MODULE 1

ENVIROMENTAL SCIENCE
Defination :
Environmental science is defined as a branch of biology focused on the study of the
relationships of the natural world and the relationships between organisms and their
environments. An example of environmental science is the study of the natural world and how it
relates to recycling and mulching.
Scope of environmental science

Industries Consultancy Research and Academics Green Environmental

devlopement marketing agencies
 ECOLOGICAL
Basic CONCEPTS ARE
GENERAL
Ecological UNDERSTANDIN
GS OR FACTS
Concepts ABOUT
ECOSYSTEMS
AND ECOSYSTEM
MANAGEMENT.
 1. Levels of biological organization (genes, populations, species,
communities, ecosystems, landscapes, regions). Life is dynamic and
involves multi-scale ecological patterns and processes.
2. Native species are those that naturally exist at a given location or in a
• Ecosystem particular ecosystem – i.e., they have not been moved there by humans.
3. A keystone species, ecosystem or process has a disproportionate influence
concepts on an ecosystem or landscape such as the role beavers play in altering the
hydrological characteristics of streams and wetlands.
provide a 4. Ecological resilience is the capacity of an ecosystem to cope with
foundation for disturbance or stress and return to a stable state. The concept of ecological
resilience is consistent with the notion that ecosystems are complex,
developing dynamic and adaptive systems that are rarely at equilibrium; most systems
can potentially exist in various states.
ecological 5. Disturbances are individually distinct events, either natural or human-
principles and induced, that cause a change in the existing condition of an ecological
system. Disturbances can be described in terms of their type, intensity,
applications. spatial extent, frequency and other factors.
6. Connectivity/fragmentation is the degree to which ecosystem structure
facilitates or impedes the movement of organisms between resource
patches. What constitutes connectivity is scale-dependent and varies for
each species depending on its habitat requirements, sensitivity to
disturbance and vulnerability to human-caused mortality. Loss of
connectivity results in fragmentation.
 7. Coarse and fine filter approach, Concept 1 (levels of biological organization)
notes that there are recognizable but varying degrees of aggregation and
association among species and the processes they create. Coarse and fine filter
Ecosystem approaches build on that concept.
Management 8. Risk is an inherent aspect of decision-making. Given the complexity and
variability evident in Concepts 1, 4 and 5 above, we can never be wholly certain of
Concepts the consequences of a management action. Risk management is the process of
weighing the assessed risks against the expected benefits to make the “best”
are basic tools that decision.
can be applied to 9. Adaptive management as a formal response to the presence of uncertainty and
risk, adaptive management is a systematic learning process that formally plans and
support some of monitors the outcomes of decisions to improve our ability to better manage
natural resources given uncertainty.
the applications 10. Ecosystem-based management (EBM). EBM can be defined as “an adaptive
in section 3 that approach to managing human activities that seeks to ensure the coexistence of
healthy, fully functioning ecosystems and human communities.
relate to planning. 11. Protected area in this context refers to any area that has some form of
protection and typically has a minimal human footprint. Protected areas are often
the core of a coarse filter approach to conservation. However, they also can serve
other conservation roles.
 ● M AN HAS B E E N

Earth and man

PART O F N ATUR E
F RO M LO N G TI M E .
● EARTH I S THE O N LY
PLAN E T K N OW N

relationship ●
W HE R E LI F E E X I STS.
D I R EC TLY AN D
I N D I REC TLY, W E
AR E D E PE N D E N T
UPO N N ATUR E .
● I F N ATUR E I S N OT
PROTEC TE D,
HUM AN LI F E W I LL
B E UN D E R THR EAT.
 ● SAY NO TO PLASTIC AND NOT TO
DISPOSE PLASTIC DIRECTLY INTO THE
WASTE,WHICH FURTHER MAY LEAD TO
LAND FILL.
Measures that ● WE SHOULD SWITCH TOWARDS
must be taken ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO REDUCE AIR
POLLUTION.
to fix stop
polluting the ● SEWAGE WATER SHOULD BE PROPERLY
TREATED BEFORE LETTING THEM INTO
Nature RIVER.
● FACTORIES SHOULD HAVE PROPER
CHIMNEY FILTER.
● WE MUST PLANT MORE TREES .
Switching to Electric
Vehicles
FAME-2 POLICY.

