TOPIC-NATURAL RESOURCES ENVIRONMENT: The physical, biological and social aspects of our surroundings in which we live is known as environment.the natural environment consists of things which have been built by the forces of nature over hundreds of thousand of years. COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT The environment consists of both living and non living things. 1-BIOTIC COMPONENTS-All the living things that are a part of our environment constitute the biotic components. They all require energy for life processes and they get this energy from the food they eat. Example: Plants, animals. 2-ABIOTIC COMPONENTS-All the non living things constitute the abiotic environment. Example: temperature, water,light, humidity, wind and soil. NATURAL RESOURCES Our nature has a variety of plants, animals along with water, soil, air, minerals etc on which man depends for his daily needs and comforts. All such substances present in nature which are used by man for his survival and welfare are called natural resources. TYPES OF NATURAL RESOURCES RENEWABLE RESOURCES-Those resources which can be used several times or are inexhaustible are called renewable resources. Air Water Soil NON RENEWABLE RESOURCES-The resources which are obtained after countless years and are exhaustible are called non renewable resources. Fossil fuels are fuels formed by natural processes such as decomposition of buried dead organisms. The age of the organisms and their resulting fossil fuels is typically millions of years, and sometimes exceeds 650 million years. Fossil fuels contain high percentages of carbon and include : Petroleum Coal Minerals
Pollution of natural resources Air Pollution Air pollution is one such form that refers to the contamination of the air, irrespective of indoors or outside. It occurs when any harmful gases, dust, smoke enters into the atmosphere and makes it difficult for plants, animals and humans to survive as the air becomes dirty. Causes of Air Pollution: Excessive burning of fuels in homes, factories, and powerhouse pollutes the air. Exhaust from automobiles affects eyes and lungs and causes acid rain. Increase of carbon dioxide in the air due to combustion causes global warming which is resulting in the melting of glaciers in polar region. Dust and chemicals released during mining operations. Household cleaning products, painting supplies emit toxic chemicals in the air and cause air pollution.
PRIMARY POLLUTANTS Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Smoke and dust, Chloro Flouro Carbons(CFC), Ammonia Effects of Air pollution: Respiratory, heart problems and neurological disorders. Global warming: With increased temperatures world wide, increase in sea levels and melting of ice from colder regions and icebergs, which will increase the sea level and flooding the coastal areas. Acid rain: Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen coming out from industrial operations and fossil fuels combustion are the major sources of acid forming gases. When they mix with rain acid rain occurs which destroys marble monuments, causes allergies, crops and trees.
Eutrophication: Eutrophication is a condition where high amount of nitrogen present in some pollutants gets developed on sea s surface and turns itself into algae and adversely affect fish, plants and animal species. The green colored algae that is present on lakes and ponds is due to presence of this chemical only. Depletion of Ozone layer: Ozone exists in earth s stratosphere and is responsible for protecting humans from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Earth s ozone layer is depleting due to the presence of chlorofluorocarbons released from refrigerators, air conditioners, deodorants and insect repellants. As ozone layer will go thin, it will emit harmful rays back on earth and can cause skin and eye related problems. UV rays also have the capability to affect crops. Conservation of Air: Use public mode of transport and encourage people to use car pooling. Save electricity as larger amount of fossil fuel is burnt to produce it. Planting more trees which will purify the air by absorbing more carbon dioxide. Use of unleaded petrol which will reduce particulate pollutants. In factories and petroleum refineries the gases given off should be scrubbed down with water to remove poisonous gases before being released in air.
Water Pollution: Infested with waste ranging from floating plastic bags to chemical waste, our water bodies have turned into a pool of poison. The contamination of water bodies in simplest words means water pollution. Thereby the abuse of lakes, ponds, oceans, rivers, reservoirs etc is water pollution. Causes of water pollution: Sewage from homes is often disposed off into the rivers. Factories produce a lot of waste which are often disposed in rivers. Eutrophication: Fertilizers and pesticides added to the soil gets washed away by rain into water sources where they cause an increase in the growth of certain weeds that use up oxygen dissolved in water.
Effects of water pollution Causes water borne diseases like typhoid, amoebiasis, hookworm, hepatitis, stomach ache, diarrhea. Lack of developmental growth Exposure to mercury causes Parkinsons disease (degenerative disorder of the central nervous system).symptoms are movement related which include shaking, rigidity, difficulty in walking. Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning.symptoms include ataxia, numbness in hands and feet, general muscle weakness, narrowing of the field of vision and damage to hearing and speech. Conservation of water: Get rain tanks and collect the rainwater in them. That water can be used for gardening and washing cars. Using of less water and avoiding wastage at home. Using non toxic soaps, detergents and cleaning products. Avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides on your lawns. Dispose off paints, motor oil, gasoline in proper manner Protect groundwater which is critical for drinking and irrigation purpose. Soil Pollution:
The pollution of soil is a common thing these days, and it happens due to the presence of man made elements. It is a result of acid rain, polluted water,fertilizers. Causes of soil pollution: Industrial waste and domestic waste lingers in the soil surface for a long time and makes it suitable for use. Need for increased yield has forced farmers to use chemical fertilizers which ultimately ruin soil fertility. Chemical pesticides, weedicides pollute the soil kill beneficial insects and worms. Underground storage tank leakages which release hydrocarbons and pesticides.
Soil conservation: Avoid excessive construction works. Mining and other similar activities make the good soil go down the crust.excess of these activities should be discouraged in order to retain the top soil. Plants should be grown in wastelands. Do not leave your land barren especially when water or moisture is available. Conservation of fossil fuels: 1. Prefer natural light to artificial light. 2. Switch off lights and power points when not in use. 3. Avoid using cars and vehicles as they consume non renewable resources of energy like petrol, diesel. 4. Tune up engines regularly so that it does not emit much exhaust when started.
Peeping into The Globe Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India is a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). It was established in 1974 under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. CPCB is also entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The World Conservation Union The IUCN is the world's largest conservation organization, bringing together 82 States, 111 government agencies, more than 800 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. The Union s mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.
Excercise Q 1. Fill in the blanks: 1.Environment involves the, and aspects of our surrounding. 2.Wise and careful use of resources is known as 3. People can get by consuming polluted water. 4. and are two non renewable resources. 5. The two components of environment are & Q 2. Answer the following: a) Difference between renewable and non renewable resources. Renewable Resources Non Renewable Resources b) Water is indispensible for all living organisms-write some points to support it. c) Write four points on significance of air.
d) How is soil useful to us? e) How fertilizers and pesticides pollute the water? f) How can we prevent the use of pesticides? g) What are the steps needed to be taken for conservation of fossil fuels? h) What should be done to keep the water clean? Give three points.
i) Soil conservation is not a difficult task. Give three reasons to support your answer. j) Name the harmful gas emitted by air conditioners and its effect on ozone layer. Q 4.Give reasonsa) Eutrophication a) Nitrogen present in fertilizers is causing water pollution. b) Turn off the engines of vehicles at red light signal. c) Sometimes rain causes damage to skin and crops in highly polluted areas.