Author: Rangabhashiyam Selvasembian
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119737591
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 324
Book Description
Pollution due to various anthropogenic activities continues to increase. In terms of water pollutants, organic and inorganic pollutants are the most problematic. Although several measures have been proposed and implemented to prevent or reduce contamination, their increased concentration in water bodies has created serious concerns. Over the years, the problem has been aggravated by industrialization, urbanization and the exploitation of natural resources. The direct discharge of wastewater contaminants and their geographical mobilization have caused an increase in concentration in ground, surface, fluvial and residual waters. Extensive information about detection and disposal methods is needed in order to develop technological solutions for a variety of environments, both urban and rural. This book provides up-to-date information on wastewater contaminants, aimed at researchers, engineers and technologists working in this field. Conventional physicochemical techniques used to remove contaminants from wastewater include ion exchange, precipitation, degradation, coagulation, coating, membrane processes and adsorption. However, these applications have technological and economic limitations, and involve the release of large amounts of chemical reagents and by-products that are themselves difficult to remove. Biosorption - the use of organically generated material as an adsorbent – is attracting new research and scholarship. Thermally-treated calcined biomaterials may be treated to remove heavy metals from wastewater. To ensure the elimination of these contaminants, existing solutions must be integrated with intelligent biosorption functions. Biosorption for Wastewater Contaminants will find an appreciative audience among academics and postgraduates working in the fields of environmental biotechnology, environmental engineering, wastewater treatment technology and environmental chemistry.
Biosorption for Wastewater Contaminants
Author: Rangabhashiyam Selvasembian
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119737591
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 324
Book Description
Pollution due to various anthropogenic activities continues to increase. In terms of water pollutants, organic and inorganic pollutants are the most problematic. Although several measures have been proposed and implemented to prevent or reduce contamination, their increased concentration in water bodies has created serious concerns. Over the years, the problem has been aggravated by industrialization, urbanization and the exploitation of natural resources. The direct discharge of wastewater contaminants and their geographical mobilization have caused an increase in concentration in ground, surface, fluvial and residual waters. Extensive information about detection and disposal methods is needed in order to develop technological solutions for a variety of environments, both urban and rural. This book provides up-to-date information on wastewater contaminants, aimed at researchers, engineers and technologists working in this field. Conventional physicochemical techniques used to remove contaminants from wastewater include ion exchange, precipitation, degradation, coagulation, coating, membrane processes and adsorption. However, these applications have technological and economic limitations, and involve the release of large amounts of chemical reagents and by-products that are themselves difficult to remove. Biosorption - the use of organically generated material as an adsorbent – is attracting new research and scholarship. Thermally-treated calcined biomaterials may be treated to remove heavy metals from wastewater. To ensure the elimination of these contaminants, existing solutions must be integrated with intelligent biosorption functions. Biosorption for Wastewater Contaminants will find an appreciative audience among academics and postgraduates working in the fields of environmental biotechnology, environmental engineering, wastewater treatment technology and environmental chemistry.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119737591
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 324
Book Description
Pollution due to various anthropogenic activities continues to increase. In terms of water pollutants, organic and inorganic pollutants are the most problematic. Although several measures have been proposed and implemented to prevent or reduce contamination, their increased concentration in water bodies has created serious concerns. Over the years, the problem has been aggravated by industrialization, urbanization and the exploitation of natural resources. The direct discharge of wastewater contaminants and their geographical mobilization have caused an increase in concentration in ground, surface, fluvial and residual waters. Extensive information about detection and disposal methods is needed in order to develop technological solutions for a variety of environments, both urban and rural. This book provides up-to-date information on wastewater contaminants, aimed at researchers, engineers and technologists working in this field. Conventional physicochemical techniques used to remove contaminants from wastewater include ion exchange, precipitation, degradation, coagulation, coating, membrane processes and adsorption. However, these applications have technological and economic limitations, and involve the release of large amounts of chemical reagents and by-products that are themselves difficult to remove. Biosorption - the use of organically generated material as an adsorbent – is attracting new research and scholarship. Thermally-treated calcined biomaterials may be treated to remove heavy metals from wastewater. To ensure the elimination of these contaminants, existing solutions must be integrated with intelligent biosorption functions. Biosorption for Wastewater Contaminants will find an appreciative audience among academics and postgraduates working in the fields of environmental biotechnology, environmental engineering, wastewater treatment technology and environmental chemistry.
