2.6 Biosphere level• Whole living layer around the globe

• Includes abiotic features

•The biosphere is an entire realm in which organisms live – the water of the earth, surface rocks, soils, sediments of its crust and the lower region of surrounding air (Starr & Taggart 1989), biosphere have three component entities: lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere

http://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/eng/ch8en/conc8en/envisys.html

2.6.1 Climate and the Biosphere

• The biosphere has a collection of ecosystems that range in size and mix of biotic and abiotic components. These different types of ecosystems are influenced profoundly by climate. Climate refers to the prevailing weather conditions including temperature, humidity, wind velocity, degree of cloud cover and rainfall.

• An important question would be, what shapes or influence climate? The answer lies within four important factors amongst many which have an influence. These include and not limited to:

Variations in the amount of incoming solar radiation The tilting of the earth and its daily rotation on its axis as it circulates the sun Global distribution of continents and oceans and; Topographic features (landscapes and its elevation)• Interplay among these factors produce prevailing winds and water current which

influences global weather patterns. Global weather patterns or climate, in turn, affect the soil, relative humidity, temperature which also in turn determines abundance and distribution of organism in the biosphere

Climate and the biosphere continues…

• Climate is dependent on the sun. Near the equator, the sun rays strike the earth almost vertically giving tropical regions much more of the suns energy – for which ecosystems depends on – than it is enjoyed by other regions outside the tropics which receive oblique rays.

• Because of the tilt of the sun on its axis – in non-tropical areas – seasons will vary at different time of the year.

• This is why when it is summer in the southern hemisphere; it is always winter in the northern hemisphere.

• The sun is also responsible for the general temperature.• Higher or optimum temperatures allow organisms to grow faster.• Climate and the biosphere is characterised amongst other factors by

air circulation, ocean currents and effects of topography.

2.6.1.1 Air circulation

• Air is heated more at the equator than the poles. At the equator - the onset of patterns of air circulation – warm equatorial air rises and moves northwards and southwards towards the poles.

• At the equator, land gives off the absorbed heat from the sun to the air which rises; creating low atmospheric pressure.

• The rotation of the earth on its axis from east to west prevents the air to move directly from equator straight to the poles.

• The greatest amount of rain is near the equator. This is the reason why you find forests at and around the equatorial line.

• The greatest deserts in Africa, Australia and Americas are found at these latitudes due to the influence of the amount of rain fall.

2.6.1.2 Ocean currents

• Ocean plays a major in redistributing heat in the biosphere.• Water tends to be warmer at the equator and much cooler at the poles because of

the uneven distribution of sun rays as it was previously indicated.• Gyres move warm water at the equator to the north and south and vice-versa

creating what has been recently termed global conveyer belt.• Check the video from YouTube called “inconvenient truth” for more info

2.6.1.3 Effects of Topography

• Regional climates are influenced by more than patterns of sunlight, atmospheric and oceanic circulations and rainfall.

• They are also influenced by the distribution of mountains, valleys and other topographical features.

• Mountains are one feature that greatly affects the climate.• Air particularly warm air from the sea is blown and ascends as a result of the

influence of the mountain which cools as it rises; thus realising moisture in the form of rain.

• This happens especially on the side of the mountain called the windward side (side from which the wind is blowing)

• It receives more rainfall than the other side referred to as the leeward side (direction not facing the wind).

• On this side, the air descends and pick up moisture but release no precipitation as most of its have been shed on the windward side.

• The result of this phenomenon (rain-shadow effect) is the creation of an arid region which is clearly distinct from the windward side.

2.6.2 Biomes of South Africa

Biomes of South Africa continues….

• A biome is a largest biogeographical unit of the biosphere. This term was initially used to refer to terrestrial communities but it can also apply to aquatic communities for instance wetland.

