Environment: The term “environment”
means surroundings and is contemplate as a complex term for the conditions in
which organisms survive. Environment is the sum total of all social, economical,
biological, physical and chemical factors which establish the surrounding of
man. It consists of both biotic and abiotic components. All organisms and the
physical environment are interdependent and affect each other. The environment
is holocoenotic, a sudden change in environment affects everyone. Organism has
adjusted the environment according to their needs. All organisms are mainly
affected because of the environmental pollution or contamination. Pollution has
become a global problem.
Component of environment
The environment is
divided into four segments namely: lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and
biosphere.
1-Lithosphere:The mantle of the rocks forms the earth’s
crust is called lithosphere.Soil is an important part of the lithosphere which
covers rocks is formed from the physical, chemical and biological processes
during weathering. Soil is consists of organic, inorganic matter, water and
air. Inorganic minerals are like carbonates of calcium and magnesium, oxides of
iron, manganese and titanium and mixture of silicates of sodium, potassium,
aluminium, etc.
Soil is a reservoir of
water, store house of minerals, conserves fertility of soil, home of wild life
and livestock.
2-Hydrosphere: surface water,ground water like oceans,
seas, rivers, lakes, glaciers, reservoirs, polar ice caps, water in rock
crevices, streams, etc. all comprises the hydrosphere.80% of the earth covered
with the water so it is called a blue
planet. Water is used in industrial, agricultural and domestic purposes.
3-Biosphere: it is a part of earth where life exists.
Biosphere covers the total sphere of living organisms and their interconnection
with environment. It provides the important set-up for holding on to a life in
an environment.
4-Atmosphere:is a protective layer of gases around the
earth surface which help in sustaining life on it.Atmosphere protects earth
from harmful ultraviolet radiation coming from the earth surface. Atmosphere
comprises of mixture of gases like nitrogen, oxygen, carbon-di-oxide, water
vapour and many more gases. Atmosphere is divided into 5 zones troposphere,
stratosphere, mesosphere, ionosphere and anthrosphere.Atmosphere maintains
radiation budget and energy balance of the earth.
Pollution:Pollution is
disagreeable alteration in physical, biological and chemical property of water,
air and soil that affect all the organisms, industrialization, and cultural
resources.
Pollution is the
collection of contaminants like inorganic, organic, radiological and biological
in atmosphere which affects plants, animals, human beings directly or
indirectly.
Classification of environment
1-According to the environment
i.
Air pollution
ii.
Water pollution
iii.
Soil pollution
2-According to the pollutants
i.
Noise pollution
ii.
Thermal pollution
iii.
Radioactive pollution
iv.
Industrial pollution
v.
Pesticides or biocides pollution
vi.
Population pollution
Pollutant: is an undesirable matter (solids, liquids,
gases) which contaminates the environment.
Classification of Pollutants
1. Primary pollutant: are pollutant emitted
directly from an identifiable source and exist as such after their release.
Example NOx, SOx, etc.
2. Secondary
pollutant:are
pollutant formed from primary pollutant through chemical reactions. Examples
hydrocarbons, peroxy acetyl nitrate (PAN), etc.
3. Biodegradable
pollutant: pollutant
degraded by micro-organisms like domestic wastes, sewage.
4. Non-biodegradable
pollutant: Pollutants
that cannot be degraded are non-biodegradable pollutants. Example DDT,
polythene, pesticides,etc.
Types of Pollution
Air pollution: presence of contaminants in an atmosphere in
such a way that is injurious to human health, plants, and animals and to the buildings.
Inorganic gases, particulate matters like dust, fumes, smoke, mist, spray, ash,
etc.
Organic pollutants,
nitrogen compounds, sulphur compounds, carbon compounds, etc. are pollutant
causes air pollution.
Water Pollution: it is the natural or induced change in the quality
of water. It is harmful to life because of its toxicity, low oxygen level in
water, etc.
Industrial wastes,
domestic wastes, agriculture wastes, etc. are pollutant causes water pollution.
Soil Pollution: presence of toxic elements in soil in such concentration
that it causes risk to human health and the environment. Industrial effluents, agricultural
wastes, domestic wastes, etc. are pollutant causes soil pollution.
Environmental Protection
In the world India
have provisions for the protection and conservation of environment in its
constitution. 5th June is
celebrated as World Environment Day as
on this day environment is discussed as international agenda in UN conference
on Human Environment in Stockholm.
India’s constitution
has comprised environmental protection and conservation as our directive
principles of state policy as well as fundamental duties. This provision were
made in 1976 through 42 amendment under the article 4-A and article 51-A (g).
Various government and
non- government organization have taken an initiative for environmental
protection and conservation.
1. Wildlife Protection
Act, 1972:
this act provides for protection to the wild animals, birds, plants.
2. Forest Conservation
Act, 1980: this
act is for forest conservation and matter connected to it.
3. The Water (Prevention
and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: this act is for water conservation and
protection of various water bodies for getting polluted. The water act bar
industrial effluents, domestic wastes, sewage discharge, etc. into various
water bodies like rivers, lakes, seas, etc.
4. The Air (Prevention
and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: this act is for controlling, prevention and
decrease in air pollution.
5. Environmental
Protection Act, 1986:
this act is for environment protection and for sustainable development.
6. Non-Government organizations: NGO’s
are non-profit organization which runs for environment awareness programs for
people. The ministry for environment and forests extends support to NGO
programs.
Advantages of NGO
1.
Environmental education and awareness among people
2.
Wild life conservation
3.
Pollution control awareness
4.
Population control awareness
5.
Forest conservation and protection
6.
Rural development
7.
Afforestation and social forestry
8.
Energy conservation
9.
Encourage women education
10.
Banned child labour
11.
Woman empowerment
12.
Sustainable development
