Study information

Contaminated Land Management and Remediation - 2025 entry

MODULE TITLEContaminated Land Management and Remediation CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODECSM3049 MODULE CONVENERDr Rich Crane (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 0 10 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 20
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

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 geology, mining, engineering and environmental science. It is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways. No pre-requisite module is required.

AIMS - intentions of the module

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.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

  1. Recognise and characterise sources and pathways of contamination and identify potential receptors;

  2. Devise an appropriate strategy for the assessment of a potentially contaminated site;

  3. Understand the principles of contaminant migration and bio-availability;

  4. Devise appropriate methodologies for the remediation of contaminated land;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

  1. Identify potential hazards at a contaminated site;

  2. Suggest the most appropriate remediation methods and management strategies for a contaminated site;

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:

  1. Select and organise material to produce a coherent argument in an oral presentation and professional report;

  2. 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.

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

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, groundwater and surface water

  • Bio-accessibility 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.

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 27 Guided Independent Study 123 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category

Hours of study time

Description

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities

27

Lectures and Field Excursion

Guided Independent Study

123

Private Study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

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

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment

% of Credit

Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)

ILOs Assessed

Feedback Method

Report

60

6 pages

1-8

Feedback sheet and result

Oral presentation

40

5 minutes

1-7

Feedback sheet and result

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original Form of Assessment

Form of Re-assessment

ILOs Re-assessed

Time Scale for Re-assessment

Report

Report (6 pages, 60%)

1-8

Referral/deferral period

Oral presentation

Oral Presentation (5 minutes, 40%)

1-7

Referral/deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Students will pick a new case study for each assessment.

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

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:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Lottermoser, B.G. Mine Wastes: Characterization, Treatment and Environmental Impacts 3rd Edition Springer 2010 3642124186
Set Nathanail, C.P. and Bardos, R.P. Reclamation of Contaminated Land John Wiley & Sons Ltd 978-047198561
Set Strange, J. Langdon, N. & Large A. Contaminated Land Guidance (ICE Design and Practice Guides) Institution of Civil Engineers 3rd Thomas Telford Publishing 2017 978-0727761064
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 6th July 2017 LAST REVISION DATE Tuesday 18th March 2025
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.