Post on 07-Apr-2015
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGYENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY PHILOSOPHY & FUNDAMENTAL PHILOSOPHY & FUNDAMENTAL
CONCEPTSCONCEPTS
DR. ADLY Kh. ALDR. ADLY Kh. AL--SAAFINSAAFINEngEng’’g. / Env. Geologyg. / Env. Geology
KFUPM KFUPM -- DHAHRANDHAHRAN
SourcesSourcesKeller, E. A., 1999, “Environmental Geology”Murk, B. W. et. al, 1996, “Environmental Geology”Montgomery, C. W., 1997, “Environmental Geology”Lundgren, L. W., 1999, “Environmental Geology”Some other Technical and Professional Articles………….
OUTLINEOUTLINEI. WHY DO WE NEED ENVIRONMENTAL
GEOLOGY? II. CULTURE & ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESSIII. ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICSIV.ENVIRONMENTAL CRISISV. FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY VI.GEOLOGY AS A BASIC ENV. SCIENCES VII.SCIENTIFIC METHOD
I.I. WHY DO WE NEED ENVIRONMENTAL WHY DO WE NEED ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY?GEOLOGY?
II.II. CULTURE & ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESSCULTURE & ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESSIII.III. ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICSENVIRONMENTAL ETHICSIV.IV. ENVIRONMENTAL CRISISENVIRONMENTAL CRISISV.V. FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGYENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGYVI.VI. GEOLOGY AS A BASIC ENV. SCIENCES GEOLOGY AS A BASIC ENV. SCIENCES VII.VII.SCIENTIFIC METHOD SCIENTIFIC METHOD
I.I. WHY DO WE NEED WHY DO WE NEED ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY?ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY?
1.1. Increasing of population growthIncreasing of population growth rate;rate;2.2. Expectation of a higher standard of living;Expectation of a higher standard of living;3.3. Expanding demand of natural resources;Expanding demand of natural resources;4.4. Conversion of undeveloped land;Conversion of undeveloped land;5.5. Environmental awareness;Environmental awareness;6.6. Environmental ethics;Environmental ethics;7.7. The growth in Public policyThe growth in Public policy ((i.e. i.e.
environmental studies should be madeenvironmental studies should be made……).).8.8. ----
II.II. EEnvironmental Awarenessnvironmental Awareness
The integration of the environment into our The integration of the environment into our daily lifedaily life is dependent on:is dependent on:
1. Physical, Chemical, and biological conditions of the earth’s environment.
2. Socio-economic, and cultural conditions that influence the earth’s environment.
Environmental awarenessEnvironmental awareness involves the entire way of life that we have transmitted from one generation to another (FutureFuture).
II.II. EEnvironmental Awarenessnvironmental AwarenessTo understand the roots of our present conditionTo understand the roots of our present condition
look to the pastlook to the pastTo solve environmental problemsTo solve environmental problems
look to the futurelook to the futurePopulation and industrial revolutionPopulation and industrial revolution will change the will change the relationship between relationship between Man & EarthMan & Earth’’s Environment:s Environment:
Shortage of resourcesShortage of resources
WastesWastes and and PollutionPollution
ThusThus;;Public concern for the environment should be increased.Public concern for the environment should be increased.We should begin to see real progress in finding adequate We should begin to see real progress in finding adequate solutions to environmental problems.solutions to environmental problems.
III.III. Environmental EthicsEnvironmental Ethics
Environmental ethicEnvironmental ethic is the discipline that is the discipline that studies the studies the moral relationshipmoral relationship of human to the of human to the environment and its nonhuman contents.environment and its nonhuman contents.
Ethical approach to the environment is a recent approach;
Land ethicLand ethic assumes wewe are responsible to the entire environment;entire environment;
People should be the “LandLand’’s Citizens and Protectors not Lands Citizens and Protectors not Land’’s s ConquersConquers”.
In the pastIn the past,, people were unaware of depletion of recourses and environment degradation “a crisis survivala crisis survival”;;
TodayToday, environmental knowledge is increased rapidly, and we are aware than ever of Environmental ProblemsEnvironmental Problems (local, regional and global)
III.III. Environmental EthicsEnvironmental Ethics
Environmental problems should be tackled based on scientific knowledge;scientific knowledge;
In the modern society, policies and policies and regulationsregulations should be developed to benefit ourselves and the rest of the natural world………….
IV.IV. Environmental CrisisEnvironmental Crisis
Natural Factors Man-made-Factors
Environmental CrisisEnvironmental Crisis ““MANMAN--MADE FACTORSMADE FACTORS””
The "environmental crisisenvironmental crisis" is a combination of three aspects:
Human needs Human needs
Limited resources, and Limited resources, and
Waste & Pollution problemsWaste & Pollution problems
LimitedLimitedResourcesResources
Waste & Waste & PollutionPollution++ ++HumanHuman
NeedsNeeds
How do How do humanhuman actions demolish the natural actions demolish the natural resources resources environmental crises?environmental crises?
