A proglacial stream near Illulisat, Greenland
This course is designed to introduce students to thermodynamic and kinetic controls of chemical compositions of “natural” water – in other words the class does not include waste water, water management, water treatments, or similar engineered systems. These fundamental chemical principles are applied to various reaction mechanisms that occur between fresh water and the atmosphere, carbonate, silicate and metal-oxide minerals. Some reactions in seawater are sometimes included depending on the interests of students in the class. Learning outcomes include:
- developing a thorough understanding of the theory behind the chemical controls on natural water in multiple systems (groundwater, surface water, seawater);
- having the ability to solve fundamental problems related to the control of water chemistry and reactions between water and rocks, minerals, and organic carbon;
- gain sufficient proficiency in several computer models to solve similar problems using the programs.