6 ECTS credits
180 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4023211FNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
his course introduces the methods for the preparation of environmental samples including extraction, clean-up, separation, pre-concentration, teach the methods for the analysis of environmental samples and quality control assessment.
Detailed 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; ion-chromatography
• 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: PAH’s; PCB; dioxins, EDCs
• GC-MS, LC-MS, capillary electrophoresis – MS
• Screening methods for dioxins: CALUX
.
he 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.
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:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Half-term evaluation based on the group presentation during the teaching semester (50%), Written exam during the exam session (50%)
For the evaluation of the presentation the scores will be awarded according to
- the respect of instructions (time, structure of the presentation, etc.)
- understanding of the topic and answering student questions
- quality of presentation
For the written exam the quality of the answer and its relevance will be taken into account.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Chemistry: Analytical and Environmental Chemistry