Course Details in 2027/28 Session

Module Title	LM Groundwater Organic Contaminant Pollution and Remediation (for MSci)
School	School of Geog Earth & Env Sci
Department	Earth and Environ Sciences
Module Code	03 24881
Module Lead	John Tellam
Level	Masters Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites	Hydrogeology - (03 11731)
Co-requisites
Restrictions	Maximum Student Numbers: 30
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Practical Classes and workshops-30 hours Guided independent study-150 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Pollution of groundwater by organic contaminants remains a key driver of exceedingly expensive contaminated land and groundwater investigation and remediation efforts. This module seeks to provide the organic contaminant hydrogeological knowledge base that will underpin a student’s potential future professional activity in this field. The module will cover contaminant source terms, contextual toxicology and environmental standards and legislation; organic contaminant phase partitioning to air, water, solids; conceptual models of contaminant migration; processes of sorption, chemical reaction, biodegradation; and, NAPL multi-phase flow. These will be illustrated by contaminant case studies throughout. Student learning will be underpinned by set calculation problem sheets. These theoretical aspects will underpin more industry applied / research-based subsequent learning on contaminated land / groundwater legislative frameworks, groundwater; groundwater risk assessment (industry-led ConSim workshop), site investigation and groundwater monitoring practice and groundwater remediation options. Remediation will predominantly focus on organic contaminants, but also include some discussion of related fields of metals - hydrochemistry, radiological and microbiological contamination. Remediation will cover a range of representative modern technologies as well as groundwater protection initiatives and relevant waste disposal practice.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Show advanced understanding of processes controlling organic contaminant fate and transport in groundwater systems - this understanding should be from both organic/physical chemistry and hydrogeology standpoints; Demonstrate quantified understanding of topics and undertake appropriate hand calculations; Demonstrate theoretical and applied understanding of groundwater - contaminated land remediation implementation including accompanying aspects of site investigation/monitoring, risk assessment and regulatory contexts; Demonstrate research-level literature awareness of the specialised topics selected for the coursework projects.
Assessment	24881-01 : Exam : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (50%) 24881-02 : Coursework : Coursework (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessed problem-solving exercise, in the format of a 5-page report (50%) Examination (24h online format) (50%) Reassessment: re-examination of failed component(s)
Other	None
Reading List