Environmental Chemistry
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Environmental chemistry studies and analyses the chemical aspects and processes that occur in the environment and in ecosystems, arising both from natural phenomena and from human (anthropogenic) activities. On this basis, the main educational objective of the course is to develop foundational knowledge of the chemistry of the three environmental compartments, air, water, and soil, and of the principal anthropogenic chemical pollutants.
The course will examine how these contaminants are emitted or released, distributed, transported, transformed, and accumulated in the various compartments, as well as their effects and impacts on organisms, ecosystems, and climate.
To provide a more complete understanding of the phenomena addressed, the course also includes elements related to energy production and energy sources, ranging from the most traditional (e.g., fossil fuels) to more recent and alternative options, with particular attention to the environmental impacts associated with emissions and waste.
To conclude the learning pathway, the course provides an overview of the main strategies for the prevention, mitigation, and remediation of environmental pollution, and also introduces key concepts and principles related to new approaches in sustainable (green) chemistry for the industrial synthesis of chemical products through lower-impact processes.
The course will examine how these contaminants are emitted or released, distributed, transported, transformed, and accumulated in the various compartments, as well as their effects and impacts on organisms, ecosystems, and climate.
To provide a more complete understanding of the phenomena addressed, the course also includes elements related to energy production and energy sources, ranging from the most traditional (e.g., fossil fuels) to more recent and alternative options, with particular attention to the environmental impacts associated with emissions and waste.
To conclude the learning pathway, the course provides an overview of the main strategies for the prevention, mitigation, and remediation of environmental pollution, and also introduces key concepts and principles related to new approaches in sustainable (green) chemistry for the industrial synthesis of chemical products through lower-impact processes.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the Environmental Chemistry course, students should be able to describe and understand:
- The historical milestones toward "sustainable development," the concept of sustainability, and the 12 principles of green chemistry.
- The basic chemistry of the three environmental compartments (air, water, and soil), including their biogeochemical cycles and pollution phenomena (emission, transport, and accumulation of contaminants in the environment, and their impacts on organisms and ecosystems).
- The classification, sources, structure, transformations, and fate of the main environmental chemical pollutants: ODS, VOCs, particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), CO₂, SOx and NOx, halogenated solvents, POPs, BTX, PAHs, heavy metals, PCDD, PCBF, PCB, endocrine disruptors, flame retardants, PFC, PFAS.
- The main classes of agrochemicals (organophosphorus, chlorinated, sulfur-containing pesticides; aminophosphonate herbicides; fungicides).
- The main strategies to limit atmospheric pollution (stratosphere and troposphere) and the greenhouse effect.
- The main methods for drinking-water treatment and wastewater treatment.
- Microplastics.
- The main strategies for soil decontamination.
- An introduction to the European REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging).
- Traditional and alternative energy sources and carriers, and their environmental impacts.
- The historical milestones toward "sustainable development," the concept of sustainability, and the 12 principles of green chemistry.
- The basic chemistry of the three environmental compartments (air, water, and soil), including their biogeochemical cycles and pollution phenomena (emission, transport, and accumulation of contaminants in the environment, and their impacts on organisms and ecosystems).
- The classification, sources, structure, transformations, and fate of the main environmental chemical pollutants: ODS, VOCs, particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), CO₂, SOx and NOx, halogenated solvents, POPs, BTX, PAHs, heavy metals, PCDD, PCBF, PCB, endocrine disruptors, flame retardants, PFC, PFAS.
- The main classes of agrochemicals (organophosphorus, chlorinated, sulfur-containing pesticides; aminophosphonate herbicides; fungicides).
- The main strategies to limit atmospheric pollution (stratosphere and troposphere) and the greenhouse effect.
- The main methods for drinking-water treatment and wastewater treatment.
- Microplastics.
- The main strategies for soil decontamination.
- An introduction to the European REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging).
- Traditional and alternative energy sources and carriers, and their environmental impacts.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Geospheres and environmental chemistry. Introduction to biogeochemical cycles.
Introduction to environmental issues and the concept of sustainability.
Steps towards sustainable development.
The concept of circular and linear economies, the 12 principles of Green Chemistry
Atmospheric chemistry:
Chemistry of the stratosphere, formation and destruction of ozone (Chapman cycle), the ozone hole phenomenon and the substances responsible.
The chemistry of tropospheric pollution, related pollutants and their impact on the environment and health.
Outdoor ground-level air pollution: classic smog and photochemical smog.
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), composition, effects and data.
Indoor pollution, the substances responsible (formaldehyde, CO, benzene, NO2, asbestos and radon).
The greenhouse effect, global warming and climate change.
CO2 sequestration and geoengineering projects to combat the greenhouse effect.
Focus on energy sources, pollution and environmental impact:
Main fossil fuels (oil, natural gas and coal).
Nuclear energy.
Alternative fuels: biomass, bioalcohols, biodiesel, hydrogen.
Renewable sources (hydroelectric, wind, marine, geothermal and solar energy).
Water chemistry:
Natural waters: oxidation-reduction, BOD and COD, acid-base balance, ionic concentration.
Groundwater: organic and inorganic pollutants.
Water for human consumption: purification.
Wastewater: treatment.
Microplastics as anthropogenic pollutants of the aquatic environment.
Soil and waste:
Soil composition. Remediation, bioremediation, phytoremediation of soil and sediments.
Waste: landfill and waste-to-energy plants.
Pollutants
Heavy metals: mercury, chromium, cadmium, lead, (arsenic).
The main classes of agrochemicals (organophosphorus, chlorinated and sulphurised pesticides, aminophosphorus herbicides, fungicides).
Main environmental chemical pollutants: ODS, VOCs, particulates (PM10, PM2.5), CO2, SOx and NOx, halogenated solvents, POPs, BTX, IPA, heavy metals, PCDD, PCBF, PCB, endocrine disruptors, flame retardants, PFC, PFAS.
Seminars held during the course:
Overview of the European REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) regulations.
The environmental impact of wars, the arms industry and chemical weapons.
Green chemistry.
Introduction to environmental issues and the concept of sustainability.
Steps towards sustainable development.
The concept of circular and linear economies, the 12 principles of Green Chemistry
Atmospheric chemistry:
Chemistry of the stratosphere, formation and destruction of ozone (Chapman cycle), the ozone hole phenomenon and the substances responsible.
The chemistry of tropospheric pollution, related pollutants and their impact on the environment and health.
Outdoor ground-level air pollution: classic smog and photochemical smog.
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), composition, effects and data.
Indoor pollution, the substances responsible (formaldehyde, CO, benzene, NO2, asbestos and radon).
The greenhouse effect, global warming and climate change.
CO2 sequestration and geoengineering projects to combat the greenhouse effect.
Focus on energy sources, pollution and environmental impact:
Main fossil fuels (oil, natural gas and coal).
Nuclear energy.
Alternative fuels: biomass, bioalcohols, biodiesel, hydrogen.
Renewable sources (hydroelectric, wind, marine, geothermal and solar energy).
Water chemistry:
Natural waters: oxidation-reduction, BOD and COD, acid-base balance, ionic concentration.
Groundwater: organic and inorganic pollutants.
Water for human consumption: purification.
Wastewater: treatment.
Microplastics as anthropogenic pollutants of the aquatic environment.
Soil and waste:
Soil composition. Remediation, bioremediation, phytoremediation of soil and sediments.
Waste: landfill and waste-to-energy plants.
Pollutants
Heavy metals: mercury, chromium, cadmium, lead, (arsenic).
The main classes of agrochemicals (organophosphorus, chlorinated and sulphurised pesticides, aminophosphorus herbicides, fungicides).
Main environmental chemical pollutants: ODS, VOCs, particulates (PM10, PM2.5), CO2, SOx and NOx, halogenated solvents, POPs, BTX, IPA, heavy metals, PCDD, PCBF, PCB, endocrine disruptors, flame retardants, PFC, PFAS.
Seminars held during the course:
Overview of the European REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) regulations.
The environmental impact of wars, the arms industry and chemical weapons.
Green chemistry.
Prerequisites for admission
Fundamental and basic knowledge of general and organic chemistry are prerequisites for the Environmental Chemistry course.
Teaching methods
- Classroom lectures using PowerPoint presentations or videos, made available to students on the Ariel course website.
- In-depth thematic seminars will be organised in the classroom during the course.
- Part of the lessons may be delivered synchronously and asynchronously.
- In-depth thematic seminars will be organised in the classroom during the course.
- Part of the lessons may be delivered synchronously and asynchronously.
Teaching Resources
Recommended textbooks:
1. Colin Baird, Michael Cann - Environmental Chemistry, 3rd Italian edition, ZANICHELLI
2. Stanley Manahan - Environmental Chemistry, 2nd Italian edition based on the 11th American edition, PICCIN
The instructor's MyAriel website provides: lecture slides, exercises, videos, additional teaching materials, a list of relevant websites, a forum, and self-assessment quizzes.
1. Colin Baird, Michael Cann - Environmental Chemistry, 3rd Italian edition, ZANICHELLI
2. Stanley Manahan - Environmental Chemistry, 2nd Italian edition based on the 11th American edition, PICCIN
The instructor's MyAriel website provides: lecture slides, exercises, videos, additional teaching materials, a list of relevant websites, a forum, and self-assessment quizzes.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of a single written test, assessed on a scale of 30, which will consist of open-ended questions and multiple-choice questions on the topics covered during the course.
In particular, the examination will aim to:
- Assess the level of knowledge and understanding of the topics covered during the course.
- In particular, acquiring knowledge of basic environmental chemistry in the three environmental compartments (air, water and soil), recognising the classes and families of pollutants covered with the related chemical reactions that occur in the environment, the concepts of sustainability and the main strategies for limiting pollution.
In particular, the examination will aim to:
- Assess the level of knowledge and understanding of the topics covered during the course.
- In particular, acquiring knowledge of basic environmental chemistry in the three environmental compartments (air, water and soil), recognising the classes and families of pollutants covered with the related chemical reactions that occur in the environment, the concepts of sustainability and the main strategies for limiting pollution.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 11:00 - 12:00 A.M.
Milan, Via C. Golgi, 19 - Dip. di Chimica