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Part 1 Introduction to Environmental Engineering

The document outlines the principles of Environmental Science and Engineering, emphasizing the importance of understanding ecological concepts, pollution environments, and environmental management systems. It discusses the role of engineers in promoting sustainable development and addressing emerging environmental issues like climate change and biodiversity depletion. The content also highlights the need for innovative engineering practices and sustainability assessments to ensure a positive impact on society and the environment.

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joshuatabubuca3
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3 views

Part 1 Introduction to Environmental Engineering

The document outlines the principles of Environmental Science and Engineering, emphasizing the importance of understanding ecological concepts, pollution environments, and environmental management systems. It discusses the role of engineers in promoting sustainable development and addressing emerging environmental issues like climate change and biodiversity depletion. The content also highlights the need for innovative engineering practices and sustainability assessments to ensure a positive impact on society and the environment.

Uploaded by

joshuatabubuca3
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Environmental Science and

Engineering

Civilization began with the felling of the


first tree and it will end before the fall of
the last one!

Dr. Mary Jane C. Calagui, ASEAN Eng., FPIChE


Learning content

I. Ecological Concepts

II. Pollution Environments

III. Environmental Management


System
Prelims

Unit I. Ecological Concepts


1.1 Introduction to Environmental Science
and Engineering
1.2 Ecology and Ecosystems
1.3 Biogeochemical Cycles
Midterms

Unit II. Pollution Environments


2.1 Water Environment and Management
2.2 Air Environment and Management
2.3 Solid Waste and Management
2.4 Toxic and Hazardous Waste Treatment
Finals
Unit III. Environmental Management System

3.1 Background of Environmental Impact Assessment

3.2 Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System


(PEISS) Policy and Operating Principles

3.3 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

3.4 Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)

3.5 Benefits of EIA

3.6 EIA Review and Monitoring Procedures and Standards


ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS
introduction
Environmental Science

Natural science deals with the study of nature and


the physical world. It includes such diverse
disciplines as biology, chemistry, geology,
physics, and environmental science.

Environmental science encompasses all the fields of


natural science - biology, chemistry, and physics
(and their subdisciplines of microbiology,
organic chemistry, nuclear physics, etc.).
What is Environmental Engineering?

Image sources:
Earth: Visible Earth Gallery, NASA, http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view.php?id=57723
Plant: National Science Foundation, http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/popup/leafsensor/plant.jsp
Polar Bears: US Fish & Wildlife Service, http://www.fws.gov/phmay2012.html
introduction
Environmental Engineering

-it involves the application of fundamental


scientific principles to the development and
implementation of technologies needed to satisfy
human needs.
Environmental engineering
• defines environmental science with an objective
to satisfy human needs
• applies mathematics and science to utilize the
properties of matter and sources of energy
• focuses on the broader issues of sustainable
development, environmental equity, habitat loss,
and biodiversity
introduction
An environmental engineer
▪ is expected to have a greater understanding of the
environmental impact of engineering activities than
traditionally trained engineers that has the knowledge
and experience to identify, design, and implement a
control strategy or technology within an industry
served by that discipline
▪ should exhibit a greater understanding of the
availability and feasibility of control and waste
minimization technologies than an environmental
scientist
▪ is seen to hold a central position between the
environmental scientist with a traditional focus on the
ecosystem and the impacts of development and the
industry engineer with a traditional focus within the
fence line of such a development
introduction

The defining activity of an environmental engineer is


thus the application of engineering science to the
analysis of environmental processes and effects and the
design of control systems to minimize adverse effects on
those processes.
introduction

Figure 1. Relationship between an environmental engineer and other disciplines and constraints *Lifted from
Reible, D.D. (2010)
The environment and its domains
Scope of environmental engineering

❑Pollution Control
• identify sources of pollutants,
• understand fate and transport of pollutants,
and design and engineer solutions
❑ Environmental Impact Assessment
• Assess short-term and long-term impacts of
current proposed projects
❑Environmental Auditing
• Inventory of mass and energy for any
facility to minimize waste and inefficiency
❑ Environmental Risk Assessment
• Minimize risks to public health and
environment
❑ Environmental Management
• Optimization of systems with due regard to
user expectations
Engineers play a crucial role in improving living standards
throughout the world. As a result, engineers can have a significant
impact on progress towards sustainable development.
• Geodetic Engineering
1. Perform precise measurements of the earth’s surface, including
distances, angles, and elevations, to establish land boundaries,
topography, and features.
2. Design and implement geodetic networks using Global Navigation
Satellite Systems (GNSS) for mapping and earth monitoring
projects.
3. Analyze geospatial data to determine shapes, positions, and
dimensions of land or land features.
4. Develop and maintain Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
databases for storing and manipulating spatial data.
• It is through new scientific, technological,
and policy innovation that we can maintain
economic prosperity while also improving
the quality of life for our citizens.
• This goal of creating and maintaining a
prosperous society needs to be met without
the negative impacts that have historically
harmed our natural resources, the
environment, and communities.
As Albert Einstein stated, "We can't solve
problems by using the same kind of thinking
we used when we created them."
Through awareness of sustainability, we
can simultaneously advance society, the
environment, and the economy for the long-
term prosperity of future generations.
Why engineers?

Engineers have a direct effect on:


the design and development of products,
processes, and systems, as well as on natural
systems through material selection, project
siting, and the end-of-life handling of
products.
Existing and Emerging Environmental lssues

1. Globalization, trade, and development


2. Coping with climate change and
variability
3. Growth of megacities
4. Human vulnerability to climate change
5. Freshwater depletion and degradation
Existing and Emerging Environmental lssues

6. Marine and coastal degradation


7. Population growth
8. Rising consumption in developing countries
9. Biodiversity depletion
10. Biosecurity
What is Sustainable Engineering?

• Sustainable engineering is defined as the design


of human and industrial systems to ensure that
humankind's use of natural resources and cycles
do not lead to diminished quality of life due either
to losses in future economic opportunities or to
adverse impacts on social conditions, human
health, and the environment. Mihelcic ef al., 2003)
What is Sustainability?
Evolution of sustainable development
Roles of Engineers

The engineering, design and planning professions play


significant role in moving society/community to a
more sustainable way of life.
Their decision directly affects the quality of the
environment, economy and public.

Modern engineering systems have the power to


significantly affect the environment far into the
future!
Some impacts of human activities and
decisions made for the past 100 years:

Dumping hazardous
chemicals

Mine tailings
Emissions to the atmosphere

Discharge of chemical wastes into surface


waters
Some global impacts of Local Activities

Chemicals is transported through atmosphere and are not


bound by political borders.

DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and its derivatives


are found in Arctic and Antarctic but never been used there.
DDT is used in pesticides!

Radionuclides from the Chernobyl nuclear power station


explosion in the Ukraine in 1986 still contaminate farms in
Britain in 2000, lambs can not be sold for human
consumption.
SO2 N2O
CH4

CO
Furans
NOX Dioxins
H2S CO2
leachate

groundwater
Source: Climate Change Institute
Acid precipitation reduce the pH of surface waters
below 6, releasing aluminum ions that cause “fish kill.”
(pH above 6, the aluminum is in the form of hydroxides
which are not bio-available).
How can we make our share?

The world is changing…


And the rate of change is fast!
I will make my share!
I have to do something!
I will help!
Some Approaches & Strategies to Achieve SD in
Engineering Programs

• Rethinking the application of engineering


and design principles

• Need to conduct a unit-based sustainability


assessment as the initial step to SD
implementation.
1. Rethinking the Application of Engineering and
Design Principles

Students must learn how to merge the


physical, life, and information sciences, at
the nano-, meso-, micro-, and macro-
scales; embrace social ethics and social
responsibility; be creative and innovative,
and write and communicate well (Charles
M. Vest, 2010).
2. Unit-based Sustainability Assessment

Using USAT (unit-based sustainability assessment tool)


(Togo & Lotz-Sisitka, 2009)
– Covers 7 critical dimensions of higher education
• Curriculum
• Research and scholarship
• Operations
• Faculty and staff development and rewards
• Outreach and service
• Student opportunities
• Institutional mission, structure and planning
Let us do our share
before the
environment
changes us!
Thank You!

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