Taking Pride in Environmental Engineering

Stephen Hoffman

English III Honors Pd. 6

Mr. Alburger

February 23, 2017

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Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends,

have become global garbage cans.

-Jacques Cousteau

As Mr. Cousteau accurately recognized, human activity threatens our planet. As the

population increases, so do environmental problems such as air, water and soil pollution. In some

parts of the world, like China, people must wear masks when outside in order to avoid inhaling

harmful chemicals in the polluted air. Other parts of the world experience environmental

problem such as unsafe or low supplies of drinking water. For example, in Flint, Michigan, lead

leaked from old pipes into the drinking water supply, making it poisonous to drink. In drought

areas, developing plans for finding, cleaning and distributing water resources takes priority.

Lastly, contaminated or eroding soil poses a problem for the environment. To illustrate, in the

Outer Banks of North Carolina, measures like physically relocating the Cape Hatteras lighthouse

became necessary when the land around it began disappearing due to erosion. Environmental

engineers work to solve problems like this around the world. In addition to impressive job

growth, this field of engineering also receives a good amount of pay and offers meaningful work.

Humans have a history of harming the air, soil and water, and environmental engineers work to

repair and prevent these problems.

To begin, humans have a long history of causing damage to the environment. This

primarily started at the time of the Industrial Revolution when machines brought about rapid

growth in industry. In the United States in the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution brought the

building of factories which employed faster ways of production. As the amount of factories

rapidly increased, so did the amount of pollution. However at that time, no regulations existed to
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say how much waste or pollution a factory could put out and people did not realize the need for

concern as to the impact of those changes on the environment. Over time, people realized the

effects of their unrestricted dumping and pollution. Chemicals found their way into the water

supplies, soil and air. People inhaled the chemical ridden air and drank the chemical filled water.

In some places, the major amount of chemicals consumed led to people getting sick. The large

amount of pollution put out by factories made people sick. As a result, they sued the companies

that owned these factories. The government then passed laws to prevent this from happening

again. Some of these laws included the Clean Air Act of 1963, the Clean Water Act of 1972, and

the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 (A Career). The creation

of the career of environmental engineering in the United States came with the need to clean up

the existing problems and to make sure that businesses followed the new environmental

regulations.

Initially, environmental engineers existed to enforce regulations. As a result, companies

did not view them favorably (A Career). In looking to the future though, Alice Ramey, an

employee of the Bureau of Labor Statistics states, Increased demand for these engineers will

result from a need to comply with environmental laws and regulations and to develop methods

for cleanup of existing hazards. In addition, these workers will be needed to help devise ways to

prevent future harm to both the environment and public healthsuch as by developing safe

methods for transporting and disposing of toxic waste (Ramey). In a personal interview, Mr.

Joseph Hack, an environmental engineer with Mecklenburg County, described the goals of his

position as meeting the needs of people, environmental permits and the environment (Hack) In
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other words, environmental engineers not only continue to enforce regulations, but also develop

innovative ways to improve the health of our planet.

As a result, upcoming environmental engineers must acquire a substantial amount of

education. This includes gaining knowledge in all the sciences including earth science,

chemistry, biology, physics and geology. In addition, environmental engineers must have a

good understanding of math (Environmental). Beyond math and science, environmental

engineers need to understand why people behave in the ways that they do. This requires

knowledge of the social sciences (Environmental). Finally, environmental engineers must

possess strong technology skills in order to use required tools, analyze and create design models

(Environmental). When asked the most important skills for his position, Mr. Hack,

environmental engineer for Mecklenburg County, noted that it was communication (Hack) . This

shows that it is not enough for an engineer simply to be good at math and science. In order to

work in the field, environmental engineers must earn a bachelors degree, but most end up

getting an advanced degree such as a masters (Ramey). To ensure qualified people fill these

jobs, every state requires environmental engineers to have a license regardless of their employer

(Ramey). In summary, becoming an environmental engineer requires an education in math,

science, social sciences and computer technology. The next question: what do environmental

engineers do with all that knowledge?

