Earth,Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary Sciences Paper 1 Section B

Earth,Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary Sciences Paper 1 Section B

1. About the Earth: The earth and the solar system; important physical parameters and properties of the planet earth; abundance of elements in the earth; primary differentiation of the earth and composition of its various zones; composition of meteorites and the solar photosphere; shape and internal structure of the earth. Uniformitarianism; geological time scale; use of fossils and nuclear clocks in the subdivision of geological time.

2. Materials of the Earth: Gross composition and physical properties of important rocks and minerals; properties and processes responsible for mineral concentrations; nature and distribution of rocks and minerals in different units of the earth; deformation of rocks; folds and faults and their surface expressions.

3. Surface Features and Processes: Physiography of the earth; landscape and seafloor; weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition of earth’s material; formation of soil, sediments and sedimentary rocks; energy balance of the earth’s surface processes.

4. Internal Features and Processes: Elastic waves and fine structure of the earth: crust, mantle and core; thermal, gravitational and magnetic fields of the earth; origin of the main geomagnetic field; mantle convection and plate tectonics; earthquakes and volcanoes; Isostasy.

5. The Atmosphere: Composition of the atmosphere and its internal structure; prevailing and adiabatic lapse rates; instability of dry and moist air; geopotential; cloud classification; condensation nucleii; artificial precipitation. Fundamental forces in the atmosphere; Coriolis force and the geostrophic wind; basic structure and mechanism of atmospheric general circulation; monsoon systems; cyclones, anticyclones and tornadoes; jet streams; climate and climatic changes: natural and human induced factors.

6. The Hydrosphere: The hydrological cycle; inter-relationship of surface and ground water; seafloor spreading and hydrothermal vents; marine sediments, their composition and uses; distribution of temperature and salinity in the ocean; surface circulation, causes of ocean currents and important current systems; deep circulation. Water masses - their formation and characteristics; convergence and upwelling of ocean waters; sea level changes; waves and tides; chemistry of sea water; biological controls on the composition of the oceans; oceanic modulation of climatic changes; estuary, bay and marine pollution.

7. Geology and Geography of India: Land, biotic and mineral resources and their role in development; salient aspects of plant zoogeography; geologic setting; location and approximate reserves of minerals, fuel and water resources of the Indian territory. Important geological features of the Precambrian shield, the Gondwanas, the Deccan Trap, Indo-Gangetic Plains, the Himalaya - their physiography, landforms, drainage systems. Soils; their characteristics and distribution; climate and population; location of important natural resources and renewable sources of energy in relation to industrial centres.

8. Man and Environment: Ecology, ecosystem and biotic communities; carbon and nutrient cycling and food-chain; human impact on air, land, soil, water, climate and forest resources; conservation of resources; coping with natural hazards; problems of pollution and waste; application of engineering geology to development without destruction; optimum use of energy alternatives.