Environmental Physics Laboratory
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
Students will be introduced to air quality issues (with a special focus on particulate matter and its properties). State-of-the -art
experimental methodologies to study atmospheric and environmental physics phenomena are used by students in the laboratory. In
addition, students are introduced to environmental data reduction, analysis and interpretation.
experimental methodologies to study atmospheric and environmental physics phenomena are used by students in the laboratory. In
addition, students are introduced to environmental data reduction, analysis and interpretation.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the laboratory, students:
1.will gain basic knowledge on physical-chemical properties of atmospheric particulate matter and the ability of treating this item in the
air quality context;
2. will be able to perform particulate matter collection on filters and to describe size-segregated sampling based on inertial impaction
theory;
3. will be able to describe electronic chains to perform alfa and ED-XRF spectrometry;
4. will use specific software to perform spectral deconvolution;
5. will perform qualititative and quantitative XRF analysisi on thin samples;
6. will perform on-line alpha spectrometry to detect short-lived Radon decay products. Students will be able to analyse collected
spectra and relate results to atmospheric dispersione conditions;
7. will realise a range-to-energy curve using an alpha spectrometer;
8. will perform off-line alpha spectrometry to detect long-lived Radon decay products in atmospheric aerosol samples. Students will be
able to analyse results to retrieve particles residence time;
9. will be able to use a sound meter for environmental purposes and to plan a measurement campaign to assess indoor/outdoor sound
levels.
1.will gain basic knowledge on physical-chemical properties of atmospheric particulate matter and the ability of treating this item in the
air quality context;
2. will be able to perform particulate matter collection on filters and to describe size-segregated sampling based on inertial impaction
theory;
3. will be able to describe electronic chains to perform alfa and ED-XRF spectrometry;
4. will use specific software to perform spectral deconvolution;
5. will perform qualititative and quantitative XRF analysisi on thin samples;
6. will perform on-line alpha spectrometry to detect short-lived Radon decay products. Students will be able to analyse collected
spectra and relate results to atmospheric dispersione conditions;
7. will realise a range-to-energy curve using an alpha spectrometer;
8. will perform off-line alpha spectrometry to detect long-lived Radon decay products in atmospheric aerosol samples. Students will be
able to analyse results to retrieve particles residence time;
9. will be able to use a sound meter for environmental purposes and to plan a measurement campaign to assess indoor/outdoor sound
levels.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
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.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
List of laboratory experiments (the specific experiments carried out may vary from year to year. The experiments to be conducted will be outlined at the general meeting to present the third-year laboratory modules, which is held annually):
-'Atmospheric aerosol'. Measurements of mass concentration and size distributions of atmospheric aerosols: filter preparation, sampling with single-stage and/or multi-stage impactors, gravimetric measurements of PM10/PM2.5/PM1, number distributions with size classification using an Optical Particle Counter.
-'XRF spectrometry'. Determination of elemental concentration in atmospheric aerosol samples using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (calibration of the system for quantitative analysis and elemental characterisation of samples).
-'Alpha spectrometry'. Determination of the concentration of radon decay products attached to atmospheric aerosols for the assessment of aerosol residence times in the atmosphere and atmospheric stability conditions (instrumentation set-up and measurements).
- 'Meteorological parameters'. Analysis of datasets of conventional meteorological parameters for the characterisation of episodes of particular interest or time series.
- 'Pollutants'. Introduction to programming in R and use of the Openair package for the analysis of environmental datasets. Analysis of datasets on gaseous pollutants and atmospheric particulate matter available from monitoring stations.
-'Atmospheric aerosol'. Measurements of mass concentration and size distributions of atmospheric aerosols: filter preparation, sampling with single-stage and/or multi-stage impactors, gravimetric measurements of PM10/PM2.5/PM1, number distributions with size classification using an Optical Particle Counter.
-'XRF spectrometry'. Determination of elemental concentration in atmospheric aerosol samples using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (calibration of the system for quantitative analysis and elemental characterisation of samples).
-'Alpha spectrometry'. Determination of the concentration of radon decay products attached to atmospheric aerosols for the assessment of aerosol residence times in the atmosphere and atmospheric stability conditions (instrumentation set-up and measurements).
- 'Meteorological parameters'. Analysis of datasets of conventional meteorological parameters for the characterisation of episodes of particular interest or time series.
- 'Pollutants'. Introduction to programming in R and use of the Openair package for the analysis of environmental datasets. Analysis of datasets on gaseous pollutants and atmospheric particulate matter available from monitoring stations.
Prerequisites for admission
To attend the laboratory activities, students are required to know classical physics and basic concepts of modern physics (atomic and nuclear structure, radioactive decays, radiation-matter interaction).
Teaching methods
The theoretical lectures and the experimental activities will be given in person by the lecturer to introduce students to the topic related to environmental pollution at the local scale and to the instrumentation used in Environmental Physics. Experimental activities will be also described in detail.
During laboratory activities, students will apply theoretical contents explained during previous lessons and exploiting the experimental approach for a further understanding of the physical processes presented during classes also using the "flipped classroom" approach.
During laboratory activities, students will apply theoretical contents explained during previous lessons and exploiting the experimental approach for a further understanding of the physical processes presented during classes also using the "flipped classroom" approach.
Teaching Resources
Teaching resources (e.g. lecture slides, scientific papers, reports,...) are available at the course website on the Unimi-Ariel platform.
- P. Brimblecombe: "Air Composition and Chemistry", Cambridge Environmental Chemistry series
- J.H. Seinfeld, S.N. Pandis: "Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics", John Wiley & sons
- J. H. Wallace, P.V. Hobbs: "Atmospheric Science", Academic Press
- Glenn F. Knoll: "Radiation detection and measurement", Wiley
- William R. Leo: "Techniques for nuclear and particle physics experiments : a how-to approach ", Springer
- Ron Jenkins: "X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry", Wiley
- W.C. Hinds: "Aerosol Technology. Properties, behavior and measurement of airborne particles", Wiley Interscience
- Atmospheric Aerosols. Life Cycles and Effects on Air Quality and Climate Tomasi - Fuzzi - Kokhanovsky
- P. Brimblecombe: "Air Composition and Chemistry", Cambridge Environmental Chemistry series
- J.H. Seinfeld, S.N. Pandis: "Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics", John Wiley & sons
- J. H. Wallace, P.V. Hobbs: "Atmospheric Science", Academic Press
- Glenn F. Knoll: "Radiation detection and measurement", Wiley
- William R. Leo: "Techniques for nuclear and particle physics experiments : a how-to approach ", Springer
- Ron Jenkins: "X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry", Wiley
- W.C. Hinds: "Aerosol Technology. Properties, behavior and measurement of airborne particles", Wiley Interscience
- Atmospheric Aerosols. Life Cycles and Effects on Air Quality and Climate Tomasi - Fuzzi - Kokhanovsky
Assessment methods and Criteria
Presentation on the experiments carried out (theoretical framework, experimental methodologies and discussion of the data) as part of a workshop led by the students. At the end of the laboratory course students will be required to present the results obtained during a series of data analysis sessions specially organised and coordinated by the lecturer (a brief summary report of the results will also be required). Each student will be assigned a topic to present at the workshop by the lecturer, during which questions will be asked to assess their understanding of the topics covered in the laboratory. The final mark will be based on the student's performance during the laboratory experiments, their preparation for each experiment, the depth of analysis during the data analysis, and the assessment of their oral presentation.
PHYS-06/A - Physics for Life Sciences, Environment, and Cultural Heritage - University credits: 6
Laboratories: 48 hours
Lessons: 14 hours
Lessons: 14 hours
Professor:
Vecchi Roberta
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment
office at the Physics Dept. (via Celoria 16), building E, room n.R007