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Introduction to Environmental Science by KHALIL UR REHMAN (Lecturer) SUPERIOR College Gujranwala

INTRODUCTION
TO
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
G.C University Faisalabad
ENV- 301 3(3-0)
BBA 4th Semester

Course Outline
Introduction
Nature, History, Scope and the Contribution to Society.
Environmental aspects
Physical, Chemical, Biological, Socio-economic, Socio-cultural, Moral and Ethical thinking.
Environmental problems
Local, Regional and Global level.
Pollution
1. Air
2. Soil
3. Water
4. Noise
5. Thermal
Urbanization
Over Population
Resource Depletion
Global Warming
Climate Change
Ozone Layer Depletion
Environmental Challenges
Sustainability of resources for development, Efficiency of energy and water resources, Current and
future trends in growth and resultant environmental pollution, Poverty and resource depletion,
Development in Industry, Agriculture and Urbanization.
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Environment
All the things and factors around us that affect us directly called environment.

Environmental Science
Environmental science is the systematic study of our environment and our proper place in it.
Major topics include: food, energy, human population, biodiversity and global change.

History of Environmental Science

The start of the environmental education made historical mark with the start of the International
Conference on Human Environment at Stockholm in 1972 on global level and in Pakistan.
Subsequently, the need for environmental education was for the first time emphasized in 1979 in
Belgrade. The Tbilisi conference in the USSR in 1977 was the first major conference on the theme of
Environmental Education where following objectives were proposed:
1. To Create Environmental Awareness
To creating awareness about past, current and expected situations of environmental considerations in
pursuit of sustainable environment.
2. To disseminate Knowledge and Skills
To disseminating information and exchange knowledge and experience gained in achieving the goals of
sustainable development.
3. To Initiate new Behavioral Approach
To initiate new behavioral approach at individual/or groups levels towards environment
4. To develop inter Disciplinary view of Environment
To develop inter disciplinary view of environment as a dynamic system and to emphasis its complexity.
5. Promote Sustainable Growth
To help in promotion of environmentally sound development program towards sustainable growth .
6. Global Co-operation
To create an atmosphere of national, international understanding and global cooperation in the areas of
environmental priority.

Nature and Scope of Environmental Science

NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) (2008) pledged strong support for environmental
education as a way to instill environmental literacy. It should be a part of school curriculum
because student knowledge of environmental concepts establishes a foundation for their future
environmental friendly activities as citizens.
Only a few universities offered programs in the field of Environmental Science / Engineering /
Management etc., during 1980s or 90s. However, an increasing trend can be observed with the onset of
21st century. Spread over a decade or so, the Environmental Education and Awareness in Pakistan is
immature and recent. According to our estimate, the universities / institutes in Pakistan presently
produce about 300 experts annually in the field of Environmental Science and Engineering.
Against the annual production of 300 experts, the analysis of the requirement suggests that about of
13, 000 experts in the field of Environmental Science are needed to fill the void in Pakistan.

Segments of Environment
The environment consists of four segments as under:
1. Atmosphere:
The atmosphere implies the protective blanket of gases, surrounding the earth:
 It sustains life on the earth.
 It saves it from the unfriendly environment of outer space.
 It absorbs most of the cosmic rays from outer space and a major portion of the electromagnetic
radiation from the sun.
 It transmits only here infrared, visible, near infrared radiation (300 to 2500nm) and radio waves.
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2. Hydrosphere:
The Hydrosphere comprises all types of water resources oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoir,
polar icecaps, glaciers, and ground water.
 Nature 97% of the earth‟s water supply is in the oceans,
 About 2% of the water resources are locked in the polar icecaps and glaciers.
 Only about 1% is available as fresh surface water-rivers, lakes streams, and ground water fit to be
used for human consumption and other uses.
3. Lithosphere:
Lithosphere is the outer mantle of the solid earth. It consists of minerals occurring in the earth‟s crusts
and the soil e.g. minerals, organic matter, air and water.
4. Biosphere:
Biosphere indicates the empire of living organisms and their interactions with environment, viz
atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.

Elements of Environment
Environment is constituted by the interacting systems of physical, biological and cultural elements inter-
related in various ways, individually as well as collectively. These elements may be explained as under:
1. Physical Elements
Physical elements are as space, landforms, water bodies, climate soils, rocks and minerals. They
determine the variable character of the human habitat, its opportunities as well as limitations.
2. Biological Elements
Biological elements such as plants, animals, microorganisms and men constitute the biosphere.
3. Cultural Elements
Cultural elements such as economic, social and political elements are essentially manmade features,
which make cultural setting.

The Contribution to Society/ Importance of Environmental Science

Today, the world is facing numerous environmental problems, ranging from local problems such as
ground water depletion to global problems such as climate change. These problems can be solved only
when everyone cares for the environment; for that everyone needs to be informed about the causes,
consequences, and remedial measures of different environmental problems. In order to achieve this goal,
environmental science is promoted and taught at different educational levels. The subject bears immense
importance as it aims at saving the integrity of the life-supporting environment of earth, which is a
unique planet that sustains life. Importance of this subject can be described in terms of the various
objectives that it fulfills for saving the environment. So far, seven such objectives have been identified:
1. Development in Activities
It guides us to know how our developmental and day-to-day activities affect environment and how we
are affected by changes in the environmental conditions.
2. Pollution-free Environment
It guides us to create a pollution-free environment (that is, clean air, water, land, and food) by adopting
different methods of preventing and controlling pollution.
3. Utilization of Natural Resources with Care
It guides us to utilize our natural resources such as water, forest, minerals, and fossil fuels in an efficient
manner, that is, with maximum utility and minimum wastage, by adopting conservation and recycling
strategies.
4. Guide Common Public
It guides common public to live an eco-friendly lifestyle by adopting the above three features, that is,
knowing environmental implications of one‟s activities, preventing and controlling pollution, and
utilizing the resources efficiently in day-to-day activities.
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5. Guide Industries
It guides industries to operate in an eco-friendly mode by adopting clean and efficient technologies and
installing pollution control systems.
6. Guide to Solve Complex Problems
It guides us to solve complex global environmental problems such as climate change, ozone-layer
depletion, desertification, and energy crisis by using different interdisciplinary tools and approaches.
7. Equal Distribution of Natural Resources
It guides the entire development process to become sustainable by ensuring equal distribution of natural
resources between present and future generations, as well as by caring for nature in every walk of life in
a holistic manner.

Environmental Types/Aspects/
According to Kurt Lewin, environment is of three types which influence the personality of an individual
as under:
1. Physical Environment,
2. Social and Cultural Environment, and
3. Psychological Environment.
These may be explained as under:
1. Physical Environment:
Physical environment refers to geographical climate and weather or physical conditions wherein
an individual lives. The human races are greatly influenced by the climate. Some examples are as
under:
 In the cold countries i.e. European countries the people have fair (lighter) complexions. Likewise,
in Asian and African countries, that is, in warmer countries people often have darker complexion.
 The physique of an individual depends on climate conditions as the individual tries to adjust in his
physical environment.
 The human working efficiency also depends on the climatic conditions.
2. Social and Culture Environment:
Social Environment includes an individual‟s social, economic and political condition wherein he lives.
The moral, cultural and emotional forces influence the life and nature of individual behavior.
3. Psychological Environment:
Although physical and social environment are common to the individual in a specific situation. Yet
every individual has his own psychological environment, in which he lives. Kurt Lewin has used the
term „life space‟ for explaining psychological environment. The psychological environment enables us
to understand the personality of an individual. Both the person and his goal form the psychological
environment. If a person is unable to overcome the barriers, he can either get frustrated or compelled
to change his goal for a new psychological environment. By adopting this mechanism, the
individual is helped in his adjustment to the environment.

Environmental Problems/Environmental Challenges

1. Pollution:
Pollution of air, water and soil require millions of years to recoup. Industry and motor vehicle exhaust
are the number one pollutant. Heavy metals, nitrates and plastic are toxins responsible for pollution.
While water pollution is caused by oil spill, acid rain, urban runoff; air pollution is caused by various
gases and toxins released by industries and factories and burning of fossil fuels; soil pollution is majorly
caused by industrial waste that deprives soil from essential nutrients.
2. Global Warming:
Climate changes like global warming is the result of human practices like emission of Greenhouse
gases. Global warming leads to rising temperatures of the oceans and the earth' surface causing melting
of polar ice caps, rise in sea levels and also unnatural patterns of precipitation such as flash floods,
excessive snow or desertification.
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3. Overpopulation:
The population of the planet is reaching unsustainable levels as it faces shortage of resources like water,
fuel and food. Population explosion in less developed and developing countries is straining the already
scarce resources. Intensive agriculture practiced to produce food damages the environment through use
of chemical fertilizer, pesticides and insecticides. Overpopulation is one of the crucial current
environmental problem
4. Natural Resource Depletion:
Natural resource depletion is another crucial current environmental problem. Fossil fuel consumption
results in emission of Greenhouse gases, which is responsible for global warming and climate change.
Globally, people are taking efforts to shift to renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, biogas and
geothermal energy. The cost of installing the infrastructure and maintaining these sources has
plummeted in the recent years.
5. Waste Disposal:
The over consumption of resources and creation of plastics are creating a global crisis of waste disposal.
Developed countries are notorious for producing an excessive amount of waste or garbage and dumping
their waste in the oceans and, less developed countries. Nuclear waste disposal has tremendous health
hazards associated with it. Plastic, fast food, packaging and cheap electronic wastes threaten the
wellbeing of humans. Waste disposal is one of urgent current environmental problem.
6. Climate Change:
Climate change is yet another environmental problem that has surfaced in last couple of decades. It
occurs due to rise in global warming which occurs due to increase in temperature of atmosphere by
burning of fossil fuels and release of harmful gases by industries. Climate change has various harmful
effects but not limited to melting of polar ice, change in seasons, occurrence of new diseases, frequent
occurrence of floods and change in overall weather scenario.
7. Loss of Biodiversity:
Human activity is leading to the extinction of species and habitats and loss of bio-diversity. Eco
systems, which took millions of years to perfect, are in danger when any species population is
decimating. Balance of natural processes like pollination is crucial to the survival of the eco-system and
human activity threatens the same. Another example is the destruction of coral reefs in the various
oceans, which support the rich marine life.
8. Deforestation:
Our forests are natural sinks of carbon dioxide and produce fresh oxygen as well as helps in regulating
temperature and rainfall. At present forests cover 30% of the land but every year tree cover is lost
amounting to the country of Panama due to growing population demand for more food, shelter and
cloth. Deforestation simply means clearing of green cover and make that land available for residential,
industrial or commercial purpose.
9. Ocean Acidification:
It is a direct impact of excessive production of CO2. 25% of CO2 produced by humans. The ocean
acidity has increased by the last 250 years but by 2100, it may shoot up by 150%. The main impact on
fish and plankton in the same way as human osteoporosis.
10. Ozone Layer Depletion
The ozone layer is an invisible layer of protection around the planet that protects us from the sun's
harmful rays. Depletion of the crucial Ozone layer of the atmosphere is attributed to pollution caused by
Chlorine and Bromide found in Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's). Once these toxic gases reach the upper
atmosphere, they cause a hole in the ozone layer, the biggest of which is above the Antarctic. The CFC's
are banned in many industries and consumer products. Ozone layer is valuable because it prevents
harmful UV radiation from reaching the earth. This is one of the most important current environmental
problem.
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Environmental Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes changes in many
ways. Pure and natural environment is inevitable for proper growth of all living organisms on the earth.
The increase in human population is directly proportional to the increase of human needs of life. It
means the more human population; the more human needs will be there. This is creating problems like
environmental pollution.
Types of Environmental Pollution
1. Air Pollution
2. Water Pollution
3. Soil Pollution
4. Noise Pollution
5. Thermal Pollution

1. Air Pollution
Pure air is essential for all the creatures and vegetation. But with every passing day, it is becoming
harder and harder to get pure air.
Causes of Air Pollution
Some important causes of air pollution are given below:
 Smoke
 Harmful Gases
 Dust
Effects of Air Pollution
The temperature of the earth is increasing. It is also feared that such climatic changes may occur as can
have serious harmful effects on human beings, animals and crops.

2. Water Pollution
Like air, water is also an essential element for life. Although three fourth of our earth is covered with
water yet according to a research, only 3 percent of it is drinkable. Day by day, water is becoming
polluted.
Causes of Water Pollution
Some important causes of this pollution are as under:
 Releasing of Polluted Water
 Sewerage System
 Drainage Water
 Use of Pesticides
 Use of Chemical Fertilizers
Effects of Water Pollution
Water pollution is increasing the diseases in the open areas. People are suffering from the diseases
caused by water pollution such as cholera, hepatitis, typhoid, skin diseases, eye diseases and many other
diseases. Water pollution is not only harmful to human beings but also to the aquatic life. It may affect
the income of the people associated with fishing.

3. Soil Pollution
Any physical or chemical change in soil that adversely affects the health of plants and other organisms
living in and on it, and it disturb or alter its natural composition is called soil pollution.
Causes of Soil pollution
Major causes of this pollution are as under:
1. Releasing used water of houses and factories.
2. Spraying pesticides on crops and using chemical fertilizers.
3. Natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods etc.
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4. Salinity and water logging.

5. Heaps of domestic and industrial wastage and their proper disposal.
Effects of Soil Pollution
Soil pollution may pose a serious threat to the food production. The world may suffer for the shortage of
food. Fast increasing soil pollution is much harmful to the crops, forests and wildlife.

4. Noise Pollution
A loud or disagreeable sound, particularly when it results in physiological or psychological harm to
human and animals.
Causes of Noise Pollution
Unnecessary and unwanted sound is called noise. The noise produced by buses, wagons, cars, rikshaws,
aircrafts, drums, hawkers, loud-speakers, different types of horns, machines and other types of noise are
increasing noise pollution day by day. This type of pollution is more in cities as compared to villages.
Effects of Noise Pollution
Noise affects our faculties of hearing, thinking and working. Noise pollution has negative effects on
human health. Ii may cause high blood pressure, anxiety, rashness, and headache etc.

5. Thermal pollution
Power plants and nuclear power stations are the main sources of thermal pollution of water where water
is used for cooling and becomes hot. The hot water on entering the main water body raises its
temperature, which kills fishes and other water animals and increases the rate of respiration in water
plants.

Urbanization
Urbanization is a process whereby populations move from rural to urban area, enabling cities and towns
to grow. It can also be termed as the progressive increase of the number of people living in towns and
cities.
Causes of Urbanization
1. Industrialization
Through industrial revolution, more people have been attracted to move from rural to urban areas on the
account of improved employment opportunities. Industrialization has increased employment
opportunities by giving people the chance to work in modern sectors in job categories that aids to
stimulation economic developments.
2. Commercialization
Commerce and trade play a major role in urbanization. The distribution of goods and services and
commercial transactions in the modern era has developed modern marketing institutions and exchange
methods that have extremely given rise to the growth of towns and cities. Commercialization and trade
come with the general perception that the towns and cities offer better commercial opportunities and
returns compared to the rural areas.
3. Social Benefits and Services
There are numerous social benefits attributed to life in the cities and towns. Examples include better
educational facilities, better living standards, better sanitation and housing, better health care, better
recreation facilities, and better social life in general. On this account, more and more people are
prompted to migrate into cities and towns to obtain the wide variety of social benefits and services
which are unavailable in the rural areas.
4. Employment Opportunities
In cities and towns, there are sufficient job opportunities that continually draw people from the rural
areas to seek better income. Therefore, the majority of people frequently migrate into urban areas to
access well-paying jobs as urban areas have countless employment opportunities in all developmental
sectors such as public health, education, transport, sports and recreation, industries, and business
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enterprises. Services and industries generate and increase higher value-added jobs, and this leads to
more employment opportunities.
5. Modernization and Changes in the Mode of Living
Modernization plays a very important role in the process of urbanization. As urban areas become more
technology knowledge together with highly sophisticated communication, infrastructure, medical
facilities, dressing code, information, and other social facilities availability, people believe they can lead
a happy life in cities. In urban areas, people also hold changes in the modes of living namely residential
habits, attitudes, dressing, food, and beliefs. As a result, people migrate to cities and the cities grow by
absorbing the growing number of people day after day.

Effects of Urbanization
1. Housing Problems
Urbanization attracts people to cities and towns which lead to high population increase. With the
increase in the number of people living in urban centers, there is continued shortage of houses. This is
due to insufficient expansion space for housing and public utilities, poverty, unemployment, and costly
building materials which can only be afforded by few individuals.
2. Overcrowding
Overcrowding is a situation whereby a huge number of people live in a small space. This form of
overcrowding in urban areas is consistent because of overpopulation and it is an aspect that increases
day by day as more people and immigrants move into cities and towns in search of better life. Most
people from rural or undeveloped areas always have the wish of migrating into the city that normally
leads to overcrowding of people within a small area.
3. Unemployment
The problem of joblessness is highest in urban areas and it is even higher among the educated people. It
is estimated that more than half of unemployed youths around the globe live in metropolitan cities. And,
as much as income in urban areas is high, the costs of living make the incomes to seem horribly low.
The increasing relocation of people from rural or developing areas to urban areas is the leading cause of
urban unemployment.
4. Water and Sanitation Problems
Because of overpopulation and rapid population increase in most urban centers, it is common to find
there are inadequate sewage facilities. Municipalities and local governments are faced with serious
resource crisis in the management of sewage facilities. As a result, sanitation becomes poor and sewages
flow confusedly, and they are drained into neighboring streams, rivers, lakes, or seas. Eventually,
communicable diseases such as typhoid, dysentery, plague, and diarrhea spread very fast leading to
suffering and even deaths. Overcrowding also highly contributes to water scarcity as supply falls short
of demand.
5. Poor Health and Spread of Diseases
The social, economic and living conditions in congested urban areas affects access and utilization of
public health care services. The environmental problems such as urban pollution also cause many health
problems namely allergies, asthma, infertility, food poisoning, cancer and even premature deaths.
6. Traffic Congestion
When more people move to towns and cities, one of the major challenges posed is in the transport
system. More people means increased number of vehicles which leads to traffic congestion
and vehicular pollution.
7. Urban Crime
Issues of lack of resources, overcrowding, unemployment, poverty, and lack of social services and
education habitually leads to many social problems including violence, drug abuse, and crime. Most of
the crimes such as murder, rape, kidnapping, theft, robbery, and hijacking are reported to be more
prominent in the urban areas.
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Solutions of Urbanization
1. Building Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Cities
Governments should pass laws that plan and provide environmentally sound cities and smart growth
techniques, considering that people should not reside in unsafe and polluted areas.
2. Provision of Essential Services
Urban stakeholders must ensure all populations within the urban areas have access to adequate essential
social services namely education, health, sanitation and clean water, technology, electricity, and food.
3. Creation of More Jobs
To lessen the negative effects of rapid urbanization while at the same time conserving natural
ecosystems, private investments should be encouraged so as to utilize natural resources and create more
job opportunities. Tourism promotion and the sustainable exploitation of natural resources can create
more jobs for the urban populations.
4. Population Control
Key stakeholders in urban areas must provide campaigns and counseling for effective medical health
clinics and family planning to help reduce the high rates of population growth. Medical health clinics
oriented towards family planning options must be made accessible across the entire urban area with the
objective of controlling diseases and population growth.

Overpopulation
Overpopulation refers to a population which exceeds its sustainable size within a particular
environment.

Causes of Overpopulation
1. High Population Growth Rate
The birth rate is very high which shows that our country is over populated. Rapid growth rate of
population is 2.1 % in Pakistan.
2. Need for More Earning Hands
A single person cannot sport his large family in developing countries like Pakistan. He thinks to have
more children to be more earning hands.
3. Warm Climate
Due to the warm climate, youth and maturity is attained at an early age. It also results in rapid
population growth.
4. Absence of Family Planning
Effective family planning is not available in Pakistan. People are not familiar with the methods of
family planning. They feel hesitation to consult a doctor.
5. Early Marriages
The marriages take place usually between 16 to 22 years of age in Pakistan. The duration for re-
productivity is very lengthy.
6. Illiteracy
Due to lack of education, people are not aware of with the economic problems caused by high birth rate.
Literacy rate is 57.7 % in Pakistan.
7. Concept of Large Family
Large family size is considered as a source of power to influence people and to control the persons
around them. People feel pride to have a large family.

Effects of Overpopulation
1. Pollution
There is not any effective system to control the pollution. Capitalists install industries with billion
dollars of resources but do not install treatment plants of million rupees. The rapid growth of population
creates pollution, unplanned colonies and environment problems.
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2. No Clean Water
We may live on a water planet, but 97.5% of that water is ocean and other undrinkable salt-filled
sources. Only 2.5% of water is fresh water. Of that fraction, 1% is either polluted for consumption or
entirely unreachable. Much of it remains frozen in the form of polar ice caps. All told, less than 1% of
the planet‟s freshwater resources are available for consumption. Research has shown that, as a species,
we‟re consuming fresh water faster than the planet can replenish it.
3. Soil Depletion from Excessive Farming
Soil nutrition is a slight balance. Planting large numbers of crops can deplete the soil‟s natural resources,
making it difficult or even impossible to continue to farm in that area. As human populations continue to
grow, we will require increasing amounts of food, which requires more and more farmlands that could
potentially be depleted.
4. Climate Change
We have been seeing the results of climate change firsthand in the dramatic weather patterns of 2019
multiple category five hurricanes, dramatic wildfires and floods, and other atypical weather patterns that
are threatening both lives and property.
5. Low Per Capital Income
The population growth reduces per capita income of the people because national income is divided by a
big size of population.
6. Unemployment
It is impossible to provide jobs to such highly growing population in Pakistan. It results in
unemployment.
7. Low Growth of Agriculture Sector
Very fast growth rate of population is a pressure on land. It caused to use of agricultural products at
domestic level, increase in the landless workers and shortage of food. Growth rate of agriculture sector
is 1.2%.
8. Low Saving and Low Investment
The rapidly increasing population increases the expenditure of government. It reduces the saving and
investment. Low level of saving & investment means economic backwardness.
9. High Rate of Inflation
There is more demand for goods due to more population. More demand results in more prices and
inflation in the country.

