Course Details in 2024/25 Session

Module Title	LI Environmental Pollution
School	School of Geog Earth & Env Sci
Department	Earth and Environ Sciences
Module Code	03 27827
Module Lead	Liz Hamilton
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-30 hours Tutorial-10 hours Practical Classes and workshops-15 hours Guided independent study-145 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Pollution in the environment is one of major threats facing society whether in the form of gases (e.g air pollution, climate change), dissolved substances (e.g. mine drainage), liquids (e.g. water) or particles (e.g. nanoparticles, microplastics and airborne particles). This module will introduce the main environmental pollutants, their causes and effects as well as consider how they are transferred within and between various media and how they interact with biota to constitute an environmental risk. We will use the source pathway receptor model to explore how the form and transport of pollutants contributes to their importance in an environmental context. We will also consider how the extent of pollution can be assessed within different environmental media. These key concepts will be considered in relation to current environmental issues including air, water, soil pollution and chemical use. Lectures will be supported by workshops and laboratory and computer practicals to allow students to put in practice theoretical concepts.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Have an in-depth knowledge of sources and processes of the air pollutants. Have a knowledge of the causes and effects of climate change. Have knowledge of the causes and effects of novel pollutants such as nanomaterials and POPs. Understand how pH and redox are important controls in the behaviour of pollutants within the environment. Explain how surface interactions control the behaviour of pollutants within environmental media. Understand how physical characteristics of soil and sediment affect the movement of pollutants. Have knowledge of how modelling can be used to characterise the aquatic environment. Explain how characteristics of pollutants, media and biota affect toxicity. Be able to perform a toxicity test in the laboratory. Be able to apply extraction techniques to evaluate soil characteristics. Describe and appraise the different methods of measuring elements within environmental media.
Assessment	27827-01 : Coursework : Coursework (50%) 27827-02 : Exam : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: Three Lab reports: each report has a max of 1000 words (excluding figures and tables) (50%) 3 min video (group - 2 to 3 - assessment) (50%)– students asked to make a video that aims for lay person on causes, effects, and mitigation solutions for a particular pollution problem, for example, (but not limited to), particulate matter, ozone, persistent organic pollutants, nanoparticles, water, or soil Reassessment: 1500 word essay (30%) 3 min video (group assessment) (70%)
Other
Reading List