Unit-1 Subject : Environmental Sc.

Paper Code:72182801 Session: 2019 -2020

Introduction to
Environmental Studies
Multidisciplinary Nature ,
Concept of Sustainability
Amit K. Singh
Assistant Professor
Department of Environmental Studies,
Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi,
New Delhi 110067, India
 Lesson overview

Environmental Studies deals with every aspect that affects a living organism. It is essentially a Multidisciplinary
approach that bring about an appreciation of our natural world and human impact on its integrity.

Learning objectives References:

• Learn about Multidisciplinary nature of environmental 1. Carson, R. 2002. Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
studies; components of environment 2. World Commission on Environment and Development. 1987. Our Common
• Understand the Scope and importance; Concept of Future.Oxford University Press, USA.
sustainability and sustainable development; Brief history of 3. Raven, P.H, Hassenzahl, D.M., Hager, M.C, Gift, N.Y., and Berg, L.R. (2015).
environmentalism Environment, 9th Edition. Wiley Publishing, USA
• Importance of Environmental Studies 4. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P., and Gupta, S.R. (2017). Ecology, Environmental
• To clarify the idea that what is to be done in the Science and Conservation. S. Chand Publishing, New Delhi.
environmental context. 5. Kaushik, Anubha and Kaushik, C.P. (2018)Perspectives in
Environmental Studies
• To bring awareness and knowledge about environment in
6. Bharucha, Erach Textbook of Environmental Studies for
individuals and social groups.
Undergraduate Courses(2018)
• To make them participate in solving the real- time
7. Sharma, P.D. Environment and Ecology (2018)
environmental problems
8. Biology Book 12 th NCERT
9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reference_ecosystem
Keywords

Environment, sustainability, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, lithosphere, soil, Plants,

Carbon dioxide, Water, Sunlight, Energy, Oxygen, ozone
 Environment Word Environment Day : 5th June

The word environment is derived from the french word ‘Environ' meaning surroundings. Hence, everything
surrounding us is called "ENVIRONMENT”

Definition

• The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or

operates.

• Environment is ‘a word which describes, in the aggregate, all of the

extrinsic (external) forces influences and conditions, which affect the life,
nature, behaviour and the growth, development and maturation of living
organisms’.

• Based on this enviroment is defined as the sum of total of water, air and land ant
the inter-relationship that exist among them and with the human beings, other
living organisms and materials.
The The
Multidisciplinary NatureNature
Multidisciplinary Of Environmental Sciencet Studies
Of Environmental

• The systematic & scientific study of our environment and our role in it. This
branch include the knowledge of Pure science & to some extent Social
Sciences”.
• Our existence depends on the environment we have. Even then, our
developments are going against nature and environment. Therefore the
importance, scope study of environment and the need for public awareness is
of great importance.

• Some other Definitions of Environment:-“ All the external factors influencing

the life and activity of people, plant and animals”“ All the things (i.e. Object &
Circumstances) surrounding us is known as Environment”
 The Multidisciplinary Nature Of Environmental Studies
An interdisciplinary branch of science that investigates questions related to the
human population, resources, and damages caused by pollution and disturbance.

• The study of environmental science is

multi disciplinary and integrative in nature.
Since it includes all discipline such as
science, humanities, commerce,
meteorology, climatology, geography
politics, sociology, geology, agriculture,
economics and other disciplines.

• Environmental studies is multi disciplinary

programme created to promote the study of
our natural surrounding
 Why We Want to Study the State of Environment?
➢ The need for information that clarifies modern environmental
concepts such as the need to conserve Biodiversity*, the need to lead
more Sustainable* lifestyles and the need to use resources more
equitably.
➢ A need to change the way in which we view our own environment by a
practical approach based on observation and self learning.
➢ The need to create a concern for our environment that will trigger pro-
environmental action, including activities we can do in our daily life to
protect it.

*Biodiversity: The part of nature which includes the differences in genes among the
individuals of a species, the variety and richness of all the plant and animal species at
different scales in space i.E. Local, regional, country wise and global, and various types of
ecosystems- both terrestrial and aquatic-within a defined area.