In order to create a healthier environment, environmental engineers manage air, soil and

water quality and look for ways to reduce waste. Sick building syndrome, an example of an air

pollution issue that engineers deal with, occurs when contaminants get into buildings. In airtight

buildings, the contaminants can not get out. People who work in these buildings get sick from
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the contaminants trapped inside the building (A Career). Brownfields provide an example of a

soil management issue that engineers work with. Brownfields occur when contamination by

hazardous materials renders land unusable. Engineers create ways to rid the sites of hazardous

waste, making the land usable again (A Career). When it comes to water quality management,

engineers ensure a clean supply of groundwater which makes up around 20% of the United

Statess drinking water (A Career). Finally, engineers deal with waste management. For

example, in order to reduce the amount of waste put in landfills, they encourage the public to try

composting or to recycle (A Career). In summary, engineers know how to keep air, soil and

water healthy, and they work to reduce waste.

When it comes to waste management, landfills pose big environmental problems. When

people throw out garbage, companies collect it and take it to landfills. Landfills take the form of

giant holes filled with waste material and covered in soil. Landfills have three big issues

including the production of methane gas, toxins leaching into the soil, and loose waste (Q &

As ). Decomposing garbage releases methane gas, a greenhouse gas, that traps heat in the

atmosphere and causes the temperature to rise (Q & As ). Another issue: when garbage

decomposes, it forms a thick liquid. That liquid releases toxic chemicals into the ground which

can lead to contamination of the ground and also the water supply (Lewis). Today, clay soil

covered by a plastic liner provides a barrier at the bottom of many landfills. This prevents

chemicals from leaching into the ground and contaminating the soil and groundwater. However,

this danger still exists with older landfills (Q & As). In addition, loose waste can fly out and

become litter in the surrounding areas. To prevent this, employees cover the waste with a layer of

soil (Q & As) . Another issue occurs when landfills become full. When this happens,
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employees coat the landfill with soil and close it. The worst news: landfills will haunt future

generations because the garbage in them breaks down very slowly. In short, people must find a

way to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.

One way to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills is to composting food and

organic waste. In total, food waste makes up approximately 7% of the waste sent to landfills

(Smith). Composting food and other natural waste reduces the need for landfills and protects the

environment. Through composting, garbage naturally turns into compost which becomes the

perfect fertilizer for a garden (A Career).

Composting has a number of benefits. For one, composting improves the structure of soil

and decreases erosion. The soil becomes more drought resistant, which means it requires less

water (Smith). Less food and organic waste in the landfill leaves more room for other items.

Plus, savings come from the fact that composted materials do not require transportation to

landfills which saves gas. In addition, composting breaks down waste a lot faster than would

happen in landfills due to the careful selection of items and oversight of the process. Also,

composting, a natural and organic process, requires no herbicides, pesticides or other chemicals.

Items found in a typical compost pile include fruit peels, green and dried grass clippings, moss,

algae, seaweed, coffee grounds, dog food, egg shells, flowers, leaves, etc. As a result,

composting does not release any toxins, preventing the chance of contaminating groundwater or

soil. In addition, compost breaks down clay soil, making it easier to plant in states like North

Carolina. In general, the composted material makes a strong fertilizer for future plantings,

allowing them to grow faster. Finally, it costs very little and requires minimal startup. Every

residence has the capacity to compost with little work and inconvenience.
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To start composting, one must first secure a bin. Examples of types of bins include

wooden, plastic, rotary or homemade. Regardless of the type of bin, it must have a lid to provide

cover. Lids help to maintain a warm temperature and protect the compost from the weather

(Dickerson). When it comes to wooden bins one can expect a greater expense and increased heat

loss. However, wooden bins offer ease of use when it comes to turning the compost (Dickerson).

