Environmental Impact Assessment: Management of Contaminants and Analysis Tools
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the theoretical and methodological foundations necessary to understand and apply the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, with particular reference to:
- Regulations, approaches, and procedures related to EIA.
- Identification and evaluation of environmental impacts using scientific and technical tools.
- Techniques for monitoring and mitigating environmental impacts across various sectors (air, water, soil).
- Development of a critical and interdisciplinary approach to assessing the impacts of human activities on the environment.
- Regulations, approaches, and procedures related to EIA.
- Identification and evaluation of environmental impacts using scientific and technical tools.
- Techniques for monitoring and mitigating environmental impacts across various sectors (air, water, soil).
- Development of a critical and interdisciplinary approach to assessing the impacts of human activities on the environment.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the regulatory and technical framework related to environmental impact assessment.
- Identify and evaluate environmental impacts resulting from projects and human activities.
- Apply analytical and methodological tools for environmental monitoring.
- Develop mitigation and monitoring proposals to reduce negative impacts.
- Integrate chemical, physical, and biological aspects into the overall evaluation of environmental impacts.
- Understand the regulatory and technical framework related to environmental impact assessment.
- Identify and evaluate environmental impacts resulting from projects and human activities.
- Apply analytical and methodological tools for environmental monitoring.
- Develop mitigation and monitoring proposals to reduce negative impacts.
- Integrate chemical, physical, and biological aspects into the overall evaluation of environmental impacts.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Introduction to EIA:
Definitions and objectives. European and national regulatory framework. The role of EIA in the decision-making process.
Identification of environmental impacts:
Classification of impacts: direct, indirect, cumulative.
Methodologies for predicting and assessing impacts.
Interaction matrices and conceptual models.
Tools for assessment:
Techniques for environmental analysis and monitoring (air, water, soil). Overview of environmental modeling.
Sustainability indicators.
Management of environmental impacts:
Mitigation techniques. Post-intervention monitoring.
Public communication and participation in the EIA process.
Case studies:
Practical applications to real projects (industries, infrastructure, public works). Critical analysis and comparison of different methodologies.
Advanced topics:
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and ecological footprint.
Emerging contaminants and technologies for environmental management. Multidisciplinary approaches in EIA.
Definitions and objectives. European and national regulatory framework. The role of EIA in the decision-making process.
Identification of environmental impacts:
Classification of impacts: direct, indirect, cumulative.
Methodologies for predicting and assessing impacts.
Interaction matrices and conceptual models.
Tools for assessment:
Techniques for environmental analysis and monitoring (air, water, soil). Overview of environmental modeling.
Sustainability indicators.
Management of environmental impacts:
Mitigation techniques. Post-intervention monitoring.
Public communication and participation in the EIA process.
Case studies:
Practical applications to real projects (industries, infrastructure, public works). Critical analysis and comparison of different methodologies.
Advanced topics:
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and ecological footprint.
Emerging contaminants and technologies for environmental management. Multidisciplinary approaches in EIA.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of general chemistry, physical chemistry, and analytical chemistry. Fundamental skills in numerical methods and data analysis.
Teaching methods
Lectures supported by presentations and group work. Additionally, considering the course's focus on real cases, expert seminars and/or guided educational visits may be included.
Teaching Resources
Given the nature of the course topics, which include detailed examples of methods, procedures, and protocols, and the rapid advancements in instrumental analytical chemistry, the reference materials will primarily include:
· Course slides and materials available on the myAriel platform.
· Recent scientific articles (accessible through the UNIMI online library).
· Legal regulations.
· Methods, procedures, and protocols from Italian and international regulatory bodies.
However, having a fundamental knowledge base and textbooks on environmental and analytical chemistry remains essential as a primary reference.
· Course slides and materials available on the myAriel platform.
· Recent scientific articles (accessible through the UNIMI online library).
· Legal regulations.
· Methods, procedures, and protocols from Italian and international regulatory bodies.
However, having a fundamental knowledge base and textbooks on environmental and analytical chemistry remains essential as a primary reference.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination (30/30) with presentation of a detailed project in which the student (alone or in a group) proposes innovative solutions for application problems in environmental impact assessment followed by questions on the course topics.
CHIM/01 - ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Fiorentino Antonino, Pifferi Valentina
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday-Friday 9-17, by appointment
Office, via Golgi 19, Edificio 5, Corpo A, III floor, room 3113-O