GVMPBE-Pollutant Behaviour in the Environment

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Anne Verhoef
Email: a.verhoef@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
The module focuses on both the processes and applied aspects of pollutant behaviour in the environment with an emphasis on terrestrial and freshwater systems and their interface

Aims:
This module aims to provide:
- a fundamental grounding in the physical and (bio)chemical processes underpinning the behaviour of pollutant chemicals in the environment;
- an introduction to the assessment of risk posed by environmental contamination;
- the objectives of, and strategies for, the remediation of contaminated sites.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
􀀕 Distinguish and define classes of environmental contaminants (including 􀀑new􀀒 contaminants such as nanomaterials) and their sources
􀀕 Examine soils as a sink for environmental contaminants in relation to their physical and chemical properties
􀀕 Describe the processes by which water and contaminants are transported in soils, using physical principles
􀀕 Evaluate the likely fate of different types of contaminants in soils including their speciation, sorption, precipitation and transport
􀀕 Evaluate the toxicity and bioavailabilty of pollutants and critically examine the methodology used to derive toxicological and bioavailability data.
􀀕 Explain the principles of the assessment of risk posed by environmental contaminants to humans and ecosystems
􀀕 Formulate and explain objectives, strategies and technologies for environmental remediation and rehabilitation

Additional outcomes:
This module will provide the opportunity to develop the following transferable skills:
􀀕 Computer skills, especially spreadsheet handling skills and simulation modelling skills
􀀕 Literature searching and synthesis
􀀕 Networking with potential employers in the form of guest lecturers from environmental consultancy and research institutes

Outline content:

Content will normally include sessions on: •Introduction to Soil and Water •Phosphorus •Nitrogen •Contaminants – Metals •Contaminants – Organics •Human Risk assessment (CLEA) •Soil water and pollutant transport •Bioavailability, Bioaccessability and Passive Samplers •Ecotoxicology and nanoparticles •Ecological risk assessment •RemediationÌý

Global context:

This module discusses pollutant sources and pollutant transport, fate and behaviour processes that contribute to the global distribution and cycling of pollutants in the environment.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
This module is delivered through lectures, seminar style discussions and computer-laboratory sessions typically consisting of two hours contact per week over the autumn and spring terms. Some of the sessions are delivered by guest lecturers from contaminated land consultancies.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Structured essay on a contaminant of your choice (40%)


• Soil water and pollutant transport report (30%)


• CLEA practical write-up (30%)

Formative assessment methods:
Soil Description Assignment

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 􀀓Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes􀀔, which can be found here: