Environment Science and Management

2. Environment Science and Management Sean Mahar, PhD, CIH, CSP, PE

3. Sean Mahar • BS, Sacred Heart University • MS, Texas A&M University • PhD, University of Iowa • Certified Industrial Hygienist • Certified Safety Professional • Professional Engineer

4. Experience • U of Wolverhampton, 6 years • Ohio University, 3 years • Worksafe Iowa, 3 years • US Navy, 9 years • Tracor, 1 year

5. Aim • This module aims to introduce students to a wide range of techniques and approaches available to predict and mitigate the various environmental impacts. Both national and international legislation (US National Environmental Protection Act, E.C. Directive 85/337 etc.) will be covered in order to explain the history and state of the art requirements concerned with environmental assessment.

6. Aims • Specific topics that will be considered in detail in this module will be; Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA); Environmental Management Systems (EMS); Life Cycle Analysis (LCA); Environmental Audit (EA); Social Impact Assessment (SIA); Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), and Eco- labelling.

7. Outcomes • Review various methods in environmental management at various scales (from strategic down to local); environmental audits, environmental assessment, life cycle analysis and environmental management systems.

8. Topics • Environmental reports/reporting • Environmental Assessment • Cost benefit analysis • Social Impact Assessment • Strategic Environmental Assessment. • Environmental Impact Assessment • Environmental management systems • Environmental Audits • Life Cycle Analysis/assessment • Eco-labels.

9. Assessment Methods and Weightings • Environmental Report - 50% • Examination - 50%

10. Examination The two hour exam is composed of previously unseen short answer questions. Section A is composed of 2 1/2 hour answers from a choice of 4 questions and Section B is composed of 4 15 minute answers from a choice of 6 questions. These questions cover the full scope of material covered in the Lectures. In order to guarantee a good mark for each answer, you are expected not only to answer the question but apply extra relevant information.

11. Environmental Report In groups of no more than 4 you are required to select a specific operation or aspect of Rodbaston College and conduct an environmental audit and produce an environmental report (5,000 word maximum).

12. Report format • Introduction • Main body • Conclusion • References (as per usual protocol for literature and web-based information).

13. Introduction • what the aims are of the report (what you have chosen to look at and why). • put your environmental audit into context (with reference to literature, legislation, environmental policy statement etc). • site description.

14. Main body You may wish to use the following, well-established approach when conducting an environmental audit; Description (of the particular resource, topic, component of interest to you). Evaluation (evaluate the environmental impacts of your particular resource, topic etc.)

15. Main body Prescription & recommendations (suggest ways in which the environmental impacts of your particular resource, topic etc. can be mitigated). This can include behavioural, technological changes and improvements (as suggested in the literature for example). If possible, calculate the cost of these recommendations.

16. Main body • Your report should refer to as many relevant sources of information as possible (all of which should be fully referenced). These can include personnel, legislation, literature (both specialist and general) sources.

17. Conclusion/References Conclusion • Briefly summarise your findings and recommendations. References • (as per usual protocol for literature and web-based information).

18. Factors to consider 1. An understanding of the role of applicable legislation and guidelines will be needed, but it will be undesirable to quote large sections.

19. Factors to consider 2. Structure is important - your work must have a title and introduction that will set down the issues you wish to address. If relevant, you may wish to include some historical perspective but beware of making this too long. The introduction will be followed by the main body of your discussion - which should demonstrate logical progression to your conclusion and demonstrate understanding of the environmental effects of your chosen problem. The conclusion should summarise what has gone before.

20. Factors to consider 3. Referencing: any material used to help you write this essay should be acknowledged in order to avoid plagiarism. Any direct quotes or references within the text of your work should appear in a reference list. Harvard method of referencing is preferred.

21. HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT • Introduction to ecological systems • Sources of pollution • Principal environmental impacts • Sustainability

22. Ecological systems • Earth’s natural cycles • Biodiversity

23. Earth’s natural cycles • Energy • Carbon • Nitrogen • Water

24. Energy Cycle Solar Radiation Space Atmosphere IR

25. Carbon Cycle

27. Water Cycle Conden-sation Precipitation Collection Evaporation

28. Nitrogen Cycle

29. Nitrogen Cycle • All life requires N: proteins and nucleic acids • Air is major reservoir - 79% N2 • Plants must secure their nitrogen in "fixed" form: • nitrate ions (NO3−) • ammonia (NH3) • urea (NH2)2CO • Animals secure their nitrogen (and all other) compounds from plants (or animals that have fed on plants).

30. Nitrogen Cycle • nitrogen fixation • decay • nitrification • denitrification

31. Nitrogen Cycle, fixation • atmospheric fixation by lightning • biological fixation by certain microbes • Sometimes in symbiosis with plants, esp legumes • industrial fixation

32. Nitrogen Cycle, decay NH3

33. Nitrogen Cycle, nitrification • NH3 to Nitrates • Nitrifing bacteria • Nitrosomonas oxidize NH3 to nitrites (NO2−) • Nitrobacter oxidize the nitrites to nitrates (NO3−) • Many legumes also perform nitrification — converting organic nitrogen to nitrites and nitrates.

34. Nitrogen Cycle, denitrification • Nitrates to N2 • Anaerobic bacteria N2

35. Nitrogen Cycle

36. Biodiversity • Definition • Value of biodiversity • Threats to biodiversity

37. Biodiversity Biodiversity is the totality of genes, species, and ecosystems in a region • Genetic diversity (the variation of genes within species) • Species diversity (variety of species within a region) • Ecosystem diversity

38. Biodiversity If the land mechanism as a whole is good, then every part is good, whether we understand it or not. If the biota, in the course of aeons. has built something we like but do not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering. - Aldo Leopold, 1953

39. Biodiversity interactions of many species that provide ecological services • production of O2 • removal of CO2 from the air • generation of soil • cleansing and regulation of fresh water • production of organic matter

40. Biodiversity Many causes: • Pollution • Habitat loss • Climate Change • Over fishing/hunting • Loss of topsoil

41. Biodiversity 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Convention on Biological Diversity: • The conservation of biodiversity, • Sustainable use of the components of biodiversity, and • Sharing the benefits arising from the commercial and other utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way

42. Sources of pollution • Industry • Transport • Population • Agriculture

43. Principal environmental impacts • Ozone depletion • Global warming • Acid rain • Eutrophication • Photochemical ozone creation

44. Ozone depletion UV Ionosphere Mesosphere Ozone Layer UV Stratosphere Trophosphere 10km 50km

45. Global warming Vis Ionosphere Mesosphere IR Stratosphere IR Trophosphere 10km 50km

46. Greenhouse Gases • Carbon dioxide - combustion of solid waste, fossil fuels, and wood and wood products • Methane - production and transport of fossil fuels, decomposition of organic wastes, livestock. • Nitrous oxide - agricultural and industrial activities, combustion • Others hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)

47. Greenhouse Gases

48. Greenhouse Gases • Carbon dioxide primary greenhous gas (82%) • Methane is 21 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere when compared to CO2

49. Eutrophication A condition in an aquatic ecosystem where high nutrient concentrations stimulate blooms of algae (e.g., phytoplankton).

50. Eutrophication Impacts • Noxious algae (scums, blue-greens, taste and odor, visual) • Excessive macrophyte growth (loss of open water) • Loss of clarity (secchi depth goes down) • Possible loss of macrophytes (via light limitation by algae and periphyton) • Low dissolved oxygen (loss of habitat for fish and fish food) • Excessive organic matter production (smothering eggs and bugs)