Environmental Engineering Sciences Flashcards
1
Q
It is composed of Animals, plants forests, fungi, etc.
A
Living things (Biotic factors)
2
Q
It is composed of Continents, oceans, clouds, soil, rocks
A
Non-living things (Abiotic factors)
3
Q
It is composed of Buildings, human-created living centers
A
Built environment
4
Q
It is part of all the things around us which we can interact
A
Social relationships and institutions
5
Q
it implies the protective blanket of gases
surrounding the earth
A
Atmosphere
6
Q
is the outer mantle of the solid earth which
consists of minerals occurring in the earth’s crusts and the
soil (e.g. minerals, organic matter)
A
Lithosphere
7
Q
it indicates the realm of living organisms and
their interactions with environment
A
Biosphere
8
Q
comprises all types of water resources
A
Hydrosphere
9
Q
It is the study of the moral relationship of human
beings with the environment and its non-human
contents.
A
Environmental Ethics
10
Q
the study of good and bad, right and wrong
A
Ethics
11
Q
ethics vary with social context
A
Relativist:
12
Q
right and wrong remains the same across cultures and
situations
A
Universalists
13
Q
part of 3 ethical perspectives in which, only humans have rights
‣Costs and benefits are measured only according to their impact
on people
‣ Anything not providing benefit to people has no value
A
Anthropocentrism:
14
Q
part of 3 ethical perspectives in which, certain living things also have value
‣ All life has ethical standing
‣ Development is opposed if it destroys life, even if it creates jobs
A
Biocentrism:
15
Q
part of 3 ethical perspectives in which, whole ecological systems have value
‣ Values the well-being of species, communities, or ecosystems
‣ Holistic perspective, stresses preserving connections
A
Ecocentrism:
16
Q
A distinct branch of economics that acknowledges the value of both the environment and the economic activity
and make choices based on those values.
A
Environmental Economics
17
Q
is a misallocation of environmental resources due to a pricing problem
A
Scarcity
18
Q
establishes an institutional structure for preventing and awaiting water
pollution by setting standards for water quality and effluents
A
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974
19
Q
provides guidelines for the control and abatement of air pollution
A
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981
20
Q
authorizes the central government to protect and improve environmental quality, control, and reduce pollution from all sources, and prohibit or restrict
the setting and operation of any industrial facility on environmental grounds
A
The Environment Protection Act 1986
21
Q
provides guidelines for the conservation of biological diversity, sustainable
use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising
out of the use of biological resources and knowledge associated with it.
A
The Biological Diversity Act 2002
22
Q
‣ provide guidelines to control the generation, collection, treatment,
import, storage, and handling of hazardous wastes
A
Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 1989
23
Q
‣ apply to every municipal authority responsible for the collection,
segregation, storage, transportation, processing, and disposal of
municipal solid wastes
A
The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules
2000
24
Q
been laid down for the regulation of production and consumption of
ozone depleting substances*
A
The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules
2000
25
scientific study of all the components or
factors that make or influence our life-supporting biophysical
environment.
Environmental science (EVS)
26
an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates various fields (particularly sciences) to study the structure and function of our life-supporting environment and to understand causes, effects, and solutions of different environmental problems.
Environmental science (EVS)
27
an engineering discipline that encompasses broad scientific topics like chemistry, biology, ecology, geology, hydraulics, hydrology, microbiology, and mathematics
to create solutions that will protect and also improve the health of living organisms and improve the quality of the environment
Environmental Engineering
28
the application of scientific and
engineering principles to improve and maintain the environment to:
➡protect human health
➡protect nature’s beneficial ecosystems
➡improve environmental-related enhancement of the quality of
human life
Environmental Engineering
29
are substances and energy sources needed for
survival.
Natural resources
30
perpetually available (e.g. sunlight, wind, wave energy)
➡ renew themselves over short periods of
time (e.g. timber,
water, soil)
Renewable resources
31
➡ can be depleted
(e.g. oil, coal, minerals)
Non-renewable resources
32
the global human population growth in which there are:
- stable food supplies
Agricultural revolution
- stable food supplies
33
the global human population growth in which there are:
- urbanized society powered by
fossil fuels
- sanitation and medicines
- more food
Industrial revolution
34
❖Human population growth amplifies all_________
Environmental problems
35
‣ interplay between population growth, resource depletion,
and environmental degradation causes concern
economic and industrial development is
inevitably accompanied by changing patterns of
consumption.
36
results to persistence of poverty since environmental
deterioration affects the poor and disadvantaged
Economic development contributes to environmental stress
37
The environmental impact of a person
or population
‣ Amount of biologically productive land
& water needed to supply the people
in a particular area
‣ with renewable resources and
absorbs and recycle wastes
“ecological footprint”
38
Can help avoid mistakes made by past civilizations
‣ Human survival depends on how we interact with old
environment
‣ Our impacts are now global
‣ Many great civilizations have fallen after depleting their
resources.
Environmental Science in
relation to Environment
39
developing solutions to
environmental problems: information
about the natural world
Natural sciences
40
developing solutions to
environmental problems: study human
interactions and behavior
Social sciences
41
the pursuit of knowledge
about the natural world
‣ Scientists try to remain
objective
Environmental science
42
‣ Environmentalism activism
‣ a social movement dedicated
to protecting the natural world
Environmentalism
43
is a social movement through which citizens are involved in
activism to further the protection of environmental landmarks and
natural resources
Environmentalism
44
This is not a science, but incorporates some aspects of
environmental knowledge to advance conservations and
sustainability efforts
Environmentalism
45
The most comprehensive scientific assessment of the condition
of the world’s ecological systems
From the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment: Global Assessment
Report on Environment
46
‣ Humans have drastically altered ecosystems.
‣ These changes have contributed to human well-being
and economic development, but at a cost.
‣ Environmental degradation could get much worse.
‣ Degradation can be reversed, but it requires work.
From the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment: Global Assessment
Report on Environment
47
Our survival depends on a healthy, functioning planet.
Humans exist within the environment and are part of nature
48
Our interactions with its other parts matter a great deal.
The fundamental insight of environmental science is that we
are part of the natural world.
49
Enriched and longer lives, increased wealth, health,
mobility, leisure time
Humans depend completely on the environment for survival.
50
Pollution, erosion, and species extinction
➡ Environmental changes threaten long-term health and
survival
natural systems have been degraded.
51
enlighten us, about
the importance of protection and conservation
of our indiscriminate release of pollution into
the environment.
Environment Studies:
52
Some of the environmental challenges we face
today are:
Growing population
➡ Poverty
➡ Agricultural growth
➡ Needs of ground water
➡ Development and Forests
➡ Degradation of land
➡ Reorientation of institutions
➡ Reduction of genetic diversity
➡ Evil consequences of urbanization
➡ Air and water pollution
53
To structure the concepts of an
ecosystem into a conceptually
manageable framework, the
biological world is organized into a
nested hierarchy:
Biological Organization
54
Any unicellular or multicellular form
exhibiting all of the characteristics of
life, an individual.
➡ It is the lowest level of organization
Organism
55
➡ A group of organisms of
one species living in the
same place at the same
time that interbreed and
compete with each other
for resources (Ex. food,
mates, shelter)
Population
56
What do organisms need to survive? the Basic requirements
for survival
Food, Water, Shelter, Air, Clothing
57
Several interacting populations that
inhabit a common environment and
are interdependent.
Community
58
Populations in a
community and the
abiotic factors with
they interact ( Ex.
marine ecosystem,
terrestrial ecosystem)
Ecosystem
59
It is a community of plants and animals that
have common characteristics for the
environment they exist in.
➡ They can be found over a range of continents.
➡ Biomes are distinct biological communities that
have formed in response to a shared physical
climate.
Biomes
60
is a broader term than “habitat”,
Biomes
61
Biomes are categorized and define by abiotic factors (non-living)
such as the climate, vegetation and geology. There are ten major
biomes in the world:
❖ Tropical Forest
❖ Savannah
❖ Deserts
❖ Desert Scrubs
❖ Mediterranean
❖ Temperate Grasslands
❖ Temperate Deciduous Forest
❖ Coniferous Forest
❖ Mountains
❖ Tundra
62
➡Life supporting
portions of Earth
composed of air,
land, fresh water,
and salt water.
Biosphere
63
It is everything that is around us. It includes both the
living (biotic) or non-living (abiotic) things. It includes
physical, chemical and other natural forces.
Environment
64
When a population in a community forms a system
resulting from interaction of all living and non-living
factors of the environment makes an
ECOSYSTEM
65
➡The term Ecosystem was first proposed by?
➡He defined it as “the system resulting from the interaction
of all the living and non-living factors of the
environment”
A.G. Tensely in 1935.
66
consists of non-living chemical &
physical components such as air, nutrients in the soil
or water & solar energy. Abiotic factors act as
“limiting factor” that keep a population at a certain
level
Abiotic factors
67
type of Abiotic components in which, includes rain, temperatures, light, wind, etc.
Climatic Factors:
68
type of Abiotic components in which,
Edaphic Factors:
69
all living things that directly or indirectly
affect the ecosystem. Biotic factors interact with other living
organisms and physical environment can also be “limiting
factors” (Ex. disease caused by bacteria, predators, food
resources)
Biotic factors
70
Major Biological Components of Biotic Factors: also known as self-feeders
Producers (autotrophs)
71
Major Biological Components of Biotic Factors: get their energy & nutrients by
feeding on other organisms or their remains
Consumers (heterotrophs)
72
Major Biological Components of Biotic Factors: mostly certain types of bacteria and
fungi are specialized consumers that recycled organic matter in the ecosystems
Decomposers (detritivores)
73
these operate under natural conditions without
any major interference by man
❖ Examples: Forest ecosystem, Aquatic ecosystem, Grassland,
Dessert ecosystem1.Natural Ecosystem
Natural Ecosystem
74
these are maintained artificially by man where by
addition of energy and planned manipulation,
natural balance is disturbed regularly.
❖ Examples: Crop land ecosystem, greenhouses
Artificial (Man Engineered) Ecosystem
75
It is the pathway by which a chemical
substance cycles the biotic and the
abiotic compartments of Earth
BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLE
76
The biotic compartment is the biosphere and the abiotic compartments are the?
atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere
77
Most commonly known biogeochemical cycle
water cycle, sulfur cycle, oxygen cycle, nitrogen cycle
78
process of water cycle
evaporation, condensation, precipitation, transpiration
79
➡ The various components of the ecosystem
constitute an interacting system.
➡ They are connected by energy, nutrients and
minerals.
Dynamics of Ecosystem
80
The ________ and _______ circulate and
recirculate between the abiotic and biotic factors
of the ecosystem several times.
nutrients and minerals
81
is one way, once
used by the ecosystem, it is lost.
flow of energy
82
the dynamics (functions) of the ecosystem includes
the following:
➡Energy
➡Primary production
➡Secondary production
➡Food chain
➡Trophic levels
➡Food web
➡Energy flow
➡Ecological pyramids
➡Biogeochemical cycles
83
Each link in a food chain. a feeding step in the transfer of
energy and matter in an ecosystem.
Trophic Levels
84
Three basic ways in which
food are as:
➡ Producers (autotrophs)
➡ Consumers (heterotrophs)
➡ Decomposers (detritivores)
85
can be represented by numbers, further
levels are numbered subsequently according to how far
the organism is along the food chain.
Level 1: plants and algae make their own food (producers)
Level 2: herbivores eat plants
Level 3: carnivores that eat herbivores
Level 4: carnivores that eat other carnivores
Apex predators: by definition have no natural predators and are at the
top of their food web
86
It shows a one way flow of
energy of in an ecosystem.
❖ It is a linear network of links in a
food web starting from producer
organisms (such as grass which
use radiation from the sun) and
ending at apex predator species
(like grizzly bears).
❖ It basically shows how the
organisms are related with each
other by the food they eat.
food chain
87
❖It shows all the possible
paths that energy can take
in an ecosystem.
❖It is the archetypal ecological
network.
❖It also shows how organisms
are dependent on each other
in the ecosystem.
food web
88
also called the
calorific flow, refers to the flow of energy and matter through the ecosystems influences the abundance and distribution of organisms within it.
Energy flow,
89
❖As you move up a food
chain, both available
energy and biomass
decreases
90
is the source of
energy for almost all
ecosystems.
sun
91
create chemical energy
from abiotic factors that include
solar energy.
Plants
92
created by
producers is passed down to
consumers scavengers, and
decomposers.
food energy
93
are a biotic
factor.
* They control population size
by feeding on prey.
* There is a delicate balance
that needs to be
maintained.
Predators
94
*a species describes the environment
over which a species is known to occur and the type
of community that is formed as a result.
*it can be defined as regions in
environmental space that are composed of multiple
dimensions, each representing a biotic or abiotic
environmental variable; that is, any component or
characteristic of the environment related directly or
indirectly to the use of a location by the animal.
Habitat
95
Examples of
natural
habitats
ocean, forest, desert, grassland
96
Many species can survive in more than one
environment.
❖ But each species has its ______ or habitat.
Home
97
describes the
diversity of life from genes
to ecosystems and spans
every level of biological
organization.
❖It is the variety of life in the
world or in a particular habitat
or ecosystem
❖It includes species diversity,
ecosystem diversity, and
genetic diversity
biological diversity
98
variety of species in a given area
diversity of species
99
variety of habitats, ecosystems, and communities
diversity of ecosystems
100
variety of genetic make up within a species
diversity of genes
101
It describes how a species
fits within its environment
or living under specific
environmental conditions.
niche
102
Niche is all about a
__________ as a
part of a habitat with all
its biological activities
as influenced by biotic
and abiotic factors.
single species
103
describing any relationship
or interaction between two dissimilar
organisms
Symbiosis
104
3 Types of Symbiosis:
Commensalism
Parasitism
Mutualism
105
one species benefits and the other is
neither harmed nor helped
Ex. Shark and remora relationship
Orchids Growing On Tree Branches
Commensalism
105
one species benefits
(parasite) and the other is harmed (host)
Ex. Parasite-host relationship
Parasitism
106
beneficial to both species
Ex. Nile crocodile and Egyptian Plover bird
Mutualism
107
