MODULE -II

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Meaning and Definition of Environment:

All the biological and non-biological things surrounding an organism are thus included in environment.

“ Environment is the complex of physical ,chemical , and biotic factors (as climate ,soil, and living things)
that upon an organism or an ecological community and ultimately determine its form and community.”

According to Environment (protection) Act , 1986 = “ environment is sum total of water , air and land
inter-relationship among themselves and also with human beings ,other living organism and property.”

What are the spheres of environment ( scope of environment)?

Chemical on earth are distributed among four major environmental compartments or conceptual
spheres which includes (i) Atmosphere (Air) (ii) Hydrosphere (Water) (iii) Lithosphere (land or soil) and
(iv) Biosphere.

(i) Atmosphere( Air) : It implies the protective blanket of gases surrounding the earth.
(ii) Hydrosphere (Water) ;-Includes water in all types of sources like Salty Occean Water ,
Sweet Water on rivers ,lakes, ponds etc, Ground water etc.
(iii) Lithosphere (land or soil);- It is the outer mantle of solid earth.It consists of minerals
occurring in the earth’s crusts and the soil.This is the solid outer part of earth.
(iv) Biosphere:-The biosphere is the part of the Earth including air ,land surface rocks and water
within which life occurs.

What are importance of Environment?

(1) Environment is the home to all living ( humans , animals or other organisms) and no-living
things.
(2) Life is not possible without environment.
(3) Environment provides all necessary things for survival like air , food water , light etc on earth.
(4) It protects us from harmful rays and waves of the Sun.
(5) Not only it provide a life support system but also to helps us do business activities by using
natural resources.

What is Environmental Pollution?

The three basic need of all living beings including human and animals are Air , Water and Land in their
original and pure form. It should be in the form as has been provided to us by mother natures. Any
contamination which results in its impurity results in pollution.
So any contamination of the three basic ingredients of life , by human activity or otherwise, will result in
pollution of the natural environment.

Presence of any pollutant (solid , liquid or gaseous substances) in the environment in such proportion
and concentration that ahas a bearing on health and environment is termed as environmental pollution.

What are the Causes of environmental Pollution?

The causes of environmental pollution can be grouped in two catergories

(1) Natural Sources :-

a. Gases released from volcano eruptions and volcanic ash.
b. Smoke from forest fires and trace gases.
c. Presence of dust storms in the air
d. Natural pollutants such as Bacteria ,spores ,syts and pollens
e. Decay of organic matter which releases marsh gas.
(2) Man –made sources :-
a. Industrialization
b. Automobiles
c. Over Population
d. Deforestation
e. Nuclear Explosions
f. Over exploitation of natural resources
g. Construction activities.
h. Wars
i. Use of Fertilizer and Pesticides
j. Quarrying and mining.

What are the types of Environmental Pollution?

Following are different types of Environmental Pollution

(1) Air Pollution: Pollution of air making it harmful to humans and animals.
(2) Land or Soil Pollution: Refers to pollution land and soils making it non-usable for plants.
(3) Water Pollution: Pollution of all drinking water bodies including ground water.
(4) Marine Pollution: Pollution of oceans and seas endangering marine life.
(5) Noise Pollution: Making unwanted sounds harming hearing of humans and animals.
(6) Nuclear Pollution: Pollution due testing of nuclear bombs, use of radioactive materials in labs
and nuclear power plants.
(7) Thermal Pollution: Use of Water for generation of electricity and thereby overheating it.
AIR POLLUTION
Discuss Air Pollution , causes of Air Pollution , Effects of Air Pollution and control measures

What is Air Pollution:

Air pollution is basically the presence of foreign substance in air in excessive concentrations which
adversely affect well being of the individuals and also cause damages to property. Such foreign
substances may be injected into air by natural sources (volcanoes) or man-made sources (automobiles,
industrial gases etc.)

According to Worlds Health Organization (WHO) “Air pollution is defined as , substances put into air by
the activity of mankind into concentration sufficient to cause harmful effect to his health ,vegetables
,property or to interfere with enjoyment of his property.”

What are the major Air Pollutants?

1. Carbon Monoxide (CO) :excess concentration is harmful to humans. Released by natural

processes such as Volcanoes , natural gas emissions and human activity like driving automobiles
and burning coals , fuels eyc. Transportations sources release 64% of carbon monoxide to
atmosphere.
2. Nitrogen Oxides : NOs = Automobiles is major source
3. Lead : Automobiles again is major sources because motor fuels contain lead.
4. Particulate Matters: particulate matter is defined as single particles or aggregates of particles
with diameters greater than 2x10-10m. Rain , snow ,fog , hail , and mist are natural particulates
and smoke ,soot and fumes or human released particulates.

