Environmental Chemistry

Environmental chemistry is the scientific study of the chemical and biochemical phenomena that occur in natural places. It focuses on the sources, reactions, transport, effects, and ultimate fates of chemical species in the air, water, and soil, as well as their impact on living organisms. Drawing heavily on principles from analytical, organic, and physical chemistry, along with toxicology and biology, this applied field seeks to understand the extent of human-caused and natural contamination and develop solutions for pressing global issues such as pollution, waste remediation, and climate change.

1. Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
   1. Defining Environmental Chemistry
      1. Definition and Historical Development
      2. Scope and Interdisciplinary Nature
      3. Interactions with Environmental Policy and Regulation
   2. Relationship to Core Chemistry Disciplines
      1. Analytical Chemistry
         1. Role in Environmental Monitoring
         2. Quantitative Analysis Methods
      2. Organic Chemistry
         1. Organic Pollutants in the Environment
         2. Molecular Structure and Environmental Behavior
      3. Physical Chemistry
         1. Thermodynamics in Environmental Processes
         2. Kinetics in Environmental Processes
         3. Phase Equilibria
      4. Inorganic Chemistry
         1. Inorganic Contaminants and Reactions
         2. Metal Speciation
   3. Relationship to Other Sciences
      1. Biology and Ecology
         1. Biochemical Interactions
         2. Ecological Impacts of Chemicals
         3. Ecosystem Dynamics
      2. Geology and Hydrology
         1. Geochemical Cycles
         2. Groundwater Chemistry
         3. Surface Water Chemistry
      3. Toxicology
         1. Chemical Hazards and Health Effects
         2. Risk Assessment Principles
      4. Atmospheric Science
         1. Atmospheric Reactions and Transport
         2. Climate Chemistry
   4. Fundamental Concepts
      1. Environmental Compartments
         1. Atmosphere
            1. Gaseous Composition
            2. Atmospheric Interfaces
            3. Vertical Structure
         2. Hydrosphere
            1. Surface Water Systems
            2. Groundwater Systems
            3. Ocean Chemistry
         3. Geosphere
            1. Soil Chemistry
            2. Sediment Chemistry
            3. Mineral Interactions
         4. Biosphere
            1. Living Organisms as Chemical Reservoirs
            2. Biotic-Abiotic Interactions
      2. Chemical Transport and Fate
         1. Partitioning between Phases
            1. Air-Water Partitioning
            2. Water-Soil Partitioning
            3. Partition Coefficients
         2. Transport Mechanisms
            1. Advection
            2. Dispersion
            3. Volatilization
         3. Chemical Transformations
            1. Abiotic Degradation
            2. Biodegradation
            3. Photochemical Reactions
      3. Units and Concentrations
         1. Molarity and Molality
         2. Parts per Million
         3. Parts per Billion
         4. Parts per Trillion
         5. Mass per Volume Units
         6. Unit Conversions