Of the societal ills which are recognized as present in the Western countries during the 1970's, pollution of air and water is among the first. Whether the breathing of noxious gases acts biochemically as a source of mental irritation is not yet known. But it is not in doubt that reduction of the grime, smog, fouled water, and acrid air would lead to an increase in a feeling of well-being. Nor is it speculative to state that a reversal of the present trend to poison the atmosphere and the water is essential if man is to survive in a technological society. It was partly the lack of realization of the intrinsic nature of over potential in electrochemical reactions, * and hence the failure of the early fuel cells to come up to expectations, which led engineers at the turn of the century to rely upon the combustion of oil and coal for the production of energy, with the associated era of increasing atmospheric pollution.

The first book of its kind, Environmental Electrochemistry considers the role that electrochemical science and engineering can play in environmental remediation, pollution targeting, and pollutant recycling. Electrochemical-based sensors and abatement technologies for the detection, quantification, and treatment of environmental pollutants are described. Each chapter includes an extensive listing of supplemental readings, with illustrations throughout the bookto clarify principles and approaches detailed in the text. The first book to review electro- and photoelectrochemical technologies for environmental remediation, pollution sensors and pollutant recycling Applicable to a broad audience of environmental scientists and practicing electrochemists Includes both laboratory concepts and practical applications

This book concentrates on the electrochemistry/environment relationship including, among others, chapters on design and operation of electrochemical reactors and separators, process simulation, development and scale-up, optimization and control of electrochemical processes applied to environmental problems, also including economic analysis, description of unique current and future applications, in addition to basic research into developing new technologies. It is hoped that this volume will be considered interesting and extremely timely to specialists in electrochemistry and environmental sciences.

Wastewater treatment technology is undergoing a profound transformation due to the fundamental changes in regulations governing the discharge and disposal of h- ardous pollutants. Established design procedures and criteria, which have served the industry well for decades, can no longer meet the ever-increasing demand. Toxicity reduction requirements dictate in the development of new technologies for the treatment of these toxic pollutants in a safe and cost-effective manner. Fo- most among these technologies are electrochemical processes. While electrochemical technologies have been known and utilized for the tre- ment of wastewater containing heavy metal cations, the application of these p- cesses is only just a beginning to be developed for the oxidation of recalcitrant organic pollutants. In fact, only recently the electrochemical oxidation process has been rec- nized as an advanced oxidation process (AOP). This is due to the development of boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes on which the oxidation of organic pollutants is mediated via the formation of active hydroxyl radicals.

Electrochemistry theme is a component of Encyclopedia of Physical Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. Electrochemistry is the science that studies the properties and chemical transformations of/within ionic conductors (most commonly a solution of a salt) and at the interface between an ionic conductor and an electronic conductor (most commonly a metal) or semiconductor. Electrochemistry is present in many aspects of our everyday life. Probably, batteries are the most common example. However, electrochemistry is also present in many other aspects of vital importance in the chemical industry, like chlorine, caustic soda and aluminum (and many others not described here) are produced through electrochemical processes. This volume is aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs