An Introduction to Environmental Chemistry

Contents

List of boxes ix

Preface to the second edition xi

Preface to the first edition xii

Acknowledgements xiv

Symbols and abbreviations xviii

1 Introduction 1

1.1 What is environmental chemistry? 1
1.2 In the beginning 2
1.3 Origin and evolution of the Earth 2
1.3.1 Formation of the crust and atmosphere 4
1.3.2 The hydrosphere 5
1.3.3 The origin of life and evolution of the atmosphere 8
1.4 Human effects on biogeochemical cycles? 9
1.5 The structure of this book 11
1.6 Internet keywords 12
1.7 Further reading 13
1.8 Internet search keywords 13

2 Environmental chemist’s toolbox 14

2.1 About this chapter 14
2.2 Order in the elements? 14
2.3 Bonding 19
2.3.1 Covalent bonds 19
2.3.2 Ionic bonding, ions and ionic solids 20