METODOLOGIE CHIMICO-FISICHE PER LA PROTEZIONE AMBIENTALE

Knowledge and understanding: the student acquires knowledge regarding:
- spectroscopic methods of analysis
- the properties of the hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere and their interconnections;
- the emissions of pollutants associated with energy production and their effects on the environment;
- sampling of gaseous emissions and the main methods for the analysis of gaseous pollutants;
- the most important technologies for the reduction of pollutants in the air;
- the main methodologies for the analysis of substances dissolved in water;
- the most important depuration plants of municipal and industrial wastewater;
- the procedures required for water potabilization.
 Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the student acquires the ability to list the different environmental problems and the best physical chemistry metodologies to reduce contamination. It will be able to propose intervention strategies for specific environmental problems.
Learning skills: the student becomes capable of having a deep understanding in reading scientific articles / reports on pollution cases.
Autonomy of judgment: after having consolidated the basic concepts, the student develops his critical ability in evaluating and interpreting the data that allow him to independently address chemical pollution problems also in relation to multidisciplinary areas that include eco-toxicological assessments.
Communication skills: the student will be able to clearly describe and deepen the main aspects of environmental contamination. Use appropriate terminology to write technical reports on the prevention / reduction of pollutants and technologies for remediation of polluted areas.

The course will be carried out through lectures and some laboratory experiences.

According to the RDA, Art. 12 - University Training Credits (CFU), the standard load of 25 hours of overall student commitment, corresponding to one credit, can include: a) 7 hours dedicated to lectures or equivalent teaching activities and the remainder to individual study; b) at least 12 and no more than 15 hours dedicated to classroom exercises or equivalent supervised activities (workshops) and the remainder to personal study and reworking.

If the teaching is given in a mixed or remote way, the necessary changes may be introduced with respect to what was previously stated, in order to comply with the program envisaged and reported in the syllabus.

It is necessary to have a basic preparation in chemistry and physics. It is recommended to have passed all the chemistry exams of the first and second years.

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY ANALYSIS
Description of the different atomic motions and related spectroscopic techniques: infrared and electronic. Photophysical and photochemical processes, photosynthesis.
THE EARTH SYSTEM
Energy production and conservation. Principles of operation of energy production and conservation plants. Efficiency and environmental issues related to plants and devices that make use of non-renewable energy sources (fossil and nuclear fuels) and renewable energy sources (hydroelectric, solar, wind and geothermal). Electrochemical energy conservation devices: accumulators and fuel cells.
AIR
Structure and composition of the atmosphere. Gaseous pollutants: CO, CO₂, NO_X, SO_X; particulate matter and volatile organic compounds; greenhouse effect and acid rain. Stratospheric ozone depletion and pollution in the troposphere. Natural and anthropogenic causes of climate change. Radon pollution.
Notes on the environmental laws. The VIA, VAS, AIA and AUA authorizations. UNI, EN and ISO standard rules.
Continuous and discontinuous monitoring of emissions into the air. Sampling and verification of emissions. Measurements of velocity, flow rate, concentrations of pollutants and mass flow.
GAS ANALYSIS
Determination of total volatile organic compounds by flame ionization detector and determination of individual VOCs by gas chromatography.
Paramagnetic and electrochemical determination of oxygen.
Determination of particulate matter by gravimetry and beta radiation.
NO_X measurement by chemiluminescence.
Infrared, UV-VIS, and diode laser analyzers.
Determination of aqueous vapor by gravimetric method.
Ion exchange chromatography.
 
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
VOC control techniques: activated carbon absorbers, roto-concentrator, and condensers. Incineration: flares, thermal oxidisers, catalytic oxidisers and biodegradation.
Airborne particles control techniques: deposition chambers, cyclones, electrostatic precipitators, electrified filter bed and baghouse filters.
Wet scrubbers: spray-tower; impingement plate tower; packed bed tower and Venturi systems. Dry scrubber.
 WATER ANALYSIS
Determination of cations: atomic absorption with fame atomizer and electrotermal atomizer, and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-optical and ICP-MS). Electrochemical methods: conductometry and potentiometry.
Dissolved oxygen determination: Clark electrode, Winkler and spectroscopic method.
Suspended solids: turbidimetry and nephelometry.
Carbon in water: total, organic and inorganic. Gas chromatography - Mass spectrometry. Liquid chromatography and HPLC.
Chemical oxygen demand (COD) and Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).
Chlorine and organic halogen derivatives. Fixed residue and suspended solids. Hardness. Total nitrogen and phosphorus.
Watch list of substances.
TREATMENT OF MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER
Mechanical pre-treatment: the screening. Grit removal - flotation. Equalization and homogenization.
Primary sedimentation: clarification and flocculation.
Biological secondary treatment, denitrification and phosphorus removal. Activated sludge plants, percolators, membrane bioreactors (MBR), moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR), biological rotating discs and sequencing batch reactor (SBR).
Secondary clarifier.
Natural purification, phytodepuration, aerobic and anaerobic lagooning.
Tertiary treatments: sand filtration, activated carbon filtration, micro-, ultra-, nano- and hyper-filtration, biofiltration and electrodialysis with membrane.
TREATMENT OF SLUDGE
Sludge classification, sand removal, pre-thickening, stabilization (biological aerobic / anaerobic, chemical and thermal), post-thickening; conditioning, dehydration, drying and final disposal.
POTABILIZATION
Classification of water based on its origin.
Reduction of hardness, iron, manganese, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, VOC, and radon. Filtration. Surface water clarification.
Desalination and ultrapure water.
Water disinfection. Chemical treatment with chlorine, hypochlorite, chloroamines, chlorine dioxide, ozone, bromine, copper-silver ions, potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide (peroxone and peracetic acid). The by-products of disinfection. Physical treatment with ultraviolet light, beta radiation, gamma radiation, ultrasound and heat.
Contribution of teaching to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
GOAL 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
• Target 6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating uncontrolled dumping and minimizing releases of hazardous chemicals and materials, halve the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increase recycling and safe reuse globally
• Target 6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water efficiency across all sectors and ensure freshwater withdrawals and supply to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
GOAL 13: CLIMATE CHANGE COMBATING
• Target 13.3 Improve education, awareness and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
Modalities:
• lecture
• workshop

