EVS II SEM BLOCK 2 PDF

BLOCK 2-Chapter 4 BIO- DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION Introduction: The concept of Biodiversity first appeared in 1980. The word “Biodiversity” is shortened form of two words “Biological” and “Diversity”. Definition: Biodiversity can be defined as “ the vast array of species of micro org...

BLOCK 2-Chapter 4 BIO- DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION Introduction: The concept of Biodiversity first appeared in 1980. The word “Biodiversity” is shortened form of two words “Biological” and “Diversity”. Definition: Biodiversity can be defined as “ the vast array of species of micro organisms, algae, fungi, plants and animals occurring in the earth either in the terrestrials or aquatic habitats and the ecological complexes of which they are a part”. According to the United Nations Earth Summit (1992), biodiversity is defined as “the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystem”. Biodiversity ty occurs at different levels. Some of them are; 1. Genetic Diversity 2. Species Diversity 3. Ecosystem/Community Diversity Genetic diversity: Genetic diversity is the biological variation that occurs within species. It makes it possible for species to adapt when the environment changes. Gene-based diversity is known as genetic diversity. Because of these genetic differences, formation of sub species, varieties, races, strains etc are observed. Eg: Varieties of Mangoes, wheat, Rice Etc. Species Diversity: Species diversity is related to variety in the number and richness of the species within a region. The number of different species in a particular area and their relative abundance abundance. 1|Page Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T  Eg: The big cats ; Tiger (Panthera Tigris), Lion (Panthera Leo) and Snow leopard (Panthera Uncia)belong to the same genus panther nut they all differ at the species level. Ecosystem Diversity: Ecosystem diversity is the variety of habitats, the communities found in a geographic location, the beneficial services they provide, an andd the processes that support the ecosystem. BIO-GEOGRAPHICAL GEOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION OF INDIA: Bio-geographical geographical classification into Ten Bio Bio-geographical geographical zones. This classification is based on geography climate, soil, pattern of vegetation and communities of invertebrates, amphibians, insects, reptiles, birds and mammals. The Ten Bio-geographical classification: assification: 1. Trans-Himalayan Zone: The Himalayas consists sts of the youngest mountain chains in the world. The Himalayas have attained a unique feature of its own due to its high altitude, steep gradient and rich temperate flora. The Himalayas are extended d to the Tibetian plateau. The Himalayan region present to the North of the Great Himalayan range are called the trans trans-Himalayas. It accounts for 5.7% of the India's land mass. The high attitude cold deserts of Ladakh and Lahaul Spiti of Himachal Prades Pradesh h are found in this region. The trans-Himalayan Himalayan region has very little vegetation. It has the wild sheep and goat community living in this region. Snow leopards are also found. Along with these, migratory black black--necked crane is found. 2. Himalayan Zone: The Himalayas imalayas form the northern boundaries of India. The entire mountain chain is running from Kashmir in the North-west west to Assam in the North North-east. The Himalayas cover 7.2% of India's land mars and harbors diverse range of biotic provinces and biomass. The forests ests of this zone are very dense with tall evergreen trees and extensive growth of grass. Oak, chestnut, conifer, pine and deodar are the common types of trees found in this region. Vegetation is not found above the snow line. Several type of animals livee in this region. They include wild sheep, mountain goats, Ibex shrew and Tapir. Snow leopard and panda are also found. 3. Desert Zone: The extremely dry area west of the Aravali Hill range consists of (i) Salty desert of Gujarat and (ii) Sandy desert of Rajasthan.Desert zone occupy around 6.9% of India's land mass. The types of desert found in the India are; 1) The desert of western Rajasthan 2) The desert of Gujarat 3) High-altitude altitude cold desert of JJammu, Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh 2|Page Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T The Indian desert has more diversified iversified fauna. The plants grown here are most xerophytic in nature. Babul, kikar, wild palm grows in these areas.The endangered bird Bustard is found here. Camels, wild asses snakes and foxes are found in hot and arid parts of the desert. 4. Semi-Arid Zone: Generally, the areas adjoining to the desert are referred as semi semi-arid arid zone. In India, the transitional zone between the desert and the dense forest of western Ghats represent the semi semi-arid zone. In this semi-arid arid zone, thorn forest is the natural vegetation. The characteristic feature of the semi- semi arid zone vegetation is the presence of discontinuous vegetation cover with open area of bare soil and throughout the year one can observe the deficit of soil water. Thorny shrubs, grasses, bamboos, xeroph xerophytic ytic herbs and ephemeral herbs are found here. Birds, Eagles, Snakes, fox, jackals, buffaloes and leopards etc are the types of animals found in the semi semi-arid area. 5. Western Ghats: Western Ghats constitute one of the unique biological regions of the world. The Western Ghats are mountain range that runs along the western Coast of India. The western ghats extend from the southern tip of peninsula northwards about 1600 Km to mouth of river Tapi ie,. from Southern tip of Gujarath in the north to Kanyakumari in the South. This ghat section covers an extremly diverse range of biotic provinces and biomes. It covers about 5.8% of the India’s land mass. The varied climate and diverse topography is for responsible wide variety of habitats which support unique sets of plants and animals. Besides this rich biological diversity, the region has high levels of cultural diversity as the forests arc inhabited by many indigenous people, As a result, western Ghats are amongst the 25 biodiversity hotspots of the world. These wes western Ghats are known for the high levels of endemism. These endemic plants are associated with the evergreen forests of the area. 6. Deccan Plateua Zone: It is a large triangular plateau south of the Narmada valley. Three sides of the plateau are ccovered by mountains slopes towards east; Satpura Mountains cover the north while western Ghats covers the west side and Eastern Ghats cover the eastern side of the plateau. It covers approximately 15.6% of the country's land mass. The western and Eastren G Ghats hats meet each other at the Nilgiri hills. The western Ghat includes Sahyadri, Nilgiris, Anamalai and Cardamom Hills. Rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and kaveri originate from Western Ghats and flow eastwards. The Eastern Ghats are broken into smal small hill ranges by the rivers coming from the Western Ghats. Most of these rivers culminate in the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari is the longest river in the Deccan plateau. The Narmada and Tapi flow westwards and reach the Arabian Sea. The entire zone is cover covered ed mostly with deciduous trees. 