Environmental Science and Engineering UNIT 1: ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY DEFINITION, SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE Definitions Word

"environment" is most commonly used describing "natural" environment and means the sum of all living and non-living things that surround an organism, or group of organisms. Environmental science is the study of nature and the facts about environment. Basically environment can be defined as all the social, economical, physical & chemical factors that surrounds man (or) all abiotic and biotic components around man - all living and non-living things surrounds man. Environmental engineering is the integration of science and engineering principles to improve the natural environment (air, water, and/or land resources), to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation (house or home) and for other organisms, and to remediate pollution sites. Principles of Environmental Education: a. b. c. d. e. Examine the major environmental issues discover the root cause develop problem solving skills promote co-operation in solving problems Emphasis active participation in prevention and solution to problems.

Scope of environmental science: a. b. c. d. e. Studying the interrelationship between the components of env. Carrying out impact analysis and env. Audit Preventing pollution from existing and new industries Stopping the use of biological and nuclear weapons Managing unpredictable disasters etc.

Need for Public Awareness: Environmental Pollution or problems cannot be solved by mere laws. Public participation is an important aspect which serves the environmental Protection. Public awareness of environmental is at infant stage. 30-40% of public of developing country are aware of environmental. Problems but they bother about it. Ignorance and incomplete knowledge has led to misconceptions. Development and improvement in std. of living has led to serious environmental disasters Debate on environmental issues are treated as anti-developmental do not

Reasons for environmental Ignorance: -

Science, technology and economics failed to integrate the knowledge on environmental aspects in curriculum. The decision makers do not process environmental angle of decision making. Consideration of economic growth, poverty eradication has led to environmental degradation. Page 1

Premnath D, AP/ECE, Loyola Institute of Technology, Chennai

Environmental Science and Engineering

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Only few developmental activities are made considering the environmental aspects.

The major problems of developing countries like India are their poverty and illiteracy. Moreover, decisions about different environment management programmes are taken by the elite groups of society. People, who cannot fulfil their daily needs, cannot think about the environment. This ignorance and illiteracy has generated a number of misconceptions and superstitions such as: Diseases are caused by Gods curse and demons. They have nothing to do with infection or hygiene. Famines, floods, droughts are Gods punishment for the sins of men and have no relationship with environmental management. Rainfall is dependent on Gods grace. Cities are polluted not villages. (In reality, villages are more polluted due to the burning of fossil fuels [such as cow dung cakes and wood] while cities are polluted due to industrial effluents and automobiles exhaust). Deforestation is the result of the industrial revolution but growing urbanization is not responsible for this.

The Indian government has taken some important steps towards environmental protection. For example, no development work can progress without a proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The government has from time to time set up State Pollution Control Boards for controlling pollution from different industries, and established Green Benches in different High Courts of India. Any government at its own cannot achieve the goals of clear environment until the public participate in action. Public participation is possible only when the public is aware about the ecological and environmental issues. Eg. Ban- the littering of polythene. Methods to propagate environmental awareness: 1. Among students through education introducing environmental studies in the curriculum. 2. Among public through mass media- environmental programmmes through TV, radio etc. 3. Among decision makers, planners, leaders etc. Role of NGOs 1. Advise the government in interacting with ground level people 2. Organize public meetings to create environmental awareness Public awareness is needed in the area 1. Study of natural resources-conservation and management 2. Ecology and biodiversity conservation 3. Environmental Pollution and prevention Concept of Ecosystem An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals and microbes) in conjunction with the non-living components of their environment (things like air, water and mineral soil), interacting as a system and form a stable self-supporting system. These biotic and abiotic components are regarded as linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. Biotic- living organisms; abiotic - non-living components Arthur Tansley, a British ecologist, was the first person to use the term "ecosystem" in a published work.

