Environmental monitoring

Code 099CC
Credits 3

Learning outcomes

The course aims at providing a knowledge of the main pollution monitoring methodologies, in the different environmental media (air, water, soil). In this framework, it is expected to gain the knowledge, in the specificity of each environmental compartment, of the critical steps and the main methodologies for a correct execution of sampling activities (continuous or discrete), storage and sample treatment. The principle analytical techniques for the determination of priority pollutants will also be cited.
Course contents: Definition of environmental monitoring, characteristics and operating phases. Environmental control procedures. Environmental indicators: definition and features. Monitoring strategies for priority pollutants: sampling, pretreatment, analysis techniques and data elaboration. Water, air and soil monitoring. Sampling in continuous and discrete monitoring. Data quality and statistical representativeness of monitoring results; comparison with standard values and quality objectives. Quality indicators for water, air and soil. Waste monitoring and analysis: commodity, material and physico-chemical characteristics. Pollutant monitoring in gas flows. Outline of biomonitoring. Monitoring network: outline of planning and management at a territorial and national level.
Teaching tools: The course will be taught with the aid of computer support for the projection of text and images. The slides will be left available to the students.