CHEM 301

 CASE STUDY SEMINARS

Monday’s 1:30 – 2:20 pm B210-260 (attendance mandatory)

Discussion/seminar sessions led by students on a topic or issue related to Aquatic Chemistry based on stories from the popular science media.

Objectives of case study sessions:

• Introduce mainstream topics as a means to reinforce core chemistry concepts in an engaging format
• Stimulate interest and add knowledge in popular aquatic environmental issues
• Become familiar with the benefits and pitfalls of mainstream media representations and science literacy in general
• Illustrate the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of aquatic environmental issues

 Responsibilities of discussion leader:

• Discuss with me an appropriate topic and select a short interesting article from popular media.
• Research the topic and conduct background reading.
•  Prepare a 2 page handout for classmates to distribute on the Friday preceding your seminar (1 page includes title and referenced reading list; 1 page includes key points, a figure, and/or a table).
• Prepare a ~15 minute presentation introducing the topic, providing some  background chemistry (reinforcing course concepts). Provide an introduction to the broader context (ie social, political and economic) integrating with the scientific context, where possible.
• Generate interest and lead class discussion (engage your audience).

 Responsibilities of class members:

• Read the selected news article before the seminar.

• Submit via email to me by the end of Friday preceding the Case Study one question on the selected news article.

• Participate in the class discussion during/after seminar presentation.

• Class questions will be reviewed by me and forwarded to the presenter by Monday morning so they can choose to address them as part of their class discussion.

Suggested Articles for CHEM 301 Case Studies 2018

tentative assignment

Olivier - Flint water

Brandon - Microplastics in great lakes

Arden - Radionuclides in water

Gabriel - trihalomethanes in drinking water

Maegan - Arsenic from gold mines

Breanna - Florida algal bloom

Misha - microplastics and transfer of POPs

Andrew - mitigating ocean acidification

Jennifer - pharmaceutical waste

Gurdit - PFOA/PFOS in drinking water

Melissa - Mercury in N. Ontario waters

Nathan - Sunscreens in aquatic environment

Tentative Schedule

Sept 17 - cancelled

Sept 24

Bottle vs Tap: 7 Things to Known About Drinking Water   Erik Krogh

Oct 1

Is There Atrazine in Your Drinking Water?  Trevor Michalchuk

https://globalnews.ca/news/1248219/is-there-atrazine-in-your-drinking-water/

Alberta's Energy Regulator Ignoring Own Rules on Tailing Ponds   Joseph Monaghan

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-s-energy-regulator-oilsands-tailings-ponds-1.4730489

Oct 8 - Arden (radionuclides) and Gabriel (DBPs)

Oct 15 - Review Mid-term 1

Oct 22

Oct 29 - Guest Lecture (Wiley Evans)

Nov 5 - Study Week

Nov 12 - Olivier (Lead in DW) and Breanna (Algal blooms)

Nov 19 - Jennifer (PPCPs) and Gurdit (PFOS/PFOA)

Nov 26 - Misha (microplastics) and Sean (ocean acidification)

Dec 3 - Melissa (mercury) and Nathan (suncreens)

Other possible sources of information:

• Textbook and other course resources listed here

• Newspaper articles

• Government publications

• Web sites
• Science news journals

Eg.       Science News

            Canada.com

New Scientist

Chemical and Engineering News

Science Daily

Phys Org

Other Useful Links:  Environment Canada - NWRI

                                Health Canada - Drinking Water Guidelines

                                US EPA - Water

US EPA Drinking Water Contaminants

US Geological Survey, Water Resources

Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme

UN Environment Programme

International Water Association

                                World Health Organization - Drinking Water

                                NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Grading (includes 50% anonymous peer evaluation)

Preparation and Chemistry Content                   /4

Organization and Presentation                           /3

General Interest and Discussion                         /3

Peer Evaluation Scheme 

Tentative Scheduling 2018

PAST SEMINAR/CASE STUDY TOPICS

REVIEW - Thermodynamics and Kinetics    (Erik)

Case Study 1 - What's in Your Bottled Water?     (Erik)        

Case Study 2 & 3 - Hypoxia and Marine Dead Zones and  Agricultural Impacts and Eutrophication         

Case Study 4 - Saltwater Intrusion

Review of Electrochem & pe/pH diagrams       

Case Study 5 & 6 - Hydraulic Fracturing & Oils Spills

REVIEW Mid-Term I

Research Paper Assignment

Case Study 7& 8 -   Marine Anti-foulants & Microplastics

Case Study 9 & 10 - Disinfection by-products in drinking water & Endochrine Disruptors/PPCPs                                     

Case Study 11 & 12 - Acid Rain affects and impacts of terrestrial environment & Heavy Metal Removal

Case Study 11 -Arsenic in Drinking Water & The Chemistry of Water and Wastewater Treatment

REVIEW Final Exam   (Erik)