Premnath D, AP/ECE, Loyola Institute of Technology, Chennai

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Environmental Science and Engineering Ecology (from Greek: , "house"; -, "study of") is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environment, such as the interactions organisms have with each other and with their abiotic environment. The word "ecology" ("kologie") was coined in 1866 by the German scientist Ernst Haeckel (18341919). Structure of Ecosystem The term structure refers to the various components of the ecosystem. Two major components: 1. Biotic ( living) components 2. Abiotic ( non-living) components Biotic Components: The living organisms in an ecosystem collectively form its community called biotic community or biotic components. Member of biotic components: 1. Producers 2. Consumers 3. Decomposers 1. Producers (autotrophs) are typically plants or algae. Plants and algae do not usually eat other organisms, but pull nutrients from the soil or the ocean and manufacture their own food using photosynthesis. For this reason, they are called primary producers. In this way, it is energy from the sun that usually powers the base of the food chain. An exception occurs in deep-sea hydrothermal ecosystems, where there is no sunlight. Here primary producers manufacture food through a process called chemosynthesis. 2. Consumers (heterotrophs) are animals which cannot manufacture their own food and need to consume other organisms. Animals that eat primary producers (like plants) are called herbivores. Animals that eat other animals are called carnivores, and animals that eat both plant and other animals are called omnivores. 3. Decomposers (detritivores) break down dead plant and animal material and wastes and release it again as energy and nutrients into the ecosystem for recycling. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi (mushrooms), feed on waste and dead matter, converting it into inorganic chemicals that can be recycled as mineral nutrients for plants to use again. Trophic levels can be represented by numbers, starting at level 1 with plants. Further trophic levels are numbered subsequently according to how far the organism is along the food chain. Level 1: Plants and algae make their own food and are called primary producers. Level 2: Herbivores eat plants and are called primary consumers. Level 3: Carnivores which eat herbivores are called secondary consumers. Level 4: Carnivores which eat other carnivores are called tertiary consumers. Level 5: Apex predators which have no predators are at the top of the food chain. Premnath D, AP/ECE, Loyola Institute of Technology, Chennai Page 3

Abiotic Components:

Environmental Science and Engineering

Abiotic components enter the body of living directly or indirectly take part in metabolic activities and return to environment. Abiotic components are as follows 1. Atmosphere The cover of air that envelopes the earth is known as atmosphere. Composition: Nitrogen-78%, oxygen- 2%, other gases- 1% 2. Lithosphere or Interior of Earth Solid Earth Radius 6371 km. 3. Hydrosphere 97% Earths water is in oceans Fresh water 3%.

Structure of Atmosphere: Five Layers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Troposphere lower portion extends from 0-18 kms, temperatureStratosphere -18- 50 km- Temperature (-2C to -56C )- Ozone layer Mesosphere- extends from 50-85 km- Temperature drops to (-95C) Ionosphere or Thermosphere extends up to 500 km. Temperature raises up to 1200C Exosphere extends up to 1600 km- temperature very high due to solar radiation.

Functions of Atmosphere: It maintains heat balance on the earth by absorbing IR radiation. Oxygen support life on living organism. Co2 - essential for photosynthetic activity of plants. N2 - essential nutrient for plant growth. Lithosphere (Interior of Earth): Three major Zones 1. Crust top most layer- solid thickness 30 40 Km in continents and 5 6 km in oceans. Rocks of the earth crust 3 types Igneous , Sedimentary, Metamorphic. 2. Mantle average density 3.3 Thickness 2860 density increases with depth. 3. Core (outer core liquid , inner core solid). depth 2900 km from the surface of the earth density 12 not exact composition. Hydrosphere The hydrosphere (from Greek - hudr, "water" and - sphaira, "sphere") in physical geography describes the combined mass of water found on, under, and over the surface of a planet.

Functions of Ecosystems
The function of ecosystem is to allow the flow of energy and cycling of nutrients. Types: 1. Primary function: Manufacture energy starch Photosynthesis 2. Secondary function: Distribution of energy in the form food to all the consumer 3. Tertiary function: Nutrients cycling

Premnath D, AP/ECE, Loyola Institute of Technology, Chennai

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Environmental Science and Engineering The functioning of an ecosystem may be understood by studying the 1. 2. 3. 4. Energy Flow Food Chains Food Web Food Pyramids

Energy Flow

Energy is defined as the capacity to do work. For living organisms, it is the basic force responsible for running all the metabolic activities. The flow of energy from producer level to top consumer level is called energy flow. The flow of energy in an ecosystem is unidirectional. It flows from producer level to consumer level and never in the reverse direction. The process of energy flow involves transfer of energy from autotrophs to various components of heterotrophs and help in maintaining bio diversity. The main source of energy in the ecosystem is sunlight. About 80% of energy is lost during flow of energy from one trophic level to the next one. Follows two laws of thermodynamics: 1. Energy can be neither created nor destroyed. However, energy can change forms, and energy can flow from one place to another. 2. Whenever energy is transformed, there is a loss of energy through the release of heat.

