Environmental Organic Chemistry for Engineers

Environmental Organic Chemistry for Engineers

by James G. Speight
Released November 2016
Publisher(s): Butterworth-Heinemann
ISBN: 9780128006689

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial

Book description

Environmental Organic Chemistry for Engineers clearly defines the principles of environmental organic chemistry and the role they play in forming remediation strategies. In this reference, the author explores parameter estimation methods, the thermodynamics, and kinetics needed to predict the fate, transports, and reactivity of organic compounds in air, water, and soils.

The book's four part treatment starts with the classification of organic molecules and physical properties of natural organic matter, halocarbons, phenols, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, organophosphates, and surfactants. An overview of remediation technologies and a discussion of the interactions that lead to physical properties that affect chemical distribution in the environment is also detailed, as are the important reaction classes of organic molecules, including substituent effects and structure and activity relationships found in Part Two and Three. Part four is devoted to the strengths and weaknesses of different remediation technologies and when they should be employed.



  • Clearly defines the principles of environmental organic chemistry and the role they play in forming remediation strategies
  • Includes the tools and methods for classifying environmental contaminants found in air, water, and soil
  • Presents a wide-range of remediation technologies and when they should be deployed for maximum effect

Table of contents

  1. Cover image
  2. Title page
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Copyright
  5. Author Biography
  6. Preface
  7. Chapter 1: Chemicals and the Environment
    1. Abstract
    2. 1 Introduction
    3. 2 The Environment
    4. 3 Organic Chemistry and the Environment
    5. 4 Use and Misuse of Chemicals
    6. 5 Chemicals in the Environment
    7. 6 Chemistry and Engineering
  8. Chapter 2: Organic Chemistry
    1. Abstract
    2. 1 Introduction
    3. 2 Classification of Organic Molecules
    4. 3 Functional Groups
    5. 4 Bonding
    6. 5 Reactions
  9. Chapter 3: Industrial Organic Chemistry
    1. Abstract
    2. 1 Introduction
    3. 2 Production of Organic Chemicals
    4. 3 Process Chemistry
  10. Chapter 4: Sources and Types of Organic Pollutants
    1. Abstract
    2. 1 Introduction
    3. 2 Aerosols
    4. 3 Agrochemicals
    5. 4 Chemical Waste
    6. 5 Coal and Coal Products
    7. 6 Crude Oil
    8. 7 Flame Retardants
    9. 8 Industrial Chemicals
    10. 9 Natural Gas
    11. 10 Volatile Organic Compounds
    12. 11 Wood Smoke
    13. 12 Effects on the Environment
  11. Chapter 5: Properties of Organic Compounds
    1. Abstract
    2. 1 Introduction
    3. 2 Composition
    4. 3 Properties
    5. 4 Use of the Data
  12. Chapter 6: Introduction Into the Environment
    1. Abstract
    2. 1 Introduction
    3. 2 Release Into the Environment
    4. 3 Types of Chemicals
    5. 4 Physical Properties and Distribution in the Environment
  13. Chapter 7: Chemical Transformations in the Environment
    1. Abstract
    2. 1 Introduction
    3. 2 Organic Reactions
    4. 3 Catalysis
    5. 4 Adsorption and Absorption
    6. 5 Biodegradation
    7. 6 Chemistry in the Environment
  14. Chapter 8: Environmental Regulations
    1. Abstract
    2. 1 Introduction
    3. 2 Environmental Impact of Production Processes
    4. 3 Environmental Regulations in the United States
    5. 4 Outlook
    6. 5 Management of Process Waste
  15. Chapter 9: Removal of Organic Compounds From the Environment
    1. Abstract
    2. 1 Introduction
    3. 2 Biodegradation
    4. 3 Biodegradation Methods
    5. 4 Test Methods for Biodegradation
    6. 5 Pollution Prevention
  16. Conversion Factors
  17. Appendix
  18. Glossary
  19. Index

Product information

  • Title: Environmental Organic Chemistry for Engineers
  • Author(s): James G. Speight
  • Release date: November 2016
  • Publisher(s): Butterworth-Heinemann
  • ISBN: 9780128006689