B2192 - CHEMISTRY OF MARINE AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will acquire the basic knowledge of the chemistry of the sea, the chemical composition of the oceans and the factors that govern it. The student will be able to describe the distribution of the elements/chemicals in the marine environment as a function of the chemical reactivity and interaction with the main physical and biological processes.

Course contents

Course Structure

The course is divided into two modules devoted to the chemistry of marine and coastal environments, with particular attention to the chemical composition of seawater, biogeochemical processes, the status of marine and coastal environments, and the main forms of contamination.

 

Module 1 and 2

Chemical composition of seawater: dissolved gases, organic matter, major, minor, and trace elements. Status of coastal and marine environments. Ocean acidification: chemistry of the carbonate system, monitoring of the main chemical parameters, effects of acidification on marine organisms and ecosystems. Organic matter pollution: BOD, COD, and organic load. Metal pollution in marine and coastal environments: sources, distribution, environmental fate, and effects. Sources, environmental fate, and effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the marine environment. Overview of analytical methodologies for the analysis of seawater and sediments. Examples of applications to the monitoring of marine and coastal environments.

Readings/Bibliography

Students’ notes taken during in-person lectures or while watching lecture recordings are essential.

For each lecture, the instructor provides teaching materials in PDF format, including diagrams, data, graphs, case studies, and possible exercise guidelines; these materials are published on the virtuale.unibo.it platform.

All course contents are included in the lecture notes and materials published by the instructor on virtuale.unibo.it; students are advised to read them.

Recommended Readings for Further Study

• F.J. Millero, Chemical Oceanography, CRC Press.
• M.E.Q. Pilson, An Introduction to the Chemistry of the Sea, Cambridge University Press.
• S.M. Libes, Introduction to Marine Biogeochemistry, Academic Press.
• R. Chester, T.D. Jickells, Marine Geochemistry, Wiley-Blackwell.

Teaching methods

Lectures with slide presentations and classroom discussion.

Lectures are complemented by applied examples, case studies, and practical exercises aimed at understanding the main chemical processes and environmental issues affecting marine and coastal ecosystems.

The teaching material used during the lectures is published on the virtuale.unibo.it platform.

Assessment methods

Learning is assessed through a final examination only, aimed at verifying the acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills.

The examination consists of a written test that may include multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions, and short exercises.

There are 12 multiple-choice questions, each worth 1 point if the answer is correct and 0 points if the answer is incorrect or missing.

There are 3 short exercises, each worth up to 2 points.

There are 3 open-ended questions, each worth up to 4 points if the answer is complete and correct; missing or incorrect answers receive 0 points. Intermediate scores between 0 and 4 are awarded according to the correctness, completeness, and clarity of the answer.

The examination is passed with a minimum score of 18/30. Honours may be awarded in the case of a particularly outstanding examination.

Use of Generative AI in the Examination

With regard to the assessment of learning, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use of AI during the examination constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

To sit the examination, students must register through AlmaEsami, strictly within the established deadlines. Students who are unable to register by the deadline must promptly inform the course instructor of the issue, and in any case before the official closure of the registration lists. The instructor may decide whether or not to admit the student to the examination.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

 

Teaching tools

Video projector, PC, databases, multimedia tools, and teaching materials available on the virtuale.unibo.it platform.

For practical and demonstrative activities, environmental data, case studies, databases, and laboratory instrumentation for the chemical analysis of waters and sediments may be used.

 

 

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Girolamo Rombolà

See the website of Cristian Torri