07418 - Environmental Chemistry

Learning outcomes

Acquisition of the fundamental chemical and physical principles necessary to evaluate the behaviour of pollutants and their impact on the environment.

More specifically to provide knowledge on:

·  physical and chemical mechanisms which take place in the atmosphere with specific reference to the problems connected with the ozone layer and the greenhouse effect.

·  investigation techniques adopted to determine the physical properties and the chemical composition of the atmosphere.

·  soil and water chemistry and the main interactions with organic and inorganic pollutants

·  environmental impacts of ceramic industry.

Course contents

Environmental Chemistry: Module 1

Introduction to environmental chemistry. An outline of Ecology. Biogeochemical cycles.

The properties of water, a unique substance. Sources and uses of water: the hydrologic cycle. The characteristics of water bodies. Aquatic Chemistry. Dissolved material, particulate matter and sediment. Gas exchanging models. Oxygen and carbon dioxide in the water bodies. Metal Ions and Calcium in Water. Oxidation-Reduction. Complexation and chelation. Water interactions with other phases. Organic and inorganic water pollutants.

The terrestrial environment, crust and material cycling. Weathering processes. Formation of soils: influences of air, water, solar, radiation, plant material. Soil profile and its horizons. The structure of silicate minerals. Clay minerals structure. Organic compounds in soil. Humic and no humic substances. Physical and chemical property of soil. Organic and inorganic contaminants in soils. Principals interaction with soil components. Ion exchange, complexation, absorption and biodegradation.

Atmospheric structure. Principles of photochemistry. Principles of molecular spectroscopy. Altitude variation of physical and chemical quantities in the atmosphere. Temperature profile and subdivision of the atmosphere in the vertical domain. Hydrostatic equilibrium law. The electromagnetic spectrum. Evidence of recent modifications in the physical and chemical properties of the atmosphere. Atmosphere chemical models. Interaction between gas phase molecules and the electromagnetic radiation. Mechanisms that induce the “ozone hole” phenomenon on the Antarctic regions. Photochemical smog. Acid rains. Natural radioactivity. Solid particulate in urban areas.

The greenhouse effect: definitions and mechanisms. Strategies for the analysis and monitoring of the atmosphere.

Environmental Chemistry: Module 2

Environmental Chemistry topics applied to the ceramics industry.

Environmental impacts of the ceramics industry. Study of the working conditions and pollutants emitted by industrial processes and their behaviour in the environmental compartments. Application of the integrated Environmental Monitoring System.

Introduction to the waste management. Waste and hazardous waste: production, characterization, energy and material valorisation. Introduction to the concepts of Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Inventory (LCA/LCI).

Furthermore the students could participate to specific seminars, conferences and instruction travels.

At the end of the course students have to do a short dissertation on one scientific topics in accordance with the programme course.

Readings/Bibliography

Colin Baird, Chimica Ambientale,  Zanichelli Publishing.

J.H. Seinfeld, “Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, J Wiley & Sons Inc, New York

Stanley E. Manahan, Chimica dell'Ambiente, Piccin Publishing.

Julian E. Andrews et al., An Introduction to Environmental Chemistry, second edition, Blackwell Publishing.

G. Busani, C. Palmonari, G. Timellini. Piastrelle Ceramiche & Ambiente. EdiCer Publishing.

Teaching methods

Classroom lessons using transparencies, Power-Point slides, and blackboard. Students can attend specific seminars and conferences.

Assessment methods

The final examination is oral and will be focused on a set of questions aimed to verify the theoretical knowledge of the student about the principles and the technologies presented along the course.

Teaching tools

Pc and projector , overhead projector and blackboard.

Office hours

See the website of Ivano Vassura

See the website of Massimo Carlotti