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| The purpose
of this course is to introduce you to the application of geochemical
principles to the natural environment. We shall consider the
geochemistry of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and sedimentary
environment. Since water is the common link between all of these
environments, the course will emphasize water chemistry. |
- ORIGIN
OF ELEMENTS
- Why
are certain elements more abundant than others? Why
is the surface of the Earth composed of primarily only
certain elements, and not full of mercury, lead, or
arsenic?
- CHEMICAL
BONDING
- How
does bonding affect the chemical behavior of elements
in the natural environment?
- CHEMICAL
THERMODYNAMICS & KINETICS
- Applications
of thermodynamics and kinetics to the studies of environmental
chemical processes
- WATER
CHEMISTRY
- Introduction
to acid-base equilibria and chemical speciation in natural
water systems. How does chemical speciation influence
biological uptake and the toxicity of elements?
- CHEMISTRY
OF LIVING & NON-LIVING ORGANIC MOLECULES
- Introduction
to the chemical processes mediated by living organisms
- REDOX
PROCESSES IN THE ENVIRONMENT
- Electron
transfer reactions in the environment, and the role
of living organisms. Influence of redox reactions on
the elemental cycles and toxicity How the redox conditions
changed on the Earth?s surface during its history
- THE
CONTINENTAL ENVIRONMENT
- Rock
weathering and formation of soils. Role of soils in
the fate and transport of contaminants
- THE
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT Introduction to the chemistry of
the atmosphere. Gas-phase and aerosol chemistry. Chemistry
of rainwater.
- CHEMISTRY
OF LAKES, RIVERS & MARINE ENVIRONMENTS
- General
chemical composition of lake, river and ocean waters
Introduction to the biogeochemical reactions occurring
in these environments
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i. Understanding
of the natural geochemical cycles of elements at the surface
of the Earth, as well as the effects of human activities upon
these cycles.
ii Understanding of the processes involved in the distribution
and transport of chemical substances between the atmospheric,
continental and marine environments.
iii Ability to reflect on the interactions among chemical, geological,
physical and biological environmental processes.
iv Ability to interpret environmental geochemical
data sets.
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| "Principles
of Environmental Geochemistry" by G. Nelson Eby (prescribed
and compulsory). |
| Additional
material will occasionally be provided in class and/or posted
on WebCT.
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CLASS MARK
= 50% WRITTEN TEST + 50% TUT QUIZZES/ASSIGNMENST/CLASS PARTICIPATION
(note that the weight carried by each assessment method is subject
to change during the course):
FINAL MARK = 60% EXAM + 40% CLASS MARK
A
class mark of at least 40% is required in order to qualify
for the June exam
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