CH2041 - Environmental Chemistry

Credit points:	03
Year:	2006
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:

Available to students within BSc or BAppSc programs with earth science, environmental or ecology specialisation.

Chemistry of the natural environment. Atmospheric chemistry (ozone chemistry, aerosols), aquatic chemistry (marine, freshwater, groundwater), terrestrial (soils, clay minerals, humic matter), microbial redox chemistry (pE/pH diagrams) and inferfacial chemistry (Kf,Kdist). Biogeochemical cycles (N, P, S). Analytical chemistry. Techniques that are used in environmental monitoring of air, water and soils. Classical methods (gravimetry, titrimetry), chromatography (GC, HPLC, IC), spectroscopy (ND-IR, fluorescence, colorimetry, AA). Electroanalytical techniques. Sampling methods and quality control.Pollution chemistry. Nuclear and alternative energies, toxicology, greenhouse gases, smog, indoor air quality, water pollution, acid sulphate soils, persistent organics (DDT, PCB, dioxin), insecticides, herbicides, heavy metals (Pb, Hg), wastes and waste treatment technology, green chemistry.

Learning Outcomes

• address current understanding of the causes, effects and responses to pollution;
• stress the role of molecular processes in global element cycles;
• survey of instrumental and analytical techniques appropriate to monitoring, with practical experience in the use of these methods;
• to provide a general framework on the aspects of chemistry that are inherent in environmental and earth sciences.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
• The ability to lead, manage and contribute effectively to teams;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• The ability to calculate, produce, interpret and communicate numerical information;
• The ability to select and use appropriate IT tools;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner.

Prerequisites:	CH1011 and CH1012 or equivalent
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	CH2012

Availabilities
, , Study Period 1
Census Date 24-Mar-2006
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Michael Liddell.
Contact hours:	32 hours 8 hours 36 hours
Assessment:	(37%); (33%); (5%); (25%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.