Fig. Energy Flow

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Environmental Science and Engineering INTRODUCTION TO BIODIVERSITY Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given species, ecosystem, biome, or planet. The term biological diversity was used first by wildlife scientist and conservationist Raymond F. Dasmann in the 1968 lay book A Different Kind of Country. Definition: Biological diversity is the variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur. Classification: 1. Species diversity - variety of species in a given region or area. The degree of species diversity in any area can be determined by counting the number of species present in any area Species richness. Plant Species Apple, mango, rice, wheat. Animal Species Lion, Tiger, elephant. 2. Genetic diversity diversity within species species with diff. genetic char. sub-species diff. are due to diff. in the combination of genes - basic units of hereditary info. tx from one gen. to other- ex: Rice oryzasativa due to genetic variation differs in size, shape, colour and nutrients content. 3. Ecosystem diversity - refers to the diversity of a place at the level of ecosystems. Biogeographic classification of India: Biogeographic classification of India is the division of India according to biogeographic characteristics. Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species (biology), organisms, and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time. The biogeographic zones of India are as follows: 1. Himalayan zone. 2. Desert zone. 3. Semiarid zone. 4. Western ghat zone. 5. Deccan plateau zone. 6. Gangetic plain zone. 7. North east zone. 8. Coastal zone. 9. Islands present near the shore line. 10. Trans Himalyan zone. Biogeographic Zones of India

1. Trans- Himalayas. Upper region-sparse mountain vegetation type has the richest sheep and goat community in the world. The snow leopard is found here.

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Environmental Science and Engineering 2. Himalayas extends from north west region of Kashmir to the east up to NE FA. It comprise biotic provinces north,west,east central Himalayas. Alternatively comprises 3 zones of vegetation. a) Sub-mountain/Lower region- tropical and subtropical height up-to 5000-6000 ft. Trees- dalbergia sissco, Acacia catechu etc. b) Temperate/ non term zone -(ranges between5500-12000ft) trees- Pinus excites, Caldera etc.

c)

Alpine-zone-(about 1200ft) is the limit of tree growth knows as timber tree line.

3. Desert zone comprise 3 biotic provinces viz Kutch, Thar and Ladakh. The climate in this region is characterized by very hot and dry summer and cold winter, Rainfall less than 700 mm. Plants are mostly xerophytic such as acacia netotica, Tecomella etc. 4. Semi Arid zone Adjoining the NW desert are the semi arid zone comprising Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Port of orissa and Guajrat. Depending upon the rainfall, the forests in this region have developed into thorny, mixed deciduous and Sal type. Vegetation-Tectena grandis, Dalbagia Latifolice etc. 5. Western Ghats zone. comprises the Malabar coast and Western Ghat mountains extending from Gujarat in the north to the cape camorin in the south. Rainfall is heavy. Vegetation-tropical moist evergreen forests, Subtropical /temperate evergreen forests, mixed deciduous forest and mangroves forests. 6. Deccan Pennisulla zone. comprises Deccan plateau (south) Central plateau, East Plateau, Chhota Nagpur and central highland Rainfall is about 100mm. 7. The Gangetic plain. Extending up to Himalayas foothills comprising of Utter Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. 8. The North East India One of the richest flora regions in the country, receive the rainfall with Chirrapunji as much as 10,000mm. 9. The Islands. The Island of Lakshadweep in the Arabian sea, Andaman and Nicobar in the Bay of Bengal have a wide range of spreading coastal vegetation of mangroves etc. 10. Coast India has a coastline of about 7,516.5 km. Mangroves vegetation is characteristic of esterorine tracks along the coast. Value of Biodiversity:

Direct values Premnath D, AP/ECE, Loyola Institute of Technology, Chennai Page 7

Environmental Science and Engineering The direct value include food resources like grains, vegetables, fruits which are obtained from plant resources and meat, fish, egg, milk and milk products from animal resources. These also include other values like medicine, fuel, timber, fiber, wool, wax, resin, rubber, silk and decorative items. The direct values are of two types (i) Consumptive use value and (ii) Productive use value. Consumptive use value: These are the direct use values where the biodiversity products can be harvested and consumed directly. Example: Food, fuel and drugs. These goods are consumed locally and do no figure in national and international market. (a) Food (i) Plants: The most fundamental value of biological resources particularly plants is providing food. Basically three crops i.e. wheat, maize and rice constitute more than two third of the food requirement all over the world. (ii) Fish: Through the development of aquaculture, techniques, fish and fish products have become the largest source of protein in the world. (b) Fuel: Since ages forests have provided wood which is used as a fuel. Moreover fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, natural gas are also product of biodiversity which are directly consumed by humans. (c) Drugs and medicines: The traditional medical practice like ayurveda utilizes plants or their extracts directly. In allopathy, the pharmaceutical industry is much more dependent on natural products. Many drugs are derived from plants like a. b. c. Quinine: The famous anti malaria drug is obtained from cinchona tree. Penicillin: A famous antibiotic is derived from pencillium, a fungus. Tetracycline: It is obtained from bacterium.

