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Module Title
LI Environmental Pollution and Management
School
School of Geog Earth & Env Sci
Department
Geography
Module Code
03 36296
Module Lead
TBC
Level
Intermediate Level
Credits
20
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions
This environmental science module requires students to have an understanding of basic chemistry and to participate in laboratory practicals. Additional self-study resources are available for students that require help with these aspects.
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, agricultural run-off), liquids (e.g. surface and groundwater quality) or particles (e.g. 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:
Critically assess a range of sources, type and controls on air, land and water pollutants.
Understand the causes and effects of specific pollutants and their movement and behaviour in the environment.
Elucidate the linkages between land management and water quality at catchment scale
Have knowledge of how modelling can be used to characterise the aquatic environment and pollution risks
Conduct and interpret a range of relevant laboratory / field environmental monitoring techniques for characterising and assessing environmental quality