Solution-Class 9-Science-Chapter-9-Environmental Management-Maharashtra Board

i. Of the abiotic factors that affect biodiversity by far the most important is geographic favourability.

Justification : Geographic favourability decides the survival and growth of plants and animals. Therefore, biodiversity depends upon the abiotic conditions of the particular region.

ii. A description of the climatic conditions of short duration in a particular area is weather.

Justification : Weather is the climatic conditions of a particular space in a specified time. This is of short duration.

iii. Irrespective of the progress of human beings, we have to think about climate.

Justification : The day-to-day life of all of us depends upon the climatic factors. Due to climate change there is increased frequency of natural calamities.

When such natural calamity strikes, there are severe problems of water supply, food production, health and infrastructures. These impacts are entirely due to climate change. Therefore, irrespective of progress, human is at the mercy of climate.

iv. Establishments where various climatic factors are recorded are called observatory

Justification : In the observatory, there are recordings of the research done regarding the weather and climate patterns. There are different techniques and instruments for understanding meteorological processes.

(1) When the victims are injured in a disaster, then the help rendered to him or her before the medical doctor arrives, is called first aid. It is done with the intention of saving a life.

(2) The three main measures which may save the lives are airway, breathing and circulation i.e. ABC of first aid. These are also called the basic principles of first aid.

The following first aid should be provided to victims of disasters:

• Airway: If a person faces difficulty in breathing, raise the chin or hold the head in backward sloping position, so as to keep the respiratory passage open.
• Breathing: If the person has stopped breathing, give artificial respiration mouth to mouth.
• Circulation: If the person is unconscious, first give mouth to mouth respiration. If the person doesn't revives, perform CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) by pressing the heart hard using both palms. Repeat these two steps alternately after every 15 minutes.
• Bleeding: Cover the wound with an antiseptic pad and apply pressure for 5 minutes using thumb or palm.
• Fracture: Immobilise the fractured part using any wooden rods, rulers etc.
• Burns: Hold the burned part under cold and flowing water for at least 10 minutes.
• Sprain, Twisting and Contusion: Let the person rest, apply ice pack on the injured area, then massage it gently and keep the affected area elevated.

Waste separation or segregation, composting, vermicomposting, secured landfill and pyrolysis are the scientific methods in municipal solid waste management.

Waste separation : This is a primary stage in waste management. The dry and wet wastes are separated, stored and later collected for proper use.

Incineration: Incineration is a process of solid waste disposal in which the waste is burned at very high temperatures, resulting in reduction of weight and volume of the waste, and decrease in toxicity of hazardous components of the wastes. It is a preferred method for disposal of biomedical waste. 
Secured landfill : Industrial and municipal solid waste can be disposed off in an eco-friendly manner in landfills.

• In this method, a suitable site and location is selected. This site should be 2 kilometres away from water bodies.
• It should be away from human settlements and highways. It should not come under forest zone or ecological sensitive zone.
• There are clay and plastic liners placed in landfills, before waste is dumped. This can prevent leaching of the waste.

These landfill areas can then be converted into a playground or a park, once the site is full.
Pyrolysis: It is a method for the solid waste management. It is the chemical decomposition of solid waste by heat under high pressure and the end products of pyrolysis are used to produce steam and electricity.
Composting: It is a method which is used for management of organic wastes. It is a process in which organic waste material is decomposed in pits to release nutrients. A good quality manure can be produced by composting leftover food, kitchen waste, peels of fruits, vegetables, etc.
Vermicomposting: The process of making compost from kitchen garbage using earthworms is called vermicomposting.

• Waste separation or segregation, composting, vermicomposting, secured landfill and pyrolysis are the scientific methods in municipal solid waste management.
• In this method, common species of earthworms like Eisenia foetida or E. euglish are used for the degradation of wastes.
• The manure generated is highly nutritious in nature and can be used for garden plants and agricultural purposes.

