Earth

Chemistry is vital to Earth, shaping everything from the air we breathe to the water we drink. It explains the composition of rocks, fuels innovation, and sustains life through biological processes.

Michael Edmonds

Michael is a passionate science and education advocate, and augmented his PhD in organic chemistry (1995) with a Masters in organisational psychology (2023). His Master’s thesis focused on student/learner motivation and wellbeing.

What’s really in our plastics? Additives, unknowns, and the challenge of analysis

James H. Bridson

Latest

Mar 2026

What’s really in our plastics? Additives, unknowns, and the challenge of analysis

Plastics rely on a wide range of useful chemical additives, some of which are hazardous to humans and the environment. This article provides a brief overview of additives, risks, regulatory considerations, and analytical approaches to improve our understanding.

James H. Bridson

Jan 2026

Building molecular sponges to fight climate change

By making small changes to organic matter at the molecular level, chemists are helping to build a more sustainable future.

‍Panchami Mukund Hirave

Oct 2025

The green mirage: air pollution in Aotearoa

Air pollution is the number one environmental threat to human health. But Aotearoa is not a leader in environmental health protections - it’s not even a follower.

Apr 2025

Discovery of antibiotic-producing soil microorganisms

Can dirt help fight superbugs? Students and staff at UCOL dug into their backyards to find out, as part of the Tiny Earth antibiotic discovery project.

Jennifer Sweny* and Ayiya B. Bitrus‍

Jan 2025

NZIC members in the news

We are pleased to announce Christian Hartinger and Professor Patricia Hunt were awarded the inaugural New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship

Jan 2025

Taking the heat out of coolants - what you need to know about hydrofluorocarbons

Louise McMillan (Team Leader, Hazardous Substances at the Environmental Protection Authority) answers the important questions on HFCs.

Louise McMillan

Oct 2024

Book review: The Chemistry of Clay-Organic Reactions (2nd edition)

This 2024 book has been published a neat 50 years after the first edition of the same title in 1974,1 for which Dr Theng won the Adam Hilger Prize for a technical book published by a young (under 35) author.

Jul 2024

Obituary – Dr Henry Joseph (Harry) Percival (1943−2024)

Harry Percival, a former colleague and staff member at Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research and NZ Soil Bureau, DSIR, died of a heart attack at his home in Palmerston North, on 23 March 2024.

Benny Theng, Palmerston North & Jock Churchman, Adelaide, Australia

Jun 2024

A ‘turn’ from Agricola towards Descartes: an analysis of the publications of Terry Seward

An analysis of the publications of Terry Seward

Feb 2024

Replacing ruthenium and iridium with earth-abundant metals for sustainable photochemistry

The rapid expansion of visible light-driven chemistry in the 21st century has relied upon precious metal photosensitisers. Now, earth-abundant alternatives for sustainable photochemistry have a bright and exciting future. Conor J. Doran, Sian E. Dillon and Christopher B. Larsen investigate.

Conor J. Doran, Sian E. Dillon, Christopher B. Larsen*

Jan 2024

Could New Zealand’s geothermal fields be mined for the rare earths?

Although the market for lithium and rare earth element metals is highly volatile, the compositions of geothermal fluids from New Zealand’s electricity-generating geothermal fluids appear potentially economic for lithium and possibly for rare earth elements (REE), providing a supplementary income stream to electricity production.

Jan 2024

A story of lead

‍Dr Joanna Dowle (Senior Advisor at the Environmental Protection Authority) outlines the long and varied history of how we’ve used lead – despite its toxicity.This is an excerpt from the EPA’s Science at work series of science communication stories.

Dr Joanna Dowle

Jul 2023

When plants bite back

A broadly applicable method for the determination of cyanogenic glycosides as hydrogen cyanide in plant-based foodstuffs.

Darren A. Saunders

Jun 2023

Microplastics in Antarctica: potential pathways and influences

Understanding the pathways of microplastics to remote regions and their impact on our fragile environment provides a new perspective on the consequences of plastic production.

Apr 2023

Rare earth element separations: a brief overview of some green methods

The US Department of Energy, the European Commission, and the British Geological Society have all recognised the REEs as critical elements for the future.

Jan 2023

Metal assemblies on cavity platforms

Nature provides the inspiration to design synthetic receptor mimics for molecular recognition of guests of complementary size, shape and dimensions.

Ramkrishna Mandal

Jan 2023

Valuable natural products from mānuka and its cousin kānuka

We are investigating the underexplored chemistry of Kunzea (kānuka / tea tree) in Aotearoa New Zealand in search of antimicrobial compounds and returning this knowledge of molecular basis of activity to Māori kaitiaki (guardians) of this taonga (treasured) species.

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