College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

De La Salle University Dasmarias

Engineering Department Electrical Engineering

CEET313k: Environmental Engineering

Assignment no. 1:

Date:
December 4, 2014

Francis Felix T. Encarnacion

EEE51

Engr. Maryjoie A. Armero - Lituaas

Professor

1. Define Sustainable Development by Brundtland Commission.

The term sustainable development was coined in the
paper Our Common Future, released by the Brundtland
Commission. Sustainable development is the kind of
development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs. The two key concepts of sustainable
development are namely, the concept of "needs" in
particular the essential needs of the world's poorest
people, to which they should be given overriding priority;
and the idea of limitations which is imposed by the state
of

technology

and

social

organization

on

the

environment's ability to meet both present and future

needs.

2. Biogeochemical Cycles
Water Cycle - The water cycle describes the continuous
movement of water on, above and below the surface of
the Earth. The mass of water on Earth remains fairly
constant over time but the partitioning of the water into

the major reservoirs of ice, fresh water, saline water and

atmospheric water is variable depending on a wide range
of climatic variables. The water moves from one reservoir
to another by the physical processes of evaporation,
condensation,

precipitation,

infiltration,

runoff,

and

subsurface flow. In so doing, the water goes through

different phases: liquid, solid (ice), and gas (vapor).

Carbon Dioxide to Oxygen Cycle - Plants and other

producers use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis. They
produce oxygen as a waste product. Carbon dioxide
moves from the air into the leaves of plants. Oxygen
moves from the plant into the air through the leaves.
Almost all living things, including plants, get energy from
cellular respiration. This process releases energy from the
sugar molecules in food. Oxygen is used in cellular
respiration. Carbon dioxide is produced as a waste
product.

 Nitrogen Cycle - the process by which nitrogen is

converted between its various chemical forms. This
transformation can be carried out through both biological
and physical processes. Important processes in the
nitrogen

cycle

include

fixation,

ammonification,

nitrification, and denitrification. Human activities such as

fossil fuel combustion, use of artificial nitroge fertilizers,
and release of nitrogen in wastewater have dramatically
altered the global nitrogen cycle.

Phosphorus

Cycle

the

biogeochemical

cycle

that

describes the movement of phosphorus through the

lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Unlike many
other biogeochemical cycles, the atmosphere does not
play a significant role in the movement of phosphorus,
because phosphorus and phosphorus-based compounds
are usually solids at the typical ranges of temperature and
pressure found on Earth. The production of phosphine gas
occurs only in specialized, local conditions.

 Sulfur Cycle - the collection of processes by which sulfur

moves to and from minerals (including the waterways)
and living systems. Such biogeochemical cycles are
important in geology because they affect many minerals.
Biogeochemical cycles are also important for life because
sulfur is an essential element, being a constituent of many
proteins and cofactors. The steps of the sulfur cycle are:
a. Mineralization of organic sulfur into inorganic
forms, such as hydrogen sulfide, elemental sulfur, as
well as sulfide minerals.
b. Oxidation

of

hydrogen

sulfide,

sulfide,

and

elemental sulfur to sulfate.

c.

Reduction of sulfate to sulfide.

d. Incorporation of sulfide into organic compounds.

The Carbon Dioxide-Oxygen Cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle