ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Hand-out No. 1: Introduction to Environmental Engineering
Hand-out No. 1 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Time Frame: 2 hours
Learning Objectives
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Discuss some fundamental definition of the basic concepts in environmental engineering such as biotic and abiotic
environment
Explain the adverse effects of pollution on human and the environment
Review the environmental acts and regulations implemented in the Philippines
Content Outline
1.
Basic Concepts
2.
Adverse Effects of Environmental Pollution
3.
Environmental Acts and Regulations
4.
Sustainability
Basic Concepts
What is Environmental Engineering?
It is the application of science and engineering principles to protect and utilize natural resources, control
environmental pollution, improve environmental quality to enable healthy ecosystems and comfortable habitation
of humans.
What is Environmental Pollution?
Environmental pollution is defined as “the contamination of the physical and biological components of
the earth/atmosphere system to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected.”
Pollutants can be naturally occurring substances or energies, but they are considered contaminants
when in excess of natural levels. Any use of natural resources at a rate higher than nature’s capacity to restore
itself can result in pollution of air, water, and land.
Generally, environmental pollution takes place when the environment cannot process and neutralize
harmful by-products of human activities in due course without any structural or functional damage to its system.
There are three major types of environmental pollution: air, water, and land pollution.
BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC ENVIRONMENT
In general, the surroundings of an organism living in its natural habitat is termed as environment.
Physical or abiotic environment - it consists of physical factors like Land (minerals, toxic elements, nutrients),
sky (sink of various things, noise) and air (useful and other gases).
Living or biotic environment - it consists of plants, animals (including human beings) and micro-organisms.
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
1. Environmental degradation
Pollution cause very dangerous & hazardous effects on the environment which depletes the natural balance
of the environment. The environment is degraded due to the addition of pollutants in the natural resources of
the environment such as air, water or soil. The different examples of environmental degradation are as:
 The emission of greenhouse gases by various means into the atmosphere will lead to the global
warming & the depletion of natural ecosystems of earth.
 Carbon dioxide emissions in the oceans leading to the acidification of water resources by the large
concentrations of carbon dioxide in water.
 Biomagnifications: It is defined as the addition of several toxins like those of heavy metals in the
food chains or trophic levels of different species of environment causing depletion of species.
 Sulfur dioxide & different nitrous oxides will lead to acid rain which decreases the pH value of soil
making it difficult for crop production purposes.
 The formation of smoke & haze will reduce the sunlight received by the plants leading to the
decrease in photosynthesis & the production of tropospheric ozone which damages the plants.
Page 1 of 4
Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Architecture
jessaeraldin.origines@bisu.edu.ph
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Hand-out No. 1: Introduction to Environmental Engineering
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The addition of heavy metals & oil splits in oceans will lead towards the pollution of land masses &
water resources making them unsuitable for use.
Effects on human health
The decrease in quality of air will lead to several respiratory problems like asthma or lung cancer, different
cardiovascular diseases, chest pain, congestion, throat inflammation etc. in humans due to the ingestion of
polluted air. The consumption of polluted water due to different contaminant addition will cause skin
problems like skin cancer or rashes on the skin, water-related diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria, several
fevers etc. Noise pollution in the environment will also lead to the production of different psychological
effects on the humans & also on the environment.
Ozone Layer Depletion
It is the emission of greenhouse gases in the environment leading towards the increase in their
concentration in the atmosphere causing the global increase in earth’s temperature which has many
hazardous effects on precipitation quantities & on other harmful effects. Global warming occurs due to the
emission of several greenhouse gases like those of methane, sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide, carbon
monoxide, carbon oxide etc. from the industrial infrastructure or from agricultural units by different means.
The melting of ice caps or glaciers of the earth is also an effect of pollution as the rise in earth’s temperature
will result in melting of ice.
Infertility of land
The increased use of herbicides, fertilisers, pesticides or synthetic manures for the performance of increased
crop production will lead to the depletion of soil fertility due to the addition of harmful chemicals or heavy
metals into the soil. Also, the addition of untreated sewage or industrial wastes directly or indirectly into the
soil will also make it infertile for crop production or for the growth of vegetation.
Effects on animals
The increased levels of pollution will also adversely affect the different animal species of the earth due to the
depletion of the natural resources such as air, water or land units on which the wildlife depends fully for
habitat & food. Also, the addition of toxicants into the food chain of animals will destroy them.
Effect on plants
The increased level of pollution will have hazardous effects on the all kinds of vegetation present on the
earth. The pollution of land will destroy the growth & development of plants as they will do not flourish on the
land containing harmful heavy metals and chemicals. The roots of plants do not absorb the polluted water
due to different contaminants added into water bodies supplying water to plants. Also, the leaves of plants
do not prepare food in the polluted air of atmosphere due to less reception of sunlight.
Effects on buildings or infrastructure formed by humans
The most important example of the effect of pollution on the human buildings is on one of the world heritage
monument, the Taj Mahal in India which has a depletion of the wall sandstones due to polluted air around it.
It also changes the colour of the monuments or buildings and damages them.
Eutrophication of water & land bodies
The rain water will increase the addition of a nitrogenous pollutants concentration in the land & water
resources which will lead to the algal growth on large scales causing depletion of naturally present nutrients
in those resources which will cause harmful conditions for the growth of other species & organisms.
Destruction of different ecosystems
The pollution of atmosphere will also lead to the destruction of different ecosystems present in the
environment like those of water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, seas etc. due to water pollution & of
crop lands, wastelands, forest lands etc. due to land or soil pollution.
