Q01. What are Alternate Energy resources?

Write notes on any two of the following

a) Solar Energy b) Tidal Energy c) Wind Mills d) Geothermal Energy

Alternate Energy Resources:

1. Solar Energy
o Obtained from the Sun.
o Used in solar panels, solar cookers, solar heaters, photovoltaic cells.
2. Wind Energy
o Produced by using wind turbines.
o Useful for electricity generation in windy areas.
3. Hydropower (Small-scale / Micro-hydel projects)
o Energy from flowing or falling water.
o Less polluting compared to large dams.
4. Biomass Energy
o Energy from organic matter like crop residues, animal waste, wood, and biogas.
o Biogas plants produce methane for cooking and electricity.
5. Geothermal Energy
o Heat energy obtained from inside the Earth.
o Used for electricity and heating.
6. Tidal Energy / Ocean Energy
o Energy from tides and waves of the sea.
o Still in experimental and limited use.
7. Hydrogen Energy / Fuel Cells
o Hydrogen gas used as a clean fuel (water is the only byproduct).
Q02. What is Water Pollution? Explain the causes, effects and its control measures.

Definition :
Water pollution is defined as the addition of some substance (Organic / Inorganic / biological)
which degrades the quality of water which is unfit for usage.
Most of the time the water pollution is man made but occasionally it may also occur naturally by
the addition of soil particles, animal & plant waste or leeching of minerals from rocks. Water is
 polluted at all levels; surface water, sea water & ground water. Polluted water can be foul
smelling, unpleasant to taste & may contain harmful bacteria’s, germs & is unfit for drinking &
other domestic usage.

Sources of water pollution

1. Sources of surface water pollution (inland): Ponds, lakes, tanks, streams, rivers
a) Domestic wastage & sewage: wastes from households, municipalities, organic wastes,
tanneries, slaughter houses & canning industries.

The result is the contaminated water which can cause diseases like cholera, typhoid, dysentery,
jaundice & other skin diseases. The polluted water becomes the breeding place for mosquitoes.
a) Industrial effluents: various industries like paper, chemical, dyeing, textile, sugar, jute,
breweries, fertilizers, oil refineries, distilleries etc produce tons of industrial wastes.
This waste is released in to canals, rivers & water bodies which collects in low lying
areas. The effluent may contain heavy metals (Mercury, lead, cadmium, zinc, nickel),
inorganic pollutants (cyanides, acids, alkalis, bleaching liquids). Organic pollutants (oil,
phenol, fatty acids, sulphonated hydrocarbons etc)
b) Solid particles: fertilizers (urea, potash, phosphates, nitrates) insecticides (DDT, copper
sulphate, aldrin, endrin) fungicides (boron), nematicides, herbicides & radioactive
elements
2. Sources of underground water pollution:
a) Sewage & industrial effluents
b) fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides & pesticides
c) Mining activities, septic tanks, seepage pits etc
3. Sources of marine pollution:
a) Dumping of industrial wastes directly by coastal industries or indirectly through river
by inland industries
b) Overseas shipping – oil, grease, petroleum products, detergents etc which spill over
while transport
oil spillage is the major source for marine pollution of water. Nearly 10 million tons of
oil is spilled over accidentally every year which remains in sea for many years & spreads
up to few hundred kilometers.
c) Under water warships: Submarines & their discharge. The remains of the resulting war
which is both under water & on sea (Jet carriers).
Consequences or effects of fresh water pollution

[Link] sewage & organic waste:

 De-oxygenation: Low levels of dissolved oxygen which hampers aquatic life.
 Diseases: Cholera, typhoid, dysentery & hepatitis.
 Foul smelling: The sludge that is released in to water turns water brown & oily
 Blooming or Eutrophication: The sewage & detergents stimulates algal growth causing
algal blooms or eutrophication. The water surface is covered with thick green algae
which dies not allow the sunlight to pass through as result the under water plants does not
photosynthesize. As a result the oxygen levels decrease & results in death of aquatic life
which further increases the dead organic biomass leading to foul smelling & decreased
O2 levels.
 Anaerobiosis: It is also called de-oxygenation which gives rise to secondary pollutants
like hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, oragnic sulphides, methane that makes water brownish
& deoxygenated .
 Biomagnifications / Bioaccumulation : Biological magnification or Bio amplification or
bioaccumulation is increase in the concentration of non biodegradable toxic materials at
each tropic level of a food chain.
Eg: Chlorinated hydrocarbons like DDT, Heptachlor, Aldrin, Endrin & Biocides.
Effects: DDT accumulation in predatory birds interferes with egg shell production. Thin shells
break quickly leading to decrease in bird population.
Chlorinated hydrocarbons - cerebral hemorrhage, hypertension, cancer, liver cirrhosis.

Effects of industrial wastes:

 Mercury: Dimethyl form of mercury undergoes biomagnification in fish. Humans feeding

on poisoned fish develop a crippling deformity called Minamata disease (Appeared in
Japan, 1952 from Minamata bay)
It leads to numbness of lips & limbs, impaired speech, sense of hearing, meningitis,
blurred vision & death. Mercury also causes genetic changes.
 Lead: It is mutagenic & causes anemia, headache, paralysis & bluish lines around gums.
 Cadmium: cadmium biomagnification causes kidney damage, emphysema, hypertension,
anemia & testicular necrosis.
 Arsenic: Mental disturbance, liver cirrhosis, ulcers in gastrointestinal disease.
 Selenium: Fever, nervousness, vomiting, dental caries.
 Chromium: It causes cancer, nephritis, gastro intestinal ulceration, liver damage.
 Copper: Hypertension, sporadic fever, uremia, coma
 Nitrates: they combine with hemoglobin to form blue baby syndrome (Cyanosis) ie
methyl – haemoglobin – emia
 Fluorides: causes fluorosis –resulting in mottling of teeth followed by weak bones, boat
shaped posture of body & knocking knees.
 Cobalt: High concentration leads to paralysis & diarrhea
 Barium: causes salivation, intestinal disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, paralysis.
 Silt: water becomes muddy, blocks the light penetration inside soil, reduces plant growth.
 Radioactive water: they are carcinogenic and causes genetic changes.

Consequences of marine pollution

1. Oil pollution inhibits plankton growth & photosynthetic activity of aquatic plants
2. The toxic effect of oil destroys animal life by decreasing oxygen level
3. Oil spreads over water surface & may catch fire & kills organic life
4. Oil smeared sea birds fall sick & die. Nearly 50,000 birds die by oil smears
5. Consuming poisoned fish (hydrocarbons & benzene) increases the chances of cancer in
humans
6. The detergents used to clean this oil spill is also equally harmful

Water pollution control measures

1. Sedimentation: Used to separate insoluble material which is allowed to settle down due to
gravity by using sedimentation tanks.
2. Filtration: About 2m deep rectangular beds of coarse sand or crushed stone are made. The
water filters through the beds & insoluble material is separated. If feasible even thin
microfilms are used.
3. Chemical treatment: This method is used to remove very fine suspended particles which
do not settle down in sedimentation method. The treatment involves adding lime, alum
or ferric chloride
 4. Disinfection: It means to destroy any infectious substance. This includes pathogenic
germs & inactivating them. The following methods are involved
 Simplest method is to boil the water
 Chlorination: Adding chlorine to water for killing germs. It prevents the spread of water
borne diseases.
 Ozonisation: the 03 gas is used as a good disinfectant
 UV radiation: UV rays can be used to disinfect water. The rays make the germs inactive.
It is used in water purifiers.
 Dissolved air floatation: Used to treat oily water
 Activated process: O2 is mixed with water by mechanical agitator & in some cases
activated carbon is used (obtained from coal) to remove organic substance.

Q03. Write notes on Grassland Ecosystem; explain its characteristics, structure & Function.

GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM

Grassland occupies about 20% of earth’s surface. In addition to grass some trees and shrubs are/also present in
grasslands. Limited grazing helps to improve the net primary production of the grasslands. But, overgrazing
leads degradation of these grasslands resulting in desertification.

Types of grassland ecosystem

Depending upon the climate conditions grassland are classified into three types

• Tropical grasslands

• Temperate grasslands

• Polar grasslands

Features of different types of grassland

Tropical grasslands

They are found near the borders of tropical rain forests. Characterised by high temperature and moderate
rainfall (40 to 100 cm). It is also known as Savanna type. Tall grasses with scattered shrubs and stunted trees and
animals like zebras, giraffes, antelopes, etc., are observed here.

