The course aims to illustrate:

- the main geochemical processes and cycles of the elements that have affected our planet during its evolution;

- the main chemical components and processes that occur in the environmental matrices (air, water, soil);

- geochemical reactions in water-gas-rock interaction processes;

- the main classifications of waters and their geochemical characterization for the definition of the origin of the solutes;

- the application of geochemical and isotopic techniques applied to environmental issues.

Geochemistry in Earth Sciences. The origin of the elements: the processes of stellar nucleosynthesis. Meteorites. The abundances of the elements in the Solar System. Composition and distribution of the elements in the Earth. Periodic properties of the elements and influence on geochemical behavior. Goldschmidt's rules and classification of the elements of the periodic table. Terrestrial heat flow and hints on geothermal energy. Main techniques for radiometric dating of geological materials. | Composition, structure and evolution of the atmosphere. Air pollution, the most common inorganic and organic pollutants. Main consequences: acid rain, greenhouse effect, climate change, ozone hole. Geological storage of CO2. | The water cycle and the use of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes. Water classification. Geochemistry of continental waters (rivers). Aqueous solutions. Evaporites. Notes on the most common pollutants of surface waters and aquifers. Notes on pollution related to industrial, urban, agricultural, mining activities. | Pedogenesis. The main physico-chemical properties of the pedosphere. The solid, liquid and gaseous constituents of soils. The horizons that characterize a soil. Factors affecting the behavior of chemical elements in the soil. Notes on soil and subsoil pollution. Interactions with groundwater and waters. Heavy metals, organic and inorganic pollutants and asbestos. Water-rock interaction processes. | Notes on the isotopes of light elements (hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen). | Sampling and analysis of a water. Measurement and sampling of a gas (e.g. accumulation chamber, soil gas survey). Notes on the main analytical techniques used in geochemistry.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Assessment

Oral exam

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Assessment

Oral exam

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.