ES&T’s Recrystallization in the Coming Year
M
any readers of this journal have had the pleasure of watching crystals form in a flask or beaker as a result of the process called recrystallization. The principle is rather simple, but for some reason it is a technique that few students conquer. The impure crystals are dissolved at a slightly elevated temperature with just enough solvent to effect solubilization. The solvent should be chosen so that the solute has a high temperature coefficient of solubility; thus, when the solution is cooled the solute will recrystallize in purer form than before, leaving the impurities in the solvent. The result is a sharper melting point and a more authentic spectrum. To the student who performs a chemical synthesis, then harvests and recrystallizes the product, it is a fascinating and immensely satisfying process. As E S b T enters its 28th year, we begin a process of recrystallization that we hope will have the same effect on the journal. In the coming year, we will begin to refine E S b T . The result will be not a new product but one with a sharper focus and stronger impact. Fortunately, E S b T is already of high quality. What we seek is not new synthesis, but purification into something better. This process began in 1993 with a readership survey in which we asked many of you what you liked and disliked about the journal. We also retained a distinguished member of the scientific publishing business, Ralph Schultz, to analyze the journal and counsel our editors and editorial advisory board on how it could be improved. We concentrated this study on the front section of the journal, the magazine section, because we felt it was here that major improvements could be made. A plan was formulated based on this input, and in 1994 we will begin to implement it. 0013-936)(/93/0927-2619$04.00/0 0 1993 American Chemical Society
While continuing many of the popular features of the front section such as Currents and feature articles, we will begin to reveal several new departments in 1994. The first of these will emphasize the science of measurements, the foundation of environmental studies. This section, led by Associate Editor Alan Newman, will feature news and feature articles on experimental design, sampling, measurement methods, and data analysis. Later we will introduce increased coverage of technology, science and environmental policy. To lead us in this venture, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Cole as ESbT’s new managing editor. Steve comes to us from the American Geophysical Union, where he served as manager of the journals program and managing editor of Eos. Fortunately, Stan Miller will continue to serve as executive editor and will assist Steve in the implementation of the new E S b T format. As Stan passes the baton to Steve, we join him in wishing our new managing editor great success. He inherits a grand tradition on which we are sure he will build. Welcome, Steve. We await your steady hand and sure eye in the recrystallization of E S b T !
Environ. Sci. Technol., Vol. 27, No. 13, 1993 2619