Solutions of Overpopulation
1. Control the Birth Rate
The high birth rate i.e., 2.1% should be discouraged to reduce the population size. Effective and
successful family planning should be introduced.
2. Use of Medicines
More contraceptive medicines should be introduced to people. By using these medicines; people will
control the birth rate.
3. Late Marriages
Marriages should take place in late age to control the rapidly rising population. It will be helpful to
control the over population.
4. High Literacy Rate
Government should provide the more educational facilities to the backward population. This will
provide the true picture of the economy, resources and population growth rate. Literacy rate is 57.7% in
Pakistan.
5. Family Planning
Government should introduce the family planning to the population to control the high growth rate of
population.
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Natural Resources Depletion

Natural resource depletion refers to the decreasing amount of resources left on the Planet Earth. It
occurs when we use the resources at a rate faster than their renewal. It is indeed a very grave problem
nowadays.
Meaning of Natural Resources
A natural resource can be defined as anything that is obtained from the natural environment and which
is of use to people. Some of the examples include air, water, wood, oil, wind energy, iron, coal etc.
These are obtained directly from the environment. Other resources like refined oil and hydro-electric
energy do not count in natural resources because they are not directly obtained from the environment.
Types of Natural Resources
There are basically two types of natural resources namely, renewable resources and non-renewable
resources.
A renewable resource
A renewable resource is a resource which can be used again and again. These can renew themselves
and are never depleted. Take for instance soil, sunlight, water. However, in some situations, even these
are not easily renewed. Water is not easily renewable in some circumstances. Soil, is also not easy to
renew if it blows away.
A non-renewable resource
A non-renewable resource is a resource which does not grow back, or a resource that usually takes a
very long time to renew. These resources when exhausted once cannot be renewed. For example, coal. It
is a non-renewable resource. When we use coal, lesser coal is left in the environment for future use.
Although renewable resources may seem like they will last forever, most of these natural resources are
limited, meaning they will eventually be finished.

Causes of Resource depletion

The major causes of resource depletion are listed below:
1. Overpopulation
With increasing population, demands of the country increase which further results in depletion of
resources.
2. Over-Consumption and Waste
As the standards of living of people improves, they tend to consume more and waste even more.
3. Deforestation and the Destruction of Ecosystems
Forests are cut annually, to make space for multiplexes, residential complexes etc. This not only
destroys trees (and wood as a resource) but also destroys home of thousands of species of animals.
4. Mining
Mining of Minerals and Oil-Minerals and metals are in high demand in today‟s world. This is a very big
problem as ores are being depleted day by day.
5. Technological and Industrial Development
Technology advances and so the need of resources increases.
6. Soil Erosion
Because of deforestation, soil erosion takes place. Thus, soil gets barren of important minerals and
resources.
7. Pollution
Water pollution, soil pollution is increasing at an alarming rate today due to negligent attitude of people
towards the environment. Pollution has a direct effect on contamination of resources available in nature.

Effects of Depletion of Natural Resources

1. Water shortages
Poor farming practices, deforestation, and pollution are major causes of water resource depletion due to
contamination, wastage, and the destruction of natural water catchment areas.
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2. Oil depletion
Oil is a non-renewable resource that accounts for approximately 40 percent of the total energy used
globally. Research by EIA‟s International Energy Outlook in the year 2013 had shown that due to the
high rate of oil exploitation, the amount of oil remaining would last for only 25 years. Oil is an essential
commodity in manufacturing, planting, mining, and transportation among many activities, and its
depletion would be devastating. The adverse effects of oil depletion include fall of business, high cost of
living in developing countries, and uncertainty in the transport sector.
3. Loss of Forest Cover
Approximately 18 million acres of forest cover is destroyed annually. This means that half of the
world‟s natural forest cover has already been cleared.
4. Depletion of Minerals
There has been an increase in the exploitation of minerals such as phosphorus, gasoline, copper, and
zinc among others to sustain the seven billion people on earth. Studies by Global Phosphorus Research
Institute, for example, shows that the earth could run out of phosphorus which is an essential element for
plant growth, in the next 50 to 100 years. Studies by the United States Geological Survey also indicate
that there is an increase in non-renewable resources consumption of natural minerals and construction
materials such as copper, sand, gravel, and stone.
5. Destruction of Species
Due to the changes in the living conditions of animals as a result of resource overexploitation
and habitat degradation, some species may go destroyed.

Solutions of Depletion of Natural Resources

The likely solutions to reduce the resource depletion are as follows:
1. Reduced Use of Fossil Fuels:
We can conserve fossil fuels by using less gasoline and electricity.
2. Keep Water Clean:
Water may seem like a never-ending resource which is found everywhere, but due to population growth,
the access to clean water for large populations decreases. Water can be saved by taking small steps in
and around your home. Some of these include checking for water leaks.
3. Preserve Trees and Forests:
To satisfy the world‟s need for paper alone, approximately 4 billion trees are g cut down per year. Thus,
preventing the deforestation is very necessary. One can greatly contribute in this context by using less
paper, using more cloth towels and not paper ones or by switching to an online-only subscription of your
favorite newspaper.
4. Protect Coastal Ecosystems:
Coastal ecosystems are very important for maintaining biodiversity, but they are also extremely valuable
for industries like fishing and tourism industries. Seafood consumers should keep in mind how their
purchasing decisions can affect the environment.

Conclusion
We have seen that the problem of natural resource depletion is indeed a very serious one. The increase
in population and excessive human desire for all amenities of life are some of the major reasons behind
it. Activities like deforestation, over-consumption and wastage of resources further lead to depletion. If
we do not pay heed to this problem now, soon the Planet Earth will be devoid of many of the natural
resources. This will have major impacts on human existence and also the environment.
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Global Warming
Global warming is a phenomenon of climate change characterized by a general increase in average
temperatures of the Earth, which modifies the weather balances and ecosystems for a long time. It is
directly linked to the increase of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere.

