Environmental Geochemistry
I- Atmosphere
Structure and composition of the Atmosphere
 Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, and Thermosphere (Fig. 1).
 Temperature variation in atmosphere (Fig. 1).
 Composition (Table 1).
The ozone hole
 Effects of ultraviolet radiation on the atmosphere
 Types of ultraviolet radiation
 Effects of UV radiation on the biosphere
 Absorption of UV rays (Fig. 2)
 Ozone in the stratosphere and effect of CFC’s
 Ozone hole above Antarctica: Why Antarctica
The Greenhouse Effect:
 Effects of infrared radiation
 Global warming gases
 Global warming potentials and residence times (Tables 2 & 3).
II-
Hydrosphere
A- Groundwater
 Sources of contamination:
1. Industry
2. Septic tanks
3. Landfills
4. Chemical spills
5. Mining
6. Highway deicing salts
7. Agriculture
8. Atmospheric contaminants
9. Radioactive waste.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Attenuation mechanisms:
Dilution
Dispersion
Mechanical filtration
Volatilization
Ion exchange
Biodegradation
Radioactive decay
 Groundwater remediation: (very expensive!)
1. Identify the source
2. Risk- based corrective action: must monitor all the time.
3. Remove or isolate the contaminant: Source control measure (check example on
landfills in text)
4. Pump & treat plume
5. Natural and enhanced bioremediation
B- Surface water
 Industrial contamination: organic and inorganic compounds
 Agricultural contamination
C- Oceans and Coastal contamination
 Residence times: Conservative and non-conservative elements
 CO2 levels and their “anticipated” effects on the buffer capacity of oceans
 Oil spills
 Waste
III- Biosphere
A. “Endogenous” vs. “Exogenous” elements (Table 4)
B. Absorption, Distribution & Excretion
C. Toxicity of Metals
D. Toxic levels (Fig. 3)
E. Neurotoxins:
1. Hg  Central nervous system through diffusion
2. Pb  Degenerative brain disease; learning disabilities in children
3. Al  Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
 Renal Toxins:
1. U  Kills some kidney cells responsible for reabsorption of
glucose, amino acids, and some proteins.
2. Cd, Pb & Hg  damage cells, inhibit reabsorption of Na
3. Pt  Kidney damage and renal failure.
 Carcinogens:
Ni and Cr  respiratory cancers
 Dermatological disorders:
Ni, Cr, Be, Co, Au, and Pt.
Hazards of Minerals:
Asbestos: Crocidolite vs. Chrysotile
Uraninite
Kidney stones and pancreatic stones: “Biominerals” (Table 5).