ENCE 688-T (or P)

Transformations of Organic Compounds in the Environment

Dr. Alba Torrents

This course will focus on reaction kinetics and mechanisms of organic pollutants transformations. Kinetics principles will be used to calculate or estimate the pollutants half-lifes. Physical-chemical properties of organic pollutants will be used to estimate transformation mechanisms and rates. Emphasis is on developing an understanding of how physico-chemical and structural properties relate with the transformations of organic pollutants. We will discuss the role of mathematical models and the transfer and applications of environmental chemistry to environmental technology. Students will learn to predict chemical transformations and catalytic effects in natural environments.

Prerequisites:

General Chemistry, Organic chemistry, ENCE-433 or ENCE-633 and ENCE-688-O.

Text:

Larson and Weber "Reaction mechanisms in Environmental Organic Chemistry" Lewis, 1994.

Schwarzenbach, R.P.; Gschwend, P.M.; Imboden, D.M. "Environmental Organic Chemistry", Wiley-Interscience, NY, 1993.

Recommended: Brezonik, P.L. "Chemical Kinetics and Process Dynamics in Aquatic Systems", Lewis, 1994.

Supplemental readings will also be provided.

Grades:

• Problem sets 10%
• mINI-PROJECTS 10%
• Quizzes 10%;
• 2-Exams 40%;
• Paper 20%;
• Presentation 10%.

Homework and exams emphasize applications of principles discussed in class to quantitative solution of problems representative of those faces by environmental chemists and engineers. Mini projects will be in the form of analysis of recently published data on reaction mechanisms and/or kinetic rate laws. Will be targeted to individual students and presented in the form of a 10-15 minutes presentation/discussion. Each student will perform 2-3 mini-projects through the semester.

Student presentations and discussion

SOLUTIONS

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by Alba Torrents
Last Modified November 1, 1996