Code: | MA317 | Acronym: | QA |
Keywords | |
---|---|
Classification | Keyword |
OFICIAL | Environmental Sciences and Ecology |
Active? | Yes |
Responsible unit: | Chemistry |
Course/CS Responsible: | Aquatic Sciences |
Acronym | No. of Students | Study Plan | Curricular Years | Credits UCN | Credits ECTS | Contact hours | Total Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LCMA | 1 | Official Study Plan | 3 | - | 5 | 49 | 135 |
Teacher | Responsibility |
---|---|
Maria Antónia Santos Mendes Salgado |
Theoretical classes: | 3,00 |
Theoretical and practical : | 1,50 |
Laboratory Practice: | 2,50 |
Type | Teacher | Classes | Hour |
---|---|---|---|
Theoretical classes | Totals | 1 | 3,00 |
Maria Antónia Santos Mendes Salgado | 3,00 | ||
Theoretical and practical | Totals | 1 | 1,50 |
Maria Antónia Santos Mendes Salgado | 1,50 | ||
Laboratory Practice | Totals | 1 | 2,50 |
Maria Antónia Santos Mendes Salgado | 2,50 |
The Environmental Chemistry lectures focus on explaining some of the natural phenomena, in particular chemical processes taking place within and between de different environmental compartments: lithosphere including soil and sediments; hydrosphere and atmosphere that characterize the chemical composition of each one. The second main objective is to understand how these natural processes can be changed by anthropogenic action causing contamination and pollution. Within this context a whole chapter will be dealing with toxic compounds, groups of pollutants and physico-chemical properties that will influence the fate of the compounds in the environment. The development of the ability to apply the theoretical concepts into practice is another objective of the lectures. Therefore, strong practical learning sessions will enable the students to know and use analytical instruments of routine and specific chemical analysis. This opportunity has the advantage of showing the practical application of some of the acquired concepts, providing the students with basic tools to choose from and to apply adequate methodologies to solve environmental problems as well as developing awareness of the quality of results.
The students should be able to understand some of the natural fenomena in the environment and to predict the possible relationships between the different environmental compartments. They should also be able to formulate hypothesis and to plan experiments to test them using appropriate methodology. In this way the students should be able to identify environmental issues and put into practice methodology to monitor and eventually minimize adverse effects. Be familiar with quantification limits of an analytical method and their use in chemical analysis legislation, is of most importance.
Lectures
Introduction
1. Environmental Issues
Part I - Soil and sediments
1.1. Soil chemistry
1.2. Heavy metals binding to soils and sediments
1.3. Remediation of contaminated soil
1.4. Urban waste
1.5. Incineration
1.6. Recycling
Part II - Water
1.1. Physico-chemical propreties of water
1.2. Chemistry of natural waters: DO and BOD
1.3. nitrogen and phosphorus compounds
1.4. Eutrophication
Part III - Atmosphere
1. Stratospheric chemistry: the ozone layer
1.1. Light absorption by the molecules
1.2. Creation and destruction of ozone
1.3. biological consequences of ozone depletion
2. ozone destruction chemicals
2.1. CFCs
2.2. bromine and iodine containing compounds
3. Tropospheric chemistry and pollution
3.1. Smog occurrence and origin
3.2. Acid rain
4. Greenhouse effect and global warming
4.1. Thermodynamics
4.2. The earth's energy balance
4.3. Major greenhouse gases
Part IV - Toxic substances
1. Organic compouds
1.1. PAHs
1.2. Pesticides (insecticides, herbicides)
1.3. PCBs, dioxines and furans
2. Heavy metals
2.1. solubility and precipitation
2.2. toxicity and bioaccumulation
2.3. Mercury
2.4. Lead
2.5. Cadmium
2.6. Arsenic
2.7. Tin
Laboratory sessions
1. Field work: collection of sediment cores. Fractioning and drying.
2. Sediment sieving
3. Determination of organic matter in sediments.
4. Biochemical oxygen demand of water samples.
5. Gas chromatography, applications.
6. Desk study presentation.
Lectures, practical sessions dedicated to solve theoretical and laboratory problems and laboratory sessions where students hand-in group reports at the end of the session.
Designation | Weight (%) |
---|---|
Exame | 70,00 |
Trabalho escrito | 10,00 |
Trabalho laboratorial | 20,00 |
Total: | 100,00 |
Designation | Time (hours) |
---|---|
Estudo autónomo | 51,00 |
Frequência das aulas | 49,00 |
Trabalho escrito | 35,00 |
Total: | 135,00 |
Attendance of at least 75% of practical and laboratory sessions.
The attendance is valid for the 3 following years
The final score will be the weighted average of the several components: final exam (70%); average score of laboratory sessions reports (20%) and the score of a written essay about a theme to be defined (10%)
Final score = exam x 0,7 + reports x 0,2 + essay x 0,1
The minimum score of the final exam must be equal to or higher than 8,0 points out of 20