ES-301 Energy & Environmental Engineering - Nov 2022 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 14 Marks
   What is Energy? Discuss the energy scenario giving emphasis on: Sources, efficiency and storage.
   How to answer

   • Definition of energy and basic thermodynamic concept
   • Overview of current global/Indian energy scenario
   • Conventional and non-conventional energy sources
   • Techniques and importance of energy efficiency
   • Energy storage technologies (batteries, pumped-hydro, thermal storage)
2. 14 Marks
   Describe the fundamentals of an ecosystem. Explain the relationship among the different parts of an ecosystem with the help of a schematic diagram.
   How to answer

   • Fundamentals and definition of an ecosystem
   • Abiotic components (physical, chemical) and Biotic components (producers, consumers, decomposers)
   • Interrelationships: food webs, nutrient cycling, and energy flow
   • Schematic diagram illustrating the interaction between biotic and abiotic components
3. 14 Marks
   What is Biodiversity? What are the major factors responsible for the loss of genetic biodiversity? How can biodiversity be conserved?
   How to answer

   • Definition of biodiversity and its levels (genetic, species, ecosystem)
   • Factors causing loss of genetic biodiversity: habitat destruction, inbreeding depression, genetic drift, invasive species, climate change
   • Conservation strategies: in-situ (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves) and ex-situ (seed banks, gene banks, botanical gardens, captive breeding)
4. 14 Marks
   Explain Water pollution. Enlist various sources of water pollution giving their adverse effects. How water pollution can be minimized?
   How to answer

   • Definition of water pollution
   • Point sources vs. non-point sources
   • Major sources: industrial effluents, domestic sewage, agricultural runoff, oil spills
   • Adverse effects on human health, aquatic flora/fauna, and environment
   • Control measures: sewage treatment plants (STPs), effluent treatment plants (ETPs), regulations, rainwater harvesting, public awareness
5. 14 Marks
   Explain the term Solid waste. What are adverse effects of solid wastes in society? Discuss various methods for disposal of solid wastes.
   How to answer

   • Definition and classification of solid waste (municipal, hazardous, biomedical, e-waste)
   • Adverse impacts on human health, aesthetic degradation, soil and groundwater contamination
   • Disposal methods: open dumping vs. sanitary landfilling, composting/vermicomposting, incineration/pyrolysis, and recycling/reduction
6. 14 Marks
   Write short notes on any two of the following.

   1. a)Fossil fuels
   2. b)Global warming
   3. c)Ozone layer depletion
   4. d)Acid rain
   How to answer

   • Fossil fuels: formation, types (coal, petroleum, natural gas), pros and cons, depletion
   • Global warming: greenhouse effect, primary greenhouse gases, impacts (sea-level rise, extreme weather)
   • Ozone layer depletion: stratospheric ozone, role of CFCs, ozone hole, Montreal Protocol
   • Acid rain: causes ($SO_2$, $NO_x$), chemical reactions, effects on monuments, soil, aquatic life
7. 7 Marks
   aWhat is Food Chain? Explain various types of food chains.
   How to answer

   • Definition of food chain and transfer of energy across trophic levels
   • Grazing food chain (GFC) with examples
   • Detritus food chain (DFC) with examples
   • Comparison and interconnectivity with food webs
8. 7 Marks
   bExplain aquatic Ecosystem.
   How to answer

   • Definition and classification of aquatic ecosystems (freshwater vs. marine)
   • Freshwater ecosystems: lentic (ponds, lakes) and lotic (rivers, streams)
   • Marine and estuarine ecosystems characteristics
   • Key biotic components: plankton, nekton, benthos
9. 14 Marks
   Write brief notes on any two of the following:

   1. a)Desert ecosystem
   2. b)Noise pollution
   3. c)Environment Protection Act
   4. d)Wind Energy
   How to answer

   • Desert ecosystem: climate conditions, xerophytic plant adaptations, nocturnal animal life
   • Noise pollution: sources, measurement (decibels), physiological and psychological impacts, mitigation
   • Environment Protection Act (1986): background (Bhopal gas tragedy), key objectives, powers granted to central government
   • Wind Energy: working principle of wind turbines, advantages, environmental considerations and limitations