Geochemistry of The Earth System

Period: Second semester

Course unit contents: 

Introduction to basic principles in geochemistry. Elemental cycles and atmospheric pollution - Introduction: flow diagrams, steady state and anthropogenic perturbations. Phosphorus, carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, oxygen and metal cycles. Processes that regulate the stability of the Earth system and the planetary boundaries framework. Atmospheric structure, atmospheric pollution (gases and particulate matters), main consequences (atmospheric deposition, acid rains, greenhouse effects, climate change). Introduction to pollution phenomena - Types of pollutants and perturbations induced, sources, main inorganic and organic pollutants, movement in soils and groundwater, advection and diffusion, delay, solid-liquid-gas partition coefficients. Pollution phenomena - groundwater pollution. Soil pollution: contaminant retention, detection of the anthropogenic input, heavy metals, organic compounds. Surface water pollution and eutrophication. Sea water composition and marine pollution. Groundwater pollution: inorganic and organic compounds. Underground pollution and radioactive waste management.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods: The course is organized in lectures. During the lessons, powerpoint files with images and diagrams are used. The teaching is interactive, with questions and presentation of case studies, to promote discussion and critical thinking among students.