*Sustainable development: Implies the use of resources in a managed way as to provide

resources for future generations.
 Scope and Importance
• Scope of environmental studies is very wide and nearly covers some aspects of
every major discipline (biology, chemistry, physics, geography, resource
management, economy, etc.).
• We live in natural surrounding (forest, river, mountain, etc.). Resources:
renewable (forest and water) and non-renewable (minerals and oil).
• Due to increase in population these resources are getting depleted gradually.
• There is a need to understand make ourselves aware of our natural assets and
get concerned about our environment and sustainable utilize the resources.
• Water, air, soil, forests are all part of our life support systems. Without them
life itself would be impossible.
• Natural resources are limited in nature and continue to shrink and may be get
depleted if not utilized in a sustainable manner.
• Almost every act of human beings cause some effect on environment: solid
waste, water pollution, air pollution, soil pollution , etc. And these have ill-
effect on human health.
• Individual efforts together with the public and also government actions are
needed to protect our environment from further more degradation and
safeguard it.
Scope of The Environmental Studies
Scope of the environmental studies is broad based and it encompasses a large no of areas and
aspects broadly listed below.

1. Natural resources–their conservation and management

2. Ecology and biodiversity
3. Environmental pollution and control
4.Social issues in relation to development and environment
5. Human population and environment
Scope of The Environmental Studies
• Natural resources-conservation:- Natural aspects such asforests contribute towards maintaining a balance in
the environment, managing and maintaining of forests and wild life is an important task under natural
resources conservation.
• Ecosystem structure and function:- The study of the ecosystem mainly consists of the study of the
processes that link with the biotic components to the non living (or) abiotic components.
• Environmental pollution and control:- With the knowledge of the environmental science one can look for
methods to control pollution and manage waste effectively.
• Environmental management:- There are several independent environmental consultants working with the
central and state pollution control boards. These consultants offer advice related to environment problems
and their solutions. The consultants involved in policy making, pollution control and maintenance of
ecological balance
• Research and development:- With increase in public awareness, regarding environment issues, there is
tremendous scope for research and development in this field. They conduct research studies in order to
develop theories of monitoring and controlling environment.
• Environmental journalism:- There is an increasing demand for people who can report on environment
issues to generate awareness among people. Environmental journalism is an emerging field which helps in
bringing environmental problems to public notice.
• Industry:-Environmental scientists work towords maintaining ecological balance, conservation of
biodiversity and preserve the natural resources. Rapid industrialization is increasingly degrading the
environment to minimize this, there is a growing trend towards manufacturing of “green” goods and
products.
Importance of Environmental Studies
1.Environmental studies helps maintain ecological balance by providing a basic operating knowledge of environmental system and
processes.
2) It gives information regarding the changes that takes place due to anthropogenic factors and helps gain skills of analysing various
environmental system and the effect of human activities on them.
3) Environmental studies help to achieve sustainable development and understand the relationship between development and
the environment.
4) This discipline helps to educate people regarding their duties towards environmental protection.
5) Environmental study deals with the analysis of the processes in water, air, land, soil, and organism which leads to pollution (or)
environment degradation.
6) It also deals with the most important issues like safe and clean drinking water, hygienic living conditions, clean and fresh air,
healthy food for man and for development.
7) The discipline provides us with basic knowledge of the environment and various environmental issues. It examines the scientific
basic for environmental and social concerns about our present energy needs, global climate changes, toxic emission and waste
disposal.
8)It also provide knowledge about the development and utilisation of energy resources and the role of public there in.
9) Environmental law, business administration and environmental engineering are emerging as new career opportunities for
environment protection and management.
10)Environmental studies also aims to protect bio diversity growth in human population and the resulting increase in material
consumption and technological development have increased the rate and scale of degradation of the environment.
11) The concepts from environmental studies can be applied to the study of agriculture and the design of sustainable production
system.
12) With the pollution control laws becoming more strengthen, are finding it difficult to dispose off the produced wastes.
 Values of Nature
• Productive value

