Course detail

Biogeochemical interfaces

FCH-MA_ENG13Acad. year: 2020/2021

Colloidal and interface systems, weak interactions: principles and relevance in natural systems, water: properties, function of water in biogeochemical systems, biopolymers: production, properties and function, biogeochemical interfaces: soil organic matter, minerals and organisms, soil pore, sediments, biofilms, carbon dynamics and stabilization mechanisms in soils, process in aquatic systems, dissolved organic matter: properties, function and current models, natural and engineered particles, physicochemical environmental processes and interfaces: sorption, pollutant mobilization, colloid-facilitated pollutant transport, wetting, capillarity and environmental processes, interactions between biology and chemistry: interactions in natural systems, swelling, diffusion, precipitation, abiogenesis: current theories and concepts, implications.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Jiří Kučerík, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Environmental Protection (ÚCHTOŽP)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Understanding the central role of interfaces for environmental processes
Understanding the intense interactions between physics, chemistry and biology
Analysis of interfacial processes
Geochemical cycles of C in soil
Principles of abiogenesis

Prerequisites

basics of general, organic and physical chemistry

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures 2h/week, the e-learning system (LMS Moodle) is available to students.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Oral examination, answer to minimum 50% of questions is required.

Course curriculum

1) Introduction, colloidal and interface systems
2) Weak interactions: principles and relevance in natural systems
3) Water: properties, anomalies,
4) Function of water in biogeochemical systems, hydration
5) Biopolymers: production, properties and function
6) Biogeochemical interfaces: soil organic matter, minerals and organisms,
7) Soil pore, sediments, biofilms
8) Carbon dynamics and stabilization mechanisms in soils
9) Process in aquatic systems
10) Dissolved organic matter: properties, function and current models, natural and engineered particles
11) Physicochemical environmental processes and interfaces: sorption, pollutant mobilization, colloid-facilitated pollutant transport, wetting, capillarity and environmental processes
12) Interactions between biology and chemistry: interactions in natural systems, swelling, diffusion, precipitation
13) Abiogenesis: current theories and concepts, implications.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The students understand the central role of interfaces for environmental processes such as sorption and transport of environmental contaminants, bioavailability and toxicity. They understand the intense interactions between physics, chemistry and biology. The students gain experience in the analysis of interfacial processes and are competent for independent interdisciplinary process-oriented experiments.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

none

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Butt, H.-J., Graf, K., Kappl, M. (2006): Physics and Chemistry of Interfaces. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. (EN)
Israelachvili, J.N. (2011): Intermolecular and surface forces, Elsevier, Amsterdam (EN)

Type of course unit

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Jiří Kučerík, Ph.D.

Guided consultation in combined form of studies

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Jiří Kučerík, Ph.D.