SC 336 - Environmental Contaminants

3 Credits

1. Predict the movement of chemicals between source emissions and environmental media (air, surface water, sediment, groundwater, soil).
2. Develop a Conceptual Site model which identifies pollutant sources, exposure pathways, and receptors.
3. Interpret analytical data sets from lab experiments for chemicals in various environmental media.
4. Assess risks to humans and the environment from exposure to environmental chemicals.
5. Solve practical quantitative problems dealing with chemical fate and transport.
6. Describe chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, and partition coefficients.

Dunnivant, F.M., and E. Anders. 2006. A basic introduction to pollutant fate and transport:

An integrated approach with chemistry, modeling, risk assessment, and environmental

legislation. Wiley-Interscience, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., publication, Hoboken, N.J.

Hemond, H.F., and E.J. Fechner-Levy. 2015. Chemical fate and transport in the environment.

3^rd ed. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Eisler, R. 2007. Eisler’s encyclopedia of environmentally hazardous priority chemicals.

Elsevier, Amsterdam; Oxford.

Boehnke, N. 2000. Laboratory experiments in environmental chemistry.

Brusseau, M.L., I.L. Pepper, and C.P. Gerba. (Eds.). (2019). Environmental and pollution science.   

(3^rd ed). Academic Press, London.

Daniel A, Vallero, (2014). Fundamentals of Air Pollution. (5^th ed). Academic Press, MA.

ISBN: 978-0-12-401733-7

Additional digital and print resources will be provided and assigned throughout the course.

Conduct of Course:

This course is delivered through lectures, case studies and assignments for a total of 44 hours and through labs for a total of 24 hours. Students are encouraged to ask questions and participate in discussions throughout the course.

As per Lakeland College policy class attendance is vital to the learning process and as significant to the students’ evaluation as examinations and reports, therefore absenteeism is recorded. Class attendance is vital to the learning process and as significant to the students’ evaluation as examinations and reports, therefore absenteeism is recorded.

1. Students having a combination of excused and/or unexcused absence of 20 percent or higher for the scheduled course hours can be required to withdraw and would then automatically receive a “RW” (required withdrawal) for the course, regardless of any other evaluation results. (RW is a failing grade).
2. An excused absence is one that is verified with your instructor. Verification should be prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence. Verification of the absence may take the form of a note from your doctor/College nurse regarding illness, or a note from another instructor regarding a field trip or other activity, or authorization by your instructor following an in-person meeting. Be sure to contact your instructor and ask what they will require from you as verification for each absence. An unexcused absence is anything NOT verified by the instructor prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence.

It is the students’ responsibility to know their own absentee record.

Normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with potential for evening courses, or exams. Students are expected to be available for classes during these times.

Content of Course:
Lectures

1. Introduction to Environmental Contaminants
2. Physical and Chemical Properties
3. Modelling Contaminant Fate and Transport
4. Contaminant Risk Assessment
5. Contaminant Risk Management
6. Case Studies of Selected Contaminants

If time permits the following will be included in the course material:

1. Air Quality

Labs

The lab component is intended to reinforce the subject material discussed in class. It is composed of exercises and assignments to be completed during and after the dedicated lab time, field trips and/or guest lecturer. The lab component provides practical application of the theory related to the fate, transport, and risks of environmental contaminants.

Course Assessments:
Learning will be assessed using the following:

• Quizzes and exams assessing understanding of physical and chemical properties and their application to fate and transport prediction
• Homework assignments involving case studies, and problem-solving.
• Lab participation and reporting

The final mark consists of:

Assignment and Lab due dates are discussed in class. Late assignments and labs are NOT accepted and receive a grade of zero.

Course Pass Requirements:
A minimum grade of D (50%) (1.00) is required to pass this course. Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.