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Assignment 2 Mansi 19001005027
Assignment 2 Mansi 19001005027
NAME: MANSI
ROLL NO: 19001005027
SUBMITTED TO: VANDHNA CHOUDHARY
Rainwater harvesting is the accumulation and deposition of rainwater for reuse on-site, rather
than allowing it to run off.
Rainwater can be collected from rivers or roofs, and in many places the water collected is
redirected to a deep pit (well, shaft, or borehole), a reservoir with percolation, or collected from
dew or fog with nets or other tools.
Its uses include water for gardens, livestock, irrigation, domestic use with proper treatment, and
indoor heating for houses etc.
The harvested water can also be used as drinking water, longer-term storage and for other
purposes such as groundwater recharge
Need of Rainwater harvesting
• To overcome the inadequacy of surface water to meet our demands.
• To enhance availability of ground water at specific place and time and utilize rain water for
sustainable development.
• To increase infiltration of rain water in the subsoil this has decreased drastically in urban areas
due to paving of open area.
1. Easy to Maintain:
First of all, harvesting rainwater allows us to better utilize an energy resource. It is
important to do so since drinking water is not easily renewable and it helps in reducing
wastage.
The overall cost of their installation and operation is
much lesser than that of water purifying or pumping
systems.
Maintenance requires little time and energy. The
result is the collection of water that can be used in
substantial ways even without purification.
Urban Areas:
Roof top rain water/storm runoff harvesting through:
i. Recharge Pit
• which are back filled with boulders, gravel and coarse sand in graded form— Boulders at the
bottom, gravels in between the coarse sand at the top so that the silt content that will come with
runoff will be deposited.
(iii) Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting through Existing Tube wells
• In areas where the shallow aquifers have dried up and existing tube wells are tapping deeper
aquifer, roof top rain water harvesting through existing tube well can be adopted to recharge the
deeper aquifers.
• PVC pipes of 10 cm diameter are connected to roof drains to collect rain water.
(iv) Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting through Trench with Recharge Well
• In areas where the surface soil is impervious and large
quantities of roof water or surface runoff is available within a
very short period of heavy rainfall.
• The number of recharge wells in the trench can be decided on the basis of water availability and
local vertical permeability of the rocks.
Rural Areas:
Rain water harvesting through
i. Gully Plug
• The sites for gully plugs may be chosen whenever there is a local break in slope to permit
accumulation of adequate water behind the bunds.
(ii) Rain Water Harvesting through Contour Bund
• These are suitable in low rain fall areas where monsoon run off can be impounded by
constructing bunds on the sloping ground all along the contour of equal elevation.
• Spacing between two contour bunds depends on the slope of the area and the permeability of
the soil. Lesser the permeability of soil, the close should be spacing of bunds.
• Contour bonding is suitable on lands with moderate slopes without involving terracing.
• A small bund across the stream is made by putting locally available boulders in a mesh of steel
wires and anchored to the stream banks.
• The height of such structures is around 0.5 m and is normally used in the streams with width of
less than 10 m.
• The water stored in these structures is mostly confined to stream course and the height is
normally less than 2 m and excess water is allowed to flow over the wall.
• To harness the maximum run off in the stream, series of such check dams can be constructed to
have recharge on regional scale.
(v) Rain Water Harvesting through Dug well Recharge
• The recharge water is guided through a pipe from desilting chamber to the bottom of well or
below the water level to avoid scouring of bottom and entrapment of air bubbles in the aquifer.
• Recharge water should be silt free and for removing the silt contents, the runoff water should
pass either through a desilting chamber or filter chamber.
Conclusion
• ‘Rainwater harvesting’ is usually taken to mean the immediate collection of rainwater running
off surfaces upon which it has fallen directly.
• So collecting rain water is cost effective and a best alternative to the scarcity for water
worldwide.
• Therefore rain water harvesting should be improved to gain sustainability in various aspects in
rural as well as in urban areas.
Environmental ethics believe that humans are a part of society as well as other living creatures,
which includes plants and animals. These items are a very important part of the world and are
considered to be a functional part of human life.
WHAT IS ETHICS?
Ethics is defined as a set of rules or principles that are followed by a broadly recognized race or
group (lawyer, writers etc.). So when we talk about environmental ethics, we hope to define
certain set rules and principles that should be followed in consideration with the environment.
ISSUES
Environmental ethics is like the questioning post, it chooses to question the human race about
certain key factors that are associated with environmental issues. They hope to make the human
race aware that they are not the only ones who inhabit the planet and that there are other species
as well that need to be looked after and taken into consideration before mindlessly hogging the
entire planet for themselves. These are some of the key issues that have become a part of this
mission:
Is it important for us to preserve nature for the future generation? If so, are we even
making an effort to do that?
Is the human race alone important on the face of this earth? If not, then aren't our actions
proving otherwise?
What would happen if animals, plants, and other species are destroyed or there are more
and more endangered species? Would we be affected or would we care?
Are our future generations entitled to a clean and green environment?
Do they even have a right?
Should we be procreating and adding to the population growth?
Is it right for us to be responsible for the extinction of certain species only for the sake of
our consumption and greed?
Is it our moral right to be clearing rain forests for the sake of human consumption?
In spite of knowing that gasoline run vehicles lead to the destruction of natural resources,
is it right for us to continue manufacturing and using them?
Are the guidelines which are drawn to protect the environment and nature any effective?
What is causing their failure?
Is there a need to reform the way in which we deal with protection laws and clauses?
What is environmental pollution and pollution of the air, soil and water doing to the
world?
• Inculcate moral values towards nature and learn to respect various life forms through
environmental ethics.
• Concerned with the issues of responsible personal conduct with respect to natural landscape,
resources, species and non-human organisms.
• Conduct with respect to person is, of course, the direct concern of modern philosophy.
Global warming
Global warming is when the earth heats up and the temperature increases.
More recently, the temperature have been rising, causing more dangers for people, animals,
plants and our environment.
Petroleum, one of the sources of energy, is used a lot. It is used for transportation making
electricity and making many other things. Although this source of energy gives off a lot of
pollution, it is used for 38% of the United State’s energy.
When we throw our garbage away, the garbage goes to landfills. They are full of garbage. The
garbage goes to landfills. They are full of garbage is then sometimes burned. This sends an
enormous amount of greenhouse gasses into the air and makes global warming even worse.
Another factor that makes global warming worse is when trees are cut down. Trees and other
plants collect and absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a greenhouse gas.
Global Warming also destroys many huge forests. The pollution that causes global warming is
linked to acid rain. Acid rain gradually destroys almost everything it touches. Global Warming is
also causing many more fires that wipe out whole forests. This happens because global warning
can make the earth very hot. In forests, some plants and trees leaves can be so dry that can catch
on fire
Acid Rain
Precipitation that has a pH of less than that of natural rainwater (which is about 5.6 due to
dissolved carbon dioxide).
It is formed when sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxides, as gases or fine particles in the
atmosphere, combine with water vapour and precipitate as sulphuric acid or nitric acid in rain,
snow, or fog.
Harmful to vegetation:
Increased acidity in soil
Leeches nutrients from soil, slowing plant growth.
Leeches toxins from soil, poisoning plants
Creates brown spots in leaves of trees, impeding photosynthesis
Allows organisms to infect through broken leaves.
Preventive Measures
Reduce amount of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen released into the atmosphere
Suggestion
The following are some more specific suggestion on what we, as an individual can do:
In the home
Run the dishwasher only with full load.
Run the washing machine with full load.
Buy energy-efficient appliances.
Avoid the use of air conditioner altogether.
Turn out the lights in empty rooms & when away from home.
Consider installing compact fluorescent bulbs instead of high-wattage incandescent bubs.
Turn off the hot water tank when going away for extended period of time.
Install additional insulation on hot water tank & pipes.
While shopping
Look for product bearing the Ecology. They minimize the use of environmentally hazardous
substance & maximize energy efficiency & the use of recycled materials.
Transportation
Have your vehicle engine tuned at least once every six months
Use alternative fuels, such as propane or natural gas
Avoid unnecessary idling
Drive at moderate speeds
Take the train or bus on long trips
Go CFC-free
Ozone Layer
The ozone layer refers to a region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's
UV radiation.
It contains high concentrations of ozone (O3) relative to
other parts of the atmosphere.
The ozone layer is mainly found in the lower portion
of the stratosphere.
The ozone layer was discovered in 1913 by the French
physicists Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson.
Ozone absorbs a band of ultraviolet radiation called UVB.
OZONE DEPLETION
Ozone layer depletion, is simply the wearing out (reduction) of the amount of ozone in the
stratosphere. Unlike pollution, which has many types and causes, Ozone depletion has been
pinned down to one major human activity.
Industries that manufacture things like insulating foams, solvents, soaps, cooling things like Air
Conditioners, Refrigerators and ‘Take-Away’ containers use something called
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Depletion begins when CFC’s get into the stratosphere. Ultra violet radiation from the sun breaks
up these CFCs.
