Werner Stumm
Encyclopedia
Werner Stumm (1924-14 April 1999) was a Swiss chemist
. After earning his doctorate in inorganic chemistry
at the University of Zürich
in 1952 he moved to the U.S. where he was active as a professor
at Harvard University
until 1969. From 1970 until 1992 he was head of the Swiss Federal Water Resources Centre EAWAG
.
Werner Stumm was an active researcher in several aspects of geochemistry
. During the early part of his career he was influenced by the ideas of Lars Gunnar Sillén and Robert Garrels
regarding aqueous chemical equilibria. He developed models where the ideas by Sillén regarding equilibria
were combined with improved descriptions of kinetically controlled reactions (i.e. slow reactions that do not reach equilibrium, e.g. weathering
). He in particular made contributions to the knowledge of the reactions at the interface
of mineral
s and water. In his more than 200 scientific articles he showed, among other things, that the rate by which a mineral
weathers depends on the surface charge, which in turn is controlled by factors such as pH
and the chemical composition of aqueous solutions.
Stumm is also known for writing the influential book Aquatic chemistry, together with James J. Morgan, and several other books on the interplay between mineral
surfaces and water.
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
. After earning his doctorate in inorganic chemistry
Inorganic chemistry
Inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the properties and behavior of inorganic compounds. This field covers all chemical compounds except the myriad organic compounds , which are the subjects of organic chemistry...
at the University of Zürich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
in 1952 he moved to the U.S. where he was active as a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
until 1969. From 1970 until 1992 he was head of the Swiss Federal Water Resources Centre EAWAG
Eawag
The Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology or Eawag is a Swiss research institution for aquatic research. As part of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology domain it is an institution of the Swiss federation...
.
Werner Stumm was an active researcher in several aspects of geochemistry
Geochemistry
The field of geochemistry involves study of the chemical composition of the Earth and other planets, chemical processes and reactions that govern the composition of rocks, water, and soils, and the cycles of matter and energy that transport the Earth's chemical components in time and space, and...
. During the early part of his career he was influenced by the ideas of Lars Gunnar Sillén and Robert Garrels
Robert Garrels
Robert Minard Garrels was an American geochemist. Garrels applied experimental physical chemistry data and techniques to geology and geochemistry problems. The book Solutions, Minerals, and Equilibria co-authored in 1965 by Garrels and Charles L...
regarding aqueous chemical equilibria. He developed models where the ideas by Sillén regarding equilibria
Chemical equilibrium
In a chemical reaction, chemical equilibrium is the state in which the concentrations of the reactants and products have not yet changed with time. It occurs only in reversible reactions, and not in irreversible reactions. Usually, this state results when the forward reaction proceeds at the same...
were combined with improved descriptions of kinetically controlled reactions (i.e. slow reactions that do not reach equilibrium, e.g. weathering
Weathering
Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soils and minerals as well as artificial materials through contact with the Earth's atmosphere, biota and waters...
). He in particular made contributions to the knowledge of the reactions at the interface
Interface (chemistry)
An interface is a surface forming a common boundary among two different phases, such as an insoluble solid and a liquid, two immiscible liquids or a liquid and an insoluble gas. The importance of the interface depends on which type of system is being treated: the bigger the quotient area/volume,...
of mineral
Mineral
A mineral is a naturally occurring solid chemical substance formed through biogeochemical processes, having characteristic chemical composition, highly ordered atomic structure, and specific physical properties. By comparison, a rock is an aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids and does not...
s and water. In his more than 200 scientific articles he showed, among other things, that the rate by which a mineral
Mineral
A mineral is a naturally occurring solid chemical substance formed through biogeochemical processes, having characteristic chemical composition, highly ordered atomic structure, and specific physical properties. By comparison, a rock is an aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids and does not...
weathers depends on the surface charge, which in turn is controlled by factors such as pH
PH
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at . Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline...
and the chemical composition of aqueous solutions.
Stumm is also known for writing the influential book Aquatic chemistry, together with James J. Morgan, and several other books on the interplay between mineral
Mineral
A mineral is a naturally occurring solid chemical substance formed through biogeochemical processes, having characteristic chemical composition, highly ordered atomic structure, and specific physical properties. By comparison, a rock is an aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids and does not...
surfaces and water.
Prizes and awards
- Albert Einstein World Award of Science (1985)
- Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement (1986)
- Teknologie hedersdoktorHonorary degreeAn honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
(doctor honoris causa) Royal Institute of TechnologyRoyal Institute of TechnologyThe Royal Institute of Technology is a university in Stockholm, Sweden. KTH was founded in 1827 as Sweden's first polytechnic and is one of Scandinavia's largest institutions of higher education in technology. KTH accounts for one-third of Sweden’s technical research and engineering education...
(Sweden) (1987). - Stockholm Water PrizeStockholm Water PrizePresented annually since 1991, the Stockholm Water Prize is a prestigious award that recognises outstanding achievements in water related activities...
(1999) - V.M. Goldschmidt Medal (1999)