Environmental pollution is one of humanity's most pressing issues and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Anthropogenic activity is disturbing natural cycles and generating pollutants that are altering the atmosphere, accumulating in the food chain and contaminating the world's soils, rivers and oceans. Human health and ecosystems continue to be damaged by toxic metals, persistent organic pollutants, radionuclides and other hazardous materials. The Elements of Environmental Pollution provides comprehensive coverage of this essential subject. It explains the key principles of pollution science, assesses human disturbances of natural element cycles and describes local and global pollution impacts, from smoggy cities, polluted lakes and toxic soils to climate change, ocean acidification and marine dead zones. The book is informed by the latest pollution research and benefits from numerous real-world examples and international case studies. A comprehensive glossary provides clear and concise explanations of key concepts.

This textbook will support teaching and learning in environment-related university courses and will be vital reading for anyone with an interest in environmental protection.

About the Author
John Rieuwerts is Associate Professor in Environmental Science at Plymouth University, UK.

Reviews

"The author writes clearly, targeting undergraduates who have some chemistry background. There is a good selection of end-of-chapter references, and most of them are from very recent research, mainly since 2000. This offers a very up-to-date viewpoint of the subject. The book also provides an unusually useful selection of figures and tables. Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduate and graduate students."

CHOICE, H. E. Pence, SUNY College at Oneonta

"This is an excellent primer that provides a refreshing approach to understanding contemporary pollution issues. It provides a useful systematic approach to examining the role of key elements that chiefly affect human and environmental health; combining their chemistry with relevant environmental processes. This is a very useful text book which should be on hand to all Environmental Science, Chemistry and Geography students."

Crispin Halsall, Lancaster University, UK

"As our generation contemplates conditions being created for future generations, the topic of anthropogenic pollution of air, waters and soils will need to be closely evaluated and considered in order to protect and preserve the Earth's lifeforms, including humans. This book is an important extension of the literature on the role of human activities in changing the environment of the Earth and the topic is handled exceptionally well."

Howard W. Mielke, Tulane University, USA

"I am very impressed by this book. It is clearly written, accurate and places pollution in its correct context. The book fulfils an important need and it is comprehensive and readable."

J.N.B. Bell, Imperial College London, UK

"This book offers a fresh look at the interaction between the building blocks of our planet and human activities. Travelling through the periodic table, it examines the way we affect and may disrupt the life cycles of the most important and abundant elements necessary for life, and as a result influence our health and the health of the ecosystem around us. It is written in an accessible style whilst at the same time is underpinned by clear scientific principles."

Hemda Garelick, Middlesex University, UK

"A highly readable text that is both interesting and informative. I recommend this book as a valuable resource for undergraduates undertaking modules in environmental pollution and, more broadly, as background reading for students taking environmental degrees."

Peter J Shaw, University of Southampton, UK

"Identifying and comprehending the phenomenon of pollution requires that we understand the difference between natural material fluxes and those caused by mankind. This book, which classifies pollution processes according to individual elements, should be part of the library of all those concerned with environmental geochemistry and pollution."
Martin Mihaljevic, Charles University, Czech Republic

"The simple, fluent writing style makes this an extremely accessible book, especially for readers without a firm background in chemistry. Complex concepts are explained clearly, with additional background information provided for non-specialists."

Royal Society of Chemistry- Environmental Chemistry Group

Book Information
ISBN 9780415859202
Author John Rieuwerts
Format Paperback
Page Count 332
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 272g