Environmental Contamination and Mitigation

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

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.