DeforestationDeforestation
Heavily mining of natural resourcesHeavily mining of natural resources
FarmingFarming activatesactivates
depletion of aquifers, anddepletion of aquifers, and introducing contaminants into the groundwater introducing contaminants into the groundwater
Groundwater and surface water development Groundwater and surface water development projects projects
damaging the environment (damaging the environment (i.e.i.e. building building
a dama dam will change the stream system) will change the stream system)
Industrial activates Industrial activates
increasing the concentration increasing the concentration
of of greenhouse gases greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in the atmosphere
global global climatic problemsclimatic problems
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ExamplesExamples
NATURAL FACTORSNATURAL FACTORS
External geologic ProcessesExternal geologic Processes
External geologic ProcessesExternal geologic Processes
V.V. Fundamental Concepts of Fundamental Concepts of Environmental GeologyEnvironmental Geology
1.1. Population GrowthPopulation Growth2.2. SustainabilitySustainability3.3. Earth SystemEarth System4.4. Hazardous Earth ProcessesHazardous Earth Processes5.5. Scientific KnowledgeScientific Knowledge
6.6. Limitation of resourcesLimitation of resources7.7. UnifomitarianismUnifomitarianism8.8. Our obligationOur obligation
Population Population Bomb: Bomb:
About to About to Explode?.......Explode?.......
Human Population GrowthHuman Population Growth
Population: Population: At At
Exponential Exponential Growth Rate?Growth Rate?
Human Population GrowthHuman Population Growth
1.1. Human Population GrowthHuman Population Growth1.1. Principal environmental problemPrincipal environmental problem: population growth increases : population growth increases
the impacts on the limited resources.the impacts on the limited resources.
Growth rate (G)Growth rate (G) (%)(%)
Doubling time (D)Doubling time (D):: the time it takes for population to doublethe time it takes for population to double, , generally equal to generally equal to 70 divided by the growth rate70 divided by the growth rate = = 70/G70/G
2.2. Human population through historyHuman population through history
Exponential growthExponential growth: a constant percentage of people are : a constant percentage of people are added to the population each yearadded to the population each year
Human population growthHuman population growth has has coincided with changes in coincided with changes in technology and lifestyles.technology and lifestyles.
3.3. Population growth and the future:Population growth and the future:
EarthEarth as the only suitable human habitat will be damaged..as the only suitable human habitat will be damaged..
As population growth continuously, it may be difficult to As population growth continuously, it may be difficult to supply supply sufficient resourcessufficient resources and a and a highhigh--quality environmentquality environment
NoticeNotice: : ““the rate of change in human population growth is the rate of change in human population growth is decreasing for the first time since the middecreasing for the first time since the mid--19001900’’ss””..
2.2. SustainabilitySustainability ((Management of Earth's ResourcesManagement of Earth's Resources))
Two goals:1.1.Conservation of ResourcesConservation of Resources2.2.Prevention of environmental Prevention of environmental
degradation during resource degradation during resource extraction.extraction.
? ? ?? ? ?Management of Earth's ResourcesManagement of Earth's Resources
Are there sufficient resourcessufficient resources to support the growing global population?
What steps can be taken to preservepreserve the most heavily exploited resources?
How can resources be mined safelysafely and and economicallyeconomically?
Urban MachineINPUTSINPUTS
EnergyEnergy
SoilSoil
WaterWater
MineralsMinerals
OUTPUTSOUTPUTS
WasteWaste
ProductsProducts
PollutionPollution
Urbanization
Population, Industry, Agriculture, Technology
The Key to Sustainable Development is Effective Environmental Management. HOW?????
The Key to Sustainable Development is Effective Environmental ManagementEffective Environmental Management. HOW?????
INPUTS and OUTPUTS Should be Balanced with NO Disturbance for the Natural Equilibrium of Earth Systems.
INPUTS and OUTPUTS Should be Balanced with NONO Disturbance for the Natural Equilibrium of Earth Systems.
3.3. Earth SystemEarth System
Types of SystemsTypes of Systems
Open SystemOpen System
Closed SystemClosed System
Isolated SystemIsolated System
Will be Discussed later Will be Discussed later …………..
4.4. Hazardous Earth ProcessesHazardous Earth Processes
Environmental geologyEnvironmental geology is entitled to is entitled to identify, evaluate and mitigateidentify, evaluate and mitigate the natural the natural hazards in the modern societyhazards in the modern society..
What, How, why?What, How, why?
Identification of Natural HazardsIdentification of Natural Hazards 1. 1. WHAT DO YOU NEEDWHAT DO YOU NEED??
Requirements:
Landform features;Earth materials distribution;Tectonic features;Physical and chemical properties of earth
materials.
Scientific InformationScientific Information
Evaluation of Natural HazardsEvaluation of Natural Hazards 2. 2. HOWHOW??
1. How often do such natural hazards occur?
2. How large an area will be affected?
3. How grave is the risk for people and properties?
1.1. HowHow often do such natural hazards occur?
2.2. HowHow large an area will be affected?
3.3. HowHow grave is the risk for people and properties?
Records
Evaluation of Natural HazardsEvaluation of Natural Hazards 2. 2. How?How?
Determine RisksRisks (RR) of natural hazards: Earthquakes Landslides Flooding Volcanic eruptions Sand movement
Risk analysisR = Pe
$
Mitigation of Natural HazardsMitigation of Natural Hazards 3. 3. Why?Why?
Attempt to mitigatemitigate risks associated with hazards……….
ExamplesEarthquakes implement building codes, -----Landslides
reduce slopes, add drainage, -----
Flooding
building dams, flood monitoring, -----Volcanoes
predict type/ timing of eruptions, -----
Actions to be taken to stop / minimize theadverse impacts…………
5.5. Geosciences & Geosciences & Environmental GeologyEnvironmental Geology
Environmental geologyEnvironmental geology has has been born from the need for been born from the need for interaction of the three main interaction of the three main fields of applied Earth fields of applied Earth sciences:sciences:
Applied geomorphologyApplied geomorphology
Economic geologyEconomic geology and
Engineering geologyEngineering geology
Geomorph-ology
Engineering Geolog y
Economic Geology
EnvironmentalGeology
Other Basic GeosciencesOther Basic Geosciences
Types of scientific informationPlanners used to utilize different types of information to build logical predictive knowledge:
1.Factual knowledge: Provides the basic information encountered the project (maps showing the land surface, bed rock configuration, and distribution, ……………………………).
2.Historical knowledge: provide the keys to analyzing the consequences of the past decisions and helping the future consequences of decisions yet to be made (records of geologic hazardous events, ……………………….)
3.Predictive or forcasting knowledge: is commonly expressed in the form of forecasts and predictions. Predictive statement should contain the basic elements that specify the location, time of occurrence, and the scale of the event.
PredictionPrediction PROVIDE precise specification of the location, time, occurrence, and scale of a future HAZARD.
ForecastForecast GIVES broad statement indicating thE LIKELHOOD OF HAZARD (I.E EQ is much more likely to occur in one area than another.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION AND LAND-USE PLANNING
[Case Studies]
Love Canal Toxic Waste Disposal Site is a familiar example to show the failure to make a significant use of scientific information led to serious problems.
It is a symbolic example to show how a land-use decision was made without employing appropriate scientific information.
Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) is a familiar example to show:
How scientific information was used successfully to avoid situations that might otherwise have been harmful to the pipeline and the surrounding environment.
NameName DescriptionDescriptionGeopotential Maps Maps demonstrating the resource and development potential of land.
Engineering geology Maps Maps, which record, ground conditions, and rock/soil properties useful in the design of engineering works.
Thematic Maps Maps devoted to specific specialist topics.
Element Maps Thematic Maps showing observational or factual data on a single theme. Examples of these include solid geology maps, surficial geology maps, structural geology maps, Geomorphological maps, land-use maps and soil maps.
Derived Maps(Analytical Maps)
Interpretation maps based on one or more element maps, synthesizing several types of information relevant to a single issue.
Potential Maps Thematic Maps which demonstrate potential uses of land, or the potential for processes to occur.
Constraint Maps Thematic Maps which indicate limitations on the use of land (e.g. agricultural land capability maps; in the UK).
Hazard Maps Thematic Maps which show the known extent and types of hazards in an area.
Risk Maps Maps which attempt to quantify the likelihood of a damaging event of a given type and size occurring.
Vulnerability Maps Thematic Maps which assess the vulnerability of a population or environment to a particular hazard.
Resource Maps Thematic Maps indicating the nature, extent and quality of resources, on and under the ground.
Scientific MethodScientific Method
ScienceScience
Geologists work through:Geologists work through:1.1. Facts collectionFacts collection
Observations
Measurements2.2. HypothesisHypothesis3.3. TestingTesting--hypothesishypothesis
Reject;
Modify; or
Accept
4.4. TheoryTheory
Scientific Scientific MethodMethod
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2. ---------------
3. ---------------
4. ---------------
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1. WHY HAS THE PRACTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL
GEOOGY BECOMES SO IMPORTANT IN THE
MODERN SOCIETY?
Assignment # 1
2. Impacts of Population Growth on the Earth’s Environment.
http://www.cwac.net/population/index.html
Write a short essay in One of the following topics:Write a short essay in One of the following topics:
To what extent the scientific information is important in
the planning phase of environmental works. (Comment
on the Love Canal, and Trans Alaska Pipeline projects).
WORK FOR WORLDWORK FOR WORLD……………………
CARE FOR COMMUNITYCARE FOR COMMUNITY……..
How to Tackle Environmental How to Tackle Environmental Problems?Problems?
Warning SystemWarning Systemandand
Monitoring ProgramMonitoring Program
Principle AspectsPrinciple AspectsControlling andControlling andInfluencing the Influencing the
ProblemProblem
Environmental ImpactEnvironmental ImpactAssessment.Assessment.
Risk AnalysisRisk Analysis
Defining the Defining the Types and MagnitudeTypes and Magnitude
of the Problemof the Problem
SolutionsSolutions
How to tackle environmental problems?How to tackle environmental problems?