Chemistry of The Environment

Chemistry of the Environment provides a basic level of chemical knowledge on the principles of environmental chemistry and a general understanding of environmental problems. Organized into 17 chapters, this book is developed from the notes for a course in "Chemistry of the Environment for juniors, seniors, and graduate students in Science and Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
The opening chapters of this book discuss the problems related to waste disposal and energy production and the principles of atmospheric circulation and photochemical reactions, with an emphasis on the effects of human activities on the atmosphere and climate. Considerable chapters are devoted to various industries, including petroleum chlorinated hydrocarbons, pesticides, heavy metals, and nuclear chemistry, and the contributions of these industries to environmental problems. General topics on both natural and technological processes that impinge on the environment are explored. Other chapters discuss the principles of atmospheric photochemistry and the natural and artificial photochemical processes occurring in the biosphere. This book also examines the chemistry of some of the most important elements and how they relate to the properties of the environment and to biological effects. The concluding chapter provides insights into the nature, as well as the sources and the hazards of ionizing radiation in the environment, with particular emphasis on naturally occurring and artificial nuclear sources of ionizing radiation.
This book is of great benefit to environmental chemists and researchers, biochemists, and elementary organic chemists.

Contenu

Preface

1. Introduction
   1.1 General
   1.2 Waste Disposal
   1.3 Problems Associated with Energy Production
   1.4 The Scope of Chemistry of the Environment
2. Energy
   2.1 Introduction
   2.2 Thermodynamic Considerations
   2.3 Fossil Fuels
   2.4 Nuclear Energy
   2.5 Solar Energy
   2.6 Geothermal Energy
   2.7 Wind and Water Energy Sources
   2.8 Energy Storage
   2.9 Generation of Electricity from Fuels
   2.10 The Energy Future
   Bibliography
3. Atmospheric Composition and Behavior
   3.1 Introduction
   3.2 Gaseous Constituents of the Atmosphere
   3.3 History of the Atmosphere
   3.4 Particulate Constituents of the Atmosphere
   3.5 Extent of the Atmosphere and Its Temperature and Pressure Profile
   3.6 General Circulation of the Atmosphere
   Bibliography
4. Energy and Climate
   4.1 Energy Balance of the Earth
   4.2 Climate History of the Earth
   4.3 Causes of Global Climate Changes
   4.4 Small-Scale Climate
   4.5 Temperature Inversions
   Bibliography
5. Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Coal
   5.1 Introduction
   5.2 The Nature of Petroleum
   5.3 Use of Petroleum in the Internal Combustion Engine
   5.4 Chemical Modification of Petroleum Distillates
   5.5 Environmental Reactions of Petroleum and Some Petroleum Derivatives
   5.6 Sources of Crude Oil and Hydrocarbons in the Sea
   5.7 Marine Effects of Crude Oil
   5.8 Sources of Hydrocarbons and Other Compounds in the Atmosphere
   5.9 Coal
   Bibliography
6. Soaps and Detergents
   6.1 Introduction
   6.2 Properties of Soaps and Detergents
   6.3 Synthesis of Soaps
   6.4 Synthesis of Detergents
   6.5 The Metabolism of Hydrocarbons, Soaps, and Detergents
   6.6 Environmental Effects of Biodegradable Organic Compounds
   Bibliography
7. Pesticides, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and Other Chloroorganic Compounds
   7.1 Introduction
   7.2 Chemistry of Chlorinated Organic Compounds
   7.3 Polychlorinated Biphenyls
   7.4 DDT
   7.5 Lindane
   7.6 Polychlorinated Cyclopentadiene Derivatives
   7.7 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4,5-T)
   7.8 Long-Term Effects of Organochlorine Compounds
   7.9 Global Distribution of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
   7.10 Organophosphorus Insecticides
   7.11 Other Pesticides in Common Use
   Bibliography
8. Third Generation Insect Control
   8.1 Introduction
   8.2 Pheromones and Attractants
   8.3 Juvenile and Molting Hormones
   8.4 Antijuvenile Hormones from Plants
   8.5 Insect Predators-Viruses and Bacteria
   8.6 Insect Sterilization
   8.7 Integrated Pest Control
   Bibliography
9. Principles of Photochemistry
   9.1 Introduction
   9.2 Principles of Photochemistry and the Absorption of Light
   9.3 Kinetics of Thermal Processes
   9.4 Kinetics of Photochemical Processes
   9.5 Designation of Spectroscopic States
   9.6 Photophysical Effects of Light Absorption
   Bibliography
10. Atmospheric Photochemistry
    10.1 Introduction
    10.2 Reactions in the Upper Atmosphere
    10.3 Photochemistry in the Lower Atmosphere-Photochemical Smog
    Bibliography
11. Photochemistry in the Biosphere
    11.1 Introduction
    11.2 Artificial Photochemical Storage of Solar Energy
    11.3 Photosynthesis, Biological Utilization of Solar Energy
    Bibliography
12. Polymers and Plastics
    12.1 Introduction
    12.2 Formulation of Synthetic Polymers
    12.3 Polymer Synthesis
    12.4 Environmental Degradation of Synthetic Polymers
    12.5 Design of Environmentally Degradable Polymers
    Bibliography
13. Chemistry in Aqueous Media
    13.1 Water in the Environment
    13.2 Interactions in Water
    13.3 Acid-Base Properties
    13.4 Effects of Temperature and Pressure on Equilibrium
    13.5 Oxidation-Reduction Processes
    13.6 Coordination Chemistry
    Bibliography
14. The Environmental Chemistry on Some Important Elements
    14.1 Introduction
    14.2 The Carbon Cycle, CO2, and Carbonates
    14.3 Sulfur and the Sulfur Cycle
    14.4 Nitrogen
    14.5 Phosphorus, Fertilizers, and Eutrophication
    14.6 Biologically Important Metals and Trace Elements
    Bibliography
15. Natural Water Systems
    15.1 Composition of Water Bodies
    15.2 Model Ocean Systems
    15.3 Residence Times
    15.4 Water Treatment
    Bibliography
16. The Earth's Crust
    16.1 Rocks and Minerals
    16.2 Recovery of Metals from Their Ores
    16.3 Soils
    16.4 Nonmetallic Mineral Products
    Bibliography
17. Nuclear Chemistry of the Environment
    17.1 Introduction
    17.2 The Kinetics of Radioactivity
    17.3 Modes of Radioactive Decay
    17.4 Interactions of Ionizing Radiation with Matter
    17.5 Dosimetry of Ionizing Radiation
    17.6 Effects of Ionizing Radiation on the Human Body
    17.7 The Natural Background of Ionizing Radiation
    17.8 Man-Made Sources of Ionizing Radiation in the Environment
    17.9 Population Exposure to Ionizing Radiation
    Bibliography
    Index