Plastic bins last longer, and exhibit durability. They maintain heat better than the others and

weigh less (Dickerson). Rotary bins have a crank that makes the compost easy to turn, however,

the material produced from these bins often does not compare to the compost produced in other

types of bins (Dickerson). After selecting a bin, fill it with a mix of nitrogen and carbon rich

materials. Nitrogen rich materials include items such as leftover fruits and vegetables, grass

clippings, dead flowers, or weeds. Carbon rich materials include items like wood, paper,

cardboard and straw (Dickerson). Also, avoid placing certain materials in composting bins. For

example, materials affected with diseases, such as white rot, which infects plants. In addition,

cooked foods, such as meat and fish, attract rodents (Dickerson). In short, starting a composting

project requires a bin, lid, and raw materials that are either carbon or nitrogen rich.

Once a composting project starts, maintenance takes the form of aerating, turning, and

watering. First, aerating the pile introduces air to all parts of the compost, an important part in

creating good compost. Without oxygen, aerobic bacteria and other microorganisms wouldnt be

able to create high quality compost. Many tools exist to make aerating compost easier, such as

winged aerating tools. These tools often look like pitchforks. Other tools include screeners, hand

cultivators, and shovels which serve the same purpose of adding air to the compost (Dickerson).

Rearranging the contents of the pile by turning it increases the rate of decomposition and
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increases the likelihood of maintaining healthy compost. Turning the pile gives the decomposers

in the pile an energy source in the form of air which results in the faster transformation of waste

into compost (Dickerson). Lastly, watering the pile also keeps compost healthy, and stops the

pile from becoming too dry. If the pile becomes too dry, the items inside will take much longer

to turn into compost. On the other hand, overwatering the pile also poses problems. If the pile

receives too much water, it becomes mushy and gives off a horrible smell. Continuously

spraying with a small amount of water while turning the pile serves as a good method for

ensuring the correct humidity. A good way to test the pile is to touch it and see if it feels moist

(A Science). With regular aerating, turning and watering, it takes about six months to turn food

waste into compost (Smith). Other valuable tools for composting include a compost

thermometer, a wheelbarrow, and a kitchen collector used to transport waste from the home to

the pile.

While composting may seem like a simple process, there is actually some complicated

science behind it. The process involves creating a controlled state of decomposition. When a

heap has the right mix of items, receives regular exposure to air and the correct amount of water,

micro organisms in the form of bacteria develop (Dickerson). These micro organisms need

energy and they get it through air and by consuming the organic waste. Other types of

microorganisms present in the compost pile include members of the insect family such as

woodlice, slugs, snails and more (Dickerson). These microorganisms, aerobic in nature, thrive on

bacteria which in turn thrives on the aeration of compost. The microorganisms change the texture

of the waste by eating it (Dicker) On the other hand, anaerobic decomposers such as the insects

noted above require little oxygen. In contrast, aerobic composting requires oxygen, carbon,
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moisture and nitrogen (Smith). Actinomycetes, another type of decomposer that is larger in size

than the bacteria, eat materials like starches and proteins, and they also cause the pile to give off

a woody smell (A Science). Macro organisms like ants, centipedes, millipedes, springtails,

slugs, spiders, snails, flies and other insects also add to the decomposition of the compost pile.

These organisms help mix materials, chew, digest, and break down the materials within the

compost bin (A Science). The carbon:nitrogen ration is the ratio of how much carbon to

nitrogen the pile contains with the best ratio at somewhere in between 25:1 and 30:1. Too much

nitrogen leads to an ammonia type smell, and also increasing the pH levels in the pile could lead

to the deaths of many important microorganisms (A Science). Adding carbon rich materials

and nitrogen rich materials ensures the survival of the microorganisms that break down the pile

due to the fact that they use these as a source of energy and to maintain their bodies. In summary,

composting begins with the creation of bacteria which attract anaerobic and aerobic

microorganisms who eat the bacteria and decompose it.

