CH5041 - Environmental Chemistry

Credit points:	03
Year:	2018
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	College of Science and Engineering

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 interfacial chemistry (KF,KD). 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.

Learning Outcomes

• explain the chemical principles involved in Environmental Chemistry via written and verbal reports. Simultaneously describe the aspects of chemistry inherent to the disciples of environmental, biological and earth sciences in the tropical context;
• analyse and demonstrate through both written and oral communication, an understanding of the causes, effect and responses to environmental conditions, particularly pollution;
• demonstrate the capacity to select and use instrumental and analytical techniques appropriate to environmental monitoring. Do this in both laboratory and field settings;
• compile and analyse data to produce scientific reports that assess the quality of the physical environment.

Assumed Knowledge:	Students should have completed 1st year level chemistry subjects
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	CH3041

Availabilities
Townsville, Limited, Study Period 1
Census Date 22-Mar-2018
Face to face teaching (Every Week of SP 1 including lecture recess. Workshops/tutorials are given in Cairns and are videolinked to Townsville.)
Contact hours:	2 hours lectures 10 hours tutorials 38 hours practicals - Offered as block in Townsville, includes 3 field trips (Cairns) 13 hours workshops/Seminars 9 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (55%); quizzes or tests (15%); practicals (30%).
Restrictions:	An enrolment quota applies to this offering.
Cairns, Limited, Study Period 1
Census Date 22-Mar-2018
Face to face teaching (Every Week of SP 1 including lecture recess.)
Contact hours:	2 hours lectures 10 hours tutorials 38 hours practicals - Offered as block in Cairns, includes 3 field trips (Cairns) 13 hours workshops/Seminars 9 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (55%); quizzes or tests (15%); practicals (30%).
Restrictions:	An enrolment quota applies to this offering.

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.