SRM Institute of Science and Technology

College of Engineering and Technology

Ramapuram, Chennai-89.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
UNIT 3,4,5 SHORT ANSWERS

1. Define biodiversity.
Biodiversity is defined as, “the variety and variability mong all groups of living organisms
and the ecosystem in which they occur.”

2. What is meant by Genetic diversity?

Genetic diversity is the diversity within species ie., variation of genes within the species.
Within individual species, there are number of varieties, which are slightly different from
one another. These differences are due to differences in the combination of genes. Genes are
the basic units of hereditary information transmitted from one generation to other.

3. Define Species diversity.

Species diversity is the diversity between different species. The sum of varieties of all the
living organisms at the species level is known as species diversity

4. What is meant by Ecosystem diversity

The diversity at the ecological or habitat level is known as ecosystem diversity. A large
region with different ecosystems can be considered as ecosystem diversity. It explains the
interaction between living organisms and physical environment in an ecosystem

5. What is alpha richness?

It refers to the number of species found in a small homogeneous area. It is strongly correlated
with physical variables.

6. What is Endemism (or) Endemic species?

The species which are confined to a particular area are called endemic species. Our country
has a rich endemic flora and fauna. About 33% of the flowering plants, 53% of fresh water
fishes, 60% amphibians, 36% reptiles and 10% mammalian are endemic species.

7. Define red data book.

RED - data book contains the list of endangered species of plants and animals. The RED –
data gives the warning signal for those species which are endangered and if not protected
they become extinct in near future.

8. Define the term Hot-spots of biodiversity.

Hot spots are the geographic areas which possess high endemic species. These are the areas
of high diversity, endemism and are also threatened by many human activities.
Eastern Himalayas -Indo - Burma region.
Western Ghats-Sri Lanka region.
9. List the various threats to Indian biodiversity.
Habitat loss, Deforestation, Destruction of wetlands, Habitat fragmentation, Raw material,
Production of drugs, Illegal trade, Developmental activities, Poaching and
Man - wildlife conflicts.

10. What is habitat fragmentation?

Habitat fragmentation: Sometimes the habitat is divided into small and scattered patches.
This phenomenon is known as habitat fragmentation. Due to this many wild animals and
songbirds are vanishing.

11. What is beta richness?

It refers to the rate of change in species composition across different habitats. It means that
the number of species increases as more heterogeneous habitats are taken into consideration.

12. What is meant by value of biodiversity?

The value of biodiversity in terms of its commercial utility, ecological services, social and
aesthetic value is enormous.

13. List two Examples for man - wildlife conflicts

1. In Sambalpur, Orissa, 195 humans were killed in the last 5 years by elephants. In
retaliation, the villagers have killed 98 elephants and badly injured 30 elephants.
2. A total of 14 persons were killed during 19 attacks by the leopards in Sanjay Gandhi
National Park, Mumbai.

14. What is Extinct species? Give example.

A species is said to be extinct, when it is no longer found in the world.

15. Define endangered species.

A species is said to be endangered, when its number has been reduced to a critical level.
Unless it is protected and conserved, it is in immediate danger of extinction. Example golden
monkey. Indian wolf, red fox, desert cat, Peacock, Siberian white crane.

16. Define Vulnerable species.

A species is said to be vulnerable when its population is facing continuous decline due to
habitat destruction or over exploitation. Such a species is still abundant.

17. What is rare species?

A species is said to be rare, when it is localized within restricted area (or) they are thinly
scattered over a more extensive area. Such species are not endangered or vulnerable.

18. Define air pollution.

Any undesirable changes in the properties of air due to presence of impurities which
produces adverse effects on plants, animals, human beings and materials are defined as air
pollution.

19. What are the sources of air pollution?

Causes or Sources:
1.Natural sources
• forest fires
 • volcanic eruptions
• radioactive material in earth
2. Man made sources
• burning of fossil fuels
• emission from thermal power plants
• automobiles
20. What is particulate matter?
It includes variety of particles and droplets (aerosols). They can be suspended in atmosphere
for short periods to long periods.
21. Differentiate between primary and secondary air pollutants with examples.
Primary Pollutants
These are emitted directly in the atmosphere in harmful form Example: CO, NO, SO2
Secondary pollutants
Some of the primary pollutants react with one another or with basic components of
air to form new pollutants. NO/NO2 → HNO3/NO3

22. What are the causes and effects of ozone layer depletion? Causes:
a. Chloro Fluoro carbon (CFC)
b. Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbon (HCFC),
c. Bromo Fluoro Carbon (BFC)

Effects:
i) Affects the aquatic forms.
ii) Increases the average temperature of the earth.
iii) Degrades paints, plastics and other polymeric materials.
iv) UV rays destroy the melamine pigment in human body.
23. What is acid rain? What is acid precipitation?
❖ The presence of excessive acids in rain water is known as acid rain.
❖ It includes acid rain, acid fog, acid snow and other form of precipitation that is
more acidic than normal.
❖ The presence of SO2 and NO2 gases in the atmosphere decreases the pH of the
water during the rainfall. This type of precipitation of water is called acid
deposition or acid precipitation.

SOx + H2O → H2SO4

NOx + H2O → HNO3

24. State the role and responsibility of an individual of the prevention of

pollution?
1. Plant more trees
2. Help more in pollution prevention than pollution
3. Use water, energy and other resources efficiently
4. Purchase recyclable, recycled and environmentally safe products
5. Use CFC free refrigerators vi) Use natural gas than coal
 6. Reduce deforestation

25. Differentiate between Mist and Fog.

Mist is made up of liquid droplets generally smaller than 10um which are formed
by condensation in the atmosphere or are released from industrial operations. Fog is
similar to mist but the droplet size bigger (>10u) and water is the liquid. Fog is
sufficiently dense to incomprehensible vision.

26. Define water pollution.

The alteration in physical, chemical, biological characteristics of water which may cause
harmful effects on humans and aquatic life is called water pollution.

27. Define soil pollution.

Soil pollution is defined as," the contamination of soil by human and natural activities which
may cause harmful effects on living beings”.

28. List four control measures of soil pollution.

• Proper dumping of unwanted materials.
• Production of natural fertilizers should be encouraged instead of excessive use of chemical
fertilizers.
• Bio pesticides can be used instead of chemical pesticides. (DDT, lindane etc).
• Recycling and Reuse of wastes.
• Ban on Toxic chemicals.
• Proper treatment methods.
• Create public awareness.

29. Define marine pollution.

Marine pollution is defined as ‘the discharge of waste substances in to the sea and affects
the quality of sea water and causes harm to living organisms.

30. List the Sources of marine pollution.

1. Rivers bring pollutants from their drainage basins.
2. Oil spills near catchment areas
3. Oil drilling - Oil pollution due to petroleum
4. Thermal pollution

31. Define noise pollution.

Noise pollution is defined as, “the unwanted, unpleasant or disagreeable sound that
causes discomfort for all living beings.”

32. Write four control measures of noise pollution.

1. Providing factory workers with ear- plugs, ear- muffs, noise helmets, head phones.
2. Source Control
3. Transmission Path Intervention
4. Receptor control, Oiling, Sound insulation at construction stage and Planting of trees.

33. Define thermal pollution.

Thermal pollution is defined as the addition of excess of undesirable heat to water that
makes it harmful to man, animal or aquatic life or otherwise causes significant departures
from the normal activities of aquatic communities in water.
34. What are the sources of thermal pollution?

The sources of thermal pollution are,

1. Nuclear power plants.
2. Coal-fired power plants.
3. Industrial effluents.
4. Domestic sewage.
5. Hydro-electric power.
35. Mention the measures to control thermal pollution caused by industries.
Steps to control thermal pollution caused by industries.

a. Cooling towers
b. Cooling ponds
c. Spray ponds
d. Artificial lakes

36. What are the various sources of radioactive pollution?

Natural sources
i) The very important natural source is space, which emit cosmic rays
ii) Soil, rocks, air, water, food, radioactive radon, etc also contain one or more
radioactive substances
Man-made sources
Man made sources are nuclear power plants, x-rays, nuclear accidents,
nuclear bombs, diagnostics kits, etc., where radioactive substances are used.

37. Define the term sustainable development (or) What is meant by sustainable
development?
Sustainable development is defined as, “meeting the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
38. Define the term environmental ethics.
“Environmental ethics refers to the issues, principles and guidelines relating to human
interactions with their environment”.
39. What are the advantages of the rain water harvesting?
Rain water harvesting is a technique of capturing and storing of water for future
generation.
Advantages:
1) Increasing the availability of water from well
2) Rise in ground water level
3) Minimizing the soil erosion and flood hazards
4) Future generation is assured of water
40. What are landslides?
 The movement of earthy materials like coherent rock, mud, soil and debris from higher
region to lower region due to gravitational pull is called landslides.

41. Define the term Tsunami

A Tsunami is large waves that are generated in a water body when the sea floor is deformed
by seismic activity. This activity displaces the overlaying water in the ocean.

42. Define Watershed management:

• The management of rainfall and resultant runoff is called watershed
management.

43. List the objectives of watershed management.

a. To minimize the risks of floods, droughts and landslides.
b. To develop rural areas.
c. To manage the watershed for developmental activities like domestic water
supply, irrigation, etc.,
d. To generate employment opportunities.

44. Define E-Wastes.

E-Wastes are defined as “electronic and electrical wastes. Electronic equipment’s like
computers, printers, mobile phones, Xerox machines.,etc. After using these instruments,
they are thrown as waste.
45. Define urbanization.
Urbanization is the movement of human population from rural areas to urban areas for
the want of better health, employment, education, transport, etc.

46. Define waste land. Give its types

The land which is not in use is called waste land. It is unproductive, unfit for
cultivation, grazing & other economic uses. About 20% of geographical in India is waste
land.
Types of waste Land:
1. Uncultivable waste lands
2. Cultivable waste lands
Uncultivable waste lands:
These lands cannot be brought under cultivation. Ex: sandy deserts
47. What are the causes of waste land formation?
Causes of waste land formation:
• Due to soil erosion, deforestation, overgrazing, water logging, salinity.
• The increasing demand for fire-wood.
• Excessive use of pesticides.
• By the sewage & industrial wastes.
• Over exploitation of natural resources.

48. List out the effects of nuclear radiation

Effects of Nuclear Radiation:
 • Radiations may break chemical bonds such as DNA in cells.
• It may be even carried to future generations.
• People begin to suffer from fatigue, vomiting and loss of hair (radiation level:
100 -250 rads, low dose).
• It affects bone marrow, blood cells, natural resistance & blood to fail clot
(radiation level: 400-500 rads, higher dose).
• It kills the organisms by damaging the tissues of heart, brain (radiation level:
10,000 rads, very higher dose).
49. Define nuclear Holocaust. Give example.
Nuclear Holocaust
• It means destruction of biodiversity by nuclear equipment’s& nuclear bombs.
• In a holocaust, a large number of living beings are totally destroyed.
Nuclear war:
• Hiroshima & Nagasaki are the examples (II- world war).
At Chernobyl:
• When water cooling system, graphite moderated reactor lost their control, the
reactor exploded.
50. What is climate change?
Climate change refers to the long-term shifts in the temperatures and weather
pattern. These changes may be natural or artificial.
51. Mention any five effects of climate change.
1. Even small changes in climatic conditions may disturb the agriculture.
2. Climate change may upset the hydrological cycle, results in floods and
droughts in different regions of the world.
3. Global pattern of wind and ocean currents also gets disturbed by climate
change.
4. More frequent and intense drought
5. Sea levels get raised.

52. Write about resource consumption patterns.

Deals with how we utilize and distribute resources. The disparity between haves and
have-nots is widening. There is a disparity between the individuals, communities and
countries in usage of resources. The well-to-do, educated urban dweller consumes
much larger quantities of resources and energy than the traditional rural individual.
This unequal distribution of wealth and access to land and its resources is a serious
environmental concern. An equitable sharing of resources forms the basis of
sustainable development for urban, rural and wilderness-dwelling communities.

53. What is meant by Equity -Disparity?

It is concerned with who owns resources and how they are distributed. People living
in the economically-advanced nations use greater amounts of resources and energy
per individual and also waste more resources. This is at the cost poor people who are
resource-dependent and live in developing nations.