Download Ch.1. Introduction

Ch.2. Spheres (Material systems
consisting of Earth)
Lithosphere: Rocks (minerals)
 Hydrosphere: Water
 Atmosphere: Gases of air
 Biosphere: Life forms and organics
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Environmental systems are part of these
spheres, characterized by their
combination and interactions
Ch.2.

Lithosphere: Primarily comprised by
rocks
From http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/10h.html
And minerals are the fundamental constituents
of the rocks
Chemical composition of the Earth
From http://www.indiana.edu/~geol116/week2/mineral.htm

Properties of rocks of environmental
significance
 Physical (structures & textures): control
interaction (reaction) pathways, areas, times,
and spaces
 Chemical (mineral chemistry): control
interaction (reaction) types and reactivities
Karst areas naturally highly vulnerable to pollution
From http://www.gsi.ie/Programmes/Groundwater/Karst+Booklet/Water+pollution.htm
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Types of (chemical) reaction affecting
pollutant’s fate
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Dissolution/precipitation
Ion exchange
Adsorption/desorption
Hydration/dehydration
Hydrolysis
Oxidation/reduction
Others (polymerization, radioactive decays,
etc.)
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Types of minerals (Examples of
environmental concern)
 Silicates (Asbestos, clay minerals)
 Carbonates (Hardness, buffer capacity, global
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warming)
Sulfates
Sulfides (Acid pptn, AMD)
Oxides/hydroxides (AMD, Reactive barrier)
Halogenides (Irrigation, radioactive waste
disposal)
Phosphates (Eutrophication)
Elemental minerals (Industrial application)
Others
asbestos
goethite
calcite
halite
gypsum
apatite
pyrite
natural gold