• A biome is characterised by a unique composition of both plants and animals accustomed to live under certain environmental conditions for which climate has an overriding influence

• Patterns of biomes distribution is related to temperature and moisture• This is the reason why desert biomes as compared to tropical rainforest have

the least amount of annual precipitation• South Africa comprise of about seven biomes in total which include the

Forest, Fynbos, Grassland, Nama Karoo, Savanna, Succulent Karoo and a Thicket.

• ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THE BIOMES CHECK BLACKBOARD FOR SELF STUDY

Chapter 2 Environmental Health & Pollution

• Environmental Health is the field of science that studies how the environment influences human health and disease.

• Environment means things in the natural environment like air, water and soil, and also all the physical, chemical, biological and social features of our surroundings.

• The ‘man-made’ or ‘built’ environment includes physical structures where people live and work such as homes, offices, schools, farms and factories as well as community systems such as roads and transportation systems, land use practices and waste management. Consequences of human alteration to the natural environment, such as air pollution are parts of the man-made environment

• The social environment encompasses lifestyle factors like diet and exercise, socioeconomic status, and other societal influences that may affect health.

• Proper environment management is the key to avoiding the quarter of all preventable illness which are directly caused by environmental factors. Influences our health in many ways through exposures to physical, chemical and biological risk factors.

Types of Pollution Air pollution Water pollution Land pollution and solid waste Sound/Noise pollution

Pollution – Definition

Any undesirable change in physical , chemical or biological characteristics of air , land , water

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into an environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms.

Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat, or light. ...

AIR POLLUTION

Sources

Combustion of fuel (natural gas, petroleum, coal and

wood)

Industrial process

Natural process (Volcanic)

Air Pollutants and its impact on human health

Particulate MatterDust and smoke particles cause irritation of the respiratory tract and produce bronchitis, asthma and lung diseases.

Dust and smoke function as nuclei for condensation of water vapors and produce smog which attract chemicals like SO2, H2S, NO2,etc. Smog not only reduce visibility but is also harmful due to its contained chemicals.

SMOG

Smog is the combination of smoke and fog. It is a man made air pollutant in urban areas. The term smog was coined by H.A.Des Voeux

Types of Smog

Photochemical Smog

Industrial Smog

Industrial smog

The gray air in industrial cities in cold winter areas, caused from burning fossil fuel.

Industrial smog is in the forms of dust, smoke, soot, ashes, asbestos, oil, lead, heavy metals, and sulfur oxides.

In 1952, industrial smog held in place by a thermal inversion caused the 4,000 deaths in London.

Industrial Smog –“London” Smog“London” smog:fogsoot particlessulfur dioxidetarThis forms a highly acidic mist.Some incidents of deaths associated with sulfurous smog:1930 Meuse Valley, Belgium 631948 Donora, Pennsylvania 201952 London (5 days) 40001962 London 700These deaths lead to a reduction in coal consumption and an increasein alternative fuels, such as gasoline...

DUSTS (Pneumoconiosis) Inorganic Dust Coal Dust - Anthracosis Silica - Silicosis Asbestos - Asbestosis Iron - SiderosisOrganic Dusts Cane Fiber - Bagassosis (Bronchi gets affected)

Cotton dust - Byssinosis (In Textile industries) Tobacco - Tobaccosis, Lung Cancer Grain Dust - Farmer’s Lungs

Coal Dust - Anthracosis

Silica - Silicosis

Asbestos - Asbestosis

Iron- Siderosis

The iris has the " rusty " appearance that results from siderosis.

Pneumoconiosis

A disease of the lungs characterized byfibrosis and caused by the chronicinhalation of mineral dusts, especially silicaand asbestos. When Insoluble Inorganic Material (likesilica and asbestos) enters the lungs, they stay in the lungs and cause inflammation and disease

Oxides of Nitrogen - Brochiolitis

They cause eye irritation and respiratory trouble.

They have mutagenic properties

Ozone - Broncho constriction

Hydrocarbons – Lung Cancer

Sulphur dioxide – COPD,Asthma

COPD - diseases of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed

Grain Dust-Farmer’s Lungs

Carbon Monoxide It is formed by incomplete combustion of carbon fuels in various industries , motor vehicles, hearths,etc.

