Introduction to the main matrices of environmental interest (air, water, soil), classification and generality of the main environmental pollutants. Problems concerning the production, distribution, bioaccumulation and biomagnification of pollutants. INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS: introduction to the main chromatographic techniques. High efficiency liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). Main detectors used in environmental analysis. Mass spectrometry, hyphenated instrumental techniques. THE AIR COMPARTMENT: structure and composition of the atmosphere. Main air pollutants: particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and ozone. Chemical and photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. Greenhouse effect, ozone hole and stratospheric ozone depletion (CFC). THE WATER SECTION: Solids, dissolved oxygen, BOD and COD, pH, conductivity, hardness, analysis techniques for common inorganic and organic ions (spectrophotometric techniques, potentiometric techniques based on ion-selective electrodes, ion chromatography). THE SOIL COMPARTMENT: chemical-physical characteristics of the geosphere. The soil and its constituents. The sediments. Soil pollution. Municipal solid waste and industrial waste. Main effects of soil pollution. ANALYSIS OF METALS AND INORGANIC SPECIES: Sampling techniques, sample preparation and notes on ISO and ASTM Standards and EPA methods. The Consolidated Environmental Law (Legislative Decree 152/06) (notes). Solid and liquid sample treatment techniques (solvent extraction, SPE extraction, digestion and decomposition of the sample, formation of gaseous hydrides). ANALYSIS OF VOLATILE, SEMI-VOLATILE AND NON-VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS: main polluting classes such as hydrocarbons, organo-halogenates (e.g. PCBs, pesticides, PF, PBDE, PCN, VOC, VHOC, IPA, POP, PPCP, etc.), polymers, metals , organometallic compounds, drugs and personal care products. Solid, liquid and gaseous sample treatment techniques (static and dynamic headspace extraction, SPME, active and passive sampling systems).
