Details of ES2204 (Spring 2025)
| Level: 2 | Type: Theory | Credits: 3.0 |
| Course Code | Course Name | Instructor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| ES2204 | Environment and Life | Gopala Krishna Darbha, Subhronil Mondal, Sujata Ray |
| Preamble |
|---|
| This course explores Earth's systems, past and present, with a focus on Earths habitability. The role of the biogeochemical cycles is explored, particularly the carbon cycle and its disruption due to anthropogenic changes. The course also focuses on anthropogenic impacts on the availability and quality of the environment. These changes are examined in the context of natural variability through time and its interaction with the biosphere. This natural variability is examined at different scales through various proxies.
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| Syllabus |
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| Syllabus
Habitability of the Earth and the biogeochemical cycles: the carbon cycle and its changes due to human activities, the Earths energy balance, the greenhouse effect, feedback in the Earths climate system, exploring the impact of burning fossil fuels in various engineered systems and changing economies, natural variability in global climate explored through geochemical proxies and fossils. Fossils and the quality of fossil record: definition of fossils and process of fossilization, different modes of preservation and related processes of fossilization, concept and quantification of completeness of fossil record. Anthropogenic impacts on Natural Resources: The chemistry of natural waters- Oxidation-Reduction in aquatic chemistry, pollution and purification of water and wastewater- toxic heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, other toxic organic compounds of environmental concern, waste management, soil and sediment pollution. |
| References |
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| References:
1. Digital Atlas of Ancient Life (www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/) by the Paleontological Research Institute, New York, USA. 2. Principles of environmental sciences by Cunnningham & Cunningham, McGraw Hill, year 2007 3. Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science by Gilbert Masters, Pearson Education Limited, 2014. |
Course Credit Options
| Sl. No. | Programme | Semester No | Course Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IP | 2 | Not Allowed |
| 2 | IP | 4 | Not Allowed |
| 3 | IP | 6 | Not Allowed |
| 4 | MP | 2 | Not Allowed |
| 5 | MP | 4 | Not Allowed |
| 6 | MR | 2 | Not Allowed |
| 7 | MR | 4 | Not Allowed |
| 8 | MS | 10 | Not Allowed |
| 9 | MS | 4 | Core |
| 10 | MS | 6 | Not Allowed |
| 11 | MS | 8 | Not Allowed |
| 12 | RS | 1 | Not Allowed |
| 13 | RS | 2 | Not Allowed |