Causes Global Warming

The world's leading climate scientists believe that human activities are very likely the main cause of
global warming since the mid-twentieth century, mostly because of:
1. Fossil Fuels
The massive use of fossil fuels is obviously the first source of global warming, as burning coal, oil and
gas produces carbon dioxide.
2. Deforestation
The exploitation of forests has a major role in climate change. Trees help regulate the climate by
absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. When they are cut down, this positive effect is lost and the carbon
stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere.
3. Intensive Farming
Another cause of global warming is intensive farming, not only with the ever-increasing livestock, but
also with plant protection products and fertilizers. In fact, cattle and sheep produce large amounts of
methane when digesting their food, while fertilizers produce nitrous oxide emissions.
4. Mining
Modern life is highly dependent on the mining industry. Metals and minerals are the raw materials used
in the construction, transportation and manufacturing of goods. From extraction to delivery, this market
accounts for 5% of all greenhouse gas emissions.
5. Overconsumption
Finally, overconsumption also plays a major role in climate change. In fact, it is responsible for the
overexploitation of natural resources and emissions from international freight transport, which both
contributes to global warming.

Effects of Global Warming

Here are some consequences that are documented in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Special Report on Global Warming:
1. On Biodiversity
The increase of temperatures and the climate upheavals disturb the ecosystems, modify the conditions
and cycles of plant reproduction. The scarcity of resources and climate change are changing life habits
and migratory cycles of animals.
2. On Oceans
Because of global warming ice are melting massively at the poles, increasing the sea level at a rate never
known before.
3. On Humans
Human beings are not spared by these upheavals. Climate change is affecting the global economy. It is
already shaking up social, health and geopolitical balances in many parts of the world. The scarcity of
resources like food and energy gives rise to new conflicts.
4. On the Weather
For decades now, meteorologists and climatologists around the world have been watching the effects of
global warming on the weather phenomena. And the impact is huge: more droughts and heatwaves,
more natural disasters like floods, storms and wildfires, etc.
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Global Warming Prevention

Following are the ways to reduce global warming.
1. Renewable Energies
The first way to prevent climate change is to move away from fossil fuels. What are the alternatives?
Renewable energies like solar, wind, biomass and geothermal.
2. Energy & Water Efficiency
Producing clean energy is essential, but reducing our consumption of energy and water by using more
efficient devices (e.g. LED light bulbs, innovative shower system) is less costly and equally important.
3. Sustainable Transportation
Promoting public transportation but also electric and hydrogen mobility, can definitely help reduce CO2
emissions and thus fight global warming.
4. Sustainable Infrastructure
In order to reduce the CO2 emissions from buildings caused by heating, air conditioning, hot water or
lighting. It is necessary both to build new low energy buildings, and to renovate the existing
constructions.
5. Sustainable Agriculture & Forest Management
Encouraging better use of natural resources, stopping massive deforestation as well as making
agriculture greener and more efficient should also be a priority.

Climate Change
Climate change is real, and it is really something serious that people downplay a whole lot. The problem
is that most people don‟t really understand what it really is, and what causes it. The truth is, the climate
is changing each and every day. There are many different problems that are leading to our climate
change, some of them having to do with the Greenhouse Effect, and other changes are occurring due to
human activity and solar irradiance. The earth is becoming hotter, whether we want to admit it or not.
Here is what is happening.

Causes of Climate Change

1. The Greenhouse Effect
The warming of our atmosphere is actually happening because the atmosphere is continuing to trap the
heat that radiates from the earth and traps it between earth and space. There are gases that can play a
part in the greenhouse effect, and most of these gases will actually block the heat.
2. Greenhouse Gases
Here are a few of the gases that can play a part in climate change. First, you will find water vapor. This
is the most abundant gas that plays a part in the Greenhouse Effect. It increases because the earth is
getting warmer, and it also makes more clouds and precipitation.
Carbon dioxide also plays an important role, even though it is one of the more minor components in our
atmosphere. It can be found through a variety of different processes, including
respiration, deforestation, fossil fuel burning, and others. The carbon dioxide that is found in our
atmosphere continues to increase, making the climate change much more prominent these days than
before.
3. Ocean Currents
Variations in ocean currents can also influence climate change for short periods of time. Ocean currents
move vast amounts of heat across the planet. Movement of cold water deep under the oceans towards
the regions near the equator and movement of warm water near the equator back towards the pole play
an important role in determining the atmospheric concentration of CO2.
4. Solar Radiations
The sun is the ultimate source of supply of energy for the earth‟s climate system. A small change in the
output of the sun‟s energy can influence climate change. These changes include changes within the sun
and changes in Earth‟s orbit. Changes occurring in the sun can cause climate to become warmer during
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periods of stronger solar intensity and cool during periods of weaker solar intensity. Studies suggest that
solar variations have played a role in past climate change. For example, the period between
approximately 1650 and 1850 is known as “Little Ice Age” which may have been partially caused by
low solar activity.
5. Earth Orbital Changes
A slight change in the slope of the earth can lead to climatic changes. While less slope means cooler
summers and milder winters; more slope means warmer summers and colder winters. These small and
slow changes can lead to important changes in the strength of the seasons over tens of thousands of
years.

Effects of Climate Change

Climate change can really have a lot of negative consequences.
1. Change in Rainfall Patterns
In the last couple of decades, excess rainfall, droughts, storms and floods have become quite frequent.
While few areas experience adequately of rainfall, then there are areas that face droughts throughout the
year.
2. Depletion of Freezing Ice
The greenhouse effect is necessary for all of us to survive on this planet but an increase in greenhouse
gases causes the temperature to rise which can result in harmful effects to the ecology and environment.
The increase in temperature of the atmosphere has resulted in the shrinking of Freezing ice.
3. Wildfires
The hot and dry conditions cause wildfires to spread across dense forests and make it a perfect recipe for
disaster. They not only reduce green cover but also push forest animals towards higher altitudes.
Animals that could not survive become extinct and gets their name registered in the list of endangered
species.
4. Heat Waves
The large amount of greenhouse gases released from industries, vehicles, agricultural activities increases
the concentration of CO2 and heats up the atmosphere. The increased temperature then cause heat
waves and makes it difficult for people to survive.
5. Loss of Wildlife Species
Wildfires, deforestation, shifting habitat have caused several species to become extinct, pushed a few of
them towards extinction and the rest of them have migrated to some other place. If experts are to be
believed, one-fourth of Earth‟s species could extinct by 2050. In the year 2008, the polar bear was added
to the list of animals that could become extinct due to the rise in sea level.

Ozone Layer
A layer of the earth's upper atmosphere that is characterized by high ozone(O3). The main function of
the ozone layer is to absorb the Sun's ultraviolet radiation, hence protecting the Earth from its harmful
effects.

Advantages of the Ozone Layer

Ozone is very efficient at absorbing the sun‟s ultraviolet (UV) radiation even in very small amounts. For
this reason, the ozone layer protects the earth by blocking the harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can
cause skin cancer in humans.

Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion

There have been several concerns about ozone depletion.
1. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the primary cause for the ozone layer depletion. Industrial products
including solvents, soaps, spray aerosols, insulating foams, „take-away‟ containers and cooling utilities
 16

such as refrigerators and air conditioners use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Over time, these substances
accumulate in the atmosphere are carried by wind action into the stratosphere.
2. The Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)
There are also other chemical substances that are generally grouped as Ozone Depleting Substances
(ODS). Examples are methyl bromide use in pesticides, methyl chloroform used on making industrial
solvents, and halons used in fire extinguishers. Just like the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), these
substances also chemically react with the ozone which starts a chemical cycle that break up the good
ozone.

Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion

Ozone layer depletion can have some serious consequences on effects of human health, plants, marine
ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles and earth‟s environment. Let us see each one of these in detail.
1. Effect on health of humans
With depletion in ozone‟s layer, we humans are more prone to UV rays that reaches the Earth‟s surface.
Studies suggests that high levels of UV Rays cause skin cancer. Permanent exposure to UV rays can
also lead to weakening of the response of resistant system and even permanent damage to resistant
system in some cases.
2. Effect on plants
Plants become another casualty by radiation effects of UV rays. The physiological and developmental
processes of plants are also severely affected apart from the growth. Some other changes that are caused
by UV include the way plants form, timing of development and growth, how nutrients are distributed
within the plant and metabolism, etc.
3. Effect on marine ecosystems
UV rays also have adverse effect on the marine ecosystems. It badly affects the planktons that form the
foundation of aquatic food webs. UV rays are also known to affect the development stages of fish,
shrimp, crab, amphibians, and other marine animals. When this happens it affects whole marine food
chain as animals in the upper food chain that feed on these fishes are also affected.
4. Effect on biogeochemical cycles
Increases in UV radiation alters both sources and sinks of greenhouse gasses in the biosphere e.g.,
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbonyl sulfide, ozone, and possibly other gases.

Solutions to Ozone Layer Depletion

Let‟s have a look at some of the solutions to ozone layer depletion.
1. Avoid products that results in ozone depletion
If you are out for shopping, don‟t buy aerosol products with chlorofluorocarbons. Do check your fire
extinguishers if “halon” or “halogenated hydrocarbon” is the main ingredient. Dispose of old air
conditioning units, refrigerators that use chlorofluorocarbons to function. This could release the toxic
chemicals into the atmosphere.
2. Advocate for ozone protection
Fertilizers and pesticides are extensively used in agriculture and are also a source of nitrous oxide
production which is the main culprit in depletion of ozone layer. Encourage local political
representatives to raise a campaign to put forth laws governing fertilizer use.
3. Speak to your family, friends, colleagues
Ozone layer depletion is something that could prove hazardous for the entire human community. Speak
to your friends, family members, colleagues and encourage them to drive less, eat local, to dispose of
fire extinguishers and air conditioning units containing ODS (ozone depleting substances).
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Smog
The terminology refers to a mixture of liquid and solid fog and smoke particles. It is usually seen as
yellowish or blackish fog which suspends in the atmosphere or forms a ceiling in the air. It happens
when smoke, emissions, and particulates (nitrogen and sulfur oxides and volatile organic compounds)
react in the presence of sunlight to form ground-level ozone.
Smog is a serious problem in most big urban areas. The emissions from vehicles and industries as well
as the burning of wood and coal together with the buildup of certain weather conditions are the main
causal agents of smog.

Causes of Smog
Following are the main causes of smog.
1. Using Coal as a Fuel
Use of coal as fuel in heating or in power-producing plants discharges high concentrations of sulfur
oxides in the atmosphere. The effects are degenerated by high levels of suspended particulate matter in
the air and wetness. Burning coal also generates significant amounts of smoke which lead to smoggy
environments.
2. Vehicular and Industrial Emissions
Emissions from the transportation sector resulting from fossil fuel burning in cars, trucks, buses,
motorbikes, and boats are the chief contributors of smog formation. Industries equally emit scores of
gaseous emissions and smokes which leads to smog formation. Most of the smog formed in large cities
are as a result of traffic emissions.

Terrible Effects of Smog

Smog is composed of a mixture of air pollutants which can endanger human health. Various human
health problems such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung infections, and cancers are caused or
exacerbated by the effects of smog. The effects include:
1. Coughing and Irritation of the Eyes, Chest, Nose and Throat:
High ozone levels can irritate the respiratory system leading to coughing and breathless. These effects
generally last for only a few days after exposure, but the particles in the smog can continue to damage
the lungs even after the irritations disappear.
2. Aggravation of Asthma:
Asthma conditions are severely degenerated by smog and can activate asthma attacks.
3. Breathing Difficulties and Lung Damage:
Bronchitis, pneumonia and emphysema are some of the lung conditions linked to the effects of smog as
it damages the lining of the lungs. Smog also makes it difficult for people to breathe properly.
4. Birth defects and low birth weights:
Smog is highly linked to birth defects and low birth weight. Pregnant women who have been exposed to
smog have had babies with birth defects.
5. Risks of Road Accidents or even Plane crash:
Smog interferes with natural visibility and irritates the eyes. On this basis, it may prevent the driver or
flight controller from reading important signs or signals thereby increasing the probability of road
accidents or even plane crash.
6. Implications for Plants and Animals
Smog inhibits the growth of plants and can lead to extensive damage to crops, trees, and vegetation.
Photochemical smog caused when nitrogen oxides react in the presence of sunlight, is established to
destroy plant life and irritate sensitive tissues of both plants and animals.

Remarkable Solutions to Smog Pollution

1. Purchase renewable energy
By purchasing renewable energy, it helps in the reduction of emissions from power generating plants
that heavily depend on fossil fuel.
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2. Reducing and managing vehicular and industrial emissions

Vehicles and industries constitute the largest contributors of smog forming pollutants. The best way to
reduce smog is to therefore to take the lead in managing gaseous emissions from cars and industries. For
industries, the use of sources and the manufacturing of environmentally friendly consumer products are
fundamental.
3. Increasing energy efficiency and conserving energy
Increasing energy efficiency and at the same time conserving energy leads to reduced gaseous emissions
into the atmosphere that often result in the formation of smog. A capable and productive energy
management system can go a long way in reducing smog causing pollutants in the air such as nitrogen
and sulfur oxides.
4. Use of environmentally friendly consumer products
The use of household products that have high levels of volatile organic compounds should be
completely avoided. The use of environmentally friendly consumer products such as eco-friendly paints,
paper, sprays, solvents and plastics therefore provides a basis for addressing smog pollution.
5. Smog detection and monitoring systems
As much as smog is easily visible when it‟s present in the atmosphere, the use of appropriate smog
detectors and monitoring systems can act as early warning systems. Respective metrological
departments can help with this by installing monitoring equipment that consistently records the amount
of emission and particulate matter in the air.

Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth‟s surface. When the Sun‟s energy
reaches the Earth‟s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and
re-radiated by greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and some
artificial chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Greenhouse Effect
Step 1: Solar radiation reaches the Earth's atmosphere, some of this is reflected back into space.
Step 2: The rest of the sun's energy is absorbed by the land and the oceans, heating the Earth.
Step 3: Heat radiates from Earth towards space.
Step 4: Some of this heat is trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, keeping the Earth warm
enough to sustain life.
Step 5: Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture and land clearing are increasing the
amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
Step 6: This is trapping extra heat, and causing the Earth's temperature to rise.

Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is the organizing principle for meeting human development goals while at the
same time sustaining the ability of natural systems to provide the natural resources and ecosystem
services upon which the economy and society depend.
Examples of Sustainable Development
1. Solar Energy:
The greatest advantages of solar energy are that it is completely free and is available in limitless supply.
Both of these factors provide a huge benefit to consumers and help reduce pollution. Replacing non-
renewable energy with this type of energy is both environmentally and financially effective.
2. Wind Energy:
Wind energy is another readily available energy source. Harnessing the power of wind energy
necessitates the use of windmills; however, due to construction cost and finding a suitable location, this
kind of energy is meant to service more than just the individual. Wind energy can supplement or even
replace the cost of grid power, and therefore may be a good investment and remains a great example of
sustainable development.
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3. Crop Rotation:
Crop rotation is defined as “the successive planting of different crops on the same land to improve soil
fertility and help control insects and diseases.” This farming practice is beneficial in several ways, most
notably because it is chemical-free. Crop rotation has been proven to maximize the growth potential of
land, while also preventing disease and insects in the soil. Not only can this form of development benefit
commercial farmers, but it can also aid those who garden at home.
4. Efficient Water Fixtures:
Replacing current construction practices and supporting the installation of efficient shower heads, toilets
and other water appliances can conserve one of Earth‟s most precious resources: water. Examples of
efficient fixtures include products from the EPA‟s Water Sense program, as well as dual-flush and
composting toilets. According to the EPA, it takes a lot of energy to produce and transport water and to
process waste water, and since less than one percent of the Earth‟s available water supply is fresh water,
it is important that sustainable water use is employed at the individual and societal level.
5. Green Space:
Green spaces include parks and other areas where plants and wildlife are encouraged to thrive. These
spaces also offer the public great opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation, especially in dense, urban
areas. According to the UW-Madison Department of Urban and Regional Planning, advantages of green
spaces include, “helping regulate air quality and climate … reducing energy consumption by countering
the warming effects of paved surfaces recharging groundwater supplies and protecting lakes and streams
from polluted runoff.” Research conducted in the U.K. by the University of Exeter Medical School also
found that moving to a greener area could lead to significant and lasting improvements to an
individual‟s mental health.
 20

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs)

1. Most stable ecosystem is
(a) Forest (b) Desert (c) Ocean (d) Mountain
2. Which of the following statement about the forest is not correct?
(a) Forest reduces soil erosion (b) Provides recreational opportunities
(c) Provides economic development (d) None of the above
3. Lignite, bituminous and anthracite are different types of
(a) Nuclear fuel (b) Coal (c) Natural gas (d) Biogas
4. Which of the following is the example of impact of development activities on hydrosphere?
(a) Air pollution (b) Soil pollution (c) Noise pollution (d) Water pollution
5. Study of trends in human population growth and prediction of future growth is called
(a) Demography (b) Biography (c) paleography (d) psychology
6. Which of the following is not a method of water conservation?
(a) Rain water harvesting (b) ground water extraction
(c) Improving irrigation efficiency (d) avoiding water wastage
7. Formation of ozone is
(a) Oxidation reaction (b) reduction reaction
(c) photochemical reaction (d) none of these
8. The drop in air temperature at a rate of 6.50 C per 1000 m increase in altitude of troposphere is
known as
(a) Environmental lapse rate (b) Environmental degradation
(c) Greenhouse effect (d) Global warming
9. Zone consisting air, water and soil is known as
(a) Hydrosphere (b) Atmosphere (c) Lithosphere (d) Biosphere
10. Word oikos means __________ and logos means
(a) Houses and study of (b) Study and houses
(c) Only houses (d) Study of people
11. Nitrogen gets oxidized into
(a) Nitrates and ammonia (b) Ammonia and urea
(c) Urea and nitrite (d) Nitrates and nitrites
12. Earthworms and bacteria are called
(a) Producers (b) Consumers (c) Decomposers (d) None of these
13. Region where fresh water meets salt water is called
(a) Sea (b) Lake (c) River (d) Estuarine
14. The Ecological pyramid that is always upright
(a) Pyramid of energy (b) Pyramid of biomass
(c) Pyramid of number (d) none of these
15. “Green house effect” with respect to global warming refers to-
(a) Cooling & moist condition (b) Warming effect
(c) Increased rainfall & greenery (d) Desertification
16. In India, Tropical rain forest occurs in-
(a) Jammu and Kashmir (b) Andaman & Nicobar
(c) Uttar Pradesh (d) Himachal Pradesh
17. Atmospheric ozone layer which protect us from UV-B & C is getting depleted most by addition of-
(a) Chloro fluorocarbon (b) Carbon monoxide
(c) Carbon dioxide (d) Sulphur dioxide
18. 5th June is observed as
(a) World forest day (b) World environment day
(c) World wildlife day (d) World population day
 21

19. 21st March is observed as

(a) World forest day (b) World environment day
(c) World wildlife day (d) World population day
20. Noise is measured using sound meter and the unit is
(a) Hertz (b) Decibel (c) Joule (d) Sound
21. Important abiotic factors in ecosystems include which of the following?
(a) temperature (b) water (c) wind (d) both (a) and (b)
26. The term Environment is derived from an old French word “enviro” means
(a) Outside (b) Surroundings (c) Inside (d) Biotic community
27. Hydrosphere includes
(a) Animals (b) Soil (c) Plants (d) Water bodies
28. Area of land, water and air where the life exists is called
(a) Biosphere (b) Lithosphere (c) Atmosphere (d) Hydrosphere
29. Atmosphere may extents to a height of about following kms above the earth surface
(a) 80 km (b) 8000 km (c) 800 km (d) 20 km
31. Lowest layer of atmosphere is called
(a) Thermosphere (b) Stratosphere (c) Troposphere (d) Mesosphere
32. Troposphere has altitude range of
(a) 8 to 18 km from earth surface (b) 50 km from earth surface
(c) 800 km from earth surface (d) 80 km from earth surface
33. The layer of atmosphere containing much of ozone gas is
(a) Thermosphere (b) Stratosphere
(c) Troposphere (d) Mesosphere
34. The coldest layer of temperature having minimum temperature range of -950 C is
(a) Thermosphere (b) Mesosphere (c) Stratosphere (d) Troposphere
35. Thermosphere has two layers of
(a) Ionosphere and Exosphere (b) Stratosphere and Troposphere
(c) Mesosphere and Troposphere (d) Mesosphere and Stratosphere
36. The layer which provides ideal site for flying of jet planes is
(a) Thermosphere (b) Stratosphere (c) Mesosphere (d) Troposphere
37. As per IPAT equation impact of environment degradation depend
(a) Population, Affluence and technology (b) Population and industrialization
(c) Urbanization and poverty (d) Population, Pollution
38. Scientific study of the interactions of organisms with the physical environment is called
(a) Ecosystem (b) Ecology (c) Environment (d) Trophic stricture
40. The green plants are also called
(a) Producers (b) Consumers (c) Reducers (d) Detritivores
41. Example of omnivores is
(a) Lion (b) Hawk (c) Human (d) Snake
42. The most important organisms of an ecosystem are
(a) Herbivores (b) Producers (c) Carnivores (d) Protozon
43. Consumers are also called
(a) Photoautotrophs (b) Saprotrophs (c) Heterotrophs (d) Reducers
44. Sequence of eating and being eaten in an ecosystem is called
(a) Food web (b) Natural cycle
(c) Ecological Pyramid (d) Food chain
45. Detritus food chain starts from
(a) Green plants (b) Grass
(c) Dead organic matter (d) Phytoplankton
 22

