text:
COMUNIT- IPART A1. Define Ecosystem.Ecosystem has been defined as a system of interaction of organisms with their surroundings.Numerous dynamic interactions are occurring within an ecosystem and these are complex. Alwaysalterations to the biotic and Abiotic components are happening within the ecosystems.2. Enumerate some characteristics of an Ecosystem.
Through the biotic and abiotic components nutrient cycle and energy flowoccur.
IncompleteEcosystem4. What are the functional components of ecosystem?Biotic and Abiotic are the components of eco system5. Define heterotrophs.Those organisms which depend on others (Producers-Autotrophs) for their energy requirements areknown as Consumers or Heterotrophs.6. Name the types of consumers.1.Herbivores (or) Primary Consumers; 2. Carnivores (or) Secondary Consumers 3.Omnivores (or)Tertiary Consumers7. Define Food chain and Food web.A food chain is a picture or model that shows the flow of energy from Autotrophs to a series oforganisms in an environment. The energy that it flows can be different for each food chain. Therelationships between the components of the food chain are very complex. The network likeinteraction of organisms is called as food web.8. What are Decomposers?The organisms which breakdown the complex compounds into simple products are called asdecomposers or reducers.9. What are the factors to be considered in Abiotic eco system?Climatic factors, Physical factors and Chemical factors.10. Define biogeochemical cycle.Two types of biogeochemical cycles are 1. Gaseous Cycle (Eg. N2 and O2 cycles);2. Sedimentry Cycle ( Sulphur and Phosphorus cycles)11. List some examples for Autotrophic succession.Autotrophs are nothing but producers which synthesize their food through photosynthesis. E.g: Allgreen plants and trees12. What is Nitrogen fixation?Hydrogen bonding of water molecule is defined as the bonding developed between the positivehydrogen end of one molecule and the negative lone pair of another water molecule. Four hydrogenbonds are formed around each and every water molecules.13. Define the term Nitrification.The process of converting the free nitrogen gas available in the atmosphere into compounds ofnitrogen is called as nitrogen fixation.14. What do you mean by Denitrification?WWW.VIDYARTHIPLUS.COM
The process of converting ammonia into nitrites with the help of nitrosomonas bacteria, and nitritesinto nitrates with the help of nitrobactor bacteria is called as nitrification.15. Define Biome.Biome is defined as a major ecological community of organisms occupying in a larger area.16. What is a hazard? What are its types?
A hazard is something which causes a danger or risk to somebody.Its major types are physicalhazard,chemical hazard,and biological hazard.17. What is a biological hazard?Biological hazards come from working with animals, people or infectious plant materials. Work inday care, hospitals, hotel laundry and room cleaning, laboratories, veterinary offices and nursinghomes may expose you to biological hazards.18. What are the methods by which nitrogen fixation takes place in the nature?Natural nitrogen fixation can be obtained from lightening of clouds and bacteria and fungi present insoil and water. Artificial fixation of nitrogen i& obtained with the help of fertilizer of fertilizerindustries, which convert the atmosphere nitrogen into ammonia.19. What are the two types of ecological succession?(i) Primary ecological succession comprising of Hydrarch (Hydrosere) and Xerarch (Xerosere) and(ii) Secondary succession involving establishment of biotic communities.20. Define Primary and secondary succession.(i) Primary ecological succession comprises of Hydrarch(Hydrosere establishment starting in awatery area like pond and lake) and Xerarch (Xerosere establishment starting in a dry area like,desert and rock) and (ii) Secondary succession involving establishment of biotic communities in anarea, where some types of biotic community is already present.21. What are the forces involved in succession?Nudation, Invasion (Migration & Establishment), Competition, Reaction and Stabilization22. What are the classifications of biotic components of ecosystems?Producers, Consumer and Decomposers are the biotic components of an ecosystem23. How does a Biome differ from an ecosystem?Biome is defined as a major ecological community of organisms occupying in a larger area.24. What are the types of grassland ecosystem?a) Savannah ecosystem, b) Forest ecosystem and c) Tundra ecosystem25. Give the characteristic features of grassland ecosystem.Plants(Producers) Rat (Primary consumer) Snakes(secondary consumer) Eagles(Tertiaryconsumer)26. What is the structure & function of grassland ecosystem?Structure and function of grassland ecosystem.-Abiotic C,H,O,N,P,S etc supplied by rates,nitrates, phosphates and sulphates. Biotic producers grasses, forbs and shrubs, consumerscows,cows, buffaloes, deer, sheep, decomposers fungi and bacteria.27. What are the different types of desert ecosystem?Different types of desert ecosystem Tropical characterized by only few species, Temperate characterized by hot summer and cool winter and cold characterized by cold winters and warmsummers28. Give the characteristic features of desert ecosystem.Characteristic of desert eco system: 1. Desert air is dry and the climate is hot,2. Annual rainfall is less thsn 2.5 cm.; 3. The soil is very poor in nutrients and organic matter and 4.Vegetation is very poor.29. What is the structure & function of desert ecosystem?Structure & function of desert ecosystem- Abiotic temperature, rainfall, sunlight, water, Biotic producers shrubs, bushes, grasses, consumers squirrels, mice, foxes, decomposers fungi andbacteria.30. What are the different types of aquatic ecosystem?Different types of aquatic ecosystem Fresh water pond, lake and river and salt water ocean andestuarine.31. What is the structure & function of aquatic ecosystem?Structure and function of aquatic ecosystemPond is temporary, only seasonal, stagnant Fresh water body, gets polluted easily due to limitedamount of water. Abiotic temperature, light, water, organic and inorganic compounds. Biotic producers green photosynthetic organisms, consumers protozoa, small fish, ciliates, flagellates,decomposers fungi, bacteria and flagellates.Lakesnatural shallow watr vodies, supplied with water from rainfall, snow and streams, helps inirrigation and drinking. Abiotic temperature, light, proteins and lipids, turbidity, oxygen and carbon
Steps to conserve biodiversity adequate crop and cattle compensation, solar powered fencing,changes in cropping pattern, adequate food and water for all animals, developmental andconstructional work in and around forest region must be stopped.48. Define biodiversity.Biodiversity is defined as the variety and variability all groups of living organisms and the ecosystem in which they occur.49. Enumerate human activities which destroy biodiversity.Human activities destroy biodiversity farmers prefer hybrid seeds many plants become extinct, forproduction of drugs the pharma companies collect wild plants become extinct, tropical forests main source disappearing due to agriculture, mining and logging.50. What do you understand by habitat loss?The loss of population of interbreeding organisms is caused by habitat loss. It threatens wide range ofanimals and plants.51. What are the factors influencing habitat loss?Factors influencing habitat loss- Deforestation, Destruction of wetlands, Habitat fragmentation, Usageof hybrid seeds, Usage of wild plants for medicinal productions without replenishing their growth,Illegal trade and developmental activities52. What is poaching?Poaching killing of animals or commercial hunting leads to loss of animal biodiversity.53. What are the factors influencing poaching?Factors influencing poaching human population and commercial activities54. Write a note on man wild life conflict.Manwildlife conflictarise when wild life starts causing immense damage and danger to man.55. What are the factors influencing man animal conflicts?Factors influencing manwild life conflictshrinking of forest cover, human encroachment into forest,injured animals attacking man, of electric wiring around crop fields, etc.56. What steps can be taken to conserve biodiversity?1. In-situ conservation and 2. Ex-situ conservation57. What do you understand by Global biodiversity?Global biodiversity- total number of living species in the world is about 20 million, 1.5 million arefound, tropical deforestation is reducing biodiversity by 0.5 % each year.58. What are the hot spots of biodiversity?Hotspots of biodiversity geographic areas which possess high endemic species.59. What are the threats to the Indian biodiversity?Threats to Indian biodiversity- deforestation, destruction of wetlands, habitat fragmentation, rawmaterial, production of drugs, illegal trade and developmental activities.60. What do you understand by endangered species and endemic species?Endangered and endemic species Endemic - species which are found only in a particular region.species is said to be threatened or endangered when its number has been reduced to a critical level.Unless it is protected and conseved it is in immediate danger of extinction.61. Explain threatened and endangered species.Threatened and endangered species. species is said to be threatened or endangered when its numberhas been reduced to a critical level. Unless it is protected and conserved it is in immediate danger ofextinction.62. Define Environment.The physical, chemical and biological presence of living and non-living things outside an individualspecies is called as its environment.63. Define the term Environment with reference to ISO 14001.According to ISO 14001, environment can be defined as, "surroundings in which an organizationoperates- air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans and inter relation".64. What are the two categories of environments?Biotic environment & Abiotic environment65. Name the components of environment.Air (Atmosphere), Land (Lithosphere) and Water (hydrosphere)66. Write the composition of air in % by weight.Nitrogen-75.54%; Oxygen-23.14%; Argon-1.27% ; CO2 - 0.03%; Miscellaneous -0.02%
Food WebsIn looking at the previous picture, the concept of food chain looks very simple, but in reality it ismore complex. Think about it. How many different animals eat grass? And from the Facts about Redtailed Hawks page, how many different foods does the hawk eat? One doesn't find simpleindependent food chains in an ecosystem, but many interdependent and complex food chains thatlook more like a web and are therefore called food webs. A food web that shows the energytransformations in an ecosystem looks like this:
As you can see from this picture, food webs, with all their dependencies, can be very complex, butsomehow nature balances things out so that food webs last a long time. Many species share the samehabitat, their populations survive for many years, and they all live happily together.(b) Explain briefly the structure of atmosphereAtmosphere is the cover of air that envelopes the earth is known as the atmosphere. It extends up to500 kms from the earth surface. The atmosphere is highly essential for all living organisms. Itcomprises of 78% of Nitrogen, 21% of Oxygen and 1% of other gases.Structure of atmosphere can be classified into 3 types.
(a) Troposphere: It stretches between 10 - 18 kms from the earth surface. It contains 75% of theatmospheric air mass. Also contained in this is moisture.(b) Stratosphere: Stretching between 18 - 25 Kms from the earth surface, it is rich in Ozone gas, freefrom moisture and clouds. It prevents Ultra Violet radiation from the sun.(c) Mesosphere: It stretches between 50 - 85 Kms from the earth surface. It contains less Ozone butmore nitrogen oxide.2. (a) (i) Explain ecosystem.(ii) Discuss the components of ecosystem.(b) What is an ecosystem? Describe the structure and function of various components of anecosystem.(a) i) Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms or group of organisms with theirenvironment. The environment consists of both biotic components (living organisms) and abioticcomponents (non-living organisms). Or Ecology is the study of ecosystem. Ecosystem is the basicfunctional unit of ecology. A group of organisms interacting among themselves and withenvironment is known as ecosystem. Thus an ecosystem is a community of different speciesinteracting with one another and with their non-living environment exchanging energy and matter.ii) Components of an ecosystem: biotic components; Plants, /Animals, Microorganisms; and Abioticcomponents: non-living components-Physical components: Define and examples: Air, water, soil,sunlight etc. and Chemical components: (i) Organic substances- Protein, lipids, carbohydrates etc. and(ii) Inorganic substances: All micro elements(Al, Co, Zn Cu) and macro elements( C, H, O, P, N, P,K) and few other elements.ECOLOGY: All living organisms, whether, plant or animal or human being is surrounded by theenvironment, from which it derives its needs for its survival. Each living component interacts withnon-living components for their basic requirements from different eco systems.Definition: Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms or group of organisms with theirenvironment. The environment consists of both biotic components (living organisms) and abioticcomponents (non-living organisms). (Or) Ecology is the study of eco systems.WHAT IS AN ECOSYSTEM?An ecosystem is a natural unit consisting of all plants, animals and micro organisms in an areafunctioning together with all the non living physical factors of the environment. The term ecosystemhas emanated from a Greek word meaning study of home.Definition: A group of organisms interacting among themselves and with the environment is knownas an ecosystem. Thus, n ecosystem is a community of different species interacting with one anotherand with their non-living environment exchanging energy and matter.STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF AN ECOSYSTEMThe structure of an ecosystem consists of the following: 1] The first trophic level
WWW.VIDYARTHIPLUS.COM2] The second trophic level; 3] The third trophic level and 4] The fourth trophic level
The first trophic level consists of all the producers which are able to synthesize their own energy.(e.g.) green plants, chemosynthetic micro-organisms etc.The second trophic level consists of the primary consumers i.e. the herbivores. (e.g.) horses,cows etc.The third and fourth trophic levels consist of the secondary and tertiary consumers. (E.g.) hawk, tigersetc.ii) Components of an ecosystem: biotic components; Plants, /Animals, Microorganisms; and Abioticcomponents: non-living components-Physical components: Define and examples: Air, water, soil,sunlight etc. and Chemical components: (i) Organic substances- Protein, lipids, carbohydrates etc. and(ii) Inorganic substances: All micro elements(Al, Co, Zn Cu) and macro elements( C, H, O, P, N, P,K) and few other elements.3. Explain: Forest ecosystem & Ecological succession.A forest ecosystem is the one in which tall and dense trees gow that sup[port maqny animalsand birds. The forests are found in undisturbed areas receiving moderate to high rainfall. The forestoccupies nearly 40% of the worlds land area. In India it occupies only 19% of its total land area.The different types of forest eco system are:1] Tropical rain forests: These are found near the equator and are characterized by high temperature.They have broad leafed trees like teak and sandal and the animals like lion, tiger and monkey.2] Tropical deciduous forests: These are found a little away from the equator and are characterized bya warm climate with rain only during monsoon. They have different types of deciduous trees likemaple, oak and hickory and animals like deer, fox, rabbit and rat.3] Tropical scrub forests: These are characterized by a dry climate for longer time. They have smalldeciduous trees and shrubs and animals like deer, fox etc.4] Temperate rain forests: They are found in temperate areas with adequate rainfall. They arecharacterized by coniferous tees like pines, firs, red wood etc., and animals like squirrels, fox, cats,bear.5] Temperate deciduous forests: These are found in areas with moderate temperatures. They havemajor trees including broad leaf deciduous trees like oak, hickory and animals like deer, fox, bear etc.Characteristics of Forest ecosystems:1. Forests are characterized by warm temperature and adequate rainfall, which make thegeneration ofnumber of ponds, lakes etc.
Biodiversity is the richness & varied species of different organisms contained in a particularecosystem Indian biodiversity is highly diverse and rich such that there are various hot spots.However there are numerous threats to our Biodiversity.Threats to our Biodiversity:Poaching illegal killing of animals for monetary gain and wild pleasure- though banned sale ofanimal skins and parts-high value elephant tusks, leather. Snake skin etc. numerous speciesbecoming extinct.Loss of Habitat: Wildlife, flora and Fauna of our country facing threat to their survival due to loss ofhabitat- increased urbanization and industrialization led to encroachment of wild life areas causingloss of habitat.Population growth: many adverse effects clearing wild life habitats for human occupationDeforestation: Excessive clearing of forests for anthropogenic activity population and diversity ofbirds greatly reduced animals and the ecological balance disturbed threatening the biodiversity.5. With a neat sketch explain the flow of energy through the various components of the ecosystem. (Producers, consumers & decomposers)The following is a figure showing one such food and energy chain:
Producers. Organisms, such as plants, that produce their own food are called autotrophs. Theautotrophs convert inorganic compounds into organic compounds. They are called producersbecause all of the species of the ecosystem depend on them.Consumers. All the organisms that cannot make their own food (and need producers) are calledheterotrophs. In an ecosystem heterotrophs are called consumers because they depend on others.They obtain food by eating other organisms. There are different levels of consumers. Those that feeddirectly from producers, i.e. organisms that eat plant or plant products are called primary consumers.In the figure above the grasshopper is a primary consumer.Organisms that feed on primary consumers are called secondary consumers. Those who feed onsecondary consumers are tertiary consumers. In the figure above the snake acts as a secondaryconsumer and the hawk as a tertiary consumer. Some organisms, like the squirrel are at differentlevels. When the squirrel eats acorns or fruits (which are plant product), it is a primary consumer;however, when it eats insects or nestling birds, is it is a tertiary consumer.Consumers are also classified depending on what they eat.Herbivores are those that eat only plants or plant products. Example are grasshoppers, mice, rabbits,deer, beavers, moose, cows, sheep, goats and groundhogs.Carnivores, on the other hand, are those that eat only other animals. Examples of carnivores are foxes,frogs, snakes, hawks, and spiders.Omnivores are the last type and eat both plants (acting a primary consumers) and meat (acting assecondary or tertiary consumers). Examples of omnivores are: Bears --They eat insects, fish, moose, elk, deer, sheep as well as honey, grass, and sedges.
Turtles -- They eat snails, crayfish, crickets, earthworms, but also lettuce, smallplants, and algae. Monkeys -- They eat frogs and lizards as well as fruits, flowers, and leaves. Squirrels -- They eat insects, moths, bird eggs and nestling birds and also seeds, fruits, acorns,and nuts.
Trophic level. The last word that is worth mentioning in this section is trophic level, whichcorresponds to the different levels or steps in the food chain. In other words, the producers, theconsumers, and the decomposers are the main trophic levels.(b)Explain how fat-soluble pollutants like DDT get biomagnified?Magnification of fat-soluble pollutants like DDT:In order to improve the crop yield, a lot of pesticides are used in agriculture. These are expected to killthe crop harming pests.One can classify the pesticides as first and second generation pesticides.i) first generation pesticides: Sulphur; arsenic; lead; mercury are used to kill pestsii) Second generation Pesticides: DDT( Dichlorodiphenyl Trichloromethane) This fat-solublepesticide is used to kill pests. Although these pests protect our crops from huge losses from pests, theycause number of side effects:a) Death of non-target organisms: Many pesticides including DDT not only kill the crop harmingtarget species, but also kill the several non-target species, which are useful to us in several other ways.b) Producing new pests: Some pests survive even after the spray of the pesticide, which generateshighly resistant generations. They are then immune to all types of pesticides and are called superpests.c) Biomagnification: Many of the pesticides like fat soluble DDT are nonbiodegradable and keep onconcentrating in the food` chain. This process is called bio-magnification. These pesticides in a biomagnified form is harmful to the human beings.d) Risk of cancer: Such pesticides enhance the risk of cancer in two ways: i) Directly act ascaecinogens and ii0 indirectly suppress the immune system in the body.6. Give flow chart on energy flow in a freshwater lake ecosystem and explainAns: The aquatic ecosystem deals with water bodies. The major types of organisms found in aquaticenvironments are determined by the water salinity.Aquatic ecosystems are those ecosystems exist in the medium of water. Some of the aquaticecosystems are : pond, lake, stream, river, wet land, estuary, sea and ocean ecosystems. Thecharacteristic features of aquatic ecosystems are as follows :i) They may be lentic (ie, standing or non-flowing ) or lotic (i.e flowing ) systems.ii) Aquatic food chains are inter linked with terrestrial food chains.iii) The medium contains moderate to less nutrients.iv) Much of the solar energy is fixed in ecosystems, andThey are the reservoirs or exchange pools for hydrological cycle.Lakes are large natural shallow water bodies and are used for various purposes. Lakes are suppliedwith water from rainfall, melting snow and streams.Different types of Lakes are: Oligotrophic lake- having low nutrient concentrations, Eutrophic Lakesover nourished by nutrients Nitrogen and Phosphorous, Dystrophic lakes- have low pH, high Humicacid content and brown waters, Volcanic lakes-receive water from magma afer volcanic eruptions,meromictic lakes- rich in salts, artificial lake4s created due to dam constructions.Different zones of lake: Depending upon their depth and distance from the shore lakes consist of fourdistinct zones. Littoral Zones top layer of a lake having shallow water; Limnetic Zone-next to thelittoral effective penetration of solar light takes place; Profundal zone The deep open water, whereit is too dark and /benthic zone-found at lake bottom.Characteristic features of lake ecosystem: It is a shallow fresh water body; a permanent water bodywith large water resources helping in irrigation and drinkingStructure and function of Lake ecosystem:I. Abiotic components: Temperature, light, proteins and lipids, turbidity, O2 and CO2.II. Biotic components:1. Producres: They are green plants, may be submerged, free floating and amphibious plants.2. Consumers:(a) Primary consumers (Zooplanktons): Cilictes, protozoans etc. They feed on phytoplankton(b) Secondary consumers (carnivores): Insects and small fishes. They feed on Zooplankton.(c) Large fishes like game fish. They feed on smaller fish3. Decomposers: Bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. They decompose dead plants and animals.
7. Explain with illustration: i) Water cycle, ii) Oxygen cycle, iii) Nitrogen cycle,iv) Carbon cycle, v) Phosphate cycle and vi) Sulphur cyclea) Water Cycle: Draw a pictorial representation of Water cycleas below.i)It is the flow of water from the hydrosphere to the atmosphere to the Lithosphere and backii) Water in water bodies like seas and rivers evaporates by the heat of the sun.iii) As a result water becomes vapour and becomes cloudsiv) clouds become saturated, condense and precipitate as rainv) The rain percolates through land & flows into the seas and rivers
8. Describe the structure and function of the forest and grassland ecosystem.Forest Structure Forests are habitats in which the trees are the dominant form of vegetation. Theyoccur in many regions and climates around the globethe tropical rainforests of the Amazon basin,the temperate forests of eastern North America, and the boreal forests of northern Europe are just afew examples.The species composition of a forest is often unique to that forest, with some forests consisting ofmany hundreds of species of trees while others consist of just a handful of species. Forests areconstantly changing and progress through a series of successional stages during which speciescomposition changes within the forest.Thus, making general statements about forest habitats can be difficult. Yet despite the variability ofour planet's forests, there are some basic structural characteristics that many forests sharecharacteristics that can help us to better understand both forests and the animals and wildlife thatinhabit them.Mature forests often have several distinct vertical layers. These include: forest floor herb layer shrub layer understory canopy emergents The forest floor is often blanketed with decaying leaves, twigs, fallen trees, animal scat,moss, and other detritus. The forest floor is where recycling occurs, fungi, insects, bacteria,and earthworms are among the many organisms that break down waste materials and readythem for reuse and recycling throughout the forest system. The herb layer of the forest is dominated by herbaceous (or soft-stemmed) plants such asgrasses, ferns, wildflowers, and other ground cover. Vegetation in the herb layer often getslittle light and in forests with thick canopies, shade tolerant species are predominant in theherb layer. The shrub layer is characterized by woody vegetation that grows relatively close to theground. Bushes and brambles grown where enough light passes through the canopy to supportshrub growth. The understory of a forest consists of immature trees and small trees that are shorter than themain canopy level of the tree. Understory trees provide shelter for a wide range of animals.When gaps form in the canopy, often times understory trees take advantage of the openingand grow to fill in the canopy.
