Q-1 significance and scope of environmental science
Ans: The inclusion of Environmental Studies as a required subject has given it the respect it deserves in our school curriculum. Additionally, there is now a growing focus on scientific and technological education. In fact, by doing so, a positive step has been taken to advance our nation and make it possible for us to compete with other forward-thinking countries. It has become necessary to give environmental studies instruction the attention it deserves beginning in the primary grades.
There is absolutely no question that there is a large potential for employment in the field of studying the various sorts of environmental studies. Both the public and private sectors have their own lists of the benefits that environmental science graduates bring to their respective companies. Environmental science is essentially a field where students can discover various strategies for preserving our environment through the prudent use of available resources. People thus have a variety of employment options available to them. They are eligible to apply for jobs as environmental scientists, environmental engineers, environmental biologists, environmental journalists, and many other positions. In fertilizer plants, mines, dying industries, and textile industries, these roles play a significant role.
Q-2 explain the major significance of biodiversity?
Ans: The crucial part that biodiversity plays in preserving the general well-being and stability of ecosystems is where its greatest significance lies. Here are some crucial details emphasizing its significance:
Ecosystem Stability: Biodiversity contributes to keeping ecosystems in balance, guaranteeing their resilience and stability. It offers many services that are essential for ecosystem function, including nitrogen cycling, soil formation, and pest control.
Interdependence between species: Within an ecosystem, many ecological connections connect distinct species. These partnerships, like mutualistic symbiosis or interactions between predators and prey, are supported by biodiversity. The food web may be affected in a cascading manner by changes in biodiversity.
Biodiversity improves an ecosystem’s capacity to adapt and bounce back from environmental changes. Gene diversity within species enables improved responses to problems like climate change etc.
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Q-2 mention the source and the effect of the various air pollutants.
Ans: Source of pollutants: Air pollutants can be classified into two categories- primary and secondary pollutants. Primary pollutants are emitted directly from a source, such as Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Secondary pollutants, such as Ozone (O3) and acid rain, are formed in the atmosphere by chemical reactions between primary pollutants and other substances present in the air.
Effects: Air pollution can have several negative impacts on both human health and the environment. Exposure to air pollutants can cause respiratory diseases, heart diseases, stroke, lung cancer, and other health problems. Air pollution can also harm plants and animals, leading to reduced crop yields, loss of biodiversity, and ecosystem degradation. Additionally, air pollution contributes to climate change by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
Q-3 Discuss the few points on (i) Minimata disease and (ii) blue baby
Ans:
- Minimata Disease
- Minamata disease is a neurological disease caused by severe mercury poisoning.
- Minamata disease was first discovered in the city of Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, in 1956
- Signs and symptoms include ataxia, numbness in the hands and feet, general muscle weakness, loss of peripheral vision, and damage to hearing and speech
- In extreme cases, insanity, paralysis, coma, and death follow within weeks of the onset of symptoms
- It has also been suggested that some of the mercury sulfate in the wastewater was also metabolized to methylmercury by bacteria in the sediment
- Blue Baby
- Blue baby syndrome can refer to conditions that cause cyanosis, or blueness of the skin, in babies as a result of low oxygen levels in the blood.
- Blue baby syndrome has been attributed to cyanotic congenital heart diseases and methemoglobinemia, however there are additional causes that could result in a baby becoming cyanotic, such as
- Airway obstruction
- Decreased blood perfusion
- Disordered control of breathing (ex: Cyanotic breath-holding spells, seizures)
- Pulmonary/lung disorders (ex: Pulmonary hypertension, cystic fibrosis)
- Respiratory distress syndrome
Q-4 Explain in detail solid waste management techniques
Ans: Solid waste management refers to the process of collecting, transporting, treating, and disposing of solid waste in an environmentally responsible manner. It involves various functional elements that work together to ensure that solid waste is managed effectively.
Generation: The first step in solid waste management is the generation of waste by households, industries, and commercial establishments.
Collection: The next step is the collection of waste from various sources. This involves the use of waste collection vehicles and workers who collect waste from households and commercial establishments.
Transportation: Once the waste is collected, it is transported to the treatment and disposal facilities. This involves the use of specialized vehicles and trucks.
Treatment: In this step, the waste is treated to reduce its volume and harmful effects. Treatment can involve physical, chemical, and biological processes.
Recycling and recovery: After treatment, some of the waste can be recycled or recovered for further use. This can include materials such as paper, plastic, and metals.
Disposal: The final step in solid waste management is the disposal of the waste that cannot be recycled or recovered. This involves the use of landfills, incinerators, or other methods that are designed to minimize the environmental impact of the waste.Overall, the functional elements of solid waste management work together to ensure that waste is managed in an environmentally responsible manner, reducing its impact on public health and the environme
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Q-4 Explain the causes , effects and the control measures of water pollutions
Ans: Causes of Water Pollution:
Industrial activities- Industries discharge various chemicals, toxins, and heavy metals into the water bodies which cause water pollution.
