6 ECTS credits
150 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4017226ENR for all students in the 1st semester of odd academic years (e.g. 2013-2014) at a (E) Master - advanced level.
Methods for the preparation of environmental samples including extraction, clean-up, separation, pre-concentration. Methods for the analysis of environmental samples and quality control assessment.
Focus is on the following aspects:
1/ Biogenic elements (C, N, P, Si)
• nutrients in aquatic environments: specific extract methods for specific C and N species using spectrophotometric techniques and the use of auto-analyser; ionchromatography
• analysis of C, N in solid substrates
• stable isotopic composition of C, N, O inorganic and organic compounds
2/ Metals
• total analysis in water, sediments, biota
• metal speciation 1: various passive sampling techniques
• metal speciation 2: chromatographic separation techniques for the analysis of organo-metal compounds; organo-mercury compounds by HF-GC-AFS; organo-tin compounds by GC-PFPD; arsenic speciation by HPLC-HG-AFS
3/ Organic pollutants: PAK’s; PCB; Phtalates; dioxins
• GC-MS, LC-MS, capillary electrophoresis – MS
• Screening methods for dioxins: CALUX
The course contents are available as slides (pdf) accessible via the learning platform, together with specific scientific publications. Further general and specific information on specific topics is available from books accessible in the general library and the library of the Analytical and Environmental Chemistry laboratory (e.g. ‘In-situ Monitoring of Aquatic Systems’ by Buffle and Horvai; Trace Element Speciation for Environment, Food and Health, by Ebdon et al.; Metal Speciation and Bioavailability in Aquatic Systems, by Tessier and Turner)
The student will have acquired detailed insight in analytical methods (including sample preparation) for the analysis of metals, organic pollutants, biogenic elements in different compartments of our environment, including the aquatic environment, soil, sediments, biota, air.
More specifically, the student
• will have acquired detailed knowledge about specific methods for the analysis of metals, organic pollutants, biogenic elements in environmental samples
• will have acquired insight in the techniques of careful sample preparation in order to avoid sample contamination
• will have acquired insight in the use of quality control samples during analysis
• will have acquired knowledge about methods applied in metal speciation studies, including in-situ analysis, and is able to identify possible artifact analyte signals
• is capable to apply the analytical methods for the analysis of real environmental samples (practicals)
• is capable of searching the appropriate scientific literature and is able to interpret and report on new developments in relation with the course
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
PRAC Practical Assignment determines 50% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Theory: Oral examination following a written preparation of the answers
Practicals: Permanent evaluation and evaluation of the practical reports
Final scores
Consist of the weighted average of the scores for the oral examination and the practical reports
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Chemistry: Profile Education (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: chemie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)