Course: Environmental Chemistry

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Course title Environmental Chemistry
Course code KCH/ENCHC
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 2
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction unspecified
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Šeda Martin, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Course content and aims. Fundamentals of ecotoxicology: terms, biological interactions with chemical compounds. Biomonitoring, testing of toxicity. 2. Contaminants and pollutants: ecotoxicology of inorganic compounds, radioactivity. 3. Organic contaminants and pollutants: halogenated (chlorinated and perfluorinated) compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, petrol products, emerging xenobiotics. 4. Atmosphere: characteristics, composition, reactions and interactions of main components. 5. Atmosphere: pollutants and their chemical changes. Technical solutions to decrease emissions. 6. Atmosphere: endangerment of global atmosphere - greenhouse gases, ozone layer destruction, acid rains. 7. Geosphere: chemistry and microbiology of soils. 8. Geosphere: soil contamination, processes of decontamination and remediation. 9. Hydrosphere: fundamentals of aquatic chemistry and microbiology. 10. Hydrosphere: water pollution. Production of drinking water. 11. Hydrosphere: wastewater treatments. 12. Biogeochemical global cycles of water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur. 13. The influence of energetics and food industry on environmental pollution.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Work with multi-media resources (texts, internet, IT technologies)
  • Preparation for exam - 30 hours per semester
  • Class attendance - 28 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to provide students with an overview of environmental chemistry, basic biogeochemical cycles and fundaments of environmental technologies, to synthesize and develop the knowledge from previous chemical subjects.
Students gain knowledge enabling them to understand chemical and biological relationships of environmental processes and changes.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of chemistry is required!

Assessment methods and criteria
Interview, Combined exam

Comprehension of the basics of chemistry of the individual environmental compartments based on previous knowledge of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry and biochemistry as well on biological basics of ecology and ecotoxicology.
Recommended literature
  • Francis, Magnus B. Toxic substances in the environment. 1994.
  • Jorgensen, Sven Erik. Ecotoxicology. 2010. ISBN 978-0-444-53628-0.
  • Kalač P., Tříska J., Kolář L., Jírovcová E. Chemie životního prostředí. Č. Budějovice, 2010.
  • Lowe James N. Chemistry Industry and the Environment. 1994. ISBN 0-697-17087-X.
  • Manahan S.E. Environmental Chemistry. Lewis Publ., Boca Raton, 1994, 811 pp..
  • Pitter, P. Hydrochemie. VŠCHT, Praha, 2009.
  • Yen, Teh Fu. Environmental chemistry: Chemistry of major environmental cycles. 2005. ISBN 1-86094-474-4.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester