3 ECTS credits
80 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4023213ENR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Registration for "Field Sampling and Analysis" is allowed for students MA Chemistry and a background in General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Analytical ChemistryField Sampling and Analysis
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Educational team
Martine Leermakers
Yue Gao (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

12 contact hours Lecture
40 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
12 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The careful collection, treatment and storage of environmental samples, avoiding both contamination and changes in chemical speciation, is a crucial step in obtaining accurate results. The aim of this course is to familiarize the student with appropriate fieldwork techniques preceding any analytical work in environmental research. These are demonstrated during the lectures and practical exercises. Several techniques will be applied on a 1-2-day field trip on the Scheldt Estuary and Belgian part of the North Sea in which water and sediment samples are taken for metals, nutrients and stable isotopes of C and N. Besides the sampling techniques, the students will learn to interpret the results and achieve an understanding of the biogeochemical cycle of nutrients and trace metals in estuaries. 

General aspects 

  • Environmental quality guidelines, (e.g. EU water framework directives, sediment quality guidelines, clean air quality, …) 

  • Monitoring strategies 

  • Specific sampling requirements for trace metals, organics, in different matrices (water, sediments) and at varying concentration levels (open ocean, rivers, wastewater, …) 

  • Screening methods, in situ analysis, passive samplers 

  • Quality control in environmental sampling 

  • Role of sediments in water quality 
     

Air sampling 

  • Sampling of gaseous and particulate species 

  • Wet deposition sampling 
     

Water sampling 

  • Physico-chemical parameters; carbonate chemistry (alkalinity, DIC; pH; O2; isotopic composition of DIC, O2) 

  • Suspended organic carbon, Chlorophyll 

  • Clean sampling protocols for trace metals 

  • Passive samplers: DET/DGT probes: advantages, capabilities and limitations, speciation capabilities 

  • Field analysis: portable instrumentation, discrete and continuous measurements, speciation capabilities of voltametric methods 

  • Sampling methods from ship, RIB and river bank 

  • Sample handing, pre-treatment and storage 
     

Sediment and porewater sampling 

  • Bulk sampling or core sampling 

  • Sampling methods from ship, RIB and river bank 

  • Porewater sampling: centrifugation, squeezing, dialysis sampler, DET/DGT probes 

  • Measurements of physicochemical parameters 

  • Flux measurements at the sediment-water interface 

Sampling of biota 

  • from the water column (plankton nets) 

  • from sediments (sieving) 

Human biomonitoring 

  • selection of biomarkers of exposure 

  • sampling and analysis of blood, urine, breast milk, hair 

Additional info

Teaching methods: 

Teaching methods consist of lectures, lab work and field work on board of a research vessel. 

 

Course material: 

Notes consisting of the slides shown during the lectures; specific research papers and sampling guideline documents will be available via the CANVAS platform at VUB 

References: In-situ Monitoring of Aquatic Systems: Chemical analysis and Speciation.  Buffle and Horvai (Editors) 2000. ISBN: 978-0-471-48979-5 Wiley Publishers 

Trace Element Speciation for Environment, Food and Health, Editors: L Ebdon, L Pitts, R Cornelis, H Crews, O F X Donard, Philippe Quevauviller. 2001. ISBN-978-0-85404-459-7. Royal Society of Chemistry 

Learning Outcomes

general competencies

After following the course, the student will have: 

  • acquired expertise in the use of specific sampling and sample handling techniques of water, sediments, air, biota and human biomonitoring for several selected compounds.  

  • have gained insight in the potential of in-situ analysis, analysis in the field, continuous monitoring and screening methods.  

  • Insight on the importance of avoiding contamination during sampling for trace element analysis 

  • Insight on the importance of maintaining in-situ conditions during sample treatment 

  • ill learn to interpret the results and achieve an understanding of the biogeochemical cycle of nutrients and trace metals in estuaries.

Grading

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:

  • written + report with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The students make a report on the field sampling expedition, showing the aquired knowledge on the aspects of field sampling and the interpretations of the results. (75%)  

A written exam with open questions on the topics discussed during the lectures (25%) 

 

Calculation of the examination mark 

Final score consists of the weighed average of report and written examination  

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Chemistry: Analytical and Environmental Chemistry