Environment:

The term environment has been derived from a French word Environia means to
surround. It refers to both abiotic (physical or non-living) and biotic (living)
environment. The word environment means surroundings, in which organisms live.
Environment and the organisms are two dynamic and complex component of
nature. Environment regulates the life of the organisms including human beings.
Human beings interact with the environment more vigorously than other living
beings. Ordinarily environment refers to the materials and forces that surrounds the
living organism.

Environment is the sum total of conditions that surrounds us at a given point of time
and space. It is comprised of the interacting systems of physical, biological and
cultural elements which are interlinked both individually and collectively.
Environment is the sum total of conditions in which an organism has to survive or
maintain its life process. It influences the growth and development of living forms.

1. According to P. Gisbert Environment is anything immediately surrounding an

object and exerting a direct influence on it.

2. According to E. J. Ross Environment is an external force which influences us.

Components of Environment:

Environment mainly consists of atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and

biosphere. But it can be roughly divided into two types such as (a) Micro
environment and (b) Macro environment. It can also be divided into two other types
such as (c) Physical and (d) biotic environment.

Abiotic/Physical component

In biology, abiotic components are non-living chemical and physical factors in

the environment. Abiotic phenomena underlie all of biology. Abiotic factors, while
generally downplayed, can have enormous impact on evolution. Abiotic components
are aspects of geodiversity.They can also be recognised as "abiotic pathogens"

Biotic component

Biotic components are the living things that shape an ecosystem. A biotic factor is
any living component that affects another organism, including animals that
consume the organism in question, and the living food that the organism consumes.
Biotic factors include human influence.

SMOG:
Smog usually is produced through a complex set of photochemical reactions
involving volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and nitrogen oxides in the presence of
sunlight that result in the production of ozone. Smog-forming pollutants come from
many sources, such as automobile exhausts, power plants, factories, and many
consumer products, including paints, hair spray, charcoal starter fluid, solvents, and
even plastic popcorn packaging. In typical urban areas, at least half of the smog
precursors come from cars, buses, trucks, and boats. Smog is formed from
combustion, or burning, of fossil fuels like coal and oil. Fossil fuels power much of
our electricity, allow us to drive cars, and are the means for powering factories that
manufacture everyday goods. Smog is especially common in cities with a lot of cars
and traffic, like LA. Smog isn't just found in the United States, though. Developing
nations like China, India, and the Middle East also have high levels of air pollution.

Major smog occurrences often are linked to heavy motor vehicle traffic, high
temperatures, sunshine, and calm winds. Weather and geography affect the location
and severity of smog. Because temperature regulates the length of time it takes for
smog to form, smog can form faster and be more severe on a hot and sunny day.
When temperature inversions occur (warm air stays near the ground instead of
rising) and winds are calm, smog may stay trapped over your city for days. As traffic
and other sources add more pollutants to the air, the smog gets worse. Smog is
often more severe away from the pollution sources because the chemical reactions
that cause smog occur in the atmosphere while the reacting chemicals are being
moved by the wind.

Photochemical smog is a type of secondary pollutant that occurs when the

chemicals given off react with sunlight in the atmosphere.

Photochemical smog is produced when pollutants from the combustion of fossil fuels
react with sunlight. The energy in the sunlight converts the pollutants into other
toxic chemicals. In order for photochemical smog to form, there must be
other pollutants in the air, specifically nitrous oxides and other volatile organic
compounds (VOCs).

When nitrous oxides and VOCs interact with sunlight, secondary pollutants are
formed, such as ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate. These secondary pollutants are
what we have been calling photochemical smog. When ozone is near humans, it can
cause serious problems with our lungs and vision. Peroxyacetyl nitrate is one of the
chemicals that is responsible for damaging lung tissue, and photochemical smog
forms plenty of it.

Ecological balance:

Similar to a society, species in an ecosystem each have a role in keeping the

ecosystem running smoothly. For example, predators keep the population of mice
under control, insects pollinate flowers, and worms decompose leaf litter. All species
are important and help keep the ecosystem balanced. Ecological balance is a term
describing how ecosystems are organized in a state of stability where species
coexist with other species and with their environment.

Ecological balance has been defined by various online dictionaries as "a state of
dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and
ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through
natural succession." and "A stable balance in the numbers of each species in an
ecosystem."

The most important point being that the natural balance in an ecosystem is
maintained. This balance may be disturbed due to the introduction of new species,
the sudden death of some species, natural hazards or man-made causes. In this
field trip we will explore how human population and development affects the
ecological balance.

There are certain issues and problems that are related to ecological imbalance.
These are problems that have evolved because of the disruption of ecological
equilibrium. Probably, there are three major problems which effects of imbalances in
the ecosystem:
1. Global problems these are problems that affect different nations and can only
be resolve through solidarity of affected nation. Some global problems are:
Global warming or Greenhouse effect
Acid Rain
Pollution (Air and Marine Pollution)
Depletion of ozone layer in the atmosphere
Radioactive fallout because of nuclear war
2. National problems these are problems that affect a country and can only be
resolved within the country. These national environmental issues are:
Pollution (air, water and soil)
Degradation of natural resources such as soil erosion, deforestation,
depletion of wildlife, shortage of energy, degradation of marine ecosystems and
depletion of mineral resources
Alteration and inconsistent land use like the conversion of agricultural land
into industrial estates, conversion of mangrove swamps into fishponds and salt
beds.
3. Community problems these are problems that affect in a particular localities or
communities and can only be resolve at in that exact level.
Broken and not flowing drainage
Stench damping site (Pollution)
Widespread of epidemic in localities