Environmental Physics
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
Students are introduced to the application of physics to environmental problems (from climate change to air pollution). In addition, the course deals with state-of-the-art experimental and modelling approaches widely used in the environmental research field.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course unit, the student will:
1) Be able to deal with environmental problems related to the atmospheric compartment with the proper scientific approach and with specific attention to the multiple interactions among different components and to the processes of formation/transformation/deposition to which they are exposed;
2) Be able to describe the physico-chemical processes at the basis of the considered topics (e.g., greenhouse effect, ozone hole, photochemical smog, atmospheric aerosol), both from the phenomenological point of view and on the basis of physical laws;
3) Know the experimental methods and the measurement principles for the characterization of physico-chemical and optical properties of the different contaminants considered;
4) Have basic knowledge of the most common modelling approaches to study and prediction of atmospheric contaminants.
1) Be able to deal with environmental problems related to the atmospheric compartment with the proper scientific approach and with specific attention to the multiple interactions among different components and to the processes of formation/transformation/deposition to which they are exposed;
2) Be able to describe the physico-chemical processes at the basis of the considered topics (e.g., greenhouse effect, ozone hole, photochemical smog, atmospheric aerosol), both from the phenomenological point of view and on the basis of physical laws;
3) Know the experimental methods and the measurement principles for the characterization of physico-chemical and optical properties of the different contaminants considered;
4) Have basic knowledge of the most common modelling approaches to study and prediction of atmospheric contaminants.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
Main topics are:
- Atmosphere's structure and composition. The planetary boundary layer: physical properties and methodologies for its characterisation. Radiation-matter interaction (scattering, absorption and extinction processes).
- The Greenhouse effect. Earth-Sun radiative balance. Greenhouse gases properties. The role of atmospheric aerosols: direct and indirect radiative forcing. The feedback processes.
- Stratospheric ozone: production and destruction chemical reactions. Ozone global distribution. The "ozone hole": the role of chemical reactions and atmospheric dynamics. The polar stratospheric clouds and heterogeneous chemistry reactions. Linkage between stratospheric ozone and climate
- Tropospheric ozone and photochemical smog. Chemical reactions of ozone production and destruction. Measurement methods and current legislation. Effects on human health and vegetation. Typical patterns in different environments.
- Gaseous pollutants: Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulphur compounds. Emission sources. Effects on human health and the environment. Measurement methods and current legislation.
- Atmospheric aerosols: formation processes and emission sources. Physical-chemical characteristics: size, morphology, surface area, and composition. Impacts on environment, human health, and cultural heritage. Introduction to: nucleation phenomena, aerosol dynamics in the atmosphere and deposition processes, electrical and optical properties.
Sampling methods (online and offline). Filtration theory.
Analytical techniques for the detection of the elemental (e.g. ED-XRF, IBA, ICP-MS, ), ionic (IC), and carbonaceous (e.g. TOT) components of atmospheric aerosol. Current legislation.
Aerosol optical properties (extinction, absorption, scattering). Experimental techniques for characterising optical properties of atmospheric aerosol.
- Atmosphere's structure and composition. The planetary boundary layer: physical properties and methodologies for its characterisation. Radiation-matter interaction (scattering, absorption and extinction processes).
- The Greenhouse effect. Earth-Sun radiative balance. Greenhouse gases properties. The role of atmospheric aerosols: direct and indirect radiative forcing. The feedback processes.
- Stratospheric ozone: production and destruction chemical reactions. Ozone global distribution. The "ozone hole": the role of chemical reactions and atmospheric dynamics. The polar stratospheric clouds and heterogeneous chemistry reactions. Linkage between stratospheric ozone and climate
- Tropospheric ozone and photochemical smog. Chemical reactions of ozone production and destruction. Measurement methods and current legislation. Effects on human health and vegetation. Typical patterns in different environments.
- Gaseous pollutants: Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulphur compounds. Emission sources. Effects on human health and the environment. Measurement methods and current legislation.
- Atmospheric aerosols: formation processes and emission sources. Physical-chemical characteristics: size, morphology, surface area, and composition. Impacts on environment, human health, and cultural heritage. Introduction to: nucleation phenomena, aerosol dynamics in the atmosphere and deposition processes, electrical and optical properties.