At the same time that composting helps the environment by diverting waste from the

landfill, it also provides an opportunity for businesses to turn a profit. Recycled City, a company

in Arizona, has realized this. Recycled City provides customers with a bin to collect food waste

and bokashi to speed up decomposition and cover the odor. Recycled City collects the bin every

week, two weeks, or month depending on the plan that that person has and in turn supplies these

customers with compost. Recycled City currently has over 600 customers and collects about 60

tons of food a month (Martin). Common Good Composting in Colorado also profits from the

business of composting. Common Good takes food waste from the University of Northern

Colorado's Holmes Dining Hall and composts it. The company estimates that it collects 15 tons
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of food waste from the dining hall each month (Weaver). Common Good also has a number of

residential customers who pay for the service. They collect and decompose food waste for these

customers and return it in the form of compost (Weaver). Davidson College provides an example

of a business that reduces costs by composting. The garbage bins outside the dining halls at

Davidson offer a bin for garbage, a bin for food waste and a bin for recyclable materials.

Students and campus employees collect the food waste and compost it. The compost is then used

to fertilize the landscaping throughout the Davidson campus (Countywide). As these

businesses have discovered, composting not only helps the environment, it sparks the economy,

too.

Returning to the topic of the overall career of environmental engineering, one sees pros

and cons in this type of work. First, the need for environmental engineers is high and growing.

People continue to produce waste and cause problems for the environment, so the growth of this

career path will continue also. There are currently over 50,000 jobs for environmental engineers

in the United States (Ramey). Of this number, over a third work for federal, state or local

government and an additional third work directly for engineering firms (Ramey). Mr Hack,

Mecklenburg County engineer, stated that a benefit of working for the government is that you get

to work on all aspects of a project from start to finish (Hack). In contrast, engineers from private

firms might only work on part of a project. Not only do many jobs exist, but these jobs also pay

well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the mean salary for this career path at close to

$80,000, with those working for the federal government bringing in over $90,000 a year

(Environmental). Second, environmental engineers literally work to save the world. This

means that their work is meaningful and rewarding, not to mention a challenging career path
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requiring the knowledge of science to solve problems (Environmental). Mr. Hack,

Mecklenburg County engineer, stated that the thing he enjoyed most about his job was knowing

that his work would bring positive results for the community (Hack). A downside to the career of

environmental engineering is that these engineers realistically cant save the planet, and often

find themselves having to set aside the right path in order to go with the most cost-effective

path (A Career). Mr. Hack also noted feeling that more work existed than one person could

ever accomplish (Hack). Environmental engineers have a good average pay, along with job

growth. However, due to society's obsession with money, comfort and convenience,

environmental engineers find themselves restricted in their efforts to help the planet.

In conclusion, throughout history our environment has been harmed by a number of

problems. Most of these issues have been caused by humans who place more concern on

convenience and profit than on maintaining a healthy environment for future generations.

Thankfully, additional humans trained as environmental engineers work to fix these problems.

Environmental engineers take care of our planet with a general focus on improving air, water and

soil quality. One of the bigger problems faced by environmental engineers today centers around

reducing the production of waste and managing the flow of waste. Humans produce a

tremendous amount of waste. If it is all taken to the landfill, then it becomes obvious that the

landfill will fill up with waste. This waste turns into sludge, and the sludge can leak dangerous

chemicals into groundwater and aquifers, which would render them unusable for human

consumption. Soil around and in landfills might become contaminated by chemicals leaking out

of the landfills, and the waste within landfills decomposes slowly creating problems for future

generations. Composting offers a method for reducing the flow of waste to the landfill.
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Composting involves turning items like food waste and lawn trimmings into fertilizer and using

the fertilizer for growing plants. Composting is good for the environment and profitable too.

Many businesses are finding a path to treasure that begins with the collection of food waste. To

summarize, environmental engineering is not just a good career path, it offers the possibility of

saving the world. Is anything more important? To return to the words of Mr. Cousteau:

The real cure for our environmental problems is

to understand that our job is to salvage Mother Nature.

- Jacques Cousteau

Environmental engineers put Mr. Cousteaus words into action by working to remedy the harm

that people inflict on our environment.

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