Environmental Science

21CYM101T

Dr. Soumyajit Ghosh

SYLLABUS – 21CYM101T
What is Environment?
The word environment is derived from the French verb
‘environner’ which means to ‘encircle or surround’.

Therefore, environment can simply be defined as one's

surroundings; which includes everything around the organism, i.e,
abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) environment.

Abiotic environment consists of soil, water and air.

What is Environment?
The biotic environment includes all other organisms, with which the
organism comes into regular contact.

Our environment can be defined as the physical, chemical and biological

world that surround us as well as the complex of social and cultural
conditions affecting an individual or community.
Types of Environment
There are two types of environments:
1. Natural environment
2. Man-made/built in environment

Natural: The environment in its original form without the

interference of human beings is known as natural environment.
Environment
Man made or Anthropogenic Environment:
The environment changed or modified by the interference of human
beings is called man made environment.

Man is the most evolved creature on this earth. He is modifying the

environment according to his requirements without bothering for its
consequences. Increased technologies and population explosion are
deteriorating the environment more and more.
 Environmental segments
The environment consists of four segments;

❖ Atmosphere,
❖ Hydrosphere,
❖ Lithosphere and
❖ Biosphere
Environmental segments
Atmosphere:
It is the protective blanket of gases surrounding the earth, which sustains life on the earth
and saves it from the hostile environment of outer space.

The major components of the atmosphere are nitrogen and oxygen, while the minor
components are argon, carbon dioxide and some trace gases. The atmosphere is the source
of oxygen (essential for life on earth) and carbon dioxide (essential for plant
photosynthesis). It also supplies nitrogen which nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Environmental segments
Hydrosphere:
The hydrosphere includes all types of water resources-oceans, seas, rivers, lakes,
streams, reservoirs, glaciers, polar icecaps and ground water (i.e., water below the
earth's surface).

Aquatic environmental chemistry is based on a proper understanding of the

sources, transport, characteristics and chemical species of water.
Environmental segments
Lithosphere:
This is the outer mantle of the solid earth,
consisting of minerals occurring in the
earth's crust and the soil.

Biosphere
The biosphere includes the sections of
planets where organisms live. The
biosphere is defined as the region on,
above, and below the Earth’s surface
where life exists.
 Atmosphere
The envelope of gases surrounding the earth is called the atmosphere.

The atmosphere contains living gases like oxygen for man and animal and
carbon dioxide for plants(important for survival).

It protects the earth from the harmful radiation from the sun. It acts as a
greenhouse by allowing short-wave radiation (from Sun) and trapping
long-wave terrestrial radiation (from Earth’s surface).

The atmosphere also keeps the temperature over the earth’s surface within
certain limits.
The atmosphere also takes care of extra-terrestrial objects like meteors
that get burnt up while passing through the atmosphere (mesosphere to be
precise) due to friction.
 Layers of Atmosphere
The atmosphere can be divided into different layers according to composition,
density, pressure, and temperature variations
The atmosphere can be divided into five layers according to the diversity of
temperature and density. They are:
1. Troposphere
2. Stratosphere
3. Mesosphere
4. Thermosphere (Ionosphere)
5. Exosphere
 Layers of Atmosphere
Troposphere

Lowest and thinnest layer

16 km at equator, 8 km at poles

80% of the atmosphere’s mass

Temperature decreases with altitude

6°C per kilometer
Top of troposphere has temperature –50°C.

The entire weather phenomenon takes place in this layer. It

contains all the water vapour, dust particles, clouds, etc.

Boundary between the troposphere, and the stratosphere is

called the tropopause.
 Layers of Atmosphere
Stratosphere
Extends from 10 km to 50 km above the ground
Less dense (less water vapor).
Temperature increases with altitude. The temperature varies from -
57 to 0 degree C.
Commercial jet aircraft fly
in the lower stratosphere.

Almost no weather occurrence.

Contains high level of ozone.
Upper boundary is called
stratopause. Ozone layer absorbs UV radiation and makes
a protective layer around us.
Layers of Atmosphere
Mesosphere
Extends to almost 80 km high.
Gases are less dense.
Upper boundary is called mesopause, this is the boundary between
the mesosphere and the thermosphere atmospheric regions.
Temperature decreases as altitude increases. reaches its minimum
mark averaging -90o C.
Gases in this layer absorb very little UV radiation.
At the upper boundary of the mesosphere, exists a layer of ions
extending in the other layer. This layer of ions or charged particles is
helpful in reflecting the radio waves and helps in telecommunication.
Layers of Atmosphere
Thermosphere
Above the mesosphere and extends to almost 700 km high.

Temperature increases with altitude. Temperature can go as high as

1,500 °C

Readily absorbs solar radiation which breaks the gaseous molecules

and produces ions. Constitutes part of the ionosphere.

The International Space Station orbits in this

layer, between 413 and 420 Km.
Ionosphere
Upper zone of mesosphere contains charged particles.
Absorb of cosmic rays, gamma rays, X-rays and shorter wavelengths of
ultraviolet rays.
The ionosphere is significant because it aids long-distance communication by
reflecting radio waves back to Earth.

It is also known for its auroral displays,

such as the “northern lights” that develop
when charged atomic particles from the
Sun are trapped by the magnetic field of
Earth near the poles.
 EXOSPHERE
The
Theexosphere
exosphereis begins
the outermost
at about layer
700 of Earth’s
atmosphere
kilometers but there
above is and
Earth no does
exact not
dividing line
between
have athis layer outer
specific and space.
limit.

Communication on Earth depends on

satellites.

Satellites orbit Earth in the exosphere.

Layers of the Atmosphere
Height, Pressure and
Temperature
COMPOSITION OF ATMOSPHERE
 Earth’s Atmosphere
Earth’s atmosphere is a layer of gases
surrounding the planet.
The Earth is surrounded by a blanket of air,
which we call the atmosphere. It reaches
over 560 kilometers from
the surface of the Earth.
Atmosphere:
Absorbs the energy from the Sun.
Recycles water and other chemicals.
Protects us from high-energy radiation and
the frigid vacuum of space.
The atmosphere protects and supports life.
Gases Making Up Atmosphere
• Permanent Gases-Those gases whose relative abundance is constant
within the homosphere (homogeneous mixture). Ex. O2, N2, CO2 etc..

• Variable Gases-Gases present in amounts that vary greatly in

abundance, either vertically, horizontal, or seasonal. Water vapor is the
most important variable gas.
Composition of the Atmosphere
Relevant Terms
• Homosphere-The lowest 80km of the atmosphere, which the relative
abundance of the permanent gases is constant.

• Heterosphere- At high altitude where gases are not well mixed but
rather are stratified according to weight. Where lighter weighing gases are
found.
Pressure in the atmosphere
Atmospheric pressure is
the force per unit area
exerted into a surface by the
weight of air above that
surface in the atmosphere of
Earth.

The gas molecules closest to

Earth’s surface are packed
together very closely.

This means pressure is

lower the higher up you go
into the atmosphere.
Pressure in the atmosphere

At sea level, the weight of the

column of air above a person is
about 9,800 Newtons (2,200
pounds)!

This is equal to the weight of a

small car.
Pressure changes with altitude
Pressure varies smoothly
from the Earth's surface to the
top of the mesosphere.
ENVIRONMENTAL
POLLUTION
POLLUTION
Any act that
1. Contaminate the environment
2. Alters the surroundings unwantedly
3. Decreases the quality of air, water and soil
4. Affects the health of human, animals and
plants

POLLUTANTS
The material which causes Pollution
CAUSES FOR POLLUTION
1. Tremendous uncontrolled growth of
human populations.
2. Rapid industrialization
3. Rapid urbanization
4. Deforestation
5. Radio activities
Types of pollutants
Biodegradable pollutants
Non- Biodegradable pollutants

1.Biodegradable pollutants
They decompose rapidly by the natural process into simpler,
harmless, substances in due course of time (by the action of
micro-organisms like certain bacteria).

Domestic wastes (garbage), urine, sewage, agriculture residues,

paper, wood etc.

2. Non- Biodegradable pollutants

They do not decompose rapidly by the natural process into
simpler, harmless substances in nature.

Plastics, polythene bags, insecticides, pesticides, mercury, lead,

arsenic.
Classification of Pollution

• Air pollution
• Water pollution
• Soil pollution
• Marine pollution
• Noise pollution
• Thermal pollution
• Nuclear hazards
Air pollution
❖ Contamination of atmospheric air by gases, dust, smoke and
wastes.
❖ Injurious to living organism.
❖ Most of the air pollutant present in the troposphere

• Every person breathes approximately 22000 times /day

and inhaling 15-22 Kg of air daily.
• Polluted air causes Physical ill effects, besides
undesirable aesthetic and physiological effect.
Sources of air pollution
1. Natural sources
2. Man made activities

1. Natural sources
Examples
a) Volcanic eruption
b) Forest fires
c) Biological decay
d) Radioactive materials
2. Man-made activities
a) Thermal power plants
b) Vehicular emission
c) Fossil fuel burning
d) Agricultural activities
e) Smoking
Classification of air pollutants
i) Primary pollutants
ii) Secondary pollutants
• Usually, primary pollutants are substances directly emitted
from a process,
Examples: ash from a volcanic eruption, the carbon monoxide
gas from a motor vehicle exhaust or sulfur dioxide released
from factories.

• Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly. Rather, they

form in the air when primary pollutants react or interact.
Examples: Ground level ozone is a prominent example of a
secondary pollutant.
ii ) Secondary pollutants

Examples
Ozone: forms when hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)
combine in the presence of sunlight

NO2: which is formed as NO combines with oxygen in the air

Acid rain: produces when sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides react with
water.
INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS:
Sources(causes):
Radon gas: naturally-occurring radioactive gas emitted
from the building material like bricks, concretes, tiles etc.,

Burning of fuels in the kitchen, cigarette smoke liberates

the pollutants like CO , SO2 .
Air pollutants may exist in two major
forms (1) gases and (2) particulates
(microscopic particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in
the air)

1. Gases: SO2, SO3, CO, CO2, NOx, H2S, O3.

2. Particulates: Dust, Smoke, Smog, Lead dust,

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH).
Common Air Pollutants: Sources and their Effects

Carbon monoxide (CO)

• Properties: Colorless, Odorless and toxic gas.

• Sources: About 77% comes from motor vehicles

(mainly petrol engine vehicles), Cigarette smoking,
Industrial source, Automobile exhaust gases.
Human sources of CO
• Incomplete combustion of fossil fuel
• Power plants

Human health effects

• CO binds with hemoglobin (RBC) to form carboxy
hemoglobin, thereby hampering the transfer of oxygen to the
tissues. Headache, anemia. At high levels it leads to coma
and death.

Environmental effects
• It increases global temperature.
 Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
• Colorless and irritating gas.
• Formed from burning of coal and oil.
• It is converted into sulphurous acid (H2SO3) in acid rain
process.
Human sources
• Power plants 88%.
• Industrial process 10%.
Health effects
• Breathing problems even for healthy people, eye irritation,
throat problem, cardiac diseases to human.
Environmental effects
• Damage to agriculture, Chlorophyll destruction
Sulphurous acid in acid rain damage trees, plants, soil and
aquatic life.
 Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Colorless and odorless green house gas.
• Formed from combustion of fossil fuel, woods, etc. cement
production.
Human sources
• Respiration process, Power plants
Health effects
• Respiratory disorders and suffocations
Environmental effects
• Increasing the temperature of climate.
• Each degree Celsius rise in temperature caused due to
carbon dioxide levels could cause about 1,000 deaths. The
gas boosts concentrations of surface ozone, particles and
carcinogens, all of which are harmful to human health.
Ozone (O3)
i) Highly reactive
ii) Irritating gas
iii) Unpleasant odour
iv) It forms in the troposphere
v) It is a major component in the smog.
Human sources
• Nitrogen oxides
• Volatile organic compounds (VOC)
Health & Environmental effect
• Skin cancer in animals and human, causes lung infection,
destruction of life in earth, moderates the climate
Sulphur trioxide(SO3)
• Oxidation of SO2 in the atmosphere under the influence of sunlight.
• Even 1 ppm of SO3 in the air causes breathing trouble and irritation
to the respiratory tract:

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S)

• H2S enter the atmosphere as the pollutant through decomposition
of sewage wastes or organic matter from various industries.
• It is poisonous, it blackens the lead paints and causes corrosion of
metals.
Nitrogen Oxides (N2O, NO, NO2)
Sources
Combustion of fuel
Acid manufacture
Explosive industry
Acid packing plants
High temperature combination of N2 and O2

Health & environmental effects

❑ Human respiratory tract irritation, Eye irritation
❑ Damage to plants
❑ Reaction of hydrocarbon under sunlight form smog
(produces O3)
❑ Formation of nitric acid causes acid rain problems
Smoke is a collection of airborne particulates and gases emitted when a
material undergoes combustion or pyrolysis,
Fog is a visible aerosol consisting of tiny water droplets or ice crystals
suspended in the air at or near the Earth's surface.

Smog (Smoke + Fog)

• Smog, seen in the morning in winter when the humidity is very high.

• Smog is a kind of air pollution, commonly occurred in the industrial urban

areas.

• presence of SO2 along with the particulates. Sulphur dioxide oxidizes into
sulphur trioxide in the atmosphere and forming acid aerosol.
Health effects
• Breathing problems, Cough, Heart diseases, Eye, Nose and Throat irritation.

Environmental effects
• Ozone depletion, It reduces the visibility, It can damage plants and trees
 PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG
Photochemical smog is produced when pollutants from the combustion
of fossil fuels react (nitrogen oxides and VOCs) with sunlight.

When nitrogen oxides and VOCs interact with sunlight, secondary

pollutants are formed, such as ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN).
These secondary pollutants are what we have been calling
photochemical smog.

