610-280 Environmental Chemistry

One of Chemistry 610-141, 610-121 or 610-051 plus one of 610-142, 610-122 or 610-052.

On completion of 610-280, students should comprehend the relationship between chemistry and the environment: namely the sources, reactions, transport, effects and fates of chemical species in the water, soil and atmospheric environments; the consequences of changes in the chemical composition of the environment for humankind and other species; and the consequences of energy utilisation. Students should appreciate the need for the integration of a chemically centred study of the environment with other approaches to the treatment of environmental data, and have developed an appreciation of the role of environmental chemistry in a wider social context.

Students should have developed skills in recognising chemically based environmental problems, an awareness of the possible effects of chemicals on the environment and a capacity to interpret environmental data and to apply diverse chemical principles in the explanation of environmental phenomena. Students should appreciate the need for high quality environmental analysis, the links between the misuse of chemicals and pollution events, and the importance of selecting and utilising appropriate analytical methods and techniques for their monitoring. Students should understand the principles of the key analytical methods used in environmental chemistry.

Students will also develop skills in investigating contemporary environmental chemistry issues, a consideration of the wider context of these issues, generic skills in operating in small teams and an awareness of professional practice as a scientist.

The subject matter in 610-280 covers some or all of the following topics: emissions to the troposphere; behaviour of pollutants in the troposphere and stratosphere; ozone and SMOG chemistry; air pollution potential (chemistry and meteorology); airborne particulates; acid rain and the greenhouse effect; the ozone layer; the structure and chemistry of freshwater bodies; the chemistry of nutrients; dissolved oxygen, Henry's Law and oxygen demand; the environmental impact of selected examples of metals, organic priority pollutants, pesticides and herbicides; water quality and health; the chemistry of soils (formation, constituents and properties); sources and characteristics of soil contaminants; absorption and persistence of contaminants in soils; soil degradation, salinity and acid-sulphate soils; chemical assessment of contaminated soils; introduction to soil and water remediation, energy utilisation and conservation; and the most frequently used environmental monitoring instrumental analytical techniques. A key aspect will be the comprehensive investigation of a current environmental chemistry issue, which will be taught in a small-group, scenario-based learning mode.

Written assignments not exceeding 15 pages due during the semester (20%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (80%).