What do you mean by multidisciplinary nature of environmental

studies?
Environmental studies is multi-disciplinary because it comprises various
branches of studies like chemistry, physics, medical science, life science,
agriculture and public health. It is the science of physical phenomena in the
environment. Environmental studies deals with every issue that affects an
organism. It is an applied science as its seeks practical answers to making
human civilization sustainable on the earth’s finite resources. The environment
is constituted by the interacting systems of physical, biological and cultural
elements inter-related in various ways, individually as well as collectively.
These elements are :
(1) Physical Elements Space, landforms, water bodies, climate, soils, rocks and
minerals. They determine the variable character of the human habitat, its
opportunities as well as limitations
(2) Biological Elements Plants, animals, microorganisms and human beings
constitute the biosphere.
(3) Cultural Elements Economic, social and political elements are essentially
manmade features, which constitute the cultural milieu.

Write a short note on:

1. Eutrophication: It is the presence of excess nutrients in water bodies.
Release of nutrient−rich sewage and industrial effluents leads to
introduction of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus into the water
body. This leads to the increase in temperature and oxygen demand of the
water body, causing increased biological activity, thereby leading to algal
blooms. This algal bloom covers the water surface, secretes toxins and
reduces oxygen content of water. Oxygen deficiency may cause the death
of aquatic animals.
2. Nuclear Holocaust: “Holocaust” refers to great destruction and loss of
life, especially by fire.
Nuclear Holocaust, is a theoretical scenario involving widespread
destruction and radioactive fallout causing the collapse of civilisation,
through the use of nuclear weapons. Under such a scenario, some or all of
the earth is made uninhabitable by nuclear warfare in future world wars.
 Besides the immediate destruction of cities by nuclear blasts, the potential
aftermath of a nuclear war could involve firestorms, a nuclear winter,
widespread radiation sickness from fallout, and the temporary loss of
much modern technology due to electromagnetic pulses.
3. Endemic Species: Endemic species are plant and animal species that
are found in a particular geographical region and nowhere else in the
world. Some species are endemic to a continent while others can be
endemic to an island. E.g., Lemurs of Madagascar and Tortoises of
Galapagos.
Asiatic Lion in Gir Forest, Lion-tailed Macaque in Western Ghats of
India, Nilgiri Tahr, Malabar large spotted civet, Nilgiri Blue Robin,
Jerdon’s Corser, Nilgai, Nicobar megapode are some of the species of
animals endemic to India.
4.Endangered Species: Endangered species can be defined as those
species which are under risk or threat of being extinct. In other words, species
which are about to extinct. Many factors are responsible for this which may be
natural or man-made. Endangered species, sooner or later enter the extinction
phase. In order to prevent this, necessary actions have to be taken.

A species which was native to a region and its population strength reduced from
50 percent to 5 percent; such species are known as endangered species.

5. Ecological Succession: Ecological succession is the process by which

the mix of species and habitat in an area changes over time. Gradually,
these communities replace one another until a “climax community”—like
a mature forest—is reached, or until a disturbance, like a fire, occurs.
Ecological succession is a fundamental concept in ecology.
6. Aquifers: An aquifer consists of water containing permeable rocks, rock
fractures or materials such as gravel, slit and sand. Groundwater can be
extracted from an aquifer using a water well. The study related to the
water flow in a aquifer is called hydrogeology.

7. Thermal Pollution: Thermal pollution may also be referred to as

thermal enrichment. When the temperature of a natural body of water
suddenly increases or decreases, thermal pollution occurs. Industrial
machinery and power plants are big contributors to thermal pollution. An
example of thermal pollution is when industrial sites and power plants
often take water from a natural source. When the water is returned, the
temperature has been altered.
 8. 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.

9. Acid Rain: Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when
compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the
air. These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they
mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more
acidic pollutants, known as acid rain.

10: Nuclear Pollution: Nuclear pollution is also known as radiation pollution

and is a result of improper nuclear waste disposal and nuclear power plant
meltdowns or explosions. One of the most famous examples of nuclear
pollution is the meltdown that occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant in 1986,
making the surrounding area uninhabitable by humans and wildlife. Another
example is the meltdown that occurred at the Fukushima Nuclear Plant in 2011,
as a result of a massive tsunami triggered by the March 11 earthquake of the
same year. Both events resulted in nuclear pollution. This type of pollution
leads to radiation exposure that is directly linked to DNA damage and many
forms of cancer.

