99680 - MARINE POLLUTION

Learning outcomes

Student will gain a qualitative and quantitative knowledge on the main classes of marine pollutants, namely the sources, environmental effect/fate and analytical methods. On this basis, it is able to define the best strategies for assessing the quality of the marine environment and prevent pollution and ecosystem damage.

Course contents

• Introduction to marine pollution and impact of offshore activities.
  
• Pollution deriving from organic matter: BOD, COD, organic load
• Oil Spills and chemical pollution in the context of fossil fuel extraction.
• Heavy metals: in-depth study of the Minamata Bay case
• Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
• Plastics and solid waste: Types of materials, properties, effects on the marine environment and possible solutions.
• Environmental effects of offshore renewable energy development.
  
• Benign by Design: Ecotoxycological fundamentals of pollution prevention and mitigation in offshore engineering projects.

Readings/Bibliography

Marine Pollution (R. Beiras): Generale

Marine Pollution (R.B Clark): per approfondimenti

Articoli Scientifici

Teaching methods

The course includes lectures, in-depth study of scientific articles and examples of case studies.

Assessment methods

The exam will be oral and will aim to verify the achievement of the main educational objectives. Lo must be able to use databases and scientific literature for the potential relevance of an impact and the main prevention strategies.

Teaching tools

The lessons will be held with the aid of computer supports for the projection of texts and images. The course slides are usually left available to students at the end of each lesson (using a mailing list created at the beginning of the lessons)

Office hours

See the website of Cristian Torri