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INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY
Environmental chemistry is the study of the chemical and biochemical phenomena that occur in nature. It involves the understanding of how the uncontaminated environment works, and which naturally occurring chemicals are present, in what concentrations and with what effects. Environmental chemistry; is the study of sources, reactions, transport, effects and fate of chemical species in water, soil and air environment as well as their effects on human health and natural environment
Significance of studying Environmental Chemistry
Environmental chemistry is involved in :
Promotion of environmental health standards and quality of life
Conservation of resources
Developing of non-polluting chemical recycling processes with zero loss
Monitoring pollution sources in the environment
Engaging and implementing government policies on environmental issues
Environmental chemistry is very important for predicting the fate of chemical reactions that natural compounds and artificial pollutants may undergo, understanding their interactions
It helps in predicting what happens to certain compounds if discharged in the environment and if organisms not come in contact with them
It is fundamental to know what are a biotic- transformations, the metabolic pathways or other biotic transformations carried out by micro-organisms that take place under environmental conditions (aerobic and anaerobic)
Reactions such as dissolution, hydrolysis, precipitation, photolysis, adsorption/desorption, ion-exchange, complexation, oxidation –reduction, biodegradation, polymerization and others takes place in the environment and may affect the solubility of pollutants and their mobility, speciation and toxicity. This in turn, can define the greatest extent the dispersion, bioavailability and risk associated with them
Environmental chemistry also provides data input for risk assessment and treatability studies and determines the required level of environmental quality or control needed in the system. All these factors are particularly important when making cost effective decisions about discharge treatments or risk management decisions or determining environmental impact mitigation measures
Environmental chemistry can be applied to treat wastes, and to prevent and reduce the impact of certain discharges into the environment. The basic knowledge is vital for understanding of processes such as water and waste water treatment, air pollution control and waste management
The Role of Environmental Chemistry in environmental science and technology
Modern technology has provided the means of alteration of the environment and pollution of the environment. However, technology involved with a strong environmental awareness also provide the means for dealing with the problem of environmental pollution and degradation
Ways technology has contributed to environmental degradation
Some of the major ways in which modern technology has contributed to environmental alteration and pollution are the following
:Agricultural practices that have resulted in intensive cultivation of land, drainage of wetlands, irrigation of arid lands, and application of herbicides and insecticides
Manufacturing of huge quantities of industrial products that consumes vast amounts of raw materials and produces large quantities of air pollutants, water pollutants, and hazardous waste by-products
Extraction and production of minerals and other raw materials with accompanying environmental disruption and pollution
Energy production and utilization with environmental effects that include disruption of soil by strip mining, pollution of water by release of salt- water from petroleum production, and emission of air pollutants such as acid-rain-forming sulphur-dioxide
Modern transportation practices, particularly reliance on the automobile, that cause scarring of land surfaces from road construction, emission of air pollutants, and greatly increased demands for fossil fuel resources
How Technology can be used to control or minimize environmental impacts
Use of state-of-the-art computerized control systems to achieve maximum energy efficiency, maximum utilization of raw materials, and minimum production of pollutant by-products
Use of materials that minimize pollution problems, for example heat resistant materials that enable use of high temperatures for efficient thermal processes
Application of processes and materials that enable maximum materials recycling and minimum waste product production, for example, advanced membrane processes for wastewater treatment to enable water recycling
Application of advanced biotechnologies such as in the biological treatment of wastes
Use of best available catalysts for efficient synthesis
Use of lasers for precision machining and processing to minimize waste production