Rasha El Kholy 1.Introduction Concepts and Terminologies 2. Pollution 3. Global Environmental Issues CURRICULUM CONTENTS Rasha El Kholy Environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth. It is usually seen as the media surrounding humans it involves (animals, microorganisms, air, water and land) ENVIRONMENT Rasha El Kholy ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING Environmental engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the environment (air, water, and land), to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation and for other organisms. Environmental engineering involves natural resources pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, and public health issues. Rasha El Kholy ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences (including physics, chemistry, biology, soil science, geology, and geography) to the study of the environment. Rasha El Kholy ECOLOGY Ecology origin is from the Greek word: (oikos) meaning the living relations and (logos) meaning the study. It is simply the interdisciplinary scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. Ecology is also the study of ecosystems. Ecosystems describe the web or network of relations among organisms at different scales of organization. The discipline of ecology emerged from the natural sciences in the late 19th century. Ecology is not synonymous with environment, or environmental science. Rasha El Kholy ECOLOGY Rasha El Kholy ECOLOGY-Examples Rasha El Kholy ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife. Rasha El Kholy CLIMATE CHANGE Climate Change is a long-term alteration in global weather patterns, it can be a change in the average weather or a change in the distribution of weather events around an average (for example, greater or fewer extreme weather events). The greenhouse effect, deforestation and the gases from industrial emissions accumulate in the atmosphere and act like a blanket, trapping heat. The change of climate is attributed directly or indirectly to human activities which alter the composition of the atmosphere and causes variability. Rasha El Kholy CLIMATE CHANGE- Examples Rasha El Kholy CLIMATE CHANGE- Examples Rasha El Kholy GLOBAL WARMING Global warming is a significant increase in the Earth's climatic temperature over a relatively short period of time as a result of the activities of humans. As the Earth is getting hotter, disasters like hurricanes, droughts and floods are getting more frequent. Rasha El Kholy GLOBAL WARMING Rasha El Kholy GLOBAL WARMING - Examples Rasha El Kholy NATURAL RESOURCES They occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. Natural resources are derived from the environment. Many of them are essential for our survival while others are used for satisfying our wants. Natural resources may be further classified in different ways. The earths natural resources are finite, which means that if we use them continuously, we will eventually exhaust them. This basic observation is undeniable. But another way of looking at the issue is far more relevant to assessing peoples well-being. Rasha El Kholy The composition of air does not vary very much (by volume) is made up of Nitrogen (77%), Oxygen (21%), Argon, Neon and other gases (1%), and this remains generally stable, only the 1% remaining exhibits variation. Humans, animals and plant inhale oxygen from the air to survive. AIR Rasha El Kholy Water resources are sources of water that are useful to humans. Uses of water include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. About 97% of water on the Earth is salt water, leaving only 3% as fresh water of which slightly over two thirds is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. Fresh water is a renewable resource, yet the world's supply of clean, fresh water is steadily decreasing. Water demand already exceeds supply in many parts of the world and as the world population continues to rise, so too does the water demand. Awareness of the global importance of preserving water for ecosystem services has only recently emerged as, during the 20th century. WATER Rasha El Kholy WATER- hydrologic cycle Rasha El Kholy WATER- renewable water resources Rasha El Kholy LAND Only 30% of the Earths surface is land, but land cover plays an important role in the functioning of the Earth system. The land is also where most of humans live most of the time, and provides us with food, fuel, fiber and shelter. Soil is the unconsolidated mineral material or organic matter on the immediate surface of the earth's land that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants. Soil profiles are influenced by five separate, yet interacting, factors: parent material, climate, topography, organisms, and time. Rasha El Kholy LAND Rasha El Kholy It is the introduction of contaminants into the environment that causes: instability disorder harm to the ecosystem Rasha El Kholy FORMS OF POLLUTION Water Pollution Air Pollution Sound Pollution Visual Pollution Land Pollution Rasha El Kholy Water pollution is categorized according to the source of the pollution: point sources such as factories and wastes treatment plants. These contaminants enter the water systems directly from the given source such as a pipe draining from an industrial plant or sewage treatment facility. Non-point sources (in-direct water pollution) result of pollution entering the water supply as a result of run off from rains and atmospheric sources. Contaminants such as fertilizers and pesticides can be run off from the ground into nearby streams, rivers and lakes as one of the in-direct sources of water pollution. Rasha El Kholy Agricultural run-off for example tends to contain nutrients, sediment, animal wastes, salts, and pesticides. When it rains, water washes over driveways, roofs, agricultural lands, streets, lawns, and building sites, picking up soil, rubbish and toxic substances. Sources of water pollution are classified as being organic, inorganic, radioactive and acidic or basal. Water Pollution Toxins Nutrients Thermal Pollution Pathogens Physical Pollutants They are biodegradable, to be used as food by Microorganisms as bacteria, cause oxygen depletion They build up in the food chain until the fish contain high concentrations having devastating effects on humans Are microbes that cause Disease, they include a few types of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and other organisms (TC, FC) Particulate matter, consist of small particles which are suspended in water (suspended solids) warm discharges causes thermal pollution by raising the temperature of the river, causes oxygen loss and organisms death Rasha El Kholy Factories outlets Rasha El Kholy Agriculture run off Rasha El Kholy Waste water pipes effluents Rasha El Kholy Air pollutants include the following: Carbon Monoxide Carbon Dioxide Sulphur Oxides Nitrogen Oxides Particulates Volatile organic compounds Organo / Inorganic Fluorine compounds Organo / Inorganic Chlorine compounds Organic oxides Rasha El Kholy The air composition generally remain stable, only 1% could exhibit variation. The damage accumulates over long periods. The average human inhales approximately 13.6 kg of air in a single day. Air pollutants can be classified into primary or secondary pollutants. Primary pollutants are those which remain unchanged from their point of origin whereas secondary pollutants are those formed after reaction in the atmosphere. Rasha El Kholy The main sources of carbon monoxide, sulphur and nitrogen oxides are from the burning of a variety of fuels. CH + O2 -> CO2 + H2O (Complete combustion of a carbon-based fuel), However if there is not enough oxygen, the CO2 becomes CO, so CH + O2 -> CO + H2O CO is an "unsaturated" compound. It has a 200 times greater ability to react with the oxygen. Thus CO interferes with the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and reduces the flow of oxygen in the bloodstream causing less oxygen to reach the heart and therefore brain and other organs. Rasha El Kholy It is estimated that approximately 70% of carbon monoxide emissions are from motor vehicles. Sulphur dioxide gas reacts with moisture in the eyes, lungs, and other mucous membranes forming strongly irritating acid. It is also damaging to plants, but the major concern centers on its ability to form droplets of sulphuric acid, Rasha El Kholy Air Pollutants EmittedAir Polluting Sectors Mostly CO; also SO2 and NOxBiofuel Combustion Mostly SO2 and NOx;also COIndustry & Refineries Mostly SO2 and NOx;also COPower Generation Mostly SO2 and CO;also NOx Residential and Commercial Sector Mostly NOx and CO;also SO2 Road, Rail, Air & Other Transport Rasha El Kholy Land contamination results directly from the practices and indirectly from water or airborne pollutants of the 3 media, air, water and land, the latter tends to give less cause for public concern. Rasha El Kholy We inhale air and drink water but generally do not ingest soil. Patch soil with less green growth or even bare soil will not generally register concern. Soil is the primary means of food production and its contamination prove hazardous to local human inhabitants. Rasha El Kholy The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is transportation systems. Other sources of indoor and outdoor noise pollution are car alarms, emergency service sirens, office equipment, factory machinery, construction work, appliances, power tools, lighting hum, audio entertainment systems, loudspeakers, noisy people and even music, when played at very high volume, particularly through personal headphones can be damaging to ears. Rasha El Kholy Noise pollution (sound pollution) can come from: Traffic Airports Railroads Manufacturing plants Construction or demolition Concerts Some noise pollution may be temporary while other sources are more permanent. Effects may include hearing loss, wildlife disturbances, and a general degradation of lifestyle. Rasha El Kholy The unwanted sound is called noise which damage physiological and psychological health. Noise pollution can cause annoyance and aggression, hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects. Rasha El Kholy In recent years visual pollution has come to signify a wider range of disruptions to environmental quality. Thus litter, billboards, and auto junkyards are said to constitute visual pollution. Rasha El Kholy Visual pollution (eyesores) can be caused by other types of pollution or just by undesirable, unattractive views. It may lower the quality of life in certain areas, or could impact property values and personal enjoyment. Sources of visual pollution include: Power lines Construction areas Billboards and advertising Rasha El Kholy Visual pollution is usually coupled with Light pollution can be divided into two main types: 1) annoying light that intrudes on an otherwise natural or low-light setting and 2) excessive light (generally indoors) that leads to discomfort and adverse health effects. Light pollution is a side effect of industrial civilization. Its sources include building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues. Rasha