Environmental Chemistry A global perspective

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.

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

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