E0313 Environmental chemistry

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2022
Extent and Intensity
2/0/1. 2 credit(s) (fasci plus compl plus > 4). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Lisa Emily Melymuk, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. RNDr. Jana Klánová, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Jana Klánová, Ph.D.
RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Lisa Emily Melymuk, Ph.D.
Supplier department: RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 9:00–10:50 D29/252-RCX1
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
This course provides a general overview of concepts in environmental chemistry, intended for science students without previous courses in environmental chemistry. This course will provide students with an overview of the key concepts in environmental chemistry, covering major categories and types of pollutants, the environmental properties affecting pollutant fate and transport, how environmental samples are collected and processed, and examples of ways in which data on environmental pollutants is used – for chemicals regulation, human exposure estimates and global environmental conventions.
Learning outcomes
After this course, students should be able to: - describe different types and scales of environmental pollution;
- describe basic properties of major pollutants, their occurrence, sources, transport, and hazards;
- understand relations between the chemical structure of substances, their physical-chemical properties and their fate in the environment;
- characterize properties of environmental compartments (atmosphere, hydrosphere, pedosphere, biosphere) and combine this knowledge with the presence and fate of chemical compounds in these compartments;
- describe methods and techniques used for screening and monitoring of presence of pollutants in the environment;
- describe and discuss legislation and policy of these compounds and international conventions;
- understand the importance of chemical pollution to global environmental challenges (e.g. climate change, biodiversity loss)
Syllabus
  • The course is divided into five units taught over 10 weeks: 1. Environmental pollutants – definitions, classifications, and examples of major categories of pollutants (persistent organic pollutants, air pollutants, heavy metals, emerging contaminants).
  • 2. Properties of the outdoor environment (atmosphere, hydrosphere, pedosphere) as they relate to pollutant fate and transport; environmental fate modeling.
  • 3. Properties of the indoor environment and human exposure to pollutants; estimation of human exposure to pollutants.
  • 4. Environmental sampling and analysis – overview of techniques used to collect air, water, soil, sediment and other environmental samples, including principles of passive and active sampling. Laboratory techniques for processing environmental samples.
  • 5. Chemicals regulation and global environmental policy – international conventions on chemical pollutants (Stockholm, Minamata, etc.), chemical management within Europe – REACH, chemical prioritization, chemical early warning systems.
  • Two weeks of the course will include guest lectures from active researchers in environmental chemistry to show the breadth of research in the field.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • BEARD, James M. Environmental chemistry in society. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis, 2009, xvii, 345. ISBN 9781420080254. info
    not specified
  • MANAHAN, Stanley E. Environmental chemistry. Tenth edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2017, xxxi, 752. ISBN 9781498776936. info
  • ZHANG, Chunlong. Fundamentals of environmental sampling and analysis. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley-Interscience, 2007, xx, 436. ISBN 9780471710974. info
  • SMITH, Jo U. and Peter SMITH. Introduction to environmental modelling. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007, ix, 180. ISBN 9780199272068. info
  • HEMOND, Harold F. and Elizabeth J. FECHNER-LEVY. Chemical fate and transport in the environment. 2nd ed. San Diego, Calif.: Academic Press, 2000, xi, 433. ISBN 0123402751. info
Teaching methods
Education is given as lectures (weekly) with Powerpoint presentation. Understanding of mechanisms and consequences is emphasized. An interactive seminar is held in the end of the course where the students are invited to apply knowledge and skills gained in the course on selected case study.
Assessment methods
Attendance of the lectures is not mandatory but strongly recommended to exploit potential of the interactive approach. Final assessment is by written examination and evaluation of in-class participation and project presentation.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught each semester.
General note: www.recetox.muni.cz.
Teacher's information
http://www.recetox.muni.cz
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2023, Autumn 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2022, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2022/E0313