Atmospheric science deals with the movement of air masses in the atmosphere atmospheric heat balance, and atmospheric chemical composition and reactions Atmospheric chemistry is covered in this book in Chapters 9-14 Earth The geosphere, or solid Earth, discussed in general in Chapter 15 it part of the Earth upon which humans live and from which they extract mos ir food minerals, and fuels. The earth is divided into layers, including the ron-rich inner core. molten outer core. mantle. and crust. environmental science is most concerned with the lithosphere, which consists of the outer mantle and the crust The latter is the earths outer skin that is accessible to humans. It is extremely thin compared to the diameter of the earth, ranging from 5 to 40 km thick Geology is the science of the geosphere. As such, it pertains mostly to the solid mineral portions of Earths crust. But it must also consider water, which is involved in weathering rocks and in producing mineral formations; the atmosphere and climate, which have profound effects on the geosphere and interchange matter and energy with it; and living systems, which largely exist on the geosphere and in turn have significant effects on it. Geological science uses chemistry in the form of geochemistry to explain the nature and behavior of geological materials, physics to explain their mechanical behavior, and biology to explain the mutual interactions between the geosphere and the biosphere Modern technology, for example the ability to move massive quantities of dirt and rock around, has a profound influence The most important part of the geosphere for life on earth is soil formed by the integrative weathering action of physical, geochemical, and biological processes on rock. It is the medium upon which plants grow, and virtually all terrestrial organisms depend upon it for their existence. The productivity of soil is strongly affected by environmental conditions and pollutants. Because of the importance of soil, all of Chapter 16 is devoted to it Life Biology is the science of life. It is based on biologically synthesized chemical species, many of which exist as large molecules called macromolecules. As living beings, the ultimate concern of humans with their environment is the interaction of the environment with life. Therefore, biological science is a key component of environmental science and environmental chemistr The role of life in environmental science is discussed in numerous parts of this book. For example, the crucial effects of microorg uatic chemistry ar covered in Chapter 6,"Aquatic Microbial Biochemistry. Chapter 21 "Environmental Biochemistry, addresses biochemistry as it applies to the environment. The effects on living beings of toxic substances, many of which are environmental pollutants, are addressed in Chapter 22,"Toxicological Chemistry, and Chapter 23,Toxicological Chemistry of Chemical Substances. Other chapters discuss aspects of the interaction of living systems with various parts of the environment C 2000 CRC Press llcAtmospheric science deals with the movement of air masses in the atmosphere, atmospheric heat balance, and atmospheric chemical composition and reactions. Atmospheric chemistry is covered in this book in Chapters 9–14. Earth The geosphere, or solid Earth, discussed in general in Chapter 15, is that part of the Earth upon which humans live and from which they extract most of their food, minerals, and fuels. The earth is divided into layers, including the solid, iron-rich inner core, molten outer core, mantle, and crust. Environmental science is most concerned with the lithosphere, which consists of the outer mantle and the crust. The latter is the earth’s outer skin that is accessible to humans. It is extremely thin compared to the diameter of the earth, ranging from 5 to 40 km thick. Geology is the science of the geosphere. As such, it pertains mostly to the solid mineral portions of Earth’s crust. But it must also consider water, which is involved in weathering rocks and in producing mineral formations; the atmosphere and climate, which have profound effects on the geosphere and interchange matter and energy with it; and living systems, which largely exist on the geosphere and in turn have significant effects on it. Geological science uses chemistry in the form of geochemistry to explain the nature and behavior of geological materials, physics to explain their mechanical behavior, and biology to explain the mutual interactions between the geosphere and the biosphere.3 Modern technology, for example the ability to move massive quantities of dirt and rock around, has a profound influence on the geosphere. The most important part of the geosphere for life on earth is soil formed by the disintegrative weathering action of physical, geochemical, and biological processes on rock. It is the medium upon which plants grow, and virtually all terrestrial organisms depend upon it for their existence. The productivity of soil is strongly affected by environmental conditions and pollutants. Because of the importance of soil, all of Chapter 16 is devoted to it. Life Biology is the science of life. It is based on biologically synthesized chemical species, many of which exist as large molecules called macromolecules. As living beings, the ultimate concern of humans with their environment is the interaction of the environment with life. Therefore, biological science is a key component of environmental science and environmental chemistry The role of life in environmental science is discussed in numerous parts of this book. For example, the crucial effects of microorganisms on aquatic chemistry are covered in Chapter 6, “Aquatic Microbial Biochemistry.” Chapter 21, “Environmental Biochemistry,” addresses biochemistry as it applies to the environment. The effects on living beings of toxic substances, many of which are environmental pollutants, are addressed in Chapter 22, “Toxicological Chemistry,” and Chapter 23, “Toxicological Chemistry of Chemical Substances.” Other chapters discuss aspects of the interaction of living systems with various parts of the environment. © 2000 CRC Press LLC