• Due to the detailed research work going in observatories and also by meteorologists, the forecasts of forthcoming natural disasters can be predicted.
• Weather forecasting and disaster management go hand in hand. Weather forecasting helps in predicting the weather of an area for the next 2-3 days.
• When a natural calamity strikes there is large scale damage to the properties and also to the life. The only way to save people from such disaster is to shift them, relocate and save the lives. This is possible only by weather forecasting.
• Any kind of unfavourable changes which could occur in the near future are predicted by the meteorological department.
• Example- In 2013 when the cyclone Phailin struck the coast of Orissa in India. It was observed by researcher of the Indian Meteorological Association that on 4^th October 2013, they found development of low pressure belt near Thailand. This cyclone was shifting towards India and the forecast was that this will hit the coast of India in South East region of Orissa. When confirmed about this prediction, Government’s Disaster Management Cell shifted 5 lakh people from the coast of Orissa within 3 to 4 days to safer regions. The cyclone struck but there was no loss of life due to this timely action.
• If we know that a disaster may occur during a definite period of time, disaster management can be helpful in reducing the loss to lives and property. The disaster management teams and the local people can be informed about it and the required precautions can be undertaken.
• In recent years, if natural calamities such as storm, cyclone, and earthquake are expected, then the Disaster Management Cell of the Government of India warns people and helps them to move away and relocate.

• E-waste or electronic waste is formed due to electronic gadgets such as computers, mobile phones, TV sets, etc. which are not in proper condition.
• Most of the electronic wastes are generated in cities, however, due to faster rate of development and improved lifestyle, now small towns and villages are also contributing to e-waste generation.
• E-wastes are very dangerous and polluting as they contain many harmful substances, such as plastics, lead, cadmium, and mercury.
• These heavy metals are non-biodegradable in nature. Therefore, they remain accumulated in the environment and remain there for a long period of time.
• They also cause for several life-threatening diseases, including cancer.
• Many of these harmful metals can enter the food chain and result in bioaccumulation.
• The soil microorganisms are directly and indirectly affected by E-waste.

Burning and land filling of E-waste is dangerous for the surrounding environment and hence, disposing it becomes difficult.

Solid waste management can also be practiced at individual levels.

• I will segregate our kitchen wastes into biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.
• The wet waste will be carried in the garden and will be used for making manure by natural decomposition.
• I can also try performing vermicomposting by releasing earthworms into the biodegradable material of the wet garbage.
• I will take care that Non biodegradable waste need not go into waste rather it can through the process of reuse and recycle.
• For example old glass jars and bottles can be used as planters, or pen holders etc.
• Things which can not be reused or recycled can be considered wastes. I will also try to use less of plastic bags and more of jute bags for our daily chores.
• I will avoid use of disposable products as they add to the menace of waste disposal.
• I shall attempt to reduce the proportion of the wastes. For the same purpose I shall follow 7 R principles of waste management.
• I shall never throw the seeds of fruits into the dust bins, instead I will try to grow Saplings from them. I shall persuade my friends and

Meteorology: Meteorology is the science that studies the inter-relationships between the various components of air, natural cycles, geological movements of the earth and climate.

• It includes the study of storms, clouds, rainfall, thunder, lightning, etc.
• Depending upon the study of such factors, weather forecasts are made.
• Predictions made by the meteorological department is important to common people, farmers, fisheries, aviation services, water transport and various other organizations.
• For this purpose, on the International level, The World Meteorological Organization was established whereas on national level there is Indian Meteorological Department.

There are various models which are used weather prediction:

• Mathematical Model: In this model, supercomputers are used to analyse complex data collected from observations and to find the optimal solution.
• Holistic Model: In this model, the output from other models are also taken into consideration and then collectively final prediction is made.

• Climatic factors: Atmospheric pressure, sunlight, clouds, humidity, rainfall, visibility, temperature, etc. are the chief climatic factors.
• All of these climatic factors decide the atmospheric conditions of the particular space at the specific time.
• Climate remains constant for a region and does not change continuously.
• The climate of a particular region is decided by the average of daily readings of various weather-related parameters recorded for several years.
• It influences our lives in terms of our basic needs like food, clothing and shelter as well as our occupations.
• These climatic factors are important in development of infrastructures like high scrapers, bridges, airport runways etc. 

Monsoon model: In 1930's, the director of IMD, Sir Gilbert Walker established a relationship between Indian monsoon and the various worldwide climatic factors.

It was Dr Vasantrao Govarikar who finally developed the monsoon model based upon 16 worldwide climatic parameters and this model was in use from 1990 to 2002.

There are three types of monsoon model:
Mathematical model (Dynamic): In this model the mathematical analysis is done. Forecasts are made with the help of mathematical models. Estimates of current weather related events and ongoing physical interactions between them are taken in to account for the analysis.

