1.76 | Fall 2005 | Graduate

Aquatic Chemistry

Calendar

Course topics were presented by three lecturers; Dr. Meg Tivey (MT), Dr. Jeff Seewald (JS), and Dr. Jim Moffett (JM).

SES # TOPICS LECTURERS KEY DATES
I. Review of Thermodynamics, and Setting Up and Solving Equilibrium Problems
1 Introduction, Review of Laws of Thermodynamics

Introduction to Tableau Method

MT

2 Gibbs Free Energy, Chemical Potential, eq. Constants

Setting Up Equilibrium Problems - Tableau Method

MT Problem set 1 out
3-4 Solving Problems by Approximation - Log C vs. pH Diagrams MT

5 Temperature, Pressure, and Ionic Strength Effects on Equilibrium MT

6 Properties of Water, Interactions Among Solutes, Activity Coefficients MT Problem set 1 due

Problem set 2 out

7 Activity Coefficients and Debye-Huckel Theory MT

II. Acid-base Chemistry of Natural Waters
8-9 The Carbonate System and Alkalinity JS

10 Uses of Alkalinity JS Problem set 2 due

Problem set 3 out

11 Limitations of Alkalinity Concept JS

12 Buffer Capacity JS

13 Class Discussion - Mid-term (Take-home) JS Problem set 3 due
III. Dissolution and Precipitation
14 Mineral Solubility JS Problem set 4 out
15 Stability Diagrams MT

16 Chemical Weathering and Natural Water Composition MT

IV. Complexation
17 Introduction to Complexation JS

18 Trace Metals - Inorganic Complexation JS Problem set 4 due
V. Redox Chemistry
19 Introduction to Redox Chemistry (Don’t use Tableaux) JM Problem set 5 out
20 Equilibrium Calculations with Redox Reactions JM

21 Redox Potential (pe) as a System Variable JM

22 pe-pH Diagrams JM Problem set 5 due

Problem set 6 out

23 Trace Metals - Organic Complexation JM

24 Effects of Complexation and Precipitation on Redox Equilibria JM

VI. Chemical Kinetics
25 Oxidation Kinetics in Homogeneous Systems JM Problem set 6 due
26 Heterogeneous Systems

Enzyme Catalysis

JM