• Aesthetic value, recreational value

• Option value
 Values of Nature
I. Productive Value of Nature
• Biotechnology is fast advancing in this modern
world.
• Nature has species which contain an incredible
and uncountable number of complex chemicals
that are raw material and can be used for
developing new medicines and industrial
products.
➢Destruction of these species due to human
activity is happening rapidly and hence these
species might become extinct in near future.
• Hence there is an urgent need to protect these
species
➢Protection of these species by individual or
group efforts.
 Values of Nature
II. Aesthetic and Recreational Value of Nature
• Nature encompasses every aspect of living (biodiversity:
flora and fauna) and non-living (sea, forest, desert) part of
the earth.
• Nature enlivens our existence on earth.
• Developing national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in
relatively undisturbed areas.
• Enjoy the wilderness – nature tourism or wildlife tourism –
pleasurable experience and also creates a deep respect and
love for nature.
• Urban setting there will be green spaces and gardens –
psychological and physical health of city dwellers and
provides aesthetic value and visual appeal. It also gives
access to certain amount of peace and tranquility.
 Values of Nature
III.The Option Values of Nature
• Day-to-day activities have adverse impacts on nature’s
integrity.
• Present generation’s lifestyles and economies are based
on unsustainable pattern which can lead to destruction
of biodiversity and will leave nothing for future
generations.
• Option value: nature provides us with options to utilize it
resources which we can use it either greedily (destroy its
integrity and long term values) or sustainably and
reducing our impacts on environment.
• Allows us to use its resources sustainably and preserve
its goods and services for the future.
 Need for Public Awareness

• Earth’s resources are dwindling and our environment is Whom to make Aware?
being increasingly degraded by human activities and ✓ Rural Public
✓ Tribal Public
hence something needs to be done. ✓ Slum Public
✓ Urban Public
• Government alone cannot perform all the clean-up ✓ Women
functions. ✓ Students
✓ Teachers
• Individual/group efforts in their own every possible way ✓ University Faculties
✓ Planners
has to be made to protect our environment. ✓ Decision Makers
✓ Programme Implementers
• Mass public awareness: newspapers, radio, television ✓ R & D workers
strongly influences public opinion on conserving our
environment.
 Areas of Environmental Education:

Formal and non-formal education

1.Formal Education:
a. awareness
b. real-life situation
c. conservation
d. sustainable development
2. Non- formal Education:
a. adult education
b. rural youth (including non- student youth)
c. tribal and forest dwellers d. senior representative
 Institutions in Environment

1. The Bombay Natural History Society. (BNHS)

2. World Wide Fund for Nature - India. (WWF-I)
3. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi
4. Center for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmadabad
5. CPR Environmental Education Centre, Madras
6. The Botanical Survey of India (BSI)
7. Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
8. Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON),
Coimbatore
9. Government and non government organizations. (NGOs)
 Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai
• An NGO founded in 1883.
• Wildlife policy building, research, popular publications and peoples action have been unique
features of this multifaceted society.
• Works towards conservation of wildlife species and ecosystems.
• Publications: HORNBILL, journal on natural history, Salim Ali handbook on birds, JC Daniel’s book
on Indian reptiles, SH Prater’s book of Indian mammals and PV bole’s book of Indian trees.
• Assisting government in framing of wildlife related laws.
• ‘SAVE THE SILENT VALLEY’ campaign.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-I) New Delhi

• Initiated in 1969 in Mumbai and then moved to new Delhi with several branch offices all over
India.
• Wildlife education and awareness.
• Organizes nature clubs of India program for children. Works as a think tank and lobby force for
environment and development issues.
 Center for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi
• Organizing campaigns, holding workshops/conferences and producing
environment related publications are some of its activities.
• It published ‘State of India’s Environment’, the first of its kind to be
produced as a Citizen’s Report on the Environment.
• It publishes popular magazine ‘DOWN TO EARTH’ a Science and
Environment fortnightly.
• It is also involved in publication of material in the form of books, posters,
video films and also conducts workshops and seminars on biodiversity
related issues.

CPR Environmental Education Centre, Madras

• CPR EEC was set up in 1988.
• Conducts variety of programs to spread environmental awareness and
creates an interest in conservation among the general public.
• It focusses attention on NGOs, teachers, women, youth and children to
generally promote conservation of nature and natural resources.
• Its programs include components on wildlife and biodiversity issues. It
also produces a large number of publications.
 Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmedabad
• It was initiated in 1989.
• It has wide range of programs on the environment and produces a variety of
educational material. CEE’s training in Environment Education (TEE) program has
trained many environment educators.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun

• This institution was established in 1982 as a major training establishment for Forest
Officials and Research in in Wildlife Management.
• Its most significant publication has been ‘Planning A Wildlife Protected Area Network
for India’ (Rodgers and Panwar, 1988).
• The organisation has over the years added an enormous amount of information on
India’s biological wealth.
• It has trained a large number of Forest Department Officials and Staff as Wildlife
Managers.
• Its M.Sc. Program has trained excellent wildlife scientists. It also has an Environment
Impact Assessment (EIA) cell.
• It trains personnel in ecodevelopment, wildlife biology, habitat management and
Nature interpretation.
 Botanical Survey of India (BSI)
• It was established in1890 at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Calcutta.
• However it was closed for several years after 1939 and was reopened in 1954.
• It carries out surveys of plant resources in different regions.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

• It was established in 1916.
• Its mandate was to do a systematic survey of fauna in India.
• It has over the years collected ‘type specimens’ on the bases of which our
animal life has been studied over the years. Its origins were collections based
at the Indian Museum at Calcutta, which was established in 1875.
• Older collections of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, which were made between
1814 and 1875, as well as those of the Indian Museum made between 1875
and 1916 were then transferred to the ZSI.
• Today it has over a million species!. This makes it one of the largest collections
in Asia.
• It has done an enormous amount of work on taxonomy and ecology.
Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore
• Dr.Salim Ali wished to support a group of committed conservation scientists on
permanent basis and that dream became a reality only after his demise.
• It is an independent organization and is based at Coimbatore since 1990.
• It has instituted a variety of field programs that have added to the country’s
information on our threatened biodiversity.
 Uttarkhand Seva Nidhi (UKSN), Almora

• A Nodal Agency and supports NGOs in need of funds for their environment related activities.
• Major program is organising and training school teachers to use its locale specific
Environment Education Workbook Program.
• The main targets are linked with sustainable resource use at the village level through training
school children.
• Its environment education program covers about 500 schools.
Kalpavriksh, Pune
• It is an NGO and works on variety of fronts: education and awareness;investigation and research;
direct action and lobbying; and litigation with regard to environment and development issues.
• Its activities include talks and audio-visuals in schools and colleges, nature walks and outstation
camps, organizing student participation in ongoing campaigns including street demonstrations,
pushing for consumer awareness regarding organic food, press statements, handling green alerts,
and meetings with the city’s administrators.
• It is involved with the preparation of site-specific, environmental manuals for school teachers.
• Kalpavriksh was responsible for developing India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in
2003.
 People in Environment
Individuals who have been instrumental in shaping the
environmental history in our country:-

Salim Ali

• He has written several great books including the

famous ‘Book of Indian Birds’.

• His autobiography,’Fall of a Sparrow’ should be read by

every nature enthusiast.

• He was our country’s leading conservation scientist

and influenced environmental policies in our country
for over 50 years.
 Indira Gandhi

• As a PM, she has played a highly significant role in the

preservation of India’s wild life.

• It was during her period as a PM, that the network of protected

areas (Pas) grew from 65 to 298!.

• The Wildlife Protection Act was formulated during the period

when she was PM and the Indian Board for Wildlife was
extremely active as she personally chaired all its meetings.

• India gained a name for itself by being a major player in CITES

and other International Environmental Treaties and Accords
during her tenure.
 SP Godrej
• One of India’s greatest supporters of wildlife conservation and nature awareness
programs.
• He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1999 and several other awards between
1975 and 1999.
MS Swaminathan
• One of India’s foremost agricultural scientists and has also been concerned with
various aspects of biodiversity conservation both of cultivars and wild biodiversity.
• Founder of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai, which does work
on the conservation of biological diversity.
Madhav Gadgil
• A well known ecologist in India.
• His interests range from broad ecological issues such as developing Community
Biodiversity Registers and conserving sacred groves to studies on the behavior of
mammals, birds and insects.
Anil Agarwal
• He was a journalist who wrote the first report on the ‘State of India’s Environment’ in
1982.
• He founded the Center for Science and Environment which is an active NGO that
supports various environmental issues.
 MC Mehta
• India’s most famous environmental lawyer.
• Since 1984, he has filed several Public Interest Litigation (PIL) for supporting the cause
of environmental conservation.
• Protecting the Taj Mahal, cleaning up the Ganges River, banning intensive shrimp
farming on the coast, initiating Government to implement environmental education in
schools and colleges, and a variety of other conservation issues.
Medha Patkar

• She is known as one of India’s Champions who has supported the cause of
downtrodden tribal people whose environment is being affected by the dams on the
Narmada river.

