Introduction to Environmental Chemistry, FC
Within environmental chemistry you will study the contaminants journey from source, their fate (reactions, transport) in the environment, and finally the effects (toxicity). That information will lay base to identify the hazard, exposure and risk of the chemicals.
Environmental chemistry is the study of biotic and abiotic chemical processes in the environment, the effects of human activity on them, and how these in turn affect human and wildlife health. It is an interdisciplinary field of science that includes biological, ecological, atmospheric, aquatic and soil chemistry, heavily dependent on chemical analysis and effect analysis in vivo, in vitro and in silico. Within environmental chemistry you will study the contaminants journey from source, their fate (reactions, transport) in the environment, and finally the effects (toxicity). That information will lay base to identify the hazard, exposure and risk of the chemicals. The course is designed to provide a fundamental survey of concepts and definitions of environmental chemical and toxicological concepts.
In the organic chemistry section, you will learn about the use of the chemicals, be introduced to their inherent properties, the distribution in the environment and organisms, abiotic transformation and metabolism of organic contaminants. Examples of a range of historical and currently used problematic organic chemicals will be discussed and put in a regulatory perspective. Fundamental for a proper risk assessment is a robust analytical method to determine the exposure and environmental levels. For that purpose, you will get an introduction to chemical analysis methods adopted for a range of different organic contaminants.
Furthermore, the course will give a basic survey of chemical reactions of inorganic chemicals in natural waters; thermodynamics, kinetics and chemical equilibrium in nature; inorganic environmental chemistry, especially the sources of heavy metals, their distribution and potential health risks and environmental hazards.
The course will also give a basic survey of atmospheric chemistry, composition and processes: ozone chemistry of the stratosphere, photochemistry of the troposphere, atmospheric particles, cloud chemistry. Sources, transport, chemistry, deposition and effects of atmospheric contaminants; greenhouse gases and climate change.
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Course structure
The course is divided into three sections;
- Organic chemistry (5 credits)
- Inorganic chemistry (5 credits)
- Atmospheric chemistry (5 credits)
Teaching format
The teaching consists of lectures, exercises, excursions and laboratory work. Participation in the laboratory work is mandatory. The course is given in English.
Intended learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student is expected to:
- classify and name common organic environmental pollutants and account for their use and basic physical and chemical properties (module 1)
- give an account of environmental chemistry and environmental toxicology central concepts and definitions, and bring reasoning about spread, transformation, and analysis of common organic environmental pollutants (module 1)
- explain how dissolved substances can be measured and calculated and perform calculations for aqueous solutions in equilibrium with solid phase and gas phase (module 2)
- be able to predict the state of a water system based on the variables pH and redox potential and account for that eutrophication, acidification and heavy metals from an environmental chemical perspective (module 2)
- name common air pollutants and account for sources, transport, transformation, deposition and main effects (module 3)
- perform simpler photochemical and cloud chemical calculations (module 3).
Assessment
Assessment for modules 1-3 takes place through a written exam and laboratory reports.
Your rights and responsibilities
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Relevant literature will be handed out.
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Course reports
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Contact
Study Counselors
Course Coordinator
Jana Weiss, Jana.Weiss@aces.su.se
Department of Environmental Science
