What Are the Duties of an Environmental Chemist?

The job of an environmental chemist is both varied and complex, requiring at least a bachelor's degree, typically in chemistry. The duties on the job are numerous and specialized but can be rewarding.

In General

The job of an environmental chemist involves collecting samples from the field or area of testing and performing various analyses on different environmental factors. Laboratory time is then spent diagnosing and resolving problems.

Various Specializations

An environmental chemist can specialize in many different areas of the environment, such as in water. Other areas include insects and pesticides, soil and land, rivers and lakes, and so on.

Duties

The specific duties change from job to job, but most involve using chemistry to attempt to understand and improve or correct areas of the environment. A chemist specializing in water would test water, water waste, recycled water, biosolids, landfill leachate, storm water, river water, industrial wastes, and investigate all of it.

Special Duties

Many environmental chemists are required to perform special duties, such as creating laboratory tracking mechanisms or developing quality assurance tests. These tasks are likely to be included in addition to regular duties.

Paperwork

Environmental chemists are often required to fill out and maintain a large variety of technical reports. Charts and graphs are often needed as well, recording test data and other data assigned.

References

• City of Pet Aluma.net: Job Description Enviromental Chemist
• Cs State Ny.us: Announcements

Resources

• Enviromental Chemistry.com Careers