Temperate grasslands

They are usually found in the centres of continents, highly sloped hills. They are characterised by very cold
winters and hot summers: Intense grazing and summer fires, do not support shrubs or trees to grow.

Polar grasslands

They are found in arctic polar regions. They are characterised by severe cold and strong winds along with ice and
snow. In summers several small annual plants grow. There are animals like arctic wolf, weasel, arctic fox, etc.,

Characteristics of Grassland Ecosystems

• Grassland ecosystem is a plain land occupied by grasses.

• Soil is very rich in nutrients and organic matter.

• Since it has tall grass, it is ideal place for grazing animals.

• It is characterised by low or uneven rainfall.

Structure and function of the grassland Ecosystems

Abiotic components: Nutrients, H, 0, N, P, S, etc., These abiotic components are supplied by C02, H2O, C,
Nitrate, phosphates and sulphates.

Biotic Components

Producers: They produce food.

Ex: Grasses, Herbs and shrubs.

Consumers:.

Primary consumers (herbivores) :They depend on grasses for their food Ex: Insects, cows, buffaloes, deer, sheep,
etc.,

Secondary consumers (carnivores) :They feed on herbivores. Examples: Lizards, birds, Snakes, jackals, fox, etc.,

Tertiary consumers: They feed on secondary consumers Ex: Hawks, eagle, etc.,

Decomposers :They decompose the dead organic matter Ex: Fungi and bacteria.

Importance:

• Grasslands are of vital importance for raising livestock for human consumption and for milk and other dairy
products

• Grasslands provided home to many different animals that were hunted and domesticated

• They are used as grazing area for cattle

• They Maintain Biodiversity

• Protects restored habitat for many plants and animals including pheasant, ducks, songbirds and endangered
species

Short Essay (Answer any FOUR questions) 04 x 05 M = 20 Marks

Q04. Explain with a diagram the pond Ecosystem.

FRESH WATER ECOSYSTEM POND ECOSYSTEMS

Introduction

A pond is a fresh water aquatic ecosystems, where water is stagnant. It receives enough water during rainy
season. It contains several types of algae, aquatic plants, insects, fishes and birds.
Characteristics of pond

• Pond is temporary, only seasonal.

• It is a stagnant fresh water body.

• Ponds get polluted easily due to limited amount of water.

• Pond ecosystems are lentic ecosystems – i.e. they involve stagnant or standing water.

Structure and functions of pond ecosystems

Abiotic components

Ex: Temperature, light, water and organic and inorganic compounds

Biotic Components

• Producers

These include green photosynthetic organism. They are of two types.

• Phytoplankton: These are microscopic marine plants, which freely float on the surface of water.

Ex: Floating plants like Nostoc, Anabena, Consmarium.

• Microphytes are microscopic algae

Ex: Floating plants and submerged plants like hydrilla, Jussiaea, wolfia, demna.

Consumers

Primary consumers (Zooplanktons): These are microscopic animals which freely float on the surface of water.

Zooplanktons are found along with phytoplankton. They feed on plants (phytoplankton).

Ex: Protozoa, very small fish, ciliates, flagelaltes and protozoans.

Secondary consumers (Carnivores):They feed on zooplankton

Ex: Insects like water beetles and small fish.

Tertiary consumers :They feed on smaller fish

Ex: Large fish like game fish.

Decomposers: They decompose the dead plant and animal matter and their nutrients are released and reused
by the green plants.

Ex: Fungi, bacteria and flagellates

Importance of pond ecosystems.

1. Biodiversity: Pond ecosystems are very important habitats for so many different types of fish, birds, plants
and crustaceans as well as insects such as dragonflies, damsel flies and pond skaters.
2. Ubiquity: Pond ecosystems can be found on every continent on the planet.

3. Abundance: Pond ecosystems are very abundant. Not only can they be found almost everywhere, they can be
found plentifully.

4. Source of hydration: A watering hole in a prairie or desert many species of animals will come to pond.
Humans can also use these ecosystems as a source of water.

5. Beauty: Pond ecosystems are very beautiful as well.

Q05. What are water resources? With a neat diagram explain Hydrological cycle.

