Chemistry International
Vol. 22, No. 5
September 2000
New
Project
Solubility PhenomenaApplications for Environmental Improvement
IUPAC has approved a project for the detailed planning of a workshop,
Solubility PhenomenaApplications for Environmental Improvement,
to be held as part of the 10th International Symposium on
Solubility Phenomena in Varna, Bulgaria in August 2002.
The following General Focus Statement has been agreed upon:
Solubility is a fundamental property of all substances and can greatly
influence the composition of both naturally occurring and man-made chemical
systems. In many of these systems, understanding the solubilities of
the chemical components opens the door to alterations and manipulations
of systems that may reduce the spread of pollutants, assist in the recycling
of industrial wastes, and in other ways improve the quality of environments.
This workshop will focus on the linkages between the fundamental chemistry
of solubility and technology innovations that can lead to environmental
improvements. Particular emphasis will be given to the solubility of
industrial wastes and pollutants in aqueous systems.
The workshops goal is to stimulate the production and communication
of scientific information related to solubility in ways that are accessible
and useful to environmental policy makers. In order to meet this goal,
it is necessary to attract both leading scientists and government policy
makers; therefore, the specific subject of the workshop is critical
and should have the following three important characteristics:
- Solubility (broadly defined) should play an important role.
- There should be broad public concern on a regional and international
level (perhaps with the focus of Southeast Europe and/or the Eastern
Mediterranean Basin-Black Sea area).
- Significant improvements should be possible at affordable cost if
policy makers receive good scientific advice.
Planning for the workshop is directed toward the following five elements:
- identifying appropriate international bodies for collaboration,
cosponsorship, and external funding;
- identifying specific environmental issues in and beyond the regional
venue of the workshop (Southeastern Europe) to which improved knowledge
of solubility can contribute;
- selecting workshop speakers and discussion leaders;
- devising means of outreach to environmental specialists; and
- securing external funding necessary for holding the workshop.
This project is being coordinated by Prof. David G. Shaw, Chairman
of IUPACs Commission on Solubility Data (V.8), with participation
of other members of the Commission. Comments from the chemistry community
are welcome and should be addressed to the project coordinator, Prof.
David G. Shaw, Institute of Marine Science, University of Alaska, Fairbanks,
Alaska 99775-7220, USA; Tel: +1 907 474 7723; Fax: +1 907 474 7204;
E-mail: [email protected]. See http://www.iupac.org/divisions/current_
projects/2000/990381_500_00.html for project description and update.