Major Sources of Water Pollution Water pollution is a major problem associated with the developing countries.

It severely affects the lives of people. There is an entire village in Karnataka that has been affected by excess of fluoride in the ground water. It causes deformities of the bone. In order to effectively control the pollution, the causes or the sources must be identified and understood.

Sources Back to Top

Sewage that includes organic matter, animal and human excreta-one of the major pollutants of water in the urban and rural areas is the sewage. The sewage most often contains the organic matter that encourages the growth of microorganisms. These organisms besides spreading diseases also consume the oxygen present in water. This is called oxygen depletion. The aquatic organisms like the fish cannot then survive in such waters. This creates an imbalance in the aquatic ecosystems. Industries Back to Top

The industries are mostly situated along the riverbanks for easy availability of water and also disposal of the wastes. But these wastes include various acids, alkalis, dyes and other chemicals. They change the pH of water. There are also detergents that create a mass of white foam in the river waters. All these chemicals are quite harmful or even fatally toxic to fish and other aquatic populations. The industrial wastes include toxic metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, etc, and other chemicals like the fluorides, ammonia, etc. Certain industries such as power plants, refineries, nuclear reactors release a lot of hot water from their cooling plants. This hot water is let into the water bodies without the temperature being reduced. This results in heating up of the water and thereby killing the aquatic life. The oxygen content of water also becomes less due to increase in the temperature. This is called thermal pollution.

Agriculture Back to Top

Modern methods of agriculture have resulted in use of fertilisers and pesticides to increase the yield of the crops. Most of them are synthetic and chemicals-based. They are collectively called agro-chemicals. These chemicals enter into the water bodies with the rain water flow and the ground water by seepage. The chemicals remain in the environment for a long time and can enter the food chain. They cause a number of problems in the animals. Oil Back to Top

Oil spill is a major problem in the oceans and seas. The oil tankers and offshore petroleum refineries cause oil leakage into the waters. This pollutes the waters. Oil floats on the water surface and prevents the atmospheric oxygen from mixing in the water. The oil enters the body of the organisms. It also coats the body of the aquatic animals and birds which may also kill them. Pollutant Source/Cause Effect

Sewage that includes Sewarage of rural domestic wastes, hospital and urban areas. wastes, excreta, etc.

Oxygen depletion Spread of diseases/ epidemics

Metals-Mercury

Industnal wastes

Minamata disease (resulted from the contaminated waters of the Minamata bay in Japan in 1953) - causes numbness of limbs, lips and tongue, blurred vision, deafness and mental derangement. Absorbed into blood and affects PBCs, liver, kidney, bone, brain and the penpheral nervous system. Lead poisoning can even lead to coma. Deposited in organs like the kidney, pancreas, liver, intestinal mucosa, etc. Cadmium poisoning

Lead

Industrial wastes

Cadmium

Cadmium industnes,

Pollutant

Source/Cause fertilisers

Effect causes headache, vomiting, bronchial pneumonia, kidney necrosis, etc. Arsenic poisoning causes renal failure and death, It can cause nerve disorder, kidney and liver disorders, muscular atrophy, etc. Accumulates in the bodies of fishes, birds, mammals including man. Adversely affects the nervous system, fertility. Causes thinning of egg shells in birds.

Arsenic

Fertilisers

Agrochemicals like DDT Pesticides

Effects of Water Pollution Back to Top

Eutrophication Back to Top

Water bodies are being constantly polluted by dumping of sewage which includes organic matter and by the runoff from the agricultural fields that contains fertilisers. Pollutants like sewage, organic wastes and fertilisers contain good amount of inorganic nutrients like nitrates and phosphates. These nutrients enrich the water promoting the growth of algae. The water turns green. This is called algal bloom. Rich algal growth leads to great increase in the number of the decomposers. All these life forms-decomposers, algae, other plants, fishes and other aquatic animals, use the oxygen in the water for respiration. This causes great demand for oxygen and results in depletion of oxygen. Pollution is measured by knowing the biological oxygen demand (BOD). Low BOD means little pollution and high BOD means higher pollution. Eutrophication also results in overgrowth of plants like Eicchornia that covers the entire surface of water. This reduces the light reaching the lower layers in water.

