounds. Both animal and plant tissues use it as a building stone. In the presence of
sunshine, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the soil by their leaves. Water is drained by the
roots from the soil and mixed with carbon dioxide by the plants. They develop carbohydrates
that have carbon in the presence of sunlight, which is called photosynthesis.
Plants grow and develop through this complex process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis
releases oxygen into the atmosphere and is used by animals to breathe. As a result, plants
have control over the percentage of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As a
result, all of humanity is dependent on the oxygen created by this cycle. It also assists in
keeping consistent CO2 levels. Herbivorous species get their energy from seeds. Plants and
animals both emit carbon dioxide during respiration. They return fixed carbon to the soil in
their waste as they excrete. When plants and animals die, they return their fuel to the earth,
completing the carbon cycle.
4.3 Oxygen Cycle

During respiration, animals and plants absorb oxygen from the air. Photosynthesis is the
process by which plants return oxygen to the atmosphere. Deforestation decreases the
amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. As a result, plant life plays an important role in our
lives that we sometimes forget. Participation in forestation projects is important for this
cause.
4.4 Nitrogen Cycle

Carnivorous species eat herbivorous (plant-eating) animals. When the animals defecate,
worms and insects, mainly ants and beetles, decompose the waste. The tiny ‘soil animals'
break down the waste material into smaller fragments, which are then broken down further
into nutrients by microscopic bacteria, which can then be consumed by plants and used for
their growth. As a result, nutrients are returned from animals to plants.
In addition, the bodies of dead animals are broken down into nutrients and used by plants
for development. As a result, the nitrogen cycle, on which life depends, is complete. Some
nitrogen-fixing bacteria and fungi live in the soil, providing this essential nutrient to plants,
which is then consumed as nitrates. They're a part of the plant's metabolism, and they help
to make new plant proteins. Herbivore species make use of this.
Different animals get nitrogen through different modes. e.g., when carnivores feed herbivore
animals, they get nitrogen from them; likewise when herbivore animals feed on plants, they
get nitrogen in the form of protein from plants. As a result, soil species, bacteria, and even
fungi play an important role in human survival. When we think about food chains, we also
think of huge mammals and other large forms of life. However, we must recognise that the
invisible small mammals, trees, and microscopic modes of life are critical to the ecosystem's
functioning.
4.5 Energy Cycle

The energy cycle is based on the energy flux within the ecosystem. Plants use the energy
from sunlight to produce new plant material, which includes leaves, fruits, bulbs, branches,
and roots. They are known as habitat creators because they can expand by directly
converting the sun's energy into their tissues. Herbivorous species use the plants as a source
of nutrition.
The everyday activities of these species, such as food absorption, breathing, promoting tissue
growth, and sustaining body temperature and blood, absorb a significant portion of this
energy. Energy is also used for subsistence tasks such as seeking food, finding shelter,
breeding, and raising children. Herbivores provide food for carnivores. As a result, food
chains connect various plant and animal species.
However, since each animal or plant can be linked to a large number of other animals or
plants by multiple linkages, these interconnected chains can be depicted as a complex food
network. As a consequence, it is known as the 'web of life,' which means that there are
interrelationships in the environment. A food pyramid or an energy pyramid may be used to
depict the energy in the ecosystem. The pyramid's base is made up of a vast variety of plants
known as growers.
The middle segment of the pyramid, which represents the number and biomass of
herbivorous animals known as 'first-order consumers,' becomes smaller. The limited
biomass of carnivorous animals known as ‘second-order consumers' is represented at the

apex. Humans are one of the creatures at the very top of the pyramid.
To sustain civilization, there should be a broad base of herbivorous animals and a much
greater amount of plant material. When animals and plants die, decomposers such as beetles,
bacteria, and fungi break down this material into simpler substances, which are then
returned to the soil so that plants can consume nutrients from their roots.
Source- tutorialspoint.com
Fig 3: Energy Pyramid
10. The energy trapped by sun is used by __________.

11. ___________ can be found as organic matter in both biotic and abiotic ecosystem
components.
12. To depict the energy present in the eco system we use _________________, whose
base is made up of growers.
13. The willingness to work is referred to as __________.
14. __________ determines the energy balance within the environment.
15. __________ is also called web of life.
16. What does middle segment of energy pyramid represent?
a) Amount of plant material
b) Number and biomass of herbivorous animals
c) Decomposers
5. FOOD CHAIN
Many of the biotic factors in an ecosystem are linked by food. Herbivores, for example,
consume the products created by the farmers. Carnivores consume herbivores as carnivores
are the ones who eat only meat, and herbivores eat plants. A food chain is a group of species
that transmit food resources via a sequence of repetitive eating and being consumed
behaviours.
Producers Herbivores Carnivores
Fig 4: Food Chain
Each level of the food chain is called the trophic level.
There is a continuous flow of energy through the food chain. Energy flow is the transition of
energy from one trophic stage to the next. The light, which is the ultimate source of energy,
is still at the top of the food chain. It provides the energy needed to keep all biotic life alive.
Plants use this energy to carry out the photosynthesis process, which produces their food.
In this biological process, light energy is converted into chemical energy and carried on
through successive stages of the food chain. The food chain is the transfer of energy from a
plant to a recipient and then to a detritivore or apex predator.
Furthermore, scavengers break down the dead and rotting matter, and organic waste into its
constituents, which are then consumed by the reducers. The reducers release molecules into
the atmosphere after gaining electricity, which the producers then consume.
Grass Land
Grass land refers to a piece of land that is generally flat and full of grass where small plants
and insects like clovers, mouse, snake and hawk live and complete their food chain.
Cottonwoo
d trees, Mouse Snake Hawk
clovers
Fig 5: Animals and Plants in Grass Land Examples
Forest
Forest is the area that is generally dominated by trees and wild animial, and it is considered
as the predominant terrestrial ecosystem, and the food chain in forest starts from shrubs,
ferms, and other trees, which are later consumed by animals like goats and the food chain is
completed by big animals like lion.
Shrubs,
ferns, Goat Lion
trees
Fig 6: Animals and Plants in Forest Examples
The most famous types in nature are land-based food chains. The decomposer, which is
ubiquitous, is a curious split in the food chain. The decomposers, which include bacteria and
maggots as well as the noble cockroach, feed on the dead and break them down into nutrients
that serve to sustain the food chain. Through excreting, decomposers send the nutrients of
dead species to the soil, which then helps to nourish the plants that restart the chain.
Aquatic food chains are often dynamic, which intrigues land dwellers. But even the aquatic
food chains follow a specific pattern. The most famous example is chemosynthesis. It is the
process by which food is made by bacteria using chemicals that are utilized as the energy
source.
Decomposers play an important role in aquatic decomposers. They disperse nutrients to the
soil and the water column, where they feed the plankton that is the foundation of all marine
food chains.
Otocinclus
Algae Osprey
catfish
Fig 8: Aquatic Food Chain
5.1 Types pf Food Chain

There are two types of food chains which are as follows:
1. Grazing food chain
2. Detritus food chain
1. Grazing Food Chain: Green plants are at the top of this food chain, and carnivores
are at the end. This food chain is highly reliant on autotrophs, which derive their
nutrition from sunlight. The following diagram depicts the pattern of food chains in
the terrestrial ecosystem:
Primary Producer Grassland
Primary Consumer Rodents
Secondary Consumer Snakes
Tertiary Consumer Hawks
Fig 9: Grazing Food Chain
2. Detritus Food Chain: Detritivores are species that prey on the dead bodies of plants
and animals. Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other microorganisms are included. The
dead organic materials are ingested and digested by these species, which then turn
them to water and CO2.
17. Each level of food chain is called as ___________.

18. The organisms that feed on the dead bodies of plants and animals are
called__________________________..
19. In _________________ food chain, carnivores are present at the lower or end stage
whereas plants are at the top.
20. _____________ animals eat only meat and _________________ animals eat the products
produced by the farmers or eat plants.
a) Carnivores, herbivores
b) Primary, carnivores
c) Herbivores, carnivores
d) Herbivores, Primary
6. FOOD WEB AND ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

Food webs are a network of intertwined food chains that exist at various trophic stages. Since
most species consume more than one form of plant or animal, food chains and food webs are
interconnected. Autotrophs, such as trees, are the main food source, as they generate food
using solar energy by the mechanism of photosynthesis. In the predatory chain, a herbivore
species is eaten by a carnivore animal. A smaller organism eats a fraction of a larger host and
may itself be parasitized by smaller organisms in a parasite chain. Microorganisms feed on
dead organic matter in a saprophytic chain. The chains do not normally encompass more
than four or five trophic levels as the energy is lost at each trophic level as heat. Humans can
increase the food supply by eliminating one step in the food chain rather than consuming
herbivore, or the people consume the grains themselves. In that case, the total energy
available to the final consumers is increased because the food chain is made shorter.
• The vegetation (producers) and fine organic debris (decomposers) constitute the base
of a food web.
• Carnivores (secondary consumers) and Herbivores (primary consumers) constitute
the higher levels.
• The intermediate level in the food web includes omnivores.
• Food webs are often complicated as different species feed at various levels.
Source- nature.com
Fig 10: A Food Web
Succession is the inevitable mechanism by which a culture is colonised by another group of

individuals. Succession is the orderly and gradual substitution of one group by another
before a healthy community (known as the climax community) conquers its territories. The
various stages of a plant succession that occurs in a certain ecosystem are referred to as sere.
Pioneer plants are plants that thrive on the bare ground. After several modifications, the
ecosystem becomes dominated by the most tolerant species, forming a climax population.
6.1 Hydrosere
In an aquatic climate, this is a form of succession. In a virgin pond, hydrosere starts with
phytoplankton colonisation and progresses to a climax forest level. The numerous stages of
succession are depicted below.
• Phytoplankton stage: Phytoplanktons and zooplanktons are the pioneer colonizers
which begin the succession. These species aid in the addition of a considerable volume
of organic matter and nutrients to the bottom layer.
• Rooted submerged stage: There is a development of mud which develops at the bottom
of the pond after the death and decomposition of phytoplanktons which becomes a new
habitat for rooted hydrophytes like Myriophyllum, Elodea, Hydrilla, Potamogetan,

Vallisneria, Utricularia, etc.
• Floating stage: The underwater and floating plants flourish together at first, but the
submerged plants are eventually replaced entirely. Physically and environmentally, the
habitat can change. Plants that have died have sunk to the ground. In a vertical
direction, the substratum will rise much further. Limnanthemum, Nelumbium, Trapa,
Pistia, and Nymphaea are essential plants at this point.
• Reed-swamp stage: This period is also known as the 'amphibious' stage because the
plants in this group, Scirpus, Typha, Sagittaria, and Phragmites, are rooted but the
majority of their shoots are exposed to the air. This plants' rhizomes form dense foliage.
• Sedge meadow stage: The substratum is affected by a further drop in water depth.
Carex, Eleocharis, Juncus, and Cyperus are some of the Cyperaceae and Gramineae
species that colonise the region to form a swamp or marsh. As a result of the lack of
moisture in the region, marshy vegetation eventually fades.
• Woodland stage: The formation of woodland begins with a few shrubs and then grows
to include medium-sized trees. The trees like Butea, Acacia, Cassia, Terminalia, Salix,
Cephalanthus, and other species of Butea dominate the woodland community..
• Forest stage: This is the last succession stage of hydrosere. In this stage, the climax
vegetation develops and forms a community, where all plants meet together. Like
herbs, shrubs and other plants depict their separate community.
6.2 Xerosere
Xerosere is the plant succession stage that has limited water availability. There are different
succession stages of xerosere. The Xerosere begins their life on unweathered rock surfaces.
Lichens colonise the primitive form of substratum. In Xerosere, all animals and plants go
through a sequence of transformations. The different stages are described below.
• Crustose- lichen stage: There isn't enough soil to reach the roots. The pioneer plants
are lichen and blue-green algae. In cooler climates, crustose lichens such as
Rhizocarpon, Lecanora, and Rinodina are typical pioneers. They produce acids that
cause rock weathering. Dead organic matter from lichen and algae combines with small
rock fragments to create a thin layer of wet soil on the rocks.
• Foliose-lichen stage: They survive on a substratum that is partly made up of crustose

lichens. It's made up of Parmelia species called Dermatocarpon, which looks like big
leaf (foliose: leaflike shape) which is made up of a lichen. The accumulation of a fine
thin soil layer on the rock surface as a result of the weathering of rocks with humus
results in a change in the habitat.
• Moss-stage: Many xerophytic mosses, such as Grimmia, Tortula, Bryum, Polytrichum,
Barbula, and Funaria, benefit from the formation of a thin humus-rich soil layer on the
rock surface.
• Herb-stage: The growth of mosses causes more soil to settle. The addition of minerals
by leaching has resulted in the growth of herbaceous plants such as Aristida, Festuca,
Justicia, Tridax, and others.
• Shrub-stage: Owing to the deposition of dirt, the ecosystem becomes suitable for
shrubs. This stage is led by Rhus, Phytocarpus, Zizyphus, and Capparis species. The
shrubs also overshadowed the herbaceous plants, resulting in the development of more
organic matter.
• Forest–stage: Forest stage represents the final group in Xerosere. The weathering of
rocks creates a thin layer of soil that is ideal for small trees such as Acacia, Prosopis,
and Boswellia. To get to the climax level, plants need more rainfall. Dense climax forest
occurs in humid and rainy climates, as well as in temperate climates.
21. ___________ and ____________ are the pioneer species of crustose-lichen stage.
22. ___________ stage witnesses the development of mud under hydrosere.
23. ___________ constitutes the base of the food web.
24. ___________ is an inevitable phenomenon that occurs when a community is colonised
by another group of people.
Ecosystem
Xerosere Hydrosere
Food webs and

ecological succession
Structure and
function of
Ecosystem
Grazing
Food Chain
Food
chains
Abiotic Detritus
Biotic Food Chain
component
Component
Energy cycle
Energy flow
Oxygen cycle
Nitrogen cycle
Water cycle
7. SUMMARY
• The environment consists of many different types of organisms. Different organisms
contribute to the environment and affect the other organisms.
• There is a biotic and abiotic component of the ecosystem. Abiotic components are those
which contain only physical properties, whereas biotic components consist of living
organisms.
• Various problems caused by human activities like pollution and deforestation for
development affect the balance of the ecosystem.
• There is a need to create public awareness to think about sustainable development.
• The scope of environmental studies focuses on how we can use technology for the
purpose of environmental safety.
• There is a constant dependence of many organisms within the ecosystem leading to the
concept of the food chain.
• Many different organisms linked to each other at different levels is referred to as the
food web.
• There is a unique composition of flow of energy which is flowing in a way that sustains
all life kinds.
• Humans should stop doing activities which creates imbalance in the environment.
• A food chain is a type of cycle where energy flows from one organism to another.
• Each level of the food chain is called trophic level, which helps to connect with different
organisms.
• Succession refers to the inevitable mechanism by which other classes of individuals
colonise a culture.
• The concept of sustainable development is important in various aspects to respect
every being and share the planet.
8. GLOSSARY
Chemosynthesis: It is the process by which food is made by bacteria using chemicals which
are utilized as the energy source.
Detritivores: Detritivores are species that prey on the dead bodies of plants and animals.
Decomposer: Decomposers are the organisms which feed on the dead and decay matter.
Food chain: The progressive chain where the all living organisms are dependent on the
other one for energy is called a food chain.
Producers: Producers refer to the plants which produce energy with the help of radiant
energy from the sun.
Sere: The different stages involved in a plant succession occurring at a particular habitat.
9. CASE STUDY
The Age of Extinction
According to a recent study of the diversity of life on earth, human overconsumption,

intensive agriculture and population growth are largely affecting the population of wildlife.
According to the WWF and the Zoological Society of London (ZSLbiennial)'s Living Planet
Survey 2020, global numbers of birds, rodents, fish, reptiles, and amphibians decreased by
68 percent on average from 1970 to 2016.
This study, which 134 scientists from around the world put together, is considered one of
the most detailed analyses of global biodiversity possible. Nature is being used and
manipulated by humans to a scale never seen before, from the rainforests of Central America
to the Pacific Ocean.
The study gathered data from 20,811 populations of 4,392 vertebrate species all over the
world. This includes well-known endangered species like polar bears and pandas, as well as
lesser-known fish and amphibians. The data indicate that vertebrate wildlife populations are
dwindling in almost every area of the world, with an estimated loss of more than two-thirds
since 1970.
Robin Freeman, who researched at ZSL, said: “It looks like that we’ve spent 10 to 20 years
discussing about these declines and not actually managed to take any actions about it. It
upsets me. We just sit at our desks and see these statistics but they do have real-life serious
implications. It’s really disappointing to communicate how drastic some of these declines are
actually.”
Mammals, amphibians, birds, fish, and reptiles have all declined significantly in Africa and
the Asia Pacific, with declines of 65 percent and 45 percent, respectively. The most troubling
decline is in Latin America and the Caribbean, where vertebrate animal numbers have
dropped by 94 percent on average. Overexploitation of habitats, habitat fragmentation, and
disease has had the largest effects on reptiles, amphibians, and fish in the area.
Source: Article from Economic Times Newspaper, January 05 2021
1. Discuss all the concerns hampering the population of vertebrate population.

2. With reference to the research shown, explain why is it the need of the hour to change
the industrial development strategy globally and focus on sustainable socio-economic
development?
3. Discuss few other ways by which industries or individuals can be made more
10.TERMINAL QUESTIONS
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:
Q1. What is the ultimate source of energy?
Q2. Differentiate between food web and food chain.
Q3. State the functions of ecosystem.
Q4. What is the role of decomposers in food chain?
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS:
Q1. Explain the importance of food chain with example.
Q2. Explain the structure of ecosystem.
Q3. Explain the types of food chain.
10.1 Answers
1. D. None of the above
2. B. False
3. Biotic
4. Abiotic
5. Herbivorous animals
6. Decomposers
7. Chemoautotrophs
8. D. Tertiary
9. D. Both A and C
10. Autotrophic plants
11. Carbon
12. Food pyramid/energy pyramid
13. Energy
14. Law of thermodynamics
15. Food web
16. B. Number and biomass of herbivorous animals
17. Trophic levels
18. Detritivores
19. Grazing
20. A. Carnivores, herbivores
21. Lichen and blue-green
22. Rooted submerged stage
23. Producers
24. Succession
TERMINAL QUESTIONS:
Answer 1: The major source of energy is sunlight. The sunlight is utilized by the plants who
are the producers for making their own food. Other species depend on the plant directly or
indirectly for energy.
Answer 2: A food chain is a continuous chain that depicts the transfer of energy from one
entity to the next. A food web is multiple food chains that are interconnected at many trophic
levels. Furthermore, a food web accurately represents all the various food chains that exist
in an ecosystem. Example of a food chain is:
Producer: Grass
Primary consumer: Grasshopper
Secondary consumer: Frog
Tertiary consumer: Snake
Final consumer: Eagle
Primary Secondary Tertiary Final

Producer:
consumer: consumer: consumer: consumer:
Grass
Grasshopper Frog Snake Eagle
Answer 3: The following are the few functions of the ecosystem:

(i) Production of food by autotrophs, chemoautotrophs
(ii) Utilizing solar energy by green plants
(iii) Recycling minerals.
(iv) Ensuring CO2/O2 ratio balance in the atmosphere
Answer 4: Through excreting, decomposers send the nutrients of dead species to the soil,
which then helps to nourish the plants that restart the chain. They assist with the clean-up
of the planet. Without decomposers, dead leaves, insects, and animals would pile up
everywhere.

Answer 1: A food chain can be called the collection of organisms where they transfer food
energy with the assistance of a sequence of consuming and being eaten.
❖ It helps in understanding the food interactions and relationship shared between
various organisms in an ecosystem.
❖ It helps in understanding the basic mechanism of transfer of energy and food, nutrients
through various components of nature.
❖ It assists in the understanding of hazardous material movement in an ecosystem.
Answer 2: The structure of ecosystem comprises two essential components.

1. Biotic component: Biotic components, or biotic factors, can be categorized as any living
component which has an effect on another organism or shapes the ecosystem. The
animals that consume other organisms present in the ecosystem and the organism
consumed for deriving nutrition are included in this component.
2. Abiotic component: These include non-living factors which impact the distribution of
organisms. This consists of the following:
(i) Inorganic substances which occur in the form of compounds dissolved in soil or in a
free state. For example, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, sulphur and
micro-nutrients, etc.
(ii) Organic compounds are the compounds on which all living beings are dependent for
their survival. For examples, lipid, proteins, carbohydrate, nucleic acids, vitamins, etc.
(iii) Natural elements, like temperature, light, water, gases, wind, humidity, soil, annuals,
etc., are also included in the abiotic component.
Answer 3: There are two types of food chains which are as follows:
1. Grazing food chain.
2. Detritus food chain.
1. Grazing Food Chain: Green plants are at the top of this food chain, and carnivores are
at the end. This food chain is highly reliant on autotrophs, which derive their nutrition
from sunlight. The pattern of food chains in the terrestrial ecosystem may be shown as:
Grassland Rodents Snakes Hawks
Fig 12: Grazing Food Chain
2. Detritus Food Chain: Detritivores are species that prey on the dead bodies of plants
and animals. Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other microorganisms are included. The
dead organic materials are ingested and digested by these species, which then turn
them to water and CO2.

BOOKS:
• Rajagopalan, R.(2016), Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure, Oxford University
Press.
• Bharucha, E., Text book of Environmental Studies for undergraduate courses, 2ndedn.
E-REFERENCES:
• What is an Ecosystem?, viewed on February 27th, 2021, <https://www.conserve-
energy-future.com/what-is-an-ecosystem.php>
• Ecosystem: Definition, Examples, Importance-All about Ecosystems, viewed on
February 27th, 2021, <https://youmatter.world/en/definition/ecosystem-definition-
example/>
• Ecosystem, viewed on February 27th, 2021.
<https://www.britannica.com/science/ecosystem>
• Food Web, viewed on February 27th, 2021.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_web>
• Examples of Food Chains, viewed on February 27th, 2021.
<https://examplessss.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-food-chains.html>
ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 5: Ecosystem Values and Services 1

Unit 5
Ecosystem Values and Services
Table of Contents
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction - -
4-5
2 Ecosystem Types - 1
2.1 Terrestrial Ecosystem (Grassland, Desert, - -

and Forest) 6-8
2.2 Aquatic Ecosystem - -
2.3 Artificial Ecosystem - -

3 Ecosystem Values and Services - 2, I
3.1 Types of Ecosystem Services - -
3.2 Reasons for the Degradation of Ecosystem - -
9-15
3.3 How the Value of Ecosystem Services is 1 -
Measured
3.4 Significance of Ecosystem’s Services to - -
the World’s Poor People
4 Grassland Ecosystem - 3
4.1 Origin of Grasslands - -
16-19
4.2 Types of Grasslands - -
4.3 Issues with Grassland Ecosystems - -
5 Desert Ecosystem - 4
20-22
5.1 Classification of Desert Biomes - -
6 Forest Ecosystem - 5
6.1 Classification of Organisms within a Forest - -

Ecosystem 23-25
6.2 Types of Forest Ecosystems - -
6.3 Forest Ecology Foundation - -

7 Aquatic Ecosystem - 6 26-29

7.1 Types of Aquatic Ecosystems 2 -

8 Summary - - 30-32
9 Glossary - - 33
10 Case Study - - 34-35
35-40

1. INTRODUCTION
Any geographical area is a set or combination of animals,
STUDY NOTE
plants, and many organisms along with landscapes and
Coral reefs also called the
weather. All of these elements work together to form a rainforests of the sea, and are
underwater ecosystems that look
bubble of life which is termed an ecosystem. An ecosystem like rocks but are animals in
reality. They are similar to clams
has both living parts (also called biotic parts) as well as non- in terms of similar skeletons,
which are made of hard calcium
living parts (abiotic parts). Examples of biotic factors are carbonate.
animals, plants, and other organisms, whereas abiotic parts
comprise temperature, humidity, rocks, etc. which are found in a specific location.
There is an interdependency of each factor of an ecosystem on one another, either directly

or indirectly. For instance, the temperature of a location determines what kind of plants can
flourish in that region. Animals that depend on specific plants for their survival will be
affected if there is a change in temperature and if plants that fulfil their needs cannot grow
there. In such a case, the animals would need to adapt themselves to the changing
environment, move out of that space, or perish.
Ecosystems need not necessarily be a large system; they could be as tiny as a tide pool (ponds
that are left by the ocean when the tide moves back) that are a complete ecosystem in
themselves. Here is how a tide pool can be categorised as an ecosystem:
• A tide pool has seaweed-a kind of algae that can create food by the process of
photosynthesis.
• There are herbivores like abalone within tide pools which feed on the seaweed.
• Carnivores like sea stars feed on other animals in the tide pool, for example, mussels or
clams.
• Tide pools are dependent on the change in the level of ocean water. When the tide is
full, it promotes seaweed growth while certain organisms like hermit crabs flourish
better in shallow pools left by low tides. This describes how the biotic and abiotic parts
of this tiny ecosystem depend on each other.
Earth consists of a series of connected ecosystems and these connected ecosystems form a
large biome. Biomes can be defined as vast sections of the atmosphere, sea, or land. A few
examples of biomes are forests, tundra, ponds, reefs, etc. These biomes are segregated based

on what types of animals or plants inhabit them. Each forest, pond, tundra, or reef will in
turn, have many smaller ecosystems within it.
A strong and healthy Ecosystem is vital to our existence with many tangible benefits.
Individuals, governments, and cultures are striving to preserve those ecosystems that are
important to them. They are also important as a heritage and must be preserved as a legacy
to be passed to the next generations.
In this chapter, we will get to know about different kinds of ecosystems that are present in
our environment which includes:
Terrestrial Ecosystem:
• Desert Ecosystem: An extremely dry area of land characterised by sparse vegetation.
• Grassland Ecosystem: This ecosystem is dominated by grasses and has a semi-arid
climate. Woody trees cannot grow here due to insufficient rainfall.
• Forest Ecosystem: A forest ecosystem has long trees which form a canopy. This
ecosystem is used a lot for social recreation. The living part of the ecosystem i.e., plants,
animals, and other organisms of this ecosystem, function together with non-living parts
like trees, soil, etc.
• Aquatic Ecosystem: Aquatic ecosystem exists in a body of water. There are two main
types of aquatic systems-marine and freshwater.

❖ Explain different types of ecosystems.

❖ Describe the ecosystem values and services
❖ Explain the concept of grassland ecosystem
❖ Describe various ecosystem such as forest ecosystem, dessert ecosystem, and aquatic
ecosystem

2. ECOSYSTEM TYPES
An ecosystem consists of living organisms as well as the non-living environment these
organisms live in. All the parts of the ecosystem interact and depend on each other for their
sustenance. Ecosystems are broadly categorised into different types:
1. Terrestrial Ecosystems: Land systems form the STUDY NOTE
terrestrial ecosystems that include deserts, forests,
A meadow is an ecosystem made up
tundras, grasslands, and coastal regions. The of insects and flowers. Insects
pollinate flowers and grasses. Cattle
amount of vegetation in terrestrial ecosystems eat these plants. Organisms break
down the manure in the soil, which
depends on the biome’s climate. As an instance, the nourishes the earth helping in better
growth of plants.
desert has a very high temperature; hence there is a
dearth of plants in this ecosystem. Similarly, the tundra has a low temperature that also
inhibits plant life. A forest or grassland is blessed with the right amount of humidity
and sunlight. Hence it enjoys a variety of ecosystems as many kinds of species and a
plethora of plants can flourish in such ecosystems. It includes different types of the
ecosystem, which we will discuss in detail in upcoming sections, i.e.,
• Grassland ecosystem: This ecosystem is generally considered a vegetation area where
there are different types of grasses, plants, and their associated families.
• Forest ecosystem: It comprises biotic and abiotic components that are necessary for
the functioning of the environment. In India, the forest ecosystem covers only 19% of
the total area.
• Desert ecosystem: As we know, the desert is the place where there is the absence of
water and a high volume of sand is found. This ecosystem has a very dry place and
lacks humidity.
2. Aquatic Ecosystem: An aquatic ecosystem includes oceans, rivers, ponds, lakes, etc.
Basically, it comprises the marine and freshwater ecosystem, but this categorisation is
based on the available salt content in the water. There are several living species that
are dependent on the aquatic ecosystem, like fish, plants, etc. We can see the aquatic
ecosystem is totally exploited due to several human activities and pollution, creating
problems for the living species and making the water quality poor. It includes two
types:

• Marine ecosystem: It includes the water bodies with huge salt content involved and
covered the land on a large scale.
• Freshwater ecosystem: It includes the waterbodies that have no or very less salt
content. Freshwater habitats rely on ecological processes for enormous amounts of
natural and synthetic materials, etc that are continually given to them from the
populations on surrounding earth. It includes:
➢ Lentic Ecosystems: It is a type of aquatic ecosystem that is found in different kinds
of water systems such as ponds and lakes. Lentic ecosystems are small ecosystems
that are characterised by still bodies of freshwater. A few of the lentic ecosystems
may also have animals in them, but they primarily depend on the photosynthesis
process performed by underwater plants and algae, which produces the energy
required to thrive in these ecosystems. That is why a lentic ecosystem's major
requirement is that there is exposure to enough sunlight that encourages
photosynthesis.
➢ Lotic Ecosystems: Lotic ecosystems also belong to the aquatic class, similar to
Lentic but they consist of moving water bodies. These moving water bodies flow to
other water bodies and finally, they flow into the ocean. Water bodies like streams,
springs, or rivers belong to the lotic ecosystems. Any water system that flows into
the ocean or marine-like waters can be a lotic ecosystem. These systems do not
thrive on the photosynthesis process and can have salt or freshwater bodies. e.g. an
estuary (that part of a large river where the tide meets the stream).
3. Artificial Ecosystems: These are human-made systems, and they can be included as
part of any of the above 3 ecosystems (terrestrial, lentic, or lotic). Environmentalists
feel it is important to segregate man-made systems into a separate category. The
artificial ecosystems can be huge, like a forest or beaches or small, like a terrarium.
These man-made systems are made for different purposes like replenishing the
environment or helping environmentalists in exploring and learning. An example of an
artificial ecosystem is a biodome that has been created to study biology.

1. From the concepts discussed above, which according to you is the best
definition of a biome?
a) An artificial ecosystem
b) A vast section of atmosphere, sea, or land
c) Living parts of an ecosystem
d) Non-living parts of an ecosystem
2. An ecosystem has both living and non-living parts. What is the name given to
its living parts?
a) Biome
b) Biotic
c) Abiotic
d) Bio dome
3. From the definition and examples of ecosystems given above, which one is
not a type of ecosystem?
a) Artificial
b) Lotic
c) Lentic
d) Biotic
4. What is the difference between a Lotic aquatic ecosystem and a Lentic
aquatic ecosystem?
a) A lotic ecosystem is made up of still bodies of freshwater while a lentic
ecosystem has moving bodies of water.
b) A lotic ecosystem is made up of moving bodies of water while a lentic
ecosystem has still bodies of freshwater.
c) A lotic ecosystem is an artificial aquatic ecosystem whereas a lentic
ecosystem is a natural ecosystem.
d) A lotic ecosystem is a natural ecosystem whereas a lentic ecosystem is an
artificial aquatic ecosystem.
5. ___________ is an aquatic ecosystem which is present in moving water bodies.
6. A Terrestrial ecosystem is made up of still bodies of fresh water. [True/False]

3. ECOSYSTEM VALUES AND SERVICES

The biological diversity contained within ecosystems underpins
STUDY NOTE
all activities of human life. This continued diversity of our
By using plants, humans can
ecosystem contributes to sustainability, economic prosperity, create dyes and paints.
Stones like diamonds and
and many different aspects of human welfare. We were always emerald and shells are used
to make beautiful jewellery.
aware of how valuable nature is to our everyday living, but in
recent years, a new concept has developed, which is given the name of ecosystem goods and
ecosystem services.
• Ecosystem goods: These are natural products that are harvested and used by humans
for consumption in different forms. Examples of ecosystem goods are wild fruits, nuts,
natural fibres, fish, meat, herbs for medical use, etc.
• Ecosystem services: These are services that support life by regulating vital processes.
A few examples of such processes are purification of water and air, decomposition of
waste matter, pollination of crops, reducing the risk of extreme weather conditions,
nutrient cycling, renewal and generation of soils, reducing soil erosion, mitigation of
floods and droughts, etc.
3.1 Types of Ecosystem Services

There are many vital ecosystem services identified by experts that are essential for human
health and well-being. The MA (Millennium Ecosystem
STUDY NOTE
Assessment) is a major effort which is sponsored by the UN
Coral reefs are a big attraction for
and is geared towards analysing the effect of human actions tourists and are valued highly.
One of the growing tourism
on ecosystems affecting our well-being. The MA has sectors is recreational fishing and
there are approximately 118
categorised ecosystem services into four primary segments: million fishers spread around the
industrialised world.
• Provisioning services: As the name suggests, it is that
source of an ecosystem that gives us food, raw material, and other products which can
be used for our benefit. The first thing that would come to everyone’s mind is the
obvious fruits, vegetables, fish, livestock, and trees. But there are other provisioning
services in our ecosystem as well that comprise timber, drinking water, wood fuel, oils,
natural gas, plants that can be utilised to make clothes, and medicinal herbs. The other

provisioning service of the ecosystem is that it acts as a habitat for wild plant and
animal species.
• Regulating services: These are basic services provided by the ecosystem that makes
life possible on Earth. Plants can provide fresh, clean air and kill harmful bacteria, bees
pollinate flowers, bacteria can decompose waste products, trees help in preventing soil
erosion by keeping them in place, and many other such services. All of these processes
together keep the ecosystem resilient to change, sustainable, functional, and above all
clean. The regulating services of the ecosystem are provided by those processes which
moderate and mitigate natural phenomena. For example, floods and erosions are
controlled by vegetation. Few other important regulating services of our ecosystem are
carbon storage and climate regulation.
• Cultural Services: Anything that contributes to our spiritual welfare comes under our
ecosystem's cultural services. Humans and nature interact with each other in ways that
bring changes in the environment. The ecosystem is a constant force in human lives
which guides our social, cultural, and intellectual development. The impact of the
ecosystem on the human race can be traced back to ancient times when mankind of
ancient civilisations drew pictures of plants, animals, and weather patterns on the walls
of caves. The ecosystem's cultural service is a non-material service that contributes to
humans’ cultural advancements and developments. It also has a role in national and
global cultures by building knowledge and spreading ideas across borders. The
creativity born by the interaction of humans and nature has led to art, music,
architecture, literature, etc. All of this serves as a means of recreation for the human
race. For example: landscapes provide opportunities to STUDY NOTE
exercise, rocks are used by adventure enthusiasts for
Scientists have predicted that
rock climbing activities, and so on. These cultural and by 2030 global population
would rise to 8 billion which
recreational activities lead to economic revenue would lead to dramatic
shortages in water, food, and
through sports and tourism. energy.
• Supporting services: We must acquaint ourselves with

the most fundamental services that the natural world provides us, which go unnoticed
many times. The consistent underlying natural processes (nutrient cycle,
photosynthesis, soil creation, water cycle, etc.) are the backbones of the ecosystem and
an ecosystem cannot be sustained without these processes. Basic life forms on earth

are heavily dependent on these natural phenomena and all the above services
(provisional, regulating, and cultural) will not exist if the supporting services are not in
place.
3.2 Reasons for Degradation of Ecosystems

Ecocide can be defined as the degradation, destruction that damages the ecosystem to the
fullest. It includes the natural activities caused by human activities that exploits
surroundings like any natural disaster. The recent global changes have given rise to an
unprecedented decline in the diversity of wildlife species and habitats. These natural
ecosystems have been replaced by human-dominated landscapes that are biologically
poorer and more homogeneous. Biodiversity is an essential part of human life support and
its degradation implies significant consequences to us. About 40% of the global economy
depends solely on biological processes and products. The ecosystem is severely damaged in
spite of this, and this damage is indicated by:
• According to Global Assessment report, 2019, human-caused degradation and
desertification, as well as environmental climate change, represent substantial
obstacles to sustainable development and have impacted people’s lives and economies.
• There has been a loss of domesticated crop plants' genetic diversity by 75% in the last
century.
• 20% of freshwater fish species have gone extinct, or their lives have been threatened
and endangered severely in the last decade.
• According to research 2021, published in Hindustan times, excess exploitation of
resources by humans is leading to worst climatic conditions. 2020 was the eighth
hottest year on record, with 2016 leading the list, followed by 2009 and 2010.
• According to Global Assessment Report on Ecosystem, 2019, ‘Around 1 million animal
and plant species are threatened with extinction’.
• According to UN reports, human population has affected over 75% of the earth's
surface, restricting species and environment to a successively smaller portion of the
world and raising the danger of infectious viruses like COVID-19.
• Despite a lot of awareness about the linkage between natural ecosystems and human
life support, society has grossly undervalued the ecosystems. Human society has failed
to recognise the importance of the ecosystem and has taken it for granted. A variety of

human-led pressures have given way to the degradation of our ecosystem. This is
primarily because the ecosystem goods and services are not formally traded and are
disassociated from the pricing system. This shows that the ecosystem’s full
environmental and social benefit and its full cost is not translated to economic decision-
makers in a manner that ensures optimal decisions for the economy and the
environment.
Apart from the unsustainable production and consumption pattern, few other major reasons
for the ecocide are:
• Policy failures (market and economy): Due to lack of facilities for growth and
development of ecosystem, no market for ecosystem goods and services, inadequate
information about the value of ecosystem goods and services are a major part of the
cause of ecosystem degradation.
• Governance issues: Many factors like the absence of clear and secure property rights,
clarity in environmental policies and goals, and poor enforcement of existing
environmental regulations.
• Global demographics: Wars, human population growth, poverty are a few other
reasons for the loss in the ecosystem.
3.3 How is the Value of Ecosystem Services Measured?

The importance of ecosystem goods and services can be understood better by linking a given
ecosystem’s goods and services and their value to individuals. A simplified model of this link
is shown below:
Ecosystems Ecosystems
goods and
services
Ecosystems Contributions
functions to human
welfare
Fig 1: Linkage Between Ecosystem Goods and Services and its Value to Humans

TEV (Total Economic Value) is a valuation system which is obtained by summing up all the
benefits derived from any type of resource. TEV offers a framework for analysing the value
of ecosystems. TEV is made up of two types of values:
A. Use Value:
• Direct use value: This involves the direct STUDY NOTE
interaction of humans with the ecosystem and
In 2000, the agriculture, forestry, and
not through the ecosystem's services. It includes fisheries of low-income and
developing countries (with per capita
fisheries, timber, etc. which is for consumption income of less than $765) contributed
to 24% of their GDP. There were 1.3
purposes as well as recreational and educational billion people globally employed in
the agriculture field.
activities.
• Indirect use value: This comes from the services that the ecosystem offers. Few
examples are providing clean water to the downstream, preventing downstream
flooding, etc.
B. Non-use values: This is not associated with any tangible benefits from the ecosystem
but is derived from just the knowledge (enjoying the reassurance) that a particular
ecosystem is maintained in excellent condition. It has 3 components:
• Existence value: This means the satisfaction we get from the information available
to us that the ecosystem is maintained and continues to exist.
• Bequest value: This comes from the assurance that the ecosystem would be passed
to future generations for them to enjoy its benefits.
• Altruistic value: This is derived from the knowledge that contemporaries are
enjoying the ecosystem goods and services.
TEV is measured by how much an individual is willing to pay for a commodity. One cannot
use traditional valuation systems of goods and services to find the value of environmental
goods and services since they are not available in an actual market. That is why different
types of economic valuation techniques are used, such as the hedonic price method (by
gauging how ecosystem services affect the economic value of other commodities. e.g., the
existence of a forest increases the value of the property of the surrounding area. These
techniques have several tools that can express the value of these “non-market” benefits in
terms of money.

3.4 Significance of Ecosystem’s Services to the World’s Poor People

The economies of developing countries rely heavily on ecosystems for their income since
major exports of these countries are in agricultural products, fisheries, minerals, timber, etc.
There are close to 1.2 billion people in extreme poverty, out of which 900 million live in rural
areas. The main reasons for the relevance of ecosystems for the poor are that they have
limited access to alternative sources of income besides agriculture. The agricultural activity
also entails a risk of exposure to pests, floods, water scarcity, etc. Since agriculture relies on
soil and water quality, ecosystems have particular importance for the livelihood of poor
people.
UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) has set up actions in its MDG (Millennium
Development Goals) for its goal of sustainable development by establishing clear linkages
between ecosystems’ biodiversity and ecosystem services. The
STUDY NOTE
goals are as follows:
A study done by University
• Eradication of hunger: This depends on productive and of Michigan published in
March 2021 said that
sustainable agriculture. Sustainability depends on how depleting ground water
will cause a fall in
agricultural soils are maintained and how the water and agriculture produce,
especially in wheat
other genetic resources are utilised for production growing states such as
Haryana and Punjab by
process. 20% by 2025.
• Fisheries capacity: Millions of people all over the world

get their animal protein in the form of fish. Sustenance of fishes depends on how
different ecosystems (mangroves, coral reefs, etc.) are maintained since these
ecosystems are the habitat of these fish.
• Health and sanitation improvement: There should be an adequate supply of fresh
water and a healthy functioning capacity for clean water. The cultivation of traditional
and modern medicines depends on the availability of genetic resources.

Activity 1
You must know about the different types of ecosystem services that exist in the
environment. Differentiate between all types of ecosystem services and give real life
examples of each service you practise in your daily life. List some measures that will be
helpful in protecting environment and reducing degradation activities.
7. What value is derived from the direct interaction of humans with ecosystem?
a) Indirect use value
b) Direct use value
c) Non-use value
d) Total economic value
8. Which of the following is not a part of how ecosystem value is evaluated?
a) Total economic value (TEV)
b) Bequest value
c) Existence value
d) Fisheries capacity
9. Which of the following is a reason for the degradation of the ecosystem over
the years?
a) The interdependence of biotic and abiotic parts of the ecosystem.
b) The dependence of the economies of developing countries on ecosystem.
c) Global demographics like wars and growth in the human population.
d) The goals set up by UNDP in its MDG plan
10. One of the methods for valuation of ecosystem services and goods is Hedonic
price method. [True/False]
11. _________ is measured by how much an individual is willing to pay for a product
or service.

4. GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM
A grassland ecosystem is characterised by an open area
STUDY NOTE
where there is a dominance of grasses or grass-like species of
plants. Grassland ecosystem occurs where the environment There has been a worldwide
decline in grassland
is conducive for the growth of such plants. These ecosystems ecosystems in the last century,
primarily due to the
do not have other types of tall and woody plants like trees or conversion of grassland to
arable land, which is used to
shrubs, mainly due to the dry grassland environment. produce animal feed crops.
Another reason for the decline
of grasslands is abandonment
Grassland vegetation is one of the most widespread or lack of management.
vegetations in the world and covers almost one-third of

Earth’s terrestrial surface. Well-managed grassland has high value both for its immense
biodiversity and cultural and social importance. Their contribution to agricultural produce
is also valuable as they provide forage for livestock grazing since these forages are not useful
to humans. Rainfall provides water to grasslands which provides moisture to the grassroots.
Grass in the grassland region reproduces either by producing plants from their roots or
releasing pollen when wind blows.
Grassland ecosystems, with time, get affected by the plants and organisms that are present
there. This ecosystem is also influenced by natural disturbances like floods and fires in the
environment. The grassland ecosystem's diverse environment is created by its physical
features like open plains covered with grass or scattered trees that are located by scarce
streams.
4.1 Origin of Grassland Ecosystem

Natural grassland is like an intermediate in the environmental gradient, which has deserts
at one end and forests at the other end. Forests have the best climate with adequate moisture,
which promotes the growth of tall and dense vegetation with long trees. There is a severe
lack of moisture in deserts. Hence, they cannot maintain permanent and continuous
vegetation. Grassland’s climate lies in between these extremes. i.e., the climate of grassland
is between forest ecosystems and deserts.
Grassland’s occurrence takes place when the global climate is cool or dry during the Cenozoic
era. The Cenozoic era is the 3rd major era in Earth’s history. It began around 66 million years

ago and continues till the present date. During this era, the continents started forming their
modern configuration and Earth’s flora and fauna developed to their present state.
4.2 Types of Grassland Ecosystem

The vegetation of the grassland ecosystem is dependent upon the
STUDY NOTE
amount of precipitation it receives. The grassland ecosystem is
categorised based on the animal species that live there. Rainfall in Except for one continent
(which is Antarctica), all
grasslands varies a lot based on the type of grassland and it also the other continents have
a grassland biome.
varies from year to year. Based on the amount of rainfall received
in grassland, the height of vegetation also changes. For example, Grasslands can have grasses
ranging in height from 0.3 to 2 metres in height. The agricultural production systems have 3
broad categories of grassland ecosystems:
A. Natural Grasslands: These are natural areas resulting from climatic dryness, fire, and
wildlife grazing. These are further divided into two types:
a. Tropical grasslands: These types of grasslands lie between the belts of the desert
and tropical forests. They appear in the same region as the savannas and the only
distinction between the tropical grasslands and savannas is done based on the
number of trees. Tropical grasslands can be found mostly in the Sahel south of Sahara
(Australia and East Africa), South America, and Indonesia where 20 to 60 inches of
rainfall is received annually. Tropical grasslands enjoy warm weather all through the
year.
b. Temperate grasslands: This type of grassland lies between temperate forests and
deserts. These grasslands are again similar to scrublands or temperate forests,
depending on the scattering of shrubs in the region. These grasslands appear in
Argentina, North America, and around a band from Ukraine to China where the
rainfall is in the range of 10 to 35 inches annually. The other names for temperate
grasslands are Steppes or Prairies. Temperate grasslands have two types of weather-
warm weather for one part of the year and extremely cold weather for the other part.
That is why temperate grasslands have two seasons-growing and dormant seasons.
The warm weather is the growing season as plants grow during this season, whereas
cold weather is the dormant season since nothing can flourish during this part of the
year.

B. Semi Natural grasslands: These grasslands are a result of human management. Semi-
natural grasslands require constant maintenance in the form of livestock grazing,
mowing, etc. Shrubs and trees would encroach upon the grassland ecosystem, if they
are not well maintained.
C. Improved Grasslands: When ploughing or sowing of agricultural varieties is done, it
results in meadows of improved grasslands which are made up of non-native grasses
that have a high production potential. Usually, such grasslands are fertilised artificially
and undergo intensive management for their maintenance.
4.3 Issues with Grassland Ecosystem

Disturbances (natural or created by humans) to grasslands can cause changes in the
grassland’s environment. Some of the natural disasters that can change grasslands are
landslides, windstorms, and flash floods. Some of the human activities that can change the
environment of grasslands are planting, harvesting, and hunting. These activities affect the
organisms and landscapes which exist in this ecosystem. If animals overfeed while grazing
the grasslands, it could also lead to erosion of the territory. Other factors that contribute to
the destruction of grasslands are agricultural production, urban development, and invasive
plants.

12. A grassland ecosystem can have tall and woody trees in it. [True/False]
13. Where are tropical grasslands mostly found?
a) In the band from Ukraine to China
b) The Sahel south of Sahara
c) North America
d) Argentina
14. Which continent does not have a grassland biome?
a) Africa
b) Antarctica
c) Asia
d) Australia
15. One of the natural disturbances that can change the environment of grassland
is
a) Harvesting
b) Planting
c) Landslides
d) Urban development
16. Tropical grasslands receive _________ inches of rainfall annually.
17. The other names for temperate grasslands are _________ or _________.

5. DESERT ECOSYSTEMS
Desert ecosystems are extremely dry areas of land, having sparse vegetation. Desert
supports distinctive animals and plants that have specially adapted to the harsh desert
environment. A desert region is usually associated with a hot climate, but it also becomes
extremely cold at night. Deserts receive very little rainfall (less than 50 cms in a year) and
trees are not present in deserts at large. About 1/5th of the earth’s surface is made up of
desert which mostly has shrubs and herbaceous plants that provide very little ground cover.
In some deserts, there is extreme aridity and they are totally devoid of plants.
Desert biomes are an important part of planet earth since many different kinds of animals
live in them. Mostly large mammals can survive in the dry environment of desert ecosystems
since they can store sufficient water and withstand the scorching heat. The most prevalent
mammals of this region are camels, Kangaroo mice and some mammalian vertebrates like
reptiles. Desert biome also has insects and spiders which frogs and birds feed upon. Many
different species of vultures are also seen in the desert ecosystem which scavenge on the
remains of dead animals.
STUDY NOTE
Deserts are also a source of sand and many times, lots of oil
Mesopotamia is the first known
is found under many deserts. Desert biomes also have empire or civilisation which was
situated in the fertile part of the
recreational value as it draws a big tourist crowd who are Sahara Desert in Africa. This part
of the desert was near two rivers
interested in activities like hiking in the desert, rock which enabled people to farm and
live in the hot desert climate.
climbing, dirt biking, etc. Many filmmakers also use desert
backdrops in their movies for their scenic beauty. Another use of desert biome is for military
purposes like training troops or testing out airplanes.
5.1 Classification of Desert Biomes

Desert biomes are classified based on many characteristics like structure, the animals that
live in them, climate, etc. Four major types of desert ecosystems have been identified as
outlined below:
• Hot and dry desert: These are found near the Tropic of Capricorn and Cancer. The four
significant hot and dry deserts in North America are Chihuahuan, Great Basin, Sonoran,
and Mojave. Outside the U.S., there are few desert systems of this type like the Southern
Asian realm, Ethiopian, Neotropical (Central and South America), and Australian. In

these desert ecosystems, it is warm throughout the year, with summers being
exceedingly hot. There is little rainfall in winter.
The minimum temperature in these regions drops as low as -18 degrees Celsius and the
highest temperature can go up to 49 degrees Celsius. Animals in hot deserts include small
carnivores that are nocturnal. For example, burrowers and kangaroo rats. During the day,
the animals of this area remain protected in hideaways due to heat.
• Semi-arid desert: In the semi-arid desert, summers STUDY NOTE

are long and dry, with low concentrations of rainfall in Amazon forests produce 20% of
the oxygen available on Earth and
winters. The summer temperature does not go above 70% of animals on Earth are
dependent on forests for their
38 degrees Celsius and averages around 21 to 27 homes.
degrees Celsius. The nights are cool which prevents
moisture loss in both plants and animals through
breathing, transpiration, and sweating. There is a STUDY NOTE
condensation of dew in these types of deserts because Cacti have many properties that
make them adapt to the harsh
of the cool night time. This dew at times equals or desert climate. They have spines
that protect them from animals
exceeds the amount of rainfall received in some that would otherwise eat the plant.
Their waxy outer covering is like a
semiarid deserts. The major deserts which belong to shield against loss of moisture as
such leaves do not let moisture
this category are the sagebrush of Utah, the Great escape.
Basin, and Montah. The near Arctic segment (North

America, Greenland, Northern Asia, Newfoundland, Europe, and Russia) are also semi-
arid deserts.
The plants of this region have glossy and silvery leaves like Creosote bush, white bursage,
etc. They are inhabited by insects like ants and grasshoppers, jackrabbits, kangaroo rats,
skunks, lizards, snakes, California thrashers, and burrowing owls.
• Coastal desert: These deserts are found in moderately cool areas like Neotropical and
Nearctic realms. Atacama of Chile is an example of a coastal desert. Summer
temperature averages between 13 to 24 degrees Celsius and in winters the
temperature goes down to 5 degrees Celsius. The average rainfall received by these
deserts is 8 to 13 cms in a year.

• Cold desert: There are snowfall and cold winters in these types of deserts. There is a
high amount of rainfall all through the winters and some occasional ones in summers.
Typical seasons in cold deserts are warm and short summers with long and cold
winters. The summer temperature averages around 21 to 27 degrees Celsius and in
winters, the mean temperature is between -2 to 4 degrees Celsius.
Plants are scarce in these deserts with only 10% of ground coverage. Mostly deciduous
plants with spiny leaves are found here. Animals and insects found in this desert biome are
jackrabbits, kangaroo mice, pocket mice, antelope, grasshopper, and ground squirrel.
18. The plant that grows in deserts, and has spines that protect it from being eaten
by animials is __________.
19. Why can large mammals survive in the hot and dry desert climate?
a) Because they have thick skins.
b) Because they can store large amounts of water.
c) Because they can eat sand.
d) Because they can go without water for months.
20. Which of the desert’s temperature does not go beyond 38 degrees Celsius and
prevents moisture loss among plants and animals?
a) Hot and dry deserts
b) Cold deserts
c) Semi-arid deserts
d) Coastal deserts
21. Which type of desert experiences snowfall and cold winters?
a) Coastal desert
b) Cold desert
c) Semiarid desert
d) Hot and dry desert

6. FOREST ECOSYSTEMS
Forest ecosystems are home to an assortment of lives such as birds, mammals, insects, moss,
flowers, and microorganisms. They are dominated by trees and provide many essential
goods and services for human beings. The air we breathe and the wood we use are all parts
of the forest ecosystem. Apart from being a habitat for animals and providing livelihood to
human beings, forests also prevent soil erosion, offer watershed protection, and mitigate the
risks of climatic changes.
The main feature of a forest ecosystem is all the components of the community of forest
ecosystems (plants, microbes, animals) interact with each other and also with their
environment. Forest is a terrestrial biome dominated by trees that grow in canopies. The
name of a forest ecosystem is given by the primary tree species forming canopy in that forest;
for example, “the jack pine forest ecosystem”, and “the Northern hardwood ecosystem”, etc.
Forest ecosystems are self-sustaining systems unless detrimental factors unbalance them.
6.1 Classification of Organisms Within a Forest Ecosystem

Organisms living in a forest ecosystem depend on each other for their survival. The ecological
roles of the inhabitants of a forest ecosystem classified them into four brackets:
A. Forest Producers: The forest ecosystem gets its energy from the Sun. Forest producers
are those organisms that can produce their own energy by utilising solar input. Green
plants are the producers of the forest ecosystem as they conduct photosynthesis. In a
tropical rainforest ecosystem, these green plants are arranged into 4 different layers:
• Emergent layer: Huge trees of around 165 feet and above are part of this layer. These
trees are spread across the ecosystem far apart from each other.
• Canopy: These are closely spaced trees whose height ranges between 65 and 165
feet. The main products of these trees are nectar, fruits, and seeds which are used by
other creatures in the ecosystem.
• Understory: These trees support very few plants since they receive minimal sunlight.
• Forest floor: This part of the layer is devoid of sunlight and almost nothing grows
here.
B. Forest Primary Consumers: Primary consumers eat green plants and are incapable of
producing their own energy. These plant-eating animals are called herbivores. Some of

the primary consumers are capybara (forages on the forest floor), red howler monkeys
(eat leaves, seeds, and fruits).
C. Forest Secondary and Tertiary Consumers: Secondary consumers eat up the
primary consumers (herbivores) for their survival. Tertiary consumers feed on
secondary consumers. Such animals that eat meat are called carnivores. Some of the
carnivores found in the forest ecosystem are jaguar (eats capybara), Ocelots, Harpy
eagles, etc. These types of consumers may mix up an animal diet with a plant diet.
D. Forest Decomposers: The job of forest decomposers is to break down dead animals
and plants and return the nutrients to the soil. Some of the
important decomposers are bacteria, termites, millipede, STUDY NOTE
and ants. There are 300 million

people living in forests all
around the world out of
which 60 million are
6.2 Types of Forest Ecosystem indigenous people.
A forest ecosystem is mainly of three types based on latitudes,

rainfall received, and few other characteristics:
• Temperate forest ecosystem: These forest ecosystems are found mainly in Japan,
North America, Eurasia, etc. The rainfall received in this region is between 30 and 60
inches every year. The soil in this ecosystem is rich in organic nutrients and enables the
growth of a wide variety of vegetation.
• Taiga or Boreal Forest ecosystem: Taiga forests are found mainly in Canada, Siberia,
Northern Asia, and Scandinavia. Boreal forests have very short summers and longer
winters. These ecosystems receive rainfall of about 15 to 40 inches annually. Rainfall is
mostly received in the form of snowfall. Boreal forests are characterised by extremely
dense canopies which allow very little sunlight to enter the forest floor layer. That is
why there is very little vegetation in these forest ecosystems.
• Tropical rainforest ecosystem: These forests receive close to 100 inches of rainfall in
a year. This forest ecosystem has the largest variety of trees amongst all other forest
ecosystems. The temperature in this region ranges between 68 and 77 degrees
Fahrenheit and it is found in latitudes between 23.5 degrees North and 23.5 degrees
south. Heavy rainfall in this ecosystem results in poor soil quality as there is a lack of
nutrients due to the leaching of soil. They have broad-leafed trees of height between 82
to 115 feet.

6.3 Forest Ecology Foundation

The basis of forest ecology lies in the interdependence of organisms of this ecosystem on one
another. As an example, Azteca ants thrive on the hollow stems of cecropia trees. In exchange
for this special juice of the tree which serves as food for these ants, they kill the climbing
vines which could choke the trees, and chase away insects that might harm the trees. This
symbiotic relationship between organisms is displayed also between ants and caterpillars.
The spots on the caterpillar’s back produce sweet juice which the ants feed on, while
protecting the caterpillar from any sort of attack.
22. Forest is a biome dominated by trees, which form a _________.

23. Which of the following is not a classification of organisms in a forest ecosystem?
a) Producers
b) Decomposers
c) Consumers
d) Herbivores
24. Which of these describes a Taiga forest ecosystem?
a) It receives rainfall of 30 to 50 inches in a year.
b) They have dense tree canopies which allow very minimal sunlight to enter
the forest floor.
c) The quality of soil in this ecosystem is poor with low nutrients due to heavy
rainfall.
d) They are found in latitudes 23.5 degrees North and 23.5 degrees South.
25. The forest ecosystem’s foundation is the interdependence of its organisms on
one another for survival. [True/False]
26. _________ is that part of a forest ecosystem which is devoid of sunlight and almost
nothing grows in this region.

7. AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM
The main element or environment of an aquatic system is water and all the plants and
animals either live in or on water. Which animals live in a specific aquatic system is
determined by the type of water in the system (saltwater marsh, freshwater, etc.). Aquatic
ecosystems consist of oceans, rivers, lakes, estuaries, ponds, and wetlands. Many organisms,
fishes, and plants depend on the aquatic ecosystem for their food and survival. Aquatic
ecosystems are extremely fragile ecosystems and can be easily disturbed by pollution. These
ecosystems are important for humans as
• They help in nutrient recycling and purify water
• They provide habitat for aquatic flora and fauna
• They mitigate floods
Aquatic ecosystems provide a wide array of species of organisms. The most common
organisms that are prevalent in aquatic ecosystems are plankton, benthos, and nekton. The
aquatic system is affected by how deep the water is, its temperature, the amount of nutrients
dissolved in it, and the flow of water. The aquatic system has two zones within it: photic and
aphotic. The upper layer of the water is the photic zone that receives sunlight and performs
photosynthesis. The aphotic zone is the lower darker layer of water that does not get sunlight
and no photosynthesis process takes place in this layer.
7.1 Types of Aquatic Ecosystem

The aquatic ecosystem is divided into two major types: Marine ecosystem and freshwater
ecosystem. These broad categories contain many sub-categories as described below.
A. MARINE ECOSYSTEM: This covers around 70% of the earth’s surface and is the largest
aquatic ecosystem. It has a high concentration of saline in it. This ecosystem is further
divided into the below-mentioned categories:
a) Ocean ecosystem: It comprises 5 major oceans in the world i.e.
• Pacific Ocean
• Atlantic Ocean
• Arctic Ocean
• Southern Ocean

• Indian Ocean
Out of these oceans, the Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean. The various aquatic
organisms found within these oceans are turtles, tube worms, sharks, reptiles, blue whales,
shellfish, etc.
b) Estuaries: An Estuary is a point or tidal mouth where the river meets the sea. The
water in estuaries is a little bit more saline than freshwater. Estuaries are considered
very productive biologically since they trap plant nutrients. A few examples of
estuaries are river mouth, tidal marshes, etc.
c) Coral reefs: These are a type of seafloor ecosystem and are found only in warm
tropical waters at shallow depths. Coral reefs rank amongst the most productive
ecosystems globally, and ¼ of marine species depend on coral reefs for shelter and
food. The species which inhabit this ecosystem are snails, brightly coloured exotic
fishes, sponges, seahorses, etc. The coral reefs are produced by animals as they build
an external skeleton around themselves. They are also called the rainforest of oceans
owing to the diverse aquatic flora and fauna within
them. STUDY NOTE
d) Coastal ecosystems: These are formed where land 2nd February is celebrated as
world wetland day which
meets water and is home to a variety of algae and celebrates the rich biodiversity
and importance of wetlands to
plants. The aquatic organisms living within this human life.
ecosystem are snails, crabs, fishes, lobsters, and

shrimps.
B. FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM: This ecosystem has less than 1% share in the aquatic
ecosystem of the world. It is further divided into the following sub-categories:
a) Lentic water ecosystem: This is made up of standing water bodies like ponds and
lakes. It has both rooted and floating plants, invertebrates, and algae. Other animals
within this ecosystem include water snakes, salamander, alligators, and frogs. The
largest Lentic water system with maximum volume is
STUDY NOTE
in Russia (Lake Baikal).
Water available as freshwater
b) Lotic water ecosystem: This kind of water ecosystem to humans is only 1% of the
total water on Earth. Most of
has flowing water that moves in one direction. Rivers, the water on earth exists as
saltwater inside oceans.
streams, creeks, brooks, and springs are examples of

this aquatic system. It has a variety of insects living in it like mayflies, beetles,
stoneflies, etc. Animals found in lotic waters include river dolphins, otters, minnow,
beavers, eels, and trout. The famous Niagara Falls and Iguazu falls are lotic water
ecosystems.
c) Wetlands: Wetlands are characterised by shallow water having saturated soils.
These are delicate ecosystems and vulnerable to disturbances. That is why we see
them disappearing fast due to human activities. Wetlands consist of swamps,
marshes, and bogs. Wetlands are marshy areas having a large variety of flora and
fauna. The diverse organisms and plants within wetlands include water lilies,
dragonflies, Green heron, etc. The shallow water of wetland is conducive for fish
larvae and juvenile fishes and they use it as a nursery.
27. The aquatic ecosystems environment is based on which of the following?

a) Air
b) Water
c) Soil
d) Trees
28. Which of the following factors does not affect aquatic ecosystem?
a) Depth of the water
b) The temperature of the water
c) Nutrients dissolved in the water
d) Colour of the water
29. ________ is the largest Lentic aquatic system with the highest volume of water in it.