Biosorption of Heavy Metals
Author: Bohumil Volesky
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 9780849349171
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 414
Book Description
This state-of-the-art volume represents the first comprehensively written book which focuses on the new field of biosorption. This fascinating work conveys essential fundamental information and outlines the perspectives of biosorption. It summarizes the metal-sorbing properties of nonliving bacterial, fungal, and algal biomass, plus highlights relevant metal-binding mechanisms. This volume also discusses the aspects of obtaining and processing microbial biomass and metal-chelating chemicals into industrially applicable biosorbent products. Microbiologists, chemists, and engineers with an interest in new technological and scientific horizons will find this reference indispensable.
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 9780849349171
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 414
Book Description
This state-of-the-art volume represents the first comprehensively written book which focuses on the new field of biosorption. This fascinating work conveys essential fundamental information and outlines the perspectives of biosorption. It summarizes the metal-sorbing properties of nonliving bacterial, fungal, and algal biomass, plus highlights relevant metal-binding mechanisms. This volume also discusses the aspects of obtaining and processing microbial biomass and metal-chelating chemicals into industrially applicable biosorbent products. Microbiologists, chemists, and engineers with an interest in new technological and scientific horizons will find this reference indispensable.
Biosorption
Author: Jan Derco
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN: 1789234727
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 159
Book Description
Municipal and industrial wastewaters contain a wide spectrum of pollutants. Their effective removal presents a challenge for water treatment technology. Biosorption of nutrients and pollutants has been used in sewage treatment since the discovery of the activated sludge process. It is a passive uptake process by which pollutants are adsorbed on the surface of cell walls and/or dissolved in structures of microorganism cells that are present in sludge. Sorbed pollutants remain in the sludge and can be potentially released back into the environment depending on their condition and the reversibility of the pollutant-sludge interaction. An overview of typical biosorption applications for the removal of nutrients, organic pollutants, and metals in wastewater treatment is provided in different areas of their use for the protection of aquatic ecosystems and human health. This book will be of interest to operators of wastewater treatment plants and sludge treatment and disposal facilities as well as to researchers and university students in the field of environmental engineering.
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN: 1789234727
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 159
Book Description
Municipal and industrial wastewaters contain a wide spectrum of pollutants. Their effective removal presents a challenge for water treatment technology. Biosorption of nutrients and pollutants has been used in sewage treatment since the discovery of the activated sludge process. It is a passive uptake process by which pollutants are adsorbed on the surface of cell walls and/or dissolved in structures of microorganism cells that are present in sludge. Sorbed pollutants remain in the sludge and can be potentially released back into the environment depending on their condition and the reversibility of the pollutant-sludge interaction. An overview of typical biosorption applications for the removal of nutrients, organic pollutants, and metals in wastewater treatment is provided in different areas of their use for the protection of aquatic ecosystems and human health. This book will be of interest to operators of wastewater treatment plants and sludge treatment and disposal facilities as well as to researchers and university students in the field of environmental engineering.
