Course Description
Chemical behavior of natural aquatic systems: chemical kinetic and equilibrium relationships controlling the quality of surface and subsurface waters, both pristine and polluted. Distribution and behavior of chemical species in aqueous environments.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be required to complete a research project
on a geochemical problem of global environmental significance.
The results of the research shall be presented as a technical
completion report. The score on the research project will account
for 20% of the course grade for graduate students.
Athena Title
AQUEOUS ENV GEOCHEM
Undergraduate Prerequisite
GEOL 3150 or GEOL 3020-3020L or GEOL 4110/6110 or CHEM 2100 or permission of department
Graduate Prerequisite
GEOL 4110/6110 or CRSS 4670/6670 or GEOL 4550/6550 or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The main goal will be to help advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students understand controls on the chemical quality of pristine and polluted surface and groundwaters. Students will have a real insight into the way natural systems behave and familiarity with concepts of chemical kinetics and equilibrium.
Topical Outline
Hydrologic Cycle and Chemical Background Week 1 Thermochemical Principles Week 2 Chemical Kinetics Week 2 Aqueous Complexes Week 3 Activity Coefficients of Dissolved Species Week 4 Acids and Bases Week 5 Carbonate Chemistry Week 6 Carbonate Chemistry Week 7 Chemical Weathering Week 8 General Controls on Natural Water Chemistry Weeks 9 &10 Adsorption-Desorption Reactions Week 11 & 12 Oxidation-Reduction Reactions Week 13 Iron and Sulfur Geochemistry Week 14 Make up Week Week 15
Syllabus