Week 2

Introduction to Environmental Science

Environmental science is the study of nature and Reasons for environmental ignorance:
the facts about environment. Environment can be defined
as “all the social, economical, physical & chemical factors • Science, technology, and economics failed to
that surrounds man” (or) “all abiotic and biotic integrate the knowledge on environmental
components around man-all living and non-living things aspects in curriculum.
surrounds man”. Environment components can be divided • Decision makers do not process environmental
into biotic and abiotic components. angle of decision making.
• Consideration of economic growth, poverty
According to ancient man, the environment was eradication has led to environmental degradation.
the Panchaboodhas (i.e) air, water, land, sky, and energy. • Few developmental activities are made
The human were disciples of nature. They were able to considering the environmental aspects.
protect themselves from harmful one and protect the
others. But according to modern man, the environment is The United Nations Conference on Environment and
only air land and water. Exploitation of various earth Development held at Rio de Janeiro in 1992 (popularly
resources to satisfy the increasing needs of human known as “Earth Summit”) and world summit on
population has resulted in 1) depletion of various sustainable development at Johannesburg in 2002, have
resources of earth and 2) its pollution. highlighted the key issues of global environmental
concern. They have attracted the attention of people. Any
Principles of environmental science education: government at its own cannot achieve the goals of clear
environment until the public participate in action. Public
(a) Examine the major environmental issue/s participation is possible only when the public is aware
(b) determine the root cause/s about the ecological and environmental issues.
(c) develop problem solving skills
(d) promote co-operation in solving problems Methods to propagate environmental Awareness:
(e) emphasis active participation in prevention and
solution to problems. 1. Among students through education – introducing
environmental studies in the curriculum.
Scope of environmental science: 2. Among public through mass media-
environmental programs through TV, radio,
(a) Studying the interrelationship between the social media, etc.
components of environment 3. Among decision makers, planners, leaders etc.
(b) Carrying out impact analysis and environmental
audit Role of NGOs
(c) Preventing pollution from existing and new
industries 1. Advise the government in interacting with ground
(d) Stopping the use of biological and nuclear level people
weapons 2. Organize public meetings to create environmental
(e) Managing unpredictable disasters etc. awareness
Environmental pollution or problems cannot be solved by Public awareness is needed in the area:
mere laws. Public participation is an important aspect
which serves the environmental protection. 1. study of natural resources-conservation and
management
• Public awareness of environmental is at infant 2. ecology and biodiversity – conservation
stage. 3. environmental Pollution and prevention
• 30-40% of public of developing country are 4. social issues related to development and
aware of environmental problems but they do not environment
bother about it. 5. human population and environment
• Ignorance and incomplete knowledge have led to
misconceptions.
• Development and improvement in standard of
living has led to serious environmental disasters.
• Debate on environmental issues is treated as anti-
developmental.
Week 3
Ecology of Life

Ecosystem Abiotic components

• non-living constituents of the environment i.e. the
Ecology can be defined as the study of habitat.
relationships between organisms and their environment. • A habitat is a specific set of physical and
chemical conditions (space, substratum, and
-chemistry of solids to which a particular plant climate) that surrounds a single species, a group
species is restricted of species or a large community.
-between the number of eggs, a bird lays and the
amount of food available for its chicks to eat Physical Factors
-the changes occurring in a lake or river when • Light (sun as the main energy source),
untreated sewage is added to it. • temperature (controls the climate) → Organism
distribution,
Ecosystem = ‘ecological system’. An ecosystem • evaporation and precipitation (control climate),
is a group of plants and animals, along with the physical modulate gravity (controls rock material and
environment with which it interacts. Ecology examines hydrological cascade system, movement of
the life histories, distribution, and behavior of matter, and orientation and distribution of
individual species, as well as the structure and functions animals),
of a natural system in terms of populations, communities, • pressure (limits distribution of organisms),
ecosystems, and landscapes.
• humidity (Transpiration and absorption of water)
• air and water currents. (weathering)
Structure of an Ecosystem
- biotic and abiotic
Chemical Factors
Biotic components • Oxygen → Pulse of the environment
• Carbon dioxide → Raw material
Producers or Autotrophs • Minerals (micro- and macro-nutrients)
• Organic matter (Carbohydrates, proteins and
Autotrophic organisms - manufacture their own food lipids)
material
• capture solar energy + simple inorganic Functions of an Ecosystem
substances (water, carbon dioxide, salts) • Production and flow of energy
• Food synthesized → growth, survival, and stored. • Nutrient recycling
• E.g. Green plants, Photosynthetic bacteria, and • Food web
Chemosynthetic bacteria • Food Chain
• Ecological pyramids
Consumers or Heterotrophs • Biogeochemical cycles

