Environmental Science Unit-I Basics

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Questions and Answers

What are the two major classifications of the environment?

Natural and Artificial Environment

Urban and Rural Environment

Biotic and Abiotic Environment (correct)

Physical and Living Environment (correct)

Which of the following segments does the lithosphere include?

The soil and water (correct)

The atmosphere and biosphere

The oceans and rivers

The organs of living organisms

Which components are primarily found in the organic constituents of the lithosphere?

Water and air

Mineral oxides and carbonates

Silicates and metals

Polysaccharides and organo compounds of N, P and S (correct)

What percentage of the Earth's water is found in oceans and seas?

96-97% Signup and view all the answers

Which segment of the Earth's environment refers to all living organisms?

Biosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is a major reason environmental issues require international efforts?

They affect the survival of mankind globally. Signup and view all the answers

What undesirable effect does the development in rich countries have on the environment?

It cleanses their own environment by moving factories. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a recognized problem in soil health?

Soil salinity. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a crucial alternative for developing countries regarding environmental goals?

To achieve a development that is environmentally sustainable. Signup and view all the answers

How has urbanization and industrial growth affected the environment?

It has created a heavy pressure on natural resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is linked to the high population density in countries like India?

Strain on natural resources and soil health. Signup and view all the answers

What does wise planning of development depend on?

Synchronizing resource use with ecological cycles. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to seek common environmental goals?

To ensure all citizens benefit equally from resources. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'environment' encompass according to the broad definition provided?

Physical, chemical, biological, social, and cultural conditions. Signup and view all the answers

According to Boring, what is included in a person's environment?

Economic and political influences along with other forces. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines environmental science?

A comprehensive application of scientific methods to environmental issues. Signup and view all the answers

What significant issue is highlighted in the context of the importance of environmental studies?

Destruction caused by pollution due to industrial and population growth. Signup and view all the answers

How did Jacob Van Uerkal contribute to the definition of 'environment'?

He introduced the concept during his experiments in ecology. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following disciplines is NOT typically associated with environmental science?

Astronomy Signup and view all the answers

What type of influences does Douglas and Holland describe in their definition of 'environment'?

All external forces that affect living organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What misconception commonly arises when defining environmental science?

It is seen as a subfield of ecology. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Unit-I: Fundamentals of Environmental Sciences

The word environment is derived from the French verb "environner," meaning "to encircle" or "surround."
Environment encompasses physical, chemical, and biological worlds, along with social and cultural conditions affecting individuals or communities.
Biologist Jacob Van Uerkal defined environment as one's surroundings, encompassing physical and biological habitat.
Boring defined environment as the sum total of stimulations from conception to death, including physical, intellectual, mental, economic, political, cultural, social, moral, and emotional forces.
Douglas and Holland defined environment as the aggregate of external forces, influences, and conditions affecting an organism's life, behavior, growth, development, and maturity.
Environmental science combines scientific methods with various biological disciplines (ecology, environmental studies, etc.).

Importance of Environmental Studies

Increasing global population, industries, and pollution issues make conservation and protection paramount.
Global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain, marine pollution, and biodiversity loss require international cooperation and effort.
Development (urbanization, industries, etc.) creates complex environmental issues, particularly in developing nations.
Pollution and resource depletion threaten global well-being.

Classification of Environment

A. Physical Environment: Includes air, water, and land.
B. Living Environment: Includes plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere

Hydrosphere: Encompasses all water resources (oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, etc.).
Lithosphere: Earth's crust composed of soil and rocks, including inorganic and organic matter.
Atmosphere: The gaseous envelope surrounding Earth, including elements like nitrogen, oxygen, and others.
Biosphere: Where all life forms exist, interacting with lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Atmospheric Structure

Four major zones: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, and Thermosphere.
Troposphere: Lowest layer, temperature drops with altitude. Weather occurs here.
Stratosphere: Contains ozone layer, temperature increases with altitude.
Mesosphere: Temperature decreases with altitude.
Thermosphere: High temperature, low density.

Ionosphere

Contains D, E, and F regions.
Regions with varying ionization levels due to solar activity, affecting radio wave propagation.

Laws of Thermodynamics

Zeroth law: Defines thermal equilibrium.
First law: Conservation of energy.
Second law: Entropy of interacting systems never decreases.
Third law: Entropy of a system approaches zero at absolute zero.

Energy

Energy is the ability to do work, existing in various forms.
Energy transfer occurs through mechanisms like mechanical, electrical, and thermal radiation.
Energy transformation involves converting one form of energy into another.
The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

Precipitation

Precipitation is water released from clouds to Earth's surface.
Different types include rain, drizzle, snow, sleet, hail, and freezing rain.
Precipitation factors include air temperature and humidity, cloud type, and atmospheric conditions.

Humidity

Humidity measures the amount of water vapor in air.
Absolute humidity: mass of water vapor per unit volume of air.
Specific humidity: mass of water vapor per unit mass of moist air.
Relative humidity: percentage of water vapor in air at a given temperature compared to the saturation point.

Solar Radiation

The sun is the primary heat source for Earth.
Incoming solar radiation (insolation) is essential for weather patterns.
Solar radiation is critical to earth's climate, affecting temperature and weather systems.

Wind Velocity

Wind is the movement of air and is a significant atmospheric phenomenon.
Wind velocity is measured in units of meters per second or kilometers per hour.

Man-Earth Interface

Human development has considerable effects on the environment.
Environmental issues include resource depletion and pollution.

Biogeographical Provinces

Biogeography studies the distribution of species and ecosystems across geographical space and time in various areas.
Classification considers habitat, elevation, and isolation.
Important components include Phytogeography, Zoogeography (plant and animal geography respectively).

Agro-Climatic Zones (ACZs)

ACZs provide areas for agricultural activities based on growing conditions.

Agro-ecological Zones (AEZs)

AEZs are land divisions categorized based on climate conditions and other soil factors useful for agricultural activities.

Remote Sensing and GIS

Remote sensing involves receiving energy from objects at a distance.
GIS involves storing and analyzing geographic information, using spatial analysis techniques.
These methods are crucial in land use/land cover mapping for planning and management.
Several aspects about environmental changes can be recorded and analyzed using remote sensing.

Digital Image Processing

Image interpretation and analysis involves formatting, correcting, and analyzing digital image data.
Image processing enhances analysis, with applications in numerous fields.
Includes categorization: Preprocessing, Image Enhancement, Image Transformation, and Image Classification and Analysis.

Thermal Remote Sensing

Measures emitted thermal radiation.
Commonly used for agricultural applications, water resources, and forest fires.

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Description

Explore the foundational concepts of Environmental Sciences in this quiz. Learn about the definitions of 'environment' by notable biologists and the critical importance of environmental studies in today's world. This unit covers the interrelation of various sciences and the impact of surroundings on organisms.