Preliminary ExaminationESE 2017UPSC ENGINEERING SERVICES EXAMINATION

General Studies andEngineering Aptitude

Paper

Publications

www.madeeasypublications.org

Basics of Energy and Environment

6

Comprehensive Theory with Practice Questions

As per new syllabus of ESE 2017

I

MADE EASY PUBLICATIONS has taken due care in collecting the data and providing the solutions, before publishing this book. Inspite of this, if any inaccuracy or printing error occurs then MADE EASY PUBLICATIONS owes no responsibility. MADE EASY PUBLICATIONS will be grateful if you could point out any such error. Your suggestions will be appreciated.

© All rights reserved by MADE EASY PUBLICATIONS. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form without the written permission from the publisher.

MADE EASY Publications

Corporate Office: 44-A/4, Kalu Sarai (Near Hauz Khas Metro Station), New Delhi-110016E-mail: infomep@madeeasy.inContact: 011-45124660, 08860378007

Visit us at: www.madeeasypublications.org

ESE-2017 : Preliminary ExaminationPaper-I : General Studies and Engineering Aptitude

Basics of Energy and Environment© Copyright, by MADE EASY Publications.

All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval

system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording or

otherwise), without the prior written permission of the above mentioned publisher of this book.

1st Edition : 2016

Publications

PrefaceThe compilation of this book Basics of Energy and

Environment was motivated by the desire to provide a

concise book which can benefit students to understand

the concepts of energy and environment topics.

This textbook Basics of Energy and Environment

provides all the requirements of the students, i.e.

comprehensive coverage of theory, fundamental

concepts and objective type questions articulated in a

lucid language. The concise presentation will help the readers grasp the theory of this subject with

clarity and apply them with ease to solve objective questions quickly. This book not only covers the

syllabus of ESE but also addresses the need of many other competitive examinations. Topics like

‘Energy & its Conservation, Environment & its Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation,

Climate Change, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)’ are given full emphasis, keeping in mind

of our research on their importance in competitive examinations.

We have put in our sincere efforts to present detailed theory and MCQs without compromising the

accuracy of answers. For the interest of the readers, some notes, do you know and interesting facts

are given in the comprehensive manner. At the end of each chapter, sets of practice question are

given with their keys, that will allow the readers to evaluate their understanding of the topics and

sharper their question solving skills.

Our team has made their best efforts to remove all possible errors of any kind. Nonetheless, we would

highly appreciate and acknowledge if you find and share with us any printing and conceptual errors.

It is impossible to thank all the individuals who helped us, but we would like to sincerely thank all

the authors, editors and reviewers for putting in their efforts to publish this book.

With Best Wishes

B. Singh

CMD, MADE EASY

Chapter 1Energy & its Conservation ............................. 1 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................ 1

1.1.1 Types of Energy Resources ............................... 1

1.2 Renewable Energy Resources ....................................... 2

1.2.1 Solar Energy ........................................................... 2

1.2.2 Wind Energy .......................................................... 4

1.2.3 Ocean Energy ........................................................ 4

1.2.4 Hydro Energy ........................................................ 8

1.2.5 Biomass Energy .................................................... 9

1.2.6 Geothermal Energy ...........................................12

1.3 Non-renewable Energy Resources ............................13

1.3.1 Coal .........................................................................13

1.3.2 Petroleum .............................................................14

1.3.3 Natural Gas ...........................................................14

1.3.4 Nuclear Energy ...................................................14

1.4 Chemical Sources of Energy ....................................15

1.4.1 Fuel Cells ...............................................................15

1.4.2 Hydrogen ..............................................................15

1.4.3 Biofuels ..................................................................16

1.5 Energy Conservation .....................................................16

1.5.1 Some Energy Conservation Techniques ....17

1.5.2 Energy Conservation in India ........................17

Objective Brain Teasers ...................................................18

Chapter 2Environment & its Conservation...............21 2.1 Introduction ......................................................................21

2.1.1 Nature of Relationship between

Man & Environment ..........................................21

2.1.2 Environmental Factors .....................................22

2.2 Ecology ...............................................................................24

2.2.1 Ecological Principles .........................................25

2.2.2 Significance of Ecology .................................25

2.3 Ecosystem ..........................................................................25

2.3.1 Structure of Ecosystem ....................................25

2.3.2 Types of Ecosystem ...........................................27

2.3.3 Ecological Pyramid ............................................28

2.3.4 Food Chain ..........................................................31

2.3.5 Ecotone .................................................................31

2.3.6 Biological Spectrum ........................................32

2.3.7 Ecological Niche .................................................32

2.3.8 Ecological Footprint ..........................................33

2.3.9 Carbon Footprint ...............................................33

2.3.10 Biotic Succession ...............................................33

2.4 Biome ..................................................................................34

2.4.1 Types of Biome ...................................................34

2.5 Biodiversity ........................................................................35

2.5.1 Extent and Magnitude of Biodiversity .......35

2.5.2 Biodiversity Regions of India: ........................36

2.5.3 Loss of Biodiversity............................................36

2.5.4 Biodiversity Hotspot .........................................37

2.5.5 Conservation of Biodiversity .........................41

2.5.6 Environmental Movements and

Personalities ........................................................42

2.5.7 Environmental Institutions in India .............42

2.5.8 Wetlands ...............................................................43

2.5.9 Mangrove .............................................................44

2.5.10 Coral Reef .............................................................45

2.6 Environmental Degradation .......................................46

2.6.1 Bioremediation ...................................................46

2.7 Conservation of Environment ....................................47

2.7.1 Indian Organisations for Conservation

of Environment ..................................................47

2.7.2 International Conventions on

Conservation of Environment ......................48

2.8 Environmental Events ...................................................51

Objective Brain Teasers ...................................................52

Basics of Energy and Environment

ContentsGeneral Studies and Engineering Aptitude

(vi)

Chapter 3Environmental Pollution and Degradation .......................................................58 3.1 Introduction ......................................................................58

3.1.1 Pollutant ................................................................58

3.2 Classifications of Pollution ...........................................58

3.2.1 Air Pollution .........................................................59

3.2.2 Water Pollution ...................................................66

3.2.3 Soil Pollution .......................................................71

3.2.4 Noise Pollution ...................................................73

3.2.5 Bio Pollution ........................................................74

3.2.6 Radiation Pollution ...........................................74

3.3 Environmental Laws for Controlling Pollution .....75

Objective Brain Teasers ...................................................76

Chapter 4Climate Change .................................................81 4.1 Introduction ......................................................................81

4.1.1 Difference Between Climate

and Weather ........................................................81

4.2 Greenhouse Gases ..........................................................82

4.2.1 Types of Greenhouse Gases ...........................82

4.2.2 Effects of Greenhouse Gases .........................83

4.2.3 Largest Emitters of Greenhouse Gases ......84

4.3 Global Warming ...............................................................84

4.3.1 Possible Effects of Global Warming .............84

4.3.2 Approaches to Deal with

Global Warming .................................................85

4.3.3 Ozone Layer .........................................................85

4.4 Causes of Climate Change ...........................................87

4.4.1 Natural Causes ....................................................87

4.4.2 Anthropogenic Causes ....................................88

4.4.3 Terrestial Causes .................................................89

4.5 Evidences of Climate Change .....................................89

4.6 Conventions on Climate Change ..............................90

4.6.1 United Nations Framework Convention

on Climate Change (UNFCCC) .......................90

4.6.2 Kyoto Protocol ....................................................91

4.6.3 Durban Summit ..................................................92

4.6.4 COP-21 ...................................................................93

4.7 National Action Plan on Climate Change ...............94

Objective Brain Teasers ...................................................94

Chapter 5Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) .......................................................................98 5.1 Introduction ......................................................................98

5.2 EIA Regulations ................................................................99

5.3 Steps in Environmental Impact Assessment

Process ............................................................................. 100

5.3.1 Environmental Appraisal Committee

(EAC) .................................................................... 101

5.4 Roles of Parties in EIA Process ................................ 102

5.5 Forms of Impact Assessment ................................... 103

5.5.1 Strategic Environment Assessment

(SEA) .................................................................... 103

5.6 Benefits of EIA ............................................................... 103

5.7 Limitations of EIA ......................................................... 104

Objective Brain Teasers ................................................ 104

nnnn