ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Students should have basic knowledge of general and inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry in order to understand the chemical processes taking place in the various environmental compartments, acquire the skills necessary to understand the intervention logics in the environmental field, and the functioning of the main strategies for pollutant control and remediation.
The evaluation of knowledge includes a written test, with quiz and open questions.
The evaluation of the exam is expressed in marks out of thirty (the exam is passed when the evaluation 18/30 is reached). The evaluation will consider the overall performance of the test and in particular the following criteria:
• Relevance and correctness of the answers.
• Ability to present, argue and synthesize the different topics and address them using an appropriate language
• Ability to recognize and find solutions for environmentally relevant issues addressed in the course.
The study based on the slides proposed during the lessons must necessarily be accompanied by the consultation of the reference books.
The main objective of the course is to provide a solid preparation for understanding the main chemical processes taking place in the environment and the phenomena resulting from man-made alteration of bio-geo-chemical processes.
At the end of the course, the student must be able to:
• Know and understand the main characteristics of the environmental media
• Know and understand the main aspects of chemical contamination in different environmental media and the main organic and inorganic pollutants
• Know and understand the appropriate remediation strategies for specific environmental issues
• Demonstrate autonomy of judgment in the assessment of issues related to chemical pollution using a multidisciplinary approach
The course is divided into blocks dedicated to the chemistry of water, soil, air and to the study of the main classes of environmental contaminants. These blocks have equivalent weight (approximately 10 hours dedicated to each block), preceded and interspersed with shorted topics.
Introduction to environmental chemistry (6h): main issues in chemical pollution. Dynamic interactions of the various environmental compartments: water-soil-air-biota.
The REACH legislation. Basic concepts of Green Chemistry.
Environmental compartments Water-Soil-Air (30h):
The water compartment: Parameters for the classification of the quality of water. Principles of water chemistry. Synthetic and natural complexing agents. Ionic exchange resins. Surfactants. Eutrophication. Water treatment. Groundwater.
The soil compartment: the soil and its constituents. Principles of soil chemistry. Fertilizers and nutrients. Partitioning and partitioning constants.
The air compartment: structure and composition of the atmosphere. Photochemistry. Reactions of oxygen, nitrogen and nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere. Stratospheric chemistry. Stratospheric ozone formation and depletion. Chemical agents that cause ozone destruction. Tropospheric chemistry. Reactivity of organic substances with the main tropospheric oxidants. Photochemical smog. Atmospheric particulate matter. Acid rain. Greenhouse effect and greenhouse gases.
Biodegradation: main biotransformation by microorganisms and their role in decontamination.
Principal organic and inorganic pollutants (10h): pesticides, metals, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins; emerging pollutants (e.g. flame retardants, perfluorinated chemicals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, nanoparticles).
In silico alternatives to Animal experiments (2h): Introduction to alternative methods to animal testing, 3 R strategy, QSAR methodologies with examples of application for prediction of properties and activities of organic environmental pollutants.
The course is organized in 48 hours of frontal lectures in Varese. Attendance at the lectures is optional, but recommended, and the final exam will be the same for attending and non-attending students.
Office Hours: The teacher is available by appointment arranged by e-mail or telephone (Varese, Via Dunant, 3, Red Floor).