Corso di laurea magistrale Monitoraggio Ambientale, Tutela e Ripristino LM-75

This course shares the general goal of providing a detailed knowledge of the systemic analysis of the natural environment. 

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY MODULE

The course aims to make the student acquire fundamental knowledge on problems related to environmental pollution with particular regard to the relationship with geology and geochemistry. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the mechanisms of contamination and methods for the reclamation of both land and groundwater with reference to situations of natural contamination. 

The contents proposed within the course contribute to the achievement of the educational objectives of the master's degree as regards the practical and application aspects in understanding pollution phenomena and in the development of strategies aimed at assessing the level of contamination, evaluating the methods to stem the phenomenon and possibly remedy it.

ENVIRONMENTAL MINERALOGY MODULE

The course aims at making the student acquire basic knowledge on minerals of interest to mankind and the environment, on the relationships existing between minerals and the environment and on the analytical techniques useful for assessing and managing the state of the environment in some of its peculiar aspects.

In particular, the course aims at training an expert in 'Monitoring, Protection, Management and Environmental Restoration' who will have to acquire, in his teaching and laboratory path, the following skills:

- assessment of the state of the environment;

- recognition of pollution situations due to the presence of "problematic" minerals and inorganic compounds;

- identification of problems related to human (and animal) exposure to specific minerals and inorganic compounds;

- identification of minerals useful for de-pollution;

- choice of the type of monitoring suitable for environmental management;

- management, integrated with other specialists, for the recovery of degraded environmental conditions.

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY MODULE

Knowledge and understanding.

At the end of this teaching the student will know:

- understand the risks of different types of environmental contamination in soils and in surface and deep waters;
- have a theoretical mastery of the investigation methods necessary for a geochemical assessment of environmental damage;
- evaluate which method of remediation or remedy may best suit the local geological situation and the type of contaminant;
- evaluate the potential of the environmental damage resulting from the various types of diffusion of contaminants.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

At the end of this course, the student must:

- know the main geochemical investigation methods for the characterization of contamination phenomena;
- organize a soil contamination study;
- associate the most suitable remediation techniques in theory to the various geological contexts (groundwater, soils, different environments)

Judgment autonomy

At the end of this course the student will know how to make a judgment:

- on the most suitable chemical and geochemical investigation methodologies for different geological contexts;
- on the quality of the data acquired and the correctness of the information deriving from it.

Communication skills

At the end of the course the student must know:

- use the technical language of environmental geochemistry, of the instruments and methodologies involved in the investigations;
- coordinate with various professional figures who work in the area regarding the assessment and remedy of environmental damage on geo-hydrological systems (chemists, engineers, staff of bodies involved in the official assessment of geochemical and environmental damage such as ASL and Arpat).

Learning ability

At the end of this course, the student will have the ability to study independently and critically evaluate the techniques to be used in the various sectors of Earth Sciences relating to geochemical characterization and the assessment of environmental damage caused by pollution.

ENVIRONMENTAL MINERALOGY MODULE 

Knowledge and understanding:

At the end of this course, the student will possess:

1. know-how and ability to use specific technical language;

2. know-how of the chemical-physical features of specific minerals and inorganic compounds and their possible interactions with the biosphere; 

3. know-how of the methods of mineralogical and geochemical investigation, both adequate and regulated in Italy and EU, for the assessment of pollution by mineral species and inorganic compounds;

4. know-how of investigation methods for the identification of mineral species and inorganic polluting compounds suitable for de-pollution;

5. know-how in order to coordinate with various professional figures who work in the field of pollution and environmental remediation and in the related analytical field;

6. ability to critically evaluate those actions necessary to assess the state of the environment in some of its specificities and to carry out the necessary monitoring and management over time.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

At the end of this course, the student will:

1. use an apt terminology for describing the main useful or hazardous mineral groups in an environmental context; 
2. identify and discriminate the characteristics and physical-chemical features of the main mineralogical species useful or hazardous mineral groups in an environmental context; 

3. use the main analytical methods aimed at characterizing and studying the main mineralogical species useful or hazardous mineral groups in an environmental context.

Autonomous assessments

At the end of the course, the student will be able to express a judgement about:
1. the main mineralogical and crystal-chemical methods fit for the study of the different environmental contexts; 
2. the reliability of the collected data and the feasibility of the related information.

Ability to communicate
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. use the proper scientific and technical language of mineralogy applied to environmental issues; 
2. communicate and interact with other experts, having different backgrounds, working in environmental issues (mineralogists, geologists, forest rangers, mineralogical engineers, etc) so as to understand and face various problems, for what concerns remediation of soils, wastewaters and all related environmental issues;
3. understand and participate to the writing of reports concerning the state and quality of the examined environmental context.

Learning ability
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. study on his own and cristically evaluate the anlytical techniques to be used in all the fields of Earth Sciences related to the study and characterization of minerals as well as to the evaluation of the environmental damages due to pollution.

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY MODULE

Geochemistry and nucleosynthesis of the elements. The chemical structure of the Earth. Environmental isotopes and their importance in the evaluation of geochemical cycles and contamination. Hydrochemistry and distribution of pollutants in surface and deep waters. Contamination of the atmosphere Contamination of surface and deep waters Soil contamination Environmental remediation - Hydrosphere Environmental remediation - Soils Analytical methods of greater use in environmental geochemical investigation.

ENVIRONMENTAL MINERALOGY MODULE

- Crystal chemistry of minerals "involved" in environmental issues;

- "Problematic" minerals for the environment (asbestos, crystalline silica);

- Minerals useful for the environment (zeolites, phosphates);

- Atmospheric particulate: a mineralogical approach;

- Identification and characterization techniques (SEM/TEM-EDS; RX diffraction by crystalline substances; the powder method).

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY MODULE

The teaching methodology consists of n. 32 hours of lectures during the first semester.

ENVIRONMENTAL MINERALOGY MODULE

The teaching includes a part of lectures (40 hours), integrated with a part of laboratory experiences and exercises (16 hours) during the second semester.

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY MODULE

The exam consists of an oral test. This will consist in the discussion and in-depth study aimed at ascertaining the ability to synthesise the knowledge acquired; a discussion of any data that the student has organized on a topic related to environmental damage that have affected geological environments and that have particularly affected him. The discussion is also aimed at ascertaining the achieved ability to evaluate the operating conditions and knowledge of the methods of environmental geochemistry

The purpose of this assessment of the student's performance is to ascertain the level of achievement of the expected learning outcomes set out above.

ENVIRONMENTAL MINERALOGY MODULE

The exam will focus on an oral interview, complete with questions and reasoning on all the modules carried out, focused on:

• topics exposed in class
• activities carried out during the exercises
• laboratory activities

In this case, the following items are required:

- mnemonic knowledge of the chemical formulas of 6 asbestos;

- mnemonic knowledge of the chemical formulas of some minerals of environmental interest (list provided);

- knowledge of the chemical elements of some minerals and compounds (list provided).

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY MODULE

Presentations of the teacher.

Items Magazines.

Texts of Geochemistry Online

Recommended books: Dongarra G.; Varrica D. Geochemistry and Environment Edises Publisher - Naples.

ENVIRONMENTAL MINERALOGY MODULE

Book recommended for the section concerning the mineralogical classification:

- KLEIN, Cornelis, Mineralogy, Ed. Zanichelli, Bologna, 2004.

The slides provided during the course, supplemented by any additional material, will also be used.

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY MODULE - First semester

ENVIRONMENTAL MINERALOGY MODULE - Second semester