Thus, enrichment of water with inorganic nutrients like nitrates and phosphates is called eutrophication. Biomagnification Back to Top

There are many pollutants like the DDT that are not bio-degradable. These accumulate in the organisms and cause serious health problems. The contamination of water with these pollutants results in their entry into the microscopic plants and animals. These organisms are fed upon by higher aquatic life like the fish. The fish in turn are fed upon by the land animals including man. Thus, the pollutant reaches the body of man. At each step in the food chain, the contaminant increases in quantity. This is because a fish feeds on large quantity of smaller plants and man eats fish. These contaminants like DDT remain in the fats and are not degraded in the body. Over the years the amount of DDT increases in the body. This is called biomagnification.

Bio-magnification Pollutants like DDT also reach the human body through milk if the cattle are exposed to DDT sprayed grass or contaminated water. This causes serious blood and nervous disorders in man and other animals. Epidemics Back to Top

Pollution of water by organic wastes is a major cause for occurrence of epidemics like cholera, gastroenteritis in India. The microorganisms causing these diseases enter the water bodies through the organic wastes and then into the bodies of healthy persons causing diseases. In fact, a good indication of pollution of water is the presence of bacteria E. coli that lives in the human intestines. Acid Rain Back to Top

As discussed under air pollution, acid rain occurs due to the pollution of atmosphere and the pollutants coming down get mixed with water during rain. These waters also run into the water bodies where they cause a lot of damage due to the presence of acids. They cause change in pH of water and damage the aquatic life.

Control of Water Pollution Back to Top

Sewage Treatment Back to Top

The sewage before being let into the water bodies must be purified. This is done in three steps as follows:

Primary treatment Secondary treatment Tertiary treatment Effluent treatment

Primary Treatment Back to Top

The water is sieved through coarse sieves and made to stand in sedimentation tanks. This makes the heavy suspended matter settle down. It is then passed through a bed of rocks. Secondary Treatment Back to Top

The organic materials that are biodegradable are treated with the help of decomposers and oxygen. Then, the water is also chlorinated to remove the germs. Tertiary Treatment Back to Top

This step removes the inorganic pollutants like the nitrates, phosphates, detergents, metal ions, etc. by passing the water through activated charcoal that acts as a filter. Effluent Treatment Back to Top

The industrial wastes should be treated before being let into the water bodies. The toxic materials should be removed, the metallic compounds should be precipitated, the acids and alkalis should be neutralized and the temperature of the hot waters should be reduced. Public Awareness Back to Top

The public should be made aware of the dangers of water pollution. This will ensure that the water bodies are not contaminated and are maintained clean.

BIODIVERSITY: Biodiversity is the number of different species within an area and also the genetic variation that exists within each species. It also includes the range of habitats and communities that are present in an area.

Biodiversity can be defined as the number of plant and animal life that lives in a certain area or habitat. It can refer to a small area (biome) or the entire planet. A good way to remember this is that the prefix bio is a Greek word meaning life and diversity means variety or assortment. So biodiversity therefore means the variety of life found in an area.

. What is Biodiversity? What is biological diversity ? In its narrowest sense this term refers to the number of species on the planet, and it also is used more broadly as an umbrella term. Biological diversity refers to the variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur. Diversity can be defined as the number of different items and their relative frequency. For biological diversity, these items are organized at many levels, ranging from complete ecosystems to the chemical structures that are the molecular basis of heredity. Thus, the term encompasses different ecosystems, species, genes, and their relative abundance (Office of Technology Assessment, 1987). Or to paraphrase: number and variety of species, ecological systems, and the genetic variability they contain.

Threats to Biodiversity

These include:

The unsustainable harvesting of natural resources, including plants, animals and marine species. The loss, degradation or fragmentation of ecosystems through land conversion for agriculture, forest clearing etc. Invasive non-native or 'alien' species being introduced to ecosystems to which they are not adapted i.e. where they have no, or not enough, predators, to maintain an ecological balance. Pollution Climate change

The first two have taken place throughout human history, although not on the current scale. The introduction of invasive species is certainly facilitated, if not caused, by the level of international transport and traffic of goods of our trade system. The latter two are definitely products of an industrial age. Habitat loss and fragmentation is considered by conservation biologists to be the primary cause of biodiversity loss. Clearance of native vegetation for agriculture, housing, timber and industry, as well as draining wetlands and flooding valleys to form reservoirs, destroys these habitats and all the organisms in them. In addition, this destruction can cause remaining habitats to become fragmented and so too small for some organisms to persist, or fragments may be too far apart for other organisms to move between. Invasive alien species are the second greatest threat to biodiversity worldwide. Whether introduced on purpose or accidentally, non-native species can cause severe problems in the ecosystems they invade, from affecting individuals to causing huge changes in ecosystem functioning and the extinction of many species. Virtually all ecosystems worldwide have suffered invasion by the main taxonomic groups. This problem will probably get worse during the next century driven by climate change, and an increase in global trade and tourism. As well as the risks to human health, alien species inflict massive economic costs to agriculture, forestry, fisheries and other human activities.

Pollution is currently poisoning all forms of life, both on land and in the water, and contributing to climate change (see below). Any chemical in the wrong place or at the wrong concentration can be considered a pollutant. Transport, industry, construction, extraction, power generation and agroforestry all contribute pollutants to the air, land and water. These chemicals can directly affect biodiversity or lead to chemical imbalances in the environment that ultimately kill individuals, species and habitats. Climate change, brought about by emissions of greenhouse gases when fossil fuels are burnt, is making life uncomfortably hot for some species and uncomfortably cold for others. This can lead to a change in the abundance and distribution of individual species around the globe and will affect the crops we grow, cause a rise in sea levels and problems to many coastal ecosystems. In addition, the climate is becoming more unpredictable and extreme devastating events are becoming more frequent. Over exploitation by humans causes massive destruction to natural ecosystems. Exploitation of biodiversity occurs for food (e.g. fish), construction (e.g. trees), industrial products (e.g. animal blubber, skins), the pet trade (e.g. reptiles, fish, orchids), fashion (e.g. fur, ivory) and traditional medicines (e.g. rhino horn). Selective removal of an individual species can unbalance ecosystems and all other organisms within them. In addition, the physical removal of one species often harms other (e.g. fishing by-catches) Human populations are growing at an exponential rate, resulting in the problems above. There are more than 7 billion people in the world, and although natural disasters, disease and famines cause massive human mortality, we are getting better at surviving and the population just keeps growing. Human population numbers tripled in the twentieth century and although growth is slowing, one estimate predicts it will take until the twenty-third century for them to level out at around 11 billion.

Methods of preserving biodiversity:

There are several important ways in which humans can slow biodiversity loss, although there is no way to bring back the species that have already gone extinct. Protecting Areas Creating protected areas where human activity is limited is the best way to prevent deforestation and exploitation of organisms and the resources they need to survive. In order to truly make a difference, much planning needs to go into the creation of a protected area. It needs to consider all elements of the ecosystem it is trying to protect, so that it isnt too small. It needs to include all resources that are utilized by its inhabitants; for example, leaving out a stream where half of the mammals go to drink would not make a protected area very effective.

Preventing Species Introductions It is often much easier and less expensive to prevent a problem from developing in the first place than to try to fix it once it occurs. This is the case with invasive species, which can wreak havoc when introduced to ecosystems that arent prepared to deal with them. Many governments prohibit bringing foreign plants and animals into their countries without authorization; some even go so far as to disinfect landing planes and the shoe-bottoms of people on them. Informing / Educating Education is a powerful tool, and the more people know about biodiversity loss, the more they will be prepared to help slow it. Spreading the word about detrimental human effects on plants and animals can encourage people to change their ways and effect changes to preserve biodiversity. Slowing Climate Change Climate change is the documented cause of several extinctions that we know about, and has likely caused hundreds of species to go extinct about which we may never know. Any efforts as individuals, organizations, or governments, to slow current human-caused global warming is a step towards slowing biodiversity loss. Promoting Sustainability Sustainable agriculture is much better for the environment than grazing and cropping that rely on clearing swathes of forest or field.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Human greed must be controlled and human wants and needs must be restricted. We must treat our environment and resources with respect and stop their reckless exploitation of natural resources. Sustainable development emphasizes that rate of consumption and use of natural resources must balance. The rate at which these resources can be either substituted or replaced. Economic and industrial development must go on in such a way that no irreparable damage be done to the environment. The World Commission on Environment and development defined sustainable development as Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. This definition emphasizes two important points. One, the natural resources are important for our present day survival as for the survival of our future generations. Two, any present developmental activity or programme must take into account, its future consequences. The main cause of unsustainability is in ever increasing human population and over exploitation of resources. In developing countries, resource exploitation occurs mainly to meet the needs of human population for food, fodder, fuel, wood and shelter. Human activities affect the sustainability of biosphere. The various human activities meant to improve the quality of life are usually accompanied by environmental degradation. Such activities as overfishing, agriculture, over use of fresh water supply, deforestation and industrialization cause environmental degradation and social stress because of negative changes in the ecosystem.

