Index

Introduction to Environmental Issues

Air Pollution & its control

Water Pollution & its control

Radioactive Wastes

Greenhouse Effect & Global Warming

Ozone Layer Depletion

Deforestation & its controls

Solutions to Environmental Issues

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

* Human population size has grown enormously

over the last hundred years.This means increase in
demand for food,water,home,electricity,roads and
numerous other commodities,thes demands are
exerting tremendous pressure on our natural
resources and are also contributing to the pollution
of air,water and soil.

* Pollution is any undesirable change in

physical,chemical or biological characteristics of
air,water or soil.Agents that bring about such an
undesirable change are called as pollutants.In order
to control environmental pollution,the Govt of
India has passed the Environmental Protection
Act,1956 to protect and improve the quality of our
environment(air,water and soil)
AIR POLLUTION
What is Air Pollution?
* Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical or
biological change in the air. It is the contamination
of air by harmful gases, dust and smoke which
affects plants, animals and humans drastically.
* There is a certain percentage of gases present in
the atmosphere. An increase or decrease in the
composition of these gases is harmful to survival.
This imbalance in the gaseous composition has
resulted in an increase in earth’s temperature,
which is known as global warming.
Types of Air Pollutants
There are two types of air pollutants:
Primary Pollutants
The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are
known as primary pollutants. Sulphur-dioxide
emitted from factories is a primary pollutant.
Secondary Pollutants
The pollutants formed by the intermingling and
reaction of primary pollutants are known as
secondary pollutants. Smog, formed by the
intermingling of smoke and fog, is a secondary
pollutant.
Causes of Air Pollution
Following are the important causes of air pollution:
Burning of Fossil Fuels
The combustion of fossil fuels emits a large amount
of sulphur dioxide. Carbon monoxide released by
incomplete combustion of fossil fuels also results in
air pollution.
Automobiles
The gases emitted from vehicles such as jeeps,
trucks, cars, buses, etc. pollute the environment.
These are the major sources of greenhouse gases
and also result in diseases among individuals.
Effects of Air Pollution
The hazardous effects of air pollution on the
environment include:
Diseases
Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory
disorders and heart diseases among humans. The
cases of lung cancer have increased in the last few
decades. Children living near polluted areas are
more prone to pneumonia and asthma. Many
people die every year due to the direct or indirect
effects of air pollution.
Global Warming
Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, there is
an imbalance in the gaseous composition of the air.
This has led to an increase in the temperature of
the earth. This increase in earth’s temperature is
known as global warming. This has resulted in the
melting of glaciers and an increase in sea levels.
Many areas are submerged underwater.
Air Pollution Control
Following are the measures one should adopt, to
control air pollution:
Avoid Using Vehicles
People should avoid using vehicles for shorter
distances. Rather, they should prefer public modes
of transport to travel from one place to another.
This not only prevents pollution, but also conserves
energy.
Energy Conservation
A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to generate
electricity. Therefore, do not forget to switch off
the electrical appliances when not in use. Thus, you
can save the environment at the individual level
WATER POLLUTION
What is Water Pollution?
Water pollution can be defined as the
contamination of water bodies. Water pollution is
caused when water bodies such as rivers, lakes,
oceans, groundwater and aquifers get
contaminated with industrial and agricultural
effluents.
When water gets polluted, it adversely affects all
lifeforms that directly or indirectly depend on this
source. The effects of water contamination can be
felt for years to come.
Sources Of Water Pollution
The key causative of water pollution in India are:
 Urbanization.
 Deforestation.
 Industrial effluents.
 Social and Religious Practices.
 Use of Detergents and Fertilizers.
 Agricultural run-offs- Use of insecticides and
pesticides
Effects Of Water Pollution
* The effect of water pollution depends upon the
type of pollutants and their concentration. Also, the
location of water bodies is an important factor to
determine the levels of pollution.

* Water bodies in the vicinity of urban areas are

extremely polluted. This is the result of dumping
garbage and toxic chemicals by industrial and
commercial establishments.
* Water pollution drastically affects aquatic life. It
affects their metabolism, and behaviour, and
causes illness and eventual death. Dioxin is a
chemical that causes a lot of problems from
reproduction to uncontrolled cell growth or cancer.
This chemical is bioaccumulated in fish, chicken and
meat. Chemicals such as this travel up the food
chain before entering the human body.
Control Measures of Water Pollution
* Water pollution, to a larger extent, can be
controlled by a variety of methods. Rather than
releasing sewage waste into water bodies, it is
better to treat them before discharge. Practising
this can reduce the initial toxicity and the
remaining substances can be degraded and
rendered harmless by the water body itself. If the
secondary treatment of water has been carried out,
then this can be reused in sanitary systems and
agricultural fields.

* A very special plant, the Water Hyacinth can

absorb dissolved toxic chemicals such as cadmium
and other such elements. Establishing these in
regions prone to such kinds of pollutants will
reduce the adverse effects to a large extent.

