Environmental Chemistry Terms

noun a compound with a strong earthy flavor and aroma, often found in soil and water

• Geosmin is a compound responsible for the earthy smell in soil and water.
• I can always tell when it's going to rain because I can smell geosmin in the air.
• That pond smells like straight up geosmin, dude.
• The geosmin of nostalgia filled the room as she looked through old photographs.

noun the scientific study of the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes and reactions that govern the composition of the natural environment

• The study of biogeochemistry examines the interactions between living organisms and the chemical and physical processes in the environment.
• Biogeochemistry is all about how living things interact with the chemicals in the environment.
• Biogeochemistry is like nature's chemistry class.
• Biogeochemistry is like unraveling the intricate dance between life and the Earth's elements.

noun a point on a graph representing the amount of light absorbed by a substance at a specific wavelength

• The absorption edge of the material indicates the energy threshold for electronic transitions.
• The absorption edge basically shows where the material starts absorbing energy.
• The absorption edge is like the point where the material is like 'I'm ready to soak up some energy.'
• The absorption edge is like the material's 'no entry point' for certain energies.