CHIMICA AMBIENTALE APPLICATA

CHIM/12 - 6 CFU - 2° Semester

Teaching Staff

GIANCARLO PERRINI


Learning Objectives

The knowledge of environmental issues is of fundamental importance for young graduates in Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry as the relevant skills will be required in most of the competitions to which they will participate and will be indispensable in the work activities.



Detailed Course Content

The main environmental problems. The ecological footprint. The greenhouse effect: causes and effects, reality and doubts. Capture and storage of the CO2 produced. Structure of the atmosphere. Stratosphere chemistry. Ozone in the stratosphere. CFCs and the ozone hole. Air pollution. Photochemical reactions in the troposphere and "smog" formation. Thermal inversion. Origin and diffusion of acidity in the atmosphere. Acid rain. Origin and characteristics of the main pollutants of the atmosphere. Fine particulate matter: The characteristics. The chemical composition. The effects on health. The nano powders. Indoor pollution. The radon.Resources renewable and non-renewable. The principles and objectives of "Green Chemistry". Renewable energy: hydroelectric. Wind. Sea waves. Geothermal. Solar Thermal. Photovoltaic. Biomass. Biofuels and alternative fuels: Biomass. Ethanol. Biodiesel. Hydrogen. Fuel cells. Green Chemistry. Nuclear energy. Risks and potential. Fission reactors. Accidents in the power stations. Fusion reactors. Main classes of pollutants: heavy metals in water and soil: Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, Chromium, Tin, chlorinated organic compounds, non-persistent pesticides, PAH, compounds with high BOD and COD, anions and nutrients, "endocrin disrupters" : chemistry, sources and mechanisms of action. Toxicology studies. Recycling of persistent organic pollutants among the various environmental sectors. The unconventional toxicology: the hormesis. Bioaccumulation: bioavailability, bioconcentration and biomagnification, metabolism of toxic substances, elimination Drinking water and water pollution: Redox in natural waters. The request for oxygen. Aerobic and anaerobic decomposition. Nutrients and the problem of eutrophication. Surfactants and pesticides in water. Water treatments for potable use. Wastewater treatment and contaminated. Biological treatments. Phytoremediation. Energy recovery. Contamination and remediation of the freshwater. Soil and sediments. Heavy metals in sediments. Sediments. Bioavailability. Solid waste: Definition of waste, industrial waste. Management, valorization and disposal, energy production. Compost. Incineration technologies. Emissions and effects on the environment. Gasifiers and pyrolysers.



Textbook Information

1)C. Baird e M. Cann, Chimica Ambientale (3rd edition), ed. Zanichelli

2) S.E. Manahan, Chimica dell’ambiente, ed. Piccin

3) Environmental Chemistry 5th Edition, by Colin Baird (Author), Michael Cann (Author). Ed. W.H. Freeman and Company




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