Heterotrophic organisms(nourished by others) Energy Flow in the Ecosystem

consume the producers directly or indirectly. • The sun is the primary source of energy
• Primary consumers/herbivores: consume the • Primary producers → sunlight-using organisms
producers directly • Photosynthesis → convert energy from sunlight
• Secondary consumers/carnivores (flesh into chemical energy
eaters): feed upon the primary consumers. • 6CO2 + 6H2O + 2800 kJ (energy from sun) →
Omnivores: feed on both flesh and plants C6H12O6 + 6O2 (happens in chlorophyll)
• Secondary carnivores/tertiary consumers: • Net primary productivity (NPP) is the rate of
Carnivores which feed upon the secondary production of biomass glucose, cells, and other
consumers, they are also called secondary organic chemicals by the primary producers.
carnivores, e.g. lions which feed upon cats
and dogs, etc. Trophic Levels

Decomposers/Microconsumers/Reducers
• heterotrophic organisms which are
saprotrophs
• consume the food by absorption but not by
ingestion.
• mainly fungi, bacteria, and certain
protozoans
• Decompose by excreting enzymes and
absorption → energy + inorganic nutrients,
minerals and gases ( used again by
autotrophs)
Week 4
Energy Flow in the Ecosystem
• The loss of energy occurs
• controlled by two laws of thermodynamics - energy is not used efficiently
“Energy can neither be created nor destroyed.” - energy dissipates as kinetic energy and heat
“Every transfer of energy is accompanied by its
dispersion.”
• depends on the following factors:
- Efficiency of producers to trap solar energy
and convert it into chemical energy
- Use of chemical energy present in the
producers by the consumers
- Amount of energy present in the producers
Biogeochemical Cycles
by the consumers
- Loss of energy in the form of unused energy
“The complete pathway that a chemical element follows
dead organism and heat during respiration.
through the Earth system.”

Chemical cycle - chemical elements are the form that we

consider.

Bio- these cycles involve life.

Geo- these cycles include atmosphere, water, rocks and

soils.

We are interested to know:

- The major chemical cycles

- The importance of these cycles to life
Food Chain - The factors that control these cycles
- The rate of these cycles
“The transfer of energy and nutrients from one feeding - How each component of the environment are
group of organisms to another in a series.” involved
- The impact of these humans on these cycles
• It is the sequence of eater being eaten, or who eats
whom. The Carbon Cycle
• Trophic level: successive level of nourishment
• In each transfer some energy is lost. Carbon is the backbone of life.
• the shorter the food chain, or the nearer the organism to
the beginning of the chain, the greater the energy
available.

Two major food chains

Grazing food chain: Starts from living plants, goes

through herbivores and ends in carnivores.

Detritus food chain: Starts from dead organic matter and

ends in inorganic compounds.

Food Webs

• Food web: Interconnected food chains

• Food webs maintain the stability of an ecosystem • Fossil fuel burning 5.5 GtC per year
• Complexity - the diversity of species and their • Land-use changes 1.6 GtC per year
interconnectivity. • Due to human activities 7.1 GtC per year
• Diversity of species - food habits • 3.2 GtC remains in the atmosphere
• Interconnectivity - alternatives • 2 GtC diffuses in the ocean
• Complex food webs are more stable than simple • 1.9 GtC is unaccounted
food webs.

Ecological Pyramids

• Ecological pyramids are the graphic

representation of the number, biomass, and
energy of the successive trophic levels of an
ecosystem.
 The Sulfur Cycle

• Sulfur (S) – the 10th most abundant element in the

universe
• Sulfur (compounds) – synthesize to certain amino
acids and proteins.
• Affected by humans by burning fuels and
processing of metals.
• 90% of sulfur dioxide is due to human activities.
• Sulfate salt with water forms acid rain which
offset global warming.

The Phosphate Cycle

• Phospahtes (PO4) – found in bones and teeth

• Organo-phosphates – cell division (DNA and
RNA)
• Phosphate cycle does not include gas phase
• Affected by agricultural run-off =>
eutrophication