BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
Learning Modules in Environmental Science
Figure 6.1Google Earth Image of Common Tree Planting site of the De La Salle Philippines in 2010 (photo below) at Mts. Palay-palay
National Park, Cavite, PH (photo above).
Module Authors:
Airill L. Mercurio, Ph.D. and Mario S. Torres, Ph.D
Biological Sciences Department
College of Science & Computer Studies
De La Salle University - Dasmariñas
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BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
Learning Modules in Environmental Science
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Sub-Topic
Page
11.0
Gospel Reading and Reflection
3
11.1
Learning Outcomes
4
11.2
Non-Renewable Energy Sources
4
11.3
Renewable Resources
6
11.4
Energy Conservation
9
11.5
Renewable Energy Act
10
11.6
What is Envirotech?
10
11.7
Biotechnology and Genetically Modified Crops
12
11.8
Geographic Information System
13
11.9
Greening the Environment
14
11.10
Associated Issues of Environmental Technology
14
11.11
Key Takeaways
15
11.12
References
16
11.13
Formative Assessments
17
11.14
Summative Assessment
21
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11.0 GOSPEL READING and REFLECTION
Read the passage of the gospel according to Colossians 1:16-17
"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and
for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflect on the message of the gospel
Relate the aforecited passage with the topic on environmental resources and technology.
Write you short reflection on the space provided below.
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Learning Modules in Environmental Science
11.1 LEARNING OUTCOMES
The carbon-based economy is dependent with the use of fossil fuels as source of energy
at present. Unprecedented economic development also has shaped the production and
consumption of envirotech (technology-based products or processes). However, there is
a need to shift to renewable energy sources and envirotech should be utilized with
precautionary measures since some of them potentially pose both benefits and risk to
environment and human health.
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Cognitive Objective: Understand the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources and enumerate emerging environmental technologies.
2. Affective Objective: Follow along the claim that most environmental technologies
are eco-friendly
3. Psychomotor Objective: Identify practical ways to do energy conservation and
output synthesizing a governance system on hazardous waste
11.2 Non-renewable sources
Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources which comes from remains of organisms,
compressed in oxygen free environment. Fossil fuels are being formed million years
ago as product of photosynthesis with the aid of solar energy. Although
photosynthesis is a natural process , formation of fossil fuels is slower than it is being
used. It is being formed after dead plants are being decomposed by bacteria and fungi.
It include petroleum, natural gas and coal.
Petroleum or crude oil. It is considered as the largest source of commercial energy in
the world. It is known as “light oil“ which comes form the ground as black colored liquid
which is consist of hundreds of different combustible hydrocarbons along with small
amounts of sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen impurities. Crude oil is being deposited within
the earth’s crust or under the sea floor. In order to extract the oil, developers tend to drill
wells in the deposit and is drawn out of rock pores, flows into the bottom of the well and
is pumped into the surface. After it is being extracted, oil is not ready for use, it has to
be transported to a refinery to be heated in a process known as refining. Some of the
products of crude oil distillation are called petrochemicals such as gasoline, diesel fuel
and furnace oils. It has been projected by geologists that crude oil will be depleted
sometime in 2050 and 2100 depending on humans’ consumption rates.
One of the major problem associated with crude oil is with regards to its transportation.
Usually oil is being transported throughout the globe through supertankers and
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Learning Modules in Environmental Science
sometimes results to leaks and spills. Oil spills result to water pollution just like what
happened in Guimaras which resulted to death of phytoplankton, corals and fishes. Oil
spills on land can contaminate the soil and underground water. Evaporation of oil
products and incomplete combustion of oil fuels results to air pollution.
Natural gas. It is a mixture of gases of which 50-90% is methane (CH4) and contains
small amount of hydrocarbons such as propane and butane. Natural gas lies above most
reservoirs of crude oil in the earth’s crust or in the deep sea. The extraction process to
yield natural gas is similar to oil. When natural gas is being tapped, propane and butane
gases are liquefied and removed as
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Natural gas when being burned produces carbon
dioxide and water. Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases which in high levels
results to global warming. However, as compared to coal and oil, it produces less carbon
dioxide. Accidents which may result to explosion or fire when being transported by ships
or tankers is one of the common problem.
Coal. It is a hard black mineral consisting mainly of carbon. It comes from remains of
plants and animals that were buried million years ago. It is burned in power plants to
generate about 40% of the world’s electricity. It is the world’s most abundant fossil fuel.
There are two ways in which coal is being extracted: either through surface mining or
underground mining. It is consisting of large percentage of carbon, small amounts of
sulfur which upon combustion is being released as sulfur dioxide (SO 2) in the atmosphere.
Burning of coal also releases particulates or soot. Coal burning power and industrial
plants are major emitters of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2). Burning
of coal also emits trace amount of toxic and indestructible mercury and radioactive
materials in the air which contributes to acid rain and human health diseases.
Mining as a method of extraction of coal results to several environmental problems such
air, water, noise and land pollution. Large waste such as acid mine tailings are being
disposed into bodies of water such as rivers and streams. Large amount of coal dusts
is being released into the air and can cause health problems not only to the miners but
also to other people when being inhaled. Many miners suffer from respiratory diseases
or black lung diseases that results from accumulation of fine coal-dust particles in the
lungs. Burning of coal also results to acid rain due to sulfur dioxide since coal as fossil
fuel contains sulfur. Carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide that are being released into the air
contributes to global warming.
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Nuclear energy. It is considered to be one of the cheapest source of electricity. It
involves changes in the nucleus of the atoms. Atoms are smallest component of nonliving matter. An atom is composed of positively charged protons, negatively charged
electrons , electrically neutral neutrons and a central region called the nucleus. There
are two nuclear reactions which take place to release energy : these are fission and
fusion. During fission, larger atoms of certain elements are split into two smaller atoms
of different elements. During fusion, two smaller atoms are combined to make one larger
atom of different element. The nuclear reactions produce smaller amounts of energy in
the form of heat which is converted to electricity.
The problem with nuclear energy are accidents at nuclear facilities, terrorist use of
neuclear materials, safety concern among worker and public exposure to ratdiation and
nuclear waste disposal. One of the accident occured on nuclear plant was the Chernobyl
nuclear accident which happened in 1986. The nuclear power plant explode and it took
10 days to control the burning reactor. Several people were affected with radiation related
diseases such as thyroid cancer and abnormalities among developing babies. In the
Philippines, the Bataan Nuclear Power plant was completed at Morong Bataan but did
not operate.
11.3 Renewable energy sources
Solar Energy. Energy from the sun is an inexhaustible source of energy. Sun which is a
star is composed of 72% of hydrogen and 28% of helium gases which upon nuclear
fission will emit an enormous amount of energy known as electromagnetic radiation. Only
66% of its total emission is capable of reaching the earth’s surface, while the remaining
34% is being dissipated to space.
Solar energy comes directly from the sun. Solar energy can be converted to electrical
energy by photovoltaic (PV) cells, or commonly termed as solar cells. Usually solar cells
are made up of thin silicon with trace amount of metals that allows them to act as
semiconductors to generate electricity. When sunlight strikes the solar cells, electrons
will be emitted and many cells that are wired together in a panel can produce electrical
power. The cells can be connected to electrical grid systems or batteries that store the
electrical energy until its usage. Solar cells produce no pollution or greenhouse gases
when being used. However, solar panels are quite expensive. In the Philippines, there
are solar power plants such as those located in Calatagan Batangas, Citicore Power in
Cebu, and San Carlos Sun Power Plant in Negros Occidental.
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Wind energy. Wind is produced by uneven heating of earth’s surface and earth’s rotation.
Radiant energy from the sun is converted to mechanical energy which is the movement
of air molecules. Wind turbines tend to capture the wind on land and at sea and convert
into electrical energy. Since wind varies, so is the amount of electricity that is generated
by each wind turbine. Usually wind turbines are installed on rural areas with continual
wind scuh as coastal areas, islands, mountain passes or grasslands. Wind energy
produce very low environmental impact, no emissions of waste and is a clean source of
energy. It produces no emissions of carbondioxide (CO 2), ,sulfur dioxide (SO2) and
nitrogen oxides (NO2). It has low electricity cost and moderate capital cost. However,
wind turbines can kill birds and bats, interfere with flights of migratory birds, and require
large areas with steady winds. In the Philippines, there are several wind farms such as
Burgos wind farm at Ilocos Norte and , Philippine Windfarm at Puerto Galera Mindoro
at Pilila Rizal.
Hydropower energy. Hydropower uses kinetic energy of flowing and falling water to
produce electricity. The most common approach in utilizing hydropower is to build high
dam across a large river or reservoir. The potential energy of held back by the dam is
converted to kinetic energy as the water falls down as penstock where it turns turbines
that generate electicity. Building of dam can cause flooding of large areas of land and
destroy organisms such as plants and animals. Dams may also disrupt the the migration
of spawning fishes . Waterborned diseases may also result from construction of dams.
