Environmental Issues in Chemical Perspective

An in-depth presentation of the chemistry required to evaluate the choices we must make regarding our environment, this study has four parts: energy, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and the biosphere. Each part is followed by problem sets that require the application of chemical principles to such issues as dwindling natural gas and petroleum resources; fission and fusion as energy sources; CO2 build-up and the greenhouse effect; automobile emission control; acid rain; eutrophication of lakes; lead, mercury, and cadmium poisoning; and environmental links to cancer. An answer manual for the problems is included.

Social, political, and economic concerns are also covered. The authors show how chemists and non-chemist decision-makers can take account of each other's perspectives.