Environmental Chemistry

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Environmental Chemistry

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Many controversial environmental issues revolve around complex scientific arguments whichcan be better understood with at least a minimal knowledge of the chemical reactions and processes going on in the world around us. Environmental Chemistry offers an introduction to chemical principles and concepts and applies them to relevant environmental situations and issues. Environmental Chemistry first considers some basic chemical concepts, including the structure of the atom, the elements,isotopes, radioactive decay, electronic configurations, chemical reactivity and bonding, the mole as a unit and chemical solution concentration and pH. It then examines such topics as:
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planet Earth and the origin of our environment – the formation of elements and Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere; the Earth as a finite resource – renewable and non-renewableresources; risk and hazards – risk assessment and management and hazard identification; energy, entropy and rates of reaction – an introduction to chemical reactions occurring in the environment; an introduction to the lithosphere and its erosion and pollution; the chemistry of the atmosphere and its pollution; the properties of natural waters and their pollution; organic chemicals and theirenvironmental effects; energy production.

Environmental Chemistry makes the subject accessible to those with little or no previous knowledge of chemistry. It is highly illustrated with global case studies, figures and tables and contains end of chapter summaries, discussion questions and annotated guides for further reading. John Wright is Principal Lecturer and Head of Programme for Geography and AppliedEnvironmental Science in the School of Education and Theology at York St John, College of the University of Leeds, UK.

Routledge Introductions to Environment Series
Published and Forthcoming Titles
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Titles under Series Editors: Rita Gardner and A.M. Mannion Environmental Science texts Atmospheric Processes andSystems Natural Environmental Change Biodiversity and Conservation Ecosystems Environmental Biology Using Statistics to Understand the Environment Coastal Systems Environmental Physics Environmental Chemistry Titles under Series Editor: David Pepper Environment and Society texts Environment and Philosophy Environment and Social Theory Energy, Society and Environment, 2nd edition Environment and TourismGender and Environment Environment and Business Environment and Politics, 2nd edition Environment and Law Environment and Society

Forthcoming: Environmental Policy (July 2003) Environmental Values (September 2003) Representing the Environment (October 2003) Environment and the City (January 2004) Environment and Sustainable Development (December 2004)

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Routledge Introductions to Environment

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Environmental Chemistry
John Wright

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First published 2003 by Routledge 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EESimultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2005. “To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s collection of thousands of eBooks please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.” Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group © 2003 John Wright All...