Experimental studies of environmental processes: A practical course in environmental chemistry

Abstract

To predict the fate of persistent organic pollutants in the environment, several aspects have to be considered carefully: their basic physical and chemical properties, distribution, transport within and among compartments, biotic and abiotic transformation processes, as well as effects on living organisms including humans. Laboratory simulation of the processes that control the chemical behavior of organic compounds in the environment is often desirable for deeper understanding, as well as for determination of basic characteristics required for successful environmental modeling. However, laboratory exercises targeted on the simulations of environmental processes are very rare. Practical training was designed as a supplement to the course of Environmental Chemistry. The whole course consists of seven experiments in a logical sequence-partition coefficient (n-octanol-water), Henry's Law Constant, soil sorption, volatilization from soil, bioaccumulation, photochemical degradation and microbial degradation. The objective is to gain knowledge of the principal physical processes, by which chemicals move, concentrate and dissipate, as well as of the principal routes of biotic and abiotic degradation. New practical course reflecting current topics and approaches of environmental chemistry was introduced to M.S. students at Masaryk University in 2004. Detailed description of the course including experimental techniques is provided in this article. Lab course employs basic techniques for the study of environmental processes to strengthen links between the theory taught in the lectures of Environmental Chemistry, laboratory simulations, and processes in the real word. A significant effort towards developing this laboratory exercise was devoted with the goal of providing a context for teaching both fundamental theories and environmental techniques, strengthening the link between the theory and processes in the real world, providing a scientific background for understanding the environmental problems, challenging the students with the experience of simulating the physical, chemical, and biological processes that control contaminant fate and transport in the environment, showing the students importance of the interdisciplinary approach and giving the students a taste of the excitement and challenge of the research in real conditions. The laboratory course was taught with a great success, and it became a part of recommended study plans for M.S. students in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology. Suggested experiments proved to be suitable for simulation of biotic and abiotic transformations, bioaccumulation, as well as distribution and transport processes in a student laboratory with good reproducibility and accuracy. The response of the students was very positive.