Sunderlal Bahuguna

• His Chipko Movement has become an internationally well-known example of a highly

successful conservation action program through the efforts of local people for guarding
their forest resources.
• His fight to prevent the construction of the Tehri Dam in a fragile earthquake prone
setting is a battle the he continues to wage.
• The Garhwal Hills will always remember his dedication to the cause for which he has
walked over 20 thousand kilometers.
Internationally known environmental thinkers who have made landmarks and whose names are
frequently mentioned are:-

Charles Darwin
• Author of “Origin of Species” which brought to light the close relationship between habitats and species.
• It also brought about a new thinking of man’s relationship with other species that was based on evolution.
• Alfred Wallace came to the same conclusions during his work.
Henry Thoreau
• In 1860, he wrote that the wilderness should be preserved after he lived in the wild for a year.
• He felt that most people did not care for nature and would sell it off for a small sum of money.
Rachel Carson
• In the 1960s Rachel Carson published several articles that caused immediate worldwide concern on the effects of
pesticide on nature and mankind.
• She wrote a well-known book called ‘Silent Spring’ which eventually led to a change in Government policy and
public awareness.
EO Wilson
• An entomologist who envisioned that biological diversity was a key to human survival on earth.
• He wrote ‘Diversity of Life’ in 1993, which was awarded a prize for the best book published on environmental
issues.
• His writings brought home to the world the risks to mankind due to man made disturbances in natural ecosystems
that are leading to the rapid extinction of species at the global level.
 Ralph Emerson
• He spoke of the dangers of commerce to
our environment way back in the 1840s.
John Muir
• He is remembered as having saved the
great ancient sequoia trees in California’s
forests.
• In the 1890s he formed the Sierra club,
which is a major conservation NGO in the
USA.
Aldo Leopold
• He was a forest official in the US in the
1920s.
• He designed the early policies on
wilderness conservation and wildlife
management.
 Sustainable Development
➢ Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs
➢ Three Dimensions:
Ecology, Social & Environment

Sustainable development is based on the

three pillars of sustainability: economic,
environmental and social sustainability. It is
only achieved when there is balance or a
trade-off between these three aspects.

(see figure)
Relationships in sustainable development – environmental, social and economic concerns.
Source: http://macaulay.cuny.edu/eportfolios/akurry/files/2011/12/SDspheres.jpg
3
 Sustainable Development Goals
At the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development, which includes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at ending
poverty, fighting inequality and injustice and tackling climate change by 2030.
➢1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
➢2. End hunger,achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
➢3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
➢4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities
➢5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
➢6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
➢7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
➢8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment
and decent work for all
➢9. Build resilient infrastructure,promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster
innovation
➢10.Reduce inequality within and among countries
➢11.Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
➢12.Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
➢13.Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
➢14.Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
➢15.Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage
forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
➢16.Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice
for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
➢17.Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable
development
3
 Earth’s 4 Spheres

The understanding of '-sphere- in this

situation means 'to surround or
encompass'
The following help us understand the
mean of the four spheres :
Atmosphere - atmo referring to steam
and vapor
Hydrosphere - hydro referring to water
Lithosphere - litho referring to rocks and
minerals
Biosphere - bio referring to life
 Segments of Environment

Atmosphere Hydrosphere Lith0sphere Biosphere

Biosphere
• The zone around the earth where life can
exists.
• Locations where life can exist within the
atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere.
Atmosphere
Introduction to the Atmosphere

• Composition of the Atmosphere

• Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere
• The Ozone Problem
• Weather and Climate
• The Coriolis Effect
 What is the atmosphere made of?
The gases that make up the atmosphere are:
Permanent gasses

Nitrogen (N2) 78.08%

the remaining 1% is mostly
Oxygen (O2) 20.95% argon (0.93%) with some
Argon (Ar) 0.93% about 21% carbon dioxide (0.035%),
is oxygen varying amounts of water
Nobel gasses (Ne, He, H2, Xe) <0.003% vapor and
trace amounts
of other gases
Water vapor (H2O) 0-4 %
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 0.037
Variable gasses

%
Methane (CH4) 1.7 ppm
Nitrous Oxide (N2O) 0.3 ppm
Ozone (O3) 0.04 ppm
about 78%
Particles (dust …) <0.15 ppm is nitrogen 1%=1/100
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 0.0002 ppm 1ppm=1/1000,000
Important gas components
IN OUT
• Nitrogen: N2
• Input: decaying plant and animal products
• Output: biological processes (soil bacteria, plankton)

• Oxygen: O2
• Input: photosynthesis;
• Output: decay of organic matter, production of oxides, breading (CO2).

