Showing posts with label Environmental Science and Engineering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Environmental Science and Engineering. Show all posts

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Two Marks Questions With Answers 2014

Anna University, Chennai

Anna_University,_Chennai_logo

DHANALAKSHMI SRINIVASAN INSTITUTE OF REASERCH AND

TECHNOLOGY, SIRUVACHUR-621 113

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PART – B QUESTION AND KEY ANSWER

UNIT - I

1. Explain in detail the causes, effects and control measures of Deforestation

Deforestation:

It is process of removal of forest resources due to natural or man made activities (i.e.) destruction of forests.

Causes of deforestation:

1. Developmental projects:

Developmentalprojects causes deforestation through two ways.

1.Through submergence of forest area.

2.Destruction of forest area.

(e.g) big dams, hydro electric projects, road construction etc.

2. Mining operations:

It reduces forest areas. (e.g.)Mica, coal, Manganese and lime stone.

3. Raw materials for industries:

Wood is an important raw material for various purposes. (e.g.) making boxes, furniture and paper etc.

4. Fuel requirement:

Wood is the important fuel for rural and tribal population.

5. Shifting cultivation:

Replacement of natural forest ecosystem for mono specific tree plantation. (eg) teak

6. Forest fires:

Forest fire destructs thousands of forest.

7. Over grazing:

Over grazing by cattle reduces the cultivation land.

CONSEQUENCES OF DEFORESTATION (or) ILL EFFECTS (or) IMPACT OF DEFORESTATION

1. Economic loss

2. Loss of biodiversity

3. Destructs the habitats of various species

4. Reduction in stream flow

5. Increases the rate of global warming

6. Disruption of weather patterns and global climate

7. Degradation of soil and acceleration of the rate of soil erosion.

8. Induces and accelerates mass movement / land slides.

9. Increases flood frequency, magnitude / severity.

10. Breaks the water cycle

11. Breaks the nutrient cycle

12. Loss of forests put additional pressure on the pristine forests.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES (OR) AVOID OF DEFORESTATION (OR) METHODS OF CONSEVATION OF FORESTS

1. New plants of more or less of the same variety should be planted to replace the trees cut down for timber

2. Use of wood for fuel should be discouraged.

3. Forest pests can be controlled by spraying pesticides by using aero planes

4. Forest fire must be controlled by modern techniques.

5. Over grazing by cattle must be controlled.

6. Steps should be taken by the government to discourage the migration of people into the islands from mainland.

7. Education and awareness programmers must be conducted.

8. Strict implementation of law of Forest conservation Act.

2. Writeshort notes on environmental impacts ofmining? Mining:

The process of extracting mineral resources and fossil fuels like coal from the earth.

Types of mining

1. Surface mining: mining of minerals from shallow deposits

2. Underground mining: mining of minerals from deep deposits

Steps involved in mining:

1. Exploration

2. Development

3. Exploitation

4. Ore processing

5. Extraction and purification of minerals

The extent of damage by under ground mining is less than that of surface mining, which

needs enormous amount of land area for it’s operation and management.

Effects of mining:

1. Pollute soil, water and air.

2. Destruction of natural habitat.

3. Continuous removal of minerals leads to the formation of trench where water is logged which contaminates the ground water.

4. Vibrations cause earth quakes.

5. Produces noise pollution

6. Reduces shape and size of the forest.

7. Some timesland slides may also occur.

3. Discuss the effects of dams on forests and tribal people ?

Effects of dams on forest:

1. Thousands of hectares of forest have been cleared.

2. Killing of wild animals and destruction of aquatic life.

3. Spreading of water borne diseases.

4. Water logging reduces the salinity of the soil.

(e.g) Narmadhasagar project it has submerged 3.5 lakhs hectares of forest.

Effects of dam on tribal people:

1. Construction of big dam leads to the displacement of tribal people.

2. Displacement and cultural change affects the tribal people both mentally and physically.

3. They do not accommodate the modern food habits and life style.

4. Tribal people are ill treated by the modern society.

5. Many of the displaced people were not recognised and resettled or compensated.

6. Body condition of tribal people will not suit with new areas and hence they will be affected by many diseases.

4. Discuss the problems of fertilizers and pesticides of modern agriculture ?

1. Problems in using fertilisers:

a. Excess of fertilisers causes micronutrient imbalance. (e.g) Punjab andHaryana

deficiency of nutrient zinc in the soil affect the productivity of the soil.

b. Blue baby syndrome (nitrate pollution)

Nitrate present in the fertiliser causes blue baby syndrome, when the amount exceeds the limit leads to death.

c. Eutrophication:

Nitrogen and phosphorus in the crop fields washed out by run off water in the water bodies, which increases the nourishment of the lakes called eutrophication. Hence algal species increases rapidly. Life time of the species is less and they decompose easily and pollute the water which affects the aquatic life.

2. Problems in using pestcides:

First generation pesticide:

Sulphur, arsenic, lead and mercury. Second generation pesticide: DDT

Number of side effects:

Death ofnon target organism. Producing new pest – super pest

3. Problems in using pestcides:

F

irst generation pesticide:

Sulphur, arsenic, lead and mercury. Second generation pesticide: DDT

Number of side effects:

1. Death of non target organism.

2. Producing new pest – super pest

3. Bio magnification – Most of the pesticides are non bio degradable, keep on concentrating in the food chain and it is harmful to human beings.

4.Risk of cancer:

It directly acts as carcinogen

It indirectly supports immune system.

5. Write short notes on renewable energy resources? Renewable energy sources:

Energy which can be regenerate

Solar energy:

Nuclear fusion reaction of sun produces enormous amount of energy. Several techniques are available for collecting, storing and using solar energy.

Solar cell (or) Photovoltaic cell (or) PV cell:

Solar cell consist of p- type semi conductor (Si doped with B)And n-type semi conductor(Si doped with P). p-type forms top layer and n-type forms bottom layer.. solar rays fall on the top layer , the electrons fron valence band promoted to the conduction band which crosses the p-n junction into n-type semi conductor. Potential difference between the two layers is created which causes flow of electrons.

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Uses:

Solar cell

It is used in calculators, electronic watches, street light, water pumps etc.

Solar battery:

Large number of solar cells connected in series is called solar battery. It is used in remote areas where continuous power supply is a problem.

Solar water heater:

It consist of insulated box painted with black paint with glass lid. Inside the box black painted copper coil is present. Cold water is allowed to flow, it is heated up and flows out into a storage tank from which water is supplied through pipes.

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Windenergy:

Moving air iscalled wind. The energy recovered from the force of the wind is called windenergy

It’s speed is high.

Wind mills:

When a blowing wind strikes the blade of the wind mill, it rotates continuously. And rotational motion of the blade drives number of machines like water pump, flour mills and electric generators.

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Wind farms:

When a large number of mills are installed and joined together in a definite pattern – it forms wind farm. It produces large amount of electricity.

Condition:

Minimum speed for wind generator is 15 Km/hr

Advantages:

1. It does not cause air pollution

2. Very cheap

Land resources:

Land is the most important valuable resource for mankind, It provides food, fibre, medicine.

It is a mixture of inorganic materials and organic materials. To construct building

Acts as a dustbin for most of the wastes created by the modern society.

Land degradation:

It is a process of deterioration of soil or loss of fertility.

Effects of land degradation:

1. Soil texture and soil structure are destructed.

2. Loss of soil fertility.

3. Loss of valuable nutrients.

4. increase in water logging, salinity, alkalinity and acidity problem.

Causes of land degradation:

1. Population:

More land is needed for producing food, fibre and fuel wood. So land is degraded due to over exploitation.

2. Urbanisation:

Urbanisation reduces the agricultural land. Urbanisation leads to deforestation, which inturn affects millions of plants and animals.

3. Fertilizers and pesticides:

It affects fertility of the soil and causes land pollution.

4. Damage of top soil:

Increase in food production generally leads to damage of top soil through nutrient depletion.

5. Water logging, soil erosion, salination and contamination of the soil with industrial

6. wastes and cause land degradation.

