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Case studies in environmental chemistry
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:18:25
Abstract
During this course, students will learn how to model the concentration dynamics of organic contaminants in lakes, rivers, and groundwaters.
Objective
During this course, students will learn how to model the concentration dynamics of organic contaminants in lakes, rivers, and groundwaters. Case studies of current research in environmental chemistry will be used to develop mathematical models for transport and transformation processes of contaminants.
Content
The course starts with a short series of lectures (1) on the most important transport and transformation processes in aquatic systems as well as (2) on the basic principles of their mathematical modeling. The MatLab modeling software will be introduced as a tool to set up and solve differential equations describing the fate of contaminants. First case studies on the behavior of pesticides or fuel additives in lakes will be dealt with in small groups of up to three students. The second, more advanced set of case studies will address the fate of organic contaminants in more complex systems such as contaminant plumes in groundwaters and rivers or the design of bioreactors for contaminant remediation.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Environmental Organic Chemsitry (2nd edition), by R. P. Schwarzenbach, P. M. Gschwend, and D. M. Imboden, Wiley, 2003.Environmental Fluid Dynamics (Skript O. A. Cirpka)
Literature
Selected papers of current research in environmental chemistry and microbiology for case studies.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Case studies in environmental chemistry |
|
2 h weekly |