1. Lecture notes are available.

2. C. Baird M. Cann “Chimica Ambientale” Zanichelli, 2013.

3. S. E.Manahan “Chimica dell’Ambiente” Ed. It. Piccin, 2000.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The final examination will be assessed on the basis of equally weighted indicators, in accordance with the intended learning outcomes (Dublin Descriptors).
The final grade takes into account the following aspects.
Quality of Knowledge, Skills and Competences
·appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of the knowledge demonstrated;
·appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of the skills demonstrated;
·appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of the competences demonstrated.
Communication Skills
·clarity and effectiveness of presentation;
·appropriate use of discipline-specific terminology;
·logical reasoning and coherence in the organization of the contents;
·ability to establish connections among different topics by identifying common elements and developing a coherent overall framework, with appropriate structure, organization, and logical progression;
·ability to summarize concepts effectively, including the use of discipline-specific symbols and graphical representations, such as formulas, diagrams, and equations.
Interpersonal Skills
·willingness to engage in discussion and interact with the examiner during the oral examination.
Personal Skills
·critical thinking;
·self-assessment skills;
·problem-solving skills;
·decision-making skills.
 
The written examination consists of five open-ended questions to be completed within a maximum of 2 hours. The oral examination is intended to clarify and further develop the answers provided in the written examination and, where necessary, to complement the assessment through additional questions aimed at verifying the student's knowledge of the course topics, as well as the ability to establish connections among concepts and critically analyse the course contents. The oral examination generally consists of two questions, one of which may be devoted to discussing aspects that emerged from the written examination. The average duration of the oral examination is approximately 40 minutes.
 
The final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale according to the following criteria.
Fail (Not Passed)
Knowledge and understanding: significant gaps and inaccuracies.
Analytical and synthesis skills: inadequate, with frequent generalizations.
Use of references: completely inappropriate.
Grade: 18–20
Knowledge and understanding: very limited, with evident shortcomings.
Analytical and synthesis skills: barely satisfactory.
Use of references: barely appropriate.
Grade: 21–23
Knowledge and understanding: slightly above the minimum acceptable level.
Analytical and synthesis skills: satisfactory analytical and synthesis abilities; arguments are presented logically and coherently.
Use of references: appropriate use of standard references.
Grade: 24–26
Knowledge and understanding: good.
Analytical and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis abilities; topics are presented clearly and coherently.
Use of references: appropriate use of standard references.
Grade: 27–29
Knowledge and understanding: very good.
Analytical and synthesis skills: strong analytical and synthesis abilities.
Use of references: demonstrates in-depth study of the subject.
Grade: 30–30 cum laude
Knowledge and understanding: excellent.
Analytical and synthesis skills: outstanding analytical and synthesis abilities.
Use of references: demonstrates extensive and critical in-depth knowledge of the subject.
 
Information for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD) may request an individual meeting to discuss and arrange appropriate compensatory and/or dispensatory measures according to the course learning objectives and their specific needs. Students may contact Prof. Santina Chiechio (santina.chiechio@unict.it), who also serves as the Departmental CInAP Representative (Centre for Active and Participatory Inclusion – Services for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) of the Department of Drug and Health Sciences.
 
Examination Dates
Examination dates are published on the website of the Department of Drug and Health Sciences. https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/l-29_sfa/calendario-esami
 
ECTS Workload
According to the University Academic Regulations (RDA), Article 12 – University Educational Credits (CFU/ECTS), one credit corresponds to a standard workload of 25 hours of total student commitment, including: 7 hours of lectures or equivalent teaching activities, with the remaining time devoted to independent study; or 12 to 15 hours of classroom exercises or equivalent supervised activities (e.g., laboratory work), with the remaining time devoted to individual study and personal elaboration.