5.1 BAS-104_Unit 1 Lecture Notes 2024-25.pdf

COURSE MATERIAL OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY BAS 104/ BAS 204 Session 2024-25 Course Coordinator: Dr. Leena Singh Associate Professor GCET, Gr. Noida Course Teachers: Dr. Raj...

COURSE MATERIAL OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY BAS 104/ BAS 204 Session 2024-25 Course Coordinator: Dr. Leena Singh Associate Professor GCET, Gr. Noida Course Teachers: Dr. Rajni Garg Dr. Smriti Tripathi Dr. Vishakha Nirbhahya Mr. Narindra Kumar BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering  Unit-1: ENVIRONMENT& ECOSYSTEM CO1: Understand the basic concepts of Ecology and Environment. (K1) Contents: Environment: Definition, Types of Environments, Components of environment, Segments of environment, Scope and importance, Need for Public Awareness. Ecosystem: Definition, Types of ecosystems, Structure of ecosystem, Food Chain, Food Web, Ecological Pyramid. Balance Ecosystem. Effects of Human Activities such as Food, Shelter, Housing, Agriculture, Industry, Mining, Transportation, Economic and Social security on Environment, Environment Impact Assessment, Sustainable Development. The word ENVIRONMENT is derived from the French word “environner or environ” Which means “to surround” hence, Environment is what surrounds us!! Definition: It is the sum total of all social, economic, biological, physical, and chemical factors that surround, affect, and influence the survival, growth, and development of humans, plants, and animals who are both creators and modulators of the environment. Types of Environments The environment is divided into two types: 1. Natural Environment: It exists naturally. Examples: air, water, soil, land, forest, wildlife, flora, fauna, etc. which constitute the Natural Environment. 2. Anthropogenic Environment: It is a man-made environment or alternation of the natural environment to serve specific uses by human beings. Examples: agricultural fields, gardens, and aquaculture farms. Components of Environment: Biotic Components: These are living creature’s components Examples: microbes, plants, animals, and human beings. Abiotic Components: These are non-living/physical components. Example: Air, Water, Soil, Rocks e Segments of Environment: Atmosphere: It is the blanket of gases surrounding the earth. Lithosphere: It contains various types of soil and rocks on the earth. It includes crust (silicates), mantle (Fe, Mg silicates) and core (Fe) of earth. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering Hydrosphere: It is composed of various water bodies present on the earth’s surface. The major importance of hydrosphere is that water sustains various life forms and plays an important role in ecosystem. Example: Sea and Oceans (97 %), 2 % (Locked in glaciers) and 1 % Fresh Water. Biosphere: It is composed of all living organism and their interactions with the environment such us lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere. It is the earth’s zone of air, soil, and water, which is capable of supporting life. Layers of Atmosphere A layer of gasses that envelops the earth is called atmosphere. The atmosphere constitutes 78 % nitrogen, 21 % oxygen and 1 % other gases. It extends up to 500 km from earth. The layers of atmosphere are divided according to the temperature variations which are discussed as follows: Troposphere: It is the lowest layer of atmosphere. It extends up to 11 km from sea level. All the weather changes occur here. 99 % water vapors are found in troposphere. Stratosphere: It extends up to 50 km from the ground. Ozone layer is found in this layer. Mesosphere: It extends up to 85 km from the ground. Meteors or rock fragments burn here and hence, temperature falls to -93 ˚C. Thermosphere: It extends up to 500-1000 km from the ground. The very high temperature of 1200 ˚C is observed due to presence of gases in the form of ions. Exosphere: The exosphere is the outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere. It extends from about 700 km above sea level to about 10,000 km, where it merges into the solar wind. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering  The Temperature-Altitude graph of Atmosphere is given below. SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENT STUDIES Main Objectives of Environmental Studies: To acquire an awareness of the environment as a whole and its related problems. To gain a variety of experiences and acquire a basic understanding and knowledge about the environment and its allied problems. To acquire an attitude of concern for the environment. To acquire the skills for identifying and solving environmental problems. To participate in improvement and protection of environment. To develop the ability to evaluate measures for the improvement and protection of environment. To sum up, the objectives of environmental studies are to develop a world in which persons are aware of and concerned about environment and the problems associated with it, and committed to work individually as well as collectively towards solutions of current problems and prevention of future problems. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering Scope of Environmental Studies: The scope of environmental studies is wide and related to every field. Ecosystem structure and function Research and development Natural resource conservation Social development Environmental pollution control Environmental journalism Environmental management Environmentalist Industry Green advocacy and marketing Programs under Environmental Studies: Environmental Education: It refers to organized efforts to teach how natural environment function and particularly, how people can manage their behavior and ecosystem. Environmental Studies: It is a broad interdisciplinary field of study, which studies the interaction of human beings with the environment. Environmental Science: It is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical, chemical and biological sciences to address the environmental problems. Environmental Engineering: It is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the quality of environment to provide healthy living conditions. Importance of Environmental Studies: It provides us basic knowledge of environment. It helps in understanding current environmental problem. It helps in conservation and management of natural resources. It helps in maintaining ecological balance and controlling environmental pollution. It helps in sustainable development. It helps in educating people regarding their duties toward environment. It is helpful in Environmental Management. It aims to protect biodiversity. It studies the agricultural and design of sustainable production. It gives information related to population explosion, growth and development, impact of population growth on the natural resources and national economy. It helps in developing social responsibilities towards protection of environment. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering Aspects of Environmental Science: Theoretical Aspects: It includes identification of scientific, social or economic environmental threats to our survival and future generation. Applied Aspects: It includes development of solution to the existing environmental problems. MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES: Environmental studies deal with every issue that affects an organism. It is essentially a multidisciplinary approach that brings about an appreciation of our natural world and human impacts on its integrity. It is an applied science as it seeks practical answers to making human civilization sustainable on the earth’s finite resources. Its components include biology, geology, chemistry, physics, engineering, sociology, health, anthropology, economics, statistics, computers and philosophy. Need for Public Awareness The unthoughtful and unabated consumption of natural resources for various purposes such as the development of science and technology, agriculture, industry, transport, and communication, to fulfill the energy demand and other facilitations and pleasure has depleted the environmental resources. It has degraded the vital life- supporting systems like air, water, and soil consequently the ecological balance is disturbed. We have marred the ecological balances in different forms by producing pollutants, harmful chemicals, and biological agents. It shows the devastation of trees due to acid rains. Sulfur from coal-burning industries combined with moisture created airborne acids that have killed the denude woodlands. Hence, to improve the deteriorated environment, and conserve the ecosystem is the big responsibility of human beings. For the same, we have to be conscious of the eco-friendly needs. Individuals are to be involved in the BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering process of improving the environment Now the people are to be awakened and made aware to protect the global environment by exercising following actions. Conservation of natural resources and avoid extracting unnecessarily and exhaustively. Use of renewable energy sources for harnessing energy. Various initiatives like, Afforestation, provision of green belt is to be taken publicly. Formulating and obeying the moral codes meant for achieving a better environment. Preserving the greeneries on a vast area of land. Maintaining the conventional environment within seas and oceans. ECOSYSTEM Ecology: deals with the study of organisms in their natural home interacting with their surroundings. The word ecology was coined in 1866 by the German scientist Earnst Haeckel. The term “Ecosystem” was first coined by A.G.Tansley, an English botanist, in 1935. The ecosystem is the structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment. In other words, an ecosystem is a chain of interaction between organisms and their environment. Definition: An ecosystem is defined as the natural unit, consisting of living and nonliving part which interacts to form a stable system. It is an area within the natural environment and possess all the characteristics required to sustain life. Examples: Pond, lakes, forest, grassland etc. BALANCED ECOSYSTEM This means that the nutrients are able to cycle efficiently and no community or any natural phenomenon is interrupting the flow of energy and nutrients to other parts. Ecosystems have a unique property of self- regulation. The ecosystem comprising various sub-components of biotic and abiotic nature, which are inter- linked and inter-dependent, have an inherent property to resist change. That means, the ecosystems have a property to tolerate external disturbance or stress. This property is known as homeostasis. Homeostasis & Feedback Homeostasis is the tendency to resist change in order to maintain a stable, relatively constant internal environment in an ecosystem. Homeostasis typically involves negative feedback loops that counteract changes of various properties from their target values, known as set points. Every ecosystem can operate within a range of conditions, depending upon its homeostasis (capacity to resist change). Within its homeostatic plateau, the ecosystem has the potential to trigger certain feedback mechanisms which help in maintaining the ecosystem functioning by countering the disturbances. Such deviation- counteracting BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering feedbacks are known as negative feedback mechanisms. Such feedback loops help in maintaining the ecological balance of the ecosystem. However, as the outside disturbance or stress increases beyond certain limit (exceeding the homeostatic plateau of the ecosystem), the balance of the ecosystem is disrupted. This is because now another type of feedback mechanisms, which are deviation accelerating mechanisms start operating. Such feedbacks are called positive feedback mechanisms, which further increase the disturbances caused by the external stress and thus take the ecosystem away from its optimal conditions, finally leading to collapse of the system TYPES OF ECOSYSTEMS BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering Structure of the Ecosystem The structure of an ecosystem is characterized by the organization of both biotic and abiotic components. This includes the distribution of energy in our environment. It also includes the climatic conditions prevailing in that particular environment. The structure of an ecosystem can be split into two main components, namely: Biotic Components Abiotic Components The biotic and abiotic components are interrelated in an ecosystem. It is an open system where the energy and components can flow throughout the boundaries. Abiotic Components: Abiotic components are the non-living component of an ecosystem. It includes air, water, soil, minerals, sunlight, temperature, nutrients, wind, altitude, turbidity, etc. Biotic Components: Biotic components refer to all life in an ecosystem. Based on nutrition, biotic components can be categorized into autotrophs, heterotrophs and saprotrophs (or decomposers). Producers include all autotrophs such as plants. They are called autotrophs as they can produce food through the process of photosynthesis. Consequently, all other organisms higher up on the food chain rely on producers for food. Consumers or heterotrophs are organisms that depend on other organisms for food. Consumers are further classified into primary consumers, secondary consumers and tertiary consumers. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering  Primary consumers are always herbivores that they rely on producers for food. Secondary consumers depend on primary consumers for energy. They can either be a carnivore or an omnivore. Tertiary consumers are organisms that depend on secondary consumers for food. Tertiary consumers can also be an omnivore. Quaternary consumers are present in some food chains. These organisms’ prey on tertiary consumers for energy. Furthermore, they are usually at the top of a food chain as they have no natural predators. Decomposers include saprophytes such as fungi and bacteria. They directly thrive on the dead and decaying organic matter. Decomposers are essential for the ecosystem as they help in recycling nutrients to be reused by plants. Functions of an Ecosystem The functions of the ecosystem are as follows: It regulates the essential ecological processes, supports life systems and renders stability. It is also responsible for the cycling of nutrients between biotic and abiotic components. It maintains a balance among the various trophic levels in the ecosystem (Food chain relationships). It cycles the minerals through the biosphere (Biogeochemical/Nutrient cycle) The ecosystem maintains the biological diversity and stability of an ecosystem. Development and evolution of an ecosystem. To maintain the energy flow in the ecosystem is one of the main functions of an ecosystem. Homeostasis and feedback. Energy Flow in an Ecosystem Energy Flow through Food Chains: Energy after it is being accumulated by the primary producer is transferred through a food chain to different trophic levels. This phenomenon is called energy flow. According to Lindemann (1942), about 10% of total energy is transmitted, during flow of energy through several trophic levels. This is known as 10 % law. Energy Flow through Food Chains Energy after it is being accumulated by the primary producer is transferred through a food chain to different trophic levels. This phenomenon is called energy flow. According to Lindemann (1942), about 10% of total energy is transmitted, during flow of energy through several trophic levels. This is known as 10 % law. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering The trophic level interaction involves three concepts: Food Chain Food Web Ecological Pyramids FOOD CHAIN: The transfer of food energy from producers to consumers through a series of trophic level is known as food chain. Example: Grasses → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake→ Hawk/Eagle. Each step in the food chain is called trophic level. A food chain starts with producers and ends with top carnivores. The trophic level is the position of an organism, it occupies in a food chain. TYPES OF FOOD CHAINS: Grazing Food Chain: It starts from producers/green plants and goes to decomposers. The grassland and forest ecosystem follow this food chain. Grass → Grass Hopper → Snake → Eagle→ Decomposers Green Plants → Goat → Wolf → Lion Phytoplankton → zooplankton → small fish → large fish → Man (Aquatic Ecosystem) Detritus/Parasitic Food Chain: It starts from dead organic matter of decaying animals and plant bodies. Dead organic matter or detritus feeding organisms are called detrivores or decomposer. The detrivores are eaten by predators. The two food chains are linked as the initial energy source for detritus food chain is the waste materials and dead organic matter from the grazing food chain. Dead plants → soil mites’ → insects → lizard Dead organic matter → bacteria → protozoa – rotifers (minute aquatic species) In an aquatic ecosystem, grazing food chain is the major conduit for energy flow. As against this, in a terrestrial ecosystem, a much larger fraction of energy flows through the detritus food chain than through the grazing food chain. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering FOOD WEB: The interlocking pattern of various food chains in the ecosystem is known as food web. Many food chains are connected and overlapped because most consumers feed on multiple species and in turn are fed upon by multiple species. It is graphical representation of what-eats-what or who is eaten by whom in an ecological community. Energy Flow in Food Web: Grass → insects → fishes → birds → tigers Grass → insects → birds → tigers Grass → deer → tigers Grass → cattle → tigers Grass → rats → snakes→ eagles → tigers Grass → rats → eagles → tigers Difference between food chain and food web: If any of the intermediate food chain is removed, the succeeding links of the chain will be affected largely. The food web provides more than one alternative for food to most of the organisms in an ecosystem and therefore increases their chance of survival. Significance of food chains and food web Food chains and food webs play a very significant role in the ecosystem because the two most important functions of energy flow and nutrient cycling take place through them. The food chains also help in maintaining and regulating the population size of different animals and thus, help maintain the ecological balance. Food chains show a unique property of biological magnification of some chemicals. There are several pesticides such as DDT, heavy metals and other chemicals which are non-biodegradable in nature. Such chemicals are not decomposed by microorganisms and they keep on passing from one trophic level to another. And, at each successive trophic level, they keep on increasing in concentration. This is known as biomagnification or biological magnification. ECOLOGICAL PYRAMID It is the graphical representation of structure and function of trophic level of an ecosystem in the form of pyramid. In ecological pyramids, producers form the base and top carnivores form top of the pyramid. Other consumer trophic levels are in between. The pyramid consists of a number of horizontal bars depicting specific trophic levels. The length of each bar represents the total number of individuals or biomass or energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering The ecological pyramids are of three categories. Pyramid of numbers, Pyramid of biomass, and Pyramid of energy or productivity. Pyramid of Number: It represents the total number of individuals of different species at each trophic level. It may be upright and inverted in nature depending upon size of ecosystem. It is very difficult to count all the organisms, in a pyramid of numbers and so the pyramid of number does not completely define the trophic structure for an ecosystem. Pyramid of Numbers – Inverted: In this pyramid, the number of individuals is increased from lower level to higher trophic level. E.g., Tree ecosystem. Pyramid of Biomass: Pyramid of biomass is usually determined by collecting all organisms occupying each trophic level separately and measuring their dry weight. Pyramid of Biomass represents the total biomass available per unit area in each trophic level. It may be upright and inverted in nature. The biomass of a species is expressed in terms of fresh or dry weight. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering Pyramid of Biomass – Upright For most ecosystems on land, the pyramid of biomass has a large base of primary producers with a smaller trophic level perched on top. The biomass of producers (autotrophs) is at the maximum. The biomass of next trophic level i.e. primary consumers is less than the producers. The biomass of next higher trophic level i.e. secondary consumers is less than the primary consumers. The top, high trophic level has very less amount of biomass. Pyramid of Biomass – Inverted In contrast, in many aquatic ecosystems, the pyramid of biomass may assume an inverted form. [Pyramid of numbers for aquatic ecosystem is upright] This is because the producers are tiny phytoplankton that grow and reproduce rapidly. Here, the pyramid of biomass has a small base, with the consumer biomass at any instant actually exceeding the producer biomass and the pyramid assumes inverted shape. Pyramid of Energy: To compare the functional roles of the trophic levels in an ecosystem, an energy pyramid is most suitable. It represents the amount of energy available in each trophic level and loss of energy at each transfer to another trophic level. Hence, the pyramid is always upward, with a large energy base at the bottom. It follows a single channel energy flow model. At each trophic level, there is heavy loss of energy. Hence, there is a sharp decrease in energy at all level. Energy pyramid concept helps to explain the phenomenon of biological magnification – the tendency for toxic substances to increase in concentration progressively with higher trophic levels. ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION: It is defined as the process of the recovery of a degraded, damaged or destroyed ecosystem by re-establishing its structural characteristics, species composition and ecological processes. According to Society for Ecological Restoration International Science & Policy Working Group, 2004, BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. Broadly, ecological restoration as used here also encompasses activities that may be referred to as ecosystem rehabilitation or remediation. HUMAN ACTIVITIES FOOD Humans are dominant consumers. They affect food webs through energy production and agriculture, pollution, habitat destruction, over fishing and hunting. Also, their demands for food and shelter along with population growth, affecting soil and aquatic ecosystems. Due to climatic conditions, only 40% of the total area of the world can ever be used for cultivation of crops. Food is not coming from animal and plant sources, it also includes various edible fungi, and ambient bacteria that are used in the preparation of fermented foods such as bread, cheese, alcoholic drinks and yogurt etc. Modern agriculture technology has also created a number of problems. So, food safety is also a concern with food borne illness claiming many lives each year. World Food Problem During the last 50 years global grain production has increased almost three times, thereby increasing per capita production by about 50% but the population growth outstripped food production. Every year 40 million people die because of undernourishment and malnutrition. Undernourishment is lack of sufficient calories in available diet. As per standard data obtained from food and agricultural organization, the average minimum daily calories required per day are 2500 calories. People taking less than its 90% are said to be undernourished. Malnutrition is the lack or deficiency of specific nutrient of food, such as proteins, vitamins or certain essential elements. It is the consequence of improper diet. The effects of malnourishment are long term and result number of disease. SHELTER With increasing population, there is also increasing pressure on finite land resources for housing. Shelter for humans or habitat development on this earth has largely taken place within about 5% of land area, which supports more than half of global population. Both overcrowded unplanned urban settlements and unhygienic, underdeveloped rural settlements pose big challenges for the present and future generations. Fast depletion of natural resources, shrinking land, rising pollution levels and associated health problems have forced us to re- look at the structure and design of buildings by introducing environmental approach to buildings. There is an urgent need to apply the principles of sustainability to ‘built environment’. An integrated approach is thus required with inputs from various fields including architecture, engineering, science, technology, ecology and economics. Built environment should not just be viewed as structures created for providing shelter for humans; BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering rather these are to be viewed as dynamic interplay of spaces with judicious use for multiple purposes, which provide physical comfort and psychological satisfaction to the inhabitants, along with balanced ecological elements. AGRICULTURE For about 75 per cent duration of their existence on this earth, human beings have acted as hunter-gatherers. It was about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, when a cultural shift known as ‘Agricultural revolution’ took place in several regions of the world, which changed the life style of humans from wandering nomadic life to a settled life. People started domesticating animals and cultivating the plant species that were useful. Gradually, population increased and so did the demands for more food production. There was a need to increase the cropped land area and increase crop yield by using technological advancements. In order to feed the livestock, there was increasing demand for more grazing land. Intensive agricultural practices and overgrazing led to several offshoots that influenced our environment. Environmental impacts from unsustainable Agricultural practices include: Land conversion & habitat loss - The main impact from farming comes from clearing natural habitats for agriculture and aquaculture – especially for intensive monocultures. Wasteful water consumption - Excessive water use for agriculture is leaving rivers, lakes and underground water sources dry in many irrigated areas. The main causes of wasteful and unsustainable water use are: leaky irrigation systems wasteful field application methods cultivation of thirsty crops not suited to the environment Soil erosion and degradation - Erosion commonly occurs conversion of natural vegetation to agricultural land – carrying away fertile soil as well as fertilizers, pesticides and other agrochemicals. Pollution - Agriculture is the leading source of pollution in many countries. The use of Pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals has increased hugely. Due to inappropriate water management and irrigation technology, fertilizers and pesticides also commonly run-off from fields to adjacent rivers and lakes and contaminate groundwater sources. These chemicals eventually end up in the marine environment too. Climate change - Farming practices, livestock, and clearing of land for agriculture are significant contributors to the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. For example, rice production is one of the single-largest producers of methane, while the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently stated that the livestock sector alone is responsible for 18% of all greenhouse gas production. Genetic erosion - The replacement of traditional and local crops and farm animals with more genetically uniform, modern varieties has caused the genetic erosion of crops and livestock species around the world. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering HOUSING Housing involves dwellings of living beings in the form of group housing, office buildings; Multi storied buildings, shopping malls, Township etc. Various sources of pollution generated in housing activities are: Indoor Sources of Pollutants Air conditioner provides good temperature for fungal and other bacterial growth. Fumes generated from kitchen appliances such as gas stove, cooker, heater, blower, over causes air pollution. Other appliances such as T.V., radio, fan, cooler etc. cause noise pollution. Materials used for decoration such as varnishes, paints, coated wall papers etc create air pollution. Outdoor Sources of Pollutants Building construction material such as cement, sand, steel, gravel, marbles, aluminium etc causes water and soil pollution. Shops producing ozone from photocopier machine, tobacco smoke, Freon using as solvent in industries causes air pollution. MINING Mining is done to extract minerals (or fossil fuels) from deep deposits in soil by using subsurface mining or from shallow deposits by surface mining. The former method is more destructive, dangerous and expensive including risks of occupational hazards and accidents. Surface mining can make use of any of the following three types: Open-pit mining in which machines dig holes and remove the ores (e.g., copper, iron, gravel, limestone, sandstone, marble, granite). Dredging in which chained buckets and draglines are used which scrap up the minerals from under-water mineral deposits. Strip mining in which the ore is stripped off by using bulldozers, power shovels and stripping wheels (e.g., phosphate rocks). The environmental damage caused by mining activities are: Water pollution -- Mining can have adverse effects on surrounding surface and ground water if protective measures are not taken. The result can be unnaturally high concentrations of some chemicals, such as arsenic, sulfuric acid, and mercury over a significant area of surface or subsurface. Runoff of mere soil or rock debris - although non-toxic- also devastates the surrounding vegetation. Deforestation - The deforestation due to mining may be small compared to the total amount it may lead to species extinction if there is a high level of local endemism. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering Subsidence – Mining can cause subsidence of land. For Example, salt mining and salt dome collapsing in Assumption Parish, Louisiana caused the Bayou Corne sinkhole in 2012. As of August 2013, the sinkhole continues to expand. Air pollution -- Mining can produce hazardous gas. For Example, Mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen in a mine can cause suffocation. Dangers to miners -Miners continue to die annually, either through direct accidents in coal mines or through adverse health consequences from working under poor conditions. Chronic lung diseases, such as pneumoconiosis (black lung) were once common in miners, leading to reduced life expectancy. In some mining countries black lung is still common, TRANSPORTATION AND INDUSTRIES Emission/Air pollution -This creates air pollution, including nitrous oxides, CO2, SOx and particulates. Global warming – It is a significant contributor to global warming through emission of carbon dioxide, for which transport is the fastest-growing emission sector. By subsector, road transport is the largest contributor to global warming. Health impact - The health impact of transport emissions is also of concern. A recent survey of the studies on the effect of traffic emissions on pregnancy outcomes has linked exposure to emissions to adverse effects on gestational duration and possibly also intrauterine growth. Deforestation – Construction activities like, construction of bridges, stations, roads, Flyovers take place in almost every part of the world. These construction causes deforestation. Traffic congestion - Other environmental impacts of transport systems include traffic congestion and automobile-oriented urban sprawl, which can consume natural habitat and agricultural lands. Noise Pollution -- Large number of vehicles on roads, airplanes flying over houses, underground trains produce heavy noise and people get it difficult to get accustomed to that. The high noise leads to a situation wherein a normal person loses the ability to hear properly. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SECURITY Economic stability and social security both are important factors in happiness. When the economy is stable and predictable, people can plan and invest for their own and their children's futures. They foster trust in others and institutions while promoting innovation and strengthening social ties. The environmental impact of economic growth includes the increased consumption of non-renewable resources, higher levels of pollution, global warming and the potential loss of environmental habitats. However, not all forms of economic growth cause damage to the environment. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering “Social Security” denotes a complex of public or semi-public institutions to protect individuals against common life risks, namely old age, survivorship, disability, sickness, unemployment, medical care, maternity, and cost of children. ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) EIA is an important management tool for ensuring optimal use of natural resources for developmental activities with the best combination of cost and benefits of the proposed project. Objective of EIA: The objective of EIA is to identify, predict and evaluate the economic, environmental and social impact of developmental activities and taking necessary steps as a remedy as a part of the overall environmental management. In other words, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impacts that a proposed project may have on the environment, consisting of the environmental, social and economic aspects. It may be defined as “widely accepted tool to ensure sustainable development with minimum environmental degradation”. Steps of EIA Process Screening Scoping EIA Report Information Decision Monitoring of the project & consultation making The first step in EIA process is to determine whether the project falls within the Jurisdiction of relevant acts. Screening and Prediction, evaluation and assessment of the environmental impact of the project. If project is likely to create any environmental disruption, an EIA is undertaken and Environment Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared. Decision is taken to accept or reject the project. Scope of EIA Large proposals such as airports or ship yards cause wide ranging national as well as international environmental effects, which should be taken into consideration during the decision-making process. Broadening the scope of EIA can also benefit the conservation of threatened species. Instead of concentrating on the direct effects of a proposed project on its local environment some EIA is used as a landscape approach which focused on much broader relationships between the entire populations. Methods available to carry out EIA There are various methods available to carry out EIA some are industry specific and some general methods: Industrial products - Product environmental life cycle analysis is used for identifying and measuring the impact of industrial products on the environment. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering  Genetically modified plants - There are specific methods available to perform EIAs of genetically modified plants. Fuzzy Arithmetic - EIA methods need specific parameters and variables to be measured to estimate values of impact indicators. Significance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in India The significance of EIA is: It is the Government policy that any industrial project has to obtain EIA clearence from the Ministry of environment before the submission of the project to the planning commission. EIA is a potentially useful tool to maintain the environment - natural and social. EIA is more than technical reports; it is a means to a larger intention – the protection and improvement of the environmental quality of life. In India, the Ministry of environment and forest (MOEF) guides and control the EIA process through the State Pollution Control Boards. EIA Methodology The detailed EIA Methodology is as follows: BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering Fig. Showing: Flowchart indicating the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, as adapted for DSM (Diagnosis and statistical Management); EMP = environmental management plan; RA = risk assessment. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Sustainable development refers to a mode of human development in which resource use aims to meet human needs while ensuring the sustainability of natural systems and the environment, so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come. Definition: In 1987, the United Nations released the Brundtland Report, which included what is now one of the most widely recognised definitions: "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Agenda 21 Agenda 21, adopted during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) called Earth Summit held in Brazil (1992), which proposes a global plan of action on sustainable development in social, economic and environmental context for 21st century is a blue print to achieve sustainable development. Agenda 21 is a blue print which explains how to make any development socially, economically and environmentally sustainable i.e., it is the pathway to achieve the sustainable development. Conditions for Sustainable Development The necessary conditions for achieving sustainable development are: Social Equity There should be an equilibrium condition in the society among the same generation within and between nation and between two different generations. Economical Equity: The technology should address to the problem of the developing countries, so that the technological growth should support the economic growth of poor countries and lead to sustainability. Ecological Security: If any development process protects our biodiversity, decreases soil erosion and increases forest area, then it brings ecological security. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering  Three Pillars of Sustainable Development Objectives of Sustainable Development: Conservation of biodiversity Population stabilization Promote use of renewable energy resources Renovation, recycling and reuse of wastes Control and prevention of air, water and soil pollution To increase forest cover Elimination of poverty and deprivation Environment education and awareness at all levels It should give benefit to all BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering Measurement of Sustainability: The primary needs of sustainable development are: Environmental awareness. Modified eco-friendly technology. Determination and will at the individual, national and international level. Cooperation and coordination. Challenges to sustainable development There are several challenges threaten progress towards sustainable development goals. These are as follows: Modern life style using a large number of electrical gadgets in everyday life. Industries using a big proportion of energy. A large amount of waste generation which has to be disposed of properly using energy based Technique. Control of pollution which need energy dependent technologies. BAS-104/BAS-204 Environment & Ecology GCET, Greater Noida ofElectriEngineering