66090 - Geochemical Characterization of Contaminated Material

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will know: - the main features of various types of contaminated materials (sewage, dredged sediment, mine tailings); - The methods and techniques for their characterization and evaluation of their impact on the environment; - Some of the main remediation of contaminated sites techniques.

Course contents

The course is divided into two modules, one that provides general background information and a second one that will present the characteristics of some types of contaminated materials and some recovery / reclamation techniques.

In the general part will be presented:

- The main analytical techniques used for the characterization of contaminated materials, whether of solid or liquid nature (AAS, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, XRF, CHNS, ion chromatography, XRD; SEM).

- Dissolution methods of the sample, complete or partial, and significance of selective and sequential extractions.

- Quality control and quality assurance of analytical procedures

- Sampling strategies and methods of solid and liquid matrices

- Discussion and processing of data relating to a real case of a contaminated site, with identification of anomalous samples and definition of background values

The second module will present the characteristics of some types of contaminated materials and the technologies for the recovery of elements of economic interest elements and the securing of a site

Readings/Bibliography

• De Vivo Benedetto; Lima Annamaria - Caratterizzazione geochimica dei siti, rifiuti e analisi di rischio. Aracne, 2009
• De Vivo Benedetto; Lima Annamaria; Siegel Frederic R. - Geochimica ambientale. Metalli potenzialmente tossici. Liguori, 2004.

Teaching methods

Lectures with power point presentations, presentation, evaluation and discussion on selected case study. An importan part of the corurse will be data mamagement and elaboration using special software on the students' notebooks

Assessment methods

Candidates will be asked to submit a paper, even as a group work, that develop a similar case to what is discussed during the practical exercises. They will be asked also to fill a questionnaire, with open answers, on the other arguments developed during the course

Teaching tools

During the course open source software will be used for specific processing of statistical data as QGIS, R and associated packages, PROUCL. On student computers to allow greater independence

Office hours

See the website of Enrico Dinelli

See the website of Nicolas Greggio

See the website of Valerio Funari