An environmental chemist studies how chemicals interact with the natural world. This project is highly interdisciplinary, and it could include elements of environmental science, chemistry, biology, and politics. Environmental chemists can work in a variety of settings, including academia, private companies and organizations, and government agencies concerned with environmental health and safety. They may also collaborate with legislators and regulators to develop plans for responsible chemical use and environmental protection. Lab work, field work, and office work are all possibilities in this field.
An environmental chemist’s job entails determining how chemicals enter the environment, where they come from, and where they go once they’ve arrived. Pollutants can travel through groundwater, rivers, and streams, for example, and can be the result of a variety of factors, including leaching waste pits or waste dumped on purpose. Environmental chemists collect samples in the field that can be used to track chemicals as they travel through the environment. These samples could be used government employees to enforce regulations or sue polluters in court.
This work also necessitates research into what happens to chemicals once they’ve been released into the environment. An environmental chemist might investigate chemical breakdown to learn more about how chemicals disperse, as well as natural phenomena and chemical interactions with living organisms. Chemical interactions with the environment can be complicated; for example, cities frequently have a thick cloud of smog caused chemical releases, specific weather conditions, and high humidity.
Some environmental chemists are interested in finding new ways to deal with chemicals in the environment. This can include on-site cleanup, the addition of more chemicals to break down harmful compounds, and the use of bioremediation and phytoremediation techniques, in which living organisms are used to clean up the environment. Researchers in this field may be able to use their findings to illustrate the costs of environmental cleanup. When performing a cost-benefit analysis on proposed legislation and regulations, this information is useful.
A person who wants to work as an environmental chemist should aim for a bachelor’s degree at the very least. Graduate degrees in this field may provide more opportunities, particularly for environmental chemists interested in research. Joining a professional organization for networking and continuing education can also be beneficial. Environmental chemistry jobs are frequently advertised through professional organizations and in materials distributed companies that employ environmental chemists.