3|Page Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T  7. Gangetic Plain Zone: The largest unit of the great plain of lndia is the Gangetic plain zone. This plain covers the area between the south Himalayas to the tropic of cancer. It covers about 11% of the country's landmass. Ganga Gan is the main river of this plain. River Ganga covers about 72.4mha area and the river Brahmaputra forms the main drainage axes in the major portion. The alluvial sediment thickness is maximum in the plains of Ganga. The physio-geographic physio scenery varies from arid and semi-arid arid landscapes of Rajasthan plains to the humid and pre humid landscapes of the delta and Assam valley in the east. This plain supports the highest population densities depending upon purely agro-based agro economy of these regions. Teak, Sal, Shisham Mahua and Khair are some of the varieties of trees found in the forests of this plain. 8. North-East Zone: North-east east zone consists of the plains and non non-Himalayan ranges of north eastern India. It covers about 5.2% of the India land mass. It has several species of orchids, Bamboos, ferns, etc. In this zone, wild relatives of cultivated plants such as banana, mango, citrus and pepper are grown. 9. Coastal Zone: India has over 7,516.4 km of coastline. The west coast and East coast of India varies in their characteristics and structural features. The west coast is narrow with the exception of Gulf of cambay and Gulf of Kutch. The west coast becomes a bit wider towards extreme south along tthe south of Sahyadri. The west coast is known for its charming scenic backwaters. In contrast to the west coast, the east coast is broader and it is due to the deposition of soil from the east flowing rivers that has lead to the change in the base levels. In this coast, the characteristic feature is the formation of extensive delta of the rivers-Godavari, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri. Along the estuarine tracts, Mangrove, vegetation is a typical characteristic feature. Fertile soil cover is present over larger parts ofthe coastal plains. All along the coast line, coconut trees grow and rice is the main crop of this area.Along with coconut, rubber is the main vegetation of the coastal area. The main states found on the coastal area of India are - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamilnadu and Pudicherry. 10. Islands: Geographically, India ha. two groups of Islands namely the Arabian sea and the Bay Islands. Both groups of islands differ significantly is origin an andd physical characteristics. The Arabian Sea Islands (Laccadive, mini coy etc) are founded by the remnants of the old land mass lending to coral formation. 4|Page Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T Some of the islands of this area are fringed with coral reefs and many of them are covered with thick forests. On the other hand, the Bay Islands lay only for about 220km. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal has about 300 big and small islands. Among these, only five islands are inhabited. Tribal people are found only on island of Nicobar Nicobar.. These Islands have a highly diverse set of Biomes and occupy 0.03% of India's biomass. HOTSPOTS OF BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA: Hotspots are those regions of rich biodiversity which have been declared sensitive due to direct or indirect interference of human aactivities. ctivities. The concept of hotspot was first developed by Norman Meyers in 1988. Four main criteria for the classification of Hotspots : 1. Rich species diversity 2. Number of endemic species 3. Degree of threat in terms of habitat loss and 4. Degree of exploitation Hotspots of India: 1. The Himalayas: Considered the highest in the world, the Himalayas (overall) comprise North-East East India, Bhutan, Central and Eastern parts of Nepal. This region (NE Himalayas) holds a record of having 163 endangered species which includes the Wild Asian Water Buffalo, One-horned horned Rhino; and as many as plant species. 2. Indo-Burma:Indo-Burma Burma region includes entire North North-Eastern Eastern India, except Assam and Andaman group of islands. The hotspot has an incredible geographic diversity, ranging from the tallest peak in Southeast Asia to coastlines along the Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, Gulf of Thailand, and South China Sea. 3. Western Ghats and Srilanka Srilanka:It includes the entire Western Ghatss and Srilanka areas. The Western Ghats are present along the western edge of peninsular India and cover most of the deciduous forests and rain forests. As per UNESCO, it is home to at least 325 globally threatened flora, fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile an and fish species. 4. Sundalands :Sundaland Sundaland consists of Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands. The Sundaland hotspot lies in Southeast Asia and covers Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia. In the year 2013, the Sundaland was declared as a World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations. This region is famous for its rich terrestrial and marine ecosystem. Sundaland is one of the biologically richest hotspots in the world. 5|Page Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T India as a mega bio diversity nation nation: India is considered a mega mega-biodiversity biodiversity nation due to its immense variety of ecosystems and species. It harbors approximately 8% of the world's recorded biodiversity, including unique habitats like tropical rainforests, mangroves, and alpine meadows. With iconic biodiversity hotspots tspots such as the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas, India is home to numerous endemic species and globally significant populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plants. This biodiversity provides crucial ecosystem services, supports traditional livelihoods, and contributes to scientific research and pharmaceutical discoveries. However, conservation efforts are essential to mitigate threats such as habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and unsustainable resource use. THREATS OF BIODIVERSITY: Man is guise of development has been directly or indirectly is involved in the destruction of the environment. So any direct or indirect human activity that results in destruction and becomes a threat to the survival of organisms can be called as threat to biodiversity. A list of human activities that are acting as threats to biodiversity are; 1. Extinction: The most obvious loss of biodiversity is the process of extinction. "When no more individual of a taxonomic group survive, either wit within hin a specified part of their range or forever lost across their entire range" can be called as extinction. 2. Pollution: "Contamination of the natural environment" is pollution. Since industrial revolution the input of organic and inorganic substances into the environment by anthropogenic (Human) activities has become a major growing threat to biodiversity. 3. Global climate change Organisms interact with their environment and any change in environment acts as a key Introduced species.Environment nvironment acts as a key determinant whether an organism thrives or becomes extinct. So, perhaps the most crucial mechanism of environmental is global climate change. Fluctuations such as slight changes in average daily temperature, duration of rainy season, night time temperature, the solar radiation etc can affect any biological organism. Human activities that affect global climatic change includes;  Production of air pollutants from source such as fossil fuel combustion and burning of forest.  Agricultural activities results are reducing available forests from slash and bum agriculture and 6|Page Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T   Release of methane methane-a potent greenhouse gas from livestock. Apart from the above some other Threats are: Habitat Loss: Habitat loss occurs when natural habitats are destroyed or fragmented due to human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure development. It diminishes available space for wildlife, reduces biodiversity, and disrupts ecological balan balance, ce, leading to population declines and species extinctions. Poaching of Wildlife: Poaching involves the illegal hunting, capturing, or killing of wild animals for commercial gain, food, or traditional medicine. It depletes populations of endangered species species, disrupts ecosystems, and undermines conservation efforts, leading to biodiversity loss and ecological imbalance. Biological Invasions:: Biological invasions occur when non non-native native species are introduced to new environments, often due to human activities susuch ch as trade and travel. Invasive species can outcompete native species, spread diseases, and alter ecosystems, resulting in biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, and economic damage. Mining and Dam Construction:: Mining and dam construction involve the ex extraction of natural resources and alteration of river ecosystems, respectively. These activities cause habitat destruction, water pollution, and fragmentation of landscapes, leading to biodiversity loss, displacement of communities, and disruption of ecolo ecological processes. ENDANGERED & ENDEMIC SPECIES 1.Endangered species: Endangered species are the organisms whose number have reduced drastically and if not conserved will become extinct. The two examples of endangered species are Amur tiger, red panda and Asiatic elephant, snow leopard, blue whale etc. a. Endemic species: Endemic species is that ecological state of a species where a species is unique to a defined geographical location.Endemic species are those that are found in just one region and nowhere else in the world. For example, Asiatic Lion in Gir Forest Forest, kangaroos are originally endemic to Australia and are found nowhere else in the world. Techniques of conservation: IN SITU Conservation 7|Page Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T  It is the method of conserving all the living species, especially the wild and endangered species in their natural habitats and environment environment. In-situ situ conservation of Biodiversity includes biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, etc. The main purpose of in-situ situ conservation is to enable biodiversity rsity conservation within the same ecosystem it belongs to. In--situ situ management approaches can either be targeted at populations of selected species (species--centred) or whole ecosystems (ecosystem-based). based). Exsitu Conservation Ex situ conservation is the technique hnique of conservation of all levels of biological diversity outside their natural habitats through different techniques like zoo, captive breeding, aquarium, botanical garden, and gene bank.  The prime goal of this technique is to adequately backing conserconservation strategies by guaranteeing the existence of vanishing and threatened taxa/species and the maintenance of allied genetic diversity thereof.  It further supports the idea of reintroduction of species in its natural or original habitat as the species under nder varying threat perception are preserved in safe custody till the casual factors threatening their survival in the wild have been return to normal and the reintroduction becomes possible. The conservation of coastal and mangrove ecosystems The conservation of coastal and mangrove ecosystems is critical due to their invaluable ecological, economic, and social significance. Coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, provide vital habitat for numerous species, protect coastlines from erosion and stor stormm surges, and support local livelihoods through fishing, tourism, and resource extraction. Mangroves, in particular, act as nurseries for marine life, sequester carbon, and mitigate climate change impacts by absorbing floodwaters and trapping sediment. Con Conservation servation efforts typically involve establishing protected areas, implementing sustainable management practices, restoring degraded habitats, raising awareness, and engaging local communities in stewardship initiatives. By conserving coastal and mangrove ecosystems, cosystems, we can safeguard biodiversity, enhance resilience to climate change, and being of both human communities and the environment. sustain the well-being Afforestation: Afforestation is the process of planting large numbers of trees on land which has few o or no trees on it. Afforestation is the establishment of a forest or stand of trees in an area where there was no 8|Page Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T  recent tree cover.In comparison, reforestation means re-establishing establishing forest that have either been cut down or lost due to natural causes, such as fire, storm, etc. Deforestation Deforestation is the purposeful clearing of forested land. Cutting Down tress. Throughout history and into modern times, forests have been razed to make space for agriculture and animal grazing, and to obtain wood for fuel, manufacturing, and construction. Deforestation has greatly altered landscapes around the world. Deforestation can be defined as the large-scale scale removal of trees from forests (or other lands) for the facilitation of human activities. It is a serious environmental concern since it can result in the loss of biodiversity, damage to natural habitats, disturbances in the water cycle, and soil erosion. Rainwater harvesting : Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rain, rather than allowing it to run off. Rainwater is collected from a roof roof-like like surface and redirected to a tank, cistern, deep pit (well, shaft, or borehole), aquifer, or a reservoir with percolation, so that it seeps down and restores the ground water. It is seen that in urban areas complete concretization of land in the form of buildings, roads, footpath, etc., has left too little earth exposed for rain water to soak in. Thus, the water flows into the drains and moves into the natural water bodies[rivers/lake or sea] or reservo reservoir. If this water were to stay longer on the land, it would seep into ground and recharge ground water.This is becoming popular method of water conservation. Rain water harvesting is the conservation technique of collecting rain water and storing it in ta tanks nks for future use or putting it back to soil to recharge the groundwater. Techniques of Rainwater Harvesting There are two main techniques of rainwater harvesting: 1. Surface rain water harvesting 2. Rain water harvesting to recharge the ground water 1. Surface rain water harvesting 9|Page Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T In this method of harvesting, the roof is used as the catchment area and surface or ground water tanks are used as the storage area. Steps Involved in Surface RainWater Harvesting: 1. As roof is used as the catchment area, roof surface must be kept clean. 2. The first rain water is not harvested as it is likely to contain suspended material. 3. Once the roof gets cleaned, the water from the roof is directed intoprimary filtration unit. This unit consists of a wire mesh to remove theunw theunwanted anted suspended materials. 4. The water from primary filtration unit is directed into secondary filtration unit. In this unit, chemical treatment of water is done with potassium permanganate or chlorine. This purifies the water. 5. The filtered and purified wate water is then stored in the store tanks. 6. The storage tanks should not be directly exposed to sunlight to pre pre-vent vent the growth of algae. 7. Depending on the storage capacity, this water can be used for days or months. 2. Rain water harvesting to recharge the ground water Groundwater recharge is a hydrologic process where water moves downward from surface water to groundwater. In this method of rain water harvesting, the water collected from the roofs or rain water flouring on the ground is directed into pits, dug wells, lls, trenches, etc., to increase the ground water table. Importance of rain water harvesting a) Rain water harvesting helps the environment by reducing floodingand soil erosion. b) Rain water harvesting reduces the dependence on corporation/municipal water and there by reduces the water bills. c) Rain water harvesting reduces the demand on ground water d) Rain harvested water can be used for non non-drinking purposes as well e) Rain harvested water can be used for plant growth purpose as well. SOIL CONSERVATION Soil conservation tion is a combination of practices used to protect the soil from degradation Soil conservation is the prevention of loss of the topmost layer of the soil from erosion or prevention of reduced fertility caused by over usage, acidification, salinization or other chemical soil contamination. Soil degradation is caused by a number of factors, including: 10 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T   wind and water erosion.. E.g., on bare soils after maize and wheat harvesting  compaction.. E.g., through heavy machinery used, especially tractors (as opposed to intentional soil compacting machinery, such as wheel rollers)  deforestation.. E.g., to make space for housing, animal rearing, etc.  poor agricultural practices practices. E.g., insufficient irrigation, monocultures.  chemical changes. E.g., loss of phosphorous, pH differentials Soil conservation includes contour plowing and leaving fields uncultivated to regenerate. In addition to preventing soil degradation, soil conservation also seeks to improve soil fertility by adding organic matter and controlling pests and diseases. By increasing the productivity of the land, soil conservation helps to ensure that future generatio generations ns will be able to enjoy the benefits of a healthy and productive natural environment. Ecosystem Values(Eco system Services Services) : Ecosystems have value because they maintain life on Earth and the services needed to satisfy human material and nonmaterial nee needs. ds. In addition, many people ascribe ecological, socio cultural, or intrinsic values to the existence of ecosystems and species. Ecosystem Values or services are the goods and services that biodiversity provides. They include soil formation, the provision of food and fibre, air quality and climate regulation, the regulation of water supply and quality and the cultural and aesthetic value of certain plants and species. Benefits provided by the ecosystem to humans. Biodiversity provides ecological life support. It actively supports functioning ecosystems that provide oxygen, pest control, plant pollination, clean air and water, wastewater treatment and a variety of other ecosystem services. Ecosystem Values: Ecological values Economic values Social Values Ethical values Aesthetic Values Ecological Values: Biodiversity provides ecological life