Learning Objectives

After the completion of this course, the students will be able to:

1. Describe the dynamic structure of Earth's atmosphere and explain its underlying physical laws
2. Explain the principles behind, and the use of, meteorological instrumentation
3. Understand scientific methods employed in environmental chemistry and establish an appreciation of the role of chemistry in environmental science
4. Explain various geochemical components and understand to use them in solving environmental problems
5. Understand principles of environmental toxicology and assess toxic effects at various levels of the environment

Unit 1: Atmosphere (10 hrs)

1.1 Introduction to the atmosphere

1.2 Dynamic structure of atmosphere: General circulation, Air masses, Fronts, Frontal trapping, Topographical influences

1.3 Principles of vertical motion and Atmospheric stability

1.4 Atmospheric heat balance: Heat budget, Radiation and insolation, Heat balance, Heat distribution, Differential heating, Transport of heat, Distribution of heat(regional and global)

Unit 2: Meteorological Phenomena and Instruments (5 hrs)

2.1 Introduction to Meteorology

2.2 Wind speed and direction, Measurements

2.3 Temperature and temperature differences, Temperature sensors, Sodar and LIDAR, Radiation, Mixing height

2.4 System performance, Quality assurance, and Quality control

Unit 3: Plume Behaviour and Air Quality (5 hrs)

3.1 Plume behavior and Plume rise

3.2 Dispersion estimates, Air quality dispersion models, Gaussian distribution, Long-range transport

3.3 Use of meteorology in air quality regulation

3.4 Transboundary air pollution

Unit 4: Environmental Chemistry (8 hrs)

4.1 Atmospheric chemistry: Introduction of environmental air chemistry, Stratospheric ozone chemistry (Natural ozone formation and destruction, Principal ozone depletion reactions, PSCs mechanism - Type 1 and 2), Traffic rush hours reactions and distribution, Fossil fuels emission (Chemistry of emission from coal, diesel, petrol, ATF), Nielsen mechanism (Formation and absorption of SO2 in cement kiln), CO₂ emissions (CO₂ emission in clinker and lime production), and Global climate change

4.2 Aquatic chemistry: Introduction of aquatic chemistry, Chemistry of natural water (Hydrogen bond and Specific water reactions), Complexation in wastewater (Basic factors, Hydrolysis, Transboundary movement of heavy metals, and Humic compound reactions), Significances of solubility of gases in water, Microorganisms as catalyst of aquatic chemical reaction, Microbially mediated elemental transitions cycles (Sulphur, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous cycles and halogens and organohalides)

4.3 Soil chemistry: Introduction of soil chemistry, Types of soil reactions, Wastes and pollutants in soil (Plastic chemicals and additives relevant to ecological and human health (Bisohenol A, Phthalates, Brominated Flame Retardants), Relevant biodegradation of plastic (Microorganisms associated with degradation), Weight loss and reduction in tensile strength, Collection and transport of other contaminants by plastic waste

Unit 5: Geochemistry (7 hrs)

5.1 Introduction to geochemistry

5.2 Rock-water interactions and water quality, Cation-anion balance

5.3 Effect of weathering in river water, Carbonate water reactions, Silicate water reactions

5.4 Redox reactions: Concepts of pE, Eh-pH diagrams, Redox conditions in surface and groundwater, Biochemical vs. geochemical influence

5.5 Sediment characteristics, Suspended load and rate of mechanical erosion, Dissolved load and rate of chemical erosion

Unit 6: Environmental Toxicology (10 hrs)

6.1 Introduction and basic principles of environmental toxicology

6.2 Sources and types of ecological pollutants, Transport and fate of toxicants in the environment

6.3 Ecotoxicity testing methods

6.4 Toxic effects: Molecular, Physiological, Population, Community, Regional and Global

6.5 Ecological risk assessment

References

1. APTI. (2005). Basic air pollution meteorology: Self instrumental manual. Air Pollution Training Institute, United States Environmental Protection Agency.
2. Baird, C. (2005). Environmental chemistry. 3rd ed. W. H. Freeman and Company, USA.
3. Brady, N.C., & Weil, R.R. (2002). The nature and properties of soils. 13th ed. Pearson Education, Inc.
4. Ch, V., & Reddy, R.M. (2008). Impact of soil composting using municipal solid waste on biodegradation of plastics. Indian Journal of Biotechnology, 7, 235-239.
5. De, A.K. (2008). Environmental chemistry. New Age International Publishers, New Delhi.
6. European Commission. (2011). Plastic waste: ecological and human health impacts. Science for Environment Policy: In-depth Reports.
7. Landis, W.G., & Yu, M.H. (2005). Introduction of environmental toxicology: impact of chemicals upon ecological systems. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton.
8. Lithner, D. (2011). Environmental and health hazards of chemicals in plastic polymers and products. Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, ISBN: 978-91-85529-46-9.
9. Lutgens, F.K., & Tarbuck, E.J. (2004). The atmosphere: an introduction to meteorology. 9th ed. Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
10. Manahan, S.E. (2000). Environmental chemistry. Lewis Publishers, Washington DC.
11. Manahan, S.E. (2001). The geosphere and geochemistry: fundamentals of environmental chemistry. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton.