OVERVIEW

The course introduces the student to the concepts of environmental chemistry, in particular considering the impact that the pollutants from anthropogenic sources have on the aquatic and atmospheric sectors.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purpose of the course is to help understand the basic concepts on the environmental impact of pollutants deriving from natural and anthropogenic sources. In particular, water, air and soil pollution, the impact of civil and industrial waste and waste water treatment processes will be discussed.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and active participation in the proposed training activities (lectures) and the individual study will allow the student to:

- know in depth the water, air and soil compartments and understand the effects of the pollutants in them;

- identify the main types of reaction involving primary pollutants;
- understand the potentiality and limitations of pollutants treatment methods;
- acquire a correct scientific terminology for the identification of the mechanisms that regulate the transformations of the chemical compounds in the hydrosphere and atmosphere.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists of frontal lessons (32 hours). Experts will be invited for seminar lessons. Copies of the slides presented in class will be available on AulaWeb, which can be used as a basis for study.

At the end of the lessons a group activity (2 hours) will be carried out which will allow to highlight the awareness of what has been learned during the lessons, with critical reflections on what derives from the media regarding the environmental pollution. After a discussion and using the knowledge acquired, each group will present their considerations on the topic analysed.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The aim of the course is to provide the basis for the comprehension of processes pollution depends on. The course will also tackle the aspects related to urban, industrial and rural pollution, and the effects of pollutant on receptive environments. Will be considered the different environmental compartments (water, air, soil). In details will be considered the water pollution: general aspects, chemical-physic characteristic of water and classification, law, strategies for sampling. Definition of macroindicators (COD, BOD, etc.) and their role. Source and typology of water pollutant (organic, inorganic and biological). Purification processes. Analysis and aspects related to the pollution of sea, rivers and lakes water. Later on will be considered the air pollution: the stratospheric ozone, the formation of photochemical smog, the particulate matter, the greenhouse effect, the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere and the environmental laws. Will be considered problems of soil pollution and solid industrial and civil wastes. Finally will be considered Reach and CLP regulations.

This class contributes to the achievement of the following 2030 ONU Agenda sustainability Goals: 4-5-12

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- S.E. Manahan, Chimica dell’Ambiente, PICCIN

- C. Baird, M. Cann “Chimica ambientale” Zanichelli 2006

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

From March 2025

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination with the possibility to make a written exam (6 open questions in 2 hours).

The oral examination is conducted by two professors in about 30 minutes. They are able to verify the achievement of the learning outcomes. When these are not met, the student is invited to extend the study. To ensure uniformity between the examination topics and those actually carried out during the course, is present into the AulaWeb page a detailed program, so that students themselves can verify adherence.

For students with disabilities or with SLD, the examination methods are consistent with University regulation regarding the exams (https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa). 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will focus on the topics of the course, the commission will evaluate the achievement of teaching objectives (at the level of minimum skills or excellence), verifying if the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge.
Both through the written and oral examination the student's ability to critically discuss the topics, to have elaborated and adapted the concepts presented in class and to have integrated the information coming from the various topics through personal study will be evaluated. The ability to describe the water, air, soil, pollution and waste treatment processes in a clear way and with correct scientific terminology will be evaluated; the quality of the exposure will be considered.
Details on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of depth of each topic will be given during the lessons.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.