Environmental Chemistry

The aim of the course is to provide the student with basic knowledge regarding the main natural and anthropogenic actors of the natural chemical balances and transformations that occur in the air, water and soil in the different environmental spheres: hydrosphere, geosphere, atmosphere, biosphere. and anthroposphere), alongside those concerning the related methods of analysis and monitoring. The course will show in particular the main effects of pollutants on the environment, and will provide an overview of the main techniques that can be adopted to remove and reduce them. Starting also from real case studies, we will also try to stimulate the student's awareness of the importance of being able to have efficient chains of recycling / reuse of materials, production processes with low emissions of pollutants and technological development aimed at guaranteeing an ever greater reduction of their environmental impact.

At the end of the course the student must be able to know the main chemical species of environmental importance, their properties, their role in the natural and anthropic context, as well as the main technologies that can be used for their removal and recycling. The student will also have to know the main technologies used for the production of green energy and the main strategies that can be adopted to conduct production processes with low environmental impact. The student will also acquire skills related to the management of the main instrumental methods for the identification and monitoring of pollutants in the three physical states.