Details of ES2204 (Spring 2026)

Level: 2 Type: Theory Credits: 3.0

Course CodeCourse NameInstructor(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 anthropogenic pollutants is explored, particularly modelling the fate and transport of pollutants in natural systems. 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.

Syllabus
Syllabus

Habitability of the Earth and the biogeochemical cycles: The carbon cycle and its changes due to human activities, air pollutants and their impacts on habitability, movement of pollutants in various conditions of atmospheric stability, Gaussian plume model to predict air pollutant concentration
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
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.ProgrammeSemester NoCourse Choice
1 IP 2 Not Allowed
2 IP 4 Not Allowed
3 MP 2 Not Allowed
4 MP 4 Not Allowed
5 MR 2 Not Allowed
6 MR 4 Not Allowed
7 MS 10 Not Allowed
8 MS ( Geological Sciences ) 4 Core
9 MS 6 Not Allowed
10 MS 8 Not Allowed
11 RS 1 Not Allowed
12 RS 2 Not Allowed