The canopy is the layer where the crowns of most of the forest's trees meet and form a thicklayer. Emergents are trees whose crowns emerge above the rest of the canopy.Grassland -Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses (Poaceae), howeversedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on allcontinents except Antarctica.Types Different types of grasslands, such as prairies, savannahs, rangelands, agricultural grasslands,and coastal grasslands, serve a variety of purposes.Features "Rangelands are complex ecosystems," states the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Healthyrangelands "capture, store, and safely release water from rainfall, run-on, and snowmelt,"according to the USGS.Biotic Functions of Grasslands According to the Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia, grasslands functionas a habitat for biotic components or living organisms "classified as producers, consumers ordecomposers." For example, trees and plants produce nutrients through the process ofphotosynthesis, whereas consumers such as animals eat plants and other animals to getenergy.Function of Rangeland Grasslands Grasslands composed of grasses, such as wheat, provide grazing for livestock, as well asinsect herbivores such as grasshoppers, locusts, and Mormon crickets.Grasslands Provide Food "Grasslands have been the seedbeds for the ancestors of major cereal crops, including wheat,rice, rye, barley, sorghum, and millet," states the World Resources Institute (WRI).Grasslands Are Breeding Areas Twenty-three Endemic Bird Areas include grasslands, which are important breeding groundsfor thousands of bird species. The Andes in Peru, Central Chile, and southern Patagonia "rankhighest for biological importance," states the WRI.9. Elucidate the role of organisms in environment. Define Producers, consumers anddecomposers in an eco-system.(i) Role of Organisms in Environment and Producers, Consumers & decomposers in Environment:Producers. Organisms, such as plants, that produce their own food are called autotrophs. Theautotrophs, as mentioned before, convert inorganic compounds into organic compounds. They arecalled producers because all of the species of the ecosystem depend on them.Consumers. All the organisms that can not make their own food (and need producers) are calledheterotrophs. In an ecosystem heterotrophs are called consumers because they depend on others. Theyobtain food by eating other organisms. There are different levels of consumers. Those that feeddirectly from producers, i.e. organisms that eat plant or plant products are called primary consumers.In the figure above the grasshopper is a primary consumer.Organisms that feed on primary consumers are called secondary consumers. Those who feed onsecondary consumers are tertiary consumers. In the figure above the snake acts as a secondaryconsumer and the hawk as a tertiary consumer. Some organisms, like the squirrel are at differentlevels. When the squirrel eats acorns or fruits (which are plant product), it is a primary consumer;however, when it eats insects or nestling birds, is it is a tertiary consumer.Consumers are also classified depending on what they eat.Herbivores are those that eat only plants or plant products. Example are grasshoppers, mice, rabbits,deer, beavers, moose, cows, sheep, goats and groundhogs.Carnivores, on the other hand, are those that eat only other animals. Examples of carnivores are foxes,frogs, snakes, hawks, and spiders.Omnivores are the last type and eat both plants (acting a primary consumers) and meat (acting assecondary or tertiary consumers). Examples of omnivores are:
Bears --They eat insects, fish, moose, elk, deer, sheep as well as honey, grass, andsedges.WWW.VIDYARTHIPLUS.COM
Turtles -- They eat snails, crayfish, crickets, earthworms, but also lettuce, small plants, and algae. Monkeys -- They eat frogs and lizards as well as fruits, flowers, and leaves. Squirrels -- They eat insects, moths, bird eggs and nestling birds and also seeds, fruits, acorns,and nuts.Trophic level. The last word that is worth mentioning in this section is trophic level, whichcorresponds to the different levels or steps in the food chain. In other words, the producers, theconsumers, and the decomposers are the main trophic levels.10. (i) What are the types of forests? How is forest ecosystem important for environment?(ii)What is fresh water ecosystem? Give the sources of fresh water.(i) Types of Forests and Importance of forest ecosystem for environment:A forest eco system is the one in which tall and dense trees grow and support many animals and birds.The forests are found in undisturbed areas receiving moderate to high rainfall. The forest occupiesnearly 40% of the worlds land area. In India it occupies only 19% of its total land area.Types of forest ecosystems: 1. Tropical Rain forests; 2. Tropical deciduous forests; 3. Tropical scrubforests; 4. Temperate rain forests and 5. Temperate deciduous forests [ describe them as given in Q3]Forests are characterized by: warm temperature and adequate rainfall making the generation ofnumber of ponds, lakes etc.; maintain climate and rainfall; support many wild animals and protectbiodiversity; forest soil is rich in organic matter and nutrients supporting the growth of trees Lightpenetration is so poor that the conversion of organic matter into nutrients is very fast.(ii)What is fresh water ecosystem? Give the sources of fresh water.Aquatic ecosystems are those ecosystems exist in the medium of water. Some of the aquaticecosystems are : pond, lake, stream, river, wet land, estuary, sea and ocean ecosystems. Thecharacteristic features of aquatic ecosystems are as follows :i) They may be lentic (ie, standing or non-flowing ) or lotic (i.e flowing ) systems.ii) Aquatic food chains are inter linked with terrestrial food chains.iii) The medium contains moderate to less nutrients.iv) Much of the solar energy is fixed in ecosystems, andThey are the reservoirs or exchange pools for hydrological cycle.Lakes are large natural shallow water bodies and are used for various purposes. Lakes are suppliedwith water from rainfall, melting snow and streams.Different types of Lakes are: Oligotrophis lake- having low nutrient concentrations, Eutrophic Lakesover nourished by nutrients Nitrogen and Phosphorous, Dystrophic lakes- have low pH, high Humicacid content and brown waters, Volcanic lakes-receive water from magma afer volcanic eruptions,meromictic lakes- rich in salts, artificial lake4s created due to dam constructions.Different zones of lake: Depending upon their depth and distance from the shore lakes consist of fourdistinct zones. Littoral Zones top layer of a lake having shallow water; Limnetic Zone-next to thelittoral effective penetration of solar light takes place; Profundal zone The deep open water, whereit is too dark and /benthic zone-found at lake bottomDraw flow chart here.Sources of fresh water are: Rain water, melting snow etc.11.(i) Explain in-situ and ex-situ conservation along with their merits and limitations (ii) Whatdo you understand by hot spots of biodiversity? Name and briefly describe two such hot spotsthat extend in India. [Describe the term hotspot in Biodiversity.](i) Explain in-situ and ex-situ conservation along with their merits and limitationsConservation of Biodiversity: Biodiversity faces threat of extinction due human activities tosalvage situation conservation of biodiversity need of the hour- to preserve biodiversity to preventtheir extinction and future flourishing conservation of Biodiversity requiredIn-situ conservation: Involves allocating large areas of the land mass for wild life development- suchareas can be closed to the public for tourism wild life can be allowed to flourish in their ownenvironment-promotes genetic diversity- does not stagnate the gene pool
Advantages: cheap and convenient methodSpecies gets adjusted the natural disaters like drought,floods, forest fires.Limitations: Large surface area of the earth required shartage of staff and pollution may lead toimproper maintenance of the habitat.Ex-situ conservation: Involves conservation of wild life in zoos, botanical gardens-humansupervision- wildlife can grow under controlled conditions - animals would be properly taken carefood, shelter and water- help in the flourishing of endangered species- possible the gene pool couldstagnate and result in no genetic diversity taking place.Advantages: Special care and attention lead to survival of endangered speciesIn captive breeding,animals are assured food, water, shelter and security - hence longer life span- it is carried out for theendangered species, which donot have any chances of survival in the wild.Limitations: Expensive method- freedom of wild life is lost animals cannot survive in suchenvironments(ii) What do you understand by hot spots of biodiversity? Name and briefly describe two such hotspots that extend in India. [Describe the term hotspot in Biodiversity.]Hot spots of Biodiversity: The hot spots of biodiversity are the geographic areas which possess thehigh endemic species. At the global level these are the areas of high conservation priority, if thesespecies are lost they can never be replaced or regenerated.Criteria for recognizing Hotspots: The richness of the endemic species is the primary criterion; theyshould have a significant % of specialized species; The site should be under threat and should containimportant gene pools of plants of potential use.Two hot spots of mention in India are 1. Eastern Himalayas (Indo-Burma region) and 2. WesternGhats (Srilanka region)Eastern Himalayas: comprises of Nepal, Bhutan and neighbouring states of Northern India- 35,000plant species are found here and 30 % are endemic also rich in wild plants of economic value eg.Rice, banana, citrus, ginger, chilli, jute and sugarcane Taxal yielding plant also sparcely distributed 63% mammals are from this region- 60% of Indian Birds- huge wealth of fungi, insects, mammalsand birds found in this regionWestern Ghats: Comprises of parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala nearly 1500endemic, dicotyledones 62% amphibians and 50% lizards are endemic here- Ternstroemia, Japonica,Rhododendron and Hypericum common plants- Blue Bird and Lizard hawk are common animals.12) Explain: the grass land eco system in detail.Grass land occupies about 20% of earth surface. In addition to grass species, some shrubs and treesare also present in grasslands. Limited grazing helps to improve the net primary production of thegrasslands. Overgrazing leads to their degradation.Types of Grassland ecosystems: (i) Tropical grasslands, (ii) Temperate grasslands & (iii) PolargrasslandsTropical grass lands: Found near the borders of tropical rain forests are characterized by hightemperature and moderate rainfall. (also known as Savanna type). They have tall grasses withscattered shrubs and shunted trees and animals like zebras, giraffes, antelopes etc.Temperate grass lands: Usually found in the centres of continents, on flat, sloped hills characterizedby very cold winters and hot summers. Intense grazing and summer fires do not allow growth ofshrubs and trees.Polar grasslands: Found in arctic polar regions are characterized by severe cold and strong winds withice and snow. In summer several small annual plants grow and inhabited by animals like arctic wolf,weasel, arctic fox etc.Characteristics of grassland ecosystem: plain land occupied by grasses; Soil very rich in nutrients andorganic matter; tall grass facilitates grazing of animals and low or uneven rain fall are encountered.Structure and function of the grassland ecosystem:I. Abiotic components: Nutrients, C. H, O, N, P, S etc. These abiotic components are supplied by CO2, H2O, nitrates, phosphates and sulphates.II. Biotic components:(1) Producers: Grasses, forbs and shrubs. (They produce food)(2) Consumers (a) Primary consumers (herbivores): Cows, buffaloes, deer, sheep etc. They dependon grasses for food. (b) Secondary consumers (Carnivores) Snakes, lizards, birds, Jackals, fox etc.
They feed on herbivores.(c) Tertiary consumers: Hawks, eagles, etc. The feed on secondaryconsumers.(3) Decomposers: Fungi and bacteria. They decompose the dead organic matter.13. a) Justify the need for environmental education.(b) Write briefly on the communityparticipation in environmental management programmes.a) Justify the need for environmental education.Environmental Education: Environmental study is an important tool to educate the people forpreserving quality environment. The main scope for main environmental studies comprise of:1. forawareness and sensitivity to the toal environment and the related problems; 2. motivate for activeparticipation in environmental protection and improvement; 3. develop skills for identifying andsolving environmental problems; 4.know the necessity of conservation of natural resources; 5.evaluate environmental programmes in terms of social, economic, ecological and aesthetic factors.The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food consume and the land we live on are all contaminatedby the industrial activities. There is no zero pollution industry. Due to lack of self discipline and notworrying about our future generation, the valuable resources are polluted. To solve these problems theknowledge of environmental studies is very important. By these studies People will understand theconcept of need for development without destruction of the environment; can gain the knowledge ofdifferent types of environment and environmental hazards; to inform the people about their effectiverole in protecting the environment by demanding changes in laws and enforcement systems; to have adirect relation to the quality of life we live and develop a concern and respect for environment.(b) Write briefly on the community participation in environmental management programmes.Need for Public awareness: Increasing population - particularly in the thickly populated developingcountries - urbanization and poverty have generated pressure on the natural resources and lead to adegradation of the environment. To protect of prevent the environment from pollution, the SupremeCourt of India has ordered and initiated the environmental awareness to the public throughGovernment and non-Governmental agencies to take part to protect our environment.Importance of Public (community) Participation: Law alone can not itself do everything forremoving pollution. proper implementation of of laws together with committed co-operation andparticipation by the people are the important aspects. these should be given importance and stress.Public participation is useful in law making process and in the activities resulting in pollution control.Thus the public participation plays a major role in the effective environmental management.Types of Public Participation: Public participation in the decision making process can be at anystage and can be of various forms.(i) Pressure Group: The public 'pressure group' may be formed to influence the government on onehand and the industries on the other hand.(ii) Watch Dog: The public can act as 'watch dog' to protect the interests of public againstenvironmental hazardous activities.(iii) Advisory Council: the public can also act as advisory council and agencies, which is constitutedto keep environment suitable for living.(iv) Enforcing the environmental Laws: The services of public can be utilized to enforce theenvironmental laws. If necessary members of the public should initiate or institute Public InterestLitigations. (exnora). Thus many countries have accepted the concept of Public Participation inenvironmental management.14. What are the components of environment? Explain their role.COMPONENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENTThere are three major and important components comprising the environment.(i) Abiotic or non-living component; (ii) Biotic or living component & (iii) Energy componentAbiotic (non-living) component or Physical component: The non-living components of theenvironment are called 'abiotic components'.Eg: Air, water, soil and minerals.
These abiotic components interact (enter) the body of living organisms directly or indirectly, take partin metabolic activities and then return to the environment. (Air is breathed in by human beings andexhaled after oxygenation of the blood)Abiotic components are subdivided into three categories: (1) Atmosphere; (2) Lithosphere and (3)Hydrosphere.(1) Atmosphere: the cover of air that envelopes the earth is known as the atmosphere. It extends up to500 kms from the earth surface. The atmosphere is highly essential for all living organisms. Itcomprises of 78% of Nitrogen, 21% of Oxygen and 1% of other gases.Structure of atmosphere can be classified into 3 types.(a) Troposphere: It stretches between 10 - 18 kms from the earth surface. It contains 75% of theatmospheric air mass. Also contained in this is moisture.(b) Stratosphere: Stretching between 18 - 25 Kms from the earth surface, it is rich in Ozone gas, freefrom moisture and clouds. It prevents Ultra Violet radiation from the sun.(c) Mesosphere: It stretches between 50 - 85 Kms from the earth surface. It contains less Ozone butmore nitrogen oxide.Functions of Atmosphere:1. It maintains the thermal (heat) balance on the earth by absorbing the Infra Red radiations.2. The gaseous constituents play an important role in sustaining life on earth.
Gaseous ConstituentsFunctionsOxygenIt supports life of living organismsCO2Essential for photosynthesis activity of plantsN2Essential nutrient for plant growthThe second category of the Abiotic component of the environment is, as stated earlier, Lithosphere.Lithosphere: The soil and rock components of the earth is referred to as Lithosphere, the functions ofwhich may be stated as:(i) It is a home for human beings and wild life.(ii) It is a store house of minerals minerals and organic matters.The third category is the Hydrosphere.The aqueous envelope of the earth (75% of the earth surface) is called the hydrosphere.Oceans, lakes, streams, rivers and water vapour constitute hydrosphere. approximately 97% o earthwater is in its oceans and hence salty and unfit for potable purposes.Functions of Hydrosphere:1. Used for drinking purposes and also as support to aquatic life.2. It is also used for irrigation, power production, industries and transport.BIOTIC (or) LIVING COMPONENT OF ENVIRONMENT:The living components of the environment are called Biotic Components.eg.: Animals, plants and micro organisms.
Biosphere: The biological environment, where the living organisms live and interact with physicalenvironment (soil, water and air) is called BiosphereFunctions of Biosphere:Plants through photosynthesis produce oxygen in the atmosphere. Animals inhale oxygenduring respiration and give out CO2 , which is again used by plants during photosynthesis.ENERGY COMPONENTS:The components of energy flow across Biotic and abiotic components and play an importantrole in maintaining the life of living organisms.eg.: Solar energy, nuclear energy, geochemical energy, thermal electro energy.
Abiotic Component(non living)
Atmosphere[500 km]
ThreatsIn 2006 many species were formally classified as rare or endangered or threatened; moreover,scientists have estimated that millions more species are at risk which have not been formallyrecognized. About 40 percent of the 40,177 species assessed using the IUCN Red List criteria are nowlisted as threatened with extinctionHabitat destructionHabitat destruction has played a key role in extinctions, especially related to tropical forestdestruction.[125] Factors contributing to habitat loss are: overpopulation, deforestation,[126] pollution(air pollution, water pollution, soil contamination) and global warming or climate change.[citation needed]Habitat size and numbers of species are systematically related. Physically larger species and thoseliving at lower latitudes or in forests or oceans are more sensitive to reduction in habitat area. [127]Introduced and invasive speciesBarriers such as large rivers, seas, oceans, mountains and deserts encourage diversity by enablingindependent evolution on either side of the barrier, via the process of allopatric speciation. The terminvasive species is applied to species that breach the natural barriers that would normally keep themconstrained. Without barriers, such species occupy new territory, often supplanting native species byoccupying their niches, or by using resources that would normally sustain native species.Genetic pollutionEndemic species can be threatened with extinctionthrough the process of genetic pollution, i.e.uncontrolled hybridization, introgression and genetic swamping. Genetic pollution leads tohomogenization or replacement of local genomes as a result of either a numerical and/or fitnessadvantage of an introduced species.Hybridization and introgression are side-effects of introductionand invasion.OverexploitationOverexploitation occurs when a resource is consumed at an unsustainable rate. This occurs on land inthe form of overhunting, excessive logging, poor soil conservation in agriculture and the illegalwildlife trade. Joe Walston, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Asian programs, called thelatter the "single largest threat" to biodiversity in Asia. The international trade of endangered speciesis second in size only to drug traffickingHybridization, genetic pollution/erosion and food securityIn agriculture and animal husbandry, the Green Revolution popularized the use of conventionalhybridization to increase yield. Often hybridized breeds originated in developed countries and werefurther hybridized with local varieties in the developing world to create high yield strains resistant tolocal climate and diseases. Local governments and industry have been pushing hybridization.Formerly huge gene pools of various wild and indigenous breeds have collapsed causing widespreadgenetic erosion and genetic pollution. This has resulted in loss of genetic diversity and biodiversity asa whole.Climate changeGlobal warming is also considered to be a major potential threat to global biodiversity in the future.Climate change has seen many claims about potential to affect biodiversity but evidence supportingthe statement is tenuous. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide certainly affects plant morphologyand is acidifying oceans, and temperature affects species ranges, phenology, and weather, but themajor impacts that have been predicted are still just potential impacts. We have not documentedmajor extinctions yet, even as climate change drastically alters the biology of many species.17. i) Identify and explain the major threats to biodiversity in India. (NOV/DEC 2013)(ii) What is the importance of protecting the biodiversity of Earth? (NOV/DEC 2013)i) Identify and explain the major threats to biodiversity in India.Discuss the threat faced by Indian BiodiversityBiodiversity is the richness & varied species of different organisms contained in a particularecosystem Indian biodiversity is highly diverse and rich such that there are various hot spots.However there are numerous threats to our Biodiversity.Threats to our Biodiversity:Poaching illegal killing of animals for monetary gain and wild pleasure- though banned slae ofanimal skins and parts-high value elephant tusks, leather. Snake skin etc. numerous speciesbecoming extinct.
Loss of Habitat: Wildlife, flora and Fauna of our country facing threat to their survival due to loss ofhabitat- increased urbanization and industrialization led to encroachment of wild life areas causingloss of habitat.Population growth: many adverse effects clearing wild life habitats for human occupationDeforestation: Excessive clearing of forests for anthropogenic activity population and diversity ofbirds greatly reduced animals and the ecological balance disturbed threatening the biodiversity.2) Conservation of Biodiversity: Biodiversity faces threat of extinction due human activities tosalvage situation conservation of biodiversity need of the hour- to preserve biodiversity to preventtheir extinction and future flourishing conservation of Biodiversity requiredIn-situ conservation: Involves allocating large areas of the land mass for wild life development- suchareas can be closed to the public for tourism wild life can be allowed to flourish in their ownenvironment-promotes genetic diversity- does not stagnate the gene poolEx-situ conservation: Involves conservation of wild life in zoos, botanical gardens-humansupervision- wildlife can grow under controlled conditions - animals would be properly taken carefood, shelter and water- help in the flourishing of endangered species- possible the gene pool couldstagnate and result in no genetic diversity taking plac.Other conservation methods: conservation of germplasm in seed banks can be used in futurepassing of authoritative legislations promoting wildlife- restriction of human population explosion Banning encroaching of forests and deforestations(ii) What is the importance of protecting the biodiversity of Earth?Bio means life and diversity means variety, hence Biodiversity refers to variety of life onthe earth. Planet earth (biosphere) contains more than 20 million species of organisms. They differwidely from one another. Diversification in the species is influenced by various physical and climaticfactors, resulting in the production of new sub-species. Biodiversity is defined as, the variety andvariability among all groups of living organisms and the ecosystem in which they occurThe importance of biodiversity: Biodiversity is often used to draw attention to issues related to theenvironment. It can be closely related to
Experiencing nature is of great importance to humans and teaches us different values. It is goodto take a walk in the forest, to smell flowers and breath fresh air. More specifically, natural foodand medicine can be linked to biodiversity.
