Question

What is environmental chemistry? Discuss its social relevance.

Answer 1

Hint : In order to answer this question, first we will discuss the whole explanation of environmental chemistry in which we will discuss why we study environmental chemistry and then we will also discuss its social relevance.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
The scientific study of chemical and biological events that occur in natural settings is known as environmental chemistry. It's not to be confused with green chemistry, which aims to eliminate pollution at the source. It is the study of chemical species' sources, reactions, movement, impacts, and destinies in the air, soil, and water environments, as well as the impact of human and biological activity on these. Environmental chemistry is an interdisciplinary subject that encompasses atmospheric, aquatic, and soil chemistry, as well as relying significantly on analytical chemistry and being linked to other fields of study.
Understanding how the uncontaminated environment functions, which chemicals are present naturally in what concentrations, and with what consequences, is the first step in environmental chemistry. It would be hard to evaluate the effects humans have on the environment through chemical emission without this. To aid in their study of what is occurring to a chemical species in the environment, environmental chemists use a variety of concepts from chemistry and several environmental disciplines. Understanding chemical reactions and equations, solutions, units, sampling, and analytical procedures are all important general chemistry concepts.
Environmental chemistry is an interdisciplinary study that encompasses atmospheric, aquatic, and soil chemistry, as well as analytical chemistry and connections to other fields of research.

Note :
Implementation or applications of environment chemistry:-
(1) Land contamination with heavy metals due to industry. These can then be carried into bodies of water and consumed by live organisms.
(2) Nutrients leaching into waterways from agricultural land can cause algal blooms and eutrophication.
(3) During rainstorms, pollutants wash off impermeable surfaces such as highways, parking lots, and rooftops, resulting in urban runoff. Gasoline, motor oil, and other hydrocarbon chemicals, as well as metals, minerals, and silt, are common contaminants (soil).