What Does an Environmental Engineer Do?
Do you want to develop ways to prevent or repair damage done to the environment by humankind? Environmental engineers use their knowledge of chemistry and biology to identify and address humanity's negative impact on the natural world. Read on to find out more about environmental engineers. Schools offering Energy Management degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Job Duties of Environmental Engineers
Your focus as an environmental engineer is to detect and solve environmental problems that can affect the safety and natural integrity of air, water and land. According to the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, your responsibilities may include pollution control, solid waste management and hazardous materials control (www.aaee.net). By performing these duties, you not only help protect the environment, but you also help support and maintain public health standards.
Air Pollution Control
As an environmental engineer, you might be tasked with preventing and repairing various types of air pollution. For example, you may conduct research to find ways of removing contaminants and dangerous emissions from the air. Your duties could also include monitoring air pollution production and dispersal rates.
Water Reclamation
Your expertise can also include developing methods of water conservation and reclamation. This may include creating artificial wetlands and decontaminating water for consumption. You might also specialize in wastewater or storm water management. As such, your responsibilities could include designing new municipal water treatment facilities or managing an existing system.
Land Preservation
In the field of solid waste disposal, you design and upgrade recycling facilities and landfills. For example, you might develop new technologies to capture methane from capped landfills for use in green power plants. You may also work with real estate developers and civil engineers to determine any potential environmental impacts caused by development and municipal-growth projects.
Hazardous Material Management
As an environmental engineer, you may be responsible for controlling hazardous or toxic materials. This can include minimizing the environmental impact of radiation and hazardous chemicals. You may also develop ways to remediate areas damaged by hazardous spills or research ways to neutralize toxic materials before disposal.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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