Environmental Issues

About Aluminum. Since its discovery in impure metal form by Hans Christian Orsted in 1825 (Bentor, 2010) and subsequent isolation in its pure form by Friedrich Wohler (1827), the element Aluminum (Al), or Aluminium to the British, has had a myriad uses in different industries in both metal and compound form. Aluminum as a metal is silver in color, ductile, has very low density for a metal, highly thermally conductive, and can resist corrosion. It is the most abundant metal and the third most abundant...

Reconciling the insatiable appetite for energy with ecological and economical concerns In 2004, the world production of oil was estimated at just over 29.7 Bbl. The corresponding world consumption for oil during the same period was estimated at 29.6 Bbl of oil, leaving a surplus of just under 0.1 Bbl at the end of the year.  In the United States, one of largest consumer markets for oil and oil products, from the first week in September 2004 to the first week in September 2005, gasoline prices...

Following increased economic activity secondary to the rising human population on earth, the pressures that human activity exert on the environment have come to fore (Saachs, 2008). Concerns of the increasing levels of global warming have prompted the organization of international forums to discuss means by which this worrisome trend can be halted so as to ensure sustainability of human activities. Carbon emissions, largely emanating from the exploitation of  fossil based fuels such as coal...

Allocation of natural resources should be done judiciously to promote development and avoid conflicts. A Major challenge that needs to be addressed by the developing countries is the use of their natural resources in a sustainable manner. Water is one natural resource present in abundance. It is known that 70 of our planet is water, and hence there should be no crisis on its utilisation and distribution. In reality however, only 2.5 of the 70 water presence is fresh water, and it is the resource...

Purpose The Purpose of this Paper is to review the use of Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) technology in the oil and gas industry to reduce the environmental footprint and impact. Introduction Since the OCS moratoria were put in place 26 years ago, many technologies have been developed and utilized in extracting oil and gas to which have significantly reduced the environmental footprint and impacts. As stated in Robinson et al (2007), fugitive emissions such as hydrocarbon leaks from valves, piping...

The Truly Healthy environment is not merely safe but stimulating. - William H. Stewart. Introduction True to the quote, Cradle to Cradle, a book by by German chemist Michael Braungart and U.S. architect William McDonough, puts forward a non-accusatory and innovatory approach to stimulation along with sustainability, to consumerism, and to fabrication. It recommends that environmentalists and industry can complement and support each others goals. The mental nutrients are as enticing as the biological...

Alternative energy sources pertain to sources that are yet to be tried or discovered. However, what is important for the foreseeable future is development of the technology and know-how that will make economically practicable the widespread commercial use of alternative sources that are already being employed experimentally or on a small scale (Brown, 2009). Energy conservation is an objective that seems to be desirable from just about any point of view It decreases production costs, conserves raw...

Answer the following questions based on our trip to the wastewater treatment plant. 1.  Four levels of treatment may be in place at a waste water treatment plant.  For each level,      describe the following  a) what is this level of treatment meant to do and b) how does the      Lansing plant accomplishes this (briefly). Pretreatment Pretreatment  is  an  initial  process  which  removes  the  larger  waste...