There are many hydropower electric plants in the Philippines which are located in various
countrysides of
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Examples are Ambuklao in
Benguet,Angat in Bulacan,Pantabangan Hydropower in Nueva Ecija and Agus in Lanao
Del Norte.
Biomass energy. Biomass is consisting of plant materials and animal waste that can be
burned directly as a solid fuel or converted into gaseous or liquid biofuels. Biomass may
come from plant materials such as sawdust, wood chips or firewood, charchoal and
animal waste such as dung. It is possible to convert biomass particularly animal waste
into biogas. Biogas is usually composed of mixture of gases (mostly methane) which is
stored and transported like a natural gas. Biogas may be used for lighting and cooking.
Solid remains from a biogas digester may also be used as fertilizer. Biomass may also
be converted to liquid fuels such as methanol and ethanol. Biodiesel is made from plant
and animal oils which can be used as an alternative fuel for vehicles. Biodiesel is more
clean upon combustion as compared to an ordinary diesel.
Biomass reduce burning of fossil fuels that emit huge amount of carbondioxide in the
atmosphere. However, it requires land, water and energy. Crop residues which comes
from cornstalks, wheat stalks and wood waste from paper mlls and saw mills may turned
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into waste materials which will eventually decompose. Another issue related to biomass
is the loss of biodiversity. Whenever natural ecosystems are transformed into singlespecies energy plantatios, biodiversity is being reduced making exosystems more
susceptible to disease or pest attacked. In the Philippines, there are several Biomass
power stations such as Clean Green Energy corporation in Bataan, Green Power in
Bukidnon, Asea One Power in Panay and Aseagas Corporation in Lian Batangas.
Geothermal energy. The natural heat within the Earth’s core where continental plates
slide over one another and from the decay of radioactive elements is the primary source
of geothermal energy. The heat comes from the Earth’s core and from the decay of
radioactive elements. Countries which are located around the Pacific plate or “Ring of
Fire” shave high geothermal source. It is usually associated wth volcanoes containing
large underground heat reservoirs. Geothermal energy is tapped by drilling wellls to
obtain the steam which is then used to power electrical generators. As compared to
combustion of fossil fuels as source of electricity, it emits small fraction of air pollutants.
Its common disadvantage is with regards to the steam that contains hydrogen sulfide gas
(H2S) that has a rotten egg smell and is a source of air pollution. The minerals in the
steam also corrode pipes and equipment and is toxic to fishes.
Since 2017, De La Salle University –Dasmarinas and other La Salle Schools are using
60% Geothermal energy advocating for green energy. In the Philippines, there are
several geothermal power plants such as Tiwi Geothermal plant in Albay,Makiling
Banahaw Geothermal plant in Laguna, and Mindanao Geothermal in Mt. Apo Kidapawan
Cotabato
Tidal energy. Tides which refers to the daily rise and fall of the ocean levels are produced
from gravitational pull of the moon and the sun. In coastal areas whith high tides contains
enormous amounts of potential energy as compared to low tide. Since 11th century,
Englishmen use tides to turn waterwheels producin mechanical power. The energy is
usually being captured with a dam across a bay or a turbine and is converted to electricity.
Despite that tidal energy is considered renewable source of energy, tidal power is
expensive. Dams needed to generate electricity may have negative impacts on aquatic
organisms. In the Philippines, the first ocean tidal power plant will set up in the San
Bernardino Strait between Sorsosgon and Northern Samar where the Pacific enters the
sea surrounding Visayan islands.
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11.4 Energy conservation
Energy conservation is not a method of producing energy but rather reducing the need
of additional energy and saving money. There are techniques and technologies at
present which can reduce energy consumption. More efficient and less energyintensive industry, automobiles, buildings and household practices can help in
reducing energy consumption. There are energy efficiency appliances such as
refrigerators, washing machines and airconditioners which have yellow tags containing
energy guide which consume less amount of electricity.
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/Pages/ReducingEnergyUseWorkgroup.aspx
Improved automobile efficiency, better mass transit and increased railroads are means
of transport energy conservation. In industry and household, the use of compact
fluorescents (CFLs) bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs as source of lightings
conserves energy. CFL’s utilize four times less energy and last eight times longer than
incandescent light bulbs. The compact fluorescent will be more expensive to buy it will
use less electricity.
The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act ( NAECA) set national efficiency
standards for appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, washing machines and clothes
dryers to save energy and money. In many countries, efficiency rating labels are
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mandatory on most appliances. These are are also high quality products that last longer,
needless repairing and generate less noise.
The use of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biofuel can
reduce energy and cost , utilization , pollution and greenhouses gases as compared with
non-renewable sources.
11.5 Renewable Energy Act (RA 9513)
In order for our country the Philippines to promote the utilization of renewable sources
of energy, the Republic Act 9513, known as Renewable Energy Act was enacted in
December 16, 2008. The act aims to accelerate the exploration and utilization of
renewable energy resources such as biomass, solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, ocean
energy as well as hybrid systems. This is to reduce the country’s dependence on use of
fossil fuels and to promote balance between economic growth and healthy environment.
This act helps to address problems such an energy security and climate change. This
act contains the following:
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) - All stakeholders in the electric power
industry shall contribute to the growth of the renewable energy industry of the country
Feed-In Tariff System - To accelerate the development of emerging renewable
energy resources, a feed-in tariff system for electricity produced from wind, solar, ocean,
run-of-river hydropower and biomass is hereby mandated.
Green Energy Program – This program provides households the option to choose
renewable resources as their sources of energy
Net-metering for Renewable Energy – It is an incentive that allows excess
power generated from renewable source to store energy in the electric grid and will be
used to offset the end-user’s electricity consumption. It helps in generating savings on
electricity bill and protects consumers from rising electricity prices.
11.6 What is envirotech?
Envirotech or environmental technology refers to the application of environmental
sciences in the development of new technologies which aim to monitor or reduce the
harm humans regularly cause the environment while consuming its resources. Prominent
examples of emerging envirotech include technologies such as alternative fuel vehicles,
waste-to-energy conversion methods, and biotechnology producing genetically modified
crops.
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BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
Learning Modules in Environmental Science
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV)
AFV refers to a vehicle that runs on a fuel other than conventional petroleum gas and
diesel. Alternate fuels may include the following: electric, compressed air, hydrogen,
propane, solar, biodiesel, ethanol, liquid natural gas and liquid petroleum. AFVs have
either flex-fuel or dual fuel engine system. The former permits the vehicle to run on more
than one type of fuel while the latter allows a combination of electric batteries and
gasoline.
AFVs have become increasingly popular over the past years as consumers and car
manufacturers have become more concerned with energy conservation and the
environmental effects of conventional fuels. Economy-wise, the flexibility of AFVs
provides the vehicle owner a second option if one fuel is unavailable or has a sudden fuel
price increase in the market.
Can you name an AFV car model currently available in the country? What do you think
is the general acceptance of AFV among vehicle buyers in relation to environmental
protection?
Waste-to-energy (WTE) Conversion Technologies
WTE conversion technologies physically convert waste matter into more useful fuel forms
that can be used to supply energy. Generally, these WTE processes include thermal
conversions (e.g. incineration), thermochemical (e.g. pyrolysis, gasification), or biological
(e.g. anaerobic digestion) treatments.
Incineration is a thermal treatment technology utilizing combustion process that
generally entails burning waste to boil water which powers steam generators that
generate electric energy and heat. It employs the mass burn approach where wastes are
burnt onsite as they are received thereby eliminating the need to process the material
prior to burning.
Gasification is a thermochemical treatment technology that converts solid wastes
into a mixture of combustible gases. Steam or the oxygen in the air is reacted at high
temperature with the available carbon in the waste material to produce gases such as
carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane. The process produces a syngas (compound
consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide) which is used for generating electric power.
While the incineration converts the fuel waste into energy directly on-site, thermal
gasification allows the production of a gaseous fuel that can be easily collected and
transported.
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Pyrolysis is a thermochemical treatment technology similar to gasification which
involves the thermal degradation of organic waste in the absence of free oxygen to
produce combustible gases such as syngas, and most recently cellulosic ethanol. A
common byproduct of pyrolysis is a kind of fine-grained bio-charcoal called biochar, which
retains most of the carbon and nutrients contained in biomass so it can be used as a soil
enhancement to increase soil productivity.
Anaerobic digestion is a form of biological treatment technology where organic
material is treated, and the output biogas is rich in methane. The biogas can be cleaned
and used, turned into heat and electricity, or used for methane. Anaerobic digestion deals
with wet waste which normally may be difficult to dispose of.