60% SUBSIDY WILL BE GOVERNMENT HAS AMOUNT PROVIDED IN TILL 2020,EV WILL BE
PROVIDED ON THE INVESTED RS.10,000CR FOR SUBSIDY WILL BE AVAILABLE IN REASONABLE
PURCHASE OF EV. INFRASTRUCTURE DEPENDENT UPON THE PRICE.
DEVELOPMENT. POWER OF BATTERY USED IN
THE VEHICLES.
 Delhi EV draft policy.

25 % new registration of new Rs.23,000 Subsidy on Encouraging the commuters Scrapping encentive will be
EV by 2023. purchase of electric two to use e cabs and e buses by provided to replace old tow
wheeler. providing RS.10 per trip. wheeler with new electric
two wheeler.
 NEED FOR AWARENESS OF
INDUSTRIALISATION
EVERYTHING WE DO,FROM THE FOOD WE EAT TO THE
ELECTRICITY WE USE,AFFECTS THE WORLD AROUND US —
BUT IT WASN’T ALWAYS THAT WAY.

● THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION CHANGED THE WAY THAT

WE CREATED EVERYTHING,FROM FOOD AND ENERGY TO
SANITATION AND MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES.
● THERE ARE FOUR PRIMARY IMPACT POINTS WHEN IT
COMES TO INDUSTRIALIZATION — AIR, WATER, SOIL AND
HABITAT.
WATER POLLUTION:- It is also a
major problem specifically in regions
where factories are built next to
natural water sources which are
filled by toxic substances.
SOIL CONTAMINATION:-LEAD IS THE
MOST COMMON AGENT FOR SOIL
CONTAMINATION, BUT OTHER HEAVY
METALS AND TOXIC CHEMICALS CAN
ALSO LEACH INTO THE SOIL AND, IN
TURN, CONTAMINATE CROPS THAT
GROW IN NEARBY FARMS.

Habitat Destruction:- Forest are being destroyed

for their lumber, and ecosystems are destroyed to
create roads, strip mines and gravel pits. Destroying
these habitats upsets local ecosystems and leads to
plant and animal extinction .
 THERE ARE TWO POSSIBLE APPROACHES THAT BOTH FACTORIES AND
LEGISLATORS CAN TAKE TO HELP REDUCE THE IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL
POLLUTION.
First, industries can reduce their reliance on a product that is causing
● .
pollution. We have to lower our dependence on lead, which reduced the
amount of this heavy metal being leached into the surrounding environment

The other option is to treat industrial waste to remove

toxic components so that the rest of the waste can be
disposed of safely. It isn’t always easy, and it does
require that each factory implements the proper
procedures to purify or cleanse their waste
byproducts.
 Nature of STUDY ON
MANGROVES, AIR
Environmental POLLUTION,
CONTAMINATION
OF RIVER WATERS
Threats OF MUMBAI.
Shrinking Mangroves:
Encroachments, aquaculture ponds and infrastructure development are taking a toll on the
stretches of mangroves
Mangroves prevent soil erosion and protect shorelines against cyclones and ecological disasters.
Environmentalists said around 80 aquaculture ponds have been set up in a range of less than six-
kilometers in Navi Mumbai. Also, cases of mangroves destroyed Airoli, Bhandup, Kasheli, Vashi,
Vasai, Borivli and areas close to the Gorai creek are reported frequently.
Toxic Air:

Though trial runs to calculate Air Quality Index(AQI) have begun at Maharashtra pollution control
board(MPCB), poor quality air standards are a major problem for city’s inhabitants.
One of the main cause of pollutants is road construction, vehicular emissions and smoke from
bakeries and crematoriums are other reasons.
Carbon-monoxide levels and Particulate matter have risen owing to traffic congestion, according
to studies of Mumbai Environmental social network.
Mumbai ranks 28th in Asia with a pollution Index of 83.38 in terms of air pollution.
Graph of AQI(Air Quality Index) various
cities of India.
Contamination of river water:

