Environmental Science / Engineering

Environmental engineering applies the principle of improving the environment (air, water, resources), and providing healthy water, air, and land for human habitation and for other organisms, and to wash polluted sites.

Environmental engineering involves water management and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, radiation protection, industrial hygiene, environmental sustainability, and public health issues as well as knowledge of environmental engineering law. It also includes studies on the environmental impact of proposed construction projects.

Environmental engineers conduct hazardous-waste management studies to determine the importance of hazards, and establish regulations to thwart mishaps. They also devise municipal water supply and industrial waste water treatment systems as well as deal with both local and global environmental issues such as effects of acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion, water pollution and air pollution from automobile exhausts and industrial sources.

Environmental engineering program in most universities follow the Department of Civil Engineering or The Department of Chemical Engineering. Moreover, engineers frequently obtain specialized training in law and utilize their technical expertise in the practices of Environmental engineering law.

The Duties of Environmental Science Engineer

Environmental professionals can be involved in many different tasks within the minerals industry. These include:

·         Developing ways of minimizing harm to the environment, based on the study and assessment of processes, environmental legislation and physical, biological, social and cultural environments;

·         Undertaking laboratory work, analyzing pollutants, identifying their sources and assessing their effects;

·         Monitoring and evaluating the environmental and social impacts of engineering projects and development activities;

·         Rehabilitating land, water and air affected by mining;

·         Researching matters of immediate and long-term importance to governments and the communities such as the impact of land clearing on native animals and the impact of waste products on waterways;

·         Negotiating and assisting in the development of policy, strategy and codes of practice on environmental management;

·         Conducting environmental audits within industry and government departments;

·         Researching and developing new technologies and techniques to improve the environmental acceptability of engineering projects;

·         Designing and operating processes to treat waste;

·         Working with occupational health experts to ensure a hazard-free working environments;

·         Preparing research reports on approaches to environmental management in new and existing engineering projects, and

·         Effectively communicating relevant issues to technical staff, managers, regulatory authorities, public interest groups and the public.