69859 - Air Pollution Chemistry

Academic Year 2019/2020

  • Docente: Laura Tositti
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: CHIM/12
  • Language: English
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Ravenna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Science for the Conservation-Restoration of Cultural Heritage (cod. 8537)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will acquire the basic knowledge of atmospheric chemical interactions on cultural properties resulting from past and present airborne pollution; connections between atmospheric composition, its historical evolution into a polluted environment as well as temporal trends will be discussed. Special focus will be given to the main gaseous pollutants and to ambient particulate matter as well as to their physico-chemical characterization in indoor and outdoor conditions. Gas-to particle reactions, oxidation processes in the atmosphere and their influence on the surfaces exposed will be described.

Course contents

Composition of the atmosphere under natural and polluted conditions - Evolution of atmospheric composition in the course of time, environmental archives - Major, minor and trace gases in the present atmosphere - Physical-chemistry of the greenhouse effect - Global warming and trends in atmospheric composition: climatic change and cultural heritage - Atmospheric reactivity: Oxydation capacity of the atmosphere and role of OH radical - Airborne particulate matter: size distribution, composition and formation processes - PM10 and other relevant cutoffs in airborne particulate matter -  connections between particulate matter and acid rains - occult precipitation -  interactions between atmospheric pollutants with materials in artistic manufacts - experimental design in air pollution monitoring - Chemical characterization of outdoor and indoor environments

Readings/Bibliography

Lesson notes Teacher Slides Tiwary A, Colls J. Air Pollution: Measurement, Modelling & Mitigation. Abingdon, Oxon, UK: Routledge, Taylor & Francis group, 2010. BRIMBLECOMBE, P.The Big Smoke, Methuen, London (1987/88/2011) pp 185.

Teaching methods

Slides on the 4 sections in which the course is split + books and other reports or papers on specific topics on which consolidating/checking slides illustrated in the classes

Further explanations available on appointment by email

Assessment methods

3 topics discussed among those treated within the course

First topic chosen by the candidate, following ones based on question by the teacher

Teaching tools

Slides prepared by the teacher for the 4 main branches in which the course is split

Slides are complemented by textbooks, journal papers and reports for checking and consolidating contents treated in class

Further explanations/support can be provided by the teacher on appointment

Office hours

See the website of Laura Tositti

SDGs

Good health and well-being Quality education Sustainable cities Climate Action

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.