CH3041 - Environmental Chemistry

Chemistry of the natural environment. Atmospheric chemistry (ozone chemistry, aerosols), aquatic chemistry (marine, freshwater, groundwater), terrestrial (soils, clay minerals, humic matter), microbial redox chemistry (pE/pH diagrams) and inferfacial chemistry (KF,KD). Biogeochemical cycles (N, P, S). Analytical chemistry. Techniques that are used in environmental monitoring of air, water and soils. Classical methods (gravimetry, titrimetry), chromatography (GC, HPLC, IC), spectroscopy (ND-IR, fluorescence, colorimetry, AA). Electroanalytical techniques. Sampling methods and quality control. Pollution chemistry. Nuclear and alternative energies, toxicology, greenhouse gases, smog, indoor air quality, water pollution, acid sulphate soils, persistent organics (DDT, PCB, dioxin), insecticides, herbicides, heavy metals (Pb, Hg), wastes and waste treatment.

Learning Outcomes

• be able to comprehend the chemical principles involved in Environmental Chemistry and develop a familiarity with the analytical techniques that are typically used in environmental monitoring;
• understand a general framework for those aspects of Chemistry that are inherent in environmental, biological and earth sciences within the context of the tropics;
• be able to analyze and demonstrate, through both written and oral communication, an understanding of the causes, effects and responses to environmental condition (especially pollution);
• be trained in instrumental and analytical techniques appropriate to monitoring, and carry out practical laboratory and field operations using these methods;
• be able to compile and analyze data to produce scientific reports which assess the quality of the physical environment.

Subject Assessment

• Invigilated > End of semester exam - (45%)
• Invigilated > Other exams - (15%)
• Non-Invigilated > Essays - (10%)
• Practicals - (30%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.