Biogeochemistry

Designed as an upper level introductory course covering environmental soil chemistry concepts in  framework most applicable to inorganic and organic chemical contamination of soil and water resources and intended for students in environmental science fields that may not have a strong chemistry and/or math background. Typically offered Fall only. 4 credits.

Basic principles of soil chemistry and mineralogy. Offered typically in Spring. 3 credits.

The fundamental properties and processes responsible for the fate of organic chemicals in the environment, with emphasis on soil and water chemistry. Areas to be addressed will include both conceptual and theoretical aspects of processes relevant to environmental fate of contaminants; measurement, estimation, correlation, and application of the parameters most commonly used to assess various chemodynamic properties in soil-water systems. Offered typically in Spring. 3 credits.

Principles of physical, quantitative, organic, and inorganic chemistry applied to the analysis and distribution of the chemical composition of natural waters and engineered water systems. Lecture and laboratory topics include acid/base, complexation, precipitation/dissolution, sorption, and redox reactions. Laboratory procedures include routine and advanced analytical techniques. Typically offered Fall only. 3 credits.

This course will provide an introduction to the physical and microbial processes governing the cycling of photosynthetically produced organic matter on land and in streams and rivers. Organic geochemical transformations in the soil and litter will be highlighted along with methods of characterization of the organic constituents. Biogeochemical concepts of stabilization and destabilization of soil organic matter and stress response of terrestrial ecosystems will be reinforced through manipulation of actual data  sets. Permission of instructor required. Offered typically in Spring. 3 credits.

Principles of crystal chemistry, survey of clay mineral structures, and identification of clay minerals by X-ray diffraction, chemical methods, differential thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and specific surface area measurements. Role of clay minerals in the natural environment. Offered in alternate years. 4 credits.

Soils as a resource in development planning; soil properties affecting land use; use of soil survey, aerial photos, topographic maps, and other resource data in land-use allocation; nonengineering aspects of site selection for various land uses, water conservation, waste disposal, and erosion control. Typically offered Fall only. 3 credits.

An introduction to the chemistry of the earth’s atmosphere. Covers evolution of the earth’s atmosphere, its physical and chemical structure, its natural chemical composition and oxidative properties, and human impacts, including increasing tropospheric ozone, decreasing stratospheric ozone, climate change, and acidic deposition. Typically offered Fall only. 3 credits.