- Docente: Aldo Roda
- Credits: 3
- SSD: CHIM/01
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Long cycle 2nd degree programme in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies (cod. 0038)
Learning outcomes
The course starts with the illustration of the main characteristics of air, water and soil pollution. Then, the principal sampling, pre-analytical and analytical procedures are explained with specific examples. Particular attention is dedicated to the criteria of choice of sampling, pre-analytical and analytical procedures.
Course contents
INTRODUCTION
Pollutants in the environment: origin, diffusion, accumulation (bioconcentration), control and elimination of pollutants; pollutants in the agrofood chain. Classification of toxic compounds that act as pollutants in the industrial, veterinary, alimentary and agricultural fields. Persistent pollutants and micropollutants. Fate and (bio)transformation. Sources of pollutants; short-term and long-term health effects; sustainability standards.
AIR
Elements biogeochemical cycles. Stratosphere chemistry: ozonosphere. Pollution and the ozone hole. Greenhouse effect and gas concentration in atmosphere. Acid rain. Nitrogen oxides production and photochemical smog. Particulates.
WATER
Natural waters and fundamental chemical equilibria. Principal constituents and pollutants. Purification plants for drinkable water and sewage treatment plants. Suspended solids, colloids and dissolved gases. Sampling and samples storage.
SOIL
Solid samples treatment: sampling, pretreatment (washing, desiccation, sifting/homogenization). Sediments, mud, water-suspended particulate: sampling and sample storage.
ATMOSPHERE
Atmosphere gas composition; non-localized and localized pollution; long-range transport of volatile pollutants; urban atmosphere and indoor air pollution; emission control; sampling of suspended powders and particulate: active and passive samplers; instant concentration determination; monitoring of nitrogen, sulphur and ozone. Chemical and electrochemical sensors. Distance detection.
POLLUTION IN ANIMAL AND VEGETAL SYSTEMS
Interaction of pollutants with biological molecules: DNA and protein adducts Bioaccumulation and distribution. Metabolism and excretion. Toxicity classification. Natural and synthetic tixic substances.
THE ANALYTICAL PROCESS
Experimental design; sampling representativeness; elements of sampling theory. Pre-analytical procedures and choice of the analytical procedure.
ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGIES
Instrumental analysis (analytical spectroscopy, chromatography, electroanalytical techniques, hyphened techniques); mass spectrometry; portable instrumentation. Choice of the analytical procedure. Separation techniques: liquid-liquid extraction (efficiency and selectivity); solid phase chromatographic methods (SPE, immunoaffinity). Sampling techniques; volatile and semivolatile substances extraction. Sample preparation. Analytical methods based on biospecific reagents: enzymatic and immunologic methods. Biosensors. Kits: evaluation and validation. Toxicity biotests based on genetic engineering and molecular biology techniques. Analysis and monitoring of micropollutants: PCB, dioxins, furans, IPA, pesticides, drug residues in environmental, animal and agrofood matrices, natural toxins.
Readings/Bibliography
Colin Baird, Chimica Ambientale, Zanichelli, 1997
Stanley E. Manahan, Chimica dell'Ambiente, Piccin, 2000
Teaching methods
Oral classes
Assessment methods
Oral exam
Teaching tools
PC and videoprojector
Office hours
See the website of Aldo Roda