Ozone causes serious problems with our lungs and vision. PAN is one
of the chemicals that is responsible for damaging lung tissue.

This is a toxic mixture of NO2, troposphere Ozone, volatile organic

compounds and peroxy-acetyl nitrate (PAN).

All these chemicals are highly reactive and oxidizing substances. They
are creating chemically reducing atmosphere
Photochemical Reactions
Lead (Pb)
• It is a solid, toxic metal, it can emit particulates
Human sources
• Paint, storage batteries and petrol.

Health effects
• Damage brain and whole nervous system, Mental
retardation, Digestive problems, Cancer.

Environmental effects
• Wild life destruction.
 ACID RAIN
• Normal rain water is always slightly acidic in nature
because of the fact that CO2 present in the atmosphere
gets dissolved in it and produces carbonic acid, H2CO3.

CO2 + H2O = H2CO3

• Because of the presence of SOx and NOx gases as

pollutants in the atmosphere, the pH of the rain water is
further lowered.

• This type of precipitation of water is called ACID RAIN

(or) ACID DEPOSITION.
Formation and causes of Acid rain
Acid rain means the presence of excessive acids in rain
water.

The thermal power plants, industries and vehicles release

nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides into atmosphere due
to burning of coal and oil.

When these gases react with water vapour in the

atmosphere, they form acids and descend on through rain
water.

SO3 + H2O H2SO4

NO2 + H2O HNO3
EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN
Increases the acidity of rain-water
In the form of mist it causes direct damage to plants, vegetation.
Causes irritation to eyes and mucus membrane.
Accelerates the rate of corrosion of metals.
Causes damage of building block.
Dissolves salt in soil like CaCO3, MgCO3 and metal, which passes into
ponds lakes river and cause toxic effect to aquatic life.
 Ozone layer-depletion
The ozone layer is a region in the earth’s
stratosphere that contains high concentrations of
ozone and protects the earth from the harmful
ultraviolet radiations of the sun.

Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of

the earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere
caused due to the release of chemical
compounds containing gaseous bromine or
chlorine from industries or other human activities.

In the 1970s, scientists noticed that the ozone layer in the stratosphere above
Antarctica was thinning.
Ozone-Depleting Substance(s) (ODS):
Some compounds release chlorine and bromine on exposure to high ultraviolet light,
which then contributes to the ozone layer depletion. Such compounds are known as
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).

One chlorine can destroy 100,000 molecules of ozone. It is destroyed more quickly
than it is created.

• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• HCFCs (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons),
• halons,
• methyl bromide,
• carbon tetrachloride, and
• methyl chloroform.
 UV
O2(g) O(g) + O(g)

O2(g) + O(g) O3(g)

CF2Cl2(g)
UV
˙ ˙
Cl(g) + CF2Cl(g)

˙
Cl(g) + O3(g) ˙ClO(g) + O2(g)
˙
ClO(g) + O(g) ˙Cl(g) + O2(g)
UV
 GREENHOUSE EFFECT
The trapping of heat by gases in the atmosphere.

Naturally occurring greenhouse gases:

Water vapor
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Nitrous oxide
Ozone

Greenhouse gases that are not naturally occurring

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) Generated in a variety of
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) industrial processes.
 The Greenhouse Effect on Earth
Earth’s atmosphere is slightly warmer than what it should be due to direct
solar heating because of a mild case of greenhouse effect…
The earth surface is heated
by visible and (some) infrared
light from the Sun.

The heated surface emits

infrared light.

The majority of Earth’s

atmosphere (N2 and O2) are
not good greenhouse gas.

The small amount of

greenhouse gases (H2O,
CO2) traps (absorb and
re-emit) the infrared radiation,
increasing the temperature of
the atmosphere…
 Some Solar Some of the infrared
radiation radiation passes through
redirected by the atmosphere. some is
both the Earth & observed and re-emitted
SUN atmosphere in all directions by
greenhouse gas
molecules. This causes
the earth surface and
lower atmosphere warm

Atmos
Solar radiation p here
Passes through
the Earth’s
atmosphere

The majority of the

radiation is absorbed by Infrared radiation is
the Earth’s Surface with it realized from the Earth
warms Surface
EARTH
 Greenhouse Effect
FACT: 15% increase in [CO2] in last 100 years 350

Cause:

Atmospheric
CO2 (ppm)
Change from agricultural to industrial lifestyle 300

Burning of fossil fuels (petroleum, coal)

250
Increase CO2 emissions (cars, factories etc) 1000 1500 2000
Year
Deforestation.

Effects:
Global warming
Melt polar ice caps flooding at sea level
Warming oceans more powerful storms