Analytical Chemistry: Today's Definition and Interpretation - Literature review Example

Analytical Chemistry Student’s Name: Course Code: Tutor’s Name: Date of Submission: 1.0 What is Analytical Chemistry? Štulík & Zýka (1992, p.833) in their definition gives more emphasis on the multidisciplinary nature of analytical science in their conceptualisation. According to them, analytical chemistry entails application and experimentation in the discipline of natural science. Nevertheless, they note that the discipline is not only anchored on chemistry, but also physics, biology, information theory and other fields of technology. Equally, they indicate that the ultimate premise of analytical chemistry is offer insight on the chemical composition of natural & synthetic matters and the changes in these compositions over space and time. A more detailed that narrows of chemical analysis process is offered by Zuckerman (1992). According to Zuckerman (1992, p.817), analytical studies “studies, and works out methods, rules and laws for analytical cognition including rules for the chemical interpretation of analytical observation and measurement.” Koch (1992, p.821) conceptualises analytical chemistry as a discipline that embraces standards of analytical measurements so as to churn out information about chemical systems or to help in solving chemical problems. Hence, it is clear that the discipline or the process is a multidisciplinary engagement. From his definition, two themes emerge out of the term analytical chemistry. The first premise is that of information science where the analysis process is used to generate information about chemical systems. Secondly, from applied and practical paradigm, the process is a means towards problem solving based on the information generated. Veress, Vass & Pungor (1987, p.317) frames the discussion on what analytical chemistry is by using systems approach analogy. They equate analytical chemical methods to analytical chemical systems. In this regard, the function of chemical system is offer insight or analytical information about chemical composition of a given material that is derived from analytical chemical correlation. The analytical information outlines properties of the material and its chemical makeup. Analytical correlation as the basis of analytical information entails analytical chemical acquisition and analytical inference. As such analytical chemical acquisition includes memorization of retention curves and calculation of the calibration curve. Additionally, Veress, Vass & Pungor (1987, p.317) notes that chemical correlation which is the basis of deriving analytical chemical information, is integral in gaining insights about analytical chemical acquisition and analytical inference. Hence, analytical chemical acquisition helps in deriving analytical chemical knowledge from the established chemical information and observed analytical information. Within the context of input-output framework, analytical knowledge explains the correlation between chemical and analytical information. In this regard, the input is the known chemical information and the output is the observed chemical information. Examples of analytical chemical knowledge include retention time data bank and calibration line. On the other hand, analytical chemical inference is integral in establishing desired chemical information based on the observed analytical information using analytical chemical knowledge. 2.0 How can it be useful for society? There are various processes that involve chemical processes and chemical engineering at various levels of the society with critical concern being at industrial level. Thus, analytical chemistry is integral in various aspects of human life. This section outlines certain segments of economy where analytical chemistry can be useful. This section examines the usefulness of the process in attaining sustainable development. 2.1 Sustainable development through sustainable chemistry With the shift in lifestyle and production system over the years, human beings have been exploiting natural resources and equally manufacturing other through chemical and industrial processes. The realisation is that certain actions which are not sustainable have been contributing to environmental issues such as soil degradation, air pollution and water pollution (Weart, 2008, p.138 & 155). These have contributed to negative impacts such as negative health impacts on human beings, global warming and change in climate patterns which has resulted into issues such as unpredictable weather patterns, rising of sea levels, ozone layer depletion and thawing of ice in arctic zone (Moore, 1995, p. 2, 3, 4 & 5). One solution that has been fronted by relevant experts from different professions is sustainable development (Geraghty, 2010, p.141) The issue of sustainable development has taken root across the globe since 1970s. This equally calls for paradigm shift on the