Lecture 1 – Introductory Concepts
Introductory concepts and principles
• Environment
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Quality
• Environmental Quality Standards
• Environmental Quality Monitoring
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Concept Map of Development,
Environment and Health
Human
Health
Human
Activities for
Development
Environment
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Human activities for development
• Ozone layer
Industrial wastes
• Air pollution depletion
Key Industries • Acid rain
• Water pollution
• Agriculture • Soil pollution • Eutrophication
• Garbage of lakes
• Manufacturing • Stagnant water
• Mining
• Construction Carbon emission • Global Health
warming
• Transportation • Petroleum
• Charcoal • Climate
• Electronic Change
• Energy
production
Over extraction of water
• Food • Water depletion
Water
crisis
• Entertainment • Saltwater intrusion
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Ecosystem and human health
Ecosystem
Services
Ecosystem (food, shelter,
Human
-Biotic clothing,
-Abiotic Health
medicines,
water/wastewater
treatment)
Environmental
modifications
Human Activities
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Environmental modifications
• Construction of dams and irrigation
canals provide ideal habitat for snails that
serve as the intermediate reservoir host
species for schistosomiasis
• Irrigated rice fields increase in the extent
of mosquito-breeding surface, increasing
the chance of transmission of mosquito-
borne malaria, lymphatic filariasis,
Japanese encephalitis, and Rift Valley fever
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Environmental modifications
• Deforestation has increased the risk of malaria
in Africa and South America by increasing
habitat suitable for malaria transmitting
mosquitoes
• Uncontrolled urbanization in the forest
ecosystem has been associated with mosquito-
borne viruses (arboviruses) in the Amazon and
with lymphatic filariasis in Africa.
• Poor water supply systems, inadequate
garbage and wastewater disposal systems,
and lack of shelter in urban areas promote
transmission of dengue fever, Zika virus
disease and chikungunya diseases.
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Environmental modifications
• Habitat fragmentation, with subsequent biodiversity
loss, increases the prevalence in ticks of the bacteria
that causes Lyme disease in North America
• Intensive livestock agriculture that uses sub-
therapeutic doses of antibiotics has led to the
emergence of antibiotic- resistant strains of Salmonella,
Campylobacter, and Escherichia coli bacteria
• Overcrowded and mixed livestock practices, as well
as the trade in bush meat, can facilitate interspecies host
transfer of disease agents, leading to dangerous novel
pathogens such as SARS and new strains of influenza
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
What is Environment?
• c.1600, "state of being environed"; sense of
"nature, conditions in which a person or thing
lives“.
Ref. Etymology Dictionary
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
What is Environ?
– environs (n.)
• "outskirts," 1660s, from Fr. environs, pl. of O. Fr.
environ "compass, circuit," from environ (adv.)
"around, round about"
– environ (v.) late 14c. (implied in environing),
"to surround," from O. Fr. environer "to
surround, enclose, encircle," from environ
"round about"
Ref. Etymology Dictionary
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Environment
• The sum total of all surroundings of a
living organism
- including natural forces and other living
things
- which provide conditions for
development and growth as well as of
danger and damage
Ref. Business Dictionary.
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Environmental Science
• Branch of knowledge that
- involves the study of different components
of the environment
- that interact and result in such
phenomena
- which can be either beneficial or
harmful for the environment and the
beings dependent on it for their
survival and sustenance.
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Environmental Science
• Deals with air, water, soil and living
beings, their characteristics, and
interrelationships.
• It also includes social and cultural factors
as they impact on the environment
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Environmental Engineering
• Branch of engineering that is concerned with
- protecting the environment from the potentially
deleterious effects of human activity
- protecting human populations from the effects
of adverse environmental factors
-improving environmental quality for human
health and well being.
Source: Peavy, 1985
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUT8zya53Vg
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Environmental Engineering
• Deals with the technological measures to
use and protect the components of the
environment
• Focuses on design and technology for
improving environmental quality.
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Environmental Science Vs
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering Environmental Science
Water/wastewater quality Chemistry, biology, microbiology
analysis
Water/wastewater treatment Physics, chemistry
Air quality management Physics, chemistry
Soil remediation Chemistry, biology, ecology
With technology interventions With laboratory analysis
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Key Environmental Components
• Air
• Soil
• Water
• Organisms
• Energy sources (sun, food, gravity, etc)
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Environmental Quality
• The degree to which the naturally
occurring resources of Earth (land, air, and
water) are affected by artificial impurities
or waste products, including noise,
chemicals, generated by human activity
• Quality of the environment that is
conducive for healthy living
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Environmental Quality Standards
• Allowable levels of pollution: air, water, soil
and noise.
- International Standards (e.g. WHO, UNEP)
- US Standards
- European Standards (e.g. EC)
- Asian Standards (e.g. ASEAN)
- Philippine Standards
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Ex. Water Quality Standards
• Drinking water
• Water for fish habitats
• Water for industry
• Water for recreation
- Boating
- Swimming
• Wastewater
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
Environmental Quality Monitoring
• Why monitor?
- To determine if critical parameters are
still within the standards for healthy living
for organisms
- To come up with solutions in case
acceptable levels of environmental
quality are exceeded.
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD
