Introduction to Environmental Chemistry

A device for measuring ozone in the atmosphere.

Explanation of ozone layer existence, created in 1930.

Air pollution caused by chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

Chlorofluorocarbons detected in the atmosphere in 1973.

Awarded in 1995 for ozone research.

The Earth's early atmosphere, primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, along with some simple compounds like ammonia and methane.

The atmosphere formed after the Earth cooled, mainly composed of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. It was also known as the reducing atmosphere.

The atmosphere that formed after UV radiation broke down water vapor, creating oxygen. However, the amount of oxygen from this process was minimal.

The Earth formed as a hot, molten rock, resulting in the initial atmosphere.

Active volcanoes released gases from the Earth's interior, contributing to the secondary atmosphere.

As the atmosphere cooled, water vapor condensed into clouds, leading to the formation of oceans.

The process where oceans absorbed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The breaking down of water vapor by strong ultraviolet radiation, which resulted in the formation of oxygen.

The most abundant gases in the atmosphere, primarily nitrogen, oxygen, and argon.

Gases present in much smaller amounts than major components, including noble gases, and others like methane and nitrous oxide.

Essential for living organisms, removed from the atmosphere, enters living systems through the nitrogen cycle.

Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), a usable form for living beings.

Crucial for living things, exchanged between atmosphere and biosphere via photosynthesis and respiration.

Mostly a radiogenic isotope formed from potassium decay in Earth's crust.

Atmospheric gases with relatively stable concentrations over time.

Atmospheric gases with concentrations that fluctuate within a range over time.

Inorganic components of soil, primarily minerals, make up over 90% of the Earth's crust by weight.

Primary minerals are minerals that haven't been chemically altered since they formed from molten lava.

These are common examples of primary minerals found in soils.

Secondary minerals form from the weathering of primary minerals, through changes in their structure or reprecipitation.

Humus is another name for soil organic matter (SOM), which includes all the organic compounds in soil.

The presence of divalent metallic cations, like calcium, magnesium, strontium, iron, and manganese, in water, mainly originating from limestone formations.

The study of chemical composition, properties, and reactions within soil, focusing on how these factors influence plant growth and the environment.

A branch of soil chemistry investigating chemical reactions in soil concerning environmental contaminants, like metals and organic chemicals, and their impacts on living things.

Larger soil structures formed by the aggregation of sand, silt, and clay particles, often shaped by soil-forming factors.

Distinct layers within the soil, each with varying texture, structure, color, and other properties, developing from the surface to the underlying rock.

The smallest unit considered 'soil,' including all horizons from the surface down to the underlying rock.

An area containing similar pedons, indicating a consistent soil type.

Oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, carbon, calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium are the most abundant elements found in soils.

A complex mixture of decomposed plant and animal matter, microbial byproducts, and living organisms.

Cleaning up contaminated soil without removing it from the site.

Removing contaminants by turning them into vapors and removing them using air flow.

Breaking down contaminants using naturally occurring microbes in the soil.

Using plants to clean up soil and water contamination.

A measure of soil's ability to retain positively charged nutrients.

Cleaning up contaminated soil by removing it from the site for treatment.