American Chemical Society establishes new journal dedicated to geochemistry, atmospheric and marine chemistry, and astrochemistry research

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2016 — The Publications Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) today announced the forthcoming 2017 publication of ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, a peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal that will unite the diverse and global community of scientists who explore the complex chemical nature of materials and processes that occur on Earth, within our solar system and the universe beyond. The journal will encompass high-impact basic and applied research in the fields of geochemistry, atmospheric and marine chemistry, astrochemistry and analytical geochemistry. Joel D. Blum, Ph.D., the J.D. MacArthur Professor, A.F. Thurnau Professor and G.J. Keeler Distinguished University Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan, has been appointed the journal’s inaugural Editor-in-Chief.

Research in earth and space chemistry focuses on the formation of, and interactions between, solid, liquid and gaseous materials. Findings are crucial to understanding contemporary and critical global issues, including the consequences of climate change, sustainability of soil and water resources, exploration for natural resources, and changes in atmospheric and ocean chemistry. ACS Earth and Space Chemistry presents a new opportunity to enrich and expand the conversation about the integral role that chemistry plays in the study of fundamental and applied research in the fields of geology, astronomy, oceanography and atmospheric science. The journal will serve as a new forum for discussion of important advances in the domains of high- and low-temperature geochemistry, atmospheric chemistry, marine chemistry, planetary chemistry, astrochemistry and analytical geochemistry.

“We are delighted that Professor Joel Blum has enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to be the inaugural Editor-in-Chief of ACS Earth and Space Chemistry,” says James Milne, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Journals Publishing Group in ACS Publications. “With the advent of this new journal, ACS Publications is excited to offer a preeminent venue to publish both fundamental and applied advances in newly emerging areas of inquiry across the earth and space sciences. Professor Blum’s significant editorial expertise, innovative vision for the journal, broad knowledge of the field and widespread network of relationships within the global scientific community will serve to make this new journal a publication of choice for both authors and readers.”

Blum has made a significant impact in the fields of earth and space science. His recent research has focused on understanding the chemistry of mercury in aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric systems — in many cases, utilizing mercury stable isotope methods developed in his laboratory. His other areas of inquiry, pursued while a Professor at Dartmouth College and the University of Michigan, include the petrogenesis of igneous rocks, mineral weathering and its effect on global climate, arsenic and lead in groundwater, and the effects of acid deposition and atmospheric dust on nutrient cycling in forests.  Blum’s prolific scientific career accomplishments are also attested by his more than 200 research publications. Additionally, he is an elected Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, a Fellow of the Geochemical Society, a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“I am extremely excited about the introduction of this new ACS journal, because it brings together a large community of scientists from around the world who are investigating the chemistry of natural materials and processes on Earth and beyond,” says Editor-in-Chief Blum. “ACS Earth and Space Chemistry is the first journal that will bring this community together under the common theme of chemistry and with the prestige and efficiency that are characteristic of ACS Publications. My aim is to rapidly establish the journal as the leading publication for discussing the application of chemistry methodologies across the geological, planetary and astronomical sciences.”

ACS Earth and Space Chemistry will begin accepting research submissions for consideration on Oct. 25, 2016. The first online issue will be published in early 2017 and will include articles, letters, reviews and features, thus providing flexible formats for authors to communicate various aspects of their research discoveries. The journal will utilize the many author benefits provided by ACS Publications, including a range of affordable open access options via participation in ACS AuthorChoice, rigorous and rapid editorial peer review overseen by research-active scientists, and timely publication using the Society’s award-winning web and mobile publishing technologies, which enable the broad dissemination of ACS Web Editions journals to more than 5,000 subscribing institutions worldwide.

About ACS Publications
ACS Publications, a division of the American Chemical Society, is a nonprofit scholarly publisher of 50 peer-reviewed journals and a range of eBooks at the interface of chemistry and allied sciences, including physics and biology. ACS Publications journals are among the most-cited, most-trusted and most-read within the scientific literature. Respected for their editorial rigor, ACS journals offer high-quality service to authors and readers, including rapid time to publication, a range of channels for researchers to access ACS Publications’ award-winning web and mobile delivery platforms, and a comprehensive program of open access publishing options for authors and their funders. ACS Publications also publishes Chemical & Engineering News — the Society’s newsmagazine covering science and technology, business and industry, government and policy, education and employment aspects of the chemistry field.

About ACS
The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With nearly 157,000 members, ACS is the world’s largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.