Biodiversity is the richness & varied species of different organisms contained in a particularecosystem Indian biodiversity is highly diverse and rich such that there are various hot spots.However there are numerous threats to our Biodiversity.Threats to our Biodiversity:Poaching illegal killing of animals for monetary gain and wild pleasure- though banned slae ofanimal skins and parts-high value elephant tusks, leather. Snake skin etc. numerous speciesbecoming extinct.Loss of Habitat: Wildlife, flora and Fauna of our country facing threat to their survival due to loss ofhabitat- increased urbanization and industrialization led to encroachment of wild life areas causingloss of habitat.Population growth: many adverse effects clearing wild life habitats for human occupationDeforestation: Excessive clearing of forests for anthropogenic activity population and diversity ofbirds greatly reduced animals and the ecological balance disturbed threatening the biodiversity.Conservation of Biodiversity: Biodiversity faces threat of extinction due human activities tosalvage situation conservation of biodiversity need of the hour- to preserve biodiversity to preventtheir extinction and future flourishing conservation of Biodiversity required
In-situ conservation: Involves allocating large areas of the land mass for wild life development- suchareas can be closed to the public for tourism wild life can be allowed to flourish in their ownenvironment-promotes genetic diversity- does not stagnate the gene poolEx-situ conservation: Involves conservation of wild life in zoos, botanical gardens-humansupervision- wildlife can grow under controlled conditions - animals would be properly taken carefood, shelter and water- help in the flourishing of endangered species- possible the gene pool couldstagnate and result in no genetic diversity taking plac.Other conservation methods: conservation of germplasm in seed banks can be used in futurepassing of authoritative legislations promoting wildlife- restriction of human population explosion Banning encroaching of forests and deforestationsUNIT- IIPART A1. Define Environmental Pollution.Environmental Pollution is defined as any undesirable change in the physical, chemical, or biologicalcharacteristics of any component of the environment (air,water,soil)which can cause harmful effectson various forms of property.2. What do you mean by indoor air pollution?Houses in the under-developed & developing countries use fuels like wood kerosene in their kitchens& incomplete combustion produces toxic gas like CO. The most important indoor radioactive materialis radon gas that can be emitted from building materials like bricks, concrete etc. which are derivedfrom soil containing radium. This is called indoor air pollution.3. What are the effects of various air pollutants on human health?Name of the PollutantNO2CO
CategoryWoWfAWre.Va IDYIndustrialCommercialResidentialSilence Zone
ANRoTiHseIPLU M NoiseLevelSLduring.eCvOdayel (dB)during night (dB)75655550
8. Give the directions of Supreme Court to reduce the noise pollution during Diwali. The manufacture, sale or use of fire crackers generating noise level exceeding 125 db at 4 mdistance from the point of bursting shall be prohibited. The above limit is reduced by 5 log N db (N = No of crackers joined together) for individual firecrackers constituting the series. The fire crackers should not be used in silence zones. Giving Environmental education & awareness to the masses.9. Define water pollution & give the sources of water pollution.Water pollution can be defined as alteration in physical, chemical or biological characteristics ofwater making it unsuitable for designated use in its natural state.There are 2 sources of water pollution. They are point sources specific sites near water whichdirectly discharge effluents into them & non point sources sources are scattered and individuallycollect pollute water.10. What do you mean by DO & BOD?Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is the amount of O2 dissolved in a given quantity of water at a particulartemperature & atmospheric pressure. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is defined as the amount ofDO required to aerobically decompose biodegradable organic matter over a period of 5 days at 20C.11. Define bioaccumulation.The non-biodegradable substances do not undergo any degradation and they tend to accumulate in theorganisms body. This is known as bioaccumulation.12. Explain thermal pollution.Thermal pollution can be defined as the presence of waste heat in the water which can causeundesirable changes in the environment.13. What are the effects of thermal pollution?a. The solubility of O2 is decreased at high temperature.b. Toxicity of pesticides increases with increase in temperaturec. Discharge of heated water can even kill young fishes.d. Fish migration is affected.14. How cooling ponds are used to reduce the thermal pollution?Water from condensers is stored in ponds where natural evaporation cools the water which can thenbe recirculated or discharged in nearby water body15. What are the sources of marine pollution?The sources here are Rivers bring pollutants from their drainage basins Coastline settlements in the form of hotels,industries. Oil drilling & shipment Radioactive disposal into deep sea16. What do you mean by ballast water & what is the effect of it in marine ecosystem?After delivering oil through sea-route, earlier empty tankers used to be filled with water called ballastwater to maintain balance. The ballast water containing residual oil from tankers was released into seaon completion of return journey. Oil in sea water spread over a large area & affects sensitive flora &fauna.17. What are the effects of radioactive waste in soil pollution?Radioactive waste accumulates in food chain that leads to bioaccumulation & biomagnification.Radioisotopes which attach with the clay become a source of radiations in the environment. Theyreplace essential elements in the body.18. Define nuclear pollution.
WWW.VIDYARTHIPLUS.COMRadioactive substances undergo natural radioactive decay in which unstable isotopes spontaneouslygive out fast moving particles, high energy radiations or both, at a fixed rate until a new stable isotopeis formed.19. What are the damages caused by the nuclear radiations?Genetic damages The damage is caused by radiations, which induce mutations in DNA. The damageis often seen in the offsprings and may be transmitted upto several generations.Somatic damage This includes burns, miscarriages, eye cataract, bone cancer etc20. What is called inversion & how it affected the people of donora?The condition when cold layer is trapped below the warm layer is called as inversion. The top foglayer reflected the solar radiations during the day time. During night the top layer had been loosingheat which further cooled the layer to stabilize.21. What is love canal tragedy?The love canal in a suburb of Niagara falls, New York was built by William love which was later dugup & was used to bump sealed steel drums of chemical waste. The site was later covered with clay &top soil and was later sold to the city board of education in 1953.In 1976 the children playing in thecanal area received chemical burns & the residents started complaining of foul smell.22. How arsenic contaminates the water?Excess use of lead arsenate & copper arsenate as pesticides in high yielding varieties of summerpaddy & jute crop percolate into the top soil and contaminates the ground water.23. Define Solid Waste.It is defined as the waste, arising from human and animal activities that are discarded as useless orunwanted one.24. What are the types of solid waste?The types are: * Urban solid waste; * Industrial solid waste25. What are the sources of urban and industrial solid waste?Urban solid waste Residential area, commercial area open area waste, constructional waste,biomedical waste.Industrial solid waste- Chemical industry, paint industry petroleum refinery industry, paper industry,metal industry.26. Mention the effects of solid waste.*Spreading of fungal diseases; *Bad odours; *Burning of waste produce chemicals which are harmfulto human life; *Contaminates water & *Affects the characteristics of soil27. How we can control solid wastes?Reuse and recycling of waste, proper treatment of the waste, neutralize hazardous characteristics,using innovation technology.28. Mention the activities involved in solid waste management. Waste generation, onsite handling ,storage and processing collection transfer and transport processing and recovery and disposal29. What do you meant by commercial/industrial collection services?The use of large movable and stationary containers and also large stationary compactors can be doneby this method. Compactors are used to compress the material directly into the large containers or inthe form of balls which are then placed in the large containers30. What is known as hauled container system?Collection system in which containers used for storage of waste are hauled to the processing, transfer,emptied and returned to either their original location or some other location are defined as hauledcontainer system.31. What is known as stationary container system?The collection system in which the containers are used for storage of waste remains at the point ofwaste generation expect when moved for collection are defined as stationary container system.32. What are the factors should be investigated before adopting the indirect method oftransportation?Efficiency of the system overall cost analysis, distance, time of travel to the site, suitability of transferoperations to the disposal area.WWW.VIDYARTHIPLUS.COM
Industrial wastes are the effluents discharged from chemical industries, paper and pulp mills,tanneries, textile mills, steel industries, distilleries, refineries, pesticides and fertilizer industries,pharmaceutical industries, food processing industries, cement industries, thermal and nuclear powerplants, mining industries etc.45. Define green house effect. (MAY/JUNE 2013)The greenhouse effect is a naturally occurring process that makes the earth warmer by trapping moreenergy in the atmosphere. The green house gases absorb and hold heat from the sun, preventing itfrom escaping back into the space; much like a green house absorbs and holds the suns heat46. List the ozone depleting chemicals. (MAY/JUNE 2013)Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) are responsible for ozone layer depletion.47. Define the term Noise Pollution. (NOV/DEC 2013)Noise pollution is the disturbing or excessive noise that may harm the activity or balance of human oranimal life. The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly causedby machines and transportation systems, motor vehicles, aircraft, and trains.48. Define biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand. Write its environmentalimpacts. (NOV/DEC 2013)Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is defined as the amount of DO required to aerobicallydecompose biodegradable organic matter over a period of 5 days at 20C.Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is commonly used to indirectly measure the amount of organiccompounds in water.Increase in BOD and COD values degrades the quality of water. It is harmful to aquatic organismsand causes toxic effects at various levels of food chain.PART B1. Describe briefly environmental pollution and pollutant.Pollution: Pollution is any change in physical, chemical or biological characteristics of theenvironment that has the potentiality to harm human life, life of other desirable species, naturalresources, cultural assets and industries. Contamination is presence of harmful organisms or theirtoxins that cause discomfort or disease.Natural pollution is pollution caused by natural sources, e.g., volcanic eruptions, release of methaneby paddy fields and cattle, release of carbon monoxide by plants and animals, emission of natural gas,ozone, nitrogen oxides, soil erosion, dust storms, cosmic rays, ultra-violet rays, etc.Man-made pollution is pollution resulting from human activities like burning of fossil fuels,deforestation, mining, sewage, industrial effluents, pesticides, fertilizers, etc. Amount of man madeatmospheric pollution is hardly 0.05% of total but is more dangerous because of its concentration incertain localities,Pollutant: It is a substance (e.g. dust, smoke), chemical (e.g. SO2) or factor (e.g. heat, noise) that onrelease into the environment has an actual or potential adverse effect on human interests. Pollutant canalso be defined as a constituent in the wrong amount, at a wrong place or at a wrong time.Types of pollutants :Pollutants can be of following types :(a) Biodegradable pollutants :The pollutants which are degraded by natural factors and aredecomposed by natural activities are biodegradable pollutants.(b) Non-biodegradable pollutants :There are pollutants which cannot be purified by natural methods.Plastic products, many chemicals, long chain detergents, glass, aluminium and many other artificialsynthetic products manufactured by man come under this category.Pollution according to physical nature of pollutants:According to the physical nature of the pollutants, the categories include : gases, particulate matter,temperature, noise, radioactivity, etc. These categories can be named as gaseous pollution, dustpollution, thermal pollution, noise pollution, radioactive pollution, etc.Types of pollution according to the part of environment:1. Air pollution (Atmosphere)2. Water pollution (Hydrosphere)3. Soil pollution (Lithosphere)WWW.VIDYARTHIPLUS.COM
Dry deposition refers to acidic gases and particles. About half of the acidity in the atmosphere fallsback to earth through dry deposition. The wind blows these acidic particles and gases onto buildings,cars, homes, and trees. Dry deposited gases and particles can also be washed from trees and othersurfaces by rainstorms. When that happens, the runoff water adds those acids to the acid rain, makingthe combination more acidic than the falling rain alone.Prevailing winds blow the compounds that cause both wet and dry acid deposition across state andnational borders, and sometimes over hundreds of miles. Scientists discovered, and have confirmed,that sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the primary causes of acid rain. In the US,About 2/3 of all SO2 and 1/4 of all NOx comes from electric power generation that relies on burningfossil fuels like coal.Acid rain occurs when these gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicalsto form various acidic compounds. Sunlight increases the rate of most of these reactions. The result isa mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid.Effects of Acid Rain:Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams and contributes to damage of trees at highelevations (for example, red spruce trees above 2,000 feet) and many sensitive forest soils. Inaddition, acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and paints, including irreplaceablebuildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage. Prior to falling to theearth, SO2 and NOx gases and their particulate matter derivatives, sulfates and nitrates, contribute tovisibility degradation and harm public health.6. Give any seven air pollutant gases. Mention its source and effects on human health.Sources of Air Pollution: 2 types(a) Natural sources: eg. Volcanic eruptions, forest fires, biological decay Pollen grains, marshes,radio active materials etc.(b) Man made activities: eg. Industrial chemical gaseous effluents, thermal power plants,vehicular emissions, fossil fuel burning, agricultural activities etc.Classification of Air pollutants: Air pollutants can be classified depending upon the form in whichthey are present in the environment as:1) Primary pollutants and 2) Secondary pollutants1) Primary pollutants are those emitted directly into the atmosphere in the harmful form. eg. CO, NO,SO2 etc.2) Secondary pollutants: Some of the primary pollutants might react with one another or with thebasic components of air to form new pollutants. These resultant new pollutants are calledsecondary pollutants.MoistureEg. NO/NO2 ----------(HNO3/ NO3) etc.Indoor Air Pollutants: These are primary air pollutants. Important example is Radon Gas(i) Radon gas emitted from the building materials like bricks. Concrete, tiles etc. derived from soilcontaining Radium(ii) Also present in natural gas, ground water and is emitted during their usage indoors.(iii) Burning of fuels in the kitchen, smoking, - CO, SO2, formaldehyde,BAP(Benzo-(a) pyrene etc.WHO (World Health Organization) has made it known, that according to the statisticsavailable to it, more than 1.1 billion people live live in urban areas where outdoor air is unhealthy tobreathe. With the ever increasing rate of urbanization the number of such affected presently may bemuch larger. Some of the air pollutants are detailed below:(1) Carbon monoxide(CO):Description: It is a colourless, odourless gas ( hence not perceived by the nose to get alerted aboutthe lurking danger) that is poisonous to air breathing beings. It is formed during the incompletecombustion of carbon containing fuels:2 C + O2 2 CO
Even in villages, people using fire wood and charcoal for their cooking purposes can causethis event. The general human sources for this dangerous pollutant are: Cigarette smoking, incompleteburning of fossil fuels. About 77% comes from motor vehicle exhaust. (Dogs get asphixated in themine walkups due to the CO contaminationHealth Effects: CO reacts with the Haemoglobin in red cells and reduces the ability of blood to bringOxygen to body cells and tissues causing headaches and anaemia. At high levels it causes coma,irreversible brain cell damage and death.(2) Nitrogen Dioxide: It is a reddish brown irritating gas that gives photochemical smog. In theatmosphere it can get converted into Nitric Acid (HNO3).NO2 + Moisture HNO3Human Sources: Fossil fuel burning motor vehicles (49%) and Industrial Power Plants (49%)Health effects: Lung irritation and damageEnvironmental effects: Acid deposition of HNO3 could damage trees, soils and aquatic life in lakes.HNO3 could corrode metals and eat away stone on the buildings, statues and monuments. NO2 coulddamage fabrics.(3) Sulphur Dioxide:It is again an irritating gas that is also colourless. It is mostly formed from the combustion ofSulphur containing Fossil fuels such as coal and Oil. (Start up of the Sulphuric Acid plant). In theatmosphere it can be convertd into Sulphurous and Sulphuric acids. These are the major componentsof acid deposition.Human Sources: Coal combustion in Thermal Power Plants (88%) and other industrial processes(10%)Health Effects: Breathing problems even for healthy peopleEnvironmental effects: Reduces visibility, acid deposition of H2SO4. It can cause damage to trees,soils and aquatic life in lakes.(4) Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM)These include a variety of particles and droplets (aerosols) They can be suspended inatmospheric air for short to long periods. (Room deodorizers)Human Sources: Burning of coal in power and industrial plants (40%), burning diesel and other fuelsin vehicles(17%), agriculture, unpaved roads, construction work etc.Health Effects: Nose and throat irritation, lung damage, bronchitis, asthma, reproductive problemsand cancer.Environmental Effects: Reduces visibility, causes acid deposition and H2SO4 droplets. These coulddamage trees, soils and aquatic life in lakes.(5) Ozone:This is a highly reactive gas which possess an unpleasant odour and is irritative. As we haveseen in the introduction chapter it forms a major portion of the troposphere. It is the major componentof photochemical smog.Human Sources: Chemical reaction with volatile organic compounds (emitted mostly by cars andindustries) and nitrogen oxides.Environmental Effect: Moderates the climate.(6) Photochemical Smog:A photochemical reaction is any reaction activated by light. Air pollution known asphotochemical smog is a mixture of more than 100 primary and secondary pollutants formed underthe influence of sunlight. Its formation begins inside automobile engines and the boilers in coalburning power and industrial plants.Health Effects: Breathing problems, cough, eye, nose and throat irritation, heart ailments, reducesresistance to colds and pneumonia.Environmental effects: Ozone can cause damage to plants and trees, Smog can affect visibility
(7) Lead (Pb): This is a toxic solid metal. Even its compounds, emitted into the atmosphere asparticulate matter is also a pollutant.Human sources: Paint, smelters (Metal refineries), lead manufacture, storage batteries, leaded petrolHealth effects: accumulates in the body, brain and nervous system damage and possible mentalretardation (especially in children); digestive and other problems. Some lead containing chemicalscaused cancer in test animals.Environmental effects: Can harm wildlife7. Explain the water pollutants and their effects.1. Infectious agents: eg.: Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasitic wormsHuman Sources: Human and animal wastesEffects: Variety of diseases2. Oxygen Demanding Wastes: eg.: Organic wastes such as animal manure and plant debris that canbe decomposed by aerobic (oxygen-requiring) bacteriaHuman Sources: Sewage, animal feedlots, paper mills and food processing facilities.Effects: Large populations of bacteria decomposing these wastes can degrade water quality bydepleting water of dissolved oxygen. This causes fish and other forms of Oxygen-consuming aquaticlife to die.3. Inorganic Chemicals: eg.: Water soluble inorganic chemicals.(i) acids; (ii) Compound of toxic metals such as lead (Pb). Arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) and (iii)salts such as NaCl in ocean water and fluorides (F )found in some soilsHuman Sources: surface runoff, industrial effluent and household cleansers.Effects:(i) Can render fresh water non potable and unusable for irrigation(ii) Causes skin cancers and neck damage(iii) Damage the nervous system, liver and kidneys(iv) Harm fish and other aquatic life(v) Lower crop yields(vi) Accelerate corrosion of metals exposed to such water.4. Organic Chemicals: eg.: Oil, gasoline, plastics, pesticides, cleaning solvents, detergents.Human Sources: Industrial effluents, household cleansers, surface runoffs from farmsEffects: (i) Can threaten human health by causing nervous system damage and some cancers; (ii)Harm fish and wild life.5. Plant Nutrients: eg.: Water soluble compounds containing nitrate ( NO43), phosphate ( PO4 3)and ammonium (NH4+) ions.Human Sources: Sewage, manure, and runoff of agricultural and urban fertilizers.Effects:(i) Can cause excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants, which die, decay,deplete dissolved oxygen in water and kill fish.(ii) Drinking water with excessive level of nitrates lower the oxygen carrying capacity of the bloodand can kill urban children and infants.6. Sediment: eg.: Soil, silt, etc.Human Sources: Land erosionEffects:(i) Can cloud water and reduce photosynthesis(ii) Disrupt aquatic food webs(iii) Carry pesticides, bacteria, and other harmful substances.(iv) Settle out and destroy feeding and spawning rounds of fish(v) Clog and fill lakes, artificial reservoirs, stream channels and harbours.7. Radioactive Materials: eg.: Radioactive isotopes of Iodine, radon, uranium, cesium and thoriumHuman Sources: Nuclear power plants, mining and processing of uranium and other ores, nuclearweapons production and natural sources.Effects: Genetic mutations, birth defects, and certain cancers8. Heat (Thermal Pollution): eg.: Excessive heatHuman sources: Water cooling electric power plants and some types of industrial plants. Almost halfof water withdrawn in Unitd States each year is for cooling purposes in electric power plants.
Effects:1. Lowers dissolved oxygen levels and makes aquatic organisms more vulnerable to disease, parasitesand toxic chemicals2. When a power plant operates for the first time or shuts down for repair, fish and other organismsadapted to a particular temperature range can be killed by the abrupt change in water temperatureknown as thermal shock.9. Point and Non-Point Sources of Water Pollution:(i) point Sources: These are discharged pollutants at specific locations through pipes, ditches orsewers into bodies of surface water.Eg.: This includes factories, sewage treatment plants, abandoned underground mines and oil tankers.(ii) Non-point sources: They cannot be traced to any single site of discharge. They are usually largeland areas or airsheds that pollute water by runoff, surface flow or deposition from the atmosphere.Eg.: include acid deposition and runoff of chemicals into surface water from croplands, livestockfeedlots, logged forests, urban street, lawn, golf courses and parking lots.Some of the trade substance may contain pathogenic bacteria.