New Trends in Removal of Heavy Metals from Industrial Wastewater
Author: Maulin P. Shah
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0128231084
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 780
Book Description
New Trends in Removal of Heavy Metals from Industrial Wastewater covers the applicable technologies relating to the removal of heavy metals from wastewater and new and emerging trends in the field, both at the laboratory and industrial scale. Sections explore new environmentally friendly technologies, the principles of sustainable development, the main factors contributing to heavy metal removal from wastewater, methods and procedures, materials (especially low-cost materials originated from industrial and agricultural waste), management of wastewater containing heavy metals and wastewater valorization, recycling, environmental impact, and wastewater policies for post heavy metal removal. This book is an advanced and updated vision of existing heavy metal removal technologies with their limitations and challenges and their potential application to remove heavy metals/environmental pollutants through advancements in bioremediation. Finally, sections also cover new trends and advances in environmental bioremediation with recent developments in this field by an application of chemical/biochemical and environmental biotechnology. - Outlines the fate and occurrence of heavy metals in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and potential approaches for their removal - Describes the techniques currently available for removing heavy metals from wastewater - Discusses the emerging technologies in heavy metal removal - Covers biological treatments to remove heavy metals - Includes the valorization of heavy metal containing wastewater
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0128231084
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 780
Book Description
New Trends in Removal of Heavy Metals from Industrial Wastewater covers the applicable technologies relating to the removal of heavy metals from wastewater and new and emerging trends in the field, both at the laboratory and industrial scale. Sections explore new environmentally friendly technologies, the principles of sustainable development, the main factors contributing to heavy metal removal from wastewater, methods and procedures, materials (especially low-cost materials originated from industrial and agricultural waste), management of wastewater containing heavy metals and wastewater valorization, recycling, environmental impact, and wastewater policies for post heavy metal removal. This book is an advanced and updated vision of existing heavy metal removal technologies with their limitations and challenges and their potential application to remove heavy metals/environmental pollutants through advancements in bioremediation. Finally, sections also cover new trends and advances in environmental bioremediation with recent developments in this field by an application of chemical/biochemical and environmental biotechnology. - Outlines the fate and occurrence of heavy metals in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and potential approaches for their removal - Describes the techniques currently available for removing heavy metals from wastewater - Discusses the emerging technologies in heavy metal removal - Covers biological treatments to remove heavy metals - Includes the valorization of heavy metal containing wastewater
Biotechnology for Zero Waste
Author: Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 3527348980
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 628
Book Description
Biotechnology for Zero Waste The use of biotechnology to minimize waste and maximize resource valorization In Biotechnology for Zero Waste: Emerging Waste Management Techniques, accomplished environmental researchers Drs. Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain and Ravi Kumar Kadeppagari deliver a robust exploration of the role of biotechnology in reducing waste and creating a zero-waste environment. The editors provide resources covering perspectives in waste management like anaerobic co-digestion, integrated biosystems, immobilized enzymes, zero waste biorefineries, microbial fuel cell technology, membrane bioreactors, nano biomaterials, and more. Ideal for sustainability professionals, this book comprehensively sums up the state-of-the-art biotechnologies powering the latest advances in zero-waste strategies. The renowned contributors address topics like bioconversion and biotransformation and detail the concept of the circular economy. Biotechnology for Zero Waste effectively guides readers on the path to creating sustainable products from waste. The book also includes: A thorough introduction to modern perspectives on zero waste drives, including anaerobic co-digestion as a smart approach for enhancing biogas production Comprehensive explorations of bioremediation for zero waste, biological degradation systems, and bioleaching and biosorption of waste Practical discussions of bioreactors for zero waste and waste2energy with biotechnology An in-depth examination of emerging technologies, including nanobiotechnology for zero waste and the economics and commercialization of zero waste biotechnologies Perfect for process engineers, natural products, environmental, soil, and inorganic chemists, Biotechnology for Zero Waste: Emerging Waste Management Techniques will also earn a place in the libraries of food technologists, biotechnologists, agricultural scientists, and microbiologists.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 3527348980
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 628
Book Description
