CE 317 - Unit 1 (04.09.24) for BlackBoard.pdf

Handout 1 01.09.2024 Unit1: Introduction to Environmental Engineering & Introduction to Environmental Pollution CE 317 – Sem. 461  Unit 1 Outline Introduction...

Handout 1 01.09.2024 Unit1: Introduction to Environmental Engineering & Introduction to Environmental Pollution CE 317 – Sem. 461  Unit 1 Outline Introduction Concepts of Ecology and Natural Resources Material & Energy Balance Water Quality Engineering Air Pollution and Control Solid Waste Management Environmental Impact Assessment Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes Noise Pollution and Control  What is Environmental Engineering? The application of science and engineering principles to minimize the adverse effects of human activity on the environment. Environmental Science vs. Environmental Engineering  Environmental Science The study of processes in water, air, and soil and their interactions with organisms. The goal is to establish standards for a clean, safe, and healthy environment.  Quantitative Environmental Science An organized collection of mathematical theories used to describe and explore environmental relationships. It forms the basis of an organized body of knowledge about environmental relationships.  Environmental Engineering Concerned with design, manufacture, installation, and operation of systems to control environments. Environmental Engineer: A professional trained to apply scientific principles and technology to reduce pollution. Involves social, political, economic, and legal issues.  Environmental Pollution Definition: Contamination of the environment with harmful substances.  Pollution Problem Resolution Identification of adverse effects. Determination of the pollutant. Identification of the source. Control of the source to achieve safe emission levels.  Environmental Engineering Approach Environmental engineering is object-focused (problem-solving) approach. Levels of Operation: – Remediation of contaminated sites (fixing the past). – Treatment of effluents (dealing with the present). – Pollution prevention. – Care for future generations.  Environmental Systems Overview The major environmental systems are the atmosphere (air), biosphere (living organisms), hydrosphere (water), cryosphere (ice), pedosphere (soil), and lithosphere (rock).  Three Environmental Systems Water Resource Management System: – Water Supply Subsystem. – Wastewater Disposal Subsystem. Air Resource Management System: – Air quality management to prevent deterioration. Solid Waste Management: – Overview of handling and disposal of solid waste.  Ecology Ecology is the scientific study of the distributions, abundance and relations of organisms and their interactions with the environment. Ecology is not synonymous of environment, environmentalism, or environmental science. Ecology is closely related to the disciplines of physiology, evolution, genetics and behavior.  Ecosystem An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (things like air, water and mineral soil), interacting as a system. A system is a group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent parts that together form a whole.  Pollution From the UN 1972 Conference, Principle 6: “The discharge of toxic substances or of other substances and the release of heat, in such quantities or concentrations as to exceed the capacity of the environment”.  Pollution Classification Pollution can be classified following different criteria:  Pollution Classification 1. According the medium in which it occurs: Air (or atmospheric) pollution, water, and soil pollution.  Pollution Classification 2. Depending on who/what produced pollution (the source) – Anthropic pollution refers to pollution caused by man. – Natural pollution refers to pollution that has occurred naturally (a non anthropic source).  Pollution Classification 3. Depending on the location of the source: – Emissions can be due to mobile or stationary sources (point source). – Other types are nonpoint sources.  Point Source vs. Non-Point Source Point Source pollution: Point source pollution comes from a definite source: – Factories – Refineries – Municipal Facility (Sewage Treatment Plant) Non-Point Source Pollution: Pollution that does not come from a single point or location.  Pollution Classification 4. Depending on the chemical transformations of the pollutants: – If pollutants are emitted directly by a source, they are called “primary pollutants”. – If they arise from the transformation of primary pollutants into other substances, they are usually called “secondary pollutants”.  Environmental Engineers Duties & Responsibilities Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control. They also address global issues, such as unsafe drinking water, climate change, and environmental sustainability  Environmental Engineers Duties & Responsibilities 1. Prepare, review, and update environmental investigation reports. 2. Design projects leading to environmental protection, such as water reclamation facilities, air pollution control systems, and operations that convert waste to energy. 3. Obtain, update, and maintain plans, permits, and standard operating procedures.  Environmental Engineers Duties & Responsibilities 4. Provide technical support for environmental remediation projects and for legal actions. 5. Analyze scientific data and do quality-control checks. 6. Monitor the progress of environmental improvement programs. 7. Inspect industrial and municipal facilities and programs to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. 8. Advise corporations and government agencies about procedures for cleaning up contaminated sites.  Environmental Engineers Duties & Responsibilities 9. Conduct hazardous-waste management studies in which they evaluate the significance of the hazard and advise on treating and containing it. 10. Design systems for municipal and industrial water supplies and industrial wastewater treatment, and research the environmental impact of proposed construction projects.  Environmental Engineers Duties & Responsibilities 11. Study ways to minimize the effects of acid rain, global warming, automobile emissions, and ozone depletion. 12. Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, other engineers, and other specialists, such as experts in law and business, to address environmental problems and environmental sustainability.  Example Activities of Environmental Engineers Soil remediation. Permit applications. Environmental performance improvements. Environmental impact assessments.