Three Things You'll Want to Do After You Pass Your FE Environmental Exam

Congratulations! It's time to celebrate, because passing your FE Environmental exam is a tremendous accomplishment. You just successfully cleared the first hurdle in your journey to becoming a licensed engineer. According to the NCEES, only about seven in ten pass this exam, an amount which is likely inflated, as low performers self-select out. Your next step after your celebration is to thank everyone that helped you get to this point: your significant other, teachers, friends you neglected while you were committed to studying and friends who helped you with studying, and anyone else that helped support your efforts. Then, if you can, take some time to relax and enjoy the moment before you think about any next steps. When you're ready to continue your journey, the following suggestions will help.

Things to Do After Passing Your FE Environmental Exam

1. Check out the licensing guidelines in your location

2. Gain engineering experience

3. Start building a working portfolio

1. Check out the licensing guidelines in your location. Once you're ready to start the next process, begin investigating the license-earning parameters established by the state, territory, province, or district in which you plan on becoming a licensed engineer. Although each location sets its own guidelines on becoming a PE, the general path is the same. If your state has an engineer in training (EIT) status, register for it. While an EIT is not a license, it can simplify the process of becoming licensed later or getting engineering jobs. If your state has decoupled the experience requirement from the PE exam, I would advise you to start studying and complete this test as soon as you can before you begin practicing. Practicing professional engineering in real life is not like taking an exam or studying for a test. As you fall into the professional engineering habit, you tend to fall out of the test-taking habit. Bits of esoteric knowledge fall away, and efficiency and accuracy may be reduced. Once you take this exam, you can spend more time strengthening your daily practical skills in engineering. It is also just nice to be done with the PE exam and relieve any conscious or subconscious anxiety over it.

2. Gain engineering experience. After taking and passing both your FE and PE exams, your priority should be gaining environmental engineering experience. Environmental engineering is too large of a field to fit into a four- or five-year undergraduate degree: regardless of what you specialize in, you will learn on the job and by working with more experienced engineers. NCEES requires you to have a few professional engineers vouch for your experience. The degree of contact required for a reference depends on the exact jurisdiction you are trying to become licensed in.

3. Start building a working portfolio. Keep an Excel file, Word doc, or physical notebook of professional engineers you've worked under with the following information:

•  The engineer's name, email address, and phone number
  
• Your responsibilities under their supervision
  
• The start and stop date of projects
  
• The supervisor's name, email, and phone number (if different from engineer)
  
• The client's name, email address, and phone number
  
• Calculations you performed
  
• Inspections and assessments you made
  
• Anything else related to the project

Don't forget to include important details in this log, like annotating which codes, standards, and regulations you followed as well as indicating which key foremen, tradesmen, and contractors/subcontractors were utilized. Maintaining a detailed and organized log will not only make writing your summary of engineering experience for the professional licensing board easier, but also future projects you work on. Remember to keep in contact with previous employers; a nice practice may be to send a winter holiday or birthday card annually.

In summary: celebrate, express gratitude, register as an EIT if you can, study for the PE exam, gain experience, document your experience, and start networking. Following these steps after passing the FE Environmental exam will make obtaining your professional licensure easier, even if you are not considering it currently. You will be grateful that you set yourself up to succeed easily if you should change your mind in the future. Why close off an opportunity to pursue additional career development?

Basic Characteristics of Wastewater

Wastewater is defined as any water that has been negatively affected in quality by humans. Wastewater is comprised of liquid and solid waste that is discharged from domestic residences, commercial properties, industrial plants, and agriculture facilities or land. Wastewater contains a wide range of contaminants at various concentrations.

Characteristics of Wastewater 

Table of Contents

1. Physical Characteristics

2. Chemical Characteristics due to Chemical Impurities

3. Biological Characteristics due to Contaminants

4. Physical Characteristics of Wastewater

5. Chemical Characteristics of Wastewater

6. Biological Characteristics of Wastewater

The three main characteristics of wastewater are classified below. 