Biotechnology for Zero Waste The use of biotechnology to minimize waste and maximize resource valorization In Biotechnology for Zero Waste: Emerging Waste Management Techniques, accomplished environmental researchers Drs. Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain and Ravi Kumar Kadeppagari deliver a robust exploration of the role of biotechnology in reducing waste and creating a zero-waste environment. The editors provide resources covering perspectives in waste management like anaerobic co-digestion, integrated biosystems, immobilized enzymes, zero waste biorefineries, microbial fuel cell technology, membrane bioreactors, nano biomaterials, and more. Ideal for sustainability professionals, this book comprehensively sums up the state-of-the-art biotechnologies powering the latest advances in zero-waste strategies. The renowned contributors address topics like bioconversion and biotransformation and detail the concept of the circular economy. Biotechnology for Zero Waste effectively guides readers on the path to creating sustainable products from waste. The book also includes: A thorough introduction to modern perspectives on zero waste drives, including anaerobic co-digestion as a smart approach for enhancing biogas production Comprehensive explorations of bioremediation for zero waste, biological degradation systems, and bioleaching and biosorption of waste Practical discussions of bioreactors for zero waste and waste2energy with biotechnology An in-depth examination of emerging technologies, including nanobiotechnology for zero waste and the economics and commercialization of zero waste biotechnologies Perfect for process engineers, natural products, environmental, soil, and inorganic chemists, Biotechnology for Zero Waste: Emerging Waste Management Techniques will also earn a place in the libraries of food technologists, biotechnologists, agricultural scientists, and microbiologists.
Fresh Water Pollution Dynamics and Remediation
Author: Humaira Qadri
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811382778
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 345
Book Description
Freshwater is a finite resource and is being deteriorated directly and indirectly by anthropogenic pressures. Preserving the quality and availability of freshwater resources is becoming one of the most pressing environmental challenges on the international horizon. To ensure the preservation as well as availability of freshwater resources, there is a need to understand the ecology of the freshwater systems, pollution problems, their impacts, restoration techniques to be opted and the conservation measures. In this backdrop the present book on ‘Freshwater Pollution Dynamics and Remediation’ has been compiled. The book provides an understanding about the present state of art, pollution impacts including the changes in the environmental quality as well as the shift in the aquatic biological communities of the fragile freshwater ecosystems. Besides, the impact of deteriorating quality of the freshwater ecosystems on the animal and human health is also discussed in detail. This book provides a comprehensive account of the techniques based on updated research in biotechnology, bio-remediation, phyto-remediation and nano-bioremediation. The role of biosorpers and biofilms as a remediation tool has also been detailed. The book is a ready reference for researchers, scientists and educators who are involved in the freshwater pollution, remediation and management studies. The book editors with an expertise in diverse research fields in freshwater ecosystems have congregated the most inclusive research accounts on the freshwater pollution and remediation and thus developed a repository of diverse knowledge on the subject
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811382778
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 345
Book Description
Freshwater is a finite resource and is being deteriorated directly and indirectly by anthropogenic pressures. Preserving the quality and availability of freshwater resources is becoming one of the most pressing environmental challenges on the international horizon. To ensure the preservation as well as availability of freshwater resources, there is a need to understand the ecology of the freshwater systems, pollution problems, their impacts, restoration techniques to be opted and the conservation measures. In this backdrop the present book on ‘Freshwater Pollution Dynamics and Remediation’ has been compiled. The book provides an understanding about the present state of art, pollution impacts including the changes in the environmental quality as well as the shift in the aquatic biological communities of the fragile freshwater ecosystems. Besides, the impact of deteriorating quality of the freshwater ecosystems on the animal and human health is also discussed in detail. This book provides a comprehensive account of the techniques based on updated research in biotechnology, bio-remediation, phyto-remediation and nano-bioremediation. The role of biosorpers and biofilms as a remediation tool has also been detailed. The book is a ready reference for researchers, scientists and educators who are involved in the freshwater pollution, remediation and management studies. The book editors with an expertise in diverse research fields in freshwater ecosystems have congregated the most inclusive research accounts on the freshwater pollution and remediation and thus developed a repository of diverse knowledge on the subject
Methods for Bioremediation of Water and Wastewater Pollution
Author: Inamuddin
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 303048985X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 433
Book Description
This book presents advanced techniques for wastewater treatment and the chapters review the environmental impact of water pollution, the analysis of water quality, and technologies for the preservation of water resources. Also outlined in this volume is the bioremediation of heavy metals, dyes, bisphenols, phthalates, cyanobacteria in contaminated water and wastewater. Another focus of this book is the use of natural remediation techniques such as bacterial biofilms and enzymes.
