CHE 332: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

TUTORIAL CHAPTER 1
SEM OCT 2020 – FEB 2021
1) Describe the followings:

a) Environmental science
 the study of the environment, its biotic and abiotic components and their inter
relationships

b) Environmental engineering.
 the application of science & engineering principles to protect and enhance the
quality of the environment, public health and welfare.

2) Carbon is exchanged or cycled among Earth's oceans, atmosphere, ecosystem and geosphere. All
living organisms are built of carbon compounds. It is the fundamental building block of life and an
important component of many chemical processes. Sketch the carbon cycle.

3) Distinguish between biotic and abiotic components.

 Abiotic-non-living elements (e.g. temperature, light, atmosphere gases, mountain, land,
water, ocean etc.)
 Biotic - all surrounding living species
4) Point out two (2) major environmental problems in Malaysia.
 Acid rain
 Greenhouse effect
5) Briefly explain about environmental policy.
 the operational tasks of policy enforcement have been shouldered by the Department of
Environment (DOE).
 The strength of the environmental policy lies on the existence of Environment Quality Act
1974.
 Act 1974 enacted environmental quality aims to address, prevent and control pollution and
environmental quality at national level.

6) National Policy on the Environment (DASN) has been established for continuous economic, social
and cultural progress and enhancement of the quality of life of Malaysians through
environmentally sound and sustainable development. Point out two (2) objectives of DASN.

 A clean environment, safe, healthy and productive environment for present and future
generations,
 Conservation of country’s unique and diverse cultural and natural heritage with effective
participation by all sectors of society

7) Please refer Figure 1 and explain briefly the process that involved in nitrogen cycle.

Figure 1 : Nitrogen cycle (Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_cycle)

 Nitrogen Cycle is a biogeochemical process through which nitrogen is converted into

many forms, consecutively passing from the atmosphere to the soil to organism and
back into the atmosphere