Agricultural activities- The use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture can lead to runoff into nearby water bodies, contaminating them with harmful chemicals.
Urbanization- The increasing population of cities leads to the release of untreated sewage into water bodies, which causes water pollution.
Oil Spills- Accidental oil spills from tankers and offshore drilling platforms can cause severe water pollution, killing aquatic life and affecting the quality of water for human consumption.
Effects of Water Pollution:
- It can lead to the death of aquatic plants and animals, affecting the biodiversity of water ecosystems.
- It can cause water-borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever, which can be fatal.
- It can affect the quality of water, making it unfit for human consumption or use.
- It can cause soil erosion and damage to agricultural lands, affecting food security.
Control Measures for Water Pollution:
Reduce industrial effluent by using better treatment technologies and enforcing stricter regulations.
Implement sewage treatment facilities to treat and dispose of sewage waste.
Promote the use of organic farming practices to reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides.
Promote public awareness campaigns on the importance of water conservation and proper waste disposal.
Q-5 What are the causes of soil erosions and the control of noise
Ans: Cause of Soil Erosion
Following are the important causes of soil erosion:
Rainfall and Flooding
Higher intensity of rainstorms is the main cause of soil erosion. Four types of soil erosion are caused by rainfall:
- Rill erosion
- Gully erosion
- Sheet erosion
- Splash erosion
The raindrops disperse the soil, which is then washed away into the nearby streams and rivers. Regions with very heavy and frequent rainfall face a large amount of soil loss. The flowing water during floods also erodes a lot of soil by creating potholes, rock-cut basins, etc.
Agriculture
The farming practices are the major cause of soil erosion. The agricultural activities disturb the ground. The trees are cleared and the land is ploughed to sow new seeds. Since most of the crops are grown during the spring season, the land lies fallow during winters. Most of the soil is eroded during winters.
Also, the tyres of tractors make grooves on the land, making a natural pathway for water. Fine soil particles are eroded by wind.
Grazing
The grazing animals feed on the grasses and remove the vegetation from the land. Their hooves churn up the soil. They also pull out plants by their roots. This loosens the soil and makes it more prone to erosion.
Logging and Mining
A large number of trees are cut down to carry out the logging process. Trees hold the soil firmly. The canopy of the trees protects the soil from heavy rainfall. The leaf litter that protects the soil from erosion, is also lost during logging.
Mining activities also disturb the land and leave the soil more prone to erosion.
Construction
The construction of roads and buildings exposes the soil to erosion. The forests and grasslands are cleared for construction purposes, which exposes the soil making it vulnerable to erosion.
Rivers and Streams
The flowing rivers and streams carry away the soil particles leading to a V-shaped erosion activity.
Heavy Winds
During dry weather or in the semi-arid regions, the minute soil particles are carried away by the wind to faraway lands. This degrades the soil and results in desertification.
CONTROL NOISE
Adding insulation, installing double-glazed windows, and caulking cracks can all help to soundproof a space.
Planting bushes, trees, or building noise barriers can all help to absorb or prevent sound.
Noise restrictions : Limiting noise levels in residential, commercial, and industrial areas by the implementation and enforcement of noise restrictions.
Traffic management : can lessen noise from vehicle traffic by putting in place traffic calming measures like speed restrictions and quiet road surfaces.
Industrial noise management : involves using tools and equipment that reduce noise emissions, keeping tools in good working order, and putting noise reduction strategies into place in factories and other industrial settings.
It’s crucial to remember that these are only basic recommendations and might not work in every circumstance. Getting advice from professionals and according to local laws
Q-6 Discuss the aspects of prevention and control of noise
Ans: Certainly! Prevention is a crucial aspect when it comes to addressing both soil erosion and noise pollution. Let’s explore prevention measures for each of these issues:
Soil erosion prevention:
- Conservation practices: Implementing conservation practices like contour plowing, terracing, and strip cropping helps to reduce water runoff and slows down erosion.
- Cover crops: Planting cover crops during fallow periods helps to hold the soil in place, improve soil fertility, and protect against erosion.
- Mulching: Applying mulch, such as straw or wood chips, helps to protect the soil from erosion by reducing the impact of rain and wind.
- Soil conservation structures: Constructing measures like check dams, retention ponds, and permeable barriers can help control water runoff and prevent erosion.
- Afforestation and reforestation: Planting and maintaining trees and vegetation in vulnerable areas helps stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
Noise pollution prevention:
- Urban planning: Careful urban planning can prevent the construction of homes, schools, and hospitals in high-noise areas by using zoning regulations.
