VELAMMAL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, MADURAI
(AUTONOMOUS)
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
SEMESTER-II/IV
21CH103 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE L T P C
(Common to all B.E / B.Tech. Programmes) 2 0 0 2
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To describe the structure and function of an ecosystem and biodiversity
To interpret the environmental impacts of natural resources.
To demonstrate causes, effects and control measures of different types of pollution.
To manipulate the importance of disaster management, environmental ethics and values.
To dramatize the important social issues and sustainable practices.
UNIT-I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY 6
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies - ecosystem- general structure and function of an ecosystem- ecological
succession-biodiversity-types-values of biodiversity- endangered and endemic species-red data book- hot spots of
biodiversity-criteria- hot spots in India-threats to biodiversity (man-animal conflicts, habitat loss, poaching)-case studies-
conservation of biodiversity- in-situ and ex-situ conservation.
UNIT-II NATURAL RESOURCES AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 6
Natural resources-forest resource-ecological functions – causes, effects and control measures of deforestation-water
resource-sources-conflict over water-dams benefits and problems-food resource-overgrazing- impacts of over grazing-
impacts of modern agriculture-energy resource-environmental impacts of wind mills and solar panels- role of an individual in
conservation of natural resources.
UNIT III ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL 6
Air pollution-causes, effects and control methods - water pollution- causes, effects-waste water treatment-soil pollution-
causes, effects-solid waste management–e-waste- causes, effects and management-Pollution control acts-air(prevention and
control of pollution) act,1981-water(prevention and control of pollution) act,1974- wildlife (protection) act,1972 - e-waste
management rules,2016-case studies - role of an individual in control of pollution.
UNIT IV DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS 6
Disaster management-causes, effects and management of- flood, landslide, earthquake and tsunami-case studies-
environmental ethics- value education-traditional value systems in India-water conservation-rain water harvesting-watershed
management.
UNIT V SOCIAL ISSUES AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES 6
Unsustainable development- social issues-climate change-causes, effects and control measures-global warming-causes,
effects and control measures-Acid rain-causes, effects and control measures-ozone layer depletion-causes, effects and control
measures-nuclear accident and holocausts-EIA-Sustainable development-goals-target- green buildings- ISO 14000 series.
30 PERIODS
COURSE OUTCOMES :At the end of the course, learners will be able to
CO 1 : Explain the concept, structure and function of an ecosystem and biodiversity.
CO2 : Demonstrate the environmental impacts of natural resources.
CO 3 : Illustrate the suitable management method for pollution control.
CO 4 : Relate the proper way of managing disaster with environmental ethics.
CO 5 : Apply social issues and adopt suitable sustainable practices.
Text Books:
1. Kaushik, A &Kaushik. C.P, “Environmental Science and Engineering”, 6th Edition, New Age International, 2018.
2. Garg S.K &Garg, Ecological and Environmental studies, Khanna Publishers, 2015.
3. Wright &Nebel, Environmental science towards a sustainable future, 12thEditon, Prentice Hall of India Ltd, 2015.
Reference Books:
1. ErachBharucha, “Text book of Environmental studies for Undergraduate courses”, 3rd Edition, UGC, 2021.
2. Ravi P. Agrahari, Environmental ecology, Biodiversity, climatic change & Disaster management, 1st Edition, McGraw
Hill, 2020
3. Benney Joseph, “Environmental Science and Engineering”, 1st Edition, McGraw Hill Education (India) Pvt Ltd, New
Delhi, 2017.
DEPT.OF CHEMISTRY, VCET Page 1 of 72
, UNIT-I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies:
ENVIRONMENT
The word Environment is derived from the French word ‘énviron’ meaning surrounding.
Environment can be defined as ‘the sum total of all living and non-living things interacting
with one another’.
Environmental Science
It is the study of the environment with its biotic and abiotic components and their inter
relationships.
Environmental Engineering
It is the application of engineering principles to protect and enhance the quality of the
environment for public health and welfare.
ECOSYSTEMS
ECOLOGY
Study of interactions that organisms have with each other, with other organisms, and with
abiotic components of their environment. (ECO = oikos – home; Logy – study of)
ECOSYSTEM
An ecosystem is a community of different species of living organisms interacting with one
another and with the non-living components of their environment (things like air, water and
mineral soil)
Community – Populations of different species living in a particular place interacting with
one another
Population – A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular place.
BIOME
A biome is a large geographic area defined by characteristic climate features and dominant
plant and animal life. A biome can be made up of many ecosystems. For example a terrestrial
biome can consist of forest, grassland and desert ecosystems
BIOSPHERE
It is the ecological system of the whole globe
DEPT.OF CHEMISTRY, VCET Page 2 of 72
, TYPES OF ECOSYSTEMS
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF AN ECOSYSTEM
Components and Structure
1. Abiotic components – These are the non- living components of the ecosystem
Physical components – air, water, soil, climatic conditions
Chemical components – nutrients like carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen oxygen, sulphur, organic
and inorganic compounds
2. Biotic components –These are the living components of the ecosystem like plants,
animals, microorganisms etc. The status of the living components depend on how the
organisms get their food. They are broadly classifies into producers and consumers.
Producers / Autotrophs
These are of two types – photo autotrophs and chemoautotrophs
Photoautotrophs (auto – self; troph – food; photo – light) – these are green plants and trees
that produce food by photosynthesis using sun light.
Chemoautotrophs – these produce food by using chemical compounds as sun light is not
available – as in deep oceans –deep ocean flora like bacteria
Consumers /heterotrophs
Organisms that eat the producers and other organisms for food and energy are called
consumers. These can be classifies as
a. Herbivores – they are plant eaters –or eat the producers; hence they are called
primary consumers- deer, rabbit, giraffe, bison etc.
b. Carnivores – they are meat eaters – they feed on other consumers – secondary
consumers feed on herbivores – fox, snakes etc. Tertiary consumers feed on
secondary consumers – lion, tiger, vulture etc. The carnivore that is not eaten by
other animals is called the top carnivore or apex carnivore – lion.
c. Omnivores – these feed on both plants and animals – humans, many birds etc.
d. Detritivores – detritus eaters- these eat the dead animals and partially decomposed
dead matter – vulture, hawks, insects, earthworms etc.
DEPT.OF CHEMISTRY, VCET Page 3 of 72
, e. Decomposers – these decompose the dead and decaying matter into simpler
organic and inorganic compounds and return the nutrients to the ecosystem –
bacteria, fungi
Each level in the biotic component is called a trophic level and the trophic levels form the
structure of the ecosystem. The structure can be represented as
FUNCTIONS OF THE ECOSYSTEMS
Primary function – production of food (energy) – photosynthesis / chemosynthesis
Secondary function – distribution of mass and energy
Tertiary function – decomposition of dead and decaying matter
Energy and mass (material) flow are carried out through Nutrient cycle, food chains and food
web
Food Chain
• A food chain is a linear network based on the food eaten by organisms at various
trophic levels starting from producer (such as grass or trees) and ending at apex
predator (like lions or sharks), detritivores (like earthworms, ants and other insects),
or decomposer species (such as fungi or bacteria).
• A food chain shows how the organisms are related with each other by the food they
eat.
• Each level of a food chain represents a different trophic level
• There are two major types of food chains
Grazing food chain – this starts with producers of the ecosystem and ends
with top carnivores
Detritus food chain – this starts with dead and decaying organisms
consumed by detritivores and decomposers and the nutrients are cycled
back to the producers.
DEPT.OF CHEMISTRY, VCET Page 4 of 72
(AUTONOMOUS)
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
SEMESTER-II/IV
21CH103 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE L T P C
(Common to all B.E / B.Tech. Programmes) 2 0 0 2
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To describe the structure and function of an ecosystem and biodiversity
To interpret the environmental impacts of natural resources.
To demonstrate causes, effects and control measures of different types of pollution.
To manipulate the importance of disaster management, environmental ethics and values.
To dramatize the important social issues and sustainable practices.
UNIT-I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY 6
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies - ecosystem- general structure and function of an ecosystem- ecological
succession-biodiversity-types-values of biodiversity- endangered and endemic species-red data book- hot spots of
biodiversity-criteria- hot spots in India-threats to biodiversity (man-animal conflicts, habitat loss, poaching)-case studies-
conservation of biodiversity- in-situ and ex-situ conservation.
UNIT-II NATURAL RESOURCES AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 6
Natural resources-forest resource-ecological functions – causes, effects and control measures of deforestation-water
resource-sources-conflict over water-dams benefits and problems-food resource-overgrazing- impacts of over grazing-
impacts of modern agriculture-energy resource-environmental impacts of wind mills and solar panels- role of an individual in
conservation of natural resources.
UNIT III ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL 6
Air pollution-causes, effects and control methods - water pollution- causes, effects-waste water treatment-soil pollution-
causes, effects-solid waste management–e-waste- causes, effects and management-Pollution control acts-air(prevention and
control of pollution) act,1981-water(prevention and control of pollution) act,1974- wildlife (protection) act,1972 - e-waste
management rules,2016-case studies - role of an individual in control of pollution.
UNIT IV DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS 6
Disaster management-causes, effects and management of- flood, landslide, earthquake and tsunami-case studies-
environmental ethics- value education-traditional value systems in India-water conservation-rain water harvesting-watershed
management.
UNIT V SOCIAL ISSUES AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES 6
Unsustainable development- social issues-climate change-causes, effects and control measures-global warming-causes,
effects and control measures-Acid rain-causes, effects and control measures-ozone layer depletion-causes, effects and control
measures-nuclear accident and holocausts-EIA-Sustainable development-goals-target- green buildings- ISO 14000 series.
30 PERIODS
COURSE OUTCOMES :At the end of the course, learners will be able to
CO 1 : Explain the concept, structure and function of an ecosystem and biodiversity.
CO2 : Demonstrate the environmental impacts of natural resources.
CO 3 : Illustrate the suitable management method for pollution control.
CO 4 : Relate the proper way of managing disaster with environmental ethics.
CO 5 : Apply social issues and adopt suitable sustainable practices.
Text Books:
1. Kaushik, A &Kaushik. C.P, “Environmental Science and Engineering”, 6th Edition, New Age International, 2018.
2. Garg S.K &Garg, Ecological and Environmental studies, Khanna Publishers, 2015.
3. Wright &Nebel, Environmental science towards a sustainable future, 12thEditon, Prentice Hall of India Ltd, 2015.
Reference Books:
1. ErachBharucha, “Text book of Environmental studies for Undergraduate courses”, 3rd Edition, UGC, 2021.
2. Ravi P. Agrahari, Environmental ecology, Biodiversity, climatic change & Disaster management, 1st Edition, McGraw
Hill, 2020
3. Benney Joseph, “Environmental Science and Engineering”, 1st Edition, McGraw Hill Education (India) Pvt Ltd, New
Delhi, 2017.
DEPT.OF CHEMISTRY, VCET Page 1 of 72
, UNIT-I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies:
ENVIRONMENT
The word Environment is derived from the French word ‘énviron’ meaning surrounding.
Environment can be defined as ‘the sum total of all living and non-living things interacting
with one another’.
Environmental Science
It is the study of the environment with its biotic and abiotic components and their inter
relationships.
Environmental Engineering
It is the application of engineering principles to protect and enhance the quality of the
environment for public health and welfare.
ECOSYSTEMS
ECOLOGY
Study of interactions that organisms have with each other, with other organisms, and with
abiotic components of their environment. (ECO = oikos – home; Logy – study of)
ECOSYSTEM
An ecosystem is a community of different species of living organisms interacting with one
another and with the non-living components of their environment (things like air, water and
mineral soil)
Community – Populations of different species living in a particular place interacting with
one another
Population – A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular place.
BIOME
A biome is a large geographic area defined by characteristic climate features and dominant
plant and animal life. A biome can be made up of many ecosystems. For example a terrestrial
biome can consist of forest, grassland and desert ecosystems
BIOSPHERE
It is the ecological system of the whole globe
DEPT.OF CHEMISTRY, VCET Page 2 of 72
, TYPES OF ECOSYSTEMS
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF AN ECOSYSTEM
Components and Structure
1. Abiotic components – These are the non- living components of the ecosystem
Physical components – air, water, soil, climatic conditions
Chemical components – nutrients like carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen oxygen, sulphur, organic
and inorganic compounds
2. Biotic components –These are the living components of the ecosystem like plants,
animals, microorganisms etc. The status of the living components depend on how the
organisms get their food. They are broadly classifies into producers and consumers.
Producers / Autotrophs
These are of two types – photo autotrophs and chemoautotrophs
Photoautotrophs (auto – self; troph – food; photo – light) – these are green plants and trees
that produce food by photosynthesis using sun light.
Chemoautotrophs – these produce food by using chemical compounds as sun light is not
available – as in deep oceans –deep ocean flora like bacteria
Consumers /heterotrophs
Organisms that eat the producers and other organisms for food and energy are called
consumers. These can be classifies as
a. Herbivores – they are plant eaters –or eat the producers; hence they are called
primary consumers- deer, rabbit, giraffe, bison etc.
b. Carnivores – they are meat eaters – they feed on other consumers – secondary
consumers feed on herbivores – fox, snakes etc. Tertiary consumers feed on
secondary consumers – lion, tiger, vulture etc. The carnivore that is not eaten by
other animals is called the top carnivore or apex carnivore – lion.
c. Omnivores – these feed on both plants and animals – humans, many birds etc.
d. Detritivores – detritus eaters- these eat the dead animals and partially decomposed
dead matter – vulture, hawks, insects, earthworms etc.
DEPT.OF CHEMISTRY, VCET Page 3 of 72
, e. Decomposers – these decompose the dead and decaying matter into simpler
organic and inorganic compounds and return the nutrients to the ecosystem –
bacteria, fungi
Each level in the biotic component is called a trophic level and the trophic levels form the
structure of the ecosystem. The structure can be represented as
FUNCTIONS OF THE ECOSYSTEMS
Primary function – production of food (energy) – photosynthesis / chemosynthesis
Secondary function – distribution of mass and energy
Tertiary function – decomposition of dead and decaying matter
Energy and mass (material) flow are carried out through Nutrient cycle, food chains and food
web
Food Chain
• A food chain is a linear network based on the food eaten by organisms at various
trophic levels starting from producer (such as grass or trees) and ending at apex
predator (like lions or sharks), detritivores (like earthworms, ants and other insects),
or decomposer species (such as fungi or bacteria).
• A food chain shows how the organisms are related with each other by the food they
eat.
• Each level of a food chain represents a different trophic level
• There are two major types of food chains
Grazing food chain – this starts with producers of the ecosystem and ends
with top carnivores
Detritus food chain – this starts with dead and decaying organisms
consumed by detritivores and decomposers and the nutrients are cycled
back to the producers.
DEPT.OF CHEMISTRY, VCET Page 4 of 72
