07418 - Environmental Chemistry

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student attains the fundamental knowledge of structure, chemical-physical processes and interactions characterizing the different environmental sectors: air, water and soil. Moreover, he will acquire the principles necessary to evaluate sources, behaviour and environmental impact of pollutants, considering in particular anthropic activities and industrial processes. Outlines related to the main emerging topics.

Course contents

Introduction

Presentation of the course and methods of examination. Introduction to environmental chemistry. Environmental sustainability.

The complexity of the environmental processes: biogeochemical cycles.

Pollutants: definitions, general chemical-physical properties and environmental behaviour.

Atmosphere

Structure and chemical-physical characteristics of the atmosphere. Solar radiation.

Stratospheric ozone and mechanisms inducing the “ozone hole” phenomenon.

Greenhouse gases, greenhouse effect, global warming and climate change.

Troposphere and Planetary Boundary Layer. Sources, reactions and effects of the main inorganic and organic compounds (in particular OH radical, sulfur and nitrogen compounds, tropospheric ozone, VOC, IPA, dioxins, PCB, heavy metals). Photochemical smog. Particulate matter: classification, sources, chemical composition, environmental and health effects. Atmospheric depositions.

Water

Water properties, hydrosphere, hydrologic cycle. Characteristics of water bodies.

Dissolved gas in natural water: Henry’s law and stagnant film model. Oxygen and carbon dioxide in the water bodies. BOD, COD. The Carbonate System in Aquatic Systems.

Alkalinity, acidity, hardness. Behaviour of metals in water.

Dissolved and suspended particulate matter, sediments.

Main organic and inorganic water pollutants: sources, reactions and effects.

Soil

Geosphere and soil. Weathering processes. Processes and factors influencing the soil formation. Soil profile and horizons.

Inorganic compounds in soil; clay minerals structure and properties.

Organic compounds in soil; humic and non-humic substances.

Main physical and chemical properties of soil (soil texture, ionic exchange capacity, pH).

Organic and inorganic contaminants and their interaction with soil components.

 

Prerequisites

- Elementary functions, dimensional formulae and physical units.

- Physical transformations of pure substances.

- The law of the ideal gas state. Molar fraction and partial pressure.

- Chemical and photochemical reactions.

- Equilibrium constants and equilibria in solution. pH, acids and bases; buffered solutions

- Functional groups, reactivity and classification of organic compounds.

Readings/Bibliography

Fundamental

- Teaching material made available online by the teacher on the Platform Virtuale (https://virtuale.unibo.it/). The teaching material is available to the students enrolled in the course. Any passwords necessary to access the documents will be provided by the teacher.

- Lecture notes

Recommended

To consolidate knowledge of the course topics, consultation of the following books is strongly recommended; however, none of them are followed in full.

Colin Baird, Michael Cann, Environmental Chemistry, Freeman, not before Ed 2012 (or the Italian version “Chimica dell’Ambiente”, Zanichelli Ed. 2013)

Gary W. vanLoon and Stephen J. Duffy, Environmental chemistry: a global perspective, Oxford Press, 4th EditionGrady

Hanrahan, Key concepts in environmental chemistry, Elsevier (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780123749932)

Stanley E. Manahan, Chimica dell'ambiente, Piccin Editore, 2000 or Stanley E. Manan, Environmental Chemistry, Ninth Edition, CRC Press 2010 (eBook)

Seinfeld & Pandis, Atmospheric chemistry and physics: from air pollution to climate change, Wiley & Sons, Third Edition, 2016 (eBook) 

Stumm W, Morgan J.J. Aquatic chemistry: chemical equilibria and rates in natural waters, Wiley, 1996 (eBook)

Strawn, Daniel. Chichester, Soil Chemistry, John Wiley & Sons, 2015. (eBook)

Teaching methods

Frontal lesson with PC presentation and videos; reactions, examples and exercises will be explained at the blackboard.

During the course, exercises, group activities and/or presentation of case studies can be proposed.

Periodic interactive sessions of self-evaluation and review, also through the support of free apps for smartphones, are performed.

The course could include seminars and conferences on specific subjects.

The frequency of the lessons plays an important role in understanding the issues addressed, their interconnection and environmental implications.

Assessment methods

The final examination consists in a written test (max 2.5 hours) that aims to verify the achievement of the following learning outcomes:

- Knowledge of the structure and the chemical-physical processes characterizing the different environmental media: air, water, soil

- Knowledge of the main pollutants, their sources and their behavior in the environment

- Ability to apply the knowledge acquired to evaluate possible interactions between pollutants and environment and to identify potential environmental impacts related to human activities.

The written test consists in open questions, multiple choice questions and exercises (max 10, in total) aimed at verifying the level reached in the acquisition of expected knowledge and skills. The weight assigned for each question is made known at the beginning of the examination and is related to the difficulty of the question and to the level of learning checked. In the case of open questions, the relevance, completeness and clarity of the response, the ability to synthesize (where required), the achievement of an organic and critical vision of the issues addressed and the use of a proper scientific language will be evaluated. The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths and the exam is passed if the score is at least 18/30; laude is assigned to test very well performed.

During the test it is not allowed the use books or lecture notes. Calculator is required (no tablet or cell phones). The sheets required for the test will be provided by the teachers.

In order to attend the examination, it is necessary to enrol for the exam through AlmaEsami service (https://almaesami.unibo.it/) before the deadline (usually one week prior the exam date and visible under “Exam sessions” in the Teaching page of the teacher website).

In case of exam sessions with less than four candidates the teacher can evaluate whether to perform the final examination through an oral exam (organized similarly to the written test).

Students with disabilities or DSA are suggested to request support at least 15 days before the day of the exam, sending an email to both the teacher and the Student Service with Disabilities and DSA of the University of Bologna (http: //www.studentidisabili.unibo.it/).

Teaching tools

PC and projector, blackboard, Virtual Learning Environment "Virtuale", free Apps for Smartphones.

Students with DSA or disability can contact the Student Services for Disabilities and DSA of the University of Bologna (http://www.studentidisabili.unibo.it/) and the contact person of the Department (Prof. Giorgio Bencivenni, giorgio.bencivenni2@unibo.it) or the teacher of the course to agree on the most suitable ways to consult the teaching material and access the classrooms for lectures.

Office hours

See the website of Elena Bernardi