Werner Stumm (1924 – 14 April 1999) was a Swiss
chemist
A chemist (from Greek ''chēm(ía)'' alchemy; replacing ''chymist'' from Medieval Latin ''alchemist'') is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties. Chemists carefully describe th ...
. After earning his doctorate in
inorganic chemistry
Inorganic chemistry deals with synthesis and behavior of inorganic and organometallic compounds. This field covers chemical compounds that are not carbon-based, which are the subjects of organic chemistry. The distinction between the two disci ...
at the University of
Zürich
Zürich () is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zürich. It is located in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zürich. As of January 2020, the municipality has 43 ...
in 1952 he moved to the U.S. where he was active as a
professor
Professor (commonly abbreviated as Prof.) is an Academy, academic rank at university, universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Literally, ''professor'' derives from Latin as a "person who pr ...
at
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...
until 1969. From 1970 until 1992 he was head of the Swiss Federal Water Resources Centre
EAWAG
The Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag, German acronym for ''Eidgenössische Anstalt für Wasserversorgung, Abwasserreinigung und Gewässerschutz'') is a Swiss water research institute and an internationally netwo ...
.
Werner Stumm was an active researcher in several aspects of
geochemistry
Geochemistry is the science that uses the tools and principles of chemistry to explain the mechanisms behind major geological systems such as the Earth's crust and its oceans. The realm of geochemistry extends beyond the Earth, encompassing the e ...
. During the early part of his career he was influenced by the ideas of
Lars Gunnar Sillén and
Robert Garrels
Robert Minard Garrels (August 24, 1916 – March 8, 1988) was an American geochemist. Garrels applied experimental physical chemistry data and techniques to geology and geochemistry problems. The book ''Solutions, Minerals, and Equilibria'' co-auth ...
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
Weathering is the deterioration of rocks, soils and minerals as well as wood and artificial materials through contact with water, atmospheric gases, and biological organisms. Weathering occurs ''in situ'' (on site, with little or no movement), ...
). He in particular made contributions to the knowledge of the reactions at the
interface
Interface or interfacing may refer to:
Academic journals
* ''Interface'' (journal), by the Electrochemical Society
* '' Interface, Journal of Applied Linguistics'', now merged with ''ITL International Journal of Applied Linguistics''
* '' Int ...
of
mineral
In geology and mineralogy, a mineral or mineral species is, broadly speaking, a solid chemical compound with a fairly well-defined chemical composition and a specific crystal structure that occurs naturally in pure form.John P. Rafferty, ed. ( ...
s and water. In his more than 200 scientific articles he showed, among other things, that the rate by which a
mineral
In geology and mineralogy, a mineral or mineral species is, broadly speaking, a solid chemical compound with a fairly well-defined chemical composition and a specific crystal structure that occurs naturally in pure form.John P. Rafferty, ed. ( ...
weathers depends on the surface
charge
Charge or charged may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Films
* '' Charge, Zero Emissions/Maximum Speed'', a 2011 documentary
Music
* ''Charge'' (David Ford album)
* ''Charge'' (Machel Montano album)
* ''Charge!!'', an album by The Aqu ...
, 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
In geology and mineralogy, a mineral or mineral species is, broadly speaking, a solid chemical compound with a fairly well-defined chemical composition and a specific crystal structure that occurs naturally in pure form.John P. Rafferty, ed. ( ...
surfaces and water.
The
European Association of Geochemistry The European Association of Geochemistry (EAG) is a pan-European organization founded to promotes geochemical research. The EAG organizes conferences, meetings and educational courses for geochemists in Europe, including the Goldschmidt Conference w ...
quinquennially awards a
Science Innovation Award The Science Innovation Award is an award bestowed annually by the European Association of Geochemistry on a scientist who has made "a particularly important and innovative breakthrough in geochemistry", and consists of a medal and certificate. The ...
medal named in his honour for work in low-temperature and surface geochemistry.
Prizes and awards
*
Albert Einstein World Award of Science
The Albert Einstein World Award for Science is an annual award given by the World Cultural Council "as a means of recognition and encouragement for scientific and technological research and development", with special consideration for researches ...
from the
World Cultural Council
The World Cultural Council is an international organization whose goals are to promote cultural values, goodwill and philanthropy among individuals. The organization founded in 1981 and based in Mexico, has held a yearly award ceremony since 198 ...
(1985)
*
Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement
The Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement is an annual award for environmental science, environmental health, and energy. Tyler Laureates receive a $200,000 cash prize and a medallion. The prize is administered by the University of Southern Cal ...
(1986)
*''Teknologie
hedersdoktor (doctor honoris causa)
Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) (1987)''.
KTH: Hedersdoktorer 1944-2008
, accessed 13 April 2009
*Marcel Benoist Prize
The Marcel Benoist Prize, offered by the Marcel Benoist Foundation, is a monetary prize that has been offered annually since 1920 to a scientist of Swiss nationality or residency who has made the most useful scientific discovery. Emphasis is pl ...
(1990)
*''V. M. Goldschmidt Award
The V. M. Goldschmidt Award is an award given by the Geochemical Society at the V. M. Goldschmidt Conference for achievements in the fields of geochemistry and cosmochemistry. The award in honor of Victor Moritz Goldschmidt, a pioneer in both tho ...
'' (1998)
*''Stockholm Water Prize
Presented annually since 1991, the Stockholm Water Prize is an award that recognizes outstanding achievements in water related activities. Over the past three decades, Stockholm Water Prize Laureates have come from across the world and represente ...
'' (1999)
Bibliography (selection of monographs)
*''Aquatic chemistry'', together with James J. Morgan (1970, Wiley; 3rd revised edition 1996)
*''Aquatic surface chemistry: chemical processes at the particle-water interface'' (1987, Wiley)
*''Aquatic chemical kinetics: reaction rates of processes in natural waters'' (1990, Wiley)
Sources
Morgan, J. J. ''Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta'', 1999, ''63(19/20)'', viii-x
Notes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stumm, Werner
1924 births
1999 deaths
Albert Einstein World Award of Science Laureates
Swiss chemists
Academic staff of ETH Zurich
Recipients of the V. M. Goldschmidt Award