Overall objective
To understand in detail the fundamental (primarily thermodynamic) controls on the composition of natural waters and the response of natural waters to variations in various physico-chemical parameters. To explore applications to environmental problems, weathering, oceanography, ore deposit formation, etc. To learn to solve numerical problems related to the behavior of components in natural waters. 

Introduction

Topic 1: Brief review of chemical thermodynamics
     A. Free energy, equilibrium
     B. Equilibrium constants, activity
     C. Temperature dependence

Topic 2: Acids and bases
    A. Definitions
    B. pH as a variable
    C. pH buffers
    D. Calculation of equilibrium species 
         distributions
    E. Alkalinity and acidity
    F. Titration theory

Topic 3: Behavior of CO₂ in aqueous fluids and influence on pH.

Topic 4: Solubility phenomena
    A. Oxides and hydroxides
    B. Carbonates
    C. Sulfides, phosphates and others.

Topic 5: Metal ions and complexes in aqueous
     solution
     A. Hydrolysis
     B. Complexation
     C. Chelation
     D. Inorganic vs. organic complexes
     E. Importance of metal speciation

Topic 6: Redox phenomena
     A. Electrode potential
     B. Eh-pH, pe-pH diagrams