Chemical processes shape the world we live in - the air we breathe, the water we drink, the weather we experience. Environmental Chemistry: a global perspective describes those chemical principles which underpin the natural processes occurring within and between the air, water, and soil, and explores how human activities impact on these processes, giving rise to environmental issues of global concern. Guiding us through the chemical composition of the three key environmental systems - the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and terrestrial environment - the authors explain the chemical processes which occur within and between each system. Focusing on general principles, we are introduced to the essential chemical concepts which underpin an understanding of the air, water, and soil and how they behave; careful explanations ensure that clarity is not sacrificed at the expense of thorough coverage of the underlying chemistry. We then see how human activity continues to affect the chemical behaviour of these environmental systems, and what the consequences of these natural processes being disturbed can be. Environmental Chemistry: a global perspective takes chemistry out of the laboratory, and shows us its importance in the world around us. With illuminating examples from around the globe, its rich pedagogy, and broad, carefully structured coverage, this book is the perfect resource for any environmental chemistry student wishing to develop a thorough understanding of their subject. Supplementary resources Companion web site featuring: Illustrations available to download Solutions manual, containing solutions to problems presented in the book

Table of Contents

1. Environmental Chemistry; PART A: THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE; 2. The Earth's Atmosphere; 3. Stratospheric chemistry-ozone; 4. Tropospheric chemistry-smog; 5. Tropospheric chemistry-precipitation; 6. Atmospheric aerosols; 7. Chemistry of urban and indoor atmospheres; 8. The chemistry of global climate; PART B: THE HYDROSPHERE; 9. The hydrosphere; 10. Distribution of species in aquatic systems; 11. Gases in water; 12. Organic matter in water; 13. Metals in the hydrosphere; 14. Environmental chemistry of colloids and surfaces; 15. Microbiological processes; 16. Water pollution and waste-water treatment chemistry; PART C: THE TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT; 17. The terrestrial environment; 18. Soil properties; 19. The chemistry of solid wastes; 20. Organic biocides; 21. The future Earth; APPENDICES