Chemistry of the environment - American Chemical Society

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R. A. Bailey, H. M. Clark, Sonia Krause, J. A. Ferris, and R. 1. Strong Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York 12181

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Chemistry of +he Environment A course for upper-level technology students

The recent upsurge of concern for environmental prohlems has lead to the development of a considerahle number of courses in environmental chemistry,l some of which have been described in this J o u r n ~ l Our . ~ response to this interest is a course which attempts to deal with some of those chemical principles which are important in environmental behavior a t a depth which permits an effective appreciation of them. The goal is that, having dealt thoroughly with these principles in relation t o a few specific examples, the student will develop a sufficient understanding to see their significance in other cases. Emphasis is on principles rather than application. Evidence for student interest in this area is indicated by enrollments of 33 and 45 students in the two semesters in which this course has been offered. Questionnaire responses indicate that almost all are interested in general aspects of the processes which are important in the functionine of the environment. althounh com~arativelv - few expectto work in an area of e&ironm&tal science. As is likely to he the case in most chemistry departments, no one individual here felt competent to handle a course of this nature. Consequently, it has been developed and given by a group of five persons. This introduces a real problem of unification, but has permitted emphasis on a variety of environmentally related topics. Students enrolled in this course are required to have a t least two semesters of General Chemistry and one course in Organic Chemistry. The former as given a t R. P. I. is largely physically oriented, including basic thermodynamics, and some background in this is necessary. The course was intended to appsal to non-chemistry majors, hut chemistry majors have made up the largest single group taking it and find enough new material to provide a challenge. Others have represented a variety of departments. It is open to graduate students, although chemistry graduate students are not encouraged to register for it. The problem of a text has partially been solved by use of a large collection of reserve library books and mimeo'graphed notes, although the appearance of new texts of

suitable level will he a considerahle help.3 Examinations are generally in the form of take-home assignments, and involve quantitative as well as qualitative material. The syllabus of the course is as follows

Thearone layer Atmospheric circulation 21 Photochemistry infhs Ennronmrnf (9 hr] Solar radiation Principles of Photochemistry imponant phofochemieai reactions in the atmasphere Photochemical smog Ph~tasynfhesisand photochemical utilimtion of solar redistion 3) organic Chemistry in theEnvironment 112 hr) petroleum: dining, additives, and emissions environmental oxidation of hydrocsrbon~ ~ ~ ~ h s n i of sm s structure and biodegradabilit~ ~ ~ t ~mechanism ~ ~ ~of action, ~ t synthesis; s : end ~ ~ ~ h i ~ i elasses d e s : of eompunds, preparation, degradation. mechanism of action ~ioiogicalchemicals fnp a l control 4) ~ ~ ~ aand t iinorganic e Chemistry l9hrl hactionS end ~ ~ u i i i b r iina natural wafers: acid-bare, solubility, and redor reactions. componitionandmodds of thsaeean ~ i ~ . ~ ~ ~ cycles ~ h of ~ carbon ~ i e and s i other clements and some aspect. a1 the of selected elements.

1 Manahan, S. E., paper presented to the 164th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, New York, August 27Sept. 1, 1972. 2Manahan, S. E., J. CHEM. EDUC., 48, 764 (1971).Fuller, E. C.. J. CHEM. EDUC., 49. 10 (1972). Day. J. W., J. CHEM.

3 Manahan, S. E., "Environmental Chemistry," Willard Grant Press. Boston. 1972. "Inadvertant Climate Modification-Reoort of the study of a an's Impact on Climates," the MIT press,'Cambridge, Mass., 1972.

Volume 50, Number

11, November 1973

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785