This list will be updated as the course is developed. (* = updates for spring, 2006 made)
Code: VLD stands for the course text, G. W. van Loon and S. J. Duffy, Environmental Chemistry: A Global Perspective, 2nd. ed.Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2005.

Assignments per Class Period

• Introduction and an Overview of the Earth * (17 Jan.)
  • reading:VLD, pp. 1-10 & 14-17 from Chapter 1
  • VLD, 1st. ed., Chapter 1, Problems 1, 4, & 6
• Physical Structure of the Atmosphere * (19 Jan.)
  • reading: VLD, Chapter 2, pp. 21-24
  • homework: Problem Set III, all parts
• Chemistry of the "Clean" Atmosphere * (24 Jan.)
  • reading: VLD, Chapter 1, pp. 10-13
  • homework: Problem Set IV, all parts
• Hydrology: Sources and Cycling of Water * (26 Jan.)
  • reading: VLD, pp. 10-13 from Chapter 1 and pp. 197-201 from Chapter 2
  • homework: Problem Set II, problems 1, 4, 5, & 6
  • The following WWW sites contain discussions that supplement the reading.
    • discussion of ground water from the Washington State Dept. of Ecology
    • detailed discussion of ground water from USGS Circular 1139
  • The following sources are useful in answering Problem 6 of Problem Set I
    • Univ. of Michigan data on domestic water consumption
    • USGS data on domestic water consumption
    • USGS regional data on supply and demand
    • USGS graphical display of water use by sector of the economy
    • USGS Web page with links to other presentations of water use by sectors of the economy
• Review of Kinetics and Thermodynamics for Gas-Phase Reactions * (31 Jan.)
  Also, an introduction to photochemistry.
  • reading: VLD, pp. 27-33. Also review your General Chemistry text, e.g. Oxtoby.
  • homework: Problem Set V, all parts
• Radiation Chemistry: Ozone Formation via Photolysis * (2 Feb.)
  (announced quiz covering the material discussed on 17 Jan. through 31 Jan.)
  • reading: VLD, Chapter 3, pp. 34-45
  • homework: Problem Set VI, all parts
• Stratospheric Ozone Cycles: HO_x, NO_x, and ClO_x * (7 Feb.)
  • reading: VLD, Chapter 3, pp.45-67
  • homework: Problem Set VII (2006 version), all parts
• Effect of Chlorofluorocarbons on Stratospheric Ozone * (9 Feb.)
  • reading: VLD, Chapter 3, pp.56-67
  • homework: Problem Set VIII (2006 version), all parts
• Chemistry in the troposphere: NO_x * (14 Feb.)
  • reading: VLD, Chapter 4, pp.71-78
  • homework: Problem Set IX (2006 version)
• Chemistry of smog * (16 Feb.)
  (announced quiz covering material discussed on 2 Feb. through 14 Feb.)
  • reading: VLD, Chapter 4, finish the chapter
  • homework: Problem Set X (2006 version), Problems 1, 3, & 5 in Chapter 4 of vLD
• Smog remediation and engine operations * (21 Feb.)
  • reading: VLD, pp. 85-97, 100-105
  • homework: Problem Set XI (2006 version), Problems 8, 9, & 11 in Chapter 4 of vLD
• Oxidation Chemistry in the Troposphere and Acid Rain * (23 Feb.)
  [Also begin a treatment of aerosols.]
  • reading: VLD, Chapter 5, pp. 100-116
  • homework: Problem Set XII
• Aerosols * (28 Feb.)
  • reading: VLD, Ch. 6
  • homework: Problem Set XIII (2006 version), Problems 1, 2, 3, & 7 in chapter 6 of vLD
• Greenhouses Gases and Global Climate Change * (2 Mar.)
  • reading: VLD, Ch. 8
  • homework: Problem Set XIV
• Chemical Constituents of Natural Waters * (7 Mar.)
  (announced quiz covering material discussed on 16 Feb. through 2 Mar.)
  • reading: VLD, Chapter 9, pp. 197-201 and 208-210
  • homework: Problem Set I, problems 2 & 3; VLD, Chapter 9, problems 6 & 7
• Properties of Water * (9 Mar.)
  • reading: VLD, 11.1 and pp. 201-207, 321-326
  • homework: Problem Set II, problems 1, 2, & 3
• Equilibrium Constants Relevant to Carbonic Acid * (21 Mar.)
  • reading: VLD, pp.241-244
  • homework: Problem Set II, problem 4
• Acid-Base Equilibrium of Carbonic Acid * (23 Mar.)
  • reading: VLD, 10.1.1, 11.2
  • homework: Problem Set XV, problems 1 & 2
• Acid-base Chemistry in Water in Limestone * (28 Mar.)
  • reading: VLD, pp. 226-237;
    For additional reading, consult Spiro, pp. 286-292; Schwedt, pp. 87-88.
  • homework: Problem Set XV, problems 4 & 5
• Electrochemistry and the Definition of pE * (30 Mar.)
  (announced quiz covering the material discussed on 7 March through 28 March)
  • reading: VLD, Chapter 10, pp. 219-224
    For additional reading, consult Manahan, pp. 99-113.
  • homework: vLD, Chapter 10, Problem 3
• pE/pH Phase Diagrams * (4 Apr.)
  • reading: VLD, Chapter 10, pp. 225-233
    For additional reading, consult Manahan, pp. 113-117.
  • homework: vLD, chapter 10, Problem 8
• Iron in the Environment * (6 Apr.)
  • reading: VLD, Ch. 13, pp. 258-267
    Consider also the following resources.
    • C. Mills, An Introduction to Acid rock Drainage
    • Manahan, pp. 113-117 (pE/pH diagram for iron)
    • Life in the Volcano, a photo display on the highly acidic waters of the Uzon Caldera on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.
  • homework: Problem Set XV, Problem 3
• Organic Compounds in the Water and Soil: Trichloroethylene * (11 Apr.)
  • reading: VLD, Chapter 12 , sections13.2.3, 13.4, 14.5, and pp. 334-341 of chapter 15
  • In Situ Bioremediation of Trichloroethylene
  • additional links cited in the lecture
    • structure of lignin
      The structure page has a link to more information on lignin.
    • role of soil in detoxification
    • source of toxicity data on TCE
      Click on the Search button and enter the name of your compound in the box on the search page.
    • enzymatic pathways for removal of toxic stubstances from the environment
  • homework: Problem Set XVI, Problem 1 and vLD, Chapter 12, problem 1(last homework assignment)
• Cycling of Carbon in the Environment * (13 Apr.)
  (announced quiz covering the material discussed on 30 March through 11 April)
  • reading: VLD, 15.1 & 15.2
  • homework: no assignment
• Overview of the Lithosphere * (18 Apr.)
  • reading: VLD, Chapter 17 and Chapter 18 (sections 18.1, 18.2, 18.3)
    Paul McDaniel of the University of Idaho-Moscow has produced an excellent Web site on soil types.
  • Properties of the 12 Soil Orders
  • Crusts 101 is a USGS primer on soil types and the role played by organisms in the crust.
  • homework: no assignment
• Soil Minerals and the Consequences of Acid Rain * (20 Apr.)
  • reading: VLD, pp. 112-113 & and 329-333
  • homework: no assignment
• Student Presentations on the Cycling of Elements * (25 Apr. - 2 May)
  No reading or homework assignments
  • nitrogen (25 Apr.)
  • sulfur (27 Apr.)
  • phosphorus (2 May)

last updated, 13 December 2006, WES