Introduction to Introduction to Environmental EngineeringEnvironmental Engineering

What is Environmental Engineering?What is Environmental Engineering?

Definition: Definition: The application of science and The application of science and engineering knowledge and concepts to care engineering knowledge and concepts to care for and/or restore our natural environment for and/or restore our natural environment and/or solve environmental problems.and/or solve environmental problems.

Who does it affect?• Everyone & Everything!Everyone & Everything!– plantsplants– insectsinsects– animalsanimals– humans humans – ecosystemsecosystems– our planetour planet

What are What are environmental issues?environmental issues?

• Three areas:Three areas:– air qualityair quality– land qualityland quality– water quality water quality

Air QualityAir Quality

Poor air quality can lead to:Poor air quality can lead to:•smogsmog•respiratory & other illnessesrespiratory & other illnesses•acid rainacid rain•global warmingglobal warming

Why is air quality such a problem?Why is air quality such a problem?

From where do air pollutants come?From where do air pollutants come?

Air pollution in ChinaAir pollution in China

Air QualityAir Quality

• Air pollutant: Air pollutant: A known A known substance in the air that substance in the air that can cause harm to can cause harm to humans and the humans and the environment.environment.– nitrogen oxides (NOnitrogen oxides (NOxx))

– sulfur oxides (SOsulfur oxides (SOxx))

– carbon monoxide (CO)carbon monoxide (CO)– carbon dioxide (COcarbon dioxide (CO22))

Effects of acid rain on plantsEffects of acid rain on plants

Greenhouse Gases & Global WarmingGreenhouse Gases & Global Warming• Global warming: Global warming: An increase in the average air An increase in the average air

temperature of the Earth.temperature of the Earth.• Greenhouse effectGreenhouse effect: Heat from the sun gets trapped : Heat from the sun gets trapped

inside the glass of a greenhouse and heats up its air.inside the glass of a greenhouse and heats up its air.• More carbon dioxide (COMore carbon dioxide (CO22) being released in the ) being released in the

atmosphere traps more heat.atmosphere traps more heat.

How do we reduce air pollutants?How do we reduce air pollutants?

• carpoolcarpool• hybrid carshybrid cars• EPA government EPA government

regulationregulation• NEW: geologic carbon NEW: geologic carbon

sequestrationsequestration• alternative fuelsalternative fuels• walk, bike or use walk, bike or use

public transportationpublic transportation

Land QualityLand Quality

• Land pollution: Land pollution: Destruction of the Earth’s surface Destruction of the Earth’s surface caused by human activities and the misuse of caused by human activities and the misuse of natural resources.natural resources.

• Natural resources: Natural resources: Land and raw materials that Land and raw materials that exist naturally in the environment undisturbed by exist naturally in the environment undisturbed by humans.humans.

• Renewable resource: Renewable resource: A natural resource that can A natural resource that can be replaced by a natural process.be replaced by a natural process.

• Non-renewable resource: Non-renewable resource: A natural resource that A natural resource that cannot be produced or re-grown or reused.cannot be produced or re-grown or reused.

ExamplesExamplesRenewable ResourcesRenewable Resources Non-Renewable ResourcesNon-Renewable Resources

What problems arise from land pollution?What problems arise from land pollution?

Acid mine drainageAcid mine drainage LandfillsLandfillsPesticides and herbicidesPesticides and herbicides

How do we reduce land pollution?How do we reduce land pollution?