The coastal reefs have been valued at US$ 47 thousand per square meter of the shoreline inrespect of their protection characteristic alone. These coastal wetlands provide habitat for over 2,000species of fish and plants. A wide variety of commercially valuable species of fish are suppored bySea grass beds which are under water ocean grass lands.Factors affecting Coral Reefs: The coral reefs are threatened by1. The sediment as a result of deforestation carried by the runoffs.2. The agricultural and industrial chemicals reaching through the river discharges3. The anchors of the boats and the careless divers4. Rising ocean temperaturesThe wet lands are being destroyed or degraded by conversion into agricultural lands, fish ponds, forurban expansion or for industrial development. The various coastal development activities have beenadversely affecting the sea grass beds.I] Dumping the wastesDumping of untreated wastes and sewage into oceans by the coastal towns, cities andindustrial units is the most serious issue. Also, what ever is carried by rivers in their traverse ends upin sea. These carried materials are like large amounts of sewage, garbage, agricultural discharge,pesticides including heavy metals. Enormous amount of plastic is also being dumped into sea.Effect: Many marine birds are affected by gastro-intestinal disorders when they ingest plastic,II] Oil Pollution of Marine WaterThe greatest damage to water is inflicted by petroleum and its several products. Oil enters theoceans from cracks in the oil tankers as also because of the spillage. Merchant and warships cleantheir fuel tanks, again resulting in oil spillage into the ocean. Street cleaning also causes the sameeffect.The very heavy portions of the petroleum products tend to precipitate to the bottom or areadsorbed on rock, stone and sand banks resulting in the inhibition of the life of the hydrobionts. Evenone drop of petroleum is capable of spreading over as a thin film over a large area and isolate thewater from contact with atmospheric oxygen.Effect: The large spreads of oil films would hamper the photosynthesis and the formation of oxygen.This in turn inhibits growth of plankton, which is the main source for the hydrobionts inhabiting thewater bodies. Also, all the aquatic animals depend either directly or indirectly on plankton, whichforms the basis of the trophic chain.The surface of water in contact with he shore is usually contaminated with oil, whichinterferes with the normal development of many hydrobionts.Effects of Marine pollution Presence of heavy metals and organic pollutants cause intense damage in birds such as thinning ofeggshell and the tissue damage of egg. Oil pollution can cause damage to marine fauna and flora including algae, fish, birds,invertebrates.. About 50,000 to 2,50,000 birds are said to be killed every year by oil . Oil spillage in sea water leads to abnormally low body temperature in birds resulting inhypothermia. Eg. Nearly 150 rare species of bald eagles became victims when they ingested oilduring Exxon Valdez accident. Oil films are capable of significantly retarding the rate of oxygen uptake by water. The continuous oil films inhibit photosynthesis and oxygen formation leading to the debilitatingrate of plankton growth. Hydrocarbons and Benzpyrene tend to accumulate in the food chain and consumption of fish byman may lead to caner. Detergents used to clean up the spillage also take their turn causing harmto marine life.Control Measures of Marine PollutionA charter of six principles for sustainable management of Marine pollution has been recommended byThe World Wide Fund for Nature and World Conservation Union. Plans for conserving marine biodiversity must be taken into account of human needs. People should be educated about marine eco systems and the benefits offered by them.
Local communities must be made to involve in the protecting and management of theircoastal resources Incentives, both social and economic should be offered for conserving and sustainable use ofmarine resources All the oceans of the world are connected is a fact that should be reflected whenever policydecisions are taken. Governments of different regions must manage their own waters and also extend necessarycooperation to the neighbouring governments.Other Control Measures: Industrial units on the coastal lines should be made to equip their industries with pollutioncontrol instruments and efficient treatment facilities. There must be proper regulation in respect of urban growth near the coasts. The needs of the fishermen living on the coasts and depending on marine resources should beaccommodated and their grievances alleviated.9. Write a detailed note on Municipal Solid waste management.Methods of disposal of Municipal solid wastesa] Landfill, b] Incineration and c] Compostinga] LandfillSolid wastes are placed in landfill system in alternate layers of 80 cm thick of refuse, coveredwith 20 cm thick layer of selected earth fill. It6 is allowed to that way for two to three years. By thattime the solid waste volume would shrink by 25 to 30$ and then the land can be used for buildingparks, roads and small buildings.The most common and cheapest method of waste disposal is dumping in sanitary land-fills.This is the method invariably employed in Indian cities. Land-fill structure can be either built into theground or on the ground into which the waste is dumped. This methods consists in spreading he solidwaste on the ground, compacting it and then covering it with soil at suitable intervals.Advantages:1. It is simple and economical2. segregation is not required3. Land-filled area can be reclaimed after a few years and used for other purposes.4. This method can convert low lying, marshy waste-land into useful areas5. Natural resources are returned to the soil and recycled.Disadvantages:1. Large areas are required2. Transportation cost will be heavy ,since the land available for land-filling will be away fromtown.3. If the land-fills are not properly managed bad odours will be emitted.4. These areas will be breeding centres for mosquitoes and flies and hence insecticides andpesticides are to be applied at regular intervals. These insecticides and pesticides will causepollution on their own.5. In wet weather formation of Methane gas is possible and this may lead to fire hazards.b] IncinerationThis is a hygienic way of disposing solid waste. If the solid waste contains more hazardousmaterial and organic content then this method is more appropriate. It is a thermal process and is veryeffective for detoxification of all combustible pathogens. It is an expensive technology compared toland-fill and composting because incinerators are very expensive.Incinerator is a furnace in which the municipal solid wastes are burnt. The combustiblematerials such as rubbish, garbage, dead organisms and the non-combustible matter such as glass,porcelain, metals are separated before feeding to the incinerators. The non-combustible materials canbe left out for recycling and reuse. He left out ashes from the incinerators, usually reduced to 10 to20% of the original waste material volume, need further disposal either by sanitary landfill or bysome other means.The heat generated in the incinerators in turn can be used for generating electricity throughthe route of steam power and turbines. The municipal solid waste is generally wet but has a very highcalorific value. It has to be dried up first before incinerating. This is done in a preheater from where it
is taken into the large incinerating furnace, called destructors which can incinerate about 100 to 150tonnes per hour. The temperature normally maintained in a combustion chamber is about 7000C andmay be increased to 10000C when electricity can be generated.Advantages: The residue from incineration is only 20 to 25% of original weight, the clinker can be usedafter treatment It needs very little space Cost of transportation is not high as incinerators are located within the ciy limits. Very safe from hygienic point of view. 3 MW of power can be generated from an incinerator plant of 300 tonnes per day.Disadvantages: Its capital cost and operating cost are very high. Formation of smoke, dust and ashes need further disposal, due to which air pollution mightincrease.(c) Composting:It is another popular method practiced in may cities in India. In this method, bulk organicwaste is converted into a fertilising manure by biological action.The separated compostable waste is dumped in underground earthen trenches in layers of 1.5m and is finally covered with earth of about 20 cm and left over for decomposition. Sometimes certainmicro organisms such as actinomycetes are introduced for active decomposition. Within 2 to 3 daysbiological action starts, the organic matter being destroyed by actinomycetes and a lot of heat isliberated increasing the temperature of the compost by about 750C and finally the refuse is convertedto powdery brown coloured odourless mass known as humus and has a fertilizing value for use inagriculture fields. The compost conatains lot of Nitrogen essential for plant growth apart fromphosphates and other minerals.WHO (World Health Organization) has set up a compost plant in New Delhi in 1981 with acapacity to handle 90 to 100 tonnes of waste every day. The prepared compost can be supplied tonurseries, kitchen gardens and horticulture department. The developing countries widely employ thecomposting technology.Advantages:1. When the compost manure is used, it increases the water retention and ion-exchange capacityof soil.2. A variety of industrial solid wastes can also be treated by this method.3. The compost manure can be marketed thus reducing the cost of disposal of solid wastes4. Recycling is one of the major benefits of composing.Disadvantages:1. The non-compostables have to be disposed off separately2. Farmers have not yet accepted compost as a fruitful manure and hence the marketing may bedifficult.10. Discuss the role of an individual in prevention of pollution.ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN PREVENTION OF POLLUTIONIt is not possible to entirely prevent environmental pollution. It is also not possible tocompletely remove pollution. Proper implementation and individual participation are the mostimportant aspects which should be given due importance and stress.The individual participation is useful in law making processes and restraining the pollutionactivities. Thus the public participation plays a major role in the effective environmental management.A small effort by each individual at his own place will have a pronounced effect at the global level.The apt saying is Think globally act locallyEach individual should modify his or her lifestyle in such a way as to reduce environmentalpollution.Individual Participation:
Plant moretrees
Purchase products which can be recycled, already recycled products and environmentally safeproducts.
Use natural gas than coal. If coal is available cheap, make proper process modifications tosee that pollution is minimized.
Use less harmful substitutes for harmful cleaning agents, paints and otherproducts.
Use eco-friendlyproducts
Do not use polystyrene cups that have chloro fluoro carbon (CFC) molecules. Whichdestroy ozone layer
It has been established that installation of catalytic convertors can slash carbon monoxide emissionfrom 90 grams to 3.4 grams per mile run. So if half the vehicles on Delhi and Mumbai roads are madeto install such catalytic convertors, then total CO emission in India can be reduced by 70 per cent.3. There should be cut in the use of agricultural sprays.4. Excessive and undesirable burning of vegetation should be stopped.5. Smoking should be stopped.6.Use of electrostatic precipitators and filters in the factories to minimise atmospheric pollution.7. Use of tall chimneys can substantially reduce the concentration of pollutant at ground level.
8. Weather forecasts can help in controlling air pollution as the meteorological conditions affect thedispersion, dilution and mixing of various emission and proper operation of factory schedule e.g.when atmospheric stagnation or calm is predicted, a power plant should switch over from coal to gas.9. Separation of pollutants from harmless gases.10. Dispersion of pollutants to innocuous products before releasing into atmosphere.11. Use of electrostatic precipitator and scrubber.An electrostatic precipitator. It removes over 99% particulate matter present in the exhaust from athermal power plant. It has electrode wires and a stage of collecting plates. The electrode wires aremaintained at several thousand volts, which produce a corona that releases electrons. These electronsattach to dust particles and give them a net negative charge within a very small fraction of a second.The collecting plates are grounded and attract the charged dust particles. The velocity of air betweenthe plates must be low enough to allow the dust to fall.
Electrostatic precipitatorScrubber. A scrubber can remove gases like sulphur dioxide. In a scrubber, the exhaust is passedthrough a spray of water or lime. Water dissolves gases and lime reacts with sulphur dioxide to form aprecipitate of calcium sulphate or suiphite.
12. List and explain the methods of waste management in the order of preference. (NOV/DEC2013)Municipal solid waste (MSW), commonly known as trash or garbage (US), refuse or rubbish(UK) is a waste type consisting of everyday items that are discarded by the public.Functional elements of solid wasteThe municipal solid waste industry has four components: recycling, composting, landfilling, andwaste-to-energy via incineration.[5] The primary steps are generation, collection, sorting andseparation, transfer, and disposal. Activities in which materials are identified as no longer being ofvalue and are either thrown out or gathered together for disposal.The three primary strategies for effectively managing materials and waste are reduce, reuse, andrecycle. Reduce waste by considering product packaging and making smart purchasing decisions.
Purchase products manufactured with recycled content (learn more at Buy Recycled). Reusecontainers and products. Recycle anything from plastics to electronics.MSW can be broadly categorized into five broad categories asBiodegradable waste: food and kitchen waste, green waste (vegetables, flowers, leaves, fruits), paper(can also be recycled).Recyclable material : paper, glass, bottles, cans, metals, certain plastics, etc.Inert waste: construction and demolition waste, dirt, rocks, debris.Composite wastes: waste clothing, Tetra Packs, waste plastics such as toys.Domestic hazardous waste (also called "household hazardous waste") &toxic waste:medication, e-waste, paints, chemicals, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, spray cans,fertilizer and pesticide containers, batteries, shoe polish.Collection SystemThis section should contain descriptions and analyses of the various significant pathways along whichMSW is transported from its point of generation to its end use or ultimate disposal, and the collectionmethods for each, according but not limited to the following:(a) type and number of pathways available, including nodes such as transfer stations and marshallingyards;(b) estimates of the amount and type of municipal solid waste flowing along each pathway;(c) the persons responsible for funding, operating and maintaining the collection systems for eachpathway;(d) the geographic area and population served by communal systems;(e) the potential for and constraints to expansion of communal systems;(f) problems with and impacts of various collection methods and pathways; and(g) the total collection system costs, in aggregate and for each pathway.Post-collection System Operations(1) This section should contain information about the various methods of processing and disposing ofMSW after collection, including the following:(a) recycling, including individual and communal composting, and markets for recyclables;(b) recovery;(c) thermal reduction, including incinerators; and(d) landfilling(2) In addition to identifying existing landfill sites, the study should identify the location andenvironmental status of all closed landfill sites, including historical sites, private landfills, illegaldumps and landfills on federally administered lands which are on sites adjacent to provinciallyadministered lands.(3) Each method identified in (1) should be described and analyzed in terms of, but not limited to thefollowing elements, as applicable:(a) site / facility locations, classification and number of people served;(b) operational status and requirements;(c) types and quantities of MSW accepted and banned;(d) ownership and persons responsible for each aspect of the operation;(e) land, equipment and labour involved;(f) operational problems;(g) markets and quantities of recyclables shipped;(h) disposal of residue;(i) public involvement / support;Post-collection System Administrative and Financial Structure(1) In terms of the administrative structure, this section should describe any existing or proposed solidwaste management bylaws and regulations. Specified area bylaws should be described in terms ofpopulation served, location and functions. A listing and brief description of all existing wastemanagement permits should also be included.(2) In terms of financial structure, this section should include total solid waste management systemcosts, including projected facilities. The funding of each system element should be described,including revenues and cost recovery mechanisms such as general taxation, specified areas, localservice areas, user-pay strategies and government grants or loans. Finally, the economic viability offacilities or operations and future financial requirements should be assessed.
13. Explain the causes, effects and control measure of water pollution. (MAY/JUNE 2013)(NOV/DEC 2013)Water pollution may be defined as, the alteration in physical, chemical and biologicalcharacteristics of water which may cause harmful effects on humans and aquatic life.The pollutants include sewage, industrial chemicals and effluents, oil and other wastes.Besides, chemicals from the air dissolved in rain water, and fertilizers, pesticides and herbicidesleached from the land also pollute water.Types, effects and sources of water pollution:Water pollution is any chemical, biological or physical change in water quality that has aharmful effect on living organisms or makes water unsuitable for desired uses.1. Infectious agents: eg.: Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasitic wormsHuman Sources: Human and animal wastesEffects: Variety of diseases2. Oxygen Demanding Wastes: eg.: Organic wastes such as animal manure and plant debris that canbe decomposed by aerobic (oxygen-requiring) bacteriaHuman Sources: Sewage, animal feedlots, paper mills and food processing facilities.Effects: Large populations of bacteria decomposing these wastes can degrade water quality bydepleting water of dissolved oxygen. This causes fish and other forms of Oxygen-consuming aquaticlife to die.3. Inorganic Chemicals: eg.: Water soluble inorganic chemicals.(i) acids; (ii) Compound of toxic metals such as lead (Pb). Arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) and (iii)salts such as NaCl in ocean water and fluorides (F )found in some soilsHuman Sources: surface runoff, industrial effluent and household cleansers.Effects:(vii) Can render fresh water non potable and unusable for irrigation(viii) Causes skin cancers and neck damage(ix) Damage the nervous system, liver and kidneys(x) Harm fish and other aquatic life(xi) Lower crop yields(xii) Accelerate corrosion of metals exposed to such water.4. Organic Chemicals: eg.: Oil, gasoline, plastics, pesticides, cleaning solvents, detergents.Human Sources: Industrial effluents, household cleansers, surface runoffs from farmsEffects: (i) Can threaten human health by causing nervous system damage and some cancers; (ii)Harm fish and wild life.5. Plant Nutrients: eg.: Water soluble compounds containing nitrate ( NO43), phosphate ( PO4 3)and ammonium (NH4+) ions.Human Sources: Sewage, manure, and runoff of agricultural and urban fertilizers.Effects:(iii) Can cause excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants, which die, decay,deplete dissolved oxygen in water and kill fish.(iv) Drinking water with excessive level of nitrates lower the oxygen carrying capacity of the bloodand can kill urban children and infants.6. Sediment: eg.: Soil, silt, etc.Human Sources: Land erosionEffects:(vi) Can cloud water and reduce photosynthesis(vii)Disrupt aquatic food webs(viii)Carry pesticides, bacteria, and other harmful substances.(ix) Settle out and destroy feeding and spawning rounds of fish(x) Clog and fill lakes, artificial reservoirs, stream channels and harbours.7. Radioactive Materials: eg.: Radioactive isotopes of Iodine, radon, uranium, cesium and thoriumHuman Sources: Nuclear power plants, mining and processing of uranium and other ores, nuclearweapons production and natural sources.Effects: Genetic mutations, birth defects, and certain cancers8. Heat (Thermal Pollution): eg.: Excessive heat
Human sources: Water cooling electric power plants and some types of industrial plants. Almost halfof water withdrawn in Unitd States each year is for cooling purposes in electric power plants.Effects:1. Lowers dissolved oxygen levels and makes aquatic organisms more vulnerable to disease, parasitesand toxic chemicals2. When a power plant operates for the first time or shuts down for repair, fish and other organismsadapted to a particular temperature range can be killed by the abrupt change in water temperatureknown as thermal shock.9. Point and Non-Point Sources of Water Pollution:(i) point Sources: These are discharged pollutants at specific locations through pipes, ditches orsewers into bodies of surface water.Eg.: This includes factories, sewage treatment plants, abandoned underground mines and oil tankers.(ii) Non-point sources: They cannot be traced to any single site of discharge. They are usually largeland areas or airsheds that pollute water by runoff, surface flow or deposition from the atmosphere.Eg.: include acid deposition and runoff of chemicals into surface water from croplands, livestockfeedlots, logged forests, urban street, lawn, golf courses and parking lots.Control measures of Water Pollution:1. The State or Central Government should control the administration of pollution control2. Scientific techniques should be adopted for the environmental control of catchment areas ofrivers, ponds or streams.3. The industrial processes should be so designed as to adopt recycling operations which will stopthe discharge of industrial wastes into natural water sources and by products can be extracted fromthe wastes.4. Plants, trees and forests control pollution and they are the natural air conditioners.5. If forests are present in and around big cities and industrial establishments can positively reducethe sulphur dioxide and nitric oxide pollutants to a greater extent from the atmosphere. Conservationof Forests should be treated as the moto and national goal. Plant more trees should be theaggressive call to every countryman.. Globally, destruction of forests should be highly discouraged orat least minimized and afforestation should be encouraged. No one can escape from the adverseeffects of a balding earth.14. Write a note on Control of Thermal Pollution. (MAY/JUNE 2013) (NOV/DEC 2013)Control of Thermal Pollution: Though the effects of thermal pollution are not so severe, control ofthermal pollution is necessary since in future the effects may worsen. The use of water from a watercourse for cooling purposes, with subsequent return to the waterway after passage through thecondenser is termed as once-through cooling. To reduce the magnitude of the pollution, the outletwater can be made to give up some of its heat to the atmosphere and then may be discharged into thewater course. To make it effective, cooling towers are primarily used in many power plants andartificial lakes or cooling ponds are situated in some of the places.1. Cooling towers. Cooling towers transfer some of the heat from cooling water to the atmosphere,most probably through the evaporation of water. Evaporative cooling towers are of the following twotypes(a) Natural draft towers. In such towers, hot water is sprayed down through a rising current of air. Thewater vapour gives its heat to the counter-current air and gets cooled. The cooled water is collected atthe bottom and returned to the water body. However, the installation and operation costs of suchtowers are high.(b) Mechanical draft towers. In such towers, air flow is forced or induced by fans. Hot water during itspassage to water course gets cooled by the action of air. However, these towers are not preferred, asthey create annoyable noise due to the operation of fans and operation cost is also high.Evaporative cooling towers cool the water by 10C or more, but they. evaporate nearly 2 per cent ormore of water during evaporation. One of the demerits of such towers is that they may form fog undercold weather, creating driving hazards over an extended area. Similarly, in non-evaporative coolingtowers, heat is transferred directly to the air by means of heat exchangers. It, however, involves highoperational cost.
2. Artificial lakes or cooling ponds. These are the man-made bodies of water which offer one possiblealternative to one-through cooling. The heated effluents can be discharged into the lake at one endand the water for cooling purposes may be drawn at the other end since the heat would eventually bedissipated through evaporation, the cooling pond would have to be replenished continuously. Suchcooling ponds are in use in some locations, but they are not a very attractive alternative since theyrequire so much space. -A one megawatt plant, for example, would require cooling pond with 10002000 acres of surface area. In many areas, the cost of using land for this purpose would be too great tojustify the procedure.UNIT- IIIPART A1. State any two problems caused by construction of dams. Thousands of hectares of forests have been cleared for executing river valley projects. The greatest social cost of big dam is the widespread displacement of tribal people such abiodiversity, cannot be tolerated.2. What is water logging?Water logging is the land where water stand for most of the year.3. What are the two functions of forests?They recycle rain water and remove pollutants from air. They moderate temperature and weather andhelp to maintain humidity.4. What are the advantages of conjunctive use of water?Consumptive use water is completely utilized and not reused.Non consumptive use water is not completely utilized and is reused.5. What are the causes for deforestation?Destruction of forest area. Submergence of forest area under water.6. Differentiate between deforestation and land degradation.Land degradation is the process of deterioration of soil and loss of the fertility of soil. Deforestation process of removal or elimination of forests resources due to many natural or man made activities.7. Define Hydrologic cycle.Hydrologic cycle is defined as the interchange of water between the atmospheres and the Earth'ssurface.8. Name some water borne diseases and the responsible organisms.Typhoid,Paratyphoid, Diarrhoea, Cholera, Bacillary Dysentery- BacteriaAmoebiasis, Giardiasis- ProtozoaViral Hepatitis (Jaundice), Poliomyelitis- VirusesRoundworm, hookworm, threadworm-Helminthes9. Name the sedimentary cycle.Phosphorous cycle and Sulphur cycle10. What are the two adverse effects caused by overgrazing?Land degradation, soil erosion, loss of useful species.11. What are the advantages of rain water harvesting?Advantages of rain water harvesting Reduction in the use of current for pumping water, increase theavailability of water from the wells, rise in ground water levels, minimizing soil erosion and floodhazards, upgrading social and environmental status.12. State the environmental effect of extracting & using mineral resources?Rapid depletion of mineral deposits, causes environmental pollution.13. What do you understand by the terms mineral and ore?Ore is the unprocessed part of the rock excavated14. What are the various processes by which mineral deposits are formed?Minerals are naturally occurring substances having definite chemical and physical properties. Ores areminerals or combination of minerals from which useful substances such as metals can be profitablyextracted.15. What are strategic and critical minerals? Give examples.Strategic minerals required for the defence of the country [Eg. manganese, cobalt.]Critical minerals essential for the economic power of a country. [Eg. iron, aluminium.]16. What are the effects of over exploitation of mineral resources?