As per the statistics released by central pollution control Board(CPCB), the number of polluted
rivers in country has risen from 121 to 275 in last five years, with Maharashtra faring the worst
among states in keeping its rivers clean.
One good example in Mumbai is the Powai lake , around 50% of the surface of powai lake is
covered with water hyacinths, an invasive weed. The presence of water hyacinths is an indication
of low dissolved oxygen levels and high pollution levels.
The lake has also used to dump construction debris and sewage.
Powai Lake in
year 2018-19.
Importance of clean air
In our today’s world where everybody is talking about new inventions and ideas about
the advancement in technologies. But we are neglecting a very important aspect of our survival
i.e. clean air.
For our future to be bright and safe, we need to save our environment and for that we
need to understand the balance between environment and human habitat. We need to learn
how our ecosystem works mainly and how to minimize air pollution.
The main reasons for deterioration of quality of air are
Uncontrolled exploitation of resources.
Increase in use of more and more vehicles.
Reduction of number of trees.
Increase in number of more and more industries.
The quality of air has many effects on our health. It leads to many diseases like asthma, lung cancer
and many more fatal diseases.
Every year a large number of people die due to respiratory diseases.
Presently many organizations are working for people so that they can get pure air to breathe.
Some countries in Europe have even given people the right to clean air in their constitution.
More plants we plant more will we get clean air.

Conclusion – In the today’s world where industries and urbanization is

continuously increasing it is the duty of every individual to contribute his
best to maintain the good quality of air.
Current environmental
threats
Introduction
Environmental problems are harmful effects of human activity on the biophysical environment.
The relationship between humanity and the environment is a delicate balance
Major current environmental issues may include waste disposal , pollution , deforestation ,
climate change and resources depletion etc.
The Top Environmental Issues Should
Make You Worry
Waste Disposal
Pollution
Deforestation
Ecosystem & Endangered Species
Climate Change
Water disposal
Water disposal
It’s easy to throw something in trash can . We don’t usually think about our local landfills but
the average person generates 4.6 pounds of trash per day.
This trash ends up in two places landfills or it ends up in environmental habitats and the
ocean.
Waste disposal poses a threat to not only the earth and its environment but humans as well.
When waste is disposed of via burning or nuclear , it emits hazardous toxins in air which
people breathe in.
Prevention - People can limit this crisis by reducing the amount of waste by choosing to use
products that can be recycled or placed in compost pile.
Pollution
Pollution
Pollution comes in many forms Air , Soil , Water all have the capability to be polluted.
It is one of the biggest killers on the planet and it takes more than 100 million lives every
single year – and that’s just human lives
Contaminated waters are undrinkable. Polluted air weakens the ozone layer and cause health
problems. Contaminated soil destroys habitats and irrigation.
Prevention – Caring for ecosystems making sustainable choices and limiting the number of
resources used , there is potential for recovery from pollution.
Ecosystem & Endangered Species
Ecosystem & Endangered Species
Due to list of environmental issues happening on this planet both ecosystem and species are
affected.
The endangered species list continues to grow as ecosystems continue to decrease.
With the rising temperatures of Arctic , sea ice melts which eliminates the habitats of polar bears.
Prevention – Supporting organizations dedicated to fighting species extinction. By supporting the
cause we are helping to combat issues.
Climate change
Climate change
Climate disasters are on rise around 70% of disasters are now
climate related.
Global temperatures are climbing , ice caps are melting , and droughts , wildfires , and super
hurricanes are tearing their way across the landscape.
Greenhouse gasses are a leading cause of climate change specifically those emitted from
human population. This has an impact on habitats , agriculture , the oceans and the natural
disasters
Prevention – Using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power will assist the
fight against climate change. Also limiting waste and pollution will help preserve the
environment
Urbanization
Urbanization refers to the population shift from rural areas to urban
areas, the gradual increase in the proportion of people living in urban
areas.
Urbanization is relevant to a range of disciplines:
- Urban planning
- Architecture
- Economics
- Public Health.
 Impact of Urbanization over
Environment
Impact on atmosphere and climate
- Creating heat islands
- Change in air quality
Impact on land resources
- pollution
- Erosion and other changes in land quality
Impact on water resources
- Degraded Water Quality