Causes of Air Pollution

A. Human Activities:
a. Stationary Sources : Industries
b. Mobile Sources: Automobiles
c. Chemicals ,dust and controlled burn practices:
d. Fumes from paint , hair spray ,varnish etc
e. Waste disposition in landfills.
B. Natural cause:
a. Dust from natural sources
b. Methane gas released due to digestion of food by animals like cattle etc.
c. Radon gas from natural sources
d. Volcanic activity

What are the Effects of Air Pollution

1. Effect on Human Health:

I. Respiratory Problems
 II. Heart Problems
III. Effect on nervous system
IV. Effect on Kidney
V. Digestive Problems
2. Effect on animal health:
a. Respiratory Problems
b. Death due to cancer or other diseases.
3. Effect on Environment:
I. Acid Rain: When contaminants combine with moisture in the air and come down
through rain acid rain occurs. Acid rain contaminates or kills plants. If such plant in eaten
by humans and animals it affects their health.
II. Eutrophication: Because of acid rain the nutrients in water cause some water plants
such as algae and duckweed to grow extensively. They block supply of sunlight to water
and also exhaust all oxygen from water. It kills fish and such other animals.
III. Smog: It is a word which refers to combination of smoke and fog.It causes a smoky dark
atmosphere over the cities ( recently in Delhi and NCR regions) causing poor visibility
and creating a haze throughout the area.
IV. Loss of Ozone Layer L:The ozone layer is present in the stratosphere layer of
atmosphere .It helps the protecting the Earth by providing a shield which protects ultra
violet rays from reaching the earth.
V. Greenhouse Effect: As a result of human activities , a number of gases are being put into
the atmosphere which traps the energy that comes to the earth as sunlight.

What are the measures that can be taken to control air pollution?

Basically there are four approaches available for the control of emissions discharged into atmosphere .
They are

1. Minimising Air Pollutant: By proper planning and zoning of industrial areas.

2. Dispersion of source locations :By using tall stacks for industries or thermal plants and thereby
discharging pollutants at a sufficient height from the ground.
3. Reduction at sources by process changes.
4. Reduction at sources by control equipments
5. Controlling air pollution of particulate matter by choosing cleaner fuels like LNG, ,reduction of
ash creation while burning coals and fuels etc.
WATER POLLUTION:
Define Water pollution and note down the water pollutants?

Water pollution may be defined as deterioration of physical chemical and biological characteristics of
water through natural and human activities to such an extent that it becomes harmful to human beings
,plants and animal communities. In other words water pollution means the presence of any toxic
substance in water that degrades the quality to constitute a hazard or impair usefulness of the water.

The water pollutants include the followings.

1. Biological Impurities : Micro organisms found in water naturally which can cause infections.

2 .Inorganic impurities:

I. Dirty and sediments.

II. Total dissolved solids
III. Toxic metals (also called heavy metals) like lead, mercury, arsenic etc.
IV. Asbestos.
V. Radioactive Elements

3 .Organic Impurities:

I. Tastes and odours

II. Pesticides and herbicides
III. Toxic organic chemicals
IV. Chlorine

What are the sources (causes) of Water Pollution

Wastewater entering water bodies. These wasterwater may be from industries or human settlements.

Mine drainage water.

Use of pesticides and fertilizer in agricultural activities.

What are the effects of Water Pollution:

1. Effect on Human Health:

Water borne diseases like cholera ,typhoid ,diarrhea etc

Cancer and brain damage etc

Skin diseases
2. Effects of Ecosystems:

I. Contaminate soil and thereby affecting growth of plants and vegetables.

II. Water pollution disrupts natural food chain.
III. Growth of algae and other aquatic weeds.
IV. Death of water based aquatic animals.

3. Other Effects :

I. Production of disease causing agents.

II. Pollutants exhaust oxygen in water.
III. Toxicity of water increases making it not useful for even industrial use.

How to control water pollution?

I. Industries must clean up wastes before releasing it to water bodies.

II. Using LNG and electricity for driving automobiles so that air pollution is reduced and acid rain
must stop.
III. Choosing organic farming and not using pesticides or fertilizers in agricultural activities.
IV. Caring about waste and disposing them properly.
V. Rainwater harvesting to improve ground water.

