Railway Science (Environment – Environmental Resources)

Cyclic - Resources that can be formed, again and again by a certain process. Abiotic resources - It comprises all raw materials that are not derived from living organisms. Example - fossil fuels, ore.

Water (Prevention and Control) Act (1974): to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution, and for the maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water in the country. The Act was amended in 1988. Other environmental acts: Environmental (Protection) Act 1986, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981.

Environmental sustainability is responsibly interacting with the planet to maintain natural resources and not jeopardize the ability for future generations to meet their needs. Examples - Renewable energy (solar, wind, hydroelectric, and biomass), Recycling of metals, such as iron and steel, and minerals. Sustainable mobility - A concept for transforming transport from an ecological point of view. Aim - To reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Renewable energy - Energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Examples: Solar energy, Wind energy, Hydro energy, Tidal energy, Geothermal energy, Biomass energy.

Non - renewable source of energy : Most common non-renewable energy sources are fossil fuels - coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Carbon is the main element in fossil fuels.

Ethanol (C₂H₆O) is a biofuel produced from various sources such as Sugarcane, Corn, Rice, Wheat and Biomass and used as a fuel in cars with petrol. It is produced by microbial fermentation of the sugar by yeasts. India’s target of 20% ethanol blending petrol in 2025-26. Other uses of ethanol - Cosmetics and Beauty products, Sanitizers, Food additives, etc.

Non-renewable sources of energy are also called conventional sources of energy. The non-renewable sources of energy (like coal, petroleum, natural gas and uranium) are present in a limited amount on the earth. Once exhausted, they will not be available to us again.

Renewable energy comes from unlimited, naturally replenished resources, such as the sun, tides, and wind. Renewable energy can be used for electricity generation, space and water heating and cooling, and transportation.

It is highly toxic in nature. It is produced by incomplete combustion of fuels. It combines with hemoglobin present in blood and forms carboxyhemoglobin complex. Biogas - The organic matter breakdown to produce the mixture of different gases. It is a renewable form of energy and can be produced from raw materials like agriculture waste, manure, municipal waste, plant waste etc. It produces Methane (CH₄), Carbon dioxide (CO₂), Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and moisture (H₂O).

Its production results from the reduction of carbon dioxide with hydrogen by archaea. Wave energy is a form of renewable energy that can be utilized from the motion of the waves. Ocean Thermal Energy uses the temperature of the surface sea waters to run a heat engine and produce electricity.