07418 - Environmental Chemistry

Course contents

Unit I. Atmospheric chemistry The complexity of the natural environment. Biogeochemical cycles. Structure of the atmosphere. Solar radiation. Atmospheric composition. Cycle of main atmospheric compounds (sulfur, nitrogen and carbon compounds). Residence time. Photochemical processes. Ozone cycle. Formation and evolution of atmospheric aerosol. Chemical composition and role of the aerosol in the atmospheric processes. Mention to global climate change.
Unit II. Water and soil chemistry Natural water properties and hydrogeological cycle. Water body characteristics. Dissolved gas in natural water. Alkalinity and acidity. Metallic ions equilibria: redox reactions, complexation, precipitation. Multiphase interaction in water body. Role of chemical equilibria role in metals speciation. Short notes on soil chemistry. Structure of principal minerals. Organic component in soil: humic substances. Chemical-physical properties of soil.
Unit III. Pollutants diffusion and transport
Chemistry of inorganic and organic pollutants.  Estimation of relevant chemical physical parameters for the assessment of contaminant diffusion in the environment. Relevant parameters in the assessment of pollutants hazard. Thermodynamic effects. Partition coefficients and transport. Remind to Henry's and Roult's laws. Ideal and real solution. Fugacity and fugacity capacity. Relationship among: fugacity, partition coefficient and phase distribution. Calculation of the equilibrium composition of simple multiphasic systems

Seminars Wastes: characteristic, management and environmentla control. National and european regulation for pollutants control and waste management

Readings/Bibliography

Manahan S E. Environmental Chemistry, Seventh Edition, CRC Press 1999, http://www.crcnetbase.com/isbn/978-1-56670-492-2

Seinfel J.H., Pandis S.N. Atmospheric chemistry and physics, Wiley,1998

Stumm W, Morgan J.J. Aquatic chemistry, Wiley, 1996

Mackay D., Multimedia Environmental Models. CRC Press, 2001, http://www.crcnetbase.com/isbn/978-1-56670-542-4

Baird C., Cann M., Environmental Chemistry. W.H. Freeman & Company, 2012 

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and class exercises

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning takes place through 3 mid-term written tests and / or a final written exam.
Mid term tests. The 3 mid term tests are related to the three thematic unit in which the course is divided: I) atmospheric chemistry; II) water and soil  chemistry; III) transport and diffusion of pollutants. Each mid term test is divided into a section of "preliminary questions" (maximum of 10 exercises and multiple-choice questions), concerning basic knowledge and ability to be considered as a requirement for the understanding of the course content, and a section of "open questions "(maximum 5), related to the knowledge and understanding of the topics and content of the course. To pass the section of "preliminary questions" is essential for passing the overall exam. The preliminary section is considered passed if  the 70% of the overall score of that section is reached. The duration of each mid-term test is 2.30 hour
The evaluation obtained in each examination partial, if the threshold levels higher than 18/30, is mediated to express the final grade that is proposed pupil / o. The individual partial tests exceeded remain valid for sessions planned for the academic year in which the course was held. Final written exam. The written exam is divided into four sections. A section of "preliminary questions" (maximum 10 exercises and multiple-choice questions) and three sections on the three thematic units of the course (5 questions per section). Passing the section of "preliminary questions" is a condition for overcoming the entire test.  The preliminary section is considered passed if  the 70% of the overall score of that section is reached. The students who have passed one or two mid term tests, if they wish, can take advantage of the valuation obtained and do not carry out the relevant section of the final written test. Carry out a section relative to a thematic unit, cancel the score obteined  in the mid term text relative to the same thematic unit, independently of the  score level achieved  
The duration of the final test is 3.30 hour.

Teaching tools

Video projection, PC, dashboard, slide and notes from thelectures and other didactic material make available by the techer

Office hours

See the website of Sergio Zappoli