11: Biomagnification: Biomagnification can be defined as the rise or

increase in the contaminated substances caused by the intoxicating environment.
The contaminants might be heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, and
pesticides such as polychlorinated biphenyls and DDT.

These substances are taken up by the organisms through the food they consume.
When the organisms in the higher food chain feed on the organisms in the lower
food chain containing these toxins, these toxins get accumulated in the higher
organisms.

Difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.

Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion
 When the nucleus of an atom splits into lighter nuclei Nuclear fusion is a reaction through which two or
through a nuclear reaction, the process is termed nuclear more light nuclei collide with each other to form a
fission. heavier nucleus.

When each atom splits, a tremendous amount of energy is The energy released during nuclear fusion is several
released times greater than the energy released during nuclear
fission.

Fission reactions do not occur in nature naturally Fusion reactions occur in stars and the sun

Comparatively, less energy is needed to split an atom in a High energy is needed to fuse two or more atoms
fission reaction together in a fusion reaction

Atomic bomb works on the principle of nuclear fission Hydrogen bomb works on the principle of nuclear
fusion.

Describe ecological importance of forest.

Ecological significance of forests as follows:
1. Forests provide habitats for animals and livelihoods for humans.
2. They maintain the water cycle and mitigate climate changes.
3. They purify the air we breathe.
4. Trees reduce the rate of erosion by protecting the soil from the impact of
rain.
5. They help the groundwater supply recharge, prevent the transport of
chemicals into streams and prevent flooding.
Describe water Pollution and Its effects.
Water pollution occurs when harmful substances—often chemicals or
microorganisms—contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other
body of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to humans or the
environment. This widespread problem of water pollution is jeopardizing our
health. Unsafe water kills more people each year than war and all other forms of
violence combined.
Effects of Pollution of Water
1. Diseases: In humans, drinking or consuming polluted water in any way
has many disastrous effects on our health. It causes typhoid, cholera,
hepatitis and various other diseases.
2. Destruction of Ecosystems: Ecosystems are extremely dynamic and
respond to even small changes in the environment. Water pollution can
cause an entire ecosystem to collapse if left unchecked.
3. Eutrophication: Chemicals in a water body, encourage the growth
of algae. These algae form a layer on top of the pond or lake. Bacteria
feed on this algae and this decreases the amount of oxygen in the water
body, severely affecting the aquatic life there.
4. Effects the food chain: Disruption in food chains happens when toxins
and pollutants in the water are consumed by aquatic animals (fish,
shellfish etc) which are then consumed by humans.
Describe air pollution and Its effects.
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.

Effects of Air Pollution

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.
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.
Effect on Animals
The air pollutants suspend in the water bodies and affect aquatic life. Pollution
also compels the animals to leave their habitat and shift to a new place.
What do You mean by ecological succession?
The process of change in ecological community of an area over time which in
turn results in the formation of climax community is termed as succession.
Ecological succession is the directional change in the flora and fauna of a given
region over a period of time. It is the process of gradual change in the species
structure of an ecological community over time.
Illustrate and explain the greenhouse effect. What are greenhouse
gasses?
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.

Greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide (CO2)

CO2 is released through natural processes, such as volcanic

eruptions, plant respiration and animals and humans breathing.

Methane

Methane is produced naturally through decomposition. But again,

human activity has displaced the natural balance. Large amounts
of methane are released by cattle farming, landfill waste dumps,
rice farming and the traditional production of oil and gas.
Nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide is produced through the large-scale use of

commercial and organic fertilisers, fossil-fuel combustion, nitric-
acid production and biomass burning.

Discuss +ves and -ves of dams.

POSITIVE -- 1)GENERATES ELECTRICITY

2)DAMS STORES WATER FOR DOMESTIC AND IRRIGATION

PURPOSE ESPECIALLY IN THE REGIONS

OF WATER DEFICITES

3)it helps in the land navigation by maintaining the river flow

4)employment to to the local population during construction

5)recreation of activities and tourist spots example BHAKRA DAM

TEHRI DAMS

NEGATIVE -- 1)bio diversity loss as the large area is required duting

the dam

constructation which results in the loss of flora and fauna of the area

2)displacement of tribes and local area

3)change of migratoury routes for fishes which also results in extinction of

water
bodies

4)flash floods