Arai Research Lab
Environmental Soil and Water Chemistry
Courses I teach:
NRES 201 Introductory Soil Sciences (Every spring)
The course introduces world land resources, basic principles of soil science including soil formation and classification and the physical, engineering, chemical and biological properties of soils. Factors governing nutrient availability, movement of water, land-resource management, and pollution within soils will also be discussed. 3 undergraduate hours. Successful completion of Math 234 (or equivalent) and Chem 102 is required. Chem 104 is recommended.
NRES 285 Field Experience in soil and Surface Water Sampling (Fall 2020, TBA)
This course will cover soil and water samples protocol, methods and techniques recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS). Due to difficulties in accessing subsurface samples, sampling activities focus on surface water samples and top soils. We will visit field sites around the UIUC campus and receive detailed instructions and descriptions of the soil and water sampling methods. Each lecture and field trip will last 1.4 hrs and 3 hrs, respectively. Prerequisite: Successful completion of NRES201 and Chem 102 or equivalent.
NRES 351 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry (Fall, every even-numbered year)
This course introduces major inorganic and organic chemical pollutants, their sources and the fate in atmosphere, hydrosphere and pedosphere. In particular, it will cover 1) translocation/distribution of chemicals in the environment and 2) abiotic and or biotic transformation of chemicals (e.g., photochemical reactions, hydrolysis, redox, adsorption and volatilization). The introductory environmental chemistry course geared toward students in agricultural, natural, environmental and life science majors. 3 undergraduate hours. Successful completion of Math 234 (or equivalent) and Chem 104 is required. One semester of organic chemistry (CHEM 232 or CHEM 236) is recommended.
NRES 487 Environmental Soil Chemistry (Fall, every odd-numbered year)
This course covers advanced topics in abiotic chemical processes (sorption, desorption, ion exchange, precipitation, dissolution and redox reactions) of nutrients and inorganic and organic contaminants in soil-water environment. Soil mineralogy, humic substances, chemical complex equilibria in aqueous system and sorption phenomena at the solid-water interface will be emphasized. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 graduate hours. Successful completion of Math 234 (or equivalent), NRES201 and Chem 104 is required. One semester of organic chemistry (CHEM 232 or CHEM 236) and NRES351(Introduction to environmental chemistry) are recommended.