support. It actively supports functioning ecosystems that provide oxygen, pest control, plant pollination, clean air and water, wastewater treatment and a variety off other ecosystem services. Economic Values: 11 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T  Food production relies on biodiversity for a variety of food plants, pollination, pest control, nutrient provision, genetic diversity, and disease prevention and control. Both medicinal plants and manufactured pharmaceuticals rely on biodiversity. Social Values: There can be direct or indirect values of biodiversity. Direct values include consumptive use value and productive use-value, value, whereas indirect values include social values. Social values include cultural, al, spiritual, aesthetic and recreational values of biodiversity. Ethical values: It is based on the principle of 'live and let others live'. Ethical values related to biodiversity conservation are based on the importance of protecting all forms of life. All forms of life have the right to exist on earth. Man is only a small part of the Earth's great family of species. Aesthetic Values: The aesthetic experience of biodiversity is the act of appreciating and feeling beauty through the observation of a species, an assemblage of species or an ecosystem. This aesthetic experience is central to our relationship with nature, and to our motivations to protect it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- 12 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T BLOCK 2-Chapter 5 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLU POLLUTION Environmental Pollution and its Management The term environment means surroundings. Air, atmosphere, water, hydrosphere and land lithosphere are the components of environment. A fine balance of interdependence occurs between life forms and environment. This balance is disturbed by the addition of certain substances my man in his quest to improve the quality of his life. This very human act of contaminating the eenvironment nvironment and disturbing the ecological balance can be called environmental pollution. The contamination of the environment by the addition of undesirable substances produced by human activities which cause damage to the living organisms is called environmental pollution. The undesirable substance that is added is called pollutant. Causes for environmental pollution: Many factors are responsible to cause pollution as stated by the following biologists: According to WRITE(1970) human greed and igno ignorance rance have allowed our culture to develop an ecological crisis like pollution. According to Southwick(1976) human population explosion is the main cause of pollution. Thus factors such as human population explosion, rapid industrialization, unplanned urba urbanization, deforestation etc are responsible for the environmental pollution. The pollution has invaded all the three components of the environment.Thus we have air pollution ,water pollution and soil pollution There are few more norms of pollutions such as marine pollution, noise pollution ,thermal pollution ,radioactive pollution. Air Pollution: Air or atmosphere is a mixture of gases existing as a thin layer around the earth. The contamination of air by the addition of unwanted gases or solid waste intinto o the atmosphere is air pollution. The human activities are releasing the pollutants into the atmosphere resulting in the contamination of air. Broadly the sources of air pollution are classified into two types natural or anthropogenic. Natural sources of air pollution includes the volcanoes, forest fire ,pollen and spores of bacteria ,fungi. 13 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T Human activities leading to air pollution are termed as anthropogenic. Combustion of fossil fuel in automobiles and coal industries ,mining ,various types of industri industries es are responsible for adding the unwanted gas or particulate matter into the environment leading to its pollution. Causes of Air Pollution: Complete,combustion of burning fossil fuels and domestic combustion,thermal power stations and volcanic cruptions releases eleases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Incomplete combustion of petrol and petroleum products used predominantly in automobiles,factories,coalmines,forestfires,furnaces,burningcigerattes produce monoxide. Nitrogen oxide is produced by the incomplete ccombination ombination of petroleum products in automobiles, diesel driven vehicles ,power plants etc. Emission of burning fuel in furnaces and industries produces sulfur oxides. Evaporation of petrol /diesel from the carburettors as components of vehicular exhausts h hydro ydro carbons such as benzene Benzypyrene and methane are produced. Coolants of refrigerators,propellent gases of deodrants,insecticides are sources of chloofluro carbons. Soot obtained from incomplete burning of hydro carbons,smoke obtained from burning of fossil fuel and wood,fly ash ,dust obtained from various industries, spores and pollen grains are the source of particulate matter. When this particulate matter is less than 10 mm in size they suspend in air. These are called suspended particulate matter (SPM). Effects of air pollution A variety of air pollutants have known or suspected harmful effects on human health and the environment. In most areas, these pollutants are principally the products of combustion from space heating, power generation or from m motor vehicle traffic. Pollutants from these sources may not only prove a problem in the immediate vicinity of these sources but can travel long distances. The table below shows the types of health effects experienced by the most common pollutants at elevated levels: Pollutant Health effects at very high levels Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulphur These gases irritate the airways of the lungs, increasing the symptoms of Dioxide, Ozone those suffering from lung diseases 14 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T Particles Fine particles can be carried deep into the lungs where they can cause inflammation and a worsening of heart and lung diseases Carbon Monoxide This gas prevents the uptake of oxygen by the blood. This can lead to a significant reduction in the supply of oxygen to the heart, particular particularly in people suffering from heart disease. Air pollution control measures: We have seen the different causes of air pollution through human activities. Their adverse effects on the environment and health are also discussed. Now, it is time to see how we can prevent air pollution by taking control measures of air pollution. Air pollution can be reduced only if there is a collective effort from everyone’s side. There are 10 different ways given below that help in the control of air pollution. 