Environmental Science

Often, changes in the abundance and distribution of living organisms over time act as a record or 'early warning system,' of environmental change. Some lichens, for example, can be sensitive to pollutants. Direct sampling and monitoring of the atmosphere, soil, and water systems are used to monitor environmental change and together with observed effects in living organisms help to define acceptable exposure limits for environmental contaminants.

Light microscopy plays an important role in environmental monitoring allowing changes in samples to be identified and characterized - across geological, plant, animal, marine and material systems. Examples include asbestos monitoring in occupational and urban environments, observation and measurement of erosion of buildings, rocks, man-made structures, genetic and pathological examinations of plants and animals exposed to pollutants, and measurements the distribution of organisms with known sensitivity to particular environmental contaminants. The multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies utilizes the entire spectrum of imaging capabilities, but importantly; stereomicroscopy, polarizing, phase contrast imaging, fluorescence imaging, confocal imaging, reflected light methods, and digital imaging and image analysis.