PCC-32306 Environmental Physical Chemistry

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Colloid Science, Thermodynamics

Continuation courses:

MSc Thesis PCC, Thesis ETE

Contents:

The course bridges fundamental physical chemistry (adsorption and absorption, transport, kinetics) with understanding of processes in the natural environment. It considers chemical speciation and cycling of chemicals and (nano)particles in aquatic media in contact with organic matter, soil and air, as well as their interaction with organisms and transport over cell walls and biological membranes. The chemodynamics of dissolved and dispersed species forms the general starting point for analyzing their reactivity and bioavailability. Accumulation of species at biointerfaces and in biogels (cell walls, biofilms, granules) is analyzed in terms of both thermodynamic and non-equilibrium features. Mechanisms of bioaccumulation processes and ways to protect surfaces/interfaces against biofouling are discussed.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of this course students are expected to be able to:
- demonstrate that they have gained knowledge and insight in the aspects of environmental physical chemistry as described under contents;
- recognize concepts of physical chemistry in environmental processes and features of ecosystems, and discuss their application, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to such processes and systems.
In addition, students are expected to have gained extra experience in functioning in a case study group, and reporting their results orally and in writing.

Activities:

- lectures;
- participation in a case study group; the subjects are related to environmental research projects in which PCC is involved. Each group delivers a report and gives an oral presentation;
- problem solving and doing exercises with simple simulation programs, data analysis.

Examination:

The examination is based on a written exam and the quality of the report on the case study. The final mark is a weighted average of the written exam (weighing factor 0.75) and the case study (weighing factor 0.25).

Literature:

Stumm/Morgan, Aquatic Chemistry, 1981.
Tessier/Turner, Metal speciation and bioavailability in aquatic systems, 1995.