The role of chemical factors in the evolution of natural systems (chemistry and ecology)

Certain trends in the development of chemical and related sciences as regards the solution of ecological problems are described. Apart from the discussion of traditional chemical problems associated with the development of resource-saving and low-waste technologies and sensor systems for the monitoring of the natural environment, the physicochemical aspects of the dynamics of a wide variety of natural systems are analysed and the role of the chemical factor in their evolution is elucidated. The idea of parameters defined as limiting permissible amount of waste and limiting permissible concentrations, characterising respectively the self-protecting properties of the environment and individual organisms was introduced on the basis of non-linear models of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. The dynamic equations describing the states of eco-systems in the presence of external stochastic chemical factors are discussed. Problems concerning the influence of mass transfer processes in the interior of the Earth and in various layers of the atmosphere on the evolution of natural communities are analysed. The ideas about the Earth–atmosphere system as thermodynamically open are developed and the possible role of anthropogenic factors in the initiation of natural catastrophies is discussed. The bibliography includes 163 references.