1. Basic concepts of environmental chemistry
2. Correlation between molecular structure and chemical or physical properties
3. Contaminants of fossil origin, PCBs, dioxins, pesticides, polymers, detergents and soaps.
4. Abiotic reactions of transformation and degradation (hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis: thermodynamics and kinetics) .
5. Chemistry of natural water bodies, and water pollution
6. Atmospheric chemistry and pollution
7. Soil contamination.
8. Transport and distribution processes of chemical compounds in the environment and between different environmental compartments
9. Comparison between “classic” industrial synthesis processes and low environmental impact processes of some chemical compounds.
10. The class will independently conduct (in groups) bibliographic research on topics of the course, and the results discussed with the class.
The contents of points 1- 4 refer to the basis for understanding the chemical and structural information that characterize the main classes of organic pollutants in order to understand their persistence, distribution and effects on living organisms.
In points 5 -9 a methodological basis is provided for the understanding of the fundamental chemical processes of environmental media and the distribution of pollutants between different environmental compartments.
Point 10 is intended to stimulate the students' ability to use scientific and patent literature, and to discuss with a peer assembly an assigned topic relating to the course program.