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 303048985X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 433
Book Description
This book presents advanced techniques for wastewater treatment and the chapters review the environmental impact of water pollution, the analysis of water quality, and technologies for the preservation of water resources. Also outlined in this volume is the bioremediation of heavy metals, dyes, bisphenols, phthalates, cyanobacteria in contaminated water and wastewater. Another focus of this book is the use of natural remediation techniques such as bacterial biofilms and enzymes.
Biosorption and Bioaccumulation in Practice
Author: Katarzyna Chojnacka
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781604569391
Category : Bioremediation
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The present work discusses two main environmental applications of biosorption and bioaccumulation processes. The first is environmental biomonitoring performed by living organisms. The property that is used here is that the level of a given contaminant in biological tissues is related to the concentration of this substance in the environment. This is expressed by the assessment of bioaccumulation factors. This book reports examples of the application of human hair and consumable tissues of animals, and various parts of plants (green parts as well as wood) in environmental pollution monitoring. Biosorption as well as bioaccumulation can find an application in removal of contaminants from aqueous solutions. Biosorption by different materials of plant (microalgal biomass, aquatic plants, plant leaves, straw, grass) and animal origin (eggshells, bones) can be applied in industrial wastewater treatment processes. Also, bioaccumulation by aquatic organisms: microalgae, macroalgae and aquatic plants in metal ions removal from effluents can be used to bind metal ions simultaneously with nutrients. An attempt to make the processes predictable is discussed here, including screening for good biosorbents/bioaccumulators, determining biosorption and bioaccumulation capacity as well as bioavailability as the function of the concentration of metals in the environment in which an organism is present, together with growth requirements, mathematical modelling, carrying out processes at different process conditions. This should constitute the basis for the assessment of standardized procedures, in the design of biosorption or bioaccumulation treatment plants and for environmental biomonitoring.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781604569391
Category : Bioremediation
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The present work discusses two main environmental applications of biosorption and bioaccumulation processes. The first is environmental biomonitoring performed by living organisms. The property that is used here is that the level of a given contaminant in biological tissues is related to the concentration of this substance in the environment. This is expressed by the assessment of bioaccumulation factors. This book reports examples of the application of human hair and consumable tissues of animals, and various parts of plants (green parts as well as wood) in environmental pollution monitoring. Biosorption as well as bioaccumulation can find an application in removal of contaminants from aqueous solutions. Biosorption by different materials of plant (microalgal biomass, aquatic plants, plant leaves, straw, grass) and animal origin (eggshells, bones) can be applied in industrial wastewater treatment processes. Also, bioaccumulation by aquatic organisms: microalgae, macroalgae and aquatic plants in metal ions removal from effluents can be used to bind metal ions simultaneously with nutrients. An attempt to make the processes predictable is discussed here, including screening for good biosorbents/bioaccumulators, determining biosorption and bioaccumulation capacity as well as bioavailability as the function of the concentration of metals in the environment in which an organism is present, together with growth requirements, mathematical modelling, carrying out processes at different process conditions. This should constitute the basis for the assessment of standardized procedures, in the design of biosorption or bioaccumulation treatment plants and for environmental biomonitoring.
