Environmental Monitoring and Recovery

The general objective is developing students’ attitude, leading them towards full understanding of the environmental equilibria mechanisms from a variety of perspectives (physical, chemical, biological and, above all, geological). The specific objectives are the comprehension of the role of Mineralogy within Environmental Sciences and the capacity to manage problems in which minerals may be either source of problems or solutions (see Dublin descriptors below for more details). A) Knowledge and Understanding: successful students will be able to understand basic principles of risk assessment and potential risks coming from minerals in the every-day life. They will become familiar with asbestiform silicates, both regulated and non, their properties and the multidisciplinary experimental approach needed for their study, as well as with specific issues regarding mineral/environment relationships (e.g., release, transport and dispersal of toxic wastes from mining and industry, including the nuclear industry, and the safe containment of such wastes; mineral based atmospheric aerosols, etc.). B) Skills and Abilities: successful students will be able to analyse the various factors influencing mineral stability at, or near, the surface of the Earth (P, T, pH, etc.), and to recognise, analyse and classify minerals of environmental relevance at scales which can range from molecular to global. C) Capacity to elaborate an autonomous and informed assessment of problems involving minerals and to suggest solutions D) Capacity to communicate concepts, problems and solutions to various target audiences, from general public to highly specialised professionals. E) Capacity to search for and manage specialised scientific literature when preparing the final term paper.