Environmental Science
➢ the study of the environment, the processes it undergoes, and the problems that arise generally from the
interaction of humans with the environment.
➢ It is an integration of many disciplines such as chemistry, biology, physics, hydrology, geology, and meteorology
because a single discipline cannot explain fully the present environmental conditions on Earth.
❖ Thomas Robert Malthus - a group of inhabitants or individuals of the same species
- published his thoughts and studies in “An Essay on in an ecosystem
The Principle of Population” in 1798, he made many ✓ All ecosystems when combined make up the Earth’s
people think about how the population affects the biosphere or “sphere of life.” Life exists in the different
environment. layers or spheres of the Earth.
❖ Rachel Carson (1907-1964) ◆ Atmosphere - the layer of air which is further divided into
- an American scientist and writer, was disturbed by the different sublayers.
use of synthetic chemical pesticides. In her book Silent ◆ Hydrosphere - the sphere of water is not only present in the
Spring (1962), she gravely expressed fears about what bodies of water but also in the other layers.
the pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was ◆ Lithosphere - is the layer of the Earth where soil is found.
doing to the environment. From the highest mountain to the deepest sea, different
❖ Garrett Hardin (1915-2003) organisms live.
- an American ecologist, published an essay called ★ Principle of Limiting Factors
“Tragedy of the Commons” in the journal Science. He - Individuals in a population have genetic diversity. With
wrote that common property resources belong to no one variations in genetic makeup, individuals react differently
in particular, but are used and exploited by everyone. to different factors. There are abiotic factors, physical or
- He described the tendency of a livestock owner to let his chemical, which could limit the growth of a population.
sheep or cattle overgraze on common land because he ❖ Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794)
thinks that if he does not, then others will. - who is considered the Father of Modern Chemistry, did
★ April 22, 1970 - the first Earth Day was celebrated in the many experiments that proved that matter cannot be
United States of America. Many other countries have joined created nor destroyed.
in celebrating Earth Day every April 22nd since then. ★ The Law of Conservation of Matter
● Environmentalism - Matter only undergoes physical and chemical changes
- which is sometimes described as “green politics,” has which separate, rearrange or transfer atoms of elements.
spread worldwide ★ The Law of Conservation of Energy
● Environmentalist - energy, like matter, cannot be created nor destroyed.
- an individual who promotes environmental awareness ★ The Second Law of Conservation of Energy
and advocates for the protection of the environment - when energy changes, its quality is always degraded.
● Environmental Scientist
- a specialist who studies, collects, and analyzes data. The Three Major Reasons Why Earth Continues To Exist
Like any other scientist, an environmental scientist ➢ There is a constant supply of energy from the sun.
should be objective in his/her search for knowledge and ➢ Matter cycling provides us the nutrients necessary to live.
solutions to problems. ➢ Gravity keeps these nutrients within our reach.
● Ecology ■ Non-renewable Resources
- a science that studies the relationships between - a natural resource that cannot be readily replaced by
humans and other organisms, and their environment. natural means at a pace quick enough to keep up with
The word ecology is derived from the Greek word oikos, consumption.
which means “house,” and logos, which means “study”. ■ Renewable Resources
■ Biotic components - living - those which could be renewed or whose supply could be
■ Abiotic components - non-living replenished in a matter of days, weeks, months, or years
● Ecosystem within our Lifetime or even our grandchildren’s lifetime.
- basic ecological unit ■ Sustainable Yield
- described as a community of organisms within an area - the highest rate at which these renewable resources could
where matter cycles and energy flows. be used while making them still available to the next
● Species generation
- made up of the same kind of organisms. Layers of The Atmosphere
● Population ◆ Troposphere
- From Greek “tropein”, meaning “to turn” or “change”
, - 11 km to 20 km vertically ● Air Pollution
- Contains most of the air molecules necessary to sustain - a condition in which the quality of air is degraded
life, weather changes are also experienced ○ Point Sources
- Temperature stops decreasing and remains constant - those which are readily identified and are stationary; they
- The boundary between troposphere to stratosphere is directly emit to the atmosphere gasses
tropopause ○ Nonpoint Sources
◆ Stratosphere - not easily identified as they are diffused and may not be
- 20 km to 50 km constantly emitting pollutants.
- The region between 20 km - 30 km is called the ozone ➔ The extent and degree of air pollution in an area depends on
layer several factors such as source of pollution, rate of
- Temperature gradually increases; it ranges from -60°C emission, wind, and the topography or location.
to -50°C; average temperature is -45°C ● Thermal Inversion
- The boundary between stratosphere to mesosphere is - Where cool air is not able to rise because it is trapped by
stratopause warmer air. It settles in the place and holds more
◆ Mesosphere pollutants from industries and other sources.
- 50 km to 100 km ● Air pollutants
- Temperature decrease again with height - substances whose concentrations in air are high enough
- Average temperature is -90°C to be considered hazardous to human health.
