Instrumentation in Water Quality Analysis

ENV 437   -    Spring 2002

Instructor:
Robert Fuller

Office Hours:

Monday/Friday 1:00 - 3:30 or by appointment

Office:

  Hudson 026D or 323
Phone:   564-3042 or 564-2116

562-1342(H) 

e-mail:   robert.fuller@plattsburgh.edu  

Lecture:     W 1:00-3:00       Hudson 117
Lab:          W 3:00-5:00 and by assignment

Objectives:

To gain an understanding of the application of chemical principles and processes, including kinetic and equilibrium approaches, to natural and chemically polluted environmental systems. To increase the chemical skills of students with a background in environmental science, and to introduce students with a background in chemistry to the applications of chemistry in environmental systems.

Catalog Description:

This course gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience using sophisticated analytical equipment used in environmental research.  Samples from various environmental systems are taken and instrumental analyses are performed utilizing methods such as UV-Vis, IR and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, ion chromatography, high performance liquid chromatograph,  gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.   Methods of analyses will be compared with respect to speed, reliability, difficulty and range.  Prerequisites: CHE 112.

Bibliography:

Skoog, D.A., F.J. Holler and T.A. Nieman.  1998.  Principles of Instrumental Analysis.  5th ed.   Saunders College Publ.  Philadelphia. 849pp. 

Franson, MaryAnn  H..  1995.  Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.   19th ed.  American Public Health Association, Washington D.C.

Additional course handouts and readings are on reserve in the Lake Champlain Research Institute lobby (Hudson 028).   Most of these will be xeroxed and handed out in lecture.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is expected at all classes. Students missing a midterm will be expected to provide a doctor's excuse, or some other valid substantiation. In this case, the student will be given only one opportunity to repeat the test. Each student will be required to participate by reviewing assigned materials, completing homework assignments and taking part in class review and discussion.

Cheating Policy
Students are expected to complete all of their work independently. Students caught cheating directly on exams will be given a grade of E for the course. Those participating in cheating indirectly will have their grades lowered up to one full unit at the discretion of the instructor.

Grading
There will be two exams and a final. Midterm exams will typically be a mixture of multiple choice, short essay, and one or two problems similar to homework assignments.

% of Total Grade

First Midterm

25%

Second Midterm

25%

Final (comprehensive)

25%

Lab Reports

 25%

Late Assignments

Assignments handed in late will be reduced by one full grade for every day late. Students having problems with homework are encouraged to contact the instructor before the due date.


Lab and Lecture Schedule

Week

Topics

Readings

1/23

Lab safety, glassware issue, glassware cleaning  
Reagent preparation for reactive phosphorus

P. Proc.,  
p. 11-15, 116-120  

1/30

UV/Vis Spectrophotometry - Total Dissolved P; Soluble Reactive Phosphorus Analysis.

p. 128-140, 
p. 300-324

2/6

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and Ion Chromatography: A Chemical Comparison of Acidified vs.    Non-acidified surface waters

Ch. 8  
pp. 206-210  
pp. 214-226

2/13

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry:
Ion Chromatography:  

pp. 750-755  
Ch. 26

2/20

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry: 
Ion Chromatography:

 

2/27

1st Midterm

 

2/27

Graphite Furnace: Analysis of Aluminum in Acidified Waters: W1 and T1  Alkalinity:  Gran Plot Titrations:    W2 and T2

pp. 210-213  

3/6

Alkalinity:   Gran Plot Titrations:  Group W1 and T1  
Graphite Furnace Analysis:   Group W2 and T2  

Ch. 10

3/13

High Pressure Liquid Chromatrography:
Analysis of triazine herbicides  -   Standards & Detection Limits

Ch. 28

3/20

Spring Break

 

3/27

High Pressure Liquid Chromatrography:
Triazine herbicides:   Solid Phase Extraction and Spike Recovery

Ch. 26

4/3

Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection:
Volatile and semivolatiles:   Retention time, Injection techniques

Ch. 27

4/10

2nd Midterm

 

4/10

Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture Detection: Liquid/Liquid Extraction and Analysis of PCB’s at trace levels

 

4/17

Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture Detection: Continuation of semivolatile (PCB) Analysis

 

4/24

Gas Chromatography with Mass Spec. Detection (GC/MS)

Ch. 20

5/1

Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectroscopy

  TBA

5/8

ICP-OES

  TBA

5/13

Finals Week

90% on last section

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