Emerging Compounds Removal from Wastewater
Author: Giusy Lofrano
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 940073915X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 106
Book Description
In the last years the release of emerging pollutants such as Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs), Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) into the environment has raised great concern. While investigating how to treat emerging pollutants from water and wastewater, researchers have drawn attention on the implementation of more environmentally friendly technologies able to achieve high removal efficiency at low costs. Emerging Compounds Removal from Wastewater by Green Technologies: Natural and Solar Based Treatments introduces green chemistry in relation to these treatment technologies. More specifically, this volume: • Reviews the suitability of alternative adsorption processes that use natural adsorbents natural materials or agricultural waste in light of the inefficiency of conventional wastewater treatment plants; • Evaluates the potential of constructed wetlands for the removal of some categories of trace contaminant of worldwide relevance in view of their application as decentralized systems; • Highlights the promising role of a special class of oxidation techniques defined as Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) supported by sunlight. This volume will be of great interest to students, technicians, and academics alike who are interested in evaluating and selecting the technologies that lead to better and more sustainable treatment of this huge class of pollutants.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 940073915X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 106
Book Description
In the last years the release of emerging pollutants such as Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs), Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) into the environment has raised great concern. While investigating how to treat emerging pollutants from water and wastewater, researchers have drawn attention on the implementation of more environmentally friendly technologies able to achieve high removal efficiency at low costs. Emerging Compounds Removal from Wastewater by Green Technologies: Natural and Solar Based Treatments introduces green chemistry in relation to these treatment technologies. More specifically, this volume: • Reviews the suitability of alternative adsorption processes that use natural adsorbents natural materials or agricultural waste in light of the inefficiency of conventional wastewater treatment plants; • Evaluates the potential of constructed wetlands for the removal of some categories of trace contaminant of worldwide relevance in view of their application as decentralized systems; • Highlights the promising role of a special class of oxidation techniques defined as Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) supported by sunlight. This volume will be of great interest to students, technicians, and academics alike who are interested in evaluating and selecting the technologies that lead to better and more sustainable treatment of this huge class of pollutants.
Removal of Emerging Contaminants Through Microbial Processes
Author: Maulin P Shah
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811559015
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 536
Book Description
The abundance of organic pollutants found in wastewater affect urban surface waters. Traditional wastewater management technologies focus on the removal of suspended solids, nutrients and bacteria, however, new pollutants such as synthetic or naturally occurring chemicals are often not monitored in the environment despite having the potential to enter the environment and cause adverse ecological and human health effects. Collectively referred to as "emerging contaminants," they are mostly derived from domestic activities and occur in trace concentrations ranging from pico to micrograms per liter. Environmental contaminants are resistant to conventional wastewater treatment processes and most of them remain unaffected, causing contamination of receiving water. This in turn leads to the need for advanced wastewater treatment processes capable of removing environmental contaminants to ensure safe fresh water sources. This book provides an up-to-date overview of the current bioremediation strategies, including their limitations, challenges and their potential application to remove environmental pollutants. It also introduces the latest trends and advances in environmental bioremediation, and presents the state-of-the-art in biological and chemical wastewater treatment processes. As such, it will appeal to researchers and policy-makers, as well as undergraduate and graduate environmental sciences students.
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811559015
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 536
Book Description
The abundance of organic pollutants found in wastewater affect urban surface waters. Traditional wastewater management technologies focus on the removal of suspended solids, nutrients and bacteria, however, new pollutants such as synthetic or naturally occurring chemicals are often not monitored in the environment despite having the potential to enter the environment and cause adverse ecological and human health effects. Collectively referred to as "emerging contaminants," they are mostly derived from domestic activities and occur in trace concentrations ranging from pico to micrograms per liter. Environmental contaminants are resistant to conventional wastewater treatment processes and most of them remain unaffected, causing contamination of receiving water. This in turn leads to the need for advanced wastewater treatment processes capable of removing environmental contaminants to ensure safe fresh water sources. This book provides an up-to-date overview of the current bioremediation strategies, including their limitations, challenges and their potential application to remove environmental pollutants. It also introduces the latest trends and advances in environmental bioremediation, and presents the state-of-the-art in biological and chemical wastewater treatment processes. As such, it will appeal to researchers and policy-makers, as well as undergraduate and graduate environmental sciences students.