Elements of a sustainable world
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Bibliographic Information
Elements of a sustainable world
Oxford University Press, 2020
- : pbk
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Includes index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
We have 118 known chemical elements as our palette in our context of sustaining our world. Our context is considered in terms of the four spheres of the ancient world: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. This book shows how chemical principles can be used to understand the pressures on our world, spanning from greenhouse emissions through freshwater supplies to energy generation and storage. The supply of the chemical elements is key to their contribution to alleviating
these pressures. Most synthetic and radioactive elements are not available in sufficient supply to contribute in this. Some solutions, such as wind turbines, batteries, fuel cells and automotive exhaust remediation pose questions about sustainable supplies of critical elements. With an eye on the target
of the IPCC of capping the temperature anomaly to 1.5 oC (RCP2.6), options for carbon capture and storage, and the generation of energy and element supply from the sea are assessed. The consequences of the escape of plastics and pharmaceuticals into the wider environment for water integrity are also considered.
This book is designed around providing a one semester course for students who have entered at least the second level of university chemistry. It provides explanations and entries to current environmental issues. For students of environmental science, it provides an understanding of the chemical principles underpinning the causes and possible solutions to these issues. Each chapter has a set appropriate study questions. A study guide is available for the book.
Table of Contents
1 Planet Earth
1.1: Planetary resources
1.2: Differential pressure on land, freshwater and oceans
1.3: Effects of CO2 increases
1.4: Solar energy supply
1.5: Solar radiation spectrum
1.6: Absorption of the energy emission from Earth
1.7: Radiative Forcing
1.8: Atmospheric lifetime
1.9: Global Warming Potential
1.10: The energy balance
1.11: A sustainable approach
1.12: Questions
Palette of the Elements
2.1: Natural abundance of the elements
2.2: Mineral availability
2.3: Element Transmutation
2.4: Element supply
2.5: Elemental Properties
2.6: Element extraction: solubility
2.7: Oxidation State Stability
2.8: Terms and States
2.9: Embodied energy, carbon and water
2.10: Questions
Earth: Minerals to Materials
3.1: s elements
3.2: p-elements
3.3: d-elements
3.4: f -elements
3.5: Structural Materials
3.6: Questions
Air
4.1: The volatile elements
4.2: Atmospheric components
4.3: Atmospheric solution: wind turbines
4.4: Question
Fire
5.1: Petrochemicals from carbon oxides
5.2: Polymers
5.3: Chemicals from biomass alternatives
5.4: Solar energy conversion
5.5: Nuclear energy conversion
5.6: Hydrogen as a fuel
5.7: Batteries and supercapacitors
5.8: Questions
Water
6.1: Properties of water
6.2: Distribution of water
6.3: Distribution of elements in water
6.4: Water in processing
6.5: Desalination of water
6.6: Seawater as a source of elements
6.7: Water remediation from heavy metals and organics
6.8: Other organic contaminants of water
6.9: Questions
Prospects for Planet Earth
7.1: Chapter 1: Planet Earth
7.2: Chapters 2 and 3: Palette of the Elements and Earth
7.3: Chapter 4: Air
7.4: Chapter 5: Fire
7.5: Chapter 6: Water
7.6: Questions
Study Guide
Overview
Chapter 1: Planet Earth
Chapter 2: Palette of the Elements
Chapter 3: Earth
Chapter 4: Air
Chapter 5: Fire
Chapter 6: Water
Chapter 7: Prospects
by "Nielsen BookData"
