| Course title | Environmental Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Course code | ACH/CHZP |
| Organizational form of instruction | Lecture |
| Level of course | Bachelor |
| Year of study | not specified |
| Semester | Winter |
| Number of ECTS credits | 2 |
| Language of instruction | Czech |
| Status of course | Compulsory, Compulsory-optional, Optional |
| Form of instruction | Face-to-face |
| Work placements | This is not an internship |
| Recommended optional programme components | None |
| Lecturer(s) |
|---|
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| Course content |
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1. Introduction; chemistry and the environment; branches of chemistry and their relationship to the environment. 2. Hydrosphere - chemical equilibria; acid-base equilibria; distribution of chemical species; pH; complexation equilibria; chelates. 3. Hydrosphere - precipitation equilibria; dissolution processes; oxidation-reduction equilibria; pE-pH diagrams; gases in aquatic systems. 4. Hydrosphere - phase equilibria; colloids; adsorption; microbial processes in aquatic systems. 5. Hydrochemistry - general composition of natural waters; chemical and biochemical oxygen demand; water pollution; inorganic pollutants. 6. Hydrochemistry - organic pollutants; types of water; characteristics of drinking water. 7. Atmosphere - atmospheric composition; atmospheric stratification; chemical reactions in the atmosphere; atmospheric particles and free radicals. 8. Atmospheric chemistry - photochemical reactions; aerosols; inorganic and organic atmospheric pollutants. 9. Atmospheric chemistry - chlorofluorocarbons; the ozone layer; smog; indoor air. 10. Geosphere chemistry - soil composition; chemical properties of soils; chemical reactions in soils; soil pollutants. 11. Waste management and recycling; water treatment; toxicity; transformation of toxic substances in organisms and the environment. 12. Green chemistry; sustainability; legislation; ethics and chemistry.
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| Learning activities and teaching methods |
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming)
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| Learning outcomes |
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The course aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of environmental chemistry, with particular emphasis on the sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fate of chemical substances in water, air, and soil. It also addresses the impact of anthropogenic activities on individual environmental compartments and the chemical processes occurring within them.
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: 1. Explain the fundamental chemical processes occurring in the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and geosphere and their importance for the functioning of the environment. 2. Describe and interpret the chemical equilibria governing the distribution, mobility, and transformation of chemical substances in different environmental compartments. 3. Characterize the major inorganic and organic pollutants, including their sources, properties, environmental behavior, and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health. 4. Assess the quality of environmental compartments using selected chemical indicators. 5. Evaluate the environmental risks associated with chemical substances with respect to their toxicity and environmental fate. 6. Propose appropriate strategies for pollution prevention and reduction, including waste management and material recycling. |
| Prerequisites |
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Basic knowledge of inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry.
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| Assessment methods and criteria |
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Written exam
The examination is conducted in person in the form of a written test. The test consists of open-ended questions designed to assess students' understanding of the course content and their ability to apply the acquired knowledge. To successfully complete the course, students must obtain at least 60% of the total points. The use of artificial intelligence tools or any other unauthorized aids is not permitted during the examination. |
| Recommended literature |
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| Study plans that include the course |
| Faculty | Study plan (Version) | Category of Branch/Specialization | Recommended semester | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Experimental Biology - Specialization in Experimental Biology (2021) | Category: Biology courses | - | Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Molecular and Cell Biology (2021) | Category: Biology courses | - | Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Industrial Technologies and Materials (2025) | Category: Chemistry courses | 3 | Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Bioinorganic Chemistry (2026) | Category: Chemistry courses | 3 | Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Experimental Biology - Specialization in Experimental Biology of Plants (2021) | Category: Biology courses | - | Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Chemistry - Analytical Specialist (2021) | Category: Chemistry courses | 2 | Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Chemistry for Education (2024) | Category: Chemistry courses | 2 | Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (2026) | Category: Chemistry courses | 3 | Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Chemistry (2026) | Category: Chemistry courses | 3 | Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: Winter |