What is global warming? Global warming is when the earth heats up (the temperature rises). It happens when greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and methane) trap heat and light from the sun in the earths atmosphere, which increases the temperature. This hurts many people, animals, and plants. Many cannot take the change, so they die.

What is the greenhouse effect? The greenhouse effect is when the temperature rises because the suns heat and light is trapped in the earths atmosphere. This is like when heat is trapped in a car. On a very hot day, the car gets hotter when it is out in the parking lot. This is because the heat and light from the sun can get into the car, by going through the windows, but it cant get back out. This is what the greenhouse effect does to the earth. The heat and light can get through the atmosphere, but it cant get out. As a result, the temperature rises.

What are greenhouse gasses? Greenhouse gasses are gasses are in the earths atmosphere that collect heat and light from the sun. With too many greenhouse gasses in the air, the earths atmosphere will trap too much heat and the earth will get too hot. As a result people, animals, and plants would die because the heat would be too strong. What is global warming doing to the environment? Global warming is affecting many parts of the world. Global warming makes the sea rise, and when the sea rises, the water covers many low land islands. This is a big problem for many of the plants, animals, and people on islands. The water covers the plants and causes some of them to die. When they die, the animals lose a source of food, along with their habitat. Although animals have a better ability to adapt to what happens than plants do, they may die also. When the plants and animals die, people lose two sources of food, plant food and animal food. They may also lose their homes. As a result, they would also have to leave the area or die. This would be called a break in the food chain, or a chain reaction, one thing happening that leads to another and so on.

What causes global warming? Many things cause global warming. One thing that causes global warming is electrical pollution. Electricity causes pollution in many ways, some worse than others. In most cases, fossil fuels are burned to create electricity. Fossil fuels are made of dead plants and animals. Some examples of fossil fuels are oil and petroleum. Many pollutants (chemicals that pollute the air,

water, and land) are sent into the air when fossil fuels are burned. Some of these chemicals are called greenhouse gasses. When we throw our garbage away, the garbage goes to landfills. Landfills are those big hills that you go by on an expressway that stink. They are full of garbage. The garbage is then sometimes burned. This sends an enormous amount of greenhouse gasses into the air and makes global warming worse. Another thing that makes global warming worse is when people cut down trees. Trees and other plants collect carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a greenhouse gas.

What is Acid Rain? Acid rain is the term used in environmental science that represents mixing of environmental pollutants with the rain water. The mixing raises the acidity of rain water by formations of acids following chemical reactions involving pollutant gases and water. The major pollutants that cause acid rain are sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) produced during the combustion of fossil fuels.

When these gases are released into atmosphere after the combustion of fossil fuels, these gases accumulates in the atmosphere. After that the chemical reaction starts between the gases and the water vapours. The oxidation of the gases converts sulfur dioxide (SO2) into sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to nitric acid (HNO3). When rain falls, these dissolved deposits are returned back to earths surface in the form of acid rain. Most of these gases are released into atmosphere by the electrical utilities during combustion of coal. Electrical utilities contribute about 70% of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and 30% of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The other source is the automobile sector that contributes about 40% of the nitrogen oxides (NOx).

