Environmental Chemistry

The learning outcomes include the understanding by students of the environmental processes occurring in the marine ecosystems and the capability of studying and explaining phenomena related to these processes. Moreover, the acquaintance of students with the procedures applied in laboratory level for the investigation of phenomena and processes in the marine environment regarding inorganic and organic chemistry, detection of the presence of pollutants or naturally occurring organic  substances, in water and sediment and the investigation of the transport and fate of these substances in the marine environment (hydrolysis, photolysis, sorption , biodegradation) with references to new technologies applied in international level for this purpose. In particular, the application and optimization of methods of gas and liquid chromatography, analysis of organic carbon and nutrients, in marine water, sediment and biota samples. Particular examples are given, of substances of interest that affect the quality of the marine environment and for which there is intense scientific concern, methods development and relevant regulation in European or in global scale. The promotion of critical thinking of students in this subject is enhanced by the opportunity of an optional mini-project that involves the study and discussion of the international research activity in regard to specific categories of organic or inorganic substances selected by students, through reviewing of related international scientific publications. 

Search for, analysis and synthesis of data and information, with the use of the necessary technology  

Adapting to new situations  

Decision-making  

Working independently  

Respect for the natural environment  

Production of free, creative and inductive thinking 

• The course includes aquatic chemistry and organic chemistry with emphasis on the environmental processes, as well as theoretical support of relevant techniques of instrumental analysis (Organic Carbon, Spectroscopy, Fluorescence, Atomic Absorption, Gas Chromatography)  
• Selected chemical processes are presented, that occur in the marine environment, such as: acid-base equilibria, carbonate system, redox and short-term sediment diagenesis.  
• Moreover, processes of organic chemistry in the aquatic environment are examined: Organic material and cycle of organic carbon in the sea, processes affecting the distribution of organic compounds in the aquatic environment (Solubility, Henry’s Law, Octanol-Water partition coefficient, sediment sorption, bioaccumulation), degradation of organic compounds, sampling and analysis of organic compounds in marine water and sediment. 

The lesson includes lectures (3h/week) covering the following issues: 

• Presentation and analysis of the course sections 
• Connection to other sections 
• Connection to phenomena observed in the marine environment 
• Questions to students, discussion-problematics 
• Optional mini-project regarding case studies

- Suggested bibliography: 

• Ι. Δεληγιαννάκης, Δ. Χελά, Ι. Κωνσταντίνου, 2010: Ενόργανη Περιβαλλοντική Ανάλυση, Εκδόσεις Τζιόλα, Αθήνα 2010, ISBN: 9789604182336 (In Greek)
• Schwarzenbach R.P., Gschwend P.M., Imboden D.M., 2002: Environmental Organic Chemistry, John Wiley & Sons LtD, ISBN: 0471350532 
• Βαρβογλης Α., Επίτομη Οργανική Χημεία, Εκδόσεις Ζήτη, Θεσσαλονίκη 2005 (In Greek)
• Chester R., 2002: Marine Geochemistry, Blackwell Science LtD, ISBN 1405101725
• Nikolaou A.D.(ed.), 2003: Haloforms and Related Compounds in Drinking Water, The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, Volume 5G, Editor-in-chief O. Hutzinger, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 2003, ISBN: 3-540-40421-X

Useful links: 

• Hellenic Center of Marine Research Website http://www.hcmr.gr/indexel.php

- Related academic journals: 

Chemosphere - https://www.journals.elsevier.com/chemosphere/  

Water Research - https://www.journals.elsevier.com/water-research/  

Marine Environmental Research - https://www.journals.elsevier.com/marine-environmental-research  

Water, Air and Soil Pollution - https://link.springer.com/journal/11270  

Global Nest Journal - https://journal.gnest.org/