Environmental Science Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the meaning of the French verb "enviro"?

To interact

To surround (correct)

To live

To exist

Which of the following is NOT an example of an abiotic component of the environment?

Sunlight

Water

Trees (correct)

Air

What do biotic components exchange with each other and with abiotic components?

Only matter

Energy and matter (correct)

Information only

Only energy

What is the primary role of abiotic components within an environment?

To provide resources for living things (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the atmosphere?

To regulate the earth's temperature and protect it from harmful radiation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by water?

71% (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT part of the hydrosphere?

Soil (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between the lithosphere and the hydrosphere?

The lithosphere is composed of rocks, while the hydrosphere is composed of water. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a component of the biosphere?

Organisms (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of radiation does the atmosphere transmit, allowing life to exist on Earth?

Visible light (D) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Earth's water supply is found in oceans?

97% (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of energy for the biosphere?

The Sun (C) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Earth's water is available as fresh surface water suitable for human consumption?

1% (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the lithosphere?

Solar Radiation (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the biosphere?

The region of Earth where living organisms exist (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an environmental issue discussed in the provided content?

Ozone layer depletion (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following books is referenced in the provided content?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the provided content?

Introducing basic concepts about the environment (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the "Quiz…" section?

To assess the reader's understanding of the content (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a key area of focus for the learning agenda outlined in the content?

Analyzing the impact of environmental issues on ecosystems (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the 'greenhouse effect'?

An increase in the Earth's temperature due to the trapping of heat by atmospheric gases (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following environmental issues directly contributes to the greenhouse effect?

Climate change (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of ozone layer depletion?

Emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a direct consequence of nuclear accidents?

Increased greenhouse gas emissions (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between climate change and global warming?

Global warming refers to the increase in average global temperatures, while climate change encompasses broader changes in weather patterns and climate systems (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key concept in the 4Rs of environmental responsibility?

Restore (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of public awareness in addressing environmental issues?

Public awareness can inspire individual action and influence government policies (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does acid rain form?

Acid rain forms when nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide react with water and oxygen in the atmosphere (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a direct consequence of ozone layer depletion?

Increased frequency of tornadoes (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the chemical reaction responsible for forming ozone in the stratosphere?

O + O2 -> O3 (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of chlorine atoms in the destruction of ozone?

Chlorine atoms act as catalysts, breaking down ozone into oxygen molecules. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a major contributor to ozone layer depletion?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following nuclear accidents occurred in France?

Blayais (C) Signup and view all the answers

What impact does ozone layer depletion have on plankton populations?

Decreases plankton populations due to increased UV radiation damage. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a safety measure or principle to be followed in nuclear power plants to prevent accidents?

Maximizing the production of energy at all costs (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a major concern regarding nuclear accidents?

Release of radioactive materials into the environment. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following greenhouse gases has the highest estimated contribution to the greenhouse effect?

Carbon Dioxide (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a direct effect of global warming on animals?

Increased competition for resources (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the increase in global temperatures?

Accumulation of greenhouse gases (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated percentage contribution of methane to the greenhouse effect?

12% (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a direct consequence of the melting of polar ice caps due to global warming?

Increased sea level (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate percentage of solar energy absorbed by the Earth's surface?

75% (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of greenhouse gases in regulating Earth's temperature?

They absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, warming the planet (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a plausible effect of global warming on agriculture?

Increased pest and disease outbreaks (A), Shifting of agricultural zones to higher latitudes (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Civil Engineering Program

Program: Civil Engineering
Program Code: CE
Expert: Dr. B. R. Ambade, LCE, G P Bramhapuri
Date: 06/07/2020
Study at your Doorstep (MSBTE LEAD)

Environmental Studies

Course Code: 22447
Course Objective: Develop Public Awareness about Environment
Unit Outcome: UO 1a, 1b
Study at your Doorstep (MSBTE LEAD)
Written by: Dr. B. R. Ambade

Agenda Points

Environment, its need and scope
Segments of environment

Content

Definitions, need of environmental studies
Atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere

Learning Objectives/ Key Learning

Discuss the scope of environment
Describe various types of environment
Describe the importance of environmental studies

Concept Map of Environment

Shows interconnectedness of various environmental elements

Unit 1: Environment

Environment is derived from the French word 'enviro', meaning 'surrounding'
Environment defined as physical, chemical and biological world around us (people, children, benches, ground, grass, trees, insects, birds, sunlight, air, land, water, mountain)
Biotic components (living things) constantly interact and exchange with other biotic components and abiotic components for survival
Examples of Biotic components: People, children, trees, grass, insects, and birds
Examples of Abiotic components: Playgrounds, benches, swings, slides, air, water, and mountains

Types of Environment

Natural environment (original form without human interference): The earth's original form
Man-made environment (modified by the interference of human beings): Infrastructure, utilities, institutions, parks, buildings, and energy networks
Social environment (includes social, economic and political conditions wherein the individual lives): Customs, traditions, ethics , language, culture, and professions
Psychological environment (an environment which enables the individual to understand the personality of a person and his goal from the psychological aspect): every individual has his psychological environment

Structure of Environment

Solid environment (lithosphere): Solid earth (soil, land, mountains)
Liquid environment (hydrosphere): Water resources (rivers, reservoirs, oceans, glaciers)
Gas environment (various gases): Oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane (present in the atmosphere)
Biological environment (flora and fauna): Plants (trees, grass, shrubs), animals (domestic, wild, humans, birds, insects)

Scope of Environmental Studies

Educate students, citizens, experts on environmental complexity
Enable solutions to environmental problems
Reverse environmental degradation through empowerment of educated communities
Develop eco-friendly technologies to save natural resources and reduce pollution.
Maintain ecological balance for future generations.
Important areas: natural resources, ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation, environmental pollution, social issues, and human population

Need and Importance of Environmental Studies

Public awareness of environmental issues
International importance of environmental issues
Development-related problems
Energy conservation
Saving species from extinction
Saving natural resources
Reducing pollution
Wise planning of development
Sustainable development

Segments of Environment

Atmosphere: composed of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and other trace gases
Biosphere: realm of living organisms and their interactions with the environment
Hydrosphere: all types of water resources (oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar icecaps, glaciers, and groundwater)
Lithosphere: outer mantle of the solid earth (minerals, soils, organic matter, air, and water)

Environmental Issues: Ozone Depletion

Ozone layer in the atmosphere protects the Earth from harmful UV radiation
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) release chlorine atoms, which deplete the ozone layer
Impacts of ozone depletion: sunburn, reduced immunity, skin cancer, cataracts, reduced photosynthesis, damage to plants, plankton depletion, penguin depletion, reduced frog egg hatching, degradation of building materials

Environmental Issues: Nuclear Accidents

Major nuclear accidents since 1957 reported by multiple countries (Fukushima, Japan, Kashiwazaki, Japan, Mihama, Japan, Blayais, France, Tokaimura Japan, Tokaimura Japan, Chernobyl, Ukraine, Three Mile Island, USA, The Urals, USSR, Windscale, UK)

Impacts of Nuclear Accidents

Development of cancer, deaths, species extinction, alterations in DNA, residual radioactivity affecting environment and pollution, high fever, diarrhoea, fatigue, mortality, infection, and bleeding etc., skin diseases, disturbance to aquatic life, and long-term effects

How to Avoid Environmental Problems

Sustainable Development: hazards mitigation, energy conservation, pollution control, water resources management, biodiversity conservation, Rain water harvesting, solid waste management, and world conservation strategy
4Rs Strategy: Reduce waste generation, reuse resources, recycle materials, recover energy from waste

Public Awareness about Environment

Educate people, increase community participation, implement eco-friendly technologies, conserve resources, practice good civic sense and hygiene, practice reducing pollution, join nature-related activities, buy eco-friendly products, and join environmental groups

Environmental Issues: Global Warming

Global warming is the phenomenon of rising Earth's temperature due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
GHGs absorb heat radiated from the Earth's surface and re-emit it. Examples of GHGs include CO2, methane, nitrous oxide and others.
Effects: Temperature increases, glaciers melt, rising ocean levels, changing forest and crop yields, affecting human health, and changing ecosystems and seasonal patterns

Environmental Issues: Climate Change

Climate change is a change in the average weather in a specific location over a long period
Possible causes: Changes in solar output, Earth's orbit, drift of continents, volcanic eruptions and greenhouse gases

Environmental Issues: Acid Rain

Caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides produced from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas)
Pollutants react with water to form sulfuric acid, nitric acid and other pollutants
Acid Rain effects: Environmental damage to lakes, aquatic life, buildings, forests, plants, animals and soil

Revision

Green house effect and its impacts
Global Warming and its impacts
Climate change and its impacts
Acid Rain and its impacts

References

Various publications and websites providing information on environmental issues, science, and the 4Rs strategy.

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Description

Test your knowledge on environmental science concepts, including biotic and abiotic components, the hydrosphere, and the biosphere. This quiz covers important definitions, functions, and the distribution of Earth's natural resources. Perfect for students looking to strengthen their understanding of ecosystems.