OVERVIEW

The course introduces the student to the basic and advanced concepts of environmental chemistry,of  the biochemical cycles of the elements and the environmental impact of both  natural and anthropogeni pollutants.. The skills necessary for the interpretation of chemical data in an environmental context will also be developed through practical examples.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Basic and advanced concepts regarding the environmental chemistry, the impact, the pathways and the fate of several classes of natural or anthropogenic pollutants will be described. Some aspects of existing legislation and monitoring techniques will be also treated.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will acquire the knowledge of the main chemical mechanisms driving the environmental processes and pollution phenomena, including the main reference environmental regulations. He will understand the basic concepts of the environmental impact of different classes of pollutants (metals, organic substances) and of the problems related to their control in different environmental matrices (air, water, soils). In this context, some aspects of monitoring techniques will also be addressed. Furthermore, the student will acquire skills to evaluate changes of natural and anthropogenic origin of ecosystems linked to chemical phenomena and to plan environmental remediation in the context of current legislation.

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge  of  both  inorganic and organic chemistry main topics.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of lectures divided into 2-hour lessons based on the academic calendar and a part of a theoretical-practical activities, which will be held by the teachers. The organization and the dates of the theoretical-practical  activities  will be communicated directly to the students by the teachers at the beginning of the course. 

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 Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Atmosphere and atmospheric chemistry: Composition of the atmosphere; Greenhouse effect; Greenhouse gases and effect on Radiative Forcing; Aerosols;Chemical reactions in the troposphere and in the stratosphere. Role of ozone in the stratosphere. The Chapman's cycle. Atmospheric  pollutants and  atmospheric monitoring.  

Hydrosphere and water chemistry. Natural water properties. Composition of natural waters (dissolved inorganic solutes, organic substances, gases, suspended particulate matter);Monitoring and assessment of water quality. Bioindicator organism employment and biomonitoring. 

Lithosphere and characteristics of soils and sediments. Monitoring and evaluation of the properties of soils. Determination of key parameters and metals in solid phases; applications of enrichment and geoaccumulation indices.

Environmental remediation and  the current environmental legislation

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The teaching material is available online at course aulaweb page

Reference book: C. Baird, M.Cann “Chimica Ambientale”, Zanichelli Editore.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable go to the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Please check the module Aulaweb page for timetable updates dependent on the sanitary and epidemic situation.

Class schedule

CHEMISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination. There will be 2 exam sessions available for the winter session (mid-January-February) and 5 exam sessions available for the summer session (June,
July and September). 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam consists in an oral test. The oral examination is always conducted by two teachers and lasts for at least 30 minutes. In this way, the Commission is able to verify the achievement of the objectives of teaching by asking questions about the program of the course. The ability to expose the arguments clearly and with correct terminology will also be evaluated. When goals are not achieved, the student is invited to deepen his knowledge and to ask further explanation to the teacher. 

Details on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of detail required for each topic will be provided at the beginning of the course and reiterated during lectures.

FURTHER INFORMATION

It is not compulsory to attend the classes, but it is strongly advised to do so.