Ε5209 - ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY

INSTRUCTORS

COURSE KEY ELEMENTS

COURSE CONTENT:

A. Lectures.

The content of the course is divided into two thematic sections:

1. Basic principles and background knowledge

It includes introductory concepts and overview of background knowledge regarding the environmental occurrence and behaviour of chemical elements and compounds in the surface environment. The unit is developed through lectures (introduction in environmental geochemistry issues, environmental sampling media, occurrence of trace elements in solid phases, dissolution methods, cycles of N-P-C, acid mine drainage, urban geochemistry, risk assessment) and laboratory exercises (measurement units in Environmental Geochemistry, occurrence and transport of N-P in surface aquatic systems, pH as a factor control of the dissolved C species, pH-Eh diagrams and their contribution to environmental problems).

2. Research Methodology in Environmental Geochemistry

Environmental geochemistry issues are examined concerning field sampling, methods of chemical analysis and treatment of data. The unit includes lectures – laboratory exercises relevant to the evaluation of concentrations of chemical elements in environmental sampling media, statistical treatment of geochemical data, geochemical mapping.

B. Practical and Laboratory Exercises

• Laboratory work at the Laboratory of Economic Geology and Geochemistry regarding the chemical analyses of soil samples from various locations within the Athens urban area. The measurements include the determination of basic soil parameters (pH, organic carbon) and selected trace elements. The students acquire significant experience in terms of sampling, treatment and analysis of soil samples, as well as the writing of a thorough scientific essay.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES - TEACHING METHODS:

PLANNED LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

ASSESSMENT METHODS AND CRITERIA

The assessment process is conducted in Greek (there is the pos-sibility of examination in English for Erasmus students). The final grade of the course is formed by a series of tests that include:

Ι. Written Exams or Preparation of a Report

• Final written or oral exam with short answer questions and computational problems or delivery of a complete technical report, on the presentation and evaluation of the results of chemical analyses  
  (70% of the final grade)

ΙΙ. Laboratory Exercises

• Solving Exercises and Problems during thw Practice Exercises
  (30% of the final grade)

RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Suggested Bibliography:

• Eby, G. Ν. Αρχές Περιβαλλοντικής Geochemistryς (Μετάφραση Λιοδάκης, Δ. Πεντάρη) Εκδόσεις Κωσταράκη, Αθήνα. 2011 [Κωδ. ΕΥΔΟΞΟΣ: 34053]
• Plumlee, G. S. and Ziegler, T. L. (2005) The Medical Geochemistry of Dusts, Soils, and Other Earth Matterials. Treatise on Geochemistry Volume 9; (ISBN: 0-08-044344-3); pp. 263–310
• Adamo, P., Agrelli, D., Zampella, M., 2018. Chemical speciation to assess bioavailability, bioaccessibility and geochemical forms of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in polluted soils. Chapter, 9. In De Vivo B., Belkin, H.E., Lima, A., (Eds.). Environmental Geochemistry: site characterization, data analysis and case histories, pp. 153-194.
• Α. Κελεπερτζής (2000) Εφαρμοσμένη Geochemistry. Μακεδονικές Εκδόσεις, 301 σελ.

Related scientific Journals:

• Science of The Total Environment, Elsevier
• Applied Geochemistry, Elsevier
• Environmental Pollution, Elsevier
• Environmental Geochemistry and Health, Springer

¹ V.S.: Visitor Students (e.g. ERASMUS)