Depletion of earth’s atmosphere
The atmosphere of earth is depleted due to the presence of high quantities of polluted gases into the
atmosphere by their large scale emissions from the industries & household sectors. These large emissions
will produce harmful effects on the atmosphere by the changes in gaseous concentrations of earth.
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTS AND REGULATIONS
1. REPUBLIC ACT 9003 ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2000
The law aims to adopt a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program that
shall ensure the protection of public health and environment. The law ensures proper segregation, collection,
Page 2 of 4
Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Architecture
jessaeraldin.origines@bisu.edu.ph
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Hand-out No. 1: Introduction to Environmental Engineering
2.
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storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the formulation and adaptation of best eco-waste
products.
REPUBLIC ACT 9275 PHILIPPINE CLEAN WATER ACT OF 2004
The law aims to protect the country's water bodies from pollution from land-based sources (industries and
commercial establishments, agriculture and community/household activities). It provides for comprehensive
and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach
involving all the stakeholders.
REPUBLIC ACT 8749 PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999
The law aims to achieve and maintain clean air that meets the National Air Quality guideline values for
criteria pollutants, throughout the Philippines, while minimizing the possible associated impacts to the
economy.
REPUBLIC ACT 6969 TOXIC SUBSTANCES, HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR WASTE CONTROL ACT
OF 1990
The law aims to regulate restrict or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, use
and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures the present unreasonable risk to human health. It
likewise prohibits the entry, even in transit, of hazardous and nuclear wastes and their disposal into the
Philippine territorial limits for whatever purpose; and to provide advancement and facilitate research and
studies on toxic chemicals.
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1586 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) STATEMENT OF 1978
The Environment Impact Assessment System was formally established in 1978 with the enactment of
Presidential Decree no. 1586 to facilitate the attainment and maintenance of rational and orderly balance
between socio-economic development and environmental protection. EIA is a planning and management
tool that will help government, decision makers, the proponents and the affected community address the
negative consequences or risks on the environment. The process assures implementation of environmentfriendly projects.
SUSTAINABILITY
What is Sustainability?
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For human society, “sustainable development is development that meets
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
What is Ecological Footprint?
The ecological footprint is a measure of human demand on the Earth’s ecosystems. Ecological footprint analysis
compares human demand on the nature with the biosphere’s ability to regenerate resources and provide
services. It does this by assessing the biologically productive land and marine area required to produce the
resources a population consumes and absorb the corresponding waste, using prevailing technology.
ACTIVITY: Write your answer on a short bondpaper. Only HANDWRITTEN answers will be accepted.
1. As a future mechanical engineer, what do you think is your role and responsibilities in protecting the
environment?
2. Why is there a need to protect the environment?
3. What are the adverse effects of environmental pollution that you personally experienced?
4. Explain the interdependence of biotic and abiotic environment.
Page 3 of 4
Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Architecture
jessaeraldin.origines@bisu.edu.ph
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Hand-out No. 1: Introduction to Environmental Engineering
Reference:
Gaur, R. C. (2008). Basic Environmental Engineering. 1st Edition
Effects of Environmental Pollution (2018, July 27). ABC of Agri. https://abcofagri.com/effectsenvironmental-pollution/ Accessed on April 03, 2021
Major
Environmental
Laws.
Environmental
Compliance
Assistance
Center.
http://ecac.emb.gov.ph/?page_id=43 Accessed on April 03, 2021
Rubric No. 2 Assessing and Grading of Written Reports or Essay
Level
Criteria*
Introduction
(10%)
Content
(50%)
Organization/
Conclusion
(5%)
Grammar &
Spelling
(5%)
.
Timeliness
(30%)
1.0
2.0
3.0
5.0
Does not meet
expectations
There is no clear
introduction of the main
topic, position or
structure of the paper.
Exceeds expectations
Meets expectations
Needs improvement
The introduction is
inviting, states the
main topic and position
and previews the
structure for the paper.
The introduction clearly
states the main topic and
position and previews
the structure for the
paper but is not
particularly inviting to the
reader.
Answer is clear, but the
supporting information is
general.
The introduction clearly
states the main topic or
position but does not
adequately preview the
structure of the paper nor
is it particularly inviting to
the reader.
Answer is somewhat
clear but there is a need
for more supporting
information.
Writing has a
compelling opening, an
informative middle and
satisfying conclusions.
Writer makes no errors
in grammar or spelling
that distracts the
reader from the
content.
Writing has a beginning,
middle and an end. It is
organized but could be
more compelling.
Writer makes 1-2 errors
in grammar or spelling
that distract the reader
from this content.
Writing is organized but
sometimes gets off topic.
Writer makes 3-4 errors
in grammar or spelling
that distract the reader
from the content.
Writer makes more
than 4 errors in
grammar or spelling
that distracts the
reader from the
content.
The output is
submitted on time.
The output is
submitted a day after
the set deadline.
The output is submitted
two days to a week
after the set deadline.
The output is
submitted eight days
after the set
deadline.
There is a clear, wellfocused answer to the
problem. The answer
stands out and is
supported by detailed
information.
The answer is not
clear. There is a
seemingly random
collection of
information which does
not relate at all to the
answer.
Writing is aimless and
disorganized.
NOTE: Please do not distribute or reproduce any parts of the module without any permission from the
subject instructor. If you have questions and clarification, please contact me thru FB Messenger,
Google Classroom or thru text.
Page 4 of 4
Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Architecture
jessaeraldin.origines@bisu.edu.ph