University of Liege | Version française
Academic year 2014-2015Value date : 12/05/2015
CHIM0682-1  Introduction to environmental chemistry

Duration :  15h Th, 5h Pr
Number of credits :  
Bachelor in chemical sciences, 3rd year2
Lecturer :  Gauthier Eppe
Language(s) of instruction :  
French language
Organisation and examination :  
Teaching in the second semester
Course contents :  
This course deals mainly with the major families of chemical substances that can be found in the environment, their properties, transport and fate in air, water and soils.
Natural and anthropogenic sources of pollution as well as the principal classes of environmental pollutants will be studied. The problem of waste production and waste treatment will be discussed. We will consider the particular case of domestic waste. The main regulatory and legal aspects (EU directives and regulations and the Belgian legislation) associated with each environmental compartment will be taught, focused essentially on limits of emission. Practical examples will de discussed. Particular attention will be given to the interpretation of the results in this context.
Learning outcomes of the course :  
The overall objective of the course is to provide to students an overview of the influence of the chemistry on our environment. Emphasis will be placed on the properties, reactions, sources and sinks as well as the danger of existing chemical substances, generated naturally and by human activity for each of the areas considered: air, water, soil.
Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :  
General chemistry
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :  
Problem-based learning will be promoted with concrete examples of environmental problems encountered. Familiarization with the use of databases (eur-lex, U.S. EPA, Belgian monitor-Walloon environment, ...) will also be discussed.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :  
face to face. Copies of lecture slides will be available
Recommended or required readings :  
Additional information can be found in the following books : CHIMIE DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT (en français), BLIEFERT et PERRAUD, De Boeck Université
An Introduction to Environmental Chemistry (en anglais), ANDREWS, BRIMBLECOMBE, JICKELLS and LISS, Blackwell Science Ltd.
Assessment methods and criteria :  
In groups of two or three, students have to investigate a recent environmental event that has been reported in the scientific literature or in the printed or electronic media. it can also be a harmful substance from its industrial or agricultural use that has been released in the environment. Then, the following aspects of the problem are to be examined:
Define the problem, clarify the concepts. Analyse the problem.
Brainstorming about possible solutions, remediations.
The long-term solution to prevent this sort of problem in the future.
Deliverables: The research project culminates in a written report (10 pages, including illustrations and bibliography) Oral presentation and discussion
Work placement(s) :  
A visit of the Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator (MSWI) Uvélia (Intradel) in Herstal is foreseen. The visit is focused on the incineration process and the quality aspects of waste treatment including stack emission.
Organizational remarks :  
Contacts :  
Pr. Gauthier Eppe Institut de Chimie, Bat B6c, Local 1/9A Tel. +32-4-366.3422 e-mail. g.eppe@ulg.ac.be

Items online :  
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