- Coldest temperature is at the top of this layer ○ Primary Air Pollutants
- Meteors burn up as they enter - Substances that are released directly into the air by point
- The boundary between mesosphere to thermosphere is and nonpoint Sources.
mesopause ○ Secondary Air Pollutants
◆ Thermosphere - formed from the chemical reactions of primary pollutants
- 100 km to 300 km and other substances.
- The air molecules absorb much solar energy and cause - may be more harmful than primary pollutants.
the temperature to rise again Outdoor Air Pollution
- Space shuttles orbit and auroras can be found here ● Combustion of Fuels
- The boundary of Earth’s energy system is thermopause - combustion of fossil fuels to produce electricity in power
◆ Exosphere plants and to run vehicles.
- 300 km to 400 km - when a pure hydrocarbon undergoes combustion, carbon
- Very thin layer merges into outer space dioxide and water are produced.
○ Complete combustion
Composition of Inhaled and Exhaled Air - there is enough oxygen gas that reacted with the fuel.
○ Incomplete combustion
Substance Inhaled Air Exhaled Air
- not enough oxygen gas, undesirable substances would
Nitrogen 78% 75% also be produced (soot)
➔ On the surface of soot particles are chemicals known as
Oxygen 21% 16% polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs, which are
known human carcinogens.
Argon 0.9% 0.9% ➔ In carbon monoxide poisoning, CO is absorbed in blood
more readily than oxygen because of the greater affinity of
Carbon dioxide 0.04% 4% hemoglobin for CO than O2. It causes asphyxiation which
could lead to brain damage or even death.
Water 0% 4%
➔ Carbon dioxide, a primary product of the combustion of
● Nitrogen fixation hydrocarbons, is one greenhouse gas which is of global
- process by which nitrogen is taken from its molecular concern. Although it makes up on the average very small
form (N2) in the atmosphere and converted into nitrogen 0.04% of air, its continuous production through anthropogenic
compounds useful for other biochemical processes. activities is blamed for global warming.
● Photosynthesis ➔ Lead (Pb) is added to the atmosphere through the burning of
- a chemical reaction in which plants use sunlight to leaded gasoline. Lead is a neurotoxin, that is, it can damage
convert carbon dioxide molecules and water into the brain and other organs which could lead to death.
glucose and oxygen. ● Airborne pathogens
● Argon - disease-causing agents are also very harmful air
- element of the noble gas family makes up about 1 percent pollutants.
of air ● Particulate matter
- valued for its total inertness or non reactiveness.
➢ the study of the environment, the processes it undergoes, and the problems that arise generally from the
interaction of humans with the environment.
➢ It is an integration of many disciplines such as chemistry, biology, physics, hydrology, geology, and meteorology
because a single discipline cannot explain fully the present environmental conditions on Earth.
❖ Thomas Robert Malthus - a group of inhabitants or individuals of the same species
- published his thoughts and studies in “An Essay on in an ecosystem
The Principle of Population” in 1798, he made many ✓ All ecosystems when combined make up the Earth’s
people think about how the population affects the biosphere or “sphere of life.” Life exists in the different
environment. layers or spheres of the Earth.
❖ Rachel Carson (1907-1964) ◆ Atmosphere - the layer of air which is further divided into
- an American scientist and writer, was disturbed by the different sublayers.
use of synthetic chemical pesticides. In her book Silent ◆ Hydrosphere - the sphere of water is not only present in the
Spring (1962), she gravely expressed fears about what bodies of water but also in the other layers.
the pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was ◆ Lithosphere - is the layer of the Earth where soil is found.
doing to the environment. From the highest mountain to the deepest sea, different
❖ Garrett Hardin (1915-2003) organisms live.
- an American ecologist, published an essay called ★ Principle of Limiting Factors
“Tragedy of the Commons” in the journal Science. He - Individuals in a population have genetic diversity. With
wrote that common property resources belong to no one variations in genetic makeup, individuals react differently
in particular, but are used and exploited by everyone. to different factors. There are abiotic factors, physical or
- He described the tendency of a livestock owner to let his chemical, which could limit the growth of a population.
sheep or cattle overgraze on common land because he ❖ Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794)
thinks that if he does not, then others will. - who is considered the Father of Modern Chemistry, did
★ April 22, 1970 - the first Earth Day was celebrated in the many experiments that proved that matter cannot be
United States of America. Many other countries have joined created nor destroyed.
in celebrating Earth Day every April 22nd since then. ★ The Law of Conservation of Matter
● Environmentalism - Matter only undergoes physical and chemical changes
- which is sometimes described as “green politics,” has which separate, rearrange or transfer atoms of elements.
spread worldwide ★ The Law of Conservation of Energy
● Environmentalist - energy, like matter, cannot be created nor destroyed.
- an individual who promotes environmental awareness ★ The Second Law of Conservation of Energy
and advocates for the protection of the environment - when energy changes, its quality is always degraded.
● Environmental Scientist
- a specialist who studies, collects, and analyzes data. The Three Major Reasons Why Earth Continues To Exist
Like any other scientist, an environmental scientist ➢ There is a constant supply of energy from the sun.
should be objective in his/her search for knowledge and ➢ Matter cycling provides us the nutrients necessary to live.
solutions to problems. ➢ Gravity keeps these nutrients within our reach.
● Ecology ■ Non-renewable Resources
- a science that studies the relationships between - a natural resource that cannot be readily replaced by
humans and other organisms, and their environment. natural means at a pace quick enough to keep up with
The word ecology is derived from the Greek word oikos, consumption.
which means “house,” and logos, which means “study”. ■ Renewable Resources
■ Biotic components - living - those which could be renewed or whose supply could be
■ Abiotic components - non-living replenished in a matter of days, weeks, months, or years
● Ecosystem within our Lifetime or even our grandchildren’s lifetime.
- basic ecological unit ■ Sustainable Yield
- described as a community of organisms within an area - the highest rate at which these renewable resources could
where matter cycles and energy flows. be used while making them still available to the next
● Species generation
- made up of the same kind of organisms. Layers of The Atmosphere
● Population ◆ Troposphere
- From Greek “tropein”, meaning “to turn” or “change”
, - 11 km to 20 km vertically ● Air Pollution
- Contains most of the air molecules necessary to sustain - a condition in which the quality of air is degraded
life, weather changes are also experienced ○ Point Sources
- Temperature stops decreasing and remains constant - those which are readily identified and are stationary; they
- The boundary between troposphere to stratosphere is directly emit to the atmosphere gasses
tropopause ○ Nonpoint Sources
◆ Stratosphere - not easily identified as they are diffused and may not be
- 20 km to 50 km constantly emitting pollutants.
- The region between 20 km - 30 km is called the ozone ➔ The extent and degree of air pollution in an area depends on
layer several factors such as source of pollution, rate of
- Temperature gradually increases; it ranges from -60°C emission, wind, and the topography or location.
to -50°C; average temperature is -45°C ● Thermal Inversion
- The boundary between stratosphere to mesosphere is - Where cool air is not able to rise because it is trapped by
stratopause warmer air. It settles in the place and holds more
◆ Mesosphere pollutants from industries and other sources.
- 50 km to 100 km ● Air pollutants
- Temperature decrease again with height - substances whose concentrations in air are high enough
- Average temperature is -90°C to be considered hazardous to human health.
- Coldest temperature is at the top of this layer ○ Primary Air Pollutants
- Meteors burn up as they enter - Substances that are released directly into the air by point
- The boundary between mesosphere to thermosphere is and nonpoint Sources.
mesopause ○ Secondary Air Pollutants
◆ Thermosphere - formed from the chemical reactions of primary pollutants
- 100 km to 300 km and other substances.
- The air molecules absorb much solar energy and cause - may be more harmful than primary pollutants.
the temperature to rise again Outdoor Air Pollution
- Space shuttles orbit and auroras can be found here ● Combustion of Fuels
- The boundary of Earth’s energy system is thermopause - combustion of fossil fuels to produce electricity in power
◆ Exosphere plants and to run vehicles.
- 300 km to 400 km - when a pure hydrocarbon undergoes combustion, carbon
- Very thin layer merges into outer space dioxide and water are produced.
○ Complete combustion
Composition of Inhaled and Exhaled Air - there is enough oxygen gas that reacted with the fuel.
○ Incomplete combustion
Substance Inhaled Air Exhaled Air
- not enough oxygen gas, undesirable substances would
Nitrogen 78% 75% also be produced (soot)
➔ On the surface of soot particles are chemicals known as
Oxygen 21% 16% polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs, which are
known human carcinogens.
Argon 0.9% 0.9% ➔ In carbon monoxide poisoning, CO is absorbed in blood
more readily than oxygen because of the greater affinity of
Carbon dioxide 0.04% 4% hemoglobin for CO than O2. It causes asphyxiation which
could lead to brain damage or even death.
Water 0% 4%
➔ Carbon dioxide, a primary product of the combustion of
● Nitrogen fixation hydrocarbons, is one greenhouse gas which is of global
- process by which nitrogen is taken from its molecular concern. Although it makes up on the average very small
form (N2) in the atmosphere and converted into nitrogen 0.04% of air, its continuous production through anthropogenic
compounds useful for other biochemical processes. activities is blamed for global warming.
● Photosynthesis ➔ Lead (Pb) is added to the atmosphere through the burning of
- a chemical reaction in which plants use sunlight to leaded gasoline. Lead is a neurotoxin, that is, it can damage
convert carbon dioxide molecules and water into the brain and other organs which could lead to death.
glucose and oxygen. ● Airborne pathogens
● Argon - disease-causing agents are also very harmful air
- element of the noble gas family makes up about 1 percent pollutants.
of air ● Particulate matter
- valued for its total inertness or non reactiveness.
