BES-106_NOTES_INTRODUCTION.docx

**BES 106-ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING** **INTRODUCTION** **ENVIRONMENT** -refers to the surrounding conditions that affect organisms. **SCIENCE** -a process used to solve problems or develop an understanding of nature that involves testing possible answers. **ENGINEERING** -is the application of s...

**BES 106-ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING** **INTRODUCTION** **ENVIRONMENT** -refers to the surrounding conditions that affect organisms. **SCIENCE** -a process used to solve problems or develop an understanding of nature that involves testing possible answers. **ENGINEERING** -is the application of scientific and mathematical principles to design, build, and maintain structures, machines, devices, systems, and processes that solve practical problems and improve the quality of life. **ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE** -is an interdisciplinary field that includes both social aspects of human impact on the world. *\*major goal is to understand and solve environmental problems* -how we use natural resources -how our actions alter the environment \*one important foundation of environmental science is **ecology** **EARTH -**is the third planet from the sun and the only known celestial body that supports life. -is unique due to its atmosphere, abundance of liquid water, and diverse ecosystems. **COMPONENTS OF EARTH SYSTEM** The Earth system consists of five main components that interact with each other to shape the environment and sustain life. These components are: **1. Atmosphere** - - The Earth\'s atmosphere is divided into several distinct layers, each characterized by differences in temperature, composition, and other properties. From the surface of the Earth outward, the primary layers of the atmosphere are: ### 1. **Troposphere** - - - - - - ### 2. **Stratosphere** - - - - - ### 3. **Mesosphere** - - - - - ### 4. **Thermosphere** - - - - - ### 5. **Exosphere** - - - - - ### KEY CONCEPTS - - - **2. Hydrosphere** - - **3. Lithosphere (Geosphere)** - - **4. Biosphere** - - **5. Cryosphere** - - **ECOLOGY** -study of how living things interact with each other and their non-living environment **ECOSYSTEM APPROACH** -is an important approach in dealing with environmental problems **ECOSYSTEM** -is a region in which the organisms and physical environment form an interacting unit. **BIODIVERSITY** refers to the variety and variety of life on earth. It encompasses all forms of life, including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems in which they live and the genetic diversity within species. **HABITAT** -is the natural environment where an organism lives, grows, and interacts with other species. It provides the essential conditions, such as food, water, shelter, and space, that an organism needs to survive and reproduce. Habitats can vary greatly in terms of their physical conditions, such as temperature, humidity, light, and the availability of nutrients. **TYPES OF HABITATS:** 1. - - - - 2. - - 3. - - **Characteristics of a Habitat:** - - **Importance of Habitats:** - - - **Habitat Destruction:** Habitat destruction, caused by deforestation, urbanization, agriculture, and pollution, is one of the leading threats to biodiversity. Conservation efforts aim to protect natural habitats to ensure the survival of species and ecosystems. Protecting and restoring habitats is key to maintaining the balance of life on Earth. **NATURAL RESOURCES** that occur naturally in the environment and can be used by humans for economic gain or survival **Types of natural resources** - - - - - - - **Cyclic resources**: are resources that are continuously recycled or replenished through natural processes, making them available for use repeatedly over time. - Example: water **INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION** increased efficiency of agriculture, industry, and transportation **ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING** -is a branch of engineering that focuses on protecting and improving the environment by applying scientific and engineering principles. -the goal of environmental engineering is to develop sustainable solutions to environmental problems. **KEY AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING**: 1. Water treatment and supply 2. Air pollution control 3. Waste management 4. Soil and groundwater remediation 5. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) 6. Sustainable development 7. Climate change mitigation 8. Ecological engineering **ENVIRONMENTL ISSUES AND CONCERNS** **OVERPOPULATION**  occurs when the number of individuals in a population exceeds the carrying capacity of their environment, leading to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and diminished quality of life. It is a critical issue that can impact both human societies and ecosystems. **POLLUTION**  refers to the introduction of harmful substances or contaminants into the natural environment, causing adverse effects on ecosystems, human health, and overall environmental quality. These pollutants can come from various sources, including industrial activities, agriculture, transportation, and human waste. Pollution is a major global challenge that affects air, water, soil, and living organisms. **POLLUTANT** is a substance that contaminate air, water, or land. some pollution is caused by natural events such as volcanic eruption, but majority is caused by human action. ### TYPES OF POLLUTION: #### 1. AIR POLLUTION - - - - - - - - - - - - **GLOBAL WARMING** refers to the long-term increase in Earth\'s average surface temperature due to human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). This phenomenon is a major component of **climate change**, which encompasses broader changes in weather patterns and atmospheric conditions. Global warming has significant impacts on the environment, ecosystems, and human societies. ### CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING 1. - - - - 2. - 3. - 4. - ### EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING 1. - 2. - 3. - 4. - 5. - 6. - 7. - 8. - **CLIMATE CHANGE** refers to significant and lasting changes in global or regional climate patterns, primarily due to human activities that increase greenhouse gas emissions. These changes affect various aspects of the environment, ecosystems, and human societies. **ACID RAIN**  is a form of precipitation that has a lower pH than normal rainwater, making it more acidic. This occurs when sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) are released into the atmosphere, where they react with water vapor, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃). These acids then fall to the ground as acid rain, snow, fog, or dust. ### CAUSES OF ACID RAIN 1. - - - 2. - - - ### EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN 1. - - - 2. - - 3. - **Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)** are a group of synthetic compounds that contain chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. They were once widely used in various applications, including refrigeration, air conditioning, and as propellants in aerosol sprays. However, CFCs have been found to have detrimental effects on the ozone layer, which protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. ### Key Characteristics of CFCs 1. - 2. - - - ### Environmental Impact of CFCs 1. - - - 2. - - ### Regulation and Phasing Out 1. - - 2. - - - 3. - - ### Current Status - #### 2. WATER POLLUTION - - - - - - - - - - - - #### LAND/ SOIL POLLUTION - - Polluted by two main types of substance - 1\. Solid waste-plastic, metal, paper - 2.chemicals-herbicides, pesticides, crude oil and other industrial waste - - - - - - - - - - - 5. *WILDLIFE DEPLETION* **WILDLIFE DEPLETION** refers to the significant reduction in the number and diversity of wildlife species in a given area or globally. This decline in wildlife populations can have profound effects on ecosystems, biodiversity, and human societies. Wildlife depletion is driven by various factors, often linked to human activities. ### Key Factors Contributing to Wildlife Depletion 1. - - - 2. - - - 3. - - - 4. - - - 5. - - 6. - - ### Consequences of Wildlife Depletion 1. - - 2. - - 3. - - 4. - - 6. *DEFORESTATION* **DEFORESTATION** refers to the large-scale removal or clearing of forests, often resulting in the permanent loss of forested areas. This process can have severe environmental, ecological, and socio-economic consequences. ### CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION 1. - - 2. - - 3. - - 4. - 5. - - 6. - ### CONSEQUENCES OF DEFORESTATION 1. - - 2. - - 3. - - 4. - - 5. - - 6. - - 7. *DESTRUCTION OF COASTAL AREAS* **Destruction of coastal areas** refers to the degradation and loss of coastal environments due to various natural and human-induced factors. Coastal areas are vital ecosystems that provide numerous ecological, economic, and social benefits. The destruction of these areas can have significant consequences for the environment, communities, and economies. ### CAUSES OF COASTAL AREA DESTRUCTION 1. - - 2. - - 3. - - - 4. - - 5. - - 6. - - 7. - - ### CONSEQUENCES OF COASTAL AREA DESTRUCTION 1. - - 2. - - 3. - - 4. - - 5. - - ### \*Causes of Pollution: - - - - - - ### Effects of Pollution: - - - - ### Solutions to Pollution: - - - - - Addressing pollution requires coordinated efforts at the local, national, and global levels to protect human health and the environment. **SYSTEMS THINKING** **SYSTEMS THINKING** is an approach to understanding and solving complex problems by viewing them as interconnected and interdependent parts of a larger system. Instead of analyzing individual components in isolation, systems thinking focuses on how those components interact and influence each other within the whole system. This holistic perspective helps to identify underlying patterns, relationships, and dynamics that contribute to the behavior of the system as a whole. ### Key Concepts of Systems Thinking 1. - 2. - 3. - - 4. - 5. - - 6. - 7. -