SOIL POLLUTION
Meaning and Definition :

The soil pollution is defined as the presence of materials in the soil which are harmful to living beings
when the cross their threshold limits.

Soil Pollutants:

I. Heavy Metals: Increase in quantity of heavy metals such as lead, copper, zinc, mercury etc. by
Industries ,Agriculture Waste incineration ,combustion of fossil fuel and road traffic.
II. Pesticides: Pesticides pollute the soils directly by affecting the organisms that reside in it.
III. Organic Contaminants: They include oils, tars, chlorinated hydrocarbons, PCBs and dioxins etc
which enter soil by atmospheric deposition, directly spreading onto land.
IV. Nitrates and Phosphorus: Excessive use of phosphorus and nitrogen into soils at the time of
farming disturbs the natural balance that exists in the soil.
V. Artificial radionuclide: Contamination of land with radioactive material through nuclear plant
accidents etc.
Causes of Soil Pollution:

1. Urban Wastes
2. Industrial Waste:
3. Radioactive pollutants
4. Fertilizers
5. Pesticides
6. Soil conditioners or other chemical agents
7. Farm wastes
8. Biological Agents

Effects of Soils Pollution

1. Effect on Health:
a. Chronic health conditions.
b. Organ damage
c. Bio-accumulation in plants and vegetables.
d. cancer
2. Effect on Environment:
a. Land pollution also lead to water pollution and whole lot of environmental issues.
b. Accumulation of salt in soil thereby making it unsuitable for farming.
c. Ground water gets polluted through soil pollution because the pollutants reach the
ground water.

Control measures of Soil Pollution

(1) Reducing usage of chemicals

(2) Weed Control
(3) Reforestation
(4) Recycling of Wastes
(5) Solid Waste Management
MARINE POLLUTION
Meaning:

Marine pollution can be defined as the direct or indirect introduction by humans of substances or
energy into marine environment resulting in harm to living marine resources ,hazards to human health
and hindrances to marine activities including fishing ,impairment of quality of sea water and reduction in
amenities.

Marine Pollutants

1. Oil
2. Toxic Chemicals
3. Debris and Trash
4. Sewage

Causes of Marine Pollution.

1. Oil
2. Plastic Debris
3. Toxins
4. Eutrophication: It is an increase in chemical nutrients ( nitrogen or phosphorus) in an ecosystem
. It results in excessive plant growth and decay, reduction in oxygen and water quality.
5. Acidification: Oceans are natural sink for carbon dioxide. However, creation of excessive carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere because of human activity making the oceans more acidic.

Effects of Marine Pollution

1. Effect on Health: Human have strong bonding with marine resources and oceans. So naturally
any contamination of ocean and ocean resources will have a direct impact on human health.
2. Effect on Environment
a. Bad Effect on Marine animals.
b. Discoloration of Water
3. Devastating effect of Oil on marine life including Physiological damage , change in reproductively
and change in behavior of all animals staying in oceans.
4. Effects of Chemicals like DDT on reproductivity of marine animals and birds.
5. Effect of Plastic : Kill marine animals due to choking and suffocation.

Control Measures of Marine Pollution

I. Treatment of sewage and other wastes before releasing to sea.

II. Industrial effluents should be treated before discharge.
 III. Avoid dumping of radioactive substances into sea.
IV. Sensitive coastal areas should be protected by not allowing drilling
V. Oil spills in marine should be rectified by means of bioremediation.
VI. Plastic should not be allowed into seas.
VII. Developmental activities on coastal areas should be minimized.

NOISE POLLUTION:
Meaning : Noise is the unwanted ,undesired sounds which can damage hearing capacity of humans and
may create other health hazards. Noise harms the body as well as mind. At 45 decibels (dB) an average
person cannot sleep. Hearing damage begins at the level of 85 dBs.

Causes of Noise Pollution :

1. Transport Noise:
a. Road traffic Noise:
b. Rail traffic Noise
c. Aircraft Noise.
2. Industrial Noise
3. Neighborhood Noise.

Effect of Noise Pollution:

1. Noise induced hearing loss:

2. Cardiovascular effects
3. Gastric Effects
4. Headaches
5. Effects on sleep
6. Annoyance
7. Communication interference

Control Measures:

I. Reduce noise at source like automobiles

II. Prescribing noise limits
III. Control of Indoor Noise
IV. Legislation to control noise pollution.
V. Public awareness