Chemical Analysis in Environmental Research

obligatory courses

Chemical Analysis in Environmental Research 4030-CABS-W
General and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory A 4030-CHOG-CW-A
General Chemistry. Topics in Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry 4030-CHOG-W

It is assumed that the student has knowledge of analytical chemistry and general chemistry at the lecture level Analytical Chemistry and General Chemistry for undergraduate studies at the Faculty of MSOŚ

Classroom

Exercises in the chemical laboratory. The use of classical and instrumental methods of chemical analysis (titration, liquid and gas chromatography, spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, flame photometry) to study natural waters, sewage, and tissues. Field methods for testing pollution. Experimental limitations in the analysis of traces. Limits of quantification. Methods of presenting analysis results, application of statistical methods in chemical analysis.

The laboratory consists of eight exercise units:

Exercise 1. Determination of oxygen by the Winkler method

Exercise 2. Elemental composition analysis of biological and environmental samples by the XRF method

Exercise 3. Potentiometric determination of chloride ion content in water.

Exercise 4. Application of statistical methods in chemical analysis

Exercise 5. Separation of selected compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); basics of the process

Exercise 6. Flame photometry and the possibilities of its use in water analysis.

Exercise 7 Identification of volatile organic compounds in food products by means of gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry

Exercise 8 Spectrophotometric determination of phosphates

Within 4 hours, students perform exercises as instructed, perform calculations, and discuss the results with the teacher, trying to interpret and evaluate their correctness, comparing numerical results with normative or literature values. Preparation for the exercises, a short test of knowledge, the performance of the exercise and preparation of results takes about 5 hours.

After completing the course the student should be able to apply the basic methods of testing real samples, e.g. water and sewage, propose a method for determining the basic parameters describing the quality of drinking, surface or wastewater. He should also be able to interpret and evaluate statistically obtained results, as well as use professional literature or normative regulations.

1. The laboratory consists of 8 exercises. Each student must complete all exercises

2. Students perform exercises in accordance with the studio schedule received at the beginning of the semester. As part of the schedule, two additional resist laboratories are available. A student who is absent on a regular laboratory has a maximum of two additional laboratories, regardless of the reason for absence on a regular basis (excused absence, failure to pass the entrance test, unjustified absence).

3. Each exercise is graded on a scale of 2 to 5 and the final grade is the grade for the entrance test and description. Both the entrance test and the description must be passed a positive grade, i.e. at least a satisfactory grade. You can get a maximum of 8 points for the entrance test, 2 points for the description. The minimum number of points for admission to pass is 4 points. Grade for exercise: 5-6 points 3; 7 points 3+, 8 points 4; 9 points 4+; 10 point 5.

4. Participation in the exercise is only possible after passing the entrance test unless the assistant decides otherwise.

5. In the event of failure to pass the entrance test, an exercise may be carried out within the re-test lab, provided that the entrance test is completed.

6. The student has only two dates of the re-sit lab, ie he may not complete only two exercises during the semester. During one revision lab, a student can improve only one exercise. In the event of failure to complete more than two exercises as part of the schedule, the student shall not obtain a credit for the Laboratory and must repeat it in full. The only exception to this rule is chronic sick leave (over two weeks).

7. Description of the exercise must be given to the next workshop (ie within a week of the exercise) conducting the given exercise. Delay of submitting the description results in lowering the grade by half a degree for each week of delay.

8. The condition of passing the Laboratory is passing all entrance tests with a grade at least 3 (satisfactory) and all exercises (passing and obtaining descriptions) with a positive grade, i.e. at least 3 (satisfactory).

9. The final grade from the Laboratory is determined on the basis of the arithmetic average of all grades for exercises.