Terminology: Environmental Science Is An

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical, biological
and information sciences(including ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, plant

science, zoology, mineralogy, oceanology, limnology, soil science, geology and physical
geography (geodesy), and atmospheric science to the study of the environment, and the solution of
environmental problems. Environmental science emerged from the fields of natural
history and medicine during the Enlightenment.[1] Today it provides an integrated, quantitative,
and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems.[2]
Related areas of study include environmental studies and environmental engineering. Environmental
studies incorporates more of the social sciences for understanding human relationships, perceptions
and policies towards the environment. Environmental engineering focuses on design and technology
for improving environmental quality in every aspect.
Environmental scientists work on subjects like the understanding of earth processes,
evaluating alternative energysystems, pollution control and mitigation, natural resource
management, and the effects of global climate change. Environmental issues almost always include
an interaction of physical, chemical, and biological processes. Environmental scientists bring a
systems approach to the analysis of environmental problems. Key elements of an effective
environmental scientist include the ability to relate space, and time relationships as well as
quantitative analysis.
Environmental science came alive as a substantive, active field of scientific investigation in the
1960s and 1970s driven by (a) the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to analyze complex
environmental problems, (b) the arrival of substantive environmental laws requiring specific
environmental protocols of investigation and (c) the growing public awareness of a need for action in
addressing environmental problems. Events that spurred this development included the publication
of Rachel Carson's landmark environmental book Silent Spring[3] along with major environmental
issues becoming very public, such as the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, and the Cuyahoga River of
Cleveland, Ohio, "catching fire" (also in 1969), and helped increase the visibility of environmental
issues and create this new field of study.
Contents
[hide]
 1Terminology
 2Components
o 2.1Atmospheric sciences
o 2.2Ecology
o 2.3Environmental chemistry
o 2.4Geosciences
 3Regulations driving the studies
 4See also
 5References
 6External links
Terminology[edit]
See also: Glossary of environmental science
In common usage, "environmental science" and "ecology" are often used interchangeably, but
technically, ecology refers only to the study of organisms and their interactions with each other and
their environment. Ecology could be considered a subset of environmental science, which also could
involve purely chemical or public health issues (for example) ecologists would be unlikely to study. In
practice, there is considerable overlap between the work of ecologists and other environmental
scientists.
The National Center for Education Statistics in the United States defines an academic program in
environmental science as follows:
A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the
study of the physical environment and the solution of environmental problems, including subjects
such as abating or controlling environmental pollution and degradation; the interaction between
human society and the natural environment; and natural resources management. Includes
instruction in biology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, climatology, statistics, and mathematical
modeling.[4]
Components[edit]
Blue Marble composite images generated by NASA in 2001 (left) and 2002 (right)
The Earth's atmosphere
Atmospheric sciences[edit]
Main article: Atmospheric sciences
Atmospheric sciences focus on the Earth's atmosphere, with an emphasis upon its interrelation to
other systems. Atmospheric sciences can include studies of meteorology, greenhouse
gas phenomena, atmospheric dispersion modeling of airborne contaminants,[5][6] sound propagation
phenomena related to noise pollution, and even light pollution.
Taking the example of the global warming phenomena, physicists create computer models of
atmospheric circulation and infra-red radiation transmission, chemists examine the inventory of
atmospheric chemicals and their reactions, biologists analyze the plant and animal contributions
to carbon dioxide fluxes, and specialists such as meteorologists and oceanographers add additional
breadth in understanding the atmospheric dynamics.
Ecology[edit]
Main article: Ecology
Biodiversity of a coral reef. Corals adapt and modify their environment by forming calcium carbonate skeletons.
This provides growing conditions for future generations and forms a habitat for many other species.
Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. Ecologists might
investigate the relationship between a population of organisms and some physical characteristic of
their environment, such as concentration of a chemical; or they might investigate the interaction
between two populations of different organisms through some symbiotic or competitive relationship.
For example, an interdisciplinary analysis of an ecological system which is being impacted by one or
more stressors might include several related environmental science fields. In an estuarine setting
where a proposed industrial development could impact certain species by water and air
pollution, biologists would describe the flora and fauna, chemists would analyze the transport
of water pollutantsto the marsh, physicists would calculate air pollution emissions
and geologists would assist in understanding the marsh soils and bay muds.
Environmental chemistry[edit]
Main article: Environmental chemistry
Environmental chemistry is the study of chemical alterations in the environment. Principal areas of
study include soil contamination and water pollution. The topics of analysis include chemical
degradation in the environment, multi-phase transport of chemicals (for example, evaporation of
a solvent containing lake to yield solvent as an air pollutant), and chemical effects upon biota.
As an example study, consider the case of a leaking solvent tank which has entered the habitat soil
of an endangered species of amphibian. As a method to resolve or understand the extent of soil
contamination and subsurface transport of solvent, a computer model would be implemented.
Chemists would then characterize the molecular bonding of the solvent to the specific soil type, and
biologists would study the impacts upon soil arthropods, plants, and ultimately pond-dwelling
organisms that are the food of the endangered amphibian.
Geosciences[edit]
Main article: Geosciences
Geosciences include environmental geology, environmental soil science, volcanic phenomena and
evolution of the Earth's crust. In some classification systems this can also include hydrology,
including oceanography.
As an example study of soils erosion, calculations would be made of surface runoff by soil scientists.
Fluvial geomorphologists would assist in examining sediment transport in overland flow. Physicists
would contribute by assessing the changes in light transmission in the receiving waters. Biologists
would analyze subsequent impacts to aquatic flora and fauna from increases in water turbidity.
Open-pit coal mining at Garzweiler, Germany
Regulations driving the studies[edit]
Environmental science examines the effects of humans on nature (Glen Canyon Dam in the U.S.)
In the U.S. the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 set forth requirements for analysis
of major projects in terms of specific environmental criteria. Numerous state laws have echoed these
mandates, applying the principles to local-scale actions. The upshot has been an explosion of
documentation and study of environmental consequences before the fact of development actions.
One can examine the specifics of environmental science by reading examples of Environmental
Impact Statements prepared under NEPA such as: Wastewater treatment expansion options
discharging into the San Diego/Tijuana Estuary, Expansion of the San Francisco International
Airport, Development of the Houston, Metro Transportation system, Expansion of the
metropolitan Boston MBTA transit system, and Construction of Interstate 66 through Arlington,
Virginia.
In England and Wales the Environment Agency (EA),[7] formed in 1996, is a public body for
protecting and improving the environment and enforces the regulations listed on the communities
and local government site.[8] (formerly the office of the deputy prime minister). The agency was set
up under the Environment Act 1995 as an independent body and works closely with UK Government
to enforce the regulations.
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Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical, biological

and information sciences(including ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, plant

The Earth's atmosphere

Open-pit coal mining at Garzweiler, Germany

Regulations driving the studies[edit]

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