CHEMISTRY OF INORGANIC POLLUTANTS
Learning outcomes of the course unit
Aim of the course is to illustrate the fundamental principles required for the understanding and the description of the chemical mechanisms determining the impact of some classes of inorganic pollutants of essentially anthropic origin on the environment.
Course contents summary
Heavy metals: extraction methods, general properties and compounds of cadmium, lead, arsenic, antimony, mercury, chromium. Chemistry of the main organometallic compounds. Stability of metal complexes and metal ions in solution.
Corrosion and passivation of metals of technological interest. Corrosion protection methods.
Introduction to nuclear chemistry. Life cycle of nuclear fuel. Radioactive wastes. Problems related to the recover, treatment and disposal of nuclear waste. Hints of sanitary physics.
Chemistry of the atmosphere: photochemistry of oxygen, ozone. Ozone hole. Catalysts of ozone decomposition. Carbon dioxide and green house effect. Photochemistry of nitrogen oxides. Sulphur oxides. Acid rain. Industrial synthesis of nitric and sulphuric acids.
Recommended readings
Baird C. - Chimica Ambientale, Zanichelli
Manaham S. E. - Chimica dell’Ambiente. Piccin
Schwedt G. - The Essential Guide to Environmental Chemistry, Wiley.
