The subject ‘Analysis of Pollutants’ is a compulsory subject taught in the first four-month period of the second year of the Degree in Environmental Sciences. It is part of the Environmental Technology Module (M04), and is divided into 5.4 ECTS credits of Lectures, 0.9 of Classroom Practices and 2.7 of Laboratory Practices for a total of 9 ECTS credits.



In order to be able to develop this subject, it is recommended that students have acquired previous knowledge of chemistry and statistics in the first year subjects ‘Chemistry I and II’ and ‘Statistics’.



The general objectives of this subject are that the student acquires the necessary knowledge to develop an adequate analytical methodology to determine any environmental pollutant, that he/she knows the quality parameters of each environmental matrix and that he/she is able to present it both orally and in writing. In addition, the course deals with the study of the different forms of pollution of both chemical and physical origin in the different ecosystems, and the techniques for their analysis.



At the end of the course, the student will know the necessary methodology to determine the concentrations of different environmental pollutants in different matrices (biota, atmosphere, soil, water), both for organic and inorganic compounds, in a reliable and efficient way. The student will know how to solve real problems of sampling, sample treatment, analysis and quantification in order to be able to cover their environmental knowledge and understand the importance of using an appropriate analytical methodology to give adequate and reliable results.



On the other hand, the student will know the different analysis parameters necessary to determine the environmental quality of water, atmosphere and soil and the most common radioactive and acoustic analyses. In addition, this subject is the basis for other subjects taught during the degree, such as Environmental Pollution Treatment, Management Systems and Environmental Impact Assessment.

Specific competences of the degree:



To be able to...



1- Acquire basic knowledge of science and use its results, integrating them with the social, economic, legal and ethical spheres for the identification of environmental problems.



2- Plan and develop environmental projects with a transdisciplinary approach.



3- Integrate in work teams that carry out professional tasks, including teaching or research, in the environmental field.



4- Analyse, manage and conserve the environment and associated resources in natural, rural or urban environments, as well as design and develop land-use plans and projects.



5- Develop, implement and maintain environmental management systems in the company, and know, analyse and prevent environmental health risks.



6- Assess the environmental impact of projects, plans and programmes.



7- Know the techniques for the assessment, analysis, control and treatment of environmental pollution.



Transversal competence:



To be able to...



1- Use information from different sources on an applied subject, interpret it appropriately, draw meaningful conclusions and present them publicly.



2- Transmit information to a specialised or general audience, both in writing and orally, in accordance with current linguistic rules, and with a level corresponding to a higher degree.



Specific competences of the subject:



To be able to...



1- Know the techniques of evaluation, analysis, control and treatment of environmental pollution.



2. Plan and develop environmental projects with a transdisciplinary approach.



3. Use information from different sources on an applied subject, interpret it appropriately, draw significant conclusions and present them publicly.



4. Handle instrumental techniques for the identification, analysis and quantification of chemical pollutants in the atmosphere, water and soil.



5. Analyse and measure noise and radioactive pollution.



Learning outcomes



1. Use basic terminology in the field of chemical pollutants analysis appropriately.



2. Identify the main pollutants in the atmosphere, soil and water and their origins.



3. Collect and critically analyse the information necessary to predict the behaviour and effects of chemical pollutants in the environment.



4. Present and develop the different stages of the general process of analysis and measurement of pollution levels in order to solve practical cases.



5. Choose, plan, evaluate and propose the most appropriate methodology to respond to the needs derived from the application of the regulations on physical and chemical pollution.



6. Perform searches in databases and scientific bibliography and interpret the information obtained to solve practical cases related to the areas of analytical chemistry in the field of the environment.



7. Analyse strategies for the control of atmospheric, water and soil pollution.



8. Carry out the analysis in situ and in the laboratory of environmental samples by means of instrumental techniques, interpreting the data obtained.



9. Make texts and oral presentations in an appropriate manner.

Topic 1. Introduction to Environmental Analytical Chemistry.



Introduction. Historical evolution. Anthropogenic effect on the environment. Environmental analysis. General concepts. Terminology. Method and analytical process. Bibliographic search.



Topic 2. Sampling.



Introduction. Planning and sample collection. Sampling plan. Type of sample (water, soils, sediments, atmosphere and biota). Transport and storage of the sample.



Topic 3. Sample treatment.



Sample preparation (homogenisation, drying, sieving, grinding, filtering, weighing). Treatment of solid and liquid samples for the analysis of inorganic compounds (dry combustion, acid digestion, fusion). Treatment of solid and liquid samples for the analysis of organic compounds (extraction, solid phase extraction, solid phase microextraction, purge and trap) Elemental analysis.