Desert Ecosystem
Hot and Dry desert
Coastal desert
Cold desert
Semi arid desert
Marine
Ocean
Ecosystem Types Estuaries
Terrestrial Ecosystem Coral reefs
(Grassland, Desert, and
Forest)
Coastal
Aquatic Ecosystem
Artificial Ecosystem
Aquatic Ecosystem
Forest
Ecosystem Marine
Freshwater
Types of Forest
Ecosystem Freshwater
Temperate Lentic
Taiga/Boreal Lotic
Tropical Wetlands
Forest Organisms
Producers
Primary consumers
Decomposers
Secondary and
Teritary consuers

8. SUMMARY
• The ecosystem is a bubble of life which is an amalgam of plants, animals, and many
other organisms that reside in it. It has both living and non-living parts called biotic and
abiotic parts respectively. Ecosystems can be large or even as small as a tide pool.
• Earth is made of a series of interconnected ecosystems which are called biomes. Biomes
are vast sections of sea, land, and atmosphere.
• The ecosystem has many tangible and intangible benefits which are called goods and
services of an ecosystem. The tangible benefits come from meat, fish, fruits, etc. that
humans consume directly. The indirect benefits are in the form of social and cultural
enhancement through beautiful landscapes which are good for recreational and
tourism purposes.
• There are basically two type of ecosystems, i.e., terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem. In
terrestrial ecosystem we have grassland, desert and forest ecosystems. On the other
hand, in aquatic ecosystem we have freshwater and marine ecosystem. In fresh water
system it includes, lentic and lotic ecosystems. Aritificial ecosystem is separate
ecosystem that is totally controlled by the humans and is a combination of all types of
ecosystem.
• Terrestrial ecosystems are those which are based on lands that include tundras, forests,
grasslands, and coastal regions.
• Aquatic ecosystems are those which have presence in the water bodies such as river,
lakes, ponds, oceans, etc. It includes freshwater and marine ecosystems. Marine
ecosystem includes coastal ecosystems, oceans, etc. In freshwater, it comprises of several
but here we have
1. Lentic ecosystems are made up of still water bodies of fresh water like ponds, rivers,
etc.
2. Lotic ecosystems are made up of moving water bodies like rivers, streams, etc.
• Artificial ecosystems are man-made systems that are made for purposes of replenishing
the environment and biological studies. Biodome is one such artificial ecosystem.
• Ecosystem goods are natural products which humans use for their consumption which
includes fruits, fish, timber, medicinal herbs, etc.

• Ecosystem services are those processes in the ecosystem which support human life.
Few examples of ecosystem services are nutrient recycling, crop pollination, renewal of
soil, mitigating flood, etc.
• The ecosystem has degraded in the past partly due to natural disasters like fire, flood
and partly due to human activities, population growth, governance and policy failures,
etc.
• The TEV or total economic value framework and other economic tools are used to
measure the value of ecosystem services in terms of money. This is done so that people
are aware of the immense importance of economic goods and services even if these
ecosystem goods and services are non-market products.
• The grassland ecosystem consists of grass-like plants and is one of the most widespread
vegetations in the world covering almost 1/3rd of the earth's surface.
• There are mainly 3 types of grassland systems:
➢ Natural grasslands: These are natural areas formed due to climatic dryness and fire
or wildlife grazing.
➢ Semi-natural grasslands: They have resulted due to human management and
require hay cutting and wildlife grazing to maintain them.
➢ Improved grasslands: These pastures are a result of the ploughing and sowing of
agricultural varieties. They are usually fertilized artificially and are managed
intensely.
• Desert ecosystems are prevalent in hot and dry regions where there is very little
vegetation. They receive less than 50 cms of rainfall in a year.
• Desert ecosystems are of 4 types:
➢ Hot and dry desert: Found near the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn, these deserts
have very hot temperatures during the day and extremely low temperatures at
night.
➢ Semiarid desert: These have moderate summers and cold nights which prevents
moisture loss of plants and animals. They are found in North America, Northern
Asia, and Greenland.
➢ Coastal desert: They are found in Nearctic and neotropical areas. The plants of this
region have fleshy and thick leaves that can store huge amounts of moisture.

➢ Cold desert: These deserts have very short summers and very long winters. They
receive rainfall in the form of snowfall. This desert is very scarce in plants.
• Forest ecosystems’ main features are tall trees that form canopies. The names of forest
ecosystems come from the primary tree canopy in the region.
• Forest ecosystem foundation is the interdependence of its organisms on each other for
survival. There are 4 types of creatures in a forest ecosystem:
➢ Producers: These are green plants that can produce energy through photosynthesis.
➢ Primary consumers: These are animals that eat green plants and are called
herbivores.
➢ Secondary and tertiary consumers: The secondary consumers feed on the primary
consumers and the tertiary consumers eat up secondary consumers. These animals
are called carnivores.
➢ Decomposers: These are insects like termites, ants that break down dead plants and
animals to return nutrients to the soil.
• The aquatic ecosystem is present in the water environment and there are 2 major
categories of aquatic ecosystems:
➢ Marine ecosystem: This is the largest aquatic system covering 70% of the earth.
Examples of marine ecosystems are oceans, estuaries, coral reefs, and coastal
ecosystems.
➢ Freshwater ecosystems: It is less than 1% of the total water available on earth. It
comprises still water bodies like ponds and lakes and rapidly moving water bodies
like rivers, streams, and springs.

9. GLOSSARY
Canopy: The uppermost branches of a tree that form a continuous layer of foliage.
Degradation of the ecosystem: It is the deterioration of the ecosystem in terms of depletion
of its resources like air, water, and soil. This leads to the extinction of wildlife, habitat
destruction, pollution, etc.
Ecocide: Ecocide is the term associated with the murder of the environment when an entire
ecosystem is destroyed by human beings.
Ecology: It comes from the Greek word “Oikos” which means “a place to live” or “a
household”. It is a branch of biology which deals with the study of how living organisms
interact with their environment.
Freshwater: Water that is low in salinity or is not saltwater.
Landscape: The geographic traits or features of a region.
Millennium ecosystem assessment: Ecosystem assessment gives insights into many
aspects of the health and delivery of ecosystem goods and services. The UN launched a global
MA or Millennium assessment initiative and the report came out in 2005 which showed that
2/3rd of the ecosystem services on Earth are either threatened or declined.
Watershed: An area of land over which water flows to reach a common body of water like a
pond or lake. We all live in watersheds or drainage basins.

10. CASE STUDY

ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN ARID AREAS
In the Basra province of Iraq, an evaluation of land degradation was performed which
revealed 5 prominent degradation processes happening in that region:
• Desertification
• Secondary salinisation
• Urbanisation
• Vegetation degradation
• Loss of wetlands
The 3S technologies (remote sensing, GPS or global positioning services, and GIS or
geographic information systems) were employed in this study. Layers were extracted from
available topography and soil maps were used for examination. Satellite images and field
survey analysis were also utilised for this investigation. The results brought into focus how
the changes in land usage have resulted in accelerated land degradation. The south-western
Basara province which constitutes 28.1% of the total area was the most severely damaged.
There was a high degree of environmental degradation in Iraq that was controlled
immediately. Else, Iraq would have incurred the enormous cost and difficulty of future
corrective actions.
The accentuated degradation is attributed to many factors like conflicts of human interest,
population growth, limited land resources, and the vulnerability of the ecosystem of this
region. There are also inappropriate human activities like overuse of natural resources,
mismanagement of land, etc. Iraq’s government has put up some economic and political
reforms in place to combat the issue of land degradation.
The study recommended that a professional arid environment center is required to solve the
various issues of Iraq’s environmental problems with the aid of the government sector and
universities in the South Iraq area.
Source- https://environment.geog.ubc.ca/complex-case-studies/
Discussion Questions
1. Discuss the consequences of environmental degradation in the Basara province of
Iraq.

2. Explain what measures the government of Iraq must take to prevent further
degradation of land.

Q1. What is a biome?
Q2. Give an example of a small ecosystem.
Q3. What is meant by the interdependence of organisms within an ecosystem, explain with
an example?
Q4. Mention some of the benefits of the desert ecosystem to mankind.
Q5. What are some of the issues with the grassland ecosystem?
Q1. What are some of the reasons for ecosystem degradation?
Q2. What are the different ecosystem types?
Q3. What are the major categories of ecosystem goods and services?
Q4. What are the different layers in a tropical forest ecosystem?
Q5. What are the different types of marine aquatic ecosystems?
11.1 Answers
1. A. vast section of atmosphere, sea, or land.
2. B. Biotic
3. D. Biotic
4. A. lotic ecosystem is made up of moving bodies of water while a lentic ecosystem has
still bodies of fresh water.
5. Lotic
6. False
7. B. Direct use value
8. D. Fisheries capacity
9. C. Global demographics like wars and growth in the human population.
10. True
11. TEV

12. False
13. B. The Sahel south of Sahara
14. B. Antarctica
15. C. Landslides
16. 20-60 inches
17. Steppes, Prairies
18. Cacti
19. B. Because they can store large amounts of water.
20. C. Semi-arid deserts
21. B. Cold Desert
22. Canopy
23. D. Herbivores
24. B. They have dense tree canopies which allow very minimal sunlight to enter the forest
floor.
25. True
26. Forest floor
27. B. Water
28. D. Colour of the water
29. Lake Baikal
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
Answer 1: Biomes can be defined as vast sections of atmosphere, sea, or land. Few examples
of biomes are forests, tundra, ponds, reefs, etc. These biomes are segregated based on what
types of animals or plants inhabit them. Each forest, pond, tundra, or reef will in turn have
many smaller ecosystems within it.
Answer 2: Tide pools (ponds that are left by the ocean when the tide moves back) are small
ecosystems that are complete in themselves. A tide pool can be categorised as an ecosystem
since:
• A tide pool has seaweed which is a kind of algae that can create food by the process of
photosynthesis.
• There are herbivores like abalone who feed on the seaweed.

Answer 3: In any ecosystem, its plants, animals, and various organisms depend on each
other to fulfil some function that helps in the survival of the entire ecosystem. This symbiotic
relationship between organisms is termed interdependence. As an example, Azteca ants in a
forest ecosystem live off the hollow stems of cecropia trees. In exchange for this special juice
of the tree which serves as food for these ants, they kill the climbing vines which could cause
choking of the trees, and also chase away insects that might harm the trees.
Answer 4: Some of the benefits of desert ecosystem to mankind are:

• They are a source of sand and oil which serve many purposes in human lives.
• It provides a base for recreational activities like hiking, rock climbing, dirt biking, etc.
• Its scenic beauty is exploited by filmmakers to shoot movies in deserts.
Answer 5: Natural and human disturbances can damage grasslands. Natural disasters like
landslides, flash floods, and windstorms can alter the grassland ecosystem. Human activities
like hunting and harvesting can also damage grasslands. The grassland territory is also
destroyed if animals overgraze on it. Urban development, agricultural production, etc. are
some of the other reasons for the obliteration of grassland ecosystems.

Answer 1: Some of the primary reasons for the degradation of ecosystems are:
• Policy failures (market and economy): No proper facilities for growth and development
of ecosystem, no market for ecosystem goods and services, inadequate information
about the value of ecosystem goods and services are a major part of the cause of
ecosystem degradation.
• Governance issues: Many factors like the absence of clear and secure property rights,
Clarity in environmental policies and goals, and poor enforcement of existing
environmental regulations.
• Global demographics: Wars, human population growth, poverty are a few other reasons
for the loss in the ecosystem.
Answer 2: There are 4 main ecosystem types:

• Terrestrial Ecosystems: Land systems form terrestrial ecosystems that include
deserts, forests, tundras, grasslands, and coastal regions. The number of terrestrial
ecosystems depends on the biome’s climate. It includes:

1. Grassland ecosystem: A grassland ecosystem is characterised by an open area with

a dominance of grasses or grass-like species of plants. Grassland ecosystem occurs
where the environment is conducive for the growth of such plants.
2. Desert ecosystem: Desert ecosystems are extremely dry areas of land having sparse
vegetation. Desert supports distinctive animals and plants specially adapted to the
harsh desert environment.
3. Forest ecosystem: Forest ecosystems are home to various lives such as birds,
mammals, insects, moss, flowers, and microorganisms. They are dominated by trees
and provide many essential goods and services for human beings.
• Aquatic ecosystem: This ecosystem is present in the water bodies and generally, this
ecosystem has a wider presence. It includes freshwater and marine ecosystems.
➢ Freshwater ecosystems are those ecosystems that have no salt content in the water
as compared to the marine ecosystem. This includes lakes, rivers, ponds, etc. Types of
the freshwater ecosystem are:
1. Lentic Ecosystems: It is a type of aquatic ecosystem that is found on different
kinds of water systems such as ponds and lakes. Lentic ecosystems are small
ecosystems that are characterised by still bodies of freshwater.
2. Lotic Ecosystems: Lotic ecosystems also belong to the aquatic class, similar to
Lentic, but they comprise moving water bodies. These moving water bodies flow
to other water bodies and finally, they flow into the ocean.
➢ Marine ecosystem: This ecosystem contains salt water; means it has salt content in
water. This ecosystem is large than the freshwater ecosystem. It includes oceans,
coastal ecosystems, coral reefs, etc.
• Artificial Ecosystems: These are human-made systems, and although they can be
included as part of any of the above ecosystems (terrestrial, or aquatic).
Environmentalists feel it is important to segregate man-made systems into a separate
category. The artificial ecosystems can be huge like a forest or beaches, or small like
a terrarium. These man-made systems are made for different purposes like
replenishing the environment or helping environmentalists in learning. An example
of an artificial ecosystem is a biodome that has been created to study biology.

Answer 3: The MA (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) has categorised ecosystem services

into four primary segments:
• Provisioning services: It is that source of an ecosystem that gives us food, raw
material, and other products which can be used for our benefit. Fruits, vegetables, fish,
livestock, trees. Timber, drinking water, wood fuel, oils, natural gas, plants that can be
utilised to make clothes, and medicinal herbs are all part of provisioning services.
• Regulating services: These are basic services provided by the ecosystem which make
life possible on the planet Earth. Some of them are purifying water, preventing floods
and erosions, carbon storage, and climate regulation.
• Cultural Services: The ecosystem is a constant force in human lives that guides our
social, cultural, and intellectual development. The creativity that is born by the
interaction of humans and nature has led to art, music, architecture, literature, etc. All
of this serves as a means of recreation to the human race. For example, landscapes
provide opportunities to exercise. These cultural and recreational activities lead to
economic revenue through sports and tourism.
• Supporting services: Supporting services are natural processes like a nutrient cycle,
photosynthesis, soil creation, water cycle, etc. They are the backbones of the ecosystem
and an ecosystem cannot be sustained without these processes. Basic life forms on
earth are heavily dependent on these natural phenomena and all the above services
(provisional, regulating, and cultural) will not exist if the supporting services are not in
place.
Answer 4 - In a tropical rainforest ecosystem, the green plants are arranged into 4 different
layers:
A. Emergent layer: Huge trees of around 165 feet and above are part of this layer. These
trees are spread across the ecosystem far apart from each other.
B. Canopy: These are closely spaced trees whose height ranges between 65 and 165 feet.
The main products of these trees are nectar, fruits, and seeds which are used by other
creatures in the ecosystem,
C. Understory: These trees support very few plants since they receive minimal sunlight.
D. Forest floor: This part of the layer is devoid of sunlight and almost nothing grows here.

Answer 5: The marine ecosystem covers around 70% of the earth’s surface and is the largest
aquatic ecosystem. This ecosystem is further divided into the below-mentioned categories:
A. Ocean ecosystem: It comprises 5 major oceans in the world i.e.
• Pacific Ocean
• Atlantic Ocean
• Arctic Ocean
• Southern Ocean
• Indian Ocean
The various aquatic organisms found within these oceans are turtles, tube worms, sharks,
reptiles, blue whales, shellfish, etc.
B. Estuaries: An Estuary is a point or tidal mouth where the river meets the sea. The water
in estuaries is a little bit more saline than freshwater. Estuaries are considered very
productive biologically since they trap plant nutrients. A few examples of estuaries are
river mouth, tidal marshes, etc.
C. Coral reefs: These are a type of seafloor ecosystem and are found only in warm tropical
waters at shallow depths. Coral reefs rank amongst the most productive ecosystems in
the world and ¼ of marine species depend on coral reefs for shelter and food. The
species which inhabit this ecosystem are snails, brightly coloured exotic fishes,
sponges, seahorses, etc. The coral reefs are produced by animals as they build an
external skeleton around themselves. They are also called the rainforest of oceans
owing to the diverse aquatic flora and fauna within them.
D. Coastal ecosystems: These are formed where land meets water and is home to a
variety of algae and plants. The aquatic organisms living within this ecosystem are
snails, crabs, fishes, lobsters, and shrimps.


BOOKS:
Press.
• Bharucha, E., Textbook of Environmental Studies for undergraduate courses, 2nd edn.,
Universities Press, Hyderabad.
REFERENCES:
• Types of Aquatic Ecosystems, viewed on 1 March 2021,
<https://sciencing.com/types-aquatic-ecosystems-6123685.html>
• Ecosystem Service, viewed on 1 March 2021, <https://www.nwf.org/Educational-
Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Understanding-Conservation/Ecosystem-Services>
• Facts related to climatic conditions, viewed on 1 March 2021, <
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chilly-yet-warm-january-across-india-
101644345029680.html>
• Economic, Social and Ecological value of Ecosystem, viewed on 1 March 2021,
<https://www.cbd.int/financial/values/unitedkingdom-valueliterature.pdf>
• Impact of Humans on grassland, viewed on 2 March 2021,
<https://sciencing.com/impacts-humans-grassland-biomes-2594.html>

ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 6: Renewable Natural Resources 1

Unit 6
Renewable Natural Resources
Table of Contents
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction
4-7
2 Land Resources and Land Use Change 1
2.1 Functions of Land

8-11
2.2 Land Use
2.3 Types of Land Use

3 Land Degradation 2
3.1 Reasons for Land Degradation
12-15
3.2 Effects of Land Degradation 1
3.3 Measures for Preventing Land
Degradation
4 Forest Resources 16-17
5 Deforestation 3
5.1 Causes for Deforestation 17-21
5.2 Effects of Deforestation
6 Water 4
6.1 Over-exploitation of Groundwater and 21-26
Surface Water
6.2 Conflicts over Water
7 Renewable Energy Sources 5, I 27-29
8 Use of Alternate Energy Sources 6
29-32
8.1 Growing Energy Needs 2
9 Summary 33-35
10 Glossary 36
11 Case Study 36-37

12 Terminal Questions
28-42
12.1 Answer Keys
13 Suggested Books and e-References 42

1. INTRODUCTION
The term “renewable” means something that can be used repeatedly or can be replaced.
When we use the term “renewable” with reference to natural resources, it denotes those
natural resources around us which never run out, since they are naturally replaced. Any
renewable natural resource has an endless supply. For example, wind energy, solar energy,
hydro energy, etc.
In more scientific terms, we can say that the rate of depletion or usage of any natural
resource which is less than the rate at which it gets replenished is a renewable resource.
Some of the natural resources (like sun, air, wind, tides) are also named perpetual resources
as their quantity is not affected by human consumption. Other natural resources (like land,
soil, water, plants, and animals) need careful management with a focus on how their
management affects the quality of our lives (both present and future generations).
Some other resources also come under the category of renewable resources like wood, fish,
and oxygen, but they require some time and effort to renew.
STUDY NOTE
Many of the precious metals are also renewable though not
Kyoto Protocol was the
naturally replaced. But precious metals can be recycled since first major international
accord that helped in
their extraction and usage do not destroy them. curbing carbon dioxide
emission and reduction in
global warming.
Natural resources (raw materials or land) are also referred to as
natural capital as they are a form of equity. Natural resources are mainly of two types:
1. Biotic resources: These are living beings obtained from the biosphere (fish, marine
organisms, animals, birds, etc.) Other resources like mineral fuels also come under
natural biotic resources since they are formed through the decay of organic matter.
2. Abiotic resources: These are non-living resources like land, air, water, ores, etc.
Renewable resources are also a source of clean energy, as they cause less pollution and emit
fewer greenhouse gases. In recent years, renewable organic products are being used to make
biofuel which has gained prevalence over non-renewable resources like coal, natural gas, etc.
Some of the biofuels in use are biodiesel (as an alternative to oil), green diesel (made from
algae and a few other plants). The most common renewable resources are:
• Solar energy

• Hydro energy
• Wind energy
• Biomass energy
• Geothermal power
• Tidal energy
The current environmental movement has its focus on renewable resources, both
economically and politically. Using renewable resources brings down cost and puts much
less restraint on resources in limited supply like fossil fuels. Going green (i.e., adopting
sustainable energy) positively impacts our environment, and resources like fossil fuels cause
global warming and damage our environment.
The other category of resources, i.e., non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels, minerals,
etc., are formed through long geological processes. Due to their extremely slow rate of
formation, they cannot be replenished at the same rate as they are consumed; hence they are
non-renewable. Non-renewable resources are also called dirty energy due to the pollution
and other environmental issues caused by them.
Our energy sources have evolved over time. We used woods before the nineteenth century
and later adopted non-renewable resources (coal, petroleum) for the same purposes. These
non-renewable resources have been dominant energy sources to date, but the earth has a
limited supply of these; hence, there has been a growing need to use renewable resources as
energy sources.
Governments of all countries are taking measures to promote renewable resources by

designing many incentives for using these alternate energy sources. For example:
• An energy tax is placed as a surcharge on fossil fuels, which STUDY NOTE
makes the price of renewable resources competitive or less
11% of the energy
than that of non-renewable resources. A survey was done by consumption in the U.S.
comes from renewable
IRENA (International renewable energy Agency) in 2019 resources. (As per the
report of U.S.
which revealed that the energy produced by renewable Environmental
Protection Agency
resources is quite comparable to the price of fossil fuels. 2017).

• The Green Fund is a mutual fund that invests only in companies that produce goods
with more responsibility towards environmental health, and their business dealings
are socially conscious.
Renewable resources do pose some challenges in their usage:

• Renewable resources are less reliable than non-renewable resources as seasonal
changes can impact their production.
• Renewable reasons are not always perfectly renewable. If human consumption
increases to a point where the rate of production of renewable resources goes down,
then these resources might not be able to replenish themselves completely.
• Urban sprawl, irrigation, cultivation, deforestation, grazing, fishing, hunting could
destroy renewable resources which are otherwise abundant in nature.
• If we want to use renewable resources on a large scale, then it can prove costly, and we
still need more research to make renewable resources more cost-effective.
In this unit, let's look at some factors that cause the degradation in land resources. We will
also see some of the powerful renewable energies which are:
• Hydropower: This energy is generated by converting the STUDY NOTE
mechanical energy of flowing water into electrical energy.
The incentives to promote a
• Geothermal energy: This energy comes from the heat greener environment are
proving to be a success. In
generated in the deep core of Earth. 2018, as per EIA (U.S energy
information
• Wind energy: The turning of wind turbines generates administration), renewable
energy produced was close
wind energy. to 11.5 quadrillion Btu
(British thermal units).
• Solar energy: Sun’s radiation can be converted to
electricity using photovoltaic cells.


❖ Explain what are renewable natural resources and also be able to differentiate them from
non-renewable resources
❖ Define the different types of renewable energy sources
❖ Explain the scope and importance of environment studies
❖ Describe how deforestation and other human activities have caused degradation in our
environment
❖ Explain the growing need for energy and how alternate energy resources are being used

2. LAND RESOURCES AND LAND USE CHANGE

The maintenance of all terrestrial ecosystems depends largely on land and its usage by
humans. Land as a resource is essential for the survival of humans as well as their prosperity.
All the features and processes of land that are used to fulfil various human needs are termed
land resources.
To define the land, we can look at its characteristics outlined below:

• The land is an area on the Earth’s terrestrial surface that encompasses all the parts of
the biosphere immediately above or below it.
• The land also comprises near-surface climate, terrain forms, soil, surface hydrogeology
(this includes lakes, rivers, shallow lakes, swamps, and marshes).
• Other resources which come under the category of land resources are near-surface
sedimentary layers, associated groundwater, plant and animal population,
geohydrological reserves, human settlement patterns.
• The physical results of past and present human activity like terracing, drainage
structure, building, roads, and water storage.
Over the years, people have become experts in exploiting land resources and the human
demands of land have become an issue since the land resources are finite. The increased
pressure on land demand has contributed to the decline in crop production, more
competition for land, and a quality and quantity degradation of land resources.
2.1 Functions of Land

Environmental economists define land as a renewable stock
STUDY NOTE
resource. Land resources do not fit exactly into the category
Currently, there is a total of 4.4
of renewable or non-renewable resources as they are slowly billion hectares of total world
land area, which is available for
renewable. But the rate of degradation of land far exceeds its cropping. The total land area
currently being used for
natural regeneration. This means that if a portion of land is cultivation is 1.6 billion
hectares out of which 20% of
lost to degradation, it cannot be regenerated in a human time cultivation is happening on
marginally suited lands.
frame, resulting in the loss of opportunities for future
generations. The various functions of land which support human and various other
terrestrial ecosystems are summarized below:

• It is a store of wealth for communities, groups, or individuals.

• It is a storehouse of raw materials and minerals for human needs.
• It produces food, fuel, fiber, and many other biotic materials which humans use.
• It regulates the flow and storage of surface water and groundwater.
• It is a physical space where settlements, recreation, and industrial activities take place.
• It stores and protects many historic and prehistoric records (fossils, archaeological
remains, evidence of climates in the past, etc.)
• It enables (or hampers) the movement of people, animals, and plants across different
areas.
2.2 Land Use

A land cover is the physical land type on the ground surface:
vegetation, forest, water, bare soils, etc. Land use is defined by the STUDY NOTE
purpose that a certain land cover fulfils such as recreation, sports, Since humans will always
rely on livestock and
agriculture, etc. In other words, land use is the characterization of crops as a source of their
food, it is safe to assume
a given land based on what can be built on it, or what the land can that a large portion of land
would be associated with
be used for. agricultural activities.
Activities, arrangements, and inputs give the characteristics of land use by humans to
produce, alter, or maintain a specific type of land cover. The terms ``Land use” and “zoning”,
are used differently. Where land use means the way humans adapt the land to suit their
needs, and zoning is about the way the government regulates the land. A land buyer needs
to understand land use for two main reasons:
• It helps prevent buyers from spending too much time STUDY NOTE
and money on land when they know what can be built A landform can get created in
just a few years or might take
on it. For instance, if someone has plans for building a millions of years. Landforms
can be changed in a very short
farm, they would not buy a residential property once period of time by mainly two
natural methods: strong
they know the purpose of that land. If a buyer knows the earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions.
purpose of certain land, they are better positioned to
decide what to buy that will meet their needs.

• On a larger scale, if one understands land use, they can understand the patterns that
associate land and urbanisation. If you understand how the land was used in the past,
you can judge how that land would be used in the future.
2.3 Types of Land Use

Land use has many different categories; the most primary ones are transport, recreational,
agricultural, commercial, and residential. When one plans to invest in a property,
understanding the specifics of each of these types can be extremely helpful.
• Recreational: If a property's land use is defined as recreational, then it denotes it is to
be used for people's enjoyment. Many lands fall under this category, such as parks,
playgrounds, open spaces, athletic fields, swimming pools, etc. Every city has a
recreational land space in its blueprint since it is important to have areas in a city where
people can go and have some leisure or fun time. Recreational lands do not contribute
to a community's development, but they attract visitors and permanent residents.
• Agriculture: Agricultural land includes ranches, pastures, farms, etc. They are used for
agricultural purposes to grow and harvest crops and livestock.
• Transport: Transport land’s purpose is to help people travel from one destination
point to another. Examples of transport lands are airports, roads, subway stations,
railways stations, etc.
• Residential: Residential lands are used to build homes of
different types like mobile homes, apartment complexes, or STUDY NOTE
single-family homes. This type of land use has certain In 2006, the average
number of cultivated
restrictions such as permission of only certain kinds of pets land areas that were
required to feed one
on the property, minimum lot size and the permitted distance person was 0.22
hectares.
between lots in your building, etc. When building a residence
on any land, one must consider many factors like accessibility to local amenities, crime
rate, proximity to school, etc.
• Commercial: This type of land use refers to infrastructures related to commerce like
warehouses, businesses, shops, etc. The most common use of such lands is to build
restaurants, shopping malls, office buildings, and so on.

1. What does the term “green funds” mean?

a) A fund that is used in generating renewable energy.
b) A fund that invests in generating non-renewable energy.
c) A fund that invests only in companies that produce goods with more
responsibility towards environmental health.
d) A fund that supports companies that use fossil fuels.
2. Which one out of these is not a renewable source of energy?
a) Hydropower
b) Geothermal energy
c) Solar energy
d) Fossil fuels
3. The two natural processes which can change landforms very quickly are:
a) Strong earthquakes and deforestation.
b) Volcanic eruptions and soil erosion
c) Strong earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
d) Volcanic eruptions and deforestation.
4. Non-renewable resources are replenished faster than they are consumed.
[True/False].
5. Which of the following categories of land uses do athletic fields belong to?
a) Transport
b) Agriculture
c) Recreational
d) Commercial

3. LAND DEGRADATION
With the degradation of lands, their soils lose or deteriorate in their productive capacity for
the present and future. This issue has become a global challenge. Everyone on the planet is
affected by it as it poses food insecurity, higher food prices, adverse changes in climate, loss
of biodiversity, degradation of ecosystem services, and many other environmental hazards.
The rate at which land degradation is happening in today’s age is

quite alarming. Due to this, we are witnessing a dramatic decline STUDY NOTE
in the productivity of rangeland and croplands across the globe. It is projected that the world
population would grow by
There is a degradation of 16% of arable land and 25% of total 35% in 2050 to 9.7 billion
and there will be rising
land area globally, and the numbers are only rising. The demands for food, fiber, fuel,
and other agricultural
traditional systems used to manage land are no longer effective, products.
or these systems are breaking down. The technology for better

management of land is not always available.
3.1 Reasons for Land Degradation

The primary reason for the land degradation is the unprecedented rate at which the
population is growing globally. This explosion of the population has put high demands on
the land. The other factors contributing to increasing pressure on land resources are:
• There is an uneven distribution of land resources between countries as well as within
countries. This difference in access to land as per the population needs makes it difficult
to meet the population demands.
• Changes in climate and natural (or human-induced) disasters also degrade the quality
of the land. Due to climate change, there is an exacerbation in agricultural yields and
income which threatens the stability of agroecosystems and food production systems.
• The advent of many socio-economic changes like trade
STUDY NOTE
liberalization, privatization, decentralization of decision
In cyclone-prone areas,
making, and globalization of markets has made it difficult for the rise in sea level
along with cyclones can
humans to manage resources efficiently. cause land degradation.
• Application of unscientific agricultural practices for cropping.

For example, in some portions of the Western Ghats, the forest is cleared to sow

commercial crops like potatoes and ginger on the slopes. This results in loss of
nutrients, soil erosion, waterlogging, etc.
• Water logging: The water table gets saturated due to various reasons like over-
irrigation, inadequate drainage, seepages from canals, etc. The land lying under
waterlogged areas is unusable either for settlements or agriculture.
• Political reasons: Short-term political gains are being made at the cost of long-term
damage to the land. Decision-makers deals with difficult decisions on how to increase
production to eradicate poverty. Such decisions have to be balanced with resource
conservation, but often, decision-makers forfeit these long-term benefits for fulfilling
people's immediate needs.
3.2 Effects of Land Degradation

When there is land degradation, soil releases carbon and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere,
which causes climatic changes. Some of the areas aggravated by land degradation are
mentioned below:
• Soil erosion: One of the biggest effects of land degradation is the detachment of the top
layer of soil from the land. This soil gets washed away by ice, water, or sea waves, or it
could be blown away by the wind.
• Salinity or alkalinity: In areas with high temperatures and temporary water surplus,
the moisture sinks down, dissolving the underground salts along with it. During a dry
period in these heavy rainfall regions, this saline solution comes on the surface through
capillary action. The heat evaporates the water, forming a crust of magnesium, sodium,
and calcium salts. This salt wreaks havoc by rendering vast stretches of soil infertile.
• Desertification: Desertification happens when sand from the deserts advances to
adjoining regions. It affects the fertility of the soil by forming a cover on it.
• Food shortage for consumption: If less fertile land is available for agricultural
purposes, it cascades into less yield and shortage of food.
• Land conflicts: With land becoming scare, less land is available for biomass production
or conservation purposes. That is why huge competition for land for different uses
leads to complex conflicts.
• Vulnerability to natural disasters: Land degradation can cause floods, droughts, and
other natural calamities.

• Water shortage: Due to land degradation, there is a loss of biodiversity in drylands,

resulting in low precipitation and longer spells of dry seasons. This leads to water
scarcity.
• Fuel wood shortage: Loss of forests causes widespread fuelwood shortages.
• Lack of adequate housing: As per UN (United Nations) estimates, close to 100 million
people are sleeping without shelter in public spaces like buses,
STUDY NOTE
railway stations, etc. If one counts the number of people in
There are 3.2 billion
temporary shelters which are of poor quality and do not people who are
affected badly by land
provide enough protection, then that number rises to more degradation and most
of them belong to rural
than a billion globally. This problem is prevalent not only in communities.
developing countries. 12 countries of the European Union have

1.8 million people sleeping on the roads.
Source: fao.org
Fig 1: Symptoms of the issues due to pressure on land resources
3.3 Measures for Preventing Land Degradation

Intervention is required to prevent further land degradation to restore and prevent
deterioration of land’s essential functions. The most pressing need right now is to break the
current downward spiral of land resources. The landowners and users need to be well
informed and taught all the technologies that are needed to make conscious decisions on
land usage.

• The UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat

STUDY NOTE
Desertification) has to serve the benefits of the environment
Soil erosion is a very big
globally. They have recognized LDN (Land Degradation reason for land
degradation and leads to a
Neutrality) as a concept that will help boost food production loss of 75 billion tons of
soil every year.
without degrading land further. LDN is geared towards
managing land in a more sustainable manner, reducing degradation and increasing the
land restoration rate.
• The partnership of IAEA and FAO: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has
come up with a technical cooperation program using nuclear technologies. IAEA has
partnered with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) to assist scientists and
farmers residing in 60 countries in controlling and measuring soil erosion. This will
help them measure the rate of soil erosion and track hot land degradation spots.
6. What is the name of the condition where the water table gets saturated due to
over-irrigation?
a) Waterlogging
b) Desertification
c) Salinity
d) Alkalinity
7. Which of the following is a political reason for land degradation?
a) Application of unscientific agricultural practices for cropping
b) Trade liberalization
c) Deforestation
d) Soil erosion
8. _________ occurs when sand from the deserts advances to adjoining regions.
9. Salinity occurs when the top layer of soil gets detached from the land and gets
washed away by the sea, water, or ice. [True/False]

4. FOREST RESOURCES
Forest is a biotic (living) renewable resource that provides us clean air, water, wood
products, stable soil, habitat for wildlife, a source of recreation, and a beautiful environment
that is rich in biodiversity. Forests are integral to any nation’s economy as they provide a
wide range of environmental goods, production inputs, fuel, medicines, and other raw
materials of industrial processing,
Different kinds of forests all around the world vary in diversity and composition. Some of the
major benefits that human society derives from forests are:
• In the absence of services provided by forest resources, there will be more capital
expenditure and a decline in human well-being. For example, forests can store water,
regulate its flows, cleanse impurities, and protect channels. By these activities, forests
form a structure for hydrological services, similar to transportation and
communication.
• Forests are also significant in maintaining political and STUDY NOTE
economic relations amongst different nations. The
As per FAO estimates, the
conditions of forests in a country affect that nation's wage employment provided
by the forestry sector is
dependence on international trade. Forests supply equivalent to 60 million
work years globally. 80% of
materials for many domestic industries, export this wage employment is in
developing countries. Most
commodities like wood and processed products, and a of this work is in charcoal or
fuelwood activities.
range of specialty products like ornaments and medicines.
• A forest ecosystem provides many commercial and scientific services like living space,
climate regulation, and genetic resources.
• Forests are used for recreational purposes and are great for a country's tourism
industry.
• Forests serve as a laboratory for the genetic resources of plants and animals. Tropical
Forests are deemed to have more than 50% of the entire living species on the earth.
• Forests supply cheap forms of energy in the form of woods, and wood is the primary
fuel in most tropical nations. Wood is also seen as a replacement for agricultural
biomass and fossil fuels, bringing down the cost of these resources.

• Forests also influence the environment's ability to cope with natural calamities by
functioning as barriers to intense rains, landslides, and windstorms. They aid in the
prevention of soil erosion, landslides, and so on.
With so many global benefits derived from forest resources, forests are gaining value rapidly.
Many institutions are coming forward to protect forests and develop strategies to translate
these forest resources into tradable forms.
5. DEFORESTATION
Forests are being cut down to make room for something other than forests to meet different
needs. Deforestation happens when forests are removed permanently. The various reasons
for deforestation could be to clean the land for agricultural activities or grazing,
urbanization, mining activities, etc. Since 1960, deforestation
STUDY NOTE
has accelerated rapidly and harms our ecosystems greatly. UN
Human-lit fires in forests
FAO estimates that 1.3 million km2 of forests are being wiped skyrocketed in Brazil in the
year 2019. More than
out every decade. 80,000 fires were burnt in
the Amazon forest which
was 80% more in number
Most of the deforestation is happening in the tropics, with from 2018.
inaccessible areas in the past being within reach due to new

roads being constructed by cleaning dense forests. Forest is a mature resource, which means
that even though it is renewable, it takes a long time to build a forest.
5.1 Causes of Deforestation

Multiple factors can cause deforestation; they could be of natural origin or due to human
actions. Some of the natural factors are diseases caused by parasites or natural forest fires,
leading to deforestation. Despite natural factors, the biggest cause of global deforestation is
human activities. FAO has identified that 80% of global deforestation has been caused due
to agricultural purposes. Other factors include the construction of infrastructure like dams,
mines, roads, etc.
• Agriculture is the numero uno reason for deforestation: Out of all the agricultural
activities that cause deforestation, around 33% of deforestation is a consequence of
subsistence farming which is agriculture by local peasants in developing countries for
their own use. The other 40% of forest loss is caused by agriculture for industrial or

commercial purposes. Forests are being frequently cut down in the search to grow
fibers, food, raise livestock, and biofuel.
STUDY NOTE
• 15% of deforestation is due to new constructions:
Scientists at the University of
Deforestation is being done to serve the current lifestyle Maryland came out with a
report in 2017 according to
of humans. Energy generation, transportation, etc. are which the tropics lost 61,000
square miles of forest area
some of the reasons for cutting down trees. Roads, which is almost the size of
Bangladesh.
railway tracks, and airports are being built to move goods
(cereals, fruits, spices, etc.) and people.
• Building dams: Dams are another major cause of forest loss, either directly or
indirectly. People have often seen these large hydroelectric dams as a sign of
development, but little do they know that 40,000 large dams (measuring more than 15
meters in height) are obstructing the world's rivers. The reservoirs of these rivers are
400,000 km2 of land which is inundated with millions of hectares of forests. This is
especially happening in the tropics, where many trees were not even logged but left to
just rot slowly. The indirect way dam building has caused deforestation is that farmers
get displaced due to building dams. These farmers then relocate and clear forests to
build their homes and grow crops.
• Mining: Mining, in general, is extremely destructive for our environment. It is
considered one of the main causes of deforestation. Trees and vegetation must be
burned and cleared to begin mining. Large-scale mining begins by making the ground
completely bare and then using bulldozers to extract minerals and metals from the
soils. Once the extractions are ready, they need to be amalgamated (clustered) using
chemicals such as mercury, cyanide, or methylmercury. The chemicals go through pipes
(tailings) and get discharged into rivers, streams, oceans, and bays. This contaminates
all the living bodies within the water.
• Commercial logging: This involves cutting down trees to sell STUDY NOTE
them as pulp or timber. This timber is used to build many As per WWF (World
Wildlife), the tropical
things such as, furniture, homes, etc. Paper and paper forests hold more than
210 gigatons of carbon in
products are made using the pulp of the trees. them.
• Natural fires: Natural fires are rare but very intense in

tropical forests.

5.2 Effects of Deforestation

Deforestation is a major threat to the resilience of our ecosystem and the planet.
Deforestation directly affects all living organisms and damages the environment deeply.
Forests are home to more than 80% of diverse trees, animals, plants, and microbes. The
effect of deforestation reaches far and wide, which is summed up below:
• Deforestation affects biodiversity: Forests are the most variable hub for biodiversity.
Many rare and fragile species, including plants, animals, mammals, birds, amphibians,
and insects, have their homes in forests. If these forests are destroyed, it creates a
natural imbalance and threatens life. The complex and interconnected natural world
with interdependencies provides many functions to our environment. Apart from many
other functions, trees provide shade so that certain plants and animals who cannot
survive in direct sunlight can survive in the shade. Trees also provide food to animals
and birds.
• It hampers the livelihood of the local or tribal population: Globally, 1.6 billion
people depend on healthy forests for their livelihoods. Amongst them, around 1 billion
are the poorest in the world. They cannot continue their small-scale agricultural
programs by hunting and gathering raw materials from forests. Big businesses often
take away these forests for their other means and disrupt the lives of a huge tribal
population. The locals of these forests have to resort to only two available options. The
first one is to abandon their homes and face the challenges of a new life elsewhere. The
second one is to work for these big companies under inhuman conditions and extremely
low wages.
• Future Food insecurity: Almost 52% of land used for food production is either
moderately or severely impacted by soil erosion. If this progresses at the same rate,
there is a high chance of low yield in the future due to the poor quality of the soil. This
will lead to less food production giving rise to food insecurities.
• Reduced rainfall: In tropical areas, deforestation can alter the way water vapour
produces over the canopy, reducing rainfall, as if trees will not be there, then it will be
very difficult to cope with climate changes. Deforestation removes vegetation that is
crucial for absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and causes greenhouse gas
emissions.

• Climatic changes due to greenhouse gases: Trees absorb carbon dioxide, which helps
mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Tropical trees are responsible for mitigating 23%
of climatic changes. Trees can capture and store excess carbon dioxide, helping in
carbon sequestration. Just the act of clearing forests also emits greenhouse gases into
the atmosphere.
• Soil erosion: The weakening and degradation of soil is another massive downside of
deforestation. Forested soils have rich organic matter and have high resistance to
erosion. Soils surrounded by forests can withstand bad and extreme weather too. This
is because the roots of the trees help soil fix on the ground and the shades of the trees
promote slow drying of soils. Deforestation leaves more fragile soils that can get washed
away, leading to landslides and floods.
10. Which of the following is not a forest resource?

a) Plants
b) Animals
c) Microorganisms
d) Sand
11. Forests can be built in a short period of time. [True/False]
12. Reduced rainfall is caused when deforestation affects the way ______ is formed
on canopies.
13. Which of the following best fits the meaning of deforestation?
a) Erosion of soil
b) Removal of forests permanently
c) Emission of greenhouse gases
d) Climatic changes
14. Which one of the following is not a cause of deforestation?
a) Agricultural activities
b) Mining
c) Building dams
d) Soil erosion

15. Which one from the following list is not a result of deforestation?
a) Soil erosion
b) Damage to the livelihood of local people of forests
c) Climatic changes due to greenhouse gas emissions
d) Development projects and new constructions
6. WATER
The hydrologic cycle or water cycle is a natural cycle that is powered by sunlight and gravity.
When water evaporates from the land surfaces and oceans. it becomes vapor and is
temporarily held in the atmosphere before it comes down as precipitation. Water is available
mainly in three forms in nature:
• Surface water: This is the residue of melted snow and precipitation. It is also called
runoff. Bodies of water like rivers, streams, lakes form when the average rate of
precipitation exceeds the rate of evaporation, absorption by vegetation, or seeping of
water into the soil.
• Groundwater: Water that infiltrates and goes inside the earth’s surface becomes
groundwater. Water slowly goes down through layers of porous rocks and soils which
are called aquifers. This falling down of water happens due to gravity pull.
• Frozen water: Water exists in frozen form as glaciers, ice, etc. in cold regions.
Both the surface and groundwater eventually go back to the oceans and get evaporated,
replenishing the water vapor in the atmosphere. From the total water reserve on the earth,
97% is saltwater which is not fit for human consumption. A large portion of the other 3% of
fresh water is locked up in polar ice caps. Only 0.003% of freshwater is readily available as
surface and groundwater.
STUDY NOTE
Water is critical to all kinds of lives on our planet. The water
In 2016, a report from
resources are used for multiple purposes that include: MoWRGR (Ministry of Water
Resources, River
• Drinking Development, and Ganga
Rejuvenation), GoI, under
• Irrigation purposes the chairmanship of Mihir
Shah, concluded that a
• Washing needs complex issue like water
governance needs a multi-
disciplinary approach.
• Waste disposal by industries

• As a coolant for thermal power plants
6.1 Overexploitation of Groundwater and Surface Water

Water exploitation comprises the extraction of these water sources for human consumption
and irrigation. With the overuse of all forms of water resources, water is getting scarcer over
the years. With many rivers, groundwater, and streams drying up, it poses serious challenges
for most people and regions. Amongst many reasons for the scarcity of water, some of the
prominent ones are:
• Drastic changes in rainfall patterns: This is happening mainly due to deforestation
which causes reduced rainfall and diminished groundwater recharging.
• Groundwater mining: Multinational companies play a vital role in overexploiting
groundwater resources. Classic examples of such companies are bottled water and soft
drinks businesses. With their plants in rural areas, they exploit water resources as well
as pollute the groundwater by releasing effluents. This continuous exploitation of
underground water has resulted in lower levels of water. All this has negatively
impacted the health of rural people.
• Subsidence: Ground subsidence occurs if the groundwater is
STUDY NOTE
being withdrawn at a rate higher than its recharge rate.
Even a rise of 1 degree
Ground subsidence is a phenomenon in which the sediments Fahrenheit in the
temperature can cause
in the aquifer get compacted and result in the sinking of the the atmosphere to hold on
4% more of water vapor.
land surface over it. This leads to many economic losses and
threats to lives like structural damages in buildings, pipe cracks or breakage, a reversal
in the flow of sewers, and tidal flooding.
• Water logging: With excessive irrigation, the water tables of the area being irrigated
can rise. This leads to waterlogging and salinity problems when salt in the rocks comes
in contact with this water. The salt then rises up and evaporates in the upper soil layer,
making it saline and hampering the fertility of soils.
• Floods: Many factors such as deforestation, rapid industrialization, mining, grazing,
global warming, etc., have contributed to the significant rise of floods, which earlier
used to be a natural calamity. As more water warms up due to global warming, more
water evaporates, causing heavy rainfalls. Prolonged downpours can lead rivers and
lakes to overflow and cause floods in low-lying coastal areas.

• Drought: Though primarily a meteorological phenomenon, drought can also occur

because of many anthropogenic causes like deforestation, grazing, mining, etc. Due to
these human activities, there could be below normal annual rainfall and less
evaporation, causing drought conditions. Few other reasons for drought are erroneous
cropping patterns, increased exploitation of water resources (through canal irrigation
and water wells), etc. All this has converted many drought-prone areas into deserts.
6.2 Conflicts Over Water

With the world's population more than tripling in the last century, it is quite natural that
water resources are facing tremendous pressures all through the globe. All the world
governments see the water problem as an ever-increasing challenge. The water problem has
been intensified by environmental damage, variability in the hydrological cycle,
industrialization, and urbanization.
The water challenges are more daunting for developing countries since the availability of per
capita water is already low in these countries (with urbanization and population growing at
an exponential rate). Due to the competing water demands for different users and uses,
water disputes are increasing at many levels (local, district level, inter-state, national, and
international level). The international conflicts are becoming more apparent now,
intertwined with local conflicts.
There are more incidents of two or more countries sharing the water resources (both surface
and groundwater). There are more than 300 rivers and 8 major river systems, 100 lakes, and
a large number of aquifers currently in India. Some of the incidents of water disputes
internationally, which were resolved later are:
• In 1960, there was a dispute between India and Pakistan over the Indus River System
which was resolved by the mediation of the World Bank. The Indus river treaty divided
the 6 Indus rivers between the two countries. The Sutlej, the Beas, and the Ravi went to
India while the Indus, the Chenab, and the Jhelum rivers were given under Pakistan’s
territory.
• In 1959, Egypt and Sudan had a conflict over Nile waters which was resolved with an
agreement of full utilization of the Nile waters by both parties.

There are still many international watercourses that have no agreements or attempts to
address the existing issues. Some of the unresolved disputes include the conflict between
Iraq, Turkey, and Syria over Euphrates and Tigris. Another dispute that still needs to be
addressed is between the Syrians, the Palestinians, the Israelis, and the Lebanese concerning
the Jordan River and its tributaries.
In India, there are primarily 3 stressors that have been causing many interstate water
conflicts They are:
• India has a federal structure that makes water part of a state. One example of this issue
is the Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. This law has
bestowed the primary right of water on where the water source lies and is skewed
towards the upstream users, i.e., Karnataka in this case.
• Food security has been wrongly delineated, which has made crops like wheat and rice
high in production. These crops consume a lot of water. This issue began with the green
revolution in the 1960s, which increased the yield and production of food grains. The
green revolution displaced the low water-consuming crops like ragi and sorghum in
many areas.
• India’s water policy lacks the understanding of the nexus between land, water, and
food. There is no integrated ecosystem approach towards designing the water policy.
The water governance in India is a piecemeal program and not an integrated basin
approach.

Activity 1
You have to create a mini-hydropower wheel to lift an object. You would need
the following materials for this activity:
Plastic soda bottle of 2-liter capacity, ruler and marker, a craft knife, scissor,
sewing, thread of 16 inches, any small object which you want to lift (for example
an eraser, bottle cap or pencil), sink, duct tape, a large funnel, paper clips, 2 corks,
a wooden barbeque skewer.
Method:
1. Measure 6 cms from the bottom of the bottle and mark a few dots using
markers and connect the dots.
2. Using the craft knife, cut off the bottom of the bottle where you joined the
dots. Now from the cut part of the bottle measure 8 cms and cut it off to
get a cylindrical plastic section.
3. Using scissors, cut 2 cms strips from the 8 cms cylindrical section
obtained above; you would get 4 such strips. Cut these 2 cms strips in half
so that you get 8 curved strips which measure 4 X 2 cms.
4. On the cork draw 8 lines lengthwise which are evenly spaced. Using a
knife, cut slits on those lines you just drew.
5. Slide the 8 plastic pieces on the slits in the cork, making sure all the plastic
pieces curve on the same side.
6. Unfold the paper clips and flex one end of each of them to create a loop.
7. Take the plastic funnel and use duct tape to affix both the paper clips on
each side with the loop facing the top.
8. Divide the skewer and insert one half within each side of the wheel cork.
Make a circle on your paper clip holder for each side. Ensure the loops on
the paper clip are slack enough for the wheel to spin smoothly.
9. Insert one of the skewers into the other cork and tie thread tightly around
it. Tie the loose end of the thread to a weight or other small household
object.
10. Tie a small object to the loose end of the string.
11. In your washbasin, run a gentle small stream of water over the entire
wheel. Carefully pour water well over wheel, allowing the plastic pieces
on the cork to collect and convert the pouring water into mechanical
energy.

16. Which of the following are primary types of water on earth?

a) Surface water, Tap water, Bore well water
b) Surface water, Groundwater, Frozen water
c) Groundwater, Tap water, Frozen water
d) Bore well water, frozen water, Surface-water
17. One of the reasons for water scarcity is groundwater mining. [True/False]
18. Which one of the following choices is not a reason for floods?
a) Deforestation
b) Global warming
c) Industrialization
d) Water logging
19. The main issue with water logging is _____________ and damage to soil fertility.
20. India's federal structure is one of the reasons for interstate water disputes.
[True/False]
21. The water cycle is powered by _____________ and_____________.

7. RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Non-renewable energy sources can be hazardous to our environments and human health.
They contribute to global warming and some of the methodologies applied to extract these
energy sources can endanger life on our planet. For example, the technology used to carry
our fracking (liquid at high pressures is injected into boreholes, rocks, etc., to open the
existing pores forcibly and extract gas or oil) can pollute water and cause earthquakes.
For these reasons, the use of renewable energy sources to meet the energy demands has
been increasing. There are a number of renewable energy sources, each with its own set of
ecological and economic benefits.
The most common types of renewable energy resources being used are:
• Solar or Light Energy: Solar energy has been harnessed STUDY NOTE
for a long time to grow crops, dry foods, and stay warm. Large hydroelectric power
plants (or mega-dams) fall
The NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) under the non-renewable
energy category. Since mega-
states that the amount of solar energy falling on earth in dams tend to reduce and
divert the natural flow of
one hour is much more than the electricity that the water, they restrict access for
humans and animals who rely
world uses in one year. The sun’s radiation can be used on the rivers for many
purposes.
to make Photovoltaic cells (made from silicon or few
other materials), transforming solar energy into electric energy.
Solar systems are being used to provide electricity to homes and businesses. A single
Photovoltaic cell can produce enough energy to power just a calculator. But when they are
combined to form solar farms or solar panels, their power is increased manifold. Using solar
farms, power can be generated to suffice the needs of thousands of homes.
• Wind energy: From the old-fashioned windmills to turbines that are as tall as
skyscrapers, there has been tremendous growth in utilizing wind energy. Wind energy
works by converting mechanical energy into electricity. Wind energy is generated
when the wind turns the blades of the turbines, which feed an electric generator to
produce electricity. The energy produced is then used to supply power to homes,
buildings, etc. Wind energy can also be stored in the power grid.

• Hydroelectric power: Hydropower comes from fast-moving water like a river or

water that is descending rapidly from a high point. Hydropower has been used for
thousands of years and is the largest renewable energy resource in the U.S (10% of total
electricity usage comes from hydroelectric power). Water dammed in reservoirs or
lakes is released through generators and turbines to generate electricity.
• Biomass energy: The organic materials from plants and animals constitute biomass
like wood, crops, ethanol (from plants like corn), sewage, STUDY NOTE
etc. Biomass can create energy since it has absorbed the
Nuclear fusion is another
energy from the sun. This stored energy is released as heat method for obtaining
nuclear energy, but it has
energy when biomass is burnt. The burning of biomass not been perfected as yet.
Nuclear fusion is a process
releases less amount of carbon than fossil fuels. in which light elements
undergo nuclear reactions
• Geothermal power: A lot of energy is generated deep to form heavier elements
releasing substantial
inside the Earth’s core. If you have used a hot spring, you amounts of energy.
must know that it is geothermal energy. The heat within

Earth’s core is comparable to the heat on the Sun's surface. There are radioactive
particles at the core of our planet that decay and release heat. When deep wells are
bored inside the earth’s surface, the hot water inside comes out as a hydrothermal
source.
This hydrothermal source can be used to create electricity or heat by pumping it through a
turbine. This power source causes very little disruption to land and has immense potential.
But it has a slower adoption rate since geothermal plants involve a high upfront cost.
• Tidal energy: Water again proves to be a vital source of alternate energy in the form
of tides. Though still in the developmental phase, tidal energy has enormous potential.
Much like hydroelectric power, tidal energy is also based on water power, though it also
uses wind turbines. Just like wind turbines, tidal turbines also use blades to power a
generator. These tidal turbines are placed at the seafloor where very strong tidal flows.
Tidal stream generators are the most popular use of tidal energy. It uses the kinetic
energy of the ocean to supply power to turbines.

22. The process of fracking can cause earthquakes. [True/False]

23. _______ cells are used to convert solar energy into electricity.
24. Wind energy works by converting __________ energy into electricity.
25. How is hydroelectric power generated?
a) By utilising the solar energy falling on oceans
b) By utilising the power of wind on rivers and waterfalls.
c) By utilising rapidly flowing water from a high point or fast-moving rivers.
d) By utilising tides or waves in oceans.
26. Where is the geothermal energy coming from?
a) Within the Earth’s deep core
b) From the heat of sunlight
c) From the tides on oceans
d) From rapid falling water
8. USE OF ALTERNATE ENERGY SOURCES
One of the biggest reasons for industrial air pollution is the generation of electricity. Most of
the electricity comes from non-renewable power plants like coal, nuclear, etc. Using these
resources to produce electricity is extremely damaging for the environment we live in, and
pollutes our air, water, and land. For these reasons, methods to tap alternative energy
sources are making progress worldwide.
These alternative energy sources are not derived from fossil fuels; hence they produce zero
or very little greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. If the effect of the greenhouse is
lessened by utilizing alternative energy, then there would be fewer causes for extreme
climatic changes. Since these energy sources are alternatives to traditional or more common
energy sources like coal, natural gas, oil, etc. They are termed as “alternative energy”.
Alternative energy is different from renewable energy sources through many renewable
energy sources also fall under alternative energy sources. Solar power, for example, is both
a renewable and alternative energy source. Renewable resources are abundant in nature and
are constantly replenished, whereas alternative energy like nuclear power uses thorium or

uranium, which are finite resources. The main aim of alternative energy sources is to avoid
fossil fuels.
The alternative energy source which is not renewable energy is nuclear energy. Nuclear
energy comes from the core of an atom which undergoes a process called fission (or splitting)
to gain energy. One of the methods of creating nuclear energy is using reactors to perform
controlled nuclear fission. The energy released during fission is harnessed in power plants.
8.1 Growing Energy Needs

With the rising population, there is a steep rise in energy demands as more houses,
businesses, and communities need to be powered. Here is some data as projected by IEA
(International Energy Agency):
• Between 2005 and 2030, there will be a 55% increase in energy needs. The demand for
oil would grow from 11.7 billion tons to 17.7 billion.
• Between 2005 and 2030, there will be a 50% increase in energy consumption. Most of
this demand would come from developing countries.
STUDY NOTE
The main reasons for growing energy demand are population and
The UK consumes much
wealth increase in developing countries. With more wealth, less energy now than it
did in 1970 despite an
technological developments, and a better standard of living, the increase in population by
6.5 million.
demand for energy sources would increase. 70% of the increase
in energy demands comes from developing countries which India and China lead.
To maintain a sustainable energy level and prevent further degradation of ecosystems, it is

vital to expand the usage of renewable sources of energy. Today around 26% of the world's
electricity comes from renewable energy sources. As per the IEA, this share of renewable
energy sources would grow to 30% by 2024. The UK is one of the most efficient countries in
both producing and consuming energy. The UK hit a fantastic milestone in 2020 by running
only on renewable energy sources for 2 months on 10th June 2020.

29. The main reason for using alternative energy sources is to produce less ______
gases.
28. Nuclear fission is the process of splitting of the nuclei of an atom. [True/False]
Why is nuclear energy not classified as a renewable source of energy?
a) It uses methods that produce more carbon dioxide.
b) It uses materials like uranium which are finite and not abundant.
c) It has a low capacity to produce energy.
d) None of the above.
30. Which of the following is a reason for the growing demand for energy?
a) Growth in population
b) Better standard of living
c) Affordability
d) All of the above

Land Use
Land Resources
& Land Use
Change Overview of Deforestatio
Renewable n
Natural
Types Resources
of Causes for
Land Deforestatio
Use n
Functions Effects of
of Land Deforestatio
Land n
Degradatio
Renewable n Forest
Energy Water Resources
Sources
Use of
Effects of
Alternate
Energy Sources Land
Degradatio
n Measures
for
Growing Reasons for Preventing
Energy Needs Land Land
Degradatio Degradation
n
Conflicts
over
Water Over
Exploitation of
Groundwater &
Surface Water

9. SUMMARY
• Renewable energy resources are those natural resources that never run out i.e., the rate
at which they are consumed is less than the rate at which they are replenished.
• Some of the most common renewable natural resources are sunlight, water, and wind.
• Amongst many functions of land, some of the prominent ones are:
➢ It is a store of wealth for communities, groups, or individuals.
➢ It is a storehouse of raw materials and minerals for human needs.
➢ It is a biological habitat for animals, plants, and other microorganisms.
• Land use is defined by the purpose a certain land cover fulfills like recreation, sports,
agriculture, etc.
• The primary reason for the land degradation is the unprecedented rate at which the
population is growing globally.
• Some of the other major reasons for land degradation are:
➢ Water logging
➢ The advent of many socio-economic changes like trade liberalization, privatization,
decentralization of decision making, and globalization of markets has made it difficult
for humans to manage resources efficiently.
➢ Changes in climate and natural (or human-induced) disasters also degrade the quality
of the land.
• Some of the significant effects of land degradation are:
➢ Soil erosion
➢ Desertification
➢ Land conflicts
➢ Food shortage for consumption
• Forest is a biotic (living) renewable resource that provides us clean air, water, wood
products, stable soil, habitat for wildlife, a source of recreation, and a beautiful
environment that is rich in biodiversity.
• Forests are being cut down to make room for something other than forests to meet
different needs. Deforestation happens when forests are removed permanently.
• The main reasons for deforestation are:
➢ Agriculture

➢ New constructions
➢ Mining
• Some of the major adverse effects of deforestation are:
➢ Deforestation affects biodiversity: Many rare and fragile species, including plants,
animals, mammals, birds, amphibians, and insects, have their homes in forests. If
forests are destroyed, it creates a natural imbalance and puts life at threat.
➢ It hampers the livelihood of the local or tribal population: Globally, 1.6 billion people
depend on healthy forests for their livelihoods. Amongst them, around 1 billion are
the poorest in the world. They cannot continue their small-scale agricultural
programs by hunting and gathering raw materials from forests.
➢ Reduced rainfall: Deforestation affects the way water vapor is produced over
canopies in the tropical rainforests. This causes a reduction in rainfall.
➢ Soil erosion: The weakening and degradation of soil is another massive downside of
deforestation.
• Water is available mainly in three forms in nature:
➢ Surface water: This is the residue of melted snow and precipitation. It is also called
➢ Groundwater: Water that infiltrates and goes inside the earth’s surface becomes
are called aquifers.
• Frozen water: Water exists in frozen form as glaciers, ice, etc., in cold regions. Amongst
many reasons for the scarcity of water, some of the prominent ones are:
➢ Drastic changes in rainfall patterns
➢ Groundwater mining
➢ Subsidence
• Due to the competing demands of water for different users and uses, water disputes are
increasing at many levels (local, district, inter-state, national, and international).
• The most common types of renewable energy resources being used are:

➢ Solar or light energy: The sun’s radiation can be used to make Photovoltaic cells
(made from silicon or few other materials) which can transform solar energy into
electric energy.
➢ Wind energy: Wind energy is generated when the wind turns the blades of the
turbines, which feed an electric generator to produce electricity.
➢ Hydroelectric power: Hydropower comes from fast-moving water like a river or
water that is descending rapidly from a high point.
➢ Biomass energy: The organic materials from plants and animals constitute biomass
like wood, crops, ethanol (from plants like corn), sewage, etc. Biomass can create
energy since it has absorbed the energy from the sun.
➢ Tidal energy: Much like hydroelectric power, tidal energy is also based on water
power, though it also uses wind turbines.
• Alternative energy is different from renewable energy sources, though many
renewable energy sources also fall under alternative energy sources. Solar power, for
example, is both a renewable and alternative energy source.
• Renewable resources are abundant in nature and are constantly replenished, whereas
alternative energy like nuclear power uses thorium or uranium, which are finite
resources.
• Nuclear energy is an alternative energy source (not renewable) that comes from the
core of an atom which undergoes a process called fission (or splitting) to gain energy.

