Environmental Contamination and Mitigation | Università degli Studi di Milano Statale

A.Y. 2025/2026

Max ECTS

Overall hours

SSD

GEO/08 GEO/09

Language

English

Included in the following degree programmes

Earth Sciences (Classe LM-74 R)-Enrolled in the 2025-26 Academic Year

Learning objectives

The aim of the course is to provide both theoretical and practical knowledge for analyzing environmental contamination processes using a geochemical approach. This includes evaluating sources, mobility, and the impact of pollutants through the study of background values, the use of elemental/isotopic tracers, and analytical techniques, while developing skills for monitoring and critically managing data in real-world contexts. The course also aims to provide the conceptual foundations for understanding which mineral species play a significant role in both contamination processes and risk mitigation mechanisms in environmental matrices; to introduce the main analytical methods used for characterizing mineralogical components in such matrices; and to develop a critical understanding of risk mitigation strategies that involve clay minerals and/or zeolites; provide knowledge and theoretical/practical skills related to the integration of the basics acquired in the course for their application to the field of environmental risk analysis, with particular reference to the phenomena of contamination and pollution related to mining. Provide a comprehensive view of the complexity of environmental risk analysis through the evaluation of the Italian situation in the mining sector and Italian and international case studies

Expected learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have developed a solid understanding of the concepts of environment, contamination, and pollution from a geochemical perspective. They will be able to assess the hazard posed by pollutants by analyzing their sources, mobility, and persistence across different environmental matrices, based on the determination of background values and regulatory thresholds. Students will learn to use elemental and isotopic tracers, as well as analytical methodologies, to identify sources and monitor contaminants. Through laboratory activities, they will gain practical skills in the characterization and interpretation of environmental data. These competencies will enable them to approach environmental issues with scientific rigor and critical thinking. Furthermore, by the end of the course, students will be able to: understand the physico-chemical properties of mineral species involved in environmental contamination processes, particularly in mining contexts, and in risk mitigation applications using clay minerals and zeolites; identify mineral species potentially responsible for contamination in solid matrices, especially in materials derived from mining activities; understand the main applications of X-ray diffraction (XRD) on polycrystalline materials for mineralogical characterization, as well as the limitations of the technique; critically interpret a technical report based on XRD analysis of polycrystalline materials; understand and acquire skills in integrated environmental risk management in specific fields, with particular reference to mining. Assess the issues, complexity and criticality of an integrated environmental risk assessment associated with specific situations and case studies, with particular reference to mining environmental risk.

Lesson period: Second semester

Lessons timetable

Exams calendar

Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

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Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible

Lotti Paolo

Lesson period

Second semester

Emergency remote teaching

In the event that teaching must be delivered during an emergency situation, lectures will be conducted remotely, either in synchronous mode (live streaming via MS Teams) or asynchronous mode (study materials with audio commentary provided by the instructor).

Syllabus

Course syllabus

The course aims to introduce the fundamentals, possible theoretical approaches, and the main methodologies and laboratory practices used to assess the contamination status of various environmental

matrices within the framework of risk analysis. It also provides theoretical and practical knowledge of the main methods for mitigating the associated risks.

PART ONE: Introduction to Fundamental Concepts of Environment and Pollution with a Geochemical Focus

· Basic concepts of environment, contamination, and pollution

· Introduction to geochemistry

· The cycle of chemical elements

· Background values: determination and significance

· Element speciation and environmental hazard

· Pollution and reactivity of contaminant elements

· Environmental matrices: transport, bioavailability, and persistence of contaminants

· Isotopic tracers of pollutants

· Identifying-quantifying-monitoring pollutants: analytical methods

· Laboratory activity

PART TWO: Mineral Species of Major Relevance for Risk Assessment in Mining Contexts

· Sulfides

· Sulfates and sulfosalts

· Metallic oxides and hydroxides

· Primary phases and secondary alteration phases

· Mineralogical characterization methods: X-ray diffraction (XRD) on polycrystalline materials - sample preparation, analytical procedures, and an overview of data interpretation methodologies (qualitative and quantitative analysis)

PART THREE: Contamination and Mitigation in Mining Environments

· Basic concepts of mining activity (mine life cycle, extraction and beneficiation, mining waste)

· Mining waste disposal sites

· Factors influencing and modifying environmental conditions at active and abandoned mine sites

· Environmental risk assessment in mining areas: source, transport, and target

· Acid Mine Drainage: static (Acid Base Accounting) and dynamic (kinetic, leaching and buffering tests) assessment procedures

· Main remediation techniques and methods in mining contexts

· Overview of the Italian situation regarding Abandoned Mine Lands

· Selected case studies

· Laboratory activities on static and/or dynamic procedures

PART FOUR: Mineralogical Aspects of Environmental Risk Mitigation

· Clay minerals: classification and physico-chemical properties

· Zeolites: classification and physico-chemical properties

· Environmental applications of clay minerals and zeolites

Prerequisites for admission

Basic knowledge of mineralogy, petrography, geochemistry, and georesources.

Teaching methods

The instructors will use the following teaching methods: (a) lectures; (b) in-depth analysis of scientific case studies; (c) laboratory activities related to the course topics, including sample preparation and interpretation of experimental data.

Teaching Resources

Lecture notes on Ariel

For the third part of the course, the following reference text is suggested in addition to the handouts, in particular the parts on sustainability assessment.

Manuel Bustillo Revuelta (2018) Mineral Resources. From exploration to sustainability assessment. Springer. ISBN: 978-3-319-86468-6

Assessment methods and Criteria

The exam will consist of an oral assessment with open-ended questions covering the entire course content. Evaluation criteria include: the ability to organize and present acquired knowledge; the ability to approach and solve a scientific problem; consistency and accuracy of the terminology used; and the depth and precision of the knowledge demonstrated. Assessment type: grade out of thirty. Number of assessments: one; no midterm exams are scheduled. In the event that more than 8 students are registered for the exam session, the possibility of conducting the exam in written form—with open-ended questions and multiple-choice items—will be considered.

Course structure

GEO/08 - GEOCHEMISTRY AND VOLCANOLOGY - University credits: 5
GEO/09 - MINING RESOURCES, MINERALOGIC AND PETROGRAPHIC APPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE - University credits: 4

Practicals: 12 hours
Lessons: 64 hours

Professors: Cannao' Enrico, Farina Federico, Grieco Giovanni, Lotti Paolo

Shifts:

Professors: Cannao' Enrico, Grieco Giovanni, Lotti Paolo

Turno I

Professor: Cannao' Enrico

Turno II

Professor: Farina Federico

Professor(s)

Cannao' Enrico

Reception:

By appointment (just send me an email). Drop-ins are welcome too.