Water Resources

Water resources refer to the natural sources of water that are potentially useful for human and
environmental purposes. These resources are vital for agriculture, industry, domestic use, hydropower
generation, and maintaining ecosystems.

While approximately 97% of the Earth's water is saline (salt water) and about two-thirds of the
remaining freshwater is locked in glaciers and ice caps, the usable freshwater resources primarily consist
of:

1. Surface Water: Water found in rivers, lakes, ponds, and freshwater wetlands. It is replenished
by precipitation and lost through discharge, evaporation, and groundwater recharge.
2. Groundwater: Water present beneath the Earth's surface in the pore spaces of soil and rock
formations (aquifers). It is a significant source of usable freshwater, recharged through the
process of infiltration and percolation.
3. Frozen Water: Water stored in the form of glaciers and polar ice caps, which represents the
largest reservoir of freshwater, although it is not readily accessible for use.

The Hydrological Cycle (Water Cycle)

The Hydrological Cycle (or Water Cycle) is the continuous process that circulates water in its solid,
liquid, and gaseous phases within the Earth-atmosphere system. It is powered by solar energy and is
crucial for replenishing fresh water resources and maintaining the global climate.

The cycle involves a continuous exchange of moisture between the oceans, the atmosphere, and the land
through several major processes:

Diagram of the Hydrological Cycle

Major Steps of the Hydrological Cycle

1. Evaporation �: The process where liquid water (mainly from oceans, rivers, and lakes) is
converted into a gaseous state, water vapor, and rises into the atmosphere. This transformation
is driven by heat energy from the sun.
2. Transpiration �: The process by which plants absorb water through their roots and then release
it as water vapor into the atmosphere through small pores (stomata) on their leaves. The
combined process of evaporation and transpiration is often termed Evapotranspiration.
 3. Condensation ☁�: As the warm, moist air (containing water vapor) rises, it cools. The water
vapor changes back into tiny liquid water droplets or ice crystals, which collect around
microscopic particles (condensation nuclei) to form clouds.
4. Precipitation �: When the cloud droplets or ice crystals grow large enough, they become too
heavy for the air to support and fall back to the Earth's surface in the form of rain, snow, sleet,
or hail. This is the primary mechanism for returning fresh water to the land.
5. Infiltration/Percolation �: When precipitation reaches the ground, some of the water soaks into
the soil (infiltration) and moves downward through the rock layers (percolation) to replenish the
groundwater reservoirs or aquifers.
6. Runoff �: The remaining water that does not evaporate or infiltrate flows over the land surface,
eventually collecting in streams, rivers, lakes, and ultimately flowing back to the oceans. This is
known as surface runoff.

Q06. Explain the causes for Air pollution

Air pollutants occur in all three states of matter namely solid, liquid & gas. They are further
divided in to primary & secondary pollutants.

Primary pollutants: Includes chemical substances like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide,
sulphur oxide hydrocarbons. Particulate matters which are caused due to humans includes soot,
cosmic dust, minerals, poisonous gases Etc
The particulate matter is intern divided in to 2 types
a) Organic particulates: released by burning of fuels & the examples are smoke, soot fly
 ash, fumes.
b) Inorganic particulates: are produced by mining, smelting & the examples are lead,
asbestos & other heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Ni, Al) & organic solvents like Benzene.

Secondary pollutants: They are formed in the air by the chemical reaction of one or more
primary pollutants & other components of atmosphere.
Eg: So2 when reacts with oxygen forms S03 a poisonous gas, similarly many aldehydes &
phenols are also poisonous. These are man made pollutants they are also called as non criterion
secondary pollutants.

Sources of air pollution

1. Natural sources: Volcanic eruptions, forest fires, organic & inorganic decays, marsh
gases, extra terrestrial bodies (meteor storms), pollen grains etc.
2. Man made sources:
 Increase in population
 Domestic usage – coal burning, firewood, kerosene, LPG, PNG-LNG etc
 Industrial emissions & effluents
 Vehicular emissions
 Deforestation
 Agriculture – Inorganic fertilizers & Biocides
 Wars – Nuclear weapon, chemical warfare & biological warfare
Q07. Define Sustainability. What are the 3 main pillars of sustainable development?
Q08. Explain different types of Ecosystem.

Ecosystems are communities of living organisms (biotic components) interacting with each
other and with their non-living (abiotic) environment. They are typically classified based on
their dominant environment.

