the atmosphere, (The cover of the air) the hydrosphere, (water bodies) the lithosphere (the earth’s crust) the biosphere. (the life layer) Environmental Engineer’s role

1. Environment and its
components
Mr. M. H. Mota
Assistant professor
SITCOE

2. • Outcome of the session…….
To understand and explain ‘Environment
and its components’
To understand role of environmental
engineer

3. Environment….
• The word Environment is derived from the French
word “Environ” which means “surrounding”.
• Environment is a complex of many variables
• Our surrounding includes biotic factors like human
beings, Plants, animals, microbes, etc and abiotic
factors such as light, air, water, soil, etc.

4. Components of Environment…
• The natural environment consist of four interlinking
systems …….
 the atmosphere, (The cover of the air)
the hydrosphere, (water bodies)
the lithosphere (the earth’s crust)
the biosphere. (the life layer)
• These four systems are in constant change and such
changes are affected by human activities and vice
versa

5. Interaction among the
zones….
Atmosphere
Biosphere
HydrosphereLithosphere

6. Atmosphere….
 The earth’s atmosphere, a complex system
of gases and suspended particles.
 The atmosphere as of today has been
derived from the Earth itself by chemical
and biochemical reactions.
 Its boundaries are not easily defined.
 They can be arbitrarily defined as the
Earth’s atmosphere interface and space
interface.

7. Composition of Atmosphere

8. Hydrosphere...
 It includes the surface water and its
surrounding interface.
 It is vital for life to survive.
 Water possesses a number of physical and
chemical properties that help to act as best
suited medium for life activities.
 The movement of water from earth surface
to atmosphere through hydrological cycle .

9. Lithosphere…
 It is the outer boundary layer of solid
earth and the discontinuity within the
mantle.
 The outer boundary forms a complex
interface with the atmosphere and
hydrosphere and is also the environment
in which life has evolved.
 Basically lithosphere is nothing but a
crustal system composed of various
layers: Core, mantle and outer crust.

10. Biosphere…
 The biosphere encompasses all the zones on the Earth in
which life is present, i.e. entire bio-resources of the
earth. The steps involved in the origin of life on earth is
very complex and required several centuries.
 At the top of the lithosphere, throughout the
hydrosphere and into the lower atmosphere, life of
diverse type exists.
 These bio-resources and their surrounding constitute
the “Biosphere” where mankind acts as the most evolved
creature.

11. Ecosystem…
 An ecosystem represents the highest level of ecological
integration, which is energy based and capable of energy
transformation, accumulation and circulation. Its main
function in ecological sense is to emphasize obligatory
relationship, interdependence and casual relationships that
is coupling of components to form functional units.

12.  Within the biosphere, there are
several major regions containing
specific types of ecosystems.
 Ecosystems are composed of a variety
of biotic and abiotic components that
function in an interrelated fashion.

13. Major Environmental Problems…
 Ozone Depletion, Greenhouse Effect and Global
Warming……Increased concentration of GHGs.
 Desertification….. destructing of the biological potential of
land
 Deforestation ……commercial exploitation of forests
 Loss of Biodiversity….. many species are disappearing
rapidly
 Disposal of Wastes…..Waste water, solid waste and gaseous
steams

14. Key culprits …
 Population growth
 Rapid urbanization
 Uncontrolled
extraction of natural
resources

15. Environmental Engineering….
‘Environmental Engineering’ is the application of
scientific and engineering principles to improve and
maintain the environment to:
 Protect human health,
 Protect nature's beneficial ecosystems,
 Improve environmental-related enhancement of the
quality of human life.

16. Environmental Engineer’s role
 Environmental engineers devise solutions for wastewater
management, water and air pollution control,
recycling, waste disposal, and public health.
 They design municipal water supply and industrial
wastewater treatment systems, and design plans improve
sanitation .
 They evaluate and design waste management systems
 They implement environmental engineering law
 Environmental engineers study the effect of technological
advances on the environment, addressing local and
worldwide environmental issues .

17. Lets meet in next session to
know more….