By far, incineration is still the most favored and popular WTE conversion technology being
utilized in most countries, despite of its environmental degradation effect. Why do you
think so? What about the environmental consequence of using other WTE conversion
technologies?
11.7 Biotechnology and Genetically Modified (GM) crops
Biotechnology is the use of biology to solve problems and make useful products. Genetic
engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism’s genome using biotechnology. It is
a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer
of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel GM
organisms.
Plants, animals, and microorganisms have all been genetically modified by various
transformation methods for several purposes with environmental, along with medicinal
and agricultural applications. GM crops can provide environmental benefits related to the
following:
•
Reducing greenhouse gas emission - herbicide-resistant corn and soybeans
can allow farmers to manage weeds without relying on the traditional method of
tilling fields. Generally, less tillage results in fewer tractor-related greenhouse gas
emissions.
•
Protecting food supply - pest-resistant corn controls insect pest populations so
effectively that neighboring fields may experience less pressure from corn borers.
•
Depending plants from disease – viral resistant papaya, potatoes, or cassava
prevent devastating pathogens and viruses from diseases.
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•
Maintaining biodiversity - GM crops, paired with advanced breeding techniques,
can help increase productivity without expanding the footprint of a farm. By helping
reduce the need to expand farmland, GM crops can help preserve native habitat,
thus maintain biodiversity of the area.
A significant part of envirotech is environmental monitoring to assess the quality of the
environment. It is in this respect that the use of innovative system such as the geographic
information system becomes associated with environmental technology. In addition, the
integration of more environmentally friendly systems into one's environment is also an
emerging trend parallel to the idea of environmental technology. The next paragraphs will
focus on geographic information system and greening the environment.
11.8 Geographic Information System (GIS)
GIS is a computer system used for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data
related to positions on earth's surface which is essential in environmental planning and
management. Further, GIS supports activities in environmental assessment, monitoring,
and mitigation and can also be used for generating environmental models.
The cited usage of GIS can be credited to its functionality. For instance, GIS allows better
viewing and understanding physical features and the relationships that influence in a
given critical environmental condition. Factors, such as steepness of slopes, aspects, and
vegetation, can be viewed and overlaid to determine various environmental parameters
and impact analysis. It can also display and analyze aerial photographs. Digital
information can be overlaid on photographs to provide environmental data analysts with
more familiar views of landscapes and associated data. GIS can provide a quick,
comparative view of hazards (highly prone areas) and risks (areas of high risk which may
occur) and areas to be safeguarded.
On completion of data analysis, GIS can help in effective planning and managing the
environmental hazards and risks. In order to plan and monitor the environmental
problems, the assessment of hazards and risks becomes the fbasis for planning decisions
and for mitigation activities.
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Today, many businesses around the world are aware that indeed, climate change is a
problem that affects them too. Because of this, many decision-makers are doing
everything they can to help in solving this problem. One of the things they are doing is
the implementation of a number of sustainable and eco-friendly technologies or projects
designed for greening their respective spaces.
11.9 Greening the Environment (GTE)
GTE is the process of transforming living environments or a lifestyle into a more
environmentally friendly form. The act of greening generally involves incorporating more
environmentally friendly systems into one's environment, such as the home, work place,
and general lifestyle. The process is also associated with the appropriate selection and
planting of plants on, in, or next to residential communities, buildings and in public parks.
The goal of GTE is usually a combination of environmental benefits and improving the
visual design of surfaces.
Going green (see text on the next page) or adapting GTE means to pursue knowledge
and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible
decisions and lifestyles which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural
resources for current and future generations.
11.10 Associated issues
Together with the environmental technologies previously mentioned, there are many new
developments in science and technology that are bound to pose both benefits and risks
to the environment and human health. Examples include hazardous wastes (see text box
on the next page) which may come from nanotechnology application, GMOs utilization,
threats to food safety, or even the growing market for biofuels. We can always expect that
longstanding challenges persist, including the preservation of ecosystems and
endangered species and questions about human health.
Many more developments will emerge. To deal with them in a responsible way, we must
continue to research and become aware of the relationship between human health and
the environment and hold fair and democratic public deliberations, such as community
forums, academic conferences, and legislative debates, involving participants with
diverse cultural, socioeconomic, philosophic, and scientific perspectives
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11.11 KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Energy sources may be categorized into renewable and non -renewable energy.
Renewable energy which can be replenished while non-renewable energy sources
are those which requires several years to be replaced.
2. Non-renewables sources include fossil fuels such as petroleum or crude oil, coal and
natural gas. Fossil fuels comes from remains of plants which are compressed in
oxygen free environment.
3. Renewable sources of energy include solar energy, wind, hydropower, nuclear,
geothermal, biomass and geothermal. Solar energy comes from the sun and is
considered inexhaustible source of energy.
4. Envirotech or environmental technology is the application of the environmental
science to conserve the natural environment and resources, and to curb the negative
impacts of human involvement. Popular envirotechs AFVs, WTE conversion methods,
and GM crops, including GIS and GTE.
5. Breakthroughs and new developments in science and technology are bound to pose
both benefits and risks to the environment and human health. In this respect, it is very
important that the use technology should be done in the smartest and most
responsible manner.
6. Local and international agreements and laws are generally drafted to regulate the
management of the environment and the possible conflict that may arise from
anthropogenic activities.
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11.12 REFERENCES
On-site Books:
Ching, JA, Mercurio, AL, Torres, MS. Environmental Science: an Integrated approach.
Siam Rein Publishing House. 2018
Miller TG and Spoolman SE. Environmental Science. Brooks/Cole. Cengage Learning.
2010
Miller TG and Spoolman SE. Living in the Environment . Brooks/Cole. Cengage Learning.
2015
Raven PH, Berg LR, Hassenzahl DM. Environment. John Wiley & Sons Inc. 2010.
Online References:
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2008/12/16/republic-act-no-9513/
https://www.doe.gov.ph/net-metering-home
https://www.gdrc.org/techtran/envi-tech/index.html
https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/technology/intro
https://www.senecacollege.ca/programs/fulltime/EMT.html
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11.13 FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS
Activity 1: How Much is My Energy Consumption?
1. Select five household appliances at your home. Look for the wattage label at the
back or base of the appliance. This label lists the maximum amount of power the
appliance utilizes. Wattage is usually the maximum power the device operates.
2. Multiply wattage by hours used each day. For example, if an electric fan requires
80 watts and runs for an average of 3 hours per day, then it may be computed as
Fans daily watt-hour is equal to: (80 watts) X (4 hours/day) = 320 watt hours
per day
3. Usually in electric bill, electricity consumption is in kilowatt. Convert watt to kilowatt
by dividing the result by 1,000 since a kilowatt is equivalent to 1,000 watts.
Example: 320 hours) ÷ 1,000 = 0.32 kilowatt hours per day
4. Compute the total number of kilowatts generated per month. To calculate your
kWH per month, just multiply it by the number of days per month.
5. Multiply the cost of electricity per kWh. Your electricity bill lists the cost per kilowatt
hour. Multiply this number by the kWh to find the amount you are expected to pay.
6. Compute for the total price per appliances if 1 kilowatt = P 9.50
7. Compute for your total bill using all those 5 appliances for a month.
8. Complete “My Electric Consumption Table” on the next page.
9. Which among those 5 appliances consumes the largest and least amount of
electricity?
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10. List down two activities in which you can conserve energy at home.
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My Electric Consumption Table
Type of appliance
Wattage
Total watts
per hour
Total kilowatts
per day
Total kilowatts
per month
Price per
appliance
Total
Activity 2 : Question and Answer
Answer the following questions in relation to the content of the module:
1. Recent research findings have found that even algae could be a potential future
alternative fuel source for AFVs. Research about this finding and give your personal
comment in relation to environmental protection.
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2. Propose measures on how to properly manage the technotrash the eco-friendly way.
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3. Dozens of new and innovative envirotech emerge every year which are ultimately
connected by the desire to provide sustainable tools for our collective use. Briefly
describe a specific envirotech related to the following:
Water recycling technology
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Solar and wind investing technology
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BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
Learning Modules in Environmental Science
LED and smart lighting
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Pollution control devices
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BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
Learning Modules in Environmental Science
11.13 SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Part 1.
Table Completion. Fill in the information needed in the table below (10 points)
Energy resource
Advantages
Disadvantages
Solar
Geothermal
Nuclear
Hydropower
Coal
Part 2.
Essay Questions. Answer each item as indicated (10 points).
1. Briefly describe how GIS can be applied in the following environmental activities, provide
examples whenever necessary:
natural reserves management
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BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
Learning Modules in Environmental Science
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air quality monitoring
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oil-spill management
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sewage treatment
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2. Identify an example of a technology-based product or process that poses negative human
health impact as an associated issue. Explain briefly.
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22
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
Learning Modules in Environmental Science
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