Building a Sustainable Future: Nurturing the Earth through Environmental Engineering

Focus on environmental engineering

Environmental engineering is the branch of engineering responsible for protecting people from harmful effects on the environment, such as pollution. It also aims to improve the quality of life. Environmental engineers work in particular for the development of recycling, waste elimination, public health and the control of water and air pollution.

The practice of environmental engineering dates back to the dawn of civilization. Since groups of people began living in semi-permanent settlements, they have had to face the challenges of providing clean water, disposing of solid waste and sewage. With the growth of cities and the advent of agriculture and large-scale manufacturing, people also had to worry about air quality and soil contamination.

The first environmental engineer would have been Joseph Bazalgette. He oversaw the construction of the first major municipal sanitary sewer system in London in the mid-19th century. This was prompted by a series of cholera epidemics, as well as a persistent and unbearable stench. These atrocities were caused by the dumping of untreated sewage into the river, which was also the city’s main source of drinking water. This great stench caused so much damage that it forced Parliament to evacuate Westminster. It also enabled former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli to request £3.5 million to improve the city’s sewage system.

What do environmental engineers do

Environmental engineers use principles of engineering, soil science, biology and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems.

Some examples of projects involving environmental engineers:

• Studying the interactions between tiny marine organisms, their environment and their food sources, which has provided a better understanding of how algal blooms develop
• The study of how nutrients circulate in glaciers
• Studying the accumulation of methamphetamine in building materials, furniture and common household items during production

One of the most important responsibilities of environmental engineering is preventing the release of harmful chemical and biological contaminants into the air, water and soil during daily operations, such as construction. This requires extensive knowledge of the chemistry and biology of potential contaminants as well as the industrial or agricultural processes that may result in their release. With this knowledge, new processes can be designed. Furthermore, existing processes can be modified to reduce or eliminate pollutant releases.

If you are starting a construction project requiring expertise in environmental engineering, call an expert in soil study and testing in your area.

Another important function performed by environmental engineers is detecting the presence of pollutants and locating them at their source. In some cases this can present a significant challenge. For example, the source of contamination in a lake could be anywhere on several thousand acres of land surrounding the pond and its tributaries. Identifying the source of ocean contamination may present even greater difficulties.

Once the environmental engineer has identified a source of contamination, it must be stopped or reduced. Simply closing a business is not always a viable option, due to the risk of serious economic consequences. Environmental engineers often work with businesses to determine ways to avoid or reduce the production of pollutants, or to separate them so they can be safely disposed of.

Written by scienceguy