6. Write short notes on causes effects and control measures of soil erosion? Soil erosion:

The process of removal of superficial layer of the soil from one place to another is called

soil erosion.

Harmful effects of soil erosion:

1. Soil fertility decreases due to the loss of top soil layer.

2. Loss of it’s ability to hold water and sediments.

3. Sediments run off can pollute water and kill aquatic life.

Causes of soil

1.water

water causes soil erosion in the form of rain, run off, rapid flow and wave action.

2. wind:

It is an important climatic agent, which carry away the fine particles of soil creates soil

erosion.

3. Biotic agent:

Over grazing, mining and deforestation are the major biotic agent cause soil erosion.

35% of soil erosion is due to over grazing and 30% is due to deforestation.

4. Land slide:

It causes soil erosion.

5. Construction:

Construction of dams, buildings, roads removes protective vegetal cover and leads to soil erosion.

Control of soil erosion (or) Soil conservation practices:

The art of soil conservation is based on following basic principles

1. To slow down the water for concentrating and moving down the slope in a narrow path.

2. To slow down the water movement when it flows along the slope.

3. To encourage more water to enter into the soil.

4. To increase the size of soil particles.

5. Reduction in the wind velocity near the ground by growing vegetation.

7. Discuss the roleof an individual in conservation of natural resources? Conservation of energy:

1. Switch off light, fan and other appliances when not in use.

2. Use solar heater for cooking.

3. Dry the cloth in the sun light instead of driers.

4. Use always pressure cookers

5. Grow trees near the house to get cool breeze instead of using AC and ai cooler.

6. Ride bicycle or just walk instead of using scooter for ashort distance.

Conservation of water:

1. Use minimum water for all domestic purposes.

2. check the water leaks in pipes and repair them properly.

3. Reuse the soapy water, after washing clothes for washing courtyard, carpets etc.

4. Use drip irrigation.

5. Rain water harvesting system should be installed in all the houses.

6. Sewage treatment plant may be installed in all industries and institution.

7. Continuous running of water taps should be avoided.

8. Watering of plants should be done in the evening..

Conservation of soil:

1. Grow different type plants i.e trees, herbs and shrubs.

2. In the irrigation process, using strong flow of water should be avoided.

3. Soil erosion can be prevented by sprinkling irrigation.

4. Use green manures in the garden.

5. Use mixed cropping.


UNIT II

1. Write short notes on i) food chain and food web? FOOD CHAIN :

Plants by photosynthesis convert solar energy into protoplasm. Small herbivores consume the vegetable matter and convert into animal matter which in turn eaten by large carnivores. This sequence of eaten and being eaten , produces transfer of food energy known as food chain.

Producers Consumer I order Consumer II order Decomposers

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(Plants) (Deer) (Tiger, Lion) (Bacteria, fungi)

FOOD WEB:

The food relationship between various organisms is being depicted by linking all the possible prey and predators of different food level. In an ecosystem linking of feeding habit relations will provide a food web.

clip_image012Mouse snake

Grass Rabbit Hawk

Grasshopper Lizar

2. Explain the characteristic features and functions of forest eco system ? Definition: It is a natural ecosystem consisting of dense growth of trees and wild animals Characteristics:

Abiotic: soil, sun light, temperature etc

Biotic : forest trees, shrubs and animals

Structure:

Producer : trees and shrubs

Consumer : Primary – elephants, deer etc.

Secondary – snakes, birds, lizards etc

Tertiary – lions, tigers etc

Decomposers : fungi, bacteria

3. Explain the characteristic features and functions of aquatic eco system?

Definition:

Deals with water bodies and biotic communities present in them-Classified as fresh water and marine ecosystems. Fresh water systems are classified as lentic and lotic ecosystems. Characteristics:

Structural Components:

Abiotic: pH, nutrients, D.O, temp, climatic conditions, etc. Biotic: Phytoplankton, fishes, snails insects, birds, etc. Functional components:

Ecological pyramid. Energy flow:

Phytoplankton clip_image013 Insects clip_image014 small fishes clip_image015 huge fishes

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Decomposition sediments

4.Explain the characteristic features and functions of Grassland eco system?

GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM:

Dominated by grass – few shrubs and trees are also found – rainfall average but erratic –

overgrazing leads to desertification.

Components:

Structural Components:

Abiotic: soil pH, nutrients, soil moisture, temp, climatic conditions, etc. Biotic: grass, caterpillar, butterfly, worms, insects, birds, etc.

Functional components: Ecological pyramid.

Energy flow:

clip_image024Grass worms Insects small birds huge birds

Decomposition

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sediments

5. Write short notes on hotspots of biodiversity?

Biodiversity Hotspots:

Most of the world’s biodiversity are near the equator especially tropical rain forest and coral reefs. Of all the world’s species, only 10-15% live in North America and Europe.

The Malaysian Peninsula, for instance, has at least 8000 species of flowing plants, while Britain, with an area twice as large, has only 1400 species. South America has 200 000 species of plants.

Areas isolated by water, desert or mountain can also have high conc. of unique species and biodiversity. New Zealand, South Africa and California are all mid-latitude area isolated by barriers that prevent mixing up of biological communities from other region and produce rich, unusual collection of species.

Significance of Biodiversity:

Biosphere is a life supporting system to the human race. Each species in the biosphere has its own significance.

It is the combination of different organisms that enables the biosphere to sustain human race. Biodiversity is vital for a healthy biosphere.

Biodiversity is must for the stability and proper functioning of the biosphere.

Besides these biodiversity is so important due to having consumptive use values, productive use values, social values, ethical values and aesthetic values.

6. Explain the In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity? In-situ conservation:

Conservation of species in its natural habitat, in place where the species normally occurs

The strategy involves establishing small or large protected areas, called protected areas

Today in world, there are 9800 protected areas and 1500 national parks

Methods:

1. Nature or biosphere reserves (Eg) Nilgiri Bio reserve

2. national parks and sanctuaries (Eg) Mudumalai, vedanthangal

3. on farm and home garden conservation for plants, vegetables and fruits to maintain traditional crop varieties.

Ex- situ conservation:

It involves maintenance and breeding of endangered plant and animal species under partially or wholly controlled conditions in zoos, gardens and laboratories

The crucial issue for conservation is to identify those species which are more at risk of extinction.

Methods:

1. long term captive breeding

2. shortage term propagation and release

3. animal translocation and re introductions

4. seed bank

5. reproductive technology

(i) embryo transfer technology

(ii) cloning


UNIT-III

1. Explain in detail the causes and effects of air pollution?

Air pollution is defined as the presence of one (or) more contaminants like dust, smoke, mist and odour in the atmosphere which causes damage to plants, animals and human beings.

Common Air pollutants sources and their effects

CO –formed by the incomplete combustion of carbon containing fuels.

2C + O2 ----------> 2CO

Human Sources –Cigarette smoking, burning fossil fuels. 77% Co comes from motor vehicle exhaust.

Health Effect- Reacts with hemoglobin and reduces the ability of to carry O2to body cells and tissues,which causes headaches and anemia.

NO2–It gives photochemical smog. In atmosphere it reacts with moisture to form HNO3. No2+Moisture ------> HNO3

Human sources: Fossil fuel burning in motor vehicles and power industrial plants.Effect Health, Lung irritation and damage

Environment effect: HNO3corrode metals and eat away stone on buildings, statues, NO2damagesfabrics.

SO2- Formed mostly by the combustion of sulphur containing fossil fuels like coal and oil. It isconverted to H2SO4 in the atmosphere. It is major component of acid deposition.

Human Source- Coal burning in power plants and industrial process.

Health effects- Breathing problems.

Environment effect –Reduce visibility, H2So4damages trees, soil and aquatic life.

Suspended particulate Matter (SPM) -It includes varieties of particles and droplets.

Human Sources –Burning coal in power and industrial plants. Burning diesel and other fuels invehicle, agriculture, unpaved roads construction.

Health Effect –Nose and throat irritation, lung damage, asthma, reproductive problems and cancer.

Environment effect –Reduce visibility, acid deposition & H2SO4droplets damage trees.

O3- Highly reactive irritating gas in the troposphere. It is major component of photo chemical smog.

Human Source- Chemical reactions with volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides.

Environment effect –Moderates the climate.

Photochemical smog: Any chemical reaction activated by light is called photochemical reaction.Photochemical smog is a mixture of more than 100 primary and secondary pollutants formed under the influence of sunlight. Its formation begins inside automobile engines and the boilers in coal burning power and industrial plants.

Health Effect –Breathing problems, cough, ENT irritation, heart diseases etc.,

Environment effect –Smog can reduce visibility.

2. Explain in detail the Control measure of air pollution

1.Emission rates should be restricted to permissible levels in all industries.

2.Air pollution control equipment should be incorporated in plant layout

3.Monitering of the atmosphere for the pollutants should be carried out continuously to know the emission levels.

4.Scrubber, cyclone separator, bag house filter and electrostatic precipitators must be used in manufacturing process to retain harmful materials that must be disposed of safely.

5.The disposal of the collected air pollutants are equally important for controlling air pollution.

6.Use only unleaded petrol

7.Use fuels that have low sulphurs and ash containing.

8.Plant trees along busy streets because they remove particulates and CO and absorb noise

9.Industries and waste disposal should be outside the city area.

10Use catalytic converters to control the emission of CO and hydrocarbon.

2.Discuss the sources, adverse effects and control methods of water pollution?

The alternation in physical, chemical & biological characteristics of water which causes harmful effects on humans and aquatic life.

The major pollutants are sewage, effluents, bacteria. Infections Agents: Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasitic worm

Human Source- Human and animal works

Health Effect –Variety of diseases.

Oxygen demanding wastes: Organic wastes, such as animal manure & Plant debris that aredecomposed by aerobic bacteria.

Human Source- Sewage, animal feedlots, paper mills, food processing facilities. Health Effect –Depletion of dissolved O2in water. This causes death of aquatic life. Inorganic Chemicalwater soluble chemicals like acids.Compounds of toxic metals

likeLead, arsenic and selenium. Salts like NaCl in sea water and fluorides found in some soils

Human Source- Industrial effluents, street wash, household waste.

Health Effect –Causes skin caner& neck damage. Damage nervous system, liver

&Kidney.harmfish and other aquatic life

Organic ChemicalPlastics, pesticides, detergents

Human Source- Industrial effluents, household waste.

Health Effect –Damages nervous system, causes some cancers

Plant Nutrients- Water solublecompoundscontaining Nitrates, (NO4(PO4-3) and NH4+ions

Human Source- Sewage, manure, runs off of agriculture, urban fertilizer. Health Effect –Drinking water with high levels of nitrate lowers the O2carrying capacity ofBlood and kills urban children and infants

Sediment–Soil, silt

Human Source- Land Erosion

Health Effect –Clouds water and reduces photosynthesis. Disturbs aquatic food web carryPesticides, bacteria and other harmful substances.

Radio active materials–Radio isotopes of I2,radon, uranium and thorium

Human Source- I131, Co60, Fe55Nuclear power plants, miningand processing of thorium.

Health Effect –Genetic mutation, birth defects and certain cancers.

Thermal PollutionExcessive heat

Human Source- Water cooling of electric power plants and some types of industrial plants.Hence the temperature of water increases. The rise in temperature decreases the dissolved O2 and affects the aquatic organisms.

4. Explain in detail the Control measure of Water pollution.

1.All domestic and municipal effluents be drained to waterbodies only after treatment

2.Use of pesticides in agriculture should be limited. Only standard quality pesticides Should be used.

3.Chemicals like potassium permanganate should be sprayed regularly to protect water from micro organisms.

4.Radio active substances can be removed by Ion-exchange method.

5.Plants, trees and forests control pollution and they act as natural air conditions.

6.Bacteria are killed by passing chlorine gas into water bodies.

7.Highly qualified and experienced persons should be consulted from time to time for effective control of water pollution.

8.Inorganic wastes can be treated chemically.

9.Acids and bases are removed by neutralization

10.Sewage is treated by biochemical oxidation.The chemicals retards the growth of plants and retard reproduction process.

5. Explain in detail the causes and effects of marine pollution?

The discharge of waste substances in to the sea resulting in harm to the living resources, hazards to the human health hindrances to the fishery and impairment of quality use of sea water.

Effects of marine pollution:

1. Heavy metals and organic pollutants damages birds by thinning of egg shells and tissue damage of egg.

2. Oil pollution causes damage to marine animals and plants including algae bird, fish etc.

3. Oil spilling in the sea causes abnormal low body temperature in birds resulting in hypothermia. During Exxon Valdez accident 150 rare species of bald eagles are affected by ingested oil.

4. Oil films are able to retard the rate of oxygen uptake by water.

5. Hydrocarbon and benzpyrene accumulate in food chain and consumption of fish by man may cause cancer.

Control of marine pollution:

Nature and world conservation union suggest the principles

1. The industrial unit on the coastal lines should be equipped with pollution control instrument.

2. Urbon growth near the coast should be regulated. Methods of removal of oil

Physical methods.

a) skimming the oil off the surface with suction device

b) Floating oil can be absorbed using absorbing materials like ploy urethane foam. c) Chopped straw and saw dust also used to absorbed oil from the sea water.

d) Chemical methods like dispersion , emulsification and using chemical additives are used to coagulated the oil

Protective method:

1. Municipal and industrial waste should be treated before disposing in to sea

2. Coastal waste are periodically analyzed for detecting pollution level

3. Soil erosion in the coastal land should be arrested be suitable techniques

4. Recreation beaches should be maintained to meet hygienic and aesthetic standard.

6. Explain in detail the causes and effects of Radio active pollution?

Radioactive pollution is the physical pollution of air water and soil by radioactive materials. Sources:

Natural source:

The important natural source is space which emits cosmic rays. Soil rocks, air radioactive Rd

222also contain one or more radioactive substances. Man made resources:

Nuclear power plants X-rays, nuclear accidents, nuclear bombs. Mining and refining of plutonium, thorium and preparation of radioactive isotopes.

Effects:

1. Damages to enzymes, DNA, RNA through ionization, cross linkings within and between two affected molecules.

2 .Damage to cell membranes, chromosomes such as fragmentation mitochondria etc.

3.Disruption of central nervous system ,loss of sight, inactivation of bone marrow activity resulting in blood cancer, malignance and ulcerisation in intestinal tract.

4. Death or shortening of life span due to radiation changes in chacteristics due to mutation.

5. Internal bleeding and blood vessel damage may show up as red spots on the skin.

6. Urban children are vulnerable to brain damage or mental retardation if radiation occurs in early pregnancy.

Control Measures:

1Nuclear devices should never be exploded in air. If necessary they may be explode under ground.

2. Leakage of radioactive elements from reactors and labs processing or using them should be totally checked.

3. In nuclear and chemical industries the use of radio isotopes may be carried under a jet of soil or water instead of powder or gaseous form.

4. In nuclear mines wet drilling may be employed along with underground drainage.

5. Nuclear medicines and radiation therapy should be applied when absolutely necessary with minimum dose.

6.Minimum number of nuclear installations should be commissioned.

7. Explain in detail the process of solid waste management?

Management of solid waste is very important to minimize adverse effect of solid waste.

Types of solid waste

Urban waste

Industrial waste.

Sources of urban waste: domestic waste like food waste, waste paper, glass bottles, polythene bags etc.Commercial waste like packing materials cans, bottles, polythene bags etc

Construction wastes like concrete, wood, debris etc .Biomedical waste like Anatomical waste, infectious waste etc

Classification of urban waste:

1. Biodegradable wastes – urban solid waste materials that can be degraded by micro organisms are called biodegradable waste. E.g. food, vegetables, Tea leaves, dried leaves etc.

2. Non biodegradable waste. Urban solid wastes that cannot be degraded by microorganisms are called non biodegradable wastes.

SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES

The main source of industrial waste is chemical industries, metal and mineral processing industries. E.g.

1. Nuclear power plants generate radioactive wastes

2. thermal power plants produce fly ash in large quantities

3. Chemical industries produce toxic and hazardous materials.

4. other industries produce packing materials acid, alkalis, scrap metals, rubber, plastic, glass wood etc

EFFECT OF SOLID WASTE

1.Biodegradable materials in the disposed municipal waste undergo decomposition. This produces foul smell and breeds various types of insects which spoil land well.

2. Industrial waste containing toxic metals and hazardous waste affect soil characteristics.

3. Toxic substances name percolate into the ground and contaminates the ground water.

4. Burning of some industrial waste or domestic waste produces furan, dioxins and poly chlorinated biphenyls which are harmful to human beings.


UNIT-IV

1. What is sustainable development? Discuss in brief the concept of sustainable development.

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

· Conceptforsustainabledevelopment;

1.Developing appropriate technology

2.Reduce,reuse,recycle(3-R)approach

3.Providing environmental education and awareness

4.Consumptionofrenewableresources.

5.Conservationofnonrenewableresources

6.Population control.

2. What are waste lands? Name and discuss the various methods of waste land

reclamation.

The land which is not in use(or un productive) is called waste land. Variousmethods;

1.Drainage

2.leaching

3.irrigationpractices

4.Greenmanuresandbiofertilizers.

5.Applicationsofgypsum.

6.Afforestationprogrammes.

6. Social forestry programmes.

3. Write notes on

(i) ozone layer depletion

Hole in ozone is termed as ozone layer depletion. Ozonedepletingsubstances;

1.Chioro fluoro carbon (CFC)

2.Hydro chloro fluoro carbon(HCFC).

3.Bromo fluoro carbons(BFC)

4.Othor chemicals like halogen compound and sulphur dioxiode. Concequences of ozone layer depletion;

1.Effect on human health.

2.Effect on aquatic system

3.Effect on materials.

4.Effect on climate.

(ii) Acid rain

The presence of SO2 & NO2 gases as pollutants in the atmosphere,the pH of the

rain water is further loweed.This type of precipitation of water is called acid rain(or) acid deposition.

Effect(impact) of acid rain;

1.Effect of acid rain on human beings .

2.Effect of acid rain on buildings.

3.Effect of acid rain on terrestrial and lake ecosystems.

4.Control measures of Acid rain.

4. Write notes on Water shed management. The management of rainfall and resultant runoff is called watershed management. It also involves conservation, regeneration and proper use of water.

Watershed management techniques

1. Trenches (Pits)

2. Earthern dam (or) stone embankment

3. Farm pond 4. Underground barriers (Dykes)

Manintenance of watershed (or) components of integrated watershed management

1. Water harvesting

2. Afforestation and Agroforestry

3. . Reducing soil erosion

4. . Scientific minig and quarrying

5. . Public participation

6. . Minimising livestock population

7.

5.What is rain water harvesting? Name and discuss in brief the types of rain Water harvesting.

Rainwater harvesting is a technique of capturing and storing of rainwater for further utilization.

Need(or) Objectives of Rainwater Harvesting Method (or) type of Rain water Harvesting Roof Top Rainwater Harvesting Method Advantages of Rainwater Harvesting


UNIT-V

1. Explain the term population explosion. Enumerate its effects.

The enormous increase in population, due to low death rate (mortality) and high birth rate (Natality), is termed as population explosion. The human population is not increasing at a uniform rate in all parts of the world.

Doubling Time

The number of years needed for a population to double in size. Causes (or) reasons of population explosion

Effect of population Explosion (or) Environmental and social impacts of growing population

1.poverty 2. Increasing demands for food and natural resources. 3. Inadequate housing and+

health services. 4. Loss of agricultural lands. 5. Unemployment and socio-political unrest.

6. Environmental pollution.

2. What is value education? Discuss the concept of value education.

Value education is an instrument used to analyse our behavior and provide proper direction to our youths. It teaches them the distinction between right and wrong, to be compassionate, helpful, loving, generous and tolerant. So that a youth can move towards the sustainable future.

Methods of imparting value education

1. telling 2. Modeling 3. Role playing 4. Problem solving 5. Studying biographies of great man

Types of Values

1. Universal values (or) Social values 2. Cultural values 3. Individual values 4. Global values

5. Spiritual values

3. Discuss in detail the role of Information technology in environmental management and human health.

Information technology pays a vital role in the field of environmental education. Information technology means collection, processing storage and dissemination of information. A number of software has been developed to study about the environment.

Softwares for environment education

1. Remote Sensing

Application of remote sensing

1. In agriculture 2. In forestry 3. In land cover 4. Water resources

2. Database

Database is the collection of inter-related data on various subjects. In the compter the information of data base is arranged in a systematic manner that is easily manageable and can be very quickly retrieved.

Applications of database

A. The Ministry of Environment and Forest B. Nation Management Information System C. Environmental Information System

3. Geographical Information System

4. Satellite data

5. World wide web

More current data is available on world wide web.

4.Discuss the problems, diagnosis and control of AIDS.

Acquired Immuno Deficiency syndrome caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immune deficiency virus).

Origin HIV / AIDS

1. Trough African Monkey

2. Through Vaccine Programmes

Symptoms (Minor and Major)

Control And Preventive Measures AIDS

1. Education 2. Prevention of Blood borne HIV Transmission 3. Primary Health

Care 4. Counselling Services 5. Drug Treatment

Effects of HIV/ AIDS

Large number of death occurs, which affect environment and natural resources.

5. Write a note on women and child welfare.

Need of Women Welfare

Necessity of formation of women self help group

Objectives of A National Commission For Women

Various schemes of various Organisations Towards Women Welfare

1. The National Network for Women and mining

2. United Nations Decade for Women

3. International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against

Women

4. Non-Government Organizations as Mahila Mandals

5. Ministry for Women And Child Development

CHILD WEFARE

Children occupy nearly 40% of total population. They are considered to be the assets of a society.

Reason for Child Labours

1. Poverty 2. Want of Money

Various schemes of Various Organisations towards Child Welfare\

1. UN Conventions on Rights of Child (or) International law i. Rights of the Child

ii. The right to survival

iii. The right to participation iv. The right to development v. The right to protection

2. World summit on children

3. Ministry of Human Resource Development.

Environmental Science and Engineering Two Marks Questions With Answer

Anna_University,_Chennai_logo

SRINIVASAN ENGINEERING COLLEGE, PERAMBALUR Environmental Science and Engineering

2 Mark Question with answer

UNIT-I

1. State the significance and scope of environmental education? Importance/Significance of the Environmental Studies: Environmental studies

• is concerned with the importance of wild life and its protection

• explains the significant role of biodiversity in establishing ecological balance

• deals with different types of ecosystems, biotic and abiotic factors and their role in the significance and sustenance of ecosystems.

• gives information relating to population explosion, growth and development, impact of population growth on the resource consumption and national economy.

• Explains the significance of forests and their products in the human routine and in country's economy.

• Gives information about water conservation, watershed management.

2. What is deforestation?

The destruction of forest resources by many natural or man-made activities is called

deforestation.

3. What is soil erosion?

The detachment and movement of topsoil by the action of wind and flowing water.

4. What do you mean by overgrazing?

Overgrazing is grazing by livestock or wildlife to the point where the grass cover is

depleted, leaving bare, unprotected patches of soil.

5. List the important causes of water conflicts?

• Severe water shortages

• construction of a dam.

• the use of shared rivers

• Fishing

• Pollution

6. What is land degradation?

Land degradation refers to loss of fertility or productive capacity of the soil.

7. What do you mean by desertification?

Desertification is a slow process of land degradation that leads to desert formation.

8. What are land slides?

Rapid down ward movement of a mass of rock,earth or artificial fill or plant debris on

a slope is called land slide.

9. What are renewable and non renewable energy resources?

Renewable energy resources are those natural resources which are in exhaustible and can

be used to produce energy again and again.

Non renewable energy resources are those natural resources which are exhaustible and cannot be replaced once they are used.

10. State the role and responsibility of an individual in the prevention of pollution?

• Plant trees, shrubs, and groundcover on your property to benefit

the environment.

• If you are on a septic tank system, prevent leakage by making sure it is regularly inspected and properly maintained.

• Avoid the usage of two wheelers or four wheelers, instead use public transport systems like bus or train.

• Use bicycle or travel by foot while going to near by places

• Buy recycled products


UNIT-II

1. Define eco system?

An ecosystem can be defined as an area with in the natural environment consisting of

community of living beings and the physical environment, both interacting and exchanging materials between them.

2. Define food chain and food web?

Food chain is defined as the sequence of organisms directly dependent on one

another for food in an eco system.

Food web is defined as an interconnection of many food chains in an ecosystem.

3. What is ecological succession?

The gradual process of change in an ecosystem brought about by the progressive

replacement of one community by another in a definite order until a stable community is established over a period of time.

4. What is ecological pyramid?

A pyramid-shaped diagram representing quantitatively the numbers of organisms,

energy relationships, and biomass of an ecosystem;

5. What is bio diversity?

'Biodiversity' is defined as the variety of all biological life such as plants, animals,

and microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they live in.

6. Define genetic diversity and species diversity?

Genetic diversity refers to bio diversity due to genetic variation with in each species.

Species diversity refers to the variety of different types of living things on earth.

7. What do you mean by hot spots of bio diversity?

Hot spots are the areas that are extremely rich in bio-diversity, have high level of

endemism and are under constant threat of species extinctions and habitat destruction.

8. What is red data book?

Red Data Book is a book that provides data on population status of the endangered

species of plants and animals.

9. What are endemic species?

Endemic species are those species of plants & animals which are found exclusively in

a particular area and not anywhere else.

10. What are endangered species?

Endangered species are those species of plants & animals which are present in such

small numbers that it is at risk of extinction.

11. What is flora and fauna?

All forms of plant life that live in a particular geographic region at a particular time in

history is called flora.

All animal life that lives in a particular geographic region at a particular time in history is called fauna.

12. Give few examples of endangered and endemic species of india? Endemic species

1 INDIAN DARTER or SNAKE –BIRD

2. LITTLE CORMORANT

Endangered species

1. Lion

2. Tiger


UNIT-III

1. Define environmental pollution?

Lowering of the quality of environment caused by natural and human activities is called environmental pollution.

2. What is air pollution?

The contamination of the air with dust, fumes, gas, mist, odor, smoke, or vapor

which causes harmful effects on living organisms is called air pollution.

3. What do you understand by the term smog?

Smog is mixture of smoke and fog containing particulates.

4. Define photo chemical smog?

Smog produced by the reaction of nitrogen oxides with hydrocarbons in the presence

of ultraviolet light from the sun is called photo chemical smog.

5. Define water pollution?

Water pollution is defined as any physical,chemical or biological change in quality

of water which causes harmful effects on living organisms.

6. Define marine pollution?

Addition of harmful chemical substances and waste materials to ocean that makes it

harmful to aquatic life is called marine pollution.

7. Define thermal pollution or heat pollution?

Addition of excess of undesirable heat to water that makes it harmful to aquatic life

is called thermal pollution.

8. Define C.O.D& B.O.D? C.O.D—Chemical Oxygen Demand B.O.D—Biochemical Oxygen Demand

The amount of oxygen in water consumed for chemical oxidation of pollutants is called C.O.D

The amount of oxygen taken up by microorganisms that decompose organic waste matter in water is called B.OD

9. What is soil pollution?

The contamination of soil by chemical or other waste materials resulting in the

reduction of its fertility is called soil pollution.

10. What is incineration?

It is a treatment technology involving destruction of waste by controlled burning at

high temperatures.

11. What is composting?

Composting is a process in which biodegradable materials are broken down by

micro-organisms in the presence of oxygen. The stable granular decayed material obtained in this process is called compost. It is used as a fertilizer or soil additive.

12. Differentiate recycling from reusing?

Recycling involves collecting used and waste materials from waste streams and

using those materials to manufacture new products.

Reusing involves using a product more than once in its original form.

15. What is disaster management?

Disaster management is the process of preparing, supporting, and

rebuilding society when natural or human-made disasters occur.

16. Define earth quake?

Shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground

movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity is called earth quake.

17. Define Tsunami?

Tsunami is a series of large seismic sea waves that can cause major destruction in

coastal regions.

18. What are particulates?

Particulates are dispersed solid or liquid particles of microscopic size in gas media.

19. What is Noise pollution?

The unwanted, unpleasant or disagreeable sound of high decibels which causes

harmful effect on human health is called noise pollution.

20. What is eutrophication?

The process by which body of water, commonly a lake or pond is enriched by

nutrients which leads to excessive plant growth and oxygen depletion.

21. Define flood and cyclone?

Flood is the rising of a body of water and it’s overflowing onto normally dry land

A cyclone is an area of low pressure in the centre and high pressure outside.

22. What are primary and secondary air pollutants?

Primary air pollutants are those which are emitted directly to the atmosphere

Example: Carbon monoxide (CO), Oxides of sulphur (SOX) and Oxides of nitrogen

( NOX ) etc

Secondary air pollutants are those which are produced in the air by the interaction among two or more primary air pollutants or by reaction with normal atmospheric constituents.

Example: Ozone, photochemical smog etc.

23. Define pollutant?

Any substance which causes lowering the quality of environment is called pollutant.

24. What is meant by point and non point pollution?

Pollution from a single identifiable source such as a factory or a sewage-treatment

plant is called point pollution

Pollution that does not come from a single, identifiable source is called non-point pollution.

25. What are the various sources of radioactive pollution or nuclear pollution?

• Cosmic rays from outer space

• Emissions from radioactive materials on the earth’s crust

• Mining and processing of radioactive ores

• Use of radioactive isotopes in medical ,industrial and research applications

• Use of radioactive materials in nuclear weapons.

26. Define solid waste?

Solid waste is a waste type that includes predominantly household waste

(domestic waste) with sometimes the addition of commercial wastes collected by a municipality within a given area.

27. What is hazardous waste?

A substance, such as nuclear waste or an industrial byproduct, which is potentially

damaging to the environment and harmful to humans and other living organisms, is called hazardous waste.

28. Classify air pollutants with suitable examples?

Air pollutants can be classified in to two types namely primary and secondary air

pollutants.

Primary air pollutants are those which are emitted directly to the atmosphere.

Example: Carbon monoxide (CO), Oxides of sulphur (SOX) and Oxides of nitrogen

( NOX ) etc

Secondary air pollutants are those which are produced in the air by the interaction among two or more primary air pollutants or by reaction with normal atmospheric constituents.

Example: Ozone, photochemical smog etc.

29. Write any two examples for water conflicts?

1. Conflict between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for Kaveri river

2. Conflict between Kerala and Tamil Nadu for Mullaiperiyar dam


Unit –IV

1. Define sustainable development?

The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

2. Define Acid rain?

Rain containing relatively high concentrations of acids produced by sulfur dioxide,

nitrogen dioxide, and other such gases that result from the combustion of fossil fuels and from certain industrial processes.

3. Define Green house effect?

The phenomenon whereby the earth's atmosphere traps solar radiation, caused by the

presence in the atmosphere of gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane that allow incoming sunlight to pass through but absorb heat radiated back from the earth's surface.

4. What are Green house gases?

Any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect are called

Green house gases. These gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (NO2), and water vapor.

5. What is global warming?

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth which causes

more changes on the climate.

6. What is ozone hole or ozone layer depletion?

Ozone hole is an area of the upper atmosphere where the ozone layer is absent or has

become unusually thin.

7. What is rain water harvesting?

Rainwater harvesting is a technology used for collecting and storing rainwater from

rooftops, the land surface or rock catchments.

8. What is watershed management?

Watershed management is the process of creating and implementing plans,

programs, and projects to sustain and enhance watershed functions

9.What is environmental ethics?

Environmental ethics is the ethical realtionship between human beings and the

environment in which they live.


Unit –V

1. Define population explosion?

A rapid increase in the size of a population caused by a sudden decrease in death

rate or an increase in birth rate is called population explosion.

2. What is value education?

Value education is an education which teaches:

• How to live life well?

• How to find happiness?

• How to make others happy?

• How to behave and communicate with others?

• How to manage all kinds of people as well as happenings?

• How to grow and succeed in the right manner?

3. Write the expansion for HIV and AIDS? HIV- Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus

AIDS- Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome

4. What is doubling time?

The doubling time is the period of time required for a given population to double in

size.

5. What are the objectives of family welfare programmes?

• To increase the female literacy rate.

• To enhance child survival through universal immunization.

• To reduce the birth rate

6. What do you mean by human rights?

Human rights are those basic rights which are essential for the development of human

personality such as right to life, liberty, property and security of an individual.

Environmental Science and Engineering Questions Bank 2014

Anna University, Chennai

 Anna_University,_Chennai_logo

Question Bank (16 and 8 marks)

UNIT-I

1. a) Explain in detail the causes, effects and control measures of Deforestation b) Discuss the problems of fertilizers and pesticides of modern agriculture

2. a) Discuss the effects of dams on forests and tribal people

b) Discuss the various types of land degradation with its causes and solutions.

3. Write short notes on causes effects and control measures of soil erosion

4. Write short notes on environmental impacts of mining

5. Write short notes on renewable energy resources


UNIT-II

1. Explain in detail the structure and component of an eco system.

2. Explain the characteristic features and functions of forest eco system and aquatic eco system

3. Explain the characteristic features and functions of Grassland eco system and

Desert eco system

4. Write short notes on food chain and food web

5. Write short notes on ecological succession and ecological pyramids

6. Write short notes on i)Genetic diversity

ii) Species diversity

iii) Ecosystem diversity

7. Write short notes on threats to bio diversity

8. Write short notes on hotspots of biodiversity

9. Discuss India’s mega-diverse biodiversity

10. a)Explain the In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity b) Discuss the values of Bio-diversity


UNIT-III

1. Explain in detail the causes and effects of air and water pollution

2. Explain in detail the causes and effects of marine and noise pollution

3. Write short notes on (i) Bhopal gas tragedy and (ii) Chernobyl disaster

4. Write short notes on Disaster management

5. What is an earth quake? Enumerate its effects. What measures should be taken to mitigate this disaster?

6. Explain in detail the causes, effects and control measures of NOISE and

THERMAL pollution.

7. Explain in detail the process of solid waste management


UNIT-IV

1. What is sustainable development? Discuss in brief the concept of sustainable

development.

2. What are waste lands? Name and discuss the various methods of waste land reclamation.

3. Write notes on (i) Global warming (ii)Ozone layer depletion (iii)Acid rain

4. Write notes on Water shed management

5. What is rain water harvesting? Name and discuss in brief the types of rain Water harvesting.

6. Write note on salient features of Environmental protection act and wild life protection act

7. Discuss the salient features of Forest act

8. Write note on salient features of water act and air act


UNIT-V

1. Explain the term population explosion. Enumerate its effects.

2. What is value education? Discuss the concept of value education.

3. Discuss in detail the role of Information technology in environmental management and human health.

4. Explain the activities of family welfare programme.

5. Discuss the problems, diagnosis and control of AIDS.

6. Write a note on women and child welfare.

Environmental science and engineering 2014 Questions Bank

Anna University, Chennai

Anna_University,_Chennai_logo

SRINIVASAN ENGINEERING COLLEGE, PERAMBALUR

Environmental science and engineering

Question Bank (8 marks)

UNIT-I

1. a) Explain in detail the causes, effects and control measures of Deforestation

b) Discuss the problems of fertilizers and pesticides of modern agriculture

2. a) Discuss the effects of dams on forests and tribal people

b) Discuss the various types of land degradation with its causes and solutions.

3. Write short notes on causes effects and control measures of soil erosion

4. Write short notes on environmental impacts of mining

5. Write short notes on renewable energy resources


UNIT-II

1. Explain in detail the structure and component of an eco system.

2. Explain the characteristic features and functions of forest eco system and aquatic eco system

3. Explain the characteristic features and functions of Grassland eco system and Desert eco system

4. Write short notes on food chain and food web

5. Write short notes on ecological succession and ecological pyramids

6. Write short notes on i)Genetic diversity

ii) Species diversity

iii) Ecosystem diversity

7. Write short notes on threats to bio diversity

8. Write short notes on hotspots of biodiversity

9. Discuss India’s mega-diverse biodiversity

10. a)Explain the In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity

b) Discuss the values of Bio-diversity


UNIT-III

1. Explain in detail the causes and effects of air and water pollution

2. Explain in detail the causes and effects of marine and noise pollution

3. Write short notes on (i) Bhopal gas tragedy and (ii) Chernobyl disaster

4. Write short notes on Disaster management

5. What is an earth quake? Enumerate its effects. What measures should be

taken to mitigate this disaster?

6. Explain in detail the causes, effects and control measures of NOISE and

THERMAL pollution.

7. Explain in detail the process of solid waste management


UNIT-IV

1. What is sustainable development? Discuss in brief the concept of sustainable

development.

2. What are waste lands? Name and discuss the various methods of waste land

reclamation.

3. Write notes on (i) Global warming

(ii)Ozone layer depletion

(iii)Acid rain

4. Write notes on Water shed management

5. What is rain water harvesting? Name and discuss in brief the types of rain Water

harvesting.

6. Write note on salient features of Environmental protection act and wild life

protection act

7. Discuss the salient features of Forest act

8. Write note on salient features of water act and air act


UNIT-V

1. Explain the term population explosion. Enumerate its effects.

2. What is value education? Discuss the concept of value education.

3. Discuss in detail the role of Information technology in environmental

management and human health.

4. Explain the activities of family welfare programme.

5. Discuss the problems, diagnosis and control of AIDS.

6. Write a note on women and child welfare.

Environmental science and engineering Two Marks With Answers

Anna University, Chennai

Anna_University_Logo.svg

UNIT-I

1. State the significance and scope of environmental education? Importance/Significance of the Environmental Studies: Environmental studies

It is concerned with the importance of wild life and its protection

explains the significant role of biodiversity in establishing ecological balance deals with different types of ecosystems, biotic and abiotic factors and their role in the significance and sustenance of ecosystems.

gives information relating to population explosion, growth and development, impact of population growth on the resource consumption and national economy.

Explains the significance of forests and their products in the human routine and in country's economy.

Gives information about water conservation, watershed management.

2. What is deforestation?

The destruction of forest resources by many natural or man-made activities is called

deforestation.

3. What is soil erosion?

The detachment and movement of topsoil by the action of wind and flowing water.

4. What do you mean by overgrazing?

Overgrazing is grazing by livestock or wildlife to the point where the grass cover is

depleted, leaving bare, unprotected patches of soil.

5. List the important causes of water conflicts?

Severe water shortages construction of a dam. the use of shared rivers Fishing

Pollution

6. What is land degradation?

Land degradation refers to loss of fertility or productive capacity of the soil.

7. What do you mean by desertification?

Desertification is a slow process of land degradation that leads to desert formation.

8. What are land slides?

Rapid down ward movement of a mass of rock,earth or artificial fill or plant debris on

a slope is called land slide.

9. What are renewable and non renewable energy resources?

Renewable energy resources are those natural resources which are in exhaustible and can

be used to produce energy again and again.

Non renewable energy resources are those natural resources which are exhaustible and cannot be replaced once they are used.

10. State the role and responsibility of an individual in the prevention of pollution?

Plant trees, shrubs, and groundcover on your property to benefit

the environment.

If you are on a septic tank system, prevent leakage by making sure it is regularly inspected and properly maintained.

Avoid the usage of two wheelers or four wheelers, instead use public transport systems like bus or train.

Use bicycle or travel by foot while going to near by places


UNIT-II

Buy recycled products

1. Define eco system?

An ecosystem can be defined as an area with in the natural environment consisting of

community of living beings and the physical environment, both interacting and exchanging materials between them.

2. Define food chain and food web?

Food chain is defined as the sequence of organisms directly dependent on one

another for food in an eco system.

Food web is defined as an interconnection of many food chains in an ecosystem.

3. What is ecological succession?

The gradual process of change in an ecosystem brought about by the progressive

replacement of one community by another in a definite order until a stable community is established over a period of time.

4. What is ecological pyramid?

A pyramid-shaped diagram representing quantitatively the numbers of organisms,

energy relationships, and biomass of an ecosystem;

5. What is bio diversity?

'Biodiversity' is defined as the variety of all biological life such as plants, animals,

and microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they live in.

6. Define genetic diversity and species diversity?

Genetic diversity refers to bio diversity due to genetic variation with in each species.

Species diversity refers to the variety of different types of living things on earth.

7. What do you mean by hot spots of bio diversity?

Hot spots are the areas that are extremely rich in bio-diversity, have high level of

endemism and are under constant threat of species extinctions and habitat destruction.

8. What is red data book?

Red Data Book is a book that provides data on population status of the endangered

species of plants and animals.

9. What are endemic species?

Endemic species are those species of plants & animals which are found exclusively in

a particular area and not anywhere else.

10. What are endangered species?

Endangered species are those species of plants & animals which are present in such small numbers that it is at risk of extinction.

11. What is flora and fauna?

All forms of plant life that live in a particular geographic region at a particular time in history is called flora.

All animal life that lives in a particular geographic region at a particular time in history is called fauna.

12. Give few examples of endangered and endemic species of india? Endemic species

1 INDIAN DARTER or SNAKE –BIRD

2. LITTLE CORMORANT

Endangered species

1. Lion

2. Tiger


UNIT-III

1. Define environmental pollution?

Lowering of the quality of environment caused by natural and human activities is called environmental pollution.

2. What is air pollution?

The contamination of the air with dust, fumes, gas, mist, odor, smoke, or vapor

which causes harmful effects on living organisms is called air pollution.

3. What do you understand by the term smog?

Smog is mixture of smoke and fog containing particulates.

4. Define photo chemical smog?

Smog produced by the reaction of nitrogen oxides with hydrocarbons in the presence

of ultraviolet light from the sun is called photo chemical smog.

5. Define water pollution?

Water pollution is defined as any physical,chemical or biological change in quality

of water which causes harmful effects on living organisms.

6. Define marine pollution?

Addition of harmful chemical substances and waste materials to ocean that makes it

harmful to aquatic life is called marine pollution.

7. Define thermal pollution or heat pollution?

Addition of excess of undesirable heat to water that makes it harmful to aquatic life

is called thermal pollution.

8. Define C.O.D& B.O.D? C.O.D—Chemical Oxygen Demand B.O.D—Biochemical Oxygen Demand

The amount of oxygen in water consumed for chemical oxidation of pollutants is called C.O.D

The amount of oxygen taken up by microorganisms that decompose organic waste matter in water is called B.OD

9. What is soil pollution?

The contamination of soil by chemical or other waste materials resulting in the

reduction of its fertility is called soil pollution.

10. What is incineration?

It is a treatment technology involving destruction of waste by controlled burning at

high temperatures.

11. What is composting?

Composting is a process in which biodegradable materials are broken down by

micro-organisms in the presence of oxygen. The stable granular decayed material obtained in this process is called compost. It is used as a fertilizer or soil additive.

12. Differentiate recycling from reusing?

Recycling involves collecting used and waste materials from waste streams and

using those materials to manufacture new products.

Reusing involves using a product more than once in its original form.

15. What is disaster management?

Disaster management is the process of preparing, supporting, and

rebuilding society when natural or human-made disasters occur.

16. Define earth quake?

Shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground

movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity is called earth quake.

17. Define Tsunami?

Tsunami is a series of large seismic sea waves that can cause major destruction in

coastal regions.

18. What are particulates?

Particulates are dispersed solid or liquid particles of microscopic size in gas media.

19. What is Noise pollution?

The unwanted, unpleasant or disagreeable sound of high decibels which causes

harmful effect on human health is called noise pollution.

20. What is eutrophication?

The process by which body of water, commonly a lake or pond is enriched by

nutrients which leads to excessive plant growth and oxygen depletion.

21. Define flood and cyclone?

Flood is the rising of a body of water and it’s overflowing onto normally dry land

A cyclone is an area of low pressure in the centre and high pressure outside.

22. What are primary and secondary air pollutants?

Primary air pollutants are those which are emitted directly to the atmosphere

Example: Carbon monoxide (CO), Oxides of sulphur (SOX) and Oxides of nitrogen

( NOX ) etc

Secondary air pollutants are those which are produced in the air by the interaction among two or more primary air pollutants or by reaction with normal atmospheric constituents.

Example: Ozone, photochemical smog etc.

23. Define pollutant?

Any substance which causes lowering the quality of environment is called pollutant.

24. What is meant by point and non point pollution?

Pollution from a single identifiable source such as a factory or a sewage-treatment

plant is called point pollution

Pollution that does not come from a single, identifiable source is called non-point pollution.

25. What are the various sources of radioactive pollution or nuclear pollution?

Cosmic rays from outer space

Emissions from radioactive materials on the earth’s crust

Mining and processing of radioactive ores

Use of radioactive isotopes in medical ,industrial and research applications

Use of radioactive materials in nuclear weapons.

26. Define solid waste?

Solid waste is a waste type that includes predominantly household waste

(domestic waste) with sometimes the addition of commercial wastes collected by a municipality within a given area.

27. What is hazardous waste?

A substance, such as nuclear waste or an industrial byproduct, which is potentially

damaging to the environment and harmful to humans and other living organisms, is called hazardous waste.

28. Classify air pollutants with suitable examples?

Air pollutants can be classified in to two types namely primary and secondary air

pollutants.

Primary air pollutants are those which are emitted directly to the atmosphere.

Example: Carbon monoxide (CO), Oxides of sulphur (SOX) and Oxides of nitrogen

( NOX ) etc

Secondary air pollutants are those which are produced in the air by the interaction among two or more primary air pollutants or by reaction with normal atmospheric constituents.

Example: Ozone, photochemical smog etc.

29. Write any two examples for water conflicts?

1. Conflict between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for Kaveri river

2. Conflict between Kerala and Tamil Nadu for Mullaiperiyar dam


Unit –IV

1. Define sustainable development?

The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the

ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

2. Define Acid rain?

Rain containing relatively high concentrations of acids produced by sulfur dioxide,

nitrogen dioxide, and other such gases that result from the combustion of fossil fuels and from certain industrial processes.

3. Define Green house effect?

The phenomenon whereby the earth's atmosphere traps solar radiation, caused by the

presence in the atmosphere of gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane that allow incoming sunlight to pass through but absorb heat radiated back from the earth's surface.

4. What are Green house gases?

Any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect are called

Green house gases. These gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (NO2), and water vapor.

5. What is global warming?

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth which causes

more changes on the climate.

6. What is ozone hole or ozone layer depletion?

Ozone hole is an area of the upper atmosphere where the ozone layer is absent or has

become unusually thin.

7. What is rain water harvesting?

Rainwater harvesting is a technology used for collecting and storing rainwater from

rooftops, the land surface or rock catchments.

8. What is watershed management?

Watershed management is the process of creating and implementing plans,

programs, and projects to sustain and enhance watershed functions

9.What is environmental ethics?

Environmental ethics is the ethical realtionship between human beings and the

environment in which they live.


Unit –V

1. Define population explosion?

A rapid increase in the size of a population caused by a sudden decrease in death

rate or an increase in birth rate is called population explosion.

2. What is value education?

Value education is an education which teaches:

How to live life well? How to find happiness? How to make others happy?

How to behave and communicate with others?

How to manage all kinds of people as well as happenings? How to grow and succeed in the right manner?

3. Write the expansion for HIV and AIDS? HIV- Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus

AIDS- Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome

4. What is doubling time?

The doubling time is the period of time required for a given population to double in

size.

5. What are the objectives of family welfare programmes?

To increase the female literacy rate.

To enhance child survival through universal immunization. To reduce the birth rate

6. What do you mean by human rights?

Human rights are those basic rights which are essential for the development of human

personality such as right to life, liberty, property and security of an individual.

Environmental science and engineering Questions Bank

Anna University, Chennai

Anna_University_Logo.svg

 

Environmental science and engineering

Question Bank (8 marks)

UNIT-I

1. a) Explain in detail the causes, effects and control measures of Deforestation b) Discuss the problems of fertilizers and pesticides of modern agriculture

2. a) Discuss the effects of dams on forests and tribal people

b) Discuss the various types of land degradation with its causes and solutions.

3. Write short notes on causes effects and control measures of soil erosion

4. Write short notes on environmental impacts of mining

5. Write short notes on renewable energy resources


UNIT-II

1. Explain in detail the structure and component of an eco system.

2. Explain the characteristic features and functions of forest eco system and aquatic eco system

3. Explain the characteristic features and functions of Grassland eco system and

Desert eco system

4. Write short notes on food chain and food web

5. Write short notes on ecological succession and ecological pyramids

6. Write short notes on i)Genetic diversity

ii) Species diversity

iii) Ecosystem diversity

7. Write short notes on threats to bio diversity

8. Write short notes on hotspots of biodiversity

9. Discuss India’s mega-diverse biodiversity

10. a)Explain the In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity b) Discuss the values of Bio-diversity


UNIT-III

1. Explain in detail the causes and effects of air and water pollution

2. Explain in detail the causes and effects of marine and noise pollution

3. Write short notes on (i) Bhopal gas tragedy and (ii) Chernobyl disaster

4. Write short notes on Disaster management

5. What is an earth quake? Enumerate its effects. What measures should be taken to mitigate this disaster?

6. Explain in detail the causes, effects and control measures of NOISE and

THERMAL pollution.

7. Explain in detail the process of solid waste management


UNIT-IV

1. What is sustainable development? Discuss in brief the concept of sustainable development.

2. What are waste lands? Name and discuss the various methods of waste land reclamation.

3. Write notes on (i) Global warming (ii)Ozone layer depletion (iii)Acid rain

4. Write notes on Water shed management

5. What is rain water harvesting? Name and discuss in brief the types of rain Water harvesting.

6. Write note on salient features of Environmental protection act and wild life protection act

7. Discuss the salient features of Forest act

8. Write note on salient features of water act and air act


UNIT-V

1. Explain the term population explosion. Enumerate its effects.

2. What is value education? Discuss the concept of value education.

3. Discuss in detail the role of Information technology in environmental management and human health.

4. Explain the activities of family welfare programme.

5. Discuss the problems, diagnosis and control of AIDS.

6. Write a note on women and child welfare.

GE2211 Environmental Science and Engineering–2012 Important Questions with Keys

Anna University
Department of Electronics Communication Engineering

Department : B.E ECE
Semester : V
Year : 3rd yr
Regulation : 2008
Subject Code : GE2211

Subject Name : Environmental Science and Engineering

Content : Environmental Science and Engineering – Important Questions with Keys – 1st Edition of 2012.


UNIT I

1. Explain about the importance of environmental study. Any16 points with explanation

2. Explain about the ways to create public awareness in environmental issues.

16 points with explanation

3. Discuss about over-exploitation of forests. i. Causes

ii. Consequences iii. A case study

4. Explain briefly about the conventional energy sources. i. Coal

ii. Oil or Petroleum

iii. Natural gas

iv. Nuclear energy

5. What are the role of individual in conservation of natural resources and sustainability?

i. Conserve water

ii. Conserve energy iii. Protect the soil

iv. Promote sustainable agriculture


UNIT II

1.Explain about population characteristics and population explosion.

i. Definitions on Exponential growth, doubling time, Total fertility rates, Infant mortality rate, replacement level, age structure

ii. Pyramids

iii. Indian scenario on population explosion iv. Views on population growth

2. Write notes on human rights. i. Human rights conferences

ii. Human rights in India

iii. Rights and duties of a citizen

iv. Draft declaration of human rights and environment

3. Write notes on value education. i. Definition

ii. Necessity

iii. Value education in the context of environment iv. Principles

4. Explain about women and child welfare. i. Women welfare

ii. Child welfare

5. Explain about role of Information Technology in Environment and human health. i. Information

ii. Need for computerization iii. Role of IT

iv. Application of IT in environment v. Application of IT in health

vi. Application of IT in environment and health


UNIT III

1. What do you know about „sustainable development‟? What are the important components of sustainable development?

i. Definition

ii. Aspects

iii. Measures

iv. 3 R concept

v. Carrying capacity

2. What do you know about „water conservation‟? Mention some of the techniques of water conservation.

i. Decreasing run-off losses

ii. Reducing evaporation losses iii. Storing water in soil

iv. Reducing irrigation losses v. Re-use of water

vi. Preventing wastage of water vii. Increasing block pricing

3. Write a brief note on the problems and concerns about resettlement and rehabilitation of people.

i. Problems and concerns ii. Case study

iii. Rehabilitation issues iv. Rehabilitation policies

4. What are the impacts of acid rain on the environment? Any 16 points with explanation

5. What do you know about „Ozone‟ and „Ozone layer depletion‟?

i. Definition

ii. Equations with explanation

iii. Factors affecting depletion iv. Effects of depletion


UNIT IV

1. What are the different sources and types of air pollutants?

i. Natural Sources

ii. Man made or anthropogenic sources

2. How do you control air pollution?

i. Dilution

ii. Control at source

3. What do you know about soil pollution? What are the different sources of soil pollution?

Definition

Sources

Urban wastes Industrial wastes Agricultural

Soil conditioners Farm house wastes Radioactive wastes Biological agents

4. What are the different sources of marine pollution?

i. Land based sources ii. Air based sources

iii. Maritime transportation iv. Dumping of wastes

v. Offshore production

5. What are the causes of noise pollution?

i. Road traffic noise ii. Air traffic noise iii. Rail traffic noise iv. Domestic noise v. Industrial noise

vi. Incompatible land use noise

6. Explain clearly about the stages of solid waste management. Generation

i. Online handling and processing ii. Collection and Transportation iii. Processing

iv. Disposal

7. What are the important stages of hazardous waste management?

i. Storage

ii. Collection and transportation iii. Treatment

iv. Disposal


UNIT V

1. Explain briefly about the characteristic of ecosystems. Any 10 points with explanation

2. How can you classify the ecosystems?

i. Natural ecosystem ii. Artificial ecosystem

iii. Incomplete ecosystem

3. Discuss about the structural and functional components of an ecosystem. i. Structural Components

1. Biotic structure

2. Abiotic structure

ii. Functional components

1. Food chain, food web, trophic structure iii. Energy Flow

iv. Cycling of nutrients

v. Primary and secondary production

vi. Ecosystem development and regulation

4. With a neat sketch explain about the energy and nutrient flow through an ecosystem.

i. Energy flow laws ii. Model

iii. Nutrient cycling

1. Nitrogen cycle

2. Carbon cycle

3. Phosphorus cycle

4. Hydrological cycle

5. Explain about the different types of biodiversity. i. Genetic diversity

ii. Species diversity

iii. Ecosystem diversity

6. Discuss regarding biogeographical classification of India.

India‟s major biogeographic habitats

7. Classify and explain about the value of biodiversity. i. Consumptive use value

ii. Productive use value iii. Social value

iv. Ethical value

v. Aesthetic value vi. Option values

vii. Ecosystem service value