• Water vapor: H2O

• Input: evaporation
• Output: condensation
• A highly variable greenhouse gas, not visible, results in large latent
heat.
• Carbon dioxide: CO2
• Input: plant decay, exhalation,
fossil fuels, deforestation.
• Output: photosynthesis, dissolves
in the ocean
• Greenhouse gas, steadily
CO2
increases with time.

• Ozone: O3
♦ O3 in the stratosphere (25 km)
shields the UV light;
♦ At the ground level it results in

•
photochemical smog.
Dust, aerosols and pollutants: also can
have a greenhouse effect
Atmospheric pressure

Atmospheric pressure and density decrease with altitude exponentially!!!

Vertical Structure of the Earth’s
Atmosphere

99.9%

90%
Structure of the Atmosphere

Thermosphere

Mesosphere

Ozone Maximum
Stratosphere

Troposphere

Temperature
 Atmospheric layers
• There are 4 layers in the atmosphere that are divided
based on their temperature gradient.
• Troposphere:
• layer in which we live; Weather phenomena
(clouds) occur here.
• It’s elevation ranges from 0 to 15 km
• The temperature T decreases with height about
6.5 K/km.
• Well mixed as a result of turbulence and
convection;
• Weather phenomena
• Tropopause:
• isothermal (T constant)
• located 8-15 km above the ground.
• Stratosphere: above troposphere; temperatures
increase with altitude.
• This layer contains the ozone layer, which
protects us from harmful sunlight
• Increasing temperature;
• O3 layer at 25 km altitude;
• The atmosphere is very stable.
• Stratopause: T=const
• Mesosphere:
• coldest layer of atmosphere
• T is decreasing: effective cooling
through IR emission.
• Mesopause: the coldest region on Earth.
• Thermosphere:
• fast T increase. Diffusive separation
of gasses.
• uppermost layer; temperatures also
increases with altitude.
• This is where most small meteorites
burn up
• the location in the atmosphere that
the northern lights occur (aurora
borealis)
Atmospheric layers
• Mixing:
• Homosphere:
• well mixed,
• the chemical composition is constant.
• Heterosphere:
• no turbulence and mixing,
• diffusive separation of gasses
• Ionization:
• Ionosphere: part of the atmospheric gas is
ionized through photo ionization or impact
ionization.
Special layers

• Ozonosphere – the ozone layer, 9

to 30 miles up. Although not only
ozone is found here..
• Ionosphere – layer of electrically
charged molecules & atoms (ions).
40 to 250 miles up. Impt for radio
waves.

Aurora Borealis in the Ionosphere

 The Ozone Problem
• Natural Atmospheric Ozone
• Protects us from UV rays
• Destruction of Ozone by
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and aerosol
products.

Natural Ozone Formation

Ozone Destruction by CFCs
 Hydrosphere

All of Earth’s water, in solid,

liquid, and gas form.
• 97% contained in oceans
Hydrosphere
 Fresh Water

• Lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams are freshwater

habitats. So too are swamps, bogs, and marshes.

• It amounts to precious little water, less than half a

percent of the world's water supply.

• Yet it is essential to a wide variety of life on earth.

• The distribution of fresh water in uneven globally.

Four countries hold nearly 50% of all the fresh
water on Earth.
Salt water
• The water of the seas
and oceans is salty
because of the vast
quantity of mineral salts
dissolved in it.
Lithosphere

Earth’s Solid Outer Layer

•Makes mountains, ocean floors,
and earth’s solid landscape
•50 – 150 km thick
 Lithosphere
“Comprises the Earth’s crust and part of the upper mantle”
• Derived from GREEK word LITHOS meaning
Rocky/Stone.
• It is primarily the rocky and stony part covering the whole
earth surface ; on which the interaction of the other Geo-
spheres happen.
• The term was coined by JOSEPH BARRELL (1914) who first
studied the motion of lithosphere over a molten layer i.e.
Aesthenosphere.
 Structure Of Lithosphere
Oceanic Lithosphere
It consists mainly of mafic(rich in magnesium and iron) crust and ultramafic(over 90% mafic) mantle and is denser than continental
lithosphere.

