Environmental Science: Fundamentals and Assessment

Fundamentals of Environmental Sciences

• The environment consists of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
• Meteorological parameters include pressure, temperature, precipitation, humidity, mixing ratio, saturation mixing ratio, radiation, wind velocity, adiabatic lapse rate, environmental lapse rate, and wind roses.
• There is constant interaction between Earth, humans, and the environment.
• The world has biogeographic provinces and India has agro-climatic zones.
• Sustainable development is an important consideration.
• Natural resources require assessment.
• Remote Sensing and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) are used for natural resource assessment.
• Remote sensing and GIS involve principles of remote sensing, digital image processing, and ground truthing.
• These tools are applied in land cover/land use planning and management (urban sprawling, vegetation study, forestry, natural resources), waste management, and climate change.
• Environmental education, awareness, and ethics are essential.
• Ecosystems can be classified, and there are various types of ecosystems.
• Biodiversity includes definition, types, and importance, and is under threat.
• Hotspots can be identified in India as areas of significant biodiversity.
• Measures of biodiversity include national parks, sanctuaries, and protected areas.

Energy and Environment

• The sun serves as a primary energy source.
• Solar radiation has spectral characteristics.
• Fossil fuels are classified by composition, physico-chemical characteristics, and energy content.
• Fossil fuels include coal, petroleum, natural gas, shale oil, Coal bed Methane, and gas hydrates.
• Fuels are measured by gross-calorific value and net calorific value.
• Energy use has implications for the environment.
• India and the world have distinct energy use patterns.
• CO2 emissions from developed and developing countries contribute to global warming.
• Radiative forcing results in global warming.
• Large-scale exploitation of solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear energy sources has impacts.
• Environmental impacts are measured using carbon footprint, trading, and assessing greenhouse gases (GHGs).

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL

Air and Noise Pollution

• Pollutants come from natural and anthropogenic sources as primary and secondary pollutants.
• Criteria air pollutants are specified.
• Air pollutants (gaseous and particulates) are sampled and monitored.
• The frequency and duration of sampling are important.
• Principles and instruments measure ambient air pollutant concentrations.
• Air pollutants impact human health, plants, and materials.
• The National Ambient Air Quality Standards were defined in 2009 per GSR(742)E-2009.
• Noise pollution is measured using sources, weighting networks, and noise indices (Leq, L10, L90, L50, LDN, TNI).
• Noise dose and noise pollution standards are defined.
• Noise control and abatement measures exist.
• Noise and vibration levels impact human health.

Water Pollution

• Water pollution has various types and sources.
• Pollution impacts humans, plants, and animals.
• Water quality parameters measured include pH, EC, turbidity, TDS, hardness, chlorides, salinity, DO, BOD, COD, nitrates, phosphates, sulphates, heavy metals, and organic contaminates.
• Microbiological analysis uses MPN (Most Probable Number).
• Indian standards for drinking water treatment involve coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, and softening.
• Wastewater treatment involves primary, secondary, and advanced methods.
• Common effluent treatment plants are used.
• Effluent water quality standards are in place.

Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

• Integrated solid waste management follows a waste hierarchy.
• Rules and regulations exist for solid waste management in India.
• Municipal solid waste management involves sources, generation, characteristics, collection, transportation, waste processing, and disposal.
• Hazardous waste is managed based on its characteristics, generation, and fate.
• Treatment and disposal methods are employed.
• Biomedical waste, plastic waste, and E-waste require specific management.
• Management includes sources, generation, characteristics, storage, collection, and transfer.

Global and Regional Environmental Issues

• Air pollution causes global effects like greenhouse gases, global warming, and climate change.
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) addresses these issues.
• Urban heat islands, acid rain, and ozone holes are global concerns.
• Factors influencing environmental issues include population increases, energy consumption, and environmental degradation.
• The National Clean Air Program and National Action Plan on Climate Change have been established.
• The National Action Plan includes National Missions like the Solar Mission, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, Water Mission, sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, Green India, Sustainable Agriculture, and Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.

Environmental Management and Sustainable Development

• Key concepts include Environmental Management Systems, environmental auditing, Environmental Impact Assessment, utilization of fly ash, and Life Cycle Assessment.
• There are several Environment Policies, encompassing Environmental Policy and the Indian Forest Policy.
• The "Polluter Pays" principle is a key objective.
• India has environmental legislation.
• Principles and Policies in India include the National Environment Policy 2006, National Forest Policy 1988, the Polluter Pays Principle, and the Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI).
• Principles of International Law and international treaties are followed.
• Environment-related Acts (with amendments) and rules pertain to water and air.
• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act was established in 1977.
• The Environment (Protection) Act (EPA) dates to 1986.
• The Indian Forest Act was established in 1927.
• The Forest (Conservation) Act was established in 1980.
• The Wildlife (Protection) Act was established in 1972.
• The National Green Tribunal Act was established in 2010.
• The Public Liability Insurance Act was established in 1991.
• The Biological Diversity Act 2002 addresses biodiversity concerns.
• The Schedule Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act was established in 2006.
• Energy sources examined considering energy and environmental interactions.
• Both renewable and non-renewable energy sources are studied, and the energy-environment nexus considered.
• Sustainable development is defined and its concepts are explored.
• Sustainable development goals face hurdles.
• Global best practices exist for environmental protection and sustainable development.