10. GLOSSARY
Anthropogenic: It refers to human activities that cause pollution and environmental
degradation.
Effluents: It is the discharge of waste sewage (water and gas) to natural bodies of water like
rivers or the sea.
Environmental economists: Those who study the economics of natural resources are called
environmental economists. They study the extraction and use of natural resources as well as
how economic incentives can be used to help the environment.
Marshes: A wetland that is dominated by herbaceous plant species. They can be found at the
edges of rivers, streams, lakes, etc., where there is a transition from terrestrial to aquatic
ecosystems.
Subsistence farming: When farmers grow crops and raise livestock sufficient only for their
own use (no surplus for trade), it is referred to as subsistence farming.
Solar farms: These are large-scale installations of solar panels. They are also called solar
parks and operate as power plants similar to natural gas power plants.
Terrestrial: This refers to things related to land like forests, deserts, grasslands, etc.
11. CASE STUDY

Use of Biomass for Electricity in Kasai Village, Madhya Pradesh
Kasai is a tribal (Adivasi) village in a remote area of Madhya Pradesh. It has a population of
392 people spread in 55 households. The village is not connected to a grid but there is
abundant biomass resource here in the form of woods (from farmlands and forests), cattle
dung, crop residues, and oilseeds. The government has been supporting a project in the
village since 2005.
The project is to generate electricity from a small biomass plant of 10 KW capacities. The
ministry of Renewable Energy (MNRE) is funding 11 such projects in M.P. Government
funded 100% of the capital costs for this project which is now managed solely by the local
community. The local community gets technical support from the local forest department.
The villagers gather the biomass for the plant, and they charge INR 120 for each household
to take care of the plant's costs (operating and maintenance).

Apart from the maintenance fee, the households also need to pay a usage charge on the
amount of electricity they consume. The whole operation is overseen by an elected group of
(11 members out of which 5 are women).
All the lighting needs of households of the village are met by this plant. It comprises street
lighting, schools, music systems and T.V installations in the village for entertainment,
electricity for the flour mill, power to the milk-chilling unit, and water pumping.
The project has helped the villagers in many ways as outlined below:
• Migration from the area has been curbed.
• Due to water available for irrigation, it has promoted some amount of agricultural
production.
• It prevented milk from being spoiled due to heat and made it available to markets. It is
also deemed to promote a village dairy system which would further improve the
livelihood of villagers.
• People are able to process wheat and rice in the flour mill and sell at profitable rates in
the market.
• The project has helped a household piping system.
Currently, villagers use traditional biomass (cow dung, wood, charcoal, etc.) for their cooking
and heating needs. With some modifications to the existing system, it is probable that in
future, gas is made available to the village households for cooking purposes.
Source- Article from Times of India newspaper
1) Discuss the various ways that biomass has helped villagers lead a better life.
2) Discuss what future modifications are possible to bring gas to the people of Kasai
village.


Q1. Define the term "renewable" in reference to natural resources.
Q2. State three main functions of land.
Q3. What are some of the political reasons for land degradation?
Q4. What is salinity?
Q5. How does deforestation cause reduced rainfall?
Q1. Explain how deforestation affects biodiversity.
Q2. What are the three main water source types?
Q3. Explain any three adverse effects of overexploitation of water resources.
Q4. Explain any four types of renewable energy sources.
Q5. What do you mean by forest resources? State the benefits that human society derives
from forests.
12.1 Answers
1. C. A fund which invests only in companies that produce goods with more responsibility
towards environmental health.
2. D. Fossil Fuels
3. C. Strong earthquakes and Volcanic eruptions.
4. False
5. C. Recreational
6. A. Waterlogging
7. B. Trade liberalization
8. Desertification
9. False
10. D. Sand
11. False
12. Water vapor
13. B. Removal of forests permanently

14. D. Soil erosion

15. D. Development projects and new constructions.
16. B. Surface water, Groundwater, Frozen water
17. True
18. D. Waterlogging
19. Salinity
20. True
21. Sunlight, gravity
22. True
23. Photovoltaic
24. mechanical
25. C. By utilising rapidly flowing water from a high point or fast-moving rivers.
26. A. Within the Earth’s deep core.
27. Greenhouse
28. True
29. B. It uses materials like uranium which are finite and not abundant.
30. D. All of the above.
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
Answer 1: The term “renewable” means something that can be used repeatedly or can be
replaced. When we use the term “renewable” with reference to natural resources, it denotes
those natural resources around us that never run out since they are naturally replaced.
Answer 2: Three major functions of land are:
• It is a storehouse of raw materials and minerals for human needs.
• It produces food, fuel, fiber, and many other biotic materials which humans use.
• It is a biological habitat for animals, plants, and other microorganisms.
Answer 3: Short-term political gains are being done at the cost of long-term damage to the
land. Decision-makers deals with difficult decisions on how to increase production to
eradicate poverty. Such decisions have to be balanced with resource conservation, but often,
decision-makers forfeit these long-term benefits for fulfilling people's immediate needs.

Answer 4: In areas where there are high temperatures and temporary water surplus, the
moisture sinks down, dissolving the underground salts along with it. During a dry period in
these heavy rainfall regions, this saline solution comes on the surface through capillary
action. The heat evaporates the water and leaves a crust of salts of magnesium, sodium, and
calcium. This salt wreaks havoc by rendering vast stretches of soil infertile.
Answer 5. In tropical areas, deforestation can alter the way water vapour produces over the
canopy, reducing rainfall. Deforestation removes vegetation that is crucial for absorbing
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and also causes emissions of greenhouse gases.. . A
study was done in Amazon rainforests which concluded that those parts of the forest which
were converted to land for agricultural processes had higher temperatures that exacerbated
drought conditions.

Answer 1: Forests are the most variable hub for biodiversity. Many rare and fragile species,
including plants, animals, mammals, birds, amphibians, and insects, have their homes in
forests. The complex and interconnected natural world with interdependencies provides
many functions to our environment. Plants and trees also provide food to animals and birds.
Answer 2: Water is found mainly in three forms in our environment:
• Surface water: This is the residue of melted snow and precipitation. It is also called
• Groundwater: Water that infiltrates and goes inside the earth’s surface becomes
are called aquifers. This falling down of water happens due to gravity pull.
• Frozen water: Water exists in frozen form as glaciers, ice in cold regions.
Answer 3: Adverse effects of overexploitation of water resources are:

• Groundwater mining: Multinational companies play a vital role in overexploiting
groundwater resources. Classic examples of such companies are bottled water and soft
drinks businesses. Their plants in rural areas exploit water resources and pollute the

groundwater by releasing effluents. This continuous exploitation of underground

water has resulted in lower levels of water.
• Subsidence: Ground subsidence occurs if the groundwater is being withdrawn at a rate
higher than its recharge rate. Ground subsidence is a phenomenon in which the
sediments in the aquifer get compacted and result in the sinking of the land surface
over it. This leads to many economic losses and threats to lives like structural damages
in buildings, pipe fractures, a reversal in the flow of sewers, and tidal flooding.
• Water logging: With excessive irrigation, the water tables of the area being irrigated
can rise. This leads to waterlogging and salinity problems when salt in the rocks comes
in contact with this water. The salt then rises up and evaporates in the upper soil layer,
making it saline and hampering the fertility of soils.
Answer 4: The four types of renewable energy sources are as follows:

• Solar or light energy: Solar energy has been harnessed for a long time to grow crops,
dry foods, and stay warm. Solar systems are being used to provide electricity to homes
and businesses. Using solar farms, power can be generated to suffice the needs of
thousands of homes.
• Wind energy: Wind energy works by converting mechanical energy into electricity.
Wind energy is generated when the wind turns the blades of the turbines, which feed
an electric generator to produce electricity. The energy produced is then used to supply
power to homes, buildings, etc. Wind energy can also be stored in the power grid.
• Hydroelectric power: Hydropower comes from fast-moving water like a river or
water that is descending rapidly from a high point. Hydropower has been used for
thousands of years and is the largest renewable energy resource in the U.S (10% of total
electricity usage comes from hydroelectric power).
• Biomass energy: The organic materials from plants and animals constitute biomass
like wood, crops, ethanol (from plants like corn), sewage, etc. Biomass can create
energy since it has absorbed the energy from the sun.
Answer 5: Forest is a biotic (living) renewable resource that provides us clean air, water,
wood products, stable soil, habitat for wildlife, a source of recreation, and a beautiful
environment that is rich in biodiversity. Some of the major benefits that human society
derives from forests are:

• A forest ecosystem provides many commercial and scientific services like living space,
climate regulation, and genetic resources.
• Forests are used for recreational purposes and are great for a country's tourism
industry.
• Forests serve as a laboratory for the genetic resources of plants and animals. Tropical
forests are deemed to have more than 50% of the entire living species on the earth.

BOOKS:
Press.
• Bharucha, E., Text book of Environmental Studies for undergraduate courses, 2ndedn.
Hyderabad Universities Press.
E-REFERENCES:
• The Approach-Facing the Land, viewed on 5th March, 2021,
<http://www.fao.org/3/x3810e/x3810e04.htm>
• Problems of Land Degradation, viewed on 5th March, 2021,
<https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/essay/problems-of-land-degradation-with-
measures/42504>
• Nuclear Techniques Help Address Land Degradation, viewed on 5th March, 2021,
<https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/nuclear-techniques-help-address-land-
degradation>
• Renewable Energy: The Clean Facts, viewed on 5th March, 2021,
<https://www.nrdc.org/stories/renewable-energy-clean-facts>

ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 7: Non-Renewable Natural Resources 1

Unit 7
Non-Renewable Natural Resources
Table of Contents
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction
3-4
2 Minerals, Metals and Non-Renewable Energy 1 1
Sources
2.1 Mineral 5-14
2.2 Metals
2.3 Other Non-Renewable Energy Sources

3 Use and Overuse of Non-renewable Natural 2 15-19
resources
4 Challenges and Consequences 3 20-21
5 Conservation Strategies and Sustainable 2 4, I 22-28
Utilization of Resources
6 Summary 29
7 Glossary 30
8 Case Study 31-33
33-37
9.1 Answer Keys
10 Suggested Books and e-References 37-38

1. INTRODUCTION
Natural resources are the elements that are extracted from the earth. It can be classified into
two types, renewable natural resources and non-renewable natural resources. The
renewable natural resources are replenished naturally and it never runs out. On the other
hand, non-renewable natural resources exhaust as they will not replenish once used up and
are generally extracted from the ground. The ground is a home for a fixed amount of non-
renewable natural resources.
Non-renewable natural resources are neither living things nor regenerate, replenish, or get
renewed. Spotting non-renewable resources is a meticulous process. The reserves of non-
renewable natural resources are countable in numbers and will not regenerate once they are
extracted from mines. The consumption pattern of non-renewable energy resources like
fossil fuels burnt for generating energy such as natural gas, coal, and oil, minerals that are
used for making metals showcases an interminable dependence on non-renewable energy
sources by the people. The natural resources that regrow but take a huge time to be regrown
are categorised as non-renewable energy resources.
The life span of certain non-renewable resources can be extended by implementing

conservation techniques and sustainable utilisation of resources. For instance, a lifetime of
metals can be extended by reusing and recycling the metals. Furthermore, population
growth, industrialisation, urbanisation and improvised standard of living cause a surge in
demand for non-renewable energy resources. This escalating demand for non-renewable
resources is justified by extracting additional substances from the environment.
Most fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas will not remain for indefinite period. People
are making every effort to find different substitutes that will provide energy. People’s
dependence on renewable and non-renewable resources to make the products they want is
inexorable because, both resources are required to satisfy human needs. This is typified by
the food we eat like fruits, vegetables, and other parts of plants, buildings made of wood,
minerals and metals that we use, our clothing made out of cotton, polyester, or different
fabrics. The dairy products and meat we eat are derived from animals. Hence, everything we
have or use is derived from either renewable or non-renewable natural resource.

All natural resources are used smartly to preserve them and practice sustainable
development. Conservation signifies the importance in the careful use of resources to
prevent the use up, spoilage, or wastage of resources. This is more important in the case of
non-renewable resources. Besides overuse, other factors deteriorate the quality of natural
resources such as air pollution, land pollution and water pollution. Pollution is triggered by
the emission of harmful substances into the environment. Thus, to maintain a healthy
environment, protection from pollution is unavoidable.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle conservation strategies help to

STUDY NOTE
decelerate the process of resource depletion. For instance,
The dependence on non-
switch off the lights and fan when you are not in a room. This renewable resources is
unavoidable. However, the
will decrease the consumption of fossil fuel used to make intelligent utilisation of non-
renewable resources is
electricity. Riding your bicycle and walking more instead of possible and inevitable for a
sustainable development.
using vehicles powered by petroleum products helps reduce
the quantity of gasoline used for transportation vehicles.
Reusing the products will conserve natural resources instead of making new products.
Recycling deals with reusing a natural resource to make a new product with the existing one.
Usually recycled items include glass, certain plastics, paper, cardboard, aluminium, and steel.
Proper waste management procedures like using proper landfills to avoid air, water and land
pollution are required for every country to protect the environment.
In addition, wastes are also treated in the incinerators to form that are relatively non-
hazardous and deposited in the landfills. Another efficient method is converting the waste
into compost used for fertilising the plants. Natural resources, both renewable and non-
renewable are important for all the living beings.

❖ Explain about Minerals, Metals and Non-Renewable Energy Sources
❖ Explain the use and overuse of non-renewable natural resources
❖ Recognise the challenges and consequences due to overuse of non-renewable natural
resources
❖ Interpret the conservation strategies and sustainable utilisation of resources

2. MINERALS, METALS AND NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Minerals and metal ores, fossil fuels and groundwater are the examples of non-renewable
resources. The metals themselves are available in abundant quantity in the Earth's crust, and
the extraction takes place where they are concentrated by natural geological processes like
heat, pressure, organic activity, and other processes sufficient for sustainable extraction.
These processes of formation usually take huge timeframe

STUDY NOTE
through plate tectonics and crustal recycling. We usually
The prominent types of non-
choose non-renewable natural resources assuming the fact renewable energy resources
are oil, natural gas and
that they are affordable and easy to process and use. It is easy nuclear energy and they are
collectively named as fossil
to fill the vehicle with petroleum products, use gas stoves for fuels.
cooking and use an uninterrupted supply of electricity for

illuminating the world. A little bit of energy is required to a produce large amount of power
required for the above-mentioned activities. Apparently, renewable energy sources are not
a competition to non-renewable sources. The advancement in the technology coupled with
the non-renewable energy products has simplified human life a lot.
However, the non-renewable natural resources are not everlasting; they will expire at some
point in life. The pace at which non-renewable energy resources have been running out is
gradually increasing with the increase in population and technological advancements. The
speedy usage of non-renewable natural resources causes serious environmental changes
remarkably triggered by toxic gas emissions. The increasing price tag of non-renewable
energy is striking the chord of economic hardship.
2.1 Minerals
Minerals from which metals are extracted are categorised as non-renewable natural
resources. Bricks, cement, metals, etc., are used in the construction works. Diamonds,
gypsum, limestone, potash, salt, sulphur, and peat are considered as minerals. Most metals
extracted from minerals possess low commodity value except diamond.
Asbestos is a group that comprises minerals. This is found in nature as bundling of fibres that
may be split into thinner, resilient strands or threads that can be used in commercial and
industrial purposes such as automotive breaks, wallboard materials, etc. Certain kinds of

asbestos cause human health problems, particularly lung diseases. Limestone, a carbonated
sedimentary rock, is mainly used to manufacture cement and make plaster for buildings.
Potassium-containing fertilisers are derived from potash which is from the mineral potash
feldspar. We use salt, or sodium chloride as a food additive and flavouring ingredients,
examples of minerals. Sulphur originated from hydrogen sulphide obtained from sour-gas
wells, pollution-control scrubbers at metal smelters, and deposits of elemental sulphur. The
mineral sulphur derived from hydrogen sulphide is used in the chemical manufacturing
industries. Mineral materials like sand, gravel, and crushed stones are collectively referred
to as aggregates. Aggregates are relevant and their usage is inexorable in the construction
industry.
2.2 Metals
Metals carry wide array of beneficial physical and chemical properties. Metals can be used
in their basic form, such as alloys and compounds containing metals and non-metals.
Practical uses of metal:

• Making of equipment, machines, and electricity-conducting wires
• In constructing buildings and other structures.
The most important metals that are used in industries are as follows:
• Aluminium (Al)
STUDY NOTE
• Chromium (Cr)
Metals are found in the
• Cobalt (Co) combined state due to their
reactive nature. Metals and
• Copper (Cu) their compounds are present
in the mineral ore.
• Iron (Fe)
• Lead (Pb)
• Manganese (Mn)
• Mercury (Hg)
• Nickel (Ni)
• Tin (Sn)
• Uranium (U)
• Zinc (Zn)

The precious metals gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and silver (Ag) are well known for jewellery
uses; however, they have some industrial uses like conductors in electronics.
Examples of metal alloys:

• Brass (containing at least 50% Cu, plus Zn)
• Bronze (mostly Cu, plus Sn and sometimes Zn and Pb), and
• Steel (Majorly Fe, a small amount of carbon, Cr, Mn, and/or Ni)
The tailings (the waste materials left after the target mineral is extracted from ore) are
usually dumped onto a landfill, into the nearby lake, or into the ocean, depending on the
area's geography. Suppose the electronic goods containing metals or alloys expire. In that
case, the metals in the product can be recylced to make new products, or discarded as waste.
If we look according to geographic presence, high quality mineral, tin and other ores are not
available everywhere uncommon to find. The deposits located satisfactorily close to the
surface are most economical for mining, and such ores have comparatively high
concentrations of metals.
2.3 Other Non-Renewable Energy Sources

Coal:
Coal is a fossil fuel which is solid and a carbon-heavy rock formed as a result of
transformation of decayed plants and animals that lived in the early age. It is considered as
the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel that is used for burning in generating energy.
Features:
• Coal is a non-renewable energy, and it is categorised into non-renewable energy source
owing to the fact that the formation of coal takes millions of years.
• Coal contains plethora of carbon and hydrocarbons.
• The energy stockpiled by plants lived in the early age usually in the wetlands are
retained in the coal.
According to ‘Press Information Bureau, Government of India’, India is ranked as the second-
largest coal-producing country, producing approximately 729 million tonnes of coal as per
December 2020 Reports. The states where coal reserves are found in huge quantities in India
are Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and many more.

Types of coal:
Coal is classified into four main varieties based on the type, amount of carbon content and
capacity to produce heat energy. The amount of pressure and temperature that forces on the
plants over the period of time determines the rank of a coal deposit.
• Lignite
• Sub-bituminous
• Bituminous
• Anthracite
Anthracite:
• The carbon content in Anthracite accounts for 86%–97%.
• It possesses the highest heating value and is considered as high-quality coal.
• In India, Anthracite is generally found in Jammu and Kashmir.
• According to business research report 2020, there is huge rise in demand for Anthracite
for domestic purposes and electricity production units in developing countries like
India and China. The demand is higher in these countries due to rapid economic growth,
population and other structural developments.
Bituminous:
• The carbon content in Bituminous accounts for 45%–86%
• It is used to generate electricity, utilised in the iron and steel industry and used as a raw
material for producing cooking coal
• In India, it is found in states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.
The increased usage of bitumen products across different sectors would push the Asia
Pacific market to approach USD 35 billion in 2027.
Subbituminous:
• The carbon content in Subbituminous accounts for 35%–45%
• It has a lower heating element than bituminous coal
• In the United States, during the year 2019, 44% of the coal production attributed to
sub-bituminous variety
• In the U.S., it is mostly extracted from Wyoming and Montana. Moreover, it is also found
in Alaska, Colorado and New Mexico.

Lignite:
• The carbon content in Lignite accounts for 25%–35%
• Lowest energy content among other variants
• Lignite deposits are young compared to others and are not subject to extreme
temperature
• Lignite is fragile in nature and holds high moisture
• Furthermore, it is also used to produce synthetic natural gas
• In India, Lignite has presence in states like Rajasthan, Assam, and Tamil Nadu.
• According to world data atlas report 2020, the lignite coal production in India took
place around 48,339 thousand short tonnes in 2020. India's lignite or brown coal
generation surged at approx. more than 3.10 percent annualised rate from approx.
27,000 thousand short tonnes in 2001 to 48,339 thousand short tonnes in 2020.
Methods of coal extraction:

The widely used methods of coal extraction involve:
• Underground mining: Underground mining utilises heavy machinery to extract the coal
from mines under the earth.
• Surface mining: Surface mining is also termed as strip mining. strip mining is the
commonly used method to extract coal in the United States. The most catastrophic,
uprooting and polluting mode of mining is strip mining compared to surface mining.
Coal in India:
Coal mining in India started from the year 1774. The fourth largest coal reserves in the world
are situated in India. In India, Dhanbad city holds the record of largest coal producing city.
More than 90% of the coal deposits in India attributes to the states Jharkhand, Odisha,
Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra. In India Energy
derived from coal in India outpaces the energy derived from oil. This is quite in contrast to
the world scenario where the energy derived from the oil outpaces the energy derived from
coal.

Oil:
Oil is an example of liquid fossil fuel. Crude oil is mainly composed of comparatively volatile
liquid hydrocarbons. Besides, it also contains the elements nitrogen, sulphur, and oxygen. All
these form numerous varieties of complex molecular structures.
Crude oil is usually extracted from:

• Underground reservoirs
• Cracks, crevices, and pores of sedimentary rock
• Tar sands near the earth’s surface
Extraction of crude oil:

• Drilling on land or sea
• Strip mining of tar sands oil and oil shale
The extracted oil is then converted to usable or consumable fuels like gasoline, kerosene, jet
fuel, etc. and other products like plastics and paint.
There is a scarcity of new oil discoveries in India. Coupled with the fact that the Covid-19
pandemic hit the oil production, leading to a 7.1% fall in crude oil production in May 2020
compared to the previous year, it substantiated the decline in India’s crude oil production.
All these factors increased the reasons for India’s dependence on oil imports.
Natural Gases
Natural gas is also referred to as fossil gas or gas. It is a hydrocarbon gas mixture mainly
containing methane along with a small proportion of higher alkanes, carbon dioxide,
nitrogen, hydrogen sulphide, or helium.
Features:
• It is a naturally occurring gas.
• It is a non-renewable energy source.
• Natural gas formation takes millions of years. Natural gas is a resultant of the long-term
process in which numerous layers of decomposing plants and animals under the
surface of the Earth are exposed to intense temperature over a period of time. The
chemical energy stored by the plants as a result of the conversion of energy obtained
from the sun is transferred to natural gas in the form of chemical bonds.

• Uses include heating, cooking, electricity generation, fuel for the vehicle. In addition, it
is also used in the production of plastics and organic chemicals for commercial
purposes as a chemical feedstock.
• It is either conventional or non-conventional, based on its underground location.
Conventional natural gas:

• Found in porous and permeable or mixed into oil reservoirs
• Extracted by standard drilling
Unconventional natural gas:

• A gas that involves a long process to extract by regular drilling is classified into
unconventional natural gases.
• Extracted via special stimulation techniques, like fracking.
Uranium
Nuclear fuels are non-renewable energy resources. Nuclear fuel Uranium is extracted from
Uranium ore. Uranium is a radioactive element that is naturally generated below the earth’s
surface or sea water. Nuclear plants use uranium for nuclear fission. Uranium is treated as a
non-renewable energy source, though found in rocks worldwide. Nuclear power plants use
U-235 for fuel because their atoms are easily split into parts. Although uranium is much more
common than silver, U-235 is comparatively rare.
The process of mining uranium ore, the stages it goes through in a nuclear reactor, and
disposal are collectively called the uranium fuel cycle.
Features:
• It is denoted using the symbol U
• It’s atomic number is 92
• Silver grey metal

Source- https://www.e-education.psu.edu/eme444/node/238
Fig 1: Uranium Fuel Cycle
Uses:
• Depleted uranium is used in high-density penetrators as a shielding material for
containers storing and transporting radioactive materials
• It is used as counterweights for aircraft control surfaces
• Ballast is a material that provides stability for missile re-entry vehicles
• It fuels the nuclear power plants
Thorium:
Thorium is an example of a weak radioactive metallic chemical element denoted by the
symbol Th and has an atomic number 90. Thorium turns silver and tarnishes black in colour
when exposed to the air due to the transformation into thorium dioxide. Also, it is hard
enough, malleable in nature and has a high melting point. It is quite reactive and can catch
flame in air when finely divided.
Thorium is more beneficial than uranium. Thorium results in less radioactive waste
compared to Uranium. Besides, thorium excels on chemical stability and resistance to
radioactivity compared to uranium. Thorium is more common than uranium; however, the
deposits are not utilised. In addition, moving to thorium-based fuel production invites a lot
of technical challenges.

Downsides:
Thorium cannot directly power a nuclear reactor unlike uranium. This is because thorium
doesn’t contain sufficient brittle material to trigger a nuclear chain reaction. The nuclear
industry lacks in operational experience with thorium and being conservative at the same
time because of insufficient experience using thorium. The preparation of thorium fuel is a
cumbersome process, which creates difficulty in processing the thorium. It takes 550
degrees more for thorium dioxide than traditional uranium dioxide to melt at high
temperature. Hence, high temperatures should be provided to generate high-quality solid
fuel. Also, Thorium is quite immobile, causing difficulty in the chemical processing.
Irradiated Thorium is more effectively radioactive and hazardous in the short term. The
thorium uranium cycle invariably produces gamma rays. These gamma rays are very hard to
block, admitting the need for more expensive fuel handling and/or reprocessing. Above all,
the commercial scale efficiency of thorium is not proven practically.

1. Which of the following is an example of category of coal?

a) Lignite
b) Anthracite
c) Bituminous
d) All of the above
2. Which of the following describes the features of uranium element?
a) Used as fuel in nuclear power plants
b) Low density penetrators
c) All of the above
3. Pinpoint the incorrect statement:
a) Thorium cannot directly power a nuclear reactor unlike uranium
b) Chemical stability and resistance to radioactivity of thorium is higher
than uranium
c) Thorium is directly used in nuclear reactors, whereas uranium is
indirectly used in the nuclear power reactors
d) Atomic number of Uranium is 92
4. Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel that humans burn for energy
generation. [True/False]
5. Oil is an example of liquid ___________.

3. USE AND OVERUSE OF NON-RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES

Overconsumption of Natural Resources:
The industrial revolution coupled with the generation of technology, development, and
research in the modern era made huge mineral and oil exploration-exploitation an easy
process. The increased exploitation led to a hike in natural oil, gas, and mineral depletion
and many mines entered a production decline. This is exemplified by the fact that minerals
such as Gasoline, Copper, and Zinc production will be reduced in the next 20 years. The up-
surging demand for petroleum products triggers more and more oil mining.
The release of toxins and chemical by-products from industries increase with progress in
technological advancement in the industries. These harmful wastages are deposited in the
living world and possess the potential to alter the natural habitat of the living species. This
is exemplified by the formation of acidic lakes, dead zones, and the death of wildlife.
Factors steering the overuse of non-renewable natural resources:

• Incessant emergence of technological advancement allowing the quick and efficient
extraction of natural resources. This is exemplified by the increased rate of oil and
mineral extraction, rate of deforestation triggered by urbanisation and urban
development.
• Another predominant factor is the increasing population. According to the UN reports,
the world population is 7.8 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach 9.9 billion by the
year 2050. The demand for food and non-food products is directly proportional to the
increase in population.
• The culture of consumerism increased production and stimulated economic growth
worldwide. However, the downside of increased production and consumption is
marked by the overuse and depletion of renewable and non-renewable natural
resources in the earth.
• Materialistic views and consumerism lead to the STUDY NOTE
extraction of renewable and non-renewable natural Overuse of natural resources

results in resource depletion,
resources to form both necessary and unnecessary pollution, subsequently
making the earth unfit for
products in excess quantities. Overuse and excessive human life.
production results in the accumulation of wastage and

by-products that often contaminate the environment and other natural resources in the
nature.
• Due to the technological advancement and research, effort, time and money invested
by the people increased the rate of extraction, availability and consistent supply of non-
renewable natural resources. This is corroborated by the fact that non-renewable
resources like fossil fuels are not easy to find around the globe.
• The efficiency of non-renewable resources like fossil fuels are undeniable. A lot of
energy can be derived from a minimal quantity of fuel.
• Ease of transportation: Fossil fuels can be easily transported by using underground
pipes for oil and gas.
• Easy set-up: A fuel plant can be set up at any location, irrespective of a large quantity of
fuel to generate power.
Resource depletion:
Resource depletion persists when the consumption of resources outpaces its replenishment
in nature. This indicates the fact that the depletion of a particular resource increases its
value.
Common types of resource depletion:

• Aquifer depletion
• Deforestation
• Mining for fossil fuels and minerals
• Pollution or contamination of resources
• Slash-and-burn agricultural practices
• Soil erosion and
• Overconsumption, excessive or unnecessary use of resources
Consumption of stones, sand, and gravel in the construction industry is an example of the
overuse of minerals. The production of minerals like Gasoline, Copper, Zinc, Aluminium, Coal,
Iron is estimated to decline during the coming years.
The oil industry will experience a continuing decline in production subsequent to the
maximum global petroleum extraction, and the period is referred to as peak oil.

Furthermore, the decrease in supply and increase in demand of petroleum products raises
the price of these products.
Water
It is a widely known fact that only 2.5% of the earth is fresh water (mostly takes the form of
ice or snow); the remaining is salt water and not edible for humans. Reports from UN
organisations forecast that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will face scarcity of drinking water.
Groundwater is utilised through wells and lakes for private, agricultural, and public use.
Around the globe, the availability of groundwater is 22.6 million cubic kilometres and the
renewable portion accounts for only .35 million. Around the globe, the ground water
replenished is scarcer compared to its consumption and its renewal takes around 50 years
on a human time scale. Groundwater extraction has doubled from the year 1960 and caused
an increase in groundwater depletion.
On the other hand, the increase in population drives deforestation at a faster pace. Increasing
population demands expansion of farming, agriculture and housing activities. Deforestation
has resulted in the depletion of one half of the forest that once shielded the earth.
Resources in wetlands are overused or converted for

• Large-scale agriculture
• Real estate activities
• Urbanisation
• Recreational lakes
• Hydro-power generation
• Hydrologic alteration
• Drainage
• Dredging
• Stream channelisation
• Ditching
• Levees
• Deposition of fill material
• Stream diversion

• Groundwater drainage
• Impoundment
• Marinas/boats
• Industrialisation and industrial development
• Silviculture/Timber harvest
• Mining
• Atmospheric deposition
Coal
It is forecast that the maximum coal will be extracted between the year 2025 and 2048.
Furthermore, various estimations indicate that there exists sufficient coal to satisfy the
demand for 188 years. However, if the demands increase at a fast pace, the estimated years
will show a decrease.
Phosphorous
Phosphorous is extracted from phosphorous rock and guano. Phosphorous is widely used as
fertilisers in agriculture. As per the research outcome of the Global Phosphorous Research
initiative, the expected global peak in phosphorus production is predicted to occur around
2030.

6. The depletion of water resources are considered as serious issue than the
current oil depletion because:
a) Replacement for oil is possible but not for drinking water
b) Only 2.5% of the world’s total water storage is fresh water
c) Proper access to hygienic drinking water is a prime criterion for global
development.
d) All of the above
7. Which of the following triggered overuse of non-renewable natural
resources?
a) Technological advancement
b) Culture of consumerism
c) Materialistic view
d) All of the above
8. Urbanisation is not a reason behind resource overuse. [True/False]
9. Increase in population and urban development drives deforestation but in a
slow pace universally. [True/False]
10. Overuse of non-renewable natural resources results in the resource
depletion. [True/False]
11. Energy efficient equipment reduces the carbon dioxide ___________ .

4. CHALLENGES AND CONSEQUENCES

There are two kinds of natural resources: renewable and non-
STUDY NOTE
renewable natural resources. Renewable resources are infinite
By-products from non-
and sustainable, like solar radiation, or their renewal process renewable energy production
increase ozone depletion,
is faster and consistent, as in the case of biomass. Non- responsible for acid rain.
renewable resources are those that exist in a prohibited way,

mainly owing to the fact that their regrowth involves the passage of years, such as minerals
and fossil fuels.
In addition, due to human activities, the world's population of fish, birds, mammals,
amphibians and reptiles reduced by 58% from 1970 to 2012, and it is estimated that by 2020,
this percentage will rise to 67%. Thus, if this trend continues at this pace, it will be very
dangerous to the existence of every species.
The uncontrolled use of non-renewable resources has the following effects which are:
• Consequence on environment
The dwindling of habitat affects the existence of plants and animal species, leading to the
reduction of several species.
Burning of fossil fuels increases the proportion of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, thus
leading to global warming and fastening ozone depletion. Extensive agriculture leads to
degradation of soil. Oil spills often cause contamination of useful natural resources.
• Economic effect
Unrestricted use, demand exceeding the supply for non-renewable resources coupled with
the fact that only a few countries possess a large number of reserves or mines, increases the
price of products derived from non-renewable sources. This can make energy production an
expensive process.
• Health
Extensive use of non-renewable products contaminates the environment and affects human
capital, subsequently making the world unfit for people to live.

• Resource depletion
The incessant use of fossil fuels causes its depletion as years pass by, owing to the fact that
non-renewable natural resources cannot be extendable on a normal useful time span.
Coal and its environmental impacts:

Burning coal brings out oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen,
combine with water vapour to form acid rain. Acid rain deteriorates vegetation, architectural
heritage sites, quality of water and altogether affects the human life on earth. Coal contains
high carbon content and burning coal contributes most greenhouse gases, which is one of
the prime causes of global warming.
Implementing devices like electrostatic precipitators in the coal fuelled power plants
reduces emissions of suspended particulate matter (SPM) thereby reducing the intensity of
air pollutants.
12. Overuse of non-renewable natural resources leads to:

a) Extinction of species
b) Soil degradation
c) Contamination of natural resources
d) All of the above
13. Consequences arising from the excessive consumption of non-renewable
natural resources include:
a) Forced migration
b) Ozone depletion
c) Metals and mineral depletion
d) All of the above
14. ___________ is formed when Sulphur and nitrogen oxides interact with water
vapour.
15. Fossil fuels hold the potential to release chemical substances like mercury,
Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides if burnt. [True/False]
16. Oil spills are environmental disasters. [True/False]
17. Radioactive waste will not increase the chance of developing cancer in
human body. [True/False]
18. Coal has a significant carbon element, and heating it produces the majority of
global emissions or greenhouse gases. [True/False]

5. CONSERVATION STRATEGIES AND SUSTAINABLE UTILISATION OF

RESOURCES
A substantial portion of the world’s energy demand is satisfied by the non-renewable energy
resources. In the United States, the energy consumption from renewable energy is below
25%. Moreover, 60% of the world’s energy is generated from fossil fuels and 8% is obtained
from nuclear energy. In order to follow the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable
Development, we have to follow:
Conserve natural capital by restoring the deteriorated ecosystem and their functions,
restricting the loss of priority habitats, identifying the areas to be protected and providing a
significant expansion of the global network of some restricted areas.
Conservation strategies:
Conservation strategies are developed to prolong the existence of non-renewable energy
sources. This is fulfilled through the reduced usage of non-renewable energy resources,
reusing and recycling of the resources and reliance on energy efficient equipment.
Reduce the consumption of non-renewable energy resources

• Minimal use of non-renewable energy sources can be easily achieved by shifting the
reliance to renewable energy resource alternatives like solar and wind power.
• Conviction on electric and hybrid vehicles can help in protecting the non-renewable
resources from exploitation.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle approach

Reduce
Reduce strategy aims at reducing the reliance on footprints and subsequent reduction of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In order to achieve these, maximum infrastructures with
renewable energy generators, electric powered transportation, promoting public transport
must be implemented. Furthermore, simple methods like proper insulation and leak
proofing of buildings, using energy-efficient equipment and cutting down the electricity
usage whenever possible can have a positive impact on reducing energy usage.

Reuse
Reusing the items rather than buying new ones will save energy consumption in the
manufacturing sector, benefit the nature by reducing waste disposal and increases the
people’s disposable income. Reusing methodology signifies the importance of cutting down
the creation of waste by reusing the products in the first place. It further reduces the amount
of waste deposited to landfills and recycling centers, contamination of natural resources due
to pollution from disposal of chemical or non-degradable waste, and overall energy
expenditures.
Recycle
The recycling technique processes waste or disposed unwanted items to turn them into new
useable products. Increasing the usage of recycled products will showcase a reduction in the
rate of energy consumption and raw material in the related industry.
Upcycling
The technique of upcycling is gaining importance as it turns waste into treasures. Upcycling
is referred to as creative reuse because it converts discarded items into new or renewed
products of greater quality, such as artistic value or environmental value.
However, the consumers should take care to discard the recyclable material in a proper way
so it can be converted efficiently. General recyclable materials include plastic, glass, ceramic,
metal, and paper items.
STUDY NOTE
• Give preference to products made of recyclable
Sustainable utilisation of
material resources and implementation of
various conservation strategies
• Degradable waste should be treated to form compost slow down the pace of resource
depletion.
• Reduce eating out and rely more on the homemade and
home-grown items
Entities that use reduce, reuse, and recycle conservation strategies span from large-scale
manufacturers to individual householders. However, this strategy alone doesn't guarantee
an unlimited supply of fossil fuels. An amalgamation of various measures should be
implemented to ensure the maximum conservation of energy sources in the long term.

Sustainable Utilisation of Resources

The concept of sustainable development evolved during the 18th century, triggered by the
concern about the possibility of limited natural resources retarding economic growth. The
process of sustainable development is complex because it focuses on creating a balance
between economic growth, protection of the environment and social development and well-
being of the ever-increasing human population.
At a glance, we may feel that non-renewable resources are incompatible with the sustainable
utilisation. However, extensive studies reveal a different perspective. Utilisation of
appropriate technological advancements can minimise the effect of exhaustion and
depletion in the case of mineral resources.
Technology makes it possible to explore ways to renew the supply of minerals through
advancements in exploration techniques, extraction processes, recycling, and replacements.
The flexible coordination between economic growth, environmental protection of our
ecosystem, and social responsibility is a prime criterion for achieving the goals of
sustainability.
The world population is getting more inclined towards ethical living and the ways to get
more stable people, small businesses, corporations, and governments.
Sustainable Vehicle Automation

Various non-governmental organisations and environmental groups are creating awareness
among the people. Since vehicles are large contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, a great
opportunity for progress is set to be made that focuses on the redesigning of the vehicle
industry. Vehicle manufacturers focus on manufacturing low to zero-emission vehicles, self-
driving cars, and auto-electric options.
Technological Innovations
Technological innovations and effort from consumers are making a headway in crushing
pollution caused by plastic. It’s been years since many organisations, corporations, activists,
environmentalists, governments and individuals started addressing and conducting
campaigns to point plastic problem. The likelihood of plastic eradication is less because of

its affordability and wide range applicability. However, it is possible to change the way
consumers use and dispose plastic for a sustainable utilisation of resources.
Another innovation is the chemical treatment of used plastic. Hundreds of tons of dirty
plastic waste is subjected to chemical recycling technology in large scale plants, which are
subsequently converted to basic chemicals. These basic chemicals are used to manufacture
new products.
Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is the technique of farming by employing sustainable practices
meeting present needs of humans without compromising on the needs of future generations.
The practice of low-input, data-driven automated agriculture is practical with the help of the
internet of things, remote sensing, artificial intelligence and robotics technologies. This
results in the efficient utilisation of water, overall reduction in the waste output, and better
crop production in future.
Increase in Sustainable Building Materials

Promoting the infrastructure using eco-friendly, biodegradable, compostable, and fully
recyclable materials reduces the pollution. Sustainable architectures reduce the harmful
environmental impact of buildings by giving importance to the materials used in the
construction. Sustainable architecture ensures energy efficiency over the entire life cycle of
a building. It is achieved by the use of different passive and active techniques to minimise
the energy needs of buildings and increase their ability and capacity to generate their own
energy.
Increased social action leading to awareness and sustainability education

Effort taken by organisations to go greener, an increase in green building LEED certifications,
cities that promote recyclable plastic bags, entities focusing on recycling practices, energy-
efficient practices and implementation, as well as education programs intended to educate
the general public on the importance of sustainable use of resources will have a significant
impact on curbing resource depletion.

Initiatives to limit the overexploitation of natural resources:

• Legislative measures like strict laws and policies to control the over utilisation of non-
renewable natural resources and implementation of environmental impact assessment
programs.
• Government should fund and support sustainable utilisation of resources and
environmental protection initiatives.
• Promote environmental health care and maintenance program to maintain a healthy
habitat and ecosystem.
• Awareness programs for motivating general public commitment towards renewable
and non-polluting energy sources.
• Promotion of agriculture and ecological tourism
• Campaigns to promote locally sourced organic products
• Educating the importance of restricted usage of water and electricity. It can be
implemented through changing energy consumption pattern.
• Practicing healthy eating and sustainable consumption methodologies
• Perceiving the value of natural resources, specifically, the non-renewable natural
resources.
• Supporting the entities following the conservation strategies, sustainable resource
management and innovation in their business operations.
Renewable energy replacing fossil fuels:

Regions supplying electricity powered by wind or solar energy are increasing,
simultaneously reducing the reliance on energy generated by natural gas or coal-fired
generators. It also reduces carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Various studies
interpret the fact that producing 35% of electricity exploiting wind and solar energy would
reduce the CO2 emissions by 25-45% in certain areas. Wind and solar power plants can be
constructed with less impact on the environment and associated co-benefits. In recent years,
the cost of solar and wind energy dropped dramatically. Subsequently, solar and wind energy
is now a source of cheapest power for 67% of the world. Even if the wind and the solar plant
cannot generate energy each hour or in a continuous manner, the energy generated can be
managed on the grid. Wind and solar plants can operate for decades mainly because the
useful life of renewable facilities exceeds decades. Furthermore, the deployment of

renewable energy plant can be done more rapidly compared to fossil fuel plants. Renewable
energy plants generate more energy than is used in their generation, and produce fewer
emissions than other non-renewable power sources over their lifetime.
Activity 1
Visit a nearby retail store and a coffee shop following green marketing practices.
Prepare a list based on the following questions:
• Create two separate lists for merchandise displayed/sold which is made from
non-renewable natural resources and renewable natural resources.
• Note down whether they are serving food and drinks in reusable containers
• Pinpoint the energy efficient equipment used in the store
• Create a list of suggestions which explains methods to make the store further
inclined towards the renewable energy sources based on current scenario of the
store
• Draft a note summarising the effort made by the stores to go green.
19. Reduce, recycle and reuse conservation strategy is not an efficient method of
energy conservation. [True/ False]
20. Sustainable utilisation of resources can be achieved through:
a) Sustainable architecture
b) Sustainable agriculture
c) Sustainable vehicle automation
d) All of the above
21. Upcycling technique is also called as _________ reuse.

Use and
Overuse of
Conservation Non-Renewable Non-
Strategies and Natural Renewable
Sustainable resources Natural
Utilization of Resources
Resources
Minerals, Metals
and Non-
Renewable
Challenges and Energy Sources
Consequences
Minerals Other Non-

Metals Renewable
Energy
Sources

6. SUMMARY
• Non-renewable energy sources are neither replenishable on a human timescale nor
ensure sustainable production and supply. Fossil fuels, such as coal, natural gas, and oil,
are the basic but important sources of non-renewable energy serving the demands of
vast number of industries. Large scale usage of non-renewable energy sources
multiplies the drawbacks of non-renewable energy, inclusive of negative
environmental impact.
• The fossil fuel which possesses highest carbon content is coal. It is derived from the
plants and animals’ sediment over the years.
• Fuels like gasoline, diesel, petrol, jet fuel, etc. are derived from the extract of liquid fossil
fuel which is also called as crude oil or petroleum products.
• Natural gas is extracted from the naturally processed remains of tiny sea plants and
animals in its early age. The main chemical compound present in natural gas is
methane.
• The nucleus of an atom when subjected to either nuclear fission or nuclear fusion,
releases nuclear energy.
• Uranium is a naturally formed radioactive element found in different rocks.
• Thorium is fertile rather than fissile and it is indirectly used in nuclear reactors. The
availability of thorium is higher than uranium in the world.
• Occurrences like increase in population, rapid modernisation, urbanisation and
industrialisation triggers the use and overuse of natural resources.
• Overuse of non-renewable natural resources will have a significant impact in a negative
way on our environment, economy and health.
• Conservation strategies restore the quality of nature and promote the use of renewable
energy sources.
• Sustainable human development and non-renewable resource development are
complementary and multidimensional. The dimensions of sustainability are based on
economic, social and ecological factors.
• Sustainable utilisation of resources should be in line with poverty elimination,
sustainable livelihood, women empowerment, environment protection and
regeneration, efficient governance.

7. GLOSSARY
Architecture: The process and procedure involved in the designing and construction of a
building.
Aquifers: An underground layer made of materials characterised by the penetrable nature
and water holding capacity like rock, rock fractures or materials like clay, silt, sand, gravel,
loess, peat and organic soil (unconsolidated materials).
By-products: An incidental product produced during a production process.
Biomass: Plant or animal substance possessing the potential to generate heat or electricity.
Contamination: Contamination is defined as the presence of an undesired substance in the
resources and making it unfit for further usage.
Fertiliser: Natural or synthetic material possessing the potential to nourish the soil and
plants by providing essential nutrients.
Greenhouse effect: The process which increases the temperature of earth atmosphere. This
occurs when greenhouse gases attract the heat emitted by the surface of the earth.
Greenhouse gas: Gas which absorbs, store and reradiates the infrared radiation emitted by
Earth's surface.
Nuclear fission: Nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom is separated into multiple
lighter nuclei.
Oil spills: leakage of liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the earth surface.
Ore: Naturally available substance from the ground usually in the form of rock or sediments,
from which minerals or metals are extracted.
Recycling: It is the process of converting unwanted material into useful products.
Renewable energy: Energy derived from nature will replenish naturally on a human
timescale.
Sustainability: Ability to provide and retain the resources incessantly.

Solar power: Conversion of sunlight into electricity.
Urbanisation: Process leading to the increase in urban area and decrease in rural area.

8. CASE STUDY
Starbucks
On January 21, 2020, Starbucks announced the decision to cut down the greenhouse gases
and other waste it releases to half over the next decade. Furthermore, by the year 2030, they
plan to replenish or conserve 50% of the water used for business operations and coffee
production.
The company proposed various long-term strategies for attaining the concept of getting
greener. The tiny footsteps towards getting greener are achieved by reusing packaging and
taking more healthy cuisine in their menu. By 2021 on its 50th anniversary, Starbucks plans
to disclose more data on its environmental goals.
The pertinacious nature of Starbucks on achieving its sustainability goals is questionable.

Starbucks accomplished the goal of purchasing enough renewable energy to power the
operations of entities in the US and Canada within the deadline. Whereas in 2008, Starbucks
set the initiatives to serve in reusable containers (25% of drinks served by 2015), but few
years later the goal was reduced to 5% and even by 2018, Starbucks was able to serve only
1.3% of its drinks in recyclable containers.
Starbucks must indulge in the determined attempt to reduce its environmental footprint
owing to the fact that the entity’s greenhouse gas emission is equivalent to pollution caused
by nearly fourteen power plants using coal as fuel or on par with giants like Microsoft.
Moreover, the water consumption of Starbucks is equivalent to the water sufficient to fill 4
lakhs Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Reports from Starbucks revealed the fact that 80% of their carbon footprint attributes to the
consumption of energy in the stores. Hence, as an initiative to reduce the carbon footprint,
Starbucks aims to reduce energy consumption in its retail outlets by 25%.
Starbucks has been working in various directions of saving energy. By 2013, they attained
50% of their goal and since then they incessantly challenged themselves to attain 100% of
the goal set.

In tune with reducing the energy consumption, Starbucks replaced incandescent and
halogen lighting with LED lights in more than 7,000 stores across the United States, Canada,
Europe, and Asia to reduce the energy consumption by 80%. As per department of energy
reports, it is recorded that using LED lights save $30 in annual energy consumption costs.
This indicates that for a 1,000 square foot store, the average savings will be $600 per annum
and the equivalent CO2 elimination will be of 10 barrels of oil.
In the year 2016, Starbucks implemented an Energy Management System. Starbucks also
focused on pushing suppliers to come up with efficient energy saving equipment. However,
Starbucks had to offset the savings from replacing equipment with the cost associated with
changes in their menu. This is exemplified by the requirement and increased usage of oven
and refrigerator for heating stored food.
Renewable Energy
Despite the setbacks faced, Starbucks sets initiatives to invest in renewable energy. As per
EPA’s Green Power List, Starbucks is one among the pioneer buyers of organic electricity in
the whole coffee industry. They aim to stay with this by procuring Green-E certified
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
One of the prominent initiatives of Starbucks was to drive energy sustainability. This was
done by necessitating a few building standards, utility efficiency, and collaborating with
greener suppliers. Starbuck initiated this by creating a verification program called Greener
Retail which they want to implement in 10,000 new stores by 2025.
Another important initiative by Starbucks is the effort to make coffee 100% sustainable.
Starbucks established the group “The Sustainable Coffee Challenge” and partnered with
other entities to make coffee sustainable. The major goals of the initiative include:
• Ensuring a profitable coffee production and subsequent improvement in the income for
associated stakeholders like producers, workers, and their families.
• Implementing sustainable agricultural practices and tripling the productivity as well.
Restricting the activities leading to deforestation of forests and reducing number of trees.

Starbucks gained competitive advantage over other entities in their sector through these
conservation methods for energy conservation.. With proper funding and plans, Starbucks is
well on the path and pace to becoming a leading entity in energy conservation.
Source- www.starbucks.in
1. According to you, did Starbucks take the right step to protect the environment? How
will implementing ‘Green Retail’ practice help them?
2. List out ways through which companies can reduce consumption of any non-renewable
resources. What are the substitutes available to them?
Q1. Give a brief introduction to minerals and coals.
Q2. Briefly explain major fossil fuels utilised for energy generation.
Q3. List out the triggers that entail the usage of non-renewable energy resources.
Q4. Briefly explain oil spills as a consequence of the overuse of non-renewable energy
resources.
Q5. Distinguish between conservation and sustainable development.
Q1Write a short note on non-renewable natural resources.
Q2. Explain the reasons supporting reliance on non-renewable sources.
Q3. Explain the uranium fuel cycle.
Q4. List the consequences of heavy reliance on non-renewable energy resources.
Q5. Suggest methods to fulfil sustainable utilisation of resources.
9.1 Answers
2. A. Used as fuel in nuclear power plants
3. C. Thorium is directly used in nuclear reactors, whereas uranium is indirectly used in
the nuclear power reactors

4. True
5. Fossil fuel
8. False
9. False
10. True
11. Emission
14. Acid rain
15. True
16. True
17. False
18. True
19. False
21. Creative
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
Answer 1: Minerals used to obtain metals are classified as non-renewable natural resources.
Minerals include diamonds, gypsum, limestone, potash, salt, sulphur, and peat. Except for
diamonds, several metals derived from minerals have a low financial value.
Coal
Coal is a mineral, a black stone that may be obtained and consumed as a source of energy.
Coal combustion is responsible for the majority of the country's electrical generation. While
most coals are found in layer deposits, igneous outbursts can cause the reserves to be
exposed to increased pressure and temperature.
Answer 2: Fossil fuel plays a superior role in the worldwide energy system. Petroleum, coal
and natural gas attribute to the major share of fossil fuels used for energy production and
consumption.

A. Coal: Coal is an important substance in the worldwide electricity generation. Coal fired
power plants satisfy 37% of global electricity demand.
B. Natural gas: Natural gas is composed of hydrocarbon, and is categorised as fossil fuel.
It is utilised for heating, cooking, electricity generation, producing plastics and organic
chemicals and as vehicle fuel..
C. Petroleum or oil: Petroleum or crude oil is treated and refined to produce fuels for
consumption. The examples of petroleum products are gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil,
jet fuel, petrochemical feedstock, waxes, lubricating oils, and asphalt.
Answer 3: The increase in population, technological innovations and advancements,

industrialisation, urbanisation and urban development are some of the triggers that cause
use and overuse of non-renewable natural resources.
Answer 4: An oil spill occurs when a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon is leaked to the
environment usually due to human activity and related to marine ecosystem. It is a form of
pollution. The term oil spill is also interchangeably used with marine oil spills, where oil is
released into the water bodies. However, oil spills may also occur on land. Assume a huge
container or tanker carrying oil crash and spill the oil to water bodies or land polluting and
contaminating the land, water or natural resources over there. Subsequent effect is
catastrophic to the associated ecosystem.
Answer 5: Energy conservation is the effort to reduce energy or resource consumption

through careful and minimal use of resources. On the other hand, sustainable development
is about meeting the demands of the current generation without compromising the needs of
the future generation.

Answer 1: Non-renewable natural resources are those resources that cannot be replenished
by the nature within a normal meaningful timescale after its utilisation. Most carbon-based
fossil fuels are examples of non-renewable energy resources. The main type of non-
renewable energy sources are coal, oil and natural gas.
Most non-renewable natural resources are formed from the remains of plant and animals
that lived millions of years ago. Replenishment of non-renewable natural resources will take

millions of years owing to the fact that the formation of most non-renewable energy
resources takes millions of years.
Non-renewable resources, whether in the form of gas, liquid, or solids, are exposed to
processing in order to purify them into edible forms. Non-renewable resources such as coal
and oil are the country's principal form of energy.
Answer 2: The use of non-renewable natural resources is favoured because of the following
reasons:
• Non-renewable energy sources are expected to be replenished within a convenient
time;. Many areas are rich in fossil fuels and technological development enables the
easy extraction of non-renewable natural resources.
• Non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels are efficient and hold the potential to
generate immense energy even from a meagre quantity of fuels.
• Infrastructures like underground pipes enable the easy transportation of fossil fuels.
• It is convenient to construct a fossil fuel plant at any location, in huge quantity of fuel
to generate power.
Answer 3: Uranium fuel cycle involves the following stages:

• Uranium fuel cycle starts with the mining of uranium ore
• Mined uranium ore is milled into a yellow cake structure
• Yellow cake is converted to UO2 and UF6
• UF6 is enriched that leads to increase the quantity of U-235
• Enriched UF6 is treated to convert it into UO2 and made into ceramic fuel pellets
• Ceramic fuel pellets are used to make electricity
• Used ceramic fuel stored in the nuclear power plant is either reprocessed or stored in
an underground repository in the future.
Answer 4: Consequences of heavy reliance on non-renewable energy sources are:

• Environmental pollution
• Requirement of tremendous amount of fuel reserves leading to expensive energy
production
• Escalation of public health issues

• Depletion of fossil fuels, metals and minerals

• Contamination caused by oil spills
Answer 5: Sustainable use of resources can be fulfilled through following measures:

1. Enhancing the use of renewable energy sources and replacing non-renewable energy
usage with renewable energy sources wherever possible to retain the non-renewable
energy sources.
2. Reliance on energy efficient equipment can save lot of energy spending.
3. Following the reduce, reuse and recycle approach
4. Conducting campaign and awareness programs for promoting renewable energy
sources.

BOOKS:
• Bill Freedman, Environmental Science, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University,
Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Nick Hanley, Jason F. Shogren, Ben White, An Economic Analysis of Non-renewable
Natural Resources
• Devarajan, S. and A.C. Fisher (1982) 'Exploration and Scarcity', Journal of Political
Economy, 90, 1279-90.
E-REFERENCES:
• What is the Depletion of Natural Resources?, viewed on 27 February 2021,
<https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-depletion-
natural-resources.php>
• Non-renewable energy, viewed 27 February 2021,
<https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/non-renewable-energy/>
• Non-renewable energy, viewed on 27 February 2021,
<https://www.solarschools.net/knowledge-bank/non-renewable-energy/ >
• How Does Non Renewable Energy Affect The Environment, viewed on 27 February
2021, <https://www.greentechtalk.com/how-does-non-renewable-energy-affect-the-
environment/ >

• Exploitation of natural resources, 27 February 2021,

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploitation_of_natural_resources >
• Harmful Effects of Non-Renewable Resources on the Environment, 28 February 2021
• <https://greentumble.com/harmful-effects-of-non-renewable-resources-on-the-
environment/>
• What are the consequences of the overexploitation of natural resources, 28 February
2021, <https://www.iberdrola.com/environment/overexploitation-of-natural-
resources>
• Setting the Record Straight About Renewable Energy, 1 March 2021,
https://www.wri.org/blog/2020/05/setting-record-straight-about-renewable-
energy

ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 8: Biodiversity and its Conservation 1

Unit 8
Biodiversity and its Conservation
Table of Contents
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction
3-4
2 Meaning, Levels and Types of Biodiversity 1 1 5-7
3 Biogeographic Zones 2 2 8-10
4 Biodiversity Patterns and Hotspots 3 3
4.1 India as a mega-biodiversity nation 11-15
4.2 Endangered and endemic species 4
5 Threats to Biodiversity 5 4, I
5.1 Conservation of biodiversity 6 15-21
5.2 Biodiversity values and services 7
6 Summary 22
7 Glossary 23
8 Case study 23-24
25-28
9.1 Answer Keys

1. INTRODUCTION
In the previous chapter, we learned about minerals, metals and different natural resources
such as coal, oil, natural gases, uranium etc. We also explained how these sources of energy
are used and how the overuse of these resources has brought many challenges and
consequences to our environment. The different conservation strategies and sustainable
utilisation of resources have been discussed in detail previously.
The next concept that we need to concentrate on is biodiversity, which measures the
variation of different living organisms from multiple perspectives such as terrestrial, marine,
and aquatic organisms, as well as the various ecological complexes to which they relate, and
includes diversity among species and ecosystems. Biodiversity has several ecological and
economic importance. It provides us with housing, fuel, nourishment, clothing and several
other resources. Monetary benefits can be extracted from it through tourism. Thus, it is
crucial to have a good knowledge regarding biodiversity to experience a sustainable
livelihood.
Biodiversity is the existence of variability among living organisms on the earth, including the
variability within and between species, and within and between ecosystems. There are three
types or levels of biodiversity: species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
Biogeographic regions or biogeographic zones are geographical areas that are defined based
on the species found there.
It provides crucial information to ecologists and managers of natural resources to

understand large-scale processes that affect species and ecosystems. The understanding of
the fact that the number of species found on Earth varies globally, locally as well as time is
known as the pattern of biodiversity.
Biodiversity zones are bio-geographic places with large global biodiversity and
sustainability that are found along with an uncommon concentration of endemic species.
Geographically, India is situated at the confluence of three realms: Afro-tropical, Indo-
Malayan, and Paleo-Arctic. As a consequence, it has attributes from each of them.
Endangered plants and endangered animals are on the verge of extinction.

Those species which are found in some unique areas and

STUDY NOTE
nowhere in the world are known as endemic species.
Biodiversity is an essential factor for the survival of living 70% of the World’s species
are found in mainly 12
beings in this world. The major threats to biodiversity include countries which are Brazil,
Australia, India, China,
habitat loss, wild-life poaching and man-wildlife conflict. Columbia, Madagascar,
Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador,
Biodiversity provides us with various benefits such as Indonesia, Peru and Republic
of Congo.
biological resources, ecosystem services, social and aesthetic
benefits. There are two main methods that are used for the preservation of biodiversity - In-
situ Conservation and Ex-situ Conservation.
In this chapter, we will study the meaning and definition of biodiversity, its significance, the
different levels of biodiversity and different biogeographic zones. We will also discuss
biodiversity patterns and hotspots. We will focus on how India is a mega-biodiversity nation,
endangered and endemic species, different threats to biodiversity, methods of conserving
biodiversity, and different values and services provided by biodiversity.

❖ Explain the meaning of Biodiversity, its significance and its different types or levels
❖ Explain the meaning of Biogeographic Zones and different Biogeographic Zones of India
❖ Describe Biodiversity Patterns and Hotspots
❖ Explain India as a Mega-diversity nation, and list Endangered and Endemic Species
❖ Describe the Threats to Biodiversity and Methods of Conservation of Biodiversity
❖ Illustrate the Biodiversity Values and Services

2. MEANING, LEVELS AND TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY

The expression "biodiversity" differentiates between two species of plants, animals, and
microbial organisms that exist in nature and the ability to perform everyday activities. It
incorporates the genetic information contained in these organisms. The richness and variety
of life on earth are described by biodiversity. Life would not be able to sustain without
biodiversity.
It forms the most complicated, yet significant feature of our planet. The term biodiversity
was coined in 1985. It forms a crucial part both in natural and artificial ecosystems. The
variability of nature and the variability among plants, animals and micro-organisms is dealt
with here.
Thus, biodiversity can be characterised as the variation among different living organisms
from multiple sources such as terrestrial, marine, and aquatic organisms, and the various
ecological complexes to which they contribute, which includes diversity among plants,
species, and habitats.
Significance of Biodiversity:
Biodiversity is significant in maintaining water cycles, oxygen production, carbon dioxide
reduction, soil protection, etc. It helps to preserve ecological processes, support global life,
fix and recycle nutrients, etc. Healthy biodiversity offers many benefits which are as follows:
• It helps in the regulation of different cycles such as a means of regulating the level of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by forests by the release of oxygen as a by-product
during photosynthesis. It controls rainfall and soil erosion.
• It prevents depletion, contamination, and pollution of water supplies.
• It aids in the development and preservation of the soil.
STUDY NOTE
• It helps in the storage and recycling of nutrients.
The highest tree
• It aids an ecosystem's recovery from unforeseen incidents. diversity is
reportedly found in
• It offers biological services such as food, medicine, wood Lambir hills National
Park, Sarawak.
products, prescription medications, breeding stock, and so on.
• It offers recreational and tourism services.

