Environmental
The pollution of rivers with ammonia is discussed and a demonstration is given of how tests for ammonia are carried out. Details are given of the chemistry involved.
The principles of chromatography are explained, introducing the concepts of mobile and stationary phases. The separation of food dyes by paper chromatography and thin layer chromatography are used to demonstrate these principles. Mass spectrometry and its use in combination with chromatography are explained and a bench-top instrument is displayed.
Waste management. The use of composting as an environmentally-friendly means of waste disposal is discussed and various facts and figures given.
Waste management. The use of compressed natural gas derived from organic waste to provide fuel or power cars is discussed.
The different ways chemistry can be used to mop up oil spills are explained and the technique of applying materials that absorb or adsorb oil but reject water is demonstrated.
The production of energy, including chemical reactions in the Sun, photosynthesis, fossil fuels, the carbon cycle and combustion are discussed along with the effects that the production of this energy has on our environment. Ways to develop a more energy-efficient and sustainable lifestyle and to prevent further climate change are examined.
The various tests carried out on drinking water are demonstrated such as dissolved oxygen, hardness, alkalinity, free chlorine etc. Students learn that sometimes water that looks clean is not safe for drinking.
The use of chemistry in environmental monitoring is discussed along with the analytical techniques involved.
Methods to detect very low levels of organic pollutants in drinking water are shown and the filter used to remove pollutants is demonstrated.
The action and development of crop protection chemicals is described along with some of the testing required. The use of modern chemicals alongside traditional farming methods and integrated crop management, are explained.
The water treatment process is described and some of the ways that chemical analysis is used to monitor quality are demonstrated.
A chemical engineering company illustrates how the equipment they manufacture uses chemistry to remove bad odours from sewage works.
A colorimetric method of testing drinking water is demonstrated and explained and students get to try their hand at interpreting some of the results by placing flasks of varying colour intensity in order of concentration.
Various types of water filtration and separation experiments are available for students to try and a demonstration is given to highlight the problems of obtaining potable water in the third world.
