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Environmental science
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==Components== [[File:BlueMarble-2001-2002.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Blue Marble composite images generated by NASA in 2001 (left) and 2002 (right)]] [[File:Top_of_Atmosphere.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|The Earth's [[atmosphere]]]] === Atmospheric sciences === {{Main|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 [[meteorological|meteorology]], [[greenhouse gas]] phenomena, [[atmospheric dispersion modeling]] of airborne contaminants,<ref>{{cite book |author=Beychok, M.R.|title=[[Fundamentals Of Stack Gas Dispersion]]|edition=4th|publisher=author-published|year=2005|isbn=0-9644588-0-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Turner, D.B.|title=Workbook of atmospheric dispersion estimates: an introduction to dispersion modeling|edition=2nd|publisher=[[CRC Press]]|year=1994|isbn=1-56670-023-X|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/workbookofatmosp0000turn}}</ref> sound propagation phenomena related to [[noise pollution]], and even [[light pollution]]. Taking the example of the [[global warming]] phenomena, physicists create [[computer model]]s of atmospheric circulation and [[infrared]] 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 [[meteorologist]]s and [[oceanographer]]s add additional breadth in understanding the [[atmospheric dynamics]]{{cn|date=January 2024}}.[[File:Blue Linckia Starfish.JPG|thumb|left|[[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.]] === Ecology === {{Main|Ecology}} 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."<ref>{{Cite web|title=What is ecology?|url=https://www.esa.org/about/what-does-ecology-have-to-do-with-me/|date=2020|website=Ecological Society of America|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref> 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 pollution|water]] and [[air pollution]], [[biologist]]s would describe the flora and fauna, [[chemist]]s would analyze the transport of [[water pollutant]]s to the marsh, [[physicist]]s would calculate [[Atmosphere of Earth|air]] pollution emissions and [[geologist]]s would assist in understanding the marsh soils and bay muds.{{cn|date=March 2024}} === Environmental chemistry === {{Main|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 (ecology)|biota]].{{cn|date=January 2024}} 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 [[Chemical bond|molecular bonding]] of the solvent to the specific soil type, and biologists would study the impacts upon soil [[arthropod]]s, plants, and ultimately pond-dwelling organisms that are the food of the endangered amphibian.{{cn|date=March 2024}} === Geosciences === {{Main|Geosciences}} Geosciences include [[environmental geology]], [[environmental soil science]], [[volcanic]] phenomena and evolution of the Earth's crust. In some classification systems this can also include [[hydrology]], including [[oceanography]].{{cn|date=March 2024}} As an example study, of soils [[erosion]], calculations would be made of [[surface runoff]] by soil scientists. Fluvial geomorphologists 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.{{cn|date=March 2024}} {{Panorama |image = File:Tagebau Garzweiler Panorama 2005.jpg |fullwidth = 6000 |fullheight = |caption = Open-pit [[coal]] mining at [[Garzweiler open pit mine|Garzweiler]], Germany |height = 230 }}
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