The course is divided into blocks dedicated to the chemistry of water, soil, air and to the study of the main classes of environmental contaminants. These blocks have equivalent weight (approximately 10 hours dedicated to each block), preceded and interspersed with shorted topics.
Introduction to environmental chemistry (6h): main issues in chemical pollution. Dynamic interactions of the various environmental compartments: water-soil-air-biota.
The REACH legislation. Basic concepts of Green Chemistry.
Environmental compartments Water-Soil-Air (30h):
The water compartment: Parameters for the classification of the quality of water. Principles of water chemistry. Eutrophication. Water treatment. Groundwater.
The soil compartment: the soil and its constituents. Principles of soil chemistry. Partitioning and partitioning constants.
The air compartment: structure and composition of the atmosphere. Photochemistry. Reactions of oxygen, nitrogen and nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere. Stratospheric chemistry: stratospheric ozone formation and depletion; chemical agents that cause ozone destruction. Tropospheric chemistry: reactivity of organic substances with the main tropospheric oxidants; photochemical smog; atmospheric particulate matter; acid rain; greenhouse effect and greenhouse gases.
Biodegradation: main biotransformations by microorganisms and their role in decontamination.
Principal organic and inorganic pollutants (10h): pesticides, metals, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins; emerging pollutants (e.g. flame retardants, perfluorinated chemicals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, nanoparticles).
In silico alternatives to Animal experiments (2h): Introduction to alternative methods to animal testing, 3 R strategy, QSAR methodologies with examples of application for prediction of properties and activities of organic environmental pollutants.