Environmental chemistry is a fast developing science aimed at
deciphering fundamental mechanisms ruling the behaviour of pollutants in
ecosystems. Applying this knowledge to current environmental issues
leads to the remediation of environmental media, and to new, low energy,
low emission, sustainable processes. Nanotechnology applications for
alternative energies such as solar power, fuel cells, hydrogen and
lithium batteries are reviewed in the first section. Recent
investigations on carbon nanotubes, nanocatalysts and cyclodextrins
disclose unprecedented techniques to monitor and clean pollutants such
as greenhouse gases, heavy metals, pesticides, pathogens occurring in
water, air and soil. The second section reviews the risks for human
health of critical pollutants such as endocrine disruptors, dioxins and
heavy metals contaminating seafood and sediments. An exhaustive review
of DDT isomers reveals unexpected mechanisms of DDT transfer to fishes.
A chapter on pollutant geochronology using river sedimentary archives
provides novel insights on pollution history since the beginning of the
anthropocene.
This book will be a valuable source of information for engineers and
students developing novel applied techniques to monitor and clean
pollutants in air, wastewater, soils and sediments.