Environment Sci - Prelim

Environment

All factors outside an organism that impact it.

Science

Systematized body of knowledge based on facts and truths.

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 and proposed possible solutions.

Ecology

Study of the relationships between or among organisms and the relationships between them and their physical environment

Natural Science

Deals with the composition, properties, and behavior of matter in the universe, including fields like Medicine, Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics.

Social Science

Focuses on human society, institutions, and interpersonal relationships, including Sociology, Economics, Demography, History, Ethics, Anthropology, etc.

Sustainability

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Aims to address global challenges like poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean energy, and more.

Ecological Concepts

Include ROYGBIV, CTOSO, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biotic and Abiotic components, Biosphere.

Spheres of the Earth

Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, Biosphere - the layers of air, water, soil, rocks, and life on Earth.

Laws of Ecology

Everything is connected, Unity of Differences, Consumption must not exceed production, Everything has a Purpose.

Biotic

Living Things

Abiotic

Non-living things but is essential to life (water, air, sunlight)

Similarity of Environmental Science and Ecology

Both are under the natural sciences

Ecology

more on the logic of confirmation

Environmental Science

More on the logic case studies

Environmental Worldviews

Ways of thinking about how the world works and beliefs that people hold about their roles in the natural world

Environmental Ethics

The discipline that studies the moral relationship of human beings to the environment

Anthropocentrism and Ecocentrism

The two main worldviews

Tragedy of the Commons

Over use of shared community resources

Resource Management

System of controlling the use of resources in such a way as to avoid waste and to use them to the best effect

SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable and sustainable and modern energy for all.

SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe , resilient, and sustainable

SDG 13 - Climate Action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

SDG 14 - Life Below Water

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for suitable development.

Population

a group of organisms of the same kind or species occupying a particular place at a particular time

Community

a group of populations occupying a given area

Ecosystem

A community of organisms interacting with each other and with the environment where matter cycles and energy flows; the basic unit of ecology

Biosphere

All ecosystems combined; the world of life

Atmosphere

the layer of air

Hydrosphere

all sphere of water

Lithosphere

soil and rocks of the earth

Biosphere

Sphere of Life

Everything is connected to everything else.

1st Law of Ecology
Being connected is seen not only in the relationship among the organism but also in the relationship of organism with physical factors.

There is strength and stability in the Unity of Differences

2nd Law of Ecology

The ecosystems has different components, an each is needed for the ecosystems to function

Consumption must not exceed production

3rd Law of Ecology

carrying capacity

Any ecosystem has the capacity to sustain life.

Everything has a Purpose

Each of us has a role to perform & responsibility to protect the environment

Gases in the atmosphere trap heat, making Earth's temperature suitable for life.

Greenhouse Effect

Gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide that contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse Gases

A protective layer in the upper atmosphere that shields Earth from harmful UV radiation.

Ozone

Pollution formed by the interaction of pollutants and sunlight reactions, reducing visibility.

Smog

The layer above the troposphere where temperature increases with altitude and the ozone layer is located.

Stratosphere

The coldest layer of the atmosphere where meteors burn up.

Mesosphere

The hottest layer of the atmosphere where auroras occur and radio waves are reflected.

Thermosphere

The upper part of the thermosphere where atoms split into ions and reflect radio waves.

Ionosphere

The outermost layer of the atmosphere where satellites orbit Earth.

Exosphere

• Troposphere

• Stratosphere

• Mesosphere

• Thermosphere

• Exosphere

5 Layers of the Atmosphere

Layer of the atmosphere nearest to earth

Troposhere

The only layer of the atmosphere where life is possible.

Troposhere

All weather happens in this layer.

Troposhere

More than half the air in the total atmosphere is in this layer

Troposhere

Harmful ozone is found here

Troposhere

The most abundant natural greenhouse gas acts as natural feedback.

Water vapor

Released naturally through respiration and volcanic eruptions.

Carbon Dioxide

A gas produced naturally by wetlands, through agriculture activities, digestion in ruminants, and decomposition of wastes in landfills,

Methane

Generated by soil cultivation processes and the use of organic fertilizers

Nitrous Oxide

Ozone in Stratosphere

Good Ozone

Ozone in Troposphere

Bad Ozone

Troposphere

The layer closest to Earth where life is possible, weather occurs, and harmful ozone is found.

Ozone

A highly reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms, with only 3 molecules for every ten million molecules of air.

Ultraviolet (UV) Rays

The most common and harmful rays from the sun that can create or destroy ozone gas.

