Environment science is the study of interactions among physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment. Environmental Science provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems.

Environmental Scientists monitor the quality of the environ-ment, interpret the impact of human actions on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and develop strategies for restoring ecosystems. In addition, environmental scientists help planners develop and construct buildings, transportation corridors, and utilities that protect water resources and reflect efficient and beneficial land use. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of environ-mental science, teams of professionals commonly work together to conduct environmental research or to produce Environ-mental Impact Statements, as required by the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or under state laws.

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Since most environmental issues deal with human activities, study of economics, law and social sciences are often applied in conjunction with Environ-mental Science. Environmental science encom-passes issues such as climate change, conservation, biodiversity, groundwater and soil contamination, use of natural resources, waste management, sustainable development, air pollution and noise pollution.

While the environment has been studied for at least as long as there has been science, the recent interest in putting the pieces of understanding together to study environmental systems has come alive as a substantive, active field of scientific investigation starting in the 1960s and 1970s. This has been driven by the need for a large multi-disciplined team to analyze complex environmental problems, the arrival of substantive environmental laws requiring specific environmental protocols of investigation, and growing public awareness of a need for action in addressing environmental problems.

Career Outlook

The magnitude and complexity of environmental problems are creating a growing need for scientists with rigorous, interdisciplinary training in environmental science. The majority of Environmental Scientists are employed in governmental positions, but the job market in the private sector is expected to see the most growth because of public policy demand for new rules and regulations. Job growth for environmental scientists should be strongest in private-sector consulting firms. Growth in employment of environmental scientists will be spurred largely by the increasing demands placed on the environment and water resources by population growth. Further demand should result from the need to comply with complex environmental laws and regulations, particularly those regarding ground-water decontamination, clean air, and flood control. Employment of environmental scientists is expected to increase by 25 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Sub-categories

Environmental Technology ｜Air pollution control ｜Air pollution dispersion｜modeling ｜Alternative energy ｜Biofuel ｜Composting ｜Conservation biology ｜Conservation ethic ｜Ecoforestry ｜Electric vehicle ｜Energy conservation ｜｜Energy development ｜Energy efficiency ｜Environmental design｜Environmental impact ｜assessment ｜Environmental preservation ｜Green building ｜Green computing ｜Hydrogen technologies ｜Industrial wastewater｜treatment ｜Natural building ｜Plug-in hybrid ｜Recycling ｜Renewable energy ｜Renewable energy｜development ｜Remediation ｜Solid waste treatment ｜Sustainable architecture ｜｜Sustainable energy ｜Sustainable development ｜Waste water treatment ｜Water purification｜Waste management

An atmospheric science examines the new phenomenology of the Earth’s gaseous outer layer with emphasis upon interrelation to other systems.

Atmospheric sciences comprises meteorological studies, greenhouse gas phenomena, atmospheric dispersion modeling of airborne contaminants, sound propagation phenomena related to noise pollution, and even light pollution.

Taking the example of the global warming phenomena, physicists create computer models of atmospheric circulation and infra-red radiation transmission, chemists examine the inventory of atmospheric chemicals and their reactions, biologists analyze the plant and animal contributions to carbon dioxide fluxes, and specialists such as meteorologists and oceanographers add additional breadth in understanding the atmospheric dynamics.

Ecology studies typically analyze the dynamics among an interrelated set of populations, or a population and some aspect of its environment. These studies could address endangered species, predator/prey interactions, habitat integrity, effects upon populations by environmental contaminants, or impact analysis of proposed land development upon species viability.

An interdisciplinary analysis of an ecological system which is being impacted by one or more stressors might include several related environmental science fields. For example one might examine an estuarine setting where a proposed industrial development could impact certain species by water pollution and air pollution. For this study biologists would describe the flora and fauna, chemists would analyze the transport of water pollutants to the marsh, physicists would calculate air pollution emissions and geologists would assist in understanding the marsh soils and bay muds.

Environmental chemistry is the study of chemical alterations in the environment. Principal areas of study include soil contamination and water pollution. The topics of analysis involve chemical degradation in the environment, multi-phase transport of chemicals (for example, evaporation of a solvent containing lake to yield solvent as an air pollutant), and chemical effects upon biota.

As an example study, consider the case of a leaking solvent tank which has entered the soil up gradient of a habitat of an endangered species of amphibian. Physicists would develop a computer model to understand the extent of soil contamination and subsurface transport of solvent, chemists would analyze the molecular bonding of the solvent to the specific soil type and biologists would study the impacts upon soil arthropods, plants and ultimately pond dwelling copepods who are the food of the endangered amphibian.

Geosciences include Environmental Geology, Hydrology, Physical Geography, Climatology and Geomorphology. It may also embrace oceanography and other related fields.

As an example study of soils erosion, calculations would be made of surface runoff by soil scientists. Hydrologists would assist in examining sediment transport in overland flow. Physicists would contribute by assessing the changes in light transmission in the receiving waters. Biologists would analyze subsequent impacts to aquatic flora and fauna from increases in water turbidity.

Environmental assessment is the process of appraisal through which environmental protection and sustainable development may be considered. Environmental assessments typically involve collection of field data; this can be from stakeholders and the ambient environment, and serves to harmonize the linkages between the different branches of the environment and development.

Environmental microbiology is the study of the composition and physiology of microbial communities in the environment. The environment in this case means the soil, water, air and sediments covering the planet and can also include the animals and plants that inhabit these areas. Environmental microbiology also includes the study of microorganisms that exist in artificial environments such as bioreactors.

Qualifications : Undergraduate and Post-graduate courses both in environmental science and environmental engineering are offered by several institutes across the country. Courses on Environmental Science and Engineering, their duration and qualifications required are –

l B. Sc. (Environmental Science), Duration : 3 years, Eligibility : 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as their subjects.

l M. Sc. (Environmental Science), Duration : 2 years, Eligibility : B.Sc in environmental science, zoology, botany, physics or chemistry.

l PG Diploma courses in Environment Management and Environmental Science

l B.E. in Environmental Engineering, Eligibility : 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as their subjects.

l M. Tech. in Environmental Science & Engineering, Duration : 2 years, Eligibility : B.E/B.Tech. In environmental/civil engineering.

l M. Tech. in Energy & Environment Management, Duration : 2 years, Eligibility : B.E/ B.Tech. In environmental/civil engineering.

l M. Tech. (Environmental Engineering), Duration : 2 years, Eligibility: B.E/B.Tech. in Environmental/Civil Engineering.

Employment of environmental scientists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. Many environmental scientists work in Consulting firms which hire them to help businesses and government address issues related to underground tanks, land disposal areas, and other hazardous-waste-management facilities. Currently, environmental consulting is evolving from investigations to creating remediation and engineering solutions.

At the same time, the regulatory climate is moving from a rigid structure to a more flexible risk-based approach. These factors, coupled with new Federal and State initiatives that integrate environmental activities into the business process itself, will result in a greater focus on waste minimization, resource recovery, pollution prevention, and the consideration of environmental effects during product development. This shift in focus to preventive management will provide many new opportunities for environmental scientists. In addition to job openings due to growth, there will be additional demand for new environmental scientists. Career opportunities in this field are immense today. The horizons in this field are widening in India as well as abroad.