Course detail

Biogeochemical Interfaces

FCH-MA_ENG13Acad. year: 2025/2026

Colloidal and interface systems, weak interactions: principles and relevance in natural systems, water: properties, function of water in biogeochemical systems, biopolymers: production, properties and function, biogeochemical interfaces: soil organic matter, minerals and organisms, soil pore, sediments, biofilms, carbon dynamics and stabilization mechanisms in soils, process in aquatic systems, dissolved organic matter: properties, function and current models, natural and engineered particles, physicochemical environmental processes and interfaces: sorption, pollutant mobilization, colloid-facilitated pollutant transport, wetting, capillarity and environmental processes, interactions between biology and chemistry: interactions in natural systems, swelling, diffusion, precipitation, abiogenesis: current theories and concepts, implications.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Martin Cigánek, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Environmental Protection (ÚCHTOŽP)

Entry knowledge

basics of general, organic and physical chemistry

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Oral examination, answer to minimum 50% of questions is required.
none

Aims

The students understand the central role of interfaces for environmental processes such as sorption and transport of environmental contaminants, bioavailability and toxicity. They understand the intense interactions between physics, chemistry and biology. The students gain experience in the analysis of interfacial processes and are competent for independent interdisciplinary process-oriented experiments.

Understanding the central role of interfaces for environmental processes
Understanding the intense interactions between physics, chemistry and biology
Analysis of interfacial processes
Geochemical cycles of C in soil
Principles of abiogenesis

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Butt, H.-J., Graf, K., Kappl, M. (2006): Physics and Chemistry of Interfaces. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. (EN)
Israelachvili, J.N. (2011): Intermolecular and surface forces, Elsevier, Amsterdam (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NPAP_ENVI Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme NPAP_ENVI Master's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Martin Cigánek, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1) Introduction, colloidal and interface systems.
2) Weak interactions: principles and relevance in natural systems.
3) Water: properties, anomalies.
4) Function of water in biogeochemical systems, hydration.
5) Biopolymers: production, properties and function.
6) Biogeochemical interfaces: soil organic matter, minerals and organisms.
7) Soil pore, sediments, biofilms.
8) Carbon dynamics and stabilization mechanisms in soils.
9) Process in aquatic systems.
10) Dissolved organic matter: properties, function and current models, natural and engineered particles.
11) Physicochemical environmental processes and interfaces: sorption, pollutant mobilization, colloid-facilitated pollutant transport, wetting, capillarity and environmental processes.
12) Interactions between biology and chemistry: interactions in natural systems, swelling, diffusion, precipitation.
13) Abiogenesis: current theories and concepts, implications.  

Guided consultation in combined form of studies

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Martin Cigánek, Ph.D.

Syllabus