Environmental Chemistry II

Code:

EA0012

Acronym:

QA II

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physical Sciences (Chemistry)

Instance: 2019/2020 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Environmental Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIEA	48	Syllabus since 2006/07	1	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

To acquire sound knowledge in chemistry. To develop reasoning and problem solving skills, knowledge discovery and personal and professional skills and attributes.

Learning outcomes and competences

It is expected that students in this Course

-deepen / consolidate their previous knowledge of chemistry and apply them in solving environmental problems


- Acquire knowledge of the theoretical foundations of some of the key methods used in instrumental chemical analysis.
- Develop scientific reasoning, the ability to integrate knowledge and critical thinking to solve problems

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM 1.1 Activity coefficients 1.2 Acids and basis. pH buffers. Logarithmic concentration diagrams 1.3 Complex formation. Concentration, distribution and predominance areas diagrams. 1.4 Solubility of salts. Effect of pH and complex formation. Adsorption at solid-water interface. 1.5 Oxidation-reduction reaction. Concentration diagrams and pE-pH diagrams. 2. CHEMICAL KINETICS 2.1 Reaction rate 2.2 Instantaneous reaction rate and collision theory 2.3 Rate equations and order of reaction 2.4 Reaction mechanisms 2.5 Catalysis 3. BASIC CONCEPTS OF ADSORPTION 4. INSTRUMENTAL METHODS OF ANALYSIS 4.1 Introduction. Classic laboratory analysis vs. instrumental analysis. Steps involved in a laboratory analysis. Introduction to instrumental methods of analysis. Classification. 4.2 Molecular UV/Vis adsorption, visible and IR spectroscopy. a. Brief revision of concepts. Electromagnetic spectrum. Radiation absorption. Beer’s law. b. Instrumentation. Basic components: radiation sources; wavelength selectors; sample containers; radiation detectors; signal processors. Instrumental noise effect on the accuracy of spectrophotometric analysis. Typical instruments: simple and double beam spectrophotometer; photodiode detector. c. Qualitative analysis. Solvent Selection. Detection of functional groups. d. Quantitative analysis. Typical procedure on an analysis: wavelength selection; variables influencing absorbance; cleaning and handling of cells; calibration curve. Standard addition method. Calculation method for the simultaneous determination of components in mixtures. e. Applications: determination of nitrates, sulphates and phosphates in water using molecular UV/Vis absorption spectrophotometry; determination of total organic carbon (TOC) using IV spectrophotometry. 4.3 Atomic spectroscopy a. Classification of spectroscopic methods. Types of atomic spectra, energy diagrams; atomic emission or absorption spectra. Atomic absorption. b. Instruments and modus operandi: radiation sources, atomizers: flame and electrothermal atomization. Chemical and spectral interferences. c. Qualitative analysis: sample preparation; characteristic sample; calibration standards; standard addition method. d. Application: determination of some metals in water. 4.4 Electroanalytical methods a. Classification. Nernst equation. b. Potentiometric methods. Reference and trace electrodes. The glass electrode for pH measurement. Errors affecting pH determination. Potentiometric titrations. c. Ion-selective electrodes and selectivity coefficients. Use of calibration curves. Lower limit of linear response, limit of detection and meaning of slope. d. Applications: pH and cyanide determination in water. 4.5 Chromatographic methods a. Classification. Brief introduction to chromatography theory. b. Gas chromatography (GC). Instruments. Injection systems. Mobile and stationary phases. Detectors. Programmed temperature operation. Quantitative analysis. c. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Instruments. Solvents used. Columns. Detectors. Operation in gradient elution. d. Applications: GC-FID solvent and HPLC-UV herbicides determination.

Mandatory literature

Sawyer, Clair N.; Chemistry for Environmental Engineering. ISBN: 0-07-113908-7
Skoog, Douglas A.; Principles of instrumental analysis. ISBN: 0-03-075398-8

Complementary Bibliography

Stumm, Werner; Aquatic chemistry. ISBN: 0-471-51185-4
Rubinson, Judith F.; Contemporary chemical analysis. ISBN: 0-13-519331-1
Willard, Hobart H.; Instrumental Methods of Analysis
Skoog, Douglas A.; Fundamentals of analytical chemistry. ISBN: 0-03-005938-0
M.L. Gonçalves; Métodos Instrumentais para Análise de Soluções, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 2ª edição, 1990

Teaching methods and learning activities

General theoretical-practical classes: presentation of problems and the theoretical topics to solve them. Theoretical-practical classes: discussion of problems based on problem sheets previously provided to students. Resolution of mini-tests.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	56,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Total:	112,00

Eligibility for exams

Students have to attend 75% of the theoretical-practical classes and attend all compulsory mini-tests.

Calculation formula of final grade

Continuous Assessment: 45 minutes long mini-tests to be done during practical classes. 7 mini-tests are available and students have to select 4 of them, and the remaining tests will act as resit tests to a given topic (see Contents). Final grade:  average grade of the mini-tests.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Continuous assessment will be based on weekly mini-tests.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

On the scheduled date.

Classification improvement

Recurso (resit) exam.

Observations

During the pandemic, the assessment remains distributed without a final exam, with tests performed on the moodle platform. In the QUI module, the mini-tests for the 4 topics were replaced by a single test with recourse and weekly homework.