Complete Guide to Environmental Science and its Components

Environmental Science is the broad study of all the things that make up the environment. These fields include both living organisms, such as plants, animals, and humans, as well as non-living environmental components, such as water, earth, and the atmosphere. Scientists investigate these components under specialty studies such as biology, geology, chemistry, and ecology. The primary underlying focus of each field is to answer how all of these components relate to human life. Scientists in different environmental science fields study both sides of the human question; the effects humans have on environmental components, and the effects these components have on humans.  

Careers in Environmental Science. Brief description of what Environmental Science is, with a list of careers and job titles in the field.

Major Challenges for Environmental Science. Climate change, water resources, food resources, plant and animal extinction, pollution, these are just a few of the issues highlighted as challenge topics for environmental science.

Sustaining the Green. New York State, College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s site dedicated to all things environmental. Includes newsletters and initiatives for sustaining the environment.

The US Department of Energy. Links to various programs and initiatives from the US Department of Energy, including links to the Environmental Science Division of Argonne National Laboratory.

Environmental Scientist. Discusses what an Environmental Scientist is and what education they need.

The Environmental Literacy Council. Comprehensive nonprofit site run by scientists and educators covering all aspects of environmental science for teachers and students.

Energy and Environmental Science. Journal which covers environmental science topics relative to energy, including bio-diesel fuels, biomass feedstocks, and other relative topics.

Atmospheric Science

Atmospheric science relates to the study of the Earth’s atmosphere. This includes such specialties as meteorology, climatology, and oceanography. As a whole, atmospheric science involves the study of gases, cloud formations, and oceans and how they each affect atmospheric conditions. With the exception of meteorologists, most atmospheric scientists work in government-sponsored sectors and university research projects. Meteorologists, who study weather, storm patterns, and localized atmospheric conditions, most commonly work for the National Weather Service or public television and radio.

NASA. Explains what atmospheric science is and what atmospheric scientists do.

University of Washington. Outreach program designed to help graduate students teach elementary and middle school students about atmospheric science, includes resources and links to further information about select topics.

Discovering Atmospheric Sciences. A site dedicated to helping students discover careers and learn about atmospheric science. Includes articles and videos.

Atmospheric Science Journal. An open online journal covering topics relative to atmospheric science.

The Atmospheric Science Program. Sponsored by the US Dept. of Energy, includes extensive research information on current atmospheric science studies.

State University of New York. Extensive list of resource links concerning atmospheric science, divided under two headings; K12 resources and university-level resources.

Texas Tech, All About Weather. Comprehensive list of links to resources, science project ideas, and images for reports, all having to do with weather and atmospheric science.

Ecology

Ecology is the study of living organisms and their relationship with their environment. Some ecological specialties include zoology, botany, and microbiology. Zoology is the study of animals, reptiles, and other living organisms. Botany is the study of plants. Microbiology is the study of bacteria and other microscopic organisms that affect both plant and animal life. Each of these fields of study is based on overall theories of ecology and how each component relates to its environment. It is important for scientists to understand these relationships, as each ecosystem affects the other.

Oklahoma State University. What is Ecology? A brief description.

Kids Do Ecology. K12 educational resource covering ecology for grade schoolers.

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Encyclopedia-style entry on ecology, what it is, different areas of study, and resources.

Siry’s Ecology Homepage. Definition of ecology, as well as the rules, laws, and systems that fall under the study of ecology.

Bio Ecology from IMSEnet. Sponsored by North Carolina State University, extensive list of links to authoritative sites on ecology.

Lewis and Clark College. PDF file with in-depth explanation of ecology for high school or higher educational purposes.

Ecology WWW Page. Comprehensive listing of hundreds of sites (listed alphabetically) devoted to ecology. Hosted in the States by Harvard University, with mirror sites hosted in France and Canada.

Environmental Chemistry

Environmental chemistry seeks to study the chemical reactions and processes that occur both naturally and as a result of environmental influences from mankind. The chemical systems behind pollution and chemical toxicity are the primary focus of environmental chemists. They seek to understand how these systems and influences affect the environment as a whole. Specialty areas include waste management, biochemistry, as well as aquatic and photochemistry. Each specialty studies the relationship between chemical systems and a specific area of the environment. For example, aquatic chemists study the effects of chemical systems on water and organisms living in water. Biochemists study the effects of chemical systems in humans and animals.

University of Toronto. What is environmental chemistry? Brief description.

Clemson Environmental Chemistry Library. Includes a brief definition of environmental chemistry with links to case studies and other information.

Environmental Chemistry Career Guide- Explore the different careers that are available in the field of environmental chemistry.

Science Olympiad. Resources intended to prepare students and teachers for environmental chemistry entries, also includes resources such as how to read fertilizer labels, testing soil, and other facts of interest.

Environmental Chemistry Career Guide- Explore the different careers that are available in the field of environmental chemistry.

Science Olympiad. Resources intended to prepare students and teachers for environmental chemistry entries, also includes resources such as how to read fertilizer labels, testing soil, and other facts of interest.

Narrative Lecture Notes. PDF file intended to be a companion to a lecture on environmental chemistry, however the information and illustrations contained are useful for learning more about environmental chemistry, even without the lecture.

The Environmental Protection Agency. Links to several renowned chemists and researchers in the field of environmental chemistry, as well as a comprehensive list of PDF files for educational posters.

Columbia Environmental Research Center. Exhaustive list linking to current and past research studies involving environmental science.

Geosciences

Geosciences primarily encompass the study of earth, the rocks, minerals, natural resources, and soils that make up the planet. However, geosciences also study the atmosphere and oceans, as they relate to earth systems. Geoscientists study the current and historical composition of the Earth itself, how the Earth’s topography was formed, what processes are involved in the generation of natural resources such as oil and natural gas, as well as studying geohazards such as landslides and earthquakes. There are many specialties within geosciences, including geology, oceanography, volcanology, and paleontology. Geologists study solid earth and its resources, while oceanographers study solid earth and resources in the sea. Volcanologists study volcanoes, while paleontologists study fossils and past environments.

American Geological Institute. FAQ page with links to answers such as what are the geosciences, what do geoscientists do, and more.

Texas Association of Professional Geoscientists. Explains what the geosciences are with a list of geosciences-related links.

National Earth Science Teachers Association. The study of earth sciences, including history of earth science education.

Geoscience Resources- Resources for educator, including handouts, practice sheet, and other teaching materials.

National Association of Geoscience Teachers. Links to projects and teaching materials to assist educators with teaching about geosciences.

Geoscience World. List of journals (both free and paid) that cover topics on geosciences.

Penn State. What is geosciences?

Environmental sciences include a vast number of specialties and specific areas of study. However, each specialty relates to the other, just as each environmental component relates to another. The work paleontologists do to discover past environments helps geologists form plans for conservation. Environmental chemists help ecologist learn more about environmental issues that affect plant and animal life. Everything in nature has an effect on everything else, and the environmental sciences seek to show us those effects.