Environmental Chemistry

Track 10: Environmental Chemistry

Environmental chemistry is a very focused branch of chemistry, containing aspects of organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry and inorganic chemistry, as well as more diverse areas, such as biology, toxicology, biochemistry, public health and epidemiology. Environmental chemists work in a variety of public, private and government laboratories. One of environmental chemistry’s major challenges is the determination of the nature and quantity of specific pollutants in the environment. Thus, chemical analysis is a vital first step in environmental chemistry research.

Environmental chemistry is socially important because it deals with the environmental impact of pollutants, the reduction of contamination and management of the environment. Environmental chemist study the behaviour of pollutants and their environmental effects on the air, water and soil environments, as well as their effects on human health and the natural environment.