Levels and Types of biodiversity:

The presence of heterogeneity among living organisms on the planet, including variability
within and between species, as well as within and between habitats, is known as biodiversity.
There are three types or levels of biodiversity, which are the following:
• Species Diversity: Species diversity refers to the various types of plants, animals,
organisms, and fungi that can be found in a given area. More than 30 million species are
estimated to be there on earth. Species diversity varies from one ecosystem to another.
Conservation biologists have described and classified about 1.8 million organisms to
date. Hotspots of diversity are areas of a high diversity of biodiversity. A tropical biome,
for example, has greater diversity than a temperate ecosystem. Invertebrates refer to
those animals that don’t have the backbone and these species are the most diverse in
nature.
• Genetic Diversity: Inside a population, genetic variability refers to the variety of genes
that exist. Genetic variation refers to the various forms of genes present in plants,
organisms, and microbes. It can happen both within a species and between species. This
genetic diversity is vital for the successful reproduction of a species' population. For
example, Poodles, German shepherds, and golden retrievers, , are all puppies, but they
have different appearances, colours, and skills.
• Ecosystem Diversity: The diversity in species, natural populations, and environments
is referred to as ecosystem diversity. It applies to the different interactions that animals
have with one another and their surroundings. Tropical and temperate forests,
mountains, grasslands, rivers, hot and cold deserts, lakes, and coral reefs are examples
of habitat diversity. Each ecosystem is made up of a complex web of interactions
between biotic and abiotic elements.
• High-temperature discharges
• Nutrients (like phosphorus and nitrogen)
• Microorganisms (like bacteria, viruses, and Giardia)

Source- es.govt.nz
Fig 1: Levels of Biodiversity
1. Biodiversity doesn’t contribute to the stability of climate. [True/False]

2. The term biodiversity was coined in the year _______________.
3. Which of the following is/are type/s of biodiversity?
a) Species Diversity
b) Generic Diversity
c) Ecosystem Diversity
d) All of the above

3. BIOGEOGRAPHIC ZONES
Biogeographic regions or biogeographic zones are geographical areas that are defined based
on the species found there. It provides crucial information to ecologists and managers of
natural resources to understand large-scale processes that affect species and ecosystems.
It is a biogeographic classification process that divides a large

area into distinct geographical zones. Each zone contains a STUDY NOTE
combination of species, habitats and physical features which are Drawing its objectives from
Convention of Biodiversity
unique or different from others. (CBD), National
Biodiversity Act aims at
Biogeographic zones of India: With 2.4 percent of the world's conserving biodiversity,
sustainable use and sharing
overall land area, India contributes to 8% of the world's of the benefits.
biological diversity. In terms of biogeography, India is divided into ten distinct biogeographic
areas, as follows:
• Trans-Himalayan Region: It encompasses the high mountain regions of Ladakh,
Jammu & Kashmir, North Sikkim, and parts of Himachal Pradesh, accounting for 5.6
percent of the total geographical area. Having alpine steppe vegetation, this zone has
various endemic species. It is the most suitable habitat for the world’s major
populations of wild sheep and goats and other rare fauna, including Snow Leopard and
the migratory Black-necked Crane. The cold desert of this zone represents an extremely
fragile ecosystem.
• Himalayan Zone: It covers 6.4 percent of the overall land area and contains some of
the world's highest peaks. The Himalayan zone is one of the richest zones in terms of
habitats and species. The grassy meadows, alpine forests and mixed deciduous forests
provide diverse habitats for endangered species such as Himalayan Tahr, Bharal, Takin,
Markhor and Ibex. Other such endangered species found in this region include Hangul
and Musk Deer.
• Indian Desert Zone: It accounts for 6.6 percent of the overall land area. It covers the
Thar and Kutch deserts. Grasslands host a variety of endangered mammals, including
the Wolf, Desert Cat, and others.
• Semi-arid Region: It contributes 16.6 percent of the total geographical region. It is a
zone of transition between the desert and the Western Ghats. Many artificial and

natural lakes, marshy lands are present in this zone. The Lion, an endangered carnivore
species, Caracal, Jackal and Wolf are some of the endangered species that are
characteristic of this region.
• Western Ghats: It makes up 4% of the nation's total land area. It is one of India's largest
tropical evergreen forest areas. The Western Ghats are home to most of the vertebrate
species found in peninsular India. The significant species found in this region include
Nilgiri Langur, Lion Tailed Macaque, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Malabar Civet, Nilgiri, Tahr
and Malabar Grey Hornbill.
• Deccan Plateau: It is India's largest biogeographic region, occupying 42% of the
country's total land area. This semi-arid region falls in the rain shadow area of the
Western Ghats. The zone comprises deciduous forests and thorn forests. Species found
in this region are Chital, Barking deer, Sambar, Nilgai, Chou Singha, Gaur, etc.
• Gangetic plain: It accounts for 10.8% of the overall geographical area. The
characteristic fauna of this region includes Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Hog-Deer, etc.
Source- alchetron.com
Fig 2: Biogeographic Zones of India
• North East Region: It accounts for 5.2 percent of the overall land area. This region is a
transition zone between the Indian, Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese bio-geographical
regions. This zone is the biogeographical ‘gateway’ to most of India’s fauna and flora.

• Coastal region: It is characterised by beaches, mangroves, coral reefs, and marine

angiosperm pastures, making them the wealth and health zones of India. The coastline
from Bengal to Gujarat is about 5,425 km long. 25 islets of coral origin constitute the
Lakshadweep and have a reef lagoon system that is rich in biodiversity. However, it has
no natural vegetation.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: In India, it is one of three tropical moist evergreen
forest areas. Flora and fauna present on this island are special. These islands, which are
rich in endemism, are home to some of India's finest evergreen forests and a diverse
collection of corals. In India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the only place where
endemic island biodiversity is found. The endemic fauna includes Narcondam hornbill,
South Andaman krait, etc.
4. Indian Desert Zone includes the deserts of Thar and Kutch. [True/False]
5. Semi-arid Region constitutes 42% of the total geographical area of India.
[True/False]
6. _____________________ are geographical areas which are defined on the basis of the
species found there.
7. Which of these endangered species is found in Himalayan Zone?
a) Ibex
b) Chital
c) Desert Cat
d) Narcondam Hornbill

4. BIODIVERSITY PATTERNS AND HOTSPOTS

Patterns of Biodiversity: The understanding of the fact that the number of species found on
Earth varies globally, locally as well as with time is known as the pattern of biodiversity.
• Species varying globally: Species that are distantly related and living in habitats of
similar nature in different parts of the world generally act similarly. Example: Emus of
Australia, Ostriches of Africa are all flightless birds.
• Species varying locally: Galapagos Islands consist of a group of islands, located close
to one another but have different atmospheres and climates. Species on these islands
adapt to the atmosphere they live in.
• Species varying over time: Armadillo of modern times resembles the fossil remains
of glyptodont.
Biodiversity Hotspots: Biodiversity hotspots are bio-geographic areas with unusually high
levels of biodiversity and abundance and a high concentration of endangered species. These
animals, however, are under threat of exploitation and extinction. Listed below are two
conditions for a biodiversity to be considered a hotspot,
• There are at least 1,600 vascular plants that are endemic to the region.
• They must be in extreme danger of being lost.
Biodiversity hotspots have been designated in 35 locations around the world. The hotspots
cover 2.3 percent of the land area and host a variety of endemic plants and animals. Here we
have a few examples of different regions and countries falling in those regions:
1. North and Central America: California Floristic
STUDY NOTE
Province, Mesoamerica and Madrean pine-oak
44% of all plant species are
woodlands found in only 25 biodiversity
hotspots. Just 1.4 percent of
2. The Caribbean: Caribbean Islands the earth's surface area
contains 35 percent of all
3. South America: Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Chilean Winter terrestrial vertebrate animals.
Rainfall-Valdivian Forests, Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena,
Tropical Andes
4. Europe: Mediterranean Basin
5. Africa: Cape Floristic Region, Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa, Eastern Afromontane,
Guinean Forests of West Africa, Horn of Africa,

6. Central Asia: Mountains of Central Asia

7. South Asia: Eastern Himalaya, Nepal, Indo-Burma, India, Myanmar, Western Ghats,
India, Sri Lanka
8. South-East Asia and Asia-Pacific: New Caledonia, New Zealand, Philippines,
Polynesia-Micronesia, Sundaland, Wallacea,
9. East Asia: Japan, Mountains of Southwest China,
10. West Asia: Caucasus, Irano-Anatolian region,
Source-conservationbytes.com
Fig 3: Biodiversity Hotspots of the world
4.1 India as a Mega-Biodiversity Nation

India is one of the 12 super biodiversity countries on the planet. Ten biogeographic zones
have been developed in the region. The country's physical characteristics and climatic
environments have resulted in the creation of varied natural
STUDY NOTE
landscapes such as trees, deserts, coasts, grasslands, wetlands,
Asiatic Lion, also known as
and coastal ecosystems, all of which support vast biodiversity. the Indian Lion is only found
in and around Gir Forest
• India is geographically located at the crossroads of three National Park of Gujarat.
These are listed as
realms: Afro-tropical, Indo-Malayan, and Paleo-Arctic. As endangered species. These
are one of the five big cats
a result, it has traits from each of them. The country's found in India, the others
being Indian Leopards and
biological diversity is abundant and distinctive due to the Bengal Tigers.
combination of traits from three distinct domains.

• India is one of the 12 main centres of origin for domesticated plants and animals. It is
thought to be the source of 169 important plant species and 116 domesticated animal
breeds.
• Around 5,000 species of flower plants are native to the region. North-East India, the
Western Ghats, the North-West Himalayas, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are
all home to these creatures.
• About 62 percent of amphibian species are native to India, with the Western Ghats
accounting for the rest. India is home to over 1,300 bird species, 460 reptile species,
and 46, 000 plant species.
• The country has numerous alternative medicines prepared by plant-based raw
materials. Such medicines are Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathic system.
Herbal formulations for medicinal and cosmetic uses account for a significant portion
of India's conventional biodiversity.
• National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves have been developed to
conserve biodiversity. There are nearly 18 biosphere reserves in India.
• Approximately 4.3 percent of the country's total geographical area has been set aside
for biodiversity protection in situ. It has been created by way of a protected area of 86
national parks and 450 wildlife sanctuaries.
4.2 Endangered and Endemic Species

Endangered Species: The species that are at risk or threatened of extinction are known as
Endangered Species. These species are native to a particular region with a population
strength reduced from 50% to 5%.
Various factors such as hunting, climate changes, pollution,

STUDY NOTE
habitat loss and other natural calamities risk the survival of
The Tura Range in Garo Hills
animals and plants. Species having limited population strength of Meghalaya is a gene
sanctuary for preserving the
are more prone to become endangered. The extinction rate is rich native diversity of wild
citrus and musa species.
higher than before because of human activities like
deforestation, industrialisation, etc. Around 460 plant species, 120 mammals and 160 types
of birds are considered endangered in India. More species are becoming endangered every
year due to reasons such as overexploitation of resources and habitat destruction.

Some of the critically endangered animals are:

Amur Leopard, Hawksbill Turtle, Leatherback Turtle, Javan Rhino, Sumatran Tiger, Cross
River Gorilla, etc.
Some of the endangered animals are:

Asiatic Black Bear, Great Indian Rhinoceros, Indian Elephant or Asian Elephant, Red Panda,
Blue Whale, Indus River Dolphin, Ganges River Dolphin, Capped Leaf Monkey, etc.
Endemic species: Endangered animals are those that are threatened by extinction. As a
result, the ‘endemic location,' ‘national endemic,' or ‘geographical area endemic' refers to the
place where the species is endemic. Kangaroos, for example, are native to Australia and are
found nowhere else on the planet. Humans introduced them outside their natural
environment while they were in captivity, which is why they have been seen in areas other
than their natural habitat. Plants and species that are native to a single geographical area are
more vulnerable to extinction. As a result, extra work is needed to save them. The following
are some of India's endangered species:
1. Asiatic Lion, Gir Forest
2. Lion-tailed Macaque, Western Ghats
3. Kashmir Stag, Kashmir Valley
4. Sangai Deer, Loktak Lake
5. Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Hills
Source-slideserve.com
Fig 4: Critically Endangered Species

8. Leatherback Turtle, Javan Rhino, Sumatran Tiger, are examples of endangered

animals. [True/False]
9. _________ is a bio-geographic area with unusually high levels of biodiversity and
abundance, as well as a high concentration of endangered plants.
10. India has alternative forms of medicines such as:
a) Ayurveda
b) Unani
c) Siddha
d) All of the above
11. Which of the following is/are critically endangered species?
a) Salim Ali's Fruit Bat
b) Sumatran Rhinoceros
c) Blue Whale
d) Both a and b
5. THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity is essential for the future of all living things on this planet. There would be a
decline in the number of humans as the number of plants and animals reduces. The following
are some of the main threats to biodiversity:
STUDY NOTE
• Habitat Loss: Misuse of natural resources has led to a
Mass extinction is a phenomenon
major loss of biodiversity. Urbanisation, rapid where large number of species is
permanently lost over a short
industrialisation and an increase in population has led period of time. This mainly
occurs due to changes in Earth’s
to massive deforestation and habitat loss. Productive environment and atmosphere.
forests have turned into deserts. Mangroves have been
cleared to make way for fuelwood and prawn farming, which has harmed aquatic fish
breeding.
• Poaching of wildlife: Poaching of animals for trade and economic purposes has been
a major cause of extinction of many animals and the endangerment of others, such as
whales and Asian tigers. Overharvesting for food is one of the major causes of extinction
followed by fashion and business. Elephants are poached for ivory, and leopards are
poached for their meat, resulting in significant habitat loss.

• Man-wildlife conflict: It applies to the relationship between wild animals and humans,
as well as the negative consequences for both. Recently, the degree of conflict has
increased due to a gradual increase in the human population. Natural wildlife territory
has been displaced due to human race encroaching on wild animal habitats. The
decrease in the availability of natural prey has led these wild animals to seek alternate
sources. The major consequences of man-wildlife conflict are:
• It results in the loss of animal habitat STUDY NOTE
• It results in human and wildlife injury and death Scientists predict that human
activity would obliterate 10
• It results in crop and livestock depredation million animals (roughly) by
the year 2050. At the present
• It results in damage to human property rate of extinction, almost 25%
of the world's biodiversity
• It results in a decline in wildlife population will be extinct within a few
decades.
Apart from the above threats, biodiversity is also threatened by

climate change, non-native species invasion, and other factors.
Sources: scroll.in
Fig 5: Threats to Biodiversity
5.1 Conservation of Biodiversity

Biodiversity is of vital importance for living beings. Biodiversity provides us with various
benefits such as biological resources, ecosystem services, social and aesthetic benefits. are
Two main techniques used for the conservation of biodiversity are:
In-situ conservation: The conservation of species within their natural ecosystem of the
environment is known as In-situ or on-site conservation. It is considered the most practical

method of biodiversity conservation. Here, the genetic

STUDY NOTE
resources are conserved through their maintenance within
The illicit wildlife trade is
the environment of their origin. Examples: National Parks, expected to produce between
$8 billion and $25 billion in
Biosphere Reserves, Gene Sanctuaries, Wild Life sanctuaries, revenue per year. In 2015, the
United Nations General
etc. In-situ conservation is advantageous in the following Assembly adopted a resolution
to combat wildlife trafficking.
ways:
1. It is an economical and convenient method
2. It helps in preserving numerous organisms
3. Living organisms are allowed to adapt to environmental conditions in a natural habitat.
Ex-situ conservation: Ex-situ conservation refers to the preservation of different elements

of ecological diversity outside of their natural environments. This approach involves
removing threatened or endangered animals and plants from their natural habitat and
placing them in a special care facility where they will be safe and given the opportunity to
mature naturally. Plants and animals are cared for in this environment, which has been
created artificially. Captive breeding, seed banks, botanical gardens, in vitro fertilisation,
cryopreservation, tissue culture, and zoos are also examples of captive breeding. This
approach can be carried out in a variety of ways:
1. Creating gene banks, where sperm, ova, and seeds are preserved at temperatures that
are manually regulated.
2. By artificially propagating plants and breeding animals in captivity.

Source-sciencedirect.com
Fig 6: Biodiversity conservation
5.2 Biodiversity Values and Services

Humans contribute basic values to biodiversity because we are so reliant on it for our
cultural, physical, and environmental needs. Biodiversity offers the following programmes
and values:
• Environmental Value: Observing each ecological phase and defining the resulting
ecosystem resources can be used to assess the environmental importance of
biodiversity. Wetlands, for example, serve as breeding and nursery areas for certain
fish and provide a safe haven for animals during droughts.
• Social Value: There are significant variations in landscape and biodiversity
preferences due to age, social conditions, and cultural factors. Peepal, Banyan, and Tulsi
trees are also revered in India.
• Economic Value: Biodiversity is a vital opportunity for
STUDY NOTE
a number of sectors that fuel the global economy.
According to the 2003 United
Biodiversity is the foundation of the world's main fuel Nations List of Protected
Areas, there are 1,02,102 sites
supplies, such as wood and fossil fuels. Important under protection covering
18.9 million km2 and 1.65
chemicals are derived from a wide range of flora and million km2 of underwater
protected area.
fauna and are used in a variety of medical fields.
• Consumptive use value: This category includes natural resources that are specifically
used for cooking, such as wood, fuel wood, and so on. Humans use nearly 45,000 plant
and animal species on a daily basis.
• Productive Use Value: These figures refer to items that are harvested and sold
commercially. Biotechnologists use wild plant species to produce higher yielding and
disease-resistant varieties.
• Ethical and Moral Value: These principles are linked to the preservation of
biodiversity. It is founded on the idea that all kinds of life on Earth have the right to live.
Morality and ethics teach one to protect all aspects of life and to prevent causing undue
damage to other species.

• Aesthetic Value: Biodiversity is responsible for the uniqueness of our planet; without
it, Earth would mimic most desolate worlds in the world. The uniqueness of an
ecosystem is due to biodiversity, which has contributed to eco-tourism.
• Ecosystem Services: These services manage the human needs and activities by
managing production ecosystems. Some of the ecosystem services include:
• Plants and aquatic algae provide oxygen
• Vegetation slows runoff, traps sediment, and removes nutrients
• Soil, microbes break down pollutants
• Greenhouse gas mitigation by sequestering ambient carbon in biomass, among other
roles.
Activity 1
Think of all the activities in which you were engaged in the last week. List the products,
commodities or services which were made available to you by the different
components of biodiversity. Analyse each of them in detail, and segregate them under
different values which have been discussed above.
Repeat the same activity for another week. You will now be more conscious of the
different values and services of biodiversity in our daily life. Prepare a summarised
report of the values of biodiversity in real life aspects and the effect of its absence or
the problems we might face due to its absence.

12. Social Value deals with recreational, cultural, aesthetic and spiritual values.
[True/False]
13. In-situ conservation refers to the preservation of different types of ecological
diversity outside of their natural environments. [True/False]
14. _________type of conservation is the retention of certain aspects of biological
diversity beyond their natural habitats.
15. Which of the following is a biodiversity value?
a) Ethical and Moral Value
b) Aesthetic Value
c) Both a and b
16. Which of the following is a threat to habitat?
a) Habitat Loss
b) Wild-life Poaching
c) Man-wildlife conflict
d) All of the above

Meaning and
Levels and Biogeographic
Types of Zones
Biodiversity Biodiversity and Its
Conservation
India as A Mega-
Biodiversity
Nation
Biodiversity
Patterns and Threats to
Hotspots Biodiversity
Endangered
and Endemic
Biodiversity
Species
Conservation Values and
of Biodiversity Services

6. SUMMARY
• Biodiversity is the number of all the distinct species of plants, animals, and microscopic
creatures that exist on Earth, as well as the diverse environments in which they live.
• Biodiversity helps to maintain water cycles, oxygen production, carbon dioxide
reduction, soil protection, etc.
• Biodiversity has mainly three levels: Species Diversity, Genetic Diversity and
Ecosystem Diversity.
• Biogeographic regions or biogeographic zones are geographical areas that are defined
based on the species found there. There are around 10 biogeographic zones in India,.
• Biodiversity hotspots are bio-geographic areas with unusually high levels of
biodiversity and abundance, as well as a high concentration of endangered species.
• India is one of the 12 super biodiversity countries on the planet. Around 5,000 species
of flower plants are endemic to the region. India is home to over 1,300 bird species and
460 reptile species.
• The species that are under risk or threat of being extinct are known as Endangered
Species.
• Habitat destruction, animal smuggling, and man-wildlife violence are also significant
threats to biodiversity.
• In-situ conservation and ex-situ conservation are the two primary approaches for
habitat conservation.
• Biodiversity offers Environmental Value, Social Value, Economic Value, Ecosystem
Services, Consumptive Value, Productive Use Value, Ethical and Moral Value and
Aesthetic Value.

7. GLOSSARY
Abiotic: The term which is used to describe the absence of life, refers to all the non-physical
elements of the ecosystem.
Biotic: The term which is used to describe the presence of life, refers to all the living
components of a community.
Depletion: The gradual decrease in the number of something, such as plants, animals, trees,
etc.
Ex-situ: A place that is situated away from the natural or the original location.
Habitat: The natural environment of an organism, where it lives and grow.
In-situ: A place where an event takes place, a place of origin.
8. CASE STUDY
MANDAVALLI FOREST RANGE
In the catchment of the river Sharavati, the village of Mandavalli is located 25Km from Sagar
Town, in the district of Shimoga in Western Ghats. The river has been dammed for
Linganamakki Reservoir. Mainly metamorphic rocks are found in this region with red sandy
and lateritic soil type. The forest is covered by deciduous and evergreen trees.
Principal Observations:
• A decade ago, the northern part of the village was covered by dense forests, but due to
deforestation only a thin forest remains.
• The water requirements are met by three lakes in the village.
• The overall literacy is 60% and female literacy is low.
• 148 species of medicinal plants are found in the forest, of which 15 are endangered.
• Trees constitute 48% of the plant population, herbs form 12%, shrubs form 32% and
climbers form 8%.
• It is a relatively high rainfall area with low development and low population pressures.
Threatening Factors:
• Rainfall has considerably decreased to an extent of 40% resulting in the death of
herbaceous species.
• In the last two decades, deforestation to an extent of 15% has been reported.

• Water bodies have been silted up to 32% of their capacity which has resulted in
reduction in water-holding capacity.
• Honey Bee colonies have decreased to the extent of 70%.
• The dam has resulted in submersion of 15sq km of the forest area which has led to loss
to medicinal plants.
• Expansion of roads and installation of power lines has caused damage to forests.
Source: Article from Economic times newspaper
Q1. What would the decrease in Honey Bee colonies lead to?
Q2. What else do you think can cause damage to the forest?
Q3. What can be done to prevent this ecological imbalance that this village is heading
towards?

Q1. Mention four significant uses of biodiversity.
Q2. What is genetic diversity?
Q3. What are the features of Western Ghats? Mention two species of animals found in the
Western Ghats.
Q4. List four endangered animals and endemic animals.
Q5. List four biodiversity hotspots around the world.
Q1. What are the types or levels of biodiversity?
Q2. What are endangered and endemic species? Give some examples.
Q3. What are the different threats to biodiversity?
Q4. What are the methods of conserving biodiversity?
Q5. What are the different services or values of biodiversity?
9.1 Answers
SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS:
1. False
2. 1985
3. D. All of the Above
4. True
5. False
6. Biogeographic Zones
7. A. Ibex
8. True
9. Biodiversity Hotspots
10. D. All of the Above.
11. D. Both a and b
12. True
13. False
14. Ex-situ

15. C. Both a and b

TERMINAL QUESTIONS:
Answer 1: Uses of biodiversity are:
• It helps in the storage and recycling of nutrients.
• It helps in checking pollution.
• It contributes to the stability of the climate.
• It helps an ecosystem to recover from unpredictable events.
Answer 2: Inside a population, genetic variability refers to the variety of genes that exist.
Genetic variation refers to the various forms of genes present in plants, organisms, and
microbes.. This genetic diversity is vital for the successful reproduction of a species'
population.
Answer 3: The Western Ghats cover 4.0 percent of India's total land area. It is one of India's
most important tropical evergreen forest regions. The Western Ghats are home to the
majority of peninsular India's vertebrate animals. Two species of animals found in the
Western Ghats are Nilgiri Langur and Lion Tailed Macaque.
Answer 4: Four endangered animals are:

o Asiatic Black Bear, Great Indian Rhinoceros, Indian Elephant or Asian Elephant, and
Red Panda.
Four endemic animals are:
o Asiatic Lion of Gir Forest, Lion-tailed Macaque of Western Ghats, Kashmir Stag of
Kashmir Valley and Nilgiri Tahr of Nilgiri Hills.
Answer 5: Four biodiversity hotspots around the world are:

1. North and Central America : California Floristic Province, Mesoamerica and Madrean
pine-oak woodlands,
2. The Caribbean: Caribbean Islands
3. South America: Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests,
Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena, Tropical Andes

4. Europe: Mediterranean Basin

Answer 1: There are three types or levels of biodiversity which are the following:
• Species Diversity: Species diversity refers to the broad number of plants, animals,
organisms, and fungi that can be found in a given environment.
• Genetic Diversity: Genetic diversity refers to the distribution in genes found within a
population.
• Environmental Diversity: The diversity of species, natural populations, and
environments is referred to as ecosystem diversity.
Answer 2: Endemic species: Endangered animals are those that are threatened by
extinction. .As a result, the ‘endemic location,' ‘national endemic,' or ‘geographical area
endemic' refers to the place where the species is endemic. Kangaroos, for example, are native
to Australia and are found nowhere else on the planet. Humans introduced them outside
their natural environment while they were in captivity, which is why they have been seen in
areas other than their natural habitat.
Answer 3: The following are some of the main threats to biodiversity:

• Habitat Loss: Misuse of natural resources that has led to a major loss of biodiversity.
Urbanisation, rapid industrialisation and an increase in population has led to massive
deforestation and habitat loss.
• Poaching of wildlife: Poaching of animals for trade and economic purposes has been
a major cause of the extinction of many animals and the endangerment of others, such
as whales and Asian tigers.
• Man-wildlife conflict: It applies to the relationship between wild animals and humans,
as well as the negative consequences for both. Recently, the degree of conflict has
increased due to a gradual increase in the human population.
Answer 4: There are two main techniques used for the conservation of biodiversity:
• In-situ conservation: The conservation of species within their natural ecosystem of
the environment is known as In-situ or on-site conservation. It is considered the most
practical method of biodiversity conservation. Here, the genetic resources are
conserved through their maintenance within the environment of their origin.

• Ex-situ conservation: Ex-situ conservation refers to the preservation of different

elements of ecological diversity outside of their natural environments. This approach
involves removing threatened or endangered animals and plants from their natural
habitat and placing them in a special care facility where they will be safe and given the
opportunity to mature naturally.
Answer 5: The services and values of biodiversity are the following:

• Economic Value: Biodiversity is a vital opportunity for a number of sectors that fuel
the global economy. Biodiversity is the foundation of the world's main fuel supplies,
such as wood and fossil fuels. Important chemicals are derived from a wide range of
flora and fauna and are used in a variety of medical fields.
• Consumptive use value: This category includes natural resources that are specifically
used for cooking, such as wood, fuel wood, and so on. Humans use nearly 45,000 plant
and animal species on a daily basis.
• Productive Use Value: These figures refer to items that are harvested and sold
commercially. Biotechnologists use wild plant species to produce higher yielding and
disease-resistant varieties.
• Ethical and Moral Value: These principles are linked to the preservation of
biodiversity. It is founded on the idea that all kinds of life on Earth have the right to live.
Morality and ethics teach one to protect all aspects of life and to prevent causing undue
damage to other species.
• Aesthetic Value: Biodiversity is responsible for the uniqueness of our planet; without
it, Earth would mimic most desolate worlds in the world. The uniqueness of an
ecosystem is due to biodiversity, which has contributed to eco-tourism.

10. SUGGESTED BOOKS AND REFERENCES:

BOOKS:
Press.
• Bharucha, E., Textbook of Environmental Studies for undergraduate courses, 2ndedn.
E-REFERENCES:
• Conservation of biodiversity, viewed on 27 February 2021,
<https://www.tutorialspoint.com/environmental_studies/environmental_studies_co
nversation_of_biodiversity.htm>
• Biodiversity hotspots, viewed on 27 February 2021,
<https://www.tutorialspoint.com/environmental_studies/environmental_studies_bio
diversity_hotspots.htm>
• Threats to Biodiversity, viewed on 28 February 2021,
<https://www.tutorialspoint.com/environmental_studies/environmental_studies_thr
eats_to_biodiversity.htm>
• Values of Biodiversity, viewed on 28 February 2021,
<https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/biodiversity/8-main-values-of-biodiversity-
explained/30156>

ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 9: Water Pollution 1

Unit 9
Water Pollution
Table of Contents
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction
3-4
2 Meaning of Water Pollution 1 1
5-9
2.1 Point & Non-point Sources of Water
Pollution
3 Effects on the Environment and Human health 2 2 9-11
4 Water Contaminants 3 3, I
12-18
4.1 Water Quality Parameters
5 Monitoring and Treatment of Wastewater 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 4, II
18-25
5.1 Control Measures
6 Summary 26
7 Glossary 26-27
8 Case study 27-28
28-32
9.1 Answer Keys

1. INTRODUCTION
In the previous chapter, we studied biodiversity, the biological diversity and the unevenness
of life on Earth. It is a magnitude of dissimilarity at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels.
It also includes the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that support life.
Biodiversity enhances the ecosystem productiveness where each life on the earth,
irrespective of its size has a vital role to play. The higher the diversity of species, the higher
the chances of better natural sustainability. We studied its levels, types, zones, patterns and
hotspots. We came to know how India is a mega-biodiversity nation. We got to know about
various endangered and endemic species. We also learnt about biodiversity values,
conservation, services and threats.
One of the hazardous parts of biodiversity is water pollution. The basic and essential need of
living beings is water. It is inevitable. A major area of the Earth is occupied with water. Water
is present in the atmosphere in various ways, like vapours, in seas, oceans and underground.
However, in several countries, the amount of freshwater available is limited. A lot of
rainwater is wasted and is not used effectively. Water extracted from the underground area
gets replenished by seepage of rainwater.
Due to a rise in population and industrial and agricultural activities, STUDY NOTE
a huge amount of water is consumed and contaminated. An The shocking fact of
the world is that most
enormous amount of water is required for construction work, of the people die from
drinking harmful
houses, offices, roads, shops, etc. This is due to the increase in elements that are
mixed with water
demand for these things by the increased population. Almost every rather than dying on
road accidents, wars,
industry utilizes water in its production process. The rise in the etc.
number of industries causes depletion of water. A majority of

farmers use water for irrigation purposes, which has also led to a decrease in water levels.
Water can be polluted through natural and man-made processes. To reduce water pollution,
various measures are required to be taken immediately. The discharge of hazardous
substances into the water bodies by the industries should be prohibited.
Before discharge, the harmful substances should be properly treated so that the water bodies
will not get contaminated after being mixed up with these substances. New Laws should be

framed aiming at heavy penalization of those who break the law. Also, the laws are needed
to be strictly implemented. There should be cooperation from both the government and the
public regarding the laws. Various wastewater treatment plants should be planted in the
required regions.
Everyone on this planet should try his/her best to prevent water pollution and preserve
water resources. Each person should know how to make judicious use of water resources.
Reduce, recycle and reuse must be everyone’s goal. Creative ways should be discovered to
reuse water. For instance, one should try to water plants with the water used for washing
vegetables.
One should also try to wash car with a bucket instead of pipe and should make sure to close
the tap when water is not being in use while brushing. Pollution is not a distant phenomenon.
It is affecting the quality of our daily lives. This is high time; everyone should realize the
importance of water and start engaging in environmentally friendly processes to ensure the
survival of the present and the future generation. At last, we should know that: “Jal Nahi, To
Kal Nahi”. i.e., is “If you don’t have water, you can’t think of the future”

❖ Explain the meaning of water pollution and state its sources.

❖ Describe the effects of water pollution on the environment and human health.
❖ Elaborate on the various types of water contaminants.
❖ Explain the water quality parameters.
❖ Describe the monitoring and treatment of wastewater.
❖ State the ways by which water pollution can be controlled.

2. MEANING OF WATER POLLUTION

Water pollution occurs when there is an existence of harmful chemicals and biological
components that are mixed with freshwater. It also includes the injection of chemicals into
water bodies through various human activities. These toxins have the potential to harm the
human and aquatic ecosystem. The temperature of the water bodies is worse affected due to
discharge of hot water from some specific industries, which uses water for cooling in
different operations, and due to the release of water from dams.
Due to the effect on temperature, life-forms inside water bodies are in great danger. It can
encourage the growth of some species while harming some other species. It affects the
balance between the different organisms in the water bodies.
The eggs and larvae of different animals are specifically susceptible to temperature
changes—water pollution results in the removal of necessary substances from water bodies.
Plants and animals use dissolved oxygen for their survival in aquatic systems, and anything
that reduces its level, would badly affect the animals and the plants residing there.
2.1 Point & Non-Point Sources of Water Pollution

Every process on earth, whether it is man-made processes or natural processes, generate a
certain amount of by-product from that particular process. Generally, these by-products are
returned to the environment and are known as pollutants. The environment can “self-clean”
these pollutants if given enough time. But, the consistent and heavy flow of by-products into
the environment makes it extremely difficult for the environment to do its cleaning all by
itself. The sources of these pollutants can be classified into point sources and non-point
sources.
❖ Point sources:
Pollution arising from a sole, recognizable source, like a drainpipe from a sewage plant,
tunnel, well, vessel or factory, is known as point-source pollution. These pollutants in
groundwater and surface water are generally found on the top with the highest group of the
pollutant nearest to the origin and the declining group far away from the origin.
Point sources of pollution arise from agriculture, including animal feeding operations,
animal waste treatment lagoons, mixing and handling, storage, cleaning areas for pesticides,

petroleum and fertilisers. Municipal pollution sources comprise landfills, motor pools, utility
stations, fleet maintenance facilities and wastewater treatment plants.
Source: savelakewinnipeg.com
Fig 1: Point Source & Nonpoint Source
These activities involve the usage of dangerous materials as raw materials used in the
process. Harmful substances are also discharged through these processes, which, if not
treated properly, can get mixed up with the surface water and cause pollution.
1. Groundwater: One of the most constant point-source pollutants in groundwater are

organic compounds, which encompass toxic substances like oils, paint, solvents and
fuel products. In general, these pollutants cause severe health issues. Once
groundwater is polluted, it is not possible to clean it up easily.
2. Surface Water: Some basic point-source pollutants are present in surface water which
are as follows:
• High-temperature discharges
• Nutrients (like phosphorus and nitrogen); and
• Microorganisms (like bacteria, viruses, and Giardia)
Nutrients and a temperature rise can result in excessive plant growth and decomposing
organic matter in water, reducing dissolved oxygen levels and causes a great threat to
aquatic life. Microorganisms are supposed to be dangerous for both human health and
aquatic life. Pesticides and other harmful substances are also considered as hazardous to

both aquatic life and human health but are less likely to be present in surface water due to
high infusion rates.
❖ Non-point sources:
Pollution through non-point sources doesn’t have a sole and identifiable source. Pollution
through these pollutants occurs as water shifts across the land or through the ground and
carries natural and man-made pollutants, which can then get deposited in rivers, coastal
waters, wetlands, lakes and also groundwater.
The water that creates non-point source pollution can arise from natural processes like
snowmelt or rainfall or human activities like lawn maintenance and crop irrigation. They are
also known as ‘diffuse’ pollution. Its influence occurs over a large area and is not identified
to a single source. The main types of non-point sources of pollution are:
1. Sediment: It is the runoff of fertilizer and soil during a rainstorm. Sediment includes
fine particles like a slit and also suspended solids. Sediment enters surface waters
from surface runoffs and eroding stream banks. Sediments generate turbidity in
water resources, decreasing the amount of light going at the below depths, which can
hamper the growth of aquatic plants. This, in turn, will harm aquatic animals that
depend on those plants.
2. Nutrients: It refers to inorganic matter from runoff,
STUDY NOTE
livestock operations, croplands and landfills. The two major
The most prominent
ingredients are nitrogen and phosphorus. Phosphorus is source of water
pollution in India is
most commonly transported to water areas through soil ‘untreated sewage’.
Other sources of
erosion and nitrogen is transported by water as nitrate pollution are
unregulated small-
(NO3). A surplus amount of phosphorus leads to the scale industry waste
and agricultural
expansion of microscopic algae, which will lead to the huge runoff.
growth of organic matter that is eutrophication, i.e., lowering of oxygen level in the
water bodies.
3. Pathogens: These are bacteria and viruses generally found in the water and cause
human diseases. They cause diseases when they get mixed in the public drinking
water supplies. It contains Salmonella, Parasitic worms, Cryptosporidium parvum
and Giardia lamblia. They can pollute runoff due to inappropriately managed
livestock tasks, poor pet waste management and polluted storm sewers.

4. Toxic contaminants and chemicals: Compounds comprising heavy metals like lead,
zinc, cadmium, mercury and organics like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs)
and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other substances are insusceptible to
breakdown. Toxic chemicals comprise organic and inorganic compounds like acids.
Pesticides are not breakable and thus sustain in the environment. The principal
sources of non-point sources of pollution are:
• Urban land use: In urban areas, rainfall drains as storm water, a pollutant that
influences water quality. Storm water is contaminated from animal feaces, dust, car
oil, sediments and industrial wastes from street surfaces.
• Agricultural land use: Pesticides, fertilizers, animal dung, and soil flow in the
streams of rainfall-runoff ultimately results in pollution. When livestock are
allowed access to watercourse areas, it pollutes the water and increases erosion
risks. When huge sectors of land are ploughed to grow crops, it uncovers and
loosens the soil, increasing soil erosion during rain and wind.
• Forestry land use: Forestry operations decrease the number of trees in the
environment, thus decreasing the oxygen level also. The excessive usage of bulky
machinery increases the chances of soil erosion. Thus, increasing the chances of soil
erosion and sediment runoff, contributes to non-point source pollution.
• Marinas and boating operations: Chemicals used for the maintenance of the boat,
such as paint, oils and other solvents, get to mix with water through runoff and
contaminate it. Spilling fuels and leaking fuels also contaminate the water. Improper
management of sanitary waste bins on the boat leads to a rise in the levels of solid
waste, that hamper the quality of water.

1. Water pollution is referred to the existence of ________ and ________ in water.

2. Human activities are majorly responsible for water pollution. [True/False]
3. The ______ & ______ ecosystems are majorly affected due to water pollution.
4. Pollution arising from single and identifiable source is called______________.
5. Pesticides, fertilisers, and animal waste can be found in the rain-runoff
waterways, which result in water pollution. . [True/False]
6. ____________ compounds are insusceptible to breakdown.
a) Cadmium
b) Mercury
c) Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs)
d) All of the above
7. Nutrients are runoff of fertilizer and soil during a rain storm. [True/False]
3. EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH

On the Environment:
• A healthy ecosystem consists of a bunch of flora, bacteria, fungi, and fauna, all
interacting directly or indirectly. Any problem to any of the above organisms can
develop a chain effect that affects the aquatic environment. When water pollution
causes algae to thrive in the lake, the increase of freshly introduced nutrients induces
plants and algae to grow, decreasing the water's oxygen levels. This deficiency of
oxygen is called eutrophication, which can create “dead zones” (where waters lack life)
by suffocating plants and animals. These hazardous algae blooms sometimes result in
neurotoxins that affect wildlife.
• Marine ecosystems are also included in the danger zone by the segregation of marine
waste that can choke, starve, and restrain animals. Dumping fishing nets and other tools
to clean water results in hurting more than 200 various species under marine life that
also affects the environment.
• Ocean acidification turns out to be more difficult for shellfish STUDY NOTE
and corals to survive under water. Ocean acidification is
About 80% of stomach
defined as the never-ending decline in the pH value of Earth’s diseases in India are
caused due to unsafe
oceans that is caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide from drinking water.

the atmosphere. This process creates hurdles for shellfish and other marine species to
develop and affects the nervous systems of clownfish, sharks and other marine species.
On Human Health:
• Contaminated water makes people ill and can also cause death. Every year,
contaminated water nauseates about one billion people, especially, the lower-income
people, as they reside close to polluting industries.
• Waterborne pathogens are disease-causing bacteria and viruses that take birth from
natural and man-made waste and are a main cause of illness from the intake of unsafe
drinking water. Diseases developed by unsafe water comprise of cholera, typhoid and
giardia. In developed countries, accidental or prohibited discharges from sewage
treatment facilities turn out from runoff from farms and
urban areas that supply dangerous pathogens to waterways. STUDY NOTE
Thousands of people across the country are found ill every According to UNICEF,
children die globally
year by Legionnaires disease. because of intake of
polluted water that can
• A large variety of chemical pollutants like arsenic and increase the death
count to 3000 per day.
mercury are coupled with pesticides and nitrate fertilisers
and ultimately get into water supplies. Once they are mixed, these toxic elements can
cause severe health issues such as cancer, hormone imbalances, weak neural system,
etc. Also, from swimming, large number of people contract health issues like skin
rashes, respiratory infections, pink eye and hepatitis.
• Pollutants like nitrates are especially hazardous to babies that drink formula milk. It
limits the amount of oxygen in the brain, causing the ‘Blue Baby’ syndrome. It is also
termed infant methemoglobinemia, which is a skin disease where a baby’s skin turns
blue. It happens when babies are fed baby food that is nitrate-rich.
• Another harmful pollutant is ‘lead’, which can get accumulated in the body and can
cause harm to the central nervous system. Arsenic leads to liver damage, vascular
disease and skin cancer. A huge number of fluorides can make teeth yellow and harm
the spinal cord. An increase in the number of pollutants is the root cause of the high
rate of infant mortality.

Source: learnpick.in
Fig 2: Effect of Water pollution on human health
8. Blue Baby syndrome is also termed as infant methemoglobinemia. [True/False]

9. Which of the following makes it difficult for shellfish and coral to survive?
a) Dumping fishing nets
b) Ocean acidification
c) Both a and b
d) Neither a nor b
10. ________ is the insufficiency of oxygen due to filing of sediments in water.
11. In formula milk, _________ pollutant is very harmful as this can adversely affect the
health of infants and cause major brain problems.

4. WATER CONTAMINANTS
“Contaminant” is anything other than water molecules. Contaminants are generally harmful.
It is a harmful unwanted substance (chemical, biological or physical). The following are the
general classification of contaminants:
I. Physical contaminants primarily persuade the physical existence and alternative
physical properties of water. For example, sediment and organic material hung within
the rivers, lakes and streams that turn to soil erosion. The problems associated with
the water pollution due to its physical properties are colour contamination,
corrosiveness (pH), radio nuclides, opacity, and bad odours.
II. Chemical contaminants are compound materials. These can be created by human
beings or occur naturally such as nitrogen, bleach, salts, metals, pesticides and toxic
elements that are generated by bacteria, human and animal dung. Chemical pollutants
like selenium and uranium cause harmful effects in humans through drinking water
like loss of hair, weakened nails and changes in peripheral nerves. Iron, manganese,
fluoride also have extremely harmful effects.
III. Radiological contaminants are chemical elements with inequitable compounds of
protons and neutrons causing the creation of movable atoms which can release
ionizing radiation. Such as cesium, uranium and plutonium. One of the most
hazardous radiological contaminants is radon gas, which enters homes through well
water and emits alpha radiation. Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer, apart
from smoking.
IV. Biological contaminants are considered harmful organisms in the water. They are
also known as microbes or microbiological contaminants. Examples are viruses,
protozoa, parasites and bacteria. The microorganisms present in these pollutants are
responsible for waterborne diseases like typhoid, cholera, fever, polio and hepatitis.
The contamination through these pollutants is mainly due to human and animal
waste.
V. Organic water contaminants include petroleum hydrocarbons comprising
lubricants and fuels, insecticides and herbicides, food processing waste, detergents,
drug pollutants, and chlorinated solvents. More than one atom is linked with atoms
and other elements within the molecular structure to form a new one.

VI. Inorganic water contaminants include ammonia, chemical waste, fertilizers like
nitrates and phosphates, heavy metals and acidity caused by industrial discharges.
Arsenic is a major inorganic component in water pollution that gets mixed with water
through erosion of natural deposits, which causes skin damage, cancer and
circulatory problems.
VII. Macroscopic contaminants include trash, nurdles, shipwrecks. They are huge and
visible. They must be removed to avoid harm to aquatic ecosystems and
contamination due to the breakdown of these materials. Pieces of metal and wood
also come under this. The pollution due to these contaminants is the most
manageable one.
VIII. Thermal contaminants are due to the sudden rise or sharp fall in the temperature
of natural water bodies due to the intervention of humans. A basic cause of thermal
contamination is the use of water as a coolant agent by industries and power plants.
Elevated water temperatures lead to a decrease in oxygen levels which hampers
aquatic life.
IX. Microbial contaminants majorly include faecal coliform bacteria. Turbidity and lack
of clarity is a sign of microbial contamination. These pollutants usually enter the
environment through faecal matter from inappropriately treated sewage, leakage
from septic systems and livestock runoff.

Source: Pinterest
Fig 3: What’s in a Glass of Tap Water?
4.1 Water Quality Parameters

Water quality determines the taste, colour, odour and constituents of water. Not all types of
water can be used for all motives, similar to how seawater can’t be used for drinking. Water
quality determines the suitability of water for various purposes. As water never occurs in
pure form and is a good solvent, it contains some dissolved substances that help determine
its quality by analysing its constituents. Following is the classification of the water quality
parameters:
Water has its own:

1. Physical Properties:
• Temperature: It is necessary for all types of environmental studies. It deals with
man-made interactions in the environment. Groundwater temperature changes not
just in space and time, but also in depth. It ranges from 0 to 100 degrees Celsius. It is
measured by thermometer.
• Colour: The colour of water depends on the suspended particles and organic matter
in it. It appears brownish due to the existence of iron in it. The greenish colour is due
to the presence of organic materials like algae. Colours may be transmitted by
industrial effluents, dye wastes, iron-bearing waters and acid mine waters, etc.

• Odour: Pure water has no odour. When it is mixed with other substances, the odour
is determined by them. Decayed organic materials give a foul smell. Inorganic
materials provide an earthy smell. Certain gases are linked with odour, which may be
physically detrimental to structures by causing corrosion and discolouration of paint.
• Turbidity: It measures the influence of light on the contaminated water caused by
hanged matters. It forms due to the presence of suspended particles from clay, silt
and organic matter and refers to the amount of mud in the water. In simple terms, it
deals with water clarity, which the Secchi Disc measures, and Nephelometer
measures Water Turbidity.
• Electrical Conductivity: It defines the capability of a material to conduct an electrical
current. The water becomes conductive due to the presence of charged ionic species.
It is measured by EC meters, and pure water is relatively less conductive. The
conductivity is directly related to the temperature of the water. Its unit of
measurement is mhos/cm at standard temperatures.
2. Chemical Composition:
• pH: It is the effective concentration of hydrogen ions in water. It is measured by pH
meters. It ranges from 0 to 14. If it’s less than 7, the water is acidic in nature and if it’s
more than 7, that means the water is alkaline in nature. The neutral value is 7. A high
or a low pH can erase fish, causing infertility in the aquatic organisms.
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): It refers to the concentration of non-volatile
substances present in the molecular or colloidal state. The total of all ions present in
water is represented in ppm or mg/L. It rises due to the process of dissolution of more
mineral materials by water. It indicates the suitability of water for human use and
consumption.
• Major ions: It is majorly bicarbonate, magnesium, sulphate, sodium and chloride.
Positively charged ions are said to be cations, while negatively charged ions are
anions. Major cations in water are calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium. Major
anions in water are bicarbonate, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, phosphate and carbonate.
• Minor or trace elements: It includes some common elements such as fluorides,
potassium, boron, aluminium, arsenic, barium, tin, and nickel. They play a vital role in
the use of water and are crucial elements for health and growth. Some are toxic and

harmful to health. Insufficiency or excess intake of some of these elements can lead
to critical health problems.
• Hardness: All types of natural water bodies have some degree of hardness due to
their calcium and magnesium content. Hardness of water is defined by its content of
metallic ions which interact with sodium soaps to generate a residue. It is expressed
as Calcium and Magnesium in ppm (parts per million). .
• Salinity: It is the relative immersion of salts, like sodium chloride in water expressed
as mg/L of chloride or the magnitude of mixed mineral materials in water due to the
existence of sodium and chloride. Seawater contains 35,000 ppm or mg/L of
dissolved salts.
• Alkalinity: Acidity or alkalinity is calculated by titration to a particular pH. The
titrations indicate the amount of neutralizing material that can formerly exist in the
receiving water body. It is the combination of Bicarbonates and Carbonates with
calcium ions. Carbonates will be visible in the water when the pH of water is more
than 8.2.
3. Biological Properties:
STUDY NOTE
• Dissolved Oxygen (DO): It is connected to the
According to CPCB (Central
solubility of air in the water at 0 deg. C. The DO Pollution Control Board)
assessment, the important
saturation levels rely on the temperature. With the rise stretches of pollution are in
rivers, among which Mithi
in temperature, the solubility of oxygen in water River is the worst. Mithi
River-from Powai to
decreases. Surface water bodies must have sufficient Dharavi-has a BOD
(Biochemical Oxygen
DO. If DO depletes, the survival of various aquatic Demand) of 250 mg/l.
animals would be in danger.
• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): The vital contamination effect of organic
wastes in water bodies is their utilization of DO under the effect of living organisms.
BOD calculates the rate and the amount of reduced oxygen. It is determined by
incubating a water sample and calculating the fall in dissolved oxygen as bacteria
decomposes these materials. Higher the BOD, the worse the water body.
• Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD): Organic matter in polluted water can be assessed
in a few hours by the chemical oxygen demand or COD test. It evaluates organic
matter and some specific types of organic compounds in polluted water. The chemical
oxidation of water determines it with dichromate.

• Microorganisms-Bacterial counts: It totals the number of microorganisms and

bacteria present in the water. It is very important to count them to ensure that they
are in the required amount and any excess should be removed immediately to
maintain water purity. There are two types of bacteria- aerobic (involved in metabolic
changes through dissolved oxygen) and anaerobic (use chemically bound oxygen for
changes). Anaerobic bacteria use sulphate, nitrate and phosphate pollutants.
Activity 1
Nowadays, every municipal corporation is engaging in water-harvesting techniques to
increase the availability of water. Try to find what different types of water-harvesting
techniques are used by the municipal cooperation of your locality and of four other
nearby localities. Try to know the exact manner in which each technique treats and
preserves water.
12. Total numbers of water contaminants are of _______ forms.

13. Water contaminants are categorized as chemical, biological and physical.
[True/False]
14. Which of the following is the most common microbial water contaminant?
a) Klebsiella pneumoniae
b) Mycobaterium tuberculosis
c) Mycobaterium leprae
d) Faecal coliform
15. Chemical pollutants are chemical elements with an inequitable number of
protons and neutrons causing creation of movable atom that has ionizing
radiation. [True/False]
16. ___________ contaminants majorly include fecal coliform bacteria.

17. Which of the following is NOT a Physical Properties of water?

a) Temperature
b) pH
c) Odour
d) All of the above
18. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is determined by chemical oxidation of water
with dichromate. [True/False]
5. MONITORING AND TREATMENT OF WASTEWATER

Stages of wastewater treatment:
Most prominently, there are three steps in the wastewater treatment process: primary,
secondary and tertiary water treatment. Each of these stages offers various facilities,
resulting in water treatment. This will help in generating clean water the process goes
through 3 stages. Various kinds of treatment stages are processed that will depend on the
original quality of water and its final use.
Source: tutorialstipscivil.com
Fig 4: Stages of Wastewater Treatment Process

I. Primary Wastewater Treatment: In the very first stage, wastewater is temporarily

held in a settling tank where solid particles settle down on the bottom of the vessel
while semi-solid particles float on the surface. After settling down solid particles,
these substances are extracted while the rest wastewater is taken for the secondary
stage of treatment. These large tanks are designed with mechanical scrapers that
collect waste in the tank's base.
II. Secondary Wastewater treatment: It works on an advanced level than the primary
stage and is formed to degrade the biological elements of the waste water through
aerobic (in the presence of dissolved oxygen) biological processes. It involves the
conversion of solid suspended substances into gases without any artificial treatment.
It is performed in three ways:
• Biofiltration: It is performed by sand filters, contact filters and trickling filters to
ensure that each and every particle is extracted from the wastewater. Bacteria are
used to break down and gather unwanted pollutants. It is useful for small organic
compounds such as sugars, alcohols and aliphatic compounds.
• Aeration: It is a time-consuming process that tries to raise the oxygen saturation
level by pumping air into wastewater. This process can take 30 hours. However, it is
highly effective. It the least costly way of oxidation. Some industrial wastes can be
properly treated by aeration alone.
• Oxidation ponds: It is generally applied in hot climates. It utilizes natural water
bodies like lagoons. They treat wastewater by linking sunlight, algae and bacteria.
Effectively, doing secondary wastewater treatment is extremely important as it
makes the water safer and reduces the contamination level to safer levels.
III. Tertiary Wastewater treatment: In case water is consumed by municipalities, it

also removes pathogens to make the water safe for drinking purposes. It also removes
dissolved substances like colour, metals, chemicals and nutrients like nitrogen and
phosphorus. Different physical, biological and chemical treatment processes are used for
tertiary treatment. The main tertiary processes are:
• Effluent polishing: It removes additional suspended solids using granular media
filters to purify the water. Effluent polishing of wastewater is accomplished using
micro strainers to address municipal water supplies.

• Land treatment: It is the systematic treatment of wastewater to ground to facilitate

clean-up of elements in the wastewater is known as land treatment. There are three
basic procedures of land treatments: slow-rate, rapid infiltration, and overland flow.
In slow-rate/irrigation method, effluent is implemented on the land by ridge-and-
furrow spreading or by sprinkler methods. In a rapid method, wastewater is stored
in large vessels known as recharge basins. In overland flow, wastewater is sprayed
out on an inclined vegetated terrace and gradually flows to the dish.
The wastewater treatment process begins with removing contaminants from wastewater,
which is then changed into a discharge cycle that can be transferred to the water cycle with
minimal environmental impact or can be reused for multiple purposes.. This wastewater
treatment procedure is referred to as a Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) or a
Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).
Types of treatment plants:

I. Sewage treatment plants: A sewage treatment plant includes initial treatment to
bifurcate solid materials; secondary treatment to dissolve and suspend organic
materials, nitrogen, phosphorus and pathogenic bacteria. Sewage treatment is
required for separating the waste that was extracted from the sewers. Sewage
treatment plants are somewhere described as wastewater treatment plant.
Source: manvsdevelopment.com
Fig 5: Sewage Treatment Plant

Source: openpr.com
Fig 6: Agricultural Wastewater Treatment Plant
II. Agricultural wastewater treatment plants: It is done using mechanised treatment

units such as in the case of industrial wastewater. In agricultural wastewater
treatment, the main focus is to remove the waste that occurs due to overflow of water
from farms, or surface irrigation. Many farms produce a non-point source of pollution
from a surface that overflows in water and creates several problems. In agricultural
waste treatment, farmers also try to implement erosion control measures and engage
in nutrient management plans to produce less waste from the agricultural activities.
III. Industrial wastewater treatment plants: The extraction of harmful substances
from an industrial wastewater treatment plant is supposed to be a costly and crucial
issue. Almost all petroleum refineries, chemical and petrochemical plants have
various facilities to do the treatment of their wastewater according to the legal laws.
Constructed wetlands are majorly used as they give effective on-site treatment and
great quality. Industrial processes like pulp and paper production also generate a lot
of waste, which is a point of great environmental concern. To solve this, several new
processes have been invented to process water used in plants before their disposal.

Source: cleantechwater.co.in
Fig 7: Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant
IV. Leachate treatment plants: Such type of treatment plants are used to extract
leachate from landfills. The treatment can be biological, mechanical, treatment with
active carbon filters, electrochemical treatment. In mechanical treatment,
ultrafiltration is done.
Source: researchgate.net
Fig 8: Leachate Wastewater Treatment Plant
5.1 Control Measures for Water Pollution

Due to water pollution, water bodies are harmed and also water resources convert into
waste. Prevention of water pollution and conservation of water resources is extremely
important to ensure an abundance of safe water for ourselves and future generations.

Reducing pollution is inevitable for the good health of humans and the environment.
Following are the various ways in which water pollution can be controlled:
1. The most prominent way of controlling water pollution is prevention, and minimization
of gathering of pollutants into water bodies.
2. The Indian government has implemented the Water Prevention and Control of
Pollution Act, in 1972. to restrict all types of water pollution in the country.
3. Each individual should show concern towards water quality and avoid polluting water.
Reusing, reducing and recycling should be done by every individual wherever possible.
4. Industries should do treatment of hazardous outputs before they pour them into water
bodies. They should reduce the level of water pollution through chemical processes like
coagulation, reverse osmosis and ion exchange method, etc.
5. At regular intervals, the monitoring of wastewater should be conducted.
6. There should be a setup of a well-structured effluent and sewage treatment plant.
7. Effective drain line maintenance should be done at every level in the country. There
should be no leakage in the drainage pipeline.
8. Both the government and the people of the nation should plant more trees around
water bodies as they will naturally help them incorporate and recycle the pollutants.
9. Natural pesticides and fertilizers should be used in place of chemical ones as they are
organic and safe for plants and water bodies.
10. Special plants like the Water Hyacinth must be grown in areas which are more likely to
have water pollutants. It will decrease the negative effects to a greater extent. This plant
absorbs dissolved toxic substances such as cadmium and mercury from water bodies.
11. A comprehensive water management plan should be developed for every affected or
prone-to-be-affected region, stating goals to achieve within a stipulated time.
12. Construction of proper storm drain and settling ponds STUDY NOTE
should be done to reduce the chances of water
India is taking productive steps in
clogging and harming aquatic life. rebalancing the quality of its
water source. Gujarat government
13. Rainwater harvesting structures should be built at launched new platform as the
Reuse of Treated Waste Water
both household and official levels to ensure zero Policy, which aims to downsize
the use of the Narmada River.
water wastage.

14. People should be aware of the harmful effects of water pollution and should be against
dumping wastes into freshwater. The people who dump wastes should be punished
through fines.
15. Throwing of paint and petroleum products into toilets and sinks should be highly
penalized as they cannot be treated and adversely affect the water bodies.
16. Avoidance of oil spills in the ocean should be done.
17. Landfills (the disposal of waste by burying it) should be undertaken as gases generated
in the landfill can be used for the generation of electricity.
18. Bioremediation should be done. It is a waste management technique. It involves the use
of organisms to neutralize or separate pollutants from contaminated sites. The
organisms break down the harmful substances into less toxic or non-toxic substances.
19. Rivers should not be used for washing clothes or bathing animals in them. Strict
surveillance should be made on rivers, ponds and lakes.
20. Lastly, everyone should try to minimize the consumption of water and reuse water
whenever it is possible to decrease the level of pollution.
Activity 2
Study about the sewage route in your home, school and locality. Make a line diagram of
the sewage route. Go through the streets and do a survey of your locality to find the
number of manholes. Follow an open drain and find out where it terminates and which
type of organisms are found in and around it. If there is not a proper sewage system in
your locality, try to find out how the sewage is disposed of.

19. Tertiary wastewater treatment stage is done to downsize the biological

components of the waste through aerobic biological processes. [True/False]
20. _______ are used majorly in industrial wastewater treatment plants as they
provide great quality.
21. Which process is performed to remove additional suspended solids using
granular media filters to purify the water?
a) Effluent polishing
b) Land treatment
c) Removal of nutrients
22. The most prominent way of controlling water pollution is prevention and
minimisation of gathering of pollutants in water bodies. [True/False]
Overview of
Water
Pollution
Meaning of
Water Monitoring and
Pollution Treatment of
Wastewater
Water
Effects on Contaminants
the
Environmen Control
t and Human Measures
Health
Water
Quality
Point & Non- Parameters
point Sources of
Water Pollution

6. SUMMARY
• Water pollution is referred to as the existence of harmful chemicals and biological
components that is mixed with freshwater.
• Primarily, two sources of Water Pollution exist i.e., Point and Non-point sources. Point
sources include groundwater and surface water while non-point includes urban,
agricultural, and forestry land use and marinas and boating operations.
• The effects of water pollution are Eutrophication, Contamination of waterways, Threat
to aquatic and human life, Ocean Acidification.
• The types of water contaminants are Physical, Chemical, Radiological, Biological,
Organic, Inorganic, Macroscopic, Thermal and Microbial Contaminants.
• The water quality parameters are: Physical Properties, Chemical Composition and
Biological Properties.
• Practically, three stages of wastewater treatment persist, i.e., primary, secondary and
tertiary.
• The types of treatment plants are Sewage, Industrial, Agricultural and Leachate
wastewater treatment plants.
7. GLOSSARY
Ecosystem: It is a community of living organisms that live together and interconnect with
each other in a particular environment. It shows the interrelatedness and interdependence
of organisms.
Effluent: It is a liquid waste, specifically chemicals released by a factory. It is the useless
material discharged by the various industries and factories.
Electrocoagulation: It is an electrical process of weakening hanged, dissolved pollutants in
an aqueous medium to purify water.
Eutrophication: The process of gradually filling in a water body with sediments and organic
matters, which lowers oxygen level.
Lagoon: It is a shallow water body separated from a bigger water body through reefs and
barrier islands,. It is an isolated part of a large water body.

Titration: It is a process of calculating the amount of a substance X by adding a measured

supplement of substance Y, with which it reacts until the required chemical equation is
attained. The attained equation is the equivalence point.
Secchi Disc: It is an opaque disc, generally white, that is used to measure the transparency
of water by calculating the depth-called the Secchi depth-at which the disc stops to be visible
from the surface.
Sludge: It is a half-solid slurry that is generated through various natural and man-made
processes.
Volatile: It is something that can be effortlessly transformed into gas. It can change shape
easily.
8. CASE STUDY
MINAMATA DISEASE
Minamata is a type of disease which is also termed as Chisso-Minamata disease. It is a
neurological disorder that is caused by severe mercury poisoning.
Its symptoms include the following:

• ataxia
• numbness in the hands and feet
• general muscle weakness
• narrowing of the field of vision and
• damage to hearing and speech
In most cases, insanity, paralysis, coma, and ultimately deaths are caused within a few weeks
of the explosion of symptoms in the human body. The chronic form can also harm the
embryo in a pregnant woman’s womb. This rare disease was first discovered in Minamata
city in Japan in 1956 and spread everywhere in local boundaries. It was caused by the
reaction of methyl mercury in the wastewater or sewage from the Chisso Corporation’s
chemical factory, which prevailed from1932 to1968.
After several deaths of cats, dogs, pigs and human beings that continued for 36 years, the
state and central government, i.e., Chisso and Kumamoto government itself, started working
on it to prevent pollution. It was named as having “dancing cat fever” because the animals

were severely affected, particularly cats. The government installed various wastewater
treatment plants near the factories, so that the waste could be easily managed and also
prevented overflow in other rivers, lakes or water streams. The drainage system of
industries were shifted from Minamata river to Hyakken Harbour. After installation,
government tested the quality of water, which they found the as better and safe.
Source: Article from Times of India newspaper

Q1. How does water pollution result in the generation of Minamata disease?
Q2. Having gone though the case, please suggest how industries can prevent water pollution
and such diseases like Minamata that affected several lives.
Q1. What are the two sources of water pollution?
Q2. State any two effects of water pollution.
Q3. Name any two types of water contaminants.
Q4. Which are the parameters that help determine quality of water?
Q5. Give a brief description of wastewater treatment.
Q1. What do you mean by Water Pollution? Explain the two sources of water pollution.
Q2. What are the drastic effects of Water Pollution on the environment as well as on human
health?
Q3. Explain any four types of contaminants.
Q4. State and explain the types of water treatment plants.
Q5. List ten ways in which water pollution can be controlled.
9.1 Answers
SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
1. Chemical & Biological
2. True
3. Human & Aquatic
4. Point source pollution

5. True
6. d. All of the above
7. False
8. True
9. B. Ocean acidification
10. Eutrophication
11. Nitrates
12. 9
13. True
14. D. Faecal coliform
15. False
16. Microbial Contaminants
17. B. pH
18. True
19. False
20. Construction wetlands
21. A. Effluent polishing
22. True
TERMINAL QUESTIONS:
Answer 1: The two sources of water pollution are the point and non-point sources of
pollution. Pollution that arises from a common, recognizable source, like a drainpipe from a
sewage plant, vessel or factory, is commonly termed as point-source pollution. Pollution
through non-point sources doesn’t have a sole and identifiable source.
Answer 2: The Two effects of water pollution are Ocean acidification and an increase in
diseases like Blue baby syndrome. Ocean acidification makes it difficult for shellfish and coral
to survive. It refers to the never-ending decrease in the pH value of the Earth’s oceans that is
caused by the intake of carbon dioxide from the environment. Pollutants like nitrates are
especially hazardous to babies that drink formula milk. It limits the amount of oxygen in the
brain, causing the ‘Blue Baby’ syndrome.

Answer 3: The two types of contaminants are Physical and Biological contaminants. Physical
contaminants primarily influence the physical form and alternative physical properties of
water. Biological contaminants are harmful organisms in the water. It is also known as
microbes or microbiological contaminants such as viruses, protozoa, parasites and bacteria.
Answer 4: The water quality can be determined through taste, colour, odour and by
identifying constituents of water. The quality of water is equally important as the quantity.
As water never occurs in pure form and is a good solvent, it contains some dissolved
substances which help in determining its quality by being its constituents.
Answer 5: The procedure of wastewater treatment commences with the removal of various
pollutants from water, which is then changed into a discharge cycle that can be returned to
the water cycle with minimal environmental impact or reused for other purposes. This
wastewater treatment procedure is referred to as a Water Resource Recovery Facility
(WRRF) or a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).

Answer 1: Water pollution is referred to as the existence of harmful chemicals and biological
components that are mixed with freshwater.
• Point Sources: Pollution arising from a sole, recognizable source, like a drainpipe from
a sewage plant, tunnel, well, vessel or factory, is known as point-source pollution. These
pollutants in groundwater and surface water are generally found on the top with the
highest group of the pollutant nearest to the origin and a declining group far away from
the origin.
• Non-point Sources: Pollution through non-point sources doesn’t have a sole and
identifiable source. Pollution through these pollutants occurs as water shifts across the
land or through the ground and carries natural and man-made pollutants, which can
then get deposited in rivers, coastal waters, wetlands, lakes and also groundwater.
Answer 2: The effects of water pollution on the environment and human health are:
• A healthy ecosystem consists of a bunch of flora, bacteria, fungi, and fauna, all
interacting directly or indirectly. Any problem to any of the above organisms can
develop a chain effect that affects the aquatic environment.

• Marine ecosystems are also included in the danger zone by the segregation of marine
waste that can choke, starve, and restrain animals.
• Ocean acidification turns out to be more difficult for shellfish and corals to survive
under water.
Answer 3: The four contaminants of water are:

I. Organic water contaminants include petroleum hydrocarbons comprising
lubricants and fuels, insecticides and herbicides, food processing waste, detergents,
drug pollutants, and chlorinated solvents. More than one carbon atom is linked with
atoms and other elements within the molecular structure to form a new one.
II. Inorganic water contaminants include ammonia, chemical waste, fertilizers like
nitrates and phosphates, heavy metals and acidity caused by industrial discharges.
III. Macroscopic contaminants include trash, nurdles, and shipwrecks. They are huge
and visible. They must be removed to avoid harm to aquatic ecosystems and
contamination due to the breakdown of these materials.
IV. Thermal contaminants are due to the sudden rise or sharp fall in the temperature
of natural water bodies due to the intervention of humans. A basic cause of thermal
contamination is water use as a coolant agent by industries and power plants.
Answer 4: Types of treatment plants:

• Sewage treatment plants: A sewage treatment plant includes initial treatment to
bifurcate solid materials; secondary treatment to dissolve and suspend organic
materials, nitrogen, phosphorus and pathogenic bacteria.
• Agricultural wastewater treatment plants: It is done using mechanized treatment
units like in the case of industrial wastewater to perform continuous animal tasks like
egg and milk production in the plants.
• Leachate treatment plants: Such types of treatment plants are used to extract
leachate from landfills. The treatment can be biological, mechanical, and
electrochemical treatment with active carbon filters.
Answer 5: Following are the various ways in which water pollution can be controlled:
1. The most prominent way of controlling water pollution is prevention and minimization
of gathering of pollutants into water bodies.

2. Each individual should show concern towards water quality and avoid polluting water.
Reusing, reducing and recycling should be done by every individual wherever possible.
3. Industries should do treatment of hazardous outputs before they pour them into water
bodies. They should reduce the level of water pollution through chemical processes like
coagulation, reverse osmosis, ion exchange method, etc.
4. At regular intervals, the monitoring of wastewater should be conducted.
10. SUGGESTED BOOKS AND E-REFERENCES:

BOOKS:
▪ C.A. Brebbia, Water Pollution (2014), WIT Press Publishers

▪ Pardeep Singh, Arif Ahamad, Contamination of Water: Health Risk Assessment and
Treatment Strategies, (2021) Elsevier Science Publishers
▪ P.K. Goel, Water Pollution: Causes, Effects and Control, (2006), New Age Publishers
E-REFERENCES:
• Water Contaminants, viewed on 28 February 2021, <https://www.epa.gov/ccl/types-
drinking-water-contaminants >
• Water Contaminants and their treatment, viewed on 28 February 2021,
<https://www.fluencecorp.com/water-contaminants-and-their-treatment/>
• Water Quality Parameters, viewed on 28 February 2021,
<https://www.slideshare.net/bala1957/water-quality-parameters>
• Stages of Wastewater Treatment, viewed on 28 February 2021,
<https://www.arviatechnology.com/what-are-the-three-stages-of-wastewater-
treatment/>
• Water Pollution, viewed on 28 February 2021,
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_pollution>
• Sources of Pollution, viewed on 28 February 2021,
<http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Po-Re/Pollution-Sources-Point-and-
Nonpoint.html#:~:text=Pollution%20originating%20from%20a%20single,is%20call
ed%20nonpoint%2Dsource%20pollution >

ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 10: Air Pollution 1

Unit 10
Air Pollution
Table of Contents
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction
3-4
2 Meaning and Definition of Air Pollution 1 5-7
3 Sources of Air Pollution 1 2 8-10
4 Effects of Air Pollution 2 3 10-13
5 Pollutants 3 4 14-15
6 Air Quality Parameters and Air Quality Index 1 5 16-18
7 Methods for control of Air Pollution 6, I 18-19
8 Ill-effects of Fireworks 4, 5 7, II 20-23
9 Summary 24-25
10 Glossary 25
11 Case study 26-27
27-31
12.1 Answers

1. INTRODUCTION
In the previous chapter, we studied water pollution. We talked about various concepts of
water pollution; as we know, different environmental pollution types exist. In this chapter
we will study Air pollution-its meaning, sources, effects and many more topics in-depth in
the upcoming section. Air pollution is another category of pollution which is very dangerous
for the environment. Air pollution is pollution that harms the environment and ejects
harmful gases, among other things.
Air Pollution alludes to the condition where the presence of harmful substances in the air,
produced by different human activities and natural calamities like volcanic ejections, brings
about harmful impacts on the environment. As expressed here, this is an intense issue that
is hard to treat because of the idea of airborne particles.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), outside air STUDY NOTE
contamination is arranged into four principal classes: In 2016, there was study
conducted by the
particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. Department of Transport,
which confirmed that most
Also, air contamination is additionally isolated into essential of the pollution is created by
diesel cars on road as
and optional poisons. Essential contaminations are delivered compared to other vehicles.
To stop this thing,
directly into the air from a source, where optional poisons Government is therefore
promoting E-vehicles to stop
happen because of complex compound reactions occurring this pollution.
from two toxins reacting with one another (Kibble and
Harrison 2005).
Highlights of Air Pollution:

• Cardiovascular illnesses including stroke, respiratory sicknesses and malignant
growths have also been ascribed to air contamination.
• These realities demonstrate that air contamination is presently the world's biggest
single natural health hazard.
Air pollution alludes to the arrival of poisons into the air impeding human well-being and
the planet. Air pollution affects the general population by causing health hazards and also
birth defects. According to World Health Organisation reports, more than 85% of the
population in India lives in places where the air pollution is high and air quality standards

are not upto the mark of WHO guidelines, which means AQI is above the desired level set by
WHO. The reason behind high AQI is coal-fired power stations, burning of fossil fuels,
chemical industries, and automobile industries among the top polluters.
In this chapter, we will examine the sources of air pollution. i.e., where it generates from and
its effects on human health and the environment. We will also learn about the primary and
secondary pollutants, also the air quality parameters and AQI (Air Quality Index) and the
measures to control the increasing air pollution in the environment.

❖ Explain the meaning of Air pollution and sources of Air Pollution

❖ Describe the Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health and Environment
❖ Explain the concept of Primary and Secondary Pollutants
❖ Describe the Air Quality Parameter and Index
❖ Explain the methods to Control Air Pollution
❖ Describe Ill effects of Fireworks

2. MEANING AND DEFINITION OF AIR POLLUTION

When particles suspended in the air are combined with the gases, it is known as air pollution.
Particles may be suspended as a result of vehicle discharges, gases from production units,
burning fuels, dust, and mold spores. Ozone gas which also forms a protective layer against
UV rays, is a substantial source of air pollution.
STUDY NOTE
It is the presence of substances in the air that are destructive Youngsters living close to
contaminated zones are more
to the soundness of health people and other living creatures, inclined to pneumonia and
asthma. Numerous individuals
or cause harm to the environment or materials. There are pass on consistently because of
the immediate or aberrant
various kinds of air poisons, like gases (such as, carbon impacts of air contamination.
monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxides, methane and

chlorofluorocarbons), particulates (both natural and inorganic), and organic particles.
Air contamination may cause infections, sensitivities and other problems to humans and the
environment. It might hurt other living and non-living things in the environment. For
example, food crops, animals, plants, humans and climate. Both human action and natural
calamities can create air contamination.
A. Negative impact of Air pollution

• It is a critical danger factor for various contamination-related sicknesses, including
respiratory diseases, coronary illness, Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disorder
(COPD), stroke and cellular breakdown in the lungs.
• The sweeping impacts of low air quality on human well-being majorly influence the
body’s respiratory and cardiovascular frameworks. Singular responses to air poisons
rely upon the kind of contamination an individual is presented to, the level of
exposure, and the person’s well-being status and hereditary qualities.
• Indoor air contamination and poor metropolitan air quality are recorded as two of
the world’s most exceedingly terrible harmful contamination issues in the 2008
Blacksmith Institute World’s Worst Polluted Places report.
• According to WHO reports, Ambient (outdoor air pollution) in both cities and rural
areas was estimated to cause 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2016. WHO
also stated, “Approx. 7 million people lose their lives due to air pollution, as it causes

serious health problems like heart failure, breathing problem, lung cancer, and many
other problems.
• Due to the high death rate because of air pollution, the Institute of Health Metrics and
Evaluation and World Bank estimated the total cost they lost in welfare losses is
approx. US$5 trillion. Different pollution control advances and systems are accessible
to decrease air contamination.
B. Types of Air pollution
• Particulate Matter: It is the combination of two
STUDY NOTE
particles that are in the form of solids and liquids
Chemical reactions, agricultural
which includes sulphate, nitrates, carbon, complex activities, and transportation
are the primary sources of air
chemicals, and water suspended in the air. These contamination. The clustering
of certain toxins can be reduced
generally vary in size as we can see with the naked only by dispersion, or
breakdown whenever they are
eye; this can be in the form of dust, soot, smoke or dirt. released into the environment.
• Nitrogen dioxide: This is gas which comes from man-

made sources such as vehicles, heating plants, and power stations. Diesel vehicles are
responsible for emitting these gases.
• Sulphur dioxide: This is a colourless gas that cannot be seen and has a very
suffocating smell. This originates from burning oil and coal. The major source of
Sulphur dioxide gas is industries, which mostly burn fossil fuels.

1. When particles suspended in the air are combined with the gases it is known
as _______.
2. Air Pollution majorly affects the respiratory and cardiovascular framework.
[True/False]
3. Sulphate and nitrates are among the particles that make up nitrogen dioxide,
which comes in the form of different substances. [True/False]
4. Which of the following result in emission of Nitrogen dioxide?
a) Heating plants
b) Power stations
c) None of the above
d) Both A and B
5. Sulphur dioxide is one of the gases that causes air pollution; the colour of
sulphur dioxide is:
a) Black
b) Brown
c) Colourless
d) Smoky grey

3. SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION

Sources of air pollution refer to means by which air pollution is caused. These sources can
be natural or even man-made. Some of these sources are:
A. Toxic gases
B. Vehicular pollution
C. Industrial setups
D. Wood or other substances burning
Pollutants in the air can be released directly into the environment through basic flows or can
take shape as a result of compounding interaction with changing environment. According to
WHO statistics from 2016, India is among top 5 polluted countries where more than 10 cities
have highest pollution.
Toxic emissions cause air contamination; however, a decline in toxic outflows do not always
result in equal reductions in pollutants. There are astounding connections between air
contamination outflows and air quality. Chemical variations, unusual changes in the
environment, exploitation of resources and global obligations, the effect of climate and
geography, are some examples of reasons that cause toxic emissions. Critical cuts in
emanations are fundamental for improving air quality.
Air poisons are transmitted from a scope of both man-made and common sources, including:
• Consuming of non-renewable energy sources in power age, transport, industry and
families
• In mining industries, the physical and mechanical activities take place in which they use
insoluble chemicals, materials that mix with air
• Farming and waste treatment
• Characteristic sources include volcanic ejections, windblown residue, ocean salt
shower, and outflows of unstable natural mixtures from plants.
There are four principal sources of air pollution:

1. Portable or mobile sources: These are sources that can move from one place to
another. Portable sources generally consist of vehicles, transports, planes, trucks, etc.

These sources create air pollution while running on fuels leading to carbon monoxide
being released into the air.
2. Fixed or stationary sources: These sources are those that remain stationary at one
location like power plants, petroleum processing plants, mechanical offices, and
industrial facilities. These are some of the major sources of air pollution all around the
world. The government usually mandates these plants to carry out different measures
to filter the gases before exposing them to the air.
3. Zone or area sources: These sources are usually those which are specific to a certain
region in the country like farming territories, urban areas, and wood-consuming
chimneys.
4. Common or natural sources: These are the sources over which there is no control of
humankind and are natural phenomena like the wind-blown residue, fierce blazes, and
volcanoes
Source- nps.gov
Fig 1: Sources of Air Pollution

7. When _______ sources of air pollution run on fuel, carbon monoxide is

discharged into the atmosphere, causing pollution which negatively affect the
living beings.. Volcanic eruptions are an example of zone source of Air
Pollution. [True/False]
8. The fixed sources of air pollution pollute more than one region [True/False]
9. Which of the group is example of zone source of air pollution?
a) Car, plane, truck
b) Power plant, car, industrial unit
c) Volcanic eruption, wind-blown
d) Wood consuming chimneys, farming territories
10. Which of the sources of air pollution remain constant at a particular location?
a) Mobile sources
b) Natural sources
c) Stationary sources
d) Area sources
4. EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

The steady contamination of the air has extremely negative impacts on nature and human
well-being. Those long haul and medium-term impacts have become issues that are hard to
address. All of those significant impacts can increment if their causes are not quickly
followed. The vast majority of them result from excessive contaminating and uncontrolled
mechanical activity. Companies around the globe must oversee, treat and control the toxins
they radiate into the environment. The negative effects of air pollutants and toxins has a poor
impact on human health and environment..
A. EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

• A dangerous atmospheric deviation (GLOBAL WARMING): A dangerous
atmospheric deviation is perhaps the most stressful impact for researchers and
preservationists. A worldwide temperature alteration is an immediate result of the
primary influence, which is delivered by the high outflow of CO2 and methane into
the air. A major amount of these pollutants comes from the manufacturing industry.
Manufacturing plants can either stop or prevent this by limiting activities, or the
government can impose restrictions and penalties on the businesses.

• Environmental Change: Environmental Change is another result of a dangerous

atmospheric deviation. At the point when the temperature of the planet rises, there is
an aggravation in the standard climatic cycles, quickening the progressions of these
cycles in an apparent manner.
• Acid Rain: The gases released by enterprises, power plants, boilers, warming and
transport are exceptionally poisonous. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides
(NOx) are released into the atmosphere due to the consumption of petroleum
products such as generators and cars.
• Smoking Fog (SMOG) Effect: The smoke occurs
STUDY NOTE
when a dull haze is present over the urban areas and
Contaminations can be regular,
fields. That mist is a heap of toxins and can be of 2 like volcanic debris. They can
likewise be made by human
sorts: sulfurous exhaust cloud and photochemical action, for example, refuse or
spill over created by production
brown haze, both hazardous and hurtful to well- lines. Contaminations harm the
nature of air, water, and land.
being. The two sorts of brown haze are a result of the
modern and metropolitan activity. In any case, the sulfurous brown haze has its root
fundamentally in the utilization of coal in numerous mechanical cycles. That has been
decreased in the most exceptional nations – in any case, there are as yet many non-
industrial nations that don't have treatment conventions for toxins.
• Deterioration of fields: Corrosive downpour, environmental change and exhaust
cloud affect the Earth’s surface. Contaminated water and gases permeate the land,
altering the composition of the soils. This directly affects agricultural activities,
changing production cycles, and the food chain hierarchy.

Source- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_rain
Fig 2: Effect of Air pollution- Acid Rain
B. EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH

Both, healthy and unhealthy people can suffer from the negative effects of polluted air, such
as respiratory discomfort or breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. The
actual risk of negative consequences is determined by the current health status, the
surroundings, toxin kind and intensity, and the duration of time an individual is exposed to
contaminated air.
Air pollution can have various serious impacts on human health, which may lead to death.
Certain air contaminants fall out of the air and end up falling in our meals, drinks, and soils,
such as mercury in fish. Climate change and air pollution are somehow linked with each
other, which also affects human health. Climate change occurs due to burning trees, fossil
fuels and so on, which directly affect the surroundings and create various health issues.
High air pollution levels can cause prompt medical conditions including:
• Disturbed cardiovascular and respiratory ailment
• Added pressure to the heart and lungs, which work towards supplying oxygen to
different organs of the body.
• Affected cells in the respiratory framework
Long haul exposure to polluted air can have lasting well-being impacts such as:
• Early-onset of maturing of the lungs
• Limitation of the functioning of lung capacity

• The onset of infections like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and perhaps malignant
growth
• Life expectancy has been shortened
11. Air pollution has adverse effect on human health which causes certain
diseases and on environment which causes problem to living and non-living
things. [True/False]
12. The gases released by enterprises, power plants, boilers, warming and
transport are ________.
13. Which kind of problem to human health can be caused by the Air
contamination?
a) Respiratory or breathing problems
b) Infection
c) Lungs problem
d) All of the above
14. When the temperature of the planet rises, there is ______ in the standard
climatic cycles.
a) Aggravation
b) No effect
c) Less serious

5. POLLUTANTS
Pollutants are the components, atoms and particles associated with pollution. It can affect
humans when exposed to these materials, and their impacts on plants are notable. Poisons
can be brought into the climate from multiple sources which can be natural, and by people.
Understanding what these toxins do when exposed to air, soil or water supply is subject to
the kind of toxin, but it is still valuable to describe them. Primary contaminations are
discharged into the climate, while there are other toxins which are caused due to several
other reasons, such as some of the human activities can also affect the environment.
Source- nptl.ac.in
Fig 3: Primary And Secondary Pollutants
Numerous contaminations are abruptly brought into the climate, and major well-being
impacts are found in various sums. Various sorts of poisons include nitrogen and sulfur
oxides, ground-level ozone, among others.
• Primary Pollutants: Primary pollutants are any contamination exposed directly to the
climate. The primary pollutants can be transmitted from numerous sources, including
vehicles, coal-terminated force plants, gaseous petrol power plants, biomass
consumption, normal backwoods fires, volcanoes, and others. Instances of essential
contaminations incorporate sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen
oxides (NOX), and particulate matter (PM).
• Secondary Pollutants: Secondary pollutants are poisons that form in the air. These
toxins are not transmitted straightforwardly from a source (like vehicles or force
plants). All things being equal, they form because of the toxins transmitted from these

sources reacting with particles in the climate. Instances of optional contaminations

incorporate photochemical oxidants (ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide) and
auxiliary particulate matter.
15. Nitrogen & Sulphur are examples of __________ pollutants.

16. Pollutants are classified as _______ & _________ category.
17. Secondary pollutants are known as of what type those structures in the air?
a) Non-pollutants
b) Poisons
c) Both A and B

6. AIR QUALITY PARAMETER AND AIR QUALITY INDEX

There are various parameters that are considered before determining air quality. These
include:
• Particulate matter has two different levels: This refers to the amount of particulate
matter present in the air in terms of parts per million.
• Photochemical oxidants: These are oxygen compounds such as ozone which might
protect us from the harmful UV rays but also affect the human respiratory system if
inhaled in large quantities.
• Carbon monoxide: Carbon monoxide is majorly produced by vehicles as emissions
when fuel is burned.
• Sulfur oxides: Majorly produced by industries as a by-product of the processes carried
out in their plants. Although as per government guidelines, these gases have to be
filtered before releasing into the air, but certain industries do not follow these.
• Nitrogen oxides: Just as sulfur oxides, industrial plants release nitrogen oxides.
The air quality index (AQI) is a list given out to announce air quality consistently. It is a
proportion of what air contamination means for one's well-being inside a brief timeframe
period. The reason for the AQI is to help individuals know what the nearby air quality means
for their well-being. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ascertains the AQI for five
significant air toxins, for which public air quality guidelines have been set up to shield
general well-being.
STUDY NOTE
• Ground-level ozone
AQI measures the air quality in
• Molecule contamination/particulate matter the country and shows the
measure of nitrogen dioxide,
(PM2.5/pm 10) carbon monoxide and sulfur
dioxide all around world. More
• Carbon Monoxide than 6 million premature death
occurs due to poor quality of air
• Sulfur dioxide and air pollution as per WHO.
• Nitrogen dioxide
A. HOW TO MEASURE THE AQI?
Various nations make use of distinct direct scales toward report air quality. For example, the
United States utilizes a 500-point scale, wherein rating somewhere between 0 and 50 is
considered great. Rating between 301 to 500 territories is considered dangerous. India also

uses the 500-point scale. Consistently screens record centralizations of the significant
poisons. These crude estimations are changed over into a different AQI esteem for every
toxin (ground-level ozone, molecule contamination, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide)
utilizing standard formulae created by EPA. The most elevated of these AQI esteems are
accounted for as the AQI esteem for that day.
B. CATEGORIES OF AQI
Table 1: Different Categories of AQI
Category Scale Explanation

Great 0-50 Minimal Impact
May cause minor
Good 51-100 breathing challenges in
touchy individuals.
May cause breathing
troubles in individuals
with lung illness like
Decently
101-200 asthma, and uneasiness to
Contaminated
individuals with coronary
illness, kids and more
seasoned grown-ups.
May cause breathing
challenges in individuals
Poor 201-300 on delayed exposure, and
distress to individuals with
coronary illness
May cause respiratory
disease in individuals on
delayed exposure. The
Exceptionally Poor 301-400 impact might be more
articulated in individuals
with lung and heart
sicknesses.
May cause respiratory
issues in sound individuals
and genuine medical
problems in individuals
Extreme 401-500
with lung/coronary illness.
Challenges might be
capable in any event,
during light actual work

18. The scale on which the AQI is measured ranges from 0-500. [True/False]
19. Oxides of sulfur and nitrogen are only taken into consideration to calculate AQI.
[True/False]
20. In which category of AQI, we may cause breathing challenges in individuals on
delayed exposure, and distress to individuals with coronary illness?
a) Good
b) Extreme poor
c) Poor
7. METHODS FOR CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION

Air contamination control, the procedures utilized to decrease or dispose of the emanation
into the climate of substances that can hurt the climate or human well-being. Air
contamination control is one of the foremost zones of contamination control, alongside
wastewater treatment, strong waste administration, and perilous waste administration.
These remember antagonistic impacts on human well-being, property, and environmental
perceivability. The air is defenceless to contamination from natural sources, just as from
human exercises. Some normal marvels, like volcanic emissions and timberland fires,
may have neighbourhood and local impacts as well as enduring worldwide ones. By the by,
just contamination brought about by human exercises, like industry and transportation, is
dependent upon alleviation and control.
The necessary steps needed to reduce pollution:

1. Usage of Public Transport: Since vehicular emission is one of the major sources of air
pollution, usage of public transport will reduce the said emissions.
2. Development of alternative fuel: When fossil fuels are burnt, they generate harmful
toxins. To reduce these, the usage of alternative fuels such as electricity and solar power
is the most effective way.
3. Eco-friendly packaging and products: When plastic is burned it releases harmful
toxins which can combine with the air and cause air pollution. If we start using eco-
friendly packaging it can be more environmentally friendly.

4. Avoid fireworks: The burning of fireworks releases huge amounts of carbon monoxide
and other toxins. This results in high pollution in the region where the fireworks are
being burnt. To reduce air pollution, avoiding fireworks is the best method.
5. Afforestation: When we plant more trees, more oxygen is produced hence improving
the AQI of the region.
Activity 1
Air quality index is very serious problem. As we know most of the pollution is caused
from diesel vehicles, bursting crackers and heating, power plants. Do a research
work on past Air quality index of last one month, and do analysis what were the
reasons of poor and good air quality index during that one month and what steps
would be taken by the government for the betterment of environment.
21. Planting of more and more trees is known as the _______.

22. Usage of public transport reduces carbon emission. [True/ False]
23. One of the ways to reduce air pollution what we can choose as best practise?
a) Use ecofriendy products and packaging
b) Increase bursting crackers
c) Increase use of personal vehicles
d) All of the above

8. ILL- EFFECTS OF FIREWORKS

One of them is that the exhaust created by the fireworks would kill insects and mosquitoes
found during rains. Today, easy sparklers have offered an approach to expand firecrackers
that will illuminate the full sky over your home. Shockingly the exhaust that these fireworks
create spans all over your house.
• Metals present in the fireworks are as follows:

➢ Copper: Causes aggravation within the metabolic process to a large extent.
➢ Cadmium: Reduces the gas transport of blood, prompting anemia.
➢ Lead: Lead within the body noxiously affects the sensory system.
➢ Zinc: Causes of metal smoke fever and actuates heaving.
➢ Metal: Sodium may be a deeply responsive element that consolidates with moistness
to cause consumption.
FIRECRACKERS AFFECTS OUR HEALTH

The bursting of crackers throughout Diwali is mainly to blame spread and grouping of
residue and contaminations. The fine residue that settles within the wake of blasting wafers
is rich in toxins like oxides of sulfur and gas, metal residue and natural contaminations.
• Indeed, even the little sparklers, lights and vases create thick smoke that will influence
the small children's metabolic process.
• The suspended staff (SPM) levels rise primarily throughout Diwali. This causes throat,
nose and eye connected problems, which might turn into antagonistic medical issues.
• Sparklers have a lot of serious impacts on people with heart, metabolic process or
sensory system issues considerably.
• They will hassle problems for people experiencing colds, sensitivities or hacks and may
likewise cause blockage of the throat and chest.
• They will likewise cause water tainting and corrosive downpours.
• They induce air contamination that produces cancer-causing Sulfur compounds and
mobile arsenic impact.
• The inexperienced lightweight created in firecrackers shows comes from hot and
degrading metal. The blue tone created from copper intensifies comes from dioxins
connected to malignant growth.

A. FIREWORKS AFFECT THE ENVIRONMENT

• Fire Hazards: Typically rockets are capable of setting ablaze cabins, stacks of dry
grass and even homes.
• Noise Pollution: Firecrackers create a lot of clamour than the permissible dB limit,
which is the amount of noise permitted by the
STUDY NOTE
government.
As a public norm, tested from
• Air Pollution: Air pollution caused by sparklers is 315 diverse testing destinations,
Independence Day firecrackers
dangerous once breathed in. It likewise causes low bring 42% larger number of
poisons into the air than are
visibility. found on a typical day.
B. FIREWORKS AFFECT ANIMALS

The sound of blasting wafers is very dangerous for pets, as they cannot bear uproarious
sounds. We notice that dogs have incredible hearing capability and that they can
acknowledge sounds that individuals cannot detect. Shakuntala Majumdar, President of the
Thane Society for the defence of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) says, "Their real repeat vary is
67Hz to 45kHz once contrasted with the human ear's scope of 20kHz. Consequently,
fireworks with low decibels will influence their temperament."
Source- thequint.com
Fig 4: Fireworks Creating Pollution

Activity 2
Suppose you are sitting at home and feeling ill, and you want to go out for walk or
mood change. Your house is situated near any industrial area, where there are few
industries who manufacture plastic bags are established. When you went out for walk
you felt uncomfortable around you and you started sneezing, coughing though you
have covered your face with mask. After that you come back home and observe that
your health is at danger. Based on your this experience, compare the environment at
your home and outside home and also the air quality if you had gone for walk in Park
rather than on road. What suggestions would you give to the industrialist and the
people who live near that area?
24. Which of the following metal is present in fireworks?

a) Copper
b) Lead
c) Zinc
d) All of the above
25. Fireworks affect the environment by creating which of the following?
a) Noise pollution
b) Air pollution
c) Both A and B
26. The suspended staff levels rise primarily throughout Diwali. This causes
what type of problems which might later kind into antagonistic medical
issues.
a) Throat, nose and eye connected problems
b) Leg, Hand problem
c) Both A and B
27. Firework sound is not harmful or dangerous for animals as they have more
hearing capacity then humans and they can tolerate as much as high sound.
[True/False]

Sources of
Pollution
Effects of
Air Quality
Air
Index and Air Pollution
Pollution
Parameter
Meaning and
define of Air
Pollutants
pollution
Methods for ILL-Effects

control of air of Fireworks
pollution

9. SUMMARY
• Air Pollution alludes to the condition where the presence of harmful substances in the
air, produced by different human exercises and characteristic marvels like volcanic
ejections, harms the government assistance of people and the living climate.
• Outside air contamination alone makes 4.21 million passing yearly. Generally, air
contamination causes the passing of around 7 million individuals worldwide every year
and is the world’s biggest single ecological well-being hazard.
• The impacts of air contamination on materials, vegetation, and creatures can be
estimated. The majority of the proof comes from toxins that the overall population is
exposed to.
• Types of Air pollution
➢ Particular Matter: It is the combination of two particles that are in form of solids and
liquids which includes sulphate, nitrates, carbon, complex chemicals, and water
suspended in the air.
➢ Nitrogen dioxide: This is gas and it comes from man-made sources such as vehicles,
heating plants, and power stations. Mostly Diesel vehicles are responsible for these
gases.
➢ Sulphur dioxide: This is a colourless gas that cannot be seen and has a very
suffocating smell. This type of gases originates from burning oil and coal. The major
source of gases is industries as they burn fossil fuels mostly.
• The entirety of the proof we have recommends that air poisons undermine human well-
being and prosperity to a degree that control of these contaminations is important.
• Sources of air pollution refer to means by which air pollution is caused. These sources
can be natural or even man-made. Some of these sources are:
➢ Toxic gases
➢ Vehicular pollution
➢ Industrial setups
➢ Wood or other substances burning
• Pollutants are the components, atoms and particles associated with pollution- they can
affect humans when exposed to these materials, and their impacts on plants are
notable. Pollutants are of two types i.e. Primary pollutants and Secondary pollutants.

• Primary pollutants are any sort of contamination exposed directly into the climate.
They vary from optional contaminations since the auxiliary
• Secondary pollutants are poisons that form in the air. These toxins are not transmitted
straightforwardly from a source (like vehicles or force plants).
• The Air Quality Index is a way to categories different zones as per a set of parameters
which includes oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, lead, particulate matter, etc. There are 6
different categories in which AQI is given based on the scale ranging from 0-500.
• Fireworks affect human health, the environment and animals and have very harmful
effects on well-being. The suspended staff (SPM) levels rise primarily throughout
Diwali. This causes throat, nose and eye connected problems which might later kind
into antagonistic medical issues in human health.
• The sound of blasting wafers is very dangerous for pets, as they cannot bear uproarious
sounds. We notice that dogs have the incredible hearing capability and that they can
acknowledge sounds that individuals cannot detect
10. GLOSSARY
Contamination: The action of Polluting or simply we can say it as pollution
Coronary illness: It is mainly heart diseases that cause arteries to narrow, limiting blood
flow to the heart.
Commotion pollution: It is the pollution which is caused due to the chemicals
Dioxins: It is a persistent environment pollutant (POPs); it remains in the environment for
many years.
Deterioration: It means decaying or degeneration; it’s a process of decline
Epidemiology: It is a scientific study of the distribution and determinants of health-related
events in specific populations.
Horrendous: Extremely unpleasant or terrible happening
Noxious: It is harmful, poisonous and injurious to everyone around.
Residue: A substance that remains after a process such as combustion or evaporation
Radioactive: It damages the cells that make up the human body such as elements like
uranium and isotopes like C14

11. CASE STUDY

DELHI POLLUTION
This has made an endeavour to dissect the effect of air contamination on wellbeing, its causes
and level of mindfulness by directing a field overview on the young people of Delhi,
concentrating in various colleges and schools in Delhi. The gathered information has been
evaluated with numerous strategies like engaging measurements, recurrence tables, cross
classification and chi-square trial of autonomy on sources, impacts, and answers for air
contamination. At long last, the examination reasons that an enormous number of
mindfulness missions ought to be coordinated including a more noteworthy cooperation
from all areas of the general public alongside better usage of present laws. More seasoned
individuals, children and patients with previous respiratory illnesses like lung irritation, flu
and asthma are defenseless to the specific matter suspended noticeable all around.
Furthermore, it’s not just outside air contamination, the suspended particulates clear a path
to indoor air in homes and stay suspended indoor. There were additionally expanded rates
of prohibitive and obstructive lung capacities. The high commonness of metaplasia and
dysplasia of aerial route epithelial cells likewise puts the population of Delhi in danger. The
sputum showed moderate to serious cytological changes, though the country's control
populace in West Bengal was ecstatically unmindful of this symptom of living in a
metropolitan city.
Conclusion:
While there has been enormous advancement on foundation and examination front,
nonetheless, the predicament of Delhi occupant isn't coming to at an end. While a few
investigations referenced above suggest an ecological relationship and can be utilized to
draw causal derivations, best case scenario, these are the best system and outlines accessible
to date to cause to notice this consuming issue. Lower emanation vehicles and usage of a few
rigid measures have brought about some improvement and alleviation from Delhi air
contamination. All things considered, the public authority and other power figures need to
send war-like measures to guarantee the prosperity and strength of the residents. Wellbeing
is an all extensive and all-inescapable viewpoint. While clean air is a resident's correct, it
can't be inside an administration's domain to control all the components. The residents

additionally should be dependable. The vision of Clean Delhi is absurd without local area
cooperation.
Source- Times of India newspaper, 10 February 2021
1. Is air pollution principally a neighbourhood issue or would it being able to travel
significant distances?
2. Does air pollution make Delhi an uninhabitable place?

Q1. Define Air pollution.
Q2. Who is at risk from Air pollution?
Q3. What causes Air pollution?
Q4. How does acid rain take places in the environment?
Q5. Name the measures to control air pollution?
Q1. Why is air pollution a priority issue?
Q2. Is air pollution a minor issue?
Q3. Where does air contamination come from?
Q4. What is the impact of air pollution on human health?
12.1 Answers
1. Air pollution
2. True
3. False
4. D. Both A and B
5. C. Colourless
6. Portable or mobile sources
7. False
8. False

9. D. Wood consuming chimneys, farming territories

10. C. stationary sources
11. True
12. Poisonous
14. A. Aggravation
15. Primary
16. Primary and Secondary
17. B. Poisons
18. True
19. False
20. C. Poor
21. Afforestation
22. True
23. A. Use eco-friendly products and packaging
25. C. Both A and B
26. Throat, nose and eye connected problems
27. False
Terminal Questions
Answer1: Air pollution is brought about by gases and particles radiated to the environment
by an assortment of human exercises, like the wasteful ignition of energise agribusiness, and
cultivating. Additionally, regular sources add to air contamination, remembering particles of
soil residue and salt for ocean splash.
Answer 2: Individuals' well-being hazard from air contamination changes generally relying
upon age, where they live, their hidden well-being, and different variables. Numerous
investigations show that individuals with lower financial status and minority
• Individuals with lung sicknesses, like asthma, constant bronchitis, emphysema, and
ongoing obstructive aspiratory infection
• Babies and little youngsters

Answer 3: Air pollution is brought about by strong and fluid particles and certain suspended
gases all around. The strong and fluid particles suspended in our air are called vaporizers. It
causes due to
• The Burning of Fossil Fuels
• Mechanical Emission.
Answer 4: Acid rain is brought about when mixtures like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
are delivered into the air. These substances can ascend exceptionally high into the
environment, where they blend and react with water, oxygen, and different synthetic
compounds to shape more acidic poisons, known as a corrosive downpour. Sulfur dioxide
and nitrogen oxides break up effectively in water and can be conveyed extremely far by the
breeze.
Answer 5: The steps to control air pollution are as follows:

❖ Riding a bicycle or strolling as opposed to driving.
❖ Taking transport or carpooling.
❖ Purchasing a vehicle that has more prominent eco-friendliness.
❖ Killing lights and machines when they are not being used.
❖ Utilizing energy productive lights and machines.
❖ Purchasing fewer things that are made utilizing non-renewable energy sources.

Answer 1: Air pollution is surrounding us. The vast majority on the planet live in zones with
significant degrees of air contamination. It hurts human well-being and prosperity,
decreases personal satisfaction, and can adversely affect the economy. These effects likewise
lopsidedly influence the weakest individuals and networks.
• It is the biggest ecological danger to general well-being all around the world.
Individuals wherever are presented to air contamination, in the working environment,
during movement and in their homes.
• It is likewise firmly connected to environmental change, with numerous ozone harming
substances (GHGs) and air poisons coming from similar sources. Many air poisons are
both terrible for human well-being and incredible environment forcers.

Answer 2: Air pollution has been related to people for centuries, beginning with the
utilization of fire for cooking and warmth. Hazardously significant degrees of open-air
contamination turned into an issue during the modern upset, where the monstrous
utilization of coal offered ascend to numerous scenes of genuine metropolitan air pollution.
• The pollution from private coal fires, coal for power age, and the utilization of grimy
energizes for transport, and mechanical contamination, connected with climate
wonders which caught the contamination over London and prompted more than
12,000 abundance passings over these couple of days.
• Proceeded with dependence on petroleum products through the twentieth century saw
air contamination increment as nations industrialized. In recently industrialized
nations like China and India, this has prompted extraordinary air contamination
occasions, similar to those accomplished in the past in the USA and Europe.
Answer 3: Air pollution comes from a wide cluster of regular and human-driven sources
(anthropogenic). Normal sources include volcanic emissions, ocean showers, soil dust,
regular vegetation flames, and lightning. Probably the most widely recognized human-driven
sources incorporate force age, transportation, industry, private warming and cooking,
agribusiness, and others.
For a significant part of the total populace, human exercises represent the majority of the air
contamination they are presented to. Various contaminations have various sources. Air
contamination in urban communities comes from inside and outside city limits, some of it
going over significant distances. Major metropolitan sources incorporate vehicles,
consuming gas, coal and charcoal, wood for cooking and warming, and mechanical sources
situated in urban communities. Numerous huge modern sources, for example, concrete
plants, steel plants and power age, are found away from urban areas; yet at the same time
contribute a great deal to the metropolitan focuses, due to being conveyed significant
distances by the air. Emanations from the oil and gas industry and the sea area can likewise
go over significant distances. Horticultural sources, including consuming to clear land, and
timberland fires, contribute a ton to metropolitan and rustic air contamination levels. In
extremely dry zones, near deserts and dissolved land, the wind-blown residue can make up
an enormous part of the PM2.5. Most alkali is produced from farming and human waste
treatment. Quite possibly the most widely recognized wellsprings of air contamination in

provincial and peri-metropolitan zones of low-pay nations come from family units
consuming biomass, other strong powers (for example coal) or lamp fuel for cooking,
warming and lighting. Family air contamination additionally adds to open-air pollution.
Answer 4: The impact of air pollution on human health is as follows:

• It causes both intense infection and persistent illness. There is solid proof connecting
long haul exposure to air contamination with an expanded danger for ischemic
coronary illness, stroke, persistent obstructive aspiratory infection (COPD), lung and
upper aero digestive and others.
• The WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRCA), has assigned air
contamination as a cancer-causing agent. Some quick well-being impacts of its
exposure include disturbance of the eyes, nose and throat, windedness, hacking, and
compounding of previous conditions, similar to asthma assaults and chest torment.
• Carbon monoxide (CO) limits the exchange of oxygen to tissues and can be deadly in
exceptionally high focuses. Sulfur dioxide (SO2), is a powerful lung aggravation
influencing the soundness of those with a previous respiratory infection (asthma and
COPD), particularly those living and working near SO2 sources.


BOOKS:
• Bhola R Gurjar, (2010), Air Pollution: Health and Environmental Impacts, CRC press
• David H. F. Liu, (2018), Air Pollution, CRC Press
• Pallavi Saxena, (2018), Air Pollution: Source, Impacts and Controls, CAB International
REFERENCES:
• Air Pollution, viewed on 05 March 2021, <https://www.nrdc.org/stories/air-
pollution-everything-you-need-know
• Details of Air pollution we need to know, viewed on 05 March 2021,
<https://www.britannica.com/science/air-pollution>
• Air Pollution and Plant Biotechnology, viewed on 05 March 2021, <
https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Air_Pollution_and_Plant_Biotechnology/Ey
npCAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=air+pollution+and+plant+biotechnology&printsec=
frontcover>
• Source of Air Pollutants, viewed on 05 March 2021, <
https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Unraveling_the_Exposome/OalxDwAAQBAJ
?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Kibble+and+Harrison+2005&pg=PA26&printsec=frontcover>
• Worldwide Breath Polluted Air WHO Report, viewed on 05 March 2021, <
https://www.who.int/news/item/02-05-2018-9-out-of-10-people-worldwide-
breathe-polluted-air-but-more-countries-are-taking-action>
• Air Pollution and Climate Change, viewed on 05 March 2021, <
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/24si_en.pdf
>
• Fireworks; Can they be Eco-friendly, viewed on 05 March 2021, <
https://www.dw.com/en/fireworks-can-they-ever-be-eco-friendly/a-55907048>
• Delhi Air Pollution viewed on 05 March 2021,
<https://www.orfonline.org/research/air-pollution-delhi-filling-policy-
gaps/#:~:text=Air%20Pollution%20Trends&text=New%20Delhi%20has%20the%20
highest,98.6%20micrograms%20per%20cubic%20meter.>

ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 11: Soil Pollution 1

Unit 11
Soil Pollution
Table of Contents
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction
3-4
2 Soil Pollution 1 5-6
3 Sources of Soil Pollution 1 2 7-8
4 Effects of Soil Pollution 3 9-10
5 Control Measures and Impacts on the Future of 2 4, I 10-11
Soil Pollution
6 Summary 12
7 Glossary 13
8 Case Study 13-14
15-20
9.1 Answer Keys
10 Suggested Books and E-References 21

1. INTRODUCTION
We are allaware that in today’s era pollution has become very prominent and now people
have to adapt their lifestyles around these various kinds of pollution. In the previous unit,
we have studied air pollution, how it affects our environment, its impact on our health and
its control measures. Now, we will learn about another type of soil pollution which comes
under land pollution. Before talking about it, let’s take a brief look at pollution and its types.
Pollution is the phenomenon of adverse materials in the environment. These adverse

materials are called pollutants. Pollution can be caused both naturally or by human actions.
The introduction of numerous chemicals, waste and many other activities plays a vital role
in industrialisation. It causes a variety of toxic pollutants, which are harmful to all living
beings and the environment.
There are various kinds of pollution like air pollution, soil pollution, water pollution, noise
pollution, etc. There are only three major types of pollution: air pollution, water pollution,
land pollution. Pollution is a global problem, generally, its growth is higher in urban areas
than the rural ones. But there are various mediums through which pollution can spread in
remote areas too.
Some of such examples are-

• radioactive materials produced by industry can be blown away by the wind and cause
air pollution
• sewage is discharged into seas and oceans that will cause water pollution
• chemical substances discharged from industry enter plants, damage the soil, hinder
the growth of plants, and cause soil pollution, which comes under land pollution
• air and water currents also cause pollution.
Air pollution is caused by the harmful particles in the air. It contains a mixture of liquid and
gases. The burning of poisonous substances, car emissions, etc., are the main cause of air
pollution.
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies by introducing various hazardous and
poisonous substances into water bodies. It has a very adverse effect on aquatic lives.

Land pollution is the degradation of surface areas of the earth’s

STUDY NOTE
land. It affects both groundwater and soil.
Due to pollution every
year, approx. 1 million
Pollution is harmful to all living kinds- be it plants, animals, or seabirds and 100
million mammals are
humans. It equally affects all kinds of living creatures and can killed.
sometimes be life-threatening. We should consider it a serious concern rather than adapting
to these problems. Punishable actions should be taken against those engaging in polluting,
to make our world pollution-free.
In this unit, we will study a type of land pollution which is soil pollution, in detail. We should
be aware of soil pollution because it indirectly relates us to the cause of our living, i.e., food.
The autotrophs get adversely affected by those chemicals, sewage and many other kinds of
pollutants, which affect animal’s health that consumes it directly (Herbivores), and human
beings who consume plants in one or other form indirectly.

❖ Explain the term ‘pollution’

❖ List types of pollution and explain the same
❖ Describe the soil pollution in detail
❖ Explain the importance of soil on various components
❖ State the consequences of soil pollution on future generations, and suggest control
measures

2. SOIL POLLUTION
Pollution is very hazardous to human life and can be categorised in various types such as, air
pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, litter, visual pollution, STUDY NOTE
radioactive pollution, thermal contamination, and plastic pollution. The word pollution was
derived from Latin
First of all, we need to clearly understand the concept of the word word ‘pollution’ which
means to make dirty.
pollution. Individuals may purify their surroundings by Soil pollution is a type
of land pollution.
implementing a variety of pollution-reduction techniques that are
not harmful to the environment. However, when the number of pollutants exceed a certain
threshold, it begins to destroy the environment.
Definition: Soil pollution is the pollution caused due to contamination of soil with the
absorption of toxic elements. Garbage, plastics, fertilisers, pesticides, and many more are the
causes of soil pollution.
Most of us know that soil supplies essential elements for human survival, such as food and
water. These contaminants have an impact on the crops that grow on that soil, as well as the
quality of the groundwater. As a result, we should make soil preservation a priority.

1. ___________ is the introduction of contaminated particles to the environment that

affects its components adversely.
2. Which of the following contribute to pollution?
a) Deforestation
b) Chemical release in environment
c) Urbanisation
d) All of the above
3. Pollutions cannot be caused naturally. [True/False]
4. Soil pollution is a type of ____________.
5. Which of the following can be categorised under causes of soil pollution?
a) Garbage
b) Pesticides
c) Oil spills
d) Both A and B
6. Micro plastics cause soil pollution. [True/False]

3. SOURCES OF SOIL POLLUTION

Sources of soil pollution:
“Essentially, all life depends upon the soil. There can be no life without soil and no soil without
life; they have evolved together.” -Charles Kellogg
Let’s have a look at various sources of soil pollution:

1. Agricultural sources: Agriculture focuses on organic farming of the products to
maintain the basics of our lives. Still, it uses pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers to
grow crops and livestock much faster than organic production leads to soil pollution.
2. Industrial sources: Industrial waste leads to soil pollution in the form of gas, liquid,
solid substances. CO2, NO2 are the gases that are released from industrial activities.
These wastes mix with rainwater and can result in acid rain that drastically affects the
soil’s pH.
3. Urban waste: Garbage dumped in urban areas contains food waste plastic, industrial
waste and general household wastes. In simple terms, urban waste refers to any waste
that comes out from household or industrial places, which goes into rivers, and various
other water bodies, which ultimately pollute environment.
4. Sewer sludge: Sewage sludge in the form of semi-solid material contributes to soil
pollution. The sewage sludge is generally processed with septic tanks before being
disposed of into land or water bodies.
5. Mining and smelting sources: Mining activities trigger soil pollution in huge numbers.
Erosion of soil containing some mineral ore traces results in soil degradation. It ends
up in the soil by irrigation of land.
There are numerous pollutants in today’s era that contaminate soil in one way or the other.
Let’s look at some of them for a better understanding of pollutants. Soil pollution can be
caused by the following:
STUDY NOTE
✓ Microplastics
Mining activities are a
✓ Oil spills major source of soil
pollution as they lead
✓ Mining and activities by other heavy industries to release of chemicals
✓ Accidental spills in the soil.

✓ Corrosion of underground storage tanks (including piping used to transmit the

contents)
✓ Acid rain
✓ Intensive farming
✓ Agrochemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers
✓ Petrochemicals
✓ Industrial accidents
✓ Road debris
✓ Drainage of contaminated surface water into the soil
✓ Ammunition, chemical agents, and another agent of war
✓ Waste disposal
Source: Springer Link

Fig 1: Pollutants Distribution
7. Industrial sources cause soil pollution by __________ of pH of soil.

8. Which of the following are agricultural sources of soil pollution?
a) Herbicides
b) Pesticides
c) Fertilisers
d) All of the above
9. Oil pollution can be caused by oil spills. [True/False]

4. EFFECTS OF SOIL POLLUTION

• Soil Life:
➢ Due to the presence of chemical substances, soil fertility decreases, thereby reducing
soil yield.
➢ The contaminated soil becomes useless for producing any type of crop.
➢ Degraded soil leads to the production of contaminated vegetables and fruits
consumed by various living organisms, and hence cause various diseases such as food
poisoning, weakness, etc.
• Agriculture:
➢ It decreases the quality of the crop.
➢ It affects the production of crops and also the success of Civilisation.
➢ It also affects the quality of food produced on that soil.
• Human Beings:
➢ Soil pollution adversely affects human health.
➢ It also causes neuromuscular blockage.
➢ It leads to various diseases such as nausea, skin rashes, fatigue, eye problems,
headache, etc.
• Plants and Animals:
➢ The decrease in pH of the soil leads to the sickness and death of various plants and
animals.
➢ It also leads to the destruction of the entire aquatic food chain.
➢ Soil pollution adversely affects the metabolism of microorganisms and arthropods,
which ends the primary level of the food chain.
• Ecosystem:
➢ Soil pollution increases soil acidity which negatively affects STUDY NOTE
vegetation, making it useless and barren. Polluting our soil will
pollute our future.
➢ When any kind of crop grows on these kinds of lands, it leads
to the growth of poisonous crop.
➢ Consumption of such plants grown on degraded soil leads to various health issues and
the ecosystem would be adversely affected by this.

10. Soil pollution leads to the __________ of pH of soil.

11. Degraded soils are
a) Acidic
b) Basic
c) Neutral
12. Soil pollution leads to the destruction of food chain. [True/False]
5. CONTROL MEASURES AND IMPACT ON FUTURE OF SOIL POLLUTION

As we have studied various impacts of soil pollution on our health, and on this environment,
we should start adopting various kinds of measures to make this environment safe and clean
for our livelihood. Here are some minor steps which each individual can take to make
improvements:
✓ To bring greenery, start planting more and more trees and try to avoid cutting down
trees.
✓ Avoid various kinds of chemicals in agricultural practices.
✓ Try to dump the chemical wastes in a suitable place.
✓ Avoid the use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers as much as possible.
✓ Adopt the method of crop rotation in cultivation areas.
✓ Try to remove the weeds and various microorganisms that affect plants and soil.
Soil pollution has a very adverse impact on our future lives, which are as follows:
1. Soil pollution hurts biodiversity that leads to the extinction of flora and fauna.
2. It also reduces the soil fertility, which leads to the enhancement of barren land in our
country.
3. It causes a reduction of healthy crop cultivation, an increase in food quality
degradation.
4. It causes an imbalance of various nutrients in the soil responsible for healthy crop
growth.
5. It also degrades groundwater quality, leading to an increase in contaminated water
scale.

Activity 1
Plant a seed into the soil of your park or a piece of land around you and feed that seed
with sufficient water and soil but avoid any kind of chemical and pesticides. Make sure
that you will take care of these plants by watering them time-to-time, keep them into
the sunlight to make them grow rapidly.
Try out this activity with your family member and suggest to your friends. This small
step will help nature to grow and a reduction in soil pollution.
13. Soil pollution can be controlled by afforestation. [True/False]

14. Soil pollution _________ of underground water level.
15. Crop rotation helps in the prevention of soil pollution. [True/False]
16. Which of the following method can be adopted as a control measure?
a) Crop Rotation
b) Crop Sedimentation
c) Crop Filling
d) All of the above
Effects of Soil
Soil Pollution
Pollution
Overview of
Soil
Pollution
Control
Sources of Measures and
Soil Impact on
Pollution Future of Soil
Pollution
Fig 2: Concept Map

6. SUMMARY
• Pollution is the phenomenon of adverse materials in the environment. These adverse
materials are called pollutants.
• There are various kinds of pollution such as air pollution, soil pollution, water pollution,
noise pollution and so on.
• Global warming, acid rain, greenhouse effect, extreme cold, different types of harmful
diseases, all these main problems are caused by various kinds of pollution directly or
indirectly.
• Pollutants can be classified into two types: naturally occurred and man-made
pollutants
• Pollutants may include sulphuric acids, smokes, metals like mercury, lead, cadmium,
nickel, chromium, gases like Nitrogen oxides (NO), Carbon Dioxides, Carbon Monoxide
(CO), Fluorides, Pesticides, herbicides, smog, Peroxyacetyl Nitrate (PAN), solid
domestic wastes, Noise, Radioactive Wastes, and so on.
• Air pollution is defined as the contamination of pure air in the atmosphere by various
kinds of unwanted materials (Pollutants), directly or indirectly.
• Water pollution is caused due to the release of contaminated particulates from sewage,
various chemical industries and many other sources directly into the water.
• Runoff refers to the dumping of chemicals from factories directly into water bodies.
• Land pollution refers to the degradation of the earth’s land due to various human
activities and sometimes naturally.
• Soil pollution is the pollution caused by the contamination of soil with incongruous
absorption of toxic elements.
• The contaminated soil becomes useless for producing any type of crop.
• Soil pollution increases soil acidity, which negatively affects vegetation, making it
useless and barren.

7. GLOSSARY
• Deforestation: Cutting and burning of trees from forests on a massive scale due to
which soil is infertile.
• Food Chain: A series of organisms, each dependent on the next as a source of food.
• Geochemical Substances: Chemicals those are present in rock-forming minerals.
• Groundwater: Water present beneath the earth’s surface which is naturally originated
and found in wells.
• Industrialisation: Development of industries on a large scale where industries are set
up under the jurisdiction of State Government.
• Radioactive Materials: Atoms that decay naturally such as radium and radon. These
elements have always been present in the Earth's crust and atmosphere.
• Sewage: The waste water from households and industrial waste that is to be carried
out in large underground sewage pipes.
• Urban waste: The garbage dumped that contains food waste, plastic, industrial waste
and general household wastes.
8. CASE STUDY
E-Waste Polluting Delhi’s Groundwater and soil
Due to the advancement of technologies, the number of electronic wastes has increased
tremendously. Electronic wastes are produced by electrical devices such as PCs, mobile
phones, and many other electronic devices.
Improper dumping of these wastes leads to the contamination of groundwater quality and
soils. Researchers of Jamia Milia Islamia studied this.
The researchers examined the soil nearby Mandoli’s Krishna Vihar – where you can easily
find considerable amounts of unprocessed electronic wastes. Among various pollutants –
Copper was present in large quantities, i.e., approx. 283 mg/kg at the top soil. But just 4-5
km from the reference site (where an examination was going on), the amount of Copper was
just about 8.39 mg/kg.
In the same way, Lead (Pb) in the subsoil (the layer where the plant takes its roots) was
found to be 183 mg/kg and a few km away from that, the amount was only 0.43 mg/kg. This

contamination of subsoil results in the absorption of these contaminated particles into plants
and can reach human tissues.
Heavy metals such as lead, Cadmium, Copper in these areas were about 20 times more than
the normal amount as declared by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The risks of consumption of heavy metals were also analysed. Organs that are vulnerable to
heavy metals are the liver and kidney. The consumption of these metals in long-run leads to
various diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy, and
multiple sclerosis.
However, in March 2016, India made it compulsory for electronic goods manufacturers to
ensure the safe and proper disposal of these electronic wastes. This quantity was attached
to their annual sale and promised a per-year increment.
Still there is a situation such that nearly 80% of electronic goods are dumped unsafely from
which costly metals such as gold and silver were obtained and rest got disposed in the open
area leading to leaching of metal constituents into the soil.
Source: Article from The Hindu newspaper

Discussion Questions
1. How can you manage the waste disposal made on lands?
2. How do you think electronic waste affects human health?

Q1. What are the three types of pollution?
Q2. What do you mean by the greenhouse effect and eutrophication?
Q3. What is Soil pollution?
Q4. What do you mean by food chain?
Q5. What do you mean by pollutants and what are their two types?
Q1. What is pollution? Write about its types.
Q2. What is air pollution? Also write about its causes, effects and how can we control it?
Q3. Define Soil pollution. Write about its sources and what are the pollutants responsible for
its contamination?
Q4. How can we control soil pollution? What is its impact on our future lives?
Q5. What are the impacts of soil pollution on soil life, agriculture, human beings, ecosystem,
plants and animals?
9.1 Answers
1. Pollution
2. D. All of the Above
3. False
4. Land pollution
5. D. Both A and B
6. True
7. Altering
9. True
10. Decrease
11. Acidic
12. True
13. True

14. Degrade
15. True
16. A. Crop Rotation
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
Answer 1: Three major types of pollution are as follows:
• Air pollution is caused by the introduction of harmful particles in the air. It contains a
mixture of liquid and gases.
• Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies by introducing various
hazardous and poisonous substances into water bodies.
• Land pollution is the degradation of surface areas of earth’s land. It affects both
groundwater and soil.
Answer 2: The greenhouse effect is the process of warming the earth’s atmosphere by
trapping sunlight. Eutrophication is the increase in the concentration of nitrogen,
phosphorus and other nutrients in the aquatic ecosystem such as a pond, lake, and so on.
Answer 3: Soil pollution is a type of land pollution. Soil pollution is the pollution caused by
the contamination of soil with incongruous absorption of toxic elements. Garbage, plastics,
fertilisers, pesticides, and many more are the cause of soil pollution.
Answer 4: A food chain is a series of organisms, each dependent on the next as a source of
food. It is generally a link of who eats whom. Soil pollution adversely affects the metabolism
of microorganisms and arthropods, which ends the primary level of the food chain.
Answer 5: The unwanted substance which causes various kinds of pollution is called
pollutants. Two types of pollutants are: naturally occurring and man-made pollutants. Due
to industrialisation, the introduction of various chemicals, garbage, and many more day-to-
day activities play a major role in creating various kinds of pollutions in which we are used
to some kinds of pollution and it's difficult to deal with some others.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Answer 1: Pollution is the toxicity of harmful substances in the form of solid, liquid, and gas
or any form of energy such as heat, sound, or radioactivity. Pollution can be caused both
naturally or by human actions. Due to industrialisation, the introduction of various
chemicals, garbage, and many more day-to-day activities play a major role in creating
various kinds of pollution. Hence, pollution is broadly classified into three categories:
1. Air pollution
2. Water pollution
3. Land pollution
Nature is a gift of god, it is naturally very neat and clean healthy for all living components
present on earth, but, when it gets contaminated due to some reasons, and it causes various
types of problems for all the living organisms in the environment.
Types of pollution are as follows:

• Air pollution It is caused by the introduction of harmful particles in the air. It contains
a mixture of liquid and gases.
• Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies by introducing various
hazardous and poisonous substances into water bodies.
• Land pollution is the degradation of surface areas of earth’s land. It affects both
groundwater and soil.
Answer 2: Air pollution is defined as the contamination of pure air in the atmosphere by
various kinds of unwanted materials (Pollutants), directly or indirectly. Air pollution can be
both visible and invisible and it can be equally dangerous in both situations. It is generally
caused due to various human activities.
Causes:
✓ Air pollution can be caused by various natural disasters, volcanic eruptions which emit
gases and volcanic ash. Volcanic ash discolours the sky for nearly a month.
✓ Emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, etc.
✓ The use of CFCs leads to the depletion of the ozone layer, which protects us from
harmful UV rays.

