Water Chemistry *** Chem 4406/5406

Fall semester 2005

 

Instructor: Steve Parker, CBB 223, 496-4185, sparker@mtech.edu

Textbook: Principles of Environmental Geochemistry, G. N. Eby, Thomson: Brooks-Cole Publishers, Pacific Grove, CA, 2004.

Website:  www.mtech.edu/chem/ ; go to web enhanced courses

Class meeting:  CBB 105; Monday 4 – 5:50 PM & Friday 3 – 3:50 PM

 

Course requirements:

  • Lecture attendance and participation
  • Completed homework problem sets
  • Two in-class exams

 

Additional undergraduate requirements:

  • Read, interpret and critically assess a paper (pick from a list)
  • Write an original abstract (summary and statement of findings)
  • Present a thorough evaluation and interpretation to the class
  • Paper should be mutually agreed upon by student and instructor by Sep. 23
  • Abstract due Oct. 21 (350 to 400 words)

 

Additional graduate requirements:

  • Research a natural water system (check with instructor)
  • Write an original abstract (summary and statement of findings)
  • Write a 8-10 page paper on this research (introduction, site description, chemistry of the system, conclusions, critical assessment); due Nov. 28.
  • Present a thorough evaluation and interpretation to the class
  • Topic should be mutually agreed upon by student and instructor by Sep. 23
  • Abstract due Oct. 21 (350 to 400 words)

 

Field trip:  There is a possibility of a joint field trip to Yellowstone in late Sep.with the Isotope Geochemistry course (Tech) and the Hydrothermal Geology course (Univ. of Idaho).

 

Semester topics:

 

Chapter 1: Basic Principles (read & complete problem set)

            Problems: 12, 14, 16, 22, 34, 35, 42

 

Chapter 2: Equilibrium Thermodynamics & Kinetics

            Activities, Equilibrium constant, Henry’s Law, Temperature effects, Complexes, kinetics

            Problems: 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 23, 24, 25, 28, 34, 36

 

Chapter 3: Acid-Base Equilibria

            Definition of A & B, pH of natural waters, Acidity & alkalinity, buffers

            Problems: 4, 11, 15, 22, 24, 27, 28, 34, 42

 

Chapter 4: Redox reactions

            Nernst equation, Eh, pe, Eh-pH diagrams, Redox in natural waters

            Problems: 8, 35, 36, 38, 42, 43, 47, 48, 50

 

Chapter 5: Isotopes

            Radio-isotopes, stable isotopes

            3, 10, 20, 22, 24, 25, 30, 31, 38, 49

 

Chapter 9: Chemistry of terrestrial surface and groundwater

            Compositions, water-mineral interactions, adsorption-desorption, geochemical modeling

            Problems: 71, 83, other problems to be assigned

 

Chapter 10: Marine environment

            Problems to be assigned

 

Case studies:  to be announced

 

 

Timeline:

 

Aug. 24 to 29:  Introduction and chap. 1

Aug. 31 to Sep. 9: chap. 2 (Labor Day holiday, Sep. 5)

Sep. 12 to 19: chap. 3

Sep. 21 to 28: chap. 4

Sep. 30: Exam 1, chapters 1-4

Oct. 3 to 12: chap. 5

Oct. 14 to 28: chap. 9

Oct. 31 to Nov. 7: chap. 10

Nov. 9 to 18: Case studies (Veteran’s Day holiday, Nov. 11)

Nov. 21: Exam 2, chapters 5, 9 & 10 as well as case studies

Thanksgiving break, Nov. 23 to 27.

Nov. 28, 30, Dec. 2 & 5 class presentations as necessary

 

Grading:

 

Homework:  7 sets at 25 points each (-5 pts. for each day late) = 175 points

Tests: 2 at 100 points each = 200 points

Abstract: 25 points (-5 pts. for each day late)

Presentation: 50 points

Participation (subjective): 50 points

Paper (grad students): 50 points

Final exam will be optional and extra credit for students who want to improve their grade (if necessary)

 

Possible points:  Undergrads = 500; Grads = 550.

 

A = ≥90%; B=80 to 89.5%; C=70 to 79.5%; D=60 to 69.5%; F<60%