55007 - Chemical Toxicological Analysis II

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has a basic knowledge of modern techniques for the analysis of environmental pollutants and xenobiotics in biological fluids. In particular, the student is able to: - know and apply the most suitable tecgniques, based on the different problems; - evaluate the results obtained.

Course contents

Module of "Chemical Toxicological Analysis II" (Prof. Michela Rosini) - 4 CFU total; 3 CFU (24 h) theoretical part, 1 CFU (12 h) laboratory part.

 

Theoretical part:

Priority pollutants: physical-chemical characterisation; properties which govern environmental distribution, persistence and analytical profile.

Influence of chirality on degradation of pollutants. Optical rotation, enantiomeric excess. Polarimetric analysis: instrumentation and application to the environmental analysis. Characteristics and limitations of this technique.

IR spectroscopy: theory and instrumentation. Relationship between IR absorption and chemical structure. Identification and quantitation of the analytes. Application to the environmental analysis (ex. IRSA 5160).

Sample preparation methods. Extraction of analytes from environmental solids: accelerated solvent extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction and subcritical water extraction. Recovery, selectivity and effect on sample matrix. Control of temperature and pressure. Cleanup procedures with different sorbents (Florisil, silica, alumina, carbon).

Chromatographic techniques: gas chromatography (GC). Instrumentation; packed and capillary columns, stationary phases, carrier gases and available detectors. Isothermal and temperature-programmed gas chromatography. Fast GC and enatioselective GC.

Analytical methods for pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and endocrine disrupting chemicals. Case Studies on different matrices.

Laboratory part:

Chromatographic analysis of EDCs (hormones, drugs, etc.) in environmental and biological matrices with different detectors.
 

 Module of "Analysis of environmental pollutants" (Prof. Michela Rosini) - 3 CFU total; 1 CFU (8 h) theoretical part, 2 CFU (24 h) laboratory part.

 Theoretical part:

Environmental pollution. Air, soil and water: natural and anthropogenic pollutants. Sampling and analysis by chemical and instrumental methodologies. Validation of analytical methods.

Laboratory part:

General safety, hazard symbols, classes of noxious substances and rules of first aid. Preparation of calibration curves on standard solutions. Validation of an analytical method. Extraction and pre-treatment of a sample. Chemical and instrumental measurements of pollutants in various matrices.

 

Readings/Bibliography

- C. Baird, Environmental Chemistry, WH Freeman, 2006

- EPA methods (www.epa.gov) for environmental analyses

- APAT-IRSA-CNR protocols for water

Presented slides and scientific literature discussed during the course

Teaching methods

The course consists in two modules: "Chemical toxicological analysis II" (Prof. M. Rosini), 24 hours for the theoretical part and 12 hours for the practical part, and " Analysis of environmental pollutants "  (Prof. M. Rosini), 8 hours for the theoretical part and 24 hours for the practical part.

Assessment methods

The final assessment will be carried out with 2-3 questions on the topics discussed during lessons and during exercises. Integral part of the final score will be made by the evaluation of the reports on laboratory experiments and of the results obtained.

Teaching tools

Lesson slides, copies of scientific papers, written outlines of the laboratory practice experiments.

Office hours

See the website of Michela Rosini