Effects:
✓ Air pollution causes acid rain, which affects various historical monuments (e.g., Taj
Mahal), marbles, also causes various kinds of skin diseases.
✓ It also affects the harvesting of crops, and sometimes, air pollution kills on the spot.
✓ It causes breathing problems, lung infection, cancers, global warming, droughts, floods,
eye diseases and other illnesses.
Control Measures:
✓ Use public transport rather than personal cars.
✓ Use a renewable source of energy
✓ Use 3r’s – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Answer 3: Soil pollution is the pollution caused with the contamination of soil with
incongruous absorption of toxic elements. Garbage, plastics, fertilisers, pesticides, and many
more are the cause of soil pollution. Human-made chemicals are pesticides, fertilisers and
improper disposal of waste.
Sources:
1. Agricultural sources: Agriculture focuses on organic farming of the products to
maintain the basics of our lives, but the methods like pesticides, herbicides, and
fertilisers used to grow crops and livestock much faster than organic production leads
to soil pollution.
2. Industrial sources: Industrial waste arises from soil pollution and can be caused in the
form of gas, liquid, solid substances. CO2, NO2 are the gases that are released from
industrial activities. These wastes mix with rainwater and can cause the generation of
acid rain that drastically affects the soil’s ph.
3. Urban waste: Urban waste is simply garbage that has already been deposited and it
includes plastic, food waste, industrial waste, and regular household waste. It would
seem that organic garbage and non-biodegradable rubbish may be recycled and
discarded in places meant for natural breakdown.

Pollutants: Soil pollution can be caused by the following:

✓ Microplastics
✓ Oil spills
✓ Ammunition, chemical agents, and other agents of war
Answer 4: Control Measures:

✓ Reduce deforestation and begin afforestation.
✓ Avoid intensive farming and reduce your footprint.
✓ Maintain a vegetation cover, especially in vulnerable areas.
Impact on the Future:

1. Soil pollution hurts biodiversity that leads to the extinction of flora and fauna.
2. It also reduces the fertility of the soil, which leads to the enhancement of barren land in
our country.
3. It causes a reduction of healthy crop cultivation, an increase in Food quality
degradation.
4. It causes an imbalance of various nutrients in the soil which are responsible for healthy
crop growth.
5. It also degrades groundwater quality, leading to an increase in contaminated water
scale.
Answer 5: Impact of soil pollution on:

1. Soil life:
• Due to the presence of chemical substances, the fertility of soil decreases which
decreases the soil yield.
• The contaminated soil becomes useless for producing any type of crop.
• Degraded soil leads to the production of contaminated vegetables and fruits
consumed by various living organisms and hence, causes various diseases such as
food poisoning, weakness, etc.
2. Agriculture:
• It decreases the quality of the crop.
• It affects the production of crops and also the success of Civilisation.
• It also affects the quality of Food produced on that soil.

3. Human Beings:
• Soil pollution adversely affects human health.
• It also causes neuromuscular blockage.
• It leads to various types of diseases such as nausea, skin rashes, fatigue, eye problems,
headache and so on.
4. Plants and Animals:
• The decrease in the pH of the soil leads to the death and sickness of various plants
and animals.
• It also leads to the destruction of the entire aquatic food chain.
• Soil pollution adversely affects the metabolism of microorganisms and arthropods,
which ends the primary level of the food chain.
5. Ecosystem:
• Soil pollution increases soil acidity, which negatively affects vegetation, making it
useless and barren.
• When any kind of crop grows on these kinds of lands, it leads to the growth of a
poisonous crop.
• Consumption of such plants that are grown on degraded soil leads to various health
issues and the ecosystem would be adversely affected by this.


BOOKS:
• Soil pollution- An emerging threat to agriculture, Jayant k. Saha, Rajendiran Selladurai,
M. Vassanda Coumar, M. L. Dotania, Samaresh Kundu, and Ashok. K. Patra
• Soil pollution: Origin, Monitoring, and Remediation, Ibrahim A. Mirsal
• Soil pollution- Sources, Management Strategies and health effect, Chee Kong Yap, PhD.
Editor
E-REFERENCES:
• Soil pollution, viewed on 28th February 2021,
<https://www.toppr.com/guides/chemistry/environmental-chemistry/soil-
pollution/>
• Pollution and its types, viewed on 28th February 2021,
<https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/pollution/>
• Control Measures of Soil pollution, viewed on 28th February 2021,
<https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/soil-pollution-prevention-control.php>
• Impact of Soil pollution on various factors, viewed on 28th February 2021,
<https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-10-4274-4_3>

ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 12: Noise Pollution 1

Unit 12
Noise Pollution
Table of Contents
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction
3-4
2 Overview of Noise Pollution 1 1, I
2.1 Basic Conceptualities Related to Noise 2 5-12
Pollution
2.2 Sources of Noise Pollution 3, 4, 5
3 Effects of Noise Pollution 6, 7 2, II 13-16
4 Control Measures for Noise Pollution 8 3, III
4.1 Examples of Controlling Different Noise 9
17-22
Pollution
4.2 Measures of Effective Control of Noise 10, 11, 12
pollution
5 Summary 23-24
6 Glossary 24
7 Case study 25
26-29
8.1 Answer Keys

1. INTRODUCTION
In the previous chapter, we learned about the aspects of soil pollution. We covered several
topics in the previous chapter, such as the meaning of pollution, different types of pollution,
meaning of soil pollution and how it impacts soil life, agriculture, human beings, plants and
animals, ecosystem, etc. We also learnt how to control soil pollution and examined the effect
of soil pollution in the future and remedies for polluted soil. In this unit, we will introduce
the notion of Noise Pollution—another type of pollution that exists in the environment. This
topic will help you to get in-depth insights into noise pollution-its meaning, examples, basic
concepts, sources, effects, examples of controlling different noise pollution, and measures to
be adopted to control noise pollution.
The word noise refers to the illness in which one feels vomiting and originates from the Latin
word 'Nausea'. Hence, noise is an unwanted and nasty sound that causes discomfort to living
organisms.
The slightest sound that a human ear can hear is 1 dB. Noise
STUDY NOTE
pollution is increasing daily; thus, one has to take measures to
The source of outdoor noise
reduce noise pollution. The major sources of pollution are worldwide is mainly caused
by machines, transport, and
firecrackers, vehicles, loudspeakers, aircraft, machines, and propagation systems.
many more. Other devices, such as radio, transistor, television,

etc., pollute noise when used at high volume.
Noise pollution is usually produced in some workplaces and industrial facilities and comes
from aeroplane traffic, construction activities, trains, highway traffic, and heavy vehicles. It
affects the well-being and comfort of all living creatures, both ashore and in the ocean, from
road traffic noise to live concerts; many sounds cause stress, hypertension, hearing activities,
and so on.
Noise pollution reduces the quality of the crops and affects the whole structure of the
building. Human health is also affected by various types of noise pollution. In addition,
openness to loud noise can cause coronary illness, hypertension, and stress. Noise pollution
is also dangerous for both plants and animals. The most hazardous forms generate the most

extreme noises, i.e., underwater bomb explosions of dynamite for fishing. As a result, there
is a bigger urgency to take suitable actions appropriately and quickly.
To lessen noise pollution, one must use earplugs at construction sites. In addition,
soundproof windows and doors need to be installed to prevent unwanted noise from
outside. Finally, an effortless way to decrease strong sound waves and vibrations is by using
barriers like planting trees around buildings, houses, and companies.

❖ List the sources of Noise Pollution

❖ Describe the Effects of Noise Pollution
❖ Explain the Control Measures for Noise Pollution

2. OVERVIEW AND SOURCES OF NOISE POLLUTION

Noise pollution is an invisible danger. Noise pollution is any
STUDY NOTE
unpleasant and disturbing sound that affects human creatures'
In 2016, Central Pollution
physical condition and well-being. Control Board (CPCB)
surveyed and identified
that Mumbai is the
The word noise refers to the illness in which one feels vomiting noisiest place in the
world.
and originates from the Latin word 'Nausea'. Hence, noise is an
unwanted and nasty sound that causes discomfort to living organisms. The intensity of sound
is measured in decibels (dB). The slightest sound that a human ear can hear is 1 dB. Noise
pollution is increasing daily; thus, one has to take measures to reduce noise pollution. The
major sources of pollution are firecrackers, vehicles, loudspeakers, aircraft, machines, and
many more. Other devices, such as radio, transistor, television, etc., pollute noise when used
at high volume.
Noise pollution refers to high-level sounds that irritate living organisms' hearing capacity. It
can result from machines, high music, and elevated vehicle sounds. Noise pollution is a
disturbance that leads to severe health hazards and environmental problems, which should
be controlled. Noise pollution refers to the undesired and unpleasant sounds that are
hindering modern day development and disrupting the activity or stability of animal and
human life.
Noise pollution is the pollution caused due to higher volumes or intensities of noise. Each
organism or thing possesses a different type of noise, and these noises severely impact
people. Due to the functioning and operations of urban regions, the environment gets
polluted. This leads to higher volumes of factory noise, vehicle noise, etc. Noise pollution
typically creates several risks like diseases, death, etc. In addition, excessive noise pollution
may cause the person to lose hearing ability.

Source: thelivenagpur.com
Fig 1. Noise Pollution
Listed below are examples of noise pollution:

• Unnecessary usage of fireworks
• Construction noise
• Unnecessary usage of horns
• Noise from aircraft and railway
• Using loudspeakers for political or religious purposes
• Industrial noise
2.1 Basic Conceptualities Related to Noise Pollution

Noise is referred to as an unwanted sound. In addition, it is deemed as a disruptive and loud
sound. Noise Pollution is an unfortunate, uncomfortable, and loud sound that prompts
uneasiness and discomfort in individuals. Noise pollution is usually produced in some
workplaces and industrial facilities and comes from aeroplane traffic, construction activities,
trains, highway traffic, and heavy vehicles. It affects the well-being and comfort of all living
creatures, both ashore and in the ocean, from road traffic noise to live concerts; many sounds
cause stress, hypertension, hearing activities, and so on. Here are four concepts that are
related to noise pollution.

Sound
pressure level
Noise
Sound level
exposure
metre
limits
Decibel
Fig 2. Basic Concepts Related to Noise Pollution
• Sound pressure level – This level indicates the human perception of sound. This level
varies among people.
• Noise exposure limits – It highlights the desirable and acceptable limits of noise that a
human being can undertake; the World Health Organization provides these limits.
• Decibel – It is depicted as the standard unit for measuring sound and sound vibrations.
It is abbreviated as dB.
• Sound level meter – This meter is depicted as an instrument that facilitates control over
the sound.
2.2 Sources of Noise Pollution

Sources mean how noise pollution can be created. There is much noise in a region but
identifying the source of noise pollution needs to identify the decibel level of these noises.
Mechanical hardware and cycles are made from different sources such as interior ignition
motors, stators, rotors, electrical machines, gears, tempestuous liquid streams, vibrating
boards, fans, sway measures, and so on.

Source: eschooltoday.com
Fig 3. Sources of Noise Pollution
Industrialization: Industrialization has brought a rise in noise pollution. Industries use

laborers and capital goods in large quantities in their production process. Various noise-
producing machines are used in the production processes. Various machines or ornaments,
such as compressors, generators, etc., are used for production purposes. These machines
produce noise to excessive limits. The designing plants, factories, metal enterprises, and
print machines have been a leading cause of noise pollution. Most of these sources use heavy
machinery, which results in heavy noise. In addition, they have hardware such as crushing
factories, blowers, generators, and exhaust fans which raise the noise levels in the
surrounding.
Poor urban planning: The people living in urban areas possess luxurious vehicles, which
may cause severe problems. Most people live with bigger families but in smaller places. The
parking lots constructed in urban areas generate a hub of noise pollution. People
unnecessarily honk in public places, which results in noise pollution. Thus, these things
create immense noise pollution, which disrupts the effective functioning of the environment.
Developing countries habitually lack proper urban planning, which leads to small industry
proliferation, small spaces, congested housing and a lack of enough parking spaces. Poor
urban planning thus adds to environmental noise through fights or social and basic
amenities, wrangles over parking spaces, noise from small manufacturing industries, noise
from playing children, and family quarrels from the neighboring houses.
Social events: Social events such as parties, marriages and so on include music played at
high volumes. The administration and concerned authorities have issued certain rules
restricting music in high volumes. However, people do not follow such rules, creating a huge

nuisance. Due to the higher intensities of noise pollution, people's health conditions have
worsened in urban areas. Weddings, festivals, public gatherings, and occasions involve
loudspeakers playing music, thus producing unwanted noise in the surroundings.
Transportation: The automobile industry has become huge, especially in urban areas. In
the modern era, there is a rise in traffic due to the increase in the number of vehicles such as
cars, buses, ambulances, jeeps, trucks, trains and so on. As a result, many vehicles are plying
on the roads. People stuck in traffic jams are also habitually impatient and continuously blow
their horns to alert the drivers ahead of them to move. Their frequent honking creates
immense noise pollution. As a result, people's hearing abilities get hampered. Moreover,
continuous honking produces unbearable noise in the neighbouring areas and the
environment. Aeroplanes also create a problem of noise in main urban towns. Most airports
are placed near residential areas producing a high sound level while taking off and landing.
Source: www.bing.com
Fig 4. Noise Pollution by Vehicles
Construction activities: Construction cannot be avoided anywhere as it has become pivotal

in each part of the world. Activities such as the construction of houses, mining and so on take
place so that the overall demands of the increasing population can be fulfilled. The noise from
the construction of buildings, highways, dams, streets, and houses is a foremost contributor
to noise pollution. For instance, the construction of buildings, highways, and houses require
equipment such as air hammers, bulldozers, loaders, air compressors, and dump trucks. This
scenario tends to create a higher level of noise pollution. The different machines and
equipment used in constructing buildings and roads are also crucial causes of environmental
noise pollution. The machinery used for construction, such as loaders, bulldozers, air

compressors, dump trucks, pneumatic hammers, pavement breakers, etc., is also a great
contributor to noise pollution.
Household chores: These days, households are often equipped with gadgets such as
vacuum cleaners, mixer grinders, mobile phones, etc. People majorly use these gadgets and
create higher intensities of noise pollution. This noise pollution often negatively impacts the
neighbours and society as a whole. Household activities such as furniture movement, loud
doors banging, crying infants, noises from playing children, loud arguments and fights,
noises from entertainment equipment like loudspeakers, television sets, video games, and so
on also contribute to the overall noise pollution.
In addition, household equipment such as vacuum cleaners, pressure cookers, exhaust fans,
washing machines, mixer grinders, sewing machines, air-conditioners, and desert coolers
produce much noise.
Fireworks: Fireworks are a common scenario in various events such as occasions,

marriages, festivals, etc. They hamper the quality of life by creating painful noises and
producing too much pollution, both sound and air. Indian festivals such as Diwali, Dusshera,
marriages, and so on use fireworks for celebrations. Bursting firecrackers results in health
hazard as well as noise pollution. The noise produced is hazardous and can sometimes lead
to non-recoverable hearing loss.
Source: th.bing.com
Fig 5. Noise Pollution by Firecrackers

Agriculture machines: Agricultural practices have become mechanized due to the

technological revolution. As a result, several machines and tools such as drillers, tractors,
harvesters, powered tillers, thrashers, and tube wells are used for farming, causing heavy
noise pollution.
Defence equipment: Defence equipment is used by almost all countries for progress and
national protection. Explosives and military equipment are used to protect the nation.
Besides that, satellite launches facilitate countries toward progress. However, the use of such
equipment creates immense noise pollution. Military aeroplane drills, artillery tanks,
explosions, rocket launching, and shooting practices are serious noise polluters. Likewise,
the sounds of jet engines produce deafening impacts.
Miscellaneous causes: Boilers, air conditioners, plumbing equipment, fans, and generators
greatly pollute noise. Also, the noise created by people in public places affects the health of
living beings. For instance, loudspeakers create high degree/amplitude noise.
• Automobile repair shops: Automobile repair shops and workshops also contribute to
noise pollution by using heavy equipment such as air compressors, oil drains, jacks,
engine hoists, spanners, tools, strut compressors, air conditioning machines, and many
more.
• Market places: Besides the huge traffic jams and parking troubles, continuous honking
has made the lives of people in some localities very tough. Vendors selling fruits and
vegetables, chit-chat of ladies, vehicles in market areas, machines, generator noise, and
shouting voices of people contribute to the noise pollution.
• Schools: Students talking with each other, laughing and shouting, the noise of the
teacher, the sound of footsteps and bell ringing, sound of various objects such as pencil,
fan, pen, spoon, water bottle, air conditioning, etc., creates noises.
• Bus stands: People waiting at the bus stops are exposed to high noise levels. In
addition, bus drivers are more vulnerable to noise pollution's auditory and non-
auditory ill effects. Also, buses use air horns in the cities that do not follow standards,
thus polluting noise.
• Office hardware: In workplaces, there are printers, scanners, and typewriters, among
other hardware, which add to noise pollution in the working spots and their
environment.

Activity 1
Visit nearby locations such as restaurants, hospitals, schools, supermarkets, garages,
bus stands, neighbour's houses, parks, orphanages, farmhouses, malls, local stores, etc.
Observe the kind of noises you heard there. Prepare a chart listing all the points of the
sources of noise pollution you observed along with the location.
Come up with the ideas where noise pollution from each of these areas can be
reduced.
1. The intensity of sound is measured in ____________.

2. Sound pollution is an invisible pollution which is caused due to higher
volumes or intensities of noise. [True/False]
3. Sound level meter is depicted as an instrument that facilitates control over the
sound. [True/False]
4. What is noise?
a) Desirable and unwanted sound
b) Undesirable and unwanted sound
c) Desirable sound
d) Undesirable and wanted sound
5. Which among the following is correct in regard to noise pollution?
a) Parties and marriages include music played in high volumes.
b) Military aeroplane drills, artillery tanks, explosions, rocket launching, and
shooting practices are serious noise polluters.
c) Furniture movement and crying infants also contribute to noise pollution.
d) All of the above

3. EFFECTS OF NOISE POLLUTION

Effects of noise pollution refer to the constant interference of noise or unwanted sound in
the environment, which can influence human health.
Noise Pollution impacts a large number of individuals constantly. The most widely
acknowledged medical problem it causes is NIHL which stands for Noise-Induced Hearing
Loss. These diseases can impact all age gatherings, especially youngsters. Several youngsters
who live close to roads or loud airport terminals have experienced the ill effects of stress,
pressure, and several issues like consideration level, understanding of expertise, and
memory loss.
EFFECT OF NOISE POLLUTION ON THE ENVIRONMENT:

• Noise pollution is also dangerous for both plants and animals. The sources of noise in
the environment are trolleybuses, cars, compressors, aeroplanes, trains, machinery,
and many more. The acceptable noise level, which is easily bearing, ranges from 30 dB
to 60 dB. But the statistics generally go beyond these figures and reach 100 dB.
Moreover, numerous tests have established that some plants died because the leaves
released too much moisture, owing to high sound. Again, this happens because noise
pollution crosses the acceptable range. Therefore, the life spans of trees in big cities are
much less, and with the sound of a jet engine, bees lose their ability to navigate space.
• Human activities on the seas like infrastructure, shipping, wind farm development,
fishing, and mining, are increasing, thus increasing the level of sound and noise in the
oceans. The most extensive pollution source is ship noise, which occurs everywhere
and every time. The most hazardous forms generate the most extreme noises, i.e.,
underwater bomb explosions of dynamite for fishing. All these activities affect marine
animals to a great extent. As a result, there is a bigger urgency to take suitable actions
appropriately and quickly.

Source: wildwhales.org
Fig 6. Effects of Noise Pollution on Marine Animals
• The noise pollution limits the freedom of birds, insects, and animals. It desists them
from roaming, sleeping, and eating. The environment refers to the surroundings which
are naturally created or made for animals, plants, or humans. Unfortunately, noise
pollution disrupts the whole environment. It constrains the movements and
interactions of all living organisms. Thus, it affects animals, and through them, the
stability of ecosystems, both marine and terrestrial, is negatively distorted.
EFFECT OF NOISE POLLUTION ON CROPS:

Noise pollution reduces the quality of crops because plants require a calm and quiet
environment to grow. Additionaly, noise pollution affects bugs and insects, which are
essential for natural resources. Scientists have found that long-lasting noise pollution can
hinder normal plant growth, with the effects showing in habits years later.
EFFECT OF NOISE POLLUTION ON BUILDINGS:

Noise pollution affects the whole structure of the building. The noise pollution cracks the
framework of the building. The high density of noise, such as vibrations emitting from heavy
equipment and machinery, causes the shattering of window panels and glasses, breaking
down the hangings in the house, cracks in household crockery walls, and losing the plaster
of house walls. It also damages the paintings and so on.

EFFECT OF NOISE POLLUTION ON HUMAN HEALTH:

The living organism's physical, mental, and social activity represents human health. Human
health is affected by several types of environmental pollution. Noise Pollution can be
dangerous to human health in the following manner:
• High Blood Pressure: The loud noise causes the heart to STUDY NOTE
beat fast, which results in high blood pressure. The music According to the reports of
BioMed Central in 2017,
played on high-volume sound instruments increases blood about 36% of people
exposed to noise pollution
pressure. Work environments include factories and areas suffer from a change
in pulse rate, heart rate and
construction sites that increase human blood pressure. stress level.
High noise levels raise blood pressure and pulse rates, making humans susceptible to
heart attacks. Hypertension is an immediate consequence of noise pollutants caused by
raising blood pressure for longer. In addition, noise pollution causes heart attacks due
to sleep interference.
• Loss of Hearing Ability: Noise pollution damages cells and membranes. Long-term use
of music systems harms the ear cells. Loud noise harms a human's inner ear and can
lead to death. Continuous exposure to loud noise beyond the acceptable range can
damage the eardrums, thus resulting in hearing loss. Hearing impairment induced by
noise pollution causes temporary or permanent deafness.
Source: www.fashionlifestylefood.com
Fig 7. Effects of Noise Pollution on Human Health-Hearing Loss
• Disturbance: Effects of noise pollution include not only disturbed sleep but also affects
mental health. Unnecessary sounds can have a major effect on mental health as well.

Noise pollution causes sleep disturbance, leading to depression and anxiety. Noise
pollution leads to disturbance in the concentration level of humans in the workplace.
Some psychologic more problems than humans due to noise pollution because al effects
of noise pollution are losing peace of mind, depression, stress, getting irritated more
frequently, anxiety, waking too early, and so on. Lack of concentration can also be
examined due to unwanted sounds and noise.
Activity 2
Play several sounds through speakers such as traffic, dogs barking, rocket launches,
chainsaws, alarm clocks, etc. Ask a group of people to recognize each noise being played.
Identify the noises that might have harmed their ears and find out the effect of those
noises on their health.
6. Wildlife animals faces more complications as compared to humans due to

noise pollution because animals depend on ____________.
7. The acceptable noise ranges from 35 dB to 65 dB. [True/False]
8. Long term exposure to loud noises cannot cause permanent hearing
impairment. [True/False]
9. The impact of noise pollution on human health is governed by _______________.
a) Intensity of noise
b) Sensitivity of human ear
c) Socio-economic status of an individual
d) Both A. & B.
10. Which among the following are adverse effects of noise pollution?
a) There is a partial loss of hearing.
b) Fetus may develop defects.
c) It affects human performance in task in communication skill and thinking.
d) All of the above

4. CONTROL MEASURES FOR NOISE POLLUTION

It includes the usage of any measure that will decrease clamor being created and diminish
the noise transmission through the air or the design of the work environment. Such
measures incorporate hardware changes, the working environment activities, and the design
of the workroom.
Source: www.wikihow.com
Fig 8. Control Measures for Noise Pollution
4.1 Examples of Controlling Different Noise Pollution

Examples of Controlling Construction Noise:
• Using bulldozers and air compressors and with less noise. These are to be avoided in
highly populated regions.
• Using low-noise loaders and trucks.
Source: contractoradvantage.ca
Fig 9. Controlling Construction Noise

Examples of Controlling Transportation Noise:

• Stop road traffic noise by issuing challans.
• Aircraft noise to be decreased by developing the newest engines.
• Noise from railroads to be reduced using new ways to run rails. For instance – Metro
trains.
Examples of Controlling Social Events Noise:

• Avoid using loudspeakers and DJs.
• Use musical instruments wisely.
4.2 Measures of Effective Control of Noise Pollution

Noise pollutants can be adequately constrained by taking the following measures:
Control at Receiver's End: For individuals working in loud STUDY NOTE
establishments, ear-security helps such as noise caps, Psychology Today reports state
that hearing loss is the topmost
earplugs, earphones, earmuffs and so on should be given to cause of noise pollution. It is not
with age but the noise. Older
lessen occupational openness. People working in noisy people are at a higher risk of
hearing damage.
regions should be provided with ear protection aids.
Controlling at Source: The best control method for noise pollution is to reduce the noise
from the source. Noisy machines with sound-absorbing materials should be installed. This is
appropriate if methods and strategies are improved by:
• Installing noisy machines in sound verification chambers.
• Using glass covered with a sheet of punctured metal with the aim of mechanical
assurance.
• Designing, manufacturing, and using calmer machines to replace noisy ones.
• Reducing the commotion delivered from a vibrating machine by vibration damping; for
instance, making a layer of damping material such as plastic, neoprene, elastic, stopper,
underneath the machine.
The measures for effective control of noise pollution are as follows:

Measures for effective control of noise pollution
Lubrication and better maintenance of machines Innovative designing
Soundproofing Go green by planting trees
Use of earplugs
Fig 10. Measures For Effective Control of Noise Pollution
• Innovative designing: Properly designing windows and doors and sealing them well
will help in reducing noise. Innovative building patterns and designs can reduce the
intrusion of noise.
• Soundproofing: Soundproof windows and doors need to be installed to prevent
unwanted noise from outside. Industrial plants that generate much noise from using
the machinery must use soundproof materials to lessen high sound frequencies. In
addition, one can install soundproofing items at home that stop the noise and unwanted
vibrations. Double-pane windows, for instance, can be a unique method for blocking
noise pollution.
• Use barriers or go green by planting trees: Planting bushes and trees effectively
reduces noise pollution. It is technique popularly called as green muffler. However, a
simple way to decrease strong sound waves and vibrations is by using barriers like
planting trees around buildings, houses, and companies. These barriers will absorb the
waves and lessen environmental noise drastically.
• Lubrication and better maintenance of machines: Regularly servicing automobiles
can successfully reduce noise pollution. When the components of engines and machines
are well lubricated and well maintained, it enhances efficiency and helps decrease
noise. The cause is that lubrication and proper maintenance decrease friction between
moving parts. Noise mufflers are to be used to avoid noises.
• Use of earplugs: One of the most effective solutions to reduce noise pollution is to wear
earplugs. They could be worn while sleeping or in working places to decrease the
amount of noise from the environment. In addition, they have health benefits as well,
like healthy sleeping habits and preventing damage to the eardrum.

Source: th.bing.com
Fig 11. Using Earplugs to Reduce Noise Pollution
With the projections of rapid urban growth and the consequent rise in transport demand, it
is possible to estimate a simultaneous rise in noise exposure and, thus, the adverse effects.
Subsequently, it is important to implement policies that protect our health and wildlife
instantly. These policies and actions are particularly required during festive seasons when
noise pollution is more obvious.
Activity 3
Visit an industrial site. Observe the noise at the site. Then, cover your ears with your
hands to prevent noise. After some time, wear earplugs and see if they are more
effective at protecting from noise than covering their ears with their hands or doing
nothing at all. Also, find out the ways or measures one can take to prevent noise
pollution.

11. Noise has adverse effects on our ____________.

12. Dense trees reduces noise pollution as they filter out the noise and obstruct it
from reaching the citizens. [True/False]
13. Noise mufflers are to be used to avoid noises. [True/False]
14. Which among the following sound is pleasant to our ears?
a) Transportation equipment
b) Musical instruments
c) Heavy machinery
15. Which among the following measures will help in reducing noise pollution?
a) Automobiles to be fitted with silencers.
b) Factories need to be located near residential areas.
c) Use loudspeakers only when required.
d) Both A. & C.

Sources of
Basic Noise
Conceptualities Pollution
Related to
Noise Pollution
Effects of
Noise Pollution Noise
Pollution
Overview of
Noise
Pollution
Control
Measures of
Noise
Pollution
Examples of
Controlling
Different Noise
Pollution
Measures of
Effective Control
of Noise
Pollution

5. SUMMARY
• Noise pollution refers to high-level sounds that irritate living organisms' hearing
capacity. It can result from machines, high music, and elevated vehicle sounds. Noise
pollution is a disturbance that causes severe health hazards and environmental
problems and should be controlled.
• Noise pollution refers to the undesired and unpleasant sounds that are hindering
modern day development and disrupting the activity and stability of animal and human
life.
• Noise pollution is usually produced in some workplaces and industrial facilities and
comes from aeroplane traffic, construction activities, trains, highway traffic, and heavy
vehicles. It affects the well-being and comfort of all living creatures, both ashore and in
the ocean, from road traffic noise to live concerts; many sounds cause stress,
hypertension, and hearing activities.
• Various sources of noise pollution are industrialization, transportation, construction
sites, mining, household chores, office hardware, agriculture machines, defence
equipment, poor urban planning, fireworks, social events, and many more.
• Noise Pollution impacts a large number of individuals constantly. Noise pollution
reduces the quality of the crops and affects the whole structure of the building. Human
health is also affected by various types of noise pollution. In addition, openness to loud
noise can cause coronary illness, hypertension, and stress. Noise pollution is also
dangerous for both plants and animals. The most hazardous forms generate the most
extreme noises, i.e., underwater bomb explosions of dynamite for fishing. As a result,
there is a bigger urgency to take suitable actions appropriately and quickly.
• Various measures can be taken to reduce the level of noise like covering noise
delivering machines, leaving behind sound-retaining materials to check noise creation;
installing noisy machines in sound verification chambers; using silencers to control
noise from autos; designing, manufacturing, and utilizing calmer machines to supplant
the uproarious ones; and proper oiling and better support of machines.
• To lessen noise pollution, one must use earplugs at construction sites. In addition,
soundproof windows and doors need to be installed to prevent unwanted noise from

outside. Finally, an effortless way to decrease strong sound waves and vibrations is by
using barriers like planting trees around buildings, houses, and companies.
6. GLOSSARY
Basic amenities: It includes the things which are essential for life. These are basic needs
that every person requires to make their life easier and healthier. The government provides
these basic amenities to the societies, such as safe drinking water, electricity, sanitation,
healthcare centres, housing, playgrounds, schools, and other recreational facilities.
Deafness: It is the condition in which a person is not able to hear. In other words, an
individual loses his ability to hear, until the sound level reaches at least 90 decibels. A few
common symptoms of deafness are asking people to speak louder, hearing muffled sounds,
and the need to increase the volume of devices such as radios, televisions, phones and so on.
Hazardous: In simple terms, it means dangerous. It means exposing one to risk. Hazardous
substances are the materials, gases, liquids, or solids that can injure people, the environment,
property, or any living organisms. Hazardous resources are often related to chemical
regulations. Therefore, personnel are specially provided with training on how to handle such
hazardous materials.
Nuisance: An individual or a thing causing annoyance or inconvenience. In other words, it

causes trouble, offence, injury, or annoyance.
Perception: It is the process of receiving, selecting, organizing, and interpreting the

information from the outside environment to make it meaningful to a person. It also helps in
taking constructive decisions.

7. CASE STUDY
DELHI POLLUTION, INDIA
Back in 2011, an examination by the Center of Science and Environment (CSE) has affirmed
that New Delhi is the most intense city in India. The level of noise in the roads can go over
110 decibels, which is a few times louder than Singapore. The noise level has arrived at
hazardous levels, past the suggested rules of 50-55 decibels for private zones.
Delayed openness to this degree of commotion has brought about the expansion of danger
in hearing misfortune for the residents. As per the studies, the normal age of residents in
New Delhi are 12 years older in terms of hearing, which implies they are at more serious
danger of losing their hearing in their 50s or mid-60s.
The uproarious noise is frequently created by the honking of cars, which means changes in
behavior and attitude can decrease the key source of the noise. Though, this is an obstacle as
the habit of honking is ingrained into their everyday routine.
The roads of New Delhi are shared by people, vehicles, cyclists, individuals, and many more.
Traffic on the roads is very heavy, thus the use of honk of an approaching vehicle is necessary
to warn people. As this concerns individual security, the honking behavior will be a strong
internal hurdle as the drivers can't just quit honking.
Source: Article from The Times of India newspaper

Q1. Being a General Manager to control noise pollution, what activities according to you can
the state of Delhi restrict to reduce noise pollution?
Q2. Highlight the sources and the impact of noise pollution discussed in the above case.

Q1. What do you understand by the term 'noise'?
Q2. How do agricultural machines contribute to noise pollution?
Q3. Mr Frank's family wants to purchase a house. They have been offered two houses, one
facing a busy street and another away from the busy road. If you were Mr Frank, which house
would you recommend to your family to purchase? Justify the answer with a suitable reason.
Q4. State the SI unit used to measure the sound level.
Q5. List the most common causes of noise pollution.
Q1. What measures are to be taken to control noise pollution?
Q2. How does noise pollution affect plants and animals?
Q3. 'Constant interference of noise or unwanted sound in the environment influences human
health.' Explain.
Q4. Explain the main sources of noise pollution.
Q5. How can one reduce the effects of noise pollution?
8.1 Answers
1. Decibels
2. True
3. True
4. B. Undesirable & unwanted sound
6. Sound
7. False
8. False
9. D. Both A. & B.
11. Health
12. True

13. True
14. B. Musical instruments
15. D. Both A. & C.
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
Answer 1: The word noise refers to sickness in which the person feels vomiting and
originates from the Latin word 'Nausea'. Noise is an unwanted and nasty sound that leads to
discomfort in living beings. Therefore, the slightest sound that a human ear can hear is 1 dB.
Answer 2: Agricultural practices have become mechanized due to the technological
revolution. As a result, several machines and tools such as drillers, tractors, harvesters,
powered tillers, thrashers, and tube wells are used for farming, causing heavy noise
pollution.
Answer 3: I would recommend purchasing the house far away from the busy road. As houses
facing busy streets will have a lot of noise and air pollution, houses away from busy roads
will have less traffic and less noise. The concentration of noise reduces with the decrease in
the distance between the receiver and the source.
Answer 4: The unit which is used to measure the sound level is dB (Decibels). This unit is
also used to measure the noise level created in a region due to the objects in the environment.
Answer 5: The major causes of noise pollution are aircraft, vehicles, industrial machines,
crackers, loudspeakers, and other devices, such as radio, transistor, television, etc. pollute
noise when used at high volume. Noise pollution is usually produced in some workplaces
and industrial facilities.

Answer 1: These are some of the following points which will help to control noise pollution:
• Use barriers or go green by planting trees: A simple way to decrease strong sound
waves and vibrations is by using barriers like planting trees around buildings, houses,
and companies. These barriers will absorb the waves and lessen environmental noise
drastically.

• Lubrication and better maintenance of machines: Regularly servicing automobiles

can successfully reduce noise pollution. When the components of engines and machines
are well lubricated and well maintained, it enhances efficiency and helps decrease
noise.
• Use of earplugs: One of the most effective solutions to reduce noise pollution is to wear
earplugs. They could be worn while sleeping or in working places to decrease the
amount of noise from the environment.
Answer 2: Noise pollution is also dangerous for both plants and animals.
• The sources of noise in the environment are trolleybuses, cars, aeroplanes, trains,
machinery, and many more. The acceptable noise level ranges from 30 dB to 60 dB. but,
generally go beyond these figures and reach 100 dB, thus affecting the plants.
• Human interests on the seas, like infrastructure, shipping, fishing, and mining, are
increasing, thus increasing the level of sound and noise in the oceans. The most
hazardous forms generate the most extreme noises, i.e., underwater bomb explosions
of dynamite for fishing. All these activities affect marine animals to a great extent.
• The noise pollution limits the freedom of birds, insects, and animals. It desists them
from roaming, sleeping, and eating. It constrains the movements and interactions of all
living organisms.
Answer 3: Noise Pollution can be hazardous to human health in the subsequent manners:
• High Blood Pressure: High noise levels raise blood pressure and pulse rates, making
humans susceptible to heart attacks. In addition, noise pollution causes heart attacks
due to sleep interference.
• Loss of Hearing Ability: Continuous exposure to loud noise beyond the acceptable
range of sound can harm the eardrums, thus resulting in hearing loss. Hearing
impairment induced by noise pollution causes temporary or permanent deafness.
• Disturbance: Effects of noise pollution include not only disturbed sleep but also affects
mental health. Some psychological effects of noise pollution are losing peace of mind,
depression, stress, getting irritated more frequently, anxiety, waking too early, and so
on. Lack of concentration can also be examined due to unwanted sounds and noise.

Answer 4: The sources of noise pollution are as follows:

• Social events: Weddings, festivals, public gatherings, and occasions involve
loudspeakers playing music, thus producing unwanted noise in the surroundings. The
administration and concerned authorities have issued certain rules restricting music in
high volumes. However, people do not follow such rules, creating a huge nuisance.
• Fireworks: Indian festivals such as Diwali, Dussehra, marriages, and so on use
fireworks for celebrations. Bursting firecrackers is a health hazard and creates noise
pollution. The noise produced is hazardous and can sometimes lead to non-recoverable
hearing loss.
• Defence equipment: Military aeroplane drills, artillery tanks, explosions, rocket
launching, and shooting practices are serious noise polluters. Likewise, the sounds of
jet engines produce deafening impacts.
Answer 5: The steps to reduce the effect of noise pollution are as follows:
1. Control at Receiver's End: For individuals working in loud establishments, ear-
security helps such as noise caps, earplugs, earphones, earmuffs and so on should be
given to lessen occupational openness. People working in noisy regions should be
provided with ear protection aids.
2. Controlling at Source: The best control method for noise pollution is to reduce the
noise from the source. Noisy machines with sound-absorbing materials should be
installed. This is appropriate if methods and strategies are enhanced by:
• Installing noisy machines in sound verification chambers.
• Designing, using, and manufacturing calmer machines to substitute noisy ones.


BOOKS:
• Wang, L. K., & Pereira, N. C., 1st Edition. Air and Noise Pollution Control. The Humana
Press, Clifton, New Jersey.
• Agarwal, S. K., (2015). Noise Pollution. APH Publishing.
• Bhatia, S.C., 1st Edition (2007). Noise Pollution and its Control. Atlantic Publishers and
Distributors (P) Ltd.
E-REFERENCES:
• Noise Pollution | Environmental Pollution Centers, viewed on August 13, 2022, <
https://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/noise-pollution/#:~:text=Noise%
20pollution%20is%20generally%20defined%20as%20regular%20exposure,of%20h
ow%20long%20or%20consistent%20the%20exposure%20is. >
• What Is Noise Pollution? - Sources, And Effect, viewed on August 14, 2022, < https://
www.engineeringchoice.com/what-is-noise-pollution/#:~:text=There%20are%20
many%20sources%20of%20noise%20pollution%2C%20but,Catering%20and%20ni
ght%20life.%20...%208%20Animals.%20 >
• Delhi Noise Pollution, viewed on August 15, 2022, < https://timesofindia.indiatimes.
com/city/delhi/dpcc-to-add-26-stations-to-check-noise-levels-in-capital/articlesho
w/72420983.cms >

ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 13: Solid Waste Management 1

Unit 13
Solid Waste Management
Table of Contents
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction
3
2 Solid Waste Management 1, I
2.1 Meaning and definition of solid waste
management 4-7
2.2 Solid waste 1
2.3 Types of Municipal Solid waste
3 Classification of solid waste 2, II
8-10
3.1 Classification Based on the Source of 2
Origin
4 Solid Waste Management Methods 3, III
4.1 Landfills 3
4.2 Incineration 10-16
4.3 Composting
4.4 Recycling 4
5 Hazardous waste 4
17-18
5.1 Characteristics of Hazardous waste
6 Disposal method and its effect 5
19-21
6.1 The effect of disposal method
7 Nuclear waste and its effect 5 6 22-23
8 Summary 24
9 Glossary 25
10 Case Study 26
26-30
11.1 Answer Keys

1. INTRODUCTION
An environment consists of the surroundings where we live in, and it is a basic necessity of
all living beings. An environment produces a lot of waste and we should learn to manage this
waste properly to build a better environment. In this chapter, we will learn about solid
wastes that are generated in our environment and how important it is to manage them
efficiently, and the methods or techniques that helps us to manage such wastes.
In the present times, our environment faces many environmental STUDY NOTE
issues such as loss of natural resources, global warming, pollution
Towards the end of 18th
due to development, etc. Environmental studies help us to Century in America, the
municipal solid waste
understand the various environmental phenomena occurring collection began in
Boston, New York City,
naturally within our environment. and Philadelphia.
We know that our lives are directly linked with the surroundings; thus the production of
wastes is inevitable. However, it is our responsibility to manage them efficiently and take
care of the environment. An environmental study is a basic and an applied science, which
mostly talks about the social sciences.
In environmental studies, we study each component of the environment interact with the
surrounding physical environment and with each other. The ecosystem is expansive and
spread out over a wide region. Wastes are products that are unwanted or unacceptable.
Every material that is wasted after use, or is no longer useful, is referred to as a waste.
Municipal industrial waste, drainage, hazardous waste, nuclear waste, and other forms of
waste are some examples.

❖ Define solid waste.

❖ List the types of solid waste.
❖ Come up with a plan for management of solid wastes.
❖ Describe the solid waste management methods.
❖ Explain the types of nuclear wastes and their hazardous effects.

2. SOLID WASTE AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Solid waste refers to the rubbish that consists of wasteful items discarded by the public on a
daily basis. It comes from various human activities in the form of wasteful material during
household activities, industrial activities, and other commercial activities by organisations.
The increase in the utilisation of different resources has led to the production of more waste.
In this section, we will study what comprises solid wastes generated in our environment, we
will also study the origins and the types of different resources and their management. It is
essential to understand the importance of the disposal of solid wastes, and identify the
problems that may arise related to each type of waste.
We should understand the mechanism of waste disposal so that it has a minimal effect on
our environment. It is also critical to understand that as humans, it is our utmost
responsibility to take care of the wastes we generate. The processing of urban solid wastes,
along with the high organic content of wastes, and its often inaccurate disposals, result in
substantial biological emissions, as well as the emission of methane (CH4) and carbon
dioxide (CO2), all of which add to the greenhouse effect.
As a result of this environmental challenge, local governments are attempting to introduce

more efficient techno-economic, social, and political strategies to handle the growing
amounts of urban solid wastes generated in the environment.
2.1 Meaning and Definition of Solid Waste Management

Every day, thousands of tonnes of solid wastes are disposed at
STUDY NOTE
landfills. These solid wastes are created at homes, offices, and by a
Waste is regarded as
number of other companies. If wastes are not adequately handled,
something undesirable
these landfill sites emit a foul odour. When hazardous wastes such or not in use anymore.
When we buy or
as lead-acid batteries, poisons, washing solvents, cadmium, produce something, the
wastes left after their
arsenic, or zinc, as well as radioactive products, are disposed and use becomes solid
combined with paper and other scraps, and burned, gases such as wastes.
dioxins are released.
These gases are carcinogenic and poisonous, and they pollute the air and waters, posing a
significant threat to human, animal, and environmental health. Certain kinds of wastes are

considered dangerous because they have an immediate impact on humans or the

environment. Municipal solid waste (MSW) or refuse, on the other hand, refers to any non-
hazardous solid waste from a city that requires collection and transport to an appropriate
recycling or disposal site.
Garbage and rubbish are used with refuse. Garbage is normally decomposable food waste;
however, it may also be dry materials such as glass, paper, or wood. Trash will also contain
heavy items such as couches or old refrigerators. Trash necessitates special treatment and
collection. Solid waste is a term used to describe the unnecessary or harmful solid materials
produced by humans in industrial and residential areas.
Strong waste disposal is important because it limits the detrimental effects on public health
and the environment. A municipality's waste materials are efficiently managed using a
variety of approaches. Monitoring, collection, transportation, sorting, recycling, and
eventually, disposal, are all included. An urban population's socio-economic status directs its
lifestyle, which leads to the different quanta of waste generation.
2.2 Solid Waste

Garbage disposal is referred to as solid waste management. Garbage or solid waste has been
a huge problem for people since they began to live in cities. Global cultures accumulate more
solid waste than any prior human society.
Industrialization has impacted people's daily lives significantly, as they accumulate several
pounds of solid waste per user. The production of wastes take place both directly inside
homes and indirectly in factories that manufacture consumer products. Solid wastes, also
known as trash, is broadly classified as follows:
1. Organic waste: Kitchen wastes, vegetables, flowers, leaves, and fruits are all included
in organic wastes. Because of an inefficient waste collection scheme, urban solid wastes
accumulate on the highways. People clean their own homes with care, but they litter
their surroundings, which has an adverse impact on the communities and, indirectly,
on them.
2. Toxic waste: Paints, chemicals, old medicines, bulbs, spray cans, fertilisers, pesticide
containers, batteries, shoe polish, etc. are some examples of toxic waste.
3. Recyclable: Paper, glass, metals, plastics are some examples of recyclable waste.

4. Hospital waste: Hospital waste includes products used in hospitals such as clothes,
gloves, hand rubs, syringes, etc.
Dumping of solid wastes contributes to the decomposition of

STUDY NOTE
biodegradable products in unsanitary and unregulated
Hospital supplies are
environments, resulting in foul odours, which provides a breeding severely considered as
ground for a number of infectious organisms and insects. harmful solid wastes,
which cannot be easily
Hazardous wastes and radioactive metals that are released from recycled or disposed.
industrial solid wastes also cause changes in the physiological and

biological characteristics, and affects the fertility of soil as well. Biological characteristics of
solid waste include human and animal excreta, which can be decomposed, as compared to
other solid waste items.
Wastes like paper scraps and non-toxic materials, which are recyclable but are not recycled
properly, hampers the productivity of soil. Furans, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls
are generated when products like cans, cleaning solvents, pesticides, radioactive materials,
plastics, etc. are burned, causing a variety of cancers. Such kinds of adverse effects have
made it more necessary to understand waste management.
The following are some of the methods to classify and manage solid wastes:
1. Centralised method: This approach entails the disposal of urban wastes using the land
filling method. The solid wastes are collected by a Municipal Corporation's waste
keeper and later handed over to a recycling team. The waste is then disposed in a dump
by a recycling crew.
2. De-centralised method: Waste is obtained by wards and divided at a source into non-
biodegradable and biodegradable materials. The process of composting is used to
transform biodegradable wastes into compost. Non-biodegradable wastes are divided
further into paper, plastic, metal, and other wastes before being processed by recyclers
for up-cycling. This model is observed in south India-Andra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Source: Wikipedia.org
Fig 1: Solid Waste
Activity 1
Assume that you are working as a social worker and you find non-biodegradable waste
around you, for which you are worried about. So, you try to gather people and tell them
to participate in recycling the waste instead of disposing them.
Now, make a report about this activity and share your experience with your colleagues.
1. Which of the following items do not fit in a trash?

a) Micro-organisms
b) Plastics
c) Papers
2. Garbage disposal is referred to as solid waste management. [True/False]
3. In the decentralised method, a non-biodegradable waste is _________.
4. Toxic wastes include _________, _________ and ________.

3. CLASSIFICATION OF SOLID WASTE

We have discussed so many types of wastes that are produced at different sites. The
enormous amount of wastes produced can be classified into a number of categories. The
classification can be done into two ways:
• Classification based on the source of an origin
• Type-based classification
The classification based on the source of an origin directs wastes based on their origins. They
are categorised as residential, commercial, institutional, municipal, industrial, agricultural,
and open areas.
The other type of classification is based on types, i.e., physical, chemical, and biological
characteristics of a waste. They can be categorised as animal waste, sewage waste, hazardous
waste, construction and demolition wastes, abandoned vehicles, dead animals, street wastes,
and bulky wastes.
3.1 Classification Based on the Source Of Origin

1. Residential: This contains waste from residential areas, such as homes and
apartments, which include leftover fruits, vegetable peels, plastics, garments, and
ashes, among other items.
2. Commercial: This includes waste caused by supermarkets, restaurants, markets,
hotels, motels, auto-repair shops, medical services, and other businesses, such as
leftover food, glasses, metals, and ashes.
3. Institutional: This mostly consists of paper, rubber, STUDY NOTE
glasses, and other materials originating from instructional, There have been some
recent initiatives taken by
administrative, and public buildings such as classrooms, the people to classify dry
universities, offices, and prisons. and moist residential
wastes separately to
4. Municipal: This includes dust, leafy matter, building recycle them more easily.
Indore is one such city
wastes, leftover sludge from treatment plants, and other where the municipal
corporation has taken this
civic operations such as renovation and demolition, street initiative.
sweeping, landscaping, and so on.

5. Industrial: Industrial wastes are the waste from an industry's operations, which
include process wastes, ashes, renovation and building wastes, toxic wastes, and so on.
6. Agricultural: This includes ruined food grains and vegetables, agricultural waste,
trash, and other materials produced by vineyards, farms, fields, orchards, among other
locations.
7. Open areas: This covers pollution from parks, sidewalks, alleys, vacant lots,
playgrounds, beaches, roads, and recreational areas, among other locations.
Source: brainkart.com
Fig 2: Classification based on source
Activity 2
Create a scrapbook where you record the wastes you discover while you are on the road, or in
school or college. You can also record your home waste. After recording all the wastes you
discover, categorise them based on their source of origin. For example, an old CD found on the
road is categorised as an E-waste.

5. Wood, paper, and plastic are categorised as _______________ type of waste.

6. Electronic waste from computers used in universities can be categorised under
____________ waste.
7. E-wastes include ______________, _____________, and ______________.
8. Which of the following is not an origin-based classification?
a) Residential
b) Industrial
c) Municipal
d) Hazardous waste
9. Pesticide containers are a part of:
a) Institutional wastes
b) E-commerce wastes
c) Agriculture wastes
4. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT METHODS

A solid waste management system (SWM system) is a set of different functional elements
that work together to handle solid wastes. The system assists in the storage and recycling of
solid wastes at low prices while protecting public health. The functional aspects of SWM are:
1. Waste generation: Wastes are inevitable as they will be generated at every stage–from
production to consumption. Households, factories, industrial areas, institutions,
commercial areas, street sweeping, and other public utilities, for example, produce
wastes. The detection of wastes is the most important feature of this section of the SWM
scheme.
2. Waste collection: This involves storing wastes and transporting them to a recycling
station, dump site, or recycling plant after a collection vehicle has been cleared. The
amount of waste disposal, the number of containers used, and the types of collection
systems affect waste collection. Waste collection is offered in a variety of management
arrangements, ranging from local to franchised services, as listed below:
• Transfer and transport

• The type of transport operation equipment, accessories, capacity, and environmental

specifications have an impact on the design of a transfer station
• Recovery and recycling
• Sorting
3. Waste storage: Since waste is never collected at its source, storage is a necessary
functional feature. The heterogeneous wastes generated in households must be taken
off within eight days because of a lack of storage space. Onsite storage is very critical
because of aesthetic consideration and public health. Some of the storage options used
are oil drums, plastic containers, used oil drums, big storage bins, etc.
4. Waste disposal: All solid wastes, including household wastes, agricultural wastes,
urban semi-solid wastes, incinerator residues, composts, or other items of no other
utility to a community, will eventually be disposed of. As a result, land serves as a
preparation area for landfill operations, being a prime determinant in their collection,
nature, and service. As a result, the final use of reclaimed land is one of the most
important practical aspects of SWM.
4.1 Landfills
Garbage is distributed in thin layers and enclosed with plastic form or clay in landfills. The
bottom of a modern landfill is covered with a water-proof liner, different layers of sand, clay,
and thick plastics. Because of the percolation of leachate, which is pumped and sent for
treatment, this impermeable liner serves as a barrier of protection
for the groundwater. STUDY NOTE
A landfill is an area for

When a landfill is completed, it is surrounded by grit, mud, asphalt, the disposal of solid
wastes as a method of
and topsoil to prevent water from seeping in. Many wells are dug filling and excavation
near landfills to see if there is any groundwater pollution due to after a certain period.
leaks. Methane is created by anaerobic decomposition, and is

extracted and burned to generate heat or electricity. The principles for selecting a Sanitary
Landfill Site are:
✓ It cannot be used in a rock quarry because water will leak through a water fracture
system through the cracks in rocks.
✓ It should not be put in gravels or sandpits because of their high leaching ability.

✓ It must not be situated in a flood plain. The bulk of a garbage is less compact than water,
but if it rains in a landfill, the garbage will rise to the surface and flow away
downstream.
✓ It should not be close to human and animal habitats as it may adversely affect the health
of living beings due to the emission of various types of gases while decomposing.
Landfill activities can have a number of detrimental effects. These consequences may include
fatal injuries, contamination, and infrastructure damage; the rotting of organic wastes create
methane, which is a hazard to residents; and a poorly built landfill harbours disease vectors
such as flies or rats.
Source: study.com
Fig 3: Sanitary landfills
4.2 Incineration
Incineration refers to an act of burning something until only ashes remain. An incinerator,
which is a device or facility that burns garbage and other forms of waste until it is reduced
to ash, is a tool used in this process. To avoid the release of excessive quantities of exterior
heat, an incinerator should be made of thick, well-insulated materials. The high
temperatures of heat are retained in the furnace, which is used to rapidly and effectively
burn the waste.
If we don't regulate the heat, the waste in an incinerator won't burn as thoroughly. It is a
form of waste management, in which a large amount of solid organic wastes are subjected to
burning and converted into gaseous materials or residues. This method aids in 20 to 30
percent of the reduction of solid waste loads of their initial volume.

Incineration, also known as ‘thermal treatment’, is a heat-based waste treatment technique.

Wastes are converted into coal, fire, smoke, and steam in incinerators. Industries perform
incineration on a large scale, while individuals perform it on a smaller scale. Strong liquid
and gaseous wastes are all disposed in an incineration process. It is often used to dispose off
hazardous waste products in a practical way. Incineration is a contentious waste disposal
process because it results in the release of gaseous contaminants. These gases are hazardous
for life, due to which they cannot be reused as they are the smallest form of waste.
4.3 Composting
Since garbage capacity is scarce in major cities, biodegradable wastes (which is kept separate
from urban wastes) are permitted to decompose in a medium. To boost soil fertility and
conditions, environmentally sustainable and high-quality manure are mixed. Organic
matters account for 35 to 40 percent of India's urban solid wastes, which can be recycled
using this composting process.
In the Indian history, composting is one of the oldest ways for the disposal of waste. The
natural biological mechanism of organic waste decompositions creates manure or compost,
which is extremely nutrient-dense. Composting is a biological mechanism in which
microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria degrade food waste into a humus-like material.
This finished product, which resembles compost, is rich in carbon and nitrogen, making it a
perfect growing medium for plants. A composting process means that kitchen wastes should
not be dumped carelessly and left to rot, but it should be recycled as the nutrients from a
compost contributes nutrients to the soil. Composting will dramatically minimise discarded
waste, in addition to being clean, affordable, and safe.
Instead of artificial fertilisers, we should continue to use organic fertilisers, which are safer
for crops. It enhances the soil's ability to absorb water while also making it easy to grow
crops. Composting helps in keeping a plant’s nutrients in the soil.
Vermicomposting has gained a lot of attention in the recent years. Worms are added to a
compost in this process, which aids in the breakdown of waste and also adds worm excreta,
which provides additional nutrients.

Every responsible citizen should aim to make a compost pit; the steps for doing so are as
follows.
• You must first pick a shady and cool spot in your garden or in your institution’s
grounds, and then dig a pit that is approximately 3 feet deep. For aerobic composting,
this depth is ideal.
• To prevent nitrite pollution of the highly radioactive subsoil water, the pit should be
lined with brick or granite. When you add an organic matter to the pit, make sure to
cover it with a thin layer of dirt or dry leaves. This encourages oxygen to penetrate the
pit, which helps to control the foul odour. After nearly 40 days, the rich pure organic
matter is available for use. Composting has many benefits, like:
✓ It increases the retaining power of plant nutrients.
✓ It provides the plants with vital nutrients.
✓ It aids in the reduction of the negative effects of high acidity, alkalinity, or chemical
fertilisers’ use.
✓ It makes it easy to farm soil.
✓ It aids in maintaining the soil's temperature.
✓ It aids in the prevention of soil erosion and the growth of weeds.
4.4 Recycling
Recycling is a method of converting garbage into something valuable. It reduces the volume
of garbage that needs to be handled by lowering the cost of handling and landfill disposals.
It also helps to save natural resources by lowering the amount of energy used to create new
materials. Upcycling and downcycling are two words for recycling.
Upcycling a product entails updating it by various recycling systems. Making roads out of
cheap plastic is an example of upcycling. Downcycling is a practise of lowering the value of a
product by multiple recycling methods. Downcycling is a method of breaking down high-
quality plastics at high temperatures into lower-quality plastics, which can be used to
produce a range of products.

Source: community.materialtrader.com
Fig 4: Recycling
Activity 3
Create a vermicompost at home by following the following steps:
a. Buy a bin and keep it at a warm spot in your home.
b. Drill holes to allow the passage of air.
c. Place the bin on blocks with plastic on it.
d. You may purchase the worms online, and add to the bin.
e. Add garbage from home and maintain the same until it can be reused.
Come up with the ideas where noise pollution from each of these areas can be
reduced.

10. The most famous method of composting is _____________.

11. We should use _____________ when vermi-composing.
12. Recycling refers to ______________ and _____________.
13. An SWM system means a combination of many functional elements related to
the _________.
14. Composting improves a soil’s fertility. [True/ False]
15. Downcycling means upgrading a commodity using different processes of
recycling. [True/ False]
16. Incinerators should be made from the following things. Choose the correct
answer.
a) Conductors
b) Insulators
c) Both of these
d) None of these

5. HAZARDOUS WASTES
Hazardous wastes are wastes that come from institutes, factories, and consumers that are
inherently hazardous to the atmosphere and human beings living in an environment, either
immediately or over time, due to physical, biochemical, chemical, or nuclear features such as
corrosivity, ignitability, contamination, and reactivity.
Empty paint and fertiliser cans, as well as solvents, are typical examples of hazardous
pollutants that are often combined with municipal wastes, and thereby become part of an
urban waste stream. Certain hazardous wastes have the potential to cause accidents and
fires at landfills and incinerators.
Others, such as pathological waste from hospitals and laboratories can also be hazardous.
Hazardous wastes should be treated, processed, shipped, and disposed off individually,
ideally after treatment to make them harmless, according to good management practices.
5.1 Characterstics of Hazardous Wastes

There are four basic characteristics of hazardous wastes – corrosivity, ignitability, toxicity
and reactivity:
1. Ignitability: These wastes can lead to fires under some conditions once their flash
point reaches less than 60°C. Some examples are used solvents and waste oils. A
flashpoint is defined as the minimum temperature at which a substance is capable of
evaporating enough to make some sufficient vapour to produce an ignitable mixture
with the air.
Ignitable wastes can be categorised into liquids and solids. When it comes to solids, other
factors also have to be taken into account besides a flashpoint. If ignited, these wastes will
burn persistently and vigorously, leading to a hazardous situation.
2. Corrosivity: Corrosive wastes are either acids or bases. They have a pH of less than or
equal to 2, or greater than or equal to 12.5, which allows metal containers like drums,
storage tanks, and barrels to corrode. Batteries are an example of a corrosive waste. A
corrosive waste cannot only corrode the metals buts also cause skin damage to people.
A corrosive hazardous material can be either solid or liquid.

3. Reactivity: The reactive wastes are ‘wastes which are not stable under "standard"
conditions’. When compressed, heated, or combined with water, they can produce
poisonous chemicals, fires, gases, or vapours. An ideal example of reactive waste is
lithium-sulphur batteries. They are highly unstable as they can form vapours and fumes
that pose a threat to human life.
4. Toxicity: Toxic wastes are those that are ‘fatal or dangerous’ when swallowed (e.g.,
those containing lead, arsenic, or other heavy metals) or ingested. When hazardous
wastes are disposed off on soil, the polluted solvents can leach from the waste, causing
groundwater contamination.
17. Which on the following poses a threat to human-life?

a) Agriculture
b) Plants
c) Hazardous waste
d) Pure atmosphere
18. A flash point is lesser than _______________.
19. Which of the following is an example of a hazardous waste?
a) Groundnut seeds ready to be sown
b) Containers of paints
c) Vegetable peel
d) Fruit peel

6. DISPOSAL METHODS AND ITS EFFECTS

In developed nations, the use of suitable waste management methods has been a crucial
component in ensuring a much safer and healthier environment. Governments and
interested institutions have been taking the lead in terms of efficiency by encouraging the
development and implementation of appropriate technologies and facilities, including waste
collection vehicles, for efficient waste management procedures.
Machines capable of processing recyclable goods and machines capable of recycling used
materials for reuse should be included in the equipment. In all private and public spaces,
waste paper bags, trashcans, dustbins, and garbage buckets should be put in the correct
positions. People should be mindful of the differences between biodegradable and non-
biodegradable materials and dispose off them separately so that waste collection vehicles
can collect them quickly.
These collected wastes will then be shipped and disposed off in suitable packaging,
treatment, and/or recycle facilities. Both stakeholders should be provided with ample
knowledge about the harmful effects of wastes. In the environment, waste management
methods, emerging technology and their implementations, and instructions should be
provided through congresses, conferences, courses, lectures, and TV and radio
enlightenment services.
This style of schooling and preparation is important for all forms of societies. Instructions on
how to keep the environment safe by properly using the trashcans provided and not littering
without caring should be included in the trainings.
The following are the methods of Solid Waste Disposal: STUDY NOTE
• Sea dumping process: This kind of a process is only seen in It is projected that the
world population would
coastal cities. It is a very costly process, and is often grow by 35% by 2050 to
detrimental to the environment. 9.7 billion, and there will
be rising demands for
• Salvaging procedure: Salvaged materials, such as paper, food, fiber, fuel, and other
agricultural products.
copper, glasses, rags, and certain types of plastics, are
recycled and reused.