The acidity of the acid rain is measured by its pH. pH value is represented by a scale of 1-14. The lesser the pH value is, more acidic is the water. pH value 7 represents neutral solution i.e. neither acidic nor base. The pH of the non polluted rain lies between 5-5.6. The reason being the natural processes also emits these pollutant gases into the atmosphere. The pH of the acid rain may fall to 4.0 or even less depending on the intensity of pollution. Effects of Acid Rain on Environment: The acid rain cause threat to forests and water bodies. The pollutants gets deposited on the surface of the plants and interfere with photosynthesis. This abruptly cause death of the plants. Acid deposition due to rainfall has the potential to affect sensitive forests. Acid rain also affects buildings and monuments. The Taj Mahal in Agra, which is among worlds seven wonders is losing its shine because of acid rain. Exposure of building materials used in monuments (e.g., zinc, marble, limestone etc.) to acidic rainfall can result in deterioration of the surface. The other devastating effect of acidic deposition in the water bodies is the declining biodiversity in the lakes and ponds. Many marine species that are part of food chain can not survive below pH value of 6. This further affects the other members of the food chain and the food chain is destroyed.

Ozone Depletion Meaning, Term, and Glossary Definition - What is Ozone Depletion? Destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer which shields the earth from ultraviolet radiation harmful to life. This destruction of ozone is caused by the breakdown of certain chlorine and/or bromine containing compounds (chlorofluorocarbons or halons), which break down when they reach the stratosphere and then catalytically destroy ozone molecules. Causes: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other halogens (all man-made gases) emitted from industry rise to the stratosphere where ultraviolet radiation breaks them up and releases their chlorine. Chlorine destroys the ozone layer. Effects: Decreasing ozone means increases in melanoma (skin cancer), cataracts, famine (loss of

arable land, and damage to crops). This would only occur in areas that had this thinning or hole in the ozone. More detail Causes: CFCs and related halocarbon gases are the main cause of ozone depletion all over the world. CFCs released from Western countries take several years to reach the stratosphere where the ozone layer is. During that time winds spread them all over the world. In the presence of ultraviolet light these gases release chlorine and bromine atoms which destroy some of the ozone in the ozone layer. This is called ozone depletion. The ozone hole is a related but different phenomenon. Effects: Earth's surface receives more UltraViolet-B, as ozone is the only gas currently in our atmosphere that absorbs UltraViolet-B. UltraViolet-B is also absorbed by soil, meters depth of water, and directly by the DNA of all surface life. DNA absorbing UltraViolet-B ends up increasing rates of cancer, mutation, and decreases crop yields. UltraViolet-B also causes cataracts to form in eye structures in animals (including Man).

. International Efforts on environmental management(agenda 21)

Introduction Mans concern for natural environment has always been there but his serious concern about t he issues of resource depletion and degrading environment/ecosystem began after World War II when industrialisation started vigorously. However, nothing tangible was done to control damage afflicted to environment till 1960s. In the early decades industry, trade and business resisted efforts aimed at environmental protection and resource conservation because money spent on such efforts would diminish profit. However, the attitude is changing, not because of legal action only but also due to realisation that cutting down on raw material and generating less waste could be a financial gain. Also, there was an International angle to environment which could not be ignored. It became clear that problems like Ozone Depletion or Global Warming cannot be tackled at national level alone. Leaders, politicians and people in general, therefore, started looking up at organisations like UN for environmental issues. United Nations Conference on Human Environment, 1972 It was in the light of above mentioned scenario that the United Nations Conference on Human Environment was held in 1972 at Stockholm. It marked the beginning of organised international

efforts for comprehensive programme to safeguard environment while also promoting economic development. The following two strategies emerged in this conference. The principles and action plan were evolved for controlling and regulating human environment. 2. Institutional and financial arrangements were proposed for achieving the goal for regulating human environment. This has been called the Magna Carta on environment. It declared: a) Humans have the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life in an environment of quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being. b) Human beings have responsibility to protect and improve the environment for present and future generations. General Assemblys Resolution of December, 1972 Stockhom Conference was followed by the United Nations General Assembly resolution on December 15, 1972 emphasising the need of active cooperation among the States in the sphere of human environment. The Resolution designated June 5 as the World Environment Day and urged governments and organisations in the United Nations system to undertake on that day every year worldwide activities reaffirming their concern for the protection of the environment. Another resolution was passed which provided for institutional and financial arrangements for international cooperation for environment. Amongst other decisions, provisions were made for establishing a Governing Council for Environmental Programme (Headquarter at Nairobi) leading to establishment of Environment Secretariat and Environment Fund. The Governing Council formulated long-term and short-term plans for the protection of environment particularly relating to development. Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, 1974 The Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States 1974 is a document of UN. One of its articles states that: The protection, preservation and the enhancement of the environment for the present and future generations is the responsibility of all States. All States have the responsibility to ensure that the activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. All States should cooperate in evolving international norms and regulations in the field of the environment. UN-Habitat Conference on Human Settlement of 1976, World Water Conference of 1977 and Other Conferences The international efforts at the protection and preservation of environment became vigorous in 1970s and 1980s. Most important efforts are the following: 1. UN Habitat Conference on Human Settlements in Vancouver, Canada in 1976. 1.

