ECTS credits ECTS credits: 4.5
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 4 Expository Class: 14 Interactive Classroom: 18 Total: 36
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Chemistry Engineering
Areas: Chemical Engineering
Center Higher Technical Engineering School
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
The subject of "Atmospheric Environment", of 4.5 ECTS, is framed as a optative subject within Module 1 "Basis", as the only subject of the Master that addresses, in a coordinated and integral way, the knowledge and non-instrumental techniques required for the analysis and evaluation of air pollution.
Thus, this subject has as a general objective to provide the student with the necessary fundamentals and techniques that every Environmental Engineer must know and apply, to address the problems related to air pollution from an engineering point of view. Taking into account that the atmosphere is the natural means of purification of gases par excellence, whose capacity for dilution, transformation and elimination of pollutants must always be considered in any environmental problem related to air pollution.
Thus, the student who takes this subject will know, understand and apply:
1. The fundamentals of the atmospheric environment, its pollutants and control strategies, as well as the physical and chemical processes experienced by pollutants in the Earth's atmosphere, which are essential in the assessment of air pollution.
2. The most current non-instrumental techniques related to the analysis and evaluation of air pollution: Inventories of atmospheric emissions, meteorological models and air quality models.
Specific objectives (by blocks)
The specific objectives of each block of the subject are then introduced, for which the contents of each one are first detailed and, in relation to them, the objectives to be achieved in their learning are summarized in a table.
I. Air pollution and emission sources
In this block, the structure and composition of the Earth's atmosphere, which defines clean tropospheric air, is first studied. The basic concepts that are handled in air pollution are introduced, as well as the strategies applied in its prevention and control. Secondly, it addresses the systematic classification of air pollution emitting sources and inventories of air emissions.
II. Atmospheric chemistry and physics
In this second block, atmospheric pollutants and the chemical mechanisms that allow their elimination or transformation into secondary pollutants are classified. Subsequently, large-scale atmospheric flow and its influence on the levels of air pollutants are studied. It ends with the techniques related to meteorological models used in weather forecasting and in the analysis of air pollution, through the interpretation of meteorological maps.
III. Atmospheric dispersion and air quality models
Although the study of air pollution problems involves multiple physical and chemical processes in the Earth's atmosphere, those related to atmospheric dispersion especially condition air quality. Therefore, this block specifically addresses these processes. Finally, the consideration of all the physical and chemical processes that pollutants experience in the atmosphere requires their mathematical modeling for their understanding and analysis. That is why this block introduces air quality models, as an essential technology in the evaluation of air pollution, which is also applied today in its prevention and control.
IV. Laboratory of air pollution
The fourth block is of a totally practical nature, to be developed in the Computer Classroom, and it addresses various specific cases related to the estimation of atmospheric emissions, the modeling of air quality and its application.
BLOCK OBJECTIVES
I. Air pollution and emitting sources.
- Structure and composition of the Earth's atmosphere.
- Basic concepts in air pollution.
- Prevention and control strategies.
- Air emissions and inventories.
II.. Atmospheric chemistry and physics.
- Chemical transformations of air pollutants: Primary and secondary pollutants.
- Meteorology and air pollution.
- Weather models.
- Interpretation of weather maps.
III.. Atmospheric dispersion and air quality models.
- Atmospheric stability.
- Overelevation and expansion of plumes.
- Air quality models.
- Applications.
IV. Air pollution modelling laboratory. - Estimation of atmospheric emissions.
- Dispersion and chemical transformation.
- Estimation of chimney height.
The contents that are developed in 4.5 ECTS are those contemplated succinctly in the descriptor of the subject in the curriculum of the Master in Environmental Engineering, and are: "The atmospheric environment. Air pollutants. Prevention and control of air pollution. Emissions of air pollutants. Atmospheric chemistry. Meteorology and air pollution. Dispersion of air pollutants. Air pollution assessment: Applications. ".
