Chemistry for Engineers 2

CHEMISTRY OF
THE
ENVIRONMENT
MPS Department | FEU Institute of Technology
 OBJECTIVES

 To discuss environmental chemistry;

 To understand global warming and other types of pollution;
 To understand chemical reactions and processes occurring in soil; and
 To understand environmental cycles involving chemistry.
CHEMISTRY OF
THE
ATMOSPHERE
 OBJECTIVES

 To discuss environmental chemistry;

 To understand environmental cycles involving chemistry.
The supportive atmosphere, the energy
received from the sun, and an
abundance of water are all factors why
there is a rich life on earth. And
behind all this is the understanding of
Chemistry at the heart of environmental
processes and issues.
https://images.app.goo.gl/CuSZt3r2m3VpBxLm7
Atmosphere refers to
the gases surrounding a star or
planetary body held in place by
gravity.

A body is more likely to retain an

atmosphere over time if gravity is high
and the temperature of the atmosphere https://images.app.goo.gl/PidLTjPvBx6tFoNw8

is low.
Approx. wt: 5.3 x 1018 kg

The temperature and composition of

the atmosphere varies with altitude,
and the atmosphere is divided into
several regions.

https://images.app.goo.gl/PidLTjPvBx6tFoNw8
• Thinnest layer (10 km)
• Most active region that contains
almost 80% of the total mass of air
and all the water vapor
• Where all the dramatic events of
weather occurs – rain, hurricanes,
lightning
• Temperature decreases with
increasing altitude (inverse) https://images.app.goo.gl/xqqYVXf3DmLGf2at5
• 10 km – 50 km
• Above the tropopause
• Consists of nitrogen, oxygen,
and ozone
• Temperature increase with altitude
(direct)
Result of the exothermic reactions
induced by UV radiation from the sun
• 275 K at 50 km https://images.app.goo.gl/J7DTPp6VVPgRifk3A
• 50 km – 80 km
• Low concentration of ozone
and other gases
• Temperature decreases
with increasing altitude (inverse)
https://images.app.goo.gl/G2KZfZpW3JFHD5CE8
• 80 km – 500 km
• A.k.a. IONOSPHERE
• Uppermost layer
• Temperature increase with altitude
(direct)
Result of bombardment of molecular
oxygen and nitrogen and atomic
species by energetic particles
(electrons, protons) from the sun
https://images.app.goo.gl/QMBSjX6GZeQPNUMN6
All boundaries between adjacent regions are
indicated with the suffix “-pause” (i.e.
Stratopause and Mesopause). These
boundaries are important because gases mix
across them relatively slowly.

Example: pollutant gasses from the

troposphere enter the tropopause at a very
slow rate.

https://images.app.goo.gl/uZzEEtyX1DToCpz47
https://images.app.goo.gl/njLrM99A7UAXiMqL6
https://images.app.goo.gl/x4cZc7uUj3RrcwMj8
A natural process in which elements
are continuously cycled in various
forms between
different compartments
of the environment (e.g., air, water,
soil, organisms).

https://images.app.goo.gl/JvLiKkQYazWgbxLn6
The carbon cycle is the process in
which carbon travels from the
atmosphere into organisms and
the Earth and then back into the
atmosphere.

Plants take carbon dioxide from

the air and use it to make food.
Animals then eat the food and
carbon is stored in their bodies or
released as CO2 through
respiration.
https://images.app.goo.gl/tUzoi8HdssGNWxAf7
The nitrogen cycle is a
repeating cycle of processes
during which nitrogen moves
through both living and non-
living things: the atmosphere,
soil, water, plants, animals and
bacteria.

https://images.app.goo.gl/w73hjQy7xpkKEbNT7
In general, the nitrogen cycle has five steps:
1.Nitrogen fixation (N2 → NH3/ NH4+ or NO3-)

2.Nitrification (NH3 → NO3-)

3.Assimilation (Incorporation of NH3 and NO3- into biological tissues)

4.Ammonification (organic nitrogen compounds → NH3)

5.Denitrification (NO3- → N2)

Phosphorus in the environment is
mainly found in rocks, and natural
weathering processes can make it
available to biological systems. After
decomposition of biological waste, it
can accumulate in large amounts in
soils and sediments. Phosphorus is used
by humans as a fertilizer in farmlands
and in detergents. Overuse of
phosphorus can lead to
eutrophication.
https://images.app.goo.gl/A1Gzsctkqij5CbRc9
The water cycle describes how
water evaporates from the
surface of the earth, rises into the
atmosphere, cools and condenses
into rain or snow in clouds, and
falls again to the surface as
precipitation.
https://gpm.nasa.gov/education/sites/default/files/article_images/Water-Cycle-Art2A_medium.png
SOIL CHEMISTRY
 OBJECTIVES

 To understand chemical reactions and processes occurring in soil

Soil is a mix of varyingamounts of
inorganic matter, organic matter,
water, and air.

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/courses-images/wp-content/uploads/sites/1842/2017/05/26232337/figure-31-02-01.png
Organic material of soil or humus is
made up of microorganisms (dead and
alive), and dead animals and plants in
varying stages of decay.

The inorganic material of soil is

composed of rock, slowly broken
down into smaller particles that vary
in size.
O Horizon - usually two to three inches
deep, has freshly-decomposing
organic matter, humus, at its surface,
with decomposed vegetation at its
base.

A Horizon - consists of a mixture of

organic material with inorganic
products of weathering; it is the
beginning of true mineral soil.
https://images.app.goo.gl/eBTAX9iVLBjURvki9
B Horizon - or subsoil, is an
accumulation of mostly fine material
that has moved downward, resulting
in a dense layer in the soil.