Devegetation and defacing of land scape, Ground water contamination, Air pollution, Subsidence ofland17. Give some methods that can be applied for the management of mineral resources.Modernization of mining activities, reuse and recycling of metals, environmental impacts can beminimized by adopting ecofriendly mining technology.18. How can you differentiate between under nutrition & mal nutrition?People who cannot buy enough food to meet their basic energy needs suffer from undernutrition.Deficiency or lack of nutrition often leads to malnutrition.19. What are the changes caused by overgrazing and agriculture?Overgrazing Land degradation, soil erosion, loss of useful species.Agriculture loss of nutrients, soil erosion, deforestation.20. What do you understand by micronutrient imbalance?Most of the chemical fertilizers used in modern agriculture contain N.P.K. which are macro-nutrients,when excess of nutrients is used in the fields it leads to micronutrient imbalance.21. What is blue baby Syndrome?When nitrogen fertilizers are applied in the fields they leach deep into the soil and contaminate theground water, the nitrate in the water gets increased, when the nitrate concentration exceeds 25mg/litthey cause serious health problem called blue baby syndrome.22. Define Eutrophication.A large portion of n and p used in crop fields is washed off by the runoff water and reaches the waterbodies causing overnourishment of lakes called Eutrophication.23. Explain briefly the various methods of harvesting solar energy.Solar voltaic cells, solar heat collectors, solar water heater.24. Write a note on tidal power.Ocean tides produced by gravitational forces of the sun and moon contain enormous amount of energywhich can be harnessed by constructing a tidal barrage.25. Compare nuclear power with coal power.Coal power fossil fuelNuclear power generated from nuclearfission or fusiongoverned by temp and pressure no effect of temp and pressure26. Write a note on production of electricity from solar energy.Energy that we get directly from the sun is called solar energy. solar cells, solar heat collectors.27. What are renewable and non-renewable energy sources?Renewable energy resources are natural resources which can be regenerated continuously and areinexhaustible. They can be used again and again. Eg: solar energy, wind energy etc. Non-renewableenergy resources are energy resource that is not replaced or is replaced only very slowly by naturalprocesses. Eg: fossil fuels--oil, natural gas, and coal.28. Write briefly about geothermal energy.Temperature of the earth increases at the rate of 20 75oC per Km, when we move down the earthssurface. High temperature and pressure fields exists below the earths surface in many places. Theenergy harnessed from the high temperature present inside the earth is called geothermal energy.29. What are the disadvantages of H2 as fuel?Highly inflammable and explosive in nature, safe handling required, difficult to store and transport.30. What are bio fuels?Fuels obtained by fermentation of biomass.31. What is LPG?Petroleum gas obtained during cracking and fractional distillation can be converted into liquid underpressure, colorless and odourless gas.32. What is the necessity of alternate energy resources?Importance of solar energy, hydel power projects, hydroelectric power generation to avoidenvironmental implications, ecological balance existing on earth to provide more energy to meet therequirements of increasing population, to reduce environmental pollution, to reduce safety andsecurity risks associated with the use of nuclear energy.33. Name the different types of energy resources.Renewable and non renewable energy resources.34. Define sustainable forestry.WWW.VIDYARTHIPLUS.COM
Using the forest wealth for all needful and other purposes without basically affecting the minimumarea requirement for forests can be called sustainable forestry. For achieving sustainability of forestry.For this care should be taken to prevent deforestation as far as possible. Even if deforestation is takingplace a planned forestation programme is to be implemented.35. What are the conventional sources of energy for mankind?Coal, petroleum, natural gas and nuclear fuels.36. What are the measures recommended for conservation of natural resources?Conservation of energy, water, soil, food resources and forests.37. What is the role of an individual in conservation of natural resources?Role of individual in the conservation of natural resources. duty of every individual to conservenatural resource in such a way that it is available for future generations also. Due to advancement Itechnology and population growth, the present world is facing lot of problems on degradation ofnatural resource.38. Mention some uses of land resources.Uses of land resources provides food, wood, minerals etc for us, nurtures the plants and animals thatprovide food and shelter, used as watershed or reservoir, used for construction of buildings andindustries.39. What is land degradation?Land degradation. Process of deterioration of soil or loss of fertility of soil.40. What are the causes of land degradation?Causes of land degradation. Increase in population, increase in urbanization, increased applicationsof fertilizers and pesticides, damage of top soil.41. What do you understand by desertification?DesertificationProgressive destruction or degradation of arid or semi arid lands to desert.42. Mention the causes of land slides.Causes of landslides removal of vegetation, underground mining, transport, addition of weight andground water level.43. What do you mean by environmental impact?Environmental impactThe effect on the natural environment caused by various human actions. Itincludes 2 types. Indirect effects Eg: pollution, Direct effects Eg: cutting down trees.44. Explain overgrazing.Overgrazing-A process of eating away of forests without giving it a chance to regenerate.45. State the reasons of over exploitation of forests. (MAY/JUNE 2013)1. Shifting of Cultivation 300 million people 5 lakh hectares of forest for slash and burnculture2. Fuel requirement3. Raw materials for industrial use4. Developmental projects5. Growing food needs6. Overgrazing7. Forest fires46. Write the ways of drought management. (MAY/JUNE 2013) Selecting appropriate crop or plantation depending upon the climate, soil type . Afforestation47. Mention the major environmental impacts of Mining. (NOV/DEC 2013)Impacts of Mining are: Soil erosion, Contamination of soil, Loss of biodiversity, Formation ofsinkholes.48. What are the changes caused due to overgrazing? (NOV/DEC 2013)Overgrazing leads to loss of biodiversity, loss of minerals, Soil erosion, leads to desertification.49. What are the harmful effects of land degradation?( NOV/DEC 2013)Harmful effects of land degradation. Soil structure and texture are deteriorated, loss of soil fertilitydue to loss of valuable nutrients, increase in water logging, salinity, alkalinity, acidity problems.PART B1. (i) What is deforestation and give its ill effects. (ii) Illustrate the various environmental illeffects and benefits associated with dams with reference to a case study.
water results in brackish water. The salinity in an estuary increases from upper middle to lowerreaches and at the mouth of the estuary the salinity is nearly equal to that of the sea.Marine Water. The sea water is highly salty. The average salinity of sea water remains almostconstant at 35 parts of salts per 1000 parts of water by weight and written as 35%. Some salt lakesmay also have salinity between 25% to 35%. Salts present in the sea water includes chlorides ofsodium, potassium, magnesium; sulphates of magnesium, calcium and strontium. Also present in seawater are calcium carbonate and sodium fluoride. The biotic activity in such habitats is greatlyrestricted.The absence of many fresh water animals and plants from the marine environment is largely due totheir inability to tolerate the high salinity of the sea water. Insects are mostly absent from marineenvironment.Ground Water. Ground water represents a major subterranean reservoir of fresh water. In general, itis not tapped by plants as it is too deep and does not suffer from loss due to evaporation. It slowlyflows through the underground porous substratum from one place to another under the influence ofgravity. Its flow may vary from a few millimeters to as much as a metre or so per day. At some placesground water reappears at the surface in the form of a spring.Wells are the major forms of ground water. They may be shallow or deep. The zone of sub-surfaceformation that provides water to wells is called an aquifer. Some aquifers exhibit an unusually highhydrostatic pressure to force water upto the soil surface when a well is dug. Such a well from whichwater is pushed automatically to the soil surface is called an artesian well.In areas devoid of lakes and rivers ground water is the most important source of water.The total exploitable potential of ground water amounts to 42.3 x 1010 cubic metres in India. Aquarter of it is already being used in the country for irrigation, industries and domestic uses. In manyplaces ground water withdrawals have already exceeded the recharge rates causing serious problems.4. Discuss the role of an individual in the conservation of natural resources.The steps necessary for every individual to conserve the natural resources are:Conserve water:Keep taps closed.Conserve water in the washing machines.Check for water leaks in the pipes.Use drip irrigationBuild rain water harvesting systemConserve EnergyTurn off lights,fans.Use solar cookerGrow deciduous trees and climbersProtect the soilGrow different ornamental plantsUse sprinking irrigationUse mixed croppingPromote sustainable agricultureReduce use of pesticidesUse drip irrigation.5. Write a brief note on changes caused by overgrazing and agriculture?CHANGES CAUSED BY OVERGRAZING AND AGRICULTURE: Overgrazing:Process of eating away the vegetation along with its roots without giving a chance to regenerateLand degradation-leads to organically poor, dry, compacted soil cannot be used for further cultivationSoil erosion-cover of vegetation gets removed from soilLoss of useful species-good quality grasses and herbs with high nutritive value, when grazed loseeven the root stocks which carry the reserve food for regeneration get destroyed which gives raise tosecondary species like parthenium, Lantane, Xanthium etcWWW.VIDYARTHIPLUS.COM
Modern agriculture:The practice through which specific plant species are cared and managed so as to obtain maximumyield of consumable parts of plants agriculture .Makes use of hybrid seeds and selected and singlecrop variety, high tech equipment and lots of energy subsides in the form of fertilizers, pesticides andirrigation water e.g. green revolution Damage to soil Water contamination Water scarcity Global climate change Water logging-results when soil is over irrigated Soil salinity-increase plant productivity, interferes with water uptake by plants Fossil fuels and pesticides produce air pollution Impacts related to high yielding varieties: Monoculture i.e. the same genotype is grown over vast areas. Disease spread easily Micronutrient imbalance e.g. Zinc deficiency-affect soil productivityNitrate pollution-nitrogenous fertilizers applied deep soil contaminates ground water.causeblue baby syndrome methaemoglobinemia- affects infants Eutrophication: Over nourishment of lakes due to agriculture field wash out-leads to algabloom-dead organic matters increases due to decomposition-leads to oxygen demandProblems associated with pesticide use Evolution of genetic resistance Imbalance in ecosystem Creation of new pest Persistence, Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification
Mobility through soil, water, air, washed away into rivers, streams, when it rainscanharm fishes Creating super pest Death of non target organisms Salinity Water logging.Water logging / salinisation: Saturation of soil with irrigation water or excessive precipitation, so thatwater table rises close to surface. Water logging results when soils are over irrigated without drainage.Occurs in clayey soil, soil root zone becomes saturated with so much water blocking oxygen supplyfor growth and soil becomes unsuitable. Carbon dioxide and ethylene accumulate around roots andaffects plants6. Describe the problems associated with the over exploitation of mineral resources and groundwater.
The disposal of waste material produced after concentrations of ore create increase concentration ofheavy metals and toxic elements in the environment
5. Floods and drought caused by deforestation disturbs plant and animal life.Effects of DeforestationDeforestation has been the cause of many problems facing the world today such as erosions, loss ofbiodiversity through extinction of plant and animal species, and increased atmospheric carbondioxide.Importance of VegetationDeforestation consequently decrease the supply of oxygen found on earth. Oxygen is essential to theexistence of all living things and without it every living creature (including humans) will not be ableto sustain life. In addition, forests provide homes for many important species such as the NorthernSpotted Owl which can only survive in the northwestern United States . Furthermore, forests preventdesertification by replenishing nutrients in the land. These are just a few reasons why forests are soonimportant.Economic impactHistorically, utilization of forest products, including timber and fuel wood, has played a key role inhuman societies, comparable to the roles of water and cultivable land. Today, developed countriescontinue to utilize timber for building houses, and wood pulp for paper. In developing countriesalmost three billion people rely on wood for heating and cooking.The forest products industry is a large part of the economy in both developed and developingcountries. Short-term economic gains made by conversion of forest to agriculture, or over-exploitationof wood products, typically leads to loss of long-term income and long-term biological productivity.10. (i) Enumerate the effects of modern agriculture. (MAY/JUNE 2013)Modern agriculture:The practice through which specific plant species are cared and managed so as to obtain maximumyield of consumable parts of plants agriculture .Makes use of hybrid seeds and selected and singlecrop variety, high tech equipment and lots of energy subsides in the form of fertilizers, pesticides andirrigation water e.g. green revolution Damage to soil Water contamination Water scarcity Global climate change Water logging-results when soil is over irrigated Soil salinity-increase plant productivity, interferes with water uptake by plants Fossil fuels and pesticides produce air pollution Impacts related to high yielding varieties: Monoculture i.e. the same genotype is grown over vast areas. Disease spread easily Micronutrient imbalance e.g. Zinc deficiency-affect soil productivityNitrate pollution-nitrogenous fertilizers applied deep soil contaminates ground water.causeblue baby syndrome methaemoglobinemia- affects infants Eutrophication: Over nourishment of lakes due to agriculture field wash out-leads to algabloom-dead organic matters increases due to decomposition-leads to oxygen demandProblems associated with pesticide use Evolution of genetic resistance Imbalance in ecosystem Creation of new pest Persistence, Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification
Mobility through soil, water, air, washed away into rivers, streams, when it rainscanharm fishes Creating super pest Death of non target organisms Salinity Water logging.(ii) Write a note on wind energy and tidal power. (MAY/JUNE 2013)
Development should bring benefits to all, not only for the present generation, but also for the futuregeneration.2. State the aspects of sustainable development.Inter- generational equity & Intra generational equity3. What is urbanization?It is the movement of human population from rural areas to urban areas for the want of bettereducation, communication, health, employment, etc.,4. State the causes of urbanization.Since cities are the main centers of economic growth, trade, transportation, education, medicalfacilities and employment, rural people moves to cities.5. State the solutions for urban energy problem.Urban people may use public transport instead of using motor cycles and cars. Production capacitymay be increased.6. State the need for water conservation.Over exploitation of ground water leads to drought. Agricultural and industrial activities require morefresh water.7. State the different strategies for water conservation.Reducing evaporation losses; Reducing irrigation losses; Re-use of water: Preventing wastage ofwater; Decreasing run-off losses: Avoid discharge of sewage.8. What are the advantages of rain water harvesting?Increasing the availability of water from well. Rise in ground water levels.9. What are the factors affecting watershed?The watersheds are found to be degraded due to uncontrolled, Unplanned and unscientific land useactivities; Droughty climate also affects the watershed.10. What are the objectives of watershed management?To minimize the risks of floods, droughts and landslides; To raise the ground water level.11. State the causes for displacement of people.Due to developmental activities; Due to disaster; Due to conservation initiatives.12. What is resettlement?It is the simple relocation (or) displacement of human population.13. What is environmental ethics?It refers to the issues principles and guidelines relating to human interactions with their environment.14. What are the common objectives of Environmental Legislation?o To control further damage to the environment and ecosystemo To conserve the environment.o To restore the environment in areas damaged including such measures as reclamation of degradedland.o To create authorities to administer the policy and contents of the legislation.o To provide penalties and prosecution for violation of laws15. Name some of the acts enacted by the Indian Government to protect the environment.The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cases Act 1977The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981The Environment (Protection) Act 1986The Public Liability Insurance Act 199116. Mention some of the Environmental Quality Objectives.Reduced climate impact, A non-toxic environment, Cleaner air, A perfect zone layer. Good qualityground water, Sustainable forests17. What is the main objective of ISO 14000 series?The main purpose of ISO 14000 series is to promote effective and efficient environmentalmanagement in organizations.18. What is the role of ISO in environmental protection?The main involvement of ISO is to develop the standards in the following areas.1) Environmental Management System (EMS), 2) Environmental Auditing, 3) EnvironmentalLabeling, 4) Environmental Performance Evaluation, 5)Life cycle assessment, 6) Terms anddefinitions
19. What is the difference between normal osmosis process and reverse osmosis process?In the normal osmosis process, more dilution of concentrated solution occurs by the movement ofmolecules from the less concentrated side. But incase of reverse osmosis process, due to theapplication of high external pressure, the molecules of solution move from the more concentrated sideto the less concentrated side through the semi-permeable membrane.20. Define HDI.HDI is an estimate of human resources development, as measured by three parameters life span,literacy and standard of living. It determines the quality of life in a country.21. What is disaster?It is defined as the sudden calamity which brings misfortune and miseries to the humanity.22. What is earthquake?It is defined as sudden, violent, and shaking of part of the earth.23. What is cyclone and mention the prevention taken at the time of cyclone? It is an area of low pressure in the centre and high pressure outside. Store all the loose items inside the home Fuel your car and park it under solid cover Close the shutters or heavily tape all the windows Disconnect all the electrical appliances Turn off the gas24. What is landslide?It is a sudden collapse of larger mass of hill slide.25. What is Rain water harvesting?In urban areas, the construction of houses, footpaths and roads has left little exposed earth for water tosoak in. In parts of the rural areas of India, floodwater quickly flows to the rivers, which then dry upsoon after the rains stop. If this water can be held back, it can seep into the ground and recharge thegroundwater supply.26. Define sustainable development. (NOV/DEC 2013)Sustainable development is defined as, meeting the needs of the present without compromising theability of future generation to meet to meet their own needs.27. List the objectives of Forest Conservation Act. (NOV/DEC 2013)Illegal non-forest activity within a forest area can be immediately stopped under this act.Provides conservation of all types of forests. Non forest activities include clearing of forest land forcultivation of any types of crops.PART B1. Write a detailed note on Disaster Management.Disaster is any sudden event of calamity which causes great effect on the human population, plants,animals and property. Disasters are of two types Natural Man madeNatural Disasters1. Earthquakes. Sudden tremors of the earths surface ar produced due to movement of tectonic platesunder the earth. This displacement of earths crust releases energy stored within the earths interiorwhich produces vibratory waves. The intensity of earthquake is measured by Richter, Scale whichranges from 0 to 9. The point from which the earthquake originates is called as epicentre.Prevention, Control & Mitigation(i) Constructing earthquake resistant building in the known earthquake prone zones e.g. woodenhouses are preferred in Japan.(ii) Installation of earthquake study centres studying seismic ;activities and analysis of seismic zones.(iii) There must be insurance policies for earthquake victims o rehabilitate them.(iv) Creation of special task forces, fully trained and equipped, to manage such calamities withinshortest possible time.2. Tsunami. The impact of earthquake is high at sea area of origin. In this, most serious form ofearthquake, giant seismic tidal waves of as high as 10 metre or more travel at the speed of 1,000
km/hour or faster, away from the epicentre of, the earthquake. Tsunamis may also be caused due tounderwater volcanic eruptions or seafloor slumping.Prevention, Control & Mitigation(i) Planting more trees on the coastal areas.(ii) Timely warning and speedy evacuation of people.(iii) Conservation of mangroves in the coastal areas.(iv) Construction of embankments in inhabitable areas.(v) Immediate relief and rehabilitation to the affected people.3. Drought. A drought is the drying up condition of the land due to insufficient or absence of rainfallfor a long period affecting the vegetation1 animal and human life.Control Measures(i) Rain water harvesting and canal irrigation.(ii) Improvement of agricultural practices like dry land forming to conserve water in drought proneareas.(iii) Stopping paddy cultivation in areas of water scarcity and growing drought resistant variety ofcrops.(iv) Promoting social forestry and wasteland reclamation, growing species according to the ecologicalrequirements of the area.(v) Supplying food, fodder and water to drought-hit people and their rehabilitation with all essentialrequirements of life.4. Flood. A flood occurs due to continuous heavy rainfall in an area, overflowing of rivers andsubmerging the surrounding areas damaging life and property.Control(i) Various preventive measures are proper embankment of water bodies, building check dams onflood-prone streams, prohibiting cultivation in flood plain of rivers and growing forests and perennialtrees, interlinking of river of the country and constructing houses on raised platforms and supportedby reinforced stilts.(ii) Floods can be controlled by collecting data from meteorological department and alerting thepeople of affecting area.(iii) Educating the people about the steps to be taken in the event of disaster.(iv) Hill slopes and catchment areas of rivers must be afforested and reforested.5. Cyclones. A cyclone is powerful circular or oval swirling storm of high velocity wind in the coastalregions of Indian ocean. It is called hurricane in Atlantic ocean, typhoon in Western Pacific andWilly-willy in sea around Australia.Control(i) Afforestation of coastal areas is the best measure.(ii) Construction oldams, embankments, wind breakers etc.(iii) Conservation of mangrooves in coastal plains.(iv) Better forecast, warning systems with the help of remote sensing satellites.(v) Construction of cyclone proof houses and building in coastal areas.6. Landslides. Landslide is the sudden downslope movement of a mass of rock or soil due togravitational pull, generally in the rainy season.Control(i) Afforestation and reforestation in the landslide prone areas is the best measure.(ii) There should be no construction activity in slopy areas.(iii) Proper drainage of surface and sub surface water.(iv) Making concrete support at the base of slope along the road.(v) Construction of curved stone blocks in the risky areas.2. What are the salient features of the Air pollution Act1981 and Environment Act 1986?
