Chemical methods for environmental analysis
Students will learn about classification of environmental pollutants and legal requirements around monitoring. Methods for sampling different types of environmental matrices will be covered, such as air, water and soil. Finally, students will study and critically compare the various analytical methods to analyse compounds of interest within such environmental samples, for example chromatography hyphenated to mass spectrometry, spectroscopy methods, electroanalytical methods and chemical sensors.
The course consists of lectures, workshops, laboratories, oral and written presentation of scientific work in the following subjects:
Molecules and chemical species in the environment
classification of chemicals in the environment, for example nutrients metals, geochemicals, pharmaceuticals and other organic pollutants, volatile organic compounds
Legal requirements regarding environmental analysis
role of national authorities, international agreements, determination of maximum permitted levels, quality assurance and quality control in environmental analyses
Environmental sampling
which includes sampling design, sampling techniques for a range of solid, liquid and gaseous samples and sample preservation.
Methods for environmental analysis
overview of spectroscopy, chromatography, mass spectrometry and electrochemical methods, chemical sensors
Case studies for monitoring air, freshwater, seawater and soil samples.
Teaching Format
The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, exercises and laboratories.
The course is given in English.
Expected learning outcomes
Theory
- be able to categorize and investigate different types of analytes relevant to environmental monitoring and pollution control.
- lay out the legal requirements around monitoring compounds of concern
- identify appropriate contexts for application of instrumental analytical techniques to monitor chemicals in the environment
Lab
- propose approaches and use a range of techniques in response to a specific problem, while being able to make well-informed independent decisions,
- explain and critically evaluate experimental analysis approaches
- communicate experimental findings at a professional standard to peers and wider audiences
- deconstruct and critique environmental analysis data published in the literature
- design a research project/experimental plan for a given (research) question in the realm of environmental monitoring
Assessment
Written exam, written lab reports.
Examiner
Ioannis Sadiktsis
ioannis.sadiktsis@su.se
Course Coordinator
Ioannis Sadiktsis, email: ioannis.sadiktsis@su.se
Chemistry Section & Student Affairs Office: chemistry@su.se
