FROM MOLECULES TO ECOSYSTEMS - TOPICS, CHALLENGES, AND PLAYERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

This article is meant to be appetizer and introduction to this special issue of CHIMIA on 'Chemistry at EAWAG'. Two major topics presently c hallenge environmental chemistry, not only at EAWAG: The human impact on global and regional biogeochemical cycles and the pollution of the environment by anthropogenic chemicals. In order to tackle the various tasks associated with these problems, environmental chemists have to build bridges between the molecular scope of laboratory experiments an d the systems approach of comprehensive field and modeling studies. Th is requires the ability to collaborate with either disciplines and to combine their knowledge with a profound understanding of chemistry. So me consequences of these requirements for research and education in en vironmental chemistry are also addressed in this article.