Fundamental Contaminant Chemistry
A review of chemistry principles essential for understanding
contaminant behavior in the environment
Course I.D. CHEM-403A (Course 1 of 3 in a Series)
July 20, 2009, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. (1 Day)
The Down Town Club
6th & Chestnut Streets
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Instructor: Erick McWayne, Northwest Environmental Training Center

Register Online | Directions | Accommodations | Course Catalog | Course Brochure PDF
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. It is also recommended for project managers seeking a review of the subject.

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 (CHEM-403B) July 21-22, 2009 and Monitored Natural Attenuation July 23-24, 2009. Attendees may register for either course individually or both courses. A discount applies when registering for both courses. Courses will begin each day at 8:00 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

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. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Northwest Environmental Training Center and teaches workshops in transport and fate, environmental chemistry, and hydrogeology across the country.

Prerequisites: Some college level chemistry is required (even if it was a long time ago).

Accreditation: This workshop and the others in its series have all been accredited for pesticide applicator recertification credits under Pennsylvania's Pesticide Certification and Licencing program and Maryland's Pesticide Applicator Certification program.

Education Level: Fundamental review

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

Continuing Education Units: 0.7

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

Registration: $250 (*$195 reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes; government employees; nonprofits; students; and NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members). An additional discount applies when registering for both CHEM-403A, CHEM-403B and GHYD-410. You may register via the link below or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976.

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to the event and 50 percent refundable (or 100% credit) thereafter up to 3 business days prior to the event. No refunds are issued for cancellations occurring less than 3 business days before the start day. Course registration fees and cancellation policy are subject to change without notice.

Disability Accommodations: To request disability accommodations, please contact us at info@nwetc.org or (206) 762-1976 at least 30 days prior to the event.

Northwest Environmental Training Center
A 501(c)(3) non-profit program of EOS Alliance
650 S. Orcas Street, Suite 220, Seattle, Washington 98108
Phone: (206)762-1976, Fax: (206)762-1979, info@nwetc.org
www.nwetc.org