1. Use of Public Transport: The burning of fossil fuels is one of the most important causes of air pollution. If most people use public transport, then the number of vehicles on the road decreases and thereby decreases the burning of fossil fuels. The less burning of fu fuels els leads to less amount of greenhouse gases being emitted which in turn reduces global warming. 2. Reduce the Consumption of Electricity: We can reduce the electricity consumption in our homes by switching off the lights and appliances when not in use. Electricity is produced from the burning of fossil fuels in some places. Hence, reducing electricity consumption can greatly reduce air pollution. 3. Recycling and Reuse of Products: Some of the products which are thrown away after use can be recycled and reused for a cleaner environment. It takes less energy to recycle than manufacturing the same products and thereby reducing the chemical emissions. 4. Avoid Plastic Bags: Plastic bags are becoming a curse to the environment. Most of the plastic bags are nott recyclable and reused. It takes a long time to decompose into the soil. Also the burning of plastic releases poisonous gases into the air. The plastic gas can be replaced by paper bags which can be decomposed easily. 5. Avoid Burning of Plastics: Burning of plastics and other similar materials release poisonous gases in the atmosphere which worsens the condition of the air. Make use of the waste management plans by the government to dispose of plastic materials. 15 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T 6. Avoid Air Conditioners and Use Fans: The heat released by the air conditioner into the atmosphere is greater than the heat it absorbs from the room. This greater heat released into the air causes global warming. The freon gas which is used as a refrigerant causes the depletion of ozone layers wh which prevents the harmful ultraviolet rays from reaching the surface of the earth. 7. Use Filters in Chimneys: The smoke released from chimneys contains air pollutants that worsen the quality of air. However, using filters in chimneys can prevent air pollut pollutants ants from reaching the earth's atmosphere to a greater extent. 8. Avoid Crackers and Fireworks: The burning of crackers and fireworks causes air pollution. During festivals, the use of large amounts of fireworks and crackers worsen the quality of air and ccan cause poor visibility. 9. Reduce the Use of Chemicals: The chemicals released into the atmosphere can act as air pollutants. The toxic pollutants are released from body sprays, paints which pollute the air at a greater rate. 10. Planting more Trees: The plants can purify the air by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during the time of photosynthesis. This reduces the greenhouse effect and thereby decreases air pollution again. Planting more trees also helps to avoid global warming. Water pollution: Water pollution is the contamination of water sources by substances which make the water unusable for drinking, cooking, cleaning, swimming, and other activities activities.. Pollutants include chemicals, trash, bacteria, and parasites. All forms of pollution ev eventually entually make their way to water. Pollution of the water occurs from three sources:  Industrial effluents  Domestic Sewage  Agricultural waste 1.Industrial effluents: Chemical waste released by industrial units into the water bodies are called industrial effluents.Every possible type of industry releases its wastes into the water and pollutes it.These effluents contain acids,alkalies,florides,phenols,metals like mercury,lead,cadmium,zincetc and many other organic and inorganic substances. 2.Domestic Sewage: Waste water containing human and animal excreta,foodresidues,organic waste from tennaries and canning industry and discharges from commercial establishments connected to publish sewage system called domestic sewage. 16 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T 3.Agricultural waste: In agriculture,chemicals hemicals are used as fertilizers and pesticides.Many of the pesticides are non biogradable.i.e they persist in environment harming organismsand affecting human health.Run off from the agricultural fields contains these chemicals leading to the contaminatio contamination of water bodies.Besidesthese,thermalpolluation can cause water pollution. Effects of Water Pollution : Water pollution can bring about disastrous consequences – for instance, a factory that pumped out a very toxic waste product into the sea directly contributed to causing neurological illness to an entire town for many decades (The Minimata Incident). The following are the effects of water pollution:  Water pollution drastically affects human health; in fact, it can kill. In 2015 alone, a study revealed d that waterborne illnesses caused 1.8 million deaths worldwide.  It can cause contamination of drinking water – thereby contributing to waterborne illnesses.  Water pollution also affects the ecosystem – it can cause a phenomenon called eutrophication. This can cause fish and other aquatic organisms to die.  Toxic elements dissolved in water can make their way to humans through fish or other aquatic organisms.  Water pollution also leaches chemicals into the soil that may impact the growth of plants or other food crops. Noise Pollution: Noise pollution can be defined as any disturbing or unwanted noise that interferes or harms humans or wildlife. Although noise constantly surrounds us, noise pollution generally receives less attention than water quality and air quality issues because it cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled. Sources of Noise Pollution: Road,Air and Railway taffic contributes significantly to noise pollution.Increase in the number of automobiles ,airlines ,and trains are becoming major source of noise pollution. Industrial activities is leading to noise pollution.People located near the industrial plants are subjected to noise originating from the industrial activities. Household consumer products like refregerators,mixies,vacuum cleaners ,air con conditioners,etc,by the sound they generate are responsibke for noise pollution.Musicsystems,sirens,vehicles,loud speakers are also sources of noise pollution. 