IMPACTS OF OZONE DEPLETION
1) HARM TO HUMAN HEALTH:
a. More skin cancers, sunburns and premature aging of the skin.
b. More cataracts, blindness and other eye diseases.
3) EFFECTS ON PLANTS:
a) Physiological and developmental processes of plants are affected by UVB radiation, even
by the amount of UVB in present-day sunlight.
4) EFFECT ON ANIMALS:
a. In domestic animals, UV overexposure may cause eye and skin cancers.
b. Species of marine animals in their developmental stage (e.g. young fish, shrimp
larvae and crab larvae have been threatened in recent years by the increased UV
radiation under the Antarctic ozone hole.
5) EFFECT ON MATERIALS:
(a) Wood, plastic, rubber, fabrics and many construction materials are degraded by
UV radiation.
CONCLUSION
There is no doubt that the problem of ozone depletion exists and deserves extensive research and
attention. With the release of each and every CFC, our ozone layer takes one small step towards
its destruction. The decision to ban completely CFCs sooner than later cannot be decided by the
United States or even the United Nations. The entire world must unite in order to expel this
problem forever.
Landslide
Landslide, also known as a landslip, is a geological phenomenon that includes a wide range
of ground movements, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows.
Landslides can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments. Although the action of
gravity is the primary driving force for a landslide to occur, there are other contributing
factors affecting the original slope stability.
CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES
A) Natural Factors:
Gravity: Gravity works more effectively on
steeper slopes.
Geological factors: Geology setting that places
permeable sands and gravels above impermeable
layers of silt and clay or bedrock.
Heavy and prolonged rainfall: slides occur often
with intense rain by creating zone of weakness,
also water tables rise with heavy rain makes some slopes unstable.
Earthquakes: Ground vibrations created during Earthquakes.
Waves: Wave action can erode the beach or the toe of a bluff, cutting into the slope, and
setting the stage for future slides.
Volcanoes: volcanic ash deposits (sometimes called as lahars deposits) are prone to
erosion and subjected to mud flows due to intense rainfall.
Fluctuation of water levels due to the tidal action.
Deposition of loose sediments in delta areas.
Floods
It is a natural event or occurrence where a piece of land (or area ) that is usually dry land
suddenly gets submerged under water. Some floods can occur suddenly and reduce quickly.
Others take days or even months to build and discharge.
When floods happens in an area that people live, the water carries along objects like houses,
bridges, cars, furniture and even people. It can wipe away farms, trees and many heavy items.
Flood Precautions
In any flooding or potential flooding event, the following
actions should be taken:
During a flood
Seek higher ground. Do not wait for instructions.
Be aware of flash flood areas such as canals, streams, drainage channels.
Be ready to evacuate.
If instructed, turn off utilities at main switches and unplug appliances - do not touch
electrical equipment if wet.
If you must leave your home, do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving
water can knock you off your feet. Use a stick to test depth.
Do not try to drive over a flooded road. If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and
seek an alternate route.
After a flood
Stay away from flood water - do not attempt to swim, walk or drive through the area
Be aware of areas where water has receded. Roadways may have weakened and could
collapse.
Avoid downed power lines and muddy waters where power lines may have fallen.
Do not drink tap water until advised by the Health Unit that the water is safe to drink.
Once flood waters have receded you must not live in your home until the water supply
has been declared safe for use, all flood-contaminated rooms have been thoroughly
cleaned and disinfected, adequate toilet facilities are available, all electrical appliances
and heating/cooling systems have been inspected, food, utensils and dishes have been
examined, cleaned or disposed of, and floor drains and sumps have been cleaned and
disinfected.
Drought
A drought is a damage of a ground usually caused by dry weather.
Causes of Drought
Droughts occur when there is no rainfall from a long period of time.
It usually happens in summer, because in summer weather gets hot and ground evaporate
water. So, ground need more water but it can’t get water so drought occurs.
Prevention:
First of all, we cannot prevent drought but we should try to prevent droughts as it causes
huge damage.
To prevent droughts we should preserve as much water as we can, we should use water in
limit.
We should save rain water in proper ways, and protect underground water.
We should plant as much trees as we can.
We shouldn’t cut down trees for economic purpose or for any other purpose.
Conclusion:
Dry weather causes drought. It usually occurs in summer season due to hot and dry
weather. It mainly causes due to less rainfall.
Drought effects economic, environment and social resource.
It can be mitigated by irrigation & crop rotation.
We can prevent from droughts by using water in proper ways, growing plants as much as
we can and avoid deforestation.