Abstract |
The toxic effects of synthetic chemicals released into natural environments are a function of concentrations, of physico-chemical speciation, and of transformation products whose genesis is mediated by properties of the environment itself. Accurate evaluation of the probable consequences of particular releases requires an ability to forecast the speciation, transport, and transformations of chemicals. In aquatic systems, ionic and absorptive equilibria, advective and dispersive fluid transport, benthic uptake and release processes, volatilization, hydrolysis, direct and indirect photochemical processes, redox reactions, and microbial transformations have significant effects on the fate of introduced chemicals. |