It causes impairment of judgment and vision, headache and dizziness.

Sulphur Dioxide It is produced in large quantity during smelting of

metallic ores.

It causes trachial irritation, cough, bronchial spasms.

Chlorine It is present in volcanic eruptions and emitted in processes involving use of chlorinated chemicals.

It causes eye and respiratory ailments.

Chlorine rising up in the atmosphere poses danger to ozone layer.

Water Facts

Only about 3% of surface water is fresh water

One-fifth of the world population lack access to clean drinking water

Over 2.6 billion people do not have adequate toilets, sewers or latrines

Water-borne Diseases :

o Affect four billion people every

year

o Kill five million people including

6000 children every year

WATER POLLUTION

oo More than 2 million children are killed by

diarrhoeal diseases each year

o Earth’s oceans are the most important carbon

sink on the planet along with rain forests

o Demand for water will double in next 30 years

o Floods are most frequent disaster worldwide

World Water Demand/Year

1940 1000 km3

1990 4130 km3

2000 5000 km3

2002 6650 km3

2020 9000 km3

WATER POLLUTION

Sources and impacts

Domestic wastes and sewage -- Sewage of municipalities, boats, ships, etc.

It causes depletion of oxygen

It produce foul odour and makes the water oily and brownish.

Increase the sludge which make the water unfit for recreational and industrial use,

It induces the growth of algal blooms.

Surface Run-off -- The pollutants present on the surface of land and fertilizers are washed down into water bodies.

The nitrites enter the blood and combine with hemoglobin to form methaemoglobin. The latter is unable to transport oxygen and gives rise to disease called as methaemoglobinaemia. Infants are the most affected, showing signs of blueness around the mouth, hands and feet, having trouble breathing as well as vomiting and diarrhoea.

Industrial Effluents– They are industrial wastes which are either dumped in the soil or are allowed to pass into water bodies. The effluents contains heavy metals, cyanides, thicynates, chromates, acids, alkalies, organic solvent,etc.

Mercury sources ; Coal, smelting of ores, paper/paint industry

Mercury causes Minamata disease.

Minamata disease is the name given to mercury toxicosis (poisoning) that developed in people who ate contaminated sea food taken from Minamata Bay

The disease results in crippling deformity

Sources of lead pollution

Paints, smelters, chemical and pesticide industries, petrochemicals.

Lead poisoning (also known as plumbism, colica pictonium, saturnism, painter's colic) is a medical condition caused by increased levels of the heavy metal lead in the body.

Lead interferes with a variety of

body processes and is toxic to

many organs and tissues

including the heart, bones,

intestines, kidneys, reproductive

and nervous systems.

Cadmium causes renal damage, emphysema and hypertension and Itai-Itai diseases.

Cadmium Pollution Sources ;

Smelting and refining of metals, or from the air in plants

that make cadmium products such as batteries, coatings,

or plastics .Cigarettes are also a significant source of

cadmium exposure Cadmium is used in industry as a

protective coat for iron, copper and steel Ex; telephone

wires. Paint pigments

Effects Effects seen on liver and kidney mainly.

Organs of toxicity:- Central Nervous System, Kidney .

One of the main effects of cadmium poisoning is weak and brittle bones. Spinal and leg pain is common, and a waddling gait often develops due to bone deformities caused by the cadmium. The pain eventually becomes debilitating, with fractures becoming more common as the bone weakens. Other complications include coughing, anemia, and kidney failure, leading to death

Symptoms

Amoebiasis, sometimes spelt amebiasis, is one of those common diseases, caused by a parasite which infects the bowel casing a type of gastroenteritis infection.

