Basics of Environmental Science and Engineering

380 Pages·2007·9.905 MB·English

by  P. Sivashanmugam

Basics of
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
and
ENGINEERING

Basics of
Environmental Science
and
Engineering
P. SIVASHANMUGAM
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering
National Institute of Technology
Tiruchirapalli - 620 015
Tamil Nadu (India)
NIPA
2020
New India Publishing Agency
Pitam Pura, New Delhi- 110 088
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Preface
Environmental science is the interdisciplinary field and
requires the study of the interactions among the physical,
chemical and biological components of the Environment; with
a focus on Environmental pollution and degradation of the
Environment related due to human activities; and the impact
on Biodiversity and sustainability from local and global
development. It is inherently an interdisciplinary field that
draws upon not only its core scientific areas, but also applies
knowledge from other non-scientific studies such as economics,
law and social sciences.
Even though the concept of environmental science has
existed for centuries, it become more active during the decades
of 1960s and 1970s, for the analysis of complex Environmental
problems with substantive Environmental laws and the support
of the growing public awareness on Environmental problems.
The population and increase in standard of living is also
one of the major factor which makes the changes on
Environmental issues such as Climate change, Conservation,
Biodiversity, Groundwater and Soil contamination, Use of
natural resources, Waste Management, Sustainable
development, and Air pollution.
The book will provide complete overview of the status
and role of various resources on Environment. The book is
prepared with simple approach on various factors for
Undergraduate/Postgraduate students level. This book will
be useful for Engineering as well as science graduates for their
curriculum. All efforts are made to cover the various topics
on Environment issues with some suitable examples. The book
can also be used for any level of competitive examination.
vi Basics of Environmental Science and Engineering
The book divided in to five units and the Unit I for the
Introduction to Environmental Studies and Natural resources,
Unit II for the Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Unit III for
Environmental Pollution, Unit IV for Social Issues and the
Environment and Unit V for Human population and the
Environment.
Care has been taken to cover the syllabus of Indian
universities as per UGC and AICTE norms so that the students
can make use of this book as text and for the examination
point of view.
P. Sivashanmugam
Contents
Preface v
CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Environmental
Studies and Natural Resources 1-50
1.1 Forest Resources, 1
1.2 Uses of Forest, 2
1.3 Deforestation and its Effects, 5
1.4 Water Resources, 9
1.4.1 Water Conflicts, 11
1.4.2 Dams Conflicts, 14
1.5 Drought, 15
1.5.1 Regions of Drought in the World, 16
1.5.2 Effects of Drought, 16
1.6 Flood, 16
1.7 Environmental Effects of Mineral Resources, 18
1.8 Food Rseources, 22
1.8.1 Technological Improvements in Food Production, 24
1.8.2 Environmental Issues Related to Increased
Production, 25
1.9 Overgrazing and its Effects, 26
1.10 Impacts of Intensive Farming on Soil and
Water Resources, 27
1.11 Effects of Agricultural Chemicals on the
Environment, 29
1.12 Energy Sources, 31
1.13 Waterlogging, 39
1.14 Land Resources, 39
1.15 Land Degradation, 41
1.16 Soil Erosion, 41
1.16.1 Types of Erosion, 41
viii Basics of Environmental Science and Engineering
1.17 Desertification, 45
1.17.1 Causes of Desertification, 45
1.17.2 Effects of Desertification, 46
1.18 Conservation of Natural Resources, 47
1.18.1 Conflicts, 47
1.18.2 Challenges and Methods, 48
CHAPTER 2 Ecosystems and Biodiversity 51-79
2.1 Ecosystem, 51
2.1.1 Major Components of Ecosystems, 52
2.1.2 Energy and Matter Flow in Ecosystems, 53
2.1.3 Various Types of Ecosystems, 55
2.2 Biodiversity, 65
2.2.1 Genetic Diversity, 65
2.2.2 Species Diversity, 66
2.2.3 Ecosystem Biodiversity, 66
2.2.4 Values of Biodiversity, 68
2.2.5 Threats of Biodiversity, 71
2.2.6 Endangered and Endemica Species of India, 76
2.2.7 Biodiversity Conservation, 77
CHAPTER 3 Environmental Pollution 81-161
3.1 Air Pollution, 81
3.1.1 Classification of Air Pollutants, 81
3.1.2 Properties of Air Pollutants, 82
3.1.3 Health Effects, 83
3.1.4 Particulate Pollution Control Equipments, 88
3.1.5 Gaseous Pollution Control Equipments, 95
3.2 Water Pollution, 99
3.2.1 Causes of Pollution, 102
3.2.2 Origin of Wastewater, 103
3.2.3 Waste Water Composition, 104
3.2.4 Types of Water Pollutants, 106
3.2.5 Basic Processes of Water Treatment, 107
3.3 Land, 124
3.4 Marine Pollution, 125
3.4.1 Sources and Effects of Marine Pollution Toxics, 125
3.4.2 Control Measures, 128
Contents ix
3.5 Noise, 132
3.5.1 Effects of Noise, 132
3.5.2 Major Noise Sources, 133
3.5.3 Noise Control Measures, 134
3.6 Thermal Pollution, 138
3.6.1 Effects of Thermal Pollution, 138
3.7 Nuclear Hazards, 138
3.7.1 Nuclear Weapons, 138
3.7.2 Types of Nuclear Bursts, 140
3.7.3 Nuclear Injuries, 140
3.7.4 Residual Radiation, 142
3.8 Nuclear Waste and their Treatment, 143
3.9 Solid Waste Management, 149
3.9.1 Role of Human in Prevention of Pollution, 153
3.10 Disaster Management, 154
3.10.1 Floods, 154
3.10.2 Earthquake, 156
3.10.3 Cyclone, 158
3.10.4 Landslides, 159
CHAPTER 4 Social Issues and the
Environment 163-211
4.1 Urban Issues, 163
4.2 Environmental Ethics - Issues and
Possible Solutions, 164
4.3 Water Conservation, 165
4.3.1 Rainwater Harvesting , 167
4.4 Greenhouse Gases and their Sources, 168
4.4.1 Climate Change, 169
4.4.2 Global Warming, 170
4.4.3 The Greenhouse Effect, 170
4.4.4 Consequences of the Greenhouse Effect, 173
4.4.5 Acid Rain, 176
4.5 Ozone Layer Depletion, 178
4.6 Nuclear Accidents, 180
4.7 Waste Reclamation, 185
4.8 Consumerism and Waste, 188