Laboratory Experiments In Environmental Chemistry

This lab manual provides an interdisciplinary collection of 23 extensively tested environmental chemistry experiments — with extensive introductory background material for each experiment. It covers a broad range of methods and provides detailed instructions on calculation of results. Experiments involve, for example: inorganic and organic profile of sediment and soil cores; the pH of environmental waters and buffer capacity; alkalinity of streams and lakes; trace levels of ions in natural waters; conductivity of natural waters; cloride ion in natural waters; colorimetry and absorption spectra; metals in natural waters and in sediments; atomic absorption spectrometry; the chemical oxygen demand of natural waters and wastewaters; the fluorimetric determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; environmental hydrocarbons; air sampling-particulates in urban air; carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; acid rain; decomposition of pollutants with an application to plasticizers, and detergents. For chemists and technicians with environmental agencies.

This book presents chemical analyses of the most pressing waste, pollution, and resource problems for the undergraduate or graduate student. Its distinctive holistic approach provides a solid introduction to theory as well as a practical laboratory manual detailing beginning and advanced experimental applications. It presents laboratory procedures at microscale conditions, for minimum waste and maximum economy.

Experiments in Environmental Chemistry presents experimental activities that provide practical, first hand experience in the observation of chemical processes occurring in the environment. A variety of techniques with applications in governmental laboratories, industry, and research are described. The experiments are divided into five parts: biochemical processes in aquatic systems; toxic substances in the environment; food additives and contaminants; chemical ecology; and field surveys. This book is divided into five sections and begins with a discussion on the transformations of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and energy in aquatic systems. Various aspects of environmental chemistry including photosynthesis, respiration, biogeochemical cycling, primary production, plant nutrients, water quality, eutrophication, and wastewater treatment are considered. The next section focuses on a wide assortment of environmental contaminants in terms of their behavior and occurrence in various sectors of the environment. In this section, the reader is introduced to gas chromatography, atomic absorption spectroscopy, thin layer chromotography, column chromatography, and techniques for the measurement of atmospheric contaminants. Food and the occurrence of foreign substances that result from deliberate additions or other processes are also analyzed, along with chemical compounds such as allelochemicals, pheromones, and chemical defense substances. This monograph will be a valuable resource for environmental chemists.

Laboratory Experiments in Trace Environmental Quantitative Analysis is a collection of student-tested experiments that introduce important principles that underlie various laboratory techniques in the field of trace environmental organics and inorganics quantitative analysis. It crosses the more traditional academic disciplines of environmental science and analytical chemistry. The text is organized to begin with minimally rigorous session/experiments and increase in rigor as each session/experiment unfolds. Each experiment features learning objectives, expected student outcomes, and suggestions for further study. Additional features include: Students are introduced to the principles and laboratory practice of instrumental analysis (determinative techniques) that are clearly presented. Students are carefully taken through various ways to prepare samples for trace quantitative analysis (sample prep techniques). Safety warnings are listed within each experiment. Students are introduced to all three types of instrument calibration: external, internal and standard addition. Instructors who are responsible for laboratory courses in analytical chemistry with potential application to environmental sample matrices will find this textbook of value. Graduate programs in environmental science and engineering will also greatly benefit from the content.

The present book is meant for the students who opt for a course in Environmental Chemistry with laboratory work as a component of the course. Spread in 72 experiments the analyses of soil, water and air have been described in a simple manner so that most of these experiments can be conducted even by the beginners in this subject. The principles involved, preparation of the reagents and the procedures are described for each experimental method. The authors hope that this manual would prove to be useful in laboratories where soil, water and air are routinely tested

A comprehensive set of real-world environmental laboratoryexperiments This complete summary of laboratory work presents a richlydetailed set of classroom-tested experiments along with backgroundinformation, safety and hazard notes, a list of chemicals andsolutions needed, data collection sheets, and blank pages forcompiling results and findings. This useful resource also: Focuses on environmental, i.e., "dirty" samples Stresses critical concepts like analysis techniques anddocumentation Includes water, air, and sediment experiments Includes an interactive software package for pollutant fate andtransport modeling exercises Functions as a student portfolio of documentationabilities Offers instructors actual samples of student work fortroubleshooting, notes on each procedure, and procedures forsolutions preparation.