What is meant by Environment?www.ghadoliyaseconomics-mahendra.blogspot.in

Atmosphere

The atmosphere implies the protective blanket of gases surrounding the earth.

It saves it from the hostile environment of outer space.It sustains life on the Earth.It absorbs most of the cosmic rays from outer space a a major

portion of electromagnetic radiation from the sun.It transmits only ultraviolet, visible, near infrared radiation and

radio waves while filtering out tissue damaging ultraviolet raysbelow 300 nm. The atmosphere is composed of nitrogen and oxygen. Besides, argon,carbon dioxide and trace gases.

• Environment is the sum total of what is around something or someone.• It includes living things

and natural forces.• There is a constant

interaction among plants, animals, soil, water, temperature, light and other living and non-living things.

Earth’s Atmosphere

Scope of environment consists of four segments as under:Atmosphere: The atmosphere implies the protective blanket of gases, surrounding the earth:• It sustains life on the earth.• It saves it from the hostile environment of outer space.• It absorbs most of the cosmic rays from outer space and a major portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the sun.• It transmits only ultraviolet, visible, near infrared radiation (300 to 2500mm) and radio waves. (0.14 to 40m) while filtering out tissue-damaging ultraviolet waves below 300 nm. The atmosphere is composed of nitrogen and oxygen. Besides, argon, carbon dioxide, and trace gases.

Hydrosphere: The Hydrosphere comprises of all types of water resources oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoir, polar icecaps, glaciers, and ground water.• Nature 97% of the earth’s water supply is in the oceans,• About 2% of the water resources are locked in the polar icecaps and glaciers.• Only about 1% is available as fresh surface water-rivers, lakes streams, and ground water fit to be used for human consumption and other uses.

Lithosphere: Lithosphere is the outer mantle of the solid earth. It consists of minerals occurring in the earth’s crust and the soil e.g. minerals, organic matter, airand water.Biosphere: Biosphere indicates the realm of living organisms and their interactions with environment, viz atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere..

Hydrosphere

The hydrosphere comprises of all type of water resources oceans, seas, lakes, streams, reservoir, polar, icecaps, glaciers and groundwater.Nature 97% of the earth’s water supply is in the oceans.About 2% of the water resources are locked in the polar icecaps and glaciers.Only about 1% is available as fresh surface water- rivers, lakes, streams, and ground water fit to be used for human consumption and other uses.• Thanks