natural or artificial products that are used by industries or human beings at large (Ortas and Moneva, 2011, p.17). The concept of sustainability aims at striking balance between the economic, environmental and social needs of human beings. In this regard, the concept urges people as the principal users and modifier of earthly resources to utilise them for their needs in consideration of the future generation. Moreover, it urges all players to be responsible in regard to what they inject in the environment (Hubbard, 2011, p.824 and 825). The nexus between analytical chemistry and sustainable development is embodied in the term known as sustainable chemistry of green chemistry. According to Karpudewan, Ismail & Mohamed (2009, p.121) sustainable chemistry refers to the “design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.” They further note that sustainable chemistry aims at decrease/ lessen use of hazardous and non-hazardous materials, water, energy and other resources so as to protect natural resources. Consequently, it is emphasised that green chemistry is significant in curtailing pollution by embracing best scientific practices (Karpudewan, Ismail & Mohamed, 2009, p.121). On the other hand, Roon et al. (2001, p.163) observes that sustainable chemistry concept aims at fostering integral breakthroughs in chemistry that would help in curtailing pollution and in various instances enhance performance and limit costs. According to Roon et al. (2001, p.169) this process focuses at four levels. These include chemical level, material level, the level of industries and societal level. Within the context of green chemistry/ sustainable chemistry, analytical chemistry occupies a central role in various process that are significant in determining and reducing impact of pollutants in the environment. The areas that analytical chemistry becomes integral includes cradle to grave or life cycle assessment (LCA) which outlines the possible impact of an element to environment say water, air and soil. The second is the role of analytical chemistry in determining biodegradability of chemicals and materials. In this context, the discipline measures methods, define issues, outlines bio-mechanisms and predictability of the impacts. The discipline is equally critical in offering possible solutions to clean up approaches for polluted water, air and soil. Lastly, the discipline has a pivotal role in determining availability of renewable resources (Roon et al., 2001, p.162). LCA as means of determining the sustainability of a product or process examines the impact of the product, process or services from cradle to the end. During such process, possible impacts to the environment are analysed. These include ozone depletion, global warming, fossil fuel depletion, resource use, and water use (Carmody and Trusty, 2005, p.1 &2). Within this context, positive and negative impacts are outlined. This normally follows the procedure that entails collection and evaluation of quantitative data on the inputs and outputs of material, energy and waste flows related to the product over its whole life cycle so as to determine the environmental impacts (Horne, Grant and Verghese, 2009, p. 2 & 3). As means of ensuring sustainability, analytical chemistry is integral in designing reuse, recycle, composting, incineration and disposal of wastes (Roon et al., 2001, p.166). It has been noted that the process used in chemical industry are inefficient leading to emission of wastes which otherwise could be used as raw material in other industrial process. This example holds case for case examples in fine chemicals and specialities. For example mining to combustion of fossil fuel which is one of the major sources of energy in the world employs a linear model which doesn’t encourage reuse and recycle of associated wastes (Roon et al., 2001, p.165). Thus analytical chemistry would be significant in designing what is known as recycling, reuse or closing the loop model so as to reduce amount/ level of waste emitted as result of human activities. 3.0 What are the benefits and risks for engineers working in the field? 3.1 Benefits Chemical analysts come into the field as either chemical engineer or as chemical and biomolecular expert. The one benefit associated with it is that it is well rewarding profession/ career just like the others with numerous growth opportunities. As noted earlier, chemical engineers/ analysts are trained to utilise principles of chemistry, biology, physics, computer modelling and electronics so as to offer societal and industrial solutions and thus, contributing to serving humanity with their technical knowhow. The versatility and multidisciplinary approach impacted on chemical engineers allows them to work in diverse environment offering solutions and developing new approaches to new concepts either as academia or industrial leaders. For instance, at industrial level, a chemical engineer can