MIRZA MOHD FAWWAZ TSE 2013

Environmental Science

TSE 2013

NAMA : MIRZA MOHD FAWWAZ BIN HJ FAIZAN BEG

NO. MATRIK : D20061026192

PROGRAM : PENDIDIKAN SAINS

FAKULTI : SAINS DAN TEKNOLOGI

SEMESTER : 5

MASA KULIAH : 5.00 pm – 7.00 pm

KUMPULAN KULIAH: H

PENSYARAH : Prof. Madya Dr. Nur Tjahjadi

Environmental Science

We inhabit in two world. One is the natural world of plants, animals, soils, water and air. The other world is social institution and artifact that we create for ourselves using science, technology and political organizations. Science and technology have become pervasive forces that explain how things work and to reveal how we can make our environment safer and more comfortable.

The word environment comes from the French word, environer that’s means to encircle or surround. Many definition of environmental can we define. The first definition is the circumstances and condition that surround an organism or a group of organism. Another definition is the social and cultural condition that effect individual or community. Environment also refer to all matters and things surrounding human at certain time and space. Next, environment also refer to interaction between external and internal factors that affect organisms life. External factor including living elements or called as biotic and non living elements called as abiotic elements. Internal factors refer to chemical and biological aspects. . Environmental is more than water, land and air. So it is the sum total of our surroundings that includes living things and non living things.

Environmental Science combination of the other fields

Environmental Science is the systematic study of our environment and our place in it. Environmental science is highly interdisciplinary. It intergrates information from biology, chemistry, geography, agriculture and many other fields. In other words, environmental science is inclusive and holistic. Environmental science also is the study of interactions among physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment. Environmental Science provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems. Environmental science is often confused with other fields of related interest, especially ecology, environmental studies, environmental education, and environmental engineering. Environmental Scientists monitor the quality of the environment, interpret the impact of human actions on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and develop strategies for restoring ecosystems. In addition, environmental scientists help planners develop and construct buildings, transportation corridors, and utilities that protect water resources and reflect efficient and beneficial land use. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science, teams of professionals commonly work together to conduct environmental research.

Environmental science encompasses issues such as climate change, conservation, biodiversity, water quality, groundwater contamination , soil contamination, use of natural resources, waste management, sustainable development, disaster reduction, air pollution, and noise pollution. environmental science is essentially the application of scientific methods and principles to the study of environmental questions, so it has probably been around in some form as long as science itself. Air and water quality research, for example, have been carried on in many universities for many decades that research is environmental science. By whatever label and in whatever unit, environmental science is not constrained within any one discipline, it is a comprehensive field. A considerable amount of environmental research is accomplished in specific departments such as chemistry, physics, civil engineering, or the various biology disciplines. Much of this work is confined to a single field, with no interdisciplinary perspective. Environmental Science is the use of scientific method to study processes and system in the environment in which we live. Our environment includes continents, clouds and ice caps that visible in our photo of Earth from space. Animal, plants, forests and farm comprise the landscape around us. In a more inclusive sense, it also encompasses our built environment that’s means the structure, urban centre and living spaces human have created. In its most inclusive sense, our environment additionally consist of the complex web of scientififc, ethical, political, economic and social relationship and institutions that shape our daily lives.

The trends in the environmental science is started since 1950. In the 1960s, the environmental movement gained strength and direction, first in the United States and then in many other nations. Increasing knowledge of the environment and the impact of humans on it led to increasing clamor for regulations protecting areas such as wetlands, rainforests, the oceans, waterways, endangered species, and the atmosphere. In addition to marked environmental changes, these regulations and other measures have changed many aspects of industry, and environmental concerns have repeatedly been raised as issues in international trade discussions and similar venues. Some say that environmentalism began with Henry David Thoreau's (1817-1862) books, written in the 1840s and 1850s. Others claim that John Muir (1838-1914) in the latter decades of the nineteenth century helped to start the modern environmental movement, preserving lands for posterity rather than simply writing about them. Still others feel that Rachel Carson's (1907-1964) 1962 book, Silent Spring launched the environmental movement. Each of these claims has some justification, and it may be most accurate to point out that the environmental movement has been born in stages. Thoreau taught us to see and appreciate nature, Muir helped us to realize that nature is not endless, and Carson showed us that humans can destroy nature. John Muir strenuously oppose Pinchot Utilitarian policies. Muir argued that nature deserves to exist for its own sake, regardless of its usefulness to us. Aesthetic and spiritual values formed the core of his philosophy of nature protection. This outlook has been called biocentric preservation because it emphasizes the fundamental right of other organism and nature as a whole to exist and to pursue their own interests.

There are some sub – categories of Environmental Science. The first one is Ecology. Ecology studies typically analyze the dynamics among an interrelated set of populations, or a population and some aspect of its environment. There is some teminology between environmental science and ecology. "Environmental science" and "ecology" are different fields of study, although there is some overlap due to the multidisciplinary nature of environmental science. Ecology is the study of the interrelations of living organisms, whether at the population, community, or ecosystem level, and of the relationships between organisms and their environment. In contrast, environmental science is a broad area of study encompassing both biological and physical concepts including diverse areas such as geology, agronomy, meteorology, atmospheric chemistry, soil chemistry, water chemistry, systems modeling, and biological responses of systems to anthropogenic influence. In environmental science these areas of study are integrated and applied to address issues such as water quality, air quality, and soil quality). These studies could address endangered species, predator or prey interactions, habitat integrity, effects upon populations by environmental contaminants, or impact analysis of proposed land development upon species viability. An interdisciplinary analysis of an ecological system which is being impacted by one or more stressors might include several related environmental science fields. For example one might examine an estuarine setting where a proposed industrial development could impact certain species by water pollution and air pollution. For this study biologists would describe the flora and fauna, chemists would analyze the transport of water pollutants to the marsh, physicists would calculate air pollution emissions and geologists would assist in understanding the marsh soils and bay muds.

Next category is Environmental Chemistry. Environmental chemistry is the study of chemical alterations in the environment. Principal areas of study include soil contamination and water pollution. The topics of analysis involve chemical degradation in the environment, multi-phase transport of chemicals such as evaporation of a solvent containing lake to yield solvent as an air pollutant and chemical effects upon biota. As an example study, consider the case of a leaking solvent tank which has entered the soil upgradient of a habitat of an endangered species of amphibian. Physicists would develop a computer model to understand the extent of soil contamination and subsurface transport of solvent, chemists would analyze the molecular bonding of the solvent to the specific soil type and biologists would study the impacts upon soil arthropods, plants and ultimately pond dwelling copepods who are the food of the endangered amphibian.

Another part of environmental Science is Geosciences. Geoscience include environmental geology, environmental soil science, hydrology, physical geography, climatology, and geomorphology. It may also embrace oceanography and other related fields. As an example study of soils erosion, calculations would be made of surface runoff by soil scientists. Hydrologists would assist in examining sediment transport in overland flow. Physicists would contribute by assessing the changes in light transmission in the receiving waters. Biologists would analyze subsequent impacts to aquatic flora and fauna from increases in water turbidity.

Another category is Environmental assessment. It is the process of appraisal through which environmental protection and sustainable development may be considered. Environmental assessments typically involve collection of field data, this can be from stakeholders and the ambient environment, and serves to harmonize the linkages between the different branches of the environment and development.

Next is Environmental Microbiology. Environmental Microbiology is the study of the composition and physiology of microbial communities in the environment. The environment in this case means the soil, water, air and sediments covering the planet and can also include the animals and plants that inhabit these areas. Environmental microbiology also includes the study of microorganisms that exist in artificial environments such as bioreactors.

The last part of environmental science is Environmental Biology. Environmental Biology is a sub-category of environmental science that focuses specifically on the effects of environmental conditions on biological systems. Although it incorporates aspects of environmental science such as geochemistry and ecology, studies are focused on individual organisms, their biological processes, and their genetics. In addition, environmental biology incorporates the ideas of global change and conservation biology to encourage the conservation of biodiversity.

Now we are looking into the interaction between human and environment. Physical environment act as a ‘site’ for human activities. We can do many activity in this earth. We should appreciate this Earth by use it in the right thing. Don’t make our environment destroy or damage by the air pollution that cause from our attitude.

