GE6351 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING L T P C 3 0 0 3
OBJECTIVES:
To the study of nature and the facts about environment.
To find and implement scientific, technological, economic and political solutions to
environmental problems.
To study the interrelationship between living organism and environment.
To appreciate the importance of environment by assessing its impact on the human world;
envision the surrounding environment, its functions and its value.
To study the dynamic processes and understand the features of the earth’s interior and
surface.
To study the integrated themes and biodiversity, natural resources, pollution control and waste
management.
UNIT I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY (12)
Definition, scope and importance of Risk and hazards; Chemical hazards, Physical hazards,
Biological hazards in the environment – concept of an ecosystem – structure and function of an
ecosystem – producers, consumers and decomposers-Oxygen cycle and Nitrogen cycle – energy flow
in the ecosystem – ecological succession processes – Introduction, types, characteristic features,
structure and function of the (a) forest ecosystem (b) grassland ecosystem (c) desert ecosystem (d)
aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries) – Introduction to biodiversity
definition: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity – biogeographical classification of India – value of
biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values –
Biodiversity at global, national and local levels – India as a mega-diversity nation – hot-spots of
biodiversity – threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts –
endangered and endemic species of India – conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and ex-situ
conservation of biodiversity. Field study of common plants, insects, birds
Field study of simple ecosystems – pond, river, hill slopes, etc.
UNIT II ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (10)
Definition – causes, effects and control measures of: (a) Air pollution (Atmospheric chemistry-
Chemical composition of the atmosphere; Chemical and photochemical reactions in the atmosphere -
formation of smog, PAN, acid rain, oxygen and ozone chemistry;- Mitigation procedures- Control of
particulate and gaseous emission, Control of SO2, NOX, CO and HC) (b) Water pollution : Physical
and chemical properties of terrestrial and marine water and their environmental significance; Water
quality parameters – physical, chemical and biological; absorption of heavy metals - Water treatment
processes. (c) Soil pollution - soil waste management: causes, effects and control measures of
municipal solid wastes – (d) Marine pollution (e) Noise pollution (f) Thermal pollution (g) Nuclear
hazards–role of an individual in prevention of pollution – pollution case studies – Field study of local
polluted site – Urban / Rural / Industrial / Agricultural.
UNIT III NATURAL RESOURCES (10)
Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation, deforestation, case studies- timber extraction, mining,
dams and their effects on forests and tribal people – Water resources: Use and overutilization of
surface and ground water, dams-benefits and problems – Mineral resources: Use and exploitation,
environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources, case studies – Food resources:
World food problems, changes caused by agriculture and overgrazing, effects of modern agriculture,
fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging, salinity, case studies – Energy resources: Growing energy
needs, renewable and non renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources. Energy
Conversion processes – Biogas – production and uses, anaerobic digestion; case studies – Land
resources: Land as a resource, land degradation, man induced landslides, soil erosion and
desertification – role of an individual in conservation of natural resources – Equitable use of resources
for sustainable lifestyles. Introduction to Environmental Biochemistry: Proteins –Biochemical
degradation of pollutants, Bioconversion of pollutants.
Field study of local area to document environmental assets – river/forest/grassland/hill/mountain.
UNIT IV SOCIAL ISSUES AND THE ENVIRONMENT (7)
From unsustainable to sustainable development – urban problems related to energy – water
conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management – resettlement and rehabilitation of
people; its problems and concerns, case studies – role of non-governmental organizationenvironmental
ethics: Issues and possible solutions – 12 Principles of green chemistry- nuclear
accidents and holocaust, case studies. – wasteland reclamation – consumerism and waste products –
environment production act – Air act – Water act – Wildlife protection act – Forest conservation act –
The Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules; 1998 and amendments- scheme of
labeling of environmentally friendly products (Ecomark). enforcement machinery involved in
environmental legislation- central and state pollution control boards- disaster management: floods,
earthquake, cyclone and landslides. Public awareness.
UNIT V HUMAN POPULATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT (6)
Population growth, variation among nations – population explosion – family welfare programme –
environment and human health – human rights – value education – HIV / AIDS – women and child
welfare –Environmental impact analysis (EIA)- -GIS-remote sensing-role of information technology in
environment and human health – Case studies.
TOTAL: 45 PERIODS
OUTCOMES:
Environmental Pollution or problems cannot be solved by mere laws. Public participation is an
important aspect which serves the environmental Protection. One will obtain knowledge on the
following after completing the course.
Public awareness of environment at infant stage.
Ignorance and incomplete knowledge has lead to misconceptions.
Development and improvement in standard of living has lead to serious environmental
disasters.
TEXT BOOKS:
1. Gilbert M.Masters, ‘Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science’, 2nd Edition, Pearson
Education 2004.
2. Benny Joseph, ‘Environmental Science and Engineering’, Tata Mc Graw-Hill, New Delhi, 2006.
REFERENCES:
1. R.K. Trivedi, “Handbook of Environmental Laws, Rules, Guidelines, Compliances and Standard”,
Vol. I and II, Enviro Media.
2. Cunningham, W.P. Cooper, T.H. Gorhani, ‘Environmental Encyclopedia’,Jaico Publ.,House,
Mumbai, 2001.
3. Dharmendra S. Sengar, ‘Environmental law’, Prentice Hall of India PVT LTD, New Delhi, 2007.
4. Rajagopalan, R, ‘Environmental Studies-From Crisis to Cure’, Oxford University Press 2005.