Learning objectives
Aim of the course is to illustrate the fundamental principles required for the understanding and the description of the chemical mechanisms determining the impact of some classes of inorganic pollutants of essentially anthropic origin on the environment.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of general and organic chemistry required.
Course unit content
Heavy metals: extraction methods, general properties and compounds of cadmium, lead, arsenic, antimony, mercury, chromium. Chemistry of the main organometallic compounds. Stability of metal complexes and metal ions in solution. <br />
Corrosion and passivation of metals of technological interest. Corrosion protection methods. <br />
Introduction to nuclear chemistry. Life cycle of nuclear fuel. Radioactive wastes. Problems related to the recover, treatment and disposal of nuclear waste. Hints of sanitary physics. <br />
Chemistry of the atmosphere: photochemistry of oxygen, ozone. Ozone hole. Catalysts of ozone decomposition. Carbon dioxide and green house effect. Photochemistry of nitrogen oxides. Sulphur oxides. Acid rain. Industrial synthesis of nitric and sulphuric acids.
Bibliography
Baird C. - Chimica Ambientale, Zanichelli <br />
Manaham S. E. - Chimica dell’Ambiente. Piccin <br />
Schwedt G. - The Essential Guide to Environmental Chemistry, Wiley.