17 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T Effects of noise pollution: Noise pollution adversely affects the lives of millions of people. Stud Studies ies have shown that there are direct links between noise and health. Problems related to noise include stress related illnesses, high blood pressure, speech interference, hearing loss, sleep disruption, and lost productivity productivity. EFFECTS OF NOISE POLLUTION As well as damaging our hearing by causing — tinnitus or deafness —,, constant loud noise can damage human health in many ways, particularly in the very young and the very old. Here are some of the main ones: Physical Respiratory agitation, racing pulse, high blood pressure, headaches and, in case of extremely loud, constant noise, gastritis, colitis and even heart attacks. Psychological Noise can cause attacks of stress, fatigue, depression, anxiety and hysteria in both humans and animals. Sleep and behavioural disorders Noise above 45 dB stops you from falling asleep or sleeping properly. Remember that according to the World Health Organization it should be no more than 30 dB. Loud noise can have latent effects on our behaviour, causing aggressive behaviour aand irritability. Memory and concentration Noise may affect people's ability to focus, which can lead to low performance over time. It is also bad for the memory, making it hard to study. Interestingly, our ears need more than 16 hours' rest to make up for two hours of exposure to 100 DB. SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE NOISE POLLUTION International bodies like the WHO agree that awareness of noise pollution is essential to beat this invisible enemy. For example: avoid very noisy leisure activities, opt for alternative means of transport such as bicycles or electric vehicles over taking the car, do your housework at recommended times, insulate homes with noise-absorbing absorbing materials, etc. Educating ththee younger generation is also an essential aspect of environmental education education. Governments can also take measures to ensure correct noise management and reduce noise pollution. For example: protecting certain areas — parts of the countryside, areas of natural 18 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T interest, city parks, etc. — from noise, establishing regulations that include preventive and corrective measures — mandatory separation between residential zones and sources of noise like airports, fines for exceeding noise limits, etc. —,, installing noise insulation in new buildings, creating pedestrian areas where traffic is only allowed to enter to offlo offload ad goods at certain times, replacing traditional asphalt with more efficient options that can reduce traffic noise by up to 3 dB, among others. Soil Pollution: Soil pollution refers to the contamination of soil with anomalous concentrations of toxic substa substances. It is a serious environmental concern since it harbours many health hazards. Soil contamination or soil pollution is caused by the presence of xenobiotic (human (human-made) chemicals or other alteration in the natural soil environment. It is typically caused by industrial activity. agricultural chemicals. improper disposal of waste. The Effects of Soil Pollution Soil pollution affects plants, animals and humans alike. While anyone is susceptible to soil pollution, soil pollution effects may vary based on age, general health status and other factors, such as the type of pollutant or contaminant inhaled or ingested. However, children are usually more susceptible to exposure to contaminants, because they come in close contact with the soil by playing in tthe ground; combined with lower thresholds for disease, this triggers higher risks than for adults. Therefore, it is always important to test the soil before allowing your kids to play there, especially if you live in a highly industrialized area. Solutions to reduce soil pollution Soil degradation is a complex problem that requires governments, institutions, communities and individuals to take joint measures. The following are just some of the things we can do to improve its health:  Eat sustainable foodstuffs, properly recycle batteries, produce homemade compost and dispose of drugs in the places authorised for this purpose. 19 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T   Encourage a more eco-friendly friendly model for industry, farming and stock breeding, among other economic activities.  Improve urban planning and transport planning and waste water treatment.  Improve the management of mining waste, restore the landscape and conserve topsoil.  Involve local communities and indigenous peoples in the design, implementation and assessment of sustainable land and soil management. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT: "The collection, treating and disposal of solid material that discarded because it has served its purpose or is no longer useful can be defined as solid waste management. Improper disposal of this solid waste can create unsanitary condition leading to pollution of the environment resulting in the outbreaks of vectorborne (animals such as rats and insects) diseases. The major sources of solid waste are; 1.Residential Solid Waste: Major sources of solid waste are the residences and homes where people live. "Garbage " from these places include food waste, paper, glass plastics, leather, metals, electronic items, batteries, etc. from the residential solid waste. 2.Industrial Solid Waste Industries are known to be one of the biggest contributors of solid waste. They include light and heavy manufacturing industries, power plants chemical plants, construction sites, medical wastes etc., 3.Commercial Solid Waste Commercial facilities such as hotels, markets, restaurants, stores, offices, godowns etc., are yet another source of solid waste. Plastics, food wastes, metals, paper, glass, wood, cardboard materials, etc are the types of solid wastee generated here here. 4.Institutional Solid Waste: The solid waste produced by institutional centers like schools, colleges, governmental centers, prisons, military establishments, courts etc are referred as institutional solid waste. Some of the common solid waste generated from these places includes plastics, food items, wood, paper, metals, glass, rubber, electronics etc as well as various hazardous wastes. BIODEGRADABLE WASTE: Biodegradable waste are the waste material which are and can be easily degraded by natural factors like microbes such as bacteria,fungi etc.