ENVSC202-22A (HAM)

Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry

15 Points

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Division of Health Engineering Computing & Science
School of Science
Environmental Science

Staff

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Convenor(s)

Megan Grainger

Megan Grainger
9621
DE.3.03
See Moodle
megan.grainger@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Adam Hartland

Adam Hartland
9390
CD.1.01
See Moodle
adam.hartland@waikato.ac.nz

Terry Tang

Terry Tang
See Moodle
terryisson.isson@waikato.ac.nz

Administrator(s)

Placement/WIL Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: cheryl.ward@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
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Paper Description

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This paper is an introductory course in environmental chemistry and geochemistry. Topics covered:

- Origin of the elements and cosmochemistry

- Aquatic chemistry and chemical speciation

- Chemical weathering and soil formation

- Redox chemistry and the biogeochemical cycling of elements

- Chemistry of non-living and living organic matter

- Gas-phase chemistry of the atmosphere

- Global climate change

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Paper Structure

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The course consists of 2 days of field work (weekends), 15 hours of chemistry labs, 20 formal lectures, 4 laboratory reports, 2 tests, and the final exam.

A detailed lecture schedule is provided on Moodle.

Lectures:

2 hours per week

Lectures are recorded on Panopto and are available through Moodle.

Lecture notes can be purchased from Waikato Print; alternatively they can be downloaded from Moodle. It is recommended that you print them large enough to allow annotation of figures and diagrams.

Throughout the semester lectures will be taught from either the Hamilton or Tauranga campus. For the alternative campus, the lecture will be live streamed to the lecture room for full interaction.

Laboratories

One 3-hour session per fortnight.

There will be an introductory laboratory session and laboratory sessions relating to each field trip (i.e. four 3-hour labs).

Due to the class size and the capacity of the laboratory, the lab sessions will run on alternating weeks. See Moodle for details on how to sign up to a laboratory stream.

You are required to submit your completed laboratory reports as an electronic copy on the course Moodle page.

Field trips*

Field trip 1
Acid Mine Drainage trip - Thames Coast

(field measurements and collection of water samples for labs and report)

Sunday 27 March

Field trip 2
Cave trip - Ruakuri Cave

(collection of water samples for labs and report)

Date to be advised after confirmation from cave guides.

Due to the size of the class and the limit of people allowed in the cave, the field trip will be run on two separate weekend days - attendance is only required on one caves trip).

Tentative dates are either 7 or 8 May and either 14 or 15 May

Attendance on the field trips is encouraged but is not mandatory. If you are unable to attend either field trip then you will need to let the course coordinator know as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made.

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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the paper should be able to:

  • Describe the processes controlling the formation of elements by nuclear synthesis, identify and describe individual steps in a synthetic sequence.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Describe and account for the distribution of elements and water in the solar system.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • The ability to describe the principle physical properties of water and the role of these in controlling the circulation of water bodies.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • The ability to explain the principle chemical properties of water including dissolution of gases and redox properties.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • The ability to convert between concentration units and calculate concentrations of solutes given sufficient information.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Describe the important elemental cycles of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur and identify the major reservoirs and sinks within these cycles.
    and sinks within these cycles.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Discuss properties of humic material and techniques to analyse this material
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  • The ability to account for the origins of fossil fuels and their processes of formation.
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  • Name common biomarkers and describe the technique used to analyse them and explain their application in analysis of oil provenance.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • The ability to describe the physical nature of the atmosphere, structure and composition and the important role played by solar radiation in defining these features.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • The ability to discuss the composition of the atmosphere and describe the energy balance of incoming solar radiation and outgoing infra-red (black body) radiation of the Earth.
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  • Explain what the greenhouse effect is and what properties a gas needs to be a greenhouse gas
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  • The ability to write concise and clear laboratory reports with coherent discussion supported by appropriate referencing and using appropriate language and formatting.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • The ability to sample environmental waters without perturbation and complete a chemical analysis of the water samples.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • The ability to interpret data thus collected.
    Linked to the following assessments:
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Assessment

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Assessment Components

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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 70:30. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 30% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 70:30 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 30% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Laboratory report 1
10
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
2. Laboratory Report 2
10
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
3. Laboratory Report 3
16
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
4. Laboratory Report 4
10
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
5. Test 1
2 May 2022
11:00 AM
16
  • In Class: In Lecture
6. Test 2
8
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
7. Exam
30
✔
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
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Required and Recommended Readings

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Required Readings

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VanLoon, GW and Duffy, SJ (2010) Environmental Chemistry: a global perspective. 3rd Edition. 978-0-199-22886-7.

Holland, Heinrich and Turekian, Karl (2014) Treatise on Geochemistry. 2nd Edition. 978-0-08-098300-4

The library has a list of required and recommended readings for this paper; this includes links to electronic versions of the text if they are available. The lists can be found at the following link: https://www.waikato.ac.nz/library/reading-lists/students

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Recommended Readings

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Girard, James E. 2014 Principles of Environmental Chemistry (3rd edition) Jones and Bartlett Learning (QD33.2.G57 2014)

White, W. (2013) Geochemistry. ISBN: 978-0-470-65668-6.

Andrews, JE; Brimblecombe P 2004. An introduction to environmental chemistry. 2nd ed. Malden, MA, Blackwell Science. QE516.4 .I57 2004

*Books are also available as eBooks through the library.

Broecker, WS, How to build a habitable planet. QE515.B76 1985

(The newer version of this book is available as an ebook - Langmuir, CH; Broecker, WS, How to build a habitable planet - The Story of Earth from the big bang to humankind)

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Online Support

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This paper has a Moodle page (http://elearn.waikato.ac.nz) where you will be able to access lecture material. There are also discussion forums where you can both ask and answer questions.

All lectures are recorded via Panopto and are available through Moodle.

PLEASE NOTE:

Moodle will be used for class notices etc and it is your responsibility to regularly check the site and your appropriate e-mail account. Instructions provided on Moodle and during lectures are considered to be given to the class as a whole.

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Workload

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Formal contact hours: 20 Lectures, 15 hours of laboratory work, 2 field trips

Personal study: 3 hours per lecture minimum during the semester for reviewing lecture materials and the recommended reading. 8 hours for completion of each of the laboratory reports.

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Linkages to Other Papers

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This paper is optional for students in Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Engineering with at least 30 points in Chemistry or Earth Sciences.

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Prerequisite(s)

Prerequisite papers: Any 100-level CHEM or CHEMY paper

Corequisite(s)

Equivalent(s)

Restriction(s)

Restricted papers: CHEM200, CHEM261

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