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Introduction to Environmental Organic Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry
Einführung in die organische Umweltchemie und Umweltanalytik
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:06:16
Abstract
Introduction into the problems related to organic pollutants in the environment. Treatment of the physical-chemical and chemical basics that are necessary to understand the environmental behavior of such componds. In addition, the most important analytical methods for the qualitative and quantitative determination of organic pollutants in environmental samples are discussed.
Objective
The students - get an overview of the most important classes of environmentally relevant organic compounds - get acquainted with the pertinent physical-chemical and chemical basics required to understand the processes that determine the environmental behavior of organic pollutants - get a first glance at the trace analysis of organic componds in environmental samples - get to know experimental approaches to determine compound specific properties - learn how to relate structural features of a compound to the relevant processes that determine the componds environmental behavior - learn to evaluate critically published data
Content
- Overview of the most important classes of environmental organic pollutants - Molecular interactions that determine the partitioning behavior (adsorption and absorption processes) of organic compounds between different environmental compartments (gas,liquid,solid) - Physical-chemical properties (vapor pressure, aqueous solubility, air-water partition constant, organic solvent-water partition constants, etc) and partitioning behavior of organic compounds between environmentally relevant phases (air, aerosols, soil, water, biota) - Basics of trace analytical methods to determine organic componds (enrichment techniques, separation (chromatography), detection) - Chemical transformation reactions of organic pollutants in aquatic and in terrestrial systems (reactions with nucleophiles incl. hydrolysis, redox reactions)
Resources
Lecture Notes
Script will be distributed
Literature
Schwarzenbach, R.P., P.M. Gschwend, and D.M. Imboden. Environmental Organic Chemistry. 2nd Ed. Wiley, New York, 1313 p.(2002) Goss, K.U. and Schwarzenbach, R.P. (2003). "Rules of thumb for assessing equilibrium partitioning of organic compounds-success and pitfalls", Journal of Chemical Education, 80, 4, 450-455.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Einführung in die organische Umweltchemie und Umweltanalytik |
|
4 h weekly |
Offered In
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Earth Sciences Bachelor (Information on the Bachelor: )
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Major in Climate and Water: Electives (24 credit points from the courses listed under "elective course" in the winter (5. semester) and the summer semester (6. semester) must be aquired. The choice of other courses has to be approved by the Fachberater (Dr. M. Wüest).)
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