Environmental Analysis Methods

Scholar Year: 2018/2019 - 1S

Courses

Head Teacher Responsability Ana Maria Álvares Tavares da Mata Head

Weekly workload Hours/week T TP P PL L TC THE EL OT OT/PL TPL S Type of classes 0 0 Lectures Type Teacher Classes Hours Theorethical and Practical classes Totals 1 0,00 Laboratories Totals 1 0,00

Teaching language

Portuguese

Intended learning outcomes (Knowledges, skills and competencies to be developed by the students)

1.General outcomes:
Fundamental knowledge in the field of physical-chemical analysis of environmental samples, leading to the
understanding of the environmental and public health relevance of the main parameters in the legislation. It is
intended that students acquire the knowledge on environmental analysis required to:
- monitoring of environmental quality
- assess environmental risks and impacts
- operate and control of treatment systems.
2. Specific outcomes:
- Know the legislation that is applicable to water, sludge and soils.
- Know the meaning of the different parameters, in environmental and public health terms
- Know and practice the main analytical techniques
- Be able to correctly perform samling, analytical determinations and statistica analysis on waters, wastewater,
soil, sludge and wastes
- Be able to verify the conformity of the obtained results with the environmental legislation - critical analysis of
results and propose corrective actions

Syllabus

1. Introduction
Physical-chemical analysis in monitoring of natural systems and the operation and control of water and
wastewater treatment systems. Main contaminants in water and soil.
2. Applicable Legislation
Water, wastewater, soils, sludges. Quality standards.
3. Statistical analysis of results
Precision, accuracy and detection limit; Errors; Statistical analysis of results
4. Sampling: equipment and techniques
5. Determination of environmental quality parameters
5.1. Main methods of analysis
Volumetric and gravimetric analysis; instrumental methods
5.2. Environmental quality parameters
Meaning and relevance of the different parameters: Chlorides; Conductivity; Acidity; Alcalinity; Hardness;
Color; Turbidity; Solids; Dissolved Oxygen; BOD; COD; Oxidability; Nitrogen; Phosphorus; Fe and Mn;
Residual Cl
5.3. Laboratory accreditation systems
Norm ISO 9001 / ISO17025
Laboratory component
Analytical determinations by reference methods in waters, sludges, soil and wastes

Demonstration of the syllabus coherence with the UC intended learning outcomes

Syllabus (see point 3.3.5) Objectives (see point 3.3.4):
Chapter 1. Introduction > 1. General outcomes
Chapter 2. Applicable legislation > Objectives 2.1. and 2.5.
Chapter 3. Statistical analysis of results > Objectives 2.4. and 2.5.
Chapter 4. Sampling > Objective 2.4.
Chapter 5.1. Main methods of analysis > Objectives 2.3. and 2.4.
Chapter 5.2. Environmental quality parameters > Objectives 1., 2.2., 2.4., 2.5.
Laboratory component > Objectives 1., 2.1., 2.2., 2.3., 2.4., 2.5.

Teaching methodologies

In TP classes, the concepts are taught with the aid of slide presentations and exercises are solved concerning
each parameter. It is intended a very practical approach and so there is a strong focus on the laboratory
component of the course. In laboratory classes, the studied parameters are determined in various types of
samples (water, wastewater, sludge, soil and waste).
Evaluation by exam (minimum 9.5 val.; 60% of the final grade) and laboratory component (minimum 9.5 val.;
40% of the final grade). The evaluation of the laboratory component includes the reports and the result sheets,
as well as an oral discussion of the reports (15 minutes).

Demonstration of the teaching methodologies coherence with the curricular unit's intended learning outcomes

The curricular unit has a strong laboratory component, intending that the student effectively knows how to
experimentally determine the main parameters that characterize a water, wastewater, sludge or soil.
Practical laboratory skills and 'know-how' are strengthened and team work is developed.

Assessment methodologies and evidences

The curricular unit has a strong laboratory component, intending that the student effectively knows how to
experimentally determine the main parameters that characterize a water, wastewater, sludge or soil.
Practical laboratory skills and 'know-how' are strengthened and team work is developed.

Attendance system

Laboratory works are mandatory.
To attend continuous evaluation presence in TP class has to be continuous (70% minimum attendence).

Bibliography

1. Sawyer, N.C.; McCarty, P.L.; Parkin, G.F. ; Chemistry for Environmental Engineering and Science, McGraw
Hill International Editions, 2003
2. Quevaulier, P.; Quality Assurance for Water Analysis. Water Quality Measurements Series, European
Comission, John Wiley & Sons, 2002
3. Benilde Mendes e J.F. Santos Oliveira; Qualidade da água para consumo humano ,Lidel, 2004. ISBN:
9789727572748
4. Leonore S. Clesceri, Arnold E. Greenberg, Andrew D. Eaton; Standard Methods for examination of water and
wastewater, American Water Works Association, American Public Health Association, Water Environment
Association, 22nd ed. ISBN: 9780875530130
5. Reeve, R. N.; Introduction to Environmental Analysis, John Wiley and Sons, 2002. ISBN: 0-471-49294-9
6. I. Strangeways; Measuring the natural environment, Cambridge University Press, 2003, 2nd ed