Postgraduate Course: Environmental Geochemistry (PGGE11172)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course consists of 10 x 2 hour sessions. The lectures cover the main characteristics and geochemical processes of soils, a fundamental treatment of acid-base equilibria in aquatic systems, and an integrated approach to redox and complexation equilibria in soil waters. The other sessions are devoted to discussion of case studies which provide 'real-world' application of the theory covered in the lectures and to student presentations and problem-solving workshops. |
| Course description |
Session 1
Characterisation of soils and sediments
Soil properties, erosion and forensic science
Session 2
Mineral surface properties and cation exchange capacity
Instrumental methods for mineral characterisation in environmental samples
Session 3
Characterisation of natural organic matter in soils and sediments
Transformations of organic matter: formation of fossil fuels
Session 4
Interaction of contaminants with mineral and organic matter in soils and sediments
Introduction to aquatic systems and acid-base equilibria
Session 5
Problem-solving ¿ soils/sediments; Excel spreadsheets for acid-base diagrams
Feed forward ¿ oral presentations
Session 6
Oral presentations
Session 7
Acid-base equilibria in natural waters
Importance of alkalinity for determining dissolved inorganic carbon content of waters
Session 8
Redox equilibria in natural waters
Importance of redox equilibria for remediation of contaminated urban environments
Session 9
Complexation equilibria in natural waters
Importance of speciation for human health and for remediation of contaminated soils
Session 10
Examples - aquatic systems
Feed forward - written assignment
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | There are no pre-requisites but some chemical knowledge is recommended. |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2018/19, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 25 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
76 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written assignment of 2000 words (75% of total assessment)
Oral presentation (25% of total assessment) |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- An enhanced understanding of the composition of soils and the main geochemical processes leading to soil formation.
- ¿ an appreciation of the how contaminants interact with soil components and how this may affect their mobility and bioavailability
- An understanding of the chemical equilibrium approach to determine speciation in aquatic systems.
- The ability to interpret pe-pH predominance and speciation diagrams.
- Improved skills in interpreting geochemical research findings and in verbal and written presentation of geochemical information.
|
Reading List
Principles of Environmental Chemistry, R.M. Harrison (Ed), Royal Society of Chemistry, 2007. Chapter 3.
Environmental and Low Temperature Geochemistry, P. Ryan, Wiley Blackwell, 2014.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Environmental geochemistry |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Margaret Graham
Tel: (0131 6)50 4767
Email: Margaret.Graham@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Heather Dyson
Tel: (0131 6)51 7126
Email: H.Dyson@ed.ac.uk |
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