d. Recently vinblastin and vincristine, two anti cancer drugs have been obtained from catharanthus plant which has anti cancer alkaloids. Productive use values: These are the direct use values where the product is commercially sold in national and international market. Many industries are dependent upon these values. Example- Textile, leather, silk, paper and pulp industry etc. Although there is an international ban on trade of products from endangered species like tusks of elephants, wool from sheep, fur of many animals etc. These are traded in market and fetch a booming business. Indirect values Biodiversity provides indirect benefits to human beings which support the existence of biological life and other benefits which are difficult to quantify. These include social and cultural values, ethical values, aesthetic values, option values and environment service values. Social and cultural value: Many plants and animals are considered holy and sacred in India and are worshipped like Tulsi, peepal, cow, snake etc. In Indian society great cultural value is given to forest and as such tiger, peacock and lotus are named as the national animal, bird and flower respectively. Ethical: These values are related to conservation of biodiversity where ethical issue of all life forms must be preserved is laid down. There is an existence value which is attached to each species because biodiversity is valuable for the survival of human race. Moreover all species have a moral right to exist independent of our need for them. Premnath D, AP/ECE, Loyola Institute of Technology, Chennai Page 8

Environmental Science and Engineering Aesthetic value: There is a great aesthetic value which is attached to biodiversity. Natural landscapes at undisturbed places are a delight to watch and also provide opportunities for recreational activities like bird watching, photography etc. It promotes eco-tourism which further generates revenue by designing of zoological, botanical gardens, national parks, wild life conservation etc. Option values: These values include the unexplored or unknown potentials of biodiversity. Environment service values: The most important benefit of biodiversity is maintenance of environment services which includes 1. Carbon dioxide fixation through photosynthesis.

2. Maintaining of essential nutrients by carbon (C), oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), Sulphur (S), Phosphorus (P) cycles. 3. 4. 5. 6. Maintaining water cycle and recharging of ground water. Soil formation and protection from erosion. Regulating climate by recycling moisture into the atmosphere. Detoxification and decomposition of waste.

Biodiversity at Global, National and Local Levels: Global: Out of an estimated 30 million species on earth, only one-sixth has been identified and authenticated in the past 200 years. An estimated biodiversity covers 400,000 higher plants. Biologically, tropical rain forests are the centres of the world; much of the earth's contemporary flora and fauna originated in the humid tropics - factories of evolutionary diversity. The tropical forests are regarded as the richest in biodiversity. Species diversity in tropics is high. The reasons are as follows: 1. Warm temperate and high humidity provide favourable conditions for many species. 2. Tropical communities are more productive because these areas receive more solar energy. 3. Over geographical times the tropics have had a more stable climate. In tropics, therefore, local species continued to live there itself. 4. Among plant rates of out crossing appear to be higher in tropics. National Level (India): 5% of worlds biodiversity 2% of the earth surface 10th rank in plant rich countries 11th rank in endemic species 6th rank in origin of agricultural crops 2000 medicinal plants are cultivated in India medicinal value Page 9

Premnath D, AP/ECE, Loyola Institute of Technology, Chennai

Indian sandal wood high commercial value Indian tobacco High nicotine content

Environmental Science and Engineering

More than 100 species of microorganisms are collected from Indian soils

Local Level: Categorized into four: 1. 2. 3. 4. Point richness No. of species that can be found at a single point in a given space. Alpha richness No. of species found in small homogeneous area same env. Conditions temp, nutri. Beta richness rate of change in species composition across different habitats. Gamma richness rate of change of across large landscape

Dense forests salem district 1500 species of plant 50 species of mammals 90 species of reptiles birds vedanthaangal elephant sanctuaries Anaimalai India is a Mega-diversity nation Indias biodiversity is threatened due to destruction, degradation aand over exploitation of resources - RED data book 44 plant species critically endangered 54 endangered 143 are vulnerable (exposed to damage) India ranks 2nd interms of the no. of threatened species. Biodiversity Hotspot: A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. 2% of worlds land are identified as Hotspots 50,000 endemic species In India: Eastern Himalayas Nepal, Bhutan and few states of Northern India 35,000 plant species 30% are endemic. Western ghats Maharastra , Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala -1500 endemic species Threats to biodiversity: 1. Deforestation 2. Destruction of wetlands 3. Habitat fragmentation 4. Raw material 5. Production of drugs 6. Illegal trade 7. Development activities 2. a. b. Poaching (over harvesting) of wildlife killing of animals leads to loss of biodiversity Subsistence poaching Killing animals to provide enough food for their survival Commercial poaching Killing animals to sell their products

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Environmental Science and Engineering

Premnath D, AP/ECE, Loyola Institute of Technology, Chennai

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