The main objective of this Act is to provide the protection and improvement of environment(which includes water, air, land, human being, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism andproperties) and for matters connected therewith. There is a constitutional provision also for theenvironment protection. Article 48A, specify that the State shall endeavour to protect and improvethe environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country and every citizen shallprotect the environment (51 A). The Environment (Protection) Act is applicable to whole of Indiaincluding Jammu & Kashmir.Environment: It includes water, air, and land and the inter-relationship which exists among andbetween water, air and land and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism andproperty.Environmental Pollution: It means any solid, liquid or gaseous substances present in suchconcentration as may be or tend to be injurious to environment and human being are known aspollutant and presence of any pollutant in the environment in such proportion and concentrationthat has bearing on health and environment is termed as "Environmental Pollution".Handling: In relation to any substance, it means the manufacturing, processing, treatment,packaging, storage, transportation, use, collection, destruction, conversion, offering for sale, etc.Occupier: It means a person who has control over the affairs of the factory or the premises, andincludes, in relation to any substance, the person in possession of the substance.The Act provide power to make rules to regulate environmental pollution, to notify standards andmaximum limits of pollutants of air, water, and soil for various areas and purposes, prohibitionand restriction on the handling of hazardous substances and location of industries (Sections 3-6).The Central Government is empowered to constitute authority or authorities for the purpose ofexercising of performing such of the powers and functions (Sec 3), appoint a person for inspection(Sec 4), for analysis or samples and for selection or notification of environmental laboratories.Such person or agency has power to inspect or can enter in the premises or can take samples foranalysis (Secs 10, 11).According to the section 5, the Central Government may issue directions in writing to any personor officers or any authority to comply. There could be closure, prohibition of the supply ofelectricity or operation or process; or stoppage or regulation of the supply of electricity or wateror any other service. Section 6 empowers the government to make rules to achieve the object ofthe Act.Persons carrying on industry, operation etc. not to allow emission or discharge of environmentalpollutants in excess of the standards (Sec 7). Persons handling hazardous substances must complywith procedural safeguards (Sec 8) and occupiers must furnish the information to authority.PenaltyWhoever Person or Owner/Occupier of companies, factories or whichever source found to be thecause of pollution may be liable for punishment for a term which may extend to five years or withfine which may extend to one lakh rupees or both (Sec 15, 16, 17). If not comply fine of Rs. 5000per day extra and if not comply for more than one year then imprisonment may extend up to 7years. Section 17 specify that Head of the department/ in-charge of small unit may be liable forpunishment if the owner /occupier produce enough evidence of innocence. The CPCB or stateboards have power to close or cancel or deny the authorisation to run thefactory/institution/hospital whichever is causing pollution. No suit, prosecution or other legalproceedings shall lie against govt. officer who has exercise power in good faith in pursuance ofthis Act (Sec 18).
WWW.VIDYARTHIPLUS.COMRainwater harvestingIn urban areas, the construction of houses, footpaths and roads has left little exposed earth for waterto soak in. In parts of the rural areas of India, floodwater quickly flows to the rivers, which then dryup soon after the rains stop. If this water can be held back, it can seep into the ground and recharge thegroundwater supply.The goals of water conservation efforts include:
Sustainability - To ensure availability for future generations, the withdrawal of fresh water froman ecosystem should not exceed its natural replacement rate.Energy conservation - Water pumping, delivery, and wastewater treatment facilities consume asignificant amount of energy. In some regions of the world (for example, California [1]).Habitat conservation - Minimizing human water use helps to preserve fresh water habitats
local wildlife and migrating waterfowl, as well as reducing the need to build new dams and otherwater diversion infrastructure.Some of the benefits of rainwater harvesting are as followsIncreases water availabilityChecks the declining water tableIs environmentally friendlyImproves the quality of groundwater through the dilution of fluoride, nitrate, and salinityPrevents soil erosion and flooding especially in urban areas4. What are green house gases and green house effect? Discuss the potential and contribution ofgreen house gases to global warming phenomenon?A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation within the thermalinfrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primarygreenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,and ozone. In the Solar System, the atmospheres of Venus, Mars, and Titan also contain gases thatcause greenhouse effects. Greenhouse gases greatly affect the temperature of the Earth; without them,Earth's surface would be on average about 33 C (59 F) colder than at present.Global warming is the process wherein the average temperature of the Earth's near surface airincreases, owing largely to various anthropogenic activities. Though there are some natural causes forthis rise in temperature, they stand to be insignificant when compared to the anthropogenic causes.Understanding global warming causes and effects can give us a brief idea of the dreadful phenomenaour future generations may have to face. Here are some of the prominent global warming causes andeffects..Causes of Global WarmingThe causes of global warming are broadly divided into two categories - natural causes andanthropogenic (man-made) causes.Natural CausesNatural causes of global warming include the release of methane gas from arctic tundra andwetlands, climate change, volcanoes etc. Methane, a greenhouse gas which traps the heat within theearth's atmosphere, is let out in large quantities in the arctic tundra and wetlands. In case of volcanoes,when a volcano erupts, tons of ash is let out into the atmosphere. Even though nature contributes toglobal warming, this contribution is very insignificant when compared to human contribution for thishazard.Anthropogenic CausesAnthropogenic causes for global warming are those which are caused due to human activities.The most prominent cause being man-made pollution. A large part of this pollution can be attributedto the burning of fossil fuels. This includes burning coal to produce electricity as well as burninggasoline to power internal combustion engine vehicles. When these fossil fuels are burnt, they let outcarbon dioxide, which is yet another greenhouse gas which traps heat within the atmosphere of theEarth and contributes to global warming. Secondly when the Earth is dug to extract these fossil fuelsin the process known as mining, the methane inside the Earth's crust escapes into the atmosphere andadds to other greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. If we start investigating the anthropogeniccauses of global warming, we zero in on one of the most important cause of global warming -
WWW.VIDYARTHIPLUS.COMpopulation. More population means more requirements, which includes food, electricity and transport.In order to fulfill these requirements, more fossil fuels are consumed, which eventually leads to globalwarming. Humans breathe out carbon dioxide, and with an increasing population, the amount ofcarbon dioxide humans breathe out also increases and leads to global warming. Even agriculturecontributes to global warming, owing to the extensive use of fertilizers, and the dung produced bycattlewhichisanotherprominentsourceofmethane.Effects of Global WarmingThe effects of global warming range from a rise in sea levels to the extinction of certainspecies of flora and fauna. Basically, global warming means an increase in temperature of the Earth'satmosphere. This increase in temperature will trigger a series of events which can cause a lot ofdestructiononthep lanet.Changes in the Global Sea LevelAs the temperature will increase, the ice cover on the planet will start melting. The water fromthese melting glaciers will end up in the oceans, which will lead to a rise in the sea level. Over the lastcentury, sea levels have increased by 4 to 8 inches, and by 2100, it's expected to increase to 35 inches.An additional 2 degree rise in global temperature will lead to the complete melting of the Greenlandice cap, which will cause the sea level to rise by 5 to 6 meters. Such a rise will cause many of the lowlying areas, such as the US Gulf Coast and Bangladesh, as well as islands, such as Lakswadweep, tosubmerge underwater. If the whole of the Antarctic ice sheet melts, the global sea level is expected toriseby10.5meters.Drastic Changes in Climate PatternsGlobal warming will alter the climatic patterns of the planet. As far as precipitation isconcerned, it will increase in equatorial, polar and sub-polar reasons, and decrease in subtropics. Thischange in precipitation pattern will trigger a drought in some regions, while floods in other regions.Warming of the atmosphere will increase the temperature of ocean waters, which will continue beingwarm for a few centuries. Warm water will lead to frequent natural disasters like hurricanes. Overall,the planet will experience extreme weather conditions, characterized by flood and droughts, heatwaves and cold waves, and extreme storms like cyclones and tornadoes.Widespread Extinction of Flora and FaunaA rise in global temperature will also hamper the rich biodiversity of various ecosystems.According to the Intergovernmental Panel on (IPCC), an increase in global temperature by 1.5 to 2.5degrees will make 20 to 30 percent of species vulnerable to extinction, while a rise of about 3.5degrees will make 40 to 70 percent species vulnerable to extinction. Climate change will result in lossof habitat for many animal species like polar bears and tropical frogs. More importantly, any changein the climate patterns will seriously affect the migration patterns of various bird species. Irregularpatterns of precipitation will affect animals and humans alike.Global Warming and HumansIn case of humans, global warming will affect our food and water supplies as well as ourhealth conditions. Changes in precipitation will affect basic necessities such as agriculture, powerproduction etc. Increase in the temperature of ocean waters will hamper fisheries. The sudden changein climate patterns will have a hazardous effect on the human body which won't be able to endure theextreme conditions, a hint of which can be seen in form of frequent heat waves and cold waves.Increase in natural calamities such as storms, will lead to heavy human causalities. Infectious diseaseswill rise to a great extent as disease transmitting insects will adapt to wet, hot conditions. Manypeople will die of malnutrition as food production will decrease due to frequent droughts and floods.These were just a few of the numerous global warming causes and effects. Many people arguethat global warming is a slow process, and will take centuries for all these devastating effects to takeplace. But they forget that the factors which cause global warming are rapidly rising. The rate atwhich we are contributing to global warming has rose considerably, and is expected to rise at a fasterrate in the future. We have already done enough of damage, and hence it's high time we understandthe global warming causes, effects and the future repercussions and work out some global warmingsolutions at the earliest. We may not live to face the dreaded consequences of global warming, but ifwe don't act fast, it will be our future generations who will have to bear the brunt.5. Write short notes on Forest Conservation Act. (MAY/JUNE 2013)Forest Conservation Act
19 0
SOCIETYENVIRONMENTAspects of Sustainable Development(a) Inter-generational equity: This states that we should hand over a safe, healthy and resourcefulenvironment to our future generations.(b) Intra-generational equity: This states that the technological development of rich countriesshould support the economic growth of the poor countries and help in narrowing the wealth gap andlead to sustainability.Approaches For Sustainable Development: The following approaches (or) methods are proposedfor the build up of Sustainable Development.1. Developing appropriate technology: it is the one approach which is locally adaptable, ecofriendly, resource-efficient and culturally suitable. It uses local labours, less resources, and producesminimum waste.2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3 R ) approach: This approach insists on optimum use of naturalresources, using it again and again instead of throwing it on wasteland or water and recycling the
material into further products. It reduces pressure on our natural resources and reduces wastegeneration and pollution.3. Providing environmental education and awareness: By providing environmental educationand awareness, the thinking and attitude of people towards our earth and the environment can bechanged.4. Consumption of Renewable resources: In order to attain sustainability, it is very important toconsume the natural resources in such a way that the consumption should not exceed the regenerationcapacity.5. Conservation of non-renewable resources: For sustainability non-renewable resources shouldbe conserved by recycling and reusing.6. Population control: Sustainable development can be made by controlling population growth.8. Write an account on urban problems and detail how to solve them. (MAY/JUNE 2013)URBAN PROBLEMS RELATED TO ENERGYUrbanization: Urbanization is the movement of human population from rural areas to urban areas forthe want of better education, communication, health, employment etc.Causes of urbanization: Cities are the main centres of economic growth, trade, transportation,education, medical facilities and employment. Hence rural people move to cities.Urban Sprawl: Nearly 50% of the worlds population lives in urban areas and people from rural areacontinue to move to cities for employment. Thus the urban growth is so fast that it is difficult toaccommodate all the commercial, industrial, residential and educational facilities within a limitedarea. As a result there is enlargement of city areas into suburban or rural areas. This phenomenon iscalled urban sprawl.Energy Demanding Activities: In the developing countries simultaneously urban growth as well aspopulation growth are very fast. The population growth is not only fast but also unplanned and henceuncontrollable. When compared to rural people urbanites consume a lot more of energy and materialsand also generate a lot of waste. This is owing to the higher standard of living the urban populationand all this demands more and more energy inputs.Examples of energy demanding activities:1. Residential and commercial lightings.2. Transportation means including motor cycle, car and public transport for moving fromresidence to work place3. Industries using a large proportion of energy4. Modern life style using a large number of electrical appliances (fans, refrigerator, washingmachines, air-conditioners, , water heaters etc.) in every day life.5. Control and prevention of pollution need more energy dependent technologies.Thus due to high population growth and high energy demanding activities, the urban problems related toenergy are more and more magnified in comparison with rural population.Solution for urban energy problem:1. Urban people should be encouraged to use public transport instead of individual transport modes likecars or motor cycles.2. Even high level officials also could be educated into forming groups and using single- good andcomfortable transport instead of individual limousines.3. Energy consumption must be minimized.4. Energy production capacity may be increased.5. Use of energy efficient technologies adopted.6. Usage of Solar energy and wind energy should be encouraged.7. Apart from encouraging energy saving methods strict laws and penalties have to be imposed togetherwith energy audit.9. Discuss the phenomenon of global warming and the factors contributing to it. (NOV/DEC2013)Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-surface air andoceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. Global surface temperatureincreased 0.74 0.18 C (1.33 0.32 F) during the 20th century. Most of the observed temperatureincrease since the middle of the 20th century has been caused by increasing concentrations of
greenhouse gases, which result from human activity such as the burning of fossil fuel anddeforestation. Global dimming, a result of increasing concentrations of atmospheric aerosols thatblock sunlight from reaching the surface, has partially countered the effects of warming induced bygreenhouse gases.The greenhouse effect is the process by which absorption and emission of infraredradiation by gases in the atmosphere warm a planet's lower atmosphere and surface The question interms of global warming is how the strength of the presumed greenhouse effect changes when humanactivity increases the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.Naturally occurring greenhouse gases have a mean warming effect of about 33 C (59 F).The major greenhouse gases are water vapor, which causes about 3670 percent of the greenhouseeffect; carbon dioxide (CO2), which causes 926 percent; methane (CH4), which causes 49 percent;and ozone (O3), which causes 37 percent. Clouds also affect the radiation balance, but they arecomposed of liquid water or ice and so have different effects on radiation from water vapor.10. Discuss the possible mechanism of stratospheric ozone depletion. (NOV/DEC 2013)Ozone depletion describes two distinct, but related observations: a slow, steady decline ofabout 4 percent per decade in the total volume of ozone in Earth's stratosphere (the ozone layer).Ozone can be destroyed by a number of free radical catalysts, the most important of which are thehydroxyl radical (OH), the nitric oxide radical (NO), atomic chlorine (Cl) and bromine (Br). All ofthese have both natural and manmade sources; at the present time, most of the OH and NO in thestratosphere is of natural origin, but human activity has dramatically increased the levels of chlorineand bromine. These elements are found in certain stable organic compounds, especiallychlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which may find their way to the stratosphere without being destroyed inthe troposphere due to their low reactivity. Once in the stratosphere, the Cl and Br atoms are liberatedfrom the parent compounds by the action of ultraviolet light, e.g. ('h' is Planck's constant, '' isfrequency of electromagnetic radiation)CFCl3 + h CFCl2 + ClThe Chlorine and Bromine atoms can then destroy ozone molecules through a variety of catalyticcycles. In the simplest example of such a cycle, a chlorine atom reacts with an ozone molecule, takingan oxygen atom with it (forming ClO) and leaving a normal oxygen molecule. The chlorine monoxide(i.e., the ClO) can react with a second molecule of ozone (i.e., O3) to yield another chlorine atom andtwo molecules of oxygen. The chemical shorthand for these gas-phase reactions is:Cl + O3 ClO + O2ClO + O3 Cl + 2 O2Effects:Increased UVOzone, while a minority constituent in the Earth's atmosphere, is responsible for most of theabsorption of UVB radiation. The amount of UVB radiation that penetrates through the ozone layerdecreases exponentially with the slant-path thickness/density of the layer. Correspondingly, a decreasein atmospheric ozone is expected to give rise to significantly increased levels of UVB near thesurface.Increases in surface UVB due to the ozone hole can be partially inferred by radioactive transfer modelcalculations, but cannot be calculated from direct measurements because of the lack of reliablehistorical (pre-ozone-hole) surface UV data, although more recent surface UV observationmeasurement programmed exist .Because it is this same UV radiation that creates ozone in the ozonelayer from O2 (regular oxygen) in the first place, a reduction in stratospheric ozone would actuallytend to increase photochemical production of ozone at lower levels (in the troposphere), although theoverall observed trends in total column ozone still show a decrease, largely because ozone producedlower down has a naturally shorter photochemical lifetime, so it is destroyed before the concentrationscould reach a level which would compensate for the ozone reduction higher up.11. Why do we refer to environmental protection act, 1986 as an umbrella act? Discuss themajor environmental protection rules, 1986? (NOV/DEC 2013)
(vii) laying down procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances;(viii) examination of such manufacturing processes, materials and substances as are likely tocause environmental pollution;(ix) carrying out and sponsoring investigations and research relating to problems ofenvironmental pollution;(x) inspection of any premises, plant, equipment, machinery, manufacturing or otherprocesses, materials or substances and giving, by order, of such directions to such authorities, officersor persons as it may consider necessary to take steps for the prevention, control and abatement ofenvironmental pollution;(xi) establishment or recognition of environmental laboratories and institutes to carry out thefunctions entrusted to such environmental laboratories and institutes under this Act;(xii) collection and dissemination of information in respect of matters relating toenvironmental pollution;(xiii) preparation of manuals, codes or guides relating to the prevention, control andabatement of environmental pollution;(xiv) such other matters as the Central Government deems necessary or expedient for thepurpose of securing the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.(3) The Central Government may, if it considers it necessary or expedient so to do for thepurpose of this Act, by order, published in the Official Gazette, constitute an authority or authoritiesby such name or names as may be specified in the order for the purpose of exercising and performingsuch of the powers and functions.d. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS AND THEIR POWERS AND FUNCTIONS(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 3, the CentralGovernment may appoint officers with such designation as it thinks fit for the purposes of this Actand may entrust to them such of the powers and functions under this Act as it may deem fit.(2) The officers appointed under sub-section (1) shall be subject to the general control anddirection of the Central Government or, if so directed by that Government, also of the authority orauthorities, if any, constituted under sub- section (3) of section 3 or of any other authority or officer.e. POWER TO GIVE DIRECTIONSNotwithstanding anything contained in any other law but subject to the provisions of this Act,the Central Government may, in the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions under thisAct, issue directions in writing to any person, officer or any authority and such person, officer orauthority shall be bound to comply with such directions.Explanation--For the avoidance of doubts, it is hereby declared that the power to issue directionsunder this section includes the power to direct-(a) the closure, prohibition or regulation of any industry, operation or process; or(b) stoppage or regulation of the supply of electricity or water or any other service.f. RULES TO REGULATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules inrespect of all or any of the matters referred to in section 3.(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rulesmay provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-(a) the standards of quality of air, water or soil for various areas and purposes;4(b) the maximum allowable limits of concentration of various environmental pollutants(including noise) for different areas;(c) the procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances;5(d) the prohibition and restrictions on the handling of hazardous substances in different areas;6(e) the prohibition and restriction on the location of industries and the carrying on process andoperations in different areas;7(f) the procedures and safeguards for the prevention of accidents which may causeenvironmental pollution and for providing for remedial measures for such accidents. 8g. PREVENTION, CONTROL, AND ABATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTIONi) Persons carrying on industry operation, etc., not to allow emission or discharge ofenvironmental pollutants in excess of the standardsii) Persons handling hazardous substances to comply with procedural safeguardsiii) Furnishing of information to authorities and agencies in certain cases
Watershed is defined as a land area from which water drains under gravity to acommon drainage It is a delineated area with a well defined topographic boundary and onewater outlet.Objectives of watershed management:Rational utilization of land and water resources for optimum production causing minimumdamage to the natural resources.Minimize the risk of floods.Manage watershed for beneficiary activities.Watershed Management PracticesWater harvestingAfforestation and agroforestryMechanical measures for reducing soil erosionScientific miningPublic participation.ii)Short notes on Nuclear Accidents and holocaustsNuclear holocaust refers to a possible nearly complete annihilation of human civilization by nuclearwarfare. Under such a scenario, all or most of the Earth is made uninhabitable by nuclear weapons infuture world wars.Nuclear physicists and others have speculated that nuclear holocaust could result in an end to humanlife, or at least to modern civilization on Earth due to the immediate effects of nuclear fallout, thetemporary loss of much modern technology due to electromagnetic pulses, or nuclear winter andresulting extinctions.Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and NagasakiDuring the final stages of World War II in 1945, the United States conducted two atomic bombingsagainst the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the first on August 6, 1945, and the second onAugust 9, 1945. These two events are the only use of nuclear weapons in war to date.[15]For six months before the atomic bombings, the United States intensely fire-bombed 67 Japanesecities. Together with the United Kingdom and the Republic of China, the United States called for theunconditional surrender of Japan in the Potsdam Declaration issued July 26, 1945. The Japanesegovernment ignored this ultimatum. By executive order of President Harry S. Truman, the U.S.employed the uranium-type nuclear weapon code named "Little Boy" on the city of Hiroshima onMonday, August 6, 1945,[16][17] followed three days later by the detonation of the plutonium-typeweapon code named "Fat Man" over the city of Nagasaki on August 9.Within the first two to four months after the bombings, acute effects killed 90,000166,000 people inHiroshima and 60,00080,000 in Nagasaki,[18] with roughly half of the deaths in each city occurring inthe first 24 hours. The Hiroshima prefectural health department estimates that - of the people whodied on the day of the detonation - 60% died from flash or flame burns, 30% from falling or flyingdebris, and 10% from other causes. During the following months, large numbers died from thechronic effects of burns, radiation sickness, and other injuries, compounded by illnesses. In a U.S.estimate of the total immediate and short-term causes of death, 1520% died from radiation sickness,2030% from flash burns, and 5060% from other injuries, compounded by illnesses. In both cities,most of the dead were civilians.13.What is an earthquake? Write about its effects and measures to face the earthquake.(NOV/DEC13)Earthquakes. Sudden tremors of the earths surface ar produced due to movement of tectonic platesunder the earth. This displacement of earths crust releases energy stored within the earths interiorwhich produces vibratory waves. The intensity of earthquake is measured by Richter, Scale whichranges from 0 to 9. The point from which the earthquake originates is called as epicentre.Prevention, Control & Mitigation(i) Constructing earthquake resistant building in the known earthquake prone zones e.g. woodenhouses are preferred in Japan.(ii) Installation of earthquake study centres studying seismic ;activities and analysis of seismic zones.(iii) There must be insurance policies for earthquake victims o rehabilitate them.
(iv) Creation of special task forces, fully trained and equipped, to manage such calamities withinshortest possible time.Effects of Earthquake:Shaking and ground ruptureShaking and ground rupture are the main effects created by earthquakes, principally resulting in moreor less severe damage to buildings and other rigid structures. The severity of the local effects dependson the complex combination of the earthquake magnitude, the distance from the epicenter, and thelocal geological and geomorphological conditions, which may amplify or reduce wavepropagation.[46] The ground-shaking is measured by ground acceleration.Ground rupture is a visible breaking and displacement of the Earth's surface along the trace of thefault, which may be of the order of several metres in the case of major earthquakes. Ground rupture isa major risk for large engineering structures such as dams, bridges and nuclear power stations andrequires careful mapping of existing faults to identify any which are likely to break the ground surfacewithin the life of the structure.[47]Landslides and avalanchesEarthquakes, along with severe storms, volcanic activity, coastal wave attack, and wildfires, canproduce slope instability leading to landslides, a major geological hazard. Landslide danger maypersist while emergency personnel are attempting rescue.[48]FiresEarthquakes can cause fires by damaging electrical power or gas lines. In the event of water mainsrupturing and a loss of pressure, it may also become difficult to stop the spread of a fire once it hasstarted. For example, more deaths in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake were caused by fire than bythe earthquake itself.[49]Soil liquefactionSoil liquefaction occurs when, because of the shaking, water-saturated granular material (such assand) temporarily loses its strength and transforms from a solid to a liquid. Soil liquefaction maycause rigid structures, like buildings and bridges, to tilt or sink into the liquefied deposits. Forexample, in the 1964 Alaska earthquake, soil liquefaction caused many buildings to sink into theground, eventually collapsing upon themselves.[50]TsunamisTsunamis are long-wavelength, long-period sea waves produced by the sudden or abrupt movement oflarge volumes of water. In the open ocean the distance between wave crests can surpass 100kilometers (62 mi), and the wave periods can vary from five minutes to one hour. Such tsunamistravel 600-800 kilometers per hour (373497 miles per hour), depending on water depth. Large wavesproduced by an earthquake or a submarine landslide can overrun nearby coastal areas in a matter ofminutes. Tsunamis can also travel thousands of kilometers across open ocean and wreak destructionon far shores hours after the earthquake that generated them.[51]FloodsA flood is an overflow of any amount of water that reaches land.[52] Floods occur usually when thevolume of water within a body of water, such as a river or lake, exceeds the total capacity of theformation, and as a result some of the water flows or sits outside of the normal perimeter of the body.However, floods may be secondary effects of earthquakes, if dams are damaged. Earthquakes maycause landslips to dam rivers, which collapse and cause floods.[53]The terrain below the Sarez Lake in Tajikistan is in danger of catastrophic flood if the landslidedam formed by the earthquake, known as the Usoi Dam, were to fail during a future earthquake.Impact projections suggest the flood could affect roughly 5 million people.[54]
Human impactsAn earthquake may cause injury and loss of life, road and bridge damage, general property damage,and collapse or destabilization (potentially leading to future collapse) of buildings. The aftermath maybring disease, lack of basic necessities, and higher insurance premiums.UNIT VPART A
Pre industrialphase
Post industrialphase8. Define Infant mortality rate, replacement level. Infant mortality rate is the percentage of infants died out of those born in a year. Two parents bearing two children will be replaced by their offspring. But due to infant mortalitythis replacement level is usually changed.9. What do you mean Demographic transition?It has been observed that couples from economically sound nations produce fewer children so as tomaintain high standard of living. This means that birth rate is low. The death rate has also beenreduced in those nations because of improved health care. As a result, net population growth rate islow. This phenomenon is called demographic transition.10. Expand WHO, CEDAW, NNWM.WHO: World health Organization,NNWM: National Network for women and MiningCEDAW: International convention on the Elimination of all forms of discriminationagainst Women.11. What are the effects of infectious organisms on human?Microbes especially bacteria can cause food poisoning by producing toxins in the contaminated food.Infectious organisms can also cause respiratory disease (pneumonia, tuberculosis, influenza etc.) andgastrointestinal diseases (diarrhea, dysentery, cholera.)12. Which state in India has the lower birth rate?
Kerala has earned the distinction of having lowest birth rates among all the states of India.
Declaration of the Rights of the Child, "the child, by reason of his physical and mentalimmaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before aswell as after birth", The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, often referred to as CRC or UNCRC,is an international convention setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rightsof children. Nations that ratify this international convention are bound by it by international law.Compliance is monitored by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child which iscomposed of members from countries around the world. Once a year, the Committee submits areport to the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which also hears astatement from the CRC Chair, and the Assembly adopts a Resolution on the Rights of the Child.33. Mention the advantages of distribution Information centers.Web access and Internet services such as e-mail ; Market access and e-commerce ; Access to socioeconomic databases ; e-Learning (Computer Aided Learning Processes) and e-education; e-Medicine,e-consulting ; e-Governance applications, government to citizen (citizen centric) services ; Weatherinformation ; IT awareness among local people ; Computer training programmes ; Tender notification; E-employment notification34. What is meant by GIS? A geographic information system (GIS), also known as a geographical information system, isaninformation system for capturing, storing, analyzing, managing and presenting data which isspatially referenced (linked to location). In the strictest sense, it is any information system capable of integrating, storing, editing,analyzing, sharing, and displaying geographically referenced information.35. How to create awareness among villages for women welfare? The women must get organized in their respective villages. The Self-help concept -Savings & Credit activity- has to be practiced more intensively. Parents should be encouraged to allow their girls to study and at least complete school education. The girls who have already dropped out of school should be encouraged to complete theireducation through private studies. Villagers should meet frequently to discuss how to curb the unwanted cultural, social andreligious restrictions on women's education. We should voice against atrocities towards women.36. When was Vienna world conference occurred?On 25 June 1993, representatives of 171 States adopted by consensus the Vienna Declaration andProgramme of Action of the World Conference on Human Rights, thus successfully closing the twoweek World conference and presenting to the international community a common plan for thestrengthening of human rights work around the world37. What are different values of environmental education? Values concerned with a mode of conduct are called instrumental values (i.e. honesty, respect forthe environment) and those involving end states of existence are called terminal values (i.e. aworld at peace, environmental quality) . A value system is a hierarchy of ideals or values, arranged in order of importance 14. The morewidely shared a value, the greater the societal demands placed upon us and therefore the greaterthe oughtness we experience.38. What is HIV?Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a member of the retrovirus family) that can leadto acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune systembegins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections.39. What are vector borne diseases?A vector-borne disease is one in which the pathogenic microorganism is transmitted from an infectedindividual to another individual by an arthropod or other agent, sometimes with other animals servingas intermediary hosts. The transmission depends upon the attributes and requirements of at least three different livingorganisms: the pathologic agent, either a virus, protozoa, bacteria, or helminth (worm); the vector,which are commonly arthropods such as ticks or mosquitoes; and the human host. In addition, intermediary hosts such as domesticated and/or wild animals often serve as areservoir for the pathogen until susceptible human populations are exposed.
Without these attributes present in many children's lives, they could not have survivedcommondiseases like measles or the flu. People were able to fight and cure deadly germs that once killedthem. In addition, because of the technology, people could produce more and different kinds offood. Gradually, over a period of time, these discoveries and inventions spread throughout theworld, lowering death rates and improving the quality of life for most people.2. Discuss the factors influencing the family size.Introduction:
Average family size has changed greatly over the course of U.S. history. Any number of variablesinfluences parents decisions about family size. One key determinant is family economics. For muchof our history, large families were common, especially when most people lived in rural areas andneeded extra hands to work family farms. As the country industrialized and urbanized, family sizedecreased. Over the past century, family size has fluctuated with economic and cultural trends.For instance, during the Great Depression of the 1930s, American families were relatively smallbecause couples could not afford to feed and take care of many children. During the years after WorldWar II, the country experienced economic prosperity, contributing to the prolonged U.S. Baby Boom(1946-1964) when couples had more children. That was followed by a decline in family size aswomen gained more opportunities in education and work outside the home. Also, modern methods offamily planning have enabled couples to better plan the timing and spacing of their children. Todaysaverage family size in the United States is two children. The field of demography is the study ofhuman populations and the changes and trends in those populations over time.Knowledge. In well-developed programs, knowledge of family planning methods is nearly universal.The results presented here indicate that a higher level of sophistication (as measured by knowledge ofthe reproductive cycle) is associated with greater use of the commercial sector.Cost Recovery in the Public Sector. In low-income countries where there are social marketingprograms, high levels of cost recovery in the public sector will probably make the commercial sectorimmediately price competitive with the public sector. Cost recovery is particularly enticing as a policylever because it raises revenue for the public sector (thus relieving fiscal pressures) and potentiallyreduces the service delivery burden at public facilities as public sector users shift to other sources ofsupply. Nevertheless, the public sector cannot eliminate its role in offering low-cost servicesaltogether, as it provides an important safety net for those users too poor to pay or too distant fromnormal commercial markets.Public Sector Program Effort. It is puzzling that family planning program effort is associated withsmall commercial market shares. A systematic examination of the content of most public sectorfamily planning programs would probably show a near complete neglect of the commercial sector. Tothe extent that the public sector is differentially assisted by program effort, the commercial sector islikely to suffer. Greater emphasis on bringing commercial sector representatives into the process offamily planning policy and program planning, however, may foster a more diverse and comprehensivearray of supply and service delivery points. Examples of such efforts include more precise marketsegmentation and development and enhancement of public/private partnerships. For many years,family planning has been provided as if it were a public good in many countries. Large publicprograms were designed to expand service delivery in public sector facilities, while limited attentionwas paid to growth of the commercial sector, likely assuming commercial sector share would grow asa consequence of growth in general public interest in family planning. This study identifies factors forwhich key policy support may be able to generate increased use of the commercial sector for familyplanning. In an era of increasing resource needs, governments may need to increasingly focus theirefforts on serving those most in need. Commercial sector expansion will be needed to divert thoseable to pay away from public sources. Public programs can become effective partners of thecommercial sector by helping foster supportive policy environments, laws, regulations, and policiesthat enable a wide array of private, commercial sector providers to delivery high-quality familyplanning services and supplies.3. Sketch out the stabilization ratio of developing and developed nations and explain in detail.The data on greenhouse gas emissions highlight issues of both effectiveness and fairness in the effortto address global climate change. Differentiating responsibilities between Annex I and non-Annex Inations, as the UNFCCC has, does not focus efforts on all of the largest emitters. As Table 1 shows,the emissions of all Annex I nations currently account for just over half of 2000 emissions.Comparing 1990 to 2000 emissions, it is apparent that the share of emissions by non-Annex I nationshas been growing.Table 1. Shares of Global Emissions by the Industrialized (Annex I), Developing(non-Annex I), and Top 20 Countries
Developing(nonIndustrialized (AnnexTop20AnnexI)CountriesI) Countries n=38aNationsn=147
Looking at the industrialization process, to the extent that fossil fuel use is a necessary ingredientof economic development, as acknowledged by the UNFCCC, the emergence of the globalclimate change issue at this time effectively determines the distinction between the developed,Annex I nations and the developing, non-Annex I nations. For Annex I nations, that energyexploitation has been incorporated into their economies and is part of their baseline forconsidering any controls on greenhouse gases. For developing, non-Annex I nations, however,economic development will require expanded energy use, of which fossil fuels can be the leastcostly. Thus imposing limits on fossil energy use at this time could result in developing countriesbeing relegated to a lower standard of living than those nations that developed earlier.Similarly, certain land-use activities, such as clearing land for agriculture and exploiting timber,affect net greenhouse gas emissions. Nations that are currently exploiting their resourceendowments, such as Brazil and Indonesia, could find themselves singled out as targets forcontrols. Yet developed nations, like the United States and most European countries, whichexploited such resources in the past, have those greenhouse gas implications embedded in theirbaselines.Also, the focus on 1990 as a baseline means that the Eastern European and former Soviet Unionnations have the advantage of reductions in emissions from their subsequent economiccontractions, which will allow them room for growth. Likewise, the discovery and exploitation ofNorth Sea gas has allowed Great Britain to back out coal and thereby reduce emissions since thebaseline.
In all these cases, the time frame adopted for defining the climate change issue and for taking actionsto address greenhouse gas emissions has differential impacts on individual nations, as a result of theirindividual resource endowments[19] and stage of economic development. The differential impacts giverise to perceived inequities. Thus the effort to find a metric for addressing greenhouse gas emissionsbaselines and targets that will be perceived as equitable is challenging.WWW.VIDYARTHIPLUS.COM
an infected pregnant woman passes it to her unborn child. (This can be prevented by treating themother and child around the time the baby is delivered.) Because of the risk to an untreated baby,every pregnant woman should be tested for HIV. a person has a blood transfusion (say: trans-fyoo-zhun) from a fairly large volume of blood. Butin North America today, all donated blood is tested for HIV, so the risk of getting HIV is less thanone in a million.Symptoms of HIV and AIDSMost people don't feel any different after they are infected with HIV. In fact, infected people often donot experience symptoms for years. Some people develop flu-like symptoms a few days to a fewweeks after being infected, but these symptoms usually go away after several days.An HIV-positive person will eventually begin to feel sick. The person might begin to have swollenlymph nodes, weight loss, fevers that come and go, infections in the mouth, diarrhea, or he or shemight feel tired for no reason all of the time. Eventually, the virus can infect all of the body's organs,including the brain, making it hard for the person to think and remember things.When a person's T cell count gets very low, the immune system is so weak that many differentdiseases and infections by other germs can develop. These can be life threatening. For example,people with AIDS often develop pneumonia (say: nu-mo-nyah), which causes bad coughing andbreathing problems. Other infections can affect the eyes, the organs of the digestive system, thekidneys, the lungs, and the brain. Some people develop rare kinds of cancers of the skin or immunesystem.Most of the children who have HIV got it because their mothers were infected and passed the virus tothem before they were born. Babies born with HIV infection may not show any symptoms at first, butthe progression of AIDS is often faster in babies than in adults. Doctors need to watch them closely.Kids who have HIV or AIDS learn more slowly than healthy kids and tend to start walking andtalking later.HIV and AIDS DiagnosedA person can be infected with HIV without even knowing it. So doctors recommend that anyone whothinks he or she may have been exposed to the virus get tested - even if the chance of having beeninfected seems small. Doctors test a person's blood to find out if he or she is infected with HIV.People who are HIV positive need to have more blood tests every so often. The doctor will want tocheck on how many T cells the person has. The lower the T cell count, the weaker the immune systemand the greater the risk that someone will get very sick.HIV and AIDS TreatedRight now there is no cure for HIV or AIDS, but new medicines can help people live longer lives.Scientists are also researching vaccines that may one day help to prevent HIV infection, but it's a verytough assignment, and no one knows when these vaccines might become available. It's up to everyoneto prevent AIDS by avoiding the behaviors that lead to HIV infection.HIV and AIDS Be PreventedPeople can help stop the spread of HIV by avoiding sexual contact with infected people and by notsharing needles or syringes.Health care workers (such as doctors, nurses, and dentists) help prevent the spread of HIV by wearingplastic gloves when working on a patient. Hospitals have strict procedures for handling samples ofblood and other body fluids to prevent others from coming in contact with HIV.Living With HIV and AIDSNew drugs make it possible for people who are HIV positive to live for years without getting AIDS.They can work or go to school, make friends, hang out, and do most of the things other people can do.They will have to take certain medicines every day and see their doctors pretty often, and they mayget sick more than other people do because their immune systems are more fragile.Even though they may look OK, people who are HIV positive may sometimes feel scared, angry,unhappy, or depressed. They may feel afraid that the people at work or school could find out and starttreating them differently. It is important for all of us to remember that usual social contact, like eatinglunch or playing games, with people who are HIV positive does not bring any risk of infection.When HIV infection gets worse or turns into the disease called AIDS, life really changes. The personmay need to spend a lot of time in bed or in the hospital because of serious illnesses. He or she mayfeel very tired or weak most of the time. The person also might lose weight.Hope for an HIV-Free Future
Maybe one day, with time and research, a cure for HIV infection will be found and AIDS will nolonger exist. Until then, the smartest thing to do is to know the facts and not put yourself at risk.6. Write few notes on Malthusian theory, Maxian theory, UNDHR, ENVIS.Malthusion Theory: According to Thomas Malthus in 1978, human population tends to increase at anexponential or compound rate, while food production either increases slowly or remains stable. Thiswill result in poverty, starvation, disease, crime and misery.Marxian Theory: Karl Marx opined that slowing down of population growth and alleviation of crime,disease, starvation, misery and environmental degradation could be achieved through social justice.Universal Declaration of Human RightsPREAMBLEWhereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members ofthe human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which haveoutraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoyfreedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highestaspiration of the common people,Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellionagainst tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamentalhuman rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and womenand have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations,the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for thefull realization of this pledge,ENVISThe ENVIS centers work for generating a network of database in areas like pollution control, cleantechnologies, remote sensing, coastal ecology, biodiversity, Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats,environmental management, media related to environment, renewable energy, desertification,mangroves, wildlife, Himalayan ecology, mining, etc.7. Describe the factors responsible for population growth rate. Rapid population growth, then, results from poverty and powerlessness, the need for family laboror the income children can bring home, high infant-mortality rates, and lack of education andopportunity for women. Our thesis for fertility decline is that, during the demographic transition,population growth normally slows only with far-reaching changes in society. Unfortunately, thesechanges can be of a positive or a negative nature. On the positive side are economic and political changes that reduce infant mortality and convincethe majority of people that social arrangements beyond the family-jobs, health care, old-agesecurity, and education (especially for women)-offer security, or at least better opportunities thandoes large family size. We can call that the positive way that fertility rates fall, or because peopleare better off, they need fewer children. On the other hand, the nature of poverty and powerlessness can change in ways that transformchildren from a net benefit to the family into a net cost without empowering people or raisingthem out of poverty and hunger. That could also bring fertility rates down, but in a negative way.We might describe this as things getting so bad that people can't even afford to have kids. Another negative scenario of lowered fertility might occur when the economic structuresthat make additional children necessary have been left intact, yet birth control has beenenforcedthrough coercion and/or indoctrination. Then people would have less children when for economicreasons they should be having more, deepening poverty still further. This might be described asthe tragedy of the sterilized, poor, older woman without children to support her.
8. Write short notes on (i) Effects of modern agriculture ii) HIV/AIDS iii)Noise pollution iv)role of individual in pollution prevention.i) Effect of modern agricultureHistorically, man as hunter-gatherer could not affect the environment because he was using thenatural population of animals and plants well below the sustainable yields except in those areas wheretrading of animals and/or plants was introduced.Agriculture has been considered as a way of life. Everincreasing population places greater demands on agriculture to increase the production, to match theincreasing demands for food supply. With agricultural development though food production hassuccessfully increased nearly everywhere but it has failed to match with the growing population inmany areas - specially developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Increasing population growth at a fast rate, especially in the developing countries, has createdenormous pressure on the virgin forest lands, cultural waste-lands and current fallow lands to beconverted and brought under the cultivation or irrigation to ensure the food production substantially.Conversion and expansion of agricultural land and forest areas changes in their natural limits.Thousands of millions of tons of soil is lost annually due to large-scale deforestation and/ or poor landmanagement records chain reaction in the broad areas.(ii) Application of Chemical Fertilizers, Pesticides and InsecticidesTo assure enhanced productivity in areas where intensive cultivation has been initiated, increasedapplication of chemical fertilizers supplying the plant nutrients has become an essential component ofmodern agriculture.(iii) The High Yielding Varieties ProgrammeThe introduction of high yielding varieties has changed the agricultural environment by creating avariety of pest problems. Many of these either were unknown or were of minor importance in theearly sixties. The increased irrigational facilities, higher use of fertilizers and the high yieldingvarieties led to the resurgence of pests. The high-yielding varieties and the monoculture practices ledto material change in the pest complex. Pests and diseases such as gall midge, brown plant hopper,bacterial blight and tungro virus (or paddy) considered as minor diseases earlier to the GreenRevolution suddenly appeared as major diseases.Agricultural losses due to such pests and/or diseasesincreased tremendously since the high-yielding varieties were more prone to pests and diseases.(iv) Development of Irrigational FacilitiesIrrigation has increasingly become indispensible. It has become a major consumer of water in manycountries. Considering the nature of rainfall and scarcity of water and to meet the increasing needs ofwater in agriculture with the enhanced use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, irrigational facilitieshave been developed to check the flow of surplus rainy water to avoid floods and also to regulate theavoidable water through canals to ensure the availability of water as and when required.(v) Intensive and Extensive CultivationThe introduction of intensive cultivation to get the maximum production and the variety of cropsthrough multiple cropping, crop-rotations, changing crop-combination from the same unit of land hasresulted in the decline of the productivity and total production due to critical limit of the soil.Even useof chemical fertilizers also proves as ineffective. Wheat production in Punjab has declined due to thedegradation of soil.ii) HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)is a disease of the human immune system caused by infection withhuman immunodeficiency virus(HIV). During the initial infection, a person may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness.This is typically followed by a prolonged period without symptoms. As the illness progresses, itinterferes more and more with the immune system, making the person much more likely to getinfections, including opportunistic infections and tumors that do not usually affect people who haveworking immune systems.
