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 the climate change impact on the chemistry of the Oceans. In particular the Ocean chemistry is detailed with respect to the exchange of material with other environmental compartment and with the biogeochemical cycles.
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. Equilibrium and steady state models. Salinity and major constituents of seawater. Acustic wave transmission in the sea in function of the seawater chemical composition, osmosis. Air-sea exchange of gases. Acid-base reactions. pH, chemical composition, buffer intensity in the oceans. CO₂,HCO₃⁻, CO₃²⁻ equilibria in oceans and seawater. Log C – pH diagrams in the deep ocean and at the surface. Acidity and alkalinity. Concept of ocean acidification and its calculation in function of the atmospheric rising of CO₂. Geoengineering climate applied to the oceans. Solubility-pH of 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.
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.
In the oral examination, the student will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria: 1) knowledge and understanding; 2) connection of the different concepts; 3) reasoning autonomy; 4) ability to use scientific language
Mark range: 18-30/30 with laude
Office hours
Office at 3rd floor of U1 building (Piazza della Scienza 1, Milano). Office hours usually 10:30-12:30 a.m. on wednesday.
Sustainable Development Goals
Staff
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Luca Ferrero