& abiotic components like temperature, oxygen etc into water, 20 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T methane, carbon dioxide and simple organic molecules. The micro-organisms organisms and other abiotic components work together and breakdown complex substances into simple organic matter that finally suspends and disappear into the soil. This entire process is natural, which can be fast or slow. As a result, the environmental nmental issues and risks caused by biodegradable waste are minimal. Bio degradable waste includes human waste, manure, sewage, biodegradable plastic etc. Biodegradable Waste Management: Majority of the biodegradable Waste will decay to methane in the absen absence of oxygen by a process known as anaerobic digestion. Now a days, the biodegradable waste is separated from the rest of the waste stream either by separate ‘curb-side side collection’ or by ‘waste sorting after waste collection. At the point of collection, thee separated bio degradable waste is called as ‘green waste’. This green waste is then made to undergo process of decomposition in the presence of oxygen. This converts the green waste into compost. NON-BIODEGRADABLE WASTE: The Waste material which cannot b bee decomposed or degraded by the biological process is known as "non-biodegradable biodegradable waste". As non-biodegradable biodegradable material cannot be broken down by natural organisms / processes, these become a source of pollution. They remain on earth for thousands of years without degradation or decomposition. Plastics, metals, cans, chemicals used for agriculture & &industries industries etc which are inorganic compounds in nature fall under the category of non biodegradable waste. Non-biodegradable biodegradable Waste Management : Compared to the waste management of biodegradable waste, the non –bio degradable waste management is a complicated process. Non biodegradable waste are further segregated into recyclable waste and non recyclable waste. Recyclable waste is recycled into substances of use aand nd are used again. Where asthe non-recyclable non waste separated are treated variously and are tried to dispose off. SEGGREGATION OF DOMESTIC WASTE AT SOURCE SOURCE. Any material that is discarded can be called as "waste '’. Waste generated by individual activities is domestic waste. Like other living organisms humans also discharge waste substances to the environment that ends up entering into the environmental cycle. 21 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T Human activities are closely associated with soil, water & air components of the ambient environment. This sustaining environment can be source of ill health to many people due to; Lack of clean water, Bad sanitation Inadequate housing Exposure to insects and animal disease causing agents. Accumulation and improper disposal of "Refuse " into the environment. Every waste generator shall — a) Segregate and store the waste generated by them in three separate streams namely; i) Bio-degradable ii) Non-biodegradable biodegradable and iii) Domestic hazardous wastes in suit suitable able bins and handover the segregated waste to the concerned authorities from time to time b) Wrap securely used sanitary waste like diapers and sanitary pads etc in suitable wrapping material as instructed by the local authorities and place them in the bin meant for dry waste or non- non biodegradable waste. c. Construction and demolition waste should be stored separately in the own premises and it should be disposed off as per the Construction and Demolition.Waste Management Rules 2016 d. Horticulture waste and garden rden waste generated from the premises should be stored separately in the own premises and disposed off from time to time as per directions of the local authorities. e. The waste generator shall not throw, burn or burry the solid waste generated by him on the he streets, throw it in open public places outside his premises or in the drain or into water bodies. The procedure of segregation of domestic waste comprises offollowing methodology: Each household will segregate the generated domestic waste in 2 Green dustbin and Blue dustbin. Green dustbin should be used for Segregating Wet Waste. The contents of the Green bin as described by the MSW Rules 2016 are  Food Wastes of all kinds -cooked cooked and uncooked, including eggshells and bones.  Flower & fruit waste ste including juice.  Household garden waste / plant waste  Soiled paper comprising of used toilet paper, paper towels etc., 22 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T  Blue dustbin should be used for Segregating Dry Waste As per the MSW-Rules Rules 2016, the contents of the Blue bin are described as follows:  All types of papers (Newspaper, notebook etc.)  Cardboards & Cartons.  Containers & Packaging of all kinds excluding those containing hazardous materials.  Compound packaging materials such as tetra packs.  Plastics.  An inspirational pioneering social initiative was undertaken by Ramakrishna Math, Mangalore. It launched a campaign "Clean Mangaluru." Plastic and human Health Risks: Plastic Plastic is a loose term used to describe materials that are formed and moulded using polymers under heat and pressure. Plastics are used widely everywhere in our life and without plastic, modern civilization would indeed look very diverse. This study focuses on the toxic effects of plastic on human health and environment and possible consequences of healt health risk assessment. Plastics are essential materials in modern civilization, and many products manufactured from plastics and in numerous cases, they promote risks to human health and the environment. Plastics are contained many chemical and hazardous substances such as Bisp Bisphenol henol A (BPA), thalates, antiminitroxide, brominated flame retardants, and poly poly- fluorinated chemicals etc. which are a serious risk factor for human health and environment. Plastics are being used by people without knowing the toxic effects of plastic on human health and environment. Different human health problems like irritation in the eye, vision failure, breathing difficulties, respiratory problems, liver dysfunction, cancers, skin diseases, lungs problems, headache, dizziness, birth effect, reproductive, tive, cardiovascular, genotoxic, and gastrointestinal causes for using toxic plastics. Plastics occur serious environment pollution such as soil pollution, water pollution, and air pollution. Application of proper rules and regulations for the production and use of plastics can reduce toxic effects of plastics on human health and environment environment. ****************** 23 | P a g e Environmental Studies Notes Compiled by Asst.Prof.Anusha T