UNIVERSITY of CATANIA
DEPARTMENT of DRUG SCIENCE
THREE-YEAR DEGREE
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY
LABORATORY of TOXICOLOGICAL and ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY
TREATMENT and DISPOSAL of INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER
III°years
1st and 2nd Semester
Prof. Milena Rizzo
A.A. 2014-2015
12 CFU : 8 CFU in classroom (56 h); 1 CFU in laboratory with individual activity
(18 h); 3 CFU in laboratory with group activities (36 h).
Objectives
The course provides the theoretical and practical tools for conducting qualitative
analysis and recognition toxic as inorganic elements or organometallic and organic
compounds
The student will acquire the skills needed to perform manual and instrumental analysis
in the laboratory.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Chemical
Toxicology.
Teaching methodology
The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and laboratory exercises.
During the course and before the practical laboratory work, are carried out "test in
progress" as multiple-choice tests and short questions, in order to assess the level of
knowledge acquired in the theoretical arguments presented.
The laboratory exercises are individual when applied to the analysis of species of
toxicological interest. Furthermore, group exercises for analysis of simple mixtures by
means of instrumental methods are proposed.
Examination
The exam consists of a written paper tends to test the knowledge of the proposed
topics and the ability to link between the concepts acquired, as well as the ability to
represent phenomena and chemical reactions subject of toxicological analysis.
COURSE CONTENT
Background: Properties and chemical-physical characteristics of the inorganic,
metallorganic and organic toxic compounds. Metabolic reactions. Interactions between
phases.
General information on laboratory operations.
Equipment. Analytical reagents. Elementary rules of safety. Basic techniques of
analysis. Techniques for the separation of homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures.
FIRST FORM
Pollution and treatment of WATER
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Nature and classes of organic pollutants, inorganic and organometallic. Insights on
heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, chlorinated biphenyls and radionuclides.
Treatment of water for drinking, domestic, industrial
Inorganic gaseous pollutants in the AIR
Production and control of carbon monoxide. The sulfur cycle. Insights on: sulphides,
ammonia; fluorine, chlorine and their gaseous compounds.
Organic pollutants in the ATMOSPHERE
Aromatic hydrocarbons. Aldehydes and ketones. Organic compounds: halogenated,
sulfur, nitrogen
SECOND FORM
Nature and sources of hazardous waste.
Hazardous waste in the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere.
Classification of substances: flammable, combustible, reactive, corrosive, toxic. Origin,
production, transport and fate of hazardous waste. Particular consideration of chemical
products responsible of toxic effects on Environment and on Health of living beings.
Reduction, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste
Physical methods. Chemical methods. Recycling. Photo-lithic reactions. Heat
treatment. Biodegradation. Composting. Leachate and gas emissions.
THIRTH FORM
Environmental Chemical Analysis
Sampling. Analysis of water samples. Atmospheric monitoring: oxidants, hydrocarbons
and particulates. Oxides of carbon, sulfur and nitrogen.
Instrumental methods of analysis
Classical methods. Official methods. Classification of methods. Validation of analytical
methods.
-Optical Methods: Theoretical principles and generality of Flame Photometry, UVVisible Spectroscopy and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.
-Chromatographic Methods: Theoretical principles, and general classification. Thin
layer chromatography (TLC) and column (HPLC). Ion exchange chromatography (IEC).
-Electrochemical methods.
Suggested Readings
 S.E. Manahan “Chimica dell’Ambiente” Piccin
 M. Ischia La chimica organica in laboratorio I° e II° vol. Piccin
 I. P. C. S. “Basic Analytical Toxicology”. Pubblished by WHO and United Nations
Enviromental Programme and International Labour Organisation.
 Bauer-Christian- O'Reilly “Analisi Strumentale” Piccin
 “Metodiche APAT”
 Web-sites suggested by the teacher.
Office hours: Monday from 12:00 to 14:00, Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00, by appointment.
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