The Northwest Environmental Training Center

Presents:

Fundamental Contaminant Chemistry -
A Review of Chemistry Principles Essential for Understanding Contaminant Behavior in the Environment

Course No. CHEM-403A

October 17, 2006, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. (1 Day)
CSac Conference Room, California State Association of Counties Meeting Facilities
1020 11th Street, 2nd floor, Sacramento, California

Instructor: Erick McWayne, Northwest Environmental Training Center

Description:
This course provides participants with an overview of key chemistry concepts associated with environmental contamination and provides a foundation for understanding contaminant transport and fate. This material is intended for environmental professionals who are not chemists, but who require a fundamental understanding of chemistry principles for their work. This course is recommended for all environmental professionals working with contaminated soil and water with minimal formal training in the subject. The course material will greatly enhance on-the-job training. It is also recommended for project managers seeking a review of the subject.

About the Instructor:
Mr. McWayne has extensive experience with soil, groundwater, and geophysical investigations for the characterization of contaminant transport and fate. As an environmental consultant, Mr. McWayne served as a project manager for remedial investigation and feasibility studies at numerous Department of Defense and other client sites, conducted environmental compliance audits, and performed pollution prevention audits and siting studies for electrical power plants. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Northwest Environmental Training Center and teaches workshops in transport and fate, environmental chemistry, and hydrogeology in Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

Course Topics:

Overview of Physical and Chemical Properties of Chemicals
Chemical Equilibrium, Kinetics, and Thermodynamics
Electronegativity and Electron Affinity Empirical, Chemical, and Structural Formulas
Chemical Bonding
Mass-Based and Mole-Based Concentrations
Mono and Polyatomic Ions Properties of Carbon and Organic Molecules
Solubility and Precipitation (Polarity and Bonding of Solvents and Solutes)
Functional Groups - Alcohols, Aldehydes, Amines, Aromatics, Ethers, Ketones, and Organometallics
Chemical Reactions
Organic IUPAC Nomenclature
Stoichiometry (balancing reactions) BTEX - Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene
Oxidation States and Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Organic Reactions

This course is part of a series, and is immediately followed by the Contaminant Chemistry and Transport in Soil and Groundwater Workshop, October 18 - 19, 2006. Attendees may register for either course individually or both courses. A discount applies when registering for both courses. Courses will begin each day at 8:30 A.M. and end at 5 P.M. Attendees will be given the opportunity to apply the course material during hands on exercises offered throughout the course.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

- Apply chemistry principles to environmental issues
- Describe ionic and covalent chemical bonding
- Understand chemical solubility in polar and nonpolar solvents
- Identify common physical and chemical properties that affect chemical fate and transport in soil and water
- Express contaminant concentrations in terms of mass and moles
- Understand the concepts of chemical equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics
- Describe the structure of common organic chemical contaminants using diagramming methods such as the condensed structural formula
- Identify and name simple organic chemicals using the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry nomenclature system

Prerequisites: Some college level chemistry is helpful, but not required.

Education Level: Introductory/Review

Continuing Education Units: 0.7

Course Materials: Each participant will receive a copy of the course proceedings including notes and reference material on the first day of the course.

Tuition: $195 ($150 reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes; government employees; nonprofits; students; and NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members). Additional discounts apply when registering for both CHEM-403A and CHEM-403B. Registration may be completed online via the link below; by fax after downloading the Registration and Information Packet PDF below; or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976.

What to Bring: Scientific calculator, mechanical pencil, coffee mug, and water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the prevailing weather.

Register Online

Directions

Accommodations

Download Registration and Information Packet - includes course description, hotel information, directions, and registration form.

To request further information, call us at (206)762-1976 or send us email.

 

To find out more about NWETC's programs send us email.

Northwest Environmental Training Center, 501(c)(3)
Alaska - Idaho - Montana - Northern California - Oregon - Washington
650 S. Orcas Street, Suite 220, Seattle, WA 98108
www.nwetc.org,
206-762-1976