Environmental Science III
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| I. Sustainability | |||
| A. Development of the concept of sustainability B. Definitions and examples C. Elements of a sustainable society |
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| II. Energy | |||
| A. History of energy use B. Energy sources and consumption C. Fossil fuels- coal,crude oil and natural gas |
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| 1. Review of carbon cycle 2. Estimated reserves 3. Geographical distribution of reserves 4. Consumption rates and estimated duration of supply 5. Environmental and health concerns |
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| D. Nuclear power | |||
| 1. Natural radioactivity 2. Nuclear fission and nuclear reactors 3. Nuclear fusion 4. Environmental and health concerns 5. Nuclear accidents |
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| E. Alternative energy sources | |||
| 1. Solar thermal 2. Photovoltaic 3. Wind 4. Geothermal 5. Hydroelectric 6. Hydrogen 7. Biomass |
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| III. Water Pollution and Treatment | |||
| A. Point source vs. non-point source pollution B. Categories of pollutants |
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| 1. Oxygen-demanding wastes 2. Disease-causing agents 3. Inorganic nutrients 4. Inorganic chemicals 5. Organic chemicals 6. Sediment 7. Heat 8. Exotic species 9. Dissolved gases 10. Environmental hormones 11. Natural toxins |
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| C. Wastewater treatment | |||
| 1. Septic tank disposal systems 2. Wastewater treatment plants 3. Alternative methods |
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| a. land application b. aquaculture c. phytoremediation |
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| IV. Air Pollution | |||
| A. Sources of air pollution | |||
| 1. Human vs. natural sources 2. Major classes of air pollutants 3. Primary vs. secondary pollutants |
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| B. Nuclear winter C. Acid rain |
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| 1. Acid rain chemistry 2. Geographic and geologic factors 3. Ecosystem effects |
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| a. terrestrial effects b. aquatic effects |
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| D. Solutions to air pollution | |||
| V. Ozone Depletion | |||
| A. Ozone chemistry B. Measurement of stratospheric ozone C. Evidence for depletion D. Ozone depleting chemicals E. Environmental and human health effects |
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| 1. Primary productivity 2. Skin cancers 3. Damage to eyes 4. Impact on immune system 5. Genetic damage in amphibians |
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| F. Solutions | |||
| 1. Montreal Protocol 2. Collection and reuse 3. CFC substitutes |
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| VI. Solid Waste Management | |||
| A. Sources of solid waste B. Traditional methods of managing solid waste |
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| 1. Dilute and disperse 2. Concentrate and contain |
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| C. Integrated waste management | |||
| 1. Source reduction 2. Recycling 3. Composting 4. Incineration 5. Sanitary landfill |
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| a. environmental impacts b. modern design c. location requirements |
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| D. Ocean dumping | |||
Updated January 2008.
Copyright 2007 Northwest Center for Sustainable Resources,Salem,Oregon.