Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical, biological

and information sciences (including ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, plant
science, zoology, mineralogy, oceanography, limnology, soil science, geology and physical
geography, and atmospheric science) to the study of the environment, and the solution of
environmental problems. Environmental science emerged from the fields of natural
history and medicine during the Enlightenment.[1] Today it provides an integrated, quantitative,
and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems.[2]
Environmental studies incorporates more of the social sciences for understanding human
relationships, perceptions and policies towards the environment. Environmental engineering focuses
on design and technology for improving environmental quality in every aspect.
Environmental scientists study subjects like the understanding of earth processes,
evaluating alternative energy systems, pollution control and mitigation, natural resource
management, and the effects of global climate change. Environmental issues almost always include
an interaction of physical, chemical, and biological processes. Environmental scientists bring a
systems approach to the analysis of environmental problems. Key elements of an effective
environmental scientist include the ability to relate space, and time relationships as well as
quantitative analysis.
Environmental science came alive as a substantive, active field of scientific investigation in the
1960s and 1970s driven by (a) the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to analyze complex
environmental problems, (b) the arrival of substantive environmental laws requiring specific
environmental protocols of investigation and (c) the growing public awareness of a need for action in
addressing environmental problems. Events that spurred this development included the publication
of Rachel Carson's landmark environmental book Silent Spring[3] along with major environmental
issues becoming very public, such as the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, and the Cuyahoga River of
Cleveland, Ohio, "catching fire" (also in 1969), and helped increase the visibility of environmental
issues and create this new field of study.

Components[edit]

Blue Marble composite images generated by NASA in 2001 (left) and 2002 (right)
The Earth's atmosphere

Atmospheric sciences[edit]
Main article: Atmospheric sciences

Atmospheric sciences focus on the Earth's atmosphere, with an emphasis upon its interrelation to
other systems. Atmospheric sciences can include studies of meteorology, greenhouse
gas phenomena, atmospheric dispersion modeling of airborne contaminants,[5][6] 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[edit]
Main article: Ecology
Biodiversity of a coral reef. Corals adapt and modify their environment by forming calcium carbonate skeletons.
This provides growing conditions for future generations and forms a habitat for many other species.

As defined by the Ecological Society of America, "Ecology is the study of the relationships between
living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment; it seeks to understand the vital
connections between plants and animals and the world around them."[7] Ecologists might investigate
the relationship between a population of organisms and some physical characteristic of their
environment, such as concentration of a chemical; or they might investigate the interaction between
two populations of different organisms through some symbiotic or competitive relationship.
For example, an interdisciplinary analysis of an ecological system which is being impacted by one or
more stressors might include several related environmental science fields. In an estuarine setting
where a proposed industrial development could impact certain species by water and air
pollution, 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[edit]
Main article: Environmental chemistry

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 include 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 habitat soil
of an endangered species of amphibian. As a method to resolve or understand the extent of soil
contamination and subsurface transport of solvent, a computer model would be implemented.
Chemists would then characterize 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
organisms that are the food of the endangered amphibian.

Geosciences[edit]
Main article: Geosciences

Geosciences include environmental geology, environmental soil science, volcanic phenomena and

Environmental science examines the effects of humans on nature (Glen Canyon Dam in the U.S.)

In the U.S. the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 set forth requirements for analysis
of major projects in terms of specific environmental criteria. Numerous state laws have echoed these
mandates, applying the principles to local-scale actions. The upshot has been an explosion of
documentation and study of environmental consequences before the fact of development actions.
One can examine the specifics of environmental science by reading examples of Environmental
Impact Statements prepared under NEPA such as: Wastewater treatment expansion options
discharging into the San Diego/Tijuana Estuary, Expansion of the San Francisco International
Airport, Development of the Houston, Metro Transportation system, Expansion of the
metropolitan Boston MBTA transit system, and Construction of Interstate 66 through Arlington,
Virginia.
In England and Wales the Environment Agency (EA),[8] formed in 1996, is a public body for protecting
and improving the environment and enforces the regulations listed on the communities and local
government site.[9] (formerly the office of the deputy prime minister). The agency was set up under
the Environment Act 1995 as an independent body and works closely with UK Government to
enforce the regulations.