- Noise barriers: Constructing physical barriers, such as walls or fences, can block and reduce noise levels from roads, railways, or industrial areas.
- Building design: Incorporating noise-reducing materials and techniques during the construction of buildings can minimize noise transmission from outside sources.
- Vehicle regulation: Implementing and enforcing noise regulations for vehicles, including noise standards for exhaust systems, can help control noise pollution.
- Education and awareness: Educating the public about the impacts of noise pollution and promoting responsible behavior can encourage individuals to take preventive measures, such as using quieter equipment or reducing unnecessary noise.
Overall, prevention measures play a vital role in mitigating both soil erosion and noise pollution. By implementing these strategies, we can work towards creating a healthier, more sustainable environment.
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Q-6 Discuss environmental ethics in detail
Ans: Environmental ethics is a branch of philosophy that examines the moral and ethical dimensions of our relationship with the natural environment. It explores questions about how we should act toward the environment, what our responsibilities are, and what kind of value nature holds. Here are some key aspects of environmental ethics:
- Intrinsic value of nature: Environmental ethics recognizes that nature has intrinsic value, meaning it has inherent worth and deserves moral consideration irrespective of its usefulness to humans. This perspective suggests that nature has its own right to exist and thrive, independent of human interests.
- Anthropocentrism vs. ecocentrism: Anthropocentrism assigns primary value to human beings and often views nature as valuable only insofar as it serves human needs and desires. In contrast, ecocentrism extends moral consideration beyond humans and emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living entities in ecosystems.
- Stewardship and responsibility: Environmental ethics often advocates for the idea of stewardship, where humans have a responsibility to care for and protect the natural environment. This perspective emphasizes the notion that humans should act as responsible caretakers and should not exploit or degrade the environment for short-term gains.
- Sustainability: Environmental ethics emphasizes the importance of sustainability, which involves meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It encourages the conservation of natural resources, reducing pollution, and adopting practices that promote long-term environmental health.
- Environmental justice: Environmental ethics recognizes the importance of addressing environmental inequalities and the disproportionate burdens placed on marginalized communities. It emphasizes the need for equal access to a clean and healthy environment and strives for fair distribution of environmental benefits and harms.
- Interdisciplinary approach: Environmental ethics draws from various disciplines, including philosophy, ecology, sociology, economics, and law. It recognizes that addressing environmental issues requires interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration to understand the complexities of the problems and find ethical solutions.
- Global perspective: Environmental ethics acknowledges that environmental issues have no national or regional boundaries. It encourages a global perspective, recognizing the interconnectedness of ecosystems and promoting international cooperation to address environmental challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.
Environmental ethics provides a framework for understanding our moral obligations toward the environment and guides decision-making to promote sustainable and responsible actions. It fosters a deeper appreciation and respect for nature, leading to more holistic approaches to environmental conservation and protection.
Q-7 Discuss about the water ACT-1974
Ans: The United Kingdom passed the Water Act in 1974, giving the Secretary of State for the Environment control over water resources in England and Wales. Additionally, it established the lion River Authority and granted additional rights to those who abstract and use water. The Act was created to give people the right to use and take water for a range of purposes, from home requirements to industry and agriculture, as well as greater protection and more efficient management of water resources. The Act also created the National Rivers Authority, which is now a division of the Environment Agency, to oversee the management of water resources in England and Wales.
Q-8 Discuss the agenda for sustainable development.
Ans: The United Nations established the Agenda for Sustainable Development, a list of 17 global development objectives, in 2015. The agenda mandates a broad variety of actions to be implemented by 2030 in order to eradicate poverty, safeguard the environment, and guarantee prosperity for all. Among them are taking immediate action to tackle climate change and its effects, ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality healthcare and education, supporting gender equality and women’s empowerment, and fostering sustainable economic growth and decent employment for all. The agenda also urges enhancing implementation tools and reviving the international cooperation for sustainable development in addition to calling for the development of resilient infrastructure, sustainable consumption and production, environmental protection, and infrastructure restoration.
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Q-8 Explain the structure and functional futures of lake(aquatic) ecosystem.
Ans: A lake (or aquatic) ecosystem is a complex web of living and inanimate objects that interact in a variety of ways to create a well-balanced system. Sunlight, inorganic and organic substances, and water are examples of non-living elements in a lake ecosystem. Producers, consumers, and decomposers are the three basic divisions of the living elements in a lake ecosystem. The base of the food chain is made up of producers like algae, which utilise sunlight and inorganic substances to create energy-rich molecules. Fish, plankton, and aquatic plants all absorb the energy-dense molecules that the producers produce. The organic matter created by producers and consumers is finally broken down by decomposers, such bacteria and fungus, which release the inorganic chemicals back into the environment.