46. Nutrients are recycled in ecosystem by

(a) Biogeochemical cycle (b) Energy flow
(c) Producers (d) Consumers
48. Biodiversity means
(a) The living natural resources (b) Land and forest
(c) Oceans and sea (d) Atmosphere
49. Food chain always starts with
(a) Respiration (b) Transpiration
(c) Nitrogen fixation (d) Photosynthesis
50. The ecological pyramid always starts with the following at the base
(a) Decomposer (b) Producer
(c) Consumer (d) None of these
51. Hydrological cycle provides us
(a) Fresh water (b) Nitrogen
(c) Carbon dioxide (d) None of these
52. Gaseous nitrogen can be used by plants only after the process of
(a) Nitrogen cycling (b) Nitrogen fixation
(c) Ammonification (d) Nitrifications
53. Conversion of ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate is called
(a) Nitrogen fixation (b) De nitrification
(c) Nitrification (d) Ammonification
54. The loss of water from plants and tree leaves is called
(a) Precipitation (b) Respiration
(c) Evaporation (d) Transpiration
55. Which of the following is a non-renewable resource?
(a) Coal (b) Forest (c) Water (d) Wildlife
56. Deforestation generally decreases
(a) Rainfall (b) Soil erosion (c) Draught (d) Global warming
57. Chipko movement was started to conserve
(a) Forests (b) Grasslands (c) Deserts (d) Soil
58. Fossil fuel and metallic minerals are
(a) Renewable resources (b) Non-renewable resources
(c) Inexhaustible (d) None of these
60. The subsurface sources of water is
(a) River (b) Dug well (c) Stream (d) Ocean
61. Afforestation is necessary for
(a) Soil conservation (b) Soil erosion (c) Well control (d) Low humidity
62. In the hills forest cover is affected by,
(a) Overgrazing by cattle (b) Soil erosion
(c) Leaching of soil (d) Soil pollution
63. Air pollution is caused by
(a) Insecticides (b) Sewage (c) Smoke (d) Loud speakers
64. If waste materials contaminate the source of drinking water which of the following diseases
will spread?
(a) Scurvy (b) Typhoid (c) Malaria (d) Anemia
65. When trees are cut, amount of oxygen
(a) decreases (b) increases (c) both (a) and (b) (d) remains same
66. 71% of earth surface is covered with:
(a) Land (b) air (c) water (d) coal
67. Which of the following is secondary pollutant
(a) CO2 (b) CO (c) O3 (d) SO2
 23

68. Carbon monoxide is a pollutant because

(a) It react with O2 (b) It inhibit its glycolysis
(c) Make nervous system inactive (d) React with hemoglobin
69. All are particulate pollutants expect
(a) Dust (b) ozone (c) soot (d) smoke
70. Major cause of increment in population growth
(a) decrees in birth rate (b) decrees in mortality rate
(c) illiteracy (d) none of the above
71. Main objective of family welfare program is
(a) population control (b) disease control
(c) a & b (d) none of the above
72. The sudden increase in the population of the species is
(a) Population growth (b) population explosion
(c) Over population (d) all above
73. According to Thomas Malthus human population increase in
(a) arithmetic ratio (b) geometric ratio
(c) Exponension ratio (d) all above
74. Which of the following is an air pollutant
(a) ozone (b) CFC (c) Carbon dioxide (d) oxygen
75. Noise is
(a) loud sound (b) constant sound
(c) unwanted sound (d) slow sound
76. Which of the following are major causes of land degradation?
(a) soil erosion (b) deforestation (c) water logging (d) desertification
79. The main components of photochemical smog is
(a) Water vapour (b) Sulphur dioxide
(c) oxides of nitrogen (d) all of the above
80. The TAJ MAHAL at AGRA may be damaged by
(e) Sulphur dioxide (b) chlorine
(c) hydrogen (d) oxygen
81. Sound becomes hazardous noise pollution at decibels
(a) above 30 (b) above 80 (c) above 100 (d) above 120
82. Effect of noise pollution is mainly on,
(e) Physical factor (b) chemical factor
(c) biological factor (d) all of the above
83. The important component of environment is
(a) Biosphere (b) Lithosphere
(g) Atmosphere (d) all of the above
84. The pollutant free energy resource are,
(a) Coal (b) nuclear power
(c) Petroleum (d) solar energy
85. The atmosphere of big cities is polluted most by,
(a) Household waste (b) radioactive falls out
(c) automobile exhausts (d) pesticides
86. The concentration of which gas is highest in our environment?
(a) Oxygen (b) Hydrogen (c) Nitrogen (d) Carbon dioxide
87. Which of the following are the example of Municipal and industrial discharge pipes
(a) Nonpoint sources of pollution. (b) Violations of the Clean Water Act.
(c) Point sources of pollution. (d) Irrigation.
 24

90. Acid rain is formed due to contribution from the following pair of gases
a). Methane and ozone (b) Oxygen and nitrous oxide
c) Methane and Sulphur dioxide (d) Carbon dioxide and Sulphur dioxide
91. Which of the following is a prime health risks associated with greater UV radiation through
the atmosphere due to depletion of stratospheric ozone?
(a) Damage to digestive system (b) Increased liver cancer
c) Neurological disorder (d) increased skin cancer
92. The most serious environmental effect posed by hazardous wastes is
a) air pollution. (b) Contamination of groundwater.
c) increased use of land for landfills. (d) Destruction of habitat.
93. The concentration of which gas is highest in our environment?
(a) Oxygen (b) Hydrogen (c) Nitrogen (d) Carbon dioxide
95. Which of the following is not a primary contributor to the greenhouse effect?
a) Carbon dioxide (b) carbon monoxide
c) Chlorofluorocarbons (d) methane gas
96. The increase in the concentration of CO2 in our environment in last fifty years; since 1960 is
about
a) 20% (b) 10% (c) 14% (d) 6%
97. The depletion in the Ozone layer is caused by
a) Nitrous oxide. (b) Carbon dioxide.
(c) Chlorofluorocarbons. (d) Methane.
98. A major in-stream use of water is for
a) producing hydroelectric power. (b) Dissolving industrial wastes.
c) agricultural irrigation. (d) Domestic use.
99. Which of the following are the example of Municipal and industrial discharge pipes
a) nonpoint sources of pollution. (b) Violations of the Clean Water Act.
c) point sources of pollution. (d) Irrigation.
100. The presence of high coliform counts in water indicate
a) contamination by human wastes. (b) Phosphorus contamination.
c) decreased biological oxygen demand. (d) Hydrocarbon contamination.
105. Groundwater mining in coastal areas can result into
a) increase in the salinity of groundwater. (b) Decrease in the toxicity of groundwater.
c) Decrease in the salinity of groundwater. (d) Increase in the water table.
106. Which of the following is not an important characteristic of the Green Revolution?
a) Mechanized agriculture (b) hybrid seeds
c) Slash and burn (d) monoculture
107. The three primary soil macronutrients are
a) carbon, oxygen, and water. (b) Copper, cadmium, and carbon.
c) Potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. (d) Boron, zinc, and manganese.
108. Which of the following is negative effects on the soil and water due to conventional,
mechanized farming practices?
a) Soil compaction (b) reduction in soil organic matter
c) Soil erosion (d) all of the above