Environmental Chemistry: A global perspective

About the Book

Chemical processes shape the world we live in; the air we breathe, the water we drink, the weather we experience. Environmental Chemistry: a global perspective describes those chemical principles which underpin the natural processes occurring within and between the air, water, and soil, and explores how human activities impact on these processes, giving rise to environmental issues of global concern. Guiding us through the chemical composition of the three key environmental systems - the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and terrestrial environment - the authors explain the chemical processes which occur within and between each system. Focusing on general principles, we are introduced to the essential chemical concepts which allow better understanding of air, water, and soil and how they behave; careful explanations ensure that clarity is not sacrificed at the expense of thorough coverage of the underlying chemistry. We then see how human activity continues to affect the chemical behaviour of these environmental systems, and what the consequences of these natural processes being disturbed can be. Environmental Chemistry: a global perspective takes chemistry out of the laboratory, and shows us its importance in the world around us. With illuminating examples from around the globe, its rich pedagogy, and broad, carefully structured coverage, this book is the perfect resource for any environmental chemistry student wishing to develop a thorough understanding of their subject.

Table of Contents:
1: Environmental chemistry Part A: The Earth's atmosphere 2: The Earth's atmosphere 3: Stratospheric chemistry - ozone 4: Tropospheric chemistry - smog 5: Tropospheric chemistry - precipitation 6: Atmospheric aerosols 7: Chemistry of urban and indoor atmospheres 8: The chemistry of global climate Part B: The hydrosphere 9: The hydrosphere 10: Distribution of species in aquatic systems 11: Gases in water 12: Organic matter in water 13: Metals and semi-metals in the hydrosphere 14: Environmental chemistry of colloids and surfaces 15: Microbiological processes 16: Water pollution and water treatment chemistry Part C: The terrestrial environment 17: The terrestrial environment 18: Soil properties 19: The chemistry of solid wastes 20: Toxic organic chemicals 21: The future Earth Appendices

About the Author :
Gary W. vanLoon, Emeritus Professor, School of Environmental Studies Queen's University, Canada, Stephen J. Duffy, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Mount Allison University, Canada

Review :
`The book is well written and clear to understand. Unlike its competitors, it makes the complex simple.' Matthew-John Tully, student, University of Bangor`I enjoyed reading Environmental Chemistry and I feel that it was very helpful in aiding my understanding of the subject. It includes many worked examples with explanations and clear diagrams.' Xinci Koh, student, University of Durham`This text gives a thorough treatment of all aspects of environmental chemistry. I particularly liked the inclusion of the more probing Fermi questions that require integration of the material with concepts and ideas beyond the text and lead to some very interesting results!' Patrick Boaler, student, University of York`Environmental Chemistry is a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to the chemistry of the Earths atmosphere and environment. The authors provide clear graphs and diagrams throughout to explain the text in a concise manner. Throughout, the theory is supported strongly with data, research and calculations.' Adam Stubbs, student, Newcastle University`Review from previous edition 'It builds knowledge from the fundamentals of the different disciplines of chemistry, with special emphasis on important concepts from physical, organic and inorganic chemistry. It could be of use to any student of experimental sciences, or even technology, seeking to get a basic knowledge of the subject, but it is especially recommendable to chemistry students who are in the final stage of their degrees.'' The Higher Education Academy UK Physical Sciences Centre`'What makes this book outstanding is its blending of both qualitative and quantitative discussion, illustration, data, examples, and problems. As such, it sets the stage for the rigorous undergraduate study of environmental chemistry by providing a balanced and thorough framework of issues environmental chemists investigate. Environmental Chemistry by vanLoon and Duffy is outstanding, will serve as a great foundation for an undergraduate environmental chemistry course, and is a book that both instructors and students are sure to keep on their bookshelves long after they complete the course.'' Journal of Chemical Education, 2012`'From the earth's atmosphere to the aquatic systems of the sea, this book is indispensable for anyone interested in environmental chemistry.'' Georgiana Gibson-Daw, student, University of East Anglia