55954 - Environmental Analytical Chemistry

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide the student with the basic knowledge of the most common analytical techniques for the analysis of inorganic ions, natural substances, metabolites and toxicants in environmental matrices.

Course contents

BASICS. Main classes of pollutants, basics on pollutants (production, distribution, bioaccumulation and biomagnification), sampling procedures.

Quality assessment in the analytical laboratory.

WATER QUALITY. Solids, dissolved oxygen, BOD and COD, pH, conductivity, hardness, analytical techniques for common inorganic and organic ions (spectrophotometric techniques, potentiometric techniques based on ISE electrodes, ionic chromatography)  

ANALYSYS OF METALS AND INORGANIC SPECIES. Treatment of solid and liquid samples (extraction with solvents, SPE extraction, sample digestion and decomposition, hydride generation), atomic spectroscopy, spectrophotometry, chromatographic and electrochemical techniques.

ANALYSIS OF VOLATILE AND SEMIVOLATILE ORGANIC SPECIES. Treatment of solid, liquid and gaseous samples (static and dynamic headspace extraction, SPME extraction, active and passive sampling systems), gaschromatographic analysis.

ANALYSIS OF NONVOLATILE ORGANIC SPECIES. Treatment of solid and liquid samples (liquid-liquid extraction, SPE extraction, SPME extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, accelerated solvent extraction), chromatographic analysis, immunoassays and bioanalytical methods.

ANALYSIS OF ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTANTS. Atmospheric gases: sampling and analysis (trapping, sensors, monitoring systems, portable analyzers). Atmospheric particulate: sampling and analysis.

Readings/Bibliography

Skoog, West, Holler, Crouch. Fondamenti di chimica analitica - Seconda Edizione EdiSES (2004)

Harris - Chimica analitica quantitativa - Seconda Edizione Zanichelli (2005)

Baird - Chimica Ambientale Terza Edizione - Zanichelli (2015)

Teaching methods

The course consists in lessons dealing about the program topics listed in the program.

Assessment methods

The learning assessment will take place through the final exam, which ensures the acquisition of knowledge and expected skills by an oral examination. The exam will assess the achievement of the following learning objectives:

- knowledge of the main issues related to environmental analysis;

- knowledge of the main analytical techniques employed in environmental analysis;

- knowledge of the sampling, treatment and analysis procedures regarding the most common environmental matrices (air, water, soil).

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations are used for the lessons. The material is available for the students on AMS Campus.

Office hours

See the website of Mara Mirasoli