C Horizon - or soil base, includes

the parent material, plus the organic
and inorganic material that is broken
down to form soil.
The ideal pH range for many crops
is between 6.5 – 7

When soils are either on the very high

or very low end of this spectrum, a
range of issues can occur. One
common issue on farms is the inability
for soil with a high pH to take up iron,
therefore inhibiting plant growth.
https://grabngrowsoil.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/02/under-performing-crops-225x300.png
Nitrogen (N)
Nitrogen is a key element in plant
growth. It is found in all plant cells, in
plant proteins and hormones, and in
chlorophyll.

Phosphorus (P)
Phosphorus helps transfer energy from
sunlight to plants, stimulates early root
and plant growth, and hastens maturity. https://images.app.goo.gl/DGy7McRr9MkJJafz9
Calcium (Ca)
Calcium is essential for root health,
growth of new roots and root hairs, and
the development of leaves.

Magnesium (Mg)
Magnesium is a key component of
chlorophyll, the green colouring
material of plants, and is vital for
photosynthesis (the conversion of the
sun's energy to food for the plant).
https://images.app.goo.gl/1CZbmgeAUza22MZn9
Sulfur (S)
Sulfur is a constituent of amino acids in
plant proteins and is involved in energy-
producing processes in plants. It is
responsible for many flavour and odour
compounds in plants such as the aroma
of onions and cabbage.
https://images.app.goo.gl/GML1R7CzKmJnumnv8
GLOBAL WARMING
AND POLLUTION
 OBJECTIVES

 To understand global warming and other types of pollution

HUMAN ACTIVITIES are
affecting the
atmosphere and the environment.

When the atmospheric changes are

caused by humans, we call them
anthropogenic events.
https://images.app.goo.gl/BrPmE31kEV3k8V6t5
In June 1991, Mount Pinatubo erupted and
released approximately 10 km3 of material
into the stratosphere causing a drop in the
amount of sunlight reaching Earth’s
surface.

This drop caused a temporary 0.5 ⁰C drop

in Earth’s surface temperature. The
volcanic particles remained in the
stratosphere for 3 years.
https://images.app.goo.gl/zn2vGnmAvb5ZqJ3Y8
The ozone layer protects the Earth’s
surface from damaging
ultraviolet radiation.

Therefore, if the concentration of ozone

in the stratosphere decreases
substantially, more UV radiation will
reach the Earth’s surface, causing skin
cancer and other
photochemical reactions. https://images.app.goo.gl/4P52tJPYgLeXftvbA
Paul Crutzen (photo shown) showed that
naturally occurring nitrogen oxides
catalytically destroys ozone.

F. Sherwod Rowland and Mario Molina

recognized that chlorine from CFC deplete
the ozone layer.

These three were awarded the 1995 Nobel Prize

in Chemistry for their studies on the ozone. https://images.app.goo.gl/dzySZKumArPJCeck6
• substances that are principally
CFCl3 and CF2Cl2
• propellants in spray cans,
refrigerant
and air-condition gases, and
foaming agents in plastics
• They are insoluble in water, thus
are not dissolved during rainfall.
https://images.app.goo.gl/8fzxbJkSKYpjDYov8
Trade name: Freon

Includes: CFCl3, CF2Cl2, C2F3Cl3,

C2F4Cl2
• propellants in spray cans,
• refrigerant and air-condition gases,
• foaming agents in plastics
• Cleaning solvent for electronic circuits
https://images.app.goo.gl/8fzxbJkSKYpjDYov8

In 1977, nearly 1.5 x 10 tons of

6

CFCs were produced in US

Formally known as the Montreal Protocol
on
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is
a statute among nations which agreed to
reduce CFC production. More stringent
efforts were made when the signatory states
agreed to ban the use of CFC with
exceptions on “essential use.”
https://images.app.goo.gl/kVn6tjSkM2bW3qmo9
A primary pollutant is an air
pollutant
emitted directly from a source.

Examples: NO, CO and

unburned hydrocarbons
https://images.app.goo.gl/jaBmQSwXwALUG8Wc7
SMOG is a primary pollutant which is primarily due
to Nitrogen Oxides.

This smog is common in urban environments

when weather conditions produce a relatively
stagnant air mass. Eventually, they are called
photochemical smog because of the
photochemical process involved in its formation.

Photo is taken on a skyscraper in manila showing

the presence of heavy smog. https://images.app.goo.gl/DcGAURqY6MMVBfzf9
PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG is formed by
the reactions of automobile exhaust in the
presence of sunlight.

About 50% of the nitrogen oxide emission

comes from cars, buses, and other forms of
transportation which is the primary cause
of Smog.
https://images.app.goo.gl/DcGAURqY6MMVBfzf9
A secondary pollutant is not directly
emitted as such, but forms when other
pollutants (primary pollutants) react in
the atmosphere.

Examples: NO2 and O3

https://images.app.goo.gl/jaBmQSwXwALUG8Wc7
Lawrence S. Brown and Thomas A. Holme (2018), Chemistry for Engineering Students : Cengage
Learning
Roxy Wilson (2018), Solutions to Red Exercises: Chemistry: The Central Science : United Kingdom:
Pearson
Theodore E. Brown, et. al.(2018), Chemistry: The Central Science (14th Edition) : United Kingdom:
Pearson
Unknown Author (2018), Chemistry in Context: McGraw-Hill Education
Chang, Raymond and Kenneth A. Goldsby (2016). Chemistry. New York: McGraw Hill
International Edition.

Online References:
http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/index.php
http://www.sparknotes.com/chemistry/
http://m.learning.hccs.edu/faculty/laimutis.bytautas/chem1411