Introduction to Environmental Engineering

Abstract

This book is intended as an introductory course to Environmental Engineering for the first year university students. It touches on the principles underlying the knowledge and practice of Environmental Engineering. This book contains five (5) chapters. It sets to guide students on the majoe elements in this branch of engineering. These elements form the foundation upon which students will be later exposed to a deeper understanding of the knowledge and practices of environmental decision making and management enshined in various advanced courses that they will have to go through as they proceed to year two, three and four. The first chapter gives an overview on the definition of the environment and its associated issues. It also discusses briefly on noise pollution. This topic will be further discussed sufficiently in noise pollution and vibration control, a course offered at the third year level. This third chapter deals with the subject on hazardous wastes, and how they are managed. Students will find it useful when they follow an ensuing solid and hazardous waste management, a second year course dedicated to this subject. The fourth chapter provides as overview on air pollution and it will be covered in sufficient details when the students are in their third year. Last but not least, students will be introduced to water pollution in chapter five. This topic is a prerequisite to wastewater engineering. All topics in these chapters are discussed with examples, and selected solutions to the given problems, with emphasizing on relevant scientific principle. They are also discussed in the light of their related legislation. It is hoped that the students will understand reasonably well on the principles of environmental engineering, and are better prepared to follow other pertinent course later.