Sampling methods (online and offline). Filtration theory.
Analytical techniques for the detection of the elemental (e.g. ED-XRF, IBA, ICP-MS, ), ionic (IC), and carbonaceous (e.g. TOT) components of atmospheric aerosol. Current legislation.
Aerosol optical properties (extinction, absorption, scattering). Experimental techniques for characterising optical properties of atmospheric aerosol.
Prerequisites for admission
A knowledge of classical and modern physics, acquired during the three-year Bachelor's degree in Physics, is required. The course is therefore suitable for Master's degree students.
Teaching methods
Lectures (42 h), attendance online will be not activated. Attendance is strongly recommended as face-to-face teaching involves a great deal of interaction with students in order to develop the ability to identify physical processes and recall the correct theory in the applied physics topics covered in the course, and to learn how to make the necessary interconnections between the topics covered concerning the complex system of the atmosphere and its components.
Teaching Resources
Teaching resources (e.g. lecture slides, scientific papers, reports,...) are available at the course website on the Unimi-Ariel platform.
Reference text-books:
- J.H. Seinfeld, S.N. Pandis: "Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics", John Wiley & sons
- W.C. Hinds: "Aerosol Technology. Properties, behavior and measurement of airborne particles", Wiley Interscience
- H.B. Singh: "Composition, Chemistry and Climate of the Atmosphere", Van Nostrand Reinhold
- Hewitt & Jackson: «HANDBOOK OF ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE», Blackwell Science ltd, disponibile online in biblioteca d'Ateneo
- aa.vv.: "Atmospheric Aerosols", Edited by C. Tomasi, S. Fuzzi, A. Kokhanovsky, Wiley
- S.K. Friedlander: "Smoke, Dust, and Haze", Oxford University Press
- Colbeck I., Lazaridis M. "Aerosol Science. Technology and Applications", Wiley Interscience
- Bohren and Huffman (2004): Absorption and scattering of light by small particles
- aa.vv.: "AEROSOL MEASUREMENT: Principles, Techniques and Applications", edited by Kulkarni, Baron, and Willeke
- Vincent: "Aerosol Sampling: Science, Standards, Instrumentation and Applications", ed. Wiley & sons
Many topics of the course can be also find in online books not listed above but available on the University digital library (or books available at the physical library).
Reference text-books:
- J.H. Seinfeld, S.N. Pandis: "Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics", John Wiley & sons
- W.C. Hinds: "Aerosol Technology. Properties, behavior and measurement of airborne particles", Wiley Interscience
- H.B. Singh: "Composition, Chemistry and Climate of the Atmosphere", Van Nostrand Reinhold
- Hewitt & Jackson: «HANDBOOK OF ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE», Blackwell Science ltd, disponibile online in biblioteca d'Ateneo
- aa.vv.: "Atmospheric Aerosols", Edited by C. Tomasi, S. Fuzzi, A. Kokhanovsky, Wiley
- S.K. Friedlander: "Smoke, Dust, and Haze", Oxford University Press
- Colbeck I., Lazaridis M. "Aerosol Science. Technology and Applications", Wiley Interscience
- Bohren and Huffman (2004): Absorption and scattering of light by small particles
- aa.vv.: "AEROSOL MEASUREMENT: Principles, Techniques and Applications", edited by Kulkarni, Baron, and Willeke
- Vincent: "Aerosol Sampling: Science, Standards, Instrumentation and Applications", ed. Wiley & sons
Many topics of the course can be also find in online books not listed above but available on the University digital library (or books available at the physical library).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of an oral examination lasting approximately one hour. The oral examination will assess the candidate's knowledge of the scientific issues relating to the various topics, the theoretical foundations and the experimental methodologies required for the study of the processes and parameters covered during the course. In particular, the assessment will focus on understanding the complex 'atmosphere' system, the physics underlying the phenomena described, the ability to clearly and concisely outline the key points in any case studies that may be presented during the examination, and the ability to explain the interconnections between the various topics covered in lectures.
PHYS-06/A - Physics for Life Sciences, Environment, and Cultural Heritage - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Vecchi Roberta
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment
office at the Physics Dept. (via Celoria 16), building E, room n.R007