1) Principles of Environmental Geochemistry, G. Nelson Eby, Yhompson Brooks/Cole, ISBN 0-122-29061-5.
2) Geochemical and Biogeochemical reaction modelling, 2008, Craig B. Bethke, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-521-87554-7.
3) Environmental Applications of Geochemical Modeling. Zhu C., Anderson G., 2002. Cambridge University Press.
4) Metodi matematici e statistici per le scienze della Terra., 2006, Vol. III, Tecniche statistiche, A. Buccianti, F. Vlacci, F. Rosso, Liguori editore.
Learning Objectives
Students acquire knowledge to manage geochemical data in a correct way, validate their correctness for an analytical point of view and to construct conceptual models able to describe the investigated phenomena in a critical way. Final aim is to evaluate and quantify the behaviour of chemical elements in different natural and anthropic frameworks.
Prerequisites
Knowledge acquired in the courses of Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrography
Teaching Methods
Contact class with use of blackboard, video-projector for computer, overhead projector; possibility of practical lessons for data analysis in computer room. Use of the Moodle platform for e-learning for exchange of materials with students. Seminars and lessons on specific items by scientists and researchers are planned.
Use of software for the statistical analysis of data.
Further information
6 CFU, frequency of lessons is highly recommended, but not mandatory;.
Type of Assessment
Oral final exam. First part: discussion of a scientific paper given by the teacher. Second part: minimum 3 questions on the developed program.
Course program
- Types of geochemical data. Evaluation of the experimental error, precision and accuracy, significant digits. Calibration curves. Management of data below the detection limit. How to build up an exhaustive geochemical database.
Univariate and bivariate statistical methods. Probability models to describe the frequency distribution of geochemical data. Normal, log-normal and fractal distributions. Identification of background and threshold values as well as outliers. Principles of time series analysis and Geostatistics.
Geochemistry of the aqueous phase. Geochemistry of the gaseous phase. Thermodynamics of the solutions. Modelling of the chemical equilibrium in geochemical systems with different phases. Stability diagrams of minerals, activity, fugacity and solubility diagrams. Eh-pH diagrams.
Software for the analysis of the water/rock equilibrium. Pollution of the water resources on different scale. Analysis of international reports, concept of ecological fingerprint.
The cycle of C and the influence on the CO2 budget of the weathering processes. The chemistry of the most important rivers in the world and the erosion of the continental crust. The role of the pollution processes.
- Analysis and discussion of several environmental themes on different scales.