CHE 311 – Environmental Chemistry
COURSE PARTICULARS
Course Code: CHE 311
Course Title: Environmental Chemistry
No. of Units: 2
Course Duration: Two hours of Lecture per week for 13 weeks.
Status: Compulsory
Course Email Address: Course Webpage: Prerequisite: nil
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Dr. A.F. Aiyesanmi
Chemistry Lab. II (inner office)
Dept. of Chemistry,
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
Phone: +234803 350 1293
Email: afaiyesanmi@futa.edu.ng
and
Mr. G.A. Idowu
Analytical/Environmental Chemistry Lab (inner office), Oba Kekere,
Dept. of Chemistry,
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
Phone: +234803 443 2595
Email: gaidowu@futa.edu.ng
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Chemists play a vital role in monitoring the status of the environment and the quality of
environmental resources. As undergraduates of industrial chemistry, this course introduces the
students to the concept of the environment as encompassing the entire global space including
water (surface, oceans, seas), land, and the atmosphere (air). The course exposes the student to
the concept of pollution and how anthropogenic activities have contributed to the pollution of the
various phases of the environment. It also teaches the student the determination of different
quality parameters in environmental samples, including instrumental techniques and the methods
used for water and wastewater treatment.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this course are to:
 introduce the students to the concept of ‘The Environment’;
 teach them the characteristics of the main constituents of the environment: Land, Water,
and Air;
 teach the students how to determine and calculate simple physicochemical characteristics
of water and wastewater samples;
 examine the various ways by which human activities have altered the natural
environment, resulting into Land, Water and Air pollution;.
 discuss the various methods of treating waste water and effluents; and
 introduce the students to instrumental techniques in environmental analysis.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES / COMPETENCIES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:
(Knowledge based)
 be able to explain the meaning of ‘Environment’ and the characteristics and composition
of Land, Water, and Air.
 understand and be able to explain how anthropogenic activities have contributed to the
degradation of the environment and the ways by which these effects can be reduced.
 understand the various methods of treating wastewater and effluents.
 have the knowledge of instrumental approach to the determination of contaminants in
environmental samples.
(Skills)
 be able to perform simple calculations to determine some basic parameters in
environmental samples following analysis.
GRADING SYSTEM FOR THE COURSE
This course will be graded as follows:
Class Attendance
10%
Assignments
10%
Test(s)
20%
Final Examination
60%
TOTAL
100%
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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Attendance: It is expected that every student will be in class not latter than 15 minutes after
commencement of lectures. Attendance records will be kept and used to determine each person’s
qualification to sit for the final examination. In case of illness or other unavoidable cause of
absence, the student must communicate as soon as possible, indicating the reason for the
absence.
Academic Integrity: Violations of academic integrity, including dishonesty in assignments,
examinations, or other academic performances are prohibited. You are not allowed to make
copies of another person’s work and submit it as your own; that is plagiarism. All cases of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the University Management for appropriate sanctions in
accordance with the guidelines for handling students’ misconduct as spelt out in the Students’
Handbook.
Assignments and Group Work: Students are expected to submit assignments as scheduled.
Failure to submit an assignment as at when due will earn you zero for that assignment.
Code of Conduct in Lecture Rooms and Examination Hall: Students should turn off their cell
phones or at most put on silence during lectures. They should not be brought into the
examination hall. Noise making during lectures may attract student expulsion from the lecture
room.
READING LIST
2
Bhata, S.C. Environmental Chemistry. Copyright 2002 by CBS Publishers & Distributors
2
Bailey, R.A., Clark, H.M., Ferris, J.P., Krause, S., Strong, R.L. Chemistry of the Environment.
Copyright 2002 by Academic Press.
1
Ademoroti,C.M.A. Standard methods for water and effluent analysis. Published 1996. ISBN
978-33399-9-1
4
Harrison, R.M, (1996). Air pollution: Sources concentration and measurement; in Pollution
causes, effects and control. (Ed. Harrison, R.M) Publ. Royal Society of Chemistry, U.K.
144 - 167.
Legend
1- Available in the University Library.
2- Available in the Departmental/School Libraries.
3- Available on the Internet.
4- Available as Personal Collection.
5- Available in local bookshops.
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COURSE OUTLINE
Week
1
Topic
Remarks
Introduction to the Environment
Characteristics of Land/Soil
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Student expectation from the course
will be documented
Physico-chemical properties of soil
and contribution to environmental
equilibrium will be discussed
Students will learn how to carry out
simple calculations to determine
parameters such as alkalinity, total
hardness, carbonate hardness, and
total dissolved solids in water
samples after elemental analysis.
3-4
Physico-chemical characteristics of water and
determination of some water quality parameters
5-6
Characteristics of the Atmosphere. Concept of
Students will be exposed to the
the elementary cycles; carbon, nitrogen and water chemistry of the atmosphere and and
cycles.
composition as well as the
hydrological cycle
7–9
10 – 11
12- 14
15
MID-SEMESTER TEST
Sources, types, and effects of environmental
Effects of anthropogenic activities on
pollution.
air, water and soil will be discussed,
with emphasis on climate change
/global warming, ozone layer
depletion, acid rain, eutrophication,
etc. Students will be made to
participate in listing the various
sources and effects of environmental
pollution.
Pollution measurement; Introduction to
Methods of sampling and analysis of
Instrumentation in environmental analysis
environmental phases including air,
water and soil for pollutants will be
discussed. Mention will be made of
the use of analytical instruments such
as AAS and GC etc, for pollutants
determination
Wastewater Treatment; composition and disposal Composition and basic treatment
of domestic waste.
method of wastewater and domestic
waste will be discussed. Methods for
the disposal of solid waste will be
highlighted.
Revision
This is the week preceding the final
examination. At this time, evaluation
will be done to assess how far the
students’ expectations for the course
have been met.
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