ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

Paper Code: 
CHY 325
Credits: 
2
Contact Hours: 
30.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course Objectives :

This course aims to equip students with the knowledge of the chemical and photochemical reactions essential for the emergence and existence of the cycling and accumulation of pollutants in the environment, to address the chemistry of elements and compounds in the atmosphere and water, to lay special emphasis on the processes that define the connections and the dependence between individual segments of environment and to develop perspective on sustainability.

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course Outcomes

Teaching Learning Strategies

Assessment Strategies

  
 

On completion of this course, students will be able to-

CO112- discuss the concept of structure and function of different compartments of the environment.

CO113- analyse the national and global environmental issues relating to atmosphere, water and natural resources

CO114- criticize the range and extent of the water pollution problem with an understanding of some of the treatment procedures available

CO115-        develop         scientific perspective of the issues confronting our present-day environment

CO116-     identify relationships between chemical exposure and effects on physiological system

CO117- demonstrate different ways of conservation of      the natural resources and their management
  • Class lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Group discussions
  • Mock MUN
  • Assertion and reasoning
  • Technology enabled learning
  • Peer learning

 
  • Oral and written examinations
  • Mock MUN
  • Assignments
  • Quiz
  • Efficient delivery using seminar presentations
  • Group activity
  • Multiple choice questions
  • Short answer type questions
  • Assertion and reasoning
  
       
 

 

7.00
Unit I: 
General Aspects of Environmental Chemistry

Atmosphere and its interaction with hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere, composition of air, water, soil.
Atmospheric layers, vertical temperature profile, heat radiation budget of the earth atmosphere system. Properties of troposphere, thermodynamic derivation of lapse rate. Temperature inversion, pressure variation in atmosphere and scale height.
Biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen and sulphur.
Earth’s carbon cycle, carbon emitters, carbon sequestration, carbon footprint and carbon trading.

 

7.00
Unit II: 
Chemical and Photochemical Reactions in Atmosphere

Formation and reactions of O3, O2, NOx, SO2, hydroxyl radical, hydroperoxyl radical, organic radicals, etc.

Photochemical smog, green-house effect, ozone depletion and acid rain, effects and control of air pollutants-gaseous, particulates.

6.00
Unit III: 
Chemistry of Hydrosphere

Chemical reactions in aquatic environment, concept of oxygen demand -DO, BOD, COD, TDS, pH, conductivity, colloids, salinity. Aquatic pollution- sources (inorganic and organic pollutants, pesticides, industrial effluents, sewage, detergents and oil spills), effect of pollutants on aquatic life (flora and fauna), purification and treatment of water.

5.00
Unit IV: 
Environmental Toxicology

Toxicology- threshold limiting value (TLV), LD50, toxicity and control of toxicants- nonmetallic compounds, asbestos, organic compounds (POP’s, phthalate, dioxins, PCB’s), pesticides, VOCs, endocrine disrupters.

5.00
Unit V: 
Renewable Energy

Introduction, applications, merits and demerits of solar energy, biomass energy, hydrothermal energy, wind energy, geothermal energy and hydrogen fuel cells.

Essential Readings: 
  • Environmental Chemistry, Tenth Edition; Stanley E. Manahan; CRC Press; 2017.
  • Environmental Chemistry, Ninth Edition; A. K. De; New Age International Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 2018.

References: 

SUGGESTED READINGS:

  • Environmental Chemistry, Fifth Edition; Colin Baird; W.H. Freeman and company, New York, 2012.
  • Chemistry of the Environment, Revised Third Edition; Thomas G. Spiro & William M. Stigliani; University Science Book, New Delhi, 2011.

e-RESOURCES:

Academic Year: 
2022-2023
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