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