The interaction comprise of atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere which interrelated to sustain dynamic equilibrium. Any disturbance towards physical environment leads to mechanism to offset the situation. Human are part of physical environment. So only human can protect the environment.Human needs are variety and

each component of physical environment can fulfill the demands. Disturbance to any component of the environment will effect human life because there is a relationship between human and each component of the environment. One component disturbed, the rest will be effected.

Understanding our interactions with environment is important for several reasons. First, we depend on our environment for air, water, food, shelter and everything else essential for living. Second, our actions modify our environment, whether we intend them to do so or not. Many of our actions have brought us beneficial changes, such as longer life spans and increase in material wealth, mobility and leisure time. Third, we need to understand our relationship with our surroundings so that we can develop a well – informed view of our place in the world and a mature awareness that we are one species among many on a planet full of life. Finally, we need to understand our interactions with the environment because such knowledge is the essential first step toward devising solutions to our most pressing environment mental problems.

Human activities

Environmental changes

Physical Environment

Interaction between human and environment

Resources Energy Technology

We have many environmental problems in this century. The most recent version describes many serious environmental and social challenges. Water may well be the most critical resource in our world nowadays. Already at least 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water and twice that many don’t have adequate sanitation. Polluted water contributes to the death of more than 15 million people every year. Air pollutant produced in the major industrial region of the United States drift across the border into Canada. where acid rain damages lakes and forests. In another example, farmers who use water from the Colorado River for irrigation reduce the quality and quantity of water entering Mexico. Over the past century, global food production has more than kept pace with human population growth. Soil scientist report that about two – third of all agriculture lands show signs of degradations. The biotechnology and intensive farming techniques responsible for much of our recent productions gain are too expensive for many poor farmers. Fossil fuels presently provide around 80 percent of the energy used in industrialized countries. Supplies of these fuels are diminishing, however and problem associated with their acquisition and use the air and water pollution, mining damage, shipping accidents and geopoitics may limit what we do with remaining reserves. Burning fossil fuels, making cement, cultivating rice paddies, clearing forests and other human activities release carbon dioxide and other so called greenhouse gasses which trap heat in the atmosphere. Air quality also has worsened dramatically in many areas. Over southern asia, for example, satellite images recently revealed a 3 km thick toxic haze of ash, acids, aerosol, dust and photochemical products.

Now I would like discuss about one of the most critical problems in this century, which is air pollution. According to the American College Dictionary, pollution is defined as to make foul or unclean, dirty. Water pollution occurs when a body of water is adversely affected due to the addition of large amounts of materials to the water. When it is unfit for its intended use, water is considered polluted. Two types of water pollutants exist, point source and nonpoint source. Point sources of pollution occur when harmful substances are emitted directly into a body of water. The Exxon Valdez oil spill best illustrates a point source water pollution. A nonpoint source delivers pollutants indirectly through environmental changes. An example of this type of water pollution is when fertilizer from a field is carried into a stream by rain, in the form of run-off
which in turn effects aquatic life. The technology exists for point sources of pollution to be monitored and regulated, although political factors may complicate matters. Nonpoint sources are much more difficult to control. Pollution arising from nonpoint
sources accounts for a majority of the contaminants in streams and lakes. There are many causes of this problems. Many causes of pollution including sewage and fertilizers contain nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates. In excess levels, nutrients over stimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae. Excessive growth of these types of organisms consequently clogs our waterways, use up dissolved oxygen as they decompose, and block light to deeper waters.
This, in turn, proves very harmful to aquatic organisms as it affects the respiration ability or fish and other invertebrates that reside in water.
Pollution is also caused when silt and other suspended solids, such as soil, washoff plowed fields, construction and logging sites, urban areas, and eroded river banks when it rains. Under natural conditions, lakes, rivers, and other water bodies undergo Eutrophication, an aging process that slowly fills in the water body with sediment and organic matter. When these sediments enter various bodies of water, fish respiration becomes impaired, plant productivity and water depth become reduced, and aquatic organisms and their environments become suffocated. Pollution in the form of organic material enters waterways in many different forms as sewage, as leaves and grass clippings, or as runoff from livestock feedlots and pastures. When natural bacteria and protozoan in the water break down this organic material, they begin to use up the oxygen dissolved in the water. Many types of fish and bottom-dwelling animals cannot survive when levels of dissolved oxygen drop below two to five parts per million. When this occurs, it kills aquatic organisms in large numbers which leads to disruptions in the food chain.