Topic 4. Instrumental analysis.



Introduction. Molecular spectroscopy (ultraviolet/visible and infrared). Atomic spectroscopy (atomic absorption and emission). Gas chromatography (parameters and variables influencing separation) and detectors (FID, ECD and MS).

Liquid chromatography (parameters and variables that influence in the separation) and detectors (UV/Vis, FLD and MS).



Topic 5. Data Processing.



Introduction. Basic concepts (accuracy, precision, trueness, detection limits, quantification limits). Types of calibration (external, internal, standard additions). Illustration of results (confidence intervals, standard deviation). Suspect values.



Topic 6. Water characterisation



Water characterisation - Introduction Quality parameters (organoleptic properties, dissolved solids, decantable solids, conductivity, redox potential, pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, total organic carbon). Anions, metals and metalloids.



Topic 7. Atmospheric pollutants.



Introduction. Primary and secondary pollutants. Inorganic pollutants in the atmosphere. Organic pollutants in the atmosphere. Particulate matter. Effects. Analysis.



Topic 8: Analysis of contaminated soils.



Introduction. Phenomena and chemical composition of soils. pH, total organic carbon, ion exchange capacity, redox potential, organic and inorganic pollutants.



Topic 9. Acoustic and radioactive pollutants.



Introduction. Instrumentation necessary to analyse noise and radioactivity.

The methodology of the course is divided into Classroom Classes, Classroom Practices and Laboratory Practices.



Classroom classes



During the development of the classes in the classroom and as a complement to the explanations of the lecturer, active methodologies such as jigsaw, learning in pairs, guided problem solving (Guide Problem Solving, GPS), 1+2+4 or continuous correction, solving practical cases based on real contamination problems and working on the treatment of experimental data are carried out. A Blog and part of the preparation of laboratory practices will also be carried out.



In this type of teaching the student works on the specific competences 1, 3 and 5 of the subject and achieves learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7.



Classroom Practices



The credits belonging to Classroom Practices are devoted exclusively to the development of Problem-Based Learning. Students work in teams of three or four members (preferably three) and have to answer the question:



Will Bilbao be able to host the 2032 Olympic Games?



The general objective of this activity is for students to be able to develop a complete analytical methodology based on a real situation.



With this methodology the student works on specific competences 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the subject and acquires learning outcomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9.



Laboratory Internships



The Laboratory Practices take place over 7 days.



Before this, the students, in pairs, must work on the practical script, understanding and carrying out all the previous calculations.



The practicals will be carried out in pairs. On the last day, each student individually carries out a practical test in the laboratory.



The students, individually, must make a laboratory notebook following the teacher's explanations.



Students work on the specific competences 1 and 4 of the subject and acquire learning outcome 8. In the laboratory practicals is the only place where competence 4 is worked on.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Written test to be taken (%): 30
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 30
  • Team projects (problem solving, project design)) (%): 29
  • Exhibition of works, readings ... (%): 11

Ordinary Call: Orientations and renounce:



- Continuous assessment system:



The assessment system described below may undergo alterations in the event that a non-attendance teaching has to be carried out due to the establishment of a new alarm status. In this case, the assessment of the subject would be adapted to the distance learning mode.



The subject is divided into two sections, one Theoretical and the other Practical. The final mark corresponds to the sum of these two sections.



Theoretical section (65% of the final mark):



1. Final written test: 30% of the final grade. This test will include a sub-section corresponding to the resolution of a practical case study and another corresponding to an exercise on data processing. Specific degree competences 1, 4 and 7 and subject-specific competences 1-2 and 4-5 will be assessed. The learning outcomes achieved are 1-5.



2. Problem-based learning: 35% of the final grade. The degree-specific competences 1-7, the transversal competence and the subject-specific competences 1-3 will be assessed. The learning outcomes achieved are 1-7 and 9.



Practical section (35% of the final mark): Degree-specific competence 4 and subject-specific competence 4 will be assessed. The learning outcomes achieved are 8 and 9.



- Pre-practices calculations (pairs): 10%.

- Practices notebook: 5%.

- Practices exam: 15%.





In all sections and sub-sections of the continuous assessment system, a minimum mark of 5 out of 10 must be obtained in order to pass the course. The evaluation criteria will be reflected in more detail in the student's notebook.



Renounce:



In accordance with the Regulations governing student assessment in official undergraduate degrees (UPV/EHU Governing Council Agreement of 15 December 2016, published in the BOPV on 13 March 2017), students will have the right to be assessed by the final assessment system, for which they must submit a written waiver of continuous assessment to the lecturer responsible for the subject within 9 weeks from the start of the term, in accordance with the centre's academic calendar. These students must accredit the acquisition of the competences through a final assessment consisting of one or more tests on the whole subject matter, both practical and theoretical, in which case the student will be marked as a no-show. In the case of continuous assessment, the waiver must be presented in writing to the lecturer responsible for the subject up to one month before the end of the teaching period. In the case of the final assessment, failure to sit the final exam will automatically mean that the corresponding exam will be renounced.



Final assessment system:



For the final assessment, attendance will also be an option. Again, in the event of having to return to the alarm state, the corresponding alternative of non-attendance assessment will be considered.



Those students who take the final assessment will take one or more tests on all the subject matter, both practical and theoretical, in which all the competences and learning outcomes will be assessed. The student must pass each test with a minimum mark of 5 out of 10 to pass the subject.



Renounce:



The student may renounce the exam if he/she does not take the final exam.

For the extraordinary calling, the option of attendance will also be used. Again, in the event of having to return to the alarm state, the corresponding alternative of non-attendance assessment will be considered.



For the extraordinary exam, there will be a final exam that covers all the competences of the subject.



This final exam will be composed of three different sections (data processing exercise, resolution of a case and test on practices). Each of these must be passed with a minimum mark of 5 in order to average them all and thus pass the final exam.



Renounce:



Students may renounce the exam if they do not take the final exam.

Lectures, problem-based learning and extraordinary assessment test:

Laptop with university network connection, paper and pen.

-Laboratory practices:

Lab coat, developed report on the practicals and lab notebook (Without these two materials it will not be possible to carry out the practicals). Pens, calculator and computer.

Basic bibliography

-Introduction to Environmental Analysis, 2002, Roger Reeve, John Wiley & Sons Ltd.



-Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling and Analysis, 2007, Chunlong Carl Zhang, John Wiley & Sons Ltd.



-Practical Environmental Analysis: Edition 2, 2006, Miroslav Radojevic, Vladimir Bashkin, The Royal Society of Chemistry.



-Ingurumen-kutsaduraren analisia, 2014, Jone Omar, UEU eta UPV/EHU.



-Environmental Noise Pollution

In-depth bibliography

-Fundamentos de Química Analítica. Una aproximación docente-discente, Miguel Valcárcel Cases, Ángela I. López Lorente, Mª. Ángeles López Jiménez, 2017, UCOPress.

-Análisis Químico de Trazas, Carmen Cámara y Concepción Pérez-Conde, 2012, Síntesis.

- Field Sampling, Principles and Practices in Environmental Analysis, 2004, AR Conklin,Marcel Dekker.

- Análisis Instrumental, Kenneth A. Rubinson y Judith F. Rubinson, 2000, Pearson Education.

- Extraction Methods for Environmental Analysis, 1998, JOHN R. DEAN, John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

- Estadística para Química Analítica, JC Miller, 1993, Addison-Wesley Iberoamerican SA.

- El Arte de Presentar: Cómo planificar, estructurar, diseñar y exponer presentaciones Gonzalo Álvarez Marañón, 2012,Gestión 2000.

- Presentation zen, Simples Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery, Garr Reynolds, 2012, New Riders.

- Método TED para hablar en público: Los secretos de las conferencias que triunfan en todo el mundo, Jeremey Donovan, 2013, Grupo Planeta.

- Hablar en público, Jose María Acosta, 2013, ESIC.

- The Sense of the Style: The thinking Persons Guide to Writing in the 21st Century, Steven Pinker, 2014, Allen Lane.

Journals

-Web of Science:(https://webofknowledge.com/)

-Scopus: https://www.scopus.com

-Scifinder: https://scifinder.cas.org/

-Google Académico: https://scholar.google.es

Web addresses

- http://www.chromacademy.com/

- http://home.asdlib.org/

- http://www.ehu.eus/es/web/biblioteka

- http://www.epa.gov/nerlesd1/chemistry/anal-env-chem.htm.

- http://www.directivamarco.es/ (normativa europea)

- http://www.uragentzia.euskadi.eus (Biblioteca URA)

- http://zientziakaiera.eus/

- www.ehu.eus/ojs/index.php/ekaia

- http://naukas.com/

- http://www.ted.com and Tedx: