Introuduction to Environmental Studies

To II B.B.M........

Environment:-
The environment is derived from the French word 'environ' which means encircle or all around (i.e) surrounding conditions.

Definitions:- Environment means the surroundings in which man & other living organisms operate &includes physical factors such as air, water, Land etc. & living organisms like plants, animals & other organisms & their inter relationships.
According to Mac Graw Hill encyclopedia of Environmental science has defined environment as " the sum total of all conditions & influences that affect the developments & life or organisms.

Basic components of Environment:
1.Lithosphere
2.Hydrosphere
3.Atmosphere
4.Biosphere

Lithosphere is the land comprising rocks & soils. the earth is made up of a series of concentric rock zones or concentric layers viz. I. Crust II. The Mantle III.The core

The top most layer of earth is called the Crust of the earth or Lithosphere.
The crust of the earth has two parts
* The upper part made up of light materials mostly silicon & Aluminum - that forms continents.
* The lower part- It is layer of denser material form ocean floor & lying under the continent& made up of silicon and Magnesium

Below the crust of the earth lies the Mantle & it is composed of denser rocks, it extends up to 100 k.ms.
Below the mantle lies the core of the earth.

The lithosphere is about 10 k.m thick under the ocean bed and it is over 40 k.m thick under the continents & it is important for fossil fuel, minerals & soil chemicals. Responsible for rich Biota (Flora&Fauna) on the land...