Many students who have a keen interest in the environment and want to study it do not always have the same degree of interest in chemistry. They do, though, need to be aware that answers to a range of environmental questions cannot be provided unless some key areas in basic chemistry are understood. This book tries to link the learning of this basic chemistry to its application in the explanation of, and the solving of, environmental problems and tries to bridge the gap between the less and more advanced books on environmental chemistry. It should be understandable by readers who have a basic knowledge of chemistry. The chemistry underpins many examples of environmental problems and concerns such as radon in the environment, the erosion of the stonework of York Minster, nuclear accidents, the asbestos time-bomb, Itai–Itai disease and so on. Some chapters have been included, such as risk assessment and the origin and development of Earth, which are not normally found in environmental chemistry textbooks.
This book should be useful to A-level students, first-year undergraduates or to anyone
else who has a limited background in chemistry. It starts at GCSE chemistry or combined
science level, and quickly proceeds to about A-level standard and beyond in some areas
of chemistry. Students who have to study environmental chemistry as part of some
qualification in environmental science/studies/management should also find the contents
useful.