1. Physical Characteristics

1. Turbidity 
2. Color 
3. Odor 
4. Total solids 
5. Temperature 

2. Chemical Characteristics due to Chemical Impurities 

1. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) 
2. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) 
3. Nitrogen 
4. Phosphorus 
5. Chlorides 
6. Sulfates 
7. Alkalinity 
8. pH 
9. Heavy Metals 
10. Trace Elements 
11. Priority Pollutants 

3. Biological Characteristics due to Contaminants

1. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 
2. Oxygen required for nitrification 
3. Microbial population 

Wastewater characteristics, as well as water treatment processes, are important for environmental engineers to understand. Our FE Environmental exam review course thoroughly reviews the characteristics of wastewater. 

4. Physical Characteristics of Wastewater 

Color - Fresh sewage is normally brown and yellowish in color but over time becomes black in color.
Odor - Wastewater that includes sewage typically develops a strong odor.
Temperature - Due to more biological activity, wastewater will have a higher temperature.
Turbidity - Due to suspended solids in wastewater, wastewater will have a higher turbidity, or cloudiness.

Ready to test your knowledge? Explore our practice exams now!

5. Chemical Characteristics of Wastewater 

1. Wastewater contains different chemicals in various forms as mentioned below. 
2. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) - COD is a measure of organic materials in wastewater in terms of the oxygen required to oxidize the organic materials. 
3. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) - TOC is a measure of carbon within organic materials. 
4. Nitrogen - Organic nitrogen is the amount of nitrogen present in organic compounds. 
5. Phosphorous - Organic phosphorous (in protein) and inorganic phosphorous (phosphates, PO4- ) 
6. Chlorides (Cl-) 
7. Sulfates (SO4-2) 
8. Heavy metals 
1. Mercury (Hg) 
2. Arsenic (As) 
3. Lead (Pb) 
4. Zinc (Zn) 
5. Cadmium (Cd) 
6. Copper (Cu) 
7. Nickel (Ni) 
8. Chromium (Cr) 
9. Silver (Ag) 

Analyzing the physical and chemical characteristics of wastewater plays a critical role in the wastewater treatment process. Our FE Environmental review course greatly emphasizes wastewater treatment methods based on the physical and chemical characteristics of the water. 

6. Biological Characteristics of Wastewater 

1. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) - BOD is the amount of oxygen needed to stabilize organic matter using microorganisms. 
2. Nitrogenous Oxygen Demand (NOD) - NOD is the amount of oxygen needed to convert organic and ammonia nitrogen into nitrates by nitrifying bacteria. 
3. Microbial life in wastewater - Wastewater contains the following microbes: 
1.  Bacteria 
2.  Protozoa 
3.  Fungi 
4.  Viruses 
5.  Algae 
6.  Rotifers 
7. Nematodes 
4. Oil and Grease - Oil and grease originate from food waste and petroleum products. The amount of oil and grease in raw wastewater varies from 10 to 109 mg/

It is important that those who are striving to obtain their FE certification fully understand how to regulate the biological characteristics of wastewater through appropriate treatment methods.

Soil Erosion: Its Causes and Effects

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Soil Erosion Factors

3. Agents of Soil Erosion

4. Soil Erosion by Water

5. Wind Erosion

6. Other Forms of Soil Erosion

1. Introduction

Soil is considered to be one of the most valuable natural resources. Soil is a combination of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water, and air. As degraded soil becomes loose and weak, it loses the ability to absorb and retain water, which leads to soil erosion. Ellison (1944) defines soil erosion as the process of detachment and transport of soil particles by erosive agents. 

2. Soil Erosion Factors

Factors that contribute to erosion include climate, topography, soil characteristics, vegetation, velocity of winds, rainfall intensity, and duration. Knowing the factors that cause erosion assists in identifying the source of erosion and developing a plan to control it. 

Erosion is classified into two major categories: geological erosion and man-made erosion. Geological erosion occurs naturally, while man-made erosion arises when humans alter the land. Soil classification and soil erosion factors are discussed in our FE Environmental exam review course to recap the fundamentals and factors of soil erosion.

3. Agents of Soil Erosion

4. Soil Erosion by Water

When a raindrop hits the soil, it destroys the granulation of soil (compaction) and causes a disruption of the soil surface (detachment). The exposed soil particles are dislodged, splashed into the air, and suspended in the rainwater. The rainwater that runs from a slope during heavy rains is referred to as a runoff. This runoff carries away soil particles and nutrient elements along with it.

There are three main types of erosion that occur due to water:

i) Sheet erosion is the uniform movement of a thin layer of soil from unprotected land.

ii) Rill erosion forms when the rainfall is heavy and runoff volume increases. Runoff rain water creates many small, deep channels called rills.

iii) Gully erosion evolves from rill erosion over time. When runoff is in a single wide and deep channel, it is known as gully erosion. A gully is defined as a scoured-out area that is not crossable with tillage and grading equipment.

Soil erosion by water is thoroughly discussed in our FE Environmental exam refresher course.

5. Wind Erosion

Wind erosion occurs when land that is bare of vegetation is exposed to high-velocity winds. Soil movement is initiated when the forces of wind are exerted against the surface of the ground. 

For each soil type and surface condition, there is a minimum velocity required to move soil particles; this concept is known as threshold velocity. When wind threshold velocity overcomes the cohesive and gravitational forces of the soil particles, wind can move soil and carry it away in suspension.

6. Other Forms of Soil Erosion

Gravity erosion is the transfer of rock and soil down a slope due to the direct action of gravity; gravity erosion can cause a mass movement of soil, ice, and rock, which leads to landslides, avalanches, and rock fall. 

Glacier erosion occurs when a huge mass of ice slowly moves over the land. Glaciers erode the earth's surface and wear down, pick up, and carry sediments that vary in size. 

Sedimentation control methods and the effects of soil erosion are important concepts to understand for the FE Environmental exam.

Impact of Air Pollution on Health and the Environment

Table of Contents

1. Sources of Air Pollution

2. Health Disorders Due to Air Pollution

3. Environmental Engineering Concerns Due to Air Pollution

Air pollution is an atmospheric condition that causes undesirable effects on people and on the environment. Gaseous pollutants include oxides of sulfur, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate pollutants include smoke and dust. The presence of aerosols, pollen grains and radioactive pollutants, which includes radon-222 and iodine-131, may cause air pollution. If pollutants are emitted directly from a point source, they are called primary pollutants. If pollutants are formed by an interaction of primary pollutants or with some natural constituents of the atmosphere like ozone or photochemical smog, they are called secondary pollutants. 

