GV1A3NU-Chemistry of the Earth & Environment

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Semesters in which taught: Semester 2 module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Tom Sizmur
Email: t.sizmur@reading.ac.uk

NUIST Module Lead: Anbu Johnson
Email: anbu.johnson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides a broad understanding of applied environmental chemistry. Students will gain fundamental knowledge of the underlying chemical principles in the terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric sciences that will provide a strong background for further learning in environmental science and engineering.

Aims:

This module is intended to provide fundamental understanding of chemical principles in the earth, water and atmosphere, and to apply the knowledge to environmental issues.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• Explain fundamental chemical concepts


• Classify compounds and write equilibrium equations for chemical reactions


• Describe the structures of rock-forming silicate minerals, weathering processes and basic soil chemistry


• Explain the significance of water chemistry and associated chemical reactions


• Explain the structure of the atmosphere


• Describe biogeochemical cycles and issues pertaining to air pollution


• Discuss terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric pollution cases


• Perform simple experiments and data analysis to demonstrate chemical principles

Additional outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students should be able to apply their knowledge through technical report writing and oral presentation.

Outline content:

Lectures include:

• Atoms and Elements


• States of Matter, Units of Measurement


• Chemical Bonding


• Chemical Structures


• Chemical Reactions and Equilibria


• Formation of the Earth, Structures of Silicate Minerals


• Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks


• Weathering, Chemistry of Soil


• Properties of Water, Acids, Bases, and the pH scale


• Ions in Solution, Redox Chemistry


• Colloids and Suspended Particles, Water Pollution


• Structure of the Atmosphere, Evolution and Composition of the Atmosphere


• Biogeochemical cycles, Global Warming and Greenhouse Effect


• Ozone Layer, Air Pollution

Laboratory training and experiments include:

• Introduction to the environmental chemistry laboratory


• Preparing solutions and measuring their properties


• Measuring the energy of reactions


• Predicting solubility


• Measuring alkalinity, acidity and conductivity


• Box models, Stiff & Piper diagrams


• Chemistry of natural waters

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

A combination of interactive lectures and laboratory classes.Ìý Guided independent study provides time for guided reading as well as consolidating your notes, preparing your assignments, addressing feedback on formative and summative assessments.