* Some chemical methods that help in the control

of water pollution are precipitation, the ion
exchange process, reverse osmosis, and
coagulation. As an individual, reusing, reducing,
and recycling wherever possible will advance a long
way in overcoming the effects of water pollution.
RADIOACTIVE
WASTES
* Initially, nuclear energy was hailed as a non-
polluting way for generating electricity. Later on, it
was realised that the use of nuclear energy has two
very serious inherent problems. The first is
accidental leakage, as occurred in the Three Mile
Island and Chernobyl incidents and the second is
safe disposal of radioactive wastes.
* Radiation, that is given off by nuclear waste is
extremely damaging to organisms, because it
causes mutations at a very high rate. At high doses,
nuclear radiation is lethal but at lower doses, it
creates various disorders, the most frequent of all
being cancer. Therefore, nuclear waste is an
extremely potent pollutant and has to be dealt with
utmost caution.
GREENHOUSE
EFFECT
* A greenhouse is a house made of glass that can
be used to grow plants. The sun’s radiations warm
the plants and the air inside the greenhouse. The
heat trapped inside can’t escape out and warms
the greenhouse which is essential for the growth of
the plants. Same is the case in the earth’s
atmosphere.
* During the day the sun heats up the earth’s
atmosphere. At night, when the earth cools down
the heat is radiated back into the atmosphere.
During this process, the heat is absorbed by the
greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere. This is
what makes the surface of the earth warmer, that
makes the survival of living beings on earth
possible.
GLOBAL WARMING
* Global warming is the phenomenon of a gradual
increase in the temperature near the earth’s
surface. This phenomenon has been observed over
the past one or two centuries. This change has
disturbed the climatic pattern of the earth.
However, the concept of global warming is quite
controversial but the scientists have provided
relevant data in support of the fact that the
temperature of the earth is rising constantly.

* There are several causes of global warming,

which have a negative effect on humans, plants and
animals. These causes may be natural or might be
the outcome of human activities.
Ozone Layer Depletion
* The ozone layer is a layer of concentrated ozone
gas. It protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet
rays. This very important layer is being destroyed
by CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), which are used in
industries and everyday life (e.g. aerosol cans).

* The chlorine in these compounds destroys the

ozone layer. The hole in the ozone layer leaves
humans and wildlife exposed to harmful UV rays
resulting in several skin diseases including cancer.
DEFORESTATION
What is Deforestation?
Deforestation can be defined as the large-scale
removal of trees from forests (or other lands) for
the facilitation of human activities. It is a serious
environmental concern since it can result in the
loss of biodiversity, damage to natural habitats,
disturbances in the water cycle, and soil erosion.
Deforestation is also a contributor to climate
change and global warming.
Why are Forests Important?
 Forests combat climate change by absorbing
greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide) and
acting as a carbon storehouse.
 They are a source of oxygen, food, clean water,
and medicine.
  They play a vital role in the water cycle – they
work to add water to the atmosphere via the
process of transpiration.
 Forests help mitigate the disastrous effects of
floods by acting as a floodwater sink. Therefore,
deforestation also increases the vulnerability of
the landmass to certain natural calamities.
 The large mass of trees in forest areas
combats soil erosion by providing mechanical
support to the soil.
Causes of Deforestation
The primary anthropogenic activities (human
activities) that contribute to deforestation include:

Agriculture – small-scale and large-scale farming

Logging – cutting of trees for use as raw material
Mining and urban expansion – clearing of forest
area for the construction of infrastructure.
How Does Deforestation Affect the Environment?

Increased Carbon Dioxide Levels in the

Atmosphere
Forests serve as a carbon sink by absorbing
atmospheric carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.
Since carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas,
deforestation is a direct contributor to the
greenhouse effect and (consequently) global
warming.
Deforestation and the Water Cycle
 Since trees play a vital role in the water cycle,
deforestation can contribute to significant
disturbances in it.
 Trees and plants regulate the moisture content
in the atmosphere via the process of
transpiration (they absorb groundwater
through their roots and release it into the
atmosphere from their leaves and flowers).
Soil Erosion as a Consequence of Deforestation
Trees tend to bind their roots to the soil bedrock,
thereby reinforcing the soil. Additionally, the plant
litter generated by trees offers protection to the
surface of the soil. In the absence of trees (as a
consequence of deforestation), the soil becomes
vulnerable to erosion.
Effects of Deforestation on Biodiversity
Forests play host to a wide spectrum of wildlife. In
fact, tropical rainforests are believed to be the most
diverse ecosystems on the planet. Deforestation
poses a grave threat to this biodiversity. On a local
scale, the clearing of forest land can cause a decline
in the population of certain species. On a global
scale, however, deforestation can result in the
extinction of several desirable species.
How can Deforestation be Controlled?
 Implementation of security measures and strict
laws to prevent illegal logging.
 Increasing the count and range of forests under
government protection.
 Carefully planning the construction of
infrastructure (roads, dams, etc.) in order to
minimize the loss of forest area.
 Investing in new technologies in the agricultural
industry (such as hydroponics) and helping
farmers implement eco-friendly agricultural
practices (such as cyclic agriculture).
 Optimizing the management of forests by
banning inefficient agricultural practices (such
as slash-and-burn agriculture).
 Facilitating the production and use of wood
alternatives to reduce the demand for timber.
For example, bamboo can serve as an
alternative to wood fuel.
 Investing in forest plantations – forests planted
with high yielding trees can offer 5 – 10 times
the output (per hectare) of a natural forest.
Solutions to Environmental Issues

Following are some of the most common

solutions to the environmental issue:

. Replace disposal items with reusable items.

. The use of paper should be avoided.
. Conserve water and electricity.
. Support environmental friendly practices.
. Recycle waste to conserve natural resources.
CONCLUSION

* Environmental issues are a warning of the

upcoming disaster. If these issues are not
controlled, there will soon be no life on earth.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

NCERT Books for Class 12 Biology PDF Download - NCERT

Books

Water Pollution & its Control - Causes, Effects & Control

Measures (byjus.com)

NCERT Section (neetprep.com)

Environmental Issues.pmd (ncert.nic.in)

Learn All About CBSE Class 12 - Radioactive waste and Pollut

- Study24x7

Air pollution - Wikipedia