Sources of Air Pollution
Volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and photochemical oxidations of terpenes are natural sources of air pollutants. Electrical power plants, factories, traffic emissions, fuel burning, and agriculture activities are forms of synthetic air pollutants. Vehicles used for transportation are another major source of air pollution; automobiles release gases such as carbon dioxide and other hydrocarbons. Heavy duty vehicles spew more nitrogen oxides (NOx) and suspended particulate matter (SPM). Radon gas is a form of indoor air pollution that is  responsible for health problems including lung cancer. Radon gas is emitted from building material like bricks, concrete, and tiles that are manufactured from soil containing radium. The incomplete combustion of fuels, such as coal, wood, and kerosene, can produce a toxic gas known as carbon monoxide. Coal upon burning produces sulfur dioxide, and fossil fuels upon burning produces black soot. Both sulfur dioxide and black soot are considered to be polluting agents.
Health Disorders Due to Air Pollution
Air pollution affects human health, plants, aquatic life, materials and the environment. The human respiratory system has a number of mechanisms for protection from air pollution, but years of exposure to air pollutants adversely affects the body's resistance against these pollutants. Air pollution can cause cancer, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, loss of lung elasticity and shortness of breath. Sulfur dioxide causes bronchitis, carbon monoxide causes suffocation, and long exposure to carbon monoxide causes dizziness, unconsciousness and even death. Pollutants like benzene formaldehyde and polychlorinated biphenyls (PSBS) causes mutations and reproductive problems. The presence of many other hazardous materials like asbestos, mercury, arsenic and radioactive substances causes lung diseases and affects other vital organs like the kidney, liver, spleen and brain. Human health disorders due to air pollution or through any other sources of working environments are frequently inspected by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officials to prevent serious incidents. The presence of minimum levels of each contaminant is important to take appropriate preventive measures for air pollution. Engineers preparing for the FE exam can refresh their memory on contaminant levels as per OSHA standards through a fundamentals of engineering exam review course.
Environmental Engineering Concerns Due to Air Pollution
Air pollution impacts plants by destroying chlorophyll and effecting photosynthesis, necrosis, and chlorosis. Peroxylacetyl nitrate (PAN) causes silvering of lower surface of leaves and suppressed growth. High acidity in fresh water lakes may harm aquatic life. Presences of sulfur dioxide and moisture results in the formation of acid that causes damage to metal parts of buildings, vehicles, bridges and railway tracks. It is the responsibility of environmental engineers to protect the environment by controlling air pollution. Engineering concepts of air pollution monitoring and controlling are topics that are discussed in undergraduate environmental engineering courses as well as in FE exam review courses. 

Conventional methods to enhance the quality of air around us

Table of Contents

1. Bio-filtration

2. Electrostatic Precipitators

3. Baghouses

4. Cyclones

5. Settling Velocity

While everyone knows the hazardous effects of air pollution, very few care for it. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented measures like the Clean Air Act to safeguard the environment and the health of individuals.

Engineers who have emerged successfully through the FE exam and are on their way to adopt a successful career, have a great responsibility toward improving the quality of air around us. 

With this role in mind, let us explore some essential ways of enhancing air quality that every engineer must be aware of. 

Bio-filtration

Bio-filtration, an economical and effective air pollution technology, is used in a wide range of industrial emission sources. The control efficiency that can be achieved using this technique is about 90% in most cases and works best for gases with a high concentration of biodegradable organic compounds. Demand for this technique is triggered by the increasing control over volatile organic compounds and other toxins in the industrial arena.  

Electrostatic Precipitators

One of the most renowned ways of removing particles from the industrial exhaust gas stream is electrostatic precipitation. Since optimizing the efficiency of the precipitator lies in the hands of the engineers, the significance of the technology is emphasized right from the FE review course material. During this process, engineers work on the size of the precipitator using relevant computer models to maximize gas collecting efficiency. 

Baghouses

Baghouse filters allow the separation of particulate matters from the air. Baghouses are highly versatile, and the size and type of bag can be altered to fit into a number of different applications. The modular design of the baghouse is easy to assemble and works best in dry environments. The commonly observed use of baghouses is in the removal of particulate matter in cement plants and coal-fired power plants. 

Cyclones

Cyclonic separation can be applied to cases where particles as small as 5 microns must be removed from the gas stream. Engineers can work with the system design of these cyclones and apply certain modifications to the basic layout in order to satisfy the particular needs of an industry. Cyclones are used in industrial applications, consumer goods and in the mining sector. The efficiency of this technology greatly depends on the careful engineering of the cyclone equipment.  

Settling Velocity

Based on the famous Stoke's law, settling velocity technique works through the simple principle which implies that air particles remain suspended in air when their speed is greater than the upward current. This very basic principle of science is put to use for controlling air purity in a number of commercial applications. 

Air Pollution Control (APC) Technology is an essential feature of engineering and as a matter of fact one of the fundamentals of engineering exam papers is to focus on these techniques and their various applications.