CE120L Chemical Processes in Environmental Engineering
CE/ENV242 Environmental Aquatic Chemistry
Fall 2011
Instructor:
Prof. Heileen (Helen) Hsu-Kim
127A Hudson Hall
660-5109
hsukim@duke.edu
Office hours: Wednesdays 2:30-3:30 or by prior arrangement
Teaching Assistant:
Grace Schwartz
ges15@duke.edu
Office hrs: Thursdays late afternoon, 132 Hudson Hall
Lecture time:
Wed and Fri 1:15 – 2:30 pm
Location: 207 Hudson
Lab:
Section 1 Fri 2:50-4:05 pm
Section 2 Thur 6:00-7:15pm
Location: 024C Hudson Hall
Prerequisites: CHEM 18, CHEM 19, CHEM 21L , CHEM 31L, or CHEM 43L or equivalent
university-level general chemistry.
Course description: Fundamentals of chemical equilibria as applied in environmental
engineering processes. Chemistry topics include acid-base equilibrium, the carbonate system,
metal-ligand coordination, mineral surface interactions, redox reactions, and surface/colloid
chemistry. Applied environmental systems include water quality and treatment, soil remediation,
and outdoor air pollution.
Learning Objectives:
• Students will learn fundamental principles of aquatic chemistry including acid/base,
metal complexation, mineral solubility, and oxidation-reduction reactions.
• Students will learn to solve chemical equilibria problems in the context of processes in
natural and engineered waters
• Students will learn applications of aquatic chemistry principles such as water treatment,
nutrient cycling, and pollutant fate in air, water, and soil.
• Students will learn to perform laboratory experiments, collect data, and analyze data.
Course website at the Blackboard website: http://courses.duke.edu
Solutions for homework problems and exams will be posted here. Electronic copies of
class handouts and other items will also be made available here.
Textbook: Benjamin, M. “Water Chemistry”. Also available for overnight reserve in Perkins
Library.
Alternatives: Brezonik P.L. and Arnold W.A. Water Chemistry: An Introduction to the Chemistry
of Natural and Engineered Aquatic Systems. Oxford. 2011.
Stumm W. and Morgan J.J., Aquatic Chemistry; Chemical equilibria and rates in
natural waters. Wiley and Sons, Inc. 1996. (359.9 S934, A656, 1996)
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Homework Assignments:
Weekly homework assignments will include quantitative chemistry-related problems and
questions related to the week’s lab session.
The homework questions will be assigned one week in advance. They will be due at the
start of class on the due date.
*** You may discuss the general approach to the problems with classmates, but please
work independently on the actual solutions.
*** Homework must be neat and presented on paper (either hand-written or typed). The
problem statement need not be copied. However, your work should be clearly shown.
Illegible answers will be given zero credit.
Exams: Two in-class, closed book exams on September 30 and November 11.
(One sheet of notes will be allowed.)
Final exam: Thursday, December 15, 2011, 9:00 am-noon
(Two sheets of notes will be allowed.)
CE120L Labs: Field and experimental measurements are critical for understanding chemical
processes that occur in environmental systems. Experience in conducting laboratory
analyses will help you appreciate the importance and limits of field data in your
environmental engineering career.
We will have 3 labs that will help you familiarize yourself with water quality analyses of pH,
alkalinity, turbidity, and nutrients.
CE/ENV 242 Special Assignment: Implications of Technology and Energy Production for
Water and Soil Quality
Students enrolled in CE/ENV242 will be asked to choose a specific technology or energy
production method and investigate their implications with respect to environmental release
and fate of contaminants. Each student will present their findings in a ~10 min presentation
to the class at the end of the semester. These presentations will form the basis for some
questions in the Final Exam for CE120 and CE/ENV 242. More details to come.
Grading: 20% Assignments
50% Exams (2)
30% Final exam
(CE120 and CE/ENV242 will have separate grading scales)
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Weekly Outline
Reading Assignments
Benjamin(1)
B&A(2)
Topic
Aug 30, Sept1
Introduction; General chemistry review
Ch. 1, 2
Ch. 1,2
Sept. 7, 9
Thermodynamics & Acid/base equilibria
Ch. 2, 3
Ch. 3,4,7
Lab Orientation
Sept. 14, 16
Buffers and titrations, Buffers lab
Ch. 4, 5
Ch. 7,8
Sept. 21, 23
Carbonate system; water-air partitioning
Ch. 5, 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Alkalinity Lab
Sept. 28, 30
Review and Exam #1
Oct. 5, 7
Metal-ligand chemistry
Oct. 12
No class
Oct 14
Mineral phase solubility
Ch. 8
Ch. 10
Oct. 19, 21
Mineral solubility, Redox reactions
Ch. 8
Ch. 10, 11
Oct. 26, 28
Redox reactions in the natural environment
Ch. 9
Ch. 11
Nov. 2, 4
Water treatment and disinfection chemistry
Nov. 9, 11
Review, Exam #2
Nov. 16, 18
Nutrient cycles of N and P, Surface chemistry Ch 10
Ch. 11
Ch. 16,14
Lab: Sorption of nutrients on soil
Nov. 23, 25
Thanksgiving holiday
Nov. 30
No class
Dec. 2, 7
Presentations by CE/ENV 242 students
Dec. 9
Summary and review
Dec. 15
Final Exam, 9:00 am-noon
Aquatic chemistry books on overnight reserve at Perkins Library:
1. Benjamin M. Water Chemistry. (551.460154 B468, M324, 2002)
2. Brezonik P.L. and Arnold W.A. Water Chemistry: An Introduction to the Chemistry of
Natural and Engineered Aquatic Systems. Oxford. 2011.
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