Teaching
Environmental Surface Chemistry (Soil 8110) - Spring 2009
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Hands-on learning with real data: During the workshop portion of the semester, the participants analyzed new X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) data collected by Toner at the Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Software packages used: custom ALS BL10.3.2, SixPack, and IFEFFIT. For analysis of iron K-edge XANES spectra, the public spectral library from Marcus et al. 2008 was used. Spring 2009 Participants: (Left to right) Mark Krzmarzick (Environ. Engr.), Shahida Quazi (Soil, Water & Climate), Laura Vietti (Geol. & Geophys.), Miki Rough (Geol. & Geophys.), Sarah Nicholas (Land & Atmospheric Science), Anna Lindquist (Geol. & Geophys.), Jill Coleman Wasik (Water Resources Science), Greg Fransen (Forest Hydrology), and Brent Dalzell (Soil, Water & Climate), Nick Pester (Geol. & Geophys., not present) |
Course Description - A lecture-discussion-workshop course on Environmental Surface Chemistry. From the syllabus: "The chemical reactivity of iron oxyhydroxide and manganese oxide minerals in low-temperature environments – from soils to deep-sea hydrothermal plumes – dictates the concentration of trace elements in natural waters. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a powerful tool that may be used to understand mineral structural properties and surface-associated trace element speciation at the molecular-level.
Participants will gain skills to:
- identify research questions for which an XAS approach will be fruitful
- choose appropriate synchrotron facilities & beamlines for projects
- write a successful beamtime proposal
- accomplish basic XAS data analysis & present the results"
Textbook/Materials - Sposito 2004. The Surface Chemistry of Natural Particles. Oxford University Press;
Marcus, M. A., Westphal, A. J., and Fakra, S., 2008. Classification of Fe-bearing species from K-edge XANES data using two-parameter correlation plots. J Synchrotron Rad. 15, 463-468.
Soil Chemistry and Minerology (Soil 5311) - Co-taught with Professor Bloom Spring 2008. Next offering Fall 2009.
Course Description - Soil 5311 applies the tools of chemistry to understanding of the origin and identification of crystalline soil clay minerals; the structure of soil organic matter; and chemical processes in soil including solubility, adsorption/desorption, ion exchange, oxidation/reduction, acidity, and alkalinity. This is a lecture based course with weekly problem sets, a research paper and presentation, and in-class activities.
Textbook - Essinngton 2004. Soil and Water Chemistry: An Intregrative Approach. CRC Press, Boca Roton.