Gujarat Technological University

Bachelor of Engineering – Semester I

(Civil and Mechanical Branch)
Academic Year- 2017-18

Prof. Manjurali I. Balya

Assistant Professor
Civil Engineering Department
GEC, PATAN
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
(2110007)
Teaching and Examination Scheme
Syllabus
CONTD….
CONTD….
Reference Books
UNIT I: ENVIRONMENT AND
NATURAL SYSTEMS
 Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENT
AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
 Definition
The term environment comes from the French
word “environ” and means everything that
surround us.

The totality of the surrounding conditions for

comfortable living of organism.

Environment is the area in which we live.

 THE ENVIRONMENT
Definition…..
o The environment “is the sum of the total of the
elements, factors and conditions in the surroundings
which may have an impact on the development,
action or survival of an organism or group of
organisms, such as, we human beings.”
OR

o It can also be defined as “ external surroundings and

conditions which directly or indirectly affects the
living organism”
Environment consist of:
BIOTICFACTORS = living
components in an environment

ABIOTIC FACTORS = non-living

components in an environment
Biotic factors and Abiotic factors that surround us
and with which we interact.
These biotic and abiotic components are in dynamic
state; they constantly affect each other and cannot be
isolated from each other.
 Biotic Factors

All living Microorganism

organisms Plants Animals
s
COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT
Environment can be divided into four
components:
◦Atmosphere
◦Hydrosphere
◦Lithosphere
◦Biosphere
Atmosphere:
It is the mixture of various gases, water vapour and
subatomic particles that entirely covers the earth
extending outward several thousand kilometers.
Atmosphere
Divided in
Four layers
 Atmosphere Divided in Four layers
1. The Troposphere
• The Troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere,
and makes up about 75-80% of Earth’s atmosphere.
 Troposphere:
• Lower portion of the atmosphere
• Extends up to 8 km at the poles and 16
km at equator, on an average extend up
to 10-11 km from the earth surface.
• Temperature decrease at the rate of 5-
7oC/km.
Troposphere:
Stratosphere:
• It is above troposphere and extends up to
50-55 km.
• Up to about 20 km temp. remains
constant then increase with increase in
height.
• Ozone layer is in this layer.
Stratosphere:
 Mesosphere:
It is layer above stratosphere and
extends up to 80 km.
Temperature decreases slowly with
altitude but then sharply to about
-75oC.
Mesosphere:
Thermosphere:
• Temperature increases rapidly with increase
in height.
• Heating of this layer is due to absorption of
the solar energy.
• Within the thermosphere there is a layer of
charged particles known as ionosphere.
Thermosphere:
Exosphere:
• It exist above the ionosphere and extend up to
2000 km above the earth.
• This layer is almost airless and empty.
• Contains hydrogen gas in ionized state.
• Very high temperature(≥ 1200oC)
Exosphere:
 Hydrosphere:
About 70% of earth is covered by water.

Water is available in seas, oceans, lakes,

river, glaciers etc.

97% is in the oceans and seas, 2% in

glaciers & ice caps, 1% is fresh water
available for human consumption.
Hydrosphere
Our Earth Is Mostly Covered By WATER
 Lithosphere:
Outer soil crust of the earth is lithosphere
Living organisms, plant vegetation are supported by
the lithosphere.
It contains resources like minerals, organic and
inorganic matter, some extent air and water.
Role of lithosphere:
- Produces food for human beings and animals.
- Soil is the site of decomposition of organic
wastes.
Lithosphere
 Biosphere
Thin outer crust of the earth which includes all the
living organisms and their environment.
It extends from the lowest sea bed level to about 24
km of the atmosphere.
Life supporting resources are available from the
biosphere.
It is that part of earth where living (biotic) organism
exist and interact with each other and also with non-
living (abiotic) components.
BIOSPHERE
 Activities in biosphere…….
The living organisms interacting with each
other in biosphere and sustain their life.
The waste products in gaseous, liquid and
solid form are discharged in biosphere.
The sustaining and assimilative capacity of
the biosphere is tremendous but not infinite.
The system is in operation for millions of
years but now showing stress due to impact of
human on environment.
Interaction between different components of
environment
 Man and Environment relationship
Man is the only living organism
capable of modifying environment
according to the need.
Man has started hunting animals and
cutting trees for his basic needs.
To increase his comforts he started
distributing each and every
components of environment.
Large scale deforestation, increasing
in quantity of CO2 due to burning of
forest, grass, crop waste are example
of early cause of pollution.
How Does Technology Address Human
Needs and Wants?
Impact of Technology on Environment

Positive Impact

Negative Impact
Positive Effect
Water treatment plants help us to reuse of dirty
water.
Wind turbines help to reduce the needs for coal,
electric and other natural resources.
 To improve life style & safety of human life, as
well as improve the environment of this planet
for the future.
The science of sewage treatment is probably the
greatest environmental achievement of mankind
 Negative Effect
a) Direct Effect:
It includes accidents , release of pollutants affecting
human health, exhaustion of resources and changes
in landscapes.

b) Indirect Effects:
These effects interfere with the vital services supplied
to humanity by natural ecological systems.
 CONT….
Depletion of ozone layer , which protects the life on
earth from damaging UV-B radiations is caused
primarily by CFC emissions.
Excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers is
decreasing the inherent fertility of soils.
The sea level rise due to melting of ice-caps in
Antarctic region due to global warming , is frequently
disturbing the coastal areas.
Exploitation of resources leading to exhaustion.
Testing of atomic bombs may cause volcanoes and
earth quakes
 Environmental Degradation
Definition: The overall lowering of
environmental qualities due to the damages
caused by both natural events and human
activities in the basic structure of the
environment at local, regional and global
levels adversely affecting all living organisms
including man.
 Cont…..

Environmental degradation arise due to…..

 Consumption of natural resources by over
population of developing countries.
 Wasteful over consumption of resources by
developed countries.
 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable development (SD) is a pattern of
resources use, that aims to meet human needs while
preserving the environment so that these needs can be
met not only in the present, but also for future
generations.

Every generation should leave air, water and soil as

pure and unpolluted as possible.

Sustainability mean to sustain human institutions and

ecological systems in a healthy and functional state.
Concepts for sustainable development:
 Control of pollution.
 Reduction of excessive use of resources and
conserving resources.
 Recycling and reuse of material for waste
minimization.
 Using cleaner fuel and technologies.
 Development of good mass transportation
facilities to reduce air pollution.
 By using effective environmental
management tools.(EIA, EMS)
 Environmental Science
… is an
interdisciplinary
and
multidisciplinary
field, drawing on
many diverse
disciplines.
 Multidisciplinary nature of the Environment
studies
“Environmentalstudies” is the scientific study of our
environment and our place in it.

Definition:
“Environmental studies” is the study of
environmental issues.

Ithas broader coverage than environmental science

and includes social aspects of environment also.
 Scope of Environmental Studies
Natural resources- their conservation and
management
Ecology and biodiversity
Environmental pollution and control
Social issues in relation to development and
environment
Human population and environment
Importance of Environmental Education
in present day education system

Environmental Education is recognized as the

process that would help individuals to acquire
essential knowledge and skills to take positive
action towards a batter environment.
 Objectives of Environmental Education
1. An AWARENESS of the environment and its
problems.
2. Basic KNOWLEDGE and understanding of the
environment and its inter-relationship with man.
3. Social VALUES and ATTITUDES which are in
harmony with environmental quality.
4. SKILLS to solve environmental problems.
5. Sense of responsibility and urgency towards
environment so as to ensure appropriate ACTIONS
to solve environmental problems.
6. Consider environment in its totality.
 Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering is based on the
design and manipulation of environmental
processes to obtain a desired outcome.

Environmental engineers apply their

knowledge of the natural sciences (chemistry,
biology and microbiology) with their expertise
in engineering to solve, prevent or correct
environmental problems
 Cont……
Design or manage systems for water distribution and
collection, water treatment solid waste handling and
processing facilities , landfills and air treatment plants.
Work with regulatory agencies to review proposals for
environmental equipment.
Collecting data and assisting in product design.
Developing improved air quality models and pollution
control measures.
 Working with an environmental health and safety board
on various policies and procedures.
Developing mitigation measures to ensure safety
Some of the activities handled by
Environmental Engineer
 Waste Management,
 Toxic Material Control,
 Water Supply,
 Storm Water Management,
 Solid Waste Disposal,
 Land Management,
 Public Health & safety,
 Radiation Protection,
 Industrial Hygiene,
 Air Quality Control
LATER……