(B) Holistic model: In this model, predictions are based upon many parameters which were used in other models are used in the holistic way to give the monsoon prediction.

(C) Statistical model : In this model, a collective study is undertaken by understanding the current climatic observations in a region and the earlier parameters such as oceanic temperature, atmospheric pressure and the nature of the monsoon rainfall of several years. There is comparison of both the data done and from this comparative analysis the monsoon predictions are made in Statistical model.

Industrial waste: Industrial waste is the waste that is produced from industries during the manufacturing process. For example pieces of metals, plastic, chemicals, etc.

• Industrial wastes are also a major source of environmental pollution.
• They lead to air and water pollution.
• The fumes which are generated from industries are highly poisonous and directly affect the respiratory systems of animals, humans and birds. 
• Most of the industrial wastes are toxic such as mercury, lead, copper, and cadmium. They cause air, water and soil pollution.
• Since these chemicals cannot be decomposed, they keep on accumulating at each trophic level.
• The maximum concentration is accumulated at the top carnivore’s level. This increase in the concentration of pollutants or harmful chemicals with the increase in trophic level is called biological magnification. 
• It is very essential to manage the industrial wastes, otherwise it causes dangerous effects on birds-animals and even on the health of human beings. Since most of the industrial wastes are non-biodegradable, they remain accumulated in the environment.

Plastic waste: Plastic is something which we use on our daily basis and has become an inseparable part of our lives. Plastic waste is a major constituent of the domestic waste.

• Despite its various uses, one of the major disadvantages of plastic is that it is an environmental pollutant. 
• Plastic is considered non-biodegradable because it is made of very long polymer chains, which take quite a long time to degrade.
• Moreover, none of the saprophytes contain enzymes to digest plastic and obtain its nutrients.
• The grazing cattle die due to inadvertent plastic consumption.
• Due to floating plastic, aquatic animals are in danger.

Man is the only living being who creates plastic wastes but the entire ecosystem is harmed due to harmful consequences of plastic wastes. Taking this into consideration, the overuse of plastic should be immediately stopped and the correct management of plastic waste should be done.

 (1) When the victims are injured in a disaster, then the help rendered to him or her before the medical doctor arrives, is called first aid. It is done with the intention of saving a life.

(2) The three main measures which may save the lives are airway, breathing and circulation i.e. ABC of first aid. These are also called the basic principles of first aid.

• Airway: If a person faces difficulty in breathing, raise the chin or hold the head in backward sloping position, so as to keep the respiratory passage open.
• Breathing: If the person has stopped breathing, give artificial respiration mouth to mouth.
• Circulation: If the person is unconscious, first give mouth to mouth respiration. If the person doesn't revives, perform CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) by pressing the heart hard using both palms. Repeat these two steps alternately after every 15 minutes.

• Climate is defined as the weather conditions which have prevailed in a region over a long duration of time.
• Climate plays an important role in determining the our basic needs like the type of food, clothing and shelter as well as our occupations.
• For example, people living in colder regions would eat food which liberate more of heat to keep them warm whereas people living in hotter areas food eat food which have cooling properties.
• Various climatic factors and daily weather decides the salinity of marine water, formation of oceanic currents, water cycle, etc.
• Weathering of rocks in the earth’s crust is also dependent on the climate. Due to the weathering process, soil formation and enrichment takes place. Climate is thus responsible for condition of lithosphere.
• The microbes present in the soil bring about decomposition and help in the formation of organic materials. The decomposition process is dependent on the climatic factors.

There are various methods to transport a patient with care. The specific type of method used Depends upon the condition of a patient and also Type of injury if any.

The following methods can be used for carefully transporting patients:
1. Carrying piggy back: This method can be used for transporting patients who are unconscious.

2. Cradle method: It can be used for transporting children and under-weight victims.

3. Pulling or lifting method: It can be used for carrying an unconscious patient through a short distance.

4. Human crutch method: This method is useful, if one of the legs is of the victim is injured. The victim should be supported with minimum load on the other leg.

5. Carrying on two-hand chair: This method can be used for those patients who cannot use their hands but can hold their body upright.

6. Carrying on four-hand chair: This method is implied when support is needed for the part below the waist.

7. Stretcher: If a conventional stretcher is not available in an emergency, then a temporary stretcher can be made using bamboos, blanket, etc.