Q.Define environmental chemistry.

Environmental chemistry is the study of the chemical and biochemical phenomena that occur in the environment — the atmosphere (air), the hydrosphere (water) and the lithosphere/pedosphere (soil) — and of how these interact with one another and with living organisms.

It covers:

• The origin and nature of chemical species naturally present in air, water and soil.
• The reactions these species undergo, including those brought about by natural agents (sunlight, microorganisms) and by human (anthropogenic) activity.
• The transport of pollutants from one part of the environment to another (e.g. gases carried by wind, contaminants leaching from soil into groundwater).
• The effects of these species and their reaction products on human beings, other living organisms and materials.

In short, environmental chemistry provides the scientific basis for understanding pollution — how pollutants are generated, how they behave in the environment, and how their harmful effects can be controlled or prevented.

This is a definition-type question. State what environmental chemistry studies (chemical processes in air, water, soil), then mention that it includes both natural phenomena and the effect of human/anthropogenic activity on them.

• Confusing environmental chemistry with environmental science/ecology, which is broader and includes biological and social aspects too.
• Giving only a one-line definition without mentioning that it covers air, water AND soil.