Course Syllabus
Aims
The course aims at providing fundamental
knowledges concerning the processes and mechanisms that regulate the chemical composition
of the sea and oceans. A special attention is given to climate change impact on the chemistry of the Oceans.
Contents
The course CHEMISTRY OF MARINE ENVIRONMENT provides an understanding of the chemical composition of seawater and related chemical reactions. Equlibrium and steady state conditions in aqueous solution are discussed. A particular attention is also given to priority and emerging pollutants.
Detailed program
Properties
of Water. Isotopes in seawater. Salinity and major constituents of seawater. Acustic wave transmission in the sea, osmosis. Air-sea
exchange of gases. Equilibrium and steady state models. Acid-base reactions. pH,
chemical composition, buffer intensity in the oceans. CO2,HCO3-,
CO32- equilibria in oceans and seawater. Log C – pH
diagrams. Acidity and alkalinity. Concept of ocean acidification. Solubility, solubility-pH . Trace
metals; metal ions speciation. Organic matter in the sea. Nutrients. Microplastics. Organic pollutants (i.e. hydrocarbons, pesticides, dioxins and PCBs, flame
retardants, and endocrine substances). Reaction in anoxix environment. Atmospheric-ocean interaction: marine aerosols and their photochemistry and atmospheric aerosol as a source of nutrients. Geo-engineerng climate and the oceans.
Prerequisites
Basics of inorganic and organic chemistry.
Teaching form
Frontal lessons
Textbook and teaching resource
Slides and two textbooks:
1- An Introduction to the Chemistry of the Sea, 2nd ed., Michael EQ Pilson, Cambridge University Press, 2013.
2- Chemical Oceanography, 4th Ed., Frank J. Millero, CRC press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2013
Semester
Second semester
Assessment method
Oral
exam with written parts. The written parts are part of the oral exam during which the students have to demonstrate the
capability to mange the most important chemical equilibrium equations
concerning the chemistry of the sea or they have to write the most important equations concernig the Alkalinity or draw the vertical profile behaviour of the most important chemical components od seawater in different oceans.
Office hours
Office at 3rd floor of U1 building (Piazza della Scienza 1, Milano). Office hours usually 10:30-12:30 a.m. on tuesdeay.
Staff
-
Luca Ferrero