Ozone Layer

Protective layer of gas consisting of O3 molecules, crucial for shielding the Earth from harmful UV radiation.

Ozone Depletion

The weakening of the ozone layer due to human activities like releasing CFCs, leading to harmful effects like skin cancer and environmental damage.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Chemical compounds used in various products like refrigerators and aerosol sprays, contributing to ozone depletion.

Ozone-Oxygen Cycle

Involves free radicals like chlorine acting as catalysts to decompose ozone, speeding up the process of ozone destruction.

Montreal Protocol

An international agreement aimed at discontinuing the use of harmful chemicals affecting the ozone layer and replacing them with ozone-friendly alternatives.

Solutions for Protecting the Ozone Layer

Measures like reducing CFC use, carpooling, and proper disposal of chemicals to prevent further ozone depletion.

Effects of Ozone Depletion

Result in diseases like skin cancer, disruptions in food chains, and adverse impacts on plant and ocean life.

Loss of the Ozone Layer

Concerns include increased sunburn incidence, skin cancer cases, and environmental damage, affecting both human health and ecosystems.

Stratosphere

Location of the Ozone Layer.

UV Rays

Harmful rays emitted by the sun.

UV A Rays

Most common and cause skin aging and wrinkling.

UV B rays

Rays that cause sunburns, cataracts and the immune system.

UV C Rays

The most dangerous, are absorbed by our one layer.

Oil Spill

The release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially marine areas, due to human activity, causing water pollution.

Water Pollution

Contamination of water bodies by harmful substances, such as oil, affecting aquatic life and ecosystems.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

The amount of oxygen dissolved in water, vital for the survival of aquatic organisms.

Exxon Valdez

On March 24, 1989, carrying 53 million gallons of crude oil, spilled 10.8 million gallons onto the Alaskan coast, impacting over 1100 miles of shoreline.

Oil Spill Clean Up Methods

Use of High or low pressure hoses, Sorbents, Booms and barriers, Skimmers, Controlled Burning, Bioremediation, Solidifying, and Dispersants.

Prevention of Oil Spills

Strategies like double hulling, navigation safety, and equipment inspections to prevent or reduce oil spill incidents.

Guimaras Oil Spill

Worst oil spill in the Philippines in 2006, caused by the sinking of M/T Solar 1, leading to environmental damage and human casualties.

Chevron Philippines Oil Leak

Incident in 2016 at an oil refinery in Batangas, Philippines, where 300 liters of bunker fuel spilled during loading operations.

Crude Oil

Unrefined petroleum extracted from the ground.

Refined Petroleum Products (gasoline, diesel, and kerosene)

Processed petroleum products like obtained from refining crude oil.

Bunker Fuel

Heavy fuel oil used by ships for fueling large engines.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

A measure of the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to break down organic matter in water.

Oil Spill Effect on Birds

• Seabirds can mistakenly dive into oil slicks, mistaking them for calm water.

• Oil prevents birds from regulating body temperature, leading to hypothermia.

• Impaired flying ability due to oil coating feathers, hindering foraging and predator evasion.

• Ingestion of oil while preening can irritate the digestive tract, alter liver function, and cause kidney damage.

• Exposure to petroleum can disrupt hormonal balance in birds.

Bird Hypothermia in Oil Spills

• Oil spills lead to hypothermia in birds as they are unable to regulate body temperature.

• Birds lose their insulation due to oil coating their feathers, exposing them to cold temperatures.

• Hypothermia can occur rapidly, endangering bird populations affected by oil spills.

Oil Toxicity in Birds

• Oil ingestion by birds during preening leads to toxic effects.

• Ingested oil irritates the digestive tract, alters liver function, and damages kidneys.

• Toxic effects of oil exposure can result in dehydration, metabolic imbalance, and hormonal disruptions in bird populations.

Sorbents

Materials used to absorb or adsorb liquids or gases. (Ex.: Large sponges that collect oil)

Booms and Barriers

Large floating barriers used to contain and collect oil spills.

Bioremediation

The use of microorganisms to degrade or remove contaminants from a polluted area.

Skimmers

Equipment used to remove oil from the water's surface. (Ex.: Boats that removes the oil)

Controlled Burning

A method of oil spill cleanup involving the controlled ignition of oil slicks.

Solidifying

They clean up oil spills by changing the physical state of spilled oil from liquid to a semi-solid or a rubber-like material that floats on water.

Prevention of Oil Spills

1. Navigation

2. Inspect the equipment more

3. Double Hulling

4. Careful as possible when transporting

Double Hulling

A ship design featuring two layers of watertight hull surfaces.