1. Natural Ecosystems

These are self-sustaining ecosystems that operate without significant human interference.
They are broadly divided based on their medium (land or water).

A. Terrestrial Ecosystems (Land-Based)

These are ecosystems that exist on land and are mainly determined by climate, soil, and
vegetation.

Type Characteristics Example

Characterized by dense tree cover. Can be tropical (rainforests),

Amazon Rainforest,
Forest � temperate (deciduous), or boreal (coniferous/Taiga). High
Himalayan Forests.
biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
Type Characteristics Example

Savanna (Africa),
Grassland Dominated by grasses with few or scattered trees. Subject to
Prairies (North
� moderate rainfall and often used for grazing.
America).

Characterized by low precipitation and extreme temperature

Sahara Desert, Gobi
Desert � fluctuations (hot or cold). Organisms are highly adapted to scarce
Desert.
water conditions.

Cold, treeless regions found in the Arctic or on high mountains

Tundra ❄
(Alpine Tundra). Characterized by permafrost (permanently frozen Arctic Tundra.
�
subsoil) and low-lying vegetation.

Export to Sheets

B. Aquatic Ecosystems (Water-Based)

These are ecosystems that exist in water, and are classified based on their salinity (salt
content).

Type Characteristics Sub-Types & Examples

Lentic (still water): Lakes, Ponds.

Water has a low salt concentration (typically less Lotic (flowing water): Rivers,
Freshwater
than 5 parts per thousand). Streams. Wetlands (saturated soil):
Marshes, Swamps.

Water has a high salt concentration (typically 35

parts per thousand or more). They are the Oceans, Seas, Coral Reefs, Open
Marine �
largest ecosystems, covering about 71% of Ocean, Deep Sea.
Earth's surface.

Areas where freshwater mixes with saltwater,

Brackish Estuaries, Salt Marshes, Mangrove
resulting in intermediate salinity. Extremely rich
Water Forests.
in nutrients and biodiversity.

2. Artificial (Man-Made) Ecosystems

These ecosystems are created, modified, and maintained by humans for specific purposes.

 Agro-ecosystems: Crop fields, plantations, and farmlands managed for food

production (e.g., a rice paddy, a wheat field).
  Urban Ecosystems: Cities, towns, and suburban areas where human structures and
modified landscapes (parks, gardens) are dominant.
 Aquaria/Reservoirs: Man-made aquatic environments like fish tanks, dams, and
reservoirs built for water storage and power generation.

Short Answer (Answer all questions) 05 x 02 M = 10 Marks

Q09. What is Desertification?

Desertification is a type of land degradation in which fertile land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-
humid areas (collectively called drylands) becomes increasingly arid and loses its biological
productivity.

Q10. Explain inexhaustible resources

Inexhaustible resources are natural resources that are present in unlimited quantity and are
not depleted by human consumption at the rate at which they are used or replenished. They
are also known as non-conventional or renewable resources.

They are continually available and their stock is not finite.

Key Points:

 Availability: They are available in such abundance that they will never run out,
regardless of how much we use them.
 Replenishment: They are naturally and continuously replenished by natural
processes.

Examples:

 Solar energy (Sunlight) ☀�

 Wind energy �
 Tidal energy (Tides and waves)

Q11. What is a Food Web?

A Food Web is a complex, graphical model representing the natural interconnection of

multiple food chains in an ecosystem. It shows the overlapping feeding relationships among
different organisms and illustrates the intricate pathways through which energy and
nutrients flow from producers to consumers.

Q12. Define Environment

The Environment is defined as the sum total of all external forces, influences, and
conditions that surround and affect the life, survival, and development of an organism or an
ecological community. It comprises two main components:

1. Abiotic (Non-living) Factors: Includes physical and chemical components like air,
water, soil, light, temperature, and climate.
2. Biotic (Living) Factors: Includes all living organisms like plants, animals,
microorganisms, and their interactions (competition, predation, etc.).

Q13. What are Decomposers?

Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter (such as dead plants,
animals, and waste products) into simpler inorganic substances.

 Role: They are essential for nutrient cycling, as they release vital elements like
carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus back into the soil, air, and water, making them
available again for use by producers (plants).
 Examples: The primary decomposers are bacteria and fungi.