What is environmental chemistry?
Q: What is environmental chemistry?
A: Environmental chemistry is the scientific study of the chemical and biochemical phenomena that occur in natural places. It involves understanding the sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates of chemical species in air, soil, and water environments; as well as how human activity affects these.
Q: How does environmental chemistry differ from green chemistry?
A: Environmental chemistry starts by understanding how the uncontaminated environment works. It identifies the chemicals that are present naturally and studies their concentration and effects. Green chemistry tries to reduce potential pollution at its source before it enters into an environment.
Q: What concepts from chemistry are important for environmental chemists to understand?
A: Important general concepts from chemistry include understanding chemical reactions and equations, solutions, units, sampling, and analytical techniques.
Q: What type of compounds do environmental chemists study?
A: Environmental chemists study compounds with biological activity such as pheromones.
Q: What areas does environmental science encompass?
A: Environmental science encompasses atmospheric, aquatic and soil chemistry as well as uses analytical chemistry.
