# environmental engineering > professional engineering discipline related to environmental science **Wikidata**: [Q146326](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q146326) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_engineering) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/environmental-engineering # Environmental Engineering ## Summary Environmental engineering is a professional engineering discipline related to environmental science. It is a branch of engineering focused on the technical development and design of products and systems to address environmental challenges. The field integrates principles from multiple scientific domains to solve real-world problems. ## Key Facts - **Definition**: Environmental engineering is a professional engineering discipline related to environmental science. - **Parent Discipline**: It is a branch of engineering, which is a type of applied science. - **Academic Classification**: The field is classified as an academic discipline, an academic major, and a field of study. - **Alternative Name**: The discipline is also known as "green engineering." - **Sitelinks**: Environmental engineering has 45 sitelinks across various language editions of Wikipedia. - **Dewey Decimal Classification**: The field is classified under Dewey Decimal 628. - **Library of Congress Authority ID**: sh85044170. - **Wikidata ID**: The entity is identified as Q1127056 (implied by context). - **Instance of**: The discipline is an instance of a profession, branch of engineering, academic discipline, academic major, and field of study. - **Subclass of**: It is a subclass of engineering and applied science. ## FAQs ### What is environmental engineering? Environmental engineering is a professional engineering discipline related to environmental science. It applies scientific knowledge to develop practical solutions for environmental protection and management. ### How is environmental engineering classified academically? Environmental engineering is classified as an academic discipline, an academic major, and a specific field of study. It falls under the broader category of engineering and applied science. ### What are the related fields and sub-disciplines? Related fields include river engineering, bioremediation, cleaner production, infiltration basins, environmental technology, and life cycle assessment. It is also closely linked to civil engineering and green infrastructure. ### Who are notable practitioners in this field? Notable figures include George Tchobanoglous, an American civil and environmental engineer, and Zdeněk Bažant, a Czech-American civil engineer. Other related professionals include John Burland, a South African engineering academic, and Mark Z. Jacobson, a climate and energy scientist. ### What concepts or technologies are associated with environmental engineering? Associated concepts include bioremediation (degradation of pollutants by micro-organisms), cleaner production (preventive environmental protection), environmental technology, and life cycle assessment. Green infrastructure is also a key related concept. ## Why It Matters Environmental engineering matters because it bridges the gap between theoretical environmental science and practical application. As a branch of applied science, it provides the technical framework for designing systems that protect human health and the natural environment. The discipline plays a critical role in addressing modern challenges such as pollution control, waste management, and sustainable development. By utilizing tools like life cycle assessment and bioremediation, environmental engineers create tangible solutions that mitigate the impact of industrial and urban activities. Its classification as a distinct academic major and profession underscores its essential role in training a workforce capable of managing complex environmental systems. ## Notable For - Being a distinct professional engineering discipline specifically related to environmental science. - Its status as a recognized academic major and field of study within the broader STEM grouping. - Its association with specialized technologies like bioremediation and methodologies like life cycle assessment. - Its alternative designation as "green engineering," highlighting its focus on sustainability. - Its integration of diverse concepts ranging from river engineering to cleaner production initiatives. ## Body ### Definition and Academic Context Environmental engineering is defined as a professional engineering discipline related to environmental science. It operates as a branch of engineering, which itself is a type of applied science. The discipline is formally recognized as an instance of a profession, an academic discipline, an academic major, and a field of study. It is also identified as a branch of engineering, serving as a metaclass for the science concerned with the technical development and design of products and systems. ### Related Disciplines and Concepts The field encompasses and interacts with several specific sub-disciplines and concepts: - **River Engineering**: The deliberate human modification of the course, flow, or other characteristics of a river. - **Bioremediation**: The degradation of pollutants in the environment by stimulating micro-organisms which feed on them. - **Cleaner Production**: A preventive, company-specific environmental protection initiative. - **Infiltration Basin**: A form of engineered sump or percolation pond used for water management. - **Environmental Technology**: Technical and technological processes for the protection of the environment. - **Life Cycle Assessment**: An environmental assessment method used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product or process. - **Green Infrastructure**: Sustainable and resilient infrastructure systems. ### Notable Practitioners The knowledge base identifies several individuals connected to the field of environmental and civil engineering: - **George Tchobanoglous**: An American civil and environmental engineer, writer, and professor. - **Zdeněk Bažant**: A Czech-American civil engineer (born 1937) recognized for his contributions to the field. - **John Burland**: A South African engineering academic based in the UK. - **Mark Z. Jacobson**: An American climate and energy scientist and professor at Stanford University, whose work intersects with environmental engineering. ### Classification and Identifiers Environmental engineering is cataloged under several library and academic classification systems: - **Dewey Decimal**: 628 - **Library of Congress**: sh85044170 - **GND ID**: 4061650-2 - **BnF ID**: 11976343v - **NDL ID**: 00564909 - **MeSH descriptor ID**: D004738 (inherited from engineering context) - **ANZSRC 2020**: Classified under broader engineering and scientific disciplines. The discipline is also referenced in various digital encyclopedias and databases, including Wikipedia (sitelink count: 45), Encyclopædia Britannica (ID: technology/environmental-engineering), and has a Freebase ID of /m/0dd8y. ### Connections to Broader Engineering As a subclass of engineering, environmental engineering inherits the foundational characteristics of the parent discipline. Engineering is defined as a systematic endeavor that builds and organizes knowledge with a focus on practical applications. It is practiced through the scientific method—observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and analysis—and is part of the broader academic discipline grouping known as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Environmental engineering applies these systematic approaches specifically to environmental contexts. ## References 1. Directory of Open Access Journals 2. Iowa State University Library Vocabularies 3. Nuovo soggettario 4. Quora 5. National Library of Israel 6. KBpedia 7. All Science Journal Classification Codes 8. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)