El Kholy The surface temperature of the Earth is governed by the sun's rays which are allowed to penetrate the atmosphere but then get trapped and cannot escape back to space. Rasha El Kholy Rays from the Earth are in the IR simply because the Earth is much colder than the sun. If all of the Earth's IR rays could escape then the Earth would cool down. The presence of the greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, inhibit the loss of IR rays and so keep our planet warm. This is the classical greenhouse effect, it is how a greenhouse works and is essential to the survival of life on Earth over millions of years. Rasha El Kholy The Greenhouse effect in the atmosphere behave much like the glass panes in a greenhouse. Sunlight enters the Earth's atmosphere, passing through the blanket of greenhouse gases. As it reaches the Earth's surface, land, water, and biosphere absorb the sunlights energy. Once absorbed, this energy is sent back into the atmosphere. Some of the energy passes back into space, but much of it remains trapped in the atmosphere causing our world to heat up. Rasha El Kholy 1. Sea level rise Rasha El Kholy 2. Desertification and deforestation Rasha El Kholy 3. Reduced agricultural yields Rasha El Kholy 4. Weather changes - less stable Rasha El Kholy The ozone layer protects the Earth from the ultraviolet rays sent down by the sun. If the ozone layer is depleted by human action, the effects on the planet could be catastrophic. Ozone is present in the stratosphere. The stratosphere reaches 30 miles above the Earth, and at the very top it contains ozone. The highest regions of the stratosphere contain about 90% of all ozone. Rasha El Kholy Ozone is a bluish gas that is formed by three atoms of oxygen. The form of oxygen that humans breathe in consists of two oxygen atoms, O2. When found on the surface of the planet, ozone is considered a dangerous pollutant and is one substance responsible for producing the greenhouse effect. Rasha El Kholy In recent years, the ozone layer has been the subject of much discussion. And rightly so, because the ozone layer protects both plant and animal life on the planet. The fact that the ozone layer was being depleted was discovered in the mid-1980s. The main cause of this is the release of CFCs, chlorofluorocarbons. Rasha El Kholy Some of the CFCs (chloroflorocarbons: chemicals containing chlorine, fluorine and carbon), that are particularly used in refrigirators, degreasing agents and for aerosols cause damage to the Ozone layer. The ozone layer, 25,000 m above sea level, is vital to life on Earth as it filters the ultra violet rays from the sun. Ozone is a gas of molecules chemically written as O3. Rasha El Kholy In 1979 a hole was discovered in the Ozone layer which led to increased UV in the Southern Hemisphere and increased levels of skin cancer. The hole is getting larger each year. One of the problems is that the CFCs remain in the upper atmosphere for many years and so will continue to damage the ozone layer for years to come even if we manage to completely eliminate the use of CFCs. Rasha El Kholy Desertification is the extreme deterioration of land in arid and dry sub-humid areas due to loss of vegetation and soil moisture; desertification results chiefly from man-made activities and influenced by climatic variations. It is principally caused by overgrazing, overdrafting of groundwater and diversion of water from rivers for human consumption and industrial use, all of these processes fundamentally driven by overpopulation. Rasha El Kholy A major impact of desertification is biodiversity loss and loss of productive capacity, for example, by transition from land dominated by shrublands to non-native grasslands. In Madagascar's central highland plateau for example, 10% of the entire country has been lost to desertification due to slash and burn agriculture by indigenous people. Rasha El Kholy Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, i.e. elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). It has harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure through the process of wet deposition. Acid rain is caused by emissions of compounds of ammonia, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids. Governments have made efforts since the 1970's to reduce the production of sulfuric oxides into the Earth's atmosphere with positive results. However, it can also be caused naturally by the splitting of nitrogen compounds by the energy produced by lightning strikes, or the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere by phenomena of volcano eruptions. Rasha El Kholy It is a broad term referring to a mixture of wet and dry deposition (deposited material) from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. The precursors, or chemical forerunners, of acid rain formation result from both natural sources, such as volcanoes and decaying vegetation, and man-made sources, primarily emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) resulting from fossil fuel combustion. In the United States, roughly 2/3 of all SO2 and 1/4 of all NOx come from electric power generation that relies on burning fossil fuels, like coal. Rasha El Kholy Acid rain occurs when these gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds. The result is a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released from power plants and other sources, prevailing winds blow these compounds across state and national borders, sometimes over hundreds of miles. Rasha El Kholy