Brief description of aims and content
This module is concerned with the development and application of chromatographic separation techniques, such as gas or liquid chromatography (GC-MS/MS/HPLC) coupled with various sampling methods and detection techniques such as mass spectrometry. It also covers how these analytical methods are involved in the determination of priority organic pollutants including POPs (Persistent organic Pollutants), PAHs (Polyaromatic hydrocarbons), OCPs (Organochlorine pesticides) at trace levels in various matrices (e.g. water, soil, biota).
Indicative Content
A. Fate of Organic Molecules in the Environment: (i) Description of the degradation of organic molecules in the environment, (ii) Chemical stability of organic molecules and the chemistry of their breakdown.
B. Man-made Materials in the Environment: (i) Man-made environmental pollution including concepts of chemical toxicity, bio magnification and persistence, (ii) Organic pollutants (e.g: Organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides, organochlorine insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, herbicides, detergents ...)
C. Modern analytical methods: (i) Sampling process, (ii) Short description of modern trace analysis methods (GC-MS/MS/HPLC), employed to investigate the persistence and breakdown of organic pollutants in the environment.
D. Laboratory activities and Field visit: (i) Laboratory analysis of organic pollutants, (ii) Places where organic pollutants can be found (Field visits to different industries and laboratories)