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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE:
The scientific study of our environment as well as our role
in it.
An interdisciplinary study that examines the role of
humans on the earth. It is a physical, biological and social
science.
WELCOME TO
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 10
(ES 10)
Spring 2016
We will focus on information from a variety of disciplines.
Topics include: geological processes, hydrology,
oceanography, natural resources, climatology, population
biology, ecosystems, biodiversity, biochemistry and the
chemistry of pollution. ES 10 will also how human
behavior and institutions affect the environment.
Christa Fink, David Schwartz &
Lauren Hannamen
(brief Introductions)
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 10
Syllabus, Text book and other resources
Attendance (Adds), Promptness/Expectations
Grading System: 3 midterms and 1 final + Extra
Credit Option
Short introductory talks by David and Christa
CAREERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE AND RELATED FIELDS
What’s your major?
http://www.cyber-sierra.com/nrjobs/
http://www.ecojobs.com/
http://www.environmentalscience.org/careers
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-socialscience/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm
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QUICK SURVEY:
Cunningham (Chap 1) lists the following as
persistent environmental problems:
Stage Left Side:
What environmental problem / challenge
concerns you the most?
Stage Right Side:
What are some solutions to environmental
problems? Or What good News comes to mind?
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Clean water
Food Supplies
Energy Resources
Climate Change
Air Quality
Biodiversity Loss
Marine Resources (food supplies, biodiversity loss)
Biodiversity Depletion
Air Pollution
• Global climate
change
• Stratospheric ozone
depletion
• Urban air pollution
• Acid deposition
• Outdoor pollutants
• Indoor pollutants
• Noise
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Habitat destruction
Habitat degradation
Extinction
Introduced Species
Food Supply Problems
Major
Environmental
Problems
Water Pollution
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Sediment
Nutrient overload
Toxic chemicals
Infectious agents
Oxygen
depletion
• Pesticides
• Oil spills
• Excess heat
Waste Production
• Solid waste
• Hazardous waste
• Overgrazing
• Farmland loss
and degradation
• Wetlands loss
and degradation
• Overfishing
• Coastal pollution
• Soil erosion
• Soil salinization
• Soil waterlogging
• Water shortages
• Groundwater
depletion
• Loss of biodiversity
• Poor nutrition
In ES 10, we will think about things
humans do to the environment AND things
the environment does to humans.
“You can’t just do one thing; there will
most likely be unintentional consequences.”
ds
And More….
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Biodiversity Depletion
Air Pollution
• Global climate
change
• Stratospheric ozone
depletion
• Urban air pollution
• Acid deposition
• Outdoor pollutants
• Indoor pollutants
• Noise
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Habitat destruction
Habitat degradation
Extinction
Introduced Species
Geologic Hazards /
Natural Disasters
Major
Environmental
Problems
Water Pollution
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Sediment
Nutrient overload
Toxic chemicals
Infectious agents
Oxygen depletion
Pesticides
Oil spills
Excess heat
Today: Intro to Plate Tectonics:
• Earthquakes
• Tsunamis
• Mass Wasting
• Volcanism
• Hurricanes
• Flooding
• Sea Level Rise
Waste Production
• Coastal Erosion
Wetland Loss
• Erosion / soil loss
• Fires
What is it? The myths?
Definition
“Boundaries = Geologic Activity”
Hazards and Resources: Associations
• Solid waste
• Hazardous waste
Plastic and debris in the world’s oceans
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Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics
• Outer layers of Earth made up of ~ 12 major
individual rigid plates (“Lithospheric/Tectonic
Plates”)
• Plates move in response to convection in the
mantle
• Most geologic activity occurs near plate
boundaries (3 types of boundaries)
Plate Tectonics; The Boundaries
Divergent Boundaries
Sea Floor Spreading on Oceanic Ridges
Typically shallow focus and small earthquakes
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Convergent Boundaries
Subduction @ deep sea trenches,
shallow to deep focus earthquakes
WEB LINK:
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/understanding.html
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Transform Boundary
example: San Andreas Fault
Define Plate Tectonics
Study Questions
What is the lithosphere? What is the Asthenosphere?
Name the 3 types of plate boundaries and describe the motion
associated with each. Sea Floor Spreading occurs at which boundary?
What is subduction? Where do is occur?
List a few examples of where each types of boundary is located. Plate
Tectonic geography is important.
List a few examples of continental margins that are 1,000’s of miles
away from the nearest plate boundary. These are called “Passive”.
What types of geologic activity are associated with lithospheric plate
boundaries? This is important, list as many as you can.
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