GEO/CHM 331
Introduction to Environmental Geochemistry
Chemistry of the Natural Systems
Satish C. B. Myneni
151 Guyot Hall
Department of Geosciences
email: smyneni@princeton.edu
Tel: 8-5848
M, W 11:00-12:20 Maximum Enrollment: 25
See pictures from the Fall 2002 course
SYLLABUS
Required Text Book
G. Nelson Eby. Principles of Environmental Chemistry. 1st edition.
Prerequisites
Background in geology and chemistry is helpful but not essential. Open to Freshmen.
Field Trips
One day field trip to a site in Pine Barrens, and a nearby coal mine site in Pennsylvania
to examine pristine and contaminated environments. These trips will be organized during the
reading period.
Topics Covered
This course will focus on the following topics, and will address some of the questions
mentioned below.
ORIGIN OF ELEMENTS
- Formation of elements
- Why are certain elements more abundant than others?
- Why is the surface of the Earth composed of only certain elements, and not full of mercury, lead, or arsenic?
INTRODUCTION TO CHEMICAL BONDING
- Review of interesting properties of elements from first principles
- How does bonding affect the chemical behavior of elements in the environment?
CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS & KINETICS:
APPLICATIONS TO THE STUDIES OF NATURAL SYSTEMS
- Introduction to chemical thermodynamics & kinetics
- Applications of thermodynamics and kinetics to the studies of environmental chemical processes
WATER CHEMISTRY
- Introduction to acid-base equilibria and chemical speciation in water
- How does chemical speciation influence the biological chemistry and toxicity of elements?
DISSOLUTION OF ROCKS & THEIR SURFACE ALTERATION
- Introduction to the weathering of rocks
- What environmental variables modify weathering reactions?
- How do these reactions influence the weathering of monuments? How do we protect them from weathering?
- What are the health effects of minerals and rocks?
CHEMISTRY OF LIVING & NON-LIVING ORGANIC MOLECULES
- Introduction to C-chemistry
- How do organic molecules modify biogeochemical processes in the environment?
- Introduction to the chemical processes mediated by living organisms
REDOX PROCESSES IN THE ENVIRONMENT
- Introduction to oxidation and reduction reactions
- The nature of electron transfer reactions in the environment, and how living organisms can modify them
- Influence of redox reactions on the elemental cycles and toxicity
- How the redox conditions changed on the Earth’s surface during its history
THE CONTINENTAL ENVIRONMENT
- Rock weathering and formation of soils
- Role of soils in the fate and transport of contaminants
THE ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
- Introduction to the chemistry of the atmosphere: Gas-phase and aerosol chemistry
- Chemistry of rainwater: Interactions of water with atmospheric gases (SOx, NOx, CO2),
acid rain & major element composition
THE CHEMISTRY OF LAKES, RIVERS & MARINE ENVIRONMENTS
- Chemical composition of lake, river and ocean waters
- Introduction to the biogeochemical reactions occurring in these environments
- How do aquatic contaminants alter natural biogeochemical processes?
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