Consequently, the above descriptor the program is structured in the following thematic blocks.
Block I. Air pollution and emission sources
Item 1. Introduction. Structure and composition of the Earth's atmosphere. Basic concepts in air pollution. Prevention and control of air pollution.
Item 2. Emission sources and emission inventories. Emission sources. Estimation of atmospheric emissions. Inventories of atmospheric emissions. Applications.
Block II. Atmospheric chemistry and physics
Item 3. Pollutants and atmospheric chemistry. Classification of air pollutants. Chemistry in gas phase. Chemistry in aqueous phase. Aerosols. Problems caused by air pollution.
Item 4. Meteorology and air pollution. Forces and winds. General circulation of the atmosphere. Pressure systems and thermal systems. Weather conditions and air pollution. Weather maps. Atmospheric models.
Block III. Atmospheric diffusion and air quality models
Item 5. Atmospheric diffusion. Turbulence and atmospheric stability. Transport scales: Local scale. Plume rise and atmospheric diffusion.
Item 6. Air quality models. The atmospheric diffusion equation. Eulerian models. Lagrangian models. Gaussian models. Applications.
Block IV. Air pollution modelling laboratory
Item 7. Estimation of atmospheric emissions. Industrial emissions.
Item 8. Air pollutants diffusion. Diffusion and chemical transformation on a local scale.
Basic bibliography
Jacobson, M.Z. "Atmospheric Pollution". Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. ISBN: 9780511802287. SINATURA: 222 4.
European Environment Agency “EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook”. EEA Technical Report, 2019. ISSN 1977-8449.
Complementary bibliography
Baumbach, G. “Air Quality Control”. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1996. ISBN 10: 3540579923.
Boubel, R.W., Fox, D.L., Turner, D.B., Stern, A.C. "Fundamentals of Air Pollution". London: Academic Press, 1994. ISBN 0-12-118930-0.
Catalá Icardo, M., Aragón Revuelta, P. “Contaminantes del aire: Problemas resueltos”. Valencia: Editorial Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, 2008. ISBN 978-84-8363-224-6.
Finlayson-Pitts, B.J., Pitts Jr., J.N. “Atmospheric Chemistry”. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1986. ISBN 0-471-88227-5.
Jacobson, M.Z. “Fundamentals of Atmospheric Modelling”. Cambridge: University Press, 2005. ISBN 9780521548656. SINATURA: A220 4 A
Ministerio de Industria y Energía. "Manual de cálculo de chimeneas industriales". Madrid: Servicio de Publicaciones Miner, 1992. ISBN 978-84-7474-635-8.
Pielke, R.A. “Mesoscale meteorological modeling”. Academic Press, New York, 1984. ISBN 9780123852373.
Seinfeld, J.H. "Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics of Air Pollution". New York: J. Wiley & Sons, 1985. ISBN 0-471-82857-2.
Seinfeld, J.H., Pandis, S.N. “Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics”. 2nd edition, New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2006. ISBN 978-0471720171. SINATURA: 220 5.
Stull, R.B. "An introduction to boundary layer meteorology". The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1988. ISBN 978-94-009-3027-8.
US EPA. “Compilation of air pollutants emissions factors – Vol I: Stationary points and area sources”. AP-42, Research Triangle Park, California, 2016. https://www.epa.gov/air-emissions-factors-and-quantification/ap-42-comp…
Vilà-Guerau de Arellano, J., van Heerwaarden, Ch.C., van Stratum, B.J.H., van den Dries, K. “Atmospheric Boundary Layer” New York: Cambridge University Press, 2015. ISBN 9781107090941. SINATURA: 220 7.
Zannetti, P. "Air Pollution Modeling". New York: Computational Mechanics Publications, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1990. ISBN 978-1-4757-4465-1. SINATURA: A222 7.
Other documentation
The teacher will provide presentations of the contents of the subject, in the language of instruction of the same.
In this subject, the student will acquire or practice a series of basic, general and transversal competences, desirable in any Master Degree, and specific, typical of Environmental Engineering. Within the table of competences that was designed for the degree, students must achieve the following competences:
General and basic competences: CB6, CB7, CB8, CB9, CB10, CG1, CG2, CG3, CG4
Transversal competences: CT1, CT2, CT4, CT7, CT8
Specific competences: EC1, EC2, EC5, EC8, EC9
Teaching and learning mechanisms
This subject will be developed through different teaching and learning mechanisms, as indicated in the following points:
MD1: Participatory master classes: Blocks I, II and III.
MD2: Problem seminars and conferences of professionals, depending on the available means: Blocks II and III.
MD4: Internship in Computer Classroom (C.C.): Block IV.
MD5: Technical visits to companies and institutions, depending on the means available.
MD7: Learning based on problem solving, case studies and projects (PBL): Development of teamwork (Blocks I and II).
MD8: Individualized and collective tutorials: Individualized tutorials for the clarification of the contents of the subject (Blocks I, II and III), and collective tutorials for the organization and monitoring of teamwork (Blocks I and II).
MD15: Use of specialized software, databases and web resources: Block IV. Online teaching support: Campus Virtual.
Development of competences in teaching activities
Competence A=MD1 B=MD2 C=MD4 D=MD5 E=MD7 F=MD8 G=MD15
CB6 A C D E F G
CB7 B C E F G
CB8 A C D E F
CB9 B D E F
CB10 A B C D E F G
CG1 A B E F
CG2 A C D E F G
CG3 B C D E F G
CG4 A B C E F G
CT1 E F G
CT2 E F
CT4 A B C D E F G
CT8 A B C D E F G
CE1 A C E F
CE2 A B C D G
CE5 B C G
CE8 B C D E F G
CE9 A B C D E F G
6.1. Rating system
The evaluation of the subject shall consist of a combination of:
Qualification system Evaluation mode Weight in the overall mark Minimum value over 10
Final exam Individual 45 % 3,5
Computer Lab (C.L.) Individual 40 % -
Group Tutorials Individual 10 % -
Activity in lectures/seminars Individual 5 % -
To pass the subject, the student must obtain a minimum grade of 3.5 out of 10 in the written exam. Otherwise, the student's overall grade will correspond to that of said written exam.
The grades of the periodic tests, works / activities and tutorials obtained in the course in which the student has completed the face-to-face teaching of the subject, will be kept in all the evaluations of said course. It is always necessary that in each new opportunity the student takes the final exam, which will receive the corresponding grade.
6.2. Competence assessment
Competence A=Exam B=C.L. C=Tutorials D=Lectures/Seminars
CB6 A B C D
CB7 B
CB8 C D
CB9 C
CB10 A B
CG1 D
CG2 B
CG3 A D
CG4 A B D
CT1 C
CT2 C
CT4 A B D
CT8 B C D
CE1 A B
CE2 A B D
CE5 B D
CE8 C
CE9 C D
TRAINING ACTIVITY Face-to-face hours Autonomous work of the student ECTS
Lectures 14 28
Seminars 10 24
Computer Lab 8 6,5
Group Tutorials 4 2
Subtotal 36 60,5
Exam 2 14
Totals 38 74,5
Total hours 112.5 4.5
The students must apply their fundamentals of mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering to the atmospheric environment and the relationships between it and air pollution that are studied in this subject. Mathematical models and databases that facilitate the practical application of the techniques studied will also be handled.
Language in which it is taught: Spanish.
This subject will hace a Virtual Classroom.
Jose Antonio Souto Gonzalez
Coordinador/a- Department
- Chemistry Engineering
- Area
- Chemical Engineering
- Phone
- 881816757
- ja.souto [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary PhD professor
| Friday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| 11.08.2024 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 11.08.2024 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 11.08.2024 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 06.17.2025 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 06.17.2025 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLIL_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 06.17.2025 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A7 |