Soil and Water Contamination - 2024 entry
| MODULE TITLE | Soil and Water Contamination | CREDIT VALUE | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MODULE CODE | CSMM185 | MODULE CONVENER | Dr Rich Crane (Coordinator) |
| DURATION: TERM | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DURATION: WEEKS | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
This module will provide an overview of the occurrence, behaviour and fate on anthropogenic pollutants in the natural environment along with contemporary methodologies for their remediation. The fundamental properties of soil, groundwater and surface water will be covered along with an overview of the analytical techniques that are currently used to characterise anthropogenic pollutants within such matrices.
This module is suitable for students studying courses in surveying, land and environmental management, geology, mining, engineering, geography and environmental science. It is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways. No pre-requisite module is required.
The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of the causes, characteristics and hazards related to contaminated land and of the practical approaches to its assessment and remediation. The module is enriched with case studies from the lecturers’ own research experience.
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 Articulate the basic physical and chemical properties of and key processes affecting soil, groundwater and surface water;
2 Devise an appropriate sampling and sample strategy for the assessment of a potentially contaminated site;
3 Devise appropriate methodologies for the remediation of contaminated land;
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
4 Identify appropriate management strategies for soil and water pollution control;
5 Effectively assess environmental samples;
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
6 Select and interpret data in order to critically evaluate a specific problem and then produce detailed (but not verbose) recommendations/reasoned arguments for appropriate solution;
7 Construct written reports to a professional standard;
8 Perform oral presentations to a professional standard.
The module content will include::
- A general introduction to environmental pollution including environmental pollutants and their sources and impacts and spatial variability;
- Basic environmental chemistry including the effect of oxidation state, redox and pH;
- The environmental compartment of soil including its function, formation, classification, taxonomy and a case study of mine-waste impacted soils;
- The environmental compartment of groundwater including case studies of arsenic groundwater contamination in Bangladesh;
- The environmental compartment of surface water including a case study of uranium contamination in Romania;
- Bioaccessibility and ecotoxicity of metals to receptors;
- Soil and water sampling methodologies and field and laboratory based techniques for the characterisation of such samples;
- Remediation strategies for polluted soils and water bodies.
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities | 30 | Guided Independent Study | 120 | Placement / Study Abroad | 0 |
|---|
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 30 | Lectures and Field Excursion |
| Guided Independent Study | 120 | Private Study |
| Form of Assessment | Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) | ILOs Assessed | Feedback Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q&A during Lectures | 1-5 minutes | 1-8 | Immediate oral feedback on correct answers |
| Coursework | 40 | Written Exams | 60 | Practical Exams | 0 |
|---|
| Form of Assessment | % of Credit | Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) | ILOs Assessed | Feedback Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 60 | 4 pages | 1-7 | Feedback sheet and result |
| Oral Presentation | 40 | 4 minutes | 1-6, 8 | Feedback sheet and result |
| Original Form of Assessment | Form of Re-assessment | ILOs Re-assessed | Time Scale for Re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Report | 1-7 | Ref Def Period |
| Oral Presentation | Oral Presentation | 1-6, 8 | Ref Def Period |
Students will pick a new case study for each assessment
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
Basic Reading:
|
Author |
Title |
Edition |
Publisher |
Year |
ISBN |
|
Andrews, J.E., Brimblecombe, P., Jickells, T.D., Liss, P.S, & Reid, B. |
An Introduction to Environmental Chemistry |
2nd |
Wiley-Blackwell |
2003 |
978-0-632-05905-8 |
|
Nathanail, C.P. and Bardos, R.P. |
Reclamation of Contaminated Land (Pages 16-40 & 49-225 are of particular relevance) |
|
John Wiley and Sons Ltd |
2004 |
978-0471985617 |
|
Van der Perk, M. |
Soil and Water Contamination: From Molecular to Catchment Scale (Pages 15-89 and 127-237 are of particular relevance) |
2nd |
|
2013 |
9780415893435 |
|
Girard, J.E. |
Principles of Environmental Chemistry |
3rd |
Jones and Bartlett Publishers |
2013 |
9781449693527 |
|
Pal, P. |
Industrial Water Treatment Process Technology |
|
|
2017 |
9780128103913 |
|
Meuser, H. |
Soil Remediation and Rehabilitation: Treatment of Contaminated and Disturbed Land |
|
|
2013 |
978-9400757516 |
|
Lottermoser, B.G. |
Mine Wastes: Characterization, Treatment and Environmental Impacts |
3rd Edition |
Springer |
2010 |
3642124186 |
Reading list for this module:
| CREDIT VALUE | 15 | ECTS VALUE | 7.5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-REQUISITE MODULES | None |
|---|---|
| CO-REQUISITE MODULES | None |
| NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) | 7 | AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORIGIN DATE | Thursday 6th July 2017 | LAST REVISION DATE | Thursday 19th September 2024 |
| KEY WORDS SEARCH | Contaminated Land; Remediation; Pollution; Environmental Assessment |
|---|
Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.
