DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS - 2014/2015 ACADEMIC YEAR

FIFTH YEAR FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS FOR THE DEGREE OF

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

ECE 2519: ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

DATE: 12TH AUGUST 2014 TIME: 8.30 AM – 10.30 AM

Instructions to Candidates
- This paper consists of FIVE Questions
- Attempt Any FOUR Questions.

Question One (17.5 Marks)

a) Define sustainable development and describe the elements of sustainable development
(9 marks)
b) “The tragedy of the commons” is often used as a devise to articulate key sustainability
dilemmas. Discuss this concept with respect to sustainable exploitation of natural resources
(4 marks)

c) What is Environmental Impact Assessment and what is its relevance (4.5 marks)

Question Two (17.5 Marks)

a) Outline SIX categories of water pollutants (6 marks)

b) With the aid of the characteristic oxygen sag curve, describe the phenomena of natural
stream purification (6 marks)

c) Discuss how sewage is related to Eutrophication (3.5 marks)

d) Distinguish between point source pollution and non-point source pollution, giving examples
for each (2 marks)
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Question Three (17.5 Marks)
a) Differentiate among agricultural, hydrological and meteorological droughts (3 marks)

b) Planning for drought is essential for proper drought management. However, planning for
drought faces numerous challenges. State any SIX such challenges. (6 marks)

c) Describe tsunami phenomenon (5 Marks)

d) Define floods and outline any two types of floods (3.5 marks)

Question Four (17.5 Marks)

a) Outline any SIX air pollutants (9 Marks)

b) Outline SIX potential effects of global warming (6 marks)

c) Define Ozone and describe cause of ozone depletion (2.5 marks)

Question Five (17.5 Marks)

a) Describe the steps to be followed when carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment
(12 marks)
b) Define the term “productivity of a lake” (3.5 marks)

c) State types of lakes based on its productivity (2 marks)

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