ABSTRACT
The interactions of physical, chemical, and biological processes in coupled natural systems and the built environment have given rise to the intertwined complexity, diversity, and persistence of various types of environmental problems. Environmental protection and restoration of air, soil, and water quality in relation to land use and regional planning are deeply rooted in spatiotemporal evolution at different scales. To achieve sound environmental resources management, there is often a need to investigate pollutant storage, transport, and transformation in both natural systems and the built environment. However, it is recognized that the sustainable management of human society is necessary at all phases of impact from the interactions among energy, environment, ecology, public health, and socioeconomic paradigms. Such a multidisciplinary nature of sustainability concern is truly a challenging task that requires employing a systems analysis approach.