The next environmental problems is water pollution. Three last forms of water pollution exist in the forms of petroleum, radioactive substances, and heat. Petroleum often pollutes waterbodies in the form of oil, resulting from oil spills. The previously mentioned Exxon Valdez is an example of this type of water pollution. These large-scale accidental discharges of petroleum are an important cause of pollution along shore lines. Besides the supertankers, off-shore drilling operations contribute a large share of pollution. One estimate is that one ton of oil is spilled for every million tons of oil transported. This is equal to about 0.0001 percent. Radioactive substances are produced in the form of waste from nuclear power plants, and from the industrial, medical, and scientific use of radioactive materials. Specific forms of waste are uranium and thorium mining and refining. The last form of water pollution is heat. Heat is a pollutant because increased temperatures result in the deaths of many aquatic organisms. These decreases in temperatures are caused when a discharge of cooling water by factories and power plants occurs. The major sources of water pollution can be classified as municipal, industrial, and agricultural. Municipal water pollution consists of waste water from homes and commercial establishments. For many years, the main goal of treating municipal wastewater was simply to reduce its content of suspended solids, oxygen-demanding materials, dissolved inorganic compounds, and harmful bacteria. In recent years, however, more stress has been placed on improving means of disposal of the solid residues from the municipal treatment processes. The basic methods of treating municipal wastewater fall into three stages which is primary treatment, including grit removal, screening, grinding, and sedimentation. Secondary treatment, which entails oxidation of dissolved organic matter by means of using biologically active sludge, which is then filtered off. And tertiary treatment, in which advanced biological methods of nitrogen removal and chemical and physical methods such as granular filtration and activated carbon absorption are employed. The handling and disposal of solid residues can account for 25 to 50 percent of the capital and operational costs of a treatment plant. The characteristics of industrial waste waters can differ considerably both within and among industries. The impact of industrial discharges depends not only on their
collective characteristics, such as biochemical oxygen demand and the amount of suspended solids, but also on their content of specific inorganic and organic substances. Three options are available in controlling industrial wastewater. Control can take place at the point of generation in the plant; wastewater can be pretreated for discharge to municipal treatment sources; or wastewater can be treated completely at the plant and either reused or discharged directly into receiving waters.

The natural world is organized into interrelated unit called ecosystem. Ecosystem is aregion in which the organism and the physical environment form an interacting unit. Weather effect plant, plants use minerals in the soil and effect animals, animals spread plant seeds, plant secure the soil and plants evaporate water which effect weather. Ecosystem also is a unit of vegetation which includes not only the plants of which it is composed but the animal habitually associated with them and also all the physical and chemical components of the immediate environment or habitat which together form a recognizable self – contained entity. While accepting that every living and all processes on Earth are interrelated and somehow interact, some naturally occurring demarcations in the real world can justifiably be considered as boundaries for the purpose of ecosystem. Examples like deltas, lakes, island and flood – plains. Large ecosystem includes smaller ones. A large watershed, for example, may include number of lakes that can be locally managed within the context of the overall watershed. Isolated coral reefs may also form part of much largeratoll system. Thus, defining an ecosystem boundary is more a matter of practical convenience and is usually related to easily identifiable demarcations. Ecosystem sometimes have fairly discrete boundaries, as is the case with a lake, island or biosphere. Sometimes the boundaries are indistinct, as in the transmission from grassland to desert. Grassland gradually becomes desert, depending on the historical pattern of rainfall in an area.

We also should consider the ethics in environment. Ethics is very important because it shows how human act to the environment. Ethics is seeks to define fundamentally what is right and what is wrong, regardless of cultural differences. While morals means reflect predominant feelings of a culture about ethical issues. If human act with do a such bad thing like pollution, that’s means human don’t have a ethics. We should control and care about our environment.