69859 - Air Pollution Chemistry

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will acquire the basic knowledge of atmospheric chemical interactions on cultural properties resulting from past and present airborne pollution; connections between atmospheric composition, its historical evolution into a polluted environment as well as temporal trends will be discussed. Special focus will be given to the main gaseous pollutants and to ambient particulate matter as well as to their physico-chemical characterization in indoor and outdoor conditions. Gas-to particle reactions, oxidation processes in the atmosphere and their influence on the surfaces exposed will be described.

Course contents

Composition of the atmosphere under natural and polluted conditions - Evolution of atmospheric composition in the course of time, environmental archives - Major, minor and trace gases in the present atmosphere - Physical-chemistry of the greenhouse effect - Global warming and trends in atmospheric composition: climatic change and cultural heritage - Atmospheric reactivity: Oxydation capacity of the atmosphere and role of OH radical - Airborne particulate matter: size distribution, composition and formation processes - PM10 and other relevant cutoffs in airborne particulate matter -  connections between particulate matter and acid rains - occult precipitation -  interactions between atmospheric pollutants with materials in artistic manufacts - experimental design in air pollution monitoring - Chemical characterization of outdoor and indoor environments

Readings/Bibliography

Lesson notes Teacher Slides Tiwary A, Colls J. Air Pollution: Measurement, Modelling & Mitigation. Abingdon, Oxon, UK: Routledge, Taylor & Francis group, 2010. BRIMBLECOMBE, P.The Big Smoke, Methuen, London (1987/88/2011) pp 185.

Teaching methods

Slides on the 4 sections in which the course is split + books and other reports or papers on specific topics on which consolidating/checking slides illustrated in the classes

Further explanations available on appointment by email

Assessment methods

The exam is based on a short presentation in PowerPoint prepared on research papers in the field of atmospgheric pollution and its effects on the wide range of materials used in Cultural heritage. The research paper from current scientific literature will be chosen by single candidates after check and approval by the teacher for consistency with the study curriculum. All the pupils will present their own 5-6 slides to the whole class under the teacher supervision in order to share as many as possible case studies as well as to have the opportunity of developing their own capacity and enthusiasm on the topic. An oral examination (on different dates) on two topics among those discussed within the outlined program will complete the evaluation and the final score

Teaching tools

Slides prepared by the teacher for the 4 main branches in which the course is split

Slides are complemented by textbooks, journal papers and reports for checking and consolidating contents treated in class

Further explanations/support can be provided by the teacher on appointment

Office hours

See the website of Laura Tositti