Environmental Organic Chemistry (Environmental Science and Technology Series) [Hardcover]

René P. Schwarzenbach (Author), Philip M. Gschwend (Author), Dieter M. Imboden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 29, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0471839418 | ISBN-13: 978-0471839415 | Edition: 1

Demonstrates how the chemical structure of organic compounds influences the molecular interactions which control transfer and reaction processes in the natural environment. Thoroughly explains how to quantify these processes using the principles of chemistry, physics and biology in a macroscopic environmental system. Focuses on the behavior of major synthetic organic chemicals introduced in large quantities into the environment. Contains more than 100 illustrations, an extensive bibliography and useful reference material such as constants, units and equations. Serves as a text for introductory courses in environmental organic chemistry as well as a source of information for the professional concerned with risk and hazard assessment of organic chemical pollutants in the environment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"…a comprehensive set of fundamental concepts that provides the quantitative tools necessary to evaluate the fate of the organic chemicals in the environment…" (Vadose Zone Journal, May 2007)

"…can be considered as the 'Bible of Organic Environmental Chemistry'…. will help to establish the subject discipline in the future" (International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 2004)

"…the authors have added substantially new material and improved the consistency of presentation in this second edition. This text should continue to be the leader in the field of environmental organic chemistry." (Journal of Chemical Education, Vol. 80, No. 10, October 2003) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

Demonstrates how the chemical structure of organic compounds influences the molecular interactions which control transfer and reaction processes in the natural environment. Thoroughly explains how to quantify these processes using the principles of chemistry, physics and biology in a macroscopic environmental system. Focuses on the behavior of major synthetic organic chemicals introduced in large quantities into the environment. Contains more than 100 illustrations, an extensive bibliography and useful reference material such as constants, units and equations. Serves as a text for introductory courses in environmental organic chemistry as well as a source of information for the professional concerned with risk and hazard assessment of organic chemical pollutants in the environment.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 696 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience; 1 edition (January 29, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471839418
• ISBN-13: 978-0471839415
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,231,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but complicated, March 8, 2007

By 

Arvind Mohanram (Boulder, CO, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Environmental Organic Chemistry (Paperback)

I am using this book as part of my graduate class. Before I got this book, I was using the old edition, believe me the old edition is much simpler, easier to understand than this new one. They have integrated the book with overwhelming symbols for which they do not even have the key/index. You spend a lot of time figuring out what the symbols mean. So, I would recommend that you try to get a hold of the old edition of the book, however remember that the old edition does not cover the modelling part and does not give you exposure to the problem sets.

So, the bottom line is that if you want to get an understanding and feel of the subject goahead for the old edition, but if this is your core area of research and do not mind a bit of complication in the writing and explanation, go for the new edition.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding text and reference, December 30, 1999

By 

P. Lee Ferguson (Long Island, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Environmental Organic Chemistry (Environmental Science and Technology Series) (Hardcover)

A must have for students and researchers in the field of environmental chemistry. This text pulls together fundamental concepts regarding fate and transport of organic pollutants in a comprehensive and logical manner. I enjoyed reading it the first time when I was using it as a course text, and it has been invaluable as a reference during my research.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps a good reference text, but it's supposed to be a graduate intro text, February 8, 2009

By 

Jeremy Waterman "Jeremy" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Environmental Organic Chemistry (Paperback)

Compared to the 1st edition this text is about twice the size. It is a monstrously large book. However, the book fails to teach the concepts in a clear fashion required when one is just starting in the field. Too much attention is spent to minute details that confound the subject. A great deal of space is used on deriving formulas.

It is without a doubt that the authors are exceptional minds in their fields, and have a fine understanding of the material. However, speaking as a student, they do me no favors in explaining what is going on. This text needs to be rewritten and edited to serve as a useful textbook for graduate students. Until then, the book will possibly be useful as a reference.