Study information

Soil and Water Contamination - 2019 entry

MODULE TITLESoil and Water Contamination CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODECSMM185 MODULE CONVENERDr Rich Crane (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 0 12 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 50
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 surveying, land and environmental management, geology, mining, engineering, geography and environmental science. It is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways. No pre-requisite module is required.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of the module is to provide an overview of the occurrence, behaviours and fate of anthropogenic pollutants in terrestrial and aquatic environments along with contemporary methodologies for their remediation. Topics covered will include an overview of the source-pathway-receptor model for both emerging and widespread anthropogenic pollutants including their spatial/temporal behaviour and bioaccessibility. The current state-of-the-art with regard to the analytical characterisation of anthropogenic pollutants in different environmental matrices will be covered, along with conventional methodologies for their remediation. The module will be underpinned by case studies from the Lecturer's own research and/or from industrial contacts.

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 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.

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 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.

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 40 Guided Independent Study 110 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 40 Lectures and Field Excursion
Guided Independent Study 110 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
Peer and Lecturer feedback, to immediately address queries and misconceptions Throughout lectures and fieldwork 1-8 Oral
Quizzes during Lectures 1-5 minutes 1-7 Immediate oral feedback on correct answers

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 40 Written Exams 60 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Examination 60 2 hours 1-4 Exam result
Report 20 No set length (but maximum 5,000 words) 1-7 Feedback sheet and result
Oral Presentation 20 5 minutes 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 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
Examination Examination 1-6 August Ref Def Period
Report Report 1-6 August Ref Def Period
Oral Presentation Oral Presentation 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 August Ref Def Period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

 

 

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:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Aquifer Basics: http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/aquiferbasics/

Basic Groundwater Hydrology: https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/djvu/WSP/wsp_2220.pdf

USGS Website - Groundwater and Surface Water A Single Resource: http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/circ1139/htdocs/foreword.htm

Tellus South West Project: http://www.tellusgb.ac.uk/home.html

G-BASE Project: http://www.bgs.ac.uk/gbase/gbaseSW.html

Arsenic in Bangladesh: https://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/arsenic/en/

Legacy Mining Contamination in the Fal Estuary, Cornwall: http://projects.exeter.ac.uk/geomincentre/estuary/home.htm

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set 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
Set 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
Set 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
Set Girard, J.E. Principles of Environmental Chemistry 3rd Jones and Bartlett Publishers 2013 9781449693527
Set Pal, P. Industrial Water Treatment Process Technology 2017 9780128103913
Set Meuser, H. Soil Remediation and Rehabilitation: Treatment of Contaminated and Disturbed Land 2013 978-9400757516
Set Lottermoser, B.G. Mine Wastes: Characterization, Treatment and Environmental Impacts 3rd Edition Springer 2010 3642124186
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 Tuesday 6th August 2019
KEY WORDS SEARCH None Defined

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.