World Water Conference in Mardel Plata, Argentina in 1977. The World Water Conference called upon the UN to establish a programme with a goal of providing clean drinking water and sanitation to all. 3. The UN Desertification Conference held in Nairobi in 1977. 4. Paris Conference, held in 1986 called for saving trees and forests. The Conference was attended by Heads of States and Government officials from 36 countries. Environmental Education Conference In 1977, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) organised an Intergovernmental Education Conference at Georgia. The Conference was attended by over 400 delegates from 74 countries. The UNEP Executive Director underscored that environmental education was a matter of life and death and that problems of environment were jeopardising the development of mankind. World Commission on Environment and Development In 1980s, international community became seriously concerned with increasing problems of environment. Problems of ozone depletion, climate change (global warming), declining of fisheries and forest cover, loss of biodiversity, pollution and hazardous wastes attracted the attention at global level. Equally, issues of sustainable development became of paramount importance especially for the developing countries. Earth Summit 1992* Introduction UN convened a United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) at Rio de Janerio in 1992. It is called Earth Summit. An eight hundred page document, called Agenda 21, was issued at this Conference. It contains comprehensive blueprint for governments on everything from population strategy, management of hazardous wastes, recycling, energy conservation, renewable energy, business strategies to role of women in environment. Rio Declaration Having met at Rio de Janerio from 3 to 14 June, 1992: Reaffirming the Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, adopted at Stockholm on 16 June, 1972, and seeking to build upon it; With the goal of establishing a new and equitable global partnership through the creation of new levels of cooperation among States, key sectors of societies and people; Working towards international agreements which respect the interests of all and protect the integrity of the global environmental and developmental system; Recognising the integral and interdependent nature of the Earth, our home;

2.

Earth Summit +5 * The governments acknowledged that global environment has continued to deteriorate since Earth Summit 1992 with increasing emissions of greenhouse gases and generating of more solid wastes. Also pollution and effluent treatment continue to be major problems. Renewable resources like fresh water, forests, fish continue to be used at an unsustainable rate. On the positive side it is noted that: i) World population is slowing, ii) Food protection is rising, iii) Life span has increased. Earth Summit +5 addressed itself the above concerns and the participating governments took action on several fronts and agreed to the following: Reconfirm the political commitment to sustainable development from all members of the international community, as well as from all major groups of civil society; Reconfirm the financial commitments and targets for official development assistance (ODA) made by industrialised countries at the Earth Summit, and call for intensified efforts to reverse the downward trend in ODA; Earth Summit 2002- Johannesburg Summit The summit reaffirmed sustainable development as a central elements of the international agenda and gave a new impetus to global action to protect environment and fight poverty. It was decided to establish World Solidarity Fund for eradication of poverty. The linkages between poverty and environment/resource use was reexamined to strengthen this relationship. Governments agreed to reaffirm the targets and commitments for action for better implementation of sustainable development. Energy and sanitation issues became important elements of negotiation than previous international meetings. It was decided to pay special attention and support for development of Africa. Key role of Civil society and NGO's was recognised in promoting partnership among business, Governments and society. Many partnerships were announced during the Summit. Specifically, Johannesburg outlined the following key commitments, targets and time tables: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Poverty Reduction Water and Sanitation Sustainable Production and Consumption Energy Chemicals Management of Natural Resource Base Corporate Responsibility Health Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States

10.