apply his skills in production of drug, fuel, chemicals, sustainable manufacturing, water treatment, mining, handling of by-products & plan and test methods of manufacturing products and supervise production (Bureau of Labour Statistics, 2012). The other associated benefit as an employee or consultant is the handsome reward associated with the profession and the fact that most of them work under full time engagement. For instance in America, the annual median pay is $ 90, 300 and the per hour median pay is $43.42 (Bureau of Labour Statistics, 2012). In Australia, the pay ranges from AU$ 51, 503 – AU$ 113, 909 with the median pay being AU$ 66, 512 (Pay Scale, 2013). Thus, any prospective student who is wishing to venture in the same path is highly encouraged as the reward is there. 3.2 Risks While risk management has improved over the years, chemical engineers/ chemical analysts work with highly dangerous chemical which might be corrosive, explosive or itchy. This puts the engineer at a greater risk health wise. Such environments include offices, laboratories, industrial plants and refineries (Bureau of Labour Statistics, 2012). For instance assume that an engineer who is working with explosive element makes a mistake. Thus, a chemical engineer puts his life on line and can be prone/ vulnerable/ susceptible to health risks such as lung infection and cancerous growths. To frame the risks faced by chemical engineers, let us examine the experiences in Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi Plant which are typical work environment for chemical analysts. When we talk of this the Chernobyl disaster of 26 April, 1986 in Ukraine comes in limelight. With the incidence, fire burnt for 10 days, 190 tonnes of toxic wastes emitted and global foot print increasing since 70% of the radioactive wastes found their way to neighbouring countries like Belarus. This explosion was 100 times more than the Hiroshima experience (European Commission, OCHA et. al., 2001, p.10). This phenomenon was experienced in Japan during 2011 massive earth quake. The earth quake dismantled the cooling system of Fukushima Daiichi plant causing explosions and meltdown making it worst nuclear disaster in 25 years (Demetriou, 2011). The concern is the level of risks a chemical analyst is exposed to. References Carmody, J. and Trusty, W. (2005). Life cycle assessment tools. Informe Design. Vol. 05 issue 03. Demetriou, D. (19 December, 2011). Japan earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster: 2011 review. Retrieved on 2 September, 2013 from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8953574/Japan-earthquake- tsunami-and-Fukushima-nuclear-disaster-2011-review.html. European Commission and OCHA et. al., (April, 2001). International Conference: Fifteen Years after the Chernobyl Accident. Lesson Learned. Executive Summary, Kiev. Geraghty, L. (2010). Sustainability reporting - measure to manage, manage to change. Keeping Good Companies, 3 (1), 141-145. Horne, R., Grant, T. and Verghese, K. (2009). Life cycle assessment: principles practice and prospects. Collinwood, Victoria: CSIRO publisher. Hubbard, G. (2011). The quality of sustainability reports of large international companies: an analysis. International Journal of Management, 28(3), 82. Karpudewan, M., Ismail, Z. & Mohamed, N. (2009). The integration of green chemistry experiments with sustainable development concepts in pre-service teachers’ curriculum. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 10 (2), 118-135. Koch, K. H. (1992). Analytical Chemistry—today's definition and interpretation. Fresenius' journal of analytical chemistry, 343(11), 821-822. Moore, T. G. (1995). Global warming: a boon to humans and other animals. Stanford. Hoover press Ortas, E. & Moneva, J. M. (2011). Origins and development of sustainability reporting: analysis of the Latin America context. GCG, 5(2), 16-37. Roon, A., Govers, H. A. J., Parsons, J. R. & Weenen, H. (2001). Sustainable chemistry: an analysis of the concept and its integration in education. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 2 (2), 161-179. Štulík, K., & Zýka, J. (1992). Analytical Chemistry—today's definition and interpretation. Fresenius' journal of analytical chemistry, 343(11), 832-833. United States Department of Labour-Bureau of Labour Statistics (10 April, 2012). Chemical engineering. Retrieved on 2 September, 2013 from: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture- and-engineering/chemical-engineers.htm. Veress, G. E., Vass, I., & Pungor, E. (1987). Analytical chemical methods as systems producing chemical information by inference. Fresenius' Zeitschrift für analytische Chemie, 326(4), 317-319. Weart, S. R. (2008). The discovery of global warming. Harvard: Harvard university press. Zuckerman, A. M. (1992). Analytical Chemistry—today's definition and interpretation. Fresenius' journal of analytical chemistry, 343(11), 817-818. Read More