Continental Lithosphere
It is also called the Continental crust. It is the layer of igneous, sedimentary rock that forms the continents and the continental shelves. This
layer consists mostly of granitic rock.
CRUST:
• It is the outermost layer of the earth with average density of 2.8- 3.0 g/cm3 and average thickness of 30 km.
• Itconsists of the continental crust and the oceanic crust. Life exists in this layer.
MANTLE:
• It is the second layer of the earth and extends from 30km- 2900km with an average density of 2.7 g/cm3 .
• It contains 83% of the total volume and 68% of the total mass of the earth.
• It is made up of silicate rich iron and magnesium and is divided from the crust by a discontinuity called as
MOHOROVICIC DISCONTINUITY.
CORE:
It is the deepest layer of earth. It extends from a distance of 2900km – 6371 km with an average density of 4.3-11 g/cm3 . Mantle and core
boundary is called as WEICHART- GUTENBERG Discontinuity.
.
Core volume is 16% of earth’s total volume and core mass is 32% of earth’s total mass.
It is further divided into 2 sub-zones by the discontinuity called as LEHMANN- BULLEN Discontinuity
OUTER CORE: (2890km- 5150km)
INNER CORE: (5150km-6371km)
 Chemical Composition of lithosphere
According to E. Seuss the earth’s layers can be broadly divided into 3 types on
the basis of chemical composition:

SIAL- located below crust, average density is 2.7

g/cm3, thickness ranges between 50-300km;
dominated by acid
materials.
SIMA- located below sialic layer, average density is
2.9- 4.7 g/cm3 , thickness ranges between 1000-
2000km; dominated by basic matter
NIFE- made up of heavy metals, avg. density is
11 g/cm3 . Diameter is 688O km. Magnetic property.
Rocks and minerals
• A rock is a heterogeneous
blend of various grains
(each grain is a mineral)

• A mineral is a pure, natural

and inorganic substance
 Formation of rocks
Igneous Rock
Igneous rocks are formed from the molten liquid minerals that lie below the earth's
crust. They're formed from magma that cools beneath the earth's surface or from
lava that cools upon the earth's surface. These two methods of igneous rock
formation are known as intrusive and extrusive, respectively.
Basalt is the most common type of igneous rock and it covers the ocean f loor and
thus, exists over two-thirds of the earth’s surface.

Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary rocks are formed by the lithification (cementing, compacting, and
hardening) of existing rock or the bones, shells, and pieces of formerly living things.
Rocks are weathered and eroded into tiny particles which are then transported and
deposited along with other pieces of rock called sediments. Approximately three-
quarters of the
earth's bedrock on the continents is sedimentary.
Metamorphic Rock
Metamorphic rock, which comes from the Greek to "change form," is formed by applying
great pressure and temperature to existing rock converting it into a new distinct type of
rock. Igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and even other metamorphic rocks and be
modified into metamorphic rocks.
 Soil
It Can Be Defined As ‘Any Part Of Earth Crust On Which Plants Root.’ The Whole Process Of Soil Formation Can
Generally Be Divided Into 2 Stages.:

• Weathering
• Pedogenesis
 SOIL PROFILE
Soil depth worldwide averages a mere six inches (15 cm). Soil and its underlying layers are classified into layers
known as "horizons." From the surface to the bedrock, these layers are:

O Horizon - The top layer of soil, composed primarily of organic

material, such as the litter of leaves and plants, insects, and
microorganisms.
A Horizon - Also known as the topsoil, where seeds germinate and
plants' roots thrive. Composed of sand and silt. Minerals and clay
have been removed in a process known as eluviation.
B Horizon - Also known as the subsoil, this layer contains mineral
deposits that have settled down from upper layers. Also called
layer of Illuviation.
C Horizon - This layer is called the regolith and consists of rocks
and little organic material (even roots don't penetrate this
layer).
R Horizon - The "R" in R horizon stands for rock and it refers to the
unconsolidated rock or solid bedrock of this layer.
 The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to
sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of
thanks will not be heard.”
—Gaylord Nelson

“The proper use of science is not to conquer nature but to live

in it.”
—Barry Commoner

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