AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT

FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

CHEM 202
Introduction to Environmental Chemistry (3 cr.)
Summer 2021-2022

Course Instructor: Houssam El-Rassy, PhD, Associate Professor

Office: Chemistry Bldg., Room 520
E-mail: Houssam.Rassy@aub.edu.lb
Phone Ext.: 4051

Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Lectures: MTWR 10:30 am – 11:45 am – Section 2 - CRN 30149 – room Physics 327
MTWR 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm – Section 6 - CRN 30153 – room Chemistry 101
MTWR 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm – Section 4 - CRN 30151 – room Chemistry 101

Course Description

An introduction to the fundamentals of physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry, with applications to
environmental problems. This course surveys atomic and molecular structure, solutions, equilibrium,
acids and bases, oxidation-reduction, reaction kinetics with emphasis on mechanisms of organic free
radical reactions, and basic radioactivity. Students can receive credit for CHEM 201 and CHEM 202.
Prerequisites: CHEM 101 and CHEM 101L or equivalent. Every term.
(AUB Undergraduate Catalogue 2021-2022, p. 190)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will demonstrate a working knowledge of the concepts
covered in each section of this course, such as:
1. Solve problems involving the principles of chemical kinetics.
2. Apply the fundamentals of chemical equilibria to systems involving proton-transfer reactions.
3. Explain the major differences between the successive layers of the earth’s atmosphere.
4. Describe and explain the major photochemical reactions taking place in the stratosphere.
5. The ozone layer and the photochemical reactions leading to the ozone depletion.
6. The chemistry in the troposphere and the formation of smog.
7. The greenhouse effect and the global warming.
8. The water pollution by heavy toxic metals and their bio-geochemical cycles.
9. Explain the phenomena behind the formation of acid rain.
10. Identify the various types of biological and chemical water pollutants and explain their effects.
11. Describe the water and sewage treatment process and explain the rational after each step.
Resource Available to Students

Textbook: Gary W. vanLoon and Stephen J. Duffy, Environmental Chemistry: A Global

Perspective, 4th Edition, Oxford University Press, 2017

PowerPoint Slides Lectures slides will be available to students through Moodle

Course Policy, Exams and Grading

Students must be considerate of their classmates and abstain from disruptive behavior during the
lecture period. Students are expected to join the lecture on time.

Students will be evaluated based on the following grading scheme:

Midterm 50 % (on July 7th, 2022)
Final Exam: 50 %

Students must sit for the midterm and the final exam. Unless a documented excuse is presented and
accepted by the course instructor (for example a medical report from AUBMC), the student will take a
zero on a missed examination. If a student misses the midterm and presented an excuse that is approved
by the course instructor, the student will not be given a make-up exam and his course grade will be that
of his/her final exam.

By signing up for this course, you confirm that you have read and accepted the terms and provisions of
AUB’s Privacy Statement”.

Students must respect the Student Code of Conduct. Any violation of this Student Code of Conduct,
either academic or non-academic misconduct, will be reported to the appropriate level where the
student risks being subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
http://www.aub.edu.lb/pnp/generaluniversitypolicies/Documents/StudentCodeConduct/StudentC
odeConduct.pdf

AUB strives to make learning experiences accessible for all. If you anticipate or experience academic
barriers due to a disability (such as ADHD, learning difficulties, mental health conditions, chronic or
temporary medical conditions), please do not hesitate to inform the Accessible Education Office. In
order to ensure that you receive the support you need and to facilitate a smooth accommodations
process, you must register with the Accessible Education Office (AEO) as soon as
possible: accessibility@aub.edu.lb; +961-1-350000, x3246; West Hall, 314.

AUB is committed to facilitating a campus free of all forms of discrimination including sex/gender-
based harassment prohibited by Title IX. The University’s non-discrimination policy applies to, and
protects, all students, faculty, and staff. If you think you have experienced discrimination or harassment,
including sexual misconduct, we encourage you to tell someone promptly. If you speak to a faculty or
staff member about an issue such as harassment, sexual violence, or discrimination, the information
will be kept as private as possible, however, faculty and designated staff are required to bring it to the
attention of the University’s Title IX Coordinator. Faculty can refer you to fully confidential resources,
and you can find information and contacts at www.aub.edu.lb/titleix . To report an incident, contact
the University's Title IX Coordinator at 01-350000 ext. 2514, or titleix@aub.edu.lb. An anonymous
report may be submitted online via EthicsPoint at www.aub.ethicspoint.com
Course Outline

1. The Earth’s Atmosphere

The air we breathe; The atmospheric pressure; Layers of the atmosphere; Thermodynamics
and kinetics of atmospheric reactions; Photochemical reactions and formation of radicals.

2. Stratospheric Chemistry and Ozone

The ozone in the atmosphere; Solar radiation and danger; Chapman theory and ozone layer;
Catalytic decomposition of ozone; Chlorofluorocarbons and related compounds; The ozone
hole.

3. Tropospheric Chemistry and Photochemical Smog

The chemistry of photochemical smog; Reactions of hydrocarbons in the troposphere;
Exhaust gases from internal combustion engines.

4. Anthropogenic Nitrogen and Sulfur Emissions and Acid Rain

The composition of rain; Atmospheric production and removal of nitric and sulfuric acids;
Acidifying agents in precipitation; Control of anthropogenic nitrogen and sulfur emissions.

5. Atmospheric Aerosols
Aerosol Measurements and Categories; Sources and types of aerosols; Air Pollution Control
for Particulate Emissions.

6. Fossil Fuel Energy, CO2 emission, and Global Warming

Greenhouse gases associated with the use of fossil fuel; Energy balance; Global warming
potential; Air quality and climate change; CO2 sequestration.

7. Distribution of Species in Aquatic Systems

Simple variant diagrams: Phosphate species and Cadmium complexes; Estuarine
environments.

8. Gases in Water
Solubility of gases in aqueous media; Oxygen in natural and sea waters; Solubility of CO2 in
water; Influence of CO2 on the solubility of CaCO3; Acid-neutralizing capacity, alkalinity and
pH of water.

9. Metals and Semi-Metals in the Hydrosphere

Metals in the aqueous environment; Metal speciation in the hydrosphere – Aquo complexes;
Biogeochemical cycle of metal species - Ca, Cu, and Hg; Examples of toxic metals in the
hydrosphere.

10. Water Pollution and Water Treatment Chemistry

Categories of pollutant for water; Water quality guidelines for drinking water, irrigation water,
and wastewater; Drinking water treatment processes; Plant nutrients as water pollutants;
Wastewater treatment processes – primary, secondary and tertiary treatments; Solid sewage
sludge disposal.