Environmental chemistry collection



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Environmental chemistry is the study of the sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates of chemical species in the hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere (ref. 1991, Manahan, Stanley E., Environmental Chemistry, 5th Ed., Lewis Publishing, Chelsea, MI). Various subcategories of environmental chemistry include environmental biochemistry, environmental organic chemistry, geochemistry, atmospheric chemistry, and aquatic chemistry. As one can see, environmental chemistry means many things to many people. But all would agree that this science seeks to understand our world through the application of chemical and physical parameters of elements and molecules to systems large and small. For example, this might involve the migration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the atmosphere to water and its accumulation in biota. Or it might involve the degradation of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the stratosphere. Or it might involve the diagenesis of organic matter into coal. 

 

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Citation
Surface, Maggie (Lead Author); Randolph Larsen (Contributing Author); Andy Jorgensen (Topic Editor). 2009. "Environmental chemistry collection." In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 14, 2009; Last revised September 15, 2009; Retrieved November 21, 2009]. <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Environmental_chemistry_collection>
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