Introduction to Environmental Geology

What is Environmental Geology? the application of geological data and information for people's needs and the improvement of our environment How to avoid/minimize impacts from geologic hazards How to find and use resources wisely: water, minerals, etc. How to dispose of waste wisely: solid, water, etc.

Fundamental Concepts of Environmental Geology Geology as a basic environmental science Population growth Sustainability The earth system Uniformitarianism Hazardous earth processes

Fundamental Concepts-Population Growth Population Growth is the #1 environmental problem Why? www.prb.org

Fundamental Concepts-Population Growth It is impossible to support exponential population growth with a finite resource base Primary goal of environmental work is to defuse the population bomb Pessimistic: the earth will take care of itself through disease and catastrophes Optimistic: find better ways to control population growth within the limits of our available resources

Fundamental Concepts-Sustainability Sustainability is the environmental objective We are currently using most living environmental resources faster than they can be naturally replenished What would we need for a sustainable global economy? Populations of humans in natural harmony with air, water, and land Energy policies that do not pollute or cause climatic perturbations Utilization plans for renewable resources (Recycling) Utilization plans for nonrenewable resources

Fundamental Concepts-The earth system Understanding the earth’s systems and their changes is critical to solving environmental problems. The earth itself is an open system with respect to energy a closed system with respect to material

How do we predict the consequences of earth system changes? Understand the nature of the system Understand rates of change Conduct input-output analysis

Fundamental Concepts-The earth system Feedback A system response where: System output (something happening) is a new system input Positive and negative feedback Input-output analysis

Fundamental Concepts-The earth system 1. Positive feedback-- "vicious cycle" a. one action intensifies the next (example: erosion) 2. Negative feedback-- "self-regulating" enables the system to reach a steady state or equilibrium (example: stream morphology). 3. Threshold events -- No apparent changes until threshold levels are reached (Lake Turnover).

Fundamental Concepts-The earth system Negative Feedback Stream A. Increase gradient B. Increases the river's velocity, which C. Increases the rate of erosion, which D. Widens and deepens channel, which E. Slows rivers velocity F. promotes deposition G. reduces gradient

Fundamental Concepts-The earth system Example of threshold event Lake turnover

Fundamental Concepts-The earth system Input-output analyses Input = output Steady state: no net change Input < output Input > output

Fundamental Concepts- Uniformitarianism James Hutton, 1785 “the present is the key to the past” Geologic processes modifying our landscape have operated in the past Human activity is a new geological force Affects the magnitude and frequency of geologic processes “the present is the key to the future”

Fundamental Concepts- Hazardous Earth Processes Some geologic hazards are inevitable Planning is important The impacts of hazardous earth processes are enhanced by spatial concentration of population and resources Should be considered in cost-benefit analysis

Fundamental Concepts-Geology as a basic environmental science Geology is a factor in every person’s life: “Civilization exists by geological consent…subject to change without notice”--Will Durant

Fundamental Concepts-Geology as a basic environmental science Branches of Environmental Geology: Geomorphology (Geologic Landforms and Processes) Hydrogeology (Water and soil / rock interactions) Pedology (Soils) Economic geology Engineering geology Classical geology

Fundamental Concepts-Geology as a basic environmental science Environmental problems are interdisciplinary Physical Geography, geologic processes, hydrology, rock types, soil types, climate Biological Plants, animals, biologic conditions, spatial analysis of biologic information Human interest/use Land use, economics, aesthetics, environmental law, hazards, historical/archaeological value

“To know one’s ignorance is the best part of knowledge.” Hazards & Risks “To know one’s ignorance is the best part of knowledge.” Lao Tzu, The Tau, #71

Types of hazards Natural Technological Mixed (natural influenced by humans)

Types of hazards Condition Process Event

To predict a hazardous event 1. Historical knowledge 2. Monitoring and data gathering 3. Understanding of hazardous process 4. Must have rules to determine success

Risk: how safe is safe? What is risk? What is acceptable risk? Depends on your VALUES “What is our society willing to pay for our quality of life and life style?” Paradox of risk reduction

RISK ASSESSMENT An attempt to assess objectively a public health or other environmental risk 1. Source/release assessment Likelihood and scale of a potential release of hazardous material 2. Exposure assessment What will reach whom

RISK ASSESSMENT 3. Dose-response assessment 4. Risk characterization To estimate the impact of exposure on human health 4. Risk characterization To collate all of the information in a useful way Involves great UNCERTAINTY

Human response to hazards: Risk and Policy 1. Modify the hazards through human intervention 2. Redistribute the losses caused by a hazard 3. Decrease the vulnerability (Planning)

Magnitude vs. frequency Usually inversely related Affects “hazard perception”

Disaster prediction and warning Location Probability occurrence Forecasting Warning Go public Problems?

Catastrophe When a natural disaster results in damages (people or property) that require a long involved process of recovery

Model of recovery Phase 1: emergency Phase 2: restoration Phase 3: restoration I Phase 4; restoration II

Phase 1: Emergency (days) Normal activities stop Search and rescue Emergency shelter/feeding Capital damaged or destroyed

Phase 2: Restoration (weeks-months) Normal activities return but at minimal levels Restoration of urban services Return of refugees Capital patched

Phases 3 & 4: Reconstruction I & II (months-years) Normal activities return to predisaster levels Capital rebuilt (replaced) Activities improved and developed Capital improved beyond predisaster levels Disaster preparedness & response improved

Effects of Selected Hazards in the U.S. (as of 2002)

Effects of Selected Hazards in the U.S. (Table 4.1, p. 91)