Environmental Chemistry is a relatively young science. Interest in this subject, however, is growing very rapidly and, although no agreement has been reached as yet about the exact content and limits of this interdisciplinary discipline, there appears to be increasing interest in seeing environmental topics which are based on chemistry embodied in this subject. One of the ?rst objectives of Environmental Chemistry must be the study of the environment and of natural chemical processes which occur in the environment. A major purpose of this series on Environmental Chemistry, therefore, is to present a reasonably uniform view of various aspects of the chemistry of the environment and chemical reactions occurring in the environment. The industrial activities of man have given a new dimension to Envir- mental Chemistry. We have now synthesized and described over ?ve million chemical compounds and chemical industry produces about hundred and ?fty million tons of synthetic chemicals annually. We ship billions of tons of oil per year and through mining operations and other geophysical modi?cations, large quantities of inorganic and organic materials are released from their natural deposits. Cities and metropolitan areas of up to 15 million inhabitants produce large quantities of waste in relatively small and con?ned areas. Much of the chemical products and waste products of modern society are released into the environment either during production, storage, transport, use or ultimate disposal. These released materials participate in natural cycles and reactions and frequently lead to interference and disturbance of natural systems.
From the reviews:
"Written by recognised specialists in the field, this book will be of interest to a broad audience of analytical chemists, environmental scientists, toxicologists and technologists working in the field of the water cycle, but also to policy makers and stakeholders that need to manage real-world environmental problems associated with fuel oxygenates contaminating groundwater resources. Overall, the present book is certainly timely since the interest in fuel oxygenates in the environment has grown considerably during the last few years." (International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 88 (9), August, 2008)
