Environmental chemistry

Environmental chemistry is the <a href="/facts/Science/IJoaD7rs">scientific study</a> of the chemical and <a href="/facts/Biochemistry/fa2pWEBp">biochemical</a> phenomena that occur in natural places. It should not be confused with <a href="/facts/Green_chemistry/7csVY28w">green chemistry</a>, which seeks to reduce potential pollution at its source. It can be defined as the study of the sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates of chemical species in the <a href="/facts/Earth%2527s_atmosphere/FV97Am25">air</a>, <a href="/facts/Soil/5Ddpr3QM">soil</a>, and <a href="/facts/Water_body/MoDAUuW4">water</a> environments; and the effect of human activity and <a href="/facts/Biological_activity/jJ14jyvc">biological activity</a> on these. Environmental chemistry is an <a href="/facts/Interdisciplinarity/HP0uaNUs">interdisciplinary</a> science that includes <a href="/facts/Atmospheric_chemistry/EbmISm33">atmospheric</a>, <a href="/facts/Aquatic_chemistry/eRNr3MH2">aquatic</a> and <a href="/facts/Soil_chemistry/fBA3Vz5w">soil chemistry</a>, as well as heavily relying on <a href="/facts/Analytical_chemistry/MHQf3YP6">analytical chemistry</a> and being related to <a href="/facts/Environmental_science/svr8eCse">environmental</a> and other areas of science.
Environmental chemistry involves first understanding how the <a href="/facts/Contamination/RC0L7KRy">uncontaminated</a> environment works, which chemicals in what concentrations are present naturally, and with what effects. Without this it would be impossible to accurately study the effects humans have on the <a href="/facts/Natural_environment/NzGY148M">environment</a> through the release of <a href="/facts/Chemicals/EWcXU41d">chemicals</a>.
Environmental <a href="/facts/Chemist/N09K7Bdm">chemists</a> draw on a range of concepts from chemistry and various environmental sciences to assist in their study of what is happening to a chemical species in the <a href="/facts/Ecosystem/kVE8mSmR">environment</a>. Important general concepts from chemistry include understanding <a href="/facts/Chemical_reaction/GpqWlKrz">chemical reactions</a> and <a href="/facts/Chemical_equation/S6QsBnm9">equations</a>, <a href="/facts/Solution_(chemistry)/MGchhMQV">solutions</a>, <a href="/facts/Units_of_measurement/pvTpWbmC">units</a>, <a href="/facts/Sampling_(statistics)/kIb01xdL">sampling</a>, and <a href="/facts/Analytical_chemistry/MHQf3YP6">analytical techniques</a>.

Environmental chemistry open-in-new

Environmental chemistry