1. Ch.2. Spheres (Material systems consisting of Earth)  Lithosphere: Rocks (minerals)  Hydrosphere: Water  Atmosphere: Gases of air  Biosphere: Life forms and organics Environmental systems are part of these spheres, characterized by their combination and interactions

2. Ch.2.  Lithosphere: Primarily comprised by rocks From http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/10h.html And minerals are the fundamental constituents of the rocks

3. Chemical composition of the Earth From http://www.indiana.edu/~geol116/week2/mineral.htm

4.  Properties of rocks of environmental significance Physical (structures & textures): control interaction (reaction) pathways, areas, times, and spaces Chemical (mineral chemistry): control interaction (reaction) types and reactivities

5. Karst areas naturally highly vulnerable to pollution From http://www.gsi.ie/Programmes/Groundwater/Karst+Booklet/Water+pollution.htm

6.  Types of (chemical) reaction affecting pollutant’s fate Dissolution/precipitation Ion exchange Adsorption/desorption Hydration/dehydration Hydrolysis Oxidation/reduction Others (polymerization, radioactive decays, etc.)

7.  Types of minerals (Examples of environmental concern) Silicates (Asbestos, clay minerals) Carbonates (Hardness, buffer capacity, global warming) Sulfates Sulfides (Acid pptn, AMD) Oxides/hydroxides (AMD, Reactive barrier) Halogenides (Irrigation, radioactive waste disposal) Phosphates (Eutrophication) Elemental minerals (Industrial application) Others

8. asbestoscalcitegypsumpyrite goethitehaliteapatitenatural gold