environmental chemistry
scientific study of the chemical and biochemical phenomena that occur in natural places
AI overview
Environmental chemistry is the scientific study of chemical and biochemical processes that happen in nature, such as how substances break down in air, water, and soil. It matters because understanding these natural chemical reactions helps us address problems like pollution, climate change, and contamination that affect ecosystems and human health.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
White bags filled with contaminated stones line the shore near an industrial oil spill in Raahe, Finland Environmental chemistry is the scientific study of the chemical and biochemical phenomena that occur in natural places. It should not be confused with green chemistry, 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 air, soil, and water environments; and the effect of human activity and biological activity on these. Environmental chemistry is an interdisciplinary science that includes atmospheric, aquatic and soil chemistry, as well as heavily relying on analytical chemistry and being related to environmental and other areas of science.
Environmental chemistry involves first understanding how the uncontaminated 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 environment through the release of chemicals.