Unraveling Environmental Disasters

2nd Edition - October 1, 2023
Imprint: Elsevier
Authors: Daniel A. Vallero, Trevor Letcher
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 8 6 5 1 - 6
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 8 6 5 2 - 3

Unraveling Environmental Disasters, Second Edition provides scientific explanations of the most threatening current and future environmental disasters, including an analysis of way… Read more

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Unraveling Environmental Disasters, Second Edition provides scientific explanations of the most threatening current and future environmental disasters, including an analysis of ways disasters could have been prevented and how to minimize risk of similar disasters in the future. In this new edition the authors provide foundational knowledge on why certain environmental disasters occur and ways of reducing the risk of recurrences. Anyone involved in teaching or working in the main sciences of physics, chemistry, and biology, or in the applied sciences, including engineering, design, planning, and homeland security, should read the book to become acquainted with these very important issues.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Preface
References
Chapter 1 Disaster characterization
Abstract
The taxonomy of disasters
Sources of disaster
Risk and precaution
Perception
Disasters from a societal perspective
References
Chapter 2 Failure
Abstract
Events
Disasters as failures
Types of failure
Types of disasters
Systems engineering
References
Chapter 3 Science
Abstract
Scientific advancement
Laws of motion
Laws of thermodynamics
Science in the public eye
References
Chapter 4 Chemical public health disasters
Abstract
Introduction
Cancer
Developmental effects and endocrine disruption
Neurotoxicity
Conclusions
References
Chapter 5 Explosions
Abstract
Dust
Road transport explosions
Ammonium nitrate explosions
Picric acid and TNT
Methyl isocyanate
Natural explosions—volcanoes
Warfare explosions
Fire
References
Chapter 6 Atmospheric plumes
Abstract
Nomenclature
Early air quality disasters
Toxic plumes
Plume characterization
Nuclear fallout plumes
References
Chapter 7 Leaks
Abstract
Surreptitious disasters
Pollutant transport in groundwater
Love canal
Chester
Times beach
Valley of the drums
Stringfellow acid pits
Tar Creek
Underground storage tanks
Leaks and reliability
The March continues
References
Chapter 8 Spills
Abstract
Disastrous releases
Oil spills
Niger River Delta oil spills
Other spills
Partitioning in the environment
References
Chapter 9 Fires
Abstract
Fire disaster thermodynamics
Kuwait oil fires
Release of radiative material
Indonesian wildfires
World Trade Center fire
The Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami
Other major fires
Tire fires
Coal mine fires
Indirect effect: Formation of toxic substances
Indirect impact: Transport
References
Chapter 10 Climate: The scientific basis of pending disasters
Abstract
Introduction
Climate physics
Feedback mechanisms
Greenhouse gases
Radiative forcing
Fungi: An emerging public health disaster?
Carbon and climate
Carbon biogeochemistry
References
Chapter 11 Climate: Addressing the problems
Abstract
Introduction
Climate decision making
Root causes of climate-related disasters
Challenges with remedy effectiveness
Free energy
Consequences of global warming
Is it a disaster?
Potential warming disaster
Responding to climate change
Difficulties with climate change mitigation
Geoengineering
References
Chapter 12 Nature
Abstract
Heat
Hurricanes
Floods
Drought
Ecosystem resilience
Lessons to be learned
References
Chapter 13 Minerals
Abstract
Inorganic substances
Toxic metals
Minamata disease disasters
Lead mining disasters
Elongate mineral particulates: Asbestos and beyond
Cyanide
Surface mining
Value
References
Chapter 14 Recalcitrance
Abstract
The Dirty Dozen
Agent Orange and dioxins
Lake Apopka
James River
Persistent wastes
The Arctic disaster
References
Chapter 15 Radiation
Abstract
Electromagnetic radiation
Nuclear radiation
Nuclear electricity generation
Nuclear power plant failure
Is nuclear power worth the risks?
Meltdown at Chernobyl [8]
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster
Three Mile Island nuclear accident
Radioisotopes and radiation poisoning
Carbon dating
Nuclear waste disposal
Nuclear threats
References
Chapter 16 Biodiversity
Abstract
Invasive species
The worst 100
Sensitive habitats
References
Chapter 17 Products
Abstract
Introduction
Precaution
Endocrine disruptors and hormonally active agents
Antibiotics: Superbugs and cross-resistance
Organophosphates
Scientific principles at work
Milk and terrorism
References
Chapter 18 Unsustainability
Abstract
Oil
Looming mineral disasters
Cobalt
Platinum group metals
Lithium
Rare earth metals
Other metals
Phosphates
Helium
Biomass
Improving sustainability
References
Chapter 19 Society
Abstract
Tipping points
Justice
Solid waste
Food supply
Vinyl chloride
Food versus fuel
Burning as a societal issue
Risk trade-offs
References and Notes
Chapter 20 Future
Abstract
Recommendations
Thoughtful land-use decisions
Information technology
Systems thinking
Some good news
Less hubris, more humility
References
Glossary of terms⁎
Index

Daniel A. Vallero

Professor Daniel A. Vallero is an internationally recognized author and expert in environmental science and engineering. He has devoted decades to conducting research, teaching, and mentoring future scientists and engineers. He is currently developing tools and models to predict potential exposures to chemicals in consumer products. He is a full adjunct professor of civil and environmental engineering at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering. He has authored 20 environmental textbooks, with the most recent addressing the importance of physical principles in environmental science and engineering. His books have addressed all environmental compartments and media within the earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

Affiliations and expertise

Full Adjunct Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering, NC, USA

Trevor Letcher

Professor Trevor Letcher is an Emeritus Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and living in the United Kingdom. He was previously Professor of Chemistry, and Head of Department, at the University of the Witwatersrand, Rhodes University, and Natal, in South Africa (1969-2004). He has published over 300 papers on areas such as chemical thermodynamic and waste from landfill in peer reviewed journals, and 100 papers in popular science and education journals. Prof. Letcher has edited and/or written 32 major books, of which 22 were published by Elsevier, on topics ranging from future energy, climate change, storing energy, waste, tyre waste and recycling, wind energy, solar energy, managing global warming, plastic waste, renewable energy, and environmental disasters. He has been awarded gold medals by the South African Institute of Chemistry and the South African Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics honoured him with a Festschrift in 2018. He is a life member of both the Royal Society of Chemistry (London) and the South African Institute of Chemistry. He is on the editorial board of the Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, and is a Director of the Board of the International Association of Chemical Thermodynamics since 2002.

Affiliations and expertise

Emeritus Professor, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

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