29021 - Environmental Monitoring and Laboratory L

Learning outcomes

The course aims at providing a knowledge of the main pollution monitoring methodologies, in different environmental media (air, water, soil). In this framework, it is expected to gain the knowledge, for each specific environmental compartment, of the critical steps and the main methodologies for a correct sampling (continuous or discrete), storage and sample treatment. The principles of the analytical techniques for the determination of priority pollutants will also be cited.

Course contents

Definition, characteristics and operating phases of the environmental monitoring. Environmental control procedures. Environmental indicators: definition and features. Monitoring strategies for priority pollutants: sampling, pretreatment, analysis techniques and data elaboration. Water, air and soil monitoring. Biomonitoring. Pollutant monitoring in gas flows. Sampling in continuous and discrete monitoring. Data quality and statistical representativeness of monitoring results; comparison with standard values and quality objectives. Quality indicators for water, air and soil. Some instrumental techniques for quantitative analysis of environmental pollutants will be presented, also through laboratory experiences (HPLC, GC-MS, AAS).

Readings/Bibliography

M. Radojević, V.N. Bashkin, Practical Environmental Analysis, Royal Society of Chemistry, 1999

R.N. Reeve, Environmental Analysis. Analytical Chemistry by Open Learning, John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, England, 1994

J.F.Artiola, I.L. Pepper, M. Brusseau, Environmental monitoring and Charactrerization, Elsevier Academic Press, 2004

B. Wiersma, Environmental Monitoring, Edited by G . CRC Press 2004

Teaching methods

During the course, environmental monitoring methods are described and the choices between different options, in various conditions, will be described. Theoretical exercises on case studies concerning different environmental matrices will be performed. Practical training is included in the lab course.

Assessment methods

Assessment of the course will be performed through a written test and an oral discussion.

Teaching tools

The course will be taught with the aid of computer support for the projection of text and images. The course includes lab experiments that involve the use of scientific instruments for the determination of environmental pollutants. Experimental results and data are discussed in the lab and in the class.

Office hours

See the website of Elena Bernardi