Q.1 What are the alternative energy resources? Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable natural resource. (AKTU. - 2004-05, 11 - 12)
Related Questions -
Q. Give a brief account of nonrenewable energy resources. (AKTU. - 2009 - 10)
Ans. We can divide energy resources broadly into two categories:
(i) Natural resources (ii) Human resources
Natural resources: -
Natural resources are the components of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere which are useful and necessary for life. In other words, natural resources are goods and services supplied by our environment. These include energy, air, water, mineral, plants, animals and soil.
Depending upon the availability of resoure during our continuous use, resources are divided into two categories.
(a) Renewable Resources (Inexhaustible Resources): -
Inexhaustible resources have the inherent ability to reappear or replenish themselves by recycling, reproduction or replacement. These renewable sources include sunlight, plants, animals, soil, water and living organisms. Biological organisms are self-renewing. The rate at which their renewal occurs varies.
(b) Non-renewable Resources (Exhaustable Resources): -
The non-renewable resources are the earth’s geologic endowments i.e., minerals, fossil fuels, non-mineral resources and other materials which are present in fixed amounts in the environment. Unlike renewable resources, non-renewable resources are finite in quantity and quality.
On the basis of origin, they are classified into two categories.
(a) Biotic Organic Resources: - They are obtained from biosphere for example forest and forest products, crops, birds, animals, fish and other marine forms, coal, minerals, oils etc.
(b) Abiotic or Inorganic Resources : - Resources which are composed of non- living inorganic matter are called abiotic resources. For example land, water etc.
Human resources: -
For human being, resources are defined as those substances which are required for survival, comfort and prosperity. Human resources refers to human wisdom, experience, skill, labour and enterprise.
Perpetual Natural Resources: -
Perpetual natural resources are those which are available forever. They are solar radiation, wind, tide etc. These sources are not in danger of being used unsustainably.
Q.2. What are different water resources? Describe the availability and quality aspect of water resources.
Related Questions -
Q. Define the various parameters that determine the quality of water. (AKTU. - 2012 - 13)
Ans. Water Resources: -
Water is, literally, the source of life on earth. It is the major constituent of the hydrosphere that consists of the oceans, seas, rivers, streams, glaciers, lakes, reservoirs, polar ice caps and the shallow groundwater bodies that interflow with the surface water. Approximately 70.8% of the earth’s surface is covered with water mainly in the form of oceans. It is estimated that the hydrosphere contains about 1,360 million cubic km of water.
Availability: -
The availability of water resources are described in the given table –
Quality Aspect: -
Water quality can have a significant effect on public health as a result of waterborne diseases, inorganic and organic chemical contaminants, and radioactive contaminants. Inadequate supplies of water increase the problem of maintaining water quality, especially when there are multiple source of water pollution such as sewage, industrial effluents, urban and agricultural runoff. According to an estimate about 170 million urban inhabitants and 770 million rural inhabitants lack access to safe and adequate water supplies.
The problem of maintaining water quality is particularly acute in the more urbanized areas in developing countries due to two main reasons – failure to enforce pollution control and inadequacy of sanitation system and garbage collection and disposal.
The United States Public Health (USPH) has laid down following standards for drinking water
Water short notes on water quality aspects (domestic water supplies) and USPH standards