This disease generally occurs in young to middle aged adults who ingest contaminated food or water containing the Entamoeba histolytica microorganism

Amoebiasis

Giardiasis Giardiasis (gee-ar-die-a-sis with a soft "G") is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the parasite, Giardia lamblia The most common manifestations of giardiasis are diarrhoea and abdominal pain, particularly cramping; however, diarrhea is not invariable and occurs in 60% to 90% of patients

The consequence of two bomb blasts over Hiroshima and Nagasaki (JAPAN) still send waves of tremor in us. Innumerable persons died. The survivors not only suffered themselves but also passed to their offspring malignant growth , cancer, congenital deformities, mental retardation, etc.

Nuclear pollution– The source of nuclear pollution are weapon testing, atomic power plants, recycling plants, nuclear wastes, etc.

It causes blood and bone cancer

It disrupts normal functioning of thyroid, and consequently produces abnormal growth and metabolism

Pesticides– They are discharged to the water body through the agricultural run-off.

Chlorinated Hydrocarbon, organo pesticides and inorganic pesticides are poisonous and causes sweating, salivation, nausea, vomiting , diarrhoea and muscular tremors for the people

Chromium has carcinogenic properties.

Nickel can cause damage to liver and kidney.

Arsenic can cause hyper-pigmentation, Keratosis and black foot disease

Fluoride Pollution

96 % of fluoride is found in bones and teeth. Fluorine is essential for the normal mineralization of bones and formation of dental enamel.

Water resources near granitic rocks containing more than 2.5 ppm cause Fluorosis The cause of this diseases mainly due to consumption of high quantity of fluoride through water, food, cosmetic like fluoridated tooth paste, drugs and inhaling air contaminated with fluoride in industrial environment.

Fluorosis was first detected in India among cattle by the farmers of Andhra pradesh State during early 1930. The farmers noticed the inability of the bullocks to walk due to painfull and stiff joints.This endemic fluorosis had been identified in total 15 state of the Indian union.

Fluorosis is a clinical condition recognized by Shrott in 1937 .

NOISE POLLUTION

The term noise is applied to the sound that cause irritation on hearing of healthy human being.

Sources

Transport noise--- Originates from road traffic (vehicular), air craft and rail traffic.

Industrial noise--- It produced by presses; punch and stamp machine, pneumatic drills, milling machines, cutter and routers, dust extractors. etc.

Domestic noise--- It is generated from domestic appliance like washing machines, spin dryers, food mixer, sink waste grinder and vacuum cleaner.

Effects Of Noise Pollution

Hearing damage from noise exposure

Pathological and Physiological disorders

The impact of noise may cause permanent

hearing loss due to the exposure to noise

levels exceeding 90 dB

SOLID WASTE Urban India produces 1,20,000 tons of MSW/Day.

Per capita waste generation in major cities of India ranges from 0.8 kg to 1.0 kg per day.

Of the MSW collected; 94% is dumped on land and 5% is composed.

23 metrocities generates 30,000 tons of SW/Day.

Class-I cities generate 50,000 tons of solid waste per day

Karnataka State generates 3553.97 tons/Day , disposes 2848.05 tons/Day and the remaining is un collected wastes.

Sources

Municipal Wastes

Agricultural Wastes And Sewage Sludge

Industrial Wastes and Mining Wastes

Bio-Medical Wastes

E-Wastes

Radioactive Wastes

Effects of Solid Wastes

Pollute ground water

Waste becomes storehouses for pathogens

Bag pickers affected by skin diseases, respiratory tract

infections, stomach infections, eye irritation, etc.

Dumping helps the breeding of mosquitoes

Burning releases furans (Chlorinated Carbons) which

reduces the fertility of human.

Hazardous substances include mercury, chromium, etc

– Bioaccumulation

Accumulation of copper in soil inhibit plant growth.

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Sustainable Development

Solid wasteManagement

World Conservation

strategy

EnvironmentalLaws

Hazards mitigation

Energyconservation

Rain water HarvestingBiodiversity

conservation

Pollution control

Water Resources

What are the

solutions to all these problems?

Let Us Together Build a World In Which Every Person Has

Hygienic Environment

And Lives in

SanitationSafe Adequate water

THANK YOU ALL