HIV is transmitted primarily via unprotected sexual intercourse (including anal and even oral sex),contaminated blood transfusions, hypodermic needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy,delivery, or breastfeeding. Some bodily fluids, such as saliva and tears, do not transmitHIV. Prevention of HIV infection, primarily through safe sex and needle-exchange programs, is a keystrategy to control the spread of the disease. There is no cure or vaccine; however, antiretroviraltreatmentcan slow the course of the disease and may lead to a near-normal life expectancy. Whileantiretroviral treatment reduces the risk of death and complications from the disease, thesemedications are expensive and may be associated with side effects.Genetic research indicates that HIV originated in west-central Africa during the early twentiethcentury. AIDS was first recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1981and its causeHIV infectionwas identified in the early part of the decade. Since its discovery,AIDS has caused nearly 30 million deaths (as of 2009). As of 2010, approximately 34 million peopleare living with HIV globally. AIDS is considered a pandemica disease outbreak which is presentover a large area and is actively spreading.HIV/AIDS has had a great impact on society, both as an illness and as a source of discrimination. Thedisease also has significant economic impacts. There are manymisconceptions about HIV/AIDS suchas the belief that it can be transmitted by casual non-sexual contact. The disease has also becomesubject to many controversies involving religion.iii) Noise pollutionNoise pollution is displeasing or excessive noise that may disrupt the activity or balance of human oranimal life. The word noise is cognate with the Latin word nauseas, which means disgust ordiscomfort. The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly causedby machines and transportation systems, motor vehicles, aircrafts, and trains. Outdoor noise issummarized by the word environmental noise. Poor urban planning may give rise to noise pollution,since side-by-side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the residentialareas.Indoor noise is caused by machines, building activities, music performances, and especially in someworkplaces. There is no great difference whether noise-induced hearing loss is brought about byoutside (e.g. trains) or inside (e.g. music) noise.iv) Role of an individual in prevention of pollution.The concept of pollution prevention centers around the idea of eliminating the creation of pollutants.In some cases that means not creating waste; another perspective is to limit energy consumption, thusreducing the amount of pollution caused in the creation of most common forms of energy. Althoughindustry, commerce and institutions create the majority of pollutants, individuals can addresspollution prevention and improve environmental health on a personal-sized scale.Decrease WasteReducing waste is a crucial step in preventing pollution. Landfills and incinerators release carbondioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases that contribute to local and global air pollution.Choosing products with recyclable packaging or less packaging reduces waste.Reduce ToxinsMercury, a bioaccumulating toxin that affects the brain and neurological health, can be found inelectrical switches, fluorescent bulbs, thermometers, thermostats and older batteries. Bioaccumulationis a process in which mercury, or any other persistent pollutant, accumulates in fatty tissues ofanimals and plants and increases in concentration as the food chain progresses. To prevent mercury
pollution, choose mercury-free products, like digital thermometers, or use products that contain littlemercury.Reduce ToxinsMercury, a bioaccumulating toxin that affects the brain and neurological health, can be found inelectrical switches, fluorescent bulbs, thermometers, thermostats and older batteries. Bioaccumulationis a process in which mercury, or any other persistent pollutant, accumulates in fatty tissues ofanimals and plants and increases in concentration as the food chain progresses. To prevent mercurypollution, choose mercury-free products, like digital thermometers, or use products that contain littlemercury.Reduce Energy ConsumptionUnplugging electronics when they are not in use and turning off unnecessary lights are examples ofreducing energy consumption. Energy conservation does not require significant sacrifices. Purchasingenergy-efficient and water-efficient appliances, electronics and plumbing devices reduces not onlyenergy consumption but also your electric and water bills.Vote GreenSupport amendments, initiatives and laws that prevent pollution. Vote to encourage greeninfrastructure and low-impact development, improve waste reduction, decrease air pollution emissionsand groundwater pollution, and limit pesticide use.9. Discuss about the advantages and disadvantages of information technology on environment.(NOV/DEC 2013)1. Information Technology has tremendous potential in dealing with environmental issues and healthrelated problems2. IT can perform a number of tasks extremely rapidly, accurately and spread the information throughmillions of computers assisted by communication satellites.3. IT comprises of various components mainly internet facility, World Wide Web, Remote sensing,geographical information system and satellites.4. A number of software has been developed to study the environment and health related problems.5. The data on various environmental topics such as wildlife, forest cover, deforestation,desertification, floods, earthquakes, etc. inserted into the computers can be retrieved wheneverrequired.6. The various changes in the environment can be assessed easily through satellites by remote sensingtechniques.7. The occurrence of natural calamities like drought, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, etc., canbe predicted well in advance through remote sensing techniques.8. Geographical information system (GIS), which acts as a technique of superimposing variousthematic maps with the use of digital data on a large number of inter-related aspects, is considered tobe an effective tool in environmental management.9. Information relating to a number of topics like water resources, industrial growth, forest cover,cropland, grass land, road network, and human settlement can be obtained through GIS.10. The internet coupled with a number of websites is another efficient tool for providing appropriateenvironmental data on various topics for any study or environmental management planning.11. The internet facility can also be extended to create awareness among the general public aboutenvironmental issues.Information technology plays also a key role in human health management1. Several softwares have been developed to insert into computers the information relating to variousdiseases such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, malaria, encephalitis, fluorosis, etc.,
2. The data regarding birth and death rate, immunization and sanitation programmes can bemaintained accurately with the help of computers.3. The data regarding outbreak of epidemic diseases at remote places can be used to take preventiveand remedial measures.4. Now-a-days, patients can seek the advice of a specialist doctor at far off distance availingthemselves of the on-line facility.10. Discuss Various Issues and Measures for Women and Child Welfare. (MAY/JUNE 2013)(NOV/DEC 2013)The Department of Women and Child Development (Government of India) was set up in the year1985 as a part of the Ministry of Human Resource Development to give the much needed impetus tothe holistic development of women and children. The Department was upgraded as the Ministry ofWomen and Child Development in January 2006.The Ministry is the nodal ministry for the advancement of women and children; it formulates plans,policies and programs; enacts/amends legislation, guides and coordinates the efforts of bothgovernmental and non-governmental organisations working in the field of women and childdevelopment. The Ministry also implements certain programs for the welfare and uplift of women andchildren. These programs cover welfare and support services, training for employment and incomegeneration, awareness generation and gender sensitization.The Ministry implements the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) providing a package ofservices comprising supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check up and referral services,pre-school non-formal education. The Ministry is also implementing Swayamsidha which is anintegrated scheme for empowerment of women. Major policy initiatives undertaken by the Ministry inthe recent past include universalization of ICDS and Kishori Shakti Yojana, launching a nutritionprogram for adolescent girls, establishment of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights andenactment of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.The Ministry has 6 autonomousorganisations viz. National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) ,Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK), Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB), Central Adoption ResourceAgency (CARA), National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and NationalCommission for Women working under its aegis. The Food & Nutrition Board (FNB), set up in 1964,is an attached office of the Ministry. The Ministry has also set up a National Resource Centre forWomen (NRCW).The Ministry has formulated the National Policy for Women Empowerment, 2001.11. Explain population growth and population explosion with the various terms involved tocontrol population. (MAY/JUNE 2013) (NOV/DEC 2013)POPULATION GROWTH, VARIATION AMONG NATIONSOur global human population, 6 billion at present, will cross the 7 billion mark by 2015. The needs ofthis huge number of human beings cannot be supported by the Earths natural resources, withoutdegrading the quality of human life. In the near future, fossil fuel from oil fields will run dry. It willbe impossible to meet the demands for food from existing agro systems. Pastures will be overgrazedby domestic animals and industrial growth will create ever-greater problems due to pollution of soil,water and air.Seas will not have enough fish. Larger ozone holes will develop due to the discharge of industrialchemicals into the atmosphere, which will affect human health. Global warming due to industrialgases will lead to a rise in sea levels and flood all low-lying areas, submerging coastal agriculture aswell as towns and cities. Water famines due to the depletion of fresh water, will create unrest andeventually make countries go to war. The control over regional biological diversity, which is vital forproducing new medicinal and industrial products, will lead to grave economic conflicts betweenbiotechnologically advanced nations and the biorich countries. Degradation of ecosystems will lead toextinction of thousands of species, destabilizing natural ecosystems of great value. These are onlysome of the environmental problems related to an increasing human population and more intensiveuse of resources that we are likely to face in future. These effects can be averted by creating a massenvironmental awareness movement that will bring about a change in peoples way of life. Increase inWWW.VIDYARTHIPLUS.COM
production per capita of agricultural produce at a global level ceased during the 1980s. In somecountries, food shortage has become a permanent feature. Two of every three children in South Africaare underweight. In other regions famines due to drought have become more frequent. Presentdevelopment strategies have not been able to successfully address these problems related to hungerand malnutrition. On the other hand, only 15% of the worlds population in the developed world isearning 79% of income! Thus the disparity in the extent of per capita resources that are used bypeople who live in a developed country as against those who live in a developing country isextremely large. Similarly, the disparity between the rich and the poor in India is also growing. Theincreasing pressures on resources place great demands on the in-built buffering action of nature thathas a certain ability to maintain a balance in our environment. However, current developmentstrategies that essentially lead to short-term gains have led to a breakdown of our Earths ability toreplenish the resources on which we depend.Global population growthThe world population is growing by more than 90 million per year, of which 93% is indeveloping countries. This will essentially prevent their further economic development. In the past,population growth was a gradual phenomenon and the Earths ability to replenish resources wascapable of adjusting to this increase. In the recent past, the escalation in growth of human numbershas become a major cause of our environmental problems. Present projections show that if ourpopulation growth is controlled, it will still grow to 7.27 billion by 2015. However, if no action istaken it will become a staggering 7.92 billion. Human population growth increased from: 1 to 2billion, in 123 years. 2 to 3 billion in 33 years, 3 to 4 billion in 14 years. 4 to 5billion in 13 years. 5 to6 billion in 11 years. It is not the census figures alone that needs to be stressed, but an appreciation ofthe impact on natural resources of the rapid escalation in the rate of increase of human population inthe recent past. The extent of this depletion is further increased by affluent societies that consume percapita more energy and resources, that less fortunate people. This is of great relevance for developinga new ethic for a more equitable distribution of resources. In the first half of the 1900s humannumbers were growing rapidly inmost developing countries such as India and China. In some Africancountries the growth was also significant. In contrast, in the developed world population growth hadslowed down. It was appreciated that the global growth rate was depleting the Earths resources andwas a direct impediment to human development. Several environmental ill-effects were linked withthe increasing population of the developing world. Poverty alleviation programs failed, as whateverwas done was never enough as more and more people had to be supported on Earths limitedresources. In rural areas population growth led to increased fragmentation of farm land andunemployment. In the urban sector it led to inadequate housing and an increasing level of air pollutionfrom traffic, water pollution from sewage, and an inability to handle solid waste.POPULATION EXPLOSION FAMILY WELFARE PROGRAMIn response to our phenomenal population growth, India seriously took up an effective FamilyPlanning Program which was renamed the Family Welfare Program. Slogans such as Hum do hamaredo indicated that each family should not have more than two children. It however hastaken severaldecades to become effective. At the global level by the year 2000, 600 million, or57% of women inthe reproductive age group, were using some method of contraception. However the use ofcontraceptive measures is higher in developed countries 68%, and lower in developing countries 55%. Female sterilization is the most popular method of contraception used in developing countries atpresent. This is followed by the use of oral contraceptive pills and intrauterine devices for women,and the use of condoms for men.The first green revolution in the 60s produced a large amount of food but has led to severalenvironmental problems. Now, a new green revolution is needed, to provide enough food for ourgrowing population, that will not damage land, kill rivers by building large dams, or spread at the costof critically important forests, grasslands and wetlands. The worlds most populous regions are incoastal areas. These are critical ecosystems and are being rapidly destroyed. Global climate change isnow a threat that can affect the very survival of high population density coastal communities. In thesea, fish populations are suffering from excessive fishing. Once considered an inexhaustible resource,over fishing has depleted stocks extremely rapidly. It will be impossible to support further growth inWWW.VIDYARTHIPLUS.COM
coastal populations on existing fish reserves. Human populations will inevitably expand from farmlands into the remaining adjacent forestsPlanning for the futureHow Governments and people from every community meet challenges such as limiting populationsize, protecting the natural environment, change their consumer oriented attitudes, reduce habits thatcreate excessive waste, elevates poverty and creates an effective balance between conservation anddevelopment will determine the worlds future.The Urban ChallengePopulation increases will continue in urban centers in the near future. The UN has shown that by 2025here will be 21 "megacities" most of which will be situated in developing countries. Urban centers arealready unable to provide adequate housing, services such as water and drainage systems, growingenergy needs, or better opportunities for income generation.Methods of sterilizationIndias Family Welfare Program has been fairly successful but much still needs to be achieved tostabilize our population. The most effective measure is the one most suited to the couple once theyhave been offered all the various options that are available. The Family Welfare Program advocates avariety of measures to control population. Permanent methods or sterilisation are done by a minorsurgery. Tubectomy in females is done by tying the tubes that carry the ovum to the uterus. Malesterilization or vasectomy, is done by tying the tubes that carry the sperm. Both are very simpleprocedures, done under local anesthesia, are painless and patients have no post operative problems.Vasectomy does not cause any loss in the males sexual ability but only arrests the discharge ofsperm. There are several methods of temporary birth control. Condoms are used by males to preventsperms from fertilizing the ovum during intercourse. Intrauterine devices (Copper Ts) are smallobjects which can be placed by a doctor in the uterus so that the ovum cannot be implanted, even iffertilized. They do not disturb any functions in the womans life or work.12. Describe the role of information technology in environment and human health. (NOV/DEC2013)Environmental health is that branch of public health that is concerned with all aspects ofthe natural and built environment that may affect human health. Other phrases that concern or refer tothe discipline of environmental health include environmental public health, and environmentalprotection. The field of environmental health is closely related to environmental science and publichealth as environmental health is concerned with environmental factors affecting human health."Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to aperson, and all the related factors impacting behaviours. It encompasses the assessment and control ofthose environmental factors that can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards preventing diseaseand creating health-supportive environments. This definition excludes behaviour not related toenvironment, as well as behaviour related to the social and cultural environment, as well as genetics.":[1]
1. Remote Sensing. Remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) has proved to bevery effective tool in environment management. Now,the ongoing changes in the environment can beassessed easily through satellites by remote sensing techniques. The occurrence of a number of naturalcalamities like droughts, floods, volcanic erruptions etc., can also be predicted well in advance. Suchassessments help the environmentalists and planners to take ameliorative measure to minimise theeffects of these extreme natural events. The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government ofIndia has created an information system called Environmental Information System (ENVIS) with itsheadquarters in Delhi. It provides a network database in environmental issues like pollution control,renewable energy,desertification,biodiversity etc.2. Database. Database is the collection of inter-related data on various subjects in computerized formwhich can be retreived whenever required. Now the data regarding birth and death rates,immunisation and sanitation programmes can be maintained more accurately than before in computersat health centers. Database is also available about the diseases like malaria, fluorosis, AIDS etc. TheMinistry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has taken up the task of compiling adatabase on various environmental issues like wildlife, forests cover, wasteland etc.3. Human health. Information technology also plays a key role in human health. It helps the doctors tomonitor the health of people of that area. The information regarding outbreak of epidemic diseasesfrom remote areas can be sent more quickly to the district administration to take corrective measures.Now, patients can seek help of a super specialist doctor placed at far off distance. Many hospitalsnow, take on-line help of experts to provide better treatment and services to their patients. This hasbecome possible only because of advancement of IT in the recent times.4. Online Information. It provides vast quantum of information on diffrent subjects including humanhealth and environment.Role of IT in environment:Remote Sensing and GIS (Geographic Information System) provides data and knowledge concerningthe global environment as it is used for mapping and monitoring various natural resources.Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) and Government of India (GOI) have created anEnvironment Information System (ENVIS). Different ENVIS centers are set up in differentorganizations for information collection, storage which work towards boosting the relationshipbetween trade and environmentIT is used for computer based modeling and simulation of environmental scenarios for analysis andprediction.It enables environmental scientists and researchers around the world to communicate, collaborate andcoordinate.Role of IT in in human healthIT can be used for audio, visual and data communications for medical consultation, diagnosis,treatment, nursing and medical education.IT is used for testing of DNA, creating DNA database and genetic information about population.Medical records and finger prints which are used by investigating agencies to identify missing personsand criminals.IT helps in spreading awareness about endemic, epidemic and communicable diseases. With the helpof Remote Sensing and GIS there is identification of several infested areas which are prone to somediseases like malaria etc. based upon mapping of such areas.13. Briefly discuss HIV/AIDS, mode of its spread and its effect on environment. (MAY/JUNE2013) (NOV/DEC 2013)Human immunodeficiency virus infection / Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(HIV/AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) The illness interferes with the immune system, making people with AIDS much more likely toget infections, including opportunistic infections and tumors that do not usually affect people withworking immune systems. This susceptibility increases as this disease gets worse.HIV is transmitted primarily via sexual intercourse (including oral sex and anal sex), contaminatedblood transfusions and hypodermic needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, orbreastfeeding. Some bodily fluids, like saliva or tears, do not transmit HIV. Prevention of HIVinfection, primarily through safe sex and needle-exchange programs, is a key strategy to control the
disease. There is no known cure for or vaccine against HIV. However, antiretroviral treatment canslow the course of the disease and may lead to a near-normal life expectancy for people with HIV.Antiretroviral treatment reduces the risk of death and complications from the disease. However, thesemedications are expensive and may be associated with side effects of their own.HIV/AIDS is a major health problem in many parts of the world, and is considered a pandemicadisease outbreak which is present over a large area and is actively spreading In 2009, the WorldHealth Organization (WHO) estimated that there are 33.4 million people worldwide living withHIV/AIDS, with 2.7 million new HIV infections per year and 2.0 million annual deaths due toAIDS.[5] As of 2010, approximately 34 million people have HIV globally. Of these, approximately16.8 million are women and 3.4 million are less than 15 years old. HIV/AIDS resulted in about1.8 million deaths in 2010, down from 3.1 million in 2001. Since AIDS was first recognized in 1981,it has led to nearly 30 million deaths (as of 2009).Genetic research indicates that HIV originated in west-central Africa during the late nineteenth orearly twentieth century. AIDS was first recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) in 1981 and its cause, HIV, identified in the early 1980s.Although operating at multiple levels and in many ways, the environmental dimensions ofHIV/AIDS have received little attention in the policy arena. Few bridges exist between public healthand environmental dialogue and policymaking, as evidenced by the lack of discussion of thisintersection at the 2006 HIV/AIDS conference in Toronto. At the conference, the natural environmentfound a place on the program primarily within the context of food security. Although clearly a criticaltopic, food security is but one of many dimensions of the pandemics effect on the naturalenvironment.Recognizing the associations between HIV/AIDS and the natural environment can contribute to thewell-being of both human populations and local environments, particularly in regions characterized byhigh prevalence of HIV/AIDS and natural resource dependence and scarcity.Because environmental scarcity can heighten HIV/AIDS vulnerability, environmental policyencouraging sustainable use of local environments can also benefit public health. This is especiallytrue in regions where resource scarcity deepens poverty and robs households of viable livelihoodoptions. In addition, health interventions to reduce HIV/AIDS vulnerability can produceenvironmental gains, particularly in areas characterized by high levels of resource dependence andwhere pressure on local resources is intensified by adult mortality. In this region, reduced mortalitymay lessen environmental pressure by reducing dependence on local natural resources such asfuelwood for cooking.Because poverty is a driving force in the vulnerability to both HIV/AIDS and unsustainable resourceuse, poverty reduction efforts could yield substantial gains in both public health and environmentalprotection. One program recognizing these critical links is the Umzi Wethu Training Academy forDisplaced Youth in Eastern Cape, South Africa. A project of the Wilderness Foundation South Africa,the program offers certified vocational training and internships to AIDS orphans and vulnerableyouth, helping them qualify for well-paid local conservation jobs. Although the tourism industry hasbeen hard-hit by the loss of employees to AIDS, ecotourism has been increasing 10 percent annuallyin the region, expanding opportunities for game rangers, hospitality hosts, and other tourism serviceproviders. Enhancing opportunities for local at-risk youth not only helps the local economy, butreduces the likelihood they will engage in risky sexual behavior. These poverty reduction effortstherefore lessen the spread of HIV/AIDS as well as protect natural resources.Although research on the HIV/AIDS and environment intersection is in its infancy, the earlyevidence suggests that the public health, HIV/AIDS, and environmental policy and advocacycommunities would gain strength by recognizing the overlaps in their agendas. The Umzi WethuTraining Academy has been designed with such overlaps in mind and represents the type of integratedapproach to program and policy development that warrants serious consideration.