Sustainable Development for Africa

SHORT NOTES: What is meant by ecosystem? The term ecosystem refers to the combined physical and biological components of an environment. An ecosystem is generally an area within the natural environment in which physical (abiotic) factors of the environment, such as rocks and soil, function together along with interdependent (biotic) organisms, such as plants and animals, within the same habitat to create a stable system. Ecosystems can be permanent or temporary. Ecosystems usually form a number of food webs. Ecosystem is a functional unit consisting of living things in a given area, non-living chemical and physical factors of their environment, linked together through nutrient cycle and energy flow.

LEVELS OF BIODIVERSITY:

1. Genetic Diversity: Variation between individuals of same species Genes, made of DNA , are the building blocks that determine how an organism will develop and what its traits and abilities will be

2. Species Diversity Variety of species in a given region or area They are easier to conceptualize and have been the basis of much of the evolutionary and ecological research that biodiversity draws on 3. Ecosystem Diversity Communities of plants and animals, together with the physical characteristics of their environment interlink together as an ecological system Ecosystem diversity is more difficult to measure because there are rarely clear boundaries between different ecosystems and they grade into one another

What is the Water Cycle?

The water cycle is also known as the hydrologic cycle. There is the same amount of water on the Earth now as there was when the Earth began. The water cycle is how the earth's water recycles itself. The cycle includes precipitation, evaporation, condensation, and transpiration. Earth's water keeps changing from liquid water to vapor and then back again. This cycle happens because of the sun's heat and gravity. How does the Water Cycle work? Water molecules from lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, and the ocean get heated by the sun and turn into vapor that rises into the air. [evaporation] Plants are heated by the sun, too, and send water molecules into the air through their leaves. [transpiration] These water molecules form into clouds. When the air and the water cool, they form drops of water that fall to the earth as rain. If they are frozen, they become snow or sleet. [condensation] The vapor has changed into a liquid. Once the water reaches the ground, it can flow across the land until it reaches rivers, lakes, streams, or the ocean. This is surface water. It can also sink into the ground and flow with gravity through gaps in rock, gravel, and sand until it reaches these bodies of water, too. This is groundwater. The cycle begins again.

What are renewable and non renewable resources and their uses? Uses: All these resources are being mainly used to generate electricity. Oil is also used for transport and the production of plastics. Minerals like iron ore and gold are nonrenewable, but may be recycled and reused.

Renewable Resources A renewable resource is something that is being continually replaced faster than we use it up.

Solar energy is considered a renewable source of energy because the sun's energy is continuous. (Note that the rest of this list are all forms of solar power.) Wind Power Water Power (Hydro-electricity from dammed rivers, tidal streams and ocean waves) Thermal Power from the earth (Geothermal: Using the earth's heat to generate electricity) Thermal Power from the ocean Biomass, the burning of plant material, is a renewable resource. Even though the burning puts carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, it also prevents a much greater amount of methane being released by the decomposing vegetation, so it is rated as positive. Trees are renewable because we can replant them.

Non-Renewable Resources A non-renewable resource is something that is not being replaced as we consume it.

Oil is a good example of a non-renewable resource. It is used to make gasoline and other fuels, as well as plastics, such as grocery bags. We are using billions of gallons of oil every year, but it takes millions of years to be replace. We are using up oil much much faster than it is being produced. Once we use up oil from the earth, it's gone. We can't wait millions of years for some more. Coal is non-renewable. Peat is non-renewable. Uranium is non-renewable.

Difference between Endangered and extinct species? Endangered means in danger of being extinct that is there are very few organisms of that species and it is in the danger of becoming extinct. Extinct means that there are no more organisms of that species on the earth. We cannot see them again And Most importantly let us not weep about the extinct ones but protect the endangered ones. Examples for endangered species is the tiger and the asiatic lion while the dodo bird is an extinct species.

What Is The Difference Between Extinct And Endangered? The difference between extinct and endangered is that extinct means the specie that is extinct is completely gone forever, most of the time because of humans from pollution or from hunting, and endangered means that there are a few of the specie left but they are nearly extinct Endangered Species are ones that have a very small population and that population is at a greater risk of becoming extinct. Many species that become extinct never make to the endangered species list. Extinct Species are ones that are either known (documented) to be extinct or are so few in population that a recovery is considered highly unlikely even under excellent conditions.