• Fermentation/biological digestion: Biodegradable pollutants are composted and

recycled wherever possible, while hazardous wastes are disposed off using acceptable
methods.
6.1 The Effects of Disposal System

The detrimental consequences of poor waste management not only results in an unpleasant
appearance, but they also have a significant impact on a country's economy. A government
would have to invest a significant amount of money to fix the consequences of poor waste
management. Since flora and fauna are dependent on their surroundings, they are at a risk
from chemical or oil spills that contaminate water and soil.
• Soil Contamination: Contamination happens when toxic components are buried or
spilled in dirt. As a result, we must exercise caution when treating liquid hydrocarbons,
solvents, chemicals, heavy metals, and lead.
• Water contamination: Hazardous wastes in the atmosphere seep deep into the earth,
eventually contaminating groundwater, which is used for a variety of purposes
including drainage and drinking. Toxic liquid chemicals from waste can also
contaminate water sources. Contaminated water from raw waste poses a danger to sea
life as well. It has the ability to suffocate and kill underwater ecosystems, such as corals.
• Impact on animals and marine life: Garbage and pollution that has not been
adequately handled has an impact not only on humans but also on the wildlife. They
also suffer as a result of contamination caused by excessive waste disposal. The most
well-known example is cigarette butts, which have resulted in the death of marine
animals. A herbivore consumes only herbs and since toxins seep into the soil, animals
feeding on grass in infected areas are at a risk of poisoning.
• Missed recycling opportunities: Recycling generates sales. Cities that do not follow
proper recycling and waste collection procedures lose money. They still overlook the
materials, which can be reused as well as the job prospects that a recycling centre
provides.
• Climate changes: As a waste decomposes improperly, gases are released into the
atmosphere, and are then used to absorb heat. Extreme weather shifts are because of
the greenhouse gases, which are hazardous to the environment. The detrimental effects
of greenhouse gases are wreaking havoc on humans.

• It is slowly killing the planet: We just have one world, and our reckless waste
management is harming it. It is our duty to protect the atmosphere for the sake of
ourselves, our world, our children, and future generations.
22. The famous method for treating paper, metal, paper, glass is _________.
23. Biodegradable wastes are converted to __________.
24. The improper treatment of wastes causes ______________, ______________, and
______________ pollutions.
25. The gas responsible for climate change is ___________.
26. Improper treatment of wastes can harm a herbivore. [True/ False]
27. Imperfectly handled waste can cause respiratory problems. [True/ False]

7. NUCLEAR WASTES AND ITS EFFECTS

The fission, fusion, and refinement of radioactive materials produce radioactive by-products.
All solid and liquid radioactive wastes are a part of this. There are various health hazards
associated with nuclear wastes.
Health Effects: The greatest concern is the negative implication on a human body if exposed
to radiation. A long exposure to radiation can lead to cancer. A radiation from a radioactive
waste can reach deep into an animal's or human's body, causing serious damage to biological
cells, which can lead to cancer or genetic diseases.
When a radioactive substance is released into the environment, they are either dispersed or
become concentrated in living organisms through the food chain. The high levels of radiation,
such as that from a high-level radioactive waste, can be fatal. Radiation exposure can also
cause birth defects, cancer, and other abnormalities, based on the length of exposure, amount
of radiation, and the decay mechanism.
Skin burns and acute radiation syndromes may also occur after being exposed to very high
levels of radiation. It may also have long-term health implications, such as cancer and heart
diseases.
28. A long exposure to nuclear wastes causes ______________.

29. The fission, fusion, and refinement of radioactive materials leads to the production
of __________.
30. An ill disposal of nuclear wastes can lead to skin burns. [True/ False]

Solid Waste
Management
Overview of Methods
Solid Waste
Solid Waste
Management
Management
Landfills
Incineration Recycling
Meaning & Types of

Definition of Municipal
Solid Waste Solid Wastes
Management Composting
Solid Classification of Hazardous

Wastes Solid Wastes Waste
Nuclear Waste
and its Effects
Based on the
source of origin Characteristics of
Hazardous Wastes
Disposal
Methods and its
Effects
The Effects of
Disposal Methods

7. SUMMARY
• Any undesirable or unusable thing is called a waste.
• Developing industrialisation has led to the generation of more waste.
• Wastes are inevitable; however, we should know how to manage the waste in our
environment.
• There are various types of wastes, and they are classified on the basis of their origin.
• Municipal solid wastes are a type of waste that are generated from household activities
and industrial activities.
• There is a need to create public awareness to think about the proper disposal of wastes.
• Proper waste disposal methods should be designed.
• Landfills, incineration, recycling, composting are different methods used for disposing
waste.
• Hazardous waste is a type of waste that poses a threat to a living population.
• Hazardous waste has characteristics that are dangerous for humans and animals. They
also lead to soil, air, and water pollution.
• There are various methods for disposing a waste, which has effects on our environment
and living population.
• One should be very careful while storing, transferring, and disposing of solid waste.
• Nuclear waste is a type of waste that is created from fission, fusion, and refinement of
radioactive materials.
• The disposal of nuclear waste should be done very consciously. so the effects of it can
be controlled.
• The responsibility of controlling the implications of any type of waste lies with all of us.

8. GLOSSARY
• Waste: The materials that are undesirable are called waste.
• Solid Wastes: Solid waste is a term used to describe the unnecessary or harmful solid
materials produced by humans in industrial and residential areas.
• Municipal wastes: Municipal solid waste is a type of waste comprising of everyday
items that are thrown out by the general public.
• Flashpoint: A flashpoint is defined as the minimum temperature at which a substance
is capable of evaporating enough to make sufficient vapour to produce an ignitable
mixture with the air.
• Nuclear wastes: Electric reactors, fuel recycling plants, hospitals, and testing
laboratories, all produce radioactive (or nuclear) waste as a by-product.
• Toxic waste: Heavy metals, computer equipment, Brake fluid are some examples of
toxic waste.
• Recycling: A method of transforming waste materials into new materials and items is
known as recycling.

Q1. State the difference between upcycling and downcycling.
Q2. Explain the process of Incineration.
Q3. State the negative impacts of nuclear waste.
Q4. Explain the advantages of vermicomposting.
Q5. What are the principles for selecting a Sanitary Landfill Site?
Q1. Explain the characteristics of hazardous waste.
Q2. Why it is important to dispose waste properly?
Q3. Explain the types of municipal waste.
Q4. What are the methods of solid waste disposal?
Q5. Why it is important to classify solid waste based on the source of origin?

10.1 Answers
1. A. Micro-organism
2. True
3. Recycled
4. Materials with lead, mercury
5. Commercial
6. Institutional
7. CDs, computer mouse, and wires
8. Hazardous
9. Agriculture
10. Vermi-composting
11. Organic fertilisers
12. Upcycling and downcycling
13. Management of solid waste
14. True
15. False
16. B. Insulator
17. C. Hazardous waste
18. 60 degree Celsius
19. B. Containers of paints
20. Mercury and leads
22. Salvaging procedure
23. Compost
24. Soil, air and water
25. Carbon dioxide
26. True
27. True
28. Cancer
29. Nuclear waste
30. True

TERMINAL QUESTIONS
Answer 1: Upcycling a product entails updating it by various recycling systems. Building
roads out of inexpensive plastic is one example. Downcycling is the practise of lowering the
value of a product by multiple recycling methods. The breakdown of high-quality plastics
into lower-quality plastics at high temperatures is an example.
Answer 2: Incineration is a process of burning something until only ashes remain. The high
temperatures of heat are maintained in a furnace, which is used to rapidly and effectively
burn waste. If we don't regulate the heat, the waste won't burn as thoroughly. It is a form of
waste management in which a large amount of solid organic waste is subjected to burning
and converted into gaseous materials or residues.
Answer 3: The following are the few negative impacts of nuclear waste:
1. Long Exposure to radiation can lead to cancer.
2. It can disturb the food chain
3. Radiation exposure can also cause birth defects, cancer, and other abnormalities, based
on the length of exposure, the amount of radiation, and the decay mechanism.
Answer 4: The following are the advantages of vermi-composting:

✓ It enhances the preservation of plant nutrients and provides the basic elements that
plants need.
✓ It aids in the reduction of the negative effects of high acidity, alkalinity, or chemical
fertilisers’ use.
✓ It makes it easy to farm soil.
Answer 5: The principles for selecting a Sanitary Landfill Site are:

✓ To monitor the contact with groundwater, it should be placed above the water table,
ideally in slit or clay.
✓ It cannot be used in a rock quarry because water will leak through a water fracture
system through the cracks in rocks.


Answer 1: The following are the characteristics of hazardous waste:
1. Ignitability: These wastes can lead to fires under some conditions once their flash
point reaches less than 60°C. Some examples are used solvents and waste oils.
2. Corrosivity: Corrosive wastes are either acids or bases. They have a pH of less than or
equal to 2, or greater than or equal to 12.5, which allows metal containers like drums,
storage tanks, and barrels to corrode. Batteries are an example of this.
3. Reactivity: The reactive wastes are wastes that are not stable under ‘standard
conditions’. When compressed, heated, or combined with water, they can produce
poisonous chemicals, fires, gases, or vapours. The ideal example of a reactivity is
lithium-sulphur batteries.
4. Toxicity: Toxic wastes are those that are fatal or dangerous when swallowed (e.g.,
those containing lead, arsenic, or other heavy metals) or ingested. When hazardous
wastes are disposed off on soil, the polluted solvents can leach from the waste, causing
groundwater contamination.
Answer 2: It is important to dispose waste properly because the ill disposal of waste can
lead to a number of effects like:
• Soil Contamination: Contamination happens when toxic components are buried or
spilled in dirt. As a result, we must exercise caution when treating liquid hydrocarbons,
solvents, chemicals, heavy metals, and lead.
• Air contamination: Hazardous wastes, such as bleach and acids, must be disposed off
safely and only in designated bins with clearly labelled labels. The ozone layer is
affected by the burning of papers and plastics in landfills, which releases chemicals and
methane.
• Water contamination: Hazardous wastes in the atmosphere seep deep into the earth,
eventually contaminating groundwater, and is used for a variety of purposes including
drainage and drinking.
• Bad impact on human health: Inadequate waste management may have a major effect
on the health of the people who live near contaminated areas or landfills. Landfills
facility stakeholders are also at a higher risk.

Answer 3: The types of municipal wastes are:

1. Food waste is one of the MSW types, with five subgroups: fruits, fruit peels, bones,
starch food, and nutshells.
2. There are four types of wood waste in MSW: wood, bamboo, leaves, and weeds.
3. In MSW, there are three types of paper: printing paper (which includes newspapers,
books, and magazines), plastics, and toilet papers.
4. MSW textiles can be classified into three categories: cotton, chemical fabrics, and wool.
5. Plastic variations are usually pure. PE (polyethylene, like high-density polyethylene
and low-density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PS, PVC, and PET are five forms of
widely utilised plastics (polyethylene terephthalate).
Answer 4: The following are the methods of Solid Waste Disposal:

• Sea dumping process: Sea dumping is only seen in coastal cities. It is a very costly
process, and is often detrimental to the environment.
• Solid wastes sanitary landfills: This approach is very concise, simple, and efficient.
Layers are compressed by mechanical machinery and then encased in soil in this
process. A roughly 5-meter-deep trench is dug, and microorganisms work on the
organic matters to degrade it.
• Incineration method: Since construction of incinerators is involved in this process, it
necessitates high operating costs. This approach would be suitable for heavily
populated environments. It is used to reduce the amount of solid waste that may be
disposed off in landfills.
• Composting process: In developed countries, the composting method is well-known.
Decomposable organic matters are isolated and composted in this process, yielding end
products that are healthy for the soil and can be used as fertilisers.
Answer 5: There are various classification of solid wastes based on the source of origin,
some of which are as follows:
1. Residential: This contains waste from residential areas, such as homes, apartments,
which include leftover fruits, vegetable peels, plastic, garments, and ashes, among other
items.

2. Commercial: This includes waste caused by supermarkets, restaurants, markets,

hotels, motels, auto-repair shops, medical services, and other businesses, such as
leftover food, glasses, metals, and ashes.
3. Institutional: This mostly consists of paper, rubber, glasses, and other materials
originating from instructional, administrative, and public buildings such as classrooms,
universities, offices, and prisons.
4. Municipal: This includes dust, leafy matters, building waste, leftover sludge from
treatment plants, and other civic operations such as renovation and demolition, street
sweeping, landscaping, and so on.

BOOKS:
Press.
• Bharucha, E., Text book of Environmental Studies for undergraduate courses,2nd edn.
E-REFERENCES:
• Environment and Ecology By Majid Husain for Civil Services Examination, viewed on
8th March, 2021, <https://freenotes.in/environment-and-ecology-by-majid-husain-
download-pdf/>
• Characteristics of Hazardous Waste, viewed on 8th March, 2021,
<https://www.heritage-enviro.com/characteristics-of-hazardous-waste/>
• Nuclear Techniques Help Address Land Degradation, viewed on 5th March, 2021,
<https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/nuclear-techniques-help-address-land-
degradation>

ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 14: Environmental Policies and Practices 1

Unit 14
Environmental Policies and Practices
Table of Contents
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction
3-4
2 Climate Change 1 1 5-7
3 Global Warming 2, I
3.1 Effects of Global Warming 7-10
3.2 Causes of Global Warming
4 Ozone Layer Depletion 3 11-12
5 Acid Rain 4
12-13
5.1 Effects of Acid Rain 2
6 Environment Laws 5
6.1 Principles Behind Environment Laws 14-18
6.2 Important Environmental Laws in India
7 International Agreements 6 19-21
8 Nature Reserves 7
8.1 Criteria and Structure of a Bio-Reserve 22-24
8.2 Most Famous Nature Reserves in India
9 Tribal populations and Rights 8
25-26
9.1 Rights of Tribal People
10 Wildlife Conflicts in India 4, 1 9 27-30
11 Summary 31-34
12 Glossary 34-35
13 Case Study 35-36
37-41
14.1 Answer Keys

1. INTRODUCTION
Environmental policies and practices is a comprehensive chapter that gives readers
information on the hazardous effects of pollution on the environment. A wide range of
regulatory and legal framework measures play a role in creating a sustainable environment.
The weather, air, water, and climate of every continent of the earth are interlinked. Human
activities across the world are all interlinked, specifically with transport and engagement.
These activities thus affect the global environment as a whole. Environmental policies and
practices are measures that the government has been taking on abetting pollution to further
avoiding deterioration of the environment. Each one of the environmental policies is shaped
to recognize the elements that are causing harm to the environment, and how this can be
resolved.
Environmental policies and their elements play a crucial role to give importance to
identifying objectives for each challenging area towards relevant implementation. This
includes designing long-term vision documents for forecasting a sustainable and healthy
utilization of natural resources. The current environmental standards entirely revolve
around the concentration of pollutants in emission and effluents. The guidelines and norms
of environmental policies are to be further revised for laying down mass-based regulatory
standards.
This will then set the necessary limits for promoting the
STUDY NOTE
limitation of waste, encourage reusing and recycling materials,
An environmental policy
along with conserving natural resources. Standards aren’t solely is a government’s
commitment to reduce
a regulatory tool but are the very key to encouraging pollution and control
the worsening of an
technological up-gradation for conserving resources, reducing or environment.
mitigating pollution, and further managing waste. For this very
purpose, environmental practices and policies are modified for individual processes.
The environmental impacts from the disposal of varied products that are toxic and
dangerous are to be analyzed carefully and monitored in the regulations. In this chapter on
environmental policies and practices, you will learn in-depth about varied sub-topics like

global warming, climate change, environmental laws and acts, ozone layer depletion, and so
on.
The main purpose of this chapter is to educate you on the harmful impacts of pollution on
the environment. Changes in the climate are a fundamental challenge for the global nation
today. Each one of us plays a role in contributing to the adverse consequences on the
environment. The chapter offers deep insights into topics like international agreements,
tribal population and rights, and even human-wildlife conflicts in India.
We will comprehensively study what has shaped the environment today. All types of
pollution, be it air, water, soil, etc., play a quintessential role in impacting not only our
environment but also animals and other living creatures. It further creates a harmful
atmosphere for us to live in. We will study the different environmental policies and practices
that are being implemented for conserving the natural resources and restricting pollution.

On studying this chapter, you will be able to:
❖ Recognize the impacts of environmental damage and pollution

❖ Recall the regulatory and legal frameworks that promote sustainability
❖ Appreciate the need for establishing a sustainable environment
❖ Distinguish between concepts like global warming and climate change

2. CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change has become one of the most critical and significant issues that have put the
global environment at a risk. Climate change, with time, will have several hazardous effects
on the environment worldwide, socio-economic and other relevant sectors, including food
security, water resources, human health, agriculture, coastal zones, biodiversity, and
ecosystems. The alterations in rainfall patterns will further result in extreme water
shortages and even flooding. Climate change as a whole is a severe threat to the citizens
across the globe.
The melting of glaciers tends to cause soil erosion and flooding. Increasing temperatures will
further lead to changes in the crop growing seasons, which will
impact food securities, and even increase disease causing vectors STUDY NOTE
like mosquitoes. This can put people’s health at an extensive risk. The UN Framework
Convention solely aims at
The climate change crisis will make individuals more vulnerable stabilizing greenhouse gas
to diseases like dengue and malaria. Rising temperatures may concentrations present in
the atmosphere at a layer
simultaneously enhance extinction rates for a wide range of that can limit dangerous
interaction with the
species and habitats. climate system.
Climate change is a rather paradoxical matter. While several scientific details suggest that
the climate change crisis is an absolute threat to humanity and its future, the public
responses, and political discussions haven’t played their role in truly recognizing climate
change and its criticality.

Source: iberdrola.com
Fig 1: Social and Economic Impact of Climate Change
Potential Causes of Recent Climate Change:

The recent climate change crisis is not a result of recent activities altogether. It is a result of
human activities from the last few decades. However, the potential causes of climate change
can be categorized into three elements – Natural internal climate mutability, natural effects
that force shifts, and man-made effects that force shifts.
Natural factors may be anything from the sun’s energy output, the presence of volcanic
elements in the stratosphere, and the earth’s orbit around the sun. Man-made factors,
however, are factors such as greenhouse gases, small particles like soiling effects of sulfates,
and so on.

1. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions that often develop depends on

___________.
2. The climate is sensitive to emissions. [True/ False]
3. Compared to today’s condition, more greenhouse gases may warm us in the near
future.
4. [True/ False]
5. Mankind is responsible for a majority of the climate change in the last 50 years or
so. [True/ False]
3. GLOBAL WARMING
In simple terms, global warming refers to the process of a
STUDY NOTE
gradual temperature increase near the earth’s surface. This
phenomenon has been in existence for the last two centuries, Asthma, allergies,
infections disease
and has severely affected the climate of the planet. There are outbreaks, etc., are prone
to become more
over a multitude of causes of global warming, and all these widespread and common
due to the rise of pollen-
causes negatively impact the human species, animals, and even producing parthenium,
increased levels of air
plants. The factors responsible for global warming can either be pollution, and the transfer
of conditions ideal to
the result of human activities or due to natural circumstances. mosquitos and pathogens.
To reduce the phenomenon of global warming, it is crucial that every individual understands
the adverse impacts of global warming.
3.1 Effects of Global Warming

The prime effects of global warming are briefly explained below.
• Climate change: The most severe effect of global warming is climate change. Global
warming has resulted in a critical impact on climatic conditions. Several places are
experiencing droughts, which is further causing a climatic imbalance.
• Rise in Temperature: Global warming has also resulted in an extensive rise in the
temperature of the surface of the earth. Ever since 1880, the temperature of the earth
has increased by at least 1.1 degree Celsius. This has additionally caused a deliberate

increase in the melting of the glaciers. Due to this, there has been a rapid rise in the sea
level, and this can severely affect the coastal regions.
• The threat to the ecosystem: Global warming has adversely impacted the coral reefs,
which has resulted in the loss of animal and plant lives. A rise in the global temperature
has put coral reefers in a vulnerable position.
• Spread of diseases: Global warming has unfortunate and terrifying impacts on human
lives. With the alteration of heat and humidity patterns, global warming has put the
lives of humans at a greater risk. For instance, the rise in the temperatures because of
global warming also increases the population of mosquitoes, which puts humans in a
vulnerable environment.
• Loss of natural habitat: Due to the global shifting of the climate, there has been a
massive loss of animal and plant habitats – animals have been forced to migrate from
their homes/natural habitats. On the other hand, some plants and animals have also
become extinct.
• Increased mortality rates: Due to the rise of tsunamis, floods, droughts, and other
natural calamities, the average death rate has rapidly increased, thereby hampering
human life as a whole.
3.2 Causes of Global Warming

1. Man-Made Causes: The prime man-made causes that have led to global warming are
briefly explained below.
• Chlorofluorocarbon: With extended use of refrigerators, air conditioners, etc.,
humans have increased chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the environment. This has
further affected the atmospheric ozone layer. The ozone layer plays a fundamental
role in securing the earth’s surface from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
• Deforestation: Plants are the most significant contributors of oxygen in the
atmosphere. They release oxygen by taking in carbon dioxide and thus maintain the
harmony of the environment. With the excessive rise of deforestation, the
environment is faced with an imbalance. Forests are being cut down or depleted for
a wide range of commercial and domestic purposes, thereby leading to global
warming.

• Agriculture: Several farming activities release methane gas and carbon dioxide,
which further contribute to the greenhouse gasses present in the atmosphere,
thereby raising the earth’s temperature.
• Industrial growth: The growth of industries has also given rise to global warming.
Industrialization has resulted in the rise of the temperature of the earth. Factories
emit harmful gases, thereby impacting the earth’s temperature severely.
• Overpopulation: Overpopulation is one of the most prime causes of global warming.
With more people breathing and living, there is a rise in the level of carbon dioxide.
An increase in population also means an increase in the resources used for sustenance
of a human life, which will further impact the global warming in one way or the other.
• Usage of Vehicles: Excessive use of vehicles results in the emission of a wide range
of gasses, thereby increasing the carbon dioxide gas content in the atmosphere.
2. Natural Causes: The crucial natural causes of global warming are briefly explained
below.
• Water Vapor: Water vapor is recognized as a type of a greenhouse gas. With the rise
of the earth’s temperature, there is a rise in the evaporation from water bodies. This
process contributes to global warming.
• Volcanic eruptions: Volcanic eruptions emit excessive ash and smoke. This leads to
an imbalance of the climate.
• Forest fires: Forest fires or forest blazes secrete a broadened amount of carbon-
containing smoke, which further affect the temperature of the earth.
• Melting permafrost: Another natural cause of global warming is the melting of
permafrost. Permafrost is present where glaciers are situated. As the permafrost
melts, it excessively releases gases into the atmosphere, leading to the rise of the
earth’s temperature.

Activity 1
To learn more about the effects of greenhouse gases, try this activity that simulates a
‘greenhouse effect’ when the air is unable to circulate. For this activity you would
need:
• A jar or any see-through container
• Two small thermometers
• A sunny area or you could use sunlamps
• A clock or a watch
To start this activity:

• Place the two thermometers a few inches apart in either direct sunlight or under
the sunlamp.
• You would need to wait for 3 minutes for the thermometers to give you an accurate
temperature reading.
• Record the time as well as thermometer readings of both the thermometers.
• Now, place the see-through jar over any one of the thermometers. Ensure that the
jar is not casting any shadow over the uncovered thermometer.
• Now, start recording the readings of both the thermometers every minute.
Continue recording for 10 minutes.
• You would notice that the air over the uncovered thermometer is circulating and
constantly changing (i.e., when the air gets warm it gets replaced by cooler air).
The air inside the jar is unable to circulate hence it keeps getting warmer by the
minute.
• The same effect as seen inside the jar is what happens with the Earth’s atmosphere.
The rays of sunlight move through the atmosphere and approach the surface of the
earth that makes the Earth warm. The greenhouse gases trap the heat, which is
emitted from the warm surface of the earth. This warming of the Earth’s
atmosphere due to heat-trapping is the greenhouse effect. The jar and the earth
behave similarly (i.e., both allow the sunlight to enter, but trap that energy in the
form of heat).
5. Global warming is linked to severe weather conditions. [True/ False]

6. Early snowmelt is not a cause of global warming. [True/ False]
7. Which of the following leads to the extinction of flora and fauna?
a) Improved weather condition
b) Advancement in agricultural activities
c) Improvement in the current habitat
d) Disruption of habitats like alpine meadows and coral reefs

4. OZONE LAYER DEPLETION

The ozone layer is recognized as one of the prime strata of the
STUDY NOTE
atmosphere. The ozone layer consists of comparatively higher
The ozone layer was
concentrations of O2 (oxygen). This layer absorbs over 93% – discovered in 1913 by
Charles Fabry and Henri
99% of the ultraviolet rays of the sun. About 91% of this layer is Buisson, who were French
physicists.
present in the earth’s atmosphere. It is chiefly situated in the
stratosphere’s lower portion, about 10 to 50 Kms above the Earth. The thickness of this layer
entirely depends on geographic and seasonal factors.
The ozone layer present in the stratosphere takes a a part of the sun’s radiation, thereby
limiting it from reaching the earth’s surface. The most fundamental characteristic of this
layer in the stratosphere is that it absorbs the ultraviolet rays of the Sun. Ultraviolet B (UVB)
is correlated to harmful effects like cataracts, skin cancers, and other critical effects on
marine life and crops.
Ozone concentrations present in the atmosphere primarily vary with seasons, sunspots, and
latitudes. These procedures are predictable and well analyzed. Every natural reduction that
occurs in the ozone layer has been monitored and assessed by a recovery. Back in 1970,
scientists found out that the ozone shield was exhausted above all natural processes.
Atmospheric concentrations of the ozone layer depend on the weather, altitude, latitude, and
even temperature. Such factors are also dependent on natural calamities like droughts and
volcanic eruptions, which impact the ozone levels.
'No natural phenomenon resulted in depletion of ozone levels'. The scientific evidence
suggested that a majority of the cause of the depletion of the ozone layer was due to man-
made impacts. These ozone-depleting elements were first established in the 1970s. The wide
use of consumer and industrial appliances like extinguishers, refrigerators, air conditioners,
and so on were found to be major factors that severely caused the depletion of the ozone
layer. When bromine and chlorine atoms blend with each other and are in contact with the
stratosphere’s ozone layer, they exhaust the ozone molecules.

8. The depletion of the ozone layer is found in which layer of the atmosphere?
a) Lithosphere
b) Ionosphere
c) Stratosphere
9. Which of the following causes the depletion of the ozone layer?
a) Chlorofluorocarbon
b) Methane
c) Carbon dioxide
d) Nitrous oxide
10. Enhanced UV rays through the atmosphere caused by the depletion of the
ozone layer can develop the risk of skin cancer among human beings. [True/
False]
5. ACID RAIN
When fossil fuels like oil, natural gas, coal, etc., are burned, several chemicals like sulfur
trioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, etc. are released into the air. One of the prime results
of air pollution is acid rain. It often occurs when factories, heating boilers, cars, and other
such elements emit gases into the atmosphere. When in contact with water, these gases
become sulphuric acid, sulfurous acid, and nitric acid. Such phenomena also occur when
natural calamities like volcanic eruptions take place.
5.1 Effects of Acid Rain

• Acid rains are one of the most critical factors that can affect agriculture, animals, and
even plants. It eradicates all the essential nutrients that are necessary for the survival
and development of plants. Acid rain impacts agriculture by changing the compositions
of a soil. It even causes respiratory issues among humans and animals.
• When acid rain flows down ponds and rivers, it impacts the aquatic ecosystem. Acid
rain changes a water body’s chemical composition and causes harm to an aquatic
ecosystem.
• Acid rains cause severe damage to monuments and buildings made up of metals and
stones.

• Acid rains erode water pipes. It then leads to the leaching of extensively heavy metals
like lead, iron, copper, etc., into drinking water.
Source: epa.gov
Fig 2: Acid Rain Pathway
11. Acid rain results in the leaching of metals like lead. [True/ False]
12. Which of the following occurs when emissions from cars and factories come in
contact with atmospheric water?
a) Burning of Fossil fuels
b) Ozone layer depletion
c) Acid Rain
13. Acid rain erodes _____________.

6. ENVIRONMENT LAWS
The environmental challenges faced by humanity (be it an individual, private companies,
communities, governments, etc.) all throughout the world are tremendous and complex.
Many civil societies, governments, and companies have come to realize that environmental
issues are strongly linked with social, economic, and cultural issues. To promote an economy,
most governments have recognized that the only path forward is by safeguarding human
health, their culture, and the environment. But due to decades of mismanagement of
environmental resources, there are legacy issues in most countries, which need to be
rectified.
Here is a glimpse of the global environmental problems in a nutshell:

• Water and air pollution
STUDY NOTE
• Deforestation
The history of
• Climate changes environmental laws goes
back as early as 80 AD,
• Land and soil degradation when the senate of Rome
aimed to secure clean
• Depletion of non-renewable energy sources supply of drinking water
in the city.
• Non-sustainable depletion of natural resources
• Environmental impacts of reservoirs and water abstraction
• Ocean and freshwater deoxygenation
• Persistent toxins and waste management
• Impacts of mining
• Loss of biodiversity and habitat degradation and fragmentation
• Ozone depletion
• Pressure on the environment due to population explosion
• Nuclear risks
Many of the issues mentioned above transcend national and other administrative
boundaries. This nature of trans-boundary challenges makes it imperative that there are
management agreements and processes devised for decision-making. Environment
conservation needs laws around dispute resolutions that go beyond individual and national
borders. A socially acceptable and ecologically sustainable development requires the
creation of legal and administrative structures.

In the following sections we will look into some important environmental laws imposed in
India such as:
• The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
• Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
• Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
• The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
6.1 Important Environmental Laws in India

The constitutional framework of India facilitates the conservation and protection of our
environment. The same is reflected in international commitments. In the constitution under
Part IV A (which is a part of Article 54 – Fundamental Duties), every person has the duty of
securing and enhancing the natural environment including forests, rivers, wildlife, and lakes.
The Article 51-A (g) Act says that the citizens of India must have compassion for all living
creatures around them. This is further strengthened by Article 48A (Directive Principles of
State Policies), Part IV by stipulating that the state will strive to improve, preserve, and
protect the environment by taking care of the wildlife and forests of the country.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF), along with CPSB (Central
Pollution Control Board) and SPCBs (State Pollution Control Board) has laid down the
following important environmental legislations:
• The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: This Act protects wildlife that includes plants, wild
animals, birds, and other species. This act’s objectives are as listed below:
o Killing, capturing, poisoning, or trapping wild animals is prohibited
o Hunting is prohibited
o Wildlife habitats are to be protected and managed
o Protected areas for wildlife should be established
o Management of zoos
o The trade of products that are derived from wildlife should be regulated and
controlled
o No part of a wild animal’s body can be destroyed, injured, or removed
o For reptiles and wild birds, the act forbids disturbing or damaging their eggs.

o This act opposes taxidermy
This Act has provisions for the formation of wildlife wardens and advisory boards and
specifies their powers and duties. The National Board for Wildlife is an Advisory Board
constituted as a statutory organization under the provisions of the Wildlife protection Act. It
is the apex body for reviewing and approving all matters pertaining to development and
conservation of forests and wildlife. Agencies like the police, CBI, Customs, and the forest
departments can punish offenders of this protection Act.
• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: It is also known as the
‘Water Act’ and was established to ensure the prevention of water pollution and restore
the wholesomeness of water all through the country. The objectives of this act are:
o Penalties are laid down if this law is violated.
o The CPSB is at the center of the Water Act, which forms the foundation for controlling
and preventing water pollution.
o The SPCBs function under the supervision of the state government and the CPSB.
In 1977, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act decided to levy a certain
tax on people who consume water for carrying out specific types of industrial activities. This
tax aims at augmenting CPSB and SPSBs’ resources to implement the Water Act. The Water
Act was last amended in the year 2003.
• The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: It provides control,
inhibition, and mitigation of air pollution. It also provides for the establishment of
Boards in order to carry out the objectives of this Act. Air pollutants can be in any form
– solid, liquid, and gas, which are present in such a concentration in the air that it can
prove to be harmful to the well-being of humans and other living creatures.
• The Environment Protection Act, 1986: It aims at enhancing and protecting the
environment. Under this Act, a framework is provided on how to study, plan, and
implement long-term requirements of environment safety. Here are the salient features
of this Act:
o The environment consists of air, water, plants, and the land and their inter-
relationships amongst themselves as well as human beings, animals, microorganisms,
and property.

o It sets standards for the discharge and emission of

STUDY NOTE
pollutants in the atmosphere by people who carry out
Convention on
industrial activities. International Trade in
Endangered Species
o It regulates where an industry can be located. (CITES) is a multilateral
treaty, which aims to
o Lays down rules of managing hazardous wastes. protect endangered plants
and animals. The Wildlife
o Any non-compliance with this Act is punishable and a Protection Act helped India
become a part of CITES.
person can be in jail for up to 5 years or pay a fine of INR
1, 00,000 (or both).
o If the punishable act is continued even after the conviction of the act is over, then an
additional charge of INR 5000 per day is levied on an offender for as long as the
contravention of the Environment Act continues.
• The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010: It provides for the creation of the National
Green Tribunal (a specialized judicial body that has the expertise solely for adjudicating
citation related with the environment of the country). The Tribunal was set up based
on the recommendations from the Law Commission of India, the Supreme Court of
India, and India's International law obligations. The need for the tribunal arose from
the fact that environmental cases are best addressed in a specialized forum since these
cases involve multi-disciplinary issues. The Tribunal addresses issues related to the
conservation of forests (and other natural resources) and environmental protection. It
also enforces any legal rights related to the environmental protection. The key features
of the tribunal are:
o The orders passed by the Tribunal are binding and it has the right to grant relief to
the affected parties in the form of compensations.
o The tribunal is present in 5 zones in India – the North, Central, East, South, and the
West
o ○The principal tribunal bench is located in the North Zone with its headquarter in
New Delhi.
o The central zone bench of the Tribunal is in Bhopal, South Zone in Chennai, East zone
in Kolkata, and West Zone in Pune.
o The head of the Tribunal is its chairperson who sits at the principal bench and it has
at least 10 members (but not more than 20).
o The subjects that the Tribunal deals with are:

▪ The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

▪ The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977.
▪ The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
▪ The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
▪ The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
▪ The Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
o The Tribunal’s decisions can be cited in the Supreme Court within 90 days of a
decision.
14. The __________ ensures that any compliance with the act is a punishable offence
and a person can be in jail for up to 5 years or pay a fine of INR 1, 00,000.
15. Based on the Wildlife Protection Act, hunting is allowed. [True/False]
16. Which of the following acts restricts hunting?
a) Environment Protection Act
b) National Green Tribunal Act
c) Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
d) Wildlife Protection Act
17. Who is responsible for testing the air quality in pollution control areas?
a) State pollution control board
b) The central pollution control board
c) Police in the area
d) The Forest department

7. INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
International agreements are signed between two or more
STUDY NOTE
participating countries, who formalize certain understandings
The Vienna Convention on
and commitments on a specific issue. A ‘bilateral’ agreement is
the law of treaties, held in
an agreement where only two countries are involved, whereas a 1969 contains the
definitions for the
‘multilateral’ agreement is established between many countries. International treaties.
A treaty is a legally binding agreement between countries, based

on international law.
Many Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) at the international level have been
introduced in the past. These agreements aim to create cooperation between its members
by creating procedures and rules that are based on international laws. Some of the important
international agreements that India has signed are outlined below.
• The Antarctic Treaty (Washington, 1959): This treaty had the aim to keep the
Antarctic a peaceful zone and to prevent it from being an object of international discord.
The treaty covers the range area of the south of 60 degrees S Latitude, which is called
the ATA (Antarctic Treaty Area). According to this treaty, there can be no territorial
claims or military activities in this region. It also imbibes the freedom of scientific
inquiry with international cooperation in scientific undertakings. India signed the
Antarctic treaty in 1983 as a CEL (Consultative party member).
• Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, 1987: Famously
known as the Montreal Protocol, it aims at reducing the production and consumption
of ODS (Ozone-depleting substances). The protocol also identifies countries that
produce more ODS than other countries, and recognizes that nations should reduce
ODS (in terms of technological and financial abilities). This protocol came into force in
1989 and was adopted by India in 1992. The MoEF has formed an Ozone cell to
supplement the Montreal Protocol. The cell comprises a steering committee to
implement the India country program.
• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 1992: In an endeavor to
regulate and contain greenhouse gas emissions, the UNFCCC sought international
cooperation through this agreement. This framework aimed to bring down the

emission of greenhouse gases to a level that the consequences of the change in climate
and global warming are offset. India became part of the convention in 1992, and ratified
it in 1993. At the time of the convention, India was a developing nation (according to
the UNFCCC) and not bound to commitments to mitigate greenhouse emissions. But
this changed after the Paris agreement in 2015 and India commits, under the UNFCCC,
to take part in multilateral negotiations. India has shown leadership in this
commitment with policy frameworks like NEP (National Environment Policy) and
NAPCC (National Action Plan on Climate Change).
• Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992: It is an enforceable framework geared
towards conserving biodiversity. The convention was put in force in 1993 and has a set
of complex requirements to promote a sustainable way of using biological resources
and preserve natural habitats. In article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD), nations that are part of the convention are instructed to form national strategies
and programs for the conservation of biodiversity. In 2002, India passed the Biological
Diversity Act, which provides a legal framework for addressing concerns regarding
biodiversity in the country.
• UN Convention on Desertification, 1994: This convention seeks the participation of
local users of land and non-governmental organizations to alleviate desertification and
its effects. India, along with 7 South Asian countries, has signed this convention with a
regional action program to combat desertification issues and address them in drought-
prone areas.

18. A __________________ international agreement is an agreement between more

than two countries.
19. A treaty is not legally binding. [True/False]
20. Which amongst the following protocols deals with the origination and
ingestion of ODS (Ozone-depleting substances)?
a) The Antarctic Treaty
b) The Montreal Protocol
c) UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
d) Convention on Biological Diversity
21. Why do we need international agreements for the environment?
a) An international agreement has more value than a national agreement.
b) The harmful effects on the environment are not restricted to a specific
country and it is not in isolation.
c) An international environmental agreement can be enforced while national
ones are not binding.
d) International agreements put more pressure on participating countries to
enforce an agreement.

8. NATURE RESERVES
Nature reserves refer to the specific area kept aside for protecting the habitat, like forests,
and other national parks. Preserved ecosystems include forests, desert highlands, marine,
and coastal areas. These ecosystems give rise to a surplus of services like water supply,
recreation, ecotourism, and habitat for endangered species. Many nature reserves aim at
preserving a specific species.
For example, total of 63 nature reserves are there to conserve the giant pandas (as they are
an endangered species) and 15 nature reserves are dedicated to the preservation of Chinese
dove trees (Davidia involucrata). Nature reserves, also called bio-reserves, differ from
national parks in the sense that national parks are used solely for recreational purposes,
whereas nature reserves’ exclusive goal is to protect endangered species.
8.1 Criteria and Structure of a Bio-Reserve

A Nature or a bio-reserve is an international designation deemed by the UNESCO (United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) that is given to a large portion of
a coastal, terrestrial, or a combination of them with marine ecosystems. A site can be given
the designation of a nature reserve if it satisfies the following criteria:
• It must contain a core area that is protected and has nature conservation value.
• The core area has to be a bio-geographical unit, which is large enough to be able to
sustain a population of all trophic levels.
• There is an involvement of people from the local communities who use their knowledge
to preserve a biodiversity.
• The region should have the potential to sustain a rural or tribal mode of living so that
the environment is used harmoniously.
8.2 Most Famous Nature Reserves in India

There are a total of 18 bio-reserves in India. Out of these, 11 have been recognized
internationally under the Man and Biosphere program (MAB). The MAB is an
intergovernmental program of the UNESCO, which has the objective of establishing a
scientific basis for the improvement of people and their relationships with the environment.

Some of the most famous nature reserves of India, which are part of MAB are:
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: This is the first and the largest biosphere in India
(covering 5,520 sq. km), which was established in 1986. Located in the Western ghats,
Nilgiri bio-reserve includes 2 out of the 10 bio-geographical provinces in India. Nilgiri
nature reserve’s main objectives were to restore the degraded ecosystems, preserve
on-site biodiversity, and provide baseline data for environmental and ecological
education and research. The Nilgiri nature reserve covers Bandipur National park,
Nagarhole National Park, Silent Valley National Park, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, and
Mukurthi National Park.
• The Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve: This is
STUDY NOTE
located off the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu (150
A nature reserve provides
kilometers from Madurai) and a hotspot for marine logistics support for
promotion of research
biodiversity in India. It contains 21 coral islands (covering activities and promotes
economic growth that is
10,500 sq. km) with continuous stretches of coral reefs. sustainable on an
ecological and socio-
With 560 km of core area having shallow marine habitats, cultural level.
the Gulf of Mannar is biologically the richest coastal region

in India having more than 4200 species of plants and animals. The globally endangered
species dugong can be seen in the Gulf of Mannar along with a wide variety of dolphins,
endangered sea turtles, and whales.
• Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve: This nature reserve is situated in the mountains of
the Himalayas in the Northern part of India. The core area of this bio-reserve is Nanda
Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, which is known as one of the world’s
heritage sites. This reserve is endowed with meadows of endemic alpine flowers and
spectacular natural scenery.

22. Activities in which zone of a bio-reserve protect the core areas and help them
maintain their natural conditions?
a) Core zone
b) Buffer zone
c) Transition zone
23. Nature reserves and national parks are the same. [True/False]
24. Which of the following biospheres has a rich marine biodiversity?
a) Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
b) The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve
c) Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
25. What are the names of the parts of a nature reserve?
a) The core area, diverse zone, buffer zone
b) Diverse zone, buffer zone, transition zone
c) The core area, buffer zone, transition zone
d) The core area, diverse zone, transition zone

9. TRIBAL POPULATION AND RIGHTS

The word ‘tribe’ refers to a group of people living in a traditional society; they often follow
the same culture and religion, and speak the same language. Tribes are also classified as
subgroups and are holistically called ‘Tribal Society’. Since Prehistory, tribes have been
considered the dwellers of the forests.
India constitutes the second largest tribal regions in the world, spread across the boundaries
mainly in mountains and forests. The salient features of these communities are their unique
culture, specific geographical location, economic backwardness, and severance from high
communities. In India, tribes are execrated, and considered as untouchables because of the
predominant observance to the caste system.
In earlier times, Mahatma Gandhi was recognized as Girijan or the Child of the Forest Gods
as he stood up for the rights of the tribal people. Scheduled Tribes could not exercise their
rights because of being neglected by the rest of the population. However, provisions are
provided as reservations, and measures are incorporated in the Constitution to empower
them.
9.1 Rights of Tribal People

Constitutional Rights to Tribal People:
The Constitution of India has formed special provisions for the tribal people to safeguard
their interests by means of the following:
1. Article 15 of the Indian Constitution states that every citizen of India will be treated as
equal and will be given equal opportunities and rights without any discrimination
based on anything.
2. The Government has made the reservation quotas for the tribes in the employment
opportunities under Article 16(4) of the Constitution of our country.
3. The Government of India has also reserved seats in The State Legislative Assemblies or
The House of People (Lok Sabha) and under Articles 332 and 330 of The Constitution
of our country.
4. Article 19(5) of the Constitution provides the tribal people with the right to own
property and use this right in any part of India.

5. Article 338 of The Constitution of India gives the right to appoint a Commissioner. He/
She will take care of the welfare activities of tribes and tribal areas.
6. Under Article 275 of the Constitution of India, the Central Government gives grants-in-
aid to the State Governments for approved Tribal Welfare Schemes.
7. Tribal land rights: The Scheduled Tribe and Traditional Forest Dwellers Act in 2006
determines the ownership rights of forest dwellers and other tribes who reside or
cultivate a particular land for a very long time.
26. Which of the following articles of the constitution gives the right of land to the
tribal people?
a) Article 19(5)
b) Article 18(5)
c) Article 38(2)
d) None of these
27. UNDP (United Nations Development Program) helps the marginalized section to
give justice and demands. [True/ False]
28. _________________ in the tribal areas has been committed to saving community
rights over forest and community land.

10. WILDLIFE CONFLICTS IN INDIA

The dispute between human and wildlife takes place in various ways, and varies greatly in
intensity, which is one of the most challenging threats to India’s wildlife. Therefore, it is
crucial to place instances of disputes within a broader context of habitat destruction,
population growth, poverty, and a largely un-administrative climate.
It is not just a concept but the scope and scale of this dispute have been expanding over time
and is likely to do so because of India’s ever-growing population. Wildlife conflicts are seen
as actions of wild fauna damaging humans and their property and human actions that cause
harm to the wildlife. These actions help us to identify solutions. It is crucial to always
remember that disputes arise largely because of the encroachment by humans into wildlife
habitats.
Some of the common conflicts that happened in India are briefly discussed below.
• Human-Tiger conflict: Direct human-tiger dispute happens in the form of man-eating,
which happens at a low-intensity level. There is a difference between habitual man-
eating and the injuries and deaths resulting from accidental encounters. For instance,
the Sunderbans, an area with a huge population of tigers have recourse to habitual man-
eating, is an eminent example. In Kheri District of Uttar Pradesh, an outbreak of an
alleged man-eating tiger occurred in a sugarcane farm land around Dudhwa National
park during which 110 people were killed, and 13 ‘man-eating’ tigers were shot in the
years 1978 – 1988.
Injuries caused by tigers happen due to accidental encounters, but their removal occurs only
in the case when a tiger becomes a man-eater. A lot of villagers across Asia live peacefully in
tiger areas without fear.
• Human-Leopard Conflict: There are various reports of killing by a leopard, especially

in the tea farms of West Bengal across our country. The situation is worsening in
Garhwal. The man-eaters of this region have become alarmingly regular because
leopards are characterized by their flexible diet and high adaptability to different
habitats. Leopards acquire a level of familiarity and extreme boldness due to their
proximity to humans as compared to man-eating tigers.

• Human-Wolf Conflict: Almost 1,500-2,000 Indian wolves live in the wild forests across
the densely regions of central, northern, and western India. Livestock predation takes
place, at varying degrees of intensity, across this range. About 31% of livestock
depredation occurs in Himalayan mountains. Children were harmed by wolves
between 1996 and 1999. Most of the attacks have been recorded on children because
adults are busy in supervising livestock.
Table 1: Summary of Human-wildlife conflict across India
Source: kalpavriksh.org
Conclusions and Recommendations:
It is critical to evaluate and monitor the human-wildlife disputes in all the forms across the
country and to analyze these situations, their causes, and solutions.
1. Proper research, planning, and a long-term management framework are essential to
mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, which will continue to occur but can be reduced

through concerted efforts. Ad-hoc solutions are not possible in the long term, and a
national action plan needs to be structured
2. A successful mitigation of the human-wildlife conflict requires a combination of site-
specific methods and national, state, or local-level initiatives. A coalition of government
agencies, non-government organizations, local stakeholders, research institutes, and
other related individuals are essential for successful mitigations.
3. Traditional methods of conflict mitigation must be efficiently organized with modern
techniques around the world to control these conflicts.
29. Livestock degradation is a type of conflict that occurs mostly with _________________
species.
30. A huge population of tigers has resorted to habitual man-eating in ________________.
31. Ladakh experiences conflicts of ______________ and ___________________.
32. Mitigation of wildlife conflicts can be done by modern techniques.
33. [True/ False]
34. Sunderbans is famous only for Human-Tiger conflicts. [True/ False]

Nature
Reserves
Climate
Change Most
Overview of Famous
Environmenta Criteria and
Nature
l Policies and Structure of a
Global Warming Practices Reserves
Bio-Reserve
in India
Tribal
Effects of Causes of
populations
Global Global
Acid and Rights
Warming Warming
Rain
Rights of
Tribal People
Effects
of Acid
Wildlife
Rain
Environment Conflicts
Laws in India
Ozone Layer
Depletion
Principles
behind Important International
Environment Environmental Agreements
Laws Laws in India

11. SUMMARY
• The earth’s climate has drastically changed in the past few decades. Climate change is
real and visible in temperature, wind patterns, precipitations, and others.
• Humans are the key influencers in the increasing climate change and the earth’s
temperature by burning fossil fuels.
• Global warming is the rise of the average world temperature as a result of the
greenhouse effect.
• Global warming adversely impacts ecosystems through water shortages, temperature
increases, raised fire threats, droughts, insects and pests upsurge, severe storm
damage, and salt invasion, among many others.
• Global warming is caused by natural causes like forest fires, glacier melting, volcanic
eruption, etc., and human activities like deforestation, industrial growth, farming,
burning of fossil fuels, overpopulation, etc.
• The depletion of the ozone layer refers to the increase in the amount of ultraviolet (UV)
rays that enter the surface of the earth.
• Acid rains greatly affect agriculture, animals, and even plants. It drains aluminum from
the soil that may be dangerous for plants and animals. It also eliminates nutrients and
minerals from the soil that plants and trees need for their growth.
• To promote the economies of their own countries, most governments have recognized
the path forward is by safeguarding human health, their culture, and the environment.
• Many of the environmental issues mentioned above transcend national and other
administrative boundaries. This nature of trans-boundary challenges makes it
imperative that there are management agreements, processes devised for decision-
making, and laws around dispute resolutions that go beyond individual and national
borders. These considerations have shaped up many environmental laws.
• Environmental laws are based on the following principles:
o The precautionary principle: This principle states that if an activity has a high
probability of causing environmental damages, it must be controlled immediately
rather than looking for empirical proofs.
o The prevention principle: Most of the environmental legislations are passed after a
catastrophe has occurred. But preventing a hazardous situation is a much cheaper

and wiser decision than reacting or managing a disaster or harm, which has already
been done.
o The ‘Polluter pays’ Principle: This environmental regulation forces a producer to bear
the cost of pollution.
o The integration principle: This principle says that all the concerns of environmental
safety should be fully considered while decisions on any activity are taken.
o The public participation principle: When a decision is taken regarding environmental
protection, it is often done by integrating public opinion on a particular matter.
• Some of the important environmental laws in India are:
o The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: This act protects wildlife, which includes plants,
wild animals, birds, and other species.
o The Water (Prevention And Control Of Pollution) Act, 1974: It is also called the “Water
Act” and was established to ensure water pollution is prevented and controlled with
the wholesomeness of water restored all throughout the country.
o The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: It provides control, security,
and preservation from air pollution.
o The Environment Protection Act, 1986: The Environment Act aims at enhancing and
safeguarding the environment.
o The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010: It provides the development of the National
Green Tribunal (a specialized judicial body that has the expertise solely for
adjudicating cases related to the environment in the country). The need for the
tribunal arose from the fact that environmental cases are best addressed in a
specialized forum, since these cases involve multi-disciplinary issues.
• International agreements are signed between two or more participating countries and
understandings and commitments on a specific issue are formalized.
• The harmful effects on the environment are not restricted to a specific country and it is
not in isolation. Hence, these far-reaching effects affect the earth in complex ways;
therefore, there is a need for some level of organization that is not just local or national
but is formed at an international level.
• Some of the important international agreements that India has signed are:
o The Antarctic Treaty (Washington, 1959): This treaty aims to keep the Antarctic a
peaceful zone and to prevent it from being an object of international discord.

o Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, 1987: Famously
known as the Montreal Protocol, this agreement aims at reducing the production and
consumption of ODS (Ozone-depleting substances).
o UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 1992: In an endeavor to
regulate and contain greenhouse gas emissions, the UNFCCC seeks international
cooperation through this agreement.
o Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992: It is an enforceable framework geared
towards conserving biodiversity.
o UN Convention on Desertification, 1994: This convention seeks the participation of
local users of land and non-governmental organizations to alleviate desertification
and its effects.
• Nature reserves are areas dedicated to protect and preserve a variety of geological and
paleontological relics, plant and animal species, ecosystems, natural scenery, and
natural coastal resources and environments.
• Endangered species are kept in nature reserves in different countries (particularly
India, Indonesia, and a few African countries) to prevent their extinction.
• Nature or bio-reserves is an international designation deemed by the UNESCO (United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) given to huge areas of
coastal, terrestrial, or a combination of them with marine ecosystems.
• A nature reserve has three main parts:
o Core Area: This is the most protected area of a nature reserve, which may contain
endemic animals and plants.
o Buffer Zone: The core zone surrounding an area is a buffer zone and activities in a
buffer zone help in protecting a core zone in its natural conditions.
o Transition zone: The external layer of the biosphere is a transition zone. It is also a
zone for the cooperation of human ventures and conservation.
• Some of the most famous nature reserves of India are:
o Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: This is the first and the largest biosphere in India (covering
5,520 sq. km), which was established in 1986.
o The Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve: This is located off the southeast coast
in Tamil Nadu (150 kilometers from Madurai) and a hotspot for marine biodiversity
in India.

• Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve: This nature reserve is situated in the mountains of the
Himalayas in the Northern areas of India.
• Wildlife conflicts like Human-Tiger, Human-wolf conflicts, etc. influence the wildlife
and the habitat. They also affect the illegal trade of wildlife.
12. GLOSSARY
Acid: A corrosive solution that includes a pH of less than 7 (7= neutral) that can reduce the
pH value of soil or water, which is hazardous for crop growth.
Biodiversity: The varieties of life on the Earth and how it interacts within habitats and
ecosystems is known as a biodiversity. It includes plants, animals, and microorganisms in
water and on land.
Bio-geographical: Any geographical region that is defined based on the species dwelling in
it.
Coral reef: It is an ecosystem that exists underwater and is formed by skeletons of marine
invertebrates.
Carbon footprint: An estimate of the effects human activities have on the environment,
particularly climate change, usually outlined as the units of tones or kg of carbon dioxide
everyone generates over a stated period.
Desertification: It is a form of land degradation that happens in drylands and occurs due to
an imbalance in human demands on the ecosystem and the capacity of the environment.
Some of the reasons for desertification are overgrazing, climate change, urbanization, and
deforestation. Due to desertification, fertile lands become arid.
Deforestation: The cutting of trees in a forest on a massive scale because of natural forces
or human activity like burning or logging.
Ecosystem: A biological community of interconnecting organisms and the environments
they live in.
Ozone depletion: Ozone is the upper thin part of the earth’s atmosphere, which is
responsible for absorbing most of the harmful rays of the sun. Ozone depletion is the slow
thinning down of this layer due to the release of chemical compounds (by industrial or
human activities) in the air, which contains gases like chlorine and bromine.
Paris Agreement: Paris Agreement is an international treaty signed by 196 parties. It is a
legally binding agreement, and aims at reducing global warming.

Paleontology: This is the study of fossils (remains of plants, fungi, animals, bacteria, and
single-celled organisms that have been replaced by rock material) on earth to understand
the history of life on the planet.
Taxidermy: Treating and preserving a dead animal’s body parts as a trophy, for instance,
using an animal fur as a rug, preserving horns, antlers, skins, nails, and teeth.
Tribal population: Tribals are a group of people who live in forests or backward areas. The
word ‘tribe’ refers to a group of people living in a traditional society; they often follow the
same culture and religion, and speak the same language.
13. CASE STUDY

The Thermal Power Plant Pollution at Dahanu and the Environmental Judgments
passed against it
The environmental jurisprudence in India has bettered in leaps and bounds with the role
and support of the Supreme Court of India, which has resolved many environmental
disputes. The many disputes resolved by the court encompass the following aspects:
• Recognizing rights as a fundamental right.
• Giving directions to polluters to follow the environmental rules and regulations.
• Giving orders to the implementing agencies to enforce their constitutional duties of
protecting and improving the environment.
• Determining compensation for people who are affected by different forms of pollution.
Dahanu is in the Thane district of Maharashtra and is situated around 120 kilometers from
Mumbai. Dahanu is one of the last green belts on the western coast of India, which faces rapid
industrialization. In 1989, the BESESC (Bombay Suburban Electricity Supply Company) got
the approval of the State government of Maharashtra to set up a thermal power project in
Dahanu district. Two local environmental activists and members of the Dahanu Taluka
Environment Protection Group, Nergis Irani, and Kityam Rustom, filed a writ petition
challenging the judgement of setting up the power plant.
Dahanu has been classified under the Indian coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) by the MoEF in
1991. According to the CRZ, any new construction or development activities within a radius
of 500 meters from the high tide line is banned. Dahanu was also notified as an ‘eco-fragile’
area in 1991 by a government notification under the Environment Protection Act, 1986,

which restricts mining operations, development of industries, and any other such
developments in this district.
Despite all the above declarations, political and industrial interests kept bringing
development projects ignoring both the CRZ notification and the eco-fragile notification by
the government of India. Due to these violations, environmentalist Bittu Sehgal filed a writ
petition in 1994 in the Supreme Court seeking the court to implement the notifications. The
issues mentioned in the petition were forwarded to NEERI (National Environmental
Engineering Research Institute) for further investigation by the Supreme Court.
Result: After the NEERI submitted their report, the Supreme Court barred any rectification
of land-use in Dahanu and also instructed the people (under section 3 of Environment
Protection Act, 1986) to form a committee of experts who will ensure that Dahanu’s eco-
fragility is protected and the environmental laws are implemented. In 1996, the Dahanu
Taluka Environmental Protection Authority was appointed (under the chairmanship of
retired high court judge Justice C.S. Dharmadhikari and supported by 11 expert members).
The authority is empowered to implement both the eco-fragility notification as well as other
court directions.
Source: Article from The Times of India newspaper
1. Discuss how the Indian court ensures the protection and maintenance of a healthy
environment.
2. Discuss what forced the environmental activists to seek justice from the court, in this
case. What was the result?


Q1. Name the top 6 effects of climate change.
Q2. List the top 5 causes of global warming.
Q3. What is the prime gas that destroys the ozone layer?
Q4. How can we eliminate acid rain?
Q5. What is the ‘polluter pays’ principle?
Q6. Mention some of the important features of the Air Act.
Q7. Why can schedule tribes not exercise their rights? What measures has the Indian
government taken to help them?
Q1. How can one prevent climate change?
Q2. How can you make the planet a more sustainable place to live in?
Q3. How can individuals protect the ozone layer?
Q4. How is acid rain harmful?
Q5. Explain the need for international environmental agreements.
Q6. What are the different parts of a biosphere/nature reserve?
Q7. Explain any of the wild conflicts that happened in India.
14.1 Answers
1. Energy use, new technologies, population growth, and so on.
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. True
6. False
7. D. Disruption of habitats like alpine meadows and coral reefs
8. C. Stratosphere
9. A. Chlorofluorocarbon
10. True
11. True

12. C. Acid rain

13. Water pipes
14. Environment Protection Act
15. False
16. D. Wildlife Protection Act
17. A. State pollution control board
18. Multilateral
19. False
20. B. The Montreal Protocol
21. B. The harmful effects on the environment are not restricted to a specific country and
it is not in isolation.
22. B. Buffer zone
23. False
24. B. The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve
25. C. The core area, buffer zone, transition zone
26. A. Article 19(5)
27. True
28. The Gram Sabha
29. Wolf
30. Sunderban
31. Snow leopards and bears
32. False
33. False
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
Answer 1: Effects of Climate change:
• Increase in maximum temperatures
• Increase in minimum temperatures
• A rise in ocean temperatures
• Increase in sea levels
• Shrinking glaciers

• Thawing permafrost
Answer 2: The top 5 causes of global warming include:

• Agricultural activities
• Industrial activities
• Deforestation
• Natural calamities
• Variations in the intensity of the sun.
Answer 3: Ozone depletion destroys the ozone layer. When bromine and chlorine atoms are
exposed to the ozone layer in the stratosphere, they harm and further destroy the ozone
molecules.
Answer 4: One of the most excellent ways by which you can eliminate acid rain is by
producing energy without the usage of fossil fuels. Making use of eco-friendly energy sources
like wind power and solar power can help in achieving this goal.
Answer 5: The ‘Polluter pays’ principle is based on the general belief of economists that
those producers who externalize the costs of their activities are the ones causing the most
damage to the environment. Based on this principle, many environmental regulations force
a producer to bear the costs of pollution. Such a law often encourages producers to use
cleaner technologies or produce clean products.
Answer 6: The Air Act provides control, prevention, and remission of air pollution. The act
aims to:
• Deal with air pollution by restraining the use of polluting elements by regulating
appliances that cause air pollution.
• Give power to the state government to declare any area(s) as an air pollution control
area(s) within the state.
Answer 7: Scheduled Tribes cannot exercise their rights because of being isolated and
backward from the rest of the populations. The government provides reservations for tribal
people, and measures are incorporated in the Constitution to empower them.

Answer 1: There are multitude of ways by which we can prevent climate change. A few ways
include:
• Making use of energy-efficient appliances at homes and workplaces.
• Reducing water waste.
• Recycling and reusing resources to avoid pollution.
• Weatherizing, by protecting habitat from bad weather.
• Driving more fuel-efficient vehicles to avoid generating harmful gases into the
atmosphere.
Answer 2: Global warming is unquestionably on the rise and is further putting the world at
a greater risk. If you’re wondering how you can lower your carbon footprint, all you have to
do is follow certain steps. These steps can be anything from conserving energy every day and
making informed consumer decisions. Make sure that you are familiar with the government’s
energy star label while buying appliances like dryers, washers, refrigerators, and so on.
Another excellent approach towards eliminating global warming is by making use of public
transportation or fuel-efficient vehicles.
Answer 3: There are myriad of ways by which one can secure the ozone layer. Some of these
ways include:
• Avoiding the consumption of products that produces hazardous gasses that can destroy
the ozone layer. These gasses usually consist of harmful content.
• Buying local products can limit the excessive emission of gasses from factories.
• Minimizing the usage of cars and other vehicles.
• Using eco-friendly products to secure the earth against pollution.
Answer 4: Acid rain is extremely harmful and hazardous to forests. It seeps into the ground
and can further dissolve nutrients like calcium and magnesium. These nutrients are required
by plants to stay healthy and grow. Acid rain can moreover release aluminum into the soil.
This can hinder the growth of trees and get in the way of trees absorbing water.
Answer 5: Since the human-induced effects on the environment are profound, they need to
be measured and an assessment of the performance of processes involved is needed. The

harmful effects on the environment are not restricted to a specific country and it is not in
isolation. Hence, these far-reaching effects affect the earth in complex ways, and there is a
need for some level of organization that is not just local or national but is formed at an
international level. This organization must bring about a sense of how human beings can
approach ecological processes. Laws of international agreements must be initiated by an
international organization, which aims at seeking the cooperation of diverse participants
irrespective of their concerns or agendas.
Answer 6: A nature reserve has three main parts:

• Core Area: This is the most protected area of a nature reserve, which may contain
endemic animals and plants. They conserve wild species (which are counterparts of
economic species) and have exceptional scientific interest owing to their important
genetic reservoirs.
• Buffer Zone: The core zone surrounding an area is a buffer zone and activities in a
buffer zone help in protecting a core zone in its natural conditions. Activities include
restoration, fishing, limited tourism, grazing, etc. Educational and research activities
are also encouraged in this zone.
• Transition zone: The external layer of the biosphere is a transition zone. It is also the
zone for the cooperation of human ventures and conservation. This zone is marked with
settlements, managed forests, croplands, and regions where intensive recreation and
other economic uses occur.
Answer 7: The tea gardens of West Bengal across the Indian country witness the killing of
human beings by leopards. The situation is worsening in Garhwal. Man-eaters of this region
have become alarmingly regular because leopards are characterized by their flexible diet and
its high adaptability to different habitats. Leopards acquire a level of familiarity and extreme
boldness due to their proximity to humans as compared to that man-eating tigers.


BOOKS:
Press.
• Bharucha, E., Textbook of Environmental Studies for undergraduate courses,2nd
edition, Hyderabad: Universities Press.
• De, A. K. (2007), Environmental Studies, New Age International Publishers.
E-REFERENCES:
• Principles Of Environmental Law, viewed on 16th March, 2021,
<https://www.britannica.com/topic/environmental-law/Principles-of-
environmental-law>
• Environmental Law, viewed on 16th March, 2021,
<https://www.britannica.com/topic/environmental-law>
• National Green Tribunal, viewed on 16th March, 2021,
<https://greentribunal.gov.in/faqs>
• Nature Reserve, viewed on 16th March, 2021,
<https://www.eea.europa.eu/help/glossary/eea-glossary/nature-reserve>
• National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries in India – Part 2, viewed on
16th March, 2021, <https://www.civilsdaily.com/prelims-spotlight-national-parks-
biosphere-reserves-wildlife-sanctuaries-in-india-part-
2/#:~:text=How%20is%20a%20biosphere%20reserve,Sanctuaries%20and%20rese
rves%20as%20well>

ADMINISTRATION
SEMESTER 4
DBB2204
Unit 15: Human Communities and the Environment 1

Unit 15
Human Communities and the Environment
Table of Contents
No Table / Activity
Graph
1 Introduction
4-5
2 Human Population Growth 1
2.1 Aspects of Population that Affect 6-9
Environment
2.2 Factors Affecting Population Growth
3 Human Health and Welfare 2, I
10-12
3.1 Government Family Welfare Programme
4 Resettlement and Rehabilitation 3
4.1 Causes for Displacement of People
13-16
4.2 Issues with Resettlement
4.3 Objectives of Resettlement
5 Disaster Management 4
5.1 Types of Disasters 17-21
5.2 Four Aspects of Disaster Management
6 Environmental Ethics 5
6.1 Environmental and Ethical Philosophies 22-24
6.2 Types of Environmental Ethics
7 Environmental Communication and Public 6
Awareness
7.1 Why do we Need Environmental
Communication? 25-27
7.2 Important Advocacy Campaigns and
Landmarks
7.3 Organisations for Climate Movements
8 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 7 28-33

8.1 History of Environmental Impact

Assessment
8.2 Contents of EIS (Environmental
Impact Statement)
8.3 EIA Methodology 1
9 Summary 33-36
10 Glossary 37
11 Case Study 38-39
40-43
12.1 Answer Keys
13 Suggested Books and E-References 44-45

1. INTRODUCTION
The word ‘population’ has its origin in the Latin word ‘populus’, which means people. A
population is used to describe a group of individual species who inhabit a definite and same
geographic area at a given time.
A population is a dynamic entity, and recent years have seen massive changes in birth rates
and population growth across countries and continents. The global population is now
growing by more than 80 million in a year, and is estimated to grow till the rest of this
century.
Human societies have few fundamental aspects like the size of a population, the composition
of the people in it, and the rate of the growth of a population. All these aspects and trends of
a population affect economic prosperity, education, health, crime patterns, family structures,
cultures, languages, etc in India.
Let us look at some terms and definitions related to population before we delve into it in
detail.
• Population growth rate: At any given time, the change in population per unit area is
called population growth. The formula for finding the growth rate is given by:
Population growth rate = (Ppopulation at the end of the time period - Ppopulation at the beginning of the time
period)/Ppopulation at the beginning of the time period
• Population density: The number of people residing in per unit area or unit volume of
an environment gives the population density of that environment.
• Carrying capacity: The maximum number of population that can be organised by the
available resources of an environment is termed as a carrying capacity.
• Demography: This is a study of human populations. Demography draws insight from
multiple disciplines like history, economics, statistics, sociology, biology, medicine, and
anthropology.
• Closed population: A population where there are no emigrations and no immigrations.
Additions and reductions in such a population can happen only by births and deaths,
respectively.

• Overpopulation: This happens when the population of a place exceeds its carrying
capacity that its environment has.
• Doubling time: The time required to double the size of a population is referred to as
doubling time period.
The primary parameters that affect trends in a population are:

• Natality (Birth rate): The number of new born per thousand persons in a given year
constitutes the birth rate of a population.
• Death rate: The number of deaths per thousand persons in a year with a possible count
is termed as the death rate of a population.
• Immigration: When people arrive in a population from neighbouring regions, it is called
immigration.
• Emigration: When people migrate or disperse from their original population area to a
new area, it is called emigration.
We will now look into where the human population stands today and the reasons for the
tremendous growth in population. We will also consider how this population trend affects
human welfare and the various measures taken by the governments to control and manage
growing populations. STUDY NOTE
The UN has projected that the
1.1 Learning Objectives global population would be
9.7 billion in 2050, and by
After studying this chapter, you will be able to: 2100, we will be 10.9 billion in
size.
❖ Explain the meaning of population and other terms

surrounding this concept.
❖ Define the various reasons for population growth and how it affects our environment.
❖ Explain the different measures taken by the governments to slow down the population
explosion.
❖ Describe resettlement and rehabilitation of populations and issues around them.
❖ Explain why we need environmental communication and maintain environmental ethics.
❖ Describe what disasters are and how they can be caused.

2. HUMAN POPULATION GROWTH

The world population stands at 7.3 billion people as per the data collected in the year 2015.
This means that we have more than 7 billion bodies that need food, clothes, education, jobs,
entertainment, etc. Apart from the enormous resources to maintain so many lives, we also
have vast amounts of waste being produced and disposed every day. As a result, the increase
in human population affects the environment mainly by two ways:
• Resources such as land, fossil fuels, water, air, food, minerals, etc. are being consumed
in huge quantities.
• The massive production of waste products, air and water pollutants, greenhouse gases,
and many other toxic materials are pervading our ecosystem.
Apart from the size of a population, another issue is the issue about what is happening within
a given population. The population distribution (migration, urbanisation, density, etc.),
population composition (age, gender, income levels, etc.), and their consumption patterns
also play an equal role in affecting our environment adversely. We shall look at these issues
closely now.
2.1 Aspects of Population that Affect the Environment

It is not enough to focus solely on a population’s number to get a clear picture of what is
happening around us. We must understand the multifaceted relationship between human
communities and the ecosystem.
• Population size: We are all aware of the fact that with

STUDY NOTE
growing populations, there will not be enough fertile land
The amount of
to produce food, forests, fisheries, or drinking water. The environmental resources
consumed in the last 50
human carrying capacity of the earth has been a matter of years is more than what the
whole of humanity
debate for hundreds of years. There is still non consensus consumed before that
period.
over and how many is too many and it has a wide range
from 500 million humans to more than a trillion.
The huge variability in the carrying capacity of the earth is because scientists do not agree
on the accuracy of the methods that are used to determine these numbers. The consumption
of resources has huge variations across the globe. If everyone on the Earth consumed

resources at the same rate, then the carrying capacity of the Earth could be only 2 billion. But
if people consumed only as much as needed to survive, the Earth could support a much larger
number of human lives.
• Population Distribution: The manner in which a population is distributed also affects

the ecosystem. For instance, the birth rates in developing countries are more than that
in the developed countries due to less access to education and family planning as well
as high poverty levels. This rapid growth in the population of developing countries adds
more pressure on the environmental resources.
• Population Composition: If there are more young people in an environment, there are
higher chances of their migration to urban areas, which will result in an intensification
of urban environmental concerns. Currently, India has the highest percentage of youth
in urban cities. Another part of this component is an uneven distribution of incomes,
which puts pressure on the environment.
To survive, the poorest people resort to using resources in unsustainable ways like burning
tires, rubbish, plastics, etc. To feed their families, the poorer population may also be forced
to deplete forests or animal populations. On the other side of the spectrum are the rich, who
consume large proportions of resources by driving cars, living in big houses, and other
environment unfriendly lifestyle choices.
• Population Consumption: Governments and advertisers in many developed countries,

in their pursuit to increase their economy, have promoted a culture where the pattern
of consumption and production has become unsustainable. It has gotten imbibed
deeply in their culture to own bigger homes, buy commodities for luxury, own a faster
and costlier car, etc. These are seen as signs of success in these nations, but this pattern
has a negative impact both on our environment and or our emotional wellbeing. This
kind of production leads to excessive usage of energy and the release of excess toxins
and pollution. The impacts of such high consumptions of energy are not only confined
to the local areas where the energy is consumed, but its impacts are felt globally in the
form of increase in the CO2 levels or the depletion of the ozone layer. The ecological
footprints of developed countries are much bigger in size than that of developing
countries.

2.2 Factors Affecting Population Growth

Overpopulation has many reasons attached to it; some of the most prominent ones are
briefly explained below.
• High birth rates and reduced death rates: With the development in the world of
medicines and technology, the standard of living has significantly improved. There are
many immunisations, antibiotics, clean water, air, and better food production available
to people, which has increased their longevity. The rate of birth is higher than the death
rate, ultimately leading to more people alive in a given region.
• Social customs, beliefs, literacy level, and needs: In some parts of the world where the
literacy rate is low, people are not well informed about the benefits of having fewer
children. Some need more children so that their offspring can help them in agriculture,
growing crops, or other fieldwork. Some are bound by the desire to have a male child,
so they keep bearing children till they have a boy in their family.
• Public health programs: Many government health programs have improved the living
conditions and life expectancy of people.
• Fertility rates: Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is defined as the
STUDY NOTE
number of children a woman can give birth to, in a lifetime.
The highest Total
Some countries experience rapid population growth Fertility Rate in the
world is 4.6, which is in
temporarily with an increase in the average fertility rates sub-Saharan Africa.
of women of that country. After that rapid growth, the TFR
comes down. Currently, the average global fertility rate is 2.5 children per woman. In
the pre-modern era, the average fertility rate used to be 6.5 to 7 children, and the
decline in this rate can be attributed to education and increasing labour market
participation, which has empowered women so that they can exercise their rights in
deciding how many kids they want to have. Another reason for the lowering in the
fertility rates is the rising cost of bringing up children.
• Decline in Maternal mortality rate (MMR) and Infant mortality rate (IMR): IMR and
MMR have declined all around the world due to the availability of more health centres
and health programs. The infant mortality rate is the number of children under 1 year
of age dying per 1,000 live births in a particular year.

• Rise in food production: After the World War II, there has been a steep rise in food
production with the advent of the green revolution.
1. Based on the discussions above, which of the following is not an aspect of

population that affects our environment?
a) Population consumption pattern
b) Population Composition
c) Population Distribution.
d) The male and female ratio in a population.
2. How does a younger composition of a population affect environment?
a) A younger population consumes more food, which puts pressure on the
environment.
b) A younger population takes up more jobs, which contributes to
environmental pollution.
c) A younger population is more likely to migrate to cities for jobs, which will
intensify urban environmental concerns.
d) Young people are more negligent towards environmental degradation.
3. The term that defines the number of kids that a woman can possibly bear in a
lifetime is______________.
4. The decline in death rates is one of the reasons for the rise in population.
[True/False]

3. HUMAN HEALTH AND WELFARE

Human welfare in a nutshell means health, happiness, good fortune, and prosperity of
individuals, groups, communities, etc. Human welfare is closely related to their health, which
is inseparably intertwined with the environment. Population growth, aging population,
urbanisation, migration patterns, etc. pose severe challenges to the overall wellbeing of the
world's population. Amongst all these reasons, population growth coupled with a disparity
in population distribution is one of the biggest reasons for the degradation in health and
well-being.
Human health impacts the economic development of a country in the form of market failures
and distortions. The advancement in technology, use of fertilizers and pesticides have
degraded the environment and caused several health issues. Environmental pollution causes
millions of deaths every year. The major factors influencing human health are briefly
discussed below.
• Malnutrition: WHO (World health organization)

STUDYNOTE
published a report in 2005 that defined overpopulation
In 2019, a bill called the
as the breaking down of the ecological balance due to a ‘Population Control Bill’ was
proposed in the Indian
population’s size exceeding the carrying capacity of its parliament and signed by 125
members of the parliament.
environment. Such a situation results in a weakened This bill is yet to become an act
of law. The bill states that
food production system. With less food, there is people who opt for a smaller
family will be given incentives
inadequate food consumption and people suffer from in the form of tax relaxations,
free education, employment,
malnutrition. The WHO had also cautioned in 2011 that etc.
dangerous strains of man-made viruses are likely to

cause a huge count of deaths in the future since a lot of people have weakened immune
systems, owing to malnutrition.
• Migration: Population growth can make job opportunities a struggle for people, which
results in their migration to other countries that have better job prospects. Migration
causes ‘brain drain’, which means that there may be a lack of access to skilled healthcare
workers in certain areas from where they have migrated.

• Easy spread of diseases: When the population in a certain area increases, it becomes
easier for infectious airborne illnesses to propagate fast and wide. In 2012, there were
8.6 million cases of tuberculosis.
• Water pollution: Overpopulation pollutes the water supply at a faster rate.
3.1 Government Family Welfare Programme

India was the first country in the world that launched a family planning program in 1951 to
control the population growth of the country. Many pilot activities were done during this
family welfare program, which were geared towards helping women who were at risk of
unwanted pregnancies. The slogan of this program was ‘We two, ours two’ (hum do, hamare
do). The government utilised all forms of modern as well as traditional communication
systems to propagate and develop social support for this program.
The main objectives of this program were to:

• Reduce fertility to slow down population explosion. The program aims to bring down
the TFR in India to 2.1.
• Provide clinical and educational services to remote villages to help couples decide and
choose how many children they want to have and when.
• The program also provides information on how to manage birth spacing, control birth,
and proper healthcare for a mother and her new born.
• The program has also reduced the number of illegal
abortions in a year and reduced the rate of deaths due STUDY NOTE
to pregnancy. Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is the Malnutrition has increased by

37% from the year 1950 to 2007
number of women who die per 100,000 live births in a and is one of the main reasons
for the deaths of 6 million
given time period. The major reasons for MMR have children in a year.
been identified as toxaemia (Hypertension during

pregnancy), haemorrhage (both ante and postpartum), puerperal sepsis (infections
after delivery), anaemia, obstructed labour, and unsafe abortion haemorrhage. These
deaths can be prevented if:
o Good antenatal care is provided.
o There is timely identification of pregnant women who have complications related to
their pregnancy, and are referred to healthcare professionals.

o Timely provision of emergency obstetric care
Activity 1
Collect the maternal mortality rate and malnutrition rate of your state for the last five
years. Check for the programmes initiated by your government to control the
prevailing rates and assess the success of these programmes using the data collected.
5. One of the aims of the family welfare program launched in India is to reduce
TFR. [True/False]
6. The name of the proposed bill in the Indian Parliament in 2019 that aims at
controlling population is __________.
7. According to the ‘Human Health and Welfare’ section that was discussed, an
aging population affects the environment because:
a) Older people are not aware of sanitation rules.
b) Older people tend to contaminate the environment more.
c) The elderly consume more resources and put pressure on the
environment.
d) The elderly are more likely to suffer from disease like diabetes, arthritis,
heart diseases, dementia, etc., which puts pressure on the healthcare
system.
8. What is maternal mortality rate?
a) Number of women who can bear children at any given time.
b) The number of women who die every year.
c) The number of women who die per 100,000 live births, in a given time
period.
d) The number of women who give stillbirths every year.

4. RESETTLEMENT AND REHABILITATION

Due to natural and human-caused disasters, people are forced
STUDY NOTE
to move out of their original land. For instance, when a
One of the recent nuclear
disasters has been the Tsunami happened in South Asia in 2004, or the massive
‘Fukushima nuclear disaster’
in Japan, which forced many earthquake that happened in Latur and Gujrat, and many other
people to leave their homes
for their safety. incidents of flood or drought in different parts of the world
that rendered thousands of people jobless and homeless. One
prime example of a human-made disaster is the Bhopal gas tragedy, which happened in the
union carbide factory. Apart from disasters, there are other
reasons that displace people from their homes such as many STUDY NOTE
development projects (construction of dams, roads, flyovers, One of the biggest natural
disasters in India was the
canals. etc.). drought in 1987, which
affected 15 states and
displaced 300 million
The process of settling in a new location is termed as people.
resettlement. The rehabilitation of an environment occurs

when a lifestyle restores the environment to its former state.
4.1 Causes for Displacement of People

People are displaced from their original place of living due to various reasons. In the past,
some of the most prominent reasons for displacements, resettlements, and rehabilitation
have been:
• Natural disasters: Earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods,
prolonged drought conditions, hurricanes, etc.
• Industrial accidents (Man-made disasters): Nuclear accidents like the Bhopal gas,
tragedy, Oil spills (Exxon Valdez oil spill), etc.
• Relocation while searching for better job prospects.
• Development projects like construction of irrigation canals, dams, reservoirs, etc.
• Infrastructural projects such as the construction of flyovers, roads, bridges, etc.
• Transportation activities like highways, roads, etc.
• Energy-related projects such as oil explorations, power plants, mining activities,
pipelines (for example HBJ pipeline), etc.

• Projects that are linked with conserving wildlife like national parks, biosphere
reserves, sanctuaries, etc.
• Agricultural projects.
4.2 Issues with Resettlement

The World Bank has estimated that close to 10 lakh people are displaced around the world
for varied reasons. There are development projects happening that only have economic
efficiency as their objective, and many a time, such projects fail to see that there are many
people who stand to lose all they have because of such developmental projects.
Rehabilitation is a continuous and slow process and needs a lot of organised effort. One of
the strategies of rehabilitation is to take preventive actions so that resettlement is not
needed. For example, building earthquake-proof houses, be informed about cyclones in
advance so that evacuation can be planned ahead of time, construct appropriate bunds in
areas that are prone to floods, etc. All these measures can avoid a plethora of issues
surrounding resettlement as outlined below:
• Lack of support: Displacements mainly affect rural and tribal people who do not get
much support from the government.
• Meagre compensation: Many a time, no compensations are given on the land lost by
people in the name of mega developmental projects. Even if compensations are paid,
they are much delayed and too low both in monetary terms as well as the social changes
that are forced upon the displaced people.
• Loss of livelihood: Displacement is a huge phenomenon in the lives of people who get
displaced. The ancestral lands and forests on which they have depended all through
their lives are lost. Most people do not have enough skills to pick up any other activity
or occupation to earn. Usually, the land offered to them is of low quality and cannot be
used to earn a living.
• Lack of facilities: There is no basic infrastructure and amenities provided in the new
area offered to the displaced people. Most of the time they live in temporary tents,
which later become their permanent abodes.
• A rise in stress levels: The shock of purposelessness created in human beings who are
resettled is humungous. They are filled with emptiness and there are quarrels within a

family on the share that each must receive from the resettlement amount given to them.
Their family lives wither with their prestige of land ownership after they are displaced.
Often, the daughters of refugees find it difficult to get good matches for marriages form
the neighbouring villages.
• Increased health issues: With their forest and agriculture-based livelihood gone, there
is a general decline in the health conditions of refugees. Most tribal and rural people
depend heavily on their herbal homemade remedies, which are submerged due to the
development projects.
• Identity loss: Tribal people have unique lifestyles, which STUDY NOTE
are community-based. Displacement hampers their During the process of
exploiting oil and constructing
culture and spiritual existence in multiple ways. Their a connected pipeline in the
Eastern Upper Nile region, 48
loss of connection with their environment and their villages were burnt, and
55,000 people were displaced.
indigenous knowledge about wildlife are the biggest
losses in a resettlement process.
• Exploitation due to lack of knowledge: Tribal people are not well versed with market
trends, policies, price of commodities, and other details of a city life. This lends them to
exploitation from shopkeepers and others in new and foreign areas.
4.3 Objectives of Resettlement

STUDY NOTE
Before giving an alternative site to a displaced group of
Due to the fire episode in
people, there are few objectives of resettlement that must be Jharia coal fields, 3 lakh
people were affected and
met. about 115 crore INR was
spent in putting out the fire.
• Tribal people should have the freedom to live their lives
on their own accord and nothing should be imposed or forced upon them.
• Villagers should be given an option to move out and stay together as a community.
• They must be given means and facilities so that they can pursue and develop their
traditional art and culture in ways that suit them.
• Rehabilitation must focus on removing poverty.
• The fruits of a development must be shared appropriately with the people who were
displaced due to a development project.
• Job opportunities must be provided to the displaced people.
• Resettlement must be provided in an area nearby their original land.

• In case resettlement is not possible in neighbouring areas, the new area must be well
equipped with all amenities and infrastructure like schools for children, irrigation
facilities, wells, supply for basic agricultural activities, primary healthcare units,
drinking water, grazing grounds, and other necessary facilities.
• Every stage of rehabilitation must be done by taking the respective villagers into
confidence. Villagers should be well informed and educated through public meetings
about the different legalities around the land acquisition act and other provisions of
rehabilitation.
• Any sort of decision-making must be taken with the view and advice of the elderly
people of the village.
9. Rehabilitation is a slow process. [True/False]

10. The difference between resettlement and rehabilitation is:
a) Resettlement means settling in a new area and rehabilitation is the
compensation received.
b) Resettlement and Rehabilitation are the same.
c) Resettlement is a slow process whereas rehabilitation is a faster process.
d) Resettlement is a process of settling in a new location and rehabilitation is
when the lifestyle of displaced people restores to the former state.
11. Which of the following is not true about resettlement and rehabilitation?
a) There is a loss of livelihood of displaced people.
b) Marriages are difficult for resettled people as neighbouring villages do not
want to marry refugees.
c) There is a rise in health-related issues with a resettled population.
d) Resettled people easily get jobs to restore their livelihood.
12. Which of the following is not a natural disaster that causes resettlement?
a) Cyclones
b) Earthquakes
c) Development projects
d) Tsunamis

5. DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Disaster management is a methodology employed to deal with the impacts of a disaster.
Disaster management is a process that defines:
• how we prepare for a disaster
• how we respond to a disaster
• how we learn from these disastrous happenings.
The main causes of disasters are mostly natural though there have been many cases of
disasters that have human origins. A disaster is a combination of a hazard, the vulnerability
of the people involved, and their incompetence in the reduction of the negative impacts of
the hazard. Mathematically we can depict it as:
Disaster = (Vulnerability + Hazard)/Capacity, where:
• Hazard: A dangerous event or condition that has the potential to damage lives,
properties, or the environment.
• Vulnerability: The extent to which a community or geographical area is affected by a
hazard. Vulnerability depends on the construction of an area, proximity to hazardous
terrains, etc.
• Capacity: The resources or means that are present within households and communities
to prevent, cope with, and mitigate the negative effects of a hazard.
The first people who respond to a disaster in an area are the ones who live in that local
community. They are the first to start rescue and relief operations. Therefore, it is important
for societies to focus on preparing communities for a potential disaster. This will reduce their
vulnerability and strengthen their capacities to overcome a disastrous event.
5.1 Types of Disasters

STUDY NOTE
Disasters can be caused by nature, could be human-
The International federation
induced, pandemic emergencies, or could be a result of advocates with international
organisations, governments, and
multiple hazards. We will now look into the details of each humanitarian donors to have
better practices and accountability
of these types of disasters. in managing a disaster, which
shows greater respect for the
affected and vulnerable people.

• Natural disasters: A natural disaster could be any rapid or slow onset of a natural or
physical phenomenon, which has an immediate impact on human health and can cause
deaths and sufferings of various kinds. The UN Office for disaster risk reduction
categorises national disasters based on their intensity or magnitude, speed of their
onset, the area or extent to which they cover, and duration of their occurrence. For
example, earthquakes have a short duration and cover small areas, whereas droughts
develop slowly but take time to vanish and affect huge areas. The different types of
natural disasters are:
o Geophysical (earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and volcanic eruptions)
o Climatological (droughts and wildfires)
o Biological (disease epidemics, insect or animal plagues)
o Hydrological (avalanches and floods)
o Meteorological (storms or wave surges and cyclones)
• Man-made disasters: Disasters that occur close to a human settlement, which is often
caused by technological or environmental emergencies are man-made disasters. They
include:
o Accidents (industrial, transport that involves production, technological, using or
transporting hazardous materials, etc.)
o Environmental pollution and degradation
• Complex emergencies: There are disasters caused by a hoard of hazards that are a
combination of man-made and natural events. This results in authority breakdown,
looting, attacks on strategic locations, wars, etc. Reasons for such disasters could be
food insecurities, armed conflicts, epidemics, displaced populations, etc. As per the
International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC), such emergencies are often
accompanied by:
o extensive violence
o loss of lives
o need for large-scale humanitarian support, which can require multiple agencies
o A threat to the security of humanitarian relief workers
o Constraints (political or military) that restrict or prevent humanitarian assistance.
• Pandemic emergencies: Pandemic is derived from two Greek words, ‘Pan’, which means
‘all’ and ‘demos’, which means ‘people’. A pandemic occurs when an unknown disease

spreads and covers a large population of an area (covering human and animal
populations), which affects their health and disrupts economic and social activities. The
disease might have existed for a while in a specific region, but a pandemic happens
when there is an unforeseen and abnormal increase in cases of such a disease. A certain
region could be free from a disease but, in a pandemic, such a region will also see a
sudden appearance and rise of that particular disease, which is plaguing other areas.
The many pandemics that have occurred in the past include diseases like Ebola,
malaria, cholera, avian flu, zika virus, yellow fever, and the recent COVID-19.
5.2 Four Aspects of Disaster Management

There are four key aspects of a disaster that allows for a more organised management of
resources and responsibilities.
They are:
• Disaster prevention: As per the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
(UNISDR), disaster prevention is a phenomenon of engaging in those activities that help
in preventing the potential adverse effects of a disaster. These actions are taken in
advance, which provides protection from the occurrence of a disastrous event. The
World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) says that it is not possible to
prevent all disasters but one can reduce the risks to life and mitigate major risks by
having a good evacuation plan, good risk management, and better environmental
planning and design. In India, the apex body for disaster recovery management is The
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which is headed by the Prime
Minister of India.
• Disaster preparedness: The International Committee of
STUDY NOTE
the Red Cross (ICRC) defines disaster preparedness as
the measures taken that prepares a community to 13th October is celebrated as
the world disaster recovery
reduce the effects of a disaster. If the disaster day all over the world. It
denotes how communities are
preparedness of a society is improved, it can result in reducing their exposure to
disasters.
maximum lives being saved and enable an affected population to get back to normalcy
soon after a disaster is over. Physical therapy practice management must emphasise
enhancing community-based preparedness and management of disasters.

• Disaster response: Disaster response or relief is focused primarily on the short-term

and immediate needs of an affected population. Some of the response actions are the
provision of temporary housing and water, which could also extend till the recovery
stage. A disaster response’s main goal is to rescue survivors from immediate perils and
stabilise their physical and emotional conditions. It also includes recovering the dead
and restoring essential services like power and water supply. This stage of disaster
management requires a coordinated multi-agency response with many relief activities
like relocation, rescue, prevention of diseases, provision of food and water, provision
of temporary shelter, restoration of essential services like transport and
telecommunications.
• Disaster recovery: After the initial crisis is over, an affected STUDY NOTE
crowd continues to be vulnerable for a longer period of time. In 5 seconds, avalanches

can acquire a speed of 80
A disaster recovery is that part of a disaster management miles an hour.
that goes beyond the immediate relief activities. It includes the following activities:
o Rebuilding important infrastructures like schools, hospitals, roads, etc.
o Developing policies and procedures aimed at mitigating similar situations in the
future
o Health care
o Other development activities such as creating human resources for health

13. Which of the following is an example of a geophysical disaster?

a) Floods
b) Droughts
c) Avalanches
d) Earthquakes
14. What is the difference between a disaster response and a disaster recovery?
a) A disaster response means providing accommodation while a disaster
recovery means providing provisions of basic amenities like water.
b) A disaster response is how a society prepares for a disaster and a disaster
recovery is a process of using those resources after the disaster has
occurred.
c) A disaster response is an immediate and short-term response like
providing temporary shelters while a disaster recovery is a process after
the initial response is over like building schools and hospitals.
d) Both disaster recoveries and disaster responses are the same processes.
15. The term used to describe a usually unknown disease spreading over the
huge population is ______________
16. Complex emergencies result from a mix of natural and man-made disasters
and are often accompanied by violence. [True/False]

6. ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
Environmental ethics is an arm of the environmental
philosophy that considers how human ethics are deeply STUDY NOTE
related to the environment. Environmental ethics believe There are few other philosophies
around environmental ethics and
that human beings are as much part of nature as other one of them is Psychocentrism,
which believes that human beings
plants and animals. These ethics talk about the moral are the most valuable species in the
environment since their mental
obligations that we as human beings have towards the capacities are better developed and
more complex.
environment we live in.
When we think of the environment, we think of the current degradation like global warming
and global rising sea levels. We must understand that these issues are strongly linked with
our activities, which cause air pollution and depletion of natural resources like forests, water,
etc.
Humans have now (in the past few decades) started understanding how important it is for
our environment to be sustainable and started studying the ethical and moral relationships
that integrate an individual with the environment. There are sustainability specialists,
environmentalists, conservationists, and geoscientists who spend a major part of their
careers preserving the non-human world.
Experts started finding a connection between technology, commercial industries, global

population growth, and their impact on the quality of the environment. If people do not value
the environment, they will never get involved with various movements like preservation and
conservation. Some of the basics of environmental ethics are:
• Humans and other organisms on earth are interdependent.
• Human beings are not superior to other species.
• Humans should not harm any natural entity.
• We should not try to change, control, or manipulate our ecosystem.
6.1 Environmental and Ethical Philosophies

The purpose of sustainability might be still unclear to those who are not familiar with
environmental ethics. Many approaches and principles have been invented in order to
determine how we should value our environment.

In order to understand what environmental ethics is all about, we must look into the
different philosophies which are related to it.
• Conservation ethics and conservatism: Conservation is an activity of protecting and
safeguarding what is available in the environment. Conservation depends on how much
respect humans have for their environment. It works towards protecting available
resources for the future and improving the ecosystem and human communities. This
ethics recognises the ongoing relationship of nature with STUDY NOTE
humans. The word ‘Ecofeminis’ was
coined by the French writer
• Anthropocentrism: This is in contrast to the conservation Françoise d'Eaubonne in
her book ‘Le Féminismeou
ethics and believes that humans are the most important la Mort’.
species in the world. Since this philosophy does not put

other plants and animals on the same level as humans in the hierarchy, it allows
humans to exploit nature for their own benefits. There are two distinct types of
anthropocentrism given by Peter Vardy:
o Strong Anthropocentrism: This holds that human beings are the centre point of the
world and most important since they rightfully deserve to be there.
o Weak Anthropocentrism: This holds that human beings are most important since
environmental situations can be interpreted only through human perspectives.
• Libertarian extension philosophies: Libertarian extension philosophies are a complete
opposite to Anthropocentrism and extend the same importance to animals and the
environment as given to humans.
• Holism: Jan Smuts first developed the term holism in his book ‘Holism and Evolution’.
According to the holism theory, the environment is a whole system rather than having
many individual parts like humans, plants, animals, etc.
6.2 Types of Environmental Ethics

The disclosure of various philosophies around environments has given rise to different
environmental ethics. There are primarily three types of environmental ethics:
• Social Ecology: This studies people and their environment and how they are
interdependent.
• Deep Ecology: This promotes an intrinsic value and worth of every living being,
regardless of whether they have any instrumental utility to human beings.

• Ecofeminism: This type of ethics considers the Earth as a strong woman with the same
qualities of a woman, so that we can relate and respect it.
17. Environmental ethics is an arm of an environmental philosophy that considers

how human ethics are deeply related to the __________.
18. Anthropocentrism believes that all living beings hold the same importance in
the world. [True/False]
19. The _______ philosophy believes that the environment should be considered as a
whole and not in parts.
20. Which of the following choices best describe the Libertarian extension
philosophies?
a) It studies how people and the environment are interdependent.
b) It considers human beings as the most important part of the entire
ecosystem.
c) It considers the earth as a woman so that it can be respected better.
d) It considers all parts of the environment (humans, plants, animals, etc.) to
have equal importance.

7. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS

Environmental communication encompasses all the diverse forms of mediated
communication between organisations, interpersonal, public, and different groups. Such
communications give rise to social debates about issues pertaining to the environment and
human connection to it.
Anyone who participates in discussions about the environment is part of the environmental
communication system. It could be passionate environmental advocates or those who
fiercely propagate ecological preservation. It could also be a casual activity that anyone can
partake in, though it is also a field of practice created by professional environmental
communicators.
Environmental communication can also be deemed as an interdisciplinary stream of study

that looks at the techniques, influence, and the role of communication in environmental
matters. Environmental communication draws its theory from environmental studies,
communication, sociology, psychology, and political science. It is a pragmatic approach to
persuade, educate, alert, mobilise, and help solve environmental problems.
Developing an effective environmental message requires communicators to outline the goals

that an intended communication wants to achieve, identify stakeholders, and identify key
messages and communication methods to disseminate information.
7.1 Why Do We Need Environmental Communication?

If more than 7 billion people are constantly using and abusing our environment, then an
apocalypse might come sooner than we think. Some studies
STUDY NOTE
suggest that if the current pattern of waste disposal
Guerrilla gardening is a protest
continues, by 2050, there will be 4 billion people living in directed at land rights and land
reforms. It aims to reclaim land
areas facing severe water-related issues. that is either being misused or
neglected and promotes
reconsideration of land rights
One can grow environment sensitivity in a country only and land ownerships.
through intensive public awareness campaign utilising

several tools like the press, electronic media, schools, and colleges.

Public awareness would bring about the following improvements:

• Protection of the atmosphere.
• Management of biotechnology and hazardous waste would become more environment
friendly.
• Land resources would be protected.
• Biological diversity will be preserved.
• The living and working conditions of the poor would improve by stopping the
degradation of the environment. This would further help in eradicating poverty.
7.2 Important Advocacy Campaigns and Landmarks

Some of the landmarks in the environment advocacy campaigns that have shaped and made
an indelible mark on the current environmental movements are briefly discussed below.
• Guerrilla gardening: In this type of gardening, gardeners create gardens in areas in
which they do not have a legal right to do so. They utilise an abandoned area or uncared
area to create an ‘urban foodscape’, which allows foraging. It increases local food
security, self-sufficiency, and brings back the food growing skills in urban civilisations.
One thing to note is that Guerrilla gardening is illegal by definition and it is a civil
trespass against a person who owns the land.
• Greenpeace campaign: Such campaigns design campaigns to protect forests.
• Green consumers: Green consumers gain information on an enterprise’s environmental
behaviour and boycott buying products from companies that adversely impact the
environment and society. They reward companies that show green policy and approach
through their daily shopping preferences.
7.3 Organisations for Climate Movements

Many climate organisations have come up and are striving to keep the environment clean
and create a sustainable ecosystem. Some of the famous ones are:
• 350.org: It is an international organisation that aims to end the era of fossil fuels and
build a world that works solely on renewable energy sources. They want to stop any
new fossil fuel projects through community resistance and local resolutions. They work
by providing support to community-led energy solutions and cutting licenses and
stopping finances to fossil fuel industries.

• Grist.org: This is a news outlet consisting of a network of innovators. The goal of this
organisation is to get people to start talking, thinking, and taking actions to better the
ecosystem. They reach out to more than 2 million people in a month out of which 65%
start working on guidelines based on the grist.org content. Their publication takes out
a daily digest of environmental news and provides a forum for green advocates, and
diverse voices and influencers to promote green living.
21. Environmental communication is not a necessity since most people are globally
aware of issues around the environment. [True/False]
22. _________ boycott buying products from companies that adversely impact the
environment and society.
23. 350.org aims to reduce the usage of _______ and promote renewable energy
sources.
24. Which of the following is not true about guerrilla gardening?
a) Gardeners utilise an abandoned areas or uncared areas to create an ‘urban
foodscape’.
b) It increases local food security.
c) It brings back the food-growing skills in urban civilisation.
d) It is a legal activity.

8. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool used by governments across the globe
to assess the impacts of a present or a future project or development proposals on the
environment as well as the well-being of humans. A project could be a legislative proposal,
policy, operational procedure, development project, etc. While undertaking the EIA, many
interrelated aspects like socio-economic, human-health, cultural, etc. are taken into account.
The EIA looks at both the positive and negative consequences of a project. At the end of an
assessment, the EIA also interprets and communicates the information to the decision-
makers.
The objectives of the EIA are:

• Recognise, foresee, and analyse the environmental, economic, and social effects of a
development activity.
• The EIA technique does a technical assessment that systematically presents the impacts
on the environment that a project is likely to cause and explains the significance of
impacts predicted.
• As a result of this assessment, there is also an indication of the scope of mitigation or
modification to a project.
• The EIA provides information on consequences to the environment for the purpose of
decision-making to the concerned ministries and agencies.
• The EIA enhances public participation.
• It fosters inter-agency coordination.
Some features that characterise the EIA and their significance are stated below:
• The EIA is not a procedure for preventing actions, but its main objective is to authorise
project actions with full knowledge of how they would impact the environment.
• The EIA is not a science, but it uses an amalgam of sciences in an interdisciplinary and
integrated manner.
• The EIA should be treated as an integrated part of a project and not just an appendage
or an add-on. The cost of the EIA must be calculated as part of a planning and not as an
additional cost.

• The EIA does not give out decisions but is considered while making policies and
decisions, which reflect in the final choices.
• The EIA is a government policy, and all industrial projects need an EIA clearance from
the Ministry of Environment before they get the approval of the Planning Commission.
8.1 History of Environmental Impact Assessment

The EIA is one of the best policy innovations that happened in the 1900s. The EIA’s main goal
is to conserve our environment and also bring about the best combination of economic and
environmental benefits. EIA started in the US in 1970 and its brief history is presented
below:
• Section 102 is the first comprehensive environmental legislation in the US that came
into force on the 1st of January 1970. It came in the form of the National environmental
policy act (NEPA).
• The EIA was initially a practice only in developed countries but later came to
developing countries like India.
• The earliest examples of developing countries that made the EIA a part of their
legislation are Columbia (in 1974) and the Philippines (in 1978).
• The World Bank adopted the EIA as a major development project in 1989.
• The Indian EIA notification was amended on the 4th of May 1994 to include a self-
explanatory note on how to obtain an environmental authorisation from the Ministry
of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, a list of documents that needed to be
submitted to get a clearance, and technical information.
8.2 Contents of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

The EIS is a government document that describes the impacts of a future project on the
environment around it. An EIS must contain the following data and information:
• The nature and intensity of environmental effects that can be caused by the proposed
actions.
• Possibility of cyclones or earthquakes.
• The effects of a project on endangered species, wildlife, and vegetation.
• A project’s possible effects on the quality of surface or groundwater, air, and soil
qualities.

• It must identify any relevant human concerns related to the proposed actions.
• Demographic and economic factors.
• It must specify if a project could cause noise pollution.
• There must be a section on recycling and how waste products can be reduced in the
process.
• Techniques for disaster management and risk analysis.
8.3 EIA Methodology

Whenever a new project is developed, it needs to pass through the EIA, which comprises the
following steps:
• Screening: In the very first step of the EIA, it is
determined if a project under consideration follows STUDY NOTE
An EIS is an impact statement that
the relevant acts and regulations. If it does, then it is needs to accompany an application
to get planning permissions,
further examined whether the project can cause whereas the EIA is a process that is
to be carried out by a planning
significant environmental disruptions. authority before a planning
permission is granted.
• EIS preparation: If a project is found to impact the
environment, the EIA is undertaken with the
preparation of an EIS.
• Many countries have made the EIA open to public scrutiny and they are reviewed at
public hearings.
• Scoping: At this stage, it is decided which impacts are necessary to be evaluated
considering international conventions, legal requirements, expert knowledge, etc. The
alternative solutions that reduce the impacts of a project are also considered at this
stage. Any alternative design or sites that can mitigate the effects of the project is also
scrutinised in this stage.
• EMP preparation: The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is a non-technical
briefing of the impacts of a project, which is prepared for the common public.
• Decision making: In the last stage, a political decision is taken, which could be any of
the following:
o A proposed development project is accepted.
o A proposed development project is accepted with a few amendments.
o The alternative proposed for a project is accepted.

o A proposed project is rejected.

• Monitoring: An ongoing project is monitored to see whether the mitigation efforts and
predicted impact are as per the EMP.
25. Which of the following is not true about the EIA?

a) The EIA technique does a technical assessment that systematically presents
a project’s impacts on the environment.
b) An EIA process can indicate the scope of mitigation or modification to a
project.
c) An EIA is a must for every industrial project.
d) An EIA is not mandatory for every industrial project.
26. India adopted the EIA on ________
27. The EIS is a government document that describes the impact of a proposed
project on the environment around it. [True/False]
28. Which of the following is not an EIA guideline?
a) Timely access is given to all interested parties and stakeholders.
b) The basis of all assessment decisions should be open and accessible.
c) The assessment is done with objectivity and complete professionalism.
d) The EIA process is not flexible.

Organszations
for Climate
Movements
Environmental
Communicatio Important
n and Public Advocacy
Awareness Campaigns and
Landmarks
Human
Health and
Welfare Human
Communities
Government and the Environmenta
Family Environment l Ethics
Welfare Disaster
Programme Managemen
t
Types of
Disasters Environmental Types of
Four
Ethics Environmen
Aspects of Philosophies tal Ethics
Disaster
Managemen
t Human
Population
Aspects of Resettlement
Growth
Population and
that Affect Rehabilitation
Environment
Modes of
Population Causes for Objectives of
Growth Displacement Resettlement
Factors Environment
Affecting al Impact of People
Population Assessment Issues with
Growth (EIA) Resettlement
History of
Environmental
Contents of
Impact Assessment EIA
EIS
Methodolog
y

9. SUMMARY
• A population is used to describe a group of individual species who inhabit a definite
and same geographic area at a given time.
• The global population is now growing by more than 80 million in a year and is
estimated to grow till the rest of this century.
• The environment gets affected by population growth in mainly two ways:
1. The resources such as land, fossil fuel, water, air, food, minerals, etc. are consumed in
huge quantities.
2. The massive production of waste products, air and water pollutants, greenhouse
gases, and many other toxic materials are released into the environment at a much
bigger scale.
• At any given time, a population growth can happen in two ways depending on the
resources around.
o Exponential growth: This type of growth happens when there are unlimited
resources. Exponential growth means a great increase in a population’s growth rate
and the rate of change of population is positively related to the population at that
time.
o Logistic growth: In logistic growth, the rate of change of a population varies with time,
and is not a constant. It depicts that as resources starts depleting, there is a decline in
the rate of growth of the population.
• Overpopulation has many reasons attached to it, some of the most prominent ones are:
o High birth rate and reduced death rates: With the developments in the world of
medicines and technology, the standard of living has significantly improved.
o Social customs, beliefs, literacy level, and needs: In some parts of the world where the
literacy rate is low, people are not well informed about the benefits of having fewer
children.
o Public health programs: Many government health programs have improved the living
conditions and life expectancy of people.
o The TFR or total fertility rate is defined as the number of child a woman can bear in
her lifetime.

o The infant mortality rate is the number of children under 1 year dying per 1,000 live
births in that particular year.
o Rise in food production: After World War II, there has been a steep rise in food
production with the advent of the green revolution.
• The major factors influencing human health are:
o Malnutrition
o Ageing Population
o Migration
o Easy spread of diseases
o Water pollution
o Unemployment
• India was the first country in the world that launched a family planning program in
1951 to restrict the population growth of the country.
• The slogan of this program is ‘We two, ours two’ (hum do, hamare do). The government
utilised all forms of modern as well as traditional communication systems to propagate
and develop social support for this program.
• Due to natural and human-caused disasters, people are forced to move out of their
original inhabited land. For instance, when a tsunami happened in South Asia in 2004,
or the massive earthquake that happened in Latur and Gujrat, and many other incidents
of flood or drought in different parts of the world have rendered thousands of people
jobless and homeless.
• The process of settling in a new location is termed resettlement and rehabilitation is
when their lifestyle restores to the former state.
• Some of the major reasons for resettlements are:
o Natural disasters: Earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods,
o Industrial accidents (Man-made disasters): Nuclear accidents like the Bhopal gas
o Development projects like construction of irrigation canals, dams, reservoirs, etc.
o Infrastructural projects such as the construction of flyovers, roads, bridges, etc.
• There are several issues around resettlements as listed below:

o Lack of support: Displacements mainly affect rural and tribal people who do not get
much support from their respective governments.
o Meagre compensation: Many a time there is no compensation given to the land lost
by people in the name of mega developmental projects.
o Loss of livelihood: Displacement is a huge phenomenon in the lives of people who get
displaced.
o Lack of facilities: There is no basic infrastructure and amenities provided in the new
areas offered to the displaced people.
o Identity loss: Tribal people have unique lifestyles, which are community-based.
Displacement hampers their culture and spiritual existence in multiple ways.
• Resettlements must consider the comfort and freedom of tribal people while providing
them resettlement options.
• Disaster management is a methodology employed to deal with the effects of the
aforementioned disaster. Disaster management is a process that defines:
o how we prepare for a disaster
o how we respond to a disaster
o how we learn from these disastrous happenings.
• The main causes of disasters are mostly natural though there have been many cases of
disasters that have human origins.
• Disasters can be caused by nature, could be human-induced, pandemic emergencies, or
could be a result of multiple hazards.
• Disaster recovery: After the initial crisis is over, an affected crowd continues to be
vulnerable for a longer period of time. Disaster recovery is that part of a disaster
management that goes beyond the immediate relief activities. It includes activities like
rebuilding important infrastructures like schools, hospitals, roads, etc.
• Environmental ethics is an arm of the environmental philosophy that considers how
human ethics are deeply related to the environment. Environmental ethics believe that
human beings are as much part of nature as other plants and animals.
• Environmental ethics became a reality in the 1970s as around this time experts started
finding a connection between technology, commercial industries, global population
growth, and their impact on the quality of the environment.

• There are many other philosophies surrounding environment ethics, the main ones
being:
o Anthropocentrism: This is in contrast to environmental and conservation ethics and
believes that humans are the most important species in the world.
o Libertarian extension philosophies: Libertarian extension philosophies are a
complete opposite to Anthropocentrism and extend the same importance to animals
and the environment as given to humans.
o Holism: According to the holism theory, the environment is a whole system rather
than having many individual parts like humans, plants, animals, etc.
• There are primarily three types of environmental ethics:
o Social Ecology: This studies people and their environment and how they are
interdependent.
o Deep Ecology: This promotes the intrinsic value and worth of every living being,
regardless of whether they have any instrumental utility to human beings.
o Ecofeminism: This type of ethics considers the Earth as a woman so that we can relate
and respect it in a much better way.
• Environmental communication encompasses all the diverse forms of mediated
communication between organisations, interpersonal, public, and different groups.
• One can grow environmental sensitivity in a country only through intensive public
awareness campaigns utilising several tools like the press, electronic media, schools,
and colleges, etc.
• Public awareness would bring about many improvements like protection of the
atmosphere, better management of biotechnology and hazardous waste, etc.
• Environmental Impact Assessment is a process that identifies the impact of a current
or proposed project on the environment and the well-being of humans.
• The objectives of the EIA are to recognise, assume, and analyse the environmental,
economic, and social effects of a development activity.
• An EIS is an impact statement that needs to be accompanied by an application to get
planning permissions, whereas the EIA is a process that is to be carried out by a
planning authority before planning permission are granted.

10. GLOSSARY
• Anthropology: It is the study of humanity, human behaviour, cultures, and societies.
• Anthropocene Epoch: A unit of geological time when in Earth’s history (most recent
period) human activity had a major impact on earth’s ecosystem and climate.
• Green revolution: It is the 3rd agricultural revolution that started in the 1960s that
increased the agricultural production worldwide. It introduced high-yielding varieties
of grains like rice and wheat and the use of pesticides.
• Greenhouse gases: Any gas, such as carbon dioxide, which contributes to the
greenhouse effect when released into the atmosphere.
• Ozone layer depletion: It is the lowering of the ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere. The
depletion of the ozone layer increases the amount of harmful UVB rays that reach the
Earth’s surface.
• Subsistence level: A way of living where a wage can provide only the bare minimum
necessities of life.

11. CASE STUDY

Communication of Environmental Problems in Delhi - CNG Vehicles in Delhi
One can learn about exposure to ecological problems only when people of that area
effectively communicate. Effective communication means selling environmental
conservation concepts via social communication with different set of people from diverse
backgrounds. With this idea in mind, communication efforts have been examined regarding
environmental problems in Kerala.
The magnitude of these numbers has resulted in encroachment in forests, wetlands being
reclaimed for food production, etc. Due to the huge number of raw materials being
consumed, there is dwindling on non-renewable resources and accumulation of waste.
In recent years, all these problems have become the entertaining media for grabbing the
public attention. One of the most commonly cited environmental problems of this area is
pollution in Delhi and to reduce air pollution a report on the use of CNG vehicles in Delhi is
presented below which has come through reports of Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, Indian
Institute of Technology.
For this case study, we consider the implementation of CNG vehicles in Delhi. Delhi is
considered as one of the highly polluted cities based on many known and unknown
parameters. Delhi has a large quantity of suspended particles in the air, according to the
White Paper of the Ministry of Environment and forests. To deal with the issue of air
pollution, the Supreme Court directed the DPCC to present a list of industries that are located
in non-conforming areas.
The DPCC presented a report with approximately 97,600 industries in 1977. The relocation
or closure of these industries was difficult, time-consuming, and costly. Still, many of them
are relocated, and many of them are closed, but the problem of air pollution still exists due
to the inefficient use of vehicles, which generates air pollution in a large amount.
The Supreme Court had decided to improve the transportation system due to which it
supplemented various vehicles like autos, taxis, busses, and so on, with new CNG-run
vehicles that generate less pollution,

After the implementation of CNG vehicles in Delhi, the report of the Centre for Science and
Environment (CSE, 2001) concluded that the use of CNG gas for various vehicles like low-
duty engines and high-duty engines will have numerous beneficial impacts on the
environment.
CNG is the composition of methane, ethane carbon dioxide, propane, i-butane, i-pentane, n-
pentane, nitrogen, and n-butane. CNG vehicles are considered as more environmental-
friendly than fuels like diesel. When comparing the reduction in the pollution emission
between CNG and diesel, it can be seen that CNG reduces pollution by a greater percentage,
such as it reduces more carbon dioxide than diesel by 56%, reduces hydrocarbons by 55%,
reduces particulates by 86%, and reduces NOx by 56%.
As a result, CNG vehicles in Delhi reduce vehicle pollution to half, due to which the use of
CNG should be encouraged in public as well as private vehicles.
1. Discuss the environmental problems in Delhi before the implementation of CNG
vehicles.
2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of CNG vehicles in Delhi.


Q1. Mention some of the primary factors that affect population growth rate.
Q2. Explain how the growth of a population affects our environment.
Q3. What are the characteristics of exponential population growth?
Q4. How does overpopulation cause malnutrition?
Q5. What are some of the main objectives of the government family welfare program in
India?
Q1. What is population distribution and how does it affect the environment?
Q2. What are the main causes of resettlement?
Q3. Explain the disaster response stages of a disaster management process.
12.1 Answers
1. d. The male and female ratio in a population.
2. c. A younger population is more likely to migrate to cities for jobs, which will intensify
urban environmental concerns.
3. Total fertility rate
4. True
5. True
6. Population Control Bill.
7. d. The elderly are more likely to suffer from diseases like diabetes, arthritis, heart
diseases, dementia, etc., which puts pressure on the healthcare system.
8. c. The number of women who die per 100,000 live births, in a given time period.
9. True
10. d. Resettlement is a process of settling in a new location and rehabilitation is when the
lifestyle of displaced people restores to the former state.
11. d. Resettled people easily get jobs to restore their livelihood.
12. c. Development projects
13. d. Earthquakes

14. c. Disaster response is an immediate and short-term response like providing temporary
shelters while a disaster recovery is a process after the initial response is over like
building schools, hospitals.
15. Pandemic
16. True
17. Environment
18. False
19. Holism
20. d. It considers all parts of the environment (humans, plants, animals, etc.) to have equal
importance.
21. False
22. Green consumers
23. Fossil fuels
24. d. It is a legal activity.
25. d. An EIA is not mandatory for every industrial project.
26. 27th January 1994
27. True
28. d. The EIA process is not flexible.
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
Answer 1: The primary parameters which affect trends in a population are:
• Immigration: When people arrive in a population from neighbouring regions, it is called
immigration.
• Emigration: When people migrate or disperse from their original population area to a
new area, it is called emigration.
Answer 2: A population growth affects the environment primarily in two ways:

• The resources such as land, fossil fuel, water, air, food, minerals, etc. are consumed in
huge quantities.
• The massive production of waste products, air and water pollutants, greenhouse gases,
and many other toxic materials are released into the environment at a much bigger
scale.

Answer 3: An exponential growth happens when there are unlimited resources. An

exponential growth means a great increase in a population and the rate of change of
population is positively related with the population at that time. In nature, a population
might grow at an exponential rate but after a while, it gets limited by the availability of
resources. In exponential growth, the per capita (i.e., per individual) growth does not change
irrespective of the size of a population.
Answer 4: Overpopulation results in the breaking down of the ecological balance due to a
population’s size exceeding the carrying capacity of its environment. Such a situation results
in a weakened food production system. With less food, there is inadequate food consumption
and people suffer from malnutrition.
Answer 5: The main objectives of the government family welfare program are to:
• Reduce fertility to slow down population explosion. The program aims to bring down
the TFR to 2.1.
• Provide clinical and educational services to remote villages to help couples decide and
choose how many children they wanted to have, and when.
• The program also provides information on how to manage birth spacing, control birth,
and proper healthcare for a mother and her newborn.

Answer 1: The manner in which population is distributed also affects the ecosystem. For
instance, the birth rates in developing countries are more than that in the developed
countries due to less access to education and family planning as well as high poverty levels.
This fast growth of developing countries adds more pressure on the environmental
resources. As per 2015 data, more than 80% of the world’s population lives in developing
countries.
Another reason is that every country is getting more urbanised. As opposed to less than 30%
of the population living in the cities in the 1960s, we now have almost 54% of the world
population living in urban areas. This leads to more slums and centralised pollution, which
are not effectively regulated. Modern luxuries like additional cars, heaters, etc. add to the
localised environmental issues.

Answer 2: In the past, some of the most prominent reasons for resettlements and
rehabilitation have been:
• Natural disaster: Earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods,
• Industrial accidents (Man-made disasters): Nuclear accidents like the Bhopal gas,
• People relocate while searching for better job prospects.
• Development projects like construction of irrigation canals, dams, reservoirs, etc.
• Infrastructural projects such as the construction of flyovers, roads, bridges, etc.
• Transportation activities like highways, roads, etc.
• Energy-related projects such as oil explorations, power plants, mining activities,
pipelines (for example HBJ pipeline), etc.
• Projects that are linked with conserving wildlife like national parks, biosphere
reserves, sanctuaries, etc.
• Agricultural projects.
Answer 3: Disaster response or relief is focussed primarily on the short-term and immediate
needs of an affected population. A disaster response’s main goal is to rescue survivors from
immediate perils and stabilise their physical and emotional conditions. It also includes
recovering the dead and restoring essential services like power and water supply. This stage
of disaster management requires a coordinated multi-agency response with many relief
activities like relocation, rescue, prevention of diseases, provision of food and water,
provision of temporary shelter, repairment of essential services like transport and
telecommunications.


Books:
Erach Bahrucha, Environmental Studies, University Grants Commission, New Delhi
Bill Freedman, Environmental Science, Dalhousie University
E-References:
Population and environment: a global challenge, viewed on 14 March 2021,
<https://www.science.org.au/curious/earth-environment/population-environment>
Population: the numbers, viewed on 14 March 2019,

<https://populationmatters.org/node/377>
Human population and environment, viewed on 14 March 2021,

<https://www.slideshare.net/yashskullfox/human-population-environment>
Population growth: the impact on health and societies, viewed on 14 March 2021,
https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/general-news/2018/2018-06/population-
growth-the-impact-on-health-and-societies.html
The effect of overpopulation on public health, viewed on 15 March 2021,

<https://www.mphonline.org/overpopulation-public-health/>
Human Communities and the Environment, viewed on 14 March 2021,

<http://www.aagasc.edu.in/Unit%207%20EVS.pdf>
Oil-induced displacement and resettlement, Social problem and human rights issues,
viewed on 15 March 2021,
<https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/156127/1c56976ceb4f8e825e294e5268469185.pdf>
Resettlement and Rehabilitation: reasons, issues and objectives, viewed on 15 March 2021,
<https://www.cukashmir.ac.in/cukashmir/User_Files/imagefile/DIT/StudyMaterial/EVS/
Resettlement%20and%20rehablitation.pdf>

Resettlement and Rehabilitation of people, its problem and concerns, viewed on 15 March
2021, <https://theintactone.com/2019/10/29/es-u3-topic-6-resettlement-and-
rehabilitation-of-people-its-problem-and-concerns/>
Disaster Management, viewed on 14 March 2021, <https://www.physio-

pedia.com/Disaster_Management>
About disaster management, viewed on 14 March 2021, <https://www.ifrc.org/en/what-

we-do/disaster-management/about-disaster-
management/#:~:text=Disaster%20Management%20can%20be%20defined,lessen%20th
e%20impact%20of%20disasters>
What are environmental ethics? Viewed on 15 March, 2021, <https://www.conserve-

energy-future.com/environmental-
ethics.php#:~:text=Environmental%20ethics%20is%20a%20branch,which%20includes%
20plants%20and%20animals>
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<https://www.theieca.org/resources/environmental-communication-what-it-and-why-it-
matters>
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on 15 March 2021, <https://www.slideshare.net/umbbX1/social-awareness-
communicationstrategiesconcerningenvironmentalissues-successfulcase-
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<https://www.env.go.jp/earth/coop/coop/document/eia_e/10-eiae-1.pdf>
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March, 2021, <https://www.biologydiscussion.com/environment/environmental-impact-
assessment-eia-definition-process-and-importance/16777>

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2.3 Meaning of natural resources and types of - -

5.1 Principles of Sustainability-Three pillars 2, 3, 4 -

5.3 Importance of Sustainable Development - -

In environmental studies, we study the ecosystem as a whole, including nature's functional

1.1 Learning Objectives

❖ Explain the meaning of the Environment

2. MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

We will study the environment and environmental studies through a multidisciplinary

It is essential to understand the importance of natural resources in the environment and

Environmental studies are a multidisciplinary approach which aims at defining the

2.1 Meaning & Definition of Environment

The environment also explains the interrelationships among

2.2 Meaning & Definition of Environmental Studies

Environmental science does not study all concepts. If a researcher or an individual is

Fig 1: Branches of Environmental studies

2.3 Meaning of Natural Resources and Types of Natural-Resources

types of pollutants in the environment, i.e., biodegradable and

B. Non-recyclable: Example: Coal, Fossil fuels, Mineral Oil

1. Which of the following branches does environmental studies not include?

3. SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

4. IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

5.1 Principles of Sustainability

Fig 2: Three Pillars of Sustainability

A few more sustainability practices are mentioned below

Use of cow Use of solar

Fig 3: Sustainability in Practice in the Real World

5.2 Sustainable Development

5.3 Importance of Sustainable Development

Fig 4: Conceptual Map

• The concept of sustainable development is important in various aspects such as social,

Answer 3: Multidisciplinary nature helps understand environmental studies from different

Answer 4: Sustainable development is recognized as an organizing principle related to the

Answer 5: There are three principles of sustainability, which are as follows:

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Answer 2: Sustainability is described as an ability to endure continually. It concentrates on

10. SUGGESTED BOOKS AND E-REFERENCES

Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 1

Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 2

Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 3

It is very important to understand the term environment as it helps us to understand further

We all experience different types of weather conditions, atmosphere, and surroundings

1.1 Learning Objectives

❖ Describe the Earth as a system

Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 4

2. MEANING AND CONCEPT OF THE EARTH SYSTEM

2.1 Defining the Earth System

Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 5

Fig 1: Earth System Components

❖ Lithosphere: It includes rocks, minerals and it also shapes the

the earth. Geosphere is one of the four components of the

Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 6

2.2 Processes of Earth System

Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 7

1. Process is defined as any such transformation that occurs in our environment

Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 8

Source - Globe 2014, Earth System Science

Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 9

Source – Socratic